I have had a very busy/stressful/crazy day today. I have a final exam tomorrow, and I have barely studied for it at all yet, but I do have a decent reason for that. I made the short list for a job 2 days ago, and then after preparing a presentation and emailing it away, I had a phone interview today and was offered the job for the summer. The job will be fairly challenging, I think, but it should be good experience for the future. It does involve a bit of traveling, which I'm not crazy about, but I think it will be okay since it's mostly day trips and not usually overnight. I also get sent away for a few days of training with a bunch of strangers, which makes me a bit nervous, but it should be a good experience. I won't go into the details of it here, but if you know me and are interested, just drop me an email at abideinthedoctrineofChrist@gmail.com or any of my other addresses you might have.
Also, the Philadelphia Flyers are onto round 2 in NHL playoffs, and this household (especially the other member of this household!) is a huge Flyers fan, so if I want to catch a bit of the game tonight against Montreal, I better get back to the books!
What a whirlwind day it has been. I am thankful for today, and I really hope I made the right decision with accepting this job. I guess I will find out soon enough. I have prayed about it, but it there is not always an obvious answer, and sometimes a person just has to decide one way or the other when there's a deadline.
There might not be many posts in the next while as I finish exams, take a short break, and then start my new job. Let the adventures continue!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Fresh Fire Ministries, Being Slain in the Spirit,
Here is a good article I just read about the FreshFire ministries. It includes some videos of a certain someone doing his "ministry", and I must say I was really disturbed by most of what I saw and his general attitude, which seemed so irreverent. One of the most disturbing things is when he starts saying "blah blah blah blah...etc." and something like "...I'm not done messin' with her yet". His attitude and language seems like he's mocking or something. It is quite disturbing. I recommend you read that article.
Pentecost (Acts 2) was a special and significant time when the Holy Spirit was first given to the apostles a few days after Jesus had been taken up to heaven (Acts 1). Yes, some at Pentecost thought the Christians were "drunk", but this is because the Christians were speaking in different (but interpretable) languages (tongues) that were understandable to others. Not only was this a unique time but there was also no mention of the type of behavior like twitching, uncontrollable laughing, slain in the spirit, etc. that is so common with this ministry. In fact, that type of erratic and uncontrollable behavior could possibly be associated with demonic influence. Here are a few passages about what that might look like.
Luke 8
Luke 9
I am no expert about these things, but there is something in the way that this person carries himself in those videos that makes me very uncomfortable. And the Bible is clear that there is a different spirit. I also can find no evidence in the Bible for some of the things he does such as slaying people in the spirit. Yes, God can heal people and perform miracles, but we should remember that Satan can perform counterfeit signs and miracles as well. My friends, please examine things closely and exercise biblical discernment.
**One more thing-the more books and things blog had an excellent link to an article by Warren Smith about this "holy" laughter business. **
Pentecost (Acts 2) was a special and significant time when the Holy Spirit was first given to the apostles a few days after Jesus had been taken up to heaven (Acts 1). Yes, some at Pentecost thought the Christians were "drunk", but this is because the Christians were speaking in different (but interpretable) languages (tongues) that were understandable to others. Not only was this a unique time but there was also no mention of the type of behavior like twitching, uncontrollable laughing, slain in the spirit, etc. that is so common with this ministry. In fact, that type of erratic and uncontrollable behavior could possibly be associated with demonic influence. Here are a few passages about what that might look like.
Luke 8
Luke 9
I am no expert about these things, but there is something in the way that this person carries himself in those videos that makes me very uncomfortable. And the Bible is clear that there is a different spirit. I also can find no evidence in the Bible for some of the things he does such as slaying people in the spirit. Yes, God can heal people and perform miracles, but we should remember that Satan can perform counterfeit signs and miracles as well. My friends, please examine things closely and exercise biblical discernment.
**One more thing-the more books and things blog had an excellent link to an article by Warren Smith about this "holy" laughter business. **
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Blog Break
In case you have been wondering...my posts have been few and far between for the past few weeks as I have not been feeling the greatest for the last little while. I have been having really intense headaches, a few dizzy spells and have been sleeping very poorly at night. I'm not sure if I have a bug or if it's just from the stress of exams. I am beginning to feel a bit better now. I am in the middle of exams right now and then will be switching gears as I start a summer job in the next few weeks, so I likely won't be posting much for a few weeks until I get settled into my new routine. I have finished 3 exams and have 2 left to go. My husband and I will be going through some changes in the next few weeks with jobs and also with some other things that will likely be quite stressful and busy (that I will tell you if I know you!), so if you think of us, we would appreciate any prayer you can offer up to our Father. until next time...
7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19In your patience possess ye your souls.
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
38And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Luke 21:7-38
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
New Spirituality on Popular Talk Show
The Queen of Talkshow tells her audience, "I am a Christian."
Friends, do not be deceived. The Jesus she speaks of is NOT the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible came to die upon a cross and pay the penalty for our sins--a debt we could never pay because the payment required was a perfect, sinless Lamb--Jesus Christ who was both man and God was the only One who could fulfill the payment in full--He is the Lamb of God and is now exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father. So, by Jesus's shed blood, we can have the forgiveness of sins and not receive the punishment we deserve, which is eternal separation from God in Hell--a real, literal, hell--the lake of fire. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins by shedding his blood on the cross, we can now have forgiveness for sin. But in order to have our sins forgiven, we must accept His payment, we must believe in Him and the words He spoke. And the Father showed his approval of his Son's sacrifice when he raised his Son from the dead. This showed Jesus was indeed fully God and fully man. We must believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, which is the words He spoke!
--She says that there are many ways to God. Jesus said there is only One Way--through Himself and through Himself alone!
Don't be deceived. One cannot both believe Jesus is the only Way and also believe that there is more than one way to God. One cannot believe what the Bible teaches, which is that there is a literal Heaven and Hell and that we should be concerned with eternity and then also believe the new spirituality that teaches not to be concerned about the future or death because all that matter is now, the present moment and nothing else.
Do not fall for the lie that you can believe this spirituality taught be this talk show host and also be a Christian. This is impossible. There is no reconciliation between Christian doctrine and this 'new spirituality' preached by Oprah and friends.
What fellowship can light have with darkness or what concord hath Christ with Belial??
None.
Friends, do not be deceived. The Jesus she speaks of is NOT the Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible came to die upon a cross and pay the penalty for our sins--a debt we could never pay because the payment required was a perfect, sinless Lamb--Jesus Christ who was both man and God was the only One who could fulfill the payment in full--He is the Lamb of God and is now exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father. So, by Jesus's shed blood, we can have the forgiveness of sins and not receive the punishment we deserve, which is eternal separation from God in Hell--a real, literal, hell--the lake of fire. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins by shedding his blood on the cross, we can now have forgiveness for sin. But in order to have our sins forgiven, we must accept His payment, we must believe in Him and the words He spoke. And the Father showed his approval of his Son's sacrifice when he raised his Son from the dead. This showed Jesus was indeed fully God and fully man. We must believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, which is the words He spoke!
--She says that there are many ways to God. Jesus said there is only One Way--through Himself and through Himself alone!
Don't be deceived. One cannot both believe Jesus is the only Way and also believe that there is more than one way to God. One cannot believe what the Bible teaches, which is that there is a literal Heaven and Hell and that we should be concerned with eternity and then also believe the new spirituality that teaches not to be concerned about the future or death because all that matter is now, the present moment and nothing else.
Do not fall for the lie that you can believe this spirituality taught be this talk show host and also be a Christian. This is impossible. There is no reconciliation between Christian doctrine and this 'new spirituality' preached by Oprah and friends.
What fellowship can light have with darkness or what concord hath Christ with Belial??
None.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tony Blair Gives His Life to Religion
Just read this news article here called "Blair gives his life to religion"
The article says Tony Blair is hoping to make his Faith Foundation into a global foundation. The article quotes Tony Blair saying, "I see this over time as the rest of my life's work."
Blair claims that his Tony Blair Faith Foundation is not meant to meld all religions into a world religion, but I think it's quite possible that his Faith Foundation will be just one more step toward making a world religion a reality some day.
The article says Tony Blair is hoping to make his Faith Foundation into a global foundation. The article quotes Tony Blair saying, "I see this over time as the rest of my life's work."
Blair claims that his Tony Blair Faith Foundation is not meant to meld all religions into a world religion, but I think it's quite possible that his Faith Foundation will be just one more step toward making a world religion a reality some day.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
....A Personal Note or Two
First, I have to say it has been a whirlwind past 6 days for me. I have just woken up from a 2 hour "nap" only to realize that it's nearly time for me to go to sleep for the night. Here are some of the things that have been going on in the past 6 days.
Last weekend a few interesting things happened that I would like to share about.
To start, while my husband and I were waiting in the doctor's office waiting room, my husband was suddenly struck by a car---now, before you become alarmed, I will tell you that he's just fine-not a scratch, not a bruise. How did this happen, you might ask? Well, we were sitting inside the doctor's office with our backs against the outside wall when suddenly a car from outside backed right into the wall of the doctor's office.( I guess she didn't technically back "into" the wall), but she hit the wall hard enough where there was a window (that miraculously didn't break), that the window and wall flexed so much that my husband and his chair were pushed a good 6 inches forward by the car. Bizarre, isn't it? It's hard to explain in writing what happened, but once we, and everyone else, got over the initial shock of the situation and were thankful everyone was okay, I got a case of the giggles-a completely inappropriate way to respond to the seriousness of the situation, I know! But really, the irony of it all. Here we were to see the doctor for a very very minor problem, and while we are waiting in a "safe" place inside, we are basically hit by a car.
My husband and I have also been busy with meetings and discussions basically all week to help us with some decisions we have to make in the near future, so this has been an added stress to the week.
Sunday was a really refreshing day for us as we spent the day fellowshipping with fellow believers, worshiping the Lord, and hearing from the Word of God. This is definitely something to praise God for. We have finally found a church that is teaching and rightly dividing the Word of God. Those who preach at this church and many of its attenders are also aware of, and not afraid to speak out about, the unbiblical trends sweeping through so many of the churches today. We really feel at home here and are amazed at the way God led us here. Also, we have met another couple here who left the same church we left, in the same month we left, for the same reasons we left. We had never met this couple until we started attending the church we now have been attending for a few months. God is so good and so faithful!
The past few days have been stressful for me as I tried to quickly scrap together a term paper for one of my more difficult classes. I have been up until nearly 2 am for the past three days in a row, trying to get this essay done. I finally finished it late last night and handed it in today. I'm very thankful to be finished that! Now, I have plenty of work to catch up on and studying to do as I will be writing exams for the next few weeks. Therefore, the posts here may be few and far between for awhile. But then again, they might not be. I just discovered some political tidbits that speak about extreme and exclusive religions, etc. that I'll blog about shortly.
Last weekend a few interesting things happened that I would like to share about.
To start, while my husband and I were waiting in the doctor's office waiting room, my husband was suddenly struck by a car---now, before you become alarmed, I will tell you that he's just fine-not a scratch, not a bruise. How did this happen, you might ask? Well, we were sitting inside the doctor's office with our backs against the outside wall when suddenly a car from outside backed right into the wall of the doctor's office.( I guess she didn't technically back "into" the wall), but she hit the wall hard enough where there was a window (that miraculously didn't break), that the window and wall flexed so much that my husband and his chair were pushed a good 6 inches forward by the car. Bizarre, isn't it? It's hard to explain in writing what happened, but once we, and everyone else, got over the initial shock of the situation and were thankful everyone was okay, I got a case of the giggles-a completely inappropriate way to respond to the seriousness of the situation, I know! But really, the irony of it all. Here we were to see the doctor for a very very minor problem, and while we are waiting in a "safe" place inside, we are basically hit by a car.
My husband and I have also been busy with meetings and discussions basically all week to help us with some decisions we have to make in the near future, so this has been an added stress to the week.
Sunday was a really refreshing day for us as we spent the day fellowshipping with fellow believers, worshiping the Lord, and hearing from the Word of God. This is definitely something to praise God for. We have finally found a church that is teaching and rightly dividing the Word of God. Those who preach at this church and many of its attenders are also aware of, and not afraid to speak out about, the unbiblical trends sweeping through so many of the churches today. We really feel at home here and are amazed at the way God led us here. Also, we have met another couple here who left the same church we left, in the same month we left, for the same reasons we left. We had never met this couple until we started attending the church we now have been attending for a few months. God is so good and so faithful!
The past few days have been stressful for me as I tried to quickly scrap together a term paper for one of my more difficult classes. I have been up until nearly 2 am for the past three days in a row, trying to get this essay done. I finally finished it late last night and handed it in today. I'm very thankful to be finished that! Now, I have plenty of work to catch up on and studying to do as I will be writing exams for the next few weeks. Therefore, the posts here may be few and far between for awhile. But then again, they might not be. I just discovered some political tidbits that speak about extreme and exclusive religions, etc. that I'll blog about shortly.
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