Radical Islam in Prisons

vintagedon »

Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:56 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 6

Well thought-out and put article. As an ex-con (17 years ago) turned ordained pastor working with incarcerated men, ex-cons, and at-risk children, I can easily agree with Mr. Early about the threat of radical Islam in prisons. Many times, ex-cons are drafted into radical Islam when they arrive in prison, giving them an almost gang mentality of having a "family" in prison and someone to stand against "the man" with them. Most sermons and literature play on the con's frustrations at being locked-up, and transfers that into hate against the institution, and others who seek to tell the con that the fault for being locked up is their own and a situation that they must address personally (through the saving grace of Christ).

Media Misconceptions on Bible, Homosexuality

vintagedon »

Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

?,/Online4Him: (I dont think its going to change the minds of anyone who takes biblical teachings seriously)

I agree, but the problem with this statement is that the real battle isn't happening with those who take biblical teaching seriously ... we're already convinced. It's those that are in the middle of the battlefield, struggling with these issues and sorting through information from both sides to make a decision, that this article will do more damage to than good. The more dangerous component here is that the article has the real potential to seriously corrupt the thought processes of some of those that are struggling with this issue. The Devil has wasted no time and is pulling out all stops, using every media outlet he can get his hands on, to spread these messages. Unfortunately, Newsweek reaches a huge cross-section of the American public, and even with the decline of the magazine's content and it's solid alignment with the hard leftists of the world, Newsweek still reaches a huge cross-section of the American it still has a voice.

This is why, now more than ever, it's time for us to not only live out loud as a witness in our everyday life, but to also respond with love and good, solid biblical teaching to these kind of attacks. There's no need to be rude and offensive (you'll be labeled that just for sharing your beliefs, so no reason to fan the flames any), but on the same side of the coin, do not compromise the Word of God one iota to be more socially acceptable, or to keep the conversation going. Again, I agree that I don't think these teachings seriously threaten the beliefs of people, even slightly, who are grounded biblically, but that's not where our real battle lies.

Archaeologists Unearth 'World's First Church'

vintagedon »

Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:26 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

Just a small note that I feel led to drop this morning as I'm on my way to church. Tallguy spoke about the useless bantering, and I agree. As a youth pastor for over 20 years, I've seen this type of rhetoric threaten to drive away many of our youth who were seeking a deeper relationship with God, but were having problems getting past the "noise" of people arguing.

Our youth group is over 200 on fire youth strong, and we have a lot of contact with other denominations and youth groups, both Christian and non. A couple of months ago, we were at a youth rally, and a large group of youth were talking about websites and Christian Post came up. I was standing to the side, not participating, and it was enlightening to watch the youth talk about how many of them don't even like to come here any more because the comments sections are nothing but hotbeds of believers ... how did one girl say it ... ah, yes ... "rolling around in the dirt, pulling each other's hair and beating each other over the head with doctrine till they bleed".

If our incessant arguments affect grounded, Bible-believing youth this way, just think for a moment about those hundreds, if not thousands, of unsaved people each day who come here looking for the love of Christ and find us spitefully arguing among ourselves?

Do I agree with every tradition and every doctrine in the world? No, I don't. In fact, my view is shrinking rapidly. But, I know enough in my heart not to publicly humiliate my God over the sometimes 1% that is different. There are better ways to handle it. As Tallguy, I work with many other solid Christians of other faiths daily. We respect each other because we all believe that there is a central message here that goes before ALL others: Christ crucified as an unearned ... unearnable ... substitutionary sacrifice for our sins; Christ as the ONLY way to the Father.

Perhaps some of us would just like to continue rolling around.

As Always,
In His Eternal Service ...

Two of Six Preachers Turn Over Financial Data for Probe

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:13 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com

Probe Puts Prosperity Teachings Under Critical Eye

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:13 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com

Grassley Asks Televangelists Again for Cooperation

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:12 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com

Hinn Turns Over Material to Senate Panel

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:12 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com

Conservative Christian Leaders Question 'Prosperity' Probe

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:11 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com

Kenneth Copeland Takes Senate Probe Battle to Public

vintagedon »

Sat May 17, 2008 10:11 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 3

Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?

http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com