Zorek Richards |
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July 24, 2022:
Anne Graham Lotz recently told an audience: "On the morning of Friday, June 24, the Supreme Court took a significant step in leading our nation to turn around when it overturned Roe vs. Wade. Six courageous justices chose life. I applaud their decision as a victorious first step for the well-being of our entire nation as we turn around from the federalized legalization of choosing death." I do see a lot of Christians imply ideas similar to hers. But I don't think the decision by SCOTUS really means what they think it means. You cannot legislate morality. You can make a law...but for a nation to turn you have to change hearts. A moral victory would mean it would be unlikely that it could be overturned. SCOTUS laws, however, can. It's the nature of a court that is partisan and not actually meting out any justice, which is what the Supreme Court has become. The right wing, with the "Christians" they dragged along are seeking justice through laws made by men. And following the fascist railings of a mad man known as Donald Trump. They say that Republicans have done a lot of changes to election rules which are not fair. And they have done it because they know that if elections are honest they can't win. A lot of Christian Nationalists have done the same with Christianity. They don't believe that by being honest that they can win..so they decided to become political and ignore good Christian morals. Change a law...you win til it changes again. Change a heart..it's forever |
June 1, 2022:
The beginning of the age of the Church is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The end of the Church age is set forth in the Epistle of Jude, which might as well be called the Acts of the Apostates. The first book which can properly be said to contain Church history describes the deeds and teachings of men of God whom Christ began to build His church. The last epistle of the New Testament relates the deeds and teaching of evil men who will be living upon the earth as the history of the professing church comes to an end. These "apostates" will be coming from the modern church...and using what I call "Christianese" which uses Christian language to seduce the weak and will likely communicate a message which implies that they have the ear of God..but they won't and don't.
Jude 3-7:
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Our response to these events: If that age is upon us..is to stay awake and "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Jude 20-22:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
It is often repeated that He will come like a thief in the night. and thieves generally catch folks unaware. But we were warned. We know better. Keep praying.
Jude has been one of those books I rarely paid much attention to probably because of its size (25 verses). But, it is a very NOW book. For me: Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, Ephesians & now Jude are always at the top of my reading lists.
SideNote: Jude 7 notes that "sexual perversions" will be part of their downfall. On an average day I read dozens of daily news briefs from Christian and some secular sources. I have noticed a very big rise in pastors and church leaders falling into sexual perversion. From Hillsong to the Southern Baptist Convention and the awful news about Ravi Zacharias (which came to the surface after he died)....and beyond....
The beginning of the age of the Church is described in the Acts of the Apostles. The end of the Church age is set forth in the Epistle of Jude, which might as well be called the Acts of the Apostates. The first book which can properly be said to contain Church history describes the deeds and teachings of men of God whom Christ began to build His church. The last epistle of the New Testament relates the deeds and teaching of evil men who will be living upon the earth as the history of the professing church comes to an end. These "apostates" will be coming from the modern church...and using what I call "Christianese" which uses Christian language to seduce the weak and will likely communicate a message which implies that they have the ear of God..but they won't and don't.
Jude 3-7:
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Our response to these events: If that age is upon us..is to stay awake and "keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Jude 20-22:
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
It is often repeated that He will come like a thief in the night. and thieves generally catch folks unaware. But we were warned. We know better. Keep praying.
Jude has been one of those books I rarely paid much attention to probably because of its size (25 verses). But, it is a very NOW book. For me: Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, Ephesians & now Jude are always at the top of my reading lists.
SideNote: Jude 7 notes that "sexual perversions" will be part of their downfall. On an average day I read dozens of daily news briefs from Christian and some secular sources. I have noticed a very big rise in pastors and church leaders falling into sexual perversion. From Hillsong to the Southern Baptist Convention and the awful news about Ravi Zacharias (which came to the surface after he died)....and beyond....
March 5, 2022:
Pastor Cary Gordon has an article posted at "The Gatekeepers" titled "Destruction of liberty must continue in America until we repent for how we elect our leaders." In it he lists 9 bullet points which describes how a person should be picked as President. He used Deuteronomy 17 as his framework. His first point is that the leader "Must be chosen by God (Vs. 15) through God's delegated ecclesiastical authority, not by lawless populism." and it goes on in a way any Christian Nationalist would be quite proud of. It does more than erode Democracy but destroys it completely..which may be insight as to why the GOP nationalists dont seem bothers by their anti democratic efforts. I would be curious if Trump is still the one "chosen by God" or many of the other Republican congressmen and governors who seem to be making effort to usurp America as it is and create their own government. His article ends with "American antinomianism has usurped every single one of these immutable and wise plumb-line standards for office-holders. Destruction of liberty must continue in America until we repent for costuming our political and legal foolishness with counterfeit grace arguments to justify disobedience." Though in his mind it is clear he means something else but he is essentially a gospel of fascism.
Pastor Cary Gordon has an article posted at "The Gatekeepers" titled "Destruction of liberty must continue in America until we repent for how we elect our leaders." In it he lists 9 bullet points which describes how a person should be picked as President. He used Deuteronomy 17 as his framework. His first point is that the leader "Must be chosen by God (Vs. 15) through God's delegated ecclesiastical authority, not by lawless populism." and it goes on in a way any Christian Nationalist would be quite proud of. It does more than erode Democracy but destroys it completely..which may be insight as to why the GOP nationalists dont seem bothers by their anti democratic efforts. I would be curious if Trump is still the one "chosen by God" or many of the other Republican congressmen and governors who seem to be making effort to usurp America as it is and create their own government. His article ends with "American antinomianism has usurped every single one of these immutable and wise plumb-line standards for office-holders. Destruction of liberty must continue in America until we repent for costuming our political and legal foolishness with counterfeit grace arguments to justify disobedience." Though in his mind it is clear he means something else but he is essentially a gospel of fascism.
- January 28, 2022:
- Lee Strobel said the following in an announcement that he was headlining the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference: “Evangelism is even more important today, but so is apologetics, or offering reasons for why we believe what we believe...My friend J. Warner Wallace, an atheist detective who came to Christ after his investigation of the Gospels, went so far as to say, ‘evangelism in the 21st Century is spelled apologetics.’ I think he’s on the right track. We need to help people know why we believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God. That’s going to be vitally important as we face a nation and world that are skeptical and sometimes even hostile toward our faith.” I agree and disagree with this. Apologetics is good to learn.. Sharpens the Bible knowledge. But, I believe every Christian has a testimony and a need to "testify" and give witness of why he or she believes what they do. But the commission in Acts 1:7–8 states Jesus said to the disciples, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Maybe conferences like the one Strobel mentions is helpful for some, but for the vast number of people who cannot attend such conferences...God has provided a way that keeps your testimony real that has no urgent need for conference. In 3 words: "Read Your Bible.": 2 Timothy 3:16–17: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
February 27, 2022:
Pat Robertson came out of retirement to claim that Putin "is being compelled by God" to invade Ukraine .
Other "insights" from Robertson include these:
➼Robertson said the earthquake in Haiti was caused by its people's "pact with the devil,"
➼Pat Robertson had fellow televangelist Jerry Falwell on his "700 Club" program. Robertson agreed with Falwell when Falwell said God allowed the 911 attacks because of moral decay - specifically the ACLU, abortionists, feminists and gays.
➼Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005...Robertson suggested that God was angry over abortion.
Pat Robertson came out of retirement to claim that Putin "is being compelled by God" to invade Ukraine .
Other "insights" from Robertson include these:
➼Robertson said the earthquake in Haiti was caused by its people's "pact with the devil,"
➼Pat Robertson had fellow televangelist Jerry Falwell on his "700 Club" program. Robertson agreed with Falwell when Falwell said God allowed the 911 attacks because of moral decay - specifically the ACLU, abortionists, feminists and gays.
➼Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005...Robertson suggested that God was angry over abortion.
February 26, 2022:
The first church I went to eventually dived into prosperity teaching nonsense. The experience has left me somewhat discerning and I avoid those type of churches....like Joel Osteen, Paula White, Ken Copeland and a host of others. My late mother use to listen to Osteen because she said he made her "feel good." Eating cheesecake makes me feel good...I would hope to get something more out of church then the feeling that I just ate some cheesecake.
The first church I went to eventually dived into prosperity teaching nonsense. The experience has left me somewhat discerning and I avoid those type of churches....like Joel Osteen, Paula White, Ken Copeland and a host of others. My late mother use to listen to Osteen because she said he made her "feel good." Eating cheesecake makes me feel good...I would hope to get something more out of church then the feeling that I just ate some cheesecake.
December 18, 2021:
I came across this article this morning written last week by one of my favorite authors, Randy Alcorn:
In the 52 years I’ve known Jesus, I’ve witnessed countless conflicts between believers. But never more than in the last year. Many have angrily left churches they once loved. Believers who formerly chose churches based on Christ-centered Bible teaching and worship now choose them based on non-essential issues, including political viewpoints and COVID protocols.
Churches are experiencing a pandemic of tribalism, blame, and unforgiveness—all fatal to the love and unity Jesus spoke of. Rampant either/or thinking leaves no room for subtlety and nuance. Acknowledging occasional truth in other viewpoints is seen as compromise rather than fairness and charitability.
Sadly, evangelicals sometimes appear as little more than another special-interest group, sharing only a narrow “unity” based on mutual outrage and disdain. This acidic, eager-to-fight negativity highlights that we have no right to expect unbelievers to be drawn to the good news when we obsess about bad news and treat brothers and sisters as enemies.
I came across this article this morning written last week by one of my favorite authors, Randy Alcorn:
In the 52 years I’ve known Jesus, I’ve witnessed countless conflicts between believers. But never more than in the last year. Many have angrily left churches they once loved. Believers who formerly chose churches based on Christ-centered Bible teaching and worship now choose them based on non-essential issues, including political viewpoints and COVID protocols.
Churches are experiencing a pandemic of tribalism, blame, and unforgiveness—all fatal to the love and unity Jesus spoke of. Rampant either/or thinking leaves no room for subtlety and nuance. Acknowledging occasional truth in other viewpoints is seen as compromise rather than fairness and charitability.
Sadly, evangelicals sometimes appear as little more than another special-interest group, sharing only a narrow “unity” based on mutual outrage and disdain. This acidic, eager-to-fight negativity highlights that we have no right to expect unbelievers to be drawn to the good news when we obsess about bad news and treat brothers and sisters as enemies.
November 21, 2021:
Voddie Baucham says “Critical race theory is at odds with Christianity because it takes the problem of racism out of the individual heart and puts it out there somewhere in systems and structures.” I would agree but I dont think the application is realistic albeit could apply to a smaller demographic of the American church as a whole. And by that I mean that I know there are Christians who understand the best place to deal with racism is "in the heart." However, there is a whole movement of evangelicals now who are embracing white supremacy just through the people associated with Donald Trump. It's no mistake that white supremacists embrace Trump and Trump embraces them back. There are Maga evangelicals who push the Bible and racism all the time..particularly in social media.
Voddie Baucham says “Critical race theory is at odds with Christianity because it takes the problem of racism out of the individual heart and puts it out there somewhere in systems and structures.” I would agree but I dont think the application is realistic albeit could apply to a smaller demographic of the American church as a whole. And by that I mean that I know there are Christians who understand the best place to deal with racism is "in the heart." However, there is a whole movement of evangelicals now who are embracing white supremacy just through the people associated with Donald Trump. It's no mistake that white supremacists embrace Trump and Trump embraces them back. There are Maga evangelicals who push the Bible and racism all the time..particularly in social media.
August 14, 2021:
I have a book by Eric Metaxas that he wrote about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Probably one of the better books about him. Bonhoeffer stood up and called out the church for their lack of action against Hitler and for allowing him such a strong foothold. Bonhoeffer fought against Hitler and Fascism, and was ultimately hanged for it.
The irony of Metaxas right now is that he has spewed all kind of "prophetic" nonsense about Trump and how he was going to be re-elected and is now telling people to not take the vaccine. I am amazed at how far people fall sometimes but it's as though Metaxas never even read his own book.
I have a book by Eric Metaxas that he wrote about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Probably one of the better books about him. Bonhoeffer stood up and called out the church for their lack of action against Hitler and for allowing him such a strong foothold. Bonhoeffer fought against Hitler and Fascism, and was ultimately hanged for it.
The irony of Metaxas right now is that he has spewed all kind of "prophetic" nonsense about Trump and how he was going to be re-elected and is now telling people to not take the vaccine. I am amazed at how far people fall sometimes but it's as though Metaxas never even read his own book.
August 11, 2021
Radical right-wing preacher Joshua Feuerstein tells Christians "you don't have to wear the mask, you got Jesus. You don't need the vaccine, you got Jesus."
Feuerstein is presuming upon Gods grace, Feuerstein does not have the right or authority to tell God who he should give grace to.
Radical right-wing preacher Joshua Feuerstein tells Christians "you don't have to wear the mask, you got Jesus. You don't need the vaccine, you got Jesus."
Feuerstein is presuming upon Gods grace, Feuerstein does not have the right or authority to tell God who he should give grace to.
September 2, 2020:
👉California pastor and author John MacArthur has been steadily going off the deep end for awhile now..MacArthur has referred to Catholicism as the "Kingdom of Satan, attacking Steven Furtick and Beth Moore. .But if you read his theology about 10 years ago you could see the beginning. In a nutshell, it's a desire for power which is primary motivation over proclaiming Jesus as Lord to a state that could use the message.,
👉California pastor and author John MacArthur has been steadily going off the deep end for awhile now..MacArthur has referred to Catholicism as the "Kingdom of Satan, attacking Steven Furtick and Beth Moore. .But if you read his theology about 10 years ago you could see the beginning. In a nutshell, it's a desire for power which is primary motivation over proclaiming Jesus as Lord to a state that could use the message.,