Pastor Told To Stop Home Bible Study

A San Diego pastor and his wife were interrogated by a County official and threatened with escalating fines if they didn't stop holding a weekly Bible study in their home.

Read the rest HERE.

Study Shows Explicit Lyrics Do Contribute To Teen Promiscuity

Did we even need a study to verify this? Put garbage in - get garbage out. I do have to disagree with the statement in the article: "It's physically impossible for parents to monitor what their children listen(ed) to or watch(ed) on their MP3".

Oh yeah? I suppose it could be if you view cell phones and Internet use as an entitlement for kids.

Read the story HERE.

Recent World Headlines

It's amazing to just sit and read a few of today's headlines from around the world.

Australian PM: Time For A New World Order; Paris Unrest Will Spread Round The World; Worst January On Record For Stocks; Alaskans Brace For Volcano Eruption; Record Breaking Heat Scorches Australia; Dawn Of New Age Of Industrial Unrest In UK; Quake Jolts Seattle Area; Turkish PM Walked Out On Israeli President.

These are interesting times to be living in. But rather than the Church huddling in doubt and fear, this is the time to seize the great opportunity that we've been given. We were born into the family of God and the Spirit of the resurrected Christ has taken up residence in our hearts. We have the promise of Jesus that the "gates of hell will not prevail against us".

What a most opportune time to allow the glory of God to rise upon us and let His light and life shine through us!

Who In The World Is "Isa"?

So I was listening to "America's Pastor" (Rick Warren) pray at President Obama's inauguration and as he got ready to close in prayer he said: "I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus..."

Now Yeshua and Jesus I know - but what's with this Isa name?

Upon further review, Isa (pronounced 'eee-sa'), I discovered is the false Jesus of the Qu'ran (Koran) and the Muslim Hadith.

Isa is the Islamic Jesus who was but a prophet and who certainly did not experience a sacrificial death on a cross let alone resurrect from the dead. In fact, in Islam the prophet Isa is actually the destroyer of Christianity - not it’s Savior. Obviously, this is simply not the same Jesus as is Yeshua. (More info on Isa can be found HERE.)

Perhaps even more important to me, when praying, particularly in public - I think it's important to use Jesus' messianic title of "Christ". After all there are many "Jesus'", but there is only One Anointed of the Father, only One true Messiah, and only one name given under heaven whereby all men must be saved - Jesus the Christ. The title of "Christ" speaks of Jesus' ability to forgive sin, heal the sick and restore us to right relationship with our Creator.

Not trying to be nit-picky here, and I'm not sure if this is a case of Warren getting caught up in trying to be politically correct, or trying to appease Muslims, or both - I really don't know. But if we are going to try to proclaim Christ - let's proclaim Christ.

Assault On Christmas

Hearing "Merry Christmas" is becoming rarer than a white Christmas in these parts. This humorous video conveys some great reasons why retailers shouldn't fear the "C" word.

New York Churches Ordered To Stop Sheltering Homeless

New York City apparently has a rule that says homeless shelters must be open at least five days a week or not at all. Not sure that makes a whole lot of sense to me.

You can read the whole article HERE.

The Day After

Great insightful post here from my friend David Mohler reminding us that politics and policies aren't what save us.

Jesus Costume Deemed Offensive

A school Halloween costume party involving 500 students saw one student sent home because his costume was "offensive". He wasn't dressed indecently, he wasn't dressed as a witch, demon or mass murderer. He was dressed as Jesus. Read the rest HERE.

Religulous

The new religion mocking film by Bill Maher called Religulous, is due out in theaters tomorrow.

Maher mocking religion is nothing new and he really, to an extent - has a point. When you look back at the Inquisition, pedophile priests, money hungry tele-evangelists and others who have deceived or damaged in the name of God - religion deserves to be mocked.

However his case that religion has been the single greatest cause of death and destruction on the planet is inaccurate. That title belongs to Atheistic communism, which is estimated by some to be responsible for over 100 million deaths.

So religions or religious views aren't the the issue at hand - rather it is mankind's sinful nature that's the problem. This film inadvertently proves that point - we are a fallen and sinful race that has done everything in it's power to reconnect to the God who gave us life - failing miserably at our man made efforts to do so.

Man's only hope for that change of nature and reconnection to God comes only by the transforming power of Jesus Christ - and that has nothing to do with man made religion.

Christian Singer Ray Boltz Comes Out Of The Closet

A bit of heart breaking news - Christian singer Ray Boltz publicly announced that he is a homosexual last Friday during an interview with the Washington Blade. Boltz is known for mega Christian hits such as "Thank You" & "Watch The Lamb". He had retired from Christian music several years ago.

Welcome To The Worldview Wars

Politics admittedly is a dirty, and at times, ugly business. The mud-slinging, the attacks, have long been an unfortunate part of the political process in recent American history. But the battle we are currently watching take place in the American political landscape goes way beyond Obama vs. McCain - it even goes way beyond Democrat vs. Republican. What we are watching unfold is literally the clash of worldviews. Governor Sarah Palin (like her or not) is a professing born again Christian, of which she is of the conservative evangelical variety. She believes the Bible cover to cover - she believes God created the earth just like the Book of Genesis says - she believes abortion is wrong - she believes Jesus Christ is man's only hope and salvation.

In the opinion of some, those beliefs make her unfit for public office. Why? Because they don't like them. Those Biblical views clash with the thinking of the unregenerated secular world. Note just two recent examples of some of this harsh criticism of Palin and her worldview:

- South Carolina Democratic chairwoman Carol Fowler sharply attacked Sarah Palin today, saying John McCain had chosen a running mate "whose primary qualification seems to be that she hasn’t had an abortion." That Palin is a woman who is strongly Pro-Life is obviously going to clash with someone with an unbiblical view of life and the unborn - thus the 'snarky' comment.

- The video below is a Matt Damon interview where he was asked what he thought about Sarah Palin. Besides all of the other "nice" comments he makes - notice towards the end of the clip that he takes a swipe at Christianity by stating with a mocking tone: "What I want to know is does she believe dinosaurs were on the earth 4,000 years ago?"




It's not just clashing politics my friends - it's clashing cultures and worldviews.

The Truth:

Isaiah 5:20: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

2 Peter 3:3: Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

Despicable Cruelty

Just read a horrific story of how police are seeking 3 or 4 juveniles near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who set a pit bull on fire burning the poor dog to a crisp.

At the end of the story the District Attorney Lynne Abraham made this statement concerning the case: "How we treat our animals is a reflection upon society as a whole."

The thought that immediately popped into my mind is - how about we replace the word "animals" with "unborn"? That says even more about our society.

Testimony From Governor Sarah Palin

I was sent this link today - it's Governor Sarah Palin speaking at a Master's Commission graduation at Wasilla Assembly of God this past June.

Check it out HERE.

Cameron Strang's Invitation To Pray At The DNC

"A few weeks ago, I was asked if I’d be interested in possibly praying at the Democratic National Convention. Taken aback, but intrigued at the opportunity, I accepted. What better way to continue positive dialogue, show support for an emphasis on faith issues and pray in a forum where faith isn’t typically thought to be emphasized? To quote someone close to me—and meaning no disrespect whatsoever to Christian Democrats—it was a chance to bring “light in the darkness.” And hey, Jesus told us to pray, right?"

Read the rest HERE.

Gov. Sarah Palin

Not only is she the first female vice presidential candidate on a Republican ticket - she's also the first Pentecostal Christian to be nominated for the second highest office of the land. She attends this Assembly of God church when she's in Juneau, Alaska.

Here is a picture of her being prayed for by Alaska A/G Superintendent Rev. Ted Boatsman and her pastor Rev. Mike Rose at the most recent Alaska A/G District Council:

Bentley's Story Get's Sadder And Sadder...

First we hear that Todd Bentley had an "emotional affair" with a female staff member, now it has come to light that he's "drinking exessively".

Interview With Hamas Leader's Son

You've no doubt heard by now about the Hamas leader's son who converted to Christianity. Makes one wonder how many church folk would still claim Christ if their lives were in danger. Very interesting interview below...

Reasons People Attend Church

Apparently the music, coffee bars, kiddie play lands, etc., don't really matter that much after all. Haven't we been saying this all along?

Questions Rick Warren Should Ask

I've said this before and I'll say it again - pastors and churches have zero business involving themselves in politics. Much damage has been done in the Kingdom of God as a result of pastors diving headlong into politics because it always causes unnecessary division in the Body of Christ and serves as a major distraction from the churches primary job of winning souls. This church/politics mix has undoubtedly contributed to the belief held by some Americans that politics and religion are virtually the same thing. Not only can I see why they think that - I'd have to agree in a few cases. And it may come as a surprise to some members of the 'religious right' that no one will be asked what their party affiliation was before they are allowed into heaven.

Having said all of that, this "Compassion Forum", hosted by Pastor Rick Warren at his church on August 16 has caught my attention. Both presidential candidates, Barak Obama and John McCain, will be taking part in this forum in which the stated purpose is to have the candidates answer questions on issues such as global poverty, HIV and the environment.

Since such a forum is taking place and being moderated by a pastor, wouldn't it be great if some tough questions would be asked of the candidates as opposed to the politically correct softballs that will be floating around on Saturday night? Not that global poverty, HIV and the environment aren't challenging issues - they are and need to be discussed, but wouldn't it be interesting to see the candidates have to answer some 'hard for them' questions? Something other than the Warren stated sample question: "What’s the most difficult decision you’ve had to make, and how did you make it?" Hmm. Olympic sailing doesn't sound so boring after all.

That's why people like columnist Gregg Jackson at Townhall.com have suggested if we're going to have a forum like this - how about asking some questions like this? Questions that cut to the chase and ditch the nauseating political correctness that has strangled our brains for far too long.

These are questions that Rick Warren should ask - but won't:

1. For both candidates: What is truth? Who is truth? And Is that truth transcendent and applicable at all times to everyone regardless of their impulses, behavioral preferences, desires, wants, nationality, ethnicity, religious dogma, gender, race, etc?

2. Sen. Obama, you have said you are personally pro-life but in favor of abortion rights up to and even including after delivery in some cases. Why are you pro-life personally if an abortion doesn't actually kill a baby in her mother's womb? Also, do you think Jesus would be in favor of abortion? Why or why not?

3. Sen. McCain, you claim to be personally pro-life as well. Why? And if you believe that abortion always ends the life of the developing baby in her mother's womb, why would it be ok for individual states to legalize killing babies? Don't our nation's founding documents the Declaration of Independence ("life, liberty, pursuit of happiness") and Constitution (5th and 14th Amendments) guarantee the right to life that no individual state can violate?

4. Sen. Obama, Do you believe that homosexual behavior, as God says in His Word, is unnatural, deviant, and self-destructive? As a follow-up, some have said that we shouldn't worry about homosexuality because Jesus never said anything about it specifically. Well, in case you're planning on going down the same Scriptural-ignorant road, Jesus never spoke about crack cocaine, racism, and suicide, either. So are those things okay? And the Gospel of John says that in the beginning was the Word, that the Word became flesh, and that the Word was Jesus Himself. So, since "all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable" the entire Bible is about Jesus, and that's the same Jesus that affirmed marriage as one man and one woman in the Gospels as well. Therefore, as a Christian how do you find yourself on the opposite end of an issue from Jesus?

5. Sen. McCain, You said of same-sex marriage: "I think that gay marriage should be allowed if there's a ceremony kind of thing, if you wanna call it that, I don't have any problem with that." Do you stand by that statement, as you have also stated that you personally oppose same-sex "marriage?" You don't offer a section on your website dedicated to this issue, which continues to make national headlines. And it's also making headlines in your own state. Recently, Dr. James Dobson expressed regret that you weren't more public in your support for a marriage initiative in your state, and since you support individual states' rights to defend the institution of marriage, do you agree with Dr. Dobson that you haven't been forthright enough on this issue?

Read the rest of the questions HERE.

Ridiculous Lawsuit

You may remember that Joel Osteen's wife, Victoria, had some sort of incident on a plane a while back that led to an apparent confrontation of sorts with a flight attendant. Osteen ended up leaving the plane voluntarily with her family. The claim being made by this flight attendant is not only ridiculous - it looks like a money grab...

From Fox News:

"According to court documents, Brown claims that she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident and said her faith was affected. She is also suing Osteen for medical expenses for counseling..."

Read the rest HERE.