Hello! I'm still here. Well, where else would I go? There is no where I can go where God is not. My journey has continued and it's been an adventure. I know this will continue the rest of my life. I am amazed at where I am now, spiritually speaking.
I want to recall to the best of my ability, my journey. I have always gone to church, at least for the majority of my life. I am happy for the people who go and receive help. In my case, I know the "church" is not the best place for me.
My sister just related to me yesterday a recent event in her life. My father was preaching at the church he attends. He asked my sister to come and hear him preach. She and her husband drove about 5 hours to go to see him and hear him preach. She told me that my father worked it into his sermon about how some people don't go to church. He went on to state that he could not understand how any Christian would not go to church.
My father has two daughters that do not go to church. My sister's journey is different than mine. It was a period of time during which I was understanding the "church" is no longer Christ's church. In some instances it is barely "Christian". As one person put it, "the world has gotten so churchy and the church so worldly, you can't tell them apart." That was stated a couple decades ago.
I am not sure when I first started realizing that I needed to leave the church. I will relate one of the first times, I felt convicted about something that happened in church was not of God. The pastor at the church I attended was doing a sermon series on prayer. Not just prayer really, but "circle maker" prayer. He told the story of Honi, the circle maker and his prayer for rain. Something about it all did not sit quite right, but I trusted the church, so put those squirmy feelings aside. At the end of the sermon, we were told to write on a small piece of paper that we were given. We were then instructed to line up and put them on these bulletin boards that were to the sides of the platform. I felt like I should not do this. I did not know why. Just felt really yukky about it all. Unfortunately, I did not listen to my gut feelings, but lined up like the rest of the sheeple and did as I was instructed. After all, what's wrong with saying you will pray 10 minutes a day. I prayed far more than that a day, so what was the big deal?
Every week following, during that series, I would want to go up to the platform and yank off my paper piece. I didn't want to have to answer why, if anyone confronted me, so I never did. But every week I was convicted, and every week was miserable because I knew I had disobeyed God. I obeyed a man instead of God.
It was quite a few years, before I found out what the big deal was. It was defilement. You may think that is a strong word to use, but it is accurate. The pastor was using a sermon series from the book called the "Circlemaker". Here's an excerpt from the webpage of Mark Batterson: " “Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn’t just a mechanism
whereby we accomplish great things for God. It’s a mechanism whereby God
accomplishes great things in us.” Do you ever sense that there’s far
more to prayer, and to God’s vision for your life, than what you’re
experiencing? It’s time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle
Maker—a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from
inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly
big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing
inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark
Batterson will help you uncover your heart’s deepest desires and
God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer
that God delights to answer."
Sounds innocent enough doesn't it? But, where did the story of the Circlemaker come from? It came from an old legend from the Talmud. It has nothing to do with Christianity. It does, however, have much in common with paganism. (Oh, there's a big shock, as so much of what happens in churches these days has common roots in paganism) To be brief, the Talmud is the oral traditions. We have the written word of God. The Talmud does not have authority in the Christian's life. Or shouldn't have as we can go to the written word of God for our questions. There is a lot of information on the Talmud online, if you want more information.
But why is in wrong to draw a circle around yourself to pray? There is so many reason, but let's begin with the Words of Jesus. Jesus' disciples came to Him and asked Him to teach them to pray. If drawing a circle was important, Jesus surely would have said to do so. No, He said to pray "Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." You surely know the rest. We have an accurate history of Jesus' life on earth. Some of His prayers are recorded for us. Yet it is not recorded that He ever drew a circle. When Lazarus died and he had been dead for 3 days, Jesus came on the scene. He merely said "Come forth". No circles, no threats to stay in the circle until God answered His prayers.
Did you know that in witchcraft and wicca they use magick circles? It's an occult way to pray. Mark Batterson, in the Circlemaker, is teaching Christians an occult way to pray. Yikes! That's serious stuff, isn't it? A few years ago, many churches were teaching this. Church can be a scary place. This is just one of many examples that I will be giving as I try to recount my journey out of churchianity and into Biblical life. If Jesus didn't do it, I want no part of it. However, I do want to be conformed into the image of Christ. He is my example, and my shepherd. I follow Him.
I do want to offer a prayer for anyone who has been defiled by the "Circlemaker" prayer. Perhaps you read the book, or were in a service where you were encouraged to pray this new way.
You can pray this: Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for praying a 'circlemaker' prayer. Forgive me for listening to the lies of the enemy. Forgive me for taking part in pagan ways of praying. Forgive me for trying to manipulate You into doing what I wanted. Please help me to learn your ways, and to follow the ways your son, Jesus, taught when He was on the earth. Thank you for all the good examples that are set forth in your Holy Word, the Bible. Help me to read it and learn from it. I ask you to take any and all authority that I gave the enemy by participating in the "Circlemaker" prayer teachings and any other pagan teachings, and put that authority back under the authority of Jesus Christ. Help me to have only one Father, you, and help me to stay under the shadow of your wings. Amen
Showing posts with label lead pastor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lead pastor. Show all posts
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Social Issues and the Church
I listen to a lot of podcasts. Some of the podcasts that I listen to are in no particular order: Sheila Zilinsky, TruNews (Rick Wiles), Hagmann & Hagmann, and the Power Hour. I especially like when Ted Broer is hosting the Power Hour. I am mentioning this because one of the podcasts I listened to yesterday had a portion about another Barna Study. This was the study that I had been looking for when I wrote yesterday's blog. Some of my favorite guests on the above podcasts are Steve Quayle, Timothy Alberino, Ted Broer, Nathan Leal, Jonathan Cahn, Pastor Lankford, Augusto Perez, LA Marzulli, and Russ Dizdar. Of course, I don't agree completely with any of them, but these are people who make me think. That helps me research and delve into deeper studies of what the Bible says.
The study that I heard about was about why Pastors don't touch the social issues of our day. You can read the study at: Barna Study Regarding Controversy
I have often wondered why pastors in America don't talk about the issues of the day. I know some do and to those I say Kudos! I had somewhat come to the conclusion that they just weren't aware of what was going on. I know that sounds very simplistic. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
According to this study 90% of them state that "the Bible speaks to every one of the issues." Less than 10% will speak to the issues. "When researchers ask those pastors what else they are willing to do to get their people active in the political process, Barna said 'it's almost nothing.' "
Why? Why would this be? "
"Why the disconnect? According to Barna, the answer is simple. He suggests asking pastors how someone would know if their church is "successful" – which he did.
'There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to [when asked that question]," he explained. "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.' "
What? Huh? Are you kidding me? I do not believe that you can find backing for any of this in the Bible. Somehow, I think that God's idea of a successful church is far different. Here are some things that the Bible says about what the church is to do: the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, laying down our lives for another, known by our love for one another, knowing the Word of God (Bible), having mature Christians, going into the world and making disciples of all nations, the gospel preached to every tribe and tongue (every people group), having the fruit of the Spirit, having gifts of the Spirit, knowing what Christ did for us, not being afraid to die for the gospel. Of course this list could go on and on, but you get the idea.
The study that I heard about was about why Pastors don't touch the social issues of our day. You can read the study at: Barna Study Regarding Controversy
I have often wondered why pastors in America don't talk about the issues of the day. I know some do and to those I say Kudos! I had somewhat come to the conclusion that they just weren't aware of what was going on. I know that sounds very simplistic. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
According to this study 90% of them state that "the Bible speaks to every one of the issues." Less than 10% will speak to the issues. "When researchers ask those pastors what else they are willing to do to get their people active in the political process, Barna said 'it's almost nothing.' "
Why? Why would this be? "
"Why the disconnect? According to Barna, the answer is simple. He suggests asking pastors how someone would know if their church is "successful" – which he did.
'There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to [when asked that question]," he explained. "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.' "
What? Huh? Are you kidding me? I do not believe that you can find backing for any of this in the Bible. Somehow, I think that God's idea of a successful church is far different. Here are some things that the Bible says about what the church is to do: the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, laying down our lives for another, known by our love for one another, knowing the Word of God (Bible), having mature Christians, going into the world and making disciples of all nations, the gospel preached to every tribe and tongue (every people group), having the fruit of the Spirit, having gifts of the Spirit, knowing what Christ did for us, not being afraid to die for the gospel. Of course this list could go on and on, but you get the idea.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Why People Do Not Prepare
I believe that there are several reaons why people will not listen to or heed the warnings regarding the coming troubles about to befall our country and the world.
1) They do not want to hear anything negative. Our nation has become so entertainment oriented that if it isnt fun they close their ears.
2) They understand that if they hear of suffering, they would be responsible to do something about it. Many do not want to spend time in prayer about social injustice, let alone support monetarily those working in the fields.
3) Some don't believe that such evil exists. To which I say, read your Bible. Or just watch the news.
4) Some cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. Often in movies, the characters escape the evil things that happen to them.
1) They do not want to hear anything negative. Our nation has become so entertainment oriented that if it isnt fun they close their ears.
2) They understand that if they hear of suffering, they would be responsible to do something about it. Many do not want to spend time in prayer about social injustice, let alone support monetarily those working in the fields.
3) Some don't believe that such evil exists. To which I say, read your Bible. Or just watch the news.
4) Some cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. Often in movies, the characters escape the evil things that happen to them.
5) Then there is the idea that "it won't happen to me" or " it can't happen in the USA". Well it can happen here.
6). They do not want to do the research themselves to see if the person who they are listening to is right or wrong? It is easier to just dismiss it all as a conspiracy theory. Unfortunately, they open themselves to deception.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Church: Open Letter to Church Leadership
I
heard a heartbreaking statistic today. It crushed me, I knew that it is true. I
don't like statistics because they can and often are manipulated. I
believe they are often used to manipulate people. Nevertheless when I
heard this one, it cut right to my heart. A recent poll conducted by
the Barna Group reveals that 46% of
church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to
their time spent in the pews.
A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews. The Barna Group is one of the most trusted organizations for statistics.
This is appalling. However, I believe that I understand why this is true.
First of all, the church has become a form of entertainment. The un-churched are not interested in entertainment. They have real entertainment. They don't need to go be entertained on Sunday, because they have football, NASCAR, TV, movies etc.
I believe that C.H. Spurgeon had it right when he said, "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"Secondly, the church has largely turned it's back on the problems of the country and the world. Sure we may pick one or two areas we talk about here and there but we don't talk about the economy that is about to collapse, we don't talk about the Islamic infiltration of our country. We don't seem to care that villages in Niger were recently burnt, killing many Christians. Or that Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith. How about how we are sacrificing our infants on the altars of Baal and Molech? How the film industry is so filthy that the Christians should be appalled. But no, we go watch their movies, paying our money to the very people we should be denouncing. As if this is not bad enough, we export our sins to the world. No wonder Islam calls us (the USA) the whore of the world.Yet, the very fact that shariah law is creeping into the laws of this nation should make us wake up.The real tragedy is that Christians are not being prepared for what is taking place in this nation and the world. If you study history, can you see how our nation has changed? How we are becoming apostate?
If anyone reading this needs more information on how to repent of your sins and put Jesus in charge of your life, please leave a comment with your email and I will email you with more information and attempt to answer any questions you may have. I want you to know upfront that being a Christian (Christ-like one) is not easy. It is worth it, but not easy.
Of course, if this doesn't apply to you, please disregard.
Sources:
http://www.acommonword.com/
http://apprising.org/2012/02/28/john-piper-on-rick-warrens-chrislam/
A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews. The Barna Group is one of the most trusted organizations for statistics.
This is appalling. However, I believe that I understand why this is true.
First of all, the church has become a form of entertainment. The un-churched are not interested in entertainment. They have real entertainment. They don't need to go be entertained on Sunday, because they have football, NASCAR, TV, movies etc.
I believe that C.H. Spurgeon had it right when he said, "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"Secondly, the church has largely turned it's back on the problems of the country and the world. Sure we may pick one or two areas we talk about here and there but we don't talk about the economy that is about to collapse, we don't talk about the Islamic infiltration of our country. We don't seem to care that villages in Niger were recently burnt, killing many Christians. Or that Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith. How about how we are sacrificing our infants on the altars of Baal and Molech? How the film industry is so filthy that the Christians should be appalled. But no, we go watch their movies, paying our money to the very people we should be denouncing. As if this is not bad enough, we export our sins to the world. No wonder Islam calls us (the USA) the whore of the world.Yet, the very fact that shariah law is creeping into the laws of this nation should make us wake up.The real tragedy is that Christians are not being prepared for what is taking place in this nation and the world. If you study history, can you see how our nation has changed? How we are becoming apostate?
What is
happening is a spiritual problem. If the church does not step up and
take action, someone else will. The church will be judged for what we
allowed to happen on our watch.
The answer is
repentance. Pure and simply, it must start with the church.
Repentance means turning away. It is not enough to says "Sorry" and go
on with the same lifestyle. It is almost impossible to tell the
church from the world. Perhaps we don't use the same swearwords, but we
dress the same, go to the same movies, use those movies inside the
church. Instead we should be like the 7 wise virgins who were preparing
and prepared for the return of the bridegroom.
I
believe that in the near future you will see a division between what
Jesus called the sheep and the goats. It is the pastor's (shepherd)
job to protect and disciple the sheep. God considers this an important
job with dire consequences for failure.
One final quote from Spurgeon:
Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
Repentance
is not raising your hand during an altar call (shouldn't be called
altar calls anymore) or by saying a prayer. Repentance is turning away
from sin. As was in the case of Jacob/Israel, this often involves
wrestling.Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
If anyone reading this needs more information on how to repent of your sins and put Jesus in charge of your life, please leave a comment with your email and I will email you with more information and attempt to answer any questions you may have. I want you to know upfront that being a Christian (Christ-like one) is not easy. It is worth it, but not easy.
Of course, if this doesn't apply to you, please disregard.
Sources:
http://www.acommonword.com/
http://apprising.org/2012/02/28/john-piper-on-rick-warrens-chrislam/
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Church: Part 1-Background
As I have stated a few times already, when I started this journey, I
had no idea where it would lead. I was born by and raised by
Christians. I went to church 3 times a week most of my growing up
years. Although I never heard it said then, it was like if the church
doors were open, you went. I never resented my parents for taking me
to church. I actually thrived on it and loved church. Looking back, I
was a Vacation Bible School addict. I went to every one I was allowed
to go to. For those unfamiliar with Vacation Bible School, it is
usually a week in the summer where for 2 hours a day ,
young ones go to church and learn about God.
I am stating all this because most of my life, I would never have believed a day would come when I would not want to go to church. Sure I'm old enough to know better, but I do not look forward to Sunday anymore. Last Sunday, I just could not make myself go to church. This has caused me to look inside, and find out why.
One of the main reasons that I have "church phobia" is that I have become "cold" by going to church. This scares me because in the book of Revelation, it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16). Ugh!! I do not want to be vomited out of God's mouth. No way can that be good. But even more is the fact that I love God! I want to be pleasing. But to be pleasing, I must get past lukewarm and get hot!
I know you are wondering how I can connect my 'coldness' with the church. It isn't from a lack of reading or listening. I read a lot. I also listen to many podcasts during the week. Many times on Sunday, I watch several churches as they stream over the internet. I try to incorporate what I hear into my life. I do not want to be deceived as it says in the book of James. James talks of those who hear the word but do not do it.
I see the same thing in the "church" all over the USA. We are becoming cookie cutter Christians. If we can be called Christians. Christian means "Christ-like". If we are lukewarm or cold are we "Christ-like"?
Here is what I see as "cookie cutter" churches:
Clockdown before the service begins
Dimmed lighting during worship and possibly the message.
A message from the pastor that is cute, maybe themed, but one that does not encourage maturity in Christ
People get "saved" by saying a prayer (usually the prayer is pretty much the same each Sunday)
Church goers are encouraged to go to a connect group (also called small group or cell groups)
No mention is made about "social causes", such as Christians being killed by Isis or their villages burnt in Niger, etc
Church goers bombarded with statistics to prove how good and wonderful the 'church' is
Those who have ideas outside of the 'box' get attacked
No negativism - never is anything said of things that could be construed as negative
Church leaders have titles like Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, Worship Leader etc
Having a stage (used to be called a platform)
Those on stage look like the world
Focus on entertainment
Focus on bringing people into the 'church' as opposed to going out of the church to bring God to people.
I want to reiterate that I am not against churches. This is not about one church, it is about a trend I see in churches. I hear from people in various parts of the USA and the stories I hear have the similarities mentioned above.
Forgetting: The spirit of religion that creeps into the church and into my heart if I do not guard my heart.
Remembering: It is all about God. He didn't ask me to do all these things. He called me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind!
I am stating all this because most of my life, I would never have believed a day would come when I would not want to go to church. Sure I'm old enough to know better, but I do not look forward to Sunday anymore. Last Sunday, I just could not make myself go to church. This has caused me to look inside, and find out why.
One of the main reasons that I have "church phobia" is that I have become "cold" by going to church. This scares me because in the book of Revelation, it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16). Ugh!! I do not want to be vomited out of God's mouth. No way can that be good. But even more is the fact that I love God! I want to be pleasing. But to be pleasing, I must get past lukewarm and get hot!
I know you are wondering how I can connect my 'coldness' with the church. It isn't from a lack of reading or listening. I read a lot. I also listen to many podcasts during the week. Many times on Sunday, I watch several churches as they stream over the internet. I try to incorporate what I hear into my life. I do not want to be deceived as it says in the book of James. James talks of those who hear the word but do not do it.
I see the same thing in the "church" all over the USA. We are becoming cookie cutter Christians. If we can be called Christians. Christian means "Christ-like". If we are lukewarm or cold are we "Christ-like"?
Here is what I see as "cookie cutter" churches:
Clockdown before the service begins
Dimmed lighting during worship and possibly the message.
A message from the pastor that is cute, maybe themed, but one that does not encourage maturity in Christ
People get "saved" by saying a prayer (usually the prayer is pretty much the same each Sunday)
Church goers are encouraged to go to a connect group (also called small group or cell groups)
No mention is made about "social causes", such as Christians being killed by Isis or their villages burnt in Niger, etc
Church goers bombarded with statistics to prove how good and wonderful the 'church' is
Those who have ideas outside of the 'box' get attacked
No negativism - never is anything said of things that could be construed as negative
Church leaders have titles like Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, Worship Leader etc
Having a stage (used to be called a platform)
Those on stage look like the world
Focus on entertainment
Focus on bringing people into the 'church' as opposed to going out of the church to bring God to people.
I want to reiterate that I am not against churches. This is not about one church, it is about a trend I see in churches. I hear from people in various parts of the USA and the stories I hear have the similarities mentioned above.
Forgetting: The spirit of religion that creeps into the church and into my heart if I do not guard my heart.
Remembering: It is all about God. He didn't ask me to do all these things. He called me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)