180movie

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010

RE: Jennifer Knapp

Most of you by now are probably aware of the "coming out" of popular "Christian" music artist Jennifer Knapp.

I thought this blog post by Pastor Bob Botsford (never heard of him before until I read his post concerning Jen), was a good, balanced post, though I have to say that what we are seeing in the "Christian" world concerning the coming out/exposing of many of it's beloved artists, and the hypocrisy of the Evangelical community and it's open stance against homosexuality while being consumed in sin itself (rampant divorce, adultery, etc.) is telling of the times. A "Church" that has rejected God's word, and wallowed in it's continued downward spiral are now reaping what it has sown.

One last comment. While I agree with the second to the last paragraph in Pastor Bob's post in that sexual sin is by no means on par with eating shellfish, etc., I do not agree with his statement that the NT brings out a "new level of understanding" regarding them (though I am aware that much of Christendom would agree with him).

When Yeshua returns, will He find faith on the earth?!


Thursday, April 22, 2010

Commandments or traditions?

"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do." - Mark 7:6-8

I'm sure that many reading this would be familiar with the passage, as much as they would understand that this statement was made by Yeshua to the Pharisees, a first century sect within Judaism, in the presence of His (Yeshua's) disciples. Yeshua was responding to an accusation made by the Pharisees that His disciples were basically in the wrong because they ate some grain (basically bread) without having washed their hands first. If you read the passage (Mark 7:1-23), you will get a much better understanding of the whole context of the dispute - I do not want to take the time to flesh it all out right now so that I can get to the issue I want to point out. (BTW, I do not recommend that you read it in the NIV, nor in the ESV, because I believe they slaughter the translation of this passage, particularly in vs. 19!)

One of the favorite labels, or accusations that Christians like to ascribe to other Christians when they feel that the other is being too strict with their own life, or with another is..."Pharisee." It is the best way that many feel they can get another Christian to "back off", so-to-speak, or, to discredit the alleged "Pharisee" to others. Now, I do believe that with "right judgment" (cf. Lev. 19:35; John 7:24), people that are "Pharisaical" can be identified. However, I also think that the "Pharisee" label is way to often employed. And one area that is often the situation for accusation is in the case of holidays/holy days. There has long been debate over the issue of what day/days are biblical/non-biblical.

Without getting into specifics here, let me simply ask a few questions: Why do you celebrate the days, and, or, times that you do? Where did/do they come from? How did they develop? Are they simply traditions of men, or do they come from the scriptures? And last but not least...are you sure that God is pleased with them?

In time to come I hope to flesh this out more, but in the mean time I hope you will take the time to begin to ask some very pointed questions of yourself, and what it is that you believe. If you truly care about what God has to say about it in His word, are you willing to really prove your beliefs and examine yourself (1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 13:5 respectively)? Are you following the scriptures, or the traditions of men...traditions that are not harmless, but are in fact contrary to His word?

Do you know?

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Holocaust Memorial Day - Today

I'd like to mention that today is Holocaust Memorial Day, so if you have a moment, visit the link I have on the left side labeled "Yad Vashem" - a link that takes you to the official Holocaust Memorial website.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Long Time - No Post

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while - work ran dry where I live so I had to go out of town for a month and a half. I hope to post something substantial soon - in the meantime, I have added a new website link to the "Teaching Websites" section. The ministry is called "Shatter the Darkness", and is the ministry of Pastor Russ Dizdar. I want to warn you that at first glance, you might be freaked out by his website. His ministry deals with confronting the satanic agenda in all of it's forms. You must listen to his teachings and read his writings before you make any judgment calls based on the website design and titles of much of his material. I've been somewhat following his ministry for approx. 2 years now, and have learned some very disturbing, but I believe, important information from him. For a brief bio of Russ, you can go here.