Church guide

Recognizing Fools In the current culture, we find that every aspect of traditional life is being jettisoned and being replaced by ideologies and practices that have never been even considered by thoughtful, rational individuals. Hollywood actors who claim to believe in God attemp to force a governor in a state where they neither reside nor pay taxes to change an anti abortion law with one breath, while they demand penalties for animal abuse in the next. State governments that vote for infanticide even after live birth, while raising the age to purchse tobacco products so that teenagers cannot make a purchase demonstrate the disconnect between protecting innocent life and use of legislation to delay the process of a young adult from polluting their lungs with smoke. Churches rush to meet the demands of potential parishoners by lowering the standard of righteousness and providing duplicates for everything already provided in the secular society in which they find themselves. Truth is exchanged for lies. Common sense is relegated to the back of the line while feelings and emotions reign supreme. Traditional thoughts and practices are trashed so that untested theory and ideologies that have proven to bring harm are exalted and placed above reproach. Clergy fear speaking the clear, holy, truth of the Gospel, while preaching a watered down, socially palatable substitute that neither changes eternal trajectory nor brings righteousness. We should not be surprised. Although Paul originally wrote to his disciple Timothy about future false teaching within the confines of the church, those same principles can be applied to the masses who are listening to modern politicians and pundents of socialism. 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) (2 Timothy 3:1-7) This current culture, including the modern church, is full of people who love only themselves and their money. Everywhere we look we find boastful, proud, ungrateful people who consider nothing sacred. Because there is no self-control, all want what they desire with no regard to how others might be affected or whether it meets God's smell test. People claim to love you until you disagree with them and are branded a hater. Betrayal, pride,self-righteousness, and manipulation are as busy in the church as in the godless culture ito which the church has been immersed. Those who live like God does not exist are fools. Those who play around without regard for the truth of God's word are fools. Those who allow themselves to follow false religious leaders and unscrupulous politicians are fools. When this cycle resets and starts over the result is always the same, "The fool fools the fools." It is time to wake up and be redeemed by the God who is truth, and who is righteous and holy. No person who kills babies, promotes or participates in sexual immorality, or who lives a life of constant habitual sin can expect that God will approve of their choices. . Don't live like a fool or keep company with fools. Cling to the cross and be counted as wise and righteous. Repentance and reliance upon God's word are the only helps in this unrighteousness in which we find ourselves.

God is Great, God is Good... God is great and God is good, let us thank him for this food. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep... Why is it that many churched people never move beyond the simple prayers we teach our small children? God is great and he is also good - but he is so much more than words mentioned over a meal or before sleep. Prayer is more than superstitious supeficial words dropped with the intention of gaining God's approval or his attention. Prayer is the mode of communication that God has provided that we might interact on a personal level with him. He wants to hear from us, and will speak to us if we will put forth the effort to be still and listen. Hail Mary prayers tossed up while we find ourselves in self-inflicted crisis are not heart felt but words hurled in desperation. Rehearsed prayers repeated over and again are not effective. Jesus himself tells his folowers not to "babble on and on like the pagans do." (Matthew 6:7) Many "believers" are afraid to pray publicly because they fear what others might think of their proficiency or vocabulary. This is on the same level as those who fear to be expressive in worship because of what others may think. The enemy keeps most "Christians" anemic and weak in ther spiritual walk as they worry about others instead of approaching God with a singular focus. The model prayer that Jesus left for his disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 contains 4 basic components which provide a base level of communicating with God. The entirety of the prayer can be summed up in the acronym ACTS. A - adoration and acknowledgement of who God is C - confession of sin which seperates us from God T - thanksgiving for all the blessings God provides S - supplication or request for God's intervention This is not a magical formula guaranteed to provide exactly what we want from God.. It is merely a good format whereby we first recognize the greatness and goodness of God, then assure that repentance clears the air between us and God. After recognizing how amazing God is and making sure we have humbled ourselves before him, we then thank him for what he has already done and is doing in our lives. By this time, the horrendous issuses that seem about to eat our lunch begin to seem less ominous because we have recognized the strength, power and might of the One who has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Our prayer "list" gets a different focus, and we begin to understand how much God is already doing. This opens our minds to remember others who need God's intervention in their lives. Likewise, as the emergency and panic dissapate, we are enablesd to calm ourslves and be still before the Lord. It is in these quiet moments that God opens our minds to the possibilitly of hearing from him. Though never in an audible voice, the Holy Spirit reminds us of what we have forgotten to bring before the Lord, as well as what God may want us to do for his kingdom and glory. God is great, and God is good. Why not really dig in and find out how great and good he really is.

Hyper - Grace: Permission to Sin Couched in Psychobabble A new wave of teaching that emphasizes the grace of God to the exclusion of other vital teachings such as repentance, confession of sin, and judgement by Holy God has infected the church over the past two decades. Hyper-grace teachers maintain that all sin, past, present, and future, has already been forgiven, so there is no need for a believer to ever confess anything to God. This unbiblical approach to Christianity says that, when God looks at us, He sees only a holy and righteous people without possibility of fault. Hense, the ultimate conclusion to which one must arrive is that we are not bound by Jesus’ teaching, even as we are not under the Law; and that believers are not responsible for their sin. Kind of sounds like people are given a free pass to do whatever they desire, with absolutely no possibility of consequences, doesn't it? This ideology is further proof that many churches are turning from the plain teaching and truth of the bible to whatever is currently viewed as acceptable by the current culture. After all, entitled, spoiled, irresponsible people want to stay entitled, spoiled and not responsible for anything. Jude, the once unbelieving brother of Jesus, who later repented and became a follower and biblical author, addressed this exact same problem in the first century. 3 Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. 4 I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives (Jude 1:3-4) Jesus’ own words strongly contradict the idea that Christians never need to repent. To the church at Ephesus, Jesus said, “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place” (Rev. 2:4). Jesus also rebukes five of the seven churches in the letter of The Revelation through John, and demands repentance from them (Rev. 2:4, 6, 20; 3:3, 15–19). According to Paul, no believer is unaccountable for their sin, they must answer to Jesus for their disobedience (2 Corinthians 5:10). Modern psychobabble counsels that we are a product of our environment and therefore, we are powerless to change certain aspects of who we are. If we are victims, we are not to be held responsibe. Therefore, we are entitled to a free pass in life as we lay the blame on other than ourselves. Hyper-grace teachers have perpetuated this ideology in the guise of Christianity, because most people today are looking psyhological solutions to life and living rather than biblical solutions to their sin problem. Hyper-grace teaching is a good example of mixing truth with error, while neglecting what Paul called the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” If we are to confess our sins to each other, why would we not need to confess them to God, since every sin is ultimately a sin against God (Psalm 51)? Every legitimate disciple of Christ has felt the overwhelming conviction of the Holy Spirit when he or she has sinned. We know that truth trumps feelings every time. We are sure that God is a loving and gracious, but likewise, that he is righteous and just. Truth telling is far more valuable than speaking words that do not produce changed lives. It is not better to be nice than to be truthful. God will sort the wheat from the tares, the sheep from the goats, the true sons and daughters of God from those who are pretenders. God's grace is deep, wide and amazing. However, it is not a license to sin, nor is it to be taken lightly. We need God's inspired truth, not human inspired psychological talk. God calls us toward holiness and sinlessness. It is only a repentant heart surrendered to his grace that will win his approval.

Slip Sliding Away In his book The Screwtape Letters, author C.S. Lewis wrote: "The safest road to hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, one that is soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." As we move farther into 2019, the absolute depravity of this society looms ever larger on the stage. Rational thought has been jettisoned and replaced with wonky political proclamations, junk science, and false religion. Joseph Goebbels, chief Nazi propagandist stated, "When a lie is repeated often enough it becomes truth," and it seems the line to start and propagate lies goes down the street, around the corner, and out the city gates.First to step in line were agents of evil whose sole purpose was to deflect attention from the truth of God's word. Next in line were evil politicians propagating and legislating the agenda of darkness and stealing the freedoms of law abiding citizens.Then the liberal media began to broadcast a 24 hour, 7day, 365 week regurgitation of the evil spewing forth from every possible source available to be used by the impending darkness. So here we are today. Politicians pander to sychphants who brain wash children so that they fear the end of the world if cow farts are not stopped immediately. Likewise these pundants are propagating idiocy and speaking with false regard to morality in regards to protecting the sovreignty of this country. They place illegals on government relief roles, while natural born and naturalized citizens, and veterans cannot find similar services. At the same time, they support giving addicts free needles and drugs while our children vets and old folks cannot afford life-saving medication for bonafide illnesses. Junk science is dissemminated through government controlled schools and universities, uninformed politicians and the liberal media. Their goal is not to protect the earth but to weaponize children and young adults as activists, and to tax the overtaxed citizens of the United States. When one reads the claims that 97% of scientists agree with anthropogenic climate change, ( a conclusion reached by a cartoonist named John Cook and parroted by the masses), one can see that there are many contradictions and false claims based in junk science, crazy hypotheses and incorrect math. Not all the projected computer models agree, and it can be proven that politics has skewed the real data. How about the church in America? Too many hired holy men, afraid of their paycheck, sit by and watch countless millions of children be aborted every year. Because no opposition exists, politicians have amped up their desire and plans to see innocent, helpless children murdered, even after live birth. I just read an article about a "church" in Florida that draws its congregation because although listed as Lutheran, it is really a brew house where everyone sits and drinks beer together. It's called Castle Church Brewing Community, and it is a member church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Here we are, in the words of the great theologian Paul Simon, "slip sliding away." Sliding away from the righteousness and holiness of God. Sliding farther away from common sense and common decency. Sliding away from rational though and true research. Slipping into mindless acceptance of irreconcilable philosophies and on our way to an alternative reality. God does not want us in close associations with the world because it almost inevitably leads to compromise with His standards. It jeopardizes the consistency of the Christian's witness for God because there is a spiritual force in the world that undermines the Christian because the unbeliever does not share the Christian's standards, sympathies, or goals in life. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) As believers, we have an extremely difficult time resisting the spiritual force that wants to lead tus to compromise on the standards of God's Kingdom. Because we are hard-pressed to regulate our own thoughts and behaviors, He obligates us to purity of life, to holiness, to separation from evil. We owe our allegiance to Him alone, and we cannot allow ourselves not to be a fit vessel for Him to live in. It is time to stand firm and stop slip sliding away.

Is It Too Late For Repentance? As we look around us, it seems that all hope is fading in regards to turning this great ship called the USA around. One state votes enthusiastically to destroy human life right up to the point of birth. Another state toys with the idea of allowing death to be an option after viable live birth. All the while, people who claim to believe in God either assent to these barbaric ideologies, or they stand in the shadows afraid to take a stand for the sanctity of human life goive by our Creator. Socialism is on the rise here in the "Land of the free and the home of the brave." Unrestrained sexual sin and debauchery has been forced on the society and voted into law. Personal attacks and undisguised social ugliness is the norm rather than the exception. Criminals are treated better than law abiding citizens. illegal aliens are afforded better treatment and care than our veterans and naturalized citizens. Sounds quite discouraging, does it not? It should, and the blame is to be laid at the threshold of the American religious machine that has continued to sit back affirming the work of evil through silence and fear of what it would cost to take a stand for the gospel. Preachers and pulpiteers, along with their flocks have bargained with the Enemy as they have adapted their churches and their messages so as to not offend those who are living for their father the Devil. 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God (i John 3:7-10) God's word tells us in Hebrews 12 what the church should be doing in this broken, sinful, perverse, and evil world in which we find ourselves. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. Nowhere in the bible are God's people encouraged to tolerate, engage in, or compromise with evil. Just like Esau, the church has bartered away its freedoms and sold its birthright. Is it too late for "the church" to make a difference? How can those who claim to believe in Christ align themselves with a culture of darkness and evil? Who will represent the truth of God's word and the majesty of his kingdom? If the church that you are aligned with does not preach repentance and salvation from God's infallable word, run. If your denomination is compromising with the culture and diminishing the difference between a life of holiness and righteousness in Christ, run. If the preacher is preaching psychology instead of God's truth, run. If you have been a part of the religious machine that is more worried about what people think than what God thinks, repent and be forgiven so that you can be used for God's purposes. It is time to act before it is too late for forgiveness. 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:17)

last week it was subzero windchills. Tonight it is monsoon rains. Please pray that students will come to GIG ready to worship and learn more about God

THE GOVERNMENT IS NO LONGER IN TOUCH WITH THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE The eleventh annual Marist Poll on American attitudes toward abortion finds that overwhelming majorities support substantial restrictions on abortion, and would like to see Roe v. Wade reinterpreted to allow restrictions. Three in four Americans (75 percent) say abortion should be limited to – at most – the first three months of pregnancy. This includes most of those who identify as Republicans (92 percent), Independents (78 percent) and a majority of Democrats (60 percent). It also includes more than six in 10 (61 percent) who identify as pro-choice. Almost two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) also say that if the Supreme Court revisits Roe v. Wade then the Court should rule either to allow restrictions as decided by each state (49 percent), or to outlaw abortion (16 percent). Fewer than a third of Americans (30 percent) would want the Court to rule to allow unrestricted abortion. In addition, the survey found that three-quarters (75 percent) of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion abroad, fewer than two in 10 (19 percent) support such funding

AND THE DEVIL DID A JIG Satan must surely be celebrating his long sought victory to destroy the lives of God's precious human beings. The evidence for such a time of revelry in hell is evidenced in the darkness legislated by the governor and political establishment of New York state last week. Governor Cuomo declared that he would not sign a fiscal budget for the staet unless its legislators presented him with a bill and an ammendment to the state constitution allowing for unfettered abortion on demand. He got his wish. The morally depraved legislators in both houses of the New York government conspired with the governor to declare open season on the most defenseless of those among us. According to this new legislation, a child can be aborted up to the time of birth. Up to the very minute before its heead and body pass through the birth canal. Likewise, if a child was "accidentally" born, it could be terminated after live birth, if it was known that the mother intended abortion before the birth. Another logical conclusion of the new law would allow a perpetrator who attacked a pregnant woman to only be charged with assault, even if the unborn child was killed. This same state will not allow those who are rapists and killers to be terminated by lethat injection because that proceedure has been deterrmined to be cruel and unusual punishment. What great logic and moral thinking. An innocent baby who has caused no harm and is absolutely unable to defend itself may be murdered by injection or by a pair of scissors jammed into its skull so its brains can be sucked out, but a hardened criminal with no regard for life gets "3 hots and a cot, free medical care, dental care, and educational opportunities," until they die naturally. What an outrage! What boggles the mind is that there was great celebration, laughing and cheering upon the completion of the vote and the signing on the law. All of the women present seemed genuinely joyous that they had succeeded in advancing the culture of death being perpetrated here in this once great nation. How can hearts be so hardened to the plight of children? These people are no different than the ancient worshippers of Molech, who offrered their children in grisly ways to appease their false God. What barbarians civilized legislators have become. What is next? Genocide of handicapped children and adults? Genocide of older adults whom the state deems unnecessary or a burden on the medical system? AND THE DEVIL DOES A JIG .

The Time Is Not Coming, It is Here As the Apostle Paul passed on his accummulated knowledge to his young protege Timothy, He included a warning that has come to fruition in our lifetime. 1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:1-8) Paul warns that Jesus will judge the living and the dead when he returns. Contrarily, many religious organizations, preachers, and entire denominations do not seem to have this passage in the bibles from which they portend to speak on behalf of God Almighty.Some offer an eternity where everyone is welcomed with open arms, while others offer a celestial prison from which a soul can be sprung if the right amout of prayer, money, contrition or time served is met. Yet others proclaim the gospel of being nice. Paul directs Timothy to "preach the word," to be "prepared," to "patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage people with good teaching." Where is that approach found in a modern day church that both bows to and includes the political correctness of the current culture? Those who claim the speak for God will havre to stand before him one day to be judged themselves. It seems they are more afraid of what people think and less worried about remaining true to scripture. Paul speaks of a time "that is coming," but I say we are in the middle of it now nearly 2000 years later. People in general will not listen to sound teaching because they have been raised to live by their feelings and self-centeredness. The are already gathering around those who sayy what they want to hear. The hyper grace movement in the megachurches and the most recent congressiional election is proof that we are indeed living in the prophecy Paul offered. True believers must keep a clear mind that is guided by scripture. We cannot be afraid to speak the truth in love as we defend the holiness of God and the glory of his kingdom. We may face persecution, but hardships weed out the true followers of Christ from the pretenders. Paul was near the end of his life, and had no regrets for his service for the kingdom. Can we say that we have "fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful?" With whom have you shared the gospel this week? What sacrifices have you made for the kingdom recently? Are you living like Jesus could and will return to judge the living and the dead? Are you following sound biblical teaching? Are you standing against the sin-laden culture in which we are called to minister? Today is the day to preach the Gospel. Today is the day for good, solid, clear biblical teaching. If these key components are not part of your life or place of ministry, make a move before it is too late

Due to limbs down and power off where some of our ppl live and due to temps dropping below zero by 9:00 services r canceled for today at CCC. First time in 15 yrs canceled two weeks in a row.

Services canceled at CCC today due to weather

Resolutions and Reality As we enter the new year, everyone wants to change something about their life and situation. Some will resolve to eat healthier foods or less food. Others will buy a membership at Planet Fitness, vowing to go daily until they reach some lofty health goal. Many will vow to spend more time focusing on what really matter in life. Still others will seek to remove themselves or reduce their participation in the time eating world of social media. In general, these lofty goals and resolutions are worthy and thoughtful means to improve one's life. However, the average person sticks with a New Year's resolution for less than six weeks. According to the Nielson's Analytical firm, "Only 64 percent last longer than the first month, and only 46 percent last longer than six months. Even more discouraging is the statistic that only 14 percent of people over 50 actually achieve their resolution compared to 39 percent of people in their 20’s." Not very encouraging is it? Sadly, the statistics are worse when it comes to people who determine that in the new year, they will read the bible, have personal bible study, attend church regularly, tell others about Jesus, or a multitude of other wish list items for their spiritual lives. Here are the excuses, I mean "reasons" for the overwhelming failure of the majoriyty of resolutions according to Gold's Gym: C – Can’t find the time. L – Lacking a game plan to keep you going. I – Ignoring your commitment and falling into old patterns. F – Frustrated with lack of early results. F – Forgetting why you started. These inadequacies and inabilities apply to both physical and spiritual fitness. Time does what you tell it to do or it just passes by. Lack of planning leads to default mode. Being your own accountability partner makes it easy for you to slip backward or worse. Nothing involving change is easy. Lack of focus opens you up to unfulfilled dreams and promises smashed by your own lack of determination to move forward. For those who claim to belong to God, let me remind you what scripture says about making promises to God. 1 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. 3 Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. 4 When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 6 Don’t let your mouth make you sin. And don’t defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. 7 Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7) NLT It is not OK to be lazy because you already know you will not keep your resolutions. However, the reality is this, you can grow fit if you are dilligent and if you rely on the power of God available to make you holy and mature in the full stature of Christ. Just like physical fitness, spiritual fitness requires determination, hard work and total commitment to achieve goals. God's desire is for you to improve. He has already provided everything you need to live a life that is pleasing to him. (2 Peter 1:3 ). Are you using or squandering these divine resources. Will you move forward, keep the status quo, or move backward spiritually this year? That all depends on you and your willingness to allow God to produce momentum and real movent in your spiritual life.

Thankful for Small Things and Great Things Why do we take things in our lives for granted? Well, I am glad you asked for my opinion. Here it is. Our lives are so hurried, cluttered, and stressful, that we are constantly on the move in many different directions. Children dictate the schedule of activities for those who are raising them. Empty nesters are working, watching grandkids, or preparing for future retirement. Those who are retired are full time babysitters, or have to work part time to defray medical costs and make ends meet as costs rise. All are tied to technology, social media, and to the one eyed monster - television. There is no time scheduled or set aside for reflecting on either the great decisions of life nor the small incidentals with which we deal on a daily basis. We do things without thinking or we get so wrapped up in details and minutia that we are hindered from doing anything.at all, When our lives are a mixture of busyness, stress, and non-stop activity, miss a great opportunity to show thanks to the giver of every good thing. In Psalm 46, God tells us to "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Paul helps us also."And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Col. 3:15) To be still and experience peace,we must cease striving and stressing, and straining to pack more things into our lives.We need to thank him for all things great and small. "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Ps. 9:1) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Phil 4:6) Take a minute today to thank God for life, and breath, and other small things that you may have taken for granted. Thank him for friends and for his presence in your life. Thank him for his salvation and his grace and the fact that he even cares about you.

We the People It's time that we, the people, restore this great nation to its moral and traditional roots by voting against the evil that has overtaken our government and our culture. This great nation was founded on religious freedom, and as a place for all people to have an opportunity to flourish. We are in danger as socialism and all types of evil are at the doorstep clawing their way farther into our everyday lives.. This amazing political experiment called the United States of America is in danger of falling to the same evil that has toppled great world powers in the past. Hedonism, disdain for God, pursuit of the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life have fundamentally changed the fabric of this once conservative and God fearing nation. Sadly, many will neglect the opportunity to go to their local polling location today so that their voices can be heard. It is too bad we have forgotten the words of those who envisioned a great future for this land of freedom and promise. Our founding fathers knew and worshipped God as the initiator of this great country for which many have sacrificed their lives. John Hancock 1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence "Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." --History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229. James Monroe 5th U.S. President "When we view the blessings with which our country has been favored, those which we now enjoy, and the means which we possess of handing them down unimpaired to our latest posterity, our attention is irresistibly drawn to the source from whence they flow. Let us then, unite in offering our most grateful acknowledgments for these blessings to the Divine Author of All Good." --Monroe made this statement in his 2nd Annual Message to Congress, November 16, 1818. Benjamin Rush Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution "The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation of life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!" --The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, pp. 165-166. "If moral precepts alone could have reformed mankind, the mission of the Son of God into all the world would have been unnecessary. Essays, Literary, Moral, and Philosophical, published in 1798 Patrick Henry Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here." --The Trumpet Voice of Freedom: Patrick Henry of Virginia, p. iii. It is a travesty that we have generations who have not been taught the truth of how and why and at what cost our nation was founded. We are blessed to have a land where there is still freedom. We who love God have nothing to fear from the government for He is ultimately in control. 1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Romans 13:1-7) For a while longer, we have freedom and safety and blessings. If we continue to take them for granted, they could very possibly disappear. Perhaps God has been punishing or will punish us through the government for turning against his precepts and commandments. Pray for this nation and go make a difference as you cast your vote. Do not just sit by and watch hell gain a stronger foothold.

Bullying is Finally Accepted and Condoned Those who demand diversity and require that all opinions and voices be heard, have decided that any opinion or ideology that does not fit their parameters is worthy of bullying. Mobs attack people and leaders with whom they disagree as they attempt to eat a meal in public with their families. Ad hoc keg parties are held on the sidewalk in front of another public figure's home. Cars are torched for displaying the "wrong: bumper sticker. A famous rapper is deemed an "ignorant negro" and a "token negro" as the African American commentator on CNN laughs, all because the celbrity chooses to to align himself with the president of the United States. These very same people in the mob once defended those whose gender identity, or minority status, or impoverished condition made them targets or left them feeling overwhelmed or bullied. They preached of the absolute necessity to defend all whose identies and ideologies were under attack. My how things have changed. Those who previously called racism and sexism out as horrendous and defamatory are now slinging racist and sexist remarks against the minorities they pretended to protect. Any woman or person of color who disagrees with the liberal progressivie agenda is automatically vilified and bludgeoned with both ugly words and "in your face" challenges by those who have bought into the incivility being preached by the leaders of the mob. Irresponsible leaders in the government who stoke the fires of hatred and disrespect portend that this should be the case until they regain power. Statements like "Get in their faces," and "When they get down , we kick them," serve no purpose but to gin up those who are operating out of ignorance and emotion. Why is this double standard tolerated in this great country? Why is it that some are above the law? Why is it that false allegations and conspiracies that are continuously disproved reign the day and drive the rabid idealogs into such a fury? It is because the people of this country have allowed the powers of darkness to infiltrate the very fiber of our culture. Rampant individualism and claims of victimization only serve to fuel the flames of this conflagration. Our society is in danger of another ideological civil war where words are exchanged for violence and the abilityy to have discussions will be totally annihilated. What do true believers do in this unruly, unrighteous, ungodly mayhem? We pray. We remain ready at all times to give a reason for the hope that lies within us, with gentleness and respect. (I Peter 3:15) We stay pure so that God can use us for his purposes (Matthew 5:8). We preach the gospel, ready in season and out of season. (I Timothy 4:2) We stand firm as we stand against the enemy in this spiritual battle for the collective hearts and souls of the people of this country. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Caught in the Cultural Whirlpool of Darkness and Evil According to Wikipedia, "a whirlpool is a body of rotating water produced by the meeting of opposing currents." Whirlpools in the ocean are normally caused by tides. While whirlpools can be seen when you drain a sink or a tub, others on a grander scale, can wreak havoc and cause death. What about a cultural whirlpool? As in an actual whirlpool, the father you are fro the center or vortex, the less dangerous the spin. There is a chance for escape with enough thoughtful action and hard work. However, the closer one gets to the vortex, the more dangerous the situation becomes. The stronger the current the harder it is to escape its pull. Right now in these United States of America, the culture of evil is pulling stronger with every passing day. Freedoms afforded to people in the past have already been sucked into the vortex. Common sense is swirling near the edge of oblivion. Decency and respect are swirling, swirling, ever faster and headed for the funnel. When the truth is not tolerated by an opposing opinion, smear tactics, and destruction aimed at silencing the opposing voice are the weapon of choice. There is no thought of future ramifications. There is no willingness to discuss facts or due process. There is only anger and hatred and thoughts of obliteration. Yes, I am talking about the state of the media and the congress in this once amazing experiment in democracy. Hyprocrites and liars are destroying anyone who is not liberal enough for their purposes. People are misquoted, analyzed under a microscope, and portrayed in a way that is diametrically opposed to the manner in which they actually comport themselves. It doesn't matter how many positive characterizations or witnesses are available, ittis always the lie, the false allegation, or the "regressive memory" dredged up in a psychological counseling session that gets air time. We should not be surprized. People who claim to follow the God of the bible have been lazy, indifferent, and often complicit in the move from a culture of decency any integrity to the evil state in which we find our country's political machine. Preachers have compromised by putting paying the bills and receiving a salary ahead of proclaiming the truth. Church members have not taken a stand for righteousness, believing that the onward march of evil was of no great consequence. Denominations have embraced sinful behaviors and lifestyles rather than stand for the truth of God's demand for holiness and righteousness. They have called acceptable what the scriptures call transgression, abomination, and sin. They have complicitly worked hand in hand with the powers of darkness to set the stage for the quagmire in which we are currently struggling. We are in a war to validate honesty, integrity, decency, goodness and acceptance, character traits that were once assumed as being present in the lives of most people. The scriptures surely speak to this current debacle in which we find ourselves. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7) Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. (I Timothy 4:1-2) When will God's people join the battle against evil? When will Those who claim Christ pray? When will we see all of our rights removed if we just sit back and watch it all happen?

Blinded By Religion Two Roman Catholic priests from Illinois were arrested at Miami's South Beach yesterday, September 5, 2018, while engaging in oral sex in a car right beside a playground for children. The Pope is accused of knowingly covering up a scandal where the cardinal of Washington was manipulating young seminarians into having sex with him so that they would have a better chance of moving up through the ranks. A new investigation against the diocese of Illinois and Indiana is opening amid more allegations of sexual abuse of young children by predatory pedophile priests. When are people going to see that ritualistic religion does not honor God, nor does it produce truly godly people. Any religious organization that denies the requirement of God to be "born again," is of the antichrist.Jesus himself, in his conversation with Nicodemus the pharisee, explained the requirements for being a true follower of Christ. 3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." 4 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?" 5 Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' (John 3:3-7) "Spiritual" institutions do not produce true followers of Christ when the basic requirement for spiritual transformation is disregarded and replaced by manmade tradition and ritual. According to the bible "the heart of man the most deceitul of all things and is desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9) Without spiritual transformation, being born again, people cannot have the evil and wickedness excised from their hearts by the Holy Spirit. Satan has truly blinded the religious people. They see with their eyes and hear with their ears by deny that what is going on in the Catholic church will ever touch their lives, or that it is true. How can anyone remain in a group where children atre the targets of predatory pedophiles? How can people reconcile their beliefs to a church that is full of homosexdual priests? Both of these sins are anathema or an abomination to God. Paul says that those who change the message of the gospel are under a curse, and warns that followers of Christ should not listen to their message. 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. (Galatians 1:6-9) The national media and the powers of darkness are using this newest piece of nastiness to continue its bludgeoning attacks against true Christianity. However, those who perpetrate such activities are not Christian at all. They just put on a particular set of clothing that is identifiable as christian by those who are religious. Inwardly, they still wear their sin nature and are serving their father the Devil. 7 Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God's family do not make a practice of sinning, because God's life*is in them. So they can't keep on sinning, because they are children of God.10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. (I John 3:7-10)

Another Black Eye for the Church Unless you have been in a cave, off the planet, or in a coma, you have been exposed to the latest in an ongoing scandal that affects the integrity of the gospel. Yes, I am going to talk about sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic church.This atrocity is an outrage to biblical Christians as well as to unbelievers. While the Catholic church is not alone in its horrible, unacceptable, atrocious instances of sexual abuse against children, it is guilty of creating a climate and safe haven where perverts and abusers can prey upon the innocent. The first major scandal broke in 2002 ande this is just the second wave of accusations. "The Pope has acknowledged "with shame and repentance" the Catholic Church's failure to act over sexual abuse by clerics against minors going back decades, writing "we showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them...I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons.... Looking back to the past, no effort to beg pardon and to seek to repair the harm done will ever be sufficient. Looking ahead to the future, no effort must be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening, but also to prevent the possibility of their being covered up and perpetuated." Here is a short history of the sexual abuse that has been uncovered in the Roman Catholic church 2018 - Pennsylvania - 300 clergy accused of sexual abuse of 1000 boys 2018 - Chile - 34 bishops resign because of sexual abuse scandal in that country. 158 people currently under investigation 2018 - Washington D.C. - Former cardinal of D.C. diocese resigns over sexual abuse allegations 2018 - Australia - Archbishope convicted of concealing sexual abuse of altar boys 2014 - Dominican Republic - Vatican ambassador to this country convicted of child sexual abuse and possession of child porn 2011 - Netherlands 800 sexual predators identified in Dutch Roman Catholic church 2009 - Ireland 720 page government report uncovers and identifies 46 priests who sexually bused children. The church in Ireland coverd upo the sexual abuse from 1975-2004 2002-2004 - US - 4000 priests accused of child sexual abuse by 11,000 victims. Only 6700 cases investigated because 3300 priests already dead by time of allegations. Period of abuse from 1950-2004. Cardinal of Boston assigns pedifile priest to another church even though he knows of sexual allegations. One priest accused of sexually molesting 130 grammar school aged boys from 1962-1995 If we know about these few instances, how may are still being kept secret? How many more children have suffered or will suffer at the hands of false representatives of Christ? To just write a letter or some sanctimonious religious statement does not do justice. The practice of the Catholic church of concealment and moving perpetrators to other locations where they are free to damage children is a horrendous disservice to the name of Christ and all that is holy. The entirety of the hierarchy of the Catholic church is culpable. The criminals need to be turned over to the state or federal authorities to be tried and convicted and sentenced for their crimes. The leaders of the Catholic church can talk about how it has gotten better in recent years, but if even one child is harmed, it is one to many.Children are a precious gift from God. We are to love them and nurture them. we are to protect them from danger and harm. We as believers are commanded not to cause them to stumble lest we suffer the wrath of God. (Matt.18:6; Luke 17:2) These "priests, bishops, cardinals, and other religious leaders" are not Christians. Those who have repented of their sins and accepted the salvation of Christ do not live lives of constant habitual sin. (I John 3:4-10) These criminals are pedophiles, plain and simple. They defraud those who look to them for spiritual guidance. They defame the name of Christ as they bring shame upon his church. These servants of Satan must be punished according to the laws of this country. God has a special place in hell for those who damage and abuse children, whether the predators be catholic, protestant, or pagan. It is horrible that a denomination claiming to represent Christ would cover for predatory pedophiles' behavior and pay hush money to victims and their parents. Anyone in the public sector would already be rotting in jail. We do need to pray for those who have been harmed. However, those who are guilty should be tried and convicted and punished to the full extent of the law.

Fleecing the Flock As I was at home Sunday waiting to get with our church family to go to a Curves game, my channel surfing landed me on the Inspirational TV channel's version of a telethon to raise money for themselves. David Cerullo, the chairman and CEO of Inspirational ministries introduced the speaker as his "mentor" and as a "mighty man of God." Who was the speaker? Mike Murdock, self proclaimed guru of the Wisdom Center Church in Haltom City TX. Murdock is a religious huckster who claims that wisdom is more important than faith. He pukes out the lies of the Faith Movement and gnosticism, without any sense of embarrassment, as he twists scripture for his own purposes. Murdock is famous for quotes like the following: "Most problems need decisions, not Prayer." "If the mind can conceive it, you can acheive it." "The only way you can change your life is by renewing your mind." "Repetition is the persuader of the mind." " Everywhere ther is a problem, there is money." "As Long as you can see your future, you can create it." "An uncommon seed always produces an uncommon harvest" He makes false claims of those who follow his plan for giving, by telling generic stories with no iverifiable specifics. He sells and guarantees miracles from God for sowing into his ministry, or giving him $58.00 or $1000.00. He also speaks of a "Boaz annointing," a false concept that he dreamed up in his own mind. here are a few clips to check out on you tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdbhDEU1nQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdbhDEU1nQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdbhDEU1nQ This false teaching is abundantly evident to people outside the church, but not so to those who hope to make it rich by giving to God. Here is a blatant outrage by an unbeliever. I apologize for some of the languge, but this is the reality of what the prosperity gospel engenders in unbelievers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtdbhDEU1nQ These false preachers are shameless as they fleece the flock and pervert the gospel. They are preaching a different gospel other than that which comes from the bible. Paul warns against such twisting of scripture. 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.* You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. (Galatians 1:6-10) 1 Dear brothers and sisters,*not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1) Anyone who follows the teachings of these cherry pickers of scriptures denies the absolute sovereignty of God along with him, and is headed for a future opposite what they anticipate. The bible is not "a book about receiving for those who are qualified to receive." There are no "divine deposits within us." The bible is the living Word of God which tells of the greatness of God, convicts hearts of sin, equips people for Godly living, and offers hope and grace and eternal security. It's time to unmask the wolves in sheep's clothing. It's time to warn those whom we love about listening to these messenger from Satan.