Ted Haggard to Host Prayer Gathering

marks4real »

Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:46 am Agree: 7   Disagree: 2

Aside from drugs and gay sex, I guess you can add "the spotlight" to Ted's list of addictions. I agree with an earlier comment: He needs more counseling. Of course God forgives any truly repentant child of His, but that doesn't mean restoration to public ministry is automatic. Plus this development seems too rapid.

What's the Big Deal with Cohabitation?

marks4real »

Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:31 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Certainly, without the "holy matrimony", any live-in relationship will be doomed in the long run, be it weeks, months or years. Mostly because God cannot and will not bless this type of arrangement, but also because 2 self centered people will eventually drift apart from each other anyway. This I know from experience. Conversely, even WITH holy matrimony, 2 self centered people will eventually become dissatisfied in their marriage, because they cannot be happily selfishly married. Get married to the right one, at the right time, for the right reasons, under God's canopy of blessing.

'Imagine No Religion' Billboards Hit Detroit

marks4real »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:12 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 5

School prayer groups that force others to join? My kids haven't complained about that one yet. They have told me how the 'theory' of evolution is "ramrodded" down their throats as proven scientific fact. I have heard of a few Christian valedictorians in public high schools who have been FORCED to either re-write commencement speeches WITHOUT the mention of God and/or prayer, (though the students were not attempting at all to proselytize or evangelize...just giving credit where they believed credit is due) or they weren't allowed to give the speech. Most refused to delete God from their speeches and were not allowed to speak. Now that's "subjugating".

'Imagine No Religion' Billboards Hit Detroit

marks4real »

Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:24 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

believer, I don't view my relationship with Jesus as a religion either, nor do I deny that there are secular humanitarian relief agencies that effectively help in times of need. But unfortunately, convincing unbelievers that Christianity is altogether different than other religions is difficult to do. I like to point out to people that of all the nasty, wicked, vile, sinful, selfish people in the world at the time of Christ, it was the most outwardly religious, respected, and prestigious ones that openly defied Christ and covertly condemned Him to death, by way of bribery and betrayal.

'Imagine No Religion' Billboards Hit Detroit

marks4real »

Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:30 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 2

Imagine there's no religion. OK, I will: Imagine there's no Salvation Army. Imagine there's no World Vision. Imagine how many more people would be suffering from starvation, disease, homelessness, disasters, and other symptoms of imperfect civilization. Earthquakes are breaking out like zits on a 13 year old. How many religious org's are at work sending relief, or are actually on location physically working with rescuers? I'll venture to say that no one in Indonesia or around the Samoan Islands are imagining there's no religion. How much longer until it's America who needs the relief from a major disaster? Imagine.

'Blasphemy Day' Draws Fire from Event Sponsor's Founder

marks4real »

Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:15 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 8

What world are they from? In my world, no one has seemed to need a special "day" devoted to blasphemy and anti-religious hate mongering. They do it freely, daily.
Also, prior to conversion to Christ, how many of us could, like Paul, admit to formerly being "persecutors and blasphemers"? So some of the people reveling in this "Day" might just be on their very own "road to Damascus".

Vt. Gay Couples Marry, Eat 'Hubby Hubby' Ice Cream

marks4real »

Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:56 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

If by 'normal' you mean 'natural' then, no. Read Romans 1 & 2 (Homosexuality and Lesbianism are unnatural acts). Christ loves and died for the G/L/T people just as much as for everyone else. For the adulterers, idolaters, thieves, liars, cowards, unbelievers, and plain ol' sinners.

Luis Palau: Religion Can't Give You Eternal Life

marks4real »

Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:40 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Not a shred of evidence? So, you're calling God a liar? What's YOUR evidence?

Americans Tired of Typical Church, Report Shows

marks4real »

Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:21 am Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

What is the "typical" church experience? Arrive either right on time or late, so you can "sneak" in without any real fellowship with other believers or leaders, find an isolated seat so that no one sits "too close". Sing some sweet, contemporary popsy songs that make Christ sound like a fairy tale sugar-daddy, conveniently take a restroom break while the offering is taken, and sit through wishy-washy, watered down, irrelevant, unoffensive, ineffective "sermons", trying not to snore out loud, then taking the first exit at the end of it all, further avoiding any real contact with THE church. Who wants to invite "sinners" to this? Why would they want to come?? Emptiness, futility, likewarmness, and darkness consume the inwardly-focused "religious" souls. No wonder people are growing tired of it, and Thank God! Maybe now enough of His people will repent, turn from their sins, and return to their First Love, and pray for His fire to burn in them like never before! If not, why even go to "church"?

Casting Crowns, Brandon Heath Snag 3 Dove Awards

marks4real »

Fri May 01, 2009 2:51 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

I can't say I'm into very many Contemporary Christian artists these days. If these are the "Best" Christian musicians and songwriters out there, then I'll listen to something else. Casting Crowns, IMO, is OK. JUST OK. They're anything but awesome. Most of the music mainstream Christian radio stations play is mediocre, and powerless. The industry needs a revolution of relevance. I'm not saying God can't use it...just saying it could be better.

Minister Launches 'Spiritual But Not Religious' Movement

marks4real »

Fri May 01, 2009 1:00 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 3

"just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly (or openly) inroduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves." 2 Peter 2:1

"he who has the Son has the life, he who does not have the Son does not have the life." 1 John 5:12

This nation needs missionaries!

'Historic Night' Caps Week of Success for Joel Osteen

marks4real »

Fri May 01, 2009 12:50 pm Agree: 6   Disagree: 1

'Whoever saves his (best) life (now) will lose it' Matt 16
'We are not like many who peddle the word of God...' 2 Corinth 2
'...who suppose godliness is a means of gain...' 1 Tim 6
'...they exploit you with false words...' 2 Peter 2

This guy is popular for a reason; His God requires nothing of His followers, and is primarily concerned with their happiness and comfort in this world. That's not the God I see in the New testament. The article doesn't mention the admission price for this event, and based on what Osteen usually does, I doubt it was free.

What If Jesus Was on Twitter?

marks4real »

Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:38 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I don't think Jesus would even as much be on television, let alone the internet. He physically went to where the "sick" were. That's the way the Great Physician "promoted Himself." After all, He chose to come to the earth during an age when technology was non-existent, and He had to walk everywhere or take boats.
I believe the Antichrist would be the type of egomaniac as to be found on twitter, myspace, or facebook sites.

Osteens to Hold First Non-Baseball Event at New Yankee Stadium

marks4real »

Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:42 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Every book he and his wife publish sport titles that appeal to "self". How is this in harmony with what Jesus said the gospel is all about? "He who loves his (best)life (now) will lose it..." No wonder the Osteen's are so popular in today's America.