Destroying America from within….

Rick Warren to address Muslims

I am not surprised that Warren would address a Muslim group; my question is WHAT WILL HE SAY? Considering his record….I would pleasantly surpised if “America’s Pastor” said anything resembling the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Purpose Driven” megachurch pastor Rick Warren will be spending his Fourth of July speaking to up to 40,000 Muslims in the nation’s capital.

Warren, whose network of pastors spans over 160 countries, is expected to speak during the main session of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)’s 46th annual convention, which has as its theme “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

“Considered the cornerstone of the convention, the Saturday Evening Main Session is not to be missed,” organizers state in the program for the four-day convention, which starts Friday.

“Prominent, sought after scholars will address the theme of the convention at large,” they add. “The session is both relevant and meaningful to Islam in North America.”

Since Sayyid Syeed, a longtime leader with ISNA who focuses on building the organization’s interfaith ties, invited Warren to speak during a White House gathering they attended last year, the Southern California pastor has refrained from making any public comments regarding the invitation.

But Syeed told The Indianapolis Star, the largest newspaper in Indiana, where ISNA is based, that Warren “realizes that it is equally critical for him to work with people of other faiths.”

Syeed has also noted that he and Warren have worked together on projects fighting malaria and advocating for people with HIV and AIDS.

Michael Jackson was a Christian?

When I read articles like this, I dont whether to cry, or to…..cry. I know that people deal with grief in many different ways, and no one wants to think or accept that someone they cared for would die without repenting and receiving forgiveness, and go to a sinners hell. Yet in such circumstances, our feelings dont count. Only the truth of God’s Word matters. Read this portion of an article by David Pack.  The article is from PurposeDriven.com, and Pack is described as “..a Grammy winning recording artist, producer, and music director. A member of Saddleback Church, he works with Rick Warren on special projects, including the PEACE Plan and AIDS & Worship Conferences.”

During that special evening, I felt the need to share my faith with him, to let him know that another Christian artist was sitting next to him. So when he whispered, “How can I ever thank you for this wonderful night?” I said, “Michael, I didn’t put this together, God did!” He said, “Oh yes, I believe that with all of my heart.”

I told him I was a Christian, and he said he was, too. We talked about the first Christian song we’d both heard as children: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong.” With the dinner party loudly going on around us, we both quietly leaned in and sang the song, smiling like choirboys. “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.” Then we gave each other a short embrace.

I knew at that moment that this sweet-spirited young genius was going to find his eternal peace in heaven. I did not find Michael weird, messed up, or anything you’ve ever heard about him. I want to say that I feel all of the allegations ever charged against Michael were false, and that in my discernment, he did not have the capacity to ever do anything except love children and let them know he would do anything to stand up for them, and help them. Just look at the magnificent work he did on their behalf in writing and co-producing “We Are The World,” and the 39 charities for children he gave to generously. That was Michael. I believe that during his trials he related to the suffering of Christ, and prayed for intervention, because he was being accused over what he loved most—children. This caused him perhaps more pain than anything in his life.

I know Michael loved Jesus with all his heart. Quincy had told me about his work sharing his faith with others, often door-to-door, because he’d been raised a devout Jehovah’s Witness. Later in life he told people he was a non-denominational Christian. Still more recently, reports circulated that he’d converted to Islam. But the Michael I knew had seriously contemplated giving up music to spend full-time in Christian ministry.

If there’s anything that gives me peace during this moment of loss, it’s knowing that one of the greatest artists of our time is now moon-walking along the gold paved roads of heaven, where streets have no name, with a broad smile on his face, and a band of angels welcoming him home.

‘No truth’ in Obama’s speech before homosexuals

OneNewsNow.com-A black evangelical Christian pastor and former NFL linebacker says there was “absolutely no truth in anything” President Obama said in his speech to homosexuals in the East Room of the White House Monday.

President Obama promised LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) supporters Monday at a White House “gay pride” celebration that he “will continue to be an ally and a champion” for their agenda, once again vowing he will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. (Related article: Obama White House not appealing transgender ruling)
 
Ken Hutcherson, senior pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Washington state, says it is “a shame” that the president is “supporting what destroys the family.”
 
“There’s absolutely no truth in anything he said, from beginning to the end,” says Pastor Hutcherson. “There is no such thing as [a] biblical stance for homosexuality, if you use the Bible. If you want to use any other denomination, feel free — but where I stand is…biblical; it is marriage between one man [and] one woman, and that is the relationship, heterosexual, that is ordained, blessed, and called by God.”
 
In his talk, Obama acknowledged that many Americans still disapprove of homosexuality. “There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes,” he stated. (See related article) Hutcherson says those comments demonstrate the president has contempt for more than just conservative Christians.
 
“I think this president has a disdain for anyone who disagrees with anything about him — don’t just limit it to Christians and conservatives,” he remarks. “Brother, this man doesn’t like anyone who doesn’t think he’s the smartest man in the world.”
 
Hutcherson says until conservative Christians make their small voice a dominating one, there is nothing that will stop President Obama from pushing for the legalization of same-sex “marriage.”

A black evangelical Christian pastor and former NFL linebacker says there was “absolutely no truth in anything” President Obama said in his speech to homosexuals in the East Room of the White House Monday.

 

 

 

President Obama promised LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) supporters Monday at a White House “gay pride” celebration that he “will continue to be an ally and a champion” for their agenda, once again vowing he will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. (Related article: Obama White House not appealing transgender ruling)
 
Ken Hutcherson, senior pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Washington state, says it is “a shame” that the president is “supporting what destroys the family.”
 
“There’s absolutely no truth in anything he said, from beginning to the end,” says Pastor Hutcherson. “There is no such thing as [a] biblical stance for homosexuality, if you use the Bible. If you want to use any other denomination, feel free — but where I stand is…biblical; it is marriage between one man [and] one woman, and that is the relationship, heterosexual, that is ordained, blessed, and called by God.”
 
In his talk, Obama acknowledged that many Americans still disapprove of homosexuality. “There are still fellow citizens, perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones, who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes,” he stated. (See related article) Hutcherson says those comments demonstrate the president has contempt for more than just conservative Christians.
 
“I think this president has a disdain for anyone who disagrees with anything about him — don’t just limit it to Christians and conservatives,” he remarks. “Brother, this man doesn’t like anyone who doesn’t think he’s the smartest man in the world.”
 
Hutcherson says until conservative Christians make their small voice a dominating one, there is nothing that will stop President Obama from pushing for the legalization of same-sex “marriage.”

Calvinists are not Christians?

From Dr. James White comes this account ……A fan of Dave Hunt has informed me I’m not born again because I am a Calvinist. He sent some questions, too. I respond.

Quick Hits….

The death of Michael Jackson-tragic… as strange in death as he was in life…so sad how so many actually worship Michael Jackson, a man….as Timmy Brister put it, Michael Jackson is dead but THE King is alive….

SC Governor Mark Sanford’s admission after missing for five days that he has been unfaithful to his wife-…the second I heard Sanford had left and not told anyone, I figured sex was involved….he can kiss his hopes of a presidential bid goodbye, and he should….

Obama irritated by question during press conference- hilarious and expected….amazing how he handles things when he doesnt have a teleprompter….kudos to Major Garrett of FOX News for having some guts…

Obama administration invitation to Iranian diplomats to July 4th parties- another sign of a weak leader.

Ann Coulter on Obama and the Iranian protests- “So when a beautiful Iranian woman, Neda Agha Soltan, was shot dead in the streets of Iran during a protest on Saturday and a video of her death ricocheted around the World Wide Web, Obama valiantly responded by … going out for an ice cream cone. (Masterful!) “

Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting- Praise God for the commitment of Dr. Johnny Hunt…..i wasnt crazy about a special resolution for Obama being elected president, but pleased the convention made it clear where they stood on Obamas policies….Amen to delegates for ejecting Fort Worth, TX church for accepting homosexual members….i pray this is the beginnign of the convention placing more emphasis on the Gospel rather than gitchy programs and slogans

Rick Warren keynote speaker at Muslim conference…….surprise, surprise…Rev. Pragmatic is consistent if nothing else and still in my opinion, a false prophet…Canada Free Press reports, ” The Islamic Society of North America  (ISNA), an organization with ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups, will hold its annual convention—the largest yearly gathering of Muslims on the continent—in Washington, D.C. over the Fourth of July weekend. And the keynote speaker will be Reverend Rick Warren, founder and senior minister of the Saddleback Church, an evangelical mega-church located in Lake Forest, California…

Reflections on SBC 2009

Dr. Tom Ascol of Founders Ministries offer some perspective on the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, you can Read It Here….

Most notibly though is Dr. Ascol’s notes on comments made by one SBC leader as a jab at Calvinism….

It may be that the anti-Calvinist messenger was emboldened in his opposition by the foolish remarks of the president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, Morris H. Chapman which were made earlier in the day during his report. Dr. Chapman’s words have been publicly repudiated by SBC agency heads as well dozens of Southern Baptists who have voiced their concerns on blogs and twitter, and well they should be. He stated,

The Southern Baptist Convention is experiencing a resurgence in the belief that divine sovereignty alone is at work in salvation without a faith response on the part of man.

Some are given to explain away the “whosoever will” of John 3:16. How can a Christian come to such a place when Ephesians says, “For by grace are you saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8)? I do not rise to become argumentative, or to change minds already convinced of one perspective or the other. But I do rise to state the obvious. Man is often tempted to design a theological theory in light of a biblical antinomy in order to clarify what God is trying to say.I daresay that Dr. Chapman, or any Southern Baptist for that matter, can find any person in the Southern Baptist Convention who holds such horrific views. If such a miscreant could be found I would be the first to renounce his errors and to try to persuade him to submit to the teaching of Scripture that God is absolutely sovereign and people are absolutely responsible in the gracious work of salvation.

Dr. Chapman’s comments were out of place and sounded more like the incendiary rhetoric of years past than the more respectful kinds of exchanges that have tended to characterize the Calvinist debates since the Building Bridges Conference in 2007. Though I was disappointed in him, I was greatly encouraged by the response of the messengers. No one went to a microphone to attack him personally and all of the public comments that I have heard dealt with his words, not with his person or character. That is the way that it should be among brothers.

How Does Your Church Measure Success?

Even at 500, Calvin isn’t slowing down

Here is an insightful article by Daniel Burke, Religion News Service on the 500th birthday of John Calvin and the growing influence fo his teachings.

So, while Martin Luther fired up the masses, Calvin, essentially, gave them new rules. Maag said the people of Geneva were not exactly appreciative: they named their dogs after Calvin and sang rude songs outside his window. As a Protestant leader in a Catholic territory, Calvin lived under the constant threat of siege, Maag said.

American neo-Calvinists say they are similarly besieged by the forces of secularism. And while the ministers and churches of their youth kept them entertained, they didn’t offer the kind of intellectual firepower many find in Calvinism.

Read the entire article….

CT on Tim Keller

Christianity Today offers a profile on Dr. Tim Keller, senior minister of Redeemer Presbyterian (PCA)….

Keller’s PCA denomination proclaims classic Puritan doctrine. Keller not only adheres firmly to that doctrine, he also is a student of it, with a first-class knowledge of such luminaries as Jonathan Edwards. Yet he balances this doctrinal narrowness with catholicity, appreciating not only the Reformed theology of his heritage, but also actively supporting the efforts of charismatics, Lutherans, and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Of the 65 churches that Redeemer has helped to plant in the New York area, only 10 are PCA. The largest is Southern Baptist.

Pastor Gyger puts it this way: “He has a practical understanding that if we are going to reach the whole city, we need a wide spectrum of the church.”

Much of Redeemer’s impact has been through friendships, word of mouth, and sermons passed on from one person to another. Redeemer resisted publicity, avoiding reporters. For years, Keller did little writing or speaking outside the church.

But now Keller is writing and speaking extensively, and has also put formal mentoring programs in place. For example, four young pastors who are on the verge of planting churches in the New York area spend an hour with Keller every month, going through a syllabus. “Redeemer Labs” was launched a year ago to spread the church’s vision through books, online downloads, curricula, and other media approaches, and to attract a new generation of leaders to carry it out.

Read the entire article….

Tullian Tchividjian calls us to be unfashionable

Brian Mclaren and the dangers of the Emergent Church

This from Wretched with Todd Friel…via CRN. Thanks to all.

The Heresy of Oneness Pentecostalism

I offer this link to an explanation of Oneness Pentecostalism because the effects of this false teaching effect me personally. I have numerous family members  who have been deceived by the heresy of the United Pentecostal Church and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to my loved ones. This false church draws people in with big smiles, upbeat music and fellowship, but when one makes the effort to examine what the UPCI teaches, in the light ofScripture, it is clear this churches teachings are contrary to the Word of God.

Watchman Fellowship offers a wonderful resource, including a great outline on the history and teachings of One Pentecostalism. I invite you all to make this website one of your regulars. In the profile of Oneness Pentecostalism, they outline the basics of this false teaching:

• Denial of the Trinity-The doctrine of the Godhead taught by Oneness Pentecostals, rather than having its roots in the Bible, can instead be traced to the heresy of modalism taught in the third century by Sabellius (although it was first taught in 190 by Theodotus of Byzantium). Sabellius taught that the monotheistic God (called a monad) progressively revealed Himself through the offices of the Trinity. Significantly, Sabellius was excommunicated from the Church for his aberrant teachings. The Oneness Pentecostal teaching that God “manifested” Himself through the offices of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit comes directly from Sabellius, who even used the term “manifesting” to define his doctrine.
• Jesus Only Baptism- (The teaching that a convert baptized in the Names of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit are not biblically saved and that a convert must be baptized in the name of Jesus only, or they are not born again. ) The Oneness understanding that salvation depends upon Jesus’ Name baptism is similarly refuted by Scripture. Oneness Pentecostals use Acts 4:12 as evidence that salvation comes through this baptismal formula.²⁷  If salvation comes only through being baptized by the sacred name of God, and if the Son is simply a manifestation of God the Father, then baptism would therefore need to be performed in the name of Elohim or Yahweh (provided in the Old Testament). Since even Oneness Pentecostals would dispute this understanding, the necessity of baptism in the name of Jesus only is easily refuted using their own logic.
• Tongues-(The teaching that a convert MUST speak in tongues upon the moment of salvation, which coincides with water baptism in the name of Jesus only, or that salvation is wrong.)…..it is necessary to point out that the Oneness belief in the gift of tongues as a necessary evidence of having the Holy Spirit (as opposed to the gift as an evidence of the fullness of the Spirit, as some Pentecostals believe) is unbiblical. Even Bernard admits that many of the biblical accounts of conversions do not describe receiving the gift of tongues. Therefore, Oneness Pentecostals are erroneously attempting to argue that something that occasionally occurred should therefore always occur; it is impossible to argue this point when the Bible does not make such a claim.

 

I invite you to read the entire profile. Also, John Ankerberg produced a series of wonderful resources on the subject and are available at their website www.ankerberg.org.

Please do not be deceived by this false movement. Friendliness, good music and good food will not save you. We must pass this and all doctrine through the lens of Scripture. If a teaching is contrary to the entirety of God’s Word….it is error.

Where is this in Scripture? London Bishop says WE must make Jesus more attractive!

Where is it in the Bible that commands us to make the Lord Jesus and His Gospel attractive enough that sinners will come to salvation? ITS ISNT THERE! Yet another erroneous portrayal of fhe Truth, that insists we have some powerful role in determining our own eternity. Even worse it the fact that one doesnt have to travel to England to find this sort of thing, you only have to go to many churches in your own hometown.

LONDON – A Bishop in the Church of England has challenged Christians to help put an end to the cultural norm that says being bad is cool, while being good is boring.

“Make being good attractive,” writes the Rt. Rev. Gordon Mursell, bishop of Stafford, in a pastoral letter published this month in parish magazines across the Diocese of Lichfield. Diocese of Lichfield.

A life lived for Jesus, he continued, was one that was good as well as attractive to others.

“Living for Jesus means making his teaching, his passions, his values, but above all his life, our own,” he said.

“It means dying to self, to the old Adam (as St Paul put it), and accepting Jesus’ invitation to put God and other people first, to lay down our old habits and receive the free and gracious gift of new life in Christ.”

“And here’s the miracle,” Mursell highlighted. “When we do that we are changed. To our own genuine astonishment, we become attractive. People see something in us that challenges their values; and they want to know what it is.

“The evidence for the resurrection is changed lives.”

Read the entire article…

Niece of MLK,Jr. condemns remarks by late-term abortionist

Praised God for the courage of the fine lady!

(CNSNews.com) – The niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Tuesday condemned the remarks of late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart in comparing the recent murder of abortionist George Tiller to King’s assassination.
 
“This is the equivalent of Martin Luther King being assassinated,” the Washington Times quoted Carhart as saying. “This is the equivalent of Pearl Harbor, the sinking of the Lusitania and any other major historic event where we’ve tolerated the intolerable for too long.”
 
“For LeRoy Carhart to mention the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who worked through peaceful and non-violent means, in the same breath with that of George Tiller, whose work ended peace and brought violence to babies in the womb, is offensive beyond belief,” Dr. Alveda King, pastoral associate of Priests for Life, said in a statement. ”The analogy is just wrong.”
 
Carhart said there was “absolutely no difference in putting a cross in front of a person’s home because of what race they belong to than there is putting a cross in front of our homes because we do abortions,” the Times quoted him as saying.
 
He claimed that pro-life activists placed crosses in front of Tiller’s clinic in Wichita, Kan. Carhart worked at the clinic on a rotating three-week schedule to assist with late-term abortions.
 
Carhart also called on the government to treat all activities by “anti-choice domestic terrorists” as hate crimes.
 
“Dr. Carhart also speaks of hate crimes,” added Dr. King. ”I would simply ask him, is it not hateful to regard an entire class of people as non-human because they’re unwanted?”
 
“The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was that every human being has equal dignity. LeRoy Carhart and every other abortionist violate that message every time they dismember a baby. The comparison is ridiculous,” Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said in a statement.