Computerized Christians? Get Ready for the New Church!
May 31, 2009
Isaiah 43;19 declares: “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
A new thing? Try this one on for size: Just as the Apostle Paul brought the Good News to the Greeks, today’s latch key kids will bring it to the GEEKS!
Here’s what I mean. Does anybody remember those radical Jesus Freaks of the 60s and 70s? They’re still around. They became the pot-bellied Baby-Boomers we know and love today. These people seem to have become more conservative with age (having children of one’s own will cause that transformation). Many who were once yesterday’s liberals are today’s conservatives. They scorn the vulgar videos and movies of today’s youth and turn in disgust from the their nasty grunge clothes, pierced noses, and tattoos. These Boomers can’t stand the in-yo-face vulgarity and arrogance of today’s young no-commitment “slackers.”
To you pastors out there, I hate to break it to you, but these kids are the new recruits. These young people ARE the new Church. I call them the Omega Warriors.
Heads I Win, Tails You Lose
May 30, 2009
In a time when public scrutiny is becoming tighter and more pervasive businesses have learned that they need to be on guard more than ever to ensure they are operating by ethical standards. Though not often mentioned in this discussion, I believe it is especially true of Christian organizations in whom trust is placed by donors. The old adage "heads I win, tails you lose" has a particular bite on this that says ouch. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be.
John Dalla Costa, in his book The Ethical Imperative, provides numerous examples of businesses that sought to play by this rule. By cutting ethical corners (playing games of delay and dodge when it came to expenses for health and safety requirements) many were "winning" the economic game in the short run, but losing over the long-term through fines, restrictions, and erosion of public confidence. By covering up illegal employee practices and denying basic benefits as a reward for helping to make the company profitable they again "saved money," over the short term only to see the long-term effects of this neglect take an economic toll in the form of low employee morale and employee lawsuits. Many of the business Dalla Costa cites are no longer in existence. For them it was "heads I win temporarily, tails I lose permanently.
The Moment of Truth
May 28, 2009
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated to all of Israel, and the world last night that the moment of truth had arrived. Announcing his resignation as Finance Minister in the Sharon cabinet, he stated that he had been forced to remain in the government, and also remain mostly silent regarding his opposition to the disengagement over these last several months in order to complete his economic reforms, he claimed that he anguished over the continued march towards the disengagement with no signs of gaining anything in return. He also categorically pronounced what the rest of us have been shouting from the rooftops since its inception, he stated in no uncertain terms that this move would escalate terrorism, empower Hamas, and ultimately put the survival of the state in danger. While many felt his timing was strictly politically motivated to position himself to take control of the Likud party, wresting it away from Ariel Sharon, I must say I have a bit of a different take on it. Please read on to understand what it is and why I feel that way, and also what I really think about BiBi Netanyahu.
The Oldest Concept in History
May 26, 2009
I find it funny that one of the oldest concepts in the world has become one of modern society’s biggest irritants. The problem with this is that the concept has been lost behind all the problems created by people who did not fully understand the concept to begin with. Religion is, by far, at the forefront of this list of problems. Government is close behind. So what is the concept we’ve lost? At the risk of sounding "philosophical", I’ll put it in one word. God.
The concept of God is a simple one. Or at least, it was at one point. God is everything. That’s pretty much the long and short of it. At no point does religion enter into this, this is just a true and utter definition of the word god. Scientifically, it has been proven that all matter, even our own bodies, is made up of energy. All energy, broken down, is inevitably made of the same thing. Studies are currently being done to show that Energy broken down is, in fact, fluid and without separation. The Brookhaven National Laboratory has labelled this energy a "quark-gluon plasma" (for more information visit http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/19990614quarksoup1.asp). This simple fact is a clue into the realm of god. God is everything. No religion or faith involved.
The Power of Love
May 24, 2009
There is no doubt in my mind that the quality of love is the #1 quality that God would like to get worked into our souls and personalities. Even nonbelievers, atheists and agnostics can see the power of love and how it has the ability to change people and change lives when it is properly walked out and handled.
Hollywood has made tons of movies just on the power of love - especially the special love that occurs between a man and woman in a romantic relationship. Even hard, tough grown men can be brought to tears when watching a real well made movie made about the power of love.
The quality of love is truly universal - as it literally transcends peoples, nations and religions. Love is truly the universal language of this world and people from all different walks of life recognize it for what it truly is and understand the power that is in it.
Then when you read and study the Bible - you see the major emphasis God the Father is placing on it when He tells all of us that He wants us to love Him, to love ourselves and to love one another.
Gods Favorite Religion
May 23, 2009
What does your church teach regarding the subject of Widows and Orphans? If we were all being honest, most of us rarely give the matter a second thought. If your ministry, company, or even your civic group is struggling, or you’re lacking contentment in your own spiritual life, here’s a tip that’s guaranteed to send any lackluster routine into hyperspace. Interested?
Here it is: Start reaching out to widows and orphans within your scope of influence.
Recently, TV’s 700 Club interviewed Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries which is experiencing phenomenal revival among many African tribes. To paraphrase Heidi, “If you want to see revival, start ministering to the widows and orphans.”
Even America, the most powerful, wealthiest nation on Earth, lags embarrassingly behind smaller countries where providing for its children is concerned. While we rank first among nations for military spending and the number of our millionaires, we rank a dismal 14th in our efforts to help our orphans. Jesus said, "…what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
Straight Talk about Homosexuality
May 21, 2009
In the mid 90’s, a Presbyterian minister named Steve Brown conducted an interview with the lesbian Pastor from the largest Gay Church in America. Steve had already laid the ground rules for their dialogue regarding the expected, conservative, fundamentalist stance on homosexuality. Essentially, he agreed not to state the obvious and refused to “go there.” Instead, Steve displayed one of the most loving, concerned examples of a Christian that I’ve ever seen as he interviewed this woman. In so doing, I heard her say, softly and sincerely, that gay people sin just as any other Christians sin. She explained that when a person becomes convicted of their sins, godly sorrow leads to repentence from those sins. She admitted that, as a Christian homosexual herself, she simply has not been convicted…condemned, yes, by other believers…but not convicted by the Holy Spirit. Steve replied, “You realize you sound somewhat like a heretic in the gay community by saying these things….” She nodded, “Well, it’s the truth.”
The presentation was so touching, so inspirational, that the station later re-ran the program by popular demand. Brown had remained aware throughout the interview that although the apostle Peter told us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” he also said, “But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Churchless Christianity: A Move of God?
May 19, 2009
There’s another “move of God” that’s sweeping the nations. Have you noticed? Very few of those I’ve spoken with actually have. There are others who don’t necessarily view it as being a literal “movement” because it’s not quite as defined as they like. Not to mention those who don’t particularly approve of God “moving” in this direction. But as one British minister said to me several years ago, addressing all the controversies revolving around every new thing God has done since Genesis, “There’s never been a tidy move of God.”
Never.
Just as the Egyptian magicians were able to mimic Moses when his rod was turned into a snake, Satan is STILL duplicating and infiltrating whenever possible, muddying up the purity of the flowing river of God, deceiving “even the elect” of Christ’s Kingdom. And successfully dissuading many a curious onlooker from diving in as a result of the disjointedness of The Body of Christ.
Speaking of Speaking in Tongues
May 17, 2009
A young bible college student once wrote and told me how the college she attends has been teaching that “speaking in tongues” is the sole evidence that one is filled with the Spirit and that no one WAS filled with the Spirit UNLESS they’ve spoken in tongues. Apparently, that didn’t sit well with her and she wanted my opinion.
Let me begin by stating that I’m well aware that not all subscribers to these eMail broadcasts prescribe to the belief that “tongues” are for today. The focus of this treatise is not to argue that point, one way or the other. Suffice it to say that I’m hoping we have all read (or WILL read) the Scriptures enough to recognize: (A) what “speaking in tongues” is, and (B) that many in The Body of Christ, across denominational lines, make claim that they have received this gift. In this eMinistry, I’ve heard from people of virtually all mainline denominations who’ve claimed to have received the gift of tongues, several out of concern that they would be excommunicated or disfellowshipped if they were ever found out.
TONGUES IN THE BIBLE
The Women Issue
May 14, 2009
The following message entitled THE WOMAN ISSUE is a study for those who truly desire to examine what Scripture says on a very controversial subject: the role of women in the Church. This would make a great bible study or forward the message to church leadership. We will be using The Law of Scriptural Interpretation: every Scripture must be interpreted in light of other Scriptures on the same subject; it must harmonize with all other verses used as we compare spiritual with spiritual, (1 Cor.2:13). Ready? Here we go!
I’m often asked my perspective on the role of women in the Church. My response? I think women should be silent…unfortunately, God does not seem to agree with me (Note to self: Serve God, but NOT as a consultant).
Many denominations forbid women to teach, preach, or even testify to the grace of God in their lives. Some groups may let women teach other women, but there remain legions of Jesus-loving women who feel a fire burning within themselves to share their relationship with God with anyone who will listen. Yet they are silenced by their denomination’s interpretation of the Scriptures, or by their manmade traditions.
