True Ministry

I'd like to share portions of a newsletter received from a well-respected pastor.
It is entitled, "True Ministry".

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"We need to be clear on why we do ministry in the first place.

Many Christians are actively involved in ministry for a whole lot of wrong reasons. That doesn't mean that God won't use it, but it's not the way God desires us to serve. The single reason we do ministry is because we love God and we want to do His will. The wrong reason is to think that if we did more things for God, He might like us more. It is important to realize that His love for us is perfect and complete.

We don't serve Him because we want Him to do good things for us in return. He is here to serve us by leading us to Himself, not to do what we want.

To do something out of love for God is not enough, it has to be something He wants you to do! The Bible talks about people who will even prophesy in Jesus' name, but in the end He says, "I never knew you. Depart from me." Matthew 7:21-23. In that same passage Jesus says that the people God claims as His own are the people that do the will of the Father.

True ministry is done for the love of the One who saved us, and is in direct accordance with His will. We do ministry not in order to get a relationship with God, but because we have a relationship with God. Ministry is sharing the love of God with others. This will naturally happen when you are experiencing the love of God yourself. God inspires us to do amazing things, which gives us the opportunity to live a life that is completely surrendered to the leading of His Holy Spirit. It's the natural overflow of a life lived in love with Him.

This is ministry.

Ministry involves sharing the love of God with more people and gives us
more opportunities to know Him better. Continue to ask God how He would have you participate and what the outpouring of His love through you looks like. He's just waiting to tell you."

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Is that just awesome or what? After reading it, I found myself focused in on the portion that states that 'God inspires us to do amazing things when we take the opportunity to live a life that is completely surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.' This is the process of sanctification. It is a lifelong journey and we will never completely "arrive" until we see Him face to face in eternity! But, through worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship, ministry and evangelism, we are "purposed" in our lives here on earth and are more and more equipped to surrender and follow the leading of God's Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Have you ever neglected to do something when you had a clear indication from the Holy Spirit that it was something that God wanted you to do?

I have!

It was an awful experience, too.

I used all kinds of excuses for not witnessing to a neighbor and then, when the neighbor died, I also missed the opportunity to witness to his widow! I remember so vividly how my conscience was getting to me. I knew that I had rejected the prompting of the Holy Spirit during that time in my life. It got so bad that I even reached the point where I became physically ill.

I tried to "make up" for it when I ran into the man's widow in front of a Ralph's supermarket by inviting her to church with me. She never responded to the offer. Soon after, she moved away.

Now, I'd like to share an incident where I did follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I have to be honest and state that I felt completely inadequate to witness to this particular individual. Notice that I was focusing on my felt needs rather than focusing my attention and energy towards the leading of the Holy Spirit Who would ultimately help me in my inadequacy!

In the summer of 1994, my mom and dad were visiting us here in California. My dad had been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer (due to asbestos exposure) and had been going through chemotherapy treatments. These treatments made him weak and we didn't do the usual sight seeing excursions as we had in the past. In fact, the one day we did go out, he had become very tired walking around a shopping area in LaJolla. When we came home, my discussion with my dad turned towards God. He abruptly said, "God is punishing me." This shocked me, at first, because I wasn't sure if my dad ever even thought about the things of God. He hardly ever went to church when I was a kid and I often worried about his relationship with "the Man upstairs"; as he liked to call Him.

We had a brief conversation about who and what was really responsible for him contracting lung cancer. He was tired and wanted to rest so I asked him if we could talk more about it later. He said yes, but we never did that day.

Soon, they were on the plane back to N.J.

In January, my dad had taken a severe turn for the worse. My mom was convinced that he had "a matter of days" to live. I boarded a plane and flew out to see my dad and talk with him about the Lord. On the plane, I had little booklets called, "Our Daily Bread" that contained excerpts of Bible verses and brief commentary about them. I started to highlight the portions of Scripture that I would share with him.

I can't say that I was "scared" to share the gospel with my dad; it was more of a worry that I wouldn't "do it right" and end up pushing him further away from the Lord. He never spoke to me about spiritual things when we were growing up so I just assumed that he was agnostic.

When I arrived at the house, I was so saddened to see my dad in such bad condition. He was bedridden, couldn't move, drowsy from medication and incontinent. My dad had always been a big, tall, and very strong man. To see him at half his normal weight and weak like that was very difficult. I waited until I was in my former bedroom upstairs in the house and cried my eyes out.

I helped my mom tend to him physically over the next few days, but I also asked him if we could continue our discussion from the summer about "God punishing him."

During our discussion, I discovered something about my dad that I never knew before. When my family was attending the Catholic church and my dad stayed home, he would usually watch sports on TV. What I didn't know is that he would often flip through the channels during the commercials and watch Charles Stanley's broadcast! I was certainly thrilled to hear that! It gave me an "in" to share the Bible with him.

I refered to the Scriptures I had highlighted in the booklets and shared the verses that would lead into sharing the gospel with my dad. Sometimes he would tire easily and ask me to stop. This went on for about 3 days. On that third day, I presented the gospel message to him and asked if he would like to repent and ask Jesus into his heart for the salvation of his soul. HE SAID YES!! My mom was nearby sitting on a chair and we all prayed together! I was so thrilled that my dad, in what was close to the 11th hour of his life made the eternal decision for Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! Praise God!

We continued with our Bible studies until it was time for me to fly home.

One afternoon, an unusual thing happened. I often hesitate to share this because people often do not react well to it and/or they claim that my dad was "doped up" and didn't know what he was saying. This is what happened.

We had just finished our Bible study and my mom was in the kitchen getting lunch ready. My dad said, "Alright Joe." I said, "What dad?" My dad said, "I was talking to Joe." I said, "Joe? Who and where is Joe?" My dad said, "He's right over there," as he pointed to the empty chair where my mom usually sits. I looked at the empty chair, then I looked at my dad. He seemed to be listening intently as he stared at the chair. There was a moment of silence and then my dad said, "Oh." I said, "What dad?" He said, "He says you can't see him." I was flabbergasted! Something like this had never happened to me before.

My mom entered the room and we had lunch. Later, I asked my mom if dad knows a "Joe." She told me that he was best buddies with a guy he knew while serving in WWII and he was named "Joe." Joe died while in the service.

I have often wondered if my dad had been visited by an angel who appeared before him looking like his friend Joe. I know I can't prove anything and I'm not trying to convince anyone here, but this incident has stuck in my mind and will never leave.

When I was flying back home, I realized that I probably would never see my dad alive again. The sorrow of that fact led to tears which were replaced by joy when my thoughts came to the great realization that I would one day see him again in eternity!

A wonderful thing happened soon after my visit. My dad improved a lot and was able to get out of bed and into a wheelchair. He had two last wishes. He wanted to take a ride in one of his antique convertible cars and sit in his favorite chair in the living room. He did both and much more in the month of March!

I saw this as a reprieve, sent by God!

If you had seen how bad my dad looked when I visited him in January, you would never have believed that he would have lived another 4 1/2 months!

My dad died on May 30, 1995 at around 9 a.m. in the morning.

My entire family went back for the funeral. I was asked to speak at the podium during the funeral. I will share that account next time. It was another incident where the Holy Spirit helped me so tremendously that it is one of times in my life where my faith became steadfast and solidified. I know that the Lord is real and He is with me...no matter WHAT happens in life.

Time Out for a WND Letter

OK. Time out from my series of posts on "The Way of the Master".

I ran across an article written by Kyle Williams on WorldNetDaily and felt the need to respond. Here is the article:

Fundies' flawed Katrina theology

Posted: September 3, 2005
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Kyle Williams

In an age of entertainment and mass communication, a sensation-driven news media rules the airwaves. Although reporters are doing their jobs in covering the devastation of hurricane Katrina, the disaster porn shown endlessly on cable news is no doubt contributing to ratings. And this is the great danger in all hyped news stories – that people with ulterior motives become a part of the story for the purposes of an agenda or personal gain.Such was the case in the weeks leading up to Hurricane Katrina with Cindy Sheehan and her continual photo-op. Politicians, celebrities and activists all made pilgrimages to Crawford to get in on the media whoredom. Long before that, pro-life leaders and activists made their way down to Florida to get in on the hype of the Terri Schiavo case. Some activists held up signs that read, "Save Terri!" with a website address below – high enough for the cameras to broadcast the advertisement to the world.This is the temptation of mass broadcasting to which, unfortunately, the news media continually succumbs. It is for these reasons that public-relations firms and publicists live off publishing houses and activist organizations. The business of the news media is a market with open doors to all who fit the mold of being uniquely controversial – the corporations get their ratings and you sell your book. Everybody wins, except for those who want the truth.In the case of the horrible devastation of the hurricane specifically ripping through New Orleans, some right-wing fundamentalists are piggybacking on the media hype to push their own conservative agendas. This time, they're saying God took a pre-emptive strike on homosexuals who had planned a large-scale event in New Orleans called "Southern Decadence," which was set to occur this past week.Repent America, directed by Michael Marcavage, is an organization known for picketing gay pride events and abortion clinics. While their biblical hermeneutic on Divine judgment could arguably be clouded by their previously established political activities, Repent America sent out a press release Wednesday that was picked up by media outlets and among these, WorldNetDaily. In the press release, the organization played connect the dots and insinuated God sent the hurricane to stop the gays. "Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked city," stated Marcavage. "From 'Girls Gone Wild' to 'Southern Decadence,' New Orleans was a city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin. From the devastation may a city full of righteousness emerge." It is still unclear why the organization felt compelled to broadcast their private prayers and conjectures to the rest of the world. Then you find a guy like J. Grant Swank Jr., who is not nearly as high-profile but every bit of a right-wing hack. In a column on a not-worth-mentioning website, he writes, "Sodom and Gomorrah were to be re-enacted in broad daylight – and into the night haunts as well. It would be one high ol' time of it in the southern scape. …Then came along Katrina. Now New Orleans is under water, bathing in sewage and devastation rather than providing downtown fountains for homosexual capers aplenty." Swank, just like Marcavage, bases his faulty ideology on the unbiblical theology that his arrogance is somehow less offensive than homosexuality. It rains on all and disasters are not prejudice. We're all in the same boat. Not nearly as offensive, but in the same vain, WorldNetDaily's own Craige McMillan takes the opportunity of the New Orleans crisis to give a lesson on the Seventh Commandment.In his column, he questions, "Do you think New Orleans would be better off right now if its public school system had taught all students the Ten Commandments as part of their secular education? Or would such forthright exposure to religious indoctrination have so traumatized the little darlings that they might – oh, say – loot the city at the very first opportunity?"He goes on to criticize public schools for not teaching Mosaic Law and their aversion to all things God, but in the same paragraph exalts Judeo-Christian ethics as essentially the only prevention of total moral anarchy. It's a nice Sunday school lesson, but it comes off as arrogant to those of other traditions, especially in light of such suffering in the wake of Katrina.Aside from the unjustifiable theology found in the messages of these activists, perhaps most telling is their insensitivity to the plight of their fellow human beings. There are times of reverence in which people of any understanding should keep quiet. At this point, I'm just waiting for Fred Phelps and his friends to show up on a New Orleans' highway with picket signs saying, "God Hates Fags." That's most certainly the love of Christ in action.

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

I sent a response to both WND and Kyle's blog. Here is the letter-to-the-editor I had sent to WorldNetDaily:


After reading Kyle's article, "Christians' false god of knowledge", I visited his blog. I noticed that he had written a brief blurb about Pat Robertson, crossed it out, and then stated that he must have been "blogging drunk."

Kyle? Were you "blogging drunk" when you insulted a fellow Christian believer named Ray Comfort in your recent WND column by labeling his televangelism program "ridiculous"? Just where are your manners young man?

Even if you don't enjoy, agree with, or like Mr. Comfort's program, please refrain from mocking the man and/or his show. Remember what Paul wrote about fellow Christians and their attitudes towards each other? Aren't we supposed to encourage each other and "build each other up" in the faith?

Have you ever read, "The Way of the Master" book by Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort? It is excellent and I think you might benefit from reading it.

Kyle stated in the article: "Christianity is not reasonable. Paul himself declared the things of God to be foolish."

Dear boy! Christianity IS a reasonable faith. When Paul said that the 'things of God are foolishness' don't you remember that he finished that verse with, "to those who are perishing"?

THAT'S where the attitude of foolishness arises and can be found; in those who reject the cross of Christ.


1 Cor. 1:18 (NKJV) - For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Kyle wrote: "The point is this: Christian faith is deeper."

Yes! This is very true. And I think that you might realize how much deeper when you read, "The Way of the Master". After you finish reading it, perhaps you could post an apology to Mr. Comfort for your foolish and inconsiderate comment about him.

( I know, I know....he's only 16 yrs. old. But since he has been given the privilege of writing and publishing a column on one of the most widely read websites on the net, doesn't it behoove him to comment about fellow Christians considerately and wisely?)

The Backbone of the Gospel Message

In Chapter 8 of "The Way of the Master" book, there is a list of statistics that most churches and evangelical crusade workers would NOT want people to read or even know about. It is, to say the least, VERY disheartening for any Christian to find out. These aren't just "statistics", they are tragic results of the modern evangelical methods that omit first preaching the Law in order to prepare sinners hearts for genuine conversion.

Here are two examples:

At a 1990 crusade in the U.S., 600 "decisions for Christ" were obtained. No doubt there was much rejoicing. However, ninety days later, follow-up workers couldn't find even one who was continuing in his or her faith. That crusade created 600 backsliders - or, to be more scriptural, false converts.

In 1991, organizers of a Salt Lake City concert encouraged follow-up. They said, "Less than 5 percent of those who respond to an altar call during a public crusade....are living a Christian life one year later." In other words, more than 95 percent proved to be false converts.


Why is it that modern preachers have allowed the gospel to degenerate into a means of happiness rather than one of righteousness? Why have they failed to show sinners that they are lawbreakers who have violated the Law of holy God?

Maybe it is because the use of the Law seems confrontational and judgmental. Maybe it is because they assume that sinners know that they are sinners and therefore don't need to be confronted with that fact. But, if unsaved people only find out that God loves them and can forgive them WITHOUT pointing out WHAT constitutes sin according to the Law of God, then how are they to understand sin's true nature and how it separates them from God?

There are many who think that they are good (see Proverbs 20:6). In one Los Angeles Times article and survey, nearly two-thirds interviewed think they are heaven bound. Only one-half of one percent said they were hell-bound.

Most of these think they are heaven bound because they are deceived into thinking that they are morally good. (See former blog post for a "test" on how "good" you are). The problem is that many do not have any idea what sin is until the Law gives them that knowledge!

Look at our world today. Look at the things that are being touted as "normal", "rights" and demanded to be "accepted." The new book that is out called, "The Marketing of Evil" goes into great detail about how mind-seige types of propaganda have affectively glossed over what used to be unequivocably viewed as evil and sinful in the past. But now, much of these dangerous and deceptive ideas are being indoctrinated into the minds of people in America as the "norm." In fact, it is the Christians who are now being labeled as "abnormal", "bigoted", "hateful", "intolerant" , "undesirable" and some of these propagandist leaders are even calling for the need for Christians to be "eliminated"!

Does this sound hauntingly like the Islamic extremists rhetoric against Jews and Christians or what?!!

How true, faithful and filled with wisdom God's ancient Word is! The Bible's ancient wisdom is as revealing now, as it was then, as well as throughout history! When it comes to describing today's contemporary culture, we see the examples included in the "marketing of evil" being presented to an unsuspecting public as "good" and the true Good being labeled as evil!!

Isaiah 5:20 - Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Jesus' own words!

John 15:18 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

John 15:24 - If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

John 15:25 - But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

The Law needs to be presented as the backbone of our gospel presentation because its function is to prepare the heart for grace. Martin Luther said of the Law, "In its true and proper work and purpose it humbles a man and prepares him - if he uses the Law correctly - to yearn and seek for grace."

In Chapter 6 of "TWOTM", we see the extreme importance of the Law:

1. If the Law didn't demand death for sin, we wouldn't need a Savior.
2. God chose the Ten Commandments to carry the message for the need for repentance.
3. The true convert comes to the Savior, Jesus Christ, to satisfy the demands of a holy Law because he/she realizes that he/she could never satisfy it!!
4. The true convert isn't like Adam who ran from God in the Garden after sinning.
5. The true convert delights to do God's will because God's Law is within his heart (Psalm 40:7- 10)
6. The Messiah became a curse for us and redeemed us from the curse of the Law.
7. The Old Testament said of the Messiah that He would "magnify the law and make it honourable" (Isaiah 42:21).
9. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my Commandments."

Next, look at what the religious leaders did by their tradition. They had twisted God's law and rendered it ineffectual (Matthew 15:6)!! They even hindered others from entering God's kingdom. This is what Jesus said to them:

"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered" (Luke 11:52).

The lawyers were professing to be experts in God's Law. But because they didn't use the "key of knowledge" to bring sinners to the Savior, they hindered the work of the Law as a "groundbreaking" instrument in people's hearts!

God's Law prepares the heart of the sinner for the good news of the gospel. Without this preparatory work, his heart is hardened, and he therefore becomes a candidate for a false conversion.

(Next: Catching a glimpse of the difference between the true and false converts.)

Seeing YOUR need for the Savior

Perhaps you are reading this blog and thinking that you don't have any need for the Savior, Jesus Christ. Maybe you are very content with your life. Perhaps you are happy, for the most part. You are satisfied, cheerful, thankful and joyful. So, could there be another reason for you to have need for the Savior?

There is a popular contemporary Christian song that shares the following lyrics with us:

"I want to be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I want to shine like the stars in the heavens

Oh Lord, be my Light
And be my salvation
All I want is to be in the Light"

Next, look at a verse from Proverbs:

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 11:4)

Do you see any reference to "happiness on earth" in either quote? I don't. What the words "day of wrath", "righteousness", "do not profit", "be in the Light", "salvation" tells me is that when confronted by the spirituality of God's Law, it is THEN that I see my need of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, within modern day evangelism, the belief that the chief end of the gospel is happiness on earth rather than righteousness, many may fail to see the gospels' God-given intention.

If you did an internet search and typed in "true happiness" you may find a lot of links to websites exhorting the idea that "Jesus gives true happiness". One survey indicated that 57 percent of those asked claimed that they were satisfied with their lives, while another 34 percent said they were "fairly satisfied." Wouldn't this give the gospel message some competition? The point is, happiness isn't the issue.

In my previous post, I covered the fact that Jesus talked in terms of spiritual poverty and spiritual brokeness, bondage, blindness, and oppression. He was offering freedom to those who recognize their sinful state and are broken by the realization that their spiritual poverty and bondage separates them from a just and holy God. The message contained in this is most important! It indicates that both those who are hurting (those suffering from poverty, addictions, or disease etc.) and those who are happy (content with their lives) need to be shown their sinful state before God so they will seek after the righteousness that is in Christ.

Kirk Cameron quote: "If we preach the gospel of righteousness in Christ through repentance from sin, it applies to everyone."

Not convinced? Click on the following "test" now, or after you finish reading this post. Consider the questions:


AM I GOOD ENOUGH TO GET TO HEAVEN?
ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH TO GET TO HEAVEN?
TAKE THIS TEST AND SEE!!

http://www.livingwaters.com/good/001.shtml


Genuine conversion brings the attitude that Paul had in Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

What exactly was it that changed Saul, who was originally out to kill Christians and completely destroy the message of the gospel; into Paul, who became one of the greatest apostles whose strong faith showed that he never doubted the truth of the gospel or Christ's steadfast devotion to him? It was the Cross! Despite the suffering and persecution Paul went through, his goal was to live godly in Christ Jesus and finish the race. In the end, he desired to hear the words, "well done, good and faithful servant."

Why?

The following excerpt from, "The Way of the Master" (TWOTM) will give us the answer for it tells the purpose of God's Law:

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"For what purpose was God's Law designed? The following verse tells us: "The Law is not made for a righteous person, but...for sinners" (1 Timothy 1:9). It even lists the sinners for us: the disobedient, the ungodly, murderers, fornicators, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, etc. The Law's main design is not for the saved but for the unsaved. It was given as a "schoolmaster" to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24, KJV). It was designed primarily as an evangelistic tool. D.L. Moody said, "The Law can only chase a man to Calvary, no further."

It is an unlawful use of the Law to use it for justification. No one will make it to heaven by keeping the Ten Commandments. The Scriptures make that very clear: "A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ...; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Galatians 2:16). The Law's rightful purpose is simply to act as a mirror to show us that we need cleansing. Those who seek to be justified by the Law are taking the mirror off the wall and trying to wash themselves with it.

Neither should the Law be used to produce legalism. We are given incredible liberty in Christ (Galatians 5:1), and there are those who would seek to steal that liberty by placing the Law on the backs of Christians. Obviously, Christians refrain from lawlessness. They don't lie, steal, kill, commit adultery, etc. If they fall into sin (as opposed to diving into sin), they confess and forsake it, because they know that "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14, NIV). However, a Christian's motivation for holy living isn't one of legalism, imposed on them by the Law. Why do they refrain from sin? To gain God's favor? No. They already have that in Christ. Instead, Christians live lives that are pleasing to God because they want to do all they can to show God gratitude for the incredible mercy they have received through the gospel. Their gratitude isn't driven by guilt - to somehow try to pay God back for the Cross. No, their motive is pure. It's like the one leper who, when he saw that he was healed, was overwhelmed with gratitude. He turned back to Jesus and "with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet" (Luke 17:15). The motive for gratitude is love, not legalism."

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Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my Commandments." (John 14:15 NASB)

In the following excerpt from "TWOTM", the difference between legalism and using the spiritual nature of the Law in evangelism is explained quite well:

"The Law reveals to them (new believers) that there is no way they can please God outside of faith in Jesus. As they stand before the ground-shaking thunder and vivid lightning of Mount Sinai, it dawns on them that a holy Creator sees their wicked thoughts. They cringe as they begin to understand that God sees lust as adultery and hatred as murder. Guilty sinners see that they are "by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3) and therefore flee to shelter in Christ from the rain of God's indignation. They know that grace, and grace alone, saves them. In the words of the hymn "Rock of Ages," nothing in their hands they bring, simply to the Cross they cling.

True believers are saved knowing that nothing commends them to God. After a lifetime of good works, of reading the Word, of prayer and seeking the lost, they are still saved by grace and grace alone. They are "unprofitable servants" who merely do what they should."

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Please know that I am not advocating that good works, reading the Bible, prayer, etc. is not worthwhile. To the contrary, it is all very important for our continued connection with the Lord and continual sanctification; which is a lifetime pursuit. But note the fact that all of these things do not save us, but are a result of our salvation! That is the difference!!

Now, contrast our need for salvation because of the Law with those who make a commitment to Christ without the Law. They may be seeking that inner peace, contentment and lasting fulfillment to fill up what is missing in their lives. But there is no trembling; no fear; no fleeing from wrath. In fact, they may not even believe that their just reward is eternal damnation. Many churches today omit preaching about the wrath of God, the reality of hell and many may not even preach the holiness and righteousness of God! Therefore, even as professing Christians they think they are basically good. Notice this: without the Law, they haven't been stripped of self-righteousness!!

With a faulty foundation such as this, these type of converts could be deceived into thinking that somehow their good works commend them to God. If the Law is neglected before the message of the Cross is presented, those who profess faith in Christ are prone to go astray!

Yes! The Law alarms us! It was designed to do just that! It is the part that plays the "schoolmaster," showing us our need that ultimately drives us to the cross of Jesus Christ!

Destitute of Righteousness

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 61:1-2. I have found that people often misunderstand what Jesus intended to communicate here. Our modern "therapeutic" culture undoubtedly places a high value on feeling good, self-esteem, and self-actualization. Of course this should not be deemed entirely bad, but this current mindset could give people the wrong idea about what Jesus truly meant in these verses. Words like "poor", "brokenhearted", and "oppressed" makes us think of people who are beset by life's circumstances (i.e. poverty, divorce, addiction, or disease). Indeed, we need to care about and help such people in their afflictions. However, in these verses Jesus is speaking primarily in terms of spiritual poverty and spiritual brokenness, bondage, blindness, and oppression.

In other words, he is offering freedom to those who recognize their sinful state and are broken by the realization that their spiritual poverty and bondage separates them from a just and holy God.

Of course this does not mean that He didn't minister to those who were beset by life's circumstances. Scripture often discusses how we are to treat the poor, brokenhearted and oppressed. But the point is that Jesus' message was not only for those people. The following excerpt will demonstrate clearly that the freedom He offered was not freedom from the hardships of life.

Excerpt from "The Way of the Master":

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus gives a summation of whom the gospel is for:

* The poor
* The brokenhearted
* The captives
* The blind
* The oppressed

When Jesus speaks of "the poor," He is not necessarily referring to those who lack financial resources. Instead, He's referring to the "poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3) - those who are meek, humble, lowly. These are the blessed ones to whom the kingdom of God belongs: those who know that they are destitute of righteousness.

In his commentary on Luke 4:14-30, Matthew Henry writes: "Observe...to whom He was to preach: to the poor; to those that were poor in the world; whom the Jewish doctors disdained to undertake the teaching of and spoke of with contempt; to those that were poor in spirit, to the meek and humble, and to those that were truly sorrowful for sin" (emphasis in the original).

When Jesus speaks of the brokenhearted, He doesn't mean those unhappy people whose hearts are aching because they have been jilted by a sweetheart, but those who, like Peter and Isaiah, are contrite and sorrowing for their sin. In the words of Matthew Henry, "[Christ] was sent to heal the broken-hearted,...and to give peace to those that were troubled and humbled for sins,...and to bring them to rest who were weary and heavy-laden, under the burden of guilt and corruption."

The captives are those "taken captive by [the devil] to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:26). The blind are those whom "the god of this age has blinded...[to] to light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). The oppressed are those who are "oppressed by the devil" (Acts 10:38).

The gospel of grace is for the humble, not the proud. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). The Scriptures tell us, "Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 16:5); "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly" (Luke 1:52); God looks on the one who "is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at [His] word" (Isaiah 66;2).

Only the sick need a physician, and only those who are convinced of the disease of sin will appreciate and appropriate the cure of the gospel.

The Part of the Gospel That Angers

Picking up where my last post ended, I wanted to point out that many non-Christians and false converts often find the teaching of the Law, hell, and judgment extremely distasteful. They often blame the messenger (the witnessing Christian) for such an offense, however, the Bible actually tells us to expect this reaction! Those living in the flesh and not willing to confess and repent of their sin cannot accomplish reconciliation with God and this is why they are enemies of the Gospel and entire Bible.

John 6:63 (NLT) - It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

We are warned that there will be false teachers among us:

2 Peter 2:1 (NLT) - But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.

2 Peter 2:2 (NLT) - Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.

If a person doesn't know what should be there in the gospel message, then they won't know what is missing. Reading the Bible helps us find what to look for. If you are involved in a church that omits the teaching of the Law, hell, and judgment, then you will know that the church you are attending is not teaching the whole counsel of the Lord! Watering down the parts that taste like bitter medicine to the world unfortunately causes the gospel message to lose its curative properties. Those who object and claim that we are being "judgmental" and "harsh" and "condemning" towards them for pointing out their sin have not paid close enough attention to what Jesus said:

John 5:24 (KJV) - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

What does this tell us? We are ALL ALREADY UNDER CONDEMNATION before conversion through Jesus Christ. Hearing that isn't pretty or kind or lovely now is it? But it is the truth! The Gospel truth!

Yes. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but we ALL must take that 'medicine'. Proverbs 29:27 tells us why there is such animosity between believers and non-believers:

Proverbs 29:27 (NKJV) - An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Those who continue to "live in error" resent being told so.

2 Peter 2:18 (KJV) - For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

However, despite such animosity aimed towards Christians, Jesus instructs us to do the following:

Matthew 5:44 -
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:45 -
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

The "Master" book emphasizes that those who only trust God for a "wonderful plan" may feel terribly disillusioned when tragedy strikes, and may feel bitter toward God and those who gave them the so-called good news.

Please understand that I am not saying that God doesn't have a wonderful plan for each Christian's life because God works all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). That fact is wonderful because no matter what happens to us as Christians, we can rejoice because of that promise. But we know that the promise does not guarantee that our earthly lives will be without suffering and trial and pain.

Jesus didn't shield the newly converted Saul of Tarsus from what was in store for him as a Christian. Instead, He said that He would "show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:16). We know how many of the disciples and apostles were persecuted and martyred for the sake of the gospel. I am not claiming that we need to be martyrs. What I am trying to convey is that if non-Christians respond to the gospel message only to improve their lives, they will be disillusioned when persecution comes and they may fall away from the faith.

I have run across dozens of people on various message boards who have done just that! They claim they were once Christians, but have fallen away from the faith...completely. I have attempted to witness to them and they mock, ridicule, debase, spew hatred and make all kinds of blasphemous remarks about our Lord. Could it have been that they were given the "happiness" gospel and were a false convert? It is a great possibility. In many of my conversations with them they admit to being deeply hurt by some occurance in their lives where they either blame God or feel that "God failed them".

Excerpt from "Master" book:

"God does have a wonderful plan for their lives - for their eternity. You know that if they repent and give their lives to Christ they will go to heaven after they have been burned to death or smashed on the sidewalk (or whatever method of death they endure). But sinners don't equate the promise of a "wonderful plan for your life" with eternity. They think of the here and now. "

But what will happen to the here and now?

James 4:14 - Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

The "wonderful plan for you life" mantra given without the necessity of pointing out the teaching of the Law, hell and judgment and need for repentance leads to false converts who often look and act just like the unsaved world!

Excerpt from "Master" book:

"If they continue to live in lawlessness, they will not have a struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil. If they are friends with the world, they will flow with it rather than against it, and therefore will not have tribulation in it. If they don't "live godly in Christ Jesus," they won't "suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12), and they will not be hated for His name's sake, because their lives will be no different from those who are of the world. If they continue to live according to the flesh, they won't have to stuggle to deny fleshly desires. Neither will they wrestle against the devil. In fact, Satan will be pleased with what he sees.

Those who have come to Christ seeking happiness have "found religion" and think that by going to church on Sunday morning they are all right with God, thereby assuaging their nagging consciences."

They may have found happiness in their new lifestyle - but they haven't found new life in Christ! There is a huge difference!! The "happiness" gospel restricts people from hearing the message of sin, righteousness and judgment with the command to repent and flee from the wrath to come. If they don't repent of their sin, however, they will have a false conversion (Mark 4:16-17) and they won't become new creatures in Christ. They may 'name' the name of Christ, but they won't "depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19).

Now, I am not claiming that we are not to be happy. There is much joy in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord which goes beyond the human view of happiness. I know that I have much happiness in my life as a wife and mom and there are many times in my life where happiness has been a great part of my life. Because we need to present the gospel to those who believe that their lives are "perfectly happy", just as they are (without Christ), we need to present these people (as well as the hurting) with the proper message of the gospel. If we do not, then it is as though we have "lost our grip" on the biblical gospel. The gospel is a promise of righteousness, not a promise of happiness, and it therefore may also be offered to those who are enjoying the "pleasures of sin for a season."

Every one of us needs to be confronted by the spirituality of God's Law and understand that "riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 11:4). We ALL need to see our need of the Savior! If we preach the gospel of righteousness in Christ through repentance from sin, it applies to everyone!

Both hurting and happy people need to be shown their sinful state before God so they will seek after the righteousness that is in Christ.

*******Next: The Purpose of the Law and What Did Jesus Do?*******

Seeking to Save?

In February of 2004, the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" came out and was a mega-hit at the box office. I remember so much about the rhetoric that heated up before, during and after the movie's release. I remember our own church's campaign to invite non-believers to view the movie with us. Our church even bought up and reserved seating at a small theatre in the next town! I still remember the sobering impact the movie had on me and the joy of those few moments depicting the resurrection of Christ. I remember our pastor speaking both before and after the showing that I had attended. Many hands were raised to receive Christ as Savior.

In addition to this, our church started up another home Bible study series based on the book, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I excitedly signed up to be a leader and actually ended up having both a Friday morning and Monday evening group! It was an awesome study! We learned so much and developed lasting friendships amongst our group.

But I have to admit that I was disheartened to hear some of the statistics that came out of the Barna Research Group regarding the impact with the unsaved through both of these incredible recent events. What went wrong? What is happening within the contemporary Church that is making it less effective? Why was this so? I wondered.

I think I know now. It came as a revelation to me after reading the book called, "The Way of the Master." Before I get into that book, I first want to share something that happened at our leaders training class when preparing for "The Purpose Driven Life" Bible study.

All the leaders gathered to view a video done by Pastor Rick Warren as an introduction to the study course. When the video came to the portion where accepting Christ was involved, an alarm went off in my heart and mind as I noticed something missing from Pastor Warren's prayer. There was no mention of the need to confess personal sins and repent of them. I had arrived late to the meeting so I thought that perhaps I missed that part in the beginning. During the question and answer time, I raised my hand and brought this up to the assistant pastor leading the class. He said he would "look into it" and quickly called on someone else with the next question. His lack of reaction and abrupt answer was close to an outright dismissal about my concerns!! I was shocked! Two other women sitting nearby said they felt the exact same way about that prayer! I was hoping that this would be brought out to the general congregation (because my pastor ALWAYS SPECIFICALLY EMPHASIZES THE NEED TO CONFESS SIN AND REPENT BEFORE RECEIVING CHRIST AS SAVIOR) but I don't think it was ever brought up.

As a leader of two study groups, I felt that it was my obligation to be sure that the sinners prayer was included in this study so I led such a prayer myself to give people the opportunity to receive Christ at any time during the 8 week study. If I had to criticize the "Purpose" book for one reason, it would be its lack of this important point within its pages.

This is why the book, "The Way of the Master" SHOULD ALSO BE READ BY EVERY BORN-AGAIN BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIAN. It picks up where the "Purpose" book is lacking (IMO). This post will begin to tell you why.

An excerpt from Chapter 2 of "The Way of the Master":

"In 1994, the Barna Research Group found further evidence that all is not well in the contemporary Church. A survey revealed that one in four
American adults who said they were born again also believed that Jesus sinned while he was on the earth. Think for a moment of the implications of such a theology. Here we have millions of "believers" who supposedly confess that Jesus is Lord, and yet they think He sinned. They either don't know what the Bible teaches about Jesus or they believe it is inaccurate when it says that Jesus "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21), that He was "in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15), and that He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22).

Furthermore, if Jesus sinned, it would mean that He wasn't the spotless Lamb of God the Scriptures say He was (1 Peter 1:19); that His sacrifice wasn't perfect; and that when God accepted Jesus' death as an atonement for our sins, He sanctioned a "contaminated payment" and therefore corrupt by nature. Sadly, the multitudes who profess faith in Jesus yet deny His sinless perfection appear to be strangers to true regeneration. "

The book goes on to say that the Barna Research Group found that 62 percent of Americans claim to have "a relationship with Jesus Christ that is meaningful to them" yet only 10 percent in a Gallup poll stated that they were, "a breed apart." There are millions of people in America who insinuate that they belong to Jesus Christ, but their lives don't match their claims! A staggering 92 percent own a Bible, but only 11 percent read it daily. Other sad statistics show that 87 percent do not believe in all of the Ten Commandments! 61 percent don't think premarital sex is morally wrong. Some believe in reincarnation. Half believe a person can earn salvation based on good deeds even without accepting Christ as the way to eternal life!

There is something very wrong with this picture!

Today there are many who name the name of Christ but who never "depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). They are false converts who "ask Jesus into their heart" but are actually unconverted because they have never truly repented!! The truth is that if someone's heart is still in the world - if he is a "Judas" at heart - he will find any excuse to stay there. It is important that we examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Those who allow sin in their lives are actually opening themselves up to demonic influence, just as Judas did.

Here may be some likely justifications that Judas would have had for his betrayal of the Savior:

1. He was publicly humiliated by Jesus when he suggested giving funds to the poor.

2. He felt a deep sense of rejection because he was not part of the "inner circle."

3. He needed the money.

4. The chief priests made him do it.

5. The devil made him do it.

6. The responsibility of looking after the finances became too much for him.

7. He was abused as a child.

8. He had a betrayal syndrome.

9. He lacked a father figure.

10. He didn't think his actions would have the grisly repercussions they had.

There are some who believe that Judas had never even been a believer. There is good reason for this, because Jesus said of him, "One of you is a devil" (John 6:70). That's not something Jesus would likely say about one of His true followers.

Please read Mark 4:3-8 which is the parable of the sower. Pay particular attention to this verse:

And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

If there is one message that comes from the parable about the stony ground, the thorny ground, and the good ground, it is this:

When the gospel is preached, there will be true and false conversions!

Judas, for example, was a false convert. He was a hypocrite - a pretender - whose desire (it seems) for riches and power choked out his affection for Christ. He was actually a thief who so lacked a healthy fear of God that he was stealing money from the collection bag (John 12:6).

If one grasps the principle that true and false converts will be alongside each other in the Church, then the other parabolic teachings also make sense: the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30), the wise virgins and the foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

Look at the parable of the dragnet:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels. but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." (Matthew 13:47-51)

Notice that the good fish and the bad fish were in the net together. Notice also that unbelievers are not caught in the dragnet of the kingdom of heaven; they remain in the world. The "fish" that are caught are those who hear and respond to the gospel - the evangelistic "catch." They remain together, the true and the false, until the Day of Judgment.

False converts do have a measure of spirituality. Judas certainly did. He had apparently convinced the other disciples that he truly cared for the poor. He seemed trustworthy so he was the one who looked after the finances.

Notice that the "God has a wonderful plan for you life" message often doesn't include the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:26-27). Do you notice what's missing? Do they faithfully preach against sin? Do they preach righteousness and judgment (as Jesus did)? Do they speak about true repentance (not simply a "change of mind") , and warn about the reality of hell (as Jesus did)?

Quote from Kirk Cameron in book:

"If you have an ear to hear, you will find that many of today's preachers fill their churches by teaching legitimate life-changing principles. However, although these principles are helpful for daily living, they fail to unmask the villians of sin and self-righteousness that keep vast numbers of false converts sitting in a fool's paradise, comfortable in the pews, thinking they are friends with God when they are still His enemies.

Psalm 53:2-3 tells us that "God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one." If the Bible tells us that no man naturally seeks after God, what then is the typical "seeker" seeking? No doubt most are seeking after peace, joy, happiness, and fulfillment (a wonderful plan for their lives). Not surprisingly, that is precisely what the modern gospel message offers them. This method of evangelism is also known as "felt needs" evangelism.* Find out where a sinner hurts, and tell him Jesus will make it better. Remember the old advertising principal: "Scratch 'em where they itch"? Well, the modern gospel does it.

The problem is that sinners aren't itching to crucify their flesh. They aren't hungering and thirsting for righteousness. They're itching for a more enjoyable life and thirsting for sin. The Bible says they drink it in like water (Job 15:16). What unregenerate sinners really seek is a life change that brings positive results, won't cramp their style, and won't cost too much.

Does that not sum up the promise of much of contemporary American Christianity? No wonder some churches are so full they're bursting at the seams."

*Footnote: Should we not address the legitimate "felt needs" of the lost? To answer that important question, let's look at an analogy: A child who was running through a wooded area fell onto a sharp stick and cut his jugular vein. His father immediately swooped him us and pressed his thumb to the boy's neck in an effort to stop the gushing blood while he rushed him to the hospital.

In the emergency room, when the surgeon arrived, the child showed him a small splinter he had received in his thumb when he fell. He wanted the surgeon to remove it. Of course, the surgeon ignored the child's plea, and began work to stop the life-threatening injury to the boy's neck.

Modern evangelism preaches a message that calls sinners to come to God for their "splinters" rather than for that which is life-threatening. It tells the world that God will heal marriages, drug problems, alcohol problems, etc. when the real reason they should come to the Savior is that their life's blood is gushing from their throat. They are in debt to eternal justice.

It's like a devious criminal saying to a judge, "I know I'm guilty of rape and murder, but I have an important personal problem that I think the courts should deal with first."

God's priority is to deal first with the fatal wound of sin before He even looks at the splinters of our personal problems. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Biblical evangelism deals with the eternal issues first; all else is temporal.

***to be continued***

Are You Ready For Love's Demand?

Friends

Do you really want to be my friend?
I have gone the extra mile for you
Opened my heart to you
Extended patience and even mercy
I have even bore the wounds from when you turned me away

Zec 13:6 If someone asks him, 'What are these wounds on your body ?' he will answer, 'The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.'

I knew the things I asked were too hard for you
I knew the things I said were to difficult for you to hear
I knew the love I showed you confused you
I did it to show you how far I would go

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

You said you wanted to be my friend
But what you really wanted was for me to be yours
You wanted to be loved, but didn't want the demands of love
Love's demand is to believe only, to trust steadfastly
Love's demand is to do what is asked of you

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I ask.I am your friend, I bear the wounds

You see them, I know you do
Do you really want to be my friend?
Do you love me Peter?
Do you love me?
Will you feed my sheep?
Will you take care of my lambs?

I see your tears
Now that you know what it means to be my friend
I know your heart
Do you really want to be my friend Peter?
Now do you see your own heart?
Do you see your double mindedness?
Have I really ever asked too much, more than you can bear?
Have I ever not been your friend, even when you turned me away?
Do you really want to be my friend?
Do you love me?
Are you ready for love's demand?
To do as I ask?

Written by:
Rocky Chambers

*******

I couldn't choose which email to post from Rocky today, so I'm going to just go ahead and post both of them!

This second piece written by Rocky starts with the very same verses that I have based my website and message board on: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Christine

*******

2 Cor 10:3-5 (KJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

What is the image you have of yourself? If it is an image that does not conform to the image of Christ, cast it down!

Rom 8:29 (KJV) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

The image you have of yourself needs to be replaced with the image of Christ. Your part in doing that is to realize that the image God has of you is the Hope of the Gospel. HOPE is the inner image we have. And to anchor your hope you need to meditate, study, focus on God's Word.

Heb 6:16-19a (NIV) Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

God has given us His WORD, His promise.

If you want to overcome whatever it is that stands between you and Christ, then get into the word, build up your hope, that inner image until you can't see it any other way. Then you can stand on God's word, on His promise, on the oath He sealed by the blood of Christ and with the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Stop meditating on the image of the sinner, the lost, the ungodly, the impoverished, or whatever other non-heavenly image you have of yourself.

You are to be conformed to the image of Christ, now cast down any imagination that goes against the image of Christ. Get into the word, build that hope up by seeing God conforming you to the image of Christ! When that image changes, when that hope gets so big you can't see it any other way...then everything will change!

You'll stop seeing yourself as a poor unworthy sinner, and you'll start to truly see yourself as a child of the living God, even as the righteousness of God. God gave His Word.

2 Cor 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

For some this might be too hard for you to accept, BUT...If you go back and look at the first verse I quoted a great truth might begin to dawn on you. The battleground is not in the physical, it's not in the flesh. The battleground is in your mind, in your imagination. That is why the kingdom of God is not about doing, but about faith, hope and love.

Imagine Christ, Imagine Christ in you!

Written by:
Rocky Chambers


Thanks to my friend Rocky for sharing these with me via email today!
Christine

The David Parker Case

I just had to bring this over to my blog. This case is so immensely important to parent's rights!! Take a look at what is happening in the David Parker case.

WE SUPPORT YOU DAVID PARKER!! AND YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS OVER WHAT YOUR YOUNG SON SEES, HEARS AND IS TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL!!

Christine

*******

David Parker jury trial to start Sept. 21

Arrogant Lexington city officials continue to ban Parker from all school property, as son about to enter 1st grade.

Parker supporters show up in force for hearing - completely upstage gay activists.

CONCORD, MA. AUGUST 2, 2005. People still cannot believe that this can happen in America. A father of a six-year-old on trial for criminal charges, having spent the night in jail over homosexuality in his son's kindergarten class.

(See excerpts from press conference below.)

At today's hearing, Judge Robert McKenna, the district attorney, and David Parker's lawyers could not agree on a resolution on a number of issues, including access to documents and the town of Lexington's continuing to ban David Parker from all school property.

Read press release for hearing here.

Thus, a jury trial is now scheduled to begin on September 21. According to Parker's lawyers, Jeffrey Denner and Neil Tassel of the Boston firm Denner O'Malley, discovery will be expanded "to subpoena documents from the school, school committee, and a variety of other municipal entities."

Watch the TV evening news coverage of hearing: New England Cable News WCVB-Boston Ch. 5

Parker was arrested on April 27 and spent the night in jail over parental notification about teaching homosexuality in his son’s kindergarten class. Parker is being charged with criminal trespassing after refusing to leave a scheduled meeting with school officials, who had indicated they would agree to a notification policy then suddenly refused. Parker is adamant that he has not done anything wrong and is willing to contest the charge rather than give in to pressure to plea-bargain.

Although it seemed clear at the June 1 hearing that Judge Robert McKenna wanted to find a way to end this, the state insists that David Parker accept probation and other restrictions.

Denner: The expectation is that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will comply with the discovery laws. There are laws in place that control the flow of information to children and the classroom protects the rights of parents who are essentially guardians of what their children learn. And we're assuming Lexington, as all other towns in Massachusetts, will comply with that.

Reporter: What is this trial all about?

Denner: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided to charge my client with trespassing. We don't believe he in fact trespassed. We believe that what he was doing was an exercise of what any parent would do under these kinds of circumstances, that he was invited in to have a discussion; then the session got scuttled, and the result is the Commonwealth has decided that what actually happened was trespassing. We actually consider that something far worse happened. They [the Parkers] were more the victims than the perpetrators.

Reporter: The School Board maintains that he deliberately set out to be arrested, to make national headlines.

Denner: That is simply untrue. I don't speak for the school, but that is simply untrue. He was invited to come in, he came in, there was a dialogue going back and forth, there were faxes sent back and forth, from the school to the school committee. His intent was absolutely not to be arrested. His intent was to establish a dialogue to protect his own children and other children as well.

Reporter: What laws were violated?

Denner: There is a law in Massachusetts that basically allows parents to know that certain categories of information are being taught to their children. If they know that, they can opt out of class that day, or at least they can give a more balanced, parent's perspective, more parental guidance, to their child…

Reporter: Wasn't the book that's at the core of this issue, "Who's in a Family" just a voluntary thing?

Denner: There are many problems here. I think there's been a systematic failure to comply with the laws of Massachusetts. There's a larger issue here both locally, nationally, and internationally of the role of families vis-à-vis the government, and what kind of incursions the government can make into people's lives, and that's one battlefield.

Reporter: So ultimately, you see this as a test case for all of those laws, principles…?

Denner: Every case … is a test case for something. I think that justice generally is a very hard test to reach...

Reporter: Nonetheless, you see a possibility of a compromise here?...

Denner: In the criminal matter, there could be a resolution to this case if it's dismissed without any allegation of wrongdoing against Mr. Parker.

Reporter: Can we ask Mr. Parker and his wife about how this is affecting you and your family?

David Parker: We're very displeased the School Administration continues to bar my presence from all schools in Lexington. This includes meeting places to vote, school committee meetings, parent-teacher meetings…

Tonia Parker: Picking up his son at school, participating in our son's events at the school as well.

David Parker: And my son is very cognizant of the fact that his daddy can't enter school.

Reporter: And what do you explain to him? What have you told him? He's six years old?

David Parker: He was five at the time, six now. I told him his daddy's in charge. And he smiled.

Reporter: So where do you drop him off? In front of the school? Is that right, Mrs. Parker?

David Parker: My wife is allowed to pick him up and drop him off. Only I am banned from all schools.

Reporter: Isn't the discovery process a little unusual in this situation?

Denner: I don't think it's unusual to assert anyone's Constitutional rights …once they're charged. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts made a decision to charge David Parker. We would be remiss in not zealously protecting him, defending him, to the absolute extent that the Constitution and the law provides…

Reporter: How close are you to reaching some sort of agreement?

Denner: I have no idea how to measure that.

Reporter: You've got a lot of supporters here today. Did that give you confidence?

David Parker: I think it speaks to what the issue is, the support that we're getting.

Yes, this is John Adams! He showed up and weighed in. He was particularly upset that the court proceedings were done in whispers, so the spectators couldn't hear what they were saying. We agree.

Carol Rose, executive director of the state ACLU showed up. She told Article 8 that they're not involved at this time in this issue, but that the schools have done nothing wrong. She added that the Massachusetts courts have ruled that homosexuality is legally equivalent to heterosexuality. We reminded her that a court cannot repeal the laws of nature. She didn't have an answer to that.

People came from all over to support David Parker.

Of course, liberal media couldn't leave without giving gay activists at least some TV air time.

Typical of Boston Globe - photographer shows up an hour and a half late, takes a few pictures of gay activists with signs, then just wanders around.

Knowledge base (Part 1): "The Overhauling of Straight America" published in 1987 – founding document of gay propaganda movement.

===Article 8 is compiling an online “knowledge base” of background information of all kinds that you need to know to deal with these issues. This will really open your eyes.

Ever wondered just where the “homosexual agenda” came from, and why it seems to have worked so well?

This landmark article – from 1987 – has become a "bible" of the homosexual movement. It outlines strategies and techniques for a successful widespread propaganda campaign to confuse and deceive the American people and demonize opponents. Click here for “The Overhauling of Straight America”. Look for Part 2 on Wednesday, August 10, on the home page, http://www.article8.org/.

The Depravity Just Gets Worse and Worse!!

Just when I think that things could not possibly get worse in Massachusetts, the gay activists always manage to outdo their previous disgusting and gross actions.

The evil that they are blatantly presenting to kids is just so disturbing it is often beyond belief!! I sincerely hope that you will read the following email in its entirety and click on the links (ESPECIALLY the so-called "workshops" that they are presenting to children as young as 8!!) and read them too. You WILL be shocked, dismayed and severely disturbed by what you read, SO I AM WARNING YOU NOW! I also hope that you will get involved in combating this terrible evil being inflicted upon the youth in states like Massachusetts. YOUR STATE AND OUR NATION COULD BE NEXT! Look at what has happened in Canada! Evil inevitably thrives when Bible-based morality people do nothing!

The inherent evil and sin involved in homosexual activism (as well as all of the new "offshoots" such as trans activism etc.) just goes to show how far people like this are from God and His Laws. They need to be confronted by Bible-believing Christians and we need to speak out against their blatant, overt, mind-boggling recruitment and brainwashing of our youth!!

Christine

****************




Article 8 Alliance – Massachusetts – ** August 4 Email Update **It’s gone too far: Statewide movement to remove the SJC 4 and take back our government.
(Feel free to pass this along to others)
For more up-to-date info check the website daily !http://www.article8.org/ Help by Donating!


In this email update:
1. David Parker jury trial to start Sept. 21. Town of Lexington continues to ban him from all school property. Supporters out in force at Aug. 2 hearing!
2. More depraved workshops revealed from homosexual conference at Brookline High School, Apr. 30. Superintendent sends letter to town residents calling it a “positive experience” for kids.
3. Boston & Cambridge spending $100,000 to attract more homosexual tourists.
And more. . .

"The logical end to defensive warfare is surrender." - Napoleon



=== 1. David Parker jury trial to start Sept. 21. Town of Lexington continues to ban him from all school property. Supporters out in force at Aug. 2 hearing! ===

People still cannot believe that this can happen in America. A father of a six-year-old is on trial for criminal charges, having spent the night in jail over homosexuality in his son's kindergarten class. The arrogant town officials still continue to ban him from all school property – in effect, he not only can’t go to school events, but he also can’t go to school committee meetings or even vote on election day!

At the August 2 hearing, though Parker’s supporters were out in force, clearly overwhelming the pitiful handful of gay activists who came to try to intimidate people and get press time. Inside, the District Attorney and town refused to give in, so this will move forward to a jury trial next month.

See complete report, with photos and links to TV news coverage.



=== 2. More depraved workshops revealed from homosexual conference at Brookline High School, Apr. 30. Superintendent sends letter to town residents calling it a “positive experience” for kids. ===

The taxpayer-supported GLSEN homosexual conference for kids at Brookline High School was worse than a lot of people think. Although the “Little Black Book – Queer in the 21st Century” made the news, there was more – a LOT more.

Here, we’ve revealed a few of the workshops that will probably make you sick. They’re about transsexuality / transgenderism – teaching kids that it’s perfectly natural if you dress like the opposite sex, believe you’re the opposite sex, and even have your body mutilated to “become” the opposite sex.

Warning: some of this is pretty strong stuff.
Workshop featuring transgender panel for kids.

Workshop (by Planned Parenthood) normalizing transgenderism for kids.

And check out these other workshops given that day!

Letter from Superintendent supporting conference, apologizing for Little Black Book.


=== 3. Boston & Cambridge spending $100,000 to attract more homosexual tourists. ===

Do we need any more evidence that government is out of control? This is what happens when the people sit on the sidelines and let the special interests have their way. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT!

$100G gay tourism campaign launched
By Donna Goodison
Boston Herald, July 20, 2005

Boston and Cambridge are rolling out the rainbow carpet.

Tourism officials hope to lure more gay and lesbian travelers through a new $100,000 advertising and marketing campaign.

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau has teamed with Man Around - a U.K. company billed as the world's largest long-distance gay-tour operator - to market Boston and Cambridge as gay-friendly destinations.

Gay and lesbian travelers are an attractive market for the tourism industry, according to Pat Moscaritolo, the convention bureau's chief.

``Because they have higher income, they have a propensity or ability to travel,'' Moscaritolo said. ``They also have an affinity to support destinations and companies that support the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.''

Man Around will send promotional mailings next month plugging Boston and Cambridge to its top 15,000 British travel customers. Those who book trips will receive a new eight-page gay and lesbian visitors guide to Boston and Cambridge, along with other promotional material.

The guide touts Boston and Cambridge as having a ``vibrant, creative and professional openly gay population, with many gays and lesbians active in cultural organizations and city, county and state politics.''

A timeline highlights gay-and-lesbian milestones, from the 1969 founding of the Homophile Union of Boston to the 2003 Supreme Judicial Court ruling that paved the way for the nation's first same-sex marriages.

Produced in conjunction with Boston Spirit, a bimonthly lifestyle magazine geared toward the gay community, the guide debuted at last month's Gay Pride parade.

It will also be distributed next year at two trade shows targeting gays and lesbians: the April 1-2 GLEE (Gay Lifestyle Enrichment Expo) Boston at the Bayside Expo Center and the April 26 Gay Expo Boston at the Park Square castle.

The Cambridge Office of Tourism was eager to participate in the campaign to highlight the city's pioneering role in supporting gay marriages and to showcase its diversity, according to Executive Director Robyn Bell.




And more. . .

As you know, the homosexual movement gets enormous funding in Massachusetts. But we depend on individuals like you for support.

If we weren’t here to reveal what’s happening and put pressure on public officials, who would do it? Help Article 8 Alliance continue to win battles!!

Donate to Article 8 by credit card

Donations can also be mailed to: Article 8 Alliance, PO Box 1612, Waltham, MA 02454

Contact us if you want to get involved.

And be SURE to check out the website every day for the latest news which we can’t fit in these emails!



AS WE’VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG – IT’S UP TO THE PEOPLE NOW! THIS CAN AND WILL BE WON.

Also, check out the MassResistance blog (for you red-meat activists)!



PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS TO LIKE-MINDED FRIENDS !!

Also, if this is being forwarded to you and you want to be on our primary list, please let us know!

Added on 8/9/05:

2. David Parker case attracting more national attention. People across country are outraged. ===

It’s starting to sink in that in America a father was actually arrested and led to jail in handcuffs for demanding to be notified when adults discuss homosexuality and transgenderism with his kindergartner.

In the days since the August 2 hearing, this case is heating up. On Monday morning, Fox News did another story on it. David’s been on the radio far and wide. The Internet coverage has been cooking. We’ll be adding more information on the website over the next week – watch for it!

Note: In our last email, our links to the David Parker story didn’t work – so here they are:
Report of the August 2 hearing – with pictures, TV coverage.
Main info on the complete Parker case.

4. Knowledge base (Part 1): "The Overhauling of Straight America" published in 1987 – founding document of gay propaganda movement. ===

Article 8 is compiling an online “knowledge base” of background information of all kinds that you need to know to deal with these issues.

This will really open your eyes. Ever wondered just where the “homosexual agenda” came from, and why it seems to have worked so well? This landmark article – from 1987 – has become a "bible" of the homosexual movement. It outlines strategies and techniques for a successful widespread propaganda campaign to confuse and deceive the American people and demonize opponents.

Click here for “The Overhauling of Straight America”.

Look for Part 2 on Wednesday, August 10, on the home page, http://www.article8.org/.

God IS numbah One!

The Ten Commandments

(Deut. 5:1-22)

And God spoke all these words, saying:

2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 "You shall have no other gods before Me.

4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

13 "You shall not murder.

14 "You shall not commit adultery.

15 "You shall not steal.

16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

*************************************

Although "Da Pidgin" Ten Commandments are not very accurate, I thought it was interesting to post.

Now, please know that I am not trying to offend anyone or disrespect God in any way by posting them!!

Da Pidgin Ten Commandments
Hawaiian Style

1. God is numbah One.
2. No make da kine statues.
3. Watch yo' mout. No swea wit God's name.
4. On Sunday, no can do notting.
5. Leesen to yo' muddah and yo' faddah.
6. No kill nobody.
7. No go moemoe with yo' bradah's wahine.
8. No cockaroach notting.
9. No lie, brah!
10. No be jealous of one noddah person's stuffs.

Oh, an one noddah ting...
no talk stink about nobody, bumbye you get bachi.

Word key:

moemoe (mo y mo y)- sleep
bradah - brother
wahine (wa hee nay) - girl or woman
cockaroach - steal
bumbye - sometime in the future
bachi (bah chee) - it will come back to you!