MAN MADE AUTHORITY?

March 23, 2014

I would guess that 98% of the critical posts on this blog that deal with churches point at the problems within the Protestant Church. I cannot help but share, however, this informative documentary by Keith Thompson the same young apologist who did the sadly truthful film on “Word of Faith” teachers within the Protestant Church. You can see this documentary by typing “Word of Faith” in the search box at the right.

Many Catholic and Protestant scholars are quoted in this documentary. Each statement is documented. I have not checked all of Keith’s documentation but thus far I have found his documentaries trustworthy. If anyone finds any statement here that is inaccurate, I would like to know.

For my Catholic friends, I would recommend that you start this documentary at the 4:06 mark. The statements there are at the heart of the mission of this film. What are the essential and non-essential matters of our faith? In fact, I differ some with Keith’s position on five point Calvinism. It is a theological matter but a secondary or tertiary one in importance, not an essential one.

The cry of the day is “unity.” This section of the film shows that Catholics have as many different problems in this area as we Protestants.

As far as atrocities and deception (one of the chapters), I must admit that many “Protestant” churches currently are guilty of the same. Some Protestant churches have allowed gay leaders and have not taken any type of stand on abortion or proper marriage. As far as I know, 1/2 of Catholics take a strong stand on these issues. In fact, I have found that Catholics seem, in general, more active in the anti-abortion battle. This does not, of course, make Catholic theology correct.

At the same time I am, and will always be, after the truth. One of my favorite verses has always been: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…”

I am a sinner saved by the grace of God…alone.

cr

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Posted by Chris

THE FIRST BUTTERFLY OF 2014

March 19, 2014

Have I ever shared why I use the butterfly as my gravatar logo? Well, I saw my first butterfly of the season and it brought back the memory.

It was approximately 32 years ago when my sister died in an accident in the desert of New Mexico. She was 17, beautiful, a believer, and very popular at school. I was in college at the time and my employer offered to pay for a plane ticket so I could be home for the funeral. After attending the funeral, filled with high-school friends and teachers, my Father and I decided to make the trip to New Mexico to salvage the truck which hadn’t been damaged much in the accident. The camper which my sister had been in had been crushed. As far as we know she died instantly. My brother was right next to her, never heard her, and miraculously made it out without more than a scratch.

On that trip, I experienced the thing closest to Hell that I ever wish to encounter. First, I’ve never been hotter or more uncomfortable. We traveled from Southern California to the wrecking yard In New Mexico where we found the truck and began the long tow home. We stopped at a little café alone in the middle of the desert. The place was packed and the little air conditioner was trying to keep up with the heat coming off of the hot bodies that had found this only oasis. After this short and helpful break, we continued on through the desert. The heat was unbearable. We stopped in the middle of the most desolate place I’ve ever experienced. There was not a living thing in sight. My Dad and I were both exhausted. As we were about to resume our trip, from out of nowhere came a beautiful butterfly. The first thing that came to mind was a question: “How did you get way out here?” It must have been the only colorful living thing for miles. I won’t go so far as say that it was a “sign from God.” But, it was a reminder. I thought of the Bible verse that said that God would never leave me or forsake me. It gave me hope.

That is why I use the butterfly.

cr

PHOTO SOURCE

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ANCIENT CHINESE AND CHRISTIANITY

February 23, 2014

Surprise, Surprise. The Chinese language has interesting roots.

Unfortunately, a Christian friend of mine has informed me that the speaker here is Kong Hee. “He runs a post-post modern church with his wife and they are using millions of dollars to promote his wife’s non-christian pop career.”

Another thing he shared with me was:

“Her music is absolutely hideous and is as bad as any modern teen pop on the music scene.”

I’ve decided to leave the post up because I have heard this from a brilliant Christian man, who wasn’t Chinese, before. For those of you coming from Facebook, I now regret that I stated that this man is helping with a “revival.” I apologize. It is so easy to be fooled these days. All of the huge screens behind the man sent up red flags that I should have checked out. But, I was interested in the information. Isn’t that how we can get sucked in? That is part of the reason I have left this up, also. I am fortunate to have Christian friends who watch my blog for error. Two of them contacted me regarding this post. I greatly appreciate their help in informing me of this fraudulent man and his mentors.

There is truth in what he says about the Chinese language. But the man’s credibility is ruined by scandals. (See the post below)

I wouldn’t have put this up had I known the truth beforehand.

God’s blessings…

cr

PHOTO SOURCE

PASTOR KONG HEE ARRESTED FOR FRAUD

HERE IS ANOTHER POST CONTAINING SAD INFORMATION ABOUT THIS “MINISTRY.”

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GREAT ANSWERS FROM A GREAT GOD

February 11, 2014

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. (Genesis 33:4)

Jacob’s anguished prayer accomplished more than he dared to ask. He hadn’t expected so much comfort from God from his brother.

All he had asked for was that his brother would leave him and his family unharmed. He never thought he would receive so much kindness from his brother.

Esau even ran to meet Jacob. With tears streaming from his eyes, he hugged and kissed him. We should have confidence, knowing that God will answer our requests without delay.

It’s impossible for sincere, persistent prayer to remain unheard. But because we don’t believe, we aren’t persistent enough and don’t experience God’s goodness and help.

So we must become more enthusiastic about faith and prayer, knowing that God is pleased when we persevere. In fact, God ordered us to be persistent in prayer:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7)

Our prayers are answered much differently—actually. more generously—than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Paul says:

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

We always ask for less than we should and don’t even think God is willing to give us what we ask for. We don’t ask the right way.

We don’t understand that what we pray about is more important than we can comprehend. We think small, but the Lord is great and powerful.

He expects us to ask for great things. He wants to give them to us to demonstrate his almighty power.[1]

Martin Luther

Endnotes
1.Martin Luther, Faith Alone [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005], February 8. [↩]

I would like to thank Pastor Ken Silva for posting this on his website Appraising Ministries.

I have posted the entire article because I have been having problems with my source links. You should be able to find the original HERE.

cr

PHOTO SOURCE

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CHRISTIANS PLAYING IN THE SUPERBOWL

February 1, 2014

I put up a post recently about my feelings regarding sports in our day. I stated that I probably wouldn’t watch the Superbowl this year. Well, after watching this, and understanding that God puts His people in many places, I will probably watch parts of the game. I understand it is a game with a good defensive team and a good offensive team. I grew up watching Roman Gabriel quarterback the Rams. I think the Christian with his name here is his son. It is nice to know that the men featured here haven’t lost their faith because of the spotlight of modern sports. These Christians sound like humble men to me.

Is a Christian supposed to be offensive or defensive? I think both. We are all witnesses of our faith in Jesus. This puts us on the offensive. At the same time, we must put on the armor mentioned in the Bible. Our defensive weapons are described in Ephesians 6:

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

I would like to thank One News Now for posting this video. Enjoy the game.

BTW..I certainly hope your church didn’t cancel its Sunday services because of the Superbowl. HERE is a good post on the subject by Delight in Truth.

CR

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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

January 27, 2014
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It’s so nice to be driving down the road and spot something like this. One of our local churches put these up on their property next to a pretty busy highway. I’ve posted three pics of the same thing. One for the Father, one for the Son, and one for the Holy Spirit. Click on any of the photos to view them closer. I would like to thank Hettie Lue Brooks, leader of the Hot Springs Women of Prayer whom I know had something to do with this. I won’t mention Hettie’s age but she just hit one of the biggies recently and still has more energy than most of the 7th and 8th graders I taught today. I was on my way to a local school to sub and this time I remembered to bring a descent camera.

The only court room that I’m aware of that still has a picture of the Ten Commandments is the Supreme Court.

It’s always nice to see God’s Law in stone.

CR

PHOTO SOURCE

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TRUE PEACE IN YOUR LIFE

January 9, 2014

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

cr

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BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL

January 3, 2014

“On November 22, 1963, three great men died within a few hours of each other: C.S. Lewis, John F. Kennedy, and Aldous Huxley. All three believed, in different ways, that death is not the end of human life. Suppose they were right, and suppose they met after death. How might the conversation go?”

In his book, professor Peter Kreeft “imagines their discourse as a modern Socratic dialog..”

“Combining logical argument and literary imagination, Kreeft portrays Lewis as a Christian theist, Kennedy as a modern humanist and Huxley as an Eastern pantheist.”

Everything in quotes above can be found on the back jacket cover of this book published in 1982.

I thought a good way to begin the year was to recommend a book that looks at three different perspectives. If these three men could have had this discussion, it may have gone something like this. If you click on PHOTO SOURCE , the first few pages are available for viewing.

Of course, we’ll never really know what this conversation would have looked like. It probably would not have gone quite as smoothly (if one can call it that). An author has time to think of the main tenants of belief that men have and I would be surprised if each of the three characters would come “off of the cuff” with such quick responses. In spite of this, Mr. Kreeft has, I think, captured the “faiths” of these men and creates a dialog that represents three of today’s prevailing worldviews. As Eastern mysticism and humanism seem to be outpacing Christianity these days, I think the book is a good educational tool.

The book is an easy read; only 114 pages. I have the original but another printing was made in 2008 and I can’t imagine any changes being made.

If you have read the book or do so because of this post, I would appreciate your comments. I plan on reading this book at least once a year to stay familiar with views I don’t hold. In this conversation, I would agree with C.S. Lewis and his Biblical beliefs.

My son got the book online for under $4.

I hope you have a chance to read this interesting book.

CR

IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP:

It is May 19th, 2017. I have just read a review of another book by Peter Kreeft. That review was on my friend Maria’s blog before she stopped blogging. Because of the information in Maria’s blog post, I will no longer be able to recommend anything by Peter Kreeft. In time, I may get a chance to reread this book to see if this entire post needs to come down. Until then, I’m leaving it up because, for whatever reason, I thought it was pretty good the last time I read it.

CR)

PHOTO SOURCE

ANOTHER BOOK REVIEW

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SIMPLICITY AND PURITY OF DEVOTION TO CHRIST

December 29, 2013

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.”

These words were penned by the Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit in approximately 40-47 A.D.  I ran across this section of scripture in  Mr. Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible.  Regarding 2 Corinthians Charles Spurgeon comments:

“The Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written by Paul from Macedonia, after Titus had returned from Corinth, and informed him how the Corinthian church had received his first letter (written fairly recently by some accounts).  The news was of a mingled kind, and caused him both joy and sorrow.  The Apostle seems at the time of writing it to have been much troubled and perplexed.”

God’s Word continually amazes me with its mysteries.  Here we find a possibly troubled man of God communicating through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that there is a simplicity in our faith.  Mankind tends to make everything so difficult.  There are some things of God that are, well, uncomplicated.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  I find this verse straightforward and to the point.

The Gospel is not a difficult message.  See the Link entitled “The Gospel” at the top of this blog.

I am not, in any way, trying to discourage those who are digging deeply into God’s Word to discover things they do not know.  On the contrary, I think every Christian should be doing this as were the Bereans.

There is another part of these verses that stands out.  It is the section that states: “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus….”  It shouldn’t be a surprise to Christians then, if there are many Jesus’ out there.  If Paul was dealing with them, we will have to be able to recognize them.  Examples would be the Jesus of the: Muslims; Mormons; Jehovah’s Witnesses; Hindus; etc.  Many believe that Jesus was a prophet or a good man and not God in the flesh.  I was speaking to a young Jewish man online the other day and had to explain that Mormons believe that they may be gods some day.  “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become..”  You may see the origin of this statement HERE.

The purpose of this post is to support Paul’s message in the verse above that our core beliefs are simple.  At the same time, there are many mysteries.  How can man fully grasp “everlasting” or a “Triune God?”  These are things we’ll never understand this side of heaven but we believe them because the Bible teaches them.

If you want to clear away the clutter of all of the confusion out there, meditate on these verses.  Then, when you are ready, ask God to give you wisdom as you search His Word for answers.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

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THOU ART FROM EVERLASTING

November 19, 2013

“Thou art from everlasting.” Ps 93:2

Christ is EVERLASTING. Of him we may sing with David, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.” Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Jesus always was. The Babe born in Bethlehem was united to the Word, which was in the beginning, by whom all things were made. The title by which Christ revealed himself to John in Patmos was, “Him which is, and which was, and which is to come.” If he were not God from everlasting, we could not so devoutly love him; we could not feel that he had any share in the eternal love which is the fountain of all covenant blessings; but since he was from all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to himself equally with his Father and the blessed Spirit. As our Lord always was, so also he is for evermore. Jesus is not dead; “He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” Resort to him in all your times of need, for he is waiting to bless you still. Moreover, Jesus our Lord ever shall be. If God should spare your life to fulfill your full day of threescore years and ten, you will find that his cleansing fountain is still opened, and his precious blood has not lost its power; you shall find that the Priest who filled the healing fount with his own blood, lives to purge you from all iniquity. When only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble. The living Saviour shall cheer the dying saint. When you enter heaven you shall find him there bearing the dew of his youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus shall still remain the perennial spring of joy, and life, and glory to his people. Living waters may you draw from this sacred well! Jesus always was, he always is, he always shall be. He is eternal in all his attributes, in all his offices, in all his might, and willingness to bless, comfort, guard, and crown his chosen people.

C.H.Spurgeon

 

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