A Holy Spirit Happy Meal

rtp000 »

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:55 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Good article! For myself, I have always wondered about revival. Many of my fellow Pastors and other believers seem so intent that revival needs to come, however, what is revival? In perspective it is a temporary effectual occurrence. If a person who has had a heart attack is revived, he lives on a little longer but the inevitable decay of his earthly body is only delayed and will ultimately occur.

To me, to pray for revival is to deny what God has already provided us. Instead, I pray For transformation! This kind of change is permanent and in turn effects both the body and the lost for all eternity. Transformation is what enables us to live in this world but not be of it! Transformation is what enables us to walk in our faith and go boldly where the Holy Spirit directs!

I'm so glad to see someone else recognizes that the concept of revival is not necessarily what the Lord desires!

Benny Hinn Goes Public to Answer Critics

rtp000 »

Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:44 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

While I do not subscribe to the antics of Benny Hinn and I respect the comments made, there are things that concern me regarding some of these posts. Some appear to certainly make statements of judgment which I, nor anyone else, have the authority to make. Such judgments are reserved for Jesus Christ alone. Remember, we will be judged as we judge others and quite frankly, I have yet to meet the perfect person who could make any such judgement.

As well, there is some debate over tithing and it's usage, which again points to judgment. Most church members usually sign a covenant and a point on that covenant is usually to tithe. The responsibility to give is on the members, how it is used is left to the Church leadership to discern. If a Pastor or church uses it's offerings for anything other than the Lord directs, they will be held accountable and face whatever judgment the Lord deems fit, but the members will be blameless because they met their command to give.

A scriptural point has been made about it being easier to pass a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into Heaven. If Benny Hinn wants to extrapolate a lavish lifestyle from the offerings provided to the ministry he founded, let him face the Lord. To whom much is given, much will be expected. Let's hope and pray that he lives up to the Lord's expectations!

Paula White Returns to Lead Ailing Megachurch

rtp000 »

Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:11 pm Agree: 10   Disagree: 2

I really have to question these Pastors and the leadership involved in the church. In our church, a divorce involving a Pastor requires that the Pastor be removed from his position as their leadership by example becomes highly questionable and it is almost impossible to pastor others while going through the turmoil and pain of divorce.

After all, divorce is not supposed to be an option for any follower of Christ, let alone a Pastor. The fact that these 2 "Pastors" divorced 2 years ago, and he still remained a "Bishop" and Senior Pastor of this church until now, and the fact he called her to come and take over for him is quite absurd!

With $12M in debt, his constant "health issues" over the last 7 months and these "Pastors" switching leadership between each other instead of bringing in fresh leadership makes one consider what they may be trying to hide. I wonder what is God really trying to tell them through these circumstances?

My prayers are with them and their congregation, but I also pray for the truth to be revealed.

Report: Obamas Find Church Community to Call Home

rtp000 »

Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:34 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

More importantly, Obama has chosen a church where he can't really be held accountable, nor can he have a true fellowship. This of course presumes he will actually attend regular services.

On the flipside, I feel for the Chaplain as he is a junior officer, with the "Supreme Commander" as member of his congregation. Let us pray that Chaplain can be truthful and courageous with the President!

Notre Dame Alumni Go After Donations, President Over Obama Invite

rtp000 »

Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:06 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 8

This is a good lesson in how people label one another. While I respect President Obama as the elected President, I see that it is not hatred, nor the implied sin, of Obama that is at stake, but that fact that as a "professed Christian" Obama still holds a "popular" opinion of abortion.

If the Roman Catholic church has a strong stand against abortion, and if Norte Dame is a pillar of this denomination, then honestly, then it becomes an obvious argument that the President of Notre Dame should have never asked President Obama to speak at it's commencement. For those who are Alimni of Notre Dame and who find the invitation inappropriate, they are responding through the best means that any member of an alumni can do...and that is through their financial contributions. Anyone who has a degree certainly should understand that this has nothing to do with hatred or disrespect, but with voicing their intolerance with the choice made.

I should note here that there is a significant difference between hatred and intolerance. Intolerance is not accepting something specifically improper from someone they love, whereas hatred has a complete absence of love. The alumni obviously have a love for their school, and desire it to make appropriate decisions that reflect their denominational faith.

Rick Warren Clarifies Relationship with Obama

rtp000 »

Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:40 pm Agree: 9   Disagree: 2

It's quite possible that Obama hasn't found a church yet because he is not what he appears to be. A true christian leader is humble, and seeks the Lord and His ways first. If Obama was really a devout Christian, you can surely that he would have found a church by now.

While I see an excuse that he's busy...he's trying to get a country out of a recession...I think he needs to read his bible more and see how every successful biblical leader sought out the Lord first, and those who failed to do so had disasters occur.

Court Blocks Presbyterian Lesbian's 3rd Attempt at Ordination

rtp000 »

Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:26 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

Aside from the fact that God is pretty clear about His position on homosexuality, she is a member of a church body which does not allow the ordination of homosexuals. She can dissent from that statement of faith all she wants, but why would a church body ordain someone who will not defend and live out all the statements of faith, let alone live a lifestyle that is against the will of God?

More importantly, why is it that we think God's standards have been relaxed or changed? Are we so enlightened that God would all of a sudden change is standard? If so, He has a huge apology for Sodom and Gomorrah!

Guns in Church Bill Dies in Arkansas Senate Panel

rtp000 »

Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:23 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 1

Here in Canada, this debate doesn't exist because we have very strict laws regarding handguns and any concealed weapons. Why anyone would feel the need to carry a gun into a church, which is supposed to be a sanctuary and a place of peace and protection under God, is beyond me.

Having served on missions to some very dangerous countries, I have never contemplated using protection of firearms as my faith and protection is always from the Lord! Of course, those countries also experience miracles, even raising of the dead, whereas in North America our faith usually lies elsewhere.

Thousands Urge Obama to Uphold Traditional Marriage

rtp000 »

Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:14 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

MickeyC,

I respect and appreciate your knowledge of history, but I think you may be missing Gen 2:24:

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

The expression “one flesh” in the original Hebrew indicates that they become, as it were, “kin,” at least legally (a new family unit is created) or metaphorically. In this first marriage in human history, the woman was literally formed from the man’s bone and flesh. Even though later marriages do not involve such a divine surgical operation, the first marriage sets the pattern for how later marriages are understood and explains why marriage supersedes the parent-child relationship.

Clearly in His own word, God is defining marriage!

Thousands Urge Obama to Uphold Traditional Marriage

rtp000 »

Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:28 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I think we're missing something very obvious... whatever man's definition of marriage is, it is still God who created the truthful definition.

God has also made known is wrath for same sex behaviour, yet for some reason we think in this day and age we are exempt, or that God's standard has somehow changed. For those that believe that, you need to know that God is the same today as He was yesterday, and will be the same in the future.

All in all, no matter how deprived society becomes, God's standards have not changed, nor will they ever change! Fortunately, we are still under His mercy and grace, but at some point that is going to end.

the bottom line is judgment is coming because Jesus is coming back! I pray that all of you will be enabled for the Great Commission, and that you will be found prepared for rapture when His time comes!

Slain Christian Aid Worker Buried in Kabul

rtp000 »

Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:35 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Thank you Jesus that our sister is with you in Heaven and through her death, has brought a light to a most difficult area of the world!

I pray that you hold her friends and family close, that they may know your presence, your peace and joy that only you can provide in these times.

And I pray for conviction and revelation for the people who committed the murder, as well as for those who ordered it to be carried out. They too need the Lord's salvation, and only He can provide true justice, or forgive their sins and provide eternal life for them.

I hate to see any christian martyred, but I praise the Lord for the good that He can do through any circumstance.