You shall be called… the restorer of paths to live in. – Isaiah 58:12
How many times have you heard the refrain, “Faith is a private matter?” It has been repeated so often that it has become sacrosanct to many. The truth however is far removed from the rhetoric. It doesn’t matter how many times a lie is repeated or how profound it may sound, a lie is still a lie.
Continue reading “11 Reasons Why Faith Is Not a Private Matter”
Last week I happened to catch a few minutes of the Glenn Beck radio program as the team was discussing comedian Louis C. K. ‘s monologue on a recent episode of Saturday Night Live. During the monologue, the entertainer joked about racism and child molestation. While some of his racism comments were perceived as controversial, it was the topic of molestation where I believe he really stepped outside the boundaries.
No, it’s not a typo. The fact that you thought maybe it was, shows that you are thinking inside the box that says you should always think outside the box.
Likewise, some so-called sacred cows are not sacred cows at all, (a sacred cow being a false god) instead they are immutable principles of God’s universe that should not and cannot be violated without severe consequences.
Confused on the metaphors yet? Let’s break it down.
OK, this is probably not big news to those who know me. I learned something while attending a Conference last week. One definition of a freak is something that is often unusual and unexpected. Who knows, maybe you are a freak too.
My beautiful, wonderful and long-suffering wife ,Teri, is probably tired of hearing it, but I frequently say to her, “I must be a weirdo!” or “I feel like I was born in the wrong century.”
Several years ago while working as a Worship Pastor, the leader of the Youth Praise & Worship Team – who I will call Bob for the sake of anonymity – came to my office noticeably frustrated. I set aside what I was working on and asked him what was bothering him. He said, “Pastor Rodney my whole team got up and walked out – they quit.” I looked at him somewhat surprised and said, “You’re whole team?” He answered, “Yes!” I asked, “Even John? (Not his real name.) Bob replied, “Yes.”
Now to put this whole thing into perspective, John not only served on the Youth Praise Team, but also on the Main Team. I had worked with him for some time, and he was a model teen – the kind every parent hopes for. He was personally motivated, extremely personable and very respectful of everyone. This kid took college classes while still in high school and is a highly respected professional today. Continue reading “Maybe It’s You”
Is it true? Are you really hurting the people who love you? Are you negatively affecting the very lives that have always been there for you – the ones who have loved you through thick and thin?
In an increasingly self-centered world, people often say, “Stay out of my business,” “What’s it to you?” or perhaps “I’m only hurting myself.” This is a radical departure from the social and cultural understanding of just a generation or two ago. Sure, there have always been those who were just out for themselves with the whole, “What’s in it for me?” mentality, but there was a time when that mentality was more the exception than the rule. For the most part, selfish individuals were ostracized by a society who understood the inextricable link we all share. Continue reading “STOP! You’re Hurting the People You Love”
There is a single tool that is exceedingly more important than any other in the life of the fruitful Christian. Those who have studied and learned how to use it effectively have been wildly successful in their lives while those who did not adequately appreciate it, often failed miserably. The significance of this often underappreciated and undervalued item cannot be overstated. History reveals that even individuals who were exceptionally skilled with this life altering implement often lost everything when they neglected it. Continue reading “The Most Important Tool in Every Christian’s Toolbox”
Many are trying to pick up the prophetic mantle and speak for God today. Just recently, well-known Pastor / Author, and Oprah Winfrey protégé’, Rob Bell, announced that if the church did not conform to modern cultural views and beliefs, it would be increasingly irrelevant. When did Rob Bell become the protestant Pope? Who ordained him to speak on behalf of God about the precepts and dictates of Heaven?
Since the early days of Judaism – and later Christianity – people of faith have contended between the voice of God and the voice of the world. For millennia there has been a struggle to determine right from wrong. Modern culture tells us that the Bible is full of fairy tales to scare children into obedience. Worse, many well-known seminaries and Bible colleges have been infiltrated by teachers who see the role of scripture as a mere suggestion. Many have relegated God to a force of energy rather than a person who is interested in all that concerns us. They drill well-orchestrated demonic doctrines into the minds of future preachers, who then, all-too-often, carry those lies into their pulpits. These views are a far cry from what the Bible tells us about itself. Continue reading “Prophetic or Pathetic? Rob Bell and the Spirit of the Age.”
Read: Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 4
SCRIPTURE:
“…‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’” Numbers 14:1-3 (NLT)
MESSAGE:
How sad, that after the miraculous salvation and royal training of Moses, plagues in Egypt, financial provision, the release by Pharaoh, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten Commandments, cloud by day, pillar of fire by night, miraculous manna and wonderful water, the people finally got to their promised land only to be stopped by rumors. These rumors fueled their fear and rebellious spirits. They didn’t trust God’s appointed leaders, and by extension, they didn’t trust God. These folk had an evil spirit of unbelief. Continue reading “Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 5”