Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

I'm trapped having to go to Target. I live in a small town but we do have a few super stores even though our K-Mart closed. I'm not crazy about our Walmart. Don't get me wrong, some Walmart's are very nice, but ours isn't one of them. Personally I'd rather do all my shopping at Tractor Supply Company or Bomgaars (we don't have a Menards, which is good, I can't stand their jingle). My problem is that no matter how wonderful a midwest farm and garden store is, they don't fill prescriptions.

Most stores that provide prescription service are a long drive off and I don't do grocery store pharmacies, which leaves me with Walgreens and CVS. Since Walgreens has turned its back on military veterans and refuses to accept Tricare (I do no business with any company that discriminates against the military) I have to go to CVS pharmacy which is at Target. Double whammy because CVS has the same bathroom policy as Target, and some of my prescriptions are 'specialty medications' that my insurance only covers at CVS. I go in, get my prescriptions, and get out. I don't take my granddaughter with either, just in case she may have to go to the bathroom Is there nowhere safe to let your daughter go to the bathroom? Yeah, a few places.

Think this bathroom thing is about gays and transvestites? No, its about you brother Christian.

The Turkish government has seized all of its last remaining Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Churches

Purple Rain is a worship song? Do these people even know that the man they're worshiping (Prince) was a member of a doomsday cult?

Spurgeon Thursday - It's All About Jesus

WWUTT Wednesday - Pass the Bacon Please

We all knew that Joel Osteen was challenged when it came to the Bible, but every now and then a tidbit comes to light that displays how ignorant he is of God's word. 

We must talk a moment about pork; ham, bacon, pepperoni. These are some things that the scripture tells us we should not eat... and of course this has to do with anything that comes from the pig, a hog, a swine... Back in the bible days the pig was considered unclean, it was never considered a source of food. - Joel Osteen

Joel goes on to tell us his personal reasoning for avoiding pork, talks about the pig's diet and it's digestive system, then goes on to tell how he prefers fresh fish, fresh salmon, and chicken. All of which proves that Joel know less about biblical dietary requirement than he knows about how chickens are raised.

But Joel isn't alone on the pulpit disparaging bacon. Jim Staley quite often disparaged bacon, but then he was deep into the Hebrew Roots movement. (I say "was" because because the Passion for Truth pastor is now doing 7 years for investment fraud). Rick Warren too say to abstain from pork in his diet book The Daniel Plan. But is this right? Should men in a position of spiritual authority be telling Christians what to eat and what not to eat based on scripture? 

Tony Tuesday - The Power of Praise

Things are a bit hectic here in the mile high city,  for me at least. If you notice I didn't even get a Random Bits entry out last week, my bride and I were a bit busy with the kids and didn't get a chance to update the blog. Which is why I'm posting a blog entry from Doctor Tony Evans today;

6 and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.... 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:6,12)

In this passage we read that the nation of Judah had just received horrible news. A vast army was gathering to destroy them, and King Jehoshaphat had no idea how they could survive such a vicious attack. However, he did know there was only one Person he could turn to, and that was God.

God quickly answered his prayer. He told him the battle was not Judah’s but His. Then the Lord set up the battle plan. Instead of warriors leading the way, God instructed the king to place the choir up front and march into battle singing praises to His name. I would have loved to have seen the king’s face when he heard that plan. No arrows or tar-and-pitch rockets were to fly through the air—only praises to God.

Regardless of what he felt inside, the king’s actions demonstrated that he trusted God as he obeyed the Lord. Before Judah reached the battlefield, God had thrown the enemy in to such confusion that they turned on one another. The army of Judah never lifted a bow because God defeated its enemies.

If you’re facing difficulty of any kind or size, begin to sing songs of praise to the Lord, and you will see your enemies defeated. Not only that, but your heart will be lifted, and you will sense a peace inside like nothing you have known. God wants to restore the peace you have lost. If you will let Him, He will give you a fresh touch of His peace, love, and grace when you praise Him.

- Dr. Tony Evans

Eccumenical Monday - IHOP and Their Adoration of the Papist Church

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what
partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or
what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)

Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone) is the foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant Reformation. It is held by we Reformers, who know that Scripture is self-authenticating, clear to the rational reader, is its own interpreter, and sufficient of itself to be the final authority of Christian doctrine. However some denominations prefer Prima Scriptura which states that scripture is pretty good, but needs man's help through revelation and Tradition. Denominations that encourage this kind of thing are Anglican, Wesleyan Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Quakers, Pentecostals, Charismatics and Roman Catholics

The International House of Prayer (IHOP) claims to be all about Prima Scriptura, but may be Secundum Scriptura (Scripture is Secondary), but probably Alia Scriptura (Another Scripture). Regardless of what they are, what they are not is evangelical Christian. At the very best what they are is a Christian flavored cult. With much more focus on mysticism and contemplative spirituality than on worshipping the Lord in prayer and interceding for others through prayer, and the expectation that healings, visions, dreams, prophecies, tongues, words of knowledge, signs, wonders, etc become commonplace, IHOP sets itself apart from biblical Christianity. Which is probably why IHOP simply adores the Roman Catholic Church. Consider this quote from the Franciscan University of Steubenville: 

“The International House of Prayer (IHOP) was founded in 1999 by Mike Bickle, who says that many IHOP teachings draw upon the works of St. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, as well as contemporary Catholics including Father Henri Nouwen and Father Thomas Dubay, SM. The IHOP 24 hour prayer room, he says, was inspired by the spiritual practices of  Catholic European monks, such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux. 

‘I’ve always had a passion for Catholic-Christian unity, and enthusiastically welcome this years Catholic track,’ says Bickle. ‘We may have different religious traditions, but we focus on fellowship, and unity and Jesus being glorified in prayer, worship, and teaching.’”

Spurgeon Thursday - The Church That The World Likes Best

WWUTT Wednesday: Praying in Tongues

Believe it or not, there's actually people out there who believe that if you're not praying in tongues, you're not saved. According to the father of the word-faith movement, Kenneth Hagin, "peaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit." So if you're not speaking in tongues, you're not filled with the Holy Spirit.

He goes on to say that continuing to pray and to worship God in tongues helps us to be ever-con­scious of His indwelling Presence. And if you are conscious of the indwelling Presence of the Holy Ghost every day, that is bound to affect the way you think and live... When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, who is a Spirit. When you speak in tongues, you are talking to Him by divine, supernatural means.

Is this true? Is this biblical? The answer is "of course not". These quotes came from the NAR's own Kenneth Hagin who has said a lot of silly things, the least of which is his false teachings on praying in tongues

Coexist?

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

Several years ago my wife saw a posting on the internet where the Retriever Rescue Of Colorado had a pair of chocolate labs that desperately needed a foster home. As the pair had been raised together so they had to be placed together, and being older dogs (10 and 12 years) it was hard to find a home or foster home. If the RROC couldn't find them a home they were going to have to put down Molly and Kira. So we volunteered to foster them.

We were a foster failure, because they ended up spending the rest of their lives with us. For the next 4 years they entertained us with their cute quirks. Kira was the worst retriever in the world, if you threw a ball she adopted a "You threw it, you go get it" attitude. Molly was slightly better, but she had an "eat what you catch" attitude which included sticks, balls, frisbees, stuffed animals, and squirrels (which she never did actually catch). Sadly they left us this year. Molly succumbed to kidney failure on January 2, and Kira's strength finally gave out last night.

Father in Heaven:
Thank you so much for the years you blessed us with Molly and Kira. The joy we felt with them enriched our lives, and the pain of their loss reminds us of the pain You feel when we rebel. But mostly thank you for their joyful, unconditional love they had for us. Their love set an example of the love we should feel for You. I pray that we all can show the tail wagging, barking in joy love they taught us when You call us home. In Jesus name we beg you take away the sorrow and replace it with even more gratitude for Your blessing of these sweet dogs

Do you hear a whirring noise coming from the east, possibly Germany? That's Martin Luther spinning in the grave. I warned you all that Azusa Now was nothing but an ecumenical con-job designed to fill the coffers of Rome. If you think that sounds harsh, what do you think of NAR false prophet Lou Engle kissing the feet of a Roman papist in reconciliation. Reconciliation for what, pointing out Roman heresy? Dulling their swords with out necks?

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. (1 Timothy 2:12) Here's why.

Spurgeon Thursday - 32 Cool Facts About C. H. Spurgeon

1. One woman was converted through reading a single page of one of Spurgeon’s sermons wrapped around some butter she had bought.

2. Spurgeon read The Pilgrim’s Progress at age 6 and went on to read it over 100 times.

3. The New Park Street Pulpit and The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, the collected sermons of Spurgeon during his ministry with that congregation, fill 63 volumes. The sermons’ 20-25 million words are equivalent to the 27 volumes of the ninth edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. The series stands as the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity.

4. Spurgeon’s mother had 17 children, nine of whom died in infancy.

5. When Charles Spurgeon was only 10 years old, a visiting missionary, Richard Knill, said that the young Spurgeon would one day preach the gospel to thousands and would preach in Rowland Hill’s chapel, the largest Dissenting church in London. His words were fulfilled.

6. Spurgeon missed being admitted to college because a servant girl inadvertently showed him into a different room than that of the principal who was waiting to interview him. (Later, he determined not to reapply for admission when he believed God spoke to him, “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not!”)

7. Spurgeon’s personal library contained 12,000 volumes, 1,000 printed before 1700. (The library, 5,103 volumes at the time of its auction, is now housed at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.)

8. Before he was 20, Spurgeon had preached over 600 times.

9. Spurgeon drew to his services Prime Minister W. E. Gladstone, members of the royal family, Members of Parliament, as well as author John Ruskin, Florence Nightingale, and General James Garfield, later president of the United States.

10. The New Park Street Church invited Spurgeon to come for a 6-month trial period, but Spurgeon asked to come for only 3 months because “the congregation might not want me, and I do not wish to be a hindrance.”

Good News From Your Friendly Neighborhood Cable Company!

The Short, Turbulent Life of Al Jazeera America

By THE NEW YORK TIMES APRIL 12, 2016

Thirty-two months ago, Al Jazeera America made its debut with ambitious plans (and a big budget) to become a leading voice in cable news. And though the network has garnered a number of prestigious awards, it never attracted a meaningful audience, often failing to draw 30,000 viewers in prime time.

Over the last year, it has also had embarrassing setbacks. The network was sued by a number of former employees; its chief executive was let go after staff members complained of a “culture of fear”; and its general counsel was suspended (and subsequently let go) after it was discovered that he did not have a license to practice law. In January, the network announced that it was shutting down. On Tuesday, Al Jazeera America will air its final broadcast. Here is a look back at the network over the last three years:

Emergent Monday: IHOP - Feeding the Undiscerning

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in  sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
(Matthew 7:15)

Once upon a time, Joseph Smith said that God sent him a message, so he started the Mormon Church. Ellen G. White also claimed a message from God and she started the Seventh Day Adventists. Mary Eddy Baker believes she got a message from God and she started the Christian Scientist church. Sun Myung Moon said he got a message from God and he started the Unification church. Muhammed claims to have received a message from God and started Islam.

Then there's Mike Bickle. In the 1980's Mike was a preacher in a small church St. Louis when a man named "Augustine told him that he had heard an audible voice that told him to prophesy "by the spirit of truth" to Bickle's congregation. Bickle allowed him to do this and was impressed by the seeming accuracy with which he described the condition of his church. In September of that same year Mike claims that while visiting Cairo, Egypt a mysterious, audible voice told him:

I am inviting you to raise up a work that will touch the ends of the earth. I have invited many people to do this thing and many people have said yes, but very few have done my will. (Source, page 60)

In 1999 Mike Bickle started the International House Of Prayer known for it's 24/7 prayer ministry. It has since grown to establish international ties, its own seminary, and an undergraduate program along with tying itself to the New Apostolic Reformation. And when I say it's a 24/7 prayer ministry, I mean it's really, really, Really 24/7. Nonstop praying 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is true that there's no such thing as praying too much, so the idea of a ministry dedicated to non-stop prayer is a good one. But what worries Christians is the type of prayer they use. IHOP is dedicated to contemplative prayer. Here are a few quotes on contemplative prayer by Mike Bickle. 

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

When I was assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters" we would give each other the Juvat Salute, an unofficial acknowledgement of brotherhood and solidarity. Only a member of the 80th could give another member of the 80th the Juvat Salute. The word Juvat comes from the squadron motto Audentes Fortuna Juvat which means "Fortune Favors the Bold", in fact we called ourselves Juvats rather than Headhunters.

The Juvat Salute is both arms raised, fists clenched and held above the head, you shake your fists and shout "JUVAT!" (or Oooh RAH! depending on your mood) . A Juvat salute must be returned, which could be considered dangerous if you're doing something like loading a bomb, driving a truck, or taxiing an F-16, but I've never seen a Juvat Salute go unanswered.

I only bring this up because I taught my 10 month old granddaughter to give a Juvat Salute. She's good at yelling and she's good at putting her hands over her head, so why not? And it's totally cute. Of course her grandmother and her mom aren't impressed, but my son-in-law thinks it's a riot. And just so you don't think I'm a complete reprobate I am teaching her to pray too. Being 10 months old with a vocabulary of 0 we're going to start off simple; "Yay God!" I think it's perfect because we're called to praise and worship God, and what's better than a hear felt "Yay!"? I'll teach her about petitioning when she's old enough to understand what "according to His will" means (1 John 5:14)

Christians are the most persecuted people on earth. And now the left has decided that being a Christian is an unfair privilege.

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." - C. S. Lewis

Spurgeon Thursday - the Highlands of Affliction

Charles Spurgeon preached over 600 times before he was 20 years old. His sermons sold about 20,000 copies a week and were translated into 20 languages. His sermons fill 63 volumes and stands as the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity. Je was a preacher of truth:

To know truth as it should be known, to love it as it should be loved, and then to proclaim it in the right spirit, and in its proper proportions. 

And, most importantly, he believed that the Bible was the truth

This is the book untainted by any error; but it is pure unalloyed, perfect truth. Why? Because God wrote it

He was immensely popular, his sermons were given to thousands and read by tens of thousands. He wasn't exaggerating when he said

"I remember, when I have preached at different times in the country, and sometimes here, that my whole soul has agonized over men, every nerve of my body has been strained and I could have wept my very being out of my eyes and carried my whole frame away in a flood of tears, if I could but win souls"

He was a Puritan, Calvinist, Protestant but he didn't believe that was the only way, because he knew that Jesus was the only way. Spurgeon delighted in confessing that he was sure there were saved saints in the "Romish Church" and he even  chose a paedobaptist to be the first head of his pastor's college. His communion was open to all Christians, but he said he "would rather give up his pastorate than admit any man to the church who was not obedient to his Lord's command [of baptism]"

"I would propose that the subject of the ministry in this house, as long as this platform shall stand and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshippers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, "It is Jesus Christ" 

WWUTT Wednesday - Pancakes Anyone?

Yes, I've been doing a lot of reposting lately rather than generating original content, that's because it's been pretty busy around here and it's pretty demanding trying to get original content done considering the subjects I'm working on. As I continue with my series on the NAR my research lead into their ties with the occult, and if you've never written on the occult take my advice: Don't.

After a few sessions of dealing with that I feel a need to take a long hot shower, for an entire week. But I continue on, for as we slide deeper and deeper into the prophesied falling away I hope my words may reach one soul who is meandering around the internet looking for information and turn them toward the scriptures rather than a man made religion whose main purpose is to lead is to lead people away from God. So here's my next topic

Emergent Monday - The Occultic Roots of the NAR

This is the gravestone of William Branham, the man whose strange teachings fuel the strange fire of the New Apostolic Reformation. Every Easter, many of Branham’s followers visit his grave in Jeffersonville, IN expecting to see his resurrection. They believe that his rising from the grave will be the sign that Jesus’ Second Coming is at hand. Branham’s grave attracts hundreds of domestic and international visitors who believe, as Branham prophesied, that he was the messenger of the Last Days.

This occult Masonic pyramid gravestone is adorned with an eagle, Branham stated many times that the Bible compared God's prophets to eagles, however, he never provided one scriptural example of where this was the case. This grave marker Lists the seven churches of Revelation on one side, and a list of seven men whom Branham believed signifigantly impacted the church. They are Paul, Irenaeus, Martin, Columbia, Luther, Westley, and Branham himself. This stone is eerily similar to the Watchtower Memorial marking the grave of Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Jehovah's witnesses. 

William Branham was a false prophet and major heretic who taught false doctrines and promoted occultism. Even with his outlandish teachings and proven false prophecies, there are many poor souls who still believe in him, promote his teachings, and are basing their ministries on his ranting.

Random Bits

"I walk through this sinful world as a 

pilgrim in a foreign country" - CH Spurgeon

I Could Have Told You That Department - A study by drugabuse.com shows that people who consider their religious beliefs very important take illicit drugs at a far, far lower rate than those people that doesn't place any importance on God

Sola Camouflage, sometimes it's hard to detect

Georgia Governor Deal has vetoed the Pastor Protection Act which provided protections for pastors and non-profit faith-based organizations. He said that there is no need for such legislation, and that the protections provided under the First Amendment are sufficient. We know how much the Gaystapo likes the First Amendment when it protects them, but when it comes to criticism of their abhorrent actions - not so much.

Oh No! US Military families have been ordered out of southern Turkey. I only put this in here because I loved Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. The best description for an Adana kebab from Mudjat's in "downtown" Incirlik was a slice of heaven wrapped in flatbread.

Atheists have no problem censoring any discussion of Christianity, but should you suggest censoring their semi-pornographic literature they go ballistic

Canadian Roman Catholic priest gambles away a half million dollars slated refugee sponsorship. His bishop thinks the priest has a gambling problem. Dude! Ya think?

Religion of Peace Update #1 - The Muslims of ISIS are refusing to allow Christians in the city of Raqqa to leave because the Muslim cowards are going to use our brothers and sisters as cannon fodder and human shields.