I was up late Saturday night until 1:00 a.m. You may ask what does a guy do other than watch television until that time of night. Well your right, I was doing that but not off the "Big Tube" but on "You Tube". I am a multi-tasker of sort. Matter of fact my job requires intensive multi-tasking, keyboarding, searching, talking, analyzing and more in all at the same time. I do Client Representation work in Social Services in a call center. Sometimes I handle as many as 80 calls a day! So I was multi-tasking last night. I had the Big Tube on, but the sound muted, I was watching and listening to cuts from my favorite television show on You Tube, while downloading some of them and sending URL links in email to friends and family of my interest. I was watching clips of my all time favorite show in the 60's, a show short lived, but excellent in most content, a show that produced my childhood dream of riding a motorcycle and cruising the U.S.A. The show, "THEN CAME BRONSON", a series starring, the soft spoken, excellent singer-actor- Michael Parks. Here's a guy through life's tragedy, quits his job, and heads out on an adventure on a motorcycle across the U.S.A.
We all love stories of adventure, meeting people of different character, experiecing danger, love, and more. We wouldnt love the stories of Huck Finn, or the Lord of the Ring trilogies if that were not true, but we do. The show " Then Came Bronson" had it all. The main character was a man on a "mission to find God", I guess you could say, he even had the now known symbol on his 1969 Harley Sportster, the "all seeing Eye of God", which we have grown custom to look at on our dollar bills.
This wasn't a story about conspiracies, government gone crazy, or any of the things, I often find interesting to read today. This was the story which encompasses all men's dreams to go on an adventure. To cast care to the wind, and ride the wind, " to go where some man have gone before, but very few". These men are the men that have left behind multiple volumes of written and photographic works. Men who dare to get on the back of a two wheeled machines, horses, trains, planes,cars and even on foot and head out on that "Lone Lonesome Highway".
"Lone Lonesome Highway", just happens to be the theme song of the show, and was a hit for Michael Parks, with the groupies of this show, I being one of them.
I bought all of his record albums back then, but where they are today, I know not!
The show inspired me it stirred that need for adventure but mostly my love of motorcycles. The cowboy of today's "Iron Horse".
My first motorcycle I owned at age 15, it was an old Honda 90, that I stripped the leg windbreakers off of and adventured every where I could go in Texas.
Then after the dimurge of this bike, blown engine, it would be years before I could buy another one, but I continued to ride friends bikes and more until I could acquire another "horse".
My next one was on old Cimmatti 125, two stroke Bike, I believe of Italian origin.
I rode it to and from work in Florida before I married in 1974. Riding that motorcycle was a trip, just trying to keep the gas and oil mixture right, so you wouldn't conk out on the highway, with a cloud of black smoke surrouding you. It didnt have a auto mixer, you had to measure it in to the gasoline, shake and stir and pour it in, and hope she would ride right.
I don't recall what happened to that Bike, it's in the junk yard somewhere in my old memories.
Then in 1977, I bought a new Yamaha 500 XT, part Dirt Bike, part Road Bike.
I rode the heck out of the thing, I learned to dirt bike, jump, ride wheelies, crash and recover, run out of gas, fix bike flats, change the chain and more. I even took a road trip on it. Graduating in 1977 in Tyler from a Junior College, I went on to go to the University there to teach school, but tired the first semester, and my wife and sold a lot off and decided to return to the mountains and deserts of New Mexico. My wife drove the car and I took my first long haul ride of over 1200 miles to New Mexico on the back of my Yamaha! I can say by the time, I starting running that Bike on the Tarantula 400 track out there, that I was pretty much an expert Bike rider! I had rode through all kinds of weather, and conditions.
Then due to bad times and times of poverty and no work, I lost that bike to the "repo man". A sad day when she was taken off by two idiots who couldnt even start it. I had to show them how to even get the thing going so they could drive it off into the sunset, barely
What a beauty she was though, the old girl had taught me to ride like a pro..
Then the day came years later I finally got my hands on a Honda 450, that was in a friends garage in a box, torn down. I traded an old Buick I owned to him in exhange for a box full of unknown parts.. I built the Bike, put it back together, one bolt at a time, and then had it tuned out by a Biker shop guy I had met buying parts for her. She ran beautiful again and looked like new bike, all but the seat, and I had to eventually buy a new one. The bike got the adventure of being rode once up through northern New Mexico, as I had the neatest little tow gear built to go on my car hitch, where I could set the front wheel up in a rig attached to a ball hitch it was basically an upside down fender made of steel just the right size for the front wheel to rest in, you had to undo the bike chain drive you could take her with you on vacation trips. On this one occassion we had driven to northern New Mexico where I toured up and around Bandelier, the desert and mountains near Santa Fe and Los Alamos. I rode her hard for a couple of years until I moved to Houston, Texas where riding in traffic there with a small engine on a motorcycle was akin to SUICIDE! So she set on my porch for near a year and half whereby finally I sold her off when I returned to New Mexico, because I couldnt tow it with a U-Haul full of household goods and clothing. I think my cousin sent me $400.00 for her.
Then in 1988, I had moved from Aspen, Colordado to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, I bought 3 dirt bikes off my brother in law. They were all in the 250's range, One was a Honda, another a Yamaha and the last was a Suzuki. I rode those through the mountains and worked on them constantly they were in bad dis-repair, but all the same they gave me and my visiting cousin, some real fun, in the mountain terrain around my home in Glenwood Springs. I sold those bikes off eventually and then traded a 1977 Chevrolet Nova to my brother in law for a Honda 1977 CB 750. I bought the Bike on the day I was moving from Colorado back to Texas, I rode the Bike through the Eisenhower Tunnel over Vail Pass 12,500 foot elevation, through ice and snow, slipping and a sliding, through two snow storms one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. I rode the Bike for years more after that while living in Tyler, Texas again, until one morning, I woke up to find my drunken neighbor had his car parked right on top of her. She was dead. No more to go anywhere, I kept that Bike until just a few years ago, my present wife (first is deceased) sold her for $50.00. The old 750 had not run in years, nor had I tried to fix her.
Then came 2004, I bought a brand new Honda 750, rode it for a year, but I wasnt the skinny child I once was, and it just didnt have the humphf I needed to get up and go in highway conditions. I traded it in, and bought a brand new 2004 Honda VTX 1800cc monster, and I am in love again! I have driven her some short trips and one to Amarillo, Texas, and then in 2009, I talked one of my best friends into getting a motorcycle, a Honda 650 for him to learn to ride. Learn he did!
In May 2009, we hauled our motorcycles to New Mexico by trailer. We decided to do the "Wild Hog" trip and being housed in Albuquerque while visiting my parents, we ventured out and drove, to Madrid, New Mexico, up to Sandia peak, then we drove to Santa Fe and more. For one week we took an adventure, no cares, no worries, just riding the wind and the open spaces of the west. This is the life, of adventure but still didnt come to be the "Then Came Bronson, experience.
If you never saw the show, you missed out. This was the show, that inspired my drive to ride and to tour, and to love motorcycles!
I still dream of that "Then Came Bronson" experience, I am even planning for it, but with a slight change, I am praying to see my retirement in 6 years, and then I am getting on the back of whatever Bike I may have or can acquire at that time, and for the first six months of retirement, I am hitting the road again but this time with no final destination in mind other than "perhaps coming home" at the end of my adventure.
I want to ride to the west coast, up the coast and across America to the east coast and then back through the South to return to Texas. I want to document it, with video and still photographs, journal and blog it, so my readers can follow me as I take that adventure we all dream of as children- to be free to the wind, to go where some may have gone but very few, and to discover America again, myself, and others.
That is what "Then Came Bronson" stirs within everyone that watched the show, the dream to fly across America, free as an Eagle in the wind.
Now, that I have talked about the freedom of adventures on a motorcycle, the greatest adventure I ever started on, was my one with Christ.
I am now 56 years old and came to Christ at age 6, and it is an adventure of the Spirit, that requires nothing more than trust in Him. It has been wonderous, and full of danger, intrigue, love, and loss of things on this earth but gain of eternal things. However, the dream to still adventure across the highways of America is still in my blood. This time, though I won't be looking for God like Bronson was, there won't be a decal of the "eye of God" to carry me, but I will be carrying God with me into my adventure, to share my life experience with friends, family and others I might meet on the the trip, but all the same it will be my "Then Came Bronson" experience I dreamed of in 1969, it will be lived by me, not in television but in reality. This is my yet unfulfilled dream and that is to take my Apostolic Journey, and see the many I have loved in this world, and share with them the documentary of my most important adventure yet.."LIFE IN CHRIST"! To share the True gospel of Jesus Christ with all that I know, because it will be Christ in me, on the back of that motorcycle traveling the wind, and highway. It won't be a Long Lonesome Highway, because where I am He will be. If there is one lesson you learn as a Christian, is whereever, and whenever, if you are in Christ and He is in you, He is there!
If you get the opportunity, watch the old clips on You Tube, do a Google search for the show, and enjoy, I know I did, and because my reminicing of that old show, it stirred that need for me to take one more adventure. I pray before I leave on the great adventure to be with the Lord, and that is to travel on my Bike across America free and in the wind.
See the show clips if you can read the story outlines, and get that desire once more stirred in you. Once that happens, come join me on this great adventure of the Spirit, and perhaps and some years to come, you can join me on my ride, and then the best part of it all is you will join me on that final adventure into the heavenlies with Christ for eternity, where we will live out those childhood dreams forever with Him! It will be the consummation of the greatest adventure and story ever told and it will be entitled, and "Then Came Jesus"!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
American Children Don't Understand Sacrifice
In recently watching television, and taking in some most impressive documentaries on life in other countries, especially regarding the life of some of the children in those countries, my mind was inspired to write this.
The shows were on Discovery Channel called "Atlas". On this evening as I watched, first the life of a young 14 year old girl in South Africa, who must walk three miles to and from school everyday, studying hard to pass exams, so she might have a better life for her family and then later the life of a 14 year old in Egypt, my mind was stirred by their sacrifice. The little African girl not only gets herself up in the morning but she must tend to all her brothers and sisters, meals, clothing and care, every day while her parents work in the mines, and arent able to return home but once a month. She works hard and studies hard in hope of improving not just her lot in life but that of her parents, brothers and sisters.
Meanwhile back in American children are given what every they ask for and if not, they throw temper tantrums until they do. Their wants are always expectant of their parents to give to them, not to make sacrifice that their parents may have something more in life. Thus our nursing homes are full in America!
I was impressed with the sacrfice of the child in South Africa, even more with the next show on Egypt. Here in Cairo, riding a 1950's style bicycle, with a huge crate on his head full of bread, he rides the streets through traffic of vehicles and people, zigging and zagging through this with one hand on the handlebars and the other holding the crate on his head. He works 7 days a week, for 15 hours a day, and earns $6.00 per a day's work. He keeps back a $1.00 for himself to live on each day, and puts the other away. Why does this child work like this? This is a Muslim, child not a Christianized American child, this is a child that holds up to this kind of responsibility daily because of the love of his parents. The parents live in a very poor village outside of Cairo. They are so poor and elderly, that he alone has taken to the streets to work like this for their sake! He works especially hard delivering bread at the end of Ramaddan, the annual fasting and worship time of the year, where all the richer Muslims come together and serve the poor in a feast at the end of this time. The story closes with the child's return home to take his parents the money he has saved from his labor and gifts to his brothers and sisters. This is a child who lives and works in sacrifice everyday. You can't get most children in America to do chores without whining of some sort. Not unless they are promised some special pay or purchase for themselves.
I was impressed with His smile and his love for his family!.
Last Wednesday, I spent sometime loooking at You Tube videos of people in South America. I came across a video of a tribe in the Amazon, just recently discovered there, untouched by today's world. I found an interesting comment below on the video, someone had written, "Leave these people alone, we don't need anymore Christianized Wal Mart shopppers. It amazes me how truth can come from the lips of others often, even if it seems to be Anti-Christian to most religious folks.
The truth is the children of this country don't even have a clue about the sacrifice their own parents make everyday for them in this world. The painstaking having to drag yourself out of bed, even at times when you physically are feeling ill, to go to work all day in a dog eat dog world to bring home the simple things of life, like paying for food and shelter for their children. Yet in all this parents in this country die at the hands of their children who often in their anger over not getting what they want, have murdered their parents. For God's sake, what is wrong with American children...I'll tell you.. they bought into the idea that they are supposed to sacrifice for them 100%.. To quote another writer, this write said this:
"One of the myths of parenting is that it requires 100% self-sacrifice in order to meet the needs of the child. If this were true, the process of achieving this would leave the parent with nothing left of who they uniquely are to offer to their child. Do not sacrifice everything for the child, or you will find yourself empty, and your external relationships evaporated. The “100% self sacrifice” model of parenting is dangerous and unhealthy for the entire family".
America has created the children of "It's All About Me"
Why? Because there are those in this country including,parents who have been fed the false gospel of "it's all about me", they to often live this out in their lives.
We only need to look to the most terroristic act in the world commited daily in this country, ABORTION! One and half million unborn children die at the hands of these same adults who brought up in a culture of not knowing true sacrifice for others then themselves every year. Where did this monster come from in a country that claims itself to be Christian. It comes from a false teaching that pervases America, that Jesus came so we could all be comfortable with our lives, the Health, Wealth and Prosperity message as been the most pervasive of these. The Joel Olsteen's of American "Christianity" keep delivering the "feel good" messages without a hint at suffering. They act is if we ARE THE WORLD! Everything these teachers and preachers put forth is contrary to all Christians historically worldwide whoever made a life in Christ! They suffered much as our Saviour did. The Bible says he who suffers in the flesh ceases from sin! Thus we have a country full of sin, for the message in America would never stand in third world countries where not only children make sacrifice daily for those they love and care about, but where more than 95% of the toys, clothes, and other goodies, like cell phones, IPOD's and the like aren't found. Places where people have no fancy shiny automobiles, no flashy clothes, where food and shelter are appreciated for what they are gifts from God, and all else is expendable and not needed, nor most often not affordable.
In the end my message is like that of the commentator on the You Tube page, leave these people alone, don't give then what America has for God's sake!
Leave these children alone they aren't give me, give me babies like we have here in America, Muslim or other, they understand sacrifice and in light of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, they probably have more light than our churched children here in America..
At the end of all things, I know that their sacrifice doesnt mean anything toward their eternal salvation.. but who said salvation isnt about this life? I believe that God see's these Children and loves them, and reveals Himself to them and even may bring them the light of the TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, though in truth their young lives reveal more of it then most of any children I have yet to see in America!
What does that say for the children here in America?
They don't don't understand sacrificial living, they are the "GIVE ME GENERATION", not the let me "GIVE TO YOU", children you can find in many other places in the world, regardless of their religious beliefs, they show more of who God is, through their lives lived then most children in America, who have been preached a false gospel of promised prosperity that they are suppose to deserve. Our problem is love is not taught to children by giving them everything they demand, love is taught when they learn sacrifice for others. Is this not the love of God, that God so loved the world HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that who so ever should believe in Him shall have eternal life and shall not perish!
Let our children learn from others, give them some good programming on television to watch besides MTV and it's likes. Children's perceptions of how life is to be lived comes first from their parents, then those things that they spend their other time doing.. Believe it, these are the facts. What lesson are you teaching your children?
Let it be the lesson of sacrifice but let it be a lesson whereby they must learn to sacrifice as well for others.
With love and prayers for our children, I close.
Doctor J.
The shows were on Discovery Channel called "Atlas". On this evening as I watched, first the life of a young 14 year old girl in South Africa, who must walk three miles to and from school everyday, studying hard to pass exams, so she might have a better life for her family and then later the life of a 14 year old in Egypt, my mind was stirred by their sacrifice. The little African girl not only gets herself up in the morning but she must tend to all her brothers and sisters, meals, clothing and care, every day while her parents work in the mines, and arent able to return home but once a month. She works hard and studies hard in hope of improving not just her lot in life but that of her parents, brothers and sisters.
Meanwhile back in American children are given what every they ask for and if not, they throw temper tantrums until they do. Their wants are always expectant of their parents to give to them, not to make sacrifice that their parents may have something more in life. Thus our nursing homes are full in America!
I was impressed with the sacrfice of the child in South Africa, even more with the next show on Egypt. Here in Cairo, riding a 1950's style bicycle, with a huge crate on his head full of bread, he rides the streets through traffic of vehicles and people, zigging and zagging through this with one hand on the handlebars and the other holding the crate on his head. He works 7 days a week, for 15 hours a day, and earns $6.00 per a day's work. He keeps back a $1.00 for himself to live on each day, and puts the other away. Why does this child work like this? This is a Muslim, child not a Christianized American child, this is a child that holds up to this kind of responsibility daily because of the love of his parents. The parents live in a very poor village outside of Cairo. They are so poor and elderly, that he alone has taken to the streets to work like this for their sake! He works especially hard delivering bread at the end of Ramaddan, the annual fasting and worship time of the year, where all the richer Muslims come together and serve the poor in a feast at the end of this time. The story closes with the child's return home to take his parents the money he has saved from his labor and gifts to his brothers and sisters. This is a child who lives and works in sacrifice everyday. You can't get most children in America to do chores without whining of some sort. Not unless they are promised some special pay or purchase for themselves.
I was impressed with His smile and his love for his family!.
Last Wednesday, I spent sometime loooking at You Tube videos of people in South America. I came across a video of a tribe in the Amazon, just recently discovered there, untouched by today's world. I found an interesting comment below on the video, someone had written, "Leave these people alone, we don't need anymore Christianized Wal Mart shopppers. It amazes me how truth can come from the lips of others often, even if it seems to be Anti-Christian to most religious folks.
The truth is the children of this country don't even have a clue about the sacrifice their own parents make everyday for them in this world. The painstaking having to drag yourself out of bed, even at times when you physically are feeling ill, to go to work all day in a dog eat dog world to bring home the simple things of life, like paying for food and shelter for their children. Yet in all this parents in this country die at the hands of their children who often in their anger over not getting what they want, have murdered their parents. For God's sake, what is wrong with American children...I'll tell you.. they bought into the idea that they are supposed to sacrifice for them 100%.. To quote another writer, this write said this:
"One of the myths of parenting is that it requires 100% self-sacrifice in order to meet the needs of the child. If this were true, the process of achieving this would leave the parent with nothing left of who they uniquely are to offer to their child. Do not sacrifice everything for the child, or you will find yourself empty, and your external relationships evaporated. The “100% self sacrifice” model of parenting is dangerous and unhealthy for the entire family".
America has created the children of "It's All About Me"
Why? Because there are those in this country including,parents who have been fed the false gospel of "it's all about me", they to often live this out in their lives.
We only need to look to the most terroristic act in the world commited daily in this country, ABORTION! One and half million unborn children die at the hands of these same adults who brought up in a culture of not knowing true sacrifice for others then themselves every year. Where did this monster come from in a country that claims itself to be Christian. It comes from a false teaching that pervases America, that Jesus came so we could all be comfortable with our lives, the Health, Wealth and Prosperity message as been the most pervasive of these. The Joel Olsteen's of American "Christianity" keep delivering the "feel good" messages without a hint at suffering. They act is if we ARE THE WORLD! Everything these teachers and preachers put forth is contrary to all Christians historically worldwide whoever made a life in Christ! They suffered much as our Saviour did. The Bible says he who suffers in the flesh ceases from sin! Thus we have a country full of sin, for the message in America would never stand in third world countries where not only children make sacrifice daily for those they love and care about, but where more than 95% of the toys, clothes, and other goodies, like cell phones, IPOD's and the like aren't found. Places where people have no fancy shiny automobiles, no flashy clothes, where food and shelter are appreciated for what they are gifts from God, and all else is expendable and not needed, nor most often not affordable.
In the end my message is like that of the commentator on the You Tube page, leave these people alone, don't give then what America has for God's sake!
Leave these children alone they aren't give me, give me babies like we have here in America, Muslim or other, they understand sacrifice and in light of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, they probably have more light than our churched children here in America..
At the end of all things, I know that their sacrifice doesnt mean anything toward their eternal salvation.. but who said salvation isnt about this life? I believe that God see's these Children and loves them, and reveals Himself to them and even may bring them the light of the TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, though in truth their young lives reveal more of it then most of any children I have yet to see in America!
What does that say for the children here in America?
They don't don't understand sacrificial living, they are the "GIVE ME GENERATION", not the let me "GIVE TO YOU", children you can find in many other places in the world, regardless of their religious beliefs, they show more of who God is, through their lives lived then most children in America, who have been preached a false gospel of promised prosperity that they are suppose to deserve. Our problem is love is not taught to children by giving them everything they demand, love is taught when they learn sacrifice for others. Is this not the love of God, that God so loved the world HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that who so ever should believe in Him shall have eternal life and shall not perish!
Let our children learn from others, give them some good programming on television to watch besides MTV and it's likes. Children's perceptions of how life is to be lived comes first from their parents, then those things that they spend their other time doing.. Believe it, these are the facts. What lesson are you teaching your children?
Let it be the lesson of sacrifice but let it be a lesson whereby they must learn to sacrifice as well for others.
With love and prayers for our children, I close.
Doctor J.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
DEEP BLUE MORALITY
I like most people often waste valuable time watching the "tube". I have been watching a new series program on TNT called "Deep Blue". The show is suppose to reveal the lives of those who work undercover narcotics with the Police Department.
Last night's show was interesting because it exposes the hypocrisy of lying, cheating and even setting up crime scenes by law enforcement to accomplish what they may call their objective in the end for "the good" of all.
The story is about the main Character "Carter" who heads up a team of undercover narc officers. In the story I wathced last evening, the main character shoots a DEA officer, and then lies his way through the investigation into the shooting. The hard nose investigator, really digs in on Carter, and before long has motive for Carter killing the DEA agent. It seems the DEA agent was the fiance of Carter's ex-wife, who had a baby with the agent. By all appearances Carter killed him out of jealousy over this relationship, as he has even refused to divorce her over the years.
Though Carter and the dead DEA agent worked together for five years in police work previously in L.A. it appears that this hard driving Federal Investigator is about to get her man, and bury Carter for murder.
Break away...earlier while on his suppose buy with the DEA agent, his own team on hearing the shots fired rushed to the scene from up on a hill to find Carter holding the gun in his hand telling his team to get out of there, telling his team you didnt see anything, you weren't here. Carter tells them it is best, through the whole investigation by the FEDS of Carter - the undercover narc officer now possibly facing homicide charges, keeps up with the same barage to his team stay out of it. The problem is the story Carter tells the FEDs has big holes in it, and the team knows it, and their loyalty to him, to their careers and to truth, whatever that is they find being tested. They face their own doubts. In so doing they do their own investigating and in so doing do discover, that the DEA agent had 6 drug deals for COKE but yet no one was busted. So now they are pretty sure that the DEA is dirty..
Meantime Carter in his discussion with one of his team, he gives him some money and tells him to give it to a guy at City Hall. His team member complies, and tells him later everything is in place. not knowing what is going on.
The test comes, for the team, the investigator to test their loyalty has one of her people in Special Crimes make a job offer to one of the guys.. The lone female undercover officer is tested as well she can tell the truth and leave with her boyfriend who just landed a big job with a top LAW firm in San Francisco, the other guy he is busy finally going to the crime scene where they could find no other bullet fragments or bullets from the supposed Blue Car with shooters in it, that Carter tells showed up drawing down on Carter and the DEA agent, where in trying to protect the DEA agent from one of the dealers Carter claims he accidentily shot the DEA agent instead of the PERP...Thus the investigation lead strongly that Carter lied about the blue car and the dealers with guns who took them on. The agent who seems the most loyal to Carter and has little hestitancy playing along with Carter, delivering the money to the guy at City Hall, he goes out to the Crime Scene and manages to draw away the two officers guarding the scene so he can plant some drop shells, and bullet fragments in the area, to vindicate Carter's story.
The ex- wife's testimony pretty much establishes that Carter wasnt jealous, the bullets are found, Carter's team holds out in their interrogation and the story sticks and Carter goes free.
In the end, it turns out that Carter had gone to the scene with his ex-partner DEA agent, to talk him out of being dirty, for it turns out he was doing some dealing on his own, and making some money. All from Cocaine sells, while he was working on one of the largest Heroin rings in the area. Carter got into an argument with the DEA agent who drew his gun on Carter,thinking he was going to burn him for his dirty dealing and Carter shot him in self defense... the team ask, why didnt he just come clean about his old friend that he had gone dirty and tell what really happened.
The reason Carter knows the danger of working the dirty business of doing undercover work. The toughest work a cop can do, for he has to become, just like those he is investigating yet somehow maintain his mission and law abiding enforcement officer sworn duty. He has seen it before some FLIP OUT.. turn into being just like those they are investigating and are soon dirty cops!
The show closes telling the whole story.
Carter delivers a package that he has to his ex-wife, telling her it is the Divorce papers. She looks at him through her tears and mourning and ask, "why now"?.. He had refused for years to give her the divorce and now he wants to. Her lover is dead, at his hands. He tells her inside the package she will find something else for her, a marriage license, to which was issued 11 months previous, that her and the DEA Agent were married and she is to say he just didnt want to tell the Bureau he was married yet. He tells her, he died a hero, and now she is entitled to full benefits for her husband" who died in the line of duty. His friend at City Hall fixed it all for the sum of money of course. Money buys anything in this business. I spent some 20 years in private investigations, I know!
Now we have a nice ending, seems like a good thing to do. Carter is such a good guy he hung is on butt on the line to save his former partners reputation as a DEA officer and give his ex-wife and the guys child his name, her money and ,,,the tears!
What can we learn from all this typical moral story?
Not much.
When I was in college I remember studying Fletcher's Situation Ethics..
The theorem was that any situation if the actions taken whether good or evil work out in the end toward the objective of the love of another, then it is good!
This the same kind of morality that all of America understands. It doesnt matter if those who say they uphold the law, become as evil as those they seek to bring to justice as long as their title is law enforcer or government and the guy they are getting is civilian crook or terrorist. The end justifies the means..
What hogwash hypocrisy!
What people dont understand this is hypocrisy, clean on the outside by position but rotten to the core by character.
Fletcher proposes for example some highly not probable scenarios in his writing..
Let's create one like he does in his book, if the highest objective is to love others the golden rule to love others as yourself, then lets take that objective to the extreme. Let's say a male along with a female are taken hostage by terrorist, and the terrorist showing off his power over the two, tells the male he must rape the girl while he watches or he will shoot the girl. What is the greater act of love Fletcher would propose- to rape the girl and let the Terrorist watch so that she might live or let the Terrorist kill her. This is situational ethics it is the same game lie that plays in politicians brains, law enforcement and even individuals, it is called the "end justifies the means to obtain the objective". So therefore it is good in the minds of most to do wrong if they think the over all purpose to their judgement of what is right or wrong will be that the end result is good. Whatever it takes to reach that goal is necessary, lying, cheating, whatever, as long as in the end the goal is achieved. Thus in the world for Narcotics officers, they have to sometimes use drugs, act like a criminal or whatever to get the target, that's OK!
Thus we have governmental officials who right now on the debate over healthcare, thinking that in the end if the government arbitrarily makes the life and death decisions involved in healthcare that is good! So what if a few old folks are turned down health care so the younger one's can obtain health care that was denied the old folks. In the long run, isn't it better to let those die who in not but a few years will die anyway/ These who really are a drain on the economics of America because they are no longer producers but takers, in Social Security money, Medicare, and more. Why not keep the young healthy? They will produce more for years to come, in tax money and labor for the rich and the elite of this country. thus the goal of a better society is achieved for (all) by forsaking the few- the old and decrepit,the terminally ill, those who will die soon anyway.
Do you see the circle of thinking in terms of good and evil. Good can become evil and evil can become good. It all depends on who is in charge making the rules. Those in power are the one's who make the rules, whether good or evil, but all they have to do is proclaim what they do as good even when it is equal to the evil that others do that they power over. Another example, we Americans went with the Bush argument that Saddam was killing innocent people, torturing others. We had to stop him at any cost. We were shocked at Hitler's henchman and their torture of the Jews in World War 2, but today because we believe we are righteous it is "good" to torture alleged Terrorist. On this I do agree with Obama, it lowers our values to theirs for human life.
This is the plight of men who live by the letter of the law versus the Spirit.
Holiness far exceeds good and evil thus God's actions will never be understood through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A man must be enlightened by the very Spirit of God living within them to understand GOOD. Jesus told the rich young ruler that called him good, that only God is good!
The shame of television is it plays the situational ethics game in almost every show ever watched. It leaves the viewers with no better philosophy of life then they live in this world or they live out themselves. It does display the fact of life, that no one can escape that the Bible makes clear, before God all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Thus what man can judge another man. Only God can truly judge in righteousness for He is righteous and man is just another man, evil and good about him in no matter what he does. He has only one hope and that is to be born of the Spirit and have the one true God's character instilled into his life. Thus as Paul wrote, Christ in you, the hope of glory.
There are none righteous not one!
Arent you thankful that if you have Christ inside, you can live above man's concepts of right and wrong and by faith, be the LAW...for He inside of you is the one that fulfills it to the crossing of the T to the dotting of the I... and there are none righteous except Him who is above all authority both in heaven and on earth. Grace is a beautiful thing to behold as we appear into His face who brings grace!
Dr. J.
Last night's show was interesting because it exposes the hypocrisy of lying, cheating and even setting up crime scenes by law enforcement to accomplish what they may call their objective in the end for "the good" of all.
The story is about the main Character "Carter" who heads up a team of undercover narc officers. In the story I wathced last evening, the main character shoots a DEA officer, and then lies his way through the investigation into the shooting. The hard nose investigator, really digs in on Carter, and before long has motive for Carter killing the DEA agent. It seems the DEA agent was the fiance of Carter's ex-wife, who had a baby with the agent. By all appearances Carter killed him out of jealousy over this relationship, as he has even refused to divorce her over the years.
Though Carter and the dead DEA agent worked together for five years in police work previously in L.A. it appears that this hard driving Federal Investigator is about to get her man, and bury Carter for murder.
Break away...earlier while on his suppose buy with the DEA agent, his own team on hearing the shots fired rushed to the scene from up on a hill to find Carter holding the gun in his hand telling his team to get out of there, telling his team you didnt see anything, you weren't here. Carter tells them it is best, through the whole investigation by the FEDS of Carter - the undercover narc officer now possibly facing homicide charges, keeps up with the same barage to his team stay out of it. The problem is the story Carter tells the FEDs has big holes in it, and the team knows it, and their loyalty to him, to their careers and to truth, whatever that is they find being tested. They face their own doubts. In so doing they do their own investigating and in so doing do discover, that the DEA agent had 6 drug deals for COKE but yet no one was busted. So now they are pretty sure that the DEA is dirty..
Meantime Carter in his discussion with one of his team, he gives him some money and tells him to give it to a guy at City Hall. His team member complies, and tells him later everything is in place. not knowing what is going on.
The test comes, for the team, the investigator to test their loyalty has one of her people in Special Crimes make a job offer to one of the guys.. The lone female undercover officer is tested as well she can tell the truth and leave with her boyfriend who just landed a big job with a top LAW firm in San Francisco, the other guy he is busy finally going to the crime scene where they could find no other bullet fragments or bullets from the supposed Blue Car with shooters in it, that Carter tells showed up drawing down on Carter and the DEA agent, where in trying to protect the DEA agent from one of the dealers Carter claims he accidentily shot the DEA agent instead of the PERP...Thus the investigation lead strongly that Carter lied about the blue car and the dealers with guns who took them on. The agent who seems the most loyal to Carter and has little hestitancy playing along with Carter, delivering the money to the guy at City Hall, he goes out to the Crime Scene and manages to draw away the two officers guarding the scene so he can plant some drop shells, and bullet fragments in the area, to vindicate Carter's story.
The ex- wife's testimony pretty much establishes that Carter wasnt jealous, the bullets are found, Carter's team holds out in their interrogation and the story sticks and Carter goes free.
In the end, it turns out that Carter had gone to the scene with his ex-partner DEA agent, to talk him out of being dirty, for it turns out he was doing some dealing on his own, and making some money. All from Cocaine sells, while he was working on one of the largest Heroin rings in the area. Carter got into an argument with the DEA agent who drew his gun on Carter,thinking he was going to burn him for his dirty dealing and Carter shot him in self defense... the team ask, why didnt he just come clean about his old friend that he had gone dirty and tell what really happened.
The reason Carter knows the danger of working the dirty business of doing undercover work. The toughest work a cop can do, for he has to become, just like those he is investigating yet somehow maintain his mission and law abiding enforcement officer sworn duty. He has seen it before some FLIP OUT.. turn into being just like those they are investigating and are soon dirty cops!
The show closes telling the whole story.
Carter delivers a package that he has to his ex-wife, telling her it is the Divorce papers. She looks at him through her tears and mourning and ask, "why now"?.. He had refused for years to give her the divorce and now he wants to. Her lover is dead, at his hands. He tells her inside the package she will find something else for her, a marriage license, to which was issued 11 months previous, that her and the DEA Agent were married and she is to say he just didnt want to tell the Bureau he was married yet. He tells her, he died a hero, and now she is entitled to full benefits for her husband" who died in the line of duty. His friend at City Hall fixed it all for the sum of money of course. Money buys anything in this business. I spent some 20 years in private investigations, I know!
Now we have a nice ending, seems like a good thing to do. Carter is such a good guy he hung is on butt on the line to save his former partners reputation as a DEA officer and give his ex-wife and the guys child his name, her money and ,,,the tears!
What can we learn from all this typical moral story?
Not much.
When I was in college I remember studying Fletcher's Situation Ethics..
The theorem was that any situation if the actions taken whether good or evil work out in the end toward the objective of the love of another, then it is good!
This the same kind of morality that all of America understands. It doesnt matter if those who say they uphold the law, become as evil as those they seek to bring to justice as long as their title is law enforcer or government and the guy they are getting is civilian crook or terrorist. The end justifies the means..
What hogwash hypocrisy!
What people dont understand this is hypocrisy, clean on the outside by position but rotten to the core by character.
Fletcher proposes for example some highly not probable scenarios in his writing..
Let's create one like he does in his book, if the highest objective is to love others the golden rule to love others as yourself, then lets take that objective to the extreme. Let's say a male along with a female are taken hostage by terrorist, and the terrorist showing off his power over the two, tells the male he must rape the girl while he watches or he will shoot the girl. What is the greater act of love Fletcher would propose- to rape the girl and let the Terrorist watch so that she might live or let the Terrorist kill her. This is situational ethics it is the same game lie that plays in politicians brains, law enforcement and even individuals, it is called the "end justifies the means to obtain the objective". So therefore it is good in the minds of most to do wrong if they think the over all purpose to their judgement of what is right or wrong will be that the end result is good. Whatever it takes to reach that goal is necessary, lying, cheating, whatever, as long as in the end the goal is achieved. Thus in the world for Narcotics officers, they have to sometimes use drugs, act like a criminal or whatever to get the target, that's OK!
Thus we have governmental officials who right now on the debate over healthcare, thinking that in the end if the government arbitrarily makes the life and death decisions involved in healthcare that is good! So what if a few old folks are turned down health care so the younger one's can obtain health care that was denied the old folks. In the long run, isn't it better to let those die who in not but a few years will die anyway/ These who really are a drain on the economics of America because they are no longer producers but takers, in Social Security money, Medicare, and more. Why not keep the young healthy? They will produce more for years to come, in tax money and labor for the rich and the elite of this country. thus the goal of a better society is achieved for (all) by forsaking the few- the old and decrepit,the terminally ill, those who will die soon anyway.
Do you see the circle of thinking in terms of good and evil. Good can become evil and evil can become good. It all depends on who is in charge making the rules. Those in power are the one's who make the rules, whether good or evil, but all they have to do is proclaim what they do as good even when it is equal to the evil that others do that they power over. Another example, we Americans went with the Bush argument that Saddam was killing innocent people, torturing others. We had to stop him at any cost. We were shocked at Hitler's henchman and their torture of the Jews in World War 2, but today because we believe we are righteous it is "good" to torture alleged Terrorist. On this I do agree with Obama, it lowers our values to theirs for human life.
This is the plight of men who live by the letter of the law versus the Spirit.
Holiness far exceeds good and evil thus God's actions will never be understood through the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A man must be enlightened by the very Spirit of God living within them to understand GOOD. Jesus told the rich young ruler that called him good, that only God is good!
The shame of television is it plays the situational ethics game in almost every show ever watched. It leaves the viewers with no better philosophy of life then they live in this world or they live out themselves. It does display the fact of life, that no one can escape that the Bible makes clear, before God all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Thus what man can judge another man. Only God can truly judge in righteousness for He is righteous and man is just another man, evil and good about him in no matter what he does. He has only one hope and that is to be born of the Spirit and have the one true God's character instilled into his life. Thus as Paul wrote, Christ in you, the hope of glory.
There are none righteous not one!
Arent you thankful that if you have Christ inside, you can live above man's concepts of right and wrong and by faith, be the LAW...for He inside of you is the one that fulfills it to the crossing of the T to the dotting of the I... and there are none righteous except Him who is above all authority both in heaven and on earth. Grace is a beautiful thing to behold as we appear into His face who brings grace!
Dr. J.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men
Just a little history for the day after the Fourth of July in America. Most individuals know I do not beleive in violence or war, or rebellion as a Christian. I do beleive we are to pray for leaders and peace so that we may live out our Christian faith peacefully, tend to our families, feed them and ourselves and clothe and house them and ourselves. However, what shall we do when government becomes so oppresive as that believers cannot enjoy our God given right to peace, and freedom without license.
I dont' believe that God wants us to sit back silently, as I beleive very strongly that we live in the Kingdom of God, as a Preterist, however I also believe it is our duty as Christians to support freedom in ways that are neither violent or zealous beyond Biblical reason and the life of Christ within us.
I found it of interest that the belief system of the days of our forefathers in this country, that people thought very differently other than the Quakers who think more like myself. I make no oath to no one, no institution or nation, but to serve it in Christ, however, even Paul and Peter once it got down to obedience towards God or men, chose God- and thus when commanded to cease from preaching Jesus Christ or proclaiming Ceasar a god, they did rebel against authority and did what they were told not to do anyway. They never lifted a weapon or fought back ,they simply followed their King Jesus in the same manner He did, they suffered and died at the hands of their persecutors. They practiced civil disobedience not for the affairs of men but for God. Even as Paul said, he was compelled to preach Christ.
Though I do not agree with what follows it is a large part of American History and bears repeating as a reminder, to those that always seek to power over others, there will be others who rebel many times it will be the religious and lead by the religious.
Though the following is an outline of just such a man who was both a preacher and a statesman, it is to remind us, that it is easy to be caught up in the moment of resistance against oppression, to often turn to religious justifications as this sermon delivered by John Witherspoon on May 17, 1776 just a month before the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776 and finally completed in it's signing in August of 1776. Here is a little background into the Scottish preacher John Witherspoon and then I have presented his sermon as preached in May 1776, that gave great religious fervor to the Revolution in 1776.
John Witherspoon (1723–1794). Born in Scotland and educated at Edinburgh, Witherspoon came to America in 1768 to be president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton), a position he held until 1792, when blindness forced his retirement. He had led the Popular Party among Scottish Presbyterians before his emigration, and he was prominent among ecclesiastical leaders in America. In the pre-Revolutionary years, the college at Princeton prospered under Witherspoon; with the Scotch-Irish influx into America, the Presbyterian church enjoyed great popularity and prosperity in the country, especially in the middle Atlantic colonies and on the frontier, where by 1776 there were many ministers who had been Witherspoon’s students. He closed the schism among the Presbyterians, and he made alliance with Ezra Stiles (president of Yale) to forge strong ties with the Congregationalists of New England as the Revolution bore down on the country. With Stiles he shared a distaste for the New Divinity and revivalism generally. He introduced into American thought the Scottish Common Sense philosophy of Thomas Reid and Dugald Stewart, which dominated the young nation’s thought for a century.
Because Witherspoon had been captured and imprisoned in Scotland during the Highlander uprising in 1745–46, his critics called him a Jacobite. Witherspoon eschewed politics in America until 1774, but after that he steadily participated, directly and indirectly, in the leading events of the day. In 1776 he was elected to the Continental Congress in time to urge adoption of the Declaration of Independence and to be the only clergyman to sign it. To the assertion that America was not ripe for independence he retorted: “In my judgment, sir, we are not only ripe, but rotting.”
Witherspoon served intermittently in Congress until 1782 and was a member of over a hundred legislative committees, including two vital standing committees, the Board of War and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the latter role, he took a leading part in drawing up the instructions for the American peace commissioners who concluded the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war in September 1783. He later served in the New Jersey legislature and was a member of that state’s ratifying convention for the Constitution in 1787.
Witherspoon has been called the most influential professor in American history, not only because of his powerful writing and speaking style—and he was carefully attended to on all subjects, both here and abroad—but also because of his long tenure at Princeton. His teaching and the reforms he made there radiated his influence across the country. He trained not only a substantial segment of the leadership among Presbyterians but a number of political leaders as well. Nine of the fifty-five participants in the Federal Convention in 1787 were Princeton graduates, chief among them James Madison (who, among other things, spent an extra year studying Hebrew and philosophy with Witherspoon after his graduation in 1771). Moreover, his pupils included a president and a vice-president of the United States, twenty-one senators, twenty-nine representatives, fifty-six state legislators, and thirty-three judges, three of whom were appointed to the Supreme Court. During the Revolution, his pupils were everywhere in positions of command in the American forces.
Witherspoon’s The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men caused a great stir when it was first preached in Princeton and published in Philadelphia in 1776, about a month before he was elected to the Continental Congress on June 22. He reminds his auditors that the sermon is his first address on political matters from the pulpit: ministers of the Gospel have more important business to attend to than secular crises, but, of course, liberty is more than a merely secular matter.
Surely the Wrath of Man shall praise thee; the remainder of Wrath shalt thou restrain.
(How the final statement of his can fit into what both Jesus and Paul taught is beyond me, but religious men believed it and fought the war under it's religious justifications to formulate this country which we live in now) - Dr. J.
Here is the sermon as he preached it back then in May 1776
The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men
John Witherspoon
May 17, 1775
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In the first place, I would take the opportunity on this occasion, and from this subject, to press every hearer to a sincere concern for his own soul’s salvation. There are times when the mind may be expected to be more awake to divine truth, and the conscience more open to the arrows of conviction than at others. A season of public judgment is of this kind. Can you have a clearer view of the sinfulness of your nature, than when the rod of the oppressor is lifted up, and when you see men putting on the habit of the warrior, and collecting on every hand the weapons of hostility and instruments of death? I do not blame your ardour in preparing for the resolute defense of your temporal rights; but consider, I beseech you, the truly infinite importance of the salvation of your souls. Is it of much moment whether you and your children shall be rich or poor, at liberty or in bonds? Is it of much moment whether this beautiful country shall increase in fruitfulness from year to year, being cultivated by active industry, and possessed by independent freemen, or the scanty produce of the neglected fields shall be eaten up by hungry publicans, while the timid owner trembles at the tax-gatherer’s approach? And is it of less moment, my brethren, whether you shall be the heirs of glory, or the heirs of hell? Is your state on earth for a few fleeting years, of so much moment? And is it of less moment what shall be your state through endless ages? Have you assembled together willingly to hear what shall be said on public affairs, and to join in imploring the blessing of God on the counsels and arms of the United Colonies, and can you be unconcerned what shall become of you for ever, when all the monuments of human greatness shall be laid in ashes, for "the earth itself, and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up."
Wherefore, my beloved hearers, as the ministry of reconciliation is committed to me, I beseech you in the most earnest manner, to attend to "the things that belong to your peace, before they are hid from your eyes". How soon, and in what manner a seal shall be set upon the character and state of every person here present, it is impossible to know. But you may rest assured, that there is no time more suitable, and there is none so safe as that which is present, since it is wholy uncertain whether any other shall be yours. Those who shall first fall in battle, have not many more warnings to receive. There are some few daring and hardened sinners, who despise eternity itself, and set their Maker at defiance; but the far greater number, by staving off their convictions to a more convenient season, have been taken unprepared, and thus eternally lost. I would therefore earnestly press the apostle’s exhortation, 2 Cor 6: 1-2... "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Suffer me to beseech you, or rather to give you warning, not to rest satisfied with a form of godliness, denying the power thereof. There can be no true religion, till there be a discovery of your lost state by nature and practice, and an unfeigned acceptance of Christ Jesus, as he is offered in the gospel. Unhappy are they who either despise his mercy, or are ashamed of his cross. Believe it, "There is no salvation in any other." "There is no other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved." Unless you are united to him by a lively faith, not the resentment of a haughty monarch, the sword of divine justice hangs over you, and the fulness of divine vengeance shall speedily overtake you. I do not speak this only to the heaven-daring profligate or grovelling sensualist, but to every insensible, secure sinner; to all those, however decent and orderly in their civil deportment, who live to themselves, and have their part and portion in this life; in fine, to all who are yet in a state of nature, for "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". The fear of man may make you hide your profanity; prudence and experience may make you abhor intemperance and riot; as you advance in life one vice may supplant another and hold its place; but nothing less than the sovereign grace of God can produce a saving change of heart and temper, or fit you for his immediate presence.
While we give praise to God, the supreme Disposer of all events, for his interposition in our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of an arm of flesh. I could earnestly wish, that while our arms are crowned with success, we might content ourselves with a modest ascription of it to the power of the Highest. It has given me great uneasiness to read some ostentatious, vaunting expressions in our newspapers, though happily, I think, much restrained of late. Let us not return to them again. If I am not mistaken, not only the Holy Scriptures in general, and the truths of the glorious gospel in particular, but the whole course of providence, seem intended to abase the pride of man, and lay the vain-glorious in the dust.
From what has been said you may learn what encouragement you have to put your trust in God, and hope for his assistance in the present important conflict. He is the Lord of hosts, great in might, and strong in battle. Whoever hath his countenance and approbation, shall have the best at last. I do not mean to speak prophetically, but agreeably to the analogy of faith, and the principles of God’s moral government. I leave this as a matter rather of conjecture than certainty, but observe, that if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.
If your cause is just, you may look with confidence to the Lord, and intreat him to plead it as his own. You are all my witnesses, that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful but necessary, and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without any hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. So far as we have hitherto proceeded, I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies has not been the effect of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a deep and general conviction that our civil and religious liberties, and consequently in a great measure the temporal and eternal happiness of us and our posterity, depended on the issue. The knowledge of God and his truths have from the beginning of the world been chiefly, if not entirely confined to those parts of the earth where some degree of liberty and political justice were to be seen, and great were the difficulties with which they had to struggle, from the imperfection of human society, and the unjust decisions of unsurped authority. There is not a single instance in history, in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire. If therefore we yield up our temporal property, we at the same time deliver the conscience into bondage.
--
Comment: I can only say when men take scripture and things that are meant clearly to be spiritual in context then revert them to the carnal affairs of men, it is easy to see how in the religious mind, all kinds of justifications are found for all kinds of acts that any man can find solace in his action, though totally unscriptural and anti-biblical just as those who turn our Lord Jesus into G.I. Jesus, or like the anti-abortionist who seek to kill those who perform abortions. They have left the context of scripture, which Jesus reminds us, that life can't be found in it, neither is it a book of rules whereby we live our carnal lives, they are that which speak of Him, Jesus Christ who is KING OVER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF MEN, for it was He who said, "All Authority has been given unto me, in heaven and on earth". The affairs of government, and others lives, are not our affair but His, and His alone, and it is He who is judge, and will judge others, not we ourselves. How we forget so easily that Christ didnt come to establish an earthly kingdom of government among all people but an inward one in the hearts of His people who are here on earth being prepared for heaven, where there is no war, no death, no sin or men and their governments which will rise and fall always. Rome fell, and yes, sad to say as an American we are seeing the last vestiges of freedom in our country coming to a close as well. Is a revolution in store, probably and perhaps but should Christians lead it, my answer and I having the Spirit of Christ believe the answer for us is still, "No". Leave the affairs of men to men, there will be governments arise that are for individual freedom as history reveals, and there will be governments fall of despotism, like Rome and now America. Yes, we have a heritage but it is not our heritage of Americans that we need recall, it is our heritage and first most of being subjects, and not just subjects of the King but brothers to Christ, and Son's of the Father which must always guard our hearts against the idea's of any sort of justified violence against any of the kingdoms of this world. They will always be there, and they will always oppose God and the freedoms of Christ people, as they did Him, but our answer should remain...."Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord", and not ours, even at cost of our own individual lives under the oppression and hands of the persecutor, whoever that may be, another government or our own. We are to remain at peace with the Prince of peace..
Dr. J.
I dont' believe that God wants us to sit back silently, as I beleive very strongly that we live in the Kingdom of God, as a Preterist, however I also believe it is our duty as Christians to support freedom in ways that are neither violent or zealous beyond Biblical reason and the life of Christ within us.
I found it of interest that the belief system of the days of our forefathers in this country, that people thought very differently other than the Quakers who think more like myself. I make no oath to no one, no institution or nation, but to serve it in Christ, however, even Paul and Peter once it got down to obedience towards God or men, chose God- and thus when commanded to cease from preaching Jesus Christ or proclaiming Ceasar a god, they did rebel against authority and did what they were told not to do anyway. They never lifted a weapon or fought back ,they simply followed their King Jesus in the same manner He did, they suffered and died at the hands of their persecutors. They practiced civil disobedience not for the affairs of men but for God. Even as Paul said, he was compelled to preach Christ.
Though I do not agree with what follows it is a large part of American History and bears repeating as a reminder, to those that always seek to power over others, there will be others who rebel many times it will be the religious and lead by the religious.
Though the following is an outline of just such a man who was both a preacher and a statesman, it is to remind us, that it is easy to be caught up in the moment of resistance against oppression, to often turn to religious justifications as this sermon delivered by John Witherspoon on May 17, 1776 just a month before the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776 and finally completed in it's signing in August of 1776. Here is a little background into the Scottish preacher John Witherspoon and then I have presented his sermon as preached in May 1776, that gave great religious fervor to the Revolution in 1776.
John Witherspoon (1723–1794). Born in Scotland and educated at Edinburgh, Witherspoon came to America in 1768 to be president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton), a position he held until 1792, when blindness forced his retirement. He had led the Popular Party among Scottish Presbyterians before his emigration, and he was prominent among ecclesiastical leaders in America. In the pre-Revolutionary years, the college at Princeton prospered under Witherspoon; with the Scotch-Irish influx into America, the Presbyterian church enjoyed great popularity and prosperity in the country, especially in the middle Atlantic colonies and on the frontier, where by 1776 there were many ministers who had been Witherspoon’s students. He closed the schism among the Presbyterians, and he made alliance with Ezra Stiles (president of Yale) to forge strong ties with the Congregationalists of New England as the Revolution bore down on the country. With Stiles he shared a distaste for the New Divinity and revivalism generally. He introduced into American thought the Scottish Common Sense philosophy of Thomas Reid and Dugald Stewart, which dominated the young nation’s thought for a century.
Because Witherspoon had been captured and imprisoned in Scotland during the Highlander uprising in 1745–46, his critics called him a Jacobite. Witherspoon eschewed politics in America until 1774, but after that he steadily participated, directly and indirectly, in the leading events of the day. In 1776 he was elected to the Continental Congress in time to urge adoption of the Declaration of Independence and to be the only clergyman to sign it. To the assertion that America was not ripe for independence he retorted: “In my judgment, sir, we are not only ripe, but rotting.”
Witherspoon served intermittently in Congress until 1782 and was a member of over a hundred legislative committees, including two vital standing committees, the Board of War and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the latter role, he took a leading part in drawing up the instructions for the American peace commissioners who concluded the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war in September 1783. He later served in the New Jersey legislature and was a member of that state’s ratifying convention for the Constitution in 1787.
Witherspoon has been called the most influential professor in American history, not only because of his powerful writing and speaking style—and he was carefully attended to on all subjects, both here and abroad—but also because of his long tenure at Princeton. His teaching and the reforms he made there radiated his influence across the country. He trained not only a substantial segment of the leadership among Presbyterians but a number of political leaders as well. Nine of the fifty-five participants in the Federal Convention in 1787 were Princeton graduates, chief among them James Madison (who, among other things, spent an extra year studying Hebrew and philosophy with Witherspoon after his graduation in 1771). Moreover, his pupils included a president and a vice-president of the United States, twenty-one senators, twenty-nine representatives, fifty-six state legislators, and thirty-three judges, three of whom were appointed to the Supreme Court. During the Revolution, his pupils were everywhere in positions of command in the American forces.
Witherspoon’s The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men caused a great stir when it was first preached in Princeton and published in Philadelphia in 1776, about a month before he was elected to the Continental Congress on June 22. He reminds his auditors that the sermon is his first address on political matters from the pulpit: ministers of the Gospel have more important business to attend to than secular crises, but, of course, liberty is more than a merely secular matter.
Surely the Wrath of Man shall praise thee; the remainder of Wrath shalt thou restrain.
(How the final statement of his can fit into what both Jesus and Paul taught is beyond me, but religious men believed it and fought the war under it's religious justifications to formulate this country which we live in now) - Dr. J.
Here is the sermon as he preached it back then in May 1776
The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men
John Witherspoon
May 17, 1775
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In the first place, I would take the opportunity on this occasion, and from this subject, to press every hearer to a sincere concern for his own soul’s salvation. There are times when the mind may be expected to be more awake to divine truth, and the conscience more open to the arrows of conviction than at others. A season of public judgment is of this kind. Can you have a clearer view of the sinfulness of your nature, than when the rod of the oppressor is lifted up, and when you see men putting on the habit of the warrior, and collecting on every hand the weapons of hostility and instruments of death? I do not blame your ardour in preparing for the resolute defense of your temporal rights; but consider, I beseech you, the truly infinite importance of the salvation of your souls. Is it of much moment whether you and your children shall be rich or poor, at liberty or in bonds? Is it of much moment whether this beautiful country shall increase in fruitfulness from year to year, being cultivated by active industry, and possessed by independent freemen, or the scanty produce of the neglected fields shall be eaten up by hungry publicans, while the timid owner trembles at the tax-gatherer’s approach? And is it of less moment, my brethren, whether you shall be the heirs of glory, or the heirs of hell? Is your state on earth for a few fleeting years, of so much moment? And is it of less moment what shall be your state through endless ages? Have you assembled together willingly to hear what shall be said on public affairs, and to join in imploring the blessing of God on the counsels and arms of the United Colonies, and can you be unconcerned what shall become of you for ever, when all the monuments of human greatness shall be laid in ashes, for "the earth itself, and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up."
Wherefore, my beloved hearers, as the ministry of reconciliation is committed to me, I beseech you in the most earnest manner, to attend to "the things that belong to your peace, before they are hid from your eyes". How soon, and in what manner a seal shall be set upon the character and state of every person here present, it is impossible to know. But you may rest assured, that there is no time more suitable, and there is none so safe as that which is present, since it is wholy uncertain whether any other shall be yours. Those who shall first fall in battle, have not many more warnings to receive. There are some few daring and hardened sinners, who despise eternity itself, and set their Maker at defiance; but the far greater number, by staving off their convictions to a more convenient season, have been taken unprepared, and thus eternally lost. I would therefore earnestly press the apostle’s exhortation, 2 Cor 6: 1-2... "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Suffer me to beseech you, or rather to give you warning, not to rest satisfied with a form of godliness, denying the power thereof. There can be no true religion, till there be a discovery of your lost state by nature and practice, and an unfeigned acceptance of Christ Jesus, as he is offered in the gospel. Unhappy are they who either despise his mercy, or are ashamed of his cross. Believe it, "There is no salvation in any other." "There is no other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved." Unless you are united to him by a lively faith, not the resentment of a haughty monarch, the sword of divine justice hangs over you, and the fulness of divine vengeance shall speedily overtake you. I do not speak this only to the heaven-daring profligate or grovelling sensualist, but to every insensible, secure sinner; to all those, however decent and orderly in their civil deportment, who live to themselves, and have their part and portion in this life; in fine, to all who are yet in a state of nature, for "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". The fear of man may make you hide your profanity; prudence and experience may make you abhor intemperance and riot; as you advance in life one vice may supplant another and hold its place; but nothing less than the sovereign grace of God can produce a saving change of heart and temper, or fit you for his immediate presence.
While we give praise to God, the supreme Disposer of all events, for his interposition in our behalf, let us guard against the dangerous error of trusting in, or boasting of an arm of flesh. I could earnestly wish, that while our arms are crowned with success, we might content ourselves with a modest ascription of it to the power of the Highest. It has given me great uneasiness to read some ostentatious, vaunting expressions in our newspapers, though happily, I think, much restrained of late. Let us not return to them again. If I am not mistaken, not only the Holy Scriptures in general, and the truths of the glorious gospel in particular, but the whole course of providence, seem intended to abase the pride of man, and lay the vain-glorious in the dust.
From what has been said you may learn what encouragement you have to put your trust in God, and hope for his assistance in the present important conflict. He is the Lord of hosts, great in might, and strong in battle. Whoever hath his countenance and approbation, shall have the best at last. I do not mean to speak prophetically, but agreeably to the analogy of faith, and the principles of God’s moral government. I leave this as a matter rather of conjecture than certainty, but observe, that if your conduct is prudent, you need not fear the multitude of opposing hosts.
If your cause is just, you may look with confidence to the Lord, and intreat him to plead it as his own. You are all my witnesses, that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful but necessary, and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without any hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature. So far as we have hitherto proceeded, I am satisfied that the confederacy of the colonies has not been the effect of pride, resentment, or sedition, but of a deep and general conviction that our civil and religious liberties, and consequently in a great measure the temporal and eternal happiness of us and our posterity, depended on the issue. The knowledge of God and his truths have from the beginning of the world been chiefly, if not entirely confined to those parts of the earth where some degree of liberty and political justice were to be seen, and great were the difficulties with which they had to struggle, from the imperfection of human society, and the unjust decisions of unsurped authority. There is not a single instance in history, in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire. If therefore we yield up our temporal property, we at the same time deliver the conscience into bondage.
--
Comment: I can only say when men take scripture and things that are meant clearly to be spiritual in context then revert them to the carnal affairs of men, it is easy to see how in the religious mind, all kinds of justifications are found for all kinds of acts that any man can find solace in his action, though totally unscriptural and anti-biblical just as those who turn our Lord Jesus into G.I. Jesus, or like the anti-abortionist who seek to kill those who perform abortions. They have left the context of scripture, which Jesus reminds us, that life can't be found in it, neither is it a book of rules whereby we live our carnal lives, they are that which speak of Him, Jesus Christ who is KING OVER ALL THE AFFAIRS OF MEN, for it was He who said, "All Authority has been given unto me, in heaven and on earth". The affairs of government, and others lives, are not our affair but His, and His alone, and it is He who is judge, and will judge others, not we ourselves. How we forget so easily that Christ didnt come to establish an earthly kingdom of government among all people but an inward one in the hearts of His people who are here on earth being prepared for heaven, where there is no war, no death, no sin or men and their governments which will rise and fall always. Rome fell, and yes, sad to say as an American we are seeing the last vestiges of freedom in our country coming to a close as well. Is a revolution in store, probably and perhaps but should Christians lead it, my answer and I having the Spirit of Christ believe the answer for us is still, "No". Leave the affairs of men to men, there will be governments arise that are for individual freedom as history reveals, and there will be governments fall of despotism, like Rome and now America. Yes, we have a heritage but it is not our heritage of Americans that we need recall, it is our heritage and first most of being subjects, and not just subjects of the King but brothers to Christ, and Son's of the Father which must always guard our hearts against the idea's of any sort of justified violence against any of the kingdoms of this world. They will always be there, and they will always oppose God and the freedoms of Christ people, as they did Him, but our answer should remain...."Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord", and not ours, even at cost of our own individual lives under the oppression and hands of the persecutor, whoever that may be, another government or our own. We are to remain at peace with the Prince of peace..
Dr. J.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Home Bible Studies Threatened by Government
Recently my attention was drawn to an article of news in San Diego County, California.
I present the article as I obtained it, here it is.
SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home, 10News reported.
Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.
Broyles said, "The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said, 'Yes.' 'Do you say amen?' 'Yes.' 'Do you pray?' 'Yes.' 'Do you say praise the Lord?' 'Yes.'"
The county employee notified the couple that the small Bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of County regulations, according to Broyles.
Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed "unlawful use of land" and told them to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" -- a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
"For churches and religious assemblies there's big parking concerns, there's environmental impact concerns when you have hundreds or thousands of people gathering. But this is a different situation, and we believe that the application of the religious assembly principles to this Bible study is certainly misplaced," said Broyles.
News of the case has rapidly spread across Internet blogs and has spurred various reactions.
Broyles said his clients have asked to stay anonymous until they give the county a demand letter that states by enforcing this regulation the county is violating their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
Broyles also said this case has broader implications.
"If the county thinks they can shut down groups of 10 or 15 Christians meeting in a home, what about people who meet regularly at home for poker night? What about people who meet for Tupperware parties? What about people who are meeting to watch baseball games on a regular basis and support the Chargers?" Broyles asked.
Broyles and his clients plan to give the County their demand letter this week.
If the County refuses to release the pastor and his wife from obtaining the permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.
San Diego News
In response to this, I wrote an email challenging other Christians to write the San Diego County Government that was responsible for the above..
I did a search for their website and sent an email to one of the contacts listed on the page. I sent one to: Write here
gliceria.magpayo@sdcounty.ca.gov
I also provided their phone number for others to call them. Bot listed here.
I sent a letter directed to them which reads as follows:
Dear San Diego County Official,
I would like to remind you, that the FREEDOM OF SPEECH and the RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY are foundations to which this country was built on. Your actions against a Christian couple in your county remind me of the very actions taking place against Christian's in "Communist China" right now.
With what authority can you act upon, in treating the gathering of anyone in this country within their home, for lawful purposes. Lawful purposes means those rights that our forefather''s died and shed their blood for, to prevent just such excesses of a Police State, to keep America free, I find that what you have done is absolutely, the most outrageous thing one County could think they could do!
.
Will you, let your personal predjudices threaten your very freedoms, I am sure not. Perhaps, the next time someone is invited to your home for a dinner, or a poker party or whatever it is you enjoy having friends and family over for, they would require a permit and a little harrassment for you. I can only pray that you will awake to your actions and see the error of your way. I pray that this case will go to the people, if necessary and gathering the reaction and comments on the San Diego News where I read about your adversarial actions against Christ and His people, the people will declare you guilty of violating their rights and perhaps you will find yourself in the U.S. Supreme Court at tremendous cost and time to your county official and those behind these horrible actions. I pray that whoever was responsible for this, will not only repent of their actions but they would beg the forgiveness of the people of the United States of America for thinking they can power over others in such a way as to bring harm to the body of Christ!
I can only say, you are seriously wrong and need to re-consider your actions and remove the responsible party that took these actions from public service, for it is clear this person or perhaps your whole county is not serving the public but your own selfish whims and desires, It is time our public servants become just that, public servants and not elitist rulers who just want to power over others. It would suffice to say, your actions are the sorriest actions yet taken by a governmental official.....
Brother Joe Black
Athens, Texas
I received a response from them just yesterday.
It reads as follows:
Good Afternoon,
This letter is in response to your interest in the recent Code Enforcement Complaint case involving a Bible Study in Bonita, California. It is unfortunate that a routine code enforcement complaint resulted in the questioning of the County of San Diego’s commitment to religious freedom. Please be assured, this code enforcement case dealt with land use issues and not religious beliefs.
As you may already know, on Friday, May 29, 2009 the County ended its code enforcement action. The Bible Study will continue to meet. Further, the property owner will not be required to obtain a major use permit for the activity.
In order to respond to the comments in your correspondence, it may be helpful to provide a brief explanation of the events that unfolded in recent weeks regarding this case. Unfortunately, some of the media coverage of this event did not include all of the information regarding this case.
The County of San Diego Code Enforcement Division receives 3,000 to 4,000 code complaints annually. The responsibility of the Code Enforcement Division is to determine that activities and associated offsite impacts comply with the County’s land use regulations. In April 2009, a complaint was received from a member of the public stating that a private residence was holding religious meetings (Bible study) every Tuesday evening and people were double parking in the cul-de-sac (at least 30-40 cars) The complainant also stated there had been damage to both of his cars during these events.
Upon receiving the complaint, Code Enforcement staff first sought to determine how the event would be classified under the County Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is the document that defines various land uses and impacts (such as traffic impacts) on communities within the County. Given the fact that the complaint described the meetings as “religious”, the determination that needed to be made was whether the weekly event should be classified as a religious assembly. Under the Zoning Ordinance a religious assembly is defined as “religious services involving public assembly, such as customarily occurs in synagogues, temples, and churches” and would require a Major Use Permit to address impacts of the use such as traffic and noise to nearby property owners. Based on the original code complaint description of the size and frequency of the events and the parking impacts, County staff thought this use could be considered a “religious assembly.”
When the Code Enforcement staff visited the site and spoke to the property owner, they asked a series of questions attempting to determine whether the meetings constituted a “religious assembly’ and the extent to which the meetings impacted the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Code Enforcement staff incorrectly interpreted the event as a religious assembly and issued an Administrative Warning requiring that the property obtain a Major Use Permit (MUP) for the activity to continue.
County programs do not seek to regulate Bible studies; however in this case there was an incorrect staff interpretation that the event was more than a Bible study. After County management reviewed the case and additional information provided by the property owner, staff determined the event is a Bible study that is allowed within the scope of a residential use and thus requires no use permit. Therefore a letter was sent to the property owner rescinding the Administrative Warning, and stating that no MUP would be required for continuation of the weekly Bible study event given the scope described by the property owner and in consideration of the property owners’ ability and willingness to appropriately address parking concerns.
Upon review of this case, several factors contributed to this error. The Code Enforcement staff incorrectly made the finding based in no small measure on unclear language in the Zoning Ordinance. In response, the County is taking steps to address this unclear language so that a situation like this does not happen in the future.
Again, let me assure you, the County never had any desire or intention to stop anyone from holding a Bible Study meeting. We addressed Pastor Jones’ case solely as a land use issue.
If you have any additional questions, or if you would like to speak to us further, please contact:
Gig Conaughton
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Planning and Land Use
County of San Diego
(858) 495-5481
gig.conaughton@sdcounty.ca.gov
Now with all that said. I would like to add, the problem lies as I haven't written in the past, with churches that put themselves under the State in the first place, with incorporation, buildings, and being all about money, and real estate. This created the ability for the government to not only regulate the church, and to oversee their money and real estate but in essence it replaced Christ as the Head and put the STATE in POWER OVER THEM, thus there will not only be regulations pertaining to where you can assemble but what area of the city, and many other laws, including fire marshall laws, etc. This is the result, and in truth we can't be upset with government because they are only exercising the powers that the church handed them.. Christ never came to create an institution nor did He come to build a physical empire of money and real estate. It was about relationship on an equal basis as His people being restored to the image of God in behavior. Instead man chose over 1900 years to supercede all Christ did with the traditions of men, and ever since they have more and more handed what once was intended to be without organization or devised structure of men, but of God and the Spirit, they have turned it into an institution that must find itself subject to the authorities for they have agreed to do so, by incorporationg under man's law and man's ways, and therefore all for the sake of greed and money, must deal now with the government overseeing their money, how it is spent, where and when, and what kind of building they can have and where. I wrote only to express my opinion of the fact that if any man should want to meet with any man, and have relationship in Christ with others, the government should have no say so, however the idea of the separation of church and state was thrown out by the church long ago, and now as you see is subject to it's ever whim and even things like ZONING LAWS. Since when can a Christian be told where to meet and with how many, since the false prophets, teachers and "PastorS" sold it all over to the STATE! Sorry baby, it's nobodies fault but your own, and it's going to get a lost worse before it gets better until the church wakes up to who she really is, and not the Babylon it has become!
Dr. J.
I present the article as I obtained it, here it is.
SAN DIEGO -- A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home, 10News reported.
Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife.
Broyles said, "The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said, 'Yes.' 'Do you say amen?' 'Yes.' 'Do you pray?' 'Yes.' 'Do you say praise the Lord?' 'Yes.'"
The county employee notified the couple that the small Bible study, with an average of 15 people attending, was in violation of County regulations, according to Broyles.
Broyles said a few days later the couple received a written warning that listed "unlawful use of land" and told them to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit" -- a process that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
"For churches and religious assemblies there's big parking concerns, there's environmental impact concerns when you have hundreds or thousands of people gathering. But this is a different situation, and we believe that the application of the religious assembly principles to this Bible study is certainly misplaced," said Broyles.
News of the case has rapidly spread across Internet blogs and has spurred various reactions.
Broyles said his clients have asked to stay anonymous until they give the county a demand letter that states by enforcing this regulation the county is violating their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.
Broyles also said this case has broader implications.
"If the county thinks they can shut down groups of 10 or 15 Christians meeting in a home, what about people who meet regularly at home for poker night? What about people who meet for Tupperware parties? What about people who are meeting to watch baseball games on a regular basis and support the Chargers?" Broyles asked.
Broyles and his clients plan to give the County their demand letter this week.
If the County refuses to release the pastor and his wife from obtaining the permit, they will consider a lawsuit in federal court.
San Diego News
In response to this, I wrote an email challenging other Christians to write the San Diego County Government that was responsible for the above..
I did a search for their website and sent an email to one of the contacts listed on the page. I sent one to: Write here
gliceria.magpayo@sdcounty.ca.gov
I also provided their phone number for others to call them. Bot listed here.
I sent a letter directed to them which reads as follows:
Dear San Diego County Official,
I would like to remind you, that the FREEDOM OF SPEECH and the RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY are foundations to which this country was built on. Your actions against a Christian couple in your county remind me of the very actions taking place against Christian's in "Communist China" right now.
With what authority can you act upon, in treating the gathering of anyone in this country within their home, for lawful purposes. Lawful purposes means those rights that our forefather''s died and shed their blood for, to prevent just such excesses of a Police State, to keep America free, I find that what you have done is absolutely, the most outrageous thing one County could think they could do!
.
Will you, let your personal predjudices threaten your very freedoms, I am sure not. Perhaps, the next time someone is invited to your home for a dinner, or a poker party or whatever it is you enjoy having friends and family over for, they would require a permit and a little harrassment for you. I can only pray that you will awake to your actions and see the error of your way. I pray that this case will go to the people, if necessary and gathering the reaction and comments on the San Diego News where I read about your adversarial actions against Christ and His people, the people will declare you guilty of violating their rights and perhaps you will find yourself in the U.S. Supreme Court at tremendous cost and time to your county official and those behind these horrible actions. I pray that whoever was responsible for this, will not only repent of their actions but they would beg the forgiveness of the people of the United States of America for thinking they can power over others in such a way as to bring harm to the body of Christ!
I can only say, you are seriously wrong and need to re-consider your actions and remove the responsible party that took these actions from public service, for it is clear this person or perhaps your whole county is not serving the public but your own selfish whims and desires, It is time our public servants become just that, public servants and not elitist rulers who just want to power over others. It would suffice to say, your actions are the sorriest actions yet taken by a governmental official.....
Brother Joe Black
Athens, Texas
I received a response from them just yesterday.
It reads as follows:
Good Afternoon,
This letter is in response to your interest in the recent Code Enforcement Complaint case involving a Bible Study in Bonita, California. It is unfortunate that a routine code enforcement complaint resulted in the questioning of the County of San Diego’s commitment to religious freedom. Please be assured, this code enforcement case dealt with land use issues and not religious beliefs.
As you may already know, on Friday, May 29, 2009 the County ended its code enforcement action. The Bible Study will continue to meet. Further, the property owner will not be required to obtain a major use permit for the activity.
In order to respond to the comments in your correspondence, it may be helpful to provide a brief explanation of the events that unfolded in recent weeks regarding this case. Unfortunately, some of the media coverage of this event did not include all of the information regarding this case.
The County of San Diego Code Enforcement Division receives 3,000 to 4,000 code complaints annually. The responsibility of the Code Enforcement Division is to determine that activities and associated offsite impacts comply with the County’s land use regulations. In April 2009, a complaint was received from a member of the public stating that a private residence was holding religious meetings (Bible study) every Tuesday evening and people were double parking in the cul-de-sac (at least 30-40 cars) The complainant also stated there had been damage to both of his cars during these events.
Upon receiving the complaint, Code Enforcement staff first sought to determine how the event would be classified under the County Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is the document that defines various land uses and impacts (such as traffic impacts) on communities within the County. Given the fact that the complaint described the meetings as “religious”, the determination that needed to be made was whether the weekly event should be classified as a religious assembly. Under the Zoning Ordinance a religious assembly is defined as “religious services involving public assembly, such as customarily occurs in synagogues, temples, and churches” and would require a Major Use Permit to address impacts of the use such as traffic and noise to nearby property owners. Based on the original code complaint description of the size and frequency of the events and the parking impacts, County staff thought this use could be considered a “religious assembly.”
When the Code Enforcement staff visited the site and spoke to the property owner, they asked a series of questions attempting to determine whether the meetings constituted a “religious assembly’ and the extent to which the meetings impacted the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Code Enforcement staff incorrectly interpreted the event as a religious assembly and issued an Administrative Warning requiring that the property obtain a Major Use Permit (MUP) for the activity to continue.
County programs do not seek to regulate Bible studies; however in this case there was an incorrect staff interpretation that the event was more than a Bible study. After County management reviewed the case and additional information provided by the property owner, staff determined the event is a Bible study that is allowed within the scope of a residential use and thus requires no use permit. Therefore a letter was sent to the property owner rescinding the Administrative Warning, and stating that no MUP would be required for continuation of the weekly Bible study event given the scope described by the property owner and in consideration of the property owners’ ability and willingness to appropriately address parking concerns.
Upon review of this case, several factors contributed to this error. The Code Enforcement staff incorrectly made the finding based in no small measure on unclear language in the Zoning Ordinance. In response, the County is taking steps to address this unclear language so that a situation like this does not happen in the future.
Again, let me assure you, the County never had any desire or intention to stop anyone from holding a Bible Study meeting. We addressed Pastor Jones’ case solely as a land use issue.
If you have any additional questions, or if you would like to speak to us further, please contact:
Gig Conaughton
Public Affairs Officer
Department of Planning and Land Use
County of San Diego
(858) 495-5481
gig.conaughton@sdcounty.ca.gov
Now with all that said. I would like to add, the problem lies as I haven't written in the past, with churches that put themselves under the State in the first place, with incorporation, buildings, and being all about money, and real estate. This created the ability for the government to not only regulate the church, and to oversee their money and real estate but in essence it replaced Christ as the Head and put the STATE in POWER OVER THEM, thus there will not only be regulations pertaining to where you can assemble but what area of the city, and many other laws, including fire marshall laws, etc. This is the result, and in truth we can't be upset with government because they are only exercising the powers that the church handed them.. Christ never came to create an institution nor did He come to build a physical empire of money and real estate. It was about relationship on an equal basis as His people being restored to the image of God in behavior. Instead man chose over 1900 years to supercede all Christ did with the traditions of men, and ever since they have more and more handed what once was intended to be without organization or devised structure of men, but of God and the Spirit, they have turned it into an institution that must find itself subject to the authorities for they have agreed to do so, by incorporationg under man's law and man's ways, and therefore all for the sake of greed and money, must deal now with the government overseeing their money, how it is spent, where and when, and what kind of building they can have and where. I wrote only to express my opinion of the fact that if any man should want to meet with any man, and have relationship in Christ with others, the government should have no say so, however the idea of the separation of church and state was thrown out by the church long ago, and now as you see is subject to it's ever whim and even things like ZONING LAWS. Since when can a Christian be told where to meet and with how many, since the false prophets, teachers and "PastorS" sold it all over to the STATE! Sorry baby, it's nobodies fault but your own, and it's going to get a lost worse before it gets better until the church wakes up to who she really is, and not the Babylon it has become!
Dr. J.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Red Storm Rising- America Has Fallen!
When President Obama ran for office and even while in office, he proclaimed a hard stance on China for devaluing the American Dollar. The lies he told are no different than all the lies that American leadership has told forever. I must ask Americans, how did you expect the President and Congress to spend so much money without borrowing it? They couldnt of course, America is broke, it is a broken nation both morally and financially.. America right now is in debt to the Communist Chinese for the mere amount of 798,000,000,000,000 dollars! That is 798 BILLION DOLLARS...who you ask really owns this country, the people of the nation of America or the Communist Chinese? I wrote about the book written by Chinese military leadership, called "Unlimited Warfare", and told people last year, they were experts at it.
They have accomplished along with the help of the elitist leadership of this country, the sell out, with the help of corporations like Wal Mart and the silence of the American people they have won the war. They own us now! Financially we are forever in debt to the tune of almost a TRILLION DOLLARS to those who once were enemies of Free Enterprise and Freedom in general.. We have begun to take on more and more the look of our Chinese bed partners.. There is a scripture that says "Bad company corrupts good morals"!
We are there.
We have managed to murder since Rowe versus Wade, Forty Five MILLION, children with abortion, we have further managed to accept homosexuality as a way of life, and now most states will change their marriage laws to include this as NORMAL and LEGAL Marriage. Hard core conservative Vice President Cheney who loves torture, proclaimed in a recent TV interview, that all forms of relationship and marriage should be acceptable and legal! I can't wait until people start marrying their dogs!
What a nightmare has befallen a nation that has loved money, success, riches and material things before God. Of course, the greatest farce was that anyone could say America was a Christian nation. From it's founding it was based on greed, and avarice, and though certain words were used, like Providence, or God, in no way makes a country "Christian". The fact is most if not most of the founding fathers weren't Christian regardless of what history the evangelicals have tried to re-write. Most were Masons, or Dietist, owned slaves, practiced Masonic rights, and other paganism.
I am a full fledged Preterist in my eschatology, and watching the kingdoms of this world including America who so prided itself on it's self made moralism fall even convinces me more, that only the Kingdom of God is everlasting,I am glad I am in that city from above, the New Jerusalem and not a part of these kingdoms, I only live here, but to be in the world is not to be " of the world".
History proves that every great kingdom has fallen, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and even Israel have all fell and are now part of the dust of history. America will not outlast any one of them, as Rome only lasted a mere 500 years and we have gone beyond the moral decadence, the financial problems that Rome had when it fell. We have turned America into a hodgepodge of all religion, and races of men, Paganism is rampart in America, We have no sovereign language anymore, nor are any cities that exist now that aren't a melting pot of every race, creed, color and religion. There is nothing left that I remember as a child left of what it used to be, but this could only be expected, as I said there is "no such thing as a Christian nation". America as all nations has destroyed itself within, for a people that calls itself "Christian" by poll to the tune of 80%, to me it is the grandest joke ever told by anyone, superseding any great punch line that even the greatest of comedians could come up with. Yes, the Red Storm is Rising and America has fallen.
Recent news shows that there is much more sorrow for the death of a abortion doctor than all the children he murdered. I personally don't believe in any kind of violence, or that this is the answer to the aborton issue, but it goes to show, just like all the so called Christians who believe in war for the sake of country, are seriously misguided and deluded in error, to what TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS!
When 70 % of the population says they beleive in torturing other human beings for the sake of their own personal safety, that means less than 10% of those who claim to be Christian out of 80% truly understand scripture and the work of Christ, and the value of life- eternal life and that we are not to fear those who can kill only the body but to fear Him who can cast both body and all that a man is into eternal death with no chance of life!They who fear the imaginary enemies of man, could not stand alongside Christ at His crucifixion, Stephen at his stoning, nor a thousand martyrs who rather than resist, died in Christ knowing their hope was in Christ, and that to leave this world was only to be absolutely with the Lord. People say they believe in heaven, and that when they die they go there, but judging by the fear they live in, and have managed to allow the government to motivate their moral judgements, and everything else you can imagine says very loudly much differently..
Yes, there is a Red Storm Arising, and your enemy is not the Muslim, or even the Chinese, Americans enemy is herself,in her love for money, she has forgotten what the Lord said.....YOU CANNOT LOVE THE GOD OF RICHES ( MAMMON) AND LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD...the one true God... AMERICA has fallen, and their is no chance of rescue, it is all down hill from here...unless you come out of Babylon, and turn to Christ, there is no chance for you individually to overcome the death of this world.
Even now in American just like China, home churches are being shut down for the sake of the world sold out, institutional church who is founded on it's pride of ownership and grand buildings and it's servitude to the government as it is under it as corporation and for what the sake of money!
Saving Israel ( the false nation of Zealots, has done nothing to save America, has it? Of course not, we have supported a nation of people that are not Jews but who have manipulated the American evangelicals into monetary support for their apartheid cause, and their Anti- Christ beliefs...Sorry christians who believe in all that non-scriptural Dispensational Zionist Baloney, which is a mere lie...you have been manipulated and used for the advancement of death and torture to thousands if not millions of other people as well...
Unless American Christians get in their Bible and quit listening to the false prophets of the land, they too will disappear into the annals of history to be known no more... An Archaeologist of the futures dream to find what we left behind, and the Anthropoligist dream to interpret why it happened. I know why it has all happened. Do you know why it happened? Study and show thyself approved...I doubt it all we have time is for making more money and spending it...don't you just love your money,.....the answer....it is the love of money that is the root of ALL EVIL!
Where cometh the Red Storm, it cometh our way and soon, very soon, we will be a complete totalitarian government no less than China or Russia, where the government owns it all, dictates it all, and where it's desenters will be shipped off to some Siberia or other far away land to be tortured and murdered for making a stand for FREEDOM and the LOVE OF GOD above all things.. It's here already, when your own job tells you to keep political statements to yourself, yet they express theirs but since it isnt agreement with everyone else, your shunned for standing up and expressing TRUTH ABOVE ALL THINGS... Truth no longer matters in America, I don't know that it ever has, but at one time, it seemed to have a greater weight on the minds of Americans than the lies we beleive now, and the lies we live now...
Is American Communist...I have no doubt that we are now! No doubt that what was once known for it's ideals and strength at one time, have been whitewashed under the table for the BIG LIE! MONEY and POWER! If that's what it's all about Christian, then you better take another look at the WORD OF GOD and the JESUS WHO POWERED OVER NO ONE, yet powered under, so that HE IS THE POWER NOW... come into His Kingdom which is everlasting before you go under with the kingdom of America! It's gone, vanished to the annals of history for what it once was, which was ten times better than what it is NOW!
Dr. J.
They have accomplished along with the help of the elitist leadership of this country, the sell out, with the help of corporations like Wal Mart and the silence of the American people they have won the war. They own us now! Financially we are forever in debt to the tune of almost a TRILLION DOLLARS to those who once were enemies of Free Enterprise and Freedom in general.. We have begun to take on more and more the look of our Chinese bed partners.. There is a scripture that says "Bad company corrupts good morals"!
We are there.
We have managed to murder since Rowe versus Wade, Forty Five MILLION, children with abortion, we have further managed to accept homosexuality as a way of life, and now most states will change their marriage laws to include this as NORMAL and LEGAL Marriage. Hard core conservative Vice President Cheney who loves torture, proclaimed in a recent TV interview, that all forms of relationship and marriage should be acceptable and legal! I can't wait until people start marrying their dogs!
What a nightmare has befallen a nation that has loved money, success, riches and material things before God. Of course, the greatest farce was that anyone could say America was a Christian nation. From it's founding it was based on greed, and avarice, and though certain words were used, like Providence, or God, in no way makes a country "Christian". The fact is most if not most of the founding fathers weren't Christian regardless of what history the evangelicals have tried to re-write. Most were Masons, or Dietist, owned slaves, practiced Masonic rights, and other paganism.
I am a full fledged Preterist in my eschatology, and watching the kingdoms of this world including America who so prided itself on it's self made moralism fall even convinces me more, that only the Kingdom of God is everlasting,I am glad I am in that city from above, the New Jerusalem and not a part of these kingdoms, I only live here, but to be in the world is not to be " of the world".
History proves that every great kingdom has fallen, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and even Israel have all fell and are now part of the dust of history. America will not outlast any one of them, as Rome only lasted a mere 500 years and we have gone beyond the moral decadence, the financial problems that Rome had when it fell. We have turned America into a hodgepodge of all religion, and races of men, Paganism is rampart in America, We have no sovereign language anymore, nor are any cities that exist now that aren't a melting pot of every race, creed, color and religion. There is nothing left that I remember as a child left of what it used to be, but this could only be expected, as I said there is "no such thing as a Christian nation". America as all nations has destroyed itself within, for a people that calls itself "Christian" by poll to the tune of 80%, to me it is the grandest joke ever told by anyone, superseding any great punch line that even the greatest of comedians could come up with. Yes, the Red Storm is Rising and America has fallen.
Recent news shows that there is much more sorrow for the death of a abortion doctor than all the children he murdered. I personally don't believe in any kind of violence, or that this is the answer to the aborton issue, but it goes to show, just like all the so called Christians who believe in war for the sake of country, are seriously misguided and deluded in error, to what TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS!
When 70 % of the population says they beleive in torturing other human beings for the sake of their own personal safety, that means less than 10% of those who claim to be Christian out of 80% truly understand scripture and the work of Christ, and the value of life- eternal life and that we are not to fear those who can kill only the body but to fear Him who can cast both body and all that a man is into eternal death with no chance of life!They who fear the imaginary enemies of man, could not stand alongside Christ at His crucifixion, Stephen at his stoning, nor a thousand martyrs who rather than resist, died in Christ knowing their hope was in Christ, and that to leave this world was only to be absolutely with the Lord. People say they believe in heaven, and that when they die they go there, but judging by the fear they live in, and have managed to allow the government to motivate their moral judgements, and everything else you can imagine says very loudly much differently..
Yes, there is a Red Storm Arising, and your enemy is not the Muslim, or even the Chinese, Americans enemy is herself,in her love for money, she has forgotten what the Lord said.....YOU CANNOT LOVE THE GOD OF RICHES ( MAMMON) AND LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD...the one true God... AMERICA has fallen, and their is no chance of rescue, it is all down hill from here...unless you come out of Babylon, and turn to Christ, there is no chance for you individually to overcome the death of this world.
Even now in American just like China, home churches are being shut down for the sake of the world sold out, institutional church who is founded on it's pride of ownership and grand buildings and it's servitude to the government as it is under it as corporation and for what the sake of money!
Saving Israel ( the false nation of Zealots, has done nothing to save America, has it? Of course not, we have supported a nation of people that are not Jews but who have manipulated the American evangelicals into monetary support for their apartheid cause, and their Anti- Christ beliefs...Sorry christians who believe in all that non-scriptural Dispensational Zionist Baloney, which is a mere lie...you have been manipulated and used for the advancement of death and torture to thousands if not millions of other people as well...
Unless American Christians get in their Bible and quit listening to the false prophets of the land, they too will disappear into the annals of history to be known no more... An Archaeologist of the futures dream to find what we left behind, and the Anthropoligist dream to interpret why it happened. I know why it has all happened. Do you know why it happened? Study and show thyself approved...I doubt it all we have time is for making more money and spending it...don't you just love your money,.....the answer....it is the love of money that is the root of ALL EVIL!
Where cometh the Red Storm, it cometh our way and soon, very soon, we will be a complete totalitarian government no less than China or Russia, where the government owns it all, dictates it all, and where it's desenters will be shipped off to some Siberia or other far away land to be tortured and murdered for making a stand for FREEDOM and the LOVE OF GOD above all things.. It's here already, when your own job tells you to keep political statements to yourself, yet they express theirs but since it isnt agreement with everyone else, your shunned for standing up and expressing TRUTH ABOVE ALL THINGS... Truth no longer matters in America, I don't know that it ever has, but at one time, it seemed to have a greater weight on the minds of Americans than the lies we beleive now, and the lies we live now...
Is American Communist...I have no doubt that we are now! No doubt that what was once known for it's ideals and strength at one time, have been whitewashed under the table for the BIG LIE! MONEY and POWER! If that's what it's all about Christian, then you better take another look at the WORD OF GOD and the JESUS WHO POWERED OVER NO ONE, yet powered under, so that HE IS THE POWER NOW... come into His Kingdom which is everlasting before you go under with the kingdom of America! It's gone, vanished to the annals of history for what it once was, which was ten times better than what it is NOW!
Dr. J.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Living Beyond the Cross in the Resurrection
The very first thing I want to note, is that the Cross is a very important part of the Gospel, but if we stop there at only the forgiveness of sin, we miss the entirety of what Christ did for us. Christians need to understand that the entire Gospel consists of the Cross, the Resurrection and the Gift of the Spirit. We will always find deeper Spiritual truths as we study the Old defined by the New. Jesus as the revelation of the very essence of the Father, and who He is, re-defines the Old to the New. The Old is full of shadows of the reality, which is found in Christ.
I want to share some “revelational knowledge” with you. This is that knowledge God puts into our spirit so that we can understand “spiritual things”. The carnal man cannot understand the things of God, only the spiritual man.
Let us look at Exodus 12, the story of the Passover. In this story we find that Israel was instructed to set apart a Lamb from the flock, kill it, and smear the blood on the doorpost of “their dwelling”. When God saw the blood on the doorpost of their dwellings, He would pass over their house and spare the first born inside the home. The people only had to apply the blood to the doorpost.
This story foretells the blood side of the Cross, the necessity of the shed blood of the Lamb to give us “forgiveness of sin”.
Many read over the other parts of this story and most of historic Christianity, has missed “the rest of the story”, not because God wasn’t waiting to reveal it to His people- the Ekklesia, but because of the traditions of men they have been blinded by teaching that keeps them in the consciousness of sin, rather than the other side of the cross and the rest of the Gospel truth that would bring them into “Christ consciousness”.
The parallel to the blood side of the cross is obvious. Christ died for us. He shed His blood as payment for our sins, thus the wages of sin, death passed us over in Him.
When by faith we apply Christ blood to our dwelling (our living selves) , we are spared the wrath of God.
As long as our revelational knowledge is limited to the blood side of the Cross- Christ dying for us, we may still have our firstborn, that is our sins are forgiven, but experientially we will still live in captivity. We will live as if still subject to the capriciousness of Pharaoh, (here a typology of Satan- adversary) and sin. You remain a “carnal Christian”, trying to overcome sin by your own power, trying to be spiritual. Having a form of godliness but denying the Power thereof. It’s wonderful to have our sins forgiven but after awhile living as if we are still captives takes much of the joy of “just” having our sins forgiven. Our hearts know there is something more, and for many it may take years of failure and frustration before they finally see the “rest of the story:.
I know for me this was my story, saved by His blood at age six with the simple faith of a child, but it took me years to grow from there to a young person and finally a Father, as described in the 3 stages of maturity in the writing of I John. This subject to be written on at a latter time.
Now for the rest of the story – let’s us look at the entirety of the Gospel.
Back to ancient Israel and their captivity. God had a solution for their captivity as He does for you and I, and that is to see to the other side of the cross, RESURRECTION and the GIFT OF THE SPIRIT.
Here is the rest of the story as written in the Old Testament
The solution God had for the Hebrews captivity. The solution was to provide them sustenance, or life, to get them out of Egypt. So he instructed each household, after they smeared the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost, to roast the Lamb and eat is as nourishment for the upcoming journey. That’s the body side of the cross. You take the Lamb (Christ) in you as LIFE!
God is showing us here that the Lamb they used for the blood on the doorpost was the same lamb they ate for the journey. In other words, everything that is necessary for living the life comes from the Lamb. It isn’t that the Lamb dies for you and then your sent out to the rest on your own or with His help (as popular and “incomplete Gospel”- traditional Christianity practices and teaches). The Lamb is the total answer. The Lamb that gave the blood for them also gave its life to them. They took the meat into them, and that became their nourishment, strength, and vitality for the journey. They lived their life out of the Lamb’s life. They walked in its energy. They killed one Lamb for two purposes!
Paul calls the New Testament life a walk. What is the sustenance, the life, of that walk?
It isn’t trying. It isn’t us trying to walk for God. It may look like that on the outside, but we have taken the Lamb of God into us. He is not only the forgiveness of our sins. He is also the life within us, from whom we make the journey. He is resurrected and in so doing He gave of Himself to us, by the gift of the Spirit, he came to dwell within us, and our only hope and life is in Him. You can’t live the Christian life, but He can, but you must partake of the meat of the Lamb as well as the Blood. He said you must drink my blood and eat my body. Today as then most Christians have no comprehension of this and what it means for them spiritually. They only see it as a sacrament they do now and then in the church under the traditions of men originating with the Catholic Church.
We just like ancient Israel must not only have the blood of the lamb upon the doorpost of our lives, but we must also eat of the Lamb, for it is His life within us that is our spiritual nourishment, it His life, lived in us, through us and as us, that enables the Christian to not only have forgiveness of sin but to overcome sin. It is the other side of the cross.
Another parallel in this story of Exodus is how they were commanded to eat unleavened bread. Grace upon grace and not mixed with law is the spiritual meaning here. The leaven of the Pharisees that Jesus warned the Disciples about was their traditions, their laws that had no meaning without the life of the Spirit. One can’t put the blood of the Lamb upon their lives by His work, then turn around and think living the Christian life is lived by law- or leavened bread. He is the unleavened bread from heaven. We are told to eat to eat Him for He is true bread. Take the meat and put it into your body. Put the life in you by faith. This is where we agree with Him and the Word of God, that says, Christ in you, the hope of glory. We are complete in Him, He is not just the author of our faith but the finisher as well by the life of Him inside of us, by the gift of His indwelling Spirit.
Just as He said he could do nothing without the Father- meaning living His holy life on this earth, no Christian can do anything holy without His life within them. The whole story is that Christ died that we died with Him at calvary, and as He was raised from the grave, we with Him have been raised up in newness of life, and just as He promised He would come again He came by the gift of His life indwelling us, that we might be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, because it is He that lives His life in us, as us and through us. The reason that the traditions of men and the religious keep Christ always dangling on the cross, is their inability to believe the Word of God, by faith, that we are NEW CREATIONS in Him and they insist on believing in their own carnality that by their own efforts of externals they will be able to obtain the life. The life is Christ, and it is the other side of the Cross!
May you not only know the blood for forgiveness may you come to know the meat for power over sin in your life. He is that real meat, eat of Him, partake of Him, and quit eating the stale leavened bread of religion, and you will LIVE! I promise by experience.
A special thanks to Dan Stone and David Gregory from which I borrowed some of this from their wonderful book entitled " The Rest of the Gospel" When the partial Gospel has worn you out", A wonderful affirmation of things God had taught me in my life in Him. I highly recommend this book to all Christian readers, it is published by " One Press" I found the book at a local Christian book store.
until next time....may you enjoy the meal!
Dr. J.
I want to share some “revelational knowledge” with you. This is that knowledge God puts into our spirit so that we can understand “spiritual things”. The carnal man cannot understand the things of God, only the spiritual man.
Let us look at Exodus 12, the story of the Passover. In this story we find that Israel was instructed to set apart a Lamb from the flock, kill it, and smear the blood on the doorpost of “their dwelling”. When God saw the blood on the doorpost of their dwellings, He would pass over their house and spare the first born inside the home. The people only had to apply the blood to the doorpost.
This story foretells the blood side of the Cross, the necessity of the shed blood of the Lamb to give us “forgiveness of sin”.
Many read over the other parts of this story and most of historic Christianity, has missed “the rest of the story”, not because God wasn’t waiting to reveal it to His people- the Ekklesia, but because of the traditions of men they have been blinded by teaching that keeps them in the consciousness of sin, rather than the other side of the cross and the rest of the Gospel truth that would bring them into “Christ consciousness”.
The parallel to the blood side of the cross is obvious. Christ died for us. He shed His blood as payment for our sins, thus the wages of sin, death passed us over in Him.
When by faith we apply Christ blood to our dwelling (our living selves) , we are spared the wrath of God.
As long as our revelational knowledge is limited to the blood side of the Cross- Christ dying for us, we may still have our firstborn, that is our sins are forgiven, but experientially we will still live in captivity. We will live as if still subject to the capriciousness of Pharaoh, (here a typology of Satan- adversary) and sin. You remain a “carnal Christian”, trying to overcome sin by your own power, trying to be spiritual. Having a form of godliness but denying the Power thereof. It’s wonderful to have our sins forgiven but after awhile living as if we are still captives takes much of the joy of “just” having our sins forgiven. Our hearts know there is something more, and for many it may take years of failure and frustration before they finally see the “rest of the story:.
I know for me this was my story, saved by His blood at age six with the simple faith of a child, but it took me years to grow from there to a young person and finally a Father, as described in the 3 stages of maturity in the writing of I John. This subject to be written on at a latter time.
Now for the rest of the story – let’s us look at the entirety of the Gospel.
Back to ancient Israel and their captivity. God had a solution for their captivity as He does for you and I, and that is to see to the other side of the cross, RESURRECTION and the GIFT OF THE SPIRIT.
Here is the rest of the story as written in the Old Testament
The solution God had for the Hebrews captivity. The solution was to provide them sustenance, or life, to get them out of Egypt. So he instructed each household, after they smeared the blood of the Lamb on the doorpost, to roast the Lamb and eat is as nourishment for the upcoming journey. That’s the body side of the cross. You take the Lamb (Christ) in you as LIFE!
God is showing us here that the Lamb they used for the blood on the doorpost was the same lamb they ate for the journey. In other words, everything that is necessary for living the life comes from the Lamb. It isn’t that the Lamb dies for you and then your sent out to the rest on your own or with His help (as popular and “incomplete Gospel”- traditional Christianity practices and teaches). The Lamb is the total answer. The Lamb that gave the blood for them also gave its life to them. They took the meat into them, and that became their nourishment, strength, and vitality for the journey. They lived their life out of the Lamb’s life. They walked in its energy. They killed one Lamb for two purposes!
Paul calls the New Testament life a walk. What is the sustenance, the life, of that walk?
It isn’t trying. It isn’t us trying to walk for God. It may look like that on the outside, but we have taken the Lamb of God into us. He is not only the forgiveness of our sins. He is also the life within us, from whom we make the journey. He is resurrected and in so doing He gave of Himself to us, by the gift of the Spirit, he came to dwell within us, and our only hope and life is in Him. You can’t live the Christian life, but He can, but you must partake of the meat of the Lamb as well as the Blood. He said you must drink my blood and eat my body. Today as then most Christians have no comprehension of this and what it means for them spiritually. They only see it as a sacrament they do now and then in the church under the traditions of men originating with the Catholic Church.
We just like ancient Israel must not only have the blood of the lamb upon the doorpost of our lives, but we must also eat of the Lamb, for it is His life within us that is our spiritual nourishment, it His life, lived in us, through us and as us, that enables the Christian to not only have forgiveness of sin but to overcome sin. It is the other side of the cross.
Another parallel in this story of Exodus is how they were commanded to eat unleavened bread. Grace upon grace and not mixed with law is the spiritual meaning here. The leaven of the Pharisees that Jesus warned the Disciples about was their traditions, their laws that had no meaning without the life of the Spirit. One can’t put the blood of the Lamb upon their lives by His work, then turn around and think living the Christian life is lived by law- or leavened bread. He is the unleavened bread from heaven. We are told to eat to eat Him for He is true bread. Take the meat and put it into your body. Put the life in you by faith. This is where we agree with Him and the Word of God, that says, Christ in you, the hope of glory. We are complete in Him, He is not just the author of our faith but the finisher as well by the life of Him inside of us, by the gift of His indwelling Spirit.
Just as He said he could do nothing without the Father- meaning living His holy life on this earth, no Christian can do anything holy without His life within them. The whole story is that Christ died that we died with Him at calvary, and as He was raised from the grave, we with Him have been raised up in newness of life, and just as He promised He would come again He came by the gift of His life indwelling us, that we might be more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, because it is He that lives His life in us, as us and through us. The reason that the traditions of men and the religious keep Christ always dangling on the cross, is their inability to believe the Word of God, by faith, that we are NEW CREATIONS in Him and they insist on believing in their own carnality that by their own efforts of externals they will be able to obtain the life. The life is Christ, and it is the other side of the Cross!
May you not only know the blood for forgiveness may you come to know the meat for power over sin in your life. He is that real meat, eat of Him, partake of Him, and quit eating the stale leavened bread of religion, and you will LIVE! I promise by experience.
A special thanks to Dan Stone and David Gregory from which I borrowed some of this from their wonderful book entitled " The Rest of the Gospel" When the partial Gospel has worn you out", A wonderful affirmation of things God had taught me in my life in Him. I highly recommend this book to all Christian readers, it is published by " One Press" I found the book at a local Christian book store.
until next time....may you enjoy the meal!
Dr. J.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The Da Vinci Code Debunked! The true "mystery" revealed
Recently I watched the movie the "The Da Vinci Code" as a Christian we are not to fear views that are the anti-thesis of "true faith" in Christ. If our foundation is built on a spiritual relationship with Christ where we have tasted of heavenly things, then no perversion of the truth will draw us away from Christ.
John 10:3 - "to this one the doorkeeper doth open, and the sheep hear his voice, and his own sheep he doth call by name, and doth lead them forth; 4 and when his own sheep he may put forth, before them he goeth on, and the sheep follow him, because they have known his voice; 5 and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers."
One of the reasons this movie and the book became so popular is the general populace including many pre-religious people are much more educated then many of our parents or their parents. Many have studied history which is full of the grandiose schemes of the organized church to suppress the REAL TRUTH of Jesus Christ and the GOSPEL. Most if not a few understand the ancient persecutions of those that the Catholic church declared heretics that the true heresy was found in this “whore of Babylon”, the organized church, that was building Augustine’s “ City of God”. That it reigned by powering over all others, with a leader standing in the “temple of God, declaring themselves to be God”- ie; the Pope and his appointed leaders. They have seen the corruption of what is supposed to be “God’s called out one’s” the Ekklesia, or otherwise pervertedly re-named by these pagan whores – “ the Church”.
They have seen the immorality and greed of so many so called "Ministers of god", Pastor's, Evangelist, and especially those who have built grand kingdoms to themselves and their own love of their flesh. They are much more educated but with education of history, the believer would see right through the impossibility of the fiction presented in the “The Da Vinci Code”. The true historian as well, would see the inconsistencies and the fiction of history as presented as fact is nothing but mere fabrication and a twisting of the facts. However, those not educated in history or the truth of the origin of the “church” versus the Ekklesia, will not be able to distinguish between true Christianity and the lies presented as “the church”. I will throughout the rest of this article use the word church for the sake of the readers, but let me give you a Biblical definition before you read on.
The church was never a place to meet, a building, or a certain denomination, or certain hierarchial creations of men. Jesus built the “ true church” and there are few today who are members of it. It is unseen, as it has no organization built on the traditions of men, no hierarchy except that as Christ as the Head Shepard and we the Bride, the Church as His Sheep. We are the expression of Him, called out and separated from all the kingdoms, organizations, hierarchies, institutions of men. We are as the original word for church means, the “called out one’s”. Called out from this world, as strangers, aliens, and sojourners who are not separated by creed of doctrine but because the very life of Christ is our life, and we seek nothing from this world, as home is in heaven from which we dwell with Him, and He fills up all that we are or hope to be.
It is built on the words of Christ that said:
Matthew 20:25 25
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you:but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And these words from John 4:24
It was Jesus who told the woman at the well, when questioning where was the place that God could be found in Samaria or Jerusalem.
24 God is a Spirit:and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Alas these words that is we who are members of “the true church of God”
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jonah:for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Of course, contrary to Catholic false teachings we know that Christ here is referring to the rock not as Peter but the statement or confession of faith that Peter declares: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
The “ Anointed One” the living breathing Son of the Living God!
Pay close attention to that concept the “living God” for I am going to show you how the organizational church has made Him the GOD but a DEAD GOD!
Many of the historical facts presented in this movie contain "some truth" with a large mixture of fiction. What I wish to reveal here, is that, yes, the organized church has suppressed a truth of Christianity but it isn't that Jesus was married or had a bloodline generation that is being secretly guarded by some esoteric group of men.
There is a truth that has existed since the Apostles died, that the church has been guilty of, that the Catholic church has kept from the masses and the Protestants carried on the tradition. There is a " mystery of the ages" that was hidden from all those before Christ came, that Paul and all the early Christians believed in wholeheartedly and because of it they turned their world upside down for a time, but then even as they were expressing the truth of this "secret" (mystery) men were already busy trying to Judaize - the Christians of Paul's time with the formulation of the hierarchy- clergy-laity system. A restoration of the old Levitical Priesthood and the Temple.
Paul, Peter and John warned of it's coming but none to only a few have seen it to this day, for the organized church has done everything in it's power to keep it buried, so that the masses might remain ignorant and under it’s power.
I have provided just a few verses from scripture to which the “true Church of God” is built upon and even one just viewing these words at a glance can see how contrary the ecclesiastical system of today is far from being built on the words of Jesus “church”
What is this secret that they keep hiding from the people, they rarely mention and then if they do, it is to try to produce false wonders and miracles, to call it this. Why is it even today the “Cross” is the representation of Christianity rather than the Resurrection?
Why is to this day it is the Cross is the symbol of Christ more often than the Dove, why it it almost every sermon you hear is on the cross rather than the resurrection or the purpose for Christ coming, to give us all something that God desired to do through the ages to do even with Ancient Israel but even they refused this gift, rather they sinfully chose Kings.
What is the truth of the Christian faith and the “whole Gospel”? What is this mystery that Paul understood to the depths of his heart, and the early Christian’s did as well.. What is it that inspired these believers to die at the hands of ruling Kings, and others, without a whimper or a refusal to do so? Why is that the early church was passive to the violence done to it? Why is the history of the organizational church so full of violence, intolerance and hatred, all to which is not a testimony to God’s love for all of His creation. Why is that they teach a crucifed Christ over the Risen Christ, why is it they wish to make his earthly life as a man as if he was functioning as a God while on this earth. Why is it they deny his humanity and over emphasize His Divinity, yet, they never show that His intention was to truly create a nation of people like Himself, a whole new race of men, a race of people “set apart by God Himself, for the sake of Himself.? Why is it they have replaced the organic with the stale bread of doctrines, creeds, and religion? The reason is to keep the lie, to keep Christ on the cross, a DEAD GOD, rather than the SON OF THE LIVING GOD! They wish to hide the secret, the “ mystery” Paul refers to it as. What is this mystery that has made many to leave and abandon the organized “churches” of men, for the one TRUE CHURCH OF GOD” ? What is it that they so hold onto that it has brought persecution, even death for their belief. Why is it that very “churches” that claim they are this Church that Jesus referred to as the “rock” is not the “ROCK”.
A rock is immovable, it is solid, it is not ever evolving into something different with the whim of men, it only becomes transformed by the wind, or water. Both symbols of the Holy Spirit and Life!
It is the Holy Spirit that brings life to the “true Church of God” and this SPIRIT is the very SPIRIT OF THE FATHER AND THE SON! It is the expression of their Holiness, not some weird speech, false miracles and other such foolishness. It is the EXPRESSION OF HIS CHARACTER, HIS TRAITS, HIS ACTIONS, HIS PERSONALITY, HIS LIFE!
The Holy Spirit and the Resurrected Christ are one in the same…
Thus most denominations either don’t teach of the work of the Spirit or they pervert it into some loud flashy, fleshly, extraordinary un- documented miracles or superstitious teachings. Some call it a second blessing, or second coming. It is the first blessing of those that are His, it is not some gibberish uttered out of the flesh of men, that can be found among the most pagan of tribes and religions of men. It is not some special gift to go around slapping people in the head, blowing on them or other such foolishness and showmanship to draw attention to yourself and obtain followers and let’s not forget, lots of money! It’s also not the sorrow of the world, where people cry or feel sad for the sins they have committed. It isn’t because 15 people came down the aisle of some false temple and joined your membership or asked for salvation because some preacher gave an emotionally moving speech, some sermon, some supposed “Oracles from the God’s”.
It is not in the creeds or doctrines of men, nor can it be found in because someone quit drinking or smoking and joined the church. It is LIFE CHANGING, IT IS EMOTIONALLY, INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY STIRRING all at once, and will forever change the life’s of those who receive the Gift. A gift for which our Master and Saviour purchased for us with not only His blood at the cross but His overcoming sin and death through the Resurrection.
It is to have the very life of the Son within us, as part of everything that we are, will be or shall ever become. It is the secret of the ages, hidden, now revealed Paul says.
Let us read what this secret is, that the church tries desperately to keep hidden from the masses, first it was by having the Word of God bound in a book, under a language that very few understood, and then to print it in their language, and yet tell the masses you can’t understand this book unless we interpret it’s meanings, it’s words, it testimony to you, by way of our educated and specially called of God, powers as your Head men- the Clergy tell you what it means, rather than Christ. The church” the organizations of all the denominations that call itself Christians have and still work desperately at keeping YOU from discovering the secret…it is not the Opus Dei, of Dan Brown’s book who seeks to keep the secret from being revealed it is all those who power over you, seeking to be your interpreter of God’s Word and His Blessing. It is all of organized Christianity that has proven itself time after time willing to kill and maim others to keep this secret from you the masses. If you only understood it, they would lose all power over you, their money wells would dry up, their expensive houses, cars, allowances, vacations, and organizational real estate holdings would end, and thus who would they manipulate then?
It is kept so secret that even the mention of it, this “mystery”, makes these grandiose, fat Shepards, “ministers of light” shutter at night at the thought of you knowing this secret.
It is the very same reason they wound and even kill the sheep of Christ even to this day, to keep them from speaking truth among their followers, they will be cast out, and persecuted, called cult followers, and other words to hurt and to maim them. They "the keepers of the secret must do all they can do to keep the secret. They must at whatever cost, not allow you to know this mystery. To do so, would mean the very end of not only “their church” but all the power they have held over the world, who has stood in looked in amazement at them!
It would not bring the end of Christianity, it would be the restoration of Christianity. It would mean the power to be specially called of God, was no longer under the oversight, their hierarchy, their will but that any and all may be “ called out one’s of God!
This secret is bound up and hidden disguised and mutilated by their doctrines and traditions of men. They make the Commandments of God, of none effect for the sake of keeping the secret, of not allowing you the masses to know the “ mystery”. God forbid you ever find it out…what may become of “THEM”.
Oh yes, it is hidden in their art, their form, their religious symbols and signs. It is so well hidden the greatest of artist nor theologians can find it. There is no famous one painting that reveals the truth it is rather these paintings and artwork are that which keeps you from the truth. All idolatry keeps men from truth. Worship of buildings, paintings, the glory of architecture, kingdoms, power and more whether it be a golden bull or ancient representation of a pagan god, they all lead you away from this “mystery” this secret so it won’t be revealed. It’s structure, it’s programs, it’s doing it always in the way of men, keeps you in darkness from the secret…Oh how they wish these verses of scripture would have been erased out of scripture, forever destroyed but though many did there best to change some words and preach a theology not consistent with it, none dared to erase these words, or destroy them from scripture for see the Holy Spirit was guarding these so well, because, they knew them not either and when they discovered them it was too late, to change them or to write them out of history they knew it would never change the Work of God, the Life of God, in those believers who had discovered the “mystery”. They were living it to it’s fullest extent, waiting for the day of fulfillment when all the world shall know, this secret as it will be revealed in them! No, rather all they had to do was cry, “heretic” , “cult” and other such derogatories and accomplish their objective, silence their voices to the masses, let them be considered, as those who oppose Christ, rather than the truth, that they were Satan’s minister’s of the synagogue of Satan.
Oh what a masterful job the Enemy has done down through the ages trying to bury the secret in all of men’s religious propensity. Men is driven by religion, and loves his religion for it is a dedication to the creature rather than the Creator. Thus to have their high priestly class still speaking the Oracles of god, and to have their private temples of worship and praise to their pagan ideals, they force out the voice of all those who would cry out “ FOUL” and “ EVIL”.
I know this evil of theirs, and how they operate in their secret ways, to destroy the true children of God. I know how they cast out the true children of God, and point fingers at them, accuse them of evil, just as they did Christ for standing against these same evil doers of wickedness in His time. I too have joined the Apostles, and the Early Christians in their being shamed, and being called an accursed people by the very same name calling themselves “ Christians”, I too have seen the hand of those and heard the mouth of these False Prophets who have gone the way of Balaam and seek only you to be drawn after themselves “ to make profit of you”..
Oh how, they like to accuse you of the very thing for which they are guilty of. They will say "you are only trying to steal “my sheep” you are trying to draw “my church” after you". When in fact, I seek not those who are righteous but the lost. I don’t seek to draw anyone after me, but Christ. Since when was it "their church"?
If I wanted followers, I have the gift to teach, to orate, to preach, to utilize argument and use persuasive speech and used it in the past, when I too was blinded by their god, and was ordained and preached in their institutions of whoredom. All I would have to do, is join them, start a church tomorrow, and I know if I sold my self over to Satan, I could have a HUGE following, I could build a great organization, and money would flow my way, by the millions. I could make Joel Osteen ashamed of "his ministry", if I would only bow down to Satan as they have, and say give me your kingdoms, Satan, so I may enjoy the lifestyle of the opulent, the elite, the highly acclaimed, the masters of religion and the world. I have not chosen this way of life, because the Spirit of the LIVING GOD compels me to bring people to Christ, not to me, not to a new denomination,fro I have none, not to “my church” , for I have none, or to my doctrine ( I hold only to the Apostolic doctrine of Christ crucified, raised on the third day and giving the Holy Spirit to all who would ask and to the glory we shall know in immoratality at the Day of Resurrection), or to enrich myself with the blessings of their material goods, for I have all that need and I shall be content with it- food and clothing, or that I might supersede them and be even more powerful, more recognized and wealthy then “my own church”,.
“NO” a thousand times no, I have chosen the road of Paul who was my example, I took nothing from any man, I preached the Gospel – free of charge, freely I have received and freely I shall give. I do not and would not have anyone follow me, I want not anyone to follow me. I want all men to know Christ the King, the First Begotten, the First Raised from the Dead, the giver of this Spiritual Life in Him. I seek to only glorify Christ.
Many of you, will delete my writings, or refuse to read them, that is fine, you don’t offend me, you only reject those of us, who are trying to bring you the truth of scripture, the truth of Christ, and who the TRUE CHURCH OF GOD really is.. it won’t be found in a building we don't have, it wont be found in meetings we don't hold, it won’t be found in a doctrinal creeds we haven't written, it won’t be found by demanding your tithes to our ministry to which we have none, we are only Ambassadors for Christ, ministers of reconciliation, it is only found in the mystery.
Do you know the mystery, do you care to know” Do you desire with all of your heart to really live the Christian life? Do you really want to experience Holy Spirit power in your life?
If you hold back any one thing, that would keep you from making this grand commitment, over your present life, present position, present earnings present respect and honor, then you will never come to know the truth, you will remain living in the shadows of darkness, never experiencing the joy of His life, but the constant struggle of your own, to be good enough, to someday hope you will go to heaven by all your wonderful goodness and works of righteousness. I come as Jesus did, I came not to seek the righteous but the lost sheep of Israel. Christ being Israel, I seek those who want to be released from the bondages of self condemnation, constant guilt and trepidation, constant feeling inadequate to be called “Christian”. Those burned out from the "partial gospel".
I come to seek those who want to know not me- but Christ above all things. To know and understand what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God and not men.
This is my calling and the calling of all of us, who have found “the secret” that others seek to hide. It is the calling of all of us, who have realized the mystery revealed
Are you curious yet, as to what this secret may be…..It is found in two important scriptures that defines the Whole Gospel that Paul preached, the entirety of the truth, the meaning behind so many of those words that many try to twist to their own destruction. The Mystery hidden throughout the ages….now revealed..
I shall now reveal the mystery the whole of Paul’s Gospel…..are you ready, will you understand it when you read it….pray now, that the Father gives you spiritual discernment to grasp the power of these words, and what it means for you, and your family should they discover it as well. Pray that the Father will so reveal it’s truth IN YOU!
Here it is:
Colossians 1:26-29
26 even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations:but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
How many times have you read over these words, and never got a glimpse of the power in those words from Paul?
Does this say anything about special men over others?
Does this say anything about trying to be perfect?
Does this say anything about you trying to be Christ-like?
Does this say anything about a dead Christ? Is Christ still on a cross and offering no hope for the sins that so bind you up?
Does this say anything about others being “more spiritually” knowledgable then you?
Does this say you have a need to go to church to meet God?
Does this anything about that you have to work to go to heaven?
Does this say anything about you needing the clergy to interpret “ the things of God” for you”
IT DOES NOT…and it along with many other verses I can provide you and show just the opposite of all that the traditions of men have taught you.
It says a lot here in that one passage of scripture, but you have to grasp it. Let me add two more scriptures to strengthen this one.
The Bible should always interpret itself, let us add these that speak to the witness of this one.
2 Corinthians 13:3-6
3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you–ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: 4 for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. 5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
unless indeed ye be reprobate.
6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
The thrust of all of Paul’s message was of course, Christ died on the cross that we might be forgiven of our sins, but it didn’t end there! He was raised from the grave, declared the first born of many to come, and that we too now have been given the very same Spirit whereby He conquered this world, sin and death. Yes, God did not leave us, with just forgiveness of sin, he gave us the power within to overcome sin and DEATH…. This is the Gospel, that let any man ask and He shall be given the Holy Spirit- the living God, the Resurrected Life of Christ to come in and become His life. He will be joined with Him as one Spirit and they shall sup together…. This is the Gospel, that they try to hide, they try their best to keep you in the idea that you must sin until you die, but no the Gospel is if you continue in sin, you are not His, for if He is our life, we cannot continue in Sin, to what one sows to one shall also reap, to the Spirit life everlasting or to the Flesh….DEATH. For the wages of Sin, is not Hell, everyone goes there, for it is the “grave of death” Sheoul in the Old Testament, but only those who are His shall be awakened from their sleep in hell ( the grave) and shall be RESURRECTED INTO IMMORTALITY. And BE JUST LIKE HE IS….one of the many Sons of God…..
This they do not want you to know, for the minute you find the power of Christ life in you, the hope of glory, you no longer need them to get you there. You only need Christ…
One or two final verses.
I John 2:5
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
I pose a question how did he walk while on this earth? In sin or righteousness?
Why did He walk that way? He said , I can do nothing of myself. Just as you can do nothing of yourself. How did He walk this life then that overcame sin and death?
He walked because He abided in the Father! How can you walk? Because you can NOW abide in the Son! Glory to God, for the very same Spirit that was in Jesus as a man, is the very same Spiritual life He has given to you as a man!
Do you believe it? If you don’t then the Bible says whatever is not of FAITH is sin!
Jesus understood these words for He penned them through the SPIRIT of Himself in the men who wrote them down..
He walked in FAITH. He had only the declaration of the witness of the Spirit to tell Him this was true. He had no Pharisee come along and tell him this was true, no he experienced just the opposite as will you when you grasp “ the mystery”, they will say you are of Beezebul…one of their pagan gods they brought with them in their teachings.
They will say you are of Satan. Pay them no attention…Pharisees will always be Pharisees!
They accused Him of saying He was God, because they didn’t understand His walk, as they will accuse you and say …"so you are saying you are Christ?"
He never said what they accused Him of saying just as I have never said what they have accused me of saying. He drew all that He was from the Father while living the human life, just as we can draw all that we are from the Son, while living the human life. I promise you, I have and do experience this in my life.
Some final Words from the Testimony of Jesus Christ
I John 2:25-27
25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
Some final words for all you Building worshippers: That believe you must go to "the house of God" on Sundays or Saturdays, whichever..
Acts 7:47-50
47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet:What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:Or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit:as your fathers did, so do ye. 52
I Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1
Which will you give heed to the “teachings of men” and the “ temples of men” or will you give heed to Christ who dwells in you, and has made you a LIVING TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD? It is your choice today, now that the mystery has been revealed!
Dr. J.
" Speaking the truth in love"
We are to always contend for the Faith!
John 10:3 - "to this one the doorkeeper doth open, and the sheep hear his voice, and his own sheep he doth call by name, and doth lead them forth; 4 and when his own sheep he may put forth, before them he goeth on, and the sheep follow him, because they have known his voice; 5 and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers."
One of the reasons this movie and the book became so popular is the general populace including many pre-religious people are much more educated then many of our parents or their parents. Many have studied history which is full of the grandiose schemes of the organized church to suppress the REAL TRUTH of Jesus Christ and the GOSPEL. Most if not a few understand the ancient persecutions of those that the Catholic church declared heretics that the true heresy was found in this “whore of Babylon”, the organized church, that was building Augustine’s “ City of God”. That it reigned by powering over all others, with a leader standing in the “temple of God, declaring themselves to be God”- ie; the Pope and his appointed leaders. They have seen the corruption of what is supposed to be “God’s called out one’s” the Ekklesia, or otherwise pervertedly re-named by these pagan whores – “ the Church”.
They have seen the immorality and greed of so many so called "Ministers of god", Pastor's, Evangelist, and especially those who have built grand kingdoms to themselves and their own love of their flesh. They are much more educated but with education of history, the believer would see right through the impossibility of the fiction presented in the “The Da Vinci Code”. The true historian as well, would see the inconsistencies and the fiction of history as presented as fact is nothing but mere fabrication and a twisting of the facts. However, those not educated in history or the truth of the origin of the “church” versus the Ekklesia, will not be able to distinguish between true Christianity and the lies presented as “the church”. I will throughout the rest of this article use the word church for the sake of the readers, but let me give you a Biblical definition before you read on.
The church was never a place to meet, a building, or a certain denomination, or certain hierarchial creations of men. Jesus built the “ true church” and there are few today who are members of it. It is unseen, as it has no organization built on the traditions of men, no hierarchy except that as Christ as the Head Shepard and we the Bride, the Church as His Sheep. We are the expression of Him, called out and separated from all the kingdoms, organizations, hierarchies, institutions of men. We are as the original word for church means, the “called out one’s”. Called out from this world, as strangers, aliens, and sojourners who are not separated by creed of doctrine but because the very life of Christ is our life, and we seek nothing from this world, as home is in heaven from which we dwell with Him, and He fills up all that we are or hope to be.
It is built on the words of Christ that said:
Matthew 20:25 25
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you:but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
And these words from John 4:24
It was Jesus who told the woman at the well, when questioning where was the place that God could be found in Samaria or Jerusalem.
24 God is a Spirit:and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
Alas these words that is we who are members of “the true church of God”
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jonah:for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Of course, contrary to Catholic false teachings we know that Christ here is referring to the rock not as Peter but the statement or confession of faith that Peter declares: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
The “ Anointed One” the living breathing Son of the Living God!
Pay close attention to that concept the “living God” for I am going to show you how the organizational church has made Him the GOD but a DEAD GOD!
Many of the historical facts presented in this movie contain "some truth" with a large mixture of fiction. What I wish to reveal here, is that, yes, the organized church has suppressed a truth of Christianity but it isn't that Jesus was married or had a bloodline generation that is being secretly guarded by some esoteric group of men.
There is a truth that has existed since the Apostles died, that the church has been guilty of, that the Catholic church has kept from the masses and the Protestants carried on the tradition. There is a " mystery of the ages" that was hidden from all those before Christ came, that Paul and all the early Christians believed in wholeheartedly and because of it they turned their world upside down for a time, but then even as they were expressing the truth of this "secret" (mystery) men were already busy trying to Judaize - the Christians of Paul's time with the formulation of the hierarchy- clergy-laity system. A restoration of the old Levitical Priesthood and the Temple.
Paul, Peter and John warned of it's coming but none to only a few have seen it to this day, for the organized church has done everything in it's power to keep it buried, so that the masses might remain ignorant and under it’s power.
I have provided just a few verses from scripture to which the “true Church of God” is built upon and even one just viewing these words at a glance can see how contrary the ecclesiastical system of today is far from being built on the words of Jesus “church”
What is this secret that they keep hiding from the people, they rarely mention and then if they do, it is to try to produce false wonders and miracles, to call it this. Why is it even today the “Cross” is the representation of Christianity rather than the Resurrection?
Why is to this day it is the Cross is the symbol of Christ more often than the Dove, why it it almost every sermon you hear is on the cross rather than the resurrection or the purpose for Christ coming, to give us all something that God desired to do through the ages to do even with Ancient Israel but even they refused this gift, rather they sinfully chose Kings.
What is the truth of the Christian faith and the “whole Gospel”? What is this mystery that Paul understood to the depths of his heart, and the early Christian’s did as well.. What is it that inspired these believers to die at the hands of ruling Kings, and others, without a whimper or a refusal to do so? Why is that the early church was passive to the violence done to it? Why is the history of the organizational church so full of violence, intolerance and hatred, all to which is not a testimony to God’s love for all of His creation. Why is that they teach a crucifed Christ over the Risen Christ, why is it they wish to make his earthly life as a man as if he was functioning as a God while on this earth. Why is it they deny his humanity and over emphasize His Divinity, yet, they never show that His intention was to truly create a nation of people like Himself, a whole new race of men, a race of people “set apart by God Himself, for the sake of Himself.? Why is it they have replaced the organic with the stale bread of doctrines, creeds, and religion? The reason is to keep the lie, to keep Christ on the cross, a DEAD GOD, rather than the SON OF THE LIVING GOD! They wish to hide the secret, the “ mystery” Paul refers to it as. What is this mystery that has made many to leave and abandon the organized “churches” of men, for the one TRUE CHURCH OF GOD” ? What is it that they so hold onto that it has brought persecution, even death for their belief. Why is it that very “churches” that claim they are this Church that Jesus referred to as the “rock” is not the “ROCK”.
A rock is immovable, it is solid, it is not ever evolving into something different with the whim of men, it only becomes transformed by the wind, or water. Both symbols of the Holy Spirit and Life!
It is the Holy Spirit that brings life to the “true Church of God” and this SPIRIT is the very SPIRIT OF THE FATHER AND THE SON! It is the expression of their Holiness, not some weird speech, false miracles and other such foolishness. It is the EXPRESSION OF HIS CHARACTER, HIS TRAITS, HIS ACTIONS, HIS PERSONALITY, HIS LIFE!
The Holy Spirit and the Resurrected Christ are one in the same…
Thus most denominations either don’t teach of the work of the Spirit or they pervert it into some loud flashy, fleshly, extraordinary un- documented miracles or superstitious teachings. Some call it a second blessing, or second coming. It is the first blessing of those that are His, it is not some gibberish uttered out of the flesh of men, that can be found among the most pagan of tribes and religions of men. It is not some special gift to go around slapping people in the head, blowing on them or other such foolishness and showmanship to draw attention to yourself and obtain followers and let’s not forget, lots of money! It’s also not the sorrow of the world, where people cry or feel sad for the sins they have committed. It isn’t because 15 people came down the aisle of some false temple and joined your membership or asked for salvation because some preacher gave an emotionally moving speech, some sermon, some supposed “Oracles from the God’s”.
It is not in the creeds or doctrines of men, nor can it be found in because someone quit drinking or smoking and joined the church. It is LIFE CHANGING, IT IS EMOTIONALLY, INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY STIRRING all at once, and will forever change the life’s of those who receive the Gift. A gift for which our Master and Saviour purchased for us with not only His blood at the cross but His overcoming sin and death through the Resurrection.
It is to have the very life of the Son within us, as part of everything that we are, will be or shall ever become. It is the secret of the ages, hidden, now revealed Paul says.
Let us read what this secret is, that the church tries desperately to keep hidden from the masses, first it was by having the Word of God bound in a book, under a language that very few understood, and then to print it in their language, and yet tell the masses you can’t understand this book unless we interpret it’s meanings, it’s words, it testimony to you, by way of our educated and specially called of God, powers as your Head men- the Clergy tell you what it means, rather than Christ. The church” the organizations of all the denominations that call itself Christians have and still work desperately at keeping YOU from discovering the secret…it is not the Opus Dei, of Dan Brown’s book who seeks to keep the secret from being revealed it is all those who power over you, seeking to be your interpreter of God’s Word and His Blessing. It is all of organized Christianity that has proven itself time after time willing to kill and maim others to keep this secret from you the masses. If you only understood it, they would lose all power over you, their money wells would dry up, their expensive houses, cars, allowances, vacations, and organizational real estate holdings would end, and thus who would they manipulate then?
It is kept so secret that even the mention of it, this “mystery”, makes these grandiose, fat Shepards, “ministers of light” shutter at night at the thought of you knowing this secret.
It is the very same reason they wound and even kill the sheep of Christ even to this day, to keep them from speaking truth among their followers, they will be cast out, and persecuted, called cult followers, and other words to hurt and to maim them. They "the keepers of the secret must do all they can do to keep the secret. They must at whatever cost, not allow you to know this mystery. To do so, would mean the very end of not only “their church” but all the power they have held over the world, who has stood in looked in amazement at them!
It would not bring the end of Christianity, it would be the restoration of Christianity. It would mean the power to be specially called of God, was no longer under the oversight, their hierarchy, their will but that any and all may be “ called out one’s of God!
This secret is bound up and hidden disguised and mutilated by their doctrines and traditions of men. They make the Commandments of God, of none effect for the sake of keeping the secret, of not allowing you the masses to know the “ mystery”. God forbid you ever find it out…what may become of “THEM”.
Oh yes, it is hidden in their art, their form, their religious symbols and signs. It is so well hidden the greatest of artist nor theologians can find it. There is no famous one painting that reveals the truth it is rather these paintings and artwork are that which keeps you from the truth. All idolatry keeps men from truth. Worship of buildings, paintings, the glory of architecture, kingdoms, power and more whether it be a golden bull or ancient representation of a pagan god, they all lead you away from this “mystery” this secret so it won’t be revealed. It’s structure, it’s programs, it’s doing it always in the way of men, keeps you in darkness from the secret…Oh how they wish these verses of scripture would have been erased out of scripture, forever destroyed but though many did there best to change some words and preach a theology not consistent with it, none dared to erase these words, or destroy them from scripture for see the Holy Spirit was guarding these so well, because, they knew them not either and when they discovered them it was too late, to change them or to write them out of history they knew it would never change the Work of God, the Life of God, in those believers who had discovered the “mystery”. They were living it to it’s fullest extent, waiting for the day of fulfillment when all the world shall know, this secret as it will be revealed in them! No, rather all they had to do was cry, “heretic” , “cult” and other such derogatories and accomplish their objective, silence their voices to the masses, let them be considered, as those who oppose Christ, rather than the truth, that they were Satan’s minister’s of the synagogue of Satan.
Oh what a masterful job the Enemy has done down through the ages trying to bury the secret in all of men’s religious propensity. Men is driven by religion, and loves his religion for it is a dedication to the creature rather than the Creator. Thus to have their high priestly class still speaking the Oracles of god, and to have their private temples of worship and praise to their pagan ideals, they force out the voice of all those who would cry out “ FOUL” and “ EVIL”.
I know this evil of theirs, and how they operate in their secret ways, to destroy the true children of God. I know how they cast out the true children of God, and point fingers at them, accuse them of evil, just as they did Christ for standing against these same evil doers of wickedness in His time. I too have joined the Apostles, and the Early Christians in their being shamed, and being called an accursed people by the very same name calling themselves “ Christians”, I too have seen the hand of those and heard the mouth of these False Prophets who have gone the way of Balaam and seek only you to be drawn after themselves “ to make profit of you”..
Oh how, they like to accuse you of the very thing for which they are guilty of. They will say "you are only trying to steal “my sheep” you are trying to draw “my church” after you". When in fact, I seek not those who are righteous but the lost. I don’t seek to draw anyone after me, but Christ. Since when was it "their church"?
If I wanted followers, I have the gift to teach, to orate, to preach, to utilize argument and use persuasive speech and used it in the past, when I too was blinded by their god, and was ordained and preached in their institutions of whoredom. All I would have to do, is join them, start a church tomorrow, and I know if I sold my self over to Satan, I could have a HUGE following, I could build a great organization, and money would flow my way, by the millions. I could make Joel Osteen ashamed of "his ministry", if I would only bow down to Satan as they have, and say give me your kingdoms, Satan, so I may enjoy the lifestyle of the opulent, the elite, the highly acclaimed, the masters of religion and the world. I have not chosen this way of life, because the Spirit of the LIVING GOD compels me to bring people to Christ, not to me, not to a new denomination,fro I have none, not to “my church” , for I have none, or to my doctrine ( I hold only to the Apostolic doctrine of Christ crucified, raised on the third day and giving the Holy Spirit to all who would ask and to the glory we shall know in immoratality at the Day of Resurrection), or to enrich myself with the blessings of their material goods, for I have all that need and I shall be content with it- food and clothing, or that I might supersede them and be even more powerful, more recognized and wealthy then “my own church”,
“NO” a thousand times no, I have chosen the road of Paul who was my example, I took nothing from any man, I preached the Gospel – free of charge, freely I have received and freely I shall give. I do not and would not have anyone follow me, I want not anyone to follow me. I want all men to know Christ the King, the First Begotten, the First Raised from the Dead, the giver of this Spiritual Life in Him. I seek to only glorify Christ.
Many of you, will delete my writings, or refuse to read them, that is fine, you don’t offend me, you only reject those of us, who are trying to bring you the truth of scripture, the truth of Christ, and who the TRUE CHURCH OF GOD really is.. it won’t be found in a building we don't have, it wont be found in meetings we don't hold, it won’t be found in a doctrinal creeds we haven't written, it won’t be found by demanding your tithes to our ministry to which we have none, we are only Ambassadors for Christ, ministers of reconciliation, it is only found in the mystery.
Do you know the mystery, do you care to know” Do you desire with all of your heart to really live the Christian life? Do you really want to experience Holy Spirit power in your life?
If you hold back any one thing, that would keep you from making this grand commitment, over your present life, present position, present earnings present respect and honor, then you will never come to know the truth, you will remain living in the shadows of darkness, never experiencing the joy of His life, but the constant struggle of your own, to be good enough, to someday hope you will go to heaven by all your wonderful goodness and works of righteousness. I come as Jesus did, I came not to seek the righteous but the lost sheep of Israel. Christ being Israel, I seek those who want to be released from the bondages of self condemnation, constant guilt and trepidation, constant feeling inadequate to be called “Christian”. Those burned out from the "partial gospel".
I come to seek those who want to know not me- but Christ above all things. To know and understand what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God and not men.
This is my calling and the calling of all of us, who have found “the secret” that others seek to hide. It is the calling of all of us, who have realized the mystery revealed
Are you curious yet, as to what this secret may be…..It is found in two important scriptures that defines the Whole Gospel that Paul preached, the entirety of the truth, the meaning behind so many of those words that many try to twist to their own destruction. The Mystery hidden throughout the ages….now revealed..
I shall now reveal the mystery the whole of Paul’s Gospel…..are you ready, will you understand it when you read it….pray now, that the Father gives you spiritual discernment to grasp the power of these words, and what it means for you, and your family should they discover it as well. Pray that the Father will so reveal it’s truth IN YOU!
Here it is:
Colossians 1:26-29
26 even the mystery which hath been hid for ages and generations:but now hath it been manifested to his saints, 27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; 29 whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
How many times have you read over these words, and never got a glimpse of the power in those words from Paul?
Does this say anything about special men over others?
Does this say anything about trying to be perfect?
Does this say anything about you trying to be Christ-like?
Does this say anything about a dead Christ? Is Christ still on a cross and offering no hope for the sins that so bind you up?
Does this say anything about others being “more spiritually” knowledgable then you?
Does this say you have a need to go to church to meet God?
Does this anything about that you have to work to go to heaven?
Does this say anything about you needing the clergy to interpret “ the things of God” for you”
IT DOES NOT…and it along with many other verses I can provide you and show just the opposite of all that the traditions of men have taught you.
It says a lot here in that one passage of scripture, but you have to grasp it. Let me add two more scriptures to strengthen this one.
The Bible should always interpret itself, let us add these that speak to the witness of this one.
2 Corinthians 13:3-6
3 seeing that ye seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me; who to you–ward is not weak, but is powerful in you: 4 for he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth through the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him through the power of God toward you. 5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
unless indeed ye be reprobate.
6 But I hope that ye shall know that we are not reprobate.
The thrust of all of Paul’s message was of course, Christ died on the cross that we might be forgiven of our sins, but it didn’t end there! He was raised from the grave, declared the first born of many to come, and that we too now have been given the very same Spirit whereby He conquered this world, sin and death. Yes, God did not leave us, with just forgiveness of sin, he gave us the power within to overcome sin and DEATH…. This is the Gospel, that let any man ask and He shall be given the Holy Spirit- the living God, the Resurrected Life of Christ to come in and become His life. He will be joined with Him as one Spirit and they shall sup together…. This is the Gospel, that they try to hide, they try their best to keep you in the idea that you must sin until you die, but no the Gospel is if you continue in sin, you are not His, for if He is our life, we cannot continue in Sin, to what one sows to one shall also reap, to the Spirit life everlasting or to the Flesh….DEATH. For the wages of Sin, is not Hell, everyone goes there, for it is the “grave of death” Sheoul in the Old Testament, but only those who are His shall be awakened from their sleep in hell ( the grave) and shall be RESURRECTED INTO IMMORTALITY. And BE JUST LIKE HE IS….one of the many Sons of God…..
This they do not want you to know, for the minute you find the power of Christ life in you, the hope of glory, you no longer need them to get you there. You only need Christ…
One or two final verses.
I John 2:5
but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: 6 he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
I pose a question how did he walk while on this earth? In sin or righteousness?
Why did He walk that way? He said , I can do nothing of myself. Just as you can do nothing of yourself. How did He walk this life then that overcame sin and death?
He walked because He abided in the Father! How can you walk? Because you can NOW abide in the Son! Glory to God, for the very same Spirit that was in Jesus as a man, is the very same Spiritual life He has given to you as a man!
Do you believe it? If you don’t then the Bible says whatever is not of FAITH is sin!
Jesus understood these words for He penned them through the SPIRIT of Himself in the men who wrote them down..
He walked in FAITH. He had only the declaration of the witness of the Spirit to tell Him this was true. He had no Pharisee come along and tell him this was true, no he experienced just the opposite as will you when you grasp “ the mystery”, they will say you are of Beezebul…one of their pagan gods they brought with them in their teachings.
They will say you are of Satan. Pay them no attention…Pharisees will always be Pharisees!
They accused Him of saying He was God, because they didn’t understand His walk, as they will accuse you and say …"so you are saying you are Christ?"
He never said what they accused Him of saying just as I have never said what they have accused me of saying. He drew all that He was from the Father while living the human life, just as we can draw all that we are from the Son, while living the human life. I promise you, I have and do experience this in my life.
Some final Words from the Testimony of Jesus Christ
I John 2:25-27
25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
Some final words for all you Building worshippers: That believe you must go to "the house of God" on Sundays or Saturdays, whichever..
Acts 7:47-50
47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet:What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:Or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit:as your fathers did, so do ye. 52
I Corinthians 3:16
16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1
Which will you give heed to the “teachings of men” and the “ temples of men” or will you give heed to Christ who dwells in you, and has made you a LIVING TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD? It is your choice today, now that the mystery has been revealed!
Dr. J.
" Speaking the truth in love"
We are to always contend for the Faith!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Paul on Giving vs, "the other" and Accountability
A story in 2004 in the LA Times broke that shows once more how these men and in this case women fall right und the condemnation of those false prophets and teachers coming along even in the time of the Apostle Peter, John ,Paul and the rest. Here is short excerpt from it.
In the LA Times article alone, it was disclosed that Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan Crouch, earn more than $750,000 in salaries and have a collection of luxuries at their disposal, including a TBN-owned jet and some 30 homes across the US. TBN's response:
"Regarding the various real properties mentioned, all are owned by TBN, not Dr. and Mrs. Crouch, and they are used for multiple purposes, including program settings, and temporary housing for network guests, contractors and agents. In addition, such properties represent alternative investment vehicles that provide appreciably better returns then bank CDs, savings accounts, and bond funds, etc. Similarly, TBN's corporate aircraft is only utilized in the course of business. It is not unusual for Dr. Crouch, and employees traveling with him, to visit several different cities and stations over the course of a trip. The plane allows flexibility and effective time management, and avoids the impact of Dr. Crouch's status as a public person."
Are 30 homes, private jets and large salaries a good use of ministry funds? It seems to me that this is a hard-sell to the many people who give to a ministry in good faith, thinking their money is going to further the gospel.
Now there is a need for much truth to be told on the way so many of these anti-Christ bring hatred toward the true light of the Gospel.
How often these so referred as "called minsters" have quoted a portion of Corinthians out of context- specifically the passages found in I Corithians 9:9 -
"We read in the Law of Moses, " Do not muzzle and ox when you are using it to thresh the grain" Now is God concernead about the oxen" He ask a rhetorical question, Didn't he really mean us when he sadi that? Of course that was written for us- referring to the Apostles and none others- he goes on to say some very important things the wise would be good to recall- He says and lets go further so we gain the whole context of what he about to say.
I quote from the New American Standard Bible -
Yea, for our sake it was written:because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. 11 If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Now none of what he has said are posed as statements of law- like all these false teachers would have you believe- rather he poses questions, we already know from reading other passages how both Peter and Paul warned against these "messenger's of light" that were running about- first off quoting law- forgetting what Paul wrote in Galatians- READ GOD's WORD instead of letting it collect dust on your dashboard in your car or in your home's. Most folks only dust it off for a Sunday morning meeting.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse:for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident:for, The righteous shall live by faith; 12 and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
So that there pretty much sums up some so called law of Tithing from the Old Covenant
So we know already that Paul was not teaching a law of tithing but placing rhetorical questions before this body of Christ to show what the practice of the "true Apostles" was. Let's read further: Something you will never get these false teachers and prophets to do
-If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Here was the point- there were others taking advantage of them demanding a right to which wasn't there's truly because now Paul shows the way that is right to do, if we could but get the body of Christ to read the Word, instead of letting men interpret it to them, then there would be less shame on the Word of God, and how these minister's of Satan peddle the Word, they are likened unto Simon the Magician who wanted the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon him to do the miraculous to profit from it.
Let's read Paul's correction as always he sets the example whereby those called to preach the good news- which is each and everyone of us, now. He shows the example of a true Apostle that has a heart not of greed and profit, but one of sharing the GOOD NEWS of Christ.
Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?
Again he takes this legal question and converts it to the Grace of God.
14 Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. 1
Once again the powers of the CATHOLIC CHURCH changed this to read as a statement when it is clear it is a rethorical question that he will answer again in his next statement.
5 But I have used none of these things:and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. 17 For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward:but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. 18
Note Paul makes very clear what His reward was from the Lord in his ministry- READ IT PREACHERS!
He answers now these rethorical questions to once and for all to set the tone for his truth and how he always presents it with love for their correction.
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.He closes near this last statement that these false teachers were doing to show their motive.
And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
The question? Is the Gospel to be received by those that pay for it? Absolutely not!
Freely God gave and freely are we to give- and this doesnt mean giving money to someone else who preaches, this means we are called to present the Gospel in such a way that no one can speak evil of us. By always presenting it without taking advantage of anyone in money or anything as far as that goes.
Let me show you Paul's efforts of accountability were when he was sending money (this gift) to the poor- NOTE: He wasn't sending this money to some "hot shot ministry" or "a pastor", or "a building fund" or "a program"- but to the poor Christians in Corinth-
Let's look how Paul avoided all aspects of false blame as well to come to them when they were going to have their gifts of love sent to Corinth what steps he took for accountabilty. You may read the Chapter ahead of this one and come to understand where and for what purpose this gift was to serve.
Note these passages - the money wasn't designed to go to a ministry, an organization or any one person- it was designed to go to the poor in Corinth and Paul being very accountable to God- he states the following:
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 2
Note: he not only sends Titus, he sends two other brothers, so NO ONE could accuse any one person of misusing or stealing or taking what wasn't their's for their own use. THREE MIND YOU, PERSONS ARE SENT TO GUARD THE GIFT HE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN THE VERSES PREVIOUS TO THIS THAT WERE MEANT TO SUPPLY THOSE WITH LESS THAN THOSE THAT HAD A SURPLUS- so that the body of Christ would share and have all things in common.
I would also have that in every case that Paul wrote a letter- if the letter was meant to be addressed to the top dogs, of an organization called a Pastor- he never once addresses any of his letters as - Dear Pastor- go tell your congregation these things!
Whoops! There goes the destruction of all of the baloney that is thrown out there to keep people under manipulation and to stir them to give their money to them- they never bother to read all of scripture and obtain the truth! Whose fault is it that these false Apostles and Teachers take advantage of them. It is their own because they are they are just too lazy to study the Word of God for themselves and generally the only time they crack open their Bibles is to read along with these False teachers in a meeting whereby he will procede to twist scripture to manipulate the masses listening to give Him money, the program, the building or other. Such a small proportion of money taken in is actually provided to the lost and to the poor! 98% of all the money taken in is spent on the organization itself and very little to maintain the equality of material needs within the body of Christ.
There are those that are in the so called ministry- that surely have much more than all those they pretend to minister too and then one must ask where is the equality that Paul talks about in the Chapter before this? Not an equality in giving to ministers, he has nullified that idea right out front here, but giving to those who have less that their lack will be made up by the others surplus? It doesn't exist today that I can see.
Lies are only believed because very few people seek the truth for themselves, so then they are easily persuaded by this ADVERSARY (SATAN) who comes even as an angel (messenger)of Light.
My prayer is that each one of you would take the time to read these verses and give it great thought and then trust God and men less, and study to shew thyself approved. Then surely the gifts of those who have much that they give from will put them at equal standing with those whose lack has been supplied by their surplus. if Christians heeded the Word of God instead of listening to those false interpreters of it- welfare would probably become non- existent in this country!
It is important that every beleiver understand these passages written by John the Apostle of Christ -
I John 1: 24-
24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
May God Bless You as you seek His truth and allow the Holy Spirit within to guide you in all things that are true and reject the teachings of these Anti-Christ liars.
Dr. J.
In the LA Times article alone, it was disclosed that Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan Crouch, earn more than $750,000 in salaries and have a collection of luxuries at their disposal, including a TBN-owned jet and some 30 homes across the US. TBN's response:
"Regarding the various real properties mentioned, all are owned by TBN, not Dr. and Mrs. Crouch, and they are used for multiple purposes, including program settings, and temporary housing for network guests, contractors and agents. In addition, such properties represent alternative investment vehicles that provide appreciably better returns then bank CDs, savings accounts, and bond funds, etc. Similarly, TBN's corporate aircraft is only utilized in the course of business. It is not unusual for Dr. Crouch, and employees traveling with him, to visit several different cities and stations over the course of a trip. The plane allows flexibility and effective time management, and avoids the impact of Dr. Crouch's status as a public person."
Are 30 homes, private jets and large salaries a good use of ministry funds? It seems to me that this is a hard-sell to the many people who give to a ministry in good faith, thinking their money is going to further the gospel.
Now there is a need for much truth to be told on the way so many of these anti-Christ bring hatred toward the true light of the Gospel.
How often these so referred as "called minsters" have quoted a portion of Corinthians out of context- specifically the passages found in I Corithians 9:9 -
"We read in the Law of Moses, " Do not muzzle and ox when you are using it to thresh the grain" Now is God concernead about the oxen" He ask a rhetorical question, Didn't he really mean us when he sadi that? Of course that was written for us- referring to the Apostles and none others- he goes on to say some very important things the wise would be good to recall- He says and lets go further so we gain the whole context of what he about to say.
I quote from the New American Standard Bible -
Yea, for our sake it was written:because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. 11 If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Now none of what he has said are posed as statements of law- like all these false teachers would have you believe- rather he poses questions, we already know from reading other passages how both Peter and Paul warned against these "messenger's of light" that were running about- first off quoting law- forgetting what Paul wrote in Galatians- READ GOD's WORD instead of letting it collect dust on your dashboard in your car or in your home's. Most folks only dust it off for a Sunday morning meeting.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse:for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. 11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident:for, The righteous shall live by faith; 12 and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
So that there pretty much sums up some so called law of Tithing from the Old Covenant
So we know already that Paul was not teaching a law of tithing but placing rhetorical questions before this body of Christ to show what the practice of the "true Apostles" was. Let's read further: Something you will never get these false teachers and prophets to do
-If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more?
Here was the point- there were others taking advantage of them demanding a right to which wasn't there's truly because now Paul shows the way that is right to do, if we could but get the body of Christ to read the Word, instead of letting men interpret it to them, then there would be less shame on the Word of God, and how these minister's of Satan peddle the Word, they are likened unto Simon the Magician who wanted the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon him to do the miraculous to profit from it.
Let's read Paul's correction as always he sets the example whereby those called to preach the good news- which is each and everyone of us, now. He shows the example of a true Apostle that has a heart not of greed and profit, but one of sharing the GOOD NEWS of Christ.
Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?
Again he takes this legal question and converts it to the Grace of God.
14 Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. 1
Once again the powers of the CATHOLIC CHURCH changed this to read as a statement when it is clear it is a rethorical question that he will answer again in his next statement.
5 But I have used none of these things:and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorifying void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. 17 For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward:but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. 18
Note Paul makes very clear what His reward was from the Lord in his ministry- READ IT PREACHERS!
He answers now these rethorical questions to once and for all to set the tone for his truth and how he always presents it with love for their correction.
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.He closes near this last statement that these false teachers were doing to show their motive.
And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.
The question? Is the Gospel to be received by those that pay for it? Absolutely not!
Freely God gave and freely are we to give- and this doesnt mean giving money to someone else who preaches, this means we are called to present the Gospel in such a way that no one can speak evil of us. By always presenting it without taking advantage of anyone in money or anything as far as that goes.
Let me show you Paul's efforts of accountability were when he was sending money (this gift) to the poor- NOTE: He wasn't sending this money to some "hot shot ministry" or "a pastor", or "a building fund" or "a program"- but to the poor Christians in Corinth-
Let's look how Paul avoided all aspects of false blame as well to come to them when they were going to have their gifts of love sent to Corinth what steps he took for accountabilty. You may read the Chapter ahead of this one and come to understand where and for what purpose this gift was to serve.
Note these passages - the money wasn't designed to go to a ministry, an organization or any one person- it was designed to go to the poor in Corinth and Paul being very accountable to God- he states the following:
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he accepted indeed our exhortation; but being himself very earnest, he went forth unto you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent together with him the brother whose praise in the gospel is spread through all the churches; 19 and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness: 20 Avoiding this, that any man should blame us in the matter of this bounty which is ministered by us: 21 for we take thought for things honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 and we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you. 2
Note: he not only sends Titus, he sends two other brothers, so NO ONE could accuse any one person of misusing or stealing or taking what wasn't their's for their own use. THREE MIND YOU, PERSONS ARE SENT TO GUARD THE GIFT HE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN THE VERSES PREVIOUS TO THIS THAT WERE MEANT TO SUPPLY THOSE WITH LESS THAN THOSE THAT HAD A SURPLUS- so that the body of Christ would share and have all things in common.
I would also have that in every case that Paul wrote a letter- if the letter was meant to be addressed to the top dogs, of an organization called a Pastor- he never once addresses any of his letters as - Dear Pastor- go tell your congregation these things!
Whoops! There goes the destruction of all of the baloney that is thrown out there to keep people under manipulation and to stir them to give their money to them- they never bother to read all of scripture and obtain the truth! Whose fault is it that these false Apostles and Teachers take advantage of them. It is their own because they are they are just too lazy to study the Word of God for themselves and generally the only time they crack open their Bibles is to read along with these False teachers in a meeting whereby he will procede to twist scripture to manipulate the masses listening to give Him money, the program, the building or other. Such a small proportion of money taken in is actually provided to the lost and to the poor! 98% of all the money taken in is spent on the organization itself and very little to maintain the equality of material needs within the body of Christ.
There are those that are in the so called ministry- that surely have much more than all those they pretend to minister too and then one must ask where is the equality that Paul talks about in the Chapter before this? Not an equality in giving to ministers, he has nullified that idea right out front here, but giving to those who have less that their lack will be made up by the others surplus? It doesn't exist today that I can see.
Lies are only believed because very few people seek the truth for themselves, so then they are easily persuaded by this ADVERSARY (SATAN) who comes even as an angel (messenger)of Light.
My prayer is that each one of you would take the time to read these verses and give it great thought and then trust God and men less, and study to shew thyself approved. Then surely the gifts of those who have much that they give from will put them at equal standing with those whose lack has been supplied by their surplus. if Christians heeded the Word of God instead of listening to those false interpreters of it- welfare would probably become non- existent in this country!
It is important that every beleiver understand these passages written by John the Apostle of Christ -
I John 1: 24-
24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray. 27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
May God Bless You as you seek His truth and allow the Holy Spirit within to guide you in all things that are true and reject the teachings of these Anti-Christ liars.
Dr. J.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
True Fellowship - One To Another
Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them," (Numbers 11:29).
This is what the Priesthood of Believers is All ABOUT- this eliminates one man leadership and allows the Holy Spirit to guide and direct any fellowship that we as Believers are to have together.
Love one another (John 13:34, 35).
- Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10).
- Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).
- Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16).
- Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13).
- Edify one another (Romans 14:19).
- Instruct (admonish) one another. (Romans 15:14).
- Accept one another (Romans 15:7).
- Have concern for one another (I Corinthians 12:25).
- Carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
- Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32).
- (Ephesians 5:21).
- Agree with one another (Philippians 4:2).
- Teach one another (Colossians 3:16).
- Encourage one another (I Thessalonians 4:18).
- Build each other up (I Thessalonians 5:11).
- Live in peace with one another (I Thessalonians 5:13).
- Be kind to each other (I Thessalonians 5:15).
- Spur one another to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
- Confess sins to one another (James 5:16).
- Offer hospitality to one another (I Peter 4:9).
- Serve each other (I Peter 4:10).
- Show humility to one another (I Peter 5:5).
- Have fellowship with one another (I John 1:7).
"One another" is all encompassing phrase and needs no one but Jesus Christ as the High Priest and we His Temple to come together and have relationship and fellowship as Christians with one another, no special program, no directors, or masters of ceremony, no hocus pocus, no special buildings or incorporations, no name but the wonderful name of YESHUA...JESUS THE KING!
The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher of ALL TRUTH!
If all you have is a bunch of a little ears coming to hear a Greek oration or one man speech....this is impossible, it rules out the Priesthood of Believers.
If our practices do not reflect the scripture and only the traditions of men, then they are unscriptural, anti-biblical and therefore Anti-Christ!
Isn't it interesting how easy the wolves came in and gobbeled up the sheep and relegated them to silence in a pew.....no wonder they stink!
They are dead men, doing dead men's deeds, just like the pagans and their priest in their so called times of worship....no difference.
If you want to see the restoration of the body of Christ it is time that those that refer to themselves as the EKKLESIA, translated as the Church by the evil hierarchy of Catholcism and Popery turn to practice those traditions that the Word of God and the Apostles laid down. Not the traditions of men as spelled out by Ignatius and others who began the formulation of Bishop, Priest and Pastor worship..... WE ARE TO PASTOR EVERY NEW BELIEVER...disciple them by the leading of the Holy Spirit that calls all men to count in their faith in Christ to allow Him to be their ALL and ALL!
The "church" is crying out for RESTORATION, not REVIVAL and not REFORMATION, let those things of the early Christians before the traditions of men came in be RESTORED to the leading and direction of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT FOR WHOM HE GAVE TO THE "CALLED OUT ONE's OF GOD- the ekklesia the real word for God's people before the great kings of Popery changed it all into a misdirection of "nullifying the Commandments of God for the Traditions of Men".
Thus Paul wrote not as a chide against the believers at Corinth but as this is the practice .....
The gathering together whether by two or more gathered in His NAME it is based upon the full priesthood of all believers with mutual edification and mutual upbuilding for the purpose of personal strengthening, similar to the model that is found in
I Corinthians 14:26.
26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 30 But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31 For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
Paul continues his instruction for the fellowship meeting of believers which makes clear that this is instruction- the tradition of the Apostles, and not a criticism of the way things were done, but how they are to be done. One cannot separate this verse out from the rest of his instruction of practice for the ekklesia in the rest of the following verses - that His "called out one's" when they meet to fellowshipare to do.
How the orthodox church in it's effort to replace the Holy Spirit as the director of fellowship and make a man or men the center of the meeting, amazes me how they can twist the scripture to their own destruction, and leave the Holy Spirit knocking on their building doors wanting inside to express Himself through the entire body aside from a "one man show"
Let us if we choose to come together at least be Biblical for anything other is anti-Biblical and reflects the traditions of men and their pagan practices. Let us seek and serve the High Priest and let Him express Himself through those scripture refers to as Kings and Priest unto Himself. Let us practice "one to another" and I assure you, we will "turn the world upside down" as the early body of Christ did.
This is what the Priesthood of Believers is All ABOUT- this eliminates one man leadership and allows the Holy Spirit to guide and direct any fellowship that we as Believers are to have together.
Love one another (John 13:34, 35).
- Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10).
- Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).
- Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16).
- Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13).
- Edify one another (Romans 14:19).
- Instruct (admonish) one another. (Romans 15:14).
- Accept one another (Romans 15:7).
- Have concern for one another (I Corinthians 12:25).
- Carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
- Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32).
- (Ephesians 5:21).
- Agree with one another (Philippians 4:2).
- Teach one another (Colossians 3:16).
- Encourage one another (I Thessalonians 4:18).
- Build each other up (I Thessalonians 5:11).
- Live in peace with one another (I Thessalonians 5:13).
- Be kind to each other (I Thessalonians 5:15).
- Spur one another to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).
- Confess sins to one another (James 5:16).
- Offer hospitality to one another (I Peter 4:9).
- Serve each other (I Peter 4:10).
- Show humility to one another (I Peter 5:5).
- Have fellowship with one another (I John 1:7).
"One another" is all encompassing phrase and needs no one but Jesus Christ as the High Priest and we His Temple to come together and have relationship and fellowship as Christians with one another, no special program, no directors, or masters of ceremony, no hocus pocus, no special buildings or incorporations, no name but the wonderful name of YESHUA...JESUS THE KING!
The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher of ALL TRUTH!
If all you have is a bunch of a little ears coming to hear a Greek oration or one man speech....this is impossible, it rules out the Priesthood of Believers.
If our practices do not reflect the scripture and only the traditions of men, then they are unscriptural, anti-biblical and therefore Anti-Christ!
Isn't it interesting how easy the wolves came in and gobbeled up the sheep and relegated them to silence in a pew.....no wonder they stink!
They are dead men, doing dead men's deeds, just like the pagans and their priest in their so called times of worship....no difference.
If you want to see the restoration of the body of Christ it is time that those that refer to themselves as the EKKLESIA, translated as the Church by the evil hierarchy of Catholcism and Popery turn to practice those traditions that the Word of God and the Apostles laid down. Not the traditions of men as spelled out by Ignatius and others who began the formulation of Bishop, Priest and Pastor worship..... WE ARE TO PASTOR EVERY NEW BELIEVER...disciple them by the leading of the Holy Spirit that calls all men to count in their faith in Christ to allow Him to be their ALL and ALL!
The "church" is crying out for RESTORATION, not REVIVAL and not REFORMATION, let those things of the early Christians before the traditions of men came in be RESTORED to the leading and direction of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT FOR WHOM HE GAVE TO THE "CALLED OUT ONE's OF GOD- the ekklesia the real word for God's people before the great kings of Popery changed it all into a misdirection of "nullifying the Commandments of God for the Traditions of Men".
Thus Paul wrote not as a chide against the believers at Corinth but as this is the practice .....
The gathering together whether by two or more gathered in His NAME it is based upon the full priesthood of all believers with mutual edification and mutual upbuilding for the purpose of personal strengthening, similar to the model that is found in
I Corinthians 14:26.
26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern. 30 But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31 For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
Paul continues his instruction for the fellowship meeting of believers which makes clear that this is instruction- the tradition of the Apostles, and not a criticism of the way things were done, but how they are to be done. One cannot separate this verse out from the rest of his instruction of practice for the ekklesia in the rest of the following verses - that His "called out one's" when they meet to fellowshipare to do.
How the orthodox church in it's effort to replace the Holy Spirit as the director of fellowship and make a man or men the center of the meeting, amazes me how they can twist the scripture to their own destruction, and leave the Holy Spirit knocking on their building doors wanting inside to express Himself through the entire body aside from a "one man show"
Let us if we choose to come together at least be Biblical for anything other is anti-Biblical and reflects the traditions of men and their pagan practices. Let us seek and serve the High Priest and let Him express Himself through those scripture refers to as Kings and Priest unto Himself. Let us practice "one to another" and I assure you, we will "turn the world upside down" as the early body of Christ did.
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