Thu, Sep 21st - 9:25AM

More Negativity?

Human Counsel – Divine wisdom

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  1Cor. 1:17

     “You’re a very beautiful person.  Do you realize that?  You’re made in the image and likeness of God.  Not only that.  You’re worth a lot, both to God and to all the people you know and are connected to.  You have worth.  Ever since you were little you were beaten down and told how useless and worthless you are.  You were physically abused, not only by your parents, but later by your spouse.  You married him because abuse was all you ever knew and his abusiveness brought you a measure of security in your life.  But God wants you to see yourself as He sees you.  He loves you and sent His only Son to die on a cross for you.   You need to love Him in return, but you can’t even begin to do this and to understand His love unless you get rid of all those negative images you have stored up of Him.  You should to begin to love yourself, because you’re so precious to Him and you can’t really love God as you ought unless you love and respect yourself first.”

          The above statement is a condensation of the counsel given in most “conservative” Evangelical churches today, by their licensed, professional counseling staff.  The essence of this message contains a very serious distortion of the true Gospel, very subtly disguised, and very plausible to the modern mind.  In today’s gospel, the cross is a representation of love and sacrifice on the part of God; but absent in it’s full manifestation is the reality of sin in the heart of every person and the utter need of redemption from that sin.  The words of Jesus to the people gathered on a hill in Galilee 2000 years ago began with:

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matt. 5:3

Our contemporary message to the equally needy of our day is:  Blessed are the rich in spirit: for they deserve the kingdom of heaven. 

Oh, I know we’re conservative and believe in the whole Bible, even though we use and endorse the modern “more or less accurate” versions of it.  “But we don’t leave out anything of the Gospel.  It says so in our conservative, orthodox doctrinal statements of faith.  We believe and teach that we are all sinners by birth and need to be saved by grace.”  But is that what we really believe about ourselves and each other?  Then why have we allowed another message to gradually creep in and to supplant what began as the truth?  Why do we say things in our doctrinal statements and from our pulpits that we contradict by our lives and example to our children and neighbors?  Dr. James Dobson, Christian "psychologist" and "family expert" rails against abortion, homosexuality and “feminism” whatever that might mean to him, and yet teaches us to instill self-esteem and self-worth into our children.  Can we really have it both ways? 

          Can we keep our love for our selves and all the fruit that that produces in our lives and still love a holy and jealous God?  Can we still cling to the world’s entertainments, diversions, fashions, joys and acceptance and serve the living God simultaneously?   The answer that most of my dear Christian brethren would give to this question is, “absolutely yes!”  Oh they might not say that verbally, but that’s what their selfish, double-minded lifestyles are proclaiming.  Sure we’re against all those bad things that those bad lesbians and male homosexuals are doing.  We send our contributions in to fight against them. We even vote for conservative, “family-values” politicians.   But, at the same time we continuously allow ourselves to be brainwashed by our “edited for sex and violence” garbage worldly movies and TV programs.  We’re opposed to immodesty in dress, but allow our families to spend oodles of money on vain, immodest clothing.  We’re against pride and arrogance but scream and holler in front of the screen watching our favourite “Christian” sports heroes exalt themselves.  Must I go on?  Whatever happened to the simple, cross-carrying, world rejecting, separated, holy, joy-filled Christian life of generations ago?  I want to say, “wake up you knuckle-heads!”  But Jesus won’t let me do that.  He has a better way of putting it:

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  James 4:4

          We love to remember Elijah on Mount Carmel how he challenged the people:

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him.  1Ki. 18:21

But if Elijah or one of those old prophets we admire so much were to appear now and proclaim the same message to us, we’d treat him pretty much the same as the Israelites and Jews did centuries ago.  We couldn't kill him.  That wouldn't look good.  But we could have him escorted out of the church by a police officer like they did me a couple of years ago.  In either case, he'd be ignored.

     The long and the short of it is you can’t have “the best of both worlds.”  It’s either the kingdom or the world.  Jesus Christ requires total surrender of all his true disciples.  True peace and joy and all of the promises of God cannot be had without fully surrendering one’s life to him.  Double-mindedness is not a viable option  for the disciple.  Six years in a penal institution showed me this.  If you truly are one of His, you’ll find this out one way or another at one time or another.  I hope you do before it’s too late!  Your complacency and deception may fool you and you’ll lose eternity with Him.  If you think that these are just the words of some legalistic, harsh, un-caring, insensitive, rigid fundamentalist, go ahead.  “Michael’s got religion, and watch out!  He’s gone from one extreme to the other.  You know, he majors on the minors.  Poor man!  A little touched, he is.”

          I reckon we’ll see folks, who’s touched and with what, in the times that are ahead.  I love you all!

Mon, Sep 18th - 12:28PM

Something Positive for a Change?

The Christian’s Hope

          There are two distinct meanings of the word hope, if not different meanings, then, at least different connotations.  The common way we use hope today is in a very conditional sense.  There is a very beautiful woman coming down here this week from Alaska and I hope I can meet her.  I don’t know for sure that this will happen, but I surely hope it will.  That is a conditional kind of hope with no certainty attached to it whatsoever.  The probability of me getting to meet this certain person may be high or low or even non-existent, and I may or may not actually meet her. Whether the object of the desire is or isn’t obtained, a word is needed to express that desire, and “hope” is the word normally used.  The common usage of the word in this sense might cause some confusion in the mind of one encountering hope in the Bible.

          In the Authorized Version (King James) of the New Testament the word hope is found some 53 times.  With just a few exceptions it is used in an entirely different sense, that of sure expectation, rather than just a wishful desire. 

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.  Acts 24:15

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...1Pet. 1:3

The two examples cited above both use the word hope in the sense of certainty of expectation.  “That there shall be a resurrection of the dead...” certainly isn’t stated as an “iffy” proposition.  Paul is referring to people here who are fully confident of what they hope for, and have no doubt that they will obtain it, that is resurrection from the dead and an eternal reward.  My own faith and hope were strengthened as I quickly scanned through the remainder of the verses in the N.T. using hope in this way.  The Bible doesn’t teach any other way of hope for those who truly in believe in Christ.  In fact in one place, Hebrews 6:19 hope is referred to as an anchor of the soul.

Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil...Heb. 6:19

We know that an anchor is something to keep a ship from being pulled away by the tide and currents of the sea when it is intended that that ship remain in one location.  What a perfect analogy is given here for the concept of hope for the Christian believer.  The Gospel, which contains the promise of eternal life after a resurrection from the dead, based upon Christ’s death and resurrection is an “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast,” which the Christian may use to keep from being swept away by the currents and tides of hopelessness in this present world.  Is there really anything else that we can hold onto in this life?  I think not.

          I’d like to discuss the nature of this hope we have as believers in Jesus and what He has done and continues to do for us through our salvation.  I “hope” I can do this in another post.  I really “hope” also that I can meet this lovely and godly lady while she is here briefly from Alaska.  Pray for me!

Sat, Sep 16th - 11:16AM

Lord's Day Feast?

Fast Victuals for a Fast World 

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Heb. 5:14

          Good morning!  Welcome to McChurch’s.  May I take your order please? 

          Yes, do you have any light meals that won’t take a lot of time to eat and get us through our skiing trip today? 

          Yes sir.  Would you like to try our new "seeker-friendly," no-fat, non-religious  Sunday breakfast combo?

          What does that include?

          It’s and egg-spired breakfast sandwich on the daily bread of your choice, loaded with our special “self-esteem sauce,” with or without meat; hashed-out browns, and drink.  It’s guaranteed to fill you up and make you feel good about yourself all day.

          Can you get it with just a small piece of meat that won’t be too hard to digest?

          Yes, sir.  All our meats are instantly digestible with little or no strain on your part.  And we even have a kiddie version for your children with a toy Bible character included.

          Do you have anything for teen-agers?  Ours don’t seem to have an appetite for anything spiritual at all.  

          Yes sir.  We have our special youth rocked-out, wild and crazy, no-truth rebel pizza just for kids, errr...that is young people like yours.  They won’t taste any of those religious do’s and don’ts on this.

Sounds good!  Give me two adult and two of the teen meals.  And would you make sure there’s no condemnation on any of those?  That seems to spoil our recreation.

          Sir, none of our meals contain any hint of condemnation.  That was banned by the EPA (Evangelical Protective Association) several years ago.  We do offer a small amount of conviction for those more traditionally minded diners, as a seasoning.

          That’s OK.  We’ll take them just plain.  How much do we owe you?

          It’ll be just a tenth of your gross income, plus an additional offering if you are satisfied with the meals...at the first window please.  If you’d like you can eat inside our luxurious dining room complete with full contemporary sound effects and several giant screens showing current secular movie or sports clips... and you can dress (or undress) any way you want here.  It's a good way to rub shoulders with others with a similar appetite...have a little fellowship that is.

          No thanks.  We need to eat on the run.  We’ve got a full day of self-fulfillment ahead.  Maybe another time when we’re not so busy.

Wed, Sep 13th - 5:34AM

But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Matt. 24:37-39

     The low, steady throb as of the ever-present drum beat in the deepest recesses of the rain forests of what once was referred to as "darkest Africa" have invaded a civilised land and threaten her with murderous destruction, along with a host of other forces within her boundaries and without them.  America, America, what a marvelous, bright light you were in a world blackened by the ravages of sin and depravity.  If somehow man could advance to a noble level on this cursed earth and establish a social, cultural and moral society worthy of his Maker's intentions, you were an attempt that almost succeeded.  Righteousness, goodness, genuine concern for the hurting and oppressed; prevalent decency and a freedom of expression for true holiness were hallmarks in the day of your shining, whose light beamed far beyond your shores to the uttermost reaches of the broad earth.  Daughters of purity and virtue were the fruit of your youthful vigor and pillars in your civic temples.  Sons bold with moral courage fought valiantly, often giving up the very breath of life for the ideal of freedom on distant shores, the residual of which blessed the sons and daughters of every race and nation.  Family, home, service, sacrifice, country and God were all sacred and revered in your collective soul.  How blessed you were; how bountiful the rewards of your faithfulness!

     Had the holy mountain of the Lord come to be established on the Earth in thee as the prophets of old fortold?  Had the millenium arrived through the travail and tribulation  of your nationhood?  So it seemed so clearly to be the case to many as they looked back at the former struggles of this fair and grand republic and the establishment of what appeared to be a true and enduring haven for peace and justice in this troubled world.  But alas, alas, as the Babylon of Scripture is unclothed and exposed in her multitudinous harlotries, so your sins, both secret and public have found you out and now, and with vigorous vengeance work your undoing before a gazing world.  Your children have sold themselves to the seduction of ease and the dainties of this present life.  Your saints have mingled with their baser kin, and exchanged the momentary gratifications of Esau's pottage and the expediencies of peer acceptance for the virtuous sufferings of a glorious hope. They make offerings to the goddess of lust and self under every green tree and on every high hill. 

  Are there no tears to weep?  Somebody; please anybody cry with me!  Come, let us go out into the marketplace and tear our clothes from off of our bodies and beat our hands upon the ground in despairing sorrow.  Or, let's go up into the hills and howl and whine like coyote pups.  For our once fair virgin has come to the house of prostitution and sold herself there.  Now is the time of reaping for her, just as those other wrinkled old whores of history, Babylon, Israel, Rome, Western Europe and their many sisters.  Their bodies are bent, teeth fallen out, their wicked services no longer having their alluring appeal to young sailors in the ports of the seas.  Won't anyone have pity on them now?  Jeremiah, you old friend!  Please drink a beer with me and help me mourn as you did for the daughter of your people.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Repubic for which it stands; one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.

    America, America God shed His grace on thee!  And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

 "This is my country!  Land that I love.  ...stand beside her, and guide her... with a light from above."  blah, blah, blah.

   These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.  

Fri, Sep 8th - 11:57PM

The Cost of Discipleship

     But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ... Phil.3:7,8

     "It's a free gift.  Eternal life costs you nothing, but costed Jesus everything."  So goes the evangelistic rhetoric so common in American Evangelical circles today.  "Just say this little 'sinner's prayer' and accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and your ticket to heaven will be secured.  Of course you need to attend a Bible-teaching (somewhat) church and pray regularly.  But even if you don't do these minimal things, that is live a semblance of a righteous life overcoming sin, you'll still be guaranteed a place in God's kingdom.  God knows we're not perfect, that we'll always make mistakes while in this body, but He understands and knows our heart."  And on and on ad nauseum goes the schpiel to get people to make profession of faith in Christ as though the tally marks were filling the heavenly rolls.  The only problem with this line of evangelism is that it contains numerous half-truths that, when assembled and presented to sinners bear little real fruit in the kingdom of God.  Examining any of the statements made by Jesus Christ and His apostles and early followers will reveal an entirely different approach with an entirely different message than what is quoted above.  Perhaps the Lord's very first words in public ministry were a command to repent.  See Matt. 4:17  He didn't seem to mention anything about relieving the emotional/psychological problems that people may have been experiencing, or restoring their self-esteem.  His messages would be taken as very harsh and insensitive if delivered to our self-oriented culture today.  The fact remains that the Gospel, that is the true Gospel of God as presented in the Bible is a message of salvation for those who are willing to die in order to receive it.

  Christ's death was uniquely atoning for sin and occurred once on our behalf.  But we, who are saved from our sins must die in idenification with Him, and that death is continuous and leads to everlasting life.  Just as the apostle Paul died daily, so must and does every true follower of Jesus until he finally stands before his Lord.  "Jesus paid it all," as the song goes, and His payment was sufficient.  But we, in turn must surrender all in order to prove and confirm the reality of the change that has been wrought in us and gain heaven.  This is not "works salvation" but the necessary out-growth of genuine salvation. 

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.  Jn. 15:6

     The churches, your church is full of people who are ignorant of this vital and essential truth, either entirely or, at least confused about it, and are very unlikely to accept it if and when confronted with it.  Bearing the cross, dying to self, following Christ in discipleship is not an option, as many contemporary churches seem to dispense as some spiritual "fast food" establishments.  Do I say this lightly or as though I were personally exempt from its constraint on my own life.  Let me give an example from my present experience.

    For the past seven years since my release from prison and coming to Colorado Springs I have labored diligently and desperately to establish my painting/home-repair business here in this city.  Each year has found me late into the following year in paying my federal and state self-employment taxes, even though I have lived at a bare subsistence level.  Late last year I was hired by a property management firm owned by a professing Christian woman who liked my work and decided to give me all of her exterior house painting on her rentals.  This enabled me to have an extremely successful summer this year hiring several employees and catching up on a very large tax debt for last year, as well as nearly keeping up my taxes for this year, and also help my daughter with numerous of her personal expenses.  Finally, the breakthrough that I so needed and yearned for since my coming here those years ago!

     Carolyn has been a wonderfully considerate employer of my services for the past year and, until recently a promising source of steady work indefinitely.  The problem arose in a restriction she felt necessary to lay upon all of her vendors (contractors), that of restraining us from intitiating conversations with the tenants concerning religion. This was because of an illegitimate complaint initiated against her some time ago based on a federal fair housing law.  It is usually not my habit of starting such conversations, although Jared my young assistant is very consistent in doing so.  But, even though I don't generally query people about religious matters, I came to realize that making such a covenant not to do so ever on the job would amount to a denial of my Lord, and that for the sake of continued financial benefit.  Well, most of you reading this know me well enough to know what my response was to her recently when the topic came up and I was asked to attend a breakfast meeting with the other vendors on the matter . Before the meeting I met with her alone and essentially resigned from further work after completing the jobs I had already agreed to do for her.  We were both saddened and disappointed that there was no legitimate alternative to this outcome for the situation.  It is very difficult for me to accept her position, especially since she is a church-going professor of faith in Christ, just as she finds it difficult to accept my position and the loss of my services to her and her clients.

     So, from the natural viewpoint, I have greatly set myself back in my business through this stand.  My decision will affect my daughter who lives in Denver, my helper, Jared, and perhaps my own personal dreams and aspirations in this world.  But it was a cost I could not refuse to pay in return for the great mercy and love shown me by a Saviour willing to give all so that I might have life eternal.  My decision, though difficult to follow through with, was not a morbid one, but rather joyful... joyful in that I have been privileged to suffer this little reproach and loss of financial success as a token of my gratitude to the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I'm confident that the loss will be made up to me, perhaps not in this life, but surely in the next.  Now I can know my Jesus a little bit more, and draw a little closer to Him for comfort and assurance.  How precious He is to me!  How small the cost to repay the debt of gratitude I owe Him!  Yes, dear brothers and sisters, there is a cost to following Christ.  And if we are unwilling and withold it, we must look deeply within and question why.  One day all the secrets of our hearts will be manifest in His glorious light.  Will we be found wanting then?  I pray not!

 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  Luke 14:27