THE CANARY IN THE MINE

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In the old days miners had canaries in the mines to warn of dangerous gasses. When the canaries started to die they knew the air was toxic and it was time to get out! In life there are ‘canaries’ we need to watch. These canaries are small, somewhat inconsequential events, that by themselves mean little but as harbingers, bode ill for society and individuals alike.

The Christian Church is one of those ‘canaries.’ In societies where the Church has flourished, the culture has improved and prospered. Families have grown strong and crime is reduced. The tenor of our social discourse becomes more lofty as opposed to guttural. This is not to say any society has been perfect, or even wholly good. It is merely a comparison. That comparison, today, is stark!

Probably at no time in Christian history has The Church enjoyed such popularity and outward success. We have more ‘Mega-Churches’ in America than the world has ever seen. We have more Christian radio, TV and media outlets than at any time in our history, broadcasting religious messages and themes to billions of people, world-wide. We have more money being spent on churches and various ministries than we can imagine.

At the same time, the culture is becoming more coarse and openly destructive, while Christianity is increasingly denigrated and maligned. The culture has no respect for Christianity, today. The forces of secularism and humanism are openly challenging Christian morality. It is Open Season on Christians and on Christian values. In ‘Christian America,’ Islam is a protected religion while Christianity is apparently Fair Game.

An old adage says: if gold rusts, what can you expect of iron? Spiritually; Culturally, if Christianity is crude and immoral, what can you expect from those who do not embrace it? Crude? Immoral? Today, Evangelical leaders have no problem with Christians who cuss [see my YouTube Page ], drink alcohol, watch immoral movies and TV shows, divorce, abort their unborn babies, shack up, and even appear naked (or nearly so) in public.

The Result? Christianity and it’s value-system is under attack from every quarter. If it’s Christian, it’s Bad! The Christian Moral Code.  The Christian View of Marriage & Family. The Christian View of Government. The Christian View of Non-Christian Religions. The Christian View of Education. The Christian View of Contemporary Christianity.

So….watch this ‘canary.’ As the True Church and it’s Value-System come under increasing attack, from every quarter, can the complete destruction of all that has been The American Experiment survive?

Are We Fighting The Right Battle?

   Andrew Thomas, writing in the Militia News [www.militanews.com], cites a number of quotes from world leaders, past and present. Men like Vladimir Lenon & Joseph Stalin. We could add any number of others and find the same things. The common thread is their disdain for the common man and ruthless efforts to re-orient the world in their own image.
 
  Ex: “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”  “The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.” “Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of atheism.” “Democracy is indispensable to socialism.” “Education is a weapon whose effects depend on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” “I think the trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution because I actually believe in redistribution…” “We can’t just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people.”
 
   These are quotes from early 20th century, to our current political situation. I’m certain we could find the same sentiments going all the way back to the days of Noah. Politically and Financially ambitious men [and women] have shared these ideals, from the beginning of time. They speak of re-creating society (and the world) in a totalitarian system with one or a few people in charge of the everything. It is a humanist ideal; an atheistic ideal; a God-denying ideal.

   If you watch the trends it becomes clear that societies are increasingly debauched; self-absorbed and libertine. A recent Poll indicated that younger people are not so sure Capital Punishment is effective. Look for that element of our judicial system to go away, over the next decade or so. Such is the flexibility of our legal system that absolute standards no longer exist. Yet, without Capital Punishment there is No Law! There are only suggestions; guidelines. It is being reported that Dinesh D’Souza has been charged with giving too much money to a particular political candidate. His bail is significantly higher than that of several violent criminals charged in that same court. That’s not justice. It’s not even fair.
 
   Christians are waking up….a little late. We are starting to see what’s going on. However, we do not realize how serious is The Hour. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the forces of wickedness in high places [in the heavens]. The heart of mankind is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things….beyond knowing. By looking respectable and speaking words of encouragement, many politicians, preachers and other power-brokers have deceived the majority. We are currently being distracted by a spate of furry, fluffy, sweet-sounding ideals and doctrines so as to keep us busy with feeling good, while the world goes to hell in a hand-basket.

   I’m speaking of the current Evangelical Church! This once solid organization is now steeped in Mysticism and Self-Satisfying Foolishness, while the world languishes without hope. Christians are joining political action committees; marching on Washington and generally hoping to influence a new generation of politicians to straighten things out. Americans need to do these things! We still live in a country where we have The Vote! As long as we have it, we need to exercise it. Failure means they take it away from us.

   However, the Real Battle is being waged in our hearts. God’s people are a very small number of the total population of any country, and of the world. Yet, when God’s people pray, the Halls of Heaven vibrate. Jesus said, IF you abide in Me and My word abides in you…you may ask anything you will and it shall be done unto you.  [Jn. 15:7] I don’t believe this means getting your guy or gal elected to office, necessarily. God has His own Plan. What it DOES mean is that Christians are to ‘abide in Christ.’ I believe our current state of affairs, in America, is due largely to the spiritual slide of God’s people. With a strong Church, none of this immorality would be able to stand. Today, however, so-called Christians are defending homosexuality as right and good. That’s as far down as any society can go!

   Fight The Battle! Vote! Stand Up For Right!  But, first, fight the battle of your own heart. In God’s economy, BEING supersedes DOING

Ever Wonder If God Is Judging America?

How many Christian folks are wondering if we are in The Last Days? How many look at our social standards and wonder how long before God judges The U.S.? The Church? How many look at the pure chaos that is The Visible Church in America and wonder?

You are not alone. The World is wondering too. Biblical values, biblical standards are rapidly declining, all around the world. The West has been Christianity's Stronghold and that can no longer be said. Europe has been 'gone' for decades, America is now follow Europe's lead.

We [Christians] divorce at will; justify fornication and even adultery, in some cases ["I'm getting a divorce!"]; kill our unborn at the same rate as do those who know not God; use gutter language, even taking the Lord's name in vain; look, with an understanding eye, upon homosexuality and burn our bodies in death [to save money].

We are a Pagan Society, giving lipservice to God. The question is not: Will God judge us? He already is! How? By allowing us to pursue all these detestable and disgusting things [Read Romans 1]

Individuals and societies that love The Lord do not do these things....unless God allows. The Bible teaches us that God allows what we insist on having! We have insisted on having an open mind regarding sinful behaviors.

Now, the world is paying attention: Military and Political Leaders around the world are wondering what America is doing. We are abandoning our Western Partners in favor of our Eastern Enemies.

A U.S. Admiral says the U.S. is losing dominence to China. Iran's top Nuclear Negotiator says they can re-start uranium enrichment in 24 hrs, if they choose. Iran's top leaders are claiming Victory in the Nuclear Talks. A British Senior Defense Advisor says President Obama is 'chronically incapable of military strategy.' 'He has no clear sense of what he wants to do, in the world.' A top Defense Minister in Israel says Sec. of State, Kerry, is 'inexplicably obsessive' and 'messianic' in his efforts to achieve a Palestinian State. He is 'out of touch.'

This week Congress passed a 1500-page Spending Bill. Representatives and Senators, alike, are admitting no one read the bill. This is Immoral! The last large Bill they didn't read was the Affordable Care Act. How's that working out?

Yes, dear Christian, we are in The Last Days! God has 'turned us over' to our own desires. The visible expression of Christianity is corrupt. The popular expression of The Gospel, isn't the biblical Gospel at all. Leadership in the church goes to the most dynamic, dramatic and photogenic. Preaching has largely ceased. In its place is 'A Teaching.' We are now being educated in a series of "How-To's" when what we need is the Prophet's Warning!

What value is it, if we raise our children well and they lose their souls? What value is a good marriage or a balanced budget, if we have not Peace? What good is a healing or a prophetic word, if our hearts are not atuned to God? God has ordained Preaching! Preaching is the declaration of propositional truth! A statement, from God, that proposes a response, from God's people. A Teaching is simply instructive. Do you see the difference?

God Does!

Virtue Is Now A Liability

   The Bible takes a strong stand in favor of virtue. It equates virtue with strength and condemns those who would pervert it.
   Isaiah, Chapter 5, is an example:
   Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 

    Virtue is moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. In a world where there are no objective standards of morality, however, virtue becomes a word; a concept significantly out of step.

   Today, we view the person who advocates for 'women's rights' as virtuous. Of course the phrase, 'women's rights' is a euphemism for infanticide. The same is true of 'equality of the sexes,' which is increasingly a phrase in support of homosexual behavior. 

   Candace Cameron [Full House] wrote a book and in the interview with a notably liberal website stated that she had chosen submission to her husband as the preferable option, since her goal was to "do everything in my power to make my marriage and family work."

   Imagine my shock when this liberal website [and consequently a Morning TV News Anchor] were aghast that anyone would do such a thing! The News Anchor, being homosexual, is to be understood. That Christians -- or at least those who attend church -- would also be surprised / outraged? at this obvious throw-back to medieval values, is a bit more difficult to swallow.

   Not that long ago, Bill Bennett published a Book of Virtues. That books was a Best Seller on the New York Times List, for several weeks. Today, those virtues are under attack as a social liability. The result of a social shift toward greater freedom of expression.

   What has all this Liberation brought us? Tattooed Women & children; Public use of profanity; Public nudity; Fashionable Fornication; Acceptable Adultery; The Abandonment of Decency and Honesty.

   To support all this debauchery, it's supporters must destroy the voices of reason and morality. Their philosophy cannot support itself. The more it is exalted, the more destructive it is to society. So they shout louder! Condemn more vociferously. 

   The only thing that shocks this society, now, is public demonstrations of Virtue! That these demonstrations are NOT flowing from our churches tells us where we are and where we're headed.

The Wraps Are Off! The Issue Is Clear!

The casual observer, and many Christians, think about Christianity and The Bible in terms of God's Love: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…."  [Jn. 3:16]

Love, however, is NOT the Theme of The Bible. That designation belongs to Redemption. From the very beginning, everything that happens to mankind points toward God's Redeeming the fallen race. Our celebration of Christmas is oriented toward Redemption, as we remember Christ's entry upon this Earth in the likeness of man. He came 'unto [for] you,' a Savior: Christ the Lord.  Luke 2

This week, Unbelievers, Agnostics, Atheists and The Ignorant let loose with tirades and epithets against a man who -- when asked the question -- answered it, quoting from The Bible. I speak of the now-famous [or infamous] GQ interview of Duck Dynasty star: Phil Robertson.

I have never seen Duck Dynasty, I refuse to pay the exorbitant fee being charged by my cable provider, for 82 channels I don't want. However, the Robertson family's reputation / testimony precedes them, in large neon letters. They are Everywhere!

What's At The Heart of all this? You might think it's another attempt to denigrate Christians and Christianity. You might think it is the Liberal's continual effort to keep people from hearing and/or thinking about things godly. You would be right.  However, there is something much more insidious and destructive in this particular effort.

Cable TV and TBN, specifically, has spread the 'gospel' far and wide, for well over 30 years. Liberals, Agnostics, Atheists and Change-Agents have largely ignored these folks, unless they are laughing at or mocking them. They are no threat! Only the Christian community has been loathe to condemn these false teachers, clowns and mystics.

But, here comes Phil Robertson with another declaration of The Truth! It may not have been expressed elegantly. It may have been off-the-cuff. It certainly came from an unpolished and unsophisticated source. But, listen, now, to how the unbelieving world responded. They didn't laugh. They didn't write it off. They certainly didn't ignore it. They rose up with one voice to denounce Phil and condemn everything he said….with every ounce of energy they possess.

Why? Simply because Phil has a 'bully pulpit!' Duck Dynasty is The Most Successful Reality Show, ever! More people watch this show than almost anything else on TV. What he says is going to be heard! And when he dares to say these people are sinners before God and candidates for eternal judgment, that must not stand!

The Message? We can tolerate the things we see as silly and non-essential, like Church services and Evangelistic Meetings. We know they don't amount to much. Church people are not much different from us. But this? This must STOP!

This what? The declaration that God hates sin, along with a recitation of what sin is; what it looks like; who is doing it. Essentially, pointing the finger at just about every New Social Initiative in the last 50 years and saying: This is what God condemns.

There is an outcry. A&E is on the wrong side of this issue. But, the Entertainment Community, the News Industry, the Educational Community, the Psychological Community and most of Congress and the Judiciary have too much to lose if Phil's pronouncement is allowed to stand.

The road just got a little more rocky. However, it may have just gotten a whole clearer.

When Someone Makes Your Point It's Not Always Fun

Are You Keeping Up?

   Last Sunday night, on The Bible Forum, we talked about Mark Driscoll's new book ["A Call To Resurgence"] bemoaning the dominance of post-modern thinking ravaging the country, and the world.

  My Thesis was/is: Mark Driscoll [the so-called 'Cussing Preacher"] is The Poster Boy for post-modernism in The Church! He has thrown out biblical authority and a lot of moral authority in his effort to be 'relevant.'

  If you want to hear how I develop that concept, go to the website  [  www.thebibleforum.net ] and click the video image to access the Archives. Last weeks' show is there.

  NOW….it seems, Driscoll was interviewed on the Janet Mefferd Show. If you don't get that in your area, go to her website  [ www.janetmefferd.com ].  You will be educated, entertained and edified….biblically.

  Anyway….The interview is about his new book. Janet pointed out that he had copied extensively from Dr. Peter Jones' work. Driscoll was surprised and said he had interviewed Dr. Jones but had not taken notes.

  Mefferd pressed the issue as unethical [immoral] and the conversation got tense. It's fair to note Mefferd's background is in journalism.

  Whether she was right to press her point or Driscoll was justified in being peeved at her efforts is secondary to my point: To copy another man's work and then pass it off as "Oh, if I did that I'm sorry," is a classic Post-Modern Response!

  In another time; with another generation, this would have elicited a far greater sense of either outrage OR repentance, even among non-Christians. Tyndale House knows better than to do this, so it seems reasonable that Tyndale would have questioned Driscoll extensively before publishing the book.

  My Point last Sunday [Nov. 17] was that Driscoll IS post-modern! This interview and his response proves my point.

  What do you think?

19 Kids And Counting

  Who are these Duggars and how dare they keep having children! The TLC Channel features this family each week, with about 1.5 million Americans watching. Mom [Michelle] has been pregnant for most of the last 25 years! She Home-Schools the children and teaches them social and domestic skills that will be a lasting benefit to them and to their prospective families.

  However…Jim Bob [that's Dad] had the temerity to suggest that abortion was akin to Nazi Germany's atrocities! Not on the Show! In a meeting of like-minded souls [The Value Voters Summit]. He suggested that we live in a society that is deliberately and systematically killing off a large segment of its population for political gain and nobody [well, not those who have the power] is willing to do anything about it.

  That was too much for the abortion crowd! MoveOn.org sponsored an online petition demanding the cancellation of the show ["19 Kids and Counting"], the author of the petition claiming their 'right wing views have gone too far.' One signer commented: "This show disgusts me on every possible level." "Here's hoping that Duggar's offensive, pig-ignorant comments constitute the last straw."   [www.christiannews.net    Nov. 11, 2013]

  Amazing! If a Christian points at homosexuality or divorce or any other socially-destructive practice, declaring those behaviors wrong, they are being Judgmental. But, if a politically liberal person points that same finger back….it's being socially responsible!

  Keep in mind the Duggars are not on welfare, do not put a strain on the educational system and are raising their children to be responsible citizens and productive family members. Why can't they simply live their lives the way they want, speak out on the issues they believe in, without being threatened?

  Is abortion a 'baby holocaust?' Ask the 50 million babies that have been murdered in the safety of their mother's wombs! Babies who did nothing wrong; didn't ask to be brought into this world; have no political support system to protect them and present no threat to society except the need to be cared for until they can take care of themselves.

  We had abortion in this country BEFORE Roe v. Wade! That case was NOT about abortion rights. It was about women being able to get an abortion simply because they didn't want the baby. This was the first time one person's Right meant the murder of another person -- the most vulnerable of all persons: unborn babies.

  We did this by declaring that baby a non-person! Science has since demonstrated the fallacy of that assumption, but the abortions continue. We demonstrated our capacity for the macabre by eventually killing that baby AFTER it was delivered. We called it (euphemistically) a partial-birth abortion. Most of that has been eliminated….now that we know what it is like.

  The Duggars are letting God decide how many children they will have. They have that choice….so far. You don't have to like it; understand it nor support it. The couple with one child has made a similar, personal, choice. Why is one decision OK and the other "pig-ignorant" and must be stopped?

  And when will America Stand Up -- Speak Out? Mr. Duggar's comment was simply that the folks in Germany didn't, and the world is still appalled! What makes this "holocaust" less repugnant?

  Logically? Nothing!

WHERE'S MARTIN LUTHER WHEN YOU NEED HIM?

   Thursday was Reformation Day!  You thought it was Hallowe'en -- I know.
   Philip Melancthon says this was the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Castle door. We only have his word for it.
   For two weeks prior, Luther had been writing them down and sending them to various priests, bishops, Cardinals, etc. 
   In all this, apparently, some had gotten hold of them and began distributing them around to the common folk.
   Nailing these statements / accusations to the door was the academician's way of saying: Let's Debate. The propositions were written in Latin, the scholar's language. They were not meant for the common folk nor to be published.
   If you're a Christian, you probably know how all this worked out: Luther was condemned as a heretic, rescued by a prominent friend, was kicked out of the Roman Church, eventually married and had four children.
   Oh, and he stimulated a movement that is now called The Reformation! Hence, Reformation Day.

   Question: Where's Our Martin Luther's? 
   Where's the men and women who understand enough of The Bible to stand up and say: "That's Not Right!"
   The Charismatic Doctrine. The Seeker-Sensitive Doctrine. The Emergent Doctrine. The Missional Church Doctrine. Not to mention the pure Mysticism creeping into almost every church in America.  Can anyone say: Christian Yoga? Or Centering Prayer?
   The Bible Forum is about exposing these things; about looking at the doctrines; about turning the light on the rats. 
   How many sincere, true Christians have any desire for that? Like the political news, Americans are getting very, very tired of hearing all the 'bad news.' 
   Christians are no different. We just want to be left alone to raise our families and love our God. I understand. I feel the same way.  [of course I'm old, that's my excuse -- what's  your's]
   The average church-goer doesn't know enough Bible Doctrine to fill a thimble. John MacArthur says his grandfather [also a preacher] said everyone comes to church with a container: some have buckets; some thimbles.
   Everyone's container gets filled, but invariably the one with the thimble will trip on the door sill, upon leaving the church, and spill what he has!  40 years of ministry has taught me the same lesson.

Are You As Confused As I Am?

  Washington D.C. is NOT the bastion of Normalcy nor Reason. That said, what's up with these people and the Budget? I have to live with the money that comes in, why don't they? What am I missing, here?

   Some Christians believe the government [and politics in general] should be left to the secular realm, meaning to the unsaved citizens. Others believe The Church should get involved and seek to change the political climate for God! I think it's somewhere in between.

   America is not like any other country in the world. Our government is based on biblical principles of social justice, economics, law and equality. We have never been, nor will we ever be, strictly speaking a Christian Nation. However, we exist in harmony with biblical principles and have generally given lip service to our Christian heritage.

   So, should we seek to Christianize America through the ballot box? I say No. But, America is tied to these roots and as long as we have the right to vote, Christians should exercise that right! It is a God-given right.

   But, who do we vote for? What do we vote for? It is doubtful anyone gets to be President or even a Key Player in the political process, in the country, without sacrificing their moral values. Political Leaders are generally beholden to those who put them where they are. It does not speak well of their moral compass.

   Citizen Christians should be looking for and voting for men and women who represent Christian values. Leaders who tell the truth! Do the Right Things! Value what God values and hate what God hates! That we would find ourselves NOT voting, in most cases, would then be an honor to God, not simply a political statement.

   Today, our leaders are struggling with The Budget! What's The Problem? We're borrowing 1/3 of all the money we spend, each year, and only paying on the Interest not the Principal. Is this Right? Moral? Godly? Of course not. No financial advisor would ever recommend such a thing.

   The President is nominating a woman to head up the Federal Reserve who believes strongly in this philosophy. It's called Keynesian Economic Philosophy, after a completely immoral British Economist, loved by President F.D.Roosevelt and followed by President Richard Nixon.

   Between the two, we were taken completely off the gold / silver standard and left adrift in a system where we simply print more money, should we need it. We are calling it Quantitative Easement, at present, but with every new dollar pumped into the system, the one in your pocket is worth less.

  I give you this illustration to highlight our choices. A Christian should vote biblical values. Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Morality, Accountability, Decency, etc. No government can satisfy everyone's need. No government should try. Every government should simply create a system where citizens can achieve and let individuals decide if they want to.

   Those who cannot, should have a strong Family Structure to help -- something the government should be encouraging, not undermining. Those who cannot should have access to godly Churches who are ready to help -- something churches, today, don't seem to understand. Those who cannot should have help from the government....to be productive, not dependent.

    Those who still do not? They get to reap what they've sown. I think that's a Bible Idea!  It's called The Law of The Harvest  [Gal. 6].

   God says efforts to defeat this principle are efforts to mock Him and He isn't having any part of that!

IS IT ME?

  Or has the world suddenly become more violent?
  It seems violence is increasing. Once relegated to Inner Cities and Banks [that's where the money is], violence has reached into every area of our life.
  Not just someone being struck with a fist! These are serious, violent, vulgar, senseless attacks!
  People being beaten, mercilessly, or killed over small, otherwise inconsequential things. The way someone looks at you! A tone of voice! The possibility of someone being aggressive toward you! Just being in the wrong place!
  And this isn't accounting for Gang Violence or Street Violence, which often collects innocent by-standers.

  Is this our version of The Barbary Coast? With the outlawing of biblical morality, has our world gone mad? Or is this simply the natural consequence of a society with no inner control?
  We have more laws on the books, today, than at any other time in our history -- and more coming. We've run out of jail space and are turning people loose we once locked up. Judges are being jailed! Cops are joining in on an attack against a motorist [in NY]. Children are being shot or beaten to death in and out of our homes. And this doesn't account for the sexual crimes against children and others.

  But...it doesn't matter what people believe. A committed Christian, a devil-worshipper, an atheist....they're all the same, right? No one's value system is better than another. Those who believe otherwise are bigoted or judgmental. The 'Thought-Police' will hound you until you sit down and shut up!
  Welcome to A Brave New World!

What Changed?

  Remember when everything was Modern? The Modern Age peaked in the 1920's, but that didn't stop us from calling every new invention or social improvement, Modern.
  We stopped that a few years ago. Now, everything is Contemporary. Like modern, if it's contemporary it must be good! At least it's not Old, which is Bad! Contemporary means we're keeping up with the times, not rotting on the proverbial vine.
   We've even done this with Church, as though the concept of Church evolves through time, depending on what is popular at the moment.
   In the past, various evolutions of 'church' have occurred, not all of them bad. Remember The Reformation? Of course there was that charismatic movement of yesteryear. That wasn't so good. But, it didn't last. It morphed!
   We thought folks who believed it necessary to speak in gibberish, to verify that they were actually saved, was nonsense [and it was / is]. These folks infiltrated various churches, spreading their variant doctrine and undermining many. But that pretty much faded away.
   It faded away because it was replaced with something New and more exciting: Healings! Now, the concept of spiritual gifts was expanded to include the special ability to touch someone and have them healed. It was wonderful! Or, at least it would have been, had there been such a gift of God.
   Healings went the way of tongues, that is it gave way to the Health/Wealth gospel. Now God wants all His children to be healthy and have great wealth! It's in The Atonement, don't you know?
   No, I didn't know! But, then all I have is The Bible.
   Things kept going, with all sorts of new gifts popping up and more and more preachers and preacher-etts holding forth with ever-increasing New Teachings and New Power from God. An entire Cable TV Channel was dedicated to it. Soon, we got tired of it all.
   Or did we?

   Today, in churches all across America; country churches, city churches, mainline denominational churches and independent churches, the story is the same: We have our Traditional Service at 11, but our Contemporary Service is at 10!
   Meaning? The young people [or the young at heart] like the more jazz-ed up choruses and the swing and sway they engender, as opposed to the old, staid, sorry hymns.
   Meaning? The younger set doesn't want to be preached at! They want 'Teachings' on practical subjects they can use everyday. They want non-judgmental teachings. They don't want finger-pointing or negativism. They get enough of that from their parents and on the News.
   This is the 21st Century! Things are different, now! That old stuff is no longer relevant!
  
   What "old stuff" are they talking about?
   Preaching? But doesn't The Bible tell us that it is by the preaching of the Word of God that people    are saved?
   Negativism? Isn't The Gospel negative? "You are a sinner, hell-bound, if you don't repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" sounds negative to me!
    Hymns? Aren't they designed to lift our soul to God? To challenge our heart to bow before Him? Don't they exalt the nature and purpose of God? Are they not emotionally stirring....for those who love Him?
    Worship? Isn't that the bowing of the heart before God? Isn't that an abject denial of our worldliness and recognition of His worth?

   See, I must have it all wrong! Or has someone changed The Bible, when I wasn't looking? Then I saw the Trailer for the new Reality Show on the Bravo Channel: Thicker Than Water. Now I know where I went wrong. These folks are living the life God intended for every believer.
   Wealth, Greed, Pride, Selfishness, Pride....have you seen the trailer?

   The Point? God doesn't change. His Word doesn't change. Worship of God doesn't change. Sin doesn't change. God still honors preaching, even if no one [popular] is doing it.
   I read an article, lately, entitled: Pastor INC.  It's about how every pastor, who wants to get somewhere, is doing whatever he must in order to elevate his 'brand.' Pastor as commodity. Big congregation; TV ministry; Internet presence; Book deal; DVD's; Conference Speaker; whatever it takes to 'make it big in the preaching business.'
   Now that's Modern!
  

We Often Learn Too Late

  The testimony of the Kings of Judah and Israel are instructive: 

  God divided the kingdom because of Solomon's pride. Solomon allowed his many wives to draw him away from God, worshipping at pagan altars. In the days of this divided kingdom, the kings of both Israel and Judah were not much better. Israel's kings were universally bad, while Judah's kings were generally good, although inconsistent and sometimes bad.

  The lesson is: when the king (and the people) resorted to God, removing the pagan altars and priests, crying out to God in repentance and faith, worshipping God according to His dictates rather than their own desires, listening to God's Word through His appointed prophets, there was Victory over her enemies and Peace.

  When Pride was king, there was defeat in battle, disaster in their plans and devastation in their crops. What we are to learn of all this is simply: The Battle Is The Lord's! Our responsibility is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to rely upon Him for whatever victory there may be; to trust Him and His Word, not our own perceptions and abilities.

  Failure is what defeats us, not the evils of this world, nor the circumstances of life. We will have peace and joy of heart in a dungeon, should our heart be right with God. The battle is not waged against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers; forces of wickedness in high places. 

  Contemporary views of Christianity, Salvation and Worship grow out of a denial of the doctrine of Total Depravity. Should our view of self collide with a biblical view of God, this problem would be instantly resolved!

  So often, in Scripture, the judgment of God against a person or a nation, is that they will not hear [Isa. 6:9-11], with God therefore hindering the work of grace in their lives, as judgment [Rom. 1]. God's punishment is not arbitrary, we must earn it! We earn it through repeated and determined rejection of the grace He has bestowed. It's called 'hardening of heart.' When God hardens a heart, it is only after that heart has been hardened by sin.

  Evangelical Christianity has always been about exposing the Light of God, pointing it toward the dark places of mans' heart. Much of The Evangelism of the last 50 years has had the opposite effect. Glorious emotional responses! Significant renovations! All of which paved the way for alternative doctrines, alternative worship forms, alternative power.

  Neo-evangelicalism, of the late 1940's - 1960's, culminated in The Evangelical [political] Right of the 1990's. This was a movement more social and political than evangelical, although many in the movement didn't know it at the time. A movement co-opted and manipulated by more skillful operatives, leaving gullible Christians embarrassed and disheartened.

  America is merely a moral and physical shell of her former glory, whatever that may have been. God is Out! Humanity is In! This means depravity, corruption and destruction on every hand. The News of the day is all we need in order to be convinced that things have changed. 

  What is a Christian to do? Learn the Lessons before it's too late. Realize our responsibility is to The Lord as Witnesses of His grace and mercy in Redemption, not as political change-agents. The world is hurling itself toward Armageddon! Nothing we do will stop that! Along the way there are glimpses of hope and possibilities for real change. These are fleeting events, more in the style of a Revival than any meaningful, long-lasting change.

  We SHOULD vote! We SHOULD care! We are still citizens of a Free Country! But the change we seek is not at the ballot box. It is in the hearts of men and women, whom Jesus came to save. We are now the 'seekers' of those souls. They aren't color-coded, so we must BE what God made us to be and DO what God has instructed us to do, before every human being we can.  Until Jesus Comes!

WHY RELIGION IS LOSING INFLUENCE IN AMERICA

A recent Gallup Poll found 77% of Americans believe religion is losing its influence on American life. This compares with 1957, when 69% thought religion was increasing its influence on the culture. The highest point was December, 2001, when 71% of the folks thought this way. This was right after 9-11.

Reality? For all it's philosophical stance, as a predominantly Christian culture, America has largely paid lip-service to The Gospel. The rise in public opinion about what Gallup calls "religion,' has been largely emotional. the high-water mark of 71% is a case in point. Patriotism [survival?] was running high and God was on everyone's lips.

After WWII, the same religious euphoria prevailed. Foxholes tend to clarify the realities of life and death as little else does. Men, coming home from war, saved in many cases while in the military, were zealous about Christ and the rise in Evangelistic zeal, as illustrated by Crusades and Campaigns, reflected that zeal. Additionally, there was a 'Baby Boom.'

By the late 1950's, teenagers were everywhere, with more wealth and leisure time than any society this world had ever seen. Youth Ministries were popping up all over the world. It looked good! It felt good! God was making inroads on every front, or so it seemed.

The late 1960's brought reality home, as social, political and racial unrest erupted in city after city. Stirred by the idealism of college campuses and an unpopular (and frightening) war, fueled by drugs, sensual music, Free Love and radical political rhetoric, America woke up!

The euphoria of the 1950's was apparently not real! The perception of peace and prosperity masked a systemic reality: Religion [Christianity] was not as dominant as we thought.

Why? In large part because of the Peace & Prosperity. To a greater degree, because of the Evangelistic Campaigns, both in churches and in Colosseums. These evangelistic appeals relied too much on emotionalism.

There is an excitement generated by public meetings. Religious meetings tap into a deeper part of our psyche. The atmosphere, the staging, the music, the 'star power' of some preachers as well as simply preaching, as a technique, are all calculated to bring folks to a climax: The Decision!

Herein lies The Rub! Salvation is NOT, strictly speaking, a Decision! That Americans have assumed as much may be why so many think themselves to be Christians, while their lives speak a very different language.

We see it in the divorce rates among Evangelical Christians, the drug rates, the abortion rates, the fashions, the worldliness and greed. We see it in the theatrics, the music, the carelessness of what is now being called worship. We see it in the gullibility, foolishness and strange behaviors of church-goers, not to mention the preachers. It is not uncommon to hear about a popular preacher involved in some form of immorality: sex, drugs, alcohol, thievery, etc.

It may be Gallup has it right when they speak of Religion, because biblical Christianity is not like any other religion. Christianity has always been about a heart change. In this sense, it has always been a minority influence.

Well, The Pope Just Threw Jesus Under The Bus!

    In an Open Letter to the founder of La Repubblica, Pope Francis stated that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

    La Repubblica is a radical / socialist newspaper that has moderated to a center-left political stance, in recent years, and was the largest circulation newspaper in Italy in 2011

    This is astounding! Why then did Jesus die? What was that all about? What, then, is the pope's role in the world? Why have a Roman Catholic Church? Or any Churches?

    The questions are legion. They range from core doctrinal issues to philosophical issues. Not the least of which is: "What Is My Conscience?"

   Is my conscience a reliable spiritual guide? Does it operate independently of my mind or my spirit? Is it an independent quality or is it influenced by my heart? Can my conscience be corrupted? Should I let it lead? Is Romans, chapter one, wrong? 

    What about faith? Will my conscience guide me to Jesus? Is my conscience being protected from all the influences my mind and body experience? Why does the Roman Catholic Church put so much emphases on being holy? What, then, is sin? What is Catholic Confession all about? Why does the Catholic Church insist it's devotees accept [by faith?] the existence of saints? or what these saints presumably can / are doing for 'The Faithful?'

    The questions just keep coming! Then there's what the last pope said! His comments on this subject were just the opposite from this one. What are we to make of that? 

    One Catholic man, asked this question, said the Pope was not speaking 'ex cathedra' -- that is with the authority of the church or of God, merely speaking 'off hand.' So, as a pastor, I can have one doctrine in the pulpit and another on the street, off hand? Or is it that what I say, after studying the issue and preparing the statement can be different from what I really believe?

    The New Testament is filled with references to my conscience, not all of them good. What am I to make of this?

    The questions just keep coming! 

The Yom Kippur Crises In Jerusalem

   In some circles there is great concern that Israel is NOT observing God's calendar, in observing the High Holy Days. Reference is being made to Psalm 81 where God declares He gave Israel up to their own hearts' lust because they walked in their own counsels and did not hearken unto Him.

   Here's how it goes: God declared, in Leviticus, that The Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur] would be celebrated on the first day of the seventh month. The Hebrew Calendar, starting with Passover, counts the 7th month as beginning with the New Moon of our September. If this is followed, Yom Kippur is Tuesday [Sep't 17]! Not yesterday [Friday, Sep't 14].

   Big Deal? To some it is. The Day of Atonement is a Big Deal to observing Jews. They do not have a Temple, nor do they have an altar or Holy of Holies in which to actually celebrate God's atonement. All this was removed with the crucifixion of Christ, Who did away with atonement [the covering of sin], by fulfilling God's Plan of Redemption on The Cross.

   However, religious Jews still observe the atonement as a religious rite, waving live chickens over peoples' heads -- a practice being condemned by animal rights groups. The Point is not atonement, per se, but whether or not Israel is following God's Word or simply operating according to human invention.

   According to Jonathan David, Israeltoday.co.il, "After Israel's captivity, the Jews stopped waiting and watching for the Lord to reveal the exact date of these holy days, by means of the New Moon. Since the 4th century, Jewish leaders have held that Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets should never fall on a Sunday, a Wednesday or a Friday. Why? Because God's Covenant People were driven out of the land of Israel and scattered throughout the earth, making it hard to know whose observation of the New Moon and which location on earth should have been used to determine the date."

   Will Israel ever get it right?  Yes! When Jesus returns! We are told, in the scriptures, that during the Righteous Rule of Jesus, we will celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles in The Kingdom [Zech. 14]. There is no doubt that it will be celebrated on the correct day! 

It's A Mystery!

     It's a mystery to me why so many people reject The Gospel! Are they brain-dead? The Bible says only a fool believes there is no God [Ps. 53]. This type of fool [there are at least 4 different types in the Bible] is stupid! wicked! impious! Maybe this is the answer, since rejecting The Gospel brings the specter of an unpleasant eternal hell.

    I ponder these things and then remember what the scriptures say: "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." [II Thess. 2:7] This adds a spiritual dynamic beyond intellect, alone. 

    Human beings are characterized in The Bible as sinners, from birth: born in iniquity. We are 'cut off' from God, unable and unwilling to repent and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ. But here's an additional limitation: The Enemy of our soul is at work hindering men and women from believing!

    The old English "let" is confusing. It's referencing the restraining work of the Holy Spirit that keep Satan's efforts from succeeding completely. This restraining ministry will continue until the Spirit of God is 'taken out of the way.' Of course, then, Satan will have almost carte blanche to work his wiles and deceive the masses, even more.

    Dispensationalism sees The Church personifying this restraining power, until she is taken from the earth, in The Rapture. This easy solution does not answer some other important questions, however. Satan's liberty to deceive and enslave does not become a reality until the middle of the Great Tribulation, which has given rise to the Mid-Tribulation Rapture Theory. Rapture issues are not the purview of this treatise.

    The Point is: The Church represents at least A restraining influence in this world, perhaps THE restraining influence. The reality that sin and wickedness is once again on the increase makes us wonder about how close we are to Christ's Return. In the past couple of centuries we have had The United States as the bastion of Christian Testimony. We have looked to the U.S. for hope and for a hedge against the evils of this world. No More!

    Now, the U.S. is at the forefront of wickedness. We just celebrated(?) forty years of Roe v. Wade. Did you know in Liberal, Humanist, Progressive, Socialist France, it is a crime to abort a child after the first Tri-mester? In Russia, their Parliament, the Duma, has recently backed a draft law that outlaws homosexual propaganda.

    At home? We're doing all we can to open the flood gates of wickedness and immorality, in every area of society. Social policy, economic policy and government policy. We WANT to get God out of our life and out of our thinking. Keep in mind, God is still restraining wickedness. Can you imagine what the future will look like, if Jesus tarries? It apparently will be worse, if He doesn't!

    The Church, The Bride of Christ, is at her weakest point in recent memory. In the past we dealt with men and women who sought to depart from the cardinal doctrines of The Faith, creating new and different doctrines. We called this Liberalism. Today, we are watching folks who think themselves to be Christians flocking to large, impersonal, venues to be titillated and entertained and calling it worship of God. 

    This is not the worst, however. The newest [and oldest] fad is mysticism. Christians are embracing a mystical form of Christianity where how The Word of God makes them feel or how various techniques can get them out of their bodies, so as to merge with The Spirit, or how these techniques can improve upon what we know of God or of His Word, passes for worship and/or study and/or meditation.

    Christian Yoga, Lectio divina, Emerging Church Movement, where feelings matter more than reason; a growing number of young pastors fixated on teaching about sex, in graphic terms, others playing with alternate spiritualities and doctrines. These are what we read about, not Evangelistic efforts or about strong families or dedicated Christians.

    There are more "mysteries" afoot than we know. The mystery of iniquity is just one. Mystery Babylon is another. We'll talk about that on Sunday Evening, from 8 - 11 pm.  Join Us!

     PS: You can watch the Bible Forum from our Facebook Page

 [www.facebook.com/BibleForum]

RACISM IN AMERICA?

   25,000 people gathered around and in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to remember Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech. This speech, delivered in 1963, is a stirring, dynamic speech clarifying all that he was trying to achieve.

   Many in the Civil Rights Movement were present, along with invited guests, to 'Remember' and to 'Remind.' It's hard to remember how this segment of our society was treated, for no reason than the color of their skin. It's good to be reminded of what we once were, lest we forget how easy it is to drift back.

    However, many who spoke at this Event were not Marking the passing of an era. They were stirring up old animosities as though they were current. Are they current? The Black community does not enjoy Middle Class status. Is that my fault? The Black community is a protected group. Is that what America is about?

    The cry is Racism! It sounds bad. It is bad. But is it true?

    For generations, people have claimed racism where none exists! How do I know? Because, to denigrate or otherwise discriminate against another race, there must be another race! And there isn't!

    I know. This sounds all too petty! But, stay with me. The problems we have in America, today, regarding discrimination are not, technically, racial. To keep maintaining this terminology is to miss The Point!  To miss the point is to avoid The Problem. Avoiding the problem means it will NEVER go away!

    Our current concept of racism is a Darwinian idea. More specifically, a theory posited by British sociologist, Herbert Spencer, in his book, entitled: "Social Statistics," 1850. 

    Spencer coined the phrase, "survival of the fittest" to describe the outcome of competition between social groups. He argued that through competition social evolution would automatically produce prosperity and personal liberty unparalleled in human history.  

    This doesn't sound bad. What made it bad was Darwin's adaptation of it. He suggested that persons, groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection as were perceived in plants and animals in nature.

    This means some human beings have a greater ability to achieve than others, based on where they are in their evolution. Think about that! Human Beings who are not fully evolved? How does that work? What does that mean? Is that every Black person on the planet or just those who aren't able or willing to achieve? It's astounding!

    The men and women on the platform in Washington, this past week would have shouted "NO!" But, every day in State Schools and on TV and the Internet we are told and told and told that we have evolved, incrementally, up from primordial slime to sentient creatures [oops] with opposable thumbs. What's the logical conclusion, when we have an entire group of people we must care for and protect, lest they be left behind?

    It takes an evil heart to create this sort of disparity in society, based simply on the color of a person's skin!  The kind of evil God describes in Jeremiah 17:9 -- 'desperately wicked,' 'deceitful above all things.' This is exactly the way God describes the human heart. 

     This is exactly what we saw in Nazi Germany, during WWII. Drawing from these principles and applying them in a most logical way, Nazi Germany went about systematically weeding out undesirable illustrations of humanity under the Banner of Eugenics.

     Eugenics was / is the term coined by Social Psychologists to describe the effort to purge weaker DNA from the human genome. They didn't know about all that, except that there were people on this planet who were inferior and they could not be permitted to reproduce, if we were to reach the pinnacle of humanity, the stylized 'Aryan Race.'

    Blacks, Jews, Homosexuals, Gypsies, the Insane, the weak, Educated men and women who did not support the Nazi goals, and preachers were systematically eliminated. Some were summarily shot, others systematically gassed, while others were useful slaves in work camps, until they died of starvation, depravation and hard work.

    After the war, Eugenics fell into disrepute. Not before it was applied to the Black community in notable experimentation. In recent years, in N.C., reparations were paid out to survivors and their families of these so-called efforts to cleanse the gene pool.

    Today, it is the Liberal Elite in Academia, Psychology, Sociology and Politics who keep the idea of Eugenics alive. If Darwinian Evolution is true, Eugenics makes great sense!

    The Black community would do well to keep a weather eye on their 'Friends.' And, since "Success is the Best Revenge," it would do well for them if they found a way to reclaim the integrity and strength of the Family and focus on becoming a more productive segment of society, before their 'Friends' find a way to use them.....again! And, not simply as stepping stones to their own wealth and power. 

The "Gay" Movement Is Actually A Struggle For Survival

Eight major studies of identical twins in Australia [largest 'Twin Register' in the world], the U.S. and Scandinavia, during the last 20 years, all arrived at the same conclusion: Gays Were Not Born That Way!         [www.hollanddavis.com]

"At best genetics is a minor factor," says Dr. Neil Whitehead, PhD. Dr. Whitehead worked for the New Zealand government as a scientific researcher for 24 years, spent four years with the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and most recently serves as a consultant to Japanese universities about the effects of radiation exposure. His PhD is in biochemistry and statistics.

Findings:
Generally, if an identical twin has same-sex attraction the chances the co-twin has it are only about 11% for men and 14% for women. In the U.S., it's less: 7.7% for males and 5.3% for females.

Same-sex attraction is caused by "non-shared factors." Things happen to one twin that don't happen to the other. Or...one twin responds one way and the other, another way, to the same factors.

Dr. Whitehead was struck by how fluid and changeable sexual identity can be, especially in adolescents. About half of the homosexual/bisexual population (in a non-therapeutic environment) moves towards heterosexuality over a lifetime. About 3% of the present heterosexual population once firmly believed themselves to be homosexual or bisexual.

The fluidity among adolescents is more pronounced: of the 16 - 17 year olds who had a romantic attraction to the same sex, all had switched one year later. The number of people who have changed towards exclusive heterosexuality are greater than current numbers of bisexuals and homosexuals, combined. In other words, ex-gays outnumber actual gays.

What this indicates is:
     Homosexuality is not an inherent orientation.
     Homosexuality is not a preferred orientation, statistically, even among homosexuals.
     Homosexuality among young people is more experimental than defining.
     The homosexual community is not nearly as large as they would have us believe.

That's The Science!  Dr. Whitehead notes: "The academics who work in the field are not happy with the portrayals by the media on the subject, but they prefer to stick with their academic research and not get involved in the activist side."

Ex: One activist group openly declares their intention to break the bankbooks and dry up the streams of money coming to those people and groups which seek to overthrow the various gender-neutral laws beginning to proliferate, by mounting court cases even if they know they can't win.  The ACLU has used this tactic for decades until most local governments refuse to stand up against them, even if they are right.

Ten to Fifteen million people is a lot of voices, but it still only represents 3 / 5% of the population! A group that cannot reproduce except through recruitment. Half of these folks move toward heterosexuality over their lifetime. They need us! They need people to give them credibility and support or they will dwindle to a small, insignificant minority -- which they are, now! Except for their Voice!

Linda Harvey, writing for MissionAmerica.com, says:
   The first step toward homosexuality is realizing an attraction to people of the same sex.
   The second step is being encouraged by every homosexual group 'out there.'
   The third step is acting on these feelings.

We're told this is an inborn desire / orientation. The science indicates not. How many people are hooked on alcohol, drugs and even sugar? Are these inborn appetites? Or are they learned? Do we have to develop a 'taste' for them, before they control our lives?

Ex-homosexuals often speak of stopping and asking themselves, "How did I get here?" This is the first step in overcoming any destructive or disordered behavior. In the end, homosexual behavior is a cruel task-master! We are not serving our fellow human beings well by keeping quiet.

Of course, neither are we helping by simply condemning those who practice this destructive behavior! The people are caught in a trap! The behavior is The Problem. But, those who seek to keep people enslaved for their own purposes [like getting elected or making money off their misery] have a reserved seat in a very dark place!

LET TEENAGERS HAVE THEIR ROMANTIC SLEEPOVERS

USA TODAY [International Edition -- Aug 16, 2013] Online, suggests parents "rethink mandatory minimums" in letting your teenagers have romantic sleepovers. They explain: "As youthful cohabitation rises, parents should see it as an opportunity to teach."

Responding, Jim Denison, writing in The Christian Post, looks at how it worked out for Angelina Jolie. He says "when Jolie was 14, her boyfriend was allowed to live with her." "The actress plans to raise her children the same way."

So, how did it "work out?" Jolie says of her first sexual experience, "I got knives out and had a night where we attacked each other." She says she still has scars from that episode and continued cutting herself until she became a mother [adopting 6 children, with Brad Pitt -- whom she still refuses to marry].

Of her marriage to Billy Bob Thornton, Rolling Stone magazine [at the time] proclaimed theirs to be America's most dangerous marriage.

After her divorce she had a lesbian relationship. Her father [actor Jon Voight] once said publicly that she had serious mental problems. "She's my kid. And if she gets help, I pray that she will be able to know and to feel true love in this life."

The Times, They Are Achanging! Traditional Christians are shocked by these ideas. New Evangelical, Contemporary, Charismatic and Emerging Church-goers: not so much. This is not to say all these folks approve of teen romantic sleepovers, but traditional Christian values are changing and these groups are at the front of the line that accepts them.

Relying more on how things 'feel' than what The Bible actually says [if they even know]; interested in how things work, rather than the doctrines upon which life-choices stand or fall, the growing Christian influences are doing little to build godly character, let alone convict hearts and condemn sin.

So called "Thinking Christians," "Loving Christians," have little or no problem with the contemporary lifestyle. Divorce, Cremation, Friendly Sex, Homosexuality, Foul Language, and a host of other sins and/or demeaning attitudes and behaviors are commonplace in the world of Christianity, today. We don't want to be judgmental! "No one is perfect!"

Problem No. 1? Many of these folks aren't saved! Aren't really Christians, at all!
Problem No 2?  Culturally-popular Churches aren't focused on God's Word!
Problem No 3?  The preachers....aren't! Preaching, that is.

Our society would not be where it is, morally and politically, if The Church had been doing her job! For 200 years, the Holy Spirit restrained evil in this culture, as a relatively small group of churches, preachers, Christians stayed focused on biblical values and spiritual commitments, providing moral and spiritual guidance / conviction. All that changed after WWII. Between 1964 and 1973 America underwent a Cultural Revolution. U.S. Supreme Court decisions removed God and biblical morality from the culture.

The public expression of Christianity ultimately accepted these changes under the guise of 'tolerance' and of not being 'judgmental.' The fact that the culture and so-called Christians now embrace homosexuality as normal is evidence of our failure. The forces of evil 'smell blood in the water' and are emboldened. More and more Christian Religionists are caving to social, political, economic, religious immoralities. The culture is rotting from within.

Of course, this is all within the spectrum of God's Over-Arching Plan and Purpose! Jesus said things would be as bad as they were in Noah's day, before He returns. How bad is that? A lot worse than it is now! Those people [estimated to be in the billions] incurred the wrath / judgment of God and were pre-emptively destroyed by a monumental catastrophe that changed the very face of this planet, along with it's climatic systems.

How long, O Lord?  "Not Long, My Child!"

THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT FOR SALE? OR IS IT?

   The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, has signed a Bill that bars licensed therapists from so-called "reparative therapy" in regard to homosexuality.  New Jersey is now the second state (after California) to ban this type of counseling.

   One legislator who voted for the Bill said it would not preclude clergy from providing such counseling if they do not seek a state license to practice professionally. One pastor objects, stating that he wants the option for clergy-counselors to obtain professional credentials, citing the legislation hinders his counseling center.

   Question?  Why would a pastor WANT a State License to help people understand and apply The Bible to their everyday lives? What does the State offer that entices pastors to seek such credibility? We all know! It's Liability Insurance and Secular Credibility -- which translates into higher Fees For Service.

   Question? Why would a pastor [or a Christian Counseling Center] seek Fees? Is The Word of God For Sale? Do we charge a fee to explain God's Word? If so, I've missed something [not to mention a lot of money].

   These are some of the questions NOT being asked or answered in this debate over Reparative Therapy. That our world is accepting of homosexual behavior, goes without saying. That our world is now supportive / protective of this dangerous and disgusting behavior, is a clear sign that God has judged our Nation.  [Rom. 1]

   However, lost in this debate is the issue of biblical counseling v. secular counseling. In the 1980's John MacArthur's Grace Community Church faced a lawsuit from a family whose son committed suicide while receiving counseling from the church.

   John recounts the ordeal that worked its way to the California State Supreme Court. At each juncture, the Church won their case.

   On one level [I can't remember which one], John reports that a Jewish judge [a woman], hearing from both John and at least one secular psychologist, declared that IF what these men were saying is an accurate representation of their disciplines, these systems are not the same; not friends. They are enemies of one another!

   This, of course, is The Issue! We bemoan the inclusion of homosexuality in the definition of 'normal,' but ignore the fact that for over 50 years the psychological community has been drawing Christians away from The Bible; away from The Holy Spirit, into a system designed to destroy our dependence upon God.

   That pastors and Christians, generally, approve and support this philosophy says more about the Christian Community and The Society at large, than does acceptance of homosexuality!

   How did we get here? By embracing the world's view of life, rather than God's. One is accepting, the other is judgmental. We are now at the place where pointing out sin is a sin! Did YOU contribute to this development?