I recently read Andrew Strom's "What to Think Of Trump"; initiating a discussion about the Christian support of our new president to be--Donald Trump. Nothing remotely demonstrates Christian principles, let alone common values, from this man: his values range from misogynistic attitudes, contempt for people of color and other religions, along with textbook narcissism. The purported possibility of sexual assault is not unfounded given statements Trump has made in public. White supremacists have flocked to him along with evangelical Christians. I think judgment of the United States with our self appointed Saul is gathering momentum.
But what concerns me is the "Wretched mess" Andrew Strom spoke of regarding the state of American Christianity. The American Church has "placed" God into the Republican party as a tool. This way of gathering votes and initiating political mobilization is sin. A TOOL. A way to rally YOUR desires to see even perhaps a thug in the presidential office; whether to serve a desire to lower taxes or build walls to keep certain skin colors out--including Muslims!
OUR WE NOT TO REACH OUT TO ALL TO SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST???? Do these targeted people think evangelicals supporting and vocalizing such ideas are sincere in their desire to reach them with something deemed so essential, which is salvation through Jesus Christ alone? Salvation is essential through Him alone! Open your eyes, they view it as HATE! Sadly, if American Christians examined their hearts sincerely a large number would see they are motivated by prejudicial and racist attitudes. You have right-wing American citizens in organizations on our soil today who pose a domestic threat--should we get rid of them too? Groups such as the KKK are viewed as a terrorist organization by most of the people they hate. Will anyone try to purge them out of the United States?
My God, our Lord, help us! When you wrap God into YOUR politics spewing offensive rhetoric many people see it as hate--not love. It as egregious as poisonous sap. By the way, the Clintons and Kaine are Christians. I note the Democratic Party seems less likely to play the "God Card" to rally up voters than Republicans. Regardless whether its a Democrat or Republican president in office; moral oriented laws will still be dictated by the Supreme Court/state governments, as well as the overall beliefs of the population--Christian or not. Yet there will be further national degradation if not legislative and international mayhem via Donald Trump. Even darker days are here.
I prefer sincerity to hypocrisy myself. I know a lot of unbelievers do to. Jesus of Nazareth did not go about preaching politics. He preached salvation and repentance. Today, in the US, it will be scarce to find an evangelical church NOT telling someone how to vote. Black evangelical churches tend to focus on social causes as opposed to telling how their congregations to vote, which is acceptable. The political rallying and galvanizing political interests tends to be in the mega-churches consisting of a variety of races or the predominately white churches.
A total turn off to the unbeliever. To me too. the church in America has become self-serving. Additionally, Republican evangelicals in America esteem themselves to be the voice of Christianity in America and that is a dangerous thing. This "voice" does not speak for me. And for a lot of other Christians, it is not their voice either. Yes, such "dissenting" Christians exist in America! Christians who do not want their churches wrapped up in mobilizing political support as an institution. Christians who believe their political actions should be personal and private, as opposed to advocating a facade of a "national political evangelical Christian voice".
Christians should vote. Non-Christians should vote. But do not wrap God as endorsing this godless candidate. Yes, he appoints "Kings"--even bad ones. The election of Trump has its purpose. But because He is a Republican does not equate he is godly. Keep in mind he did not win the popular vote, but the electoral college got him through as the winner. United States, your new king is here!
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Easter Season And Update
My goodness!! I have been locked out of this account for close to two years! It is time to update!
I have to say my health is troubling me greatly--major afflictions are warring against me. These afflictions have consumed my life. I have not updated anything on my website for a long time, and no doubt it has little presence on the web. But for a while, the website (btelife.com) stats showed it being listed in foreign search engines, even in the East! My hope is that people of all faiths, and atheists (which I used to be one) would hear my story--how I turned to Jesus Christ!
Christ desires all to come to Him, all to be saved. If you do not believe in Jesus, be honest with yourself here...is there not an uneasiness in your spirit? It was in mine, even as an atheist, but I did not view the uneasiness in my conscious as a spiritual issue. A strange void of sorts.
My hope is to write and update the blog more often, but my battles have been preventing me--not to mention I could not regain access into my blog account.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us
understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who
is true, in His Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life.
I hope to come back soon and post.
I have to say my health is troubling me greatly--major afflictions are warring against me. These afflictions have consumed my life. I have not updated anything on my website for a long time, and no doubt it has little presence on the web. But for a while, the website (btelife.com) stats showed it being listed in foreign search engines, even in the East! My hope is that people of all faiths, and atheists (which I used to be one) would hear my story--how I turned to Jesus Christ!
Christ desires all to come to Him, all to be saved. If you do not believe in Jesus, be honest with yourself here...is there not an uneasiness in your spirit? It was in mine, even as an atheist, but I did not view the uneasiness in my conscious as a spiritual issue. A strange void of sorts.
My hope is to write and update the blog more often, but my battles have been preventing me--not to mention I could not regain access into my blog account.
1 John 5:20
I hope to come back soon and post.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Westboro Baptist Church Leader Dies
Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps dies
Chicago Tribune News
Fred Phelps, the pastor who led a small Kansas church's vitriolic "God Hates Fags" anti-gay campaign at public events across the United States, including military funerals, has died, the church said Thursday.
Phelps, whose Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, won a 2011 freedom-of-speech U.S. Supreme Court decision related to their anti-gay picketing, died late Wednesday in a Kansas hospice. He was 84.
"People die - that is the way of all flesh," a blog post on the church's website said.
Phelps founded the church in the 1950s.
In his later years, Phelps, known as "Gramps" to his family, turned over much of the church's day-to-day operations to his offspring.
In March, his son Nathan, who ran away from home as soon as he turned 18 and later became a gay rights advocate, said in a Facebook posting he had learned Phelps was near death in a hospice and that he had been excommunicated in 2013. The church would not confirm the excommunication report, saying membership issues were "private."
Phelps' church was widely denounced as a hate group and was not part of any mainstream Baptist organization. Its membership has been estimated at about 100, many of whom were related to Phelps.
By Phelps' reasoning, cancer, the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, school shootings and the deaths of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other tragedies and disasters involving Americans, were God's retribution for a lax attitude toward what he called "the modern militant homosexual movement."
Click here to continue reading this article.
Chicago Tribune News
Fred Phelps, the pastor who led a small Kansas church's vitriolic "God Hates Fags" anti-gay campaign at public events across the United States, including military funerals, has died, the church said Thursday.
Phelps, whose Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, won a 2011 freedom-of-speech U.S. Supreme Court decision related to their anti-gay picketing, died late Wednesday in a Kansas hospice. He was 84.
"People die - that is the way of all flesh," a blog post on the church's website said.
Phelps founded the church in the 1950s.
In his later years, Phelps, known as "Gramps" to his family, turned over much of the church's day-to-day operations to his offspring.
In March, his son Nathan, who ran away from home as soon as he turned 18 and later became a gay rights advocate, said in a Facebook posting he had learned Phelps was near death in a hospice and that he had been excommunicated in 2013. The church would not confirm the excommunication report, saying membership issues were "private."
Phelps' church was widely denounced as a hate group and was not part of any mainstream Baptist organization. Its membership has been estimated at about 100, many of whom were related to Phelps.
By Phelps' reasoning, cancer, the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, school shootings and the deaths of soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other tragedies and disasters involving Americans, were God's retribution for a lax attitude toward what he called "the modern militant homosexual movement."
Click here to continue reading this article.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Lee Grady Reflects On Christian Television
*Apprised of the following from Andrew Strom's ministry newsletter, this interesting article by Lee Grady offers some good insight and points to ponder regarding Christian Television.
IT'S TIME to REBOOT CHRISTIAN TELEVISION
by J. Lee Grady
Lee Grady believes the time for preaching styles like TBN's Paul Crouch has passed.
Among the legendary pioneers of Christian broadcasting-a list that includes Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts and Jim Bakker-no one worked harder to establish Christian TV stations around the world than Paul Crouch Sr. In spite of constant controversies over his network´s content and finances, the Trinity Broadcasting
Network that Crouch founded in 1973 has grown to be the largest and most profitable religious television enterprise in the world.
But Crouch died last weekend, and all is not well at TBN. Crouch´s oldest son, Paul Jr., who at one time was the heir apparent of the network, abruptly departed in 2011 and went to work for the Word Network, a predominantly African-American ministry. The Crouch´s granddaughter, Brittany Koper, in a lawsuit filed against TBN last year, claimed that millions of dollars of donor funds were misused. The Crouch´s grandson, Brandon Crouch, has lamented on a blog that the family is now split apart because his sister was fired for blowing the whistle on what she considered fraud.
And as Christian friends and colleagues mourn Crouch´s passing (there will be no public funeral, but TBN plans to air a tribute on Dec. 8 and 9), the wider Christian public is asking a lot of questions about TBN-and about Christian broadcasting in general: Why is televangelism so prone to scandal? Why have so many Christian broadcasters insisted on living lavishly? Why is our most visible outreach to the world so embarrassing?
Some people might say this is not the time to have this discussion. But I think Paul Crouch´s passing signals the end of an era-and it is time for a reformation. Crouch´s generation built monolithic organizations with autocratic leadership, and broadcasters who began their networks in the 1970s created a showy, bigger-is-better style that included endless telethons, sensational preaching and celebrities in spotlights.
That may have worked in 1975-and it still appeals to a segment of the market. But my generation and my children´s generation tuned out long ago because Christian TV came off as fake, campy and spiritually out of touch.
If I were asked to suggest ways to improve Christian television in this new era, I would list the following:
1. Support it with advertising, not donations. Who said Christian programming has to be donor-funded? I´d rather watch ads for steak knives or dietary supplements than endure two hours of begging-especially when the slick-haired evangelist running the telethon reminds you of a used-car salesman.
2. Prosperity preaching shouldn´t be allowed. Networks need to declare a moratorium on sermons that promise magical monetary benefits to people who "call now" to give a credit card donation. This type of merchandising of the anointing of the Holy Spirit grieves God and drags Christian TV down to the level of scam artists.
3. Preachers-and their doctrines-should be more carefully screened. Christian networks should not air programs by ministers who have questionable morals. If we wouldn´t allow that person in our church´s pulpit, why would we let them preach in front of millions on the air?
4. Donors should never be manipulated. If there is an appeal for donations, there should be no hanky-panky allowed. Don´t tell people that if they give tonight, God will give them a house. Don´t promise that God will heal their bodies if they sow a "$1,000 seed." And don´t tell viewers that if they give in this special "Day of
Atonement offering," God will forgive their sins. This is witchcraft! Shame on any broadcaster who has allowed this garbage to deceive audiences.
5. Money should never be misused. TBN makes millions in donations every year-and the network has donated some of the funds to charitable causes. But why is it that broadcasters like Paul and Jan Crouch had to purchase lavish homes, a private jet and an enormous trailer for their dogs? Donors should demand
more accountability for financial contributions.
6. It should be relevant to today´s culture. Young Christians today care about justice, world poverty and community transformation. They also want teaching on relationships, sexuality and practical discipleship. Christian TV must move beyond the talking-head style of the 1980s. If we want to appeal to young viewers, the false eyelashes, pink fright wigs and "Granny hootenanny" music will have to go.
7. Network owners should not set up broadcasting kingdoms. Some leaders in the past generation believed that ministries are like dynasties-that God expects the founder´s son to run it when he dies. But there is nothing in Scripture that even hints at ministries being passed down through family lines. God entrusts
His work to faithful people-and He expects us to manage ministries with integrity, humility and accountability. Many of the disasters we have seen in American televangelism occurred because men thought they could take ownership of the work of God.
My prayer for TBN-and every other Christian television networkin this country-is that ministry leaders will take their hands off of God´s work and let Him use broadcast technology in new and creative ways to reach the world for Christ.
IT'S TIME to REBOOT CHRISTIAN TELEVISION
by J. Lee Grady
Lee Grady believes the time for preaching styles like TBN's Paul Crouch has passed.
Among the legendary pioneers of Christian broadcasting-a list that includes Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts and Jim Bakker-no one worked harder to establish Christian TV stations around the world than Paul Crouch Sr. In spite of constant controversies over his network´s content and finances, the Trinity Broadcasting
Network that Crouch founded in 1973 has grown to be the largest and most profitable religious television enterprise in the world.
But Crouch died last weekend, and all is not well at TBN. Crouch´s oldest son, Paul Jr., who at one time was the heir apparent of the network, abruptly departed in 2011 and went to work for the Word Network, a predominantly African-American ministry. The Crouch´s granddaughter, Brittany Koper, in a lawsuit filed against TBN last year, claimed that millions of dollars of donor funds were misused. The Crouch´s grandson, Brandon Crouch, has lamented on a blog that the family is now split apart because his sister was fired for blowing the whistle on what she considered fraud.
And as Christian friends and colleagues mourn Crouch´s passing (there will be no public funeral, but TBN plans to air a tribute on Dec. 8 and 9), the wider Christian public is asking a lot of questions about TBN-and about Christian broadcasting in general: Why is televangelism so prone to scandal? Why have so many Christian broadcasters insisted on living lavishly? Why is our most visible outreach to the world so embarrassing?
Some people might say this is not the time to have this discussion. But I think Paul Crouch´s passing signals the end of an era-and it is time for a reformation. Crouch´s generation built monolithic organizations with autocratic leadership, and broadcasters who began their networks in the 1970s created a showy, bigger-is-better style that included endless telethons, sensational preaching and celebrities in spotlights.
That may have worked in 1975-and it still appeals to a segment of the market. But my generation and my children´s generation tuned out long ago because Christian TV came off as fake, campy and spiritually out of touch.
If I were asked to suggest ways to improve Christian television in this new era, I would list the following:
1. Support it with advertising, not donations. Who said Christian programming has to be donor-funded? I´d rather watch ads for steak knives or dietary supplements than endure two hours of begging-especially when the slick-haired evangelist running the telethon reminds you of a used-car salesman.
2. Prosperity preaching shouldn´t be allowed. Networks need to declare a moratorium on sermons that promise magical monetary benefits to people who "call now" to give a credit card donation. This type of merchandising of the anointing of the Holy Spirit grieves God and drags Christian TV down to the level of scam artists.
3. Preachers-and their doctrines-should be more carefully screened. Christian networks should not air programs by ministers who have questionable morals. If we wouldn´t allow that person in our church´s pulpit, why would we let them preach in front of millions on the air?
4. Donors should never be manipulated. If there is an appeal for donations, there should be no hanky-panky allowed. Don´t tell people that if they give tonight, God will give them a house. Don´t promise that God will heal their bodies if they sow a "$1,000 seed." And don´t tell viewers that if they give in this special "Day of
Atonement offering," God will forgive their sins. This is witchcraft! Shame on any broadcaster who has allowed this garbage to deceive audiences.
5. Money should never be misused. TBN makes millions in donations every year-and the network has donated some of the funds to charitable causes. But why is it that broadcasters like Paul and Jan Crouch had to purchase lavish homes, a private jet and an enormous trailer for their dogs? Donors should demand
more accountability for financial contributions.
6. It should be relevant to today´s culture. Young Christians today care about justice, world poverty and community transformation. They also want teaching on relationships, sexuality and practical discipleship. Christian TV must move beyond the talking-head style of the 1980s. If we want to appeal to young viewers, the false eyelashes, pink fright wigs and "Granny hootenanny" music will have to go.
7. Network owners should not set up broadcasting kingdoms. Some leaders in the past generation believed that ministries are like dynasties-that God expects the founder´s son to run it when he dies. But there is nothing in Scripture that even hints at ministries being passed down through family lines. God entrusts
His work to faithful people-and He expects us to manage ministries with integrity, humility and accountability. Many of the disasters we have seen in American televangelism occurred because men thought they could take ownership of the work of God.
My prayer for TBN-and every other Christian television networkin this country-is that ministry leaders will take their hands off of God´s work and let Him use broadcast technology in new and creative ways to reach the world for Christ.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
A Covert Messiah?
Ironically, it has been longed argued by nonbelievers that Jesus was a revolutionary coming against the Roman political system---a political argument. Below an article concerning an unbeliever's argument that the government of Rome invent Jesus as a form of control--a political argument. The unbeliever will continue to flip coins and seek confirmation that God does not exist and that judgment does not exist. Yet by worldly standards, relying on one source of work will hardly be sufficient to even skeptical historical scholars, no more than a small sample to a research team.
For the unbeliever, ways of confirming nonexistence of God is paramount---why so? Why do others take little pain to "disprove" other religions, but spend years trying to "prove" that the Lord Jesus Christ does not exist? He bothers the unbeliever greatly, and they need to question why. They seek an elusive foreign comfort in finding others who believe like they do, forming organizations to disprove the existence of God, and ever entangling Him in political theories. There are spiritual unseen forces, and the nagging answer lies within. If it bothers you to hear His name, Jesus, more than other religions--ask yourself why. If you can tolerate to hear about other religions but hate to hear about Christianity ask yourself why does it bother me more?
-----------
Self-Professed ‘Bible Scholar’ Makes Explosive Allegation About Jesus....
By Billy Hallowell
The Blaze
On Oct. 19, self-professed Biblical scholar Joseph Atwill is planning to make public some very flammable allegations. At a day-long symposium called "Covert Messiah" in London, England, he's set to unveil purported evidence that Roman aristocrats manufactured Jesus Christ - a claim that, if substantiated, would devalue the core of the Christian faith.
The only problem? Most Biblical experts disagree with the scholar's pronouncements.
A press release announcing the purported new evidence claims that Atwill has discovered "ancient confessions" that purportedly prove that Romans invented Jesus Christ in the first century. He has long argued that the faith system was used as a political tool to control the masses -- something he says is still going on today.
"I present my work with some ambivalence, as I do not want to directly cause Christians any harm, but this is important for our culture," he said of the alleged debunk - one that he believes will eventually be universally accepted.
In the release, Atwill said that governments often create "false histories and false gods" and that this is often done in an effort to secure social order.
Rather than a theology, Atwill believes that Christianity was concocted as a government project that was used to control Roman citizens. During a time in which Jewish residents were waiting for their Messiah, he says they were a constant source of insurrection, leading the Romans to seek out an equalizing and tempering force.
Click here to continue reading.
For the unbeliever, ways of confirming nonexistence of God is paramount---why so? Why do others take little pain to "disprove" other religions, but spend years trying to "prove" that the Lord Jesus Christ does not exist? He bothers the unbeliever greatly, and they need to question why. They seek an elusive foreign comfort in finding others who believe like they do, forming organizations to disprove the existence of God, and ever entangling Him in political theories. There are spiritual unseen forces, and the nagging answer lies within. If it bothers you to hear His name, Jesus, more than other religions--ask yourself why. If you can tolerate to hear about other religions but hate to hear about Christianity ask yourself why does it bother me more?
-----------
Self-Professed ‘Bible Scholar’ Makes Explosive Allegation About Jesus....
By Billy Hallowell
The Blaze
On Oct. 19, self-professed Biblical scholar Joseph Atwill is planning to make public some very flammable allegations. At a day-long symposium called "Covert Messiah" in London, England, he's set to unveil purported evidence that Roman aristocrats manufactured Jesus Christ - a claim that, if substantiated, would devalue the core of the Christian faith.
The only problem? Most Biblical experts disagree with the scholar's pronouncements.
A press release announcing the purported new evidence claims that Atwill has discovered "ancient confessions" that purportedly prove that Romans invented Jesus Christ in the first century. He has long argued that the faith system was used as a political tool to control the masses -- something he says is still going on today.
"I present my work with some ambivalence, as I do not want to directly cause Christians any harm, but this is important for our culture," he said of the alleged debunk - one that he believes will eventually be universally accepted.
In the release, Atwill said that governments often create "false histories and false gods" and that this is often done in an effort to secure social order.
Rather than a theology, Atwill believes that Christianity was concocted as a government project that was used to control Roman citizens. During a time in which Jewish residents were waiting for their Messiah, he says they were a constant source of insurrection, leading the Romans to seek out an equalizing and tempering force.
Click here to continue reading.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Walmart Healings Video
I was encouraged and delighted last week when I viewed a video distributed via email from Andrew Strom's ministry regarding miracles in America. Then sadly, Andrew Strom recently sent a followup email about people being suspicious and skeptical of the miracles and accounting shown on the video. I agree with Mr. Strom's position--I do think people's hearts and minds have become hardened to miracles because of some of the things we witnessed with Todd Bentley, and other like-fellows. Miracles do happen, and healings still happen today!! And such miracles will open the eyes of some people to the Truth of the Gospel--just as it did in the early Church. I am posting both emails from Strom's ministry--the one sent out first with the video link is directly below, then the followup is next.
-----------------------
VIDEO - MIRACLES at WALMART - Please Watch!!
Torben Sondergaard is an old friend of mine from Denmark - apreacher of righteousness who often sees God do amazing miracles on the streets. Recently he was visiting America and
saw God do wonderful healings in the open air right across theUSA - even in Walmart! He believes a new "Reformation" iscoming to the church. Please share this wonderful video as
widely as you can-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GASdJgKyP4
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
---------------
SAD REACTION to WALMART HEALINGS
by Andrew Strom
Last week we published a video of an old friend of mine, Torben Sondergaard, as he prayed for the sick on the streets and in the supermarkets of America. The deaf were healed and the lame walked - right on camera. But some people who saw the video reacted quite badly. Maybe it was the fact that the video started with "legs growing out" instead of the more impressive healings -I don't know. But it seems there is a lot of cynicism out there.
I have actually known Torben personally for 5 or 6 years. I havestayed in his home and spent time with his family. I know hiswritings and his preaching. To me, he is one of the few preachers
in Denmark who fully represents the gospel as it should bepreached. He stands for repentance, holiness and reformationin a way that made us "click" together like old friends right away.
So it really upsets me to hear all the accusations people aremaking - who don't know the first thing about him.
CYNICISM is NOT DISCERNMENT
Since the Todd Bentley debacle and other waves of "Charismania" in recent times, it is very easy to become cynical about healings and miracles, etc. I can understand that. But I have
always been very clear that true healings, prophecies, dreams, visions and miracles should be absolutely EXPECTED as a totally normal part of everyday Christian life. In fact, without them
it is very doubtful that we have true "Bible" Christianity at all. So it deeply grieves me to see people getting so cynical that they "nitpick" every instance of the supernatural or the gifts of the
Holy Spirit to death. It has got to the point where I can hardly post any of these things on my website without rafts of cynical comments that try to pick apart every aspect of them.
My friends, that is not discernment. It is the spirit of "writing off everything." It is unwarranted accusation and nit-picking. It is the"other ditch" on the far side of the road. Some fall into the ditch of "hyper-grace" and 'hyper-charismania'. Others fall into the opposite ditch of Legalism and "cynicism of anything supernatural". Both of these ditches are equally dangerous. It is just as deadly to become the type that "accuses first" and asks questions later. A very dangerous cynicism takes hold at that point. Just like the Pharisees. I think a lot of people need to repent.
We cannot just be focused on what is "wrong". At some point we have to be about establishing what is 'right'. We have to go forward into the "True" thing. Not just be exposing the False.
And the time has come to start in that direction.
I believe Torben has been shown a number of things that are truly "revolutionary" - but also very simple - about getting back to New Testament Christianity. Literally "what to do" to get
back there. That is why he and I agree on so many things. But Torben is actually seeing it work IN PRACTICE. It is actually happening. New Testament Christianity - right before your eyes.
So I am going to be featuring a lot more of Torben's stuff on here.
Let me give you an example. Torben believes in taking new Christians out on the street very quickly to pray for the sick and share the gospel. He believes this is a vital part of true "disciple-
ship". Just like Jesus did with his own disciples. On my website I have just posted a brief video where Torben discusses the amazing things that happen when this is done.
Please take a look. You will be glad you did. Here is the link-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Large Scale Persecution In Nigeria
Obed Minchakpu: Persecution: The Experience of Borno Christians
Daily Post
Nigeria Online Newspaper
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your Father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” -The Bible, Esther 4:14
The news about his death did not come to me as a surprise. He had told me in the year 2007 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, that his life was under threat but that he cannot run away from the city because he believes God has called him to preach the Gospel to his people.
You may ask, ‘Who is this man of courage who looked death in the face and called off its bluff?’ He is no other person than The Rev. Faye Pama Musa, the Borno State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
I was in Borno State on a research trip in that year and met Rev. Faye Pama Musa. We became friends and I had the privilege of visiting his church in Wulari area of the city and also visited his house in the GRA where I met his family. In the period I was in Maiduguri we discussed extensively about the state of the Church in Borno State.
In the course of our discussion Rev. Musa shared with me the difficulties they faced in doing Christian ministry in a hostile environment where Christians are persecuted in all spheres of human endeavor. To be a Christian in Borno State, he said, “Is deciding to become a second class citizen as even citizens from other Muslim countries enjoy better privileges than those of us who are Indigenous Christians from this state,” he told me.
Disturbed about this disclosure, I decided to carry out in-depth research on this issue. Facts I uncovered at the end of my study tour of the state revealed even more disturbing phenomenon. One of the issues I uncovered was the forceful conversion of many Christians in the state to Islam. Secondly, many indigenous persons of the Kanuri ethnic group who made decision to become Christians were forced to go underground because of persecution.
In fact, I visited one of the underground churches in the city of Maidiguri and met with some of these Kanuri Christians who have been forced out of Borno State because of persecution to live in other parts of Nigeria but only sneak into the city of Maiduguri time to time to fellowship together and pray for their people, the Kanuris, and then sneak out of the state again.
I left Maiduguri with a heavy heart, burdened with the plight of Christians in Borno State. Since then, I kept constantly in touch with the Rev. Faye Pama Musa, always asking after his welfare and other Christian Brethren over there. Each time I heard about the murder of any Christian in that state or attacks on Christian communities, I would always phone him to be sure he was still alive.
Then suddenly, thirty minutes after the declaration of the state of emergency by Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, The Rev. Faye Pama Musa was gunned down by Islamic Terrorists, Boko Haram members, who trailed him from his church to his house and murdered him in cold blood, and in the presence of his wife and children. His crime? His faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Preaching the Gospel to lost souls in Borno State.
The blood shed by Musa and other Christian brethren in Borno State has raised a lot of questions as regards the responsibilities of Christian political leaders in Nigeria to their Christian Brethren. Why is it that Christian political leaders have not been able to raise their voices in condemnation of these despicable acts against the Church and Christians in northern Nigeria?
One is forced to raise this question because of the deliberate silence that has characterized our political landscape even as thousands of Christians in the northern part of the country are being killed on a daily basis by Islamic militants of the Boko Haram sect and Muslim Fulani Herdsmen.
One noticeable thing is that while the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has become the lone voice in the wilderness, crying out over the persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria, Christian political leaders seem to be more interested in struggling for political positions that would enable them acquire ill-gotten wealth for themselves to the detriment of the religious liberty of their Christian Brethren.
While the likes of senators Bukar Ibrahim and Ali Ndume, and representative Aminu Tambuwal, etc are busy promoting the cause of Boko Haram in Nigeria’s parliament, the National Assembly, our Christian political leaders in both chambers are busy doing some mathematical permutations on alignment and re-alignment of political forces in order to strategically place themselves in political positions come 2015. All in an effort to corruptly enrich themselves to the detriment of the religious freedom of their Christian brethren.
The time has therefore come, for us to call the attention of these Christian political leaders to a prophetic warning issued to Hadasah, Queen Esther, by her uncle, Mordeccai, when he told her:
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your Father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” -The Bible, Esther 4:14
This prophetic message is today very relevant to our political clime, as just as Haman schemed to exterminate the Jews who were in exile in Persia, so also, militant Muslims seeking to establish an Islamic State in northern Nigeria are waging a war to exterminate Christian minorities. Yet, our political leaders appear hapless as the onslaught against the church and Christians continues unabated.
Whatever it is, as Christians we must turn our focus to God at this time just like the Jews in Persia did. They followed the instruction of Esther and fasted and prayed to God pleading for deliverance. The time has come too, for us to turn our faces to God and asking for His intervention in this situation we have now found ourselves in northern Nigeria.
Click here to continue reading:
Daily Post
Nigeria Online Newspaper
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your Father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” -The Bible, Esther 4:14
The news about his death did not come to me as a surprise. He had told me in the year 2007 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, that his life was under threat but that he cannot run away from the city because he believes God has called him to preach the Gospel to his people.
You may ask, ‘Who is this man of courage who looked death in the face and called off its bluff?’ He is no other person than The Rev. Faye Pama Musa, the Borno State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
I was in Borno State on a research trip in that year and met Rev. Faye Pama Musa. We became friends and I had the privilege of visiting his church in Wulari area of the city and also visited his house in the GRA where I met his family. In the period I was in Maiduguri we discussed extensively about the state of the Church in Borno State.
In the course of our discussion Rev. Musa shared with me the difficulties they faced in doing Christian ministry in a hostile environment where Christians are persecuted in all spheres of human endeavor. To be a Christian in Borno State, he said, “Is deciding to become a second class citizen as even citizens from other Muslim countries enjoy better privileges than those of us who are Indigenous Christians from this state,” he told me.
Disturbed about this disclosure, I decided to carry out in-depth research on this issue. Facts I uncovered at the end of my study tour of the state revealed even more disturbing phenomenon. One of the issues I uncovered was the forceful conversion of many Christians in the state to Islam. Secondly, many indigenous persons of the Kanuri ethnic group who made decision to become Christians were forced to go underground because of persecution.
In fact, I visited one of the underground churches in the city of Maidiguri and met with some of these Kanuri Christians who have been forced out of Borno State because of persecution to live in other parts of Nigeria but only sneak into the city of Maiduguri time to time to fellowship together and pray for their people, the Kanuris, and then sneak out of the state again.
I left Maiduguri with a heavy heart, burdened with the plight of Christians in Borno State. Since then, I kept constantly in touch with the Rev. Faye Pama Musa, always asking after his welfare and other Christian Brethren over there. Each time I heard about the murder of any Christian in that state or attacks on Christian communities, I would always phone him to be sure he was still alive.
Then suddenly, thirty minutes after the declaration of the state of emergency by Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, The Rev. Faye Pama Musa was gunned down by Islamic Terrorists, Boko Haram members, who trailed him from his church to his house and murdered him in cold blood, and in the presence of his wife and children. His crime? His faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and Preaching the Gospel to lost souls in Borno State.
The blood shed by Musa and other Christian brethren in Borno State has raised a lot of questions as regards the responsibilities of Christian political leaders in Nigeria to their Christian Brethren. Why is it that Christian political leaders have not been able to raise their voices in condemnation of these despicable acts against the Church and Christians in northern Nigeria?
One is forced to raise this question because of the deliberate silence that has characterized our political landscape even as thousands of Christians in the northern part of the country are being killed on a daily basis by Islamic militants of the Boko Haram sect and Muslim Fulani Herdsmen.
One noticeable thing is that while the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has become the lone voice in the wilderness, crying out over the persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria, Christian political leaders seem to be more interested in struggling for political positions that would enable them acquire ill-gotten wealth for themselves to the detriment of the religious liberty of their Christian Brethren.
While the likes of senators Bukar Ibrahim and Ali Ndume, and representative Aminu Tambuwal, etc are busy promoting the cause of Boko Haram in Nigeria’s parliament, the National Assembly, our Christian political leaders in both chambers are busy doing some mathematical permutations on alignment and re-alignment of political forces in order to strategically place themselves in political positions come 2015. All in an effort to corruptly enrich themselves to the detriment of the religious freedom of their Christian brethren.
The time has therefore come, for us to call the attention of these Christian political leaders to a prophetic warning issued to Hadasah, Queen Esther, by her uncle, Mordeccai, when he told her:
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your Father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” -The Bible, Esther 4:14
This prophetic message is today very relevant to our political clime, as just as Haman schemed to exterminate the Jews who were in exile in Persia, so also, militant Muslims seeking to establish an Islamic State in northern Nigeria are waging a war to exterminate Christian minorities. Yet, our political leaders appear hapless as the onslaught against the church and Christians continues unabated.
Whatever it is, as Christians we must turn our focus to God at this time just like the Jews in Persia did. They followed the instruction of Esther and fasted and prayed to God pleading for deliverance. The time has come too, for us to turn our faces to God and asking for His intervention in this situation we have now found ourselves in northern Nigeria.
Click here to continue reading:
Friday, March 29, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Difficulties Finding A Church
I so can relate to this email sent from Andrew Strom's ministry! I have given up finding a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Bible Belt--where hundreds of churches are located! Where churches abound in apostasy, circus like atmospheres, Tea Party politics, and camera rolling entertainment for the masses! I believe in the Word, but I cannot find a place which preaches the gospel, healing, deliverance without mangling it into the characteristics I listed above. So many of these so called charismatic of spirit filled churches do not pray for the sick in their services, do not pray for the bound, do not pray for people in the need--BUT--fill out the back of your collection envelope and you bet we will pray for you! Hmmm. Something is amiss.
The preaching of politics is rampant in Oklahoma churches talking about Obama, Obamacare, the degradation of the nation; while half of the people attending these churches would not offer a cup of water to someone on the street who wants one--unless it is a special church event of course! Just touching. Would you believe I have gone looking into a Assembly of God church 3 times in the past two months, and EVERY single time, flamboyant guests speakers were there. Nothing wrong with guest speakers occasionally, but is the purpose to draw in crowds or to preach something? I cannot even figure out what this church is about because the pastor has yet to preach while I was there--but his guests do. Then I look on the website and behold, a barrage of guest speakers--and the entertainment is free, naturally. It has a high definition, super sonic extravaganza feel quality equaling total spiritual emptiness.
There are the super spiritual apostolic kind who want to bless you with their anointed hands and oils--to serve as your Mediator. So not. Additionally, I cannot stand for pastors or speakers who stand up jabbering that if you take a step of faith, lay out some money for a blessing or your healing--you will see your miracle! Be obedient to God's voice--yet who do you think you will hear next? The devil saying "I am the Lord, give $100.00 and your healing will manifest". You give it, it doesn't manifest, and someone says "you lacked faith bro--another opportunity will come along".
I cannot find a church in Tulsa Oklahoma. I know of other people who are searching and cannot find one. Does perfection exist in churches? No. But gross error, emptiness, contingent prayer, Tea Party hatefulness, contempt for the poor type churches---I would do better to stay at home.
The email article is directly below:
The preaching of politics is rampant in Oklahoma churches talking about Obama, Obamacare, the degradation of the nation; while half of the people attending these churches would not offer a cup of water to someone on the street who wants one--unless it is a special church event of course! Just touching. Would you believe I have gone looking into a Assembly of God church 3 times in the past two months, and EVERY single time, flamboyant guests speakers were there. Nothing wrong with guest speakers occasionally, but is the purpose to draw in crowds or to preach something? I cannot even figure out what this church is about because the pastor has yet to preach while I was there--but his guests do. Then I look on the website and behold, a barrage of guest speakers--and the entertainment is free, naturally. It has a high definition, super sonic extravaganza feel quality equaling total spiritual emptiness.
There are the super spiritual apostolic kind who want to bless you with their anointed hands and oils--to serve as your Mediator. So not. Additionally, I cannot stand for pastors or speakers who stand up jabbering that if you take a step of faith, lay out some money for a blessing or your healing--you will see your miracle! Be obedient to God's voice--yet who do you think you will hear next? The devil saying "I am the Lord, give $100.00 and your healing will manifest". You give it, it doesn't manifest, and someone says "you lacked faith bro--another opportunity will come along".
I cannot find a church in Tulsa Oklahoma. I know of other people who are searching and cannot find one. Does perfection exist in churches? No. But gross error, emptiness, contingent prayer, Tea Party hatefulness, contempt for the poor type churches---I would do better to stay at home.
The email article is directly below:
"CAN'T FIND a CHURCH!"
-Andrew Strom
If it's one thing I hear over and over from people, it is this. They
literally look everywhere they can think of in their town, and cannot
find a fellowship that seems in any way "right". Many will heap
blame on these people. But I am not one of them. What are you
supposed to do when you go right around a town and cannot find
good, sound, anointed teaching anywhere? What if you are left
with a choice of hyper-grace, prosperity, dead formalism or
anti-Charismatic "King James only"? Which one do you settle for?
For years I have been hearing this cry and it is only getting worse.
There simply seems to be a "famine" of the true word of the Lord
in many places. This is the overwhelming reason behind a lot of
the "Out-of-church" Christian phenomenon - no doubt about it.
We would love to hear your own experiences and comments on
this topic, my friends. Below is a message that somebody sent
me just this week on this very subject-
Tracy wrote:
"Hi Mr. Strom, I live in America.. Our churches (most of them are
in apostasy). My family & I always get hurt, persecuted because
of the calling on our lives and our stand for the truth... Each time
it hurts worse and worse, and we feel like we don't even fit in
anywhere. It has caused our kids, who are now grown, to not
even want to go to church. Where we live now, we are currently
looking for a place to worship and almost all churches here only
have church on Sunday Morning.. No service Sunday Night or
Wednesday night.. We need fellowship with true believers.
We have been in churches that seem like CIRCUSES (apostle
movement) where the Pastor insisted he was my "father" and
I was his "spiritual daughter" - weird.. We left and he threatened
we would not be blessed or doors would not open because we
left "his covering"! We've been at churches where the pastor was
blind and followed the flesh instead of the Spirit.. Putting demon
possessed people over prayer teams, etc.. Etc.. We have had
enough.. Been hurt because of our stand for righteousness...
To the point we are fearful of even connecting with a church ??
I know these are the last days but I am so disheartened. Will you
please pray for us? Offer any advise of wisdom you may have.
America and our churches are backslidden and it is seriously
so sad.. Where are his true people?"
ANDREW AGAIN: As I said, it would be easy to blame the
people and call them "uncommitted" or 'church hoppers', etc.
But the simple lack of GOD in so many fellowships today seems
to be what is driving a lot of true believers away. How can they
be blamed for leaving? Does anyone have the answer? How many
others have similar tales to tell?
-PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the website below-
http://www.revivalschool.com/
God bless you all! - Andrew Strom ( prophetic@revivalschool.com )
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Evil Plans Of Westboro Baptist Church
Never doubt satan has workers disguised as "The Church" and in the church. Westboro church is simply appalling and anti-Christian--it is an instrument "crafted" to leave a revolting image of Christianity to unbelievers. I never thought they could crawl lower, but I underestimated them. Read the article below of it plans to protest at the funerals of children who died in the mass killings in Newtown Connecticut.
The Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket the funerals of the children and adults killed in Friday’s school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and almost as quickly counter-protesters have begun making plans to protect the grieving families.
Soon after members of the “church” tweeted about their intentions to picket funerals of those killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School, the internet began buzzing with those wanting to help stop the protest. On the link-sharing site Reddit, a post asking for ways to help quickly became one of the most popular submissions of the day.
Within the post, several commenters began organizing counter-protests and devised ways to block out the Westboro Baptist Church picket. One poster mentioned that if Vice President Joe Biden were to deliver a eulogy, protesters would be forced to stay away or violate federal law — though it’s not clear what truth there is to this strategy.
Others have noted that the church members often bluff about their intentions to picket. In the past members have threatened to picket the funerals of celebrities and other notable people, but never showed up.
Soon after members of the “church” tweeted about their intentions to picket funerals of those killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School, the internet began buzzing with those wanting to help stop the protest. On the link-sharing site Reddit, a post asking for ways to help quickly became one of the most popular submissions of the day.
Within the post, several commenters began organizing counter-protests and devised ways to block out the Westboro Baptist Church picket. One poster mentioned that if Vice President Joe Biden were to deliver a eulogy, protesters would be forced to stay away or violate federal law — though it’s not clear what truth there is to this strategy.
Others have noted that the church members often bluff about their intentions to picket. In the past members have threatened to picket the funerals of celebrities and other notable people, but never showed up.
Click here to continue reading.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
PSALMS 100
1) (A Psalm of praise.) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all you lands.
2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3) Know you that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5) For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.
2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3) Know you that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5) For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
New Prosperity Oriented Mega Church Birthed
As one person indicated in the article below, regarding the conspicuous wealth and lavish lifestyle of Pastor Clint Brown-- "no one is perfect". True. But the world watches you and where is one's heart truly at? Surely 90 percent plus of this church attendees do not come close to the wealth he owns; yet his needs are supplied by them. (Oh yes, you might say "He supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory"). Yet satan will often orchestrate provision as well to anyone willing to contort the message of the Gospel of Christ or to place someone in leadership who will eventually makes Christians look bad to unbelievers. The unbelieving world cannot understand why Christians fail, and a lot of times we cannot understand it either--particularly when people twist the message of the Gospel for their own personal gain.
Nationally-known pastor drawing thousands to Port St. Lucie church
By Zaimarie De Guzman
TCPALMBy Zaimarie De Guzman
PORT ST. LUCIE — Tucked away near a residential area in Port St. Lucie, cars fill a parking lot on any given Wednesday or Sunday evening. They are parked along the grass, near the side of the road. A nearby sign reads "FaithWorld."
The name and swarms of people might make the spot seem like a religious amusement park, but FaithWorld is a satellite church of the 6,000-member FaithWorld in Orlando, one of Florida's largest churches, according to a database of megachurches by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
While many long-standing churches on the Treasure Coast have roughly 700 members, the local FaithWorld has, in a year, attracted nearly 1,000 churchgoers who come from all over the three-county area and as far as Orlando. They come to watch the twice-a-week sermons from Pastor Clint Brown, a nationally-known gospel recording artist recognized for more than just his musical and pastoral roles.
Records from Brown's 2005 divorce, which Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers obtained from the Seminole County Courthouse, revealed Brown's lavish lifestyle — cars, houses and shopping sprees — had been paid for in part with the Orlando church's money.
The church had been making payments to Brown's $1.4 million mortgage. Records show he still lives in the same gated, Central Florida community.
FaithWorld was paying for two of Brown's Mercedes-Benz cars, as well. Brown had five other vehicles, including two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a Porsche. Reports also showed thousands of church dollars were used to pay for monthly clothes shopping sprees. Credit card statements show Brown and his then-wife often shopped at stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Louis Vuitton.
Also in 2005, Brown was the target of a lawsuit in which a widowed church member from Orlando said the pastor failed to repay a $200,000 loan she made to the church. A similar lawsuit came months later, when a Denver church claimed Brown borrowed $100,000 from its congregation and never repaid the money. Both cases were amicably resolved later that year.
Despite his past, Brown is the reason Port St. Lucie's FaithWorld is growing, say church members.
Through a church representative, Brown declined an interview with Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, but in September brought up the issue during a sermon at the Port St. Lucie church in which he knew a Scripps reporter was in attendance.
"Ain't nobody perfect to your left. Ain't nobody perfect to your right. Ain't nobody perfect in front of you," Brown said, regarding the past media reports about his finances. "If you're going to publish the evil, take the time to publish the good."
His listeners agreed.
"No one is perfect. As a pastor, he has a private life. Just because our pastor has a relationship with Jesus, that doesn't make him perfect. What matters is how his message connects us to God," said Jenny Posadas, a teacher at Treasure Coast High School who volunteers at the Port St. Lucie church as an usher.
Posadas trusts her tithing money is going to a good cause, although she isn't sure what that might be.
"My responsibility as a Christian is to tithe," she said. "If (Brown) spends my money for himself, that's out of my hands. That's between him and God."
Click here to continue reading this article.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wait On The Lord
There are times I get so tired, so disgusted--despaired of circumstances which seem so utterly impossible. I do not have enough room in one post to account for the trials I have gone through the past decade--and I am still going through many. Some have been long lasting--my faith has become shaken on many occasions. Perhaps that is why some storms have not come to pass. Yet there are times I know I have stood firm waiting upon the Lord, and still the battle wages on for some unforeseen reason.
But the Lord has recently shown Himself strong to me on two daunting medical circumstances confronting me. He is Almighty and unlimited!!! He brought me through both, and more than bringing me through---like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego I came out unburned!! He is a God who can do the impossible, and He still does miracles today!
Praise be to our Most High God, the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Psalm 34:19
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Quantum Mix Of Error
I am posting an important warning received via email from Andrew Strom's ministry. There is another disturbing new age twist coming from people associated with the Elijah List concerning energy, vibrations oil and quantum conjecture. This group is mainly composed self appointed prophetic people and has caused great error to spread throughout the church from its inception. It has strong NAR (New Apostolic Reformation ties) and has repeatedly brought forth a yucky stew of new age practices, aggrandizement and national political agendas in one ugly pot.
Sadly, it has become increasingly difficult in United States, even in Tulsa, to find a church which discounts the new prophetic Elijah List crowd and NAR; but still believes in a God who is unlimited, who indeed heals and does not demand you pony up money for it. Hard to find a church which speaks in tongues, yet does not have people rolling on the floor shrieking, barking and jerking side to side as if they reside in an electric socket. Hard to find a church which offers prayer in their major services; yet people come in off the street seeking ministry and the sick sometime less so. Hard to find a church which has a true heart towards the poor, absent of judgmental attitudes, and not engaged in bashing the President of the United States when they should be preaching, teaching, and living the Word of God.
Enough of my thoughts. Here is the article:THE 'ELIJAH LIST' DOES it AGAIN! (-New Age)
-by Andrew Strom.
People need to be warned about this. Seriously. The Elijah List is the biggest "Prophetic" email list on the planet. It goes out to tens of thousands of Charismatic Christians around the globe. We have had cause to warn people about the Elijah List several times in the past, but a week ago they published one of their most "New Age" articles that I have yet seen.
The article was called 'A "Quantum" Change' by Kari Browning (designed to get people to buy the related books, of course). Here are some major extracts:
'A "Quantum" Change' by Kari Browning...
"There is great understanding coming to the Church about the quantum realm, and I believe it will help facilitate the change that has been prophesied. Albert Einstein said everything is energy. Remember his formula E=mc squared? He believed that energy and matter were interchangeable. Everything is vibrating energy, including our bodies. Every word and every thought carries a certain vibrational frequency...
It can be scientifically documented that everything has either positive or negative frequencies. Foods even have frequencies. Fresh food has a higher frequency than processed foods. On the other hand, coffee has a negative frequency. Prayer actually raises a person's frequency by 15 MHz. If our frequency gets low, we get sick...
God provided a way to raise our frequencies by using essential oils. These oils were used Biblically for medicinal purposes. The oils were not used symbolically as we have come to believe, but these oils had healing properties. For example, hyssop is a releaser of swallowed emotions and a spiritual cleanser. Prayer and essential oils together are a powerful combination, as both raise our frequencies."
ANDREW STROM AGAIN: Someone needs to let the Elijah List know that they are (yet again) promoting pure "New Age" junk to the Body of Christ. As if "Ekstasis" dancing, portals, gold dust, 'angel feathers', fire tunnels and spiritual drunkenness were not enough. Now we have "vibrations", special 'frequencies' and healing oils being promoted in the church.
Does it really require that much "discernment" to see that these people have simply taken obvious 'New Age' techniques (not found in the Bible) and are repackaging them for gullible Christians? Where will it all end? How "New Age" do things have to get?
At the close of the article, the Elijah List adds:
"Kari Browning, 'New Renaissance'.
Kari Browning and her husband, Mike, have been involved in church planting for over 25 years. They are about to open a Healing and Creativity Center. This center will focus on releasing creativity and teaching on wellness. Kari has traveled nationally and internationally as a conference speaker."
It then goes on to promote Kari's next speaking event, which is entitled "Global Call School of the Prophets" with Bill Hamon as the main speaker - along with other 'prophets'. Thus we have the "Prophetic" Movement to thank (yet again) for this latest New Age deception to enter the church. Very sad. People need to be warned about this, my friends.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
*Remarkable. However, sadly, it is not at all shocking.
First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs apologizes, had refused to marry Te'Andrea, Charles Wilson
By: Jeffrey Elizabeth Copeland CNN
(CNN) -- After barring a black couple from marrying in its Mississippi facility in late July, the First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs released a statement Sunday apologizing for its actions.
"We, the church, realize that the Hendersons and Wilsons should never have been asked to relocate their wedding. This wrong decision resulted in hurt and sadness for everyone. Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions," the church said.
Te'Andrea and Charles Wilson planned for months to marry at the First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs but were asked at the last minute to move.
Their pastor, Stan Weatherford, made the request on behalf of some congregants who didn't want to see the couple married there, according to CNN affiliate WLBT. He performed the ceremony at a nearby church.
Sunday's statement follows a string of apologies from First Baptist and its congregation for turning away the young couple.
"As a church, we express our apology to Te'Andrea and Charles Wilson for the hurt that was brought to them in the hours preceding their wedding and beyond. We are seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with our Lord Jesus Christ, Te'Andrea and Charles, family and friends of the Hendersons and Wilsons, our church family, and our community for the actions and attitudes that have recently occurred," the statement continued.
Despite the church's recent statements, the Wilsons aren't convinced of the congregations' sincerity, they said, calling the recent release "an insult" and "misleading to the public."
"The pastor has not spoken to us since a couple days after the incident. We have not heard from the pastor or any church official since the incident," Charles Wilson said Sunday.
Jonathan Thompson, the African-American community relations director for the city of Crystal Springs, was one of many community members to organize a unity rally after the incident, aiming to help reunite church members.
"I think this is an opportunity to really get intentional about reconciling," he said, adding that he prayed God would forgive all of them for their sins and that they would be able to find reconciliation.
However, Charles Wilson said, "at the rally, the pastor avoided us. He walked the other way when he saw us walking toward him. It would have been nice to talk to us before issuing a statement."
A spokesman who agreed to be identified only as a "church member" said that the church had attempted to reach out to the couple and that calls were not returned.
The Wilsons had attended the church but were not official members. They would have been the first African-American couple to marry in First Baptist Church's 150-year history, church officials said.
"This had never been done before here, so it was setting a new precedent, and there are those who reacted to that because of that," Weatherford told CNN affiliate WLBT in July.
Read more here.
Also see: Black Wedding Banned by Miss. Baptist Church
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
HATS OFF to Andrew Stroms recent article!!!! I am so glad to see other Christians recognizing the ugly attitudes and indeed antics displayed by Tea Party Christians in America! Their actions and philosophies stand so contrary to God's Word and the true nature of Christ. Money, indeed is the root of evil in a lot of their political gesturing (not to mention stereotyping the poor and others...) No compassion if it costs them, but if it looks good or gets someone elected-- a token such as handing a turkey out on Thanksgiving will do--but only amidst themselves! Such tokenism will certainly not be acceptable to God. He knows their hearts! I am blessed beside myself to see others speaking out against this egregious political movement which plays their "God card" for their own agendas.
WHY the "TEA PARTY" is UNCHRISTIAN
-by Andrew Strom.
I write this as a conservative evangelical Christian. I am anti-abortion and hold all the usual 'conservative' views. But I have come to believe that the Tea Party is one of the most misguided and misleading movements in America - especially since it claims to be so "Christian".
I saw a piece written by pro-Tea Party activist recently who quoted statistics saying that the majority of Tea Party members are evangelical Christians. He coined the term, "Teavangelicals". He says they are going to have a new Awakening and "Take Back America". I don't know what kind of "Awakening" he is talking about, but it is very different from the true spiritual Awakenings of the past. America certainly needs a Revival. But not the kind that these guys are pushing. I believe it is a counterfeit of the real thing. And if we fall for the counterfeit, then the true can be utterly lost.
So what exactly is the problem with the "Teavangelicals"? Below is a very basic list of things that, in my view, make this movement truly un-Christlike and unchristian:-
(1) -An Unhealthy Mixing of Christianity with Nationalism-. When you "wrap the cross in the flag" so-to-speak, you instantly distort the entire message and essence of christianity. You are taking two totally different "kingdoms" and mixing them together. Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world." So in mixing Christianity with Nationalism, you are totally distorting what His kingdom truly stands for. Thus you get "Patriotic" actions such as saluting the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance being seen as "Christian" things to do. Marching off to war becomes a "Christian" activity. The two "kingdoms" are being completely confused. There is a great deal of this happening in the church in America right now - and the Tea Party is really pushing it. -Utterly distorting what real Christianity is all about.
(2) -Being Basically the Biggest Supporters of WAR in America-. (This is closely related to # 1). One US commentator seriously stated that without the support of the American Christians the war would be over much quicker - because they are the staunchest and strongest supporters of War in the whole country. Now, can you imagine Jesus being like this? Can you imagine Him telling his disciples, "I want you to support military invasions and the shooting, killing and destroying of thousands of people"? -Because that is what WAR is. Does it sound "Christian" to you? Can we find anywhere in the New Testament where true Christians had this attitude? NO! They wouldn't have dreamed of being the biggest supporters of War in their generation! Just think what a terrible testimony this is today - to all the unbelievers who are watching. How un-Christlike. No wonder they call us "War-mongers".
(3) -Siding with the Rich and Against the Poor-. This is the exact opposite of Jesus - as we see again and again in the gospels and the entire New Testament. Pay close attention to the following words of Christ- "Woe to you that are rich, for you have received your comfort" (Lk 6:24), "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 19:23) and "You cannot serve God and Money." (Mt 6:24). Jesus also said: "Blessed be you poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven" (Lk 6:20) and "I have come to preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18).
Can you imagine Jesus coming across like today's "Tea Party" Christians - where they seem utterly against the cause of the poor, and totally for the Rich and the 'Big Money' interests? Perhaps we have forgotten that Big Business exists largely for MAMMON and GREED. Can anybody tell me anything "Christian" about that?
(4) -HEALTH CARE - Denying it to the Needy-. (-Related to # 3). I am not talking about "ObamaCare" here. I have no comment on ObamaCare one way or the other. What I am talking about is a general attitude amongst Christians. I cannot tell you the number of emails that I've gotten from believers who want to deny poor uninsured Americans any decent Health Care. (I guess because they are lower-class and can't afford it).
Do you know that millions and millions of Americans are being denied basic Health coverage that is totally taken for granted in other countries? And that it is the CHRISTIANS who want to deny it to them? And do you know that there are multitudes of Americans who wind up bankrupt or losing their home simply because they can't pay their medical bills? Does that sound like a "Christian" ideal to you? Does it sound like something that believers should be fighting for? -Fighting on the side of Big Business against the "little people" who can't afford to pay? What kind of "Christianity" is that?
(5) -Pushing the Idea that "Political" Answers can Solve America's Problems-. To me, this is the worst deception of all - the idea that America's problems can mainly be solved with "Political" activism, or a change of government, or a new President. The USA's problems are almost entirely SPIRITUAL. It is because she has lost her way SPIRITUALLY that is causing all the other problems. And to get the Christians all caught up in a "Political" movement is a total distraction. A PRAYER movement - Yes! A "Political" movement -NO! It will not solve the problems in any real way at all. In fact, it is like a "counterfeit" Awakening - to push the Christians into Political activism instead of focusing on the SPIRITUAL. It is like a false savior - a "pseudo" solution. The problems in America are Spiritual - and they need Spiritual answers. Not this "counterfeit" that gets everybody caught up in Political fights.
In summary, I want to say that I believe that many of the attitudes and behaviours of the "Tea Party" evangelicals in America are totally un-Christlike and unchristian. They come across as ugly, mean-spirited and anger-filled. It is awful to see real believers caught up in anything so unlike Jesus.
I would like to challenge every Christian reading this to forward it to your conservative friends. Tell them to come and meet me over at our discussion board, if they think they can prove me wrong. I am open. If they think they can prove from the New Testament that Christians should be thinking and behaving the way these "Tea Party" people behave, then let them come. I will be waiting. THE CHALLENGE is LAID DOWN.
Here is the link to our Discussion Board to post your comments-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
PLEASE FORWARD this EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS.
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
WHY the "TEA PARTY" is UNCHRISTIAN
-by Andrew Strom.
I write this as a conservative evangelical Christian. I am anti-abortion and hold all the usual 'conservative' views. But I have come to believe that the Tea Party is one of the most misguided and misleading movements in America - especially since it claims to be so "Christian".
I saw a piece written by pro-Tea Party activist recently who quoted statistics saying that the majority of Tea Party members are evangelical Christians. He coined the term, "Teavangelicals". He says they are going to have a new Awakening and "Take Back America". I don't know what kind of "Awakening" he is talking about, but it is very different from the true spiritual Awakenings of the past. America certainly needs a Revival. But not the kind that these guys are pushing. I believe it is a counterfeit of the real thing. And if we fall for the counterfeit, then the true can be utterly lost.
So what exactly is the problem with the "Teavangelicals"? Below is a very basic list of things that, in my view, make this movement truly un-Christlike and unchristian:-
(1) -An Unhealthy Mixing of Christianity with Nationalism-. When you "wrap the cross in the flag" so-to-speak, you instantly distort the entire message and essence of christianity. You are taking two totally different "kingdoms" and mixing them together. Jesus said: "My kingdom is not of this world." So in mixing Christianity with Nationalism, you are totally distorting what His kingdom truly stands for. Thus you get "Patriotic" actions such as saluting the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance being seen as "Christian" things to do. Marching off to war becomes a "Christian" activity. The two "kingdoms" are being completely confused. There is a great deal of this happening in the church in America right now - and the Tea Party is really pushing it. -Utterly distorting what real Christianity is all about.
(2) -Being Basically the Biggest Supporters of WAR in America-. (This is closely related to # 1). One US commentator seriously stated that without the support of the American Christians the war would be over much quicker - because they are the staunchest and strongest supporters of War in the whole country. Now, can you imagine Jesus being like this? Can you imagine Him telling his disciples, "I want you to support military invasions and the shooting, killing and destroying of thousands of people"? -Because that is what WAR is. Does it sound "Christian" to you? Can we find anywhere in the New Testament where true Christians had this attitude? NO! They wouldn't have dreamed of being the biggest supporters of War in their generation! Just think what a terrible testimony this is today - to all the unbelievers who are watching. How un-Christlike. No wonder they call us "War-mongers".
(3) -Siding with the Rich and Against the Poor-. This is the exact opposite of Jesus - as we see again and again in the gospels and the entire New Testament. Pay close attention to the following words of Christ- "Woe to you that are rich, for you have received your comfort" (Lk 6:24), "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 19:23) and "You cannot serve God and Money." (Mt 6:24). Jesus also said: "Blessed be you poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven" (Lk 6:20) and "I have come to preach good news to the poor" (Lk 4:18).
Can you imagine Jesus coming across like today's "Tea Party" Christians - where they seem utterly against the cause of the poor, and totally for the Rich and the 'Big Money' interests? Perhaps we have forgotten that Big Business exists largely for MAMMON and GREED. Can anybody tell me anything "Christian" about that?
(4) -HEALTH CARE - Denying it to the Needy-. (-Related to # 3). I am not talking about "ObamaCare" here. I have no comment on ObamaCare one way or the other. What I am talking about is a general attitude amongst Christians. I cannot tell you the number of emails that I've gotten from believers who want to deny poor uninsured Americans any decent Health Care. (I guess because they are lower-class and can't afford it).
Do you know that millions and millions of Americans are being denied basic Health coverage that is totally taken for granted in other countries? And that it is the CHRISTIANS who want to deny it to them? And do you know that there are multitudes of Americans who wind up bankrupt or losing their home simply because they can't pay their medical bills? Does that sound like a "Christian" ideal to you? Does it sound like something that believers should be fighting for? -Fighting on the side of Big Business against the "little people" who can't afford to pay? What kind of "Christianity" is that?
(5) -Pushing the Idea that "Political" Answers can Solve America's Problems-. To me, this is the worst deception of all - the idea that America's problems can mainly be solved with "Political" activism, or a change of government, or a new President. The USA's problems are almost entirely SPIRITUAL. It is because she has lost her way SPIRITUALLY that is causing all the other problems. And to get the Christians all caught up in a "Political" movement is a total distraction. A PRAYER movement - Yes! A "Political" movement -NO! It will not solve the problems in any real way at all. In fact, it is like a "counterfeit" Awakening - to push the Christians into Political activism instead of focusing on the SPIRITUAL. It is like a false savior - a "pseudo" solution. The problems in America are Spiritual - and they need Spiritual answers. Not this "counterfeit" that gets everybody caught up in Political fights.
In summary, I want to say that I believe that many of the attitudes and behaviours of the "Tea Party" evangelicals in America are totally un-Christlike and unchristian. They come across as ugly, mean-spirited and anger-filled. It is awful to see real believers caught up in anything so unlike Jesus.
I would like to challenge every Christian reading this to forward it to your conservative friends. Tell them to come and meet me over at our discussion board, if they think they can prove me wrong. I am open. If they think they can prove from the New Testament that Christians should be thinking and behaving the way these "Tea Party" people behave, then let them come. I will be waiting. THE CHALLENGE is LAID DOWN.
Here is the link to our Discussion Board to post your comments-
http://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/
PLEASE FORWARD this EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS.
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Churches Of Christ Address Race Issues
Churches of Christ aim to mend longstanding racial divides
By Bob Smietana, USA TODAY
Whenever legendary civil rights lawyer Fred Gray comes to Nashville, Tenn., he drops by the intersection of 24th and Batavia.
That spot was once home to the Nashville Christian Institute, a K-12 school for African-American members of the Churches of Christ once banned from Lipscomb University and other Church of Christ schools.
Long closed, the school is never far from Gray's mind. The man who once represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. paid tribute to it during a recent ceremony at which he received an honorary doctorate from Lipscomb — an institution that he once sued over its racial policies.
His honorary doctorate was part of a new movement aimed at healing longstanding racial divides in the Churches of Christ.
"There have always been white congregations and black congregations, with little exchange between the two," said Wes Crawford, preaching minister at Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas.
While church and academic leaders tackle the issue from the top, two 30-something members of Churches of Christ in Nashville are building bridges at the grassroots level.
Brent High, a member of the predominantly white Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, and Micah Otis, a member of the predominantly black Scott Avenue Church of Christ, have organized a series of meetings between ministers at black and white congregations in Nashville.
Those meetings have led to ministers at several congregations swapping pulpits for a week and, in at least two cases, to churches holding joint worship services.
Otis said those meetings are just a start.
"We have still not gotten a conclusion on how to fix this," said Otis. "But that's the purpose of having the meetings."
Denominations divide
Most American Protestants divided over slavery around the time of the Civil War. Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians all split into northern and southern denominations.
Those groups were often divided by race as well — with separate denominations for African-American Christians like the National Baptist Convention and African Methodist Episcopal churches.
By contrast, Churches of Christ leaders have claimed their fellowship never split.
That's not exactly true, Crawford said.
Churches of Christ say their group is not a denomination. Instead they call it a fellowship or brotherhood. So they don't have any denominational boards to officially split, said Crawford, who spoke at a session on race relations at the conference on reconciliation.
But the fellowship has long divided over racial lines.
In the 1940s and 1950s, there was some interaction between black and white Churches of Christ, because of Nashville preacher Marshall Keeble.
The dynamic evangelist was one of few African-Americans welcomed at white Churches of Christ. He often convinced those congregations to donate funds to the Nashville Christian Institute — known to alumni as NCI — where he was president from 1942 to 1958.
Things changed in 1967, when the NCI board of directors closed the school amid dwindling enrollment and gave all its assets to Lipscomb.
Gray and other alumni sued, saying Lipscomb was hostile to African-Americans. They lost in court. But the case — and Keeble's death in 1968 — marked a further split between blacks and whites.
The two groups have grown apart ever since, said Tanya Smith Brice, a Baylor University professor who also spoke at the conference.
"We, as a body, have kept a friendly distance from each other," said Brice, who grew up in a Church of Christ. "We have parallel structures — one that is white and one that is African-American. We pretend as if we are one body, but we are not."
Randy Lowry, Lipscomb's president, said the school can't undo the past.
"All you can do is over and over again do what is right and hope that over time that you are not only making a different impression but you are having a different impact," said Lowry.
That spot was once home to the Nashville Christian Institute, a K-12 school for African-American members of the Churches of Christ once banned from Lipscomb University and other Church of Christ schools.
Long closed, the school is never far from Gray's mind. The man who once represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. paid tribute to it during a recent ceremony at which he received an honorary doctorate from Lipscomb — an institution that he once sued over its racial policies.
His honorary doctorate was part of a new movement aimed at healing longstanding racial divides in the Churches of Christ.
"There have always been white congregations and black congregations, with little exchange between the two," said Wes Crawford, preaching minister at Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas.
While church and academic leaders tackle the issue from the top, two 30-something members of Churches of Christ in Nashville are building bridges at the grassroots level.
Brent High, a member of the predominantly white Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, and Micah Otis, a member of the predominantly black Scott Avenue Church of Christ, have organized a series of meetings between ministers at black and white congregations in Nashville.
Those meetings have led to ministers at several congregations swapping pulpits for a week and, in at least two cases, to churches holding joint worship services.
Otis said those meetings are just a start.
"We have still not gotten a conclusion on how to fix this," said Otis. "But that's the purpose of having the meetings."
Denominations divide
Most American Protestants divided over slavery around the time of the Civil War. Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians all split into northern and southern denominations.
Those groups were often divided by race as well — with separate denominations for African-American Christians like the National Baptist Convention and African Methodist Episcopal churches.
By contrast, Churches of Christ leaders have claimed their fellowship never split.
That's not exactly true, Crawford said.
Churches of Christ say their group is not a denomination. Instead they call it a fellowship or brotherhood. So they don't have any denominational boards to officially split, said Crawford, who spoke at a session on race relations at the conference on reconciliation.
But the fellowship has long divided over racial lines.
In the 1940s and 1950s, there was some interaction between black and white Churches of Christ, because of Nashville preacher Marshall Keeble.
The dynamic evangelist was one of few African-Americans welcomed at white Churches of Christ. He often convinced those congregations to donate funds to the Nashville Christian Institute — known to alumni as NCI — where he was president from 1942 to 1958.
Things changed in 1967, when the NCI board of directors closed the school amid dwindling enrollment and gave all its assets to Lipscomb.
Gray and other alumni sued, saying Lipscomb was hostile to African-Americans. They lost in court. But the case — and Keeble's death in 1968 — marked a further split between blacks and whites.
The two groups have grown apart ever since, said Tanya Smith Brice, a Baylor University professor who also spoke at the conference.
"We, as a body, have kept a friendly distance from each other," said Brice, who grew up in a Church of Christ. "We have parallel structures — one that is white and one that is African-American. We pretend as if we are one body, but we are not."
Randy Lowry, Lipscomb's president, said the school can't undo the past.
"All you can do is over and over again do what is right and hope that over time that you are not only making a different impression but you are having a different impact," said Lowry.
Click here to continue reading.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Criminalizing The Homeless
This is sad. Please read the article below about potential laws emerging towards criminalizing homeless people. If it is not bad enough to be homeless! Imagine having no where to go. Imagine people stereotyping before you open up your mouth and say one word. Imagine shelters being full when you seek refuge only to be regrettably turned away. Imagine as you huddle against a bush for warmth in a park only to be arrested FOR BEING HOMELESS. Where are these people to go? They already have no where to go! There are not enough shelters and not enough resources currently out there to deal with this issue. Most cities are struggling mightily with their budgets--more so than usual. And what about burdening the criminal system people so love to quip about losing their nickels on? The homeless are certainly precious in God's eyes, but with people they are often viewed with contempt! I would hate to see people arrested simply because they have no where to go--it just shouldn't be! The climate towards this poor group is becoming increasingly hostile. Sad indeed.
Cities' homeless crackdown: Could it be compassion fatigue?
By Yamiche Alcindor, USA TODAY
A growing number of cities across the United States are making it harder to be homeless.
Philadelphia recently banned outdoor feeding of people in city parks. Denver has begun enforcing a ban on eating and sleeping on property without permission. And this month, lawmakers in Ashland, Ore., will consider strengthening the town's ban on camping and making noise in public.
And the list goes on: Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, Oklahoma City and more than 50 other cities have previously adopted some kind of anti-camping or anti-food-sharing laws, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty.
The ordinances are pitting city officials against homeless advocates. City leaders say they want to improve the lives of homeless people and ensure public safety, while supporters of the homeless argue that such regulations criminalize homelessness and make it harder to live on the nation's streets.
"We're seeing these types of laws being proposed and passed all over the country," said Heather Johnson, a civil rights attorney at the homeless and poverty law center, which opposes many of the measures. "We think that criminalization measures such as these are counterproductive. Rather than address the root cause of homelessness, they perpetuate homelessness."
A number of organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia this month in response to its feeding ban.
Mark McDonald, press secretary for the city's mayor, Michael Nutter, said the measures are about expanding the services offered to the homeless, adding dignity to their lives and about ensuring good public hygiene and safety.
"This is about an activity on city park land that the mayor thinks is better suited elsewhere," he said. "We think it's a much more dignified place to be in an indoor sit-down restaurant. … The overarching policy goal of the mayor is based on a belief that hungry people deserve something more than getting a ham sandwich out on the side of the street."
If people come inside for feeding programs, they can be connected with other social service programs and possibly speak with officials such as substance abuse counselors and mental health professionals, McDonald said.
Critics argue that bans on feeding and camping often leave people with no where to eat or sleep because many cities lack emergency food services and shelters. Meanwhile, citing people who violate such ordinances costs cities money when officials try to follow up on such cases and hurts people's ability to get jobs and housing, because many develop criminal records.
Click here to continue reading.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Roles Of The Salvation Army
Salvation Army serves thousands, but it’s a church first
The Anniston Star
By Laura Camper
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Seasons Of Change
A contemplative presentation below set mostly to Ecclesiates 3 and a classical piece " Adagio, for violin, strings and organ in G minor". Composer Samuel Barber.
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
1) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted
3) A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5) A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6) A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7) A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8) A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace
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