July 5, 2009 • 2:39 PM 0
I have just realised that I didn’t have this site blogrolled… yet I always come across it when researching and have questions regarding the bible. It’s called Bible Questions Answered…
This is a very resourceful site, one you must simply check out for yourself.
Filed under: Blogroll, Christianity, News, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment
• 2:27 PM 0
My last post was about Sodom and the sinful nature found in that city. Ezekiel 16:49-50 says…
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Did you notice that pride was the first sin listed? They say pride comes before the fall…
This cancerous, lethal, and destructive quality, probably more than any other negative quality, has brought down more kingdoms, toppled more empires, caused more wars, destroyed more marriages, ruined more friendships and led more criminals into our jail systems than all of the other negative qualities combined and put together.
The spirit of pride has to be the absolute king of all the negative and destructive qualities that can enter into our personalities – and no one is safe and immune from it. All Christians, young and old, super saint or not, have got to keep a sharp eye on this negative quality, and do everything they can not to let this spirit get a foothold and grip into their personalities and mindsets.
“A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.” (Proverbs 21:4)
“Everyone who is PROUD IN HEART IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5)
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12)
More can be read here…
Filed under: Christianity, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment
June 30, 2009 • 11:22 AM 5
I have heard it said that homosexuality was not the real reason behind God destroying this city and all who lived within it. Usually this is said by those who practice homosexuality. But is this true?
Check out this post at LaVrai.com and consider the biblical meaning behind the word “Abomination”…
In Ezekiel 16 we read:
49Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
We’ve just read that the people of Sodom practiced numerous sins, including “abomination”…[source]
Read the rest to understand the truth about why God destroyed this city.
On a side note, did you know that there is evidence of this destruction taking place?
The interesting thing is that sulphur balls, traces of melted rock and layered ash that has now become hard can be found at the biblical site of Sodom & Gomorrah even today. If you are interested in archaeology this site has some very interesting tid-bits of info with some very interesting pictures.
"Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens" Genesis 19:24. "Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly" II Peter 2:6. (The word for "example" means an exhibit for warning.)
Filed under: Christianity, History, Theology, discernment
• 8:44 AM 0
For an absolutely brilliant piece about the life and death of Michael Jackson go to “The Writing on the Wall”.
We many never really know what happened in his final days but I am sure that whatever choices he made this side of life is of paramount importance to Jesus…
Again, you don’t go from the Watchtower, tour the Bible and end up on a Musallah and not have plaguing questions about God, Jesus and your eternal demise.
Jackson clearly was riddled with those questions, and he like so many before him, had a public life of good works to help him sleep well at night. From “We are the World” to the amazing benefits he did for children with life-threatening disease, but he didn’t take those with him.
Sure, we all talk about them now, but works aren’t enough, as Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Who was there to tell him that?
Filed under: Christianity, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, discernment
June 29, 2009 • 5:34 PM 2
On behalf of Jacob Prasch, Moriel thanks our readers and friends for the absolute avalanche of prayers and best wishes we have received for Jacob Prasch who has been cleared to return to Britain for further treatment and recuperation after narrowly averting what his physicians say would likely have been a fatal stroke had he boarded the plane in Cape Town for Asia as scheduled. We attribute Jacob noticing the phlebitis in is ankle and the presence of his friend Dr. Hilda Podlas (a Jewish medical specialist consultant who came to faith through Jacob’s tapes with her husband) at a preaching engagement in Cape Town as divine intervention.
He is released from hospital, the phlebitis reveals no thrombosis, blood pressure is under control with medication, but he remains in persistent cardiac fibrillation with arrhythmia and a marginally enlarged heart requiring on going treatment in the UK. Continuing prayer is much valued. We thank God a massive stroke was prevented and there was no heart attack.
Filed under: Personal
June 27, 2009 • 9:41 AM 3
Last night we had to put down our cat foo. He was diagnosed with kidney failure. It was a sad thing to do. He was the most affectionate cat and he will be missed by our family…
Filed under: Personal
June 26, 2009 • 10:51 AM 2
Gotta love this…
Every once in awhile something arises in the secular, scientific community which we feel needs to be shared. This article appearing in The Washington Post proposes that genetic scientists were surprised to discover that all the races on the planet are linked to just three common groups. They had expected to find dozens of distinct groups, but instead have found that they can all be traced to a common heritage they identify as African, Eurasion, and East Asian.
Allow us to congratulate them on their findings which seems to confirm what God’s Word established long before the word “genetics” was even invented, that all mankind is descended from three groups we know as the sons of Noah: Ham, Shem, and Japheth, through whom all the world’s people groups trace their common heritage. Sometimes science is not just fun, but downright funny [source]
hehehe…
Oh and I just have also add that we all come from one woman! Have you heard of the Mitochondrial Eve???
Filed under: Christianity, Creation & Evolution, Creation/Evolution
• 10:25 AM 2
Just been over to one of my faves, and Mike [Calvary Chapel Pastor and all-round-cool-guy] has written two posts that are worth reading.
One is about the ludicrous Iranian Government and how the family of a gunned down protester has to pay a bullet-fee of $3000!
But he doesn’t leave it there. Critical of both the old Bush administration and now Obama’s silence he says…
And still utter, absolute silence from the Obama administration.
Condemn Israel when she tries to defend herself, all the while bending over backwards to limit civilian casualties to the absolute minimum…but zip the lip in condemning a government run by followers of the Religion of Peace.
Bush Part 2 was not a good president; under his watch, all the good done by the Reagan revolution was cheerfully dismantled, and we inherited an even more massive expansion of government than FDR ever could hope to achieve in his wildest dreams. Even still, I’m quite certain that Bush wouldn’t be sitting very, very still over this, hoping the American public either ignored this whole ugly mess or ignored his utter inaction over it. He at least had the guts to stand up to the Ayatollah and his guy Ahmadinejad.
What the Iranian government is doing is despicable. What our own government is doing (or, more to the point, very studiously not doing) is utterly unconscionable.
The other post is a pretty good one too!
Let me be very clear: I am a Zionist. Absolutely, unrepentantly, completely behind Israel and the Jewish people. Not only for theological reasons (though those of course are paramount) but for political reasons as well; Israel is the only nation in a very strategic, very volatile region which doesn’t hate our guts and consider us the “Great Satan.”
So, I am a Christian Zionist. Deal with it.
That being said, as with most things, it’s important to strike a balance between extremes. […]
Mike, you struck a nice balance with that post. Well done!
Filed under: Christianity, Freedom of Speech, Globalism, History, Islam, Israel, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Religion, discernment
June 25, 2009 • 2:16 PM 3
My last post actually directed you to Mike’s post, in that post was a link to the girl who uttered the words…
I’m burning, I’m burning!"
Those were the dying last words of Neda Soltan, who was gunned down by the basij members while protesting the Mullahs in Iran.
She was a hero to the people and a voice for freedom. The sad thing is that she died a sinner in need of a savior and her dying words profess her final destination.
The following is from a Fox News article reporting on Neda Soltan.
Iran’s ‘Angel of Freedom’ Neda Soltan
The second of three children, Soltan studied Islamic philosophy at a branch of Tehran’s Azad University before deciding to take private classes to become a tour guide, hoping to ultimately lead Iranians on trips abroad, the L.A. Times reported.
She was reportedly passionate about traveling and had gone with friends to Dubai, Turkey and Thailand. The young Iranian was also an accomplished singer who was taking piano lessons, according to Panahi.
Soltan was not a hardcore activist, but had started attending the mass protests because she felt deeply outraged by the election results.
"She couldn’t stand the injustice of it all," Panahi told the L.A. Times.
A close friend of Soltan, who the L.A. Times identified only as "Golshad," said Neda’s parents had asked her not to go to the protest, fearing it was too dangerous.
"I told her, ‘Neda, don’t go,’" the Times quotes Golshad. "She said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s just one bullet and it’s over.’"
Friends say Soltan, Panahi and two others were stuck in traffic on their way to the demonstration sometime after 6:30 p.m.
When they stepped out of the car to get some air, Panahi heard a crack and then realized Soltan was on the ground.
"We were stuck in traffic and we got out and stood to watch, and without her throwing a rock or anything they shot her," the Times quoted Panahi. "It was just one bullet."
"I’m burning, I’m burning!" Panahi recalls were Soltan’s final words.
Read this very disturbing article I’m Burning, I’m Burning!" By Ray Gano
Filed under: Christianity, Islam, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment
• 12:56 PM 0
I really don’t want to say too much here. Just go to this link and read Mike’s take on the matter at hand.
Filed under: Israel, Middle East, News, Political
• 12:39 PM 1
Another thing I read today is about the Anglican Church and the Social Gospel. I have written much about the “Social Gospel” and the possible ramifications. Mike from Mikescape found a great article that shows that there is a division happening within the Anglican Church! Division is something that is not to be taken lightly, but this division shows real hope! Check out Mike’s post and read what is happening within the Anglican Church!
Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly post-millennialist. That is because they believed the Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. Social Gospel leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the Progressive Movement and most were theologically liberal. [source]
Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment
• 12:19 PM 0
Just a few things that I am reading today. To start with, have you ever wondered what it means to be vigilant? Carla has, and found something which will really make you consider if you are indeed being vigilant during these latter days or not.
Talking about vigilance… have you or one of your friends and family been reading “The Message” by Eugene Peterson. Although most people are aware that this book is not considered a translation of the bible but rather a paraphrase, this message omits a certain name – a name above all names!
Php 2:6-11 In God’s own form existed he, And shared with God equality, Deemed nothing needed grasping. Instead, poured out in emptiness, A servant’s form did he possess, A mortal man becoming. In human form he chose to be, And lived in all humility, Death on a cross obeying. Now lifted up by God to heaven, A name above all others given, This matchless name possessing. And so, when Jesus’ name is called, The knees of everyone should fall Where’er they are residing. Then every tongue in one accord, Will say that Jesus Christ is Lord, While God the Father praising.
Carla has many good links that point out the mystical side of “The Message”. Be sure to check out the last link in her post about “Master Jesus” as opposed to “Lord Jesus”. Food for thought in her post for sure.
You can check out some of the differences between “The Message” and a literal translation HERE.
Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Gnosticism, New-Age, Philosophy & Religion, RENOVARE, Religion, Spiritual Formation, Theology, discernment, mysticism
June 24, 2009 • 10:51 AM 11
A quick update to let you know that this blog has made some changes. Obviously it’s appearance has changed… what do ya think? The other thing that you may have noticed is that the blogroll in the sidebar has a brief description after some of the blogs. I haven’t done them all — it takes a lot of time — but hopefully I will go through my blogroll and do a little blurb for all of them. Hopefully being the operative word here 
. Please let my know if you come across any links that don’t work won’t you.
One thing that I must say is although I have blogrolled quite a few blogs and sites over the years, I do not necessarily endorse every one of them because I use them for research purposes only. An example of that would be some of the sites under the section called “Truth is Stranger than fiction”. So please be sure to use biblical discernment when visiting these sites.
Thanks
Vee
Filed under: Blogroll
June 23, 2009 • 2:59 PM 3
I have just gone over to check out Mike’s blog and he has directed his readers to something that I would like to share with you too. [thanks Mike for the link]
QUOTE: "Community service and social activism are ultimately useless unless they yield salvation. You can provide a man with sustenance daily for his entire life, but if you never share the gospel with him he will still be cast into damnation in hell. Many churches are beginning to adopt this social gospel, which basically equates the church to any other nonprofit association. The church is meant to be far more than a Red Cross or a YMCA. The church are those who have been ‘called out’ of culture, mediocrity and sin. Therefore the church’s activism must be inspired by the gospel while simultaneously proclaiming the gospel to the world. […] Read the rest at – Is Our Gospel Becoming Too Social?
What do you think?
Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Ecumenicalism, Globalism, Philosophy & Religion, Polls, Religion, discernment
• 9:26 AM 3
On June 4, 2009, President Barack H. Obama delivered a speech in Cairo, Egypt, that contained a distorted view of the Jewish people’s historical ties to the land of their forefathers, the land of Israel.
Filed under: History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment
• 9:05 AM 2
This is a RED FLAG post!
Before I go on I would like to remind myself as well as others that Peter when brought to the officials of his day said…
Act 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
this is said in answer to the charge of disobedience to the orders and commands of the council: men, civil magistrates, and ecclesiastical rulers, are to be obeyed in things which are not repugnant to the will of God; but in things that are, God is to be obeyed, and not men. [John Gill]
For some time now, I have been following the Victorian Religious Freedom threat in Australia which raises Alarm Bells for Christians in Australia which you may want to check out. Paul McGuire has also written an article that speaks about the current persecution that is happening in the West…
As I wrote in earlier articles, there is coming an onslaught of persecution against Christians specifically in Western nations like the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Australia and many other nations that the church and its leadership are completely unprepared for. The level and intensity of persecution against true Bible believing Christians will be exceed the level of Christians in Communist China and most Christians in America and Europe do not yet comprehend what is coming.
[…]Leaders in the Christian pro-family movement are warning about “Hate Crime Legislation” that has been called “The Pedophile Protection Act” which was passed by the House of Representatives and is waiting to be signed by President Obama. The bill protects 547 different kinds of sexual orientations and criminalizes Christianity. Europe and Canada have already passed similar legislation and it means that if pastors or Christians truly speak from the Bible they can be fined, arrested and imprisoned.[source]
Recently police officers told an open-air preacher in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, it is a criminal offence to identify homosexuality as a sin. They said this to Andy Robertson, even though he had not mentioned homosexuality in his preaching.
He was recording his preaching because the local council had been making allegations about the content of his message. The conversation with police officers was caught on tape…
So it is becoming apparent that Christian persecution is happening from outside the Church; and the visible Church is being infiltrated from within via the Emergent/Emerging movement that redefines biblical Christianity!
Sadly, I don’t see that this persecution is going to get any better, in fact I think it will only get worse as we approach the latter days. This sad fact fully lines up with what Jesus said concerning the latter days…
Mat 24:8-13 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
The thing is, we have to be biblically grounded to endure to the end. The parable found in Matthew tells us that there will be those who fall away when tribulation or persecution falls upon them. It also explains the reason why these people fall away…
Mar 4:16-17 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.
Don’t let this be you. Read what the bible says about such matters. Do remember that it also says “to love your enemies” and that there are ways to reach the unsaved who live in sin, remember we were are all sinners but some of us are saved from what we actually deserve because we have repented and accepted Christ as our personal saviour. Repentance from sin is the key. How do we know if we live in sin if we are not shown that we are sinners according to the very Word of God. If you lie then you are a liar, if you lust then you are an adulterer, if you have stolen something then in God’s Word you are a thief. All of these things — including homosexuality — are sins that keep us from entering heaven. These sins were once worthy of death, but as we live in the age of Grace we can be forgiven through Christ and His work that He accomplished on the cross! We must daily crucify our lives and be fashioned unto Christ. That means, if we have a problem with any sin, bring it to the cross daily in prayer!
For some people they may need to hear street preaching… for others the gospel is spread by establishing a relationship with the unsaved. We really do not understand exactly how God works. His way are a mystery to us. However His Word is preached, it will not return to Him void, that He has promised…
Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.
Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Each person should obey his conscience which stands before God, so whatever you do and however you try and reach the unsaved, pray about it first and ask God to give you a clear conscience as you spread the gospel.
Act 24:16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Please Note: As the Church is coming under ever increasing persecution in the West, I have decided to put up another category called “Christian Persecution”.
Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Persecution, Christianity, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Freedom of Speech, Globalism, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Red Flag Posts, Religion, discernment
• 7:04 AM 0
This news just in…
Jacob Prasch Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Itinerary Cancelled
JUNE 22ND, 2009
Jacob Prasch has been released from hospital in Cape Town, South Africa after two days to where he was rushed. He must return for further tests and be medevaced back to the UK for further treatment by a British cardiologist once his arterial fibrillation is stabilized and he is deemed able to fly.
Fortunately the x rays and scans indicate phlebitis does not contain a thrombosis and there is no permanent heart damage, but the heart s marginally enlarged and the fibrillation, while now under control, continues.
His condition was uncontrolled hypertension with arterial fibrillation. A stroke was narrowly averted. Had h flow to Bangkok via Nairobi as scheduled his physicians doubt he would escaped a likely fatal stoke mid air on a long intercontinental flight.
Fortunately noticing the symptoms of phlebitis in his ankles he consulted with his friend Dr. Hilda Podlas who rushed him to hospital immediately. The condition appears to have been precipitated from the cumulative effect of apnea and renal side effects of medication he is required to take for his neck injury. The cardiologists report that contributing factors are matters of life style, especially a grueling work-travel schedule. He has been ordered to cancel all long air flights and speaking engagements for at least one month when his condition will be reassessed. Moriel has thus been compelled to cancel all Jacob Prasch speaking engagements until the end of July.
On Jacob’s behalf we profoundly apologize to those in Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand expecting to attend Jacob’s meetings. On behalf of Jacob also we express our sincere gratitude for your prayers at this time when Danny Isom was also hospitalized with kidney failure.
The cardiologist used the term “Divine Intervention”. Both specialists agreed that has Jacob gone to Asia as scheduled he would have suffered a very serious stroke and quite likely would not have survived. We see this as God’s intervention that Jacob noticed the discoloration in his ankles and that Dr. Podlas (a Jewish neuro radiologist who came to faith through Jacob’s ministry) happened to attend the church meeting where Jacob was speaking at the Reformed Evangelical Church in Cape Town.
Again, we sincerely regret the forced necessity of the cancelled events and praise The Lord for His Providence and the prayers and good wishes of His people.
Filed under: Personal
June 22, 2009 • 12:46 PM 1
Just came across this article about the negligible differences between “Emergent” and ‘”Emerging”…
Jones and Pagitt have also clearly crossed the line from biblical to New Age type teachings. Thus, when a church, such as RockHarbor Church, says they are not emergent, they mean they do not agree with some of the more extreme views such as McLaren’s view on salvation. But these churches will often readily say, "We are an emerging church." They say that means they are merely being relevant to the culture so they can reach the post-modern generation.
On the outside, it can sometimes appear that these "emerging churches" are just as orthodox as any other Bible-believing church. Online doctrinal statements and many sermons will sound no different from a Bible-based church. But more often than not when the outer layers are peeled back from these "emerging churches," a mystical-based, kingdom-now, panentheistic view of "God" is revealed. And this, dear friend, is no different from the view of "God" that the Emergent leaders (McLaren, Jones, Pagitt, etc) hold to as well. And this is why we say emergent and emerging are in fact kindred spirits–and they are going in the same direction, even if at times, it appears they are on different paths. Quote taken from – Emergent" or "Emerging"? Makes No Difference – Going in the Same Direction – Away from Truth toward Deception
Seriously, the more I learn about these type of Churches and if the above is true, the more I realise that they are about to be engaging in universalism. Which to me strikes me as a great way to bring every religion together under one big happy One World Religion thing!
If you are not sure what Universalism is all about and if you are not sure if it is biblical visit HERE.
Here are a few bible verses that speak directly opposite to Universalism…
At the very least we should be awake during the times in which we live. We should be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Mat 10:16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
After all… to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, New-Age, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Spiritual Formation, Theology, discernment, mysticism
June 18, 2009 • 7:03 PM 0
Just gotta post this…
more about "Brian Mclaren And The Dangers Of The …", posted with vodpod
Filed under: Uncategorized
• 3:46 PM 0
A NEW survey claims that 60% of Australians are in favour of same-sex marriage.
The poll, conducted for the lobby group Australian Marriage Equality, found strong support for same-sex marriage, including among Coalition voters.
Of the 1100 respondents, 60 per cent were in favour of same-sex marriage.
Filed under: Christianity, Freedom of Speech, Personal, Political, discernment
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Vee
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