I have had a great day in God's peace. I have not stopped. I have spoken by phone with our leader for the West Hollywood outreach, and they are making copies of the DVDs of testimonies I sent out to them, preparing to set up our outreach table soon at the "Gay Pride Parade". I have done more work today in the storage unit, and I have managed to post two new articles in the archive of research on our web site here: http://www.lightingthewayworldwide.org/ .
I am singing and sharing my full testimony at a large prison in Augusta, GA, on June 29th. I have been thinking about it tonight, excited and thankful for such an opportunity. God's precious Holy Spirit makes me so happy inside.
Tomorrow I will order copies of some books for our West Hollywood outreach. The book is called When Lost Men Come Home, and I heard the author speak at the Healing for the Soul retreat in Colorado. I believe the books will be much appreciated in this mission field.
I also plan to work more on a music project I have done tomorrow....We hope to have a new DVD done this week to show our work in Boulder, CO...and sort through another large shipment of materials, some of which will be sent to the Philippines for the new outreach table there.
With a faithful Shepherd,
Dwayna
Sunday, May 31, 2009
LTW to San Diego: Testimony of Former Lesbian on our Team
Saturday, I met up with Jeff and Adaline at Balboa Park. After praying with the believers, surrendering our time out there, ...I shared...how I came to believe in the Bible, because my eyes had been opened to the realities of the present day EVIL. One young woman came to the flea market booth, looking through the material.... and out of the blue, she said.... "This is what the Bible says is going to happen, isn't it?" I was able to confirm this and then give her DVDs and testimonies (of former lesbians and gays) to point her in the direction of Jesus being her salvation. I felt led to go back to the Flea Market on Sunday. I had made packets ahead of time with DVDs, testimonies and other important information. I passed out all that I brought with me and had some great conversations!!
It is devastating that many seekers who were being drawn to this flea market booth were given the movie “Zeitgeist” to watch. This movie draws people in with some truth, but...it blatantly denies Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God, the only way to salvation. So…. I made sure to give each person one of my DVDs (all with powerful Christian messages) to counteract this deception.
It is devastating that many seekers who were being drawn to this flea market booth were given the movie “Zeitgeist” to watch. This movie draws people in with some truth, but...it blatantly denies Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God, the only way to salvation. So…. I made sure to give each person one of my DVDs (all with powerful Christian messages) to counteract this deception.
LTW team worker
(former lesbian)
Follow Up: County Allows San Diego Home Bible Study
As a follow up to a previous post, it seems the media hyped up the truth on this story. Read article here, which explains that the dispute was over parking, not religious freedom.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Archiving Articles: Is There A Gay Gene?
New article has been archived on LTW web site under the category of homosexuality: "Is There A Gay Gene?" (click here)
LTW to Minneapolis
James and Anne are requesting prayer as they do outreach to prostitutes tonight in Minneapolis. Though a table has not yet been set up, LTW has partnered with them by sending them evangelistic materials...
Greetings Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus:
...Tonight from 9pm to 12 am we plan on doing an outreach the women who are caught in the bondage of sin under Satan's dominion. These particular women are selling their bodies, their souls and their happiness to the Devil. He is a vicious task master and rules them harshly. Some of their pimps are nasty. Pray for us -- that we might overcome evil with good through sharing the gospel, which is the power of God (when the Spirit comes with it), for the salvation of everyone who believes. Please pray for us that God might open a door for His message and that we might proclaim Christ clearly as we ought. Thank you for...storing up treasure in heaven.
We love you!
James, Anne and family
Christ Satisfies Ministries
Greetings Brothers & Sisters in Christ Jesus:
...Tonight from 9pm to 12 am we plan on doing an outreach the women who are caught in the bondage of sin under Satan's dominion. These particular women are selling their bodies, their souls and their happiness to the Devil. He is a vicious task master and rules them harshly. Some of their pimps are nasty. Pray for us -- that we might overcome evil with good through sharing the gospel, which is the power of God (when the Spirit comes with it), for the salvation of everyone who believes. Please pray for us that God might open a door for His message and that we might proclaim Christ clearly as we ought. Thank you for...storing up treasure in heaven.
We love you!
James, Anne and family
Christ Satisfies Ministries
Friday, May 29, 2009
Recap
I have worked on posting four more articles today and have posted research on Bill Cloud (a teacher in the HR), as a follow up to the article posted yesterday on our web site on the Hebrew Roots. Slowly but surely, I am making headway in getting caught up on research.
I was very busy this morning with work around my condo as electricians showed up to check all of my electrical outlets; then I did a lot of cleaning. (I want to be accountable to people who support the ministry, not just on how the funds are spent, but on how I budget my time for ministry needs.)
I got in several shipments of supplies, which had to then be mailed back out to various outreach locations, so that also took over an hour today...
I was very busy this morning with work around my condo as electricians showed up to check all of my electrical outlets; then I did a lot of cleaning. (I want to be accountable to people who support the ministry, not just on how the funds are spent, but on how I budget my time for ministry needs.)
I got in several shipments of supplies, which had to then be mailed back out to various outreach locations, so that also took over an hour today...
I had dinner last night with some friends from church, and they have made me rethink where the forthcoming outreach here in Atlanta needs to be. They pointed out that Atlanta is the melting pot of the South, and we simply "have" to do an outreach here with a focus on reaching New Agers and people struggling with homosexuality. They said Atlanta has the highest population of homosexuals in the whole country. My prayer is that we can start an outreach here by next summer.
Seventh Day Adventism and the Hebrew Roots: "The Secret History of the Two House Doctrine"
These people are not Jews, so what is going on?
Outside a Seventh Day Adventist ChurchMy attempt yesterday to post new articles for our research archive was quite tedious. I worked on the following article for over an hour, and the formatting is still not correct. My new goal is one new article per day! Mark Thompson does a great job unmasking the Hebrew Roots Movement as essentially the same thing as Seventh Day Adventism.
...In like manner, Mrs. White quietly admitted that she had a familiar spirit. The many visions were attended by the appearance of a person, who never identified himself. This is in marked difference to biblical appearances, where even lesser angels at least identified themselves as angels. Thus like Mohammed before her, E.G. White markedly wandered in the identification of her familiar spirit. In her early years, she referred to him as “the young man”, in her middle years she referred to him as “the angel” by which she meant Christ/Michael, and in her latter years she referred to him as the “Spirit of Elijah”. As one cult researcher put it, the “Spirit of Elijah has deep meaning to Adventists”. You bet. Predictably, the “Spirit of Elijah” makes frequent appearances in the teachings of Hebraic Roots Teachers...It is interesting that ancient rabbis advocated the death penalty for Gentiles who kept the Sabbath. Needless to say, this ancient piece of rabbinical wisdom you are not likely hear from your Hebraic Roots Savant any time soon...
Read full article here on LTW web site.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Posting Research on the LTW Web Site All Day Tomorrow
I have found 23 articles tonight I have been saving to read, edit, and post on our web site in research archives. This is what I plan to do all day tomorrow to get caught up on everything from the Hebrew Roots, Seventh Day Adventists, Islam and Dominionism to the Emergent Church, Contemplative Prayer and Zen. I will be in touch via the blog about it as new articles are posted.
Christians Can't Do Science? (by Daniel Mann)
Many atheists charge, “Christians can’t truly be scientists, or even scholars. This is because a Christian’s mind is already closed and committed to certain conclusions. Therefore, a Christian can’t truly be open and responsive to the world of facts and scientific findings.”
There is definitely a danger in this, but all of us have our conditioned biases, paradigms, worldviews, philosophies, presuppositions, and theories through which we filter the data. This is patently obvious. After Erasmus read his brother Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species, he boasted:
In fact, the a priori reasoning [for evolution] is so entirely satisfactory to me that if the facts won’t fit in, why so much worse for the facts. [This] is my feeling. (The Journey, Os Guinness, 154)
Many are so attached to a theory, they feel no problem disregarding with the facts. Nevertheless, theories can either help or impede us in our search for truth. The astronomer Ptolemy promoted geocentricity (earth in the center of the solar system). Consequently, whenever there was new data, it was erroneously interpreted according to his incorrect paradigm. In his case, his theory distorted his vision, bending the facts into conformity with his theory.
However, theories or worldviews can also promote inquiry and the growth of knowledge. In his debate with the ardent atheist Richard Dawkins, John Lennox stated that if the scientific community had taken the Bible’s assertion of a universe-beginning more seriously, it would probably have found evidence to reject the widely accepted Aristotelian idea of an eternal universe much sooner.
Whenever I ride my bicycle, I wear my eyeglasses. Even though they are artificial and come between me and the data of pedestrians crossing the street and taxi doors swinging open in my path, my eyeglasses enable me to see and interpret the data more accurately. A sound worldview can do the same thing. I used to break up the world into “quality people” and “losers.” Although I wanted to belong to the first category, in my heart I knew I was a “loser.” Subsequently, the Bible helped me to understand that we are all losers who need a Redeemer. This shift in worldview helped me to better understand others and, consequently, to predict their actions.
The important question is not whether or not to set a pair of glasses or theories between ourselves and the data, but whether our lens allows us to see reality more accurately. Many Christians testify that the truth of the Bible and God working within them has given them the freedom (John 8:31-32) to truly understand their lives and those of others.
Biographer Jana Tull Steele reports of Duke Ellington:
He used to say that he had three educations: one from school, one at the pool hall, and one from the Bible. Without the latter, he said, you can’t understand what you learned from the other two places. (Duke Ellington)
Similarly, C.S. Lewis wrote: I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun—not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. (Guinness, 27)
This is the essential question: “Does the Biblical lens promote sight or blindness?” Does Christ enable us to do science or does this faith impede science?
The historical testimony in favor of the Christian role in the development of science is overwhelming. British scientist Robert Clark sums it up this way:
However we may interpret the fact, scientific development has only occurred in Christian culture. The ancients had brains as good as ours. In all civilizations—Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, India, Rome, Persia, China and so on—science developed to a certain point and then stopped. It is easy to argue speculatively that, perhaps, science might have been able to develop in the absence of Christianity, but in fact, it never did. And no wonder. For the non-Christian world believed that there was something ethically wrong about science. In Greece, this conviction was enshrined in the legend of Prometheus, the fire-bearer and prototype scientist who stole fire from heaven, thus incurring the wrath of the gods. (Christian Belief and Science, quoted by Henry F. Schaefer, 14)
Even Richard Dawkins has acknowledged that “science grew out of a religious tradition.” All cultures have their beliefs, but consistently, it is Christianity that has opened closed eyes and liberated captive minds (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1).
There is definitely a danger in this, but all of us have our conditioned biases, paradigms, worldviews, philosophies, presuppositions, and theories through which we filter the data. This is patently obvious. After Erasmus read his brother Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species, he boasted:
In fact, the a priori reasoning [for evolution] is so entirely satisfactory to me that if the facts won’t fit in, why so much worse for the facts. [This] is my feeling. (The Journey, Os Guinness, 154)
Many are so attached to a theory, they feel no problem disregarding with the facts. Nevertheless, theories can either help or impede us in our search for truth. The astronomer Ptolemy promoted geocentricity (earth in the center of the solar system). Consequently, whenever there was new data, it was erroneously interpreted according to his incorrect paradigm. In his case, his theory distorted his vision, bending the facts into conformity with his theory.
However, theories or worldviews can also promote inquiry and the growth of knowledge. In his debate with the ardent atheist Richard Dawkins, John Lennox stated that if the scientific community had taken the Bible’s assertion of a universe-beginning more seriously, it would probably have found evidence to reject the widely accepted Aristotelian idea of an eternal universe much sooner.
Whenever I ride my bicycle, I wear my eyeglasses. Even though they are artificial and come between me and the data of pedestrians crossing the street and taxi doors swinging open in my path, my eyeglasses enable me to see and interpret the data more accurately. A sound worldview can do the same thing. I used to break up the world into “quality people” and “losers.” Although I wanted to belong to the first category, in my heart I knew I was a “loser.” Subsequently, the Bible helped me to understand that we are all losers who need a Redeemer. This shift in worldview helped me to better understand others and, consequently, to predict their actions.
The important question is not whether or not to set a pair of glasses or theories between ourselves and the data, but whether our lens allows us to see reality more accurately. Many Christians testify that the truth of the Bible and God working within them has given them the freedom (John 8:31-32) to truly understand their lives and those of others.
Biographer Jana Tull Steele reports of Duke Ellington:
He used to say that he had three educations: one from school, one at the pool hall, and one from the Bible. Without the latter, he said, you can’t understand what you learned from the other two places. (Duke Ellington)
Similarly, C.S. Lewis wrote: I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun—not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. (Guinness, 27)
This is the essential question: “Does the Biblical lens promote sight or blindness?” Does Christ enable us to do science or does this faith impede science?
The historical testimony in favor of the Christian role in the development of science is overwhelming. British scientist Robert Clark sums it up this way:
However we may interpret the fact, scientific development has only occurred in Christian culture. The ancients had brains as good as ours. In all civilizations—Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, India, Rome, Persia, China and so on—science developed to a certain point and then stopped. It is easy to argue speculatively that, perhaps, science might have been able to develop in the absence of Christianity, but in fact, it never did. And no wonder. For the non-Christian world believed that there was something ethically wrong about science. In Greece, this conviction was enshrined in the legend of Prometheus, the fire-bearer and prototype scientist who stole fire from heaven, thus incurring the wrath of the gods. (Christian Belief and Science, quoted by Henry F. Schaefer, 14)
Even Richard Dawkins has acknowledged that “science grew out of a religious tradition.” All cultures have their beliefs, but consistently, it is Christianity that has opened closed eyes and liberated captive minds (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1).
Daniel Mann
Philippines
Though Nitoy is not feeling well and may have to go to the doctor soon, he is still taking time to witness. He has been corresponding with Hare Krishnas about the Gospel. He wrote that he is looking for my packages of materials for the new table, but they have not yet arrived.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
LTW Update: San Diego
I am thankful this was not pertaining to our team, but it could have been...
FAITH UNDER FIRE
Home: No place for Bible study
County demands pastor obtain $10,000 permit to host friends
May 22, 2009
By Drew Zahn
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
A San Diego pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home. The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people. "Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?" The pastor's wife answered, "Yes." She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars. And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official reportedly warned, the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000, "and then it will get ugly." Remind the world who's really in charge with the "Worship GOD, not GOV" magnetic bumper sticker from WND.
(For full article go here: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98895 )
FAITH UNDER FIRE
Home: No place for Bible study
County demands pastor obtain $10,000 permit to host friends
May 22, 2009
By Drew Zahn
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
A San Diego pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home. The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people. "Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?" The pastor's wife answered, "Yes." She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars. And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official reportedly warned, the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000, "and then it will get ugly." Remind the world who's really in charge with the "Worship GOD, not GOV" magnetic bumper sticker from WND.
(For full article go here: http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98895 )
Chuck Smith Distances Himself from Emergent Church
Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapels (very popular in the West), again warns the congregation about the dangers of the Emergent Church:
http://media.calvarychapel.com/player3/ from the http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/ website under 'live broadcast'.
http://media.calvarychapel.com/player3/ from the http://www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com/ website under 'live broadcast'.
Work Today and Goals for this Week
We are working on a new video of our outreach on Pearl Street in Boulder, CO. Photos of our ministry in action scroll to a song I wrote and sang entitled "Wish I Could Give You Jesus." I have been working on this today with a man who is donating his time for God's glory with no charge to LTW, creating these DVDs to share with other Christians our work. We should have it done by the end of the week.
Tonight I am working on new photos of our work at Venice Beach and hope to post them, along with a summary of our work there in evangelism yesterday and last weekend.
I have done more bookkeeping, and I praise God for every penny. All bills continue to be paid in full, and the Lord provides just enough. I am so thankful for how He has provided for us during this toughest season yet in ministry with the economic downfall.
I have a brief update to post soon from our ministry in San Diego. We are excited about reaching out to people who struggle with homosexuality there.
I have sent out a DVD of our work in West Hollywood to the leader of our ministry there, Dan. He will share this DVD with other Christians who want to work with us and churches and pastors needing more information about our table outreach there.
My mother has the grandchildren (my brother's kids) this week in TN, so I am not sure if she will be setting up this coming weekend at the "LTW to the Smokies" table, our outreach to tourists of the Smoky Mountain National Park. She has been rained out every weekend this spring, thus far.
I have sent out my music CD to Word Records today, after they requested it. Working with my producer in NYC, we are going to move forward with getting the music heard independently by others, regardless of how Word Records responds.
Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry. I am finally over my cold and sinus infection, and I hope to be sharing my testimony and singing at a prison soon in Augusta, GA. More details will follow.
Because He first loved me,
Dwayna
Tonight I am working on new photos of our work at Venice Beach and hope to post them, along with a summary of our work there in evangelism yesterday and last weekend.
I have done more bookkeeping, and I praise God for every penny. All bills continue to be paid in full, and the Lord provides just enough. I am so thankful for how He has provided for us during this toughest season yet in ministry with the economic downfall.
I have a brief update to post soon from our ministry in San Diego. We are excited about reaching out to people who struggle with homosexuality there.
I have sent out a DVD of our work in West Hollywood to the leader of our ministry there, Dan. He will share this DVD with other Christians who want to work with us and churches and pastors needing more information about our table outreach there.
My mother has the grandchildren (my brother's kids) this week in TN, so I am not sure if she will be setting up this coming weekend at the "LTW to the Smokies" table, our outreach to tourists of the Smoky Mountain National Park. She has been rained out every weekend this spring, thus far.
I have sent out my music CD to Word Records today, after they requested it. Working with my producer in NYC, we are going to move forward with getting the music heard independently by others, regardless of how Word Records responds.
Thank you for your prayers and support of this ministry. I am finally over my cold and sinus infection, and I hope to be sharing my testimony and singing at a prison soon in Augusta, GA. More details will follow.
Because He first loved me,
Dwayna
LTW Update: Venice Beach
Christian music plays from a band affiliated with Venice Foursquare Church as our team works with them to have conversations with people passing by...
We were finally able to get back out to Venice Beach, thank God, for the Memorial Day weekend! We worked with Venice Foursquare Church and Addicts for Christ. I just spoke with Steve Weller, the pastor, by phone, and he said that his team loved working with the LTW team, and we are invited to work with them any time. This is an answer to prayer, because we cannot get a spot on the boardwalk without them. They show up for the "lottery" drawing (which is every Tuesday around noon, when our team leaders are at work), and the team from Venice Foursquare Church secures several spots on the boardwalk for the following weekend. Our LTW team of Mike, Eileen, Dan, and others showed up to pass out tracts, have conversations with people about Jesus, and give them answers according to the Bible. We praise God that we can set up again on the boardwalk this summer, thanks to this new partnership with the "Addicts for Christ" team and Venice Foursquare Church. We hope to have enough room next time to set up our table of apologetics, to give people in-depth answers to their objections to the Bible, invite them to sit down with us, and take the time to open up the Bible and discuss what the Bible teaches about Jesus. Passing out tracts as people walk by cannot compare to such lengthy discussions with the offer of free books and Bibles from our table, too, so we hope to have the table set up again this summer as soon as possible. Still, we thank God for our Christian brothers and sisters at Venice Foursquare inviting us to work with them and aiding us in the ongoing challenge of getting a spot for our table on the boardwalk at Venice Beach this summer.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Witnessing at Long Beach "Gay Pride" Parade
Dan led a team to witness last weekend at the Long Beach "Gay Pride Parade" (Sadly, there were no photos taken of them sharing the gospel. Dan said he worked with a group of Christians who were sort of scared, and too hesitant to take any photos. They spoke with many people, especially people from "gay churches". When Dan had answers for them, based on the Bible, they left. All conversations were loving and amicable, which just goes to remind us that the Lord will use us when we show up to witness in such mission fields, and we have nothing to fear.
Dan hopes to get t-shirts for our team with a rainbow to draw others over to our witnessing cart. I think this is a great idea! After all, we can speak of the hope in Jesus and God's mercy the rainbow represents according to the Bible.
Dan and the team observed, while speaking with people off to the side about what the Bible says on eternal life and homosexuality, offering testimonies on DVD for free.
"Gay church" float
Dangers of the Hebrew Roots "Sacred Name" Movement from Jewish Believer
Christians involved in the Hebrew Roots movement often consider themselves physical Jews, as opposed to just spiritual. Here is a response from a Jewish believer in Jesus from Israel on the dangers of this movement:
Hey Dwayna,
...I'll send you a relatively brief description with a very interesting biblical examples of how "Sacred Name" theology is a form of idolatry...
Then he explains that he isn't on earth for himself any more, but for the benefit of others: Phil. 1:24 NKJV Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
The way that we pronounce the name of the Son of God, the Third Person of the Trinity is not important. What is important is that we are reaching the lost world by pointing them to Him. Like Paul we, believers, understand that we are saved, and if we die we would live with our Lord. What could be better then that? So we can't be living on the earth for us any more. It has to be for others. So when we speak the name of the Messiah to English speaking people it makes sense to use a name they would understand Jesus. If we are talking to Hebrew speaking people we should use the name they should understand Jeshua. The importance is that the world knows, God loves them and offered the ultimate sacrifice for them, not that they give a certain cultural pronunciation to His name.
Within this movement they are loosing focus on what is important. When I am explaining this to someone I like to use the following example, the story of the serpent standard: Num 21:4-9 NKJV Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. (5) And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." (6) So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. (7) Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. (8) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." (9) So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
When we look at this story we see that they live if they look upon this bronze statue of a snake. How is this not Idol worship? Later it actually becomes Idol worship. The people of Israel begin to worship the serpent standard and it has to be destroyed.
2Ki 18:1-4 NKJV Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. (2) He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. (3) And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. (4) He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.
So what is the difference between these two instances? Some might say, "Well God told them to do it the first time". This is a weak argument, especially from the "Sacred Name" people. They say we should always do things the same way. If that was the case we should have always looked to the bronze serpent. The answer is revealed in the New Testament. In maybe the most famous verses in all the New Testament.
Joh 3:14-16 NKJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The serpent only saved lives as long as it pointed to the man, Jesus. Once it became the focus itself, it had to be destroyed. If the way we pronounce His name points individuals to God praise the Lord. If the name we are using becomes our focus, like the serpent standard it is Idol worship and needs to be destroyed. God is not a name. A name is just how we verbally identify Him to one another.
It's the intended audience and God Himself that are important, not our own self righteousness (by saying a name more accurately then others) or an object (like a name) that is used to identify God Himself.
Hey Dwayna,
...I'll send you a relatively brief description with a very interesting biblical examples of how "Sacred Name" theology is a form of idolatry...
The first thing to keep in mind is like most of the people involved in the cultic messianic movements (not 100% of messianic movements are bad), they want to become holier. That, in itself, is not a bad thing. The problem is they believe, the more righteous they make themselves, the closer they will be to God. This is always done by trying to be more righteous then others around them. One example of this type of behavior is the "Sacred Name" movement.
Paul states that he would be better off dead: Php 1:23 NKJV For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Paul states that he would be better off dead: Php 1:23 NKJV For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Then he explains that he isn't on earth for himself any more, but for the benefit of others: Phil. 1:24 NKJV Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
The way that we pronounce the name of the Son of God, the Third Person of the Trinity is not important. What is important is that we are reaching the lost world by pointing them to Him. Like Paul we, believers, understand that we are saved, and if we die we would live with our Lord. What could be better then that? So we can't be living on the earth for us any more. It has to be for others. So when we speak the name of the Messiah to English speaking people it makes sense to use a name they would understand Jesus. If we are talking to Hebrew speaking people we should use the name they should understand Jeshua. The importance is that the world knows, God loves them and offered the ultimate sacrifice for them, not that they give a certain cultural pronunciation to His name.
Within this movement they are loosing focus on what is important. When I am explaining this to someone I like to use the following example, the story of the serpent standard: Num 21:4-9 NKJV Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. (5) And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." (6) So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. (7) Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. (8) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." (9) So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
When we look at this story we see that they live if they look upon this bronze statue of a snake. How is this not Idol worship? Later it actually becomes Idol worship. The people of Israel begin to worship the serpent standard and it has to be destroyed.
2Ki 18:1-4 NKJV Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. (2) He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. (3) And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. (4) He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan.
So what is the difference between these two instances? Some might say, "Well God told them to do it the first time". This is a weak argument, especially from the "Sacred Name" people. They say we should always do things the same way. If that was the case we should have always looked to the bronze serpent. The answer is revealed in the New Testament. In maybe the most famous verses in all the New Testament.
Joh 3:14-16 NKJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The serpent only saved lives as long as it pointed to the man, Jesus. Once it became the focus itself, it had to be destroyed. If the way we pronounce His name points individuals to God praise the Lord. If the name we are using becomes our focus, like the serpent standard it is Idol worship and needs to be destroyed. God is not a name. A name is just how we verbally identify Him to one another.
It's the intended audience and God Himself that are important, not our own self righteousness (by saying a name more accurately then others) or an object (like a name) that is used to identify God Himself.
Friday, May 22, 2009
LTW to Scotland
The photo above shows David standing in a booth for witnessing, reading "Information About Jesus". These standing booths began in Santa Monica, CA, to my knowledge, and now the "Jesus Booths" have spread. (We have worked with them also in West Hollywood, and I know Nathan, the founder of "Jesus Booth Ministries" very well, and we have also worked together in Venice Beach in the past.) Although these booths are great for the market place, David and Liz and I are talking about setting up a table where more information (such as books, articles, sermons on CD, and Bibles) will be available to people in a ministry of apologetics. This photo was taken in Scotland recently in the town square.
Here is a photo of beautiful Alva, where David and Liz now live and serve the Lord. This place is gorgeous compared to Los Angeles, where we last saw each other! More importantly, they are right where God has called them.We are preparing to expand to Scotland!! Here is an email from David and Liz Fraser who are working as missionaries there. I knew them when they lived in Los Angeles, and we have been in touch as friends and prayer partners. They are interested in setting up an information table where people can stop on the street and take materials and learn how to be saved. Alva is the area of Scotland where they live.
-------
Alva is a challenging focus for ministry. The High School RE teacher is preparing a Baha’i Curriculum; we have a psychic storefront; spiritists, Masons, whitchcraft, etc. Good News: The Scottish government ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ requires that Christianity be taught in schools! ...So as a Chaplain, I am preaching the gospel every week, answering questions about God and the Bible...I champion the Bible and the truth of Christianity openly, but I am not supposed to "proselytize", so I think a table in the school would be just a bit much, [though]... we still give out tracts and resource Bibles and invite kids to outside groups that get more to the point of discipleship.
However, I would like to have an information table associated with the church on the high street this summer and for our kids' club. (Stirling Street in Alva photo attached).
...learning patience and sensitivity to the Lord....,
Dave & Liz Fraser
More to Come
I am finally feeling better, and my sore throat is gone. However, I am still congested from my cold. I will be sending out yet another package today to the Philippines, catching up on blog posts and emails and updating the LTW web site with new articles for archived research.
Venice Beach:
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!! WE NOW HAVE A SPOT ON THE BOARDWALK FOR THIS MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY. Hopefully, a summary with photos will follow from the team. Please pray for God to use them.
Venice Beach:
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!! WE NOW HAVE A SPOT ON THE BOARDWALK FOR THIS MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY. Hopefully, a summary with photos will follow from the team. Please pray for God to use them.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
est...
Today I have been studying est (always lower case), believe it or not, and I am fascinated with its similiarities with Scientology, as well as Satanism. "Erhard Seminars Training" has now been sold to the Landmark Forum, where they have made Est more palatable for the general public I have been researching.
From what I have read there are no more sessions where people curse at the clients in order for the paticipant clients to have a "breakthrough". [This reminds me of the rooms in Scientology where I witnessed people literally barking at one another for a new-found enlightenment when I toured the headquarters in LA.] They have toned it down a bit now, from what I understand.
Now, in the Landmark Forum, there are other measures taken in order for individuals to be "broken down" and taught a new found "integrity." All of this could only be bizarre and spiritually benign, except for one thing: Erhard, the inventor of such technology, believed that people are gods and had a spiritual disdain for Jesus.
These training forums don't leave spirituality out, though they claim it is open to all religions. Like Scientology, faciliators announce that Christians are welcome. However, Christians who love Jesus will find another spirit at work. Just like in Scientology, the only "Christ" embraced is a "christed energy" or "christ consciousness" as new power transforms clients and people get "it". Interestingly, they are left with no need for a Savior outside of themselves. Yet, the only Savior of divine Love and power over demons still patiently waits and still offers them mercy. But the "enlightened language" of the Forum does not include repentance in humility to a Savior like Jesus.
It is heartbreaking to see what Satan does to people. Heartbreaking.
From what I have read there are no more sessions where people curse at the clients in order for the paticipant clients to have a "breakthrough". [This reminds me of the rooms in Scientology where I witnessed people literally barking at one another for a new-found enlightenment when I toured the headquarters in LA.] They have toned it down a bit now, from what I understand.
Now, in the Landmark Forum, there are other measures taken in order for individuals to be "broken down" and taught a new found "integrity." All of this could only be bizarre and spiritually benign, except for one thing: Erhard, the inventor of such technology, believed that people are gods and had a spiritual disdain for Jesus.
These training forums don't leave spirituality out, though they claim it is open to all religions. Like Scientology, faciliators announce that Christians are welcome. However, Christians who love Jesus will find another spirit at work. Just like in Scientology, the only "Christ" embraced is a "christed energy" or "christ consciousness" as new power transforms clients and people get "it". Interestingly, they are left with no need for a Savior outside of themselves. Yet, the only Savior of divine Love and power over demons still patiently waits and still offers them mercy. But the "enlightened language" of the Forum does not include repentance in humility to a Savior like Jesus.
It is heartbreaking to see what Satan does to people. Heartbreaking.
What is "est"? Erhard Seminars Training (sold to "Landmark Forum")
“In est [Erhard Seminars Training]…you are God…Therefore you cannot look to any supreme being for any special treatment, goodness, or reward.” (Est, Four Days to Make Your Life Work, by William Greene p. 131)
Landmark Forum and Scientology
(Romans 8:28 promises that all things work together for someone who loves God and experiences are not "meaningless" as the Landmark Forum may suggest.)
My Landmark Experience
The final drive of the weekend is heavily steeped in Zen. All we have is the now. We are only responsible for ourselves. Life is meaningless.
Reporters with hidden cameras closed down the Landmark Forum in France
…Werner Erhard, the founder of the organization, escaped from the United States a millionaire, to avoid possible imprisonment for tax evasion. It was this TV program that closed down the Landmark in France, leaving it only 24 other countries in which to spread its word.
Previously known as Est, Landmark Education was founded in 1971 by Werner Erhard, a former used-car and door-to-door encyclopedia salesman, after he quit Scientology. Like other US direct-marketing companies, it relies on word-of-mouth for promotion and recruitment of new clients.
Landmark's links to Erhard are a BIG touchy point. Werner Erhard (a name he assumed to dodge an abandoned wife and children), was an ex-used car and encyclopaedia salesman who, like Penn Patrick, did the self-actualisation rounds in California in the 1960s; he seems to have been most strongly influenced by his stint in Scientology. (The idea of a "technology" that promises to deal with all the maladjustments of life is familiar from there.) According to a range of credible witnesses, Erhard was a violent, delusional despot in pre-Landmark enterprises called est (Erhard Seminar Trainings) and The Forum: calling himself God, and giving brutal beatings. His daughters said he had sexually abused them. (The girls later recanted, claiming they had been bribed and coerced to lie about their father - but their stories of abuse are widely regarded as more plausible than their later claims of bribery and coercion.)
Est (like Scientology) became a multi-million-dollar enterprise. The allegations from the American media against Erhard were, however, so devastating that from 1991 he went into hiding. (He is said to be living high somewhere in the Cayman Islands.) But, in the meantime, he had licenced the seminar "technology" to his brother. Methods were toned down. Leaders no longer screamed obscenities at participants in the "seminars" or forbade them to move from their chairs for any reason.
Landmark sued Elle magazine, apparently for nothing but not incorporating Schreiber's "package" into a 1995 article on Landmark. The lawyer cited "lack of research", "shoddy research", "irresponsible statements" and the "evident intent of the writer to denigrate the reputation of Landmark".
The article was about the author's personal experience of a Landmark seminar. She truthfully reported what happened there, and she came across as moderate in her comments. Was "research" into the package supposed to have stopped her from saying anything negative at all? Landmark dropped the suit with no reported concessions from Elle, but the company's approach to the media does not seem to have changed.
This may be because aggression often pays off. Landmark sued the Cult Awareness Network, for example, helping Scientology-associated groups bankrupt the organization through litigation in 1997. (Scientology then bought the CAN and runs it through an affiliate. Anybody seeking help in exiting a cult should perhaps consider contacting some other hotline.) Just the threat of a lawsuit by a large American corporation can terrify most people into submission. In 1999 Schreiber was able to list six magazines that had printed retractions of the accusation that Landmark was a cult (and I have copies of two more retractions since then). Landmark treats the cult accusation as a straw man, as if knocking that down should end discussion of the company's practices. But here's the really cute part. You don't have to say that Landmark is a cult to get forced into a retraction of that statement.
…The truth: between est and Landmark, Erhard ran a somewhat toned-down version of est called The Forum. Landmark's basic course is called The Landmark Forum and sometimes The Forum. They didn't even bother to come up with a distinct name. And why would they? They have the license to Erhard's "technology". Landmark CEO Harry Rosenberg, Erhard's brother, worked for est. Landmark seminars are indistinguishable in basic techniques, differing from est mainly in their being less harsh and aggressive…
Don't Tibet on it
Some of the "graduates" of David Ure, once a Landmark seminar leader in Cape Town, have been firing up their recruiting with the story of "a seminar held for 300 monks and the Dalai Lama in the foothills of Tibet"; a seminar by which "Landmark took on transforming the political situation there". When we contacted Tibetan exile officialdom for comment, we got a very polite version of "What the @#%& are you talking about?" The UK Landmark office, where Ure is now based, promised that he would get back to us, but repeated reminders produced no contact. Indian Landmark offices were likewise unresponsive. Meanwhile, the story of the Dalai Lama as a Landmark graduate spreads via Landmark disciples. One confirmed that the Tibetan bulletin came straight from David Ure's mouth – but the disciple became nervous at the idea of my investigating the information and publishing the result. At this point it emerged that the facts might be "confidential."
…As noted above, there is much talk of commitment in Landmark, to excellence, to honoring yourself and others, to integrity. In the end, the system only supports a commitment to self, doing whatever makes you happy, and a commitment to Landmark as the source of your power, the gift of which you should share with others. Its ideology specifically discourages actions outside of Landmark based upon obligation, duty, sacrifice or guilt. It might be interesting to have historical statistics of the close relationships (family, friends, loves) of long-term Landmark participants, and learn whether there is a measurable propensity for them to be unable to maintain serious, committed relationships than the general public…
Monday, May 18, 2009
Brief Update
I have had a surprise today of a girlfriend coming to Atlanta, so I did not spend the time on the update I had planned. I now plan to send it out to everyone tomorrow. Plus, I am fighting off a cold. It has been unseasonably cool here, and I woke up this morning with a sore throat, not feeling well, so I am on cold medicine tonight.
Dan led a LTW witnessing team at the Gay Pride Parade in Long Beach last weekend. An exciting update with photos will follow soon!
Dan led a LTW witnessing team at the Gay Pride Parade in Long Beach last weekend. An exciting update with photos will follow soon!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Work Today...
Today I am enjoying the daunting task of compiling updates from our ministry locations for an email newsletter. I hope to have it out to everyone by tomorrow.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
More Materials for Various Locations
"LTW to the Smokies":
I have ordered 7 packets of the tracts entitled "Pure Gold" for our outreach to tourists of the Smoky Mountain National Park. www.chaptertwobooks.org.uk
"Keys for Kids" in the Rio Grande Valley:
More music CDs have been ordered to make available for free to people approaching the ministry table in the Rio Grande Valley.
"Free Thinking in Boulder":
Tracts entitled "Sometimes You Wonder 'Why Am I Here?'"--at least 100 will be shipped out next week to the leaders of this outreach location. Also, next week I am shipping out copies of The Beautiful Side of Evil (for people embedded in occult practices), Death of a Guru (testimony of former Hindu), tracts from www.pro-gospel.org for Catholics, and "Occult Nightmare" tracts by Greg Reid.
Philippines:
I have ordered 7 packets of the tracts entitled "Pure Gold" for our outreach to tourists of the Smoky Mountain National Park. www.chaptertwobooks.org.uk
"Keys for Kids" in the Rio Grande Valley:
More music CDs have been ordered to make available for free to people approaching the ministry table in the Rio Grande Valley.
"Free Thinking in Boulder":
Tracts entitled "Sometimes You Wonder 'Why Am I Here?'"--at least 100 will be shipped out next week to the leaders of this outreach location. Also, next week I am shipping out copies of The Beautiful Side of Evil (for people embedded in occult practices), Death of a Guru (testimony of former Hindu), tracts from www.pro-gospel.org for Catholics, and "Occult Nightmare" tracts by Greg Reid.
Philippines:
Articles for the table to give answers--1) Jehovah's Witnesses 2)"Cult Catalog" of how "Jesus" is defined in various religions and cultic belief systems 2) articles for Moslems with quotes from the Quran and Hadith 3) articles for Catholics documenting teachings...with Scripture references 4) Verses against "Positive Confession"/Word Faith Movement 5) articles explaining dangers of Feng Shui 6) testimonies from former Buddhists of how they have come to believe in Jesus as Savior and have left Buddhism 7) "What's Wrong with Scientology?" 8) Quotes from the Satanic Bible to show that the New Age is teaching essentially the same thing as Satanism 9) article with verses against the "Slain in the Spirit" movement 10) Verses warning of hell 11) "Who Gave Us the Bible?" by former nun, explaining why we can trust the Bible as God's Word 12) "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" by Jay Wegter with verses to explain God as Creator...to verses explaining how to be saved through faith in Jesus 13) "The Lost Tomb of Jesus"--another attack on the resurrection... 14) "Top Ten Amazing Facts of Mormonism" (to show that Mormonism is antagonistic to Christianity) 15) Hare Krishna vs. Christianity 16) list of prophecies Jesus fulfilled from Old Testament to the New Testament 17) articles for New Agers 18) "Is Science Finding God?" (reasons to believe in the Genesis account of creation).
Update from Jerusalem
(Evette and Rami handing out free books about the Gospel)
(People taking the free books)
Hi Brother Sisters in Jesus,
We thank your praying for our outreach on Tuseday. On this day we spoke with many people about Jesus; most of them took the books with a smile, and very few did not take any books. We gave between 600 \800 books & DVDs. Please pray for all the people who take the materials. The people who help us in this outreach are:
Mohammad: pray for him, because his family does not speak with him because he has a Moslem background and is now a Christian.
Sami, Evette& Rami: Please contiune to pray & encouage us .
We also pray for you daily for blessing in your churches & ministries.
May the LORD JESUS Bless you all. Amen.
Rami
CMA
P.O.Box 50
Jerusalem,
Isreal 91000
Rami
CMA
P.O.Box 50
Jerusalem,
Isreal 91000
LTW to the Smokies Update (from leader)
With a flash flood warning in effect in the Smokies all day, the weather again is keeping us from setting up at the Sugarlands Visitor Center. The outdoor areas for setting up are not in use on days with weather warnings. As I said in an earlier note, the permits are issued every two weeks, although I have filled out the paper work for every Saturday through Sept. 5. Today marked the period for May 16-23. Therefore, we will not be setting up on either of these Saturdays due to the rules set up by the park officials. Thank you for your prayers for this ministry...
--Claudette Litz
Friday, May 15, 2009
First Shipment for "LTW to the Philippines" Table Outreach to Students
(I found today while working in the storage unit that we are out of sermons by Tommy Fox, entitled "Deity of Christ", so I will have to get more of those made and shipped to Nitoy for his table in the Philippines)
“Pure Gold” tract on the Gospel (generic, for anyone)
“The Main Point of God’s Will” (by Hollie Miller at Sevier Heights Baptist, directed at college students)
The Light That Was Dark (for New Agers/people involved in occult practices)
“Steps to Peace with God” (generic tracts for anyone)
“Christian Science” testimony of Caroline Poole of how and why she left the cult
Tracts/brochures explaining the meaning of yoga positions/Hinduism
Tracts for Catholics from www.pro-gospel.org
“God as Father” sermons by Tommy Fox from Theta Baptist Church
“Unity School of Christianity” sermons by Walter Martin (to explain the dangers of the New Age/Mind Science cults)
Gospel Truth/Pagan Lies –Can You Tell the Difference? by Peter Jones
“The Bible’s Big Picture”—DVD presentation of the Gospel by www.compass.org
“Do You Know Jesus Christ?” by Chapel Library (generic, for anyone)
“Understanding the Cross” for New Agers, by Johanna Michaelsen
“Pure Gold” tract on the Gospel (generic, for anyone)
“The Main Point of God’s Will” (by Hollie Miller at Sevier Heights Baptist, directed at college students)
The Light That Was Dark (for New Agers/people involved in occult practices)
“Steps to Peace with God” (generic tracts for anyone)
“Christian Science” testimony of Caroline Poole of how and why she left the cult
Tracts/brochures explaining the meaning of yoga positions/Hinduism
Tracts for Catholics from www.pro-gospel.org
“God as Father” sermons by Tommy Fox from Theta Baptist Church
“Unity School of Christianity” sermons by Walter Martin (to explain the dangers of the New Age/Mind Science cults)
Gospel Truth/Pagan Lies –Can You Tell the Difference? by Peter Jones
“The Bible’s Big Picture”—DVD presentation of the Gospel by www.compass.org
“Do You Know Jesus Christ?” by Chapel Library (generic, for anyone)
“Understanding the Cross” for New Agers, by Johanna Michaelsen
Sermons from Theta Baptist Church Being Used in the Philippines
From Nitoy, leader of the Philippines table outreach:
I just heard the tommy fox sermon on The Deity of Christ. Wow, great choice of sermon you'll be sending me. I also placed it on the blogsite I have, so others can downloaded it for free....smile!
God bless you,
Nitoy
http://www.thetabaptistchurch.org/
I just heard the tommy fox sermon on The Deity of Christ. Wow, great choice of sermon you'll be sending me. I also placed it on the blogsite I have, so others can downloaded it for free....smile!
God bless you,
Nitoy
http://www.thetabaptistchurch.org/
Thursday, May 14, 2009
LTW Update: Rio Grande Valley
Update from Curt and Janie (from May 2, 2009):Each table set-up seems to develop its own character. This 3rd Table Ministry on Jackson St. appeared to be geared more to adults rather than kids.
We had a school bus driver who was interested in materials to hand out to her fellow drivers. We had a fellow interested in materials for Sunday School and was eager to find out where to find the Spanish Bibles as well as the Bible Story coloring books that we had. We are happy to share our resources for materials. Another woman was interested in our CBH 12 day devotional “Keys for Kids”.
Of particular interest was a substitute school teacher that Curt was able to visit with. He was asking many questions about various topics. (Right up Curt’s alley!!) He was asking about how he could present Christ in his classes. Curt gave him Dwayna’s little booklet “31 Days of Quotes”. He picked up a few tracts on different topics as well as the book “Brave New Schools” by Berit Kjos..
Another man and Curt had a long discussion on the ‘seeker sensitive’ movement along with ‘positive thinking’ and how these topics don’t coincide with the Bible. We also got well into a discussion on creation/evolution. He believes in creationism but was looking for verifying information on it. We were pleased to be able to give him a tract on “7 Reasons Why We Should Not Accept Millions of Years” as well as the DVD on “Noah’s Ark-Fact or Fiction”.
Another woman was interested in ‘Yoga’, or as the subtitle suggested on the brochure “No man can serve two masters.” She was surprised that Yoga has its roots in far East mysticism.
Janie was thrilled that her first two ‘kids’ at our 1st table set-up on Jackson St. stopped by this past Saturday. It is our prayer that we can develop a relationship with the two girls as their mother (Spanish speaking) appears to have a regular booth with many beautiful plants. It must be a VERY long day for those two little girls. They really like the Bible Story coloring books and box of crayons. Their booth was surprisingly(?) close to ours at each of our 3 table set-ups.
It was intriguing to talk with another woman about her disenchantment with Catholicism. I’m so grateful for having been raised with that background and having been blessed with a true understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and that the only way to God (heaven) is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.
We’re hoping Dwayna will be able to join us at our table the 1st Saturday in June. We certainly would enjoy and no doubt benefit from her expertise in this ministry. We just realized that the 1st Saturday in July is on the 4th. We expect there will be many, many people strolling Jackson St. and certainly many, many kids.
It was an EXTREMELY WINDY, HOT, LONG DAY, but in between trying to hold down the canopy, we were blessed with many ‘searching’ visitors to our ‘Table’. We were blessed with the company of our Pastor as well as a dad and mom each separately joining us with one of their twin daughters. We certainly covet prayer as we seek God’s wisdom in our choice of words.
Relying on Him as “He Directs Our Paths”,
Curt and Janie
We had a school bus driver who was interested in materials to hand out to her fellow drivers. We had a fellow interested in materials for Sunday School and was eager to find out where to find the Spanish Bibles as well as the Bible Story coloring books that we had. We are happy to share our resources for materials. Another woman was interested in our CBH 12 day devotional “Keys for Kids”.
Of particular interest was a substitute school teacher that Curt was able to visit with. He was asking many questions about various topics. (Right up Curt’s alley!!) He was asking about how he could present Christ in his classes. Curt gave him Dwayna’s little booklet “31 Days of Quotes”. He picked up a few tracts on different topics as well as the book “Brave New Schools” by Berit Kjos..
Another man and Curt had a long discussion on the ‘seeker sensitive’ movement along with ‘positive thinking’ and how these topics don’t coincide with the Bible. We also got well into a discussion on creation/evolution. He believes in creationism but was looking for verifying information on it. We were pleased to be able to give him a tract on “7 Reasons Why We Should Not Accept Millions of Years” as well as the DVD on “Noah’s Ark-Fact or Fiction”.
Another woman was interested in ‘Yoga’, or as the subtitle suggested on the brochure “No man can serve two masters.” She was surprised that Yoga has its roots in far East mysticism.
Janie was thrilled that her first two ‘kids’ at our 1st table set-up on Jackson St. stopped by this past Saturday. It is our prayer that we can develop a relationship with the two girls as their mother (Spanish speaking) appears to have a regular booth with many beautiful plants. It must be a VERY long day for those two little girls. They really like the Bible Story coloring books and box of crayons. Their booth was surprisingly(?) close to ours at each of our 3 table set-ups.
It was intriguing to talk with another woman about her disenchantment with Catholicism. I’m so grateful for having been raised with that background and having been blessed with a true understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and that the only way to God (heaven) is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.
We’re hoping Dwayna will be able to join us at our table the 1st Saturday in June. We certainly would enjoy and no doubt benefit from her expertise in this ministry. We just realized that the 1st Saturday in July is on the 4th. We expect there will be many, many people strolling Jackson St. and certainly many, many kids.
It was an EXTREMELY WINDY, HOT, LONG DAY, but in between trying to hold down the canopy, we were blessed with many ‘searching’ visitors to our ‘Table’. We were blessed with the company of our Pastor as well as a dad and mom each separately joining us with one of their twin daughters. We certainly covet prayer as we seek God’s wisdom in our choice of words.
Relying on Him as “He Directs Our Paths”,
Curt and Janie
LTW Update: Philippines
From Nitoy in the Philippines:
Thanks and God bless,
Nitoy
...Our pastor will go to Bicol (http://www.wowbicol.com/profile.htm) for the graduation ceremony of the VBS. Almost 100 kids participate and sign for having work in the church. And guess what? They are all unbelievers.
So he will deliver a gospel message to the graduation rites. Please pray that those souls will commit to God and be saved. Since the beginning of our ministry, Two-Edged Sword in 2004, its aim has been to promote the gospel through creation science; we will have a contact in a public school in Bauan called Bauan National High School. We will give out materials to a science teacher who is willing to teach creation science. She was referred to me by a sister in Christ who is a teacher there also. This teacher is ardent combatting errors in the textbook. Please pray that the will of God will be on this.
Thanks and God bless,
Nitoy
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Counterfeit Humility vs. the Humility of Jesus
...Humility comes at the painful price of truly facing ourselves. This means challenging our many forms of denial and self-justifications, and that’s painful! Few short-term benefits here!
In contrast, all the major world religions are more far-sighted. They’ve accumulated some wisdom over their long centuries and therefore value humility. The late Swami Amar Jyoti, founder of Light of Consciousness, a “Journal of Spiritual Awakening,” writes,
In most cases, unless you are very humble, insight will tend to make you more egotistical because you feel you know more and understand more and are higher than the average person…We get tempted in the power of maya—darkness and unconsciousness. We are tempted to have more gratification, more privileges or mental powers. Few will not succumb to this temptation…Humility will give you greater insight. (The Peaceful Path to Enlightenment, Vol 21, #2, Summer 2009, 4)
It’s so obvious that any type of success has a tendency to harden us with arrogance and pride. We develop an entitlement mentality, which makes it easier for us to take what we want and to abuse others. After all, we’re spiritually “entitled!” Consequently, far more people have been killed by “superior” and “entitled” people than by all the common criminals, perhaps by a hundredfold!
Jyoti couldn’t be more correct! And humility does impart insight. Humility represents a willingness to accept ourselves, warts and all, and an awareness of all of our defensive tactics at self-justification. It is a brave and calm inner resignation, a trust that enables us to look at the disorienting truths we have so long suppressed and denied. Once we can come to peace within ourselves, without the inner tug-of-war, we have the calm to perceive the reality around us. But from where does this resignation and courage arise? Jyoti continues,
Avoid arrogance, haughtiness, personal vendettas, jealousy and making impersonal issues into personal ones.
In short, we have to work on ourselves (“dharma,” practice, abiding by the principles of law). At this point, I was getting ready to jump all over Jyoti. Although the practice of God’s righteousness is a great blessing, any Christian should know that following God’s laws does not make us righteous but highlights our need for righteousness that can only come as a gift from God (Romans 3:19-20).
However, as I reread his words, I found that Jyoti was giving the credit to “God.” Now I was confused like a hunter taking aim at his prey only to find that it had disappeared. How could a karma-based religion, a reap-what-you-sow religion, a what-goes-around-comes-around religion be talking about grace and the providence of God? Of course, it has to be as Jyoti says. How can we not become proud over our humility unless we do believe that it’s fully a gift!
I was left wondering, “Can such a theology and practice produce humility and self-knowledge as Christ can?” For myself I knew that only the love of Christ had been able to penetrate deeply enough into the hidden recesses of my manipulations, selfishness and self-centeredness to empower me to face and confess my utter unworthiness. Only the certainty that Christ had died for my most ugly parts gave me the assurance to face myself. Only when we know that we’re totally loved and protected do we have the courage to confront our concealed horror show. Sometimes, this only happens on our deathbed; more often though, it never happens. It is only in the context of the full assurance that we are forgiven that we can face our sins (and continue to face them), throw our heads back and laugh heartily. This assurance is only possible through the light of the Cross:
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)
His cleansing blood penetrates to the core. Only when our consciences are cleansed can we have assurance that our sins have been completely set aside, and only with this confidence can we face the truth, and only in truth can we “serve the living God.” He doesn’t tolerate duplicity, hypocrisy and denial! Nevertheless, Jyoti has come to an understanding that transcends his religion. He knows that humility is only possible as we understand it as part of a divine gift. Paul acknowledged to the Athenians that some of their poets had an understanding that comes from above:
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:27-28
Clearly, some are closer than others and the light we have may be an indicator of this. After one man wisely answered Jesus, He responded: "You are not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34). Let’s encourage those who are close to take the decisive step.
In contrast, all the major world religions are more far-sighted. They’ve accumulated some wisdom over their long centuries and therefore value humility. The late Swami Amar Jyoti, founder of Light of Consciousness, a “Journal of Spiritual Awakening,” writes,
In most cases, unless you are very humble, insight will tend to make you more egotistical because you feel you know more and understand more and are higher than the average person…We get tempted in the power of maya—darkness and unconsciousness. We are tempted to have more gratification, more privileges or mental powers. Few will not succumb to this temptation…Humility will give you greater insight. (The Peaceful Path to Enlightenment, Vol 21, #2, Summer 2009, 4)
It’s so obvious that any type of success has a tendency to harden us with arrogance and pride. We develop an entitlement mentality, which makes it easier for us to take what we want and to abuse others. After all, we’re spiritually “entitled!” Consequently, far more people have been killed by “superior” and “entitled” people than by all the common criminals, perhaps by a hundredfold!
Jyoti couldn’t be more correct! And humility does impart insight. Humility represents a willingness to accept ourselves, warts and all, and an awareness of all of our defensive tactics at self-justification. It is a brave and calm inner resignation, a trust that enables us to look at the disorienting truths we have so long suppressed and denied. Once we can come to peace within ourselves, without the inner tug-of-war, we have the calm to perceive the reality around us. But from where does this resignation and courage arise? Jyoti continues,
Avoid arrogance, haughtiness, personal vendettas, jealousy and making impersonal issues into personal ones.
In short, we have to work on ourselves (“dharma,” practice, abiding by the principles of law). At this point, I was getting ready to jump all over Jyoti. Although the practice of God’s righteousness is a great blessing, any Christian should know that following God’s laws does not make us righteous but highlights our need for righteousness that can only come as a gift from God (Romans 3:19-20).
However, as I reread his words, I found that Jyoti was giving the credit to “God.” Now I was confused like a hunter taking aim at his prey only to find that it had disappeared. How could a karma-based religion, a reap-what-you-sow religion, a what-goes-around-comes-around religion be talking about grace and the providence of God? Of course, it has to be as Jyoti says. How can we not become proud over our humility unless we do believe that it’s fully a gift!
I was left wondering, “Can such a theology and practice produce humility and self-knowledge as Christ can?” For myself I knew that only the love of Christ had been able to penetrate deeply enough into the hidden recesses of my manipulations, selfishness and self-centeredness to empower me to face and confess my utter unworthiness. Only the certainty that Christ had died for my most ugly parts gave me the assurance to face myself. Only when we know that we’re totally loved and protected do we have the courage to confront our concealed horror show. Sometimes, this only happens on our deathbed; more often though, it never happens. It is only in the context of the full assurance that we are forgiven that we can face our sins (and continue to face them), throw our heads back and laugh heartily. This assurance is only possible through the light of the Cross:
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)
His cleansing blood penetrates to the core. Only when our consciences are cleansed can we have assurance that our sins have been completely set aside, and only with this confidence can we face the truth, and only in truth can we “serve the living God.” He doesn’t tolerate duplicity, hypocrisy and denial! Nevertheless, Jyoti has come to an understanding that transcends his religion. He knows that humility is only possible as we understand it as part of a divine gift. Paul acknowledged to the Athenians that some of their poets had an understanding that comes from above:
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:27-28
Clearly, some are closer than others and the light we have may be an indicator of this. After one man wisely answered Jesus, He responded: "You are not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34). Let’s encourage those who are close to take the decisive step.
Daniel Mann
Work Today
All day yesterday I did bookkeeping. Today, I am done with it all except for credit card statements-I have to gather every single statement for 2009, and I will be up to date and prepared for a bookkeeper.
I am working today on getting my mastered music CD to Word Records, doing this long-distance without going physically to Nashville. I am working with a company for CD copies, preparing the correct writers' information on the CD for the A&R person at Word Records. I spoke with my producer in NYC, and he has a plan for marketing the CD, with or without a major label involved. However, since I have heard back from Word, I am sending them an advanced copy, too. My part in preparing a CD with photos for them should come to fruition by the end of the week.
If I have any extra time today, I am heading to the storage unit to do more organizing....
Soon to come: I have been asked to sing and share my testimony at a large prison in Augusta, GA, for all of the prisoners there. Plus, I am speaking and showing a DVD on our mission work in West Hollywood at the next Exodus conference in Ohio this July.
I am working today on getting my mastered music CD to Word Records, doing this long-distance without going physically to Nashville. I am working with a company for CD copies, preparing the correct writers' information on the CD for the A&R person at Word Records. I spoke with my producer in NYC, and he has a plan for marketing the CD, with or without a major label involved. However, since I have heard back from Word, I am sending them an advanced copy, too. My part in preparing a CD with photos for them should come to fruition by the end of the week.
If I have any extra time today, I am heading to the storage unit to do more organizing....
Soon to come: I have been asked to sing and share my testimony at a large prison in Augusta, GA, for all of the prisoners there. Plus, I am speaking and showing a DVD on our mission work in West Hollywood at the next Exodus conference in Ohio this July.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
LTW Update (Long Beach, Venice Beach, and Boulder)
Long Beach:
Dan, the leader of our Long Beach and West Hollywood outreaches, will be speaking to a group from South Bay Calvary Chapel this Friday night. They will be taking a team to witness at the Long Beach Gay Pride Parade this weekend. Updates and photos will follow.
Venice Beach:
Boulder:
I am ordering and shipping out more materials to Jonathan, the leader for Boulder, this week. A new DVD is being made this week of our outreach on Pearl Street to share with other Christians and churches. New photos of Jonathan and Carrie in outreach on Boulder are on the way.
Dan, the leader of our Long Beach and West Hollywood outreaches, will be speaking to a group from South Bay Calvary Chapel this Friday night. They will be taking a team to witness at the Long Beach Gay Pride Parade this weekend. Updates and photos will follow.
Venice Beach:
We are still in the process of getting a volunteer to show up on Tuesday mornings for the "lottery" drawing at Venice Beach, so we can have a spot on the boardwalk for setting up our outreach table the following Saturday. When I returned last week from Boulder, I had a message on my home phone from Diane on the boardwalk. (Diane and her husband, Abraham, are leaders over the whole North end of Ocean Front Walk...Though they admit to occult beliefs, it has been rumored that they are involved in outright Satanism. I knew them well when I used to set up there when the ministry first began, and we became friends.) Diane got my number from Dan who feeds the whole area there every Saturday. She found out Dan works with me, and she asked him to call me. She left a sweet message that really touched my heart. She said, "Dwayna, we miss you here."
Boulder:
I am ordering and shipping out more materials to Jonathan, the leader for Boulder, this week. A new DVD is being made this week of our outreach on Pearl Street to share with other Christians and churches. New photos of Jonathan and Carrie in outreach on Boulder are on the way.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Dump Wisdom? (By Daniel Mann)
Dump Wisdom?
The Christian faith rests upon the foundation of the Cross, the testimony of Scripture, and the various reasons to place our faith in them—some personal and subjective, others rational, objective and provable. Many try to dismiss and marginalize Christianity as just a matter of taste—personal and private faith. Sadly, even Christians down-play the miraculous evidences and the rational proofs—those elements that demonstrate that Christianity is reality-based and not just a matter of feelings, diet or culture. Therefore, it pertains to everyone. When Christians disdain evidences, wisdom and rationality are resort to Scripture to try to prove their case, it’s usually First Corinthians:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. (1 Cor. 1:17-23)
While it might seem that Paul is claiming that preaching “Christ crucified” (verse 23) is opposed to wisdom, he is actually contrasting unredeemed “human wisdom” (17)—the “wisdom of the world” (20)—with true wisdom, the “wisdom of God” (21).
Paul’s quotation of Isaiah 29:14 in verse 19 makes this clear. On the surface, it seems that God has an issue with “wisdom” and “intelligence” and will therefore destroy them. However, when we look at Isaiah, it becomes evident that the problem isn’t wisdom and intelligence but our perverted use and prideful regard for them. The preceding verse illustrates this:
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Isaiah 29:13)
It was their perverted “wisdom” and “intelligence” that enabled them to trust in their own thinking and to justify setting aside God’s truths for their own. Paul saw how this same “wisdom” enabled the Corinthian church to break up into factions, each considering their own faction to be superior one, at the expense of God’s wisdom, the Gospel. They identified with certain preachers, whom they probably praised for their eloquence and “wisdom.” They seemed to regard some as “super-apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5, 13).
Loving wisdom wasn’t Corinthians’ problem. To truly love wisdom, would be to love the Gospel, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24; 2:7), while human, worldly wisdom rejects the light of the Gospel (John 3:19-20). Because of this “wisdom,” the Corinthians’ boasted in mere humans:
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." 21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours. (1 Cor. 3:18-21)
Paul wasn’t arguing against the “wise.” Rather, he wanted them to “become wise” (verse 18). Paul’s concern was about what was considered wisdom “by the standards of this age” (18). This “wisdom” promoted a man-centeredness, which is at variance with the things of God. Paul’s quotation (verse 19) identifies this “wisdom” as one that takes the form of cunning.
In verse 20, Paul quotes Psalm 94:11 which claims that, because of these “thoughts,” the “wise” would have to be chastened. Clearly, this is not a criticism of true wisdom, as exemplified by the Proverbs; this is a worldly “wisdom” which is in opposition to true wisdom. The Corinthians loved the human wisdom (1:17) of eloquent words, and had a lesser taste for Divine wisdom. The NIV Study Bible explains “human wisdom” this way:
Lit. “wisdom of speech.” Paul’s mission was not to couch the gospel in the language of the trained orator, who had studied techniques of influencing people by persuasive arguments.
Trusting in their own wisdom, some of them didn’t even believe in the resurrection (15:12), a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s no wonder that Paul wanted to set things aright. Salvation wasn’t about eloquence or even the gifts of the Spirit; it was about “Christ and Him crucified” (2:1-2)! If the Gospel was to rest on human wisdom, then human wisdom, with all its prejudices, was supreme and could decide that certain elements of the Gospel, like the resurrection, had to go. This didn’t mean that wisdom didn’t play an important part. It did, but the pursuit of wisdom came after the Gospel message and was subordinate to it (2:6).
It just isn’t possible that Paul was making a case against reason and wisdom. In the Book of Acts, we find Paul making use of reason in his presentation of the Gospel (Acts 17:2-4: 18:4; 28:23). According to him, wisdom even plays a major role in salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the critical role of wisdom, God’s wisdom. He chastens them for taking their disputes to the secular authorities, saying:
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? (1 Cor. 6:5)
Scripture consistently values Godly wisdom. It simply isn’t possible that God is seeking to destroy “wisdom” and intelligent reasoning, while, at the same time, commanding that we grow in regards to these: “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults” (1 Cor. 14:20). How is it possible that He is attempting to destroy wisdom, while at the same time graciously granting the gift of wisdom (1 Cor. 12:6)? Instead, we find that Scripture makes a sharp distinction between the “wisdom” that comes from below (worldly wisdom), and the wisdom that comes from above (James 3).
The notion that the Gospel must be presented without wisdom and reason is also incoherent. I can’t imagine an evangelistic conversation where I’d choose to turn off wisdom and reason. Without reason and logic, our sentences wouldn’t make sense; our thoughts would be disconnected and non-sensical; we would fail to understand our audience in a way they could understand it (1 Cor. 9:19-22; Acts 17:22-31); we wouldn’t know how to answer others in a humble, intelligent, and respectful manner (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
Everything Paul wrote reflected his wisdom, the mind of Christ. He could hardly have been teaching against it! Nor is Paul contrasting the Gospel message with the miraculous evidence for the Gospel (Acts 1:3; Hebrews 2:3-4). Nor is he suggesting that we should believe without evidences. Rather, he cites the “demonstration of the Spirit’s power” which enables the believers to rest his confidence upon “God’s power” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). He also points to how the supernatural gifts serve to bring people into the faith (14:25-26). In addition to this, he mentions how his own miraculous encounter with the risen Christ was pivotal for him (15:8).
Disparaging the fruits of Biblical contemplation, Christianity has become a private affair, divorced from the universities and public discourse, and this isn’t surprising. When we degrade the factual, objective, rational, and provable aspects of the faith, we are saying that, “It’s not for public consumption or discussion. It just applies to my own personal heart and to anyone else who is willing to take a blind leap of faith into a world where one must park the questioning mind at the door.” This is a message that the secular world is very ready to hear and promote in regards to Christianity!
The Christian faith rests upon the foundation of the Cross, the testimony of Scripture, and the various reasons to place our faith in them—some personal and subjective, others rational, objective and provable. Many try to dismiss and marginalize Christianity as just a matter of taste—personal and private faith. Sadly, even Christians down-play the miraculous evidences and the rational proofs—those elements that demonstrate that Christianity is reality-based and not just a matter of feelings, diet or culture. Therefore, it pertains to everyone. When Christians disdain evidences, wisdom and rationality are resort to Scripture to try to prove their case, it’s usually First Corinthians:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. (1 Cor. 1:17-23)
While it might seem that Paul is claiming that preaching “Christ crucified” (verse 23) is opposed to wisdom, he is actually contrasting unredeemed “human wisdom” (17)—the “wisdom of the world” (20)—with true wisdom, the “wisdom of God” (21).
Paul’s quotation of Isaiah 29:14 in verse 19 makes this clear. On the surface, it seems that God has an issue with “wisdom” and “intelligence” and will therefore destroy them. However, when we look at Isaiah, it becomes evident that the problem isn’t wisdom and intelligence but our perverted use and prideful regard for them. The preceding verse illustrates this:
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (Isaiah 29:13)
It was their perverted “wisdom” and “intelligence” that enabled them to trust in their own thinking and to justify setting aside God’s truths for their own. Paul saw how this same “wisdom” enabled the Corinthian church to break up into factions, each considering their own faction to be superior one, at the expense of God’s wisdom, the Gospel. They identified with certain preachers, whom they probably praised for their eloquence and “wisdom.” They seemed to regard some as “super-apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5, 13).
Loving wisdom wasn’t Corinthians’ problem. To truly love wisdom, would be to love the Gospel, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24; 2:7), while human, worldly wisdom rejects the light of the Gospel (John 3:19-20). Because of this “wisdom,” the Corinthians’ boasted in mere humans:
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." 21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours. (1 Cor. 3:18-21)
Paul wasn’t arguing against the “wise.” Rather, he wanted them to “become wise” (verse 18). Paul’s concern was about what was considered wisdom “by the standards of this age” (18). This “wisdom” promoted a man-centeredness, which is at variance with the things of God. Paul’s quotation (verse 19) identifies this “wisdom” as one that takes the form of cunning.
In verse 20, Paul quotes Psalm 94:11 which claims that, because of these “thoughts,” the “wise” would have to be chastened. Clearly, this is not a criticism of true wisdom, as exemplified by the Proverbs; this is a worldly “wisdom” which is in opposition to true wisdom. The Corinthians loved the human wisdom (1:17) of eloquent words, and had a lesser taste for Divine wisdom. The NIV Study Bible explains “human wisdom” this way:
Lit. “wisdom of speech.” Paul’s mission was not to couch the gospel in the language of the trained orator, who had studied techniques of influencing people by persuasive arguments.
Trusting in their own wisdom, some of them didn’t even believe in the resurrection (15:12), a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s no wonder that Paul wanted to set things aright. Salvation wasn’t about eloquence or even the gifts of the Spirit; it was about “Christ and Him crucified” (2:1-2)! If the Gospel was to rest on human wisdom, then human wisdom, with all its prejudices, was supreme and could decide that certain elements of the Gospel, like the resurrection, had to go. This didn’t mean that wisdom didn’t play an important part. It did, but the pursuit of wisdom came after the Gospel message and was subordinate to it (2:6).
It just isn’t possible that Paul was making a case against reason and wisdom. In the Book of Acts, we find Paul making use of reason in his presentation of the Gospel (Acts 17:2-4: 18:4; 28:23). According to him, wisdom even plays a major role in salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the critical role of wisdom, God’s wisdom. He chastens them for taking their disputes to the secular authorities, saying:
I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? (1 Cor. 6:5)
Scripture consistently values Godly wisdom. It simply isn’t possible that God is seeking to destroy “wisdom” and intelligent reasoning, while, at the same time, commanding that we grow in regards to these: “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults” (1 Cor. 14:20). How is it possible that He is attempting to destroy wisdom, while at the same time graciously granting the gift of wisdom (1 Cor. 12:6)? Instead, we find that Scripture makes a sharp distinction between the “wisdom” that comes from below (worldly wisdom), and the wisdom that comes from above (James 3).
The notion that the Gospel must be presented without wisdom and reason is also incoherent. I can’t imagine an evangelistic conversation where I’d choose to turn off wisdom and reason. Without reason and logic, our sentences wouldn’t make sense; our thoughts would be disconnected and non-sensical; we would fail to understand our audience in a way they could understand it (1 Cor. 9:19-22; Acts 17:22-31); we wouldn’t know how to answer others in a humble, intelligent, and respectful manner (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
Everything Paul wrote reflected his wisdom, the mind of Christ. He could hardly have been teaching against it! Nor is Paul contrasting the Gospel message with the miraculous evidence for the Gospel (Acts 1:3; Hebrews 2:3-4). Nor is he suggesting that we should believe without evidences. Rather, he cites the “demonstration of the Spirit’s power” which enables the believers to rest his confidence upon “God’s power” (1 Cor. 2:4-5). He also points to how the supernatural gifts serve to bring people into the faith (14:25-26). In addition to this, he mentions how his own miraculous encounter with the risen Christ was pivotal for him (15:8).
Disparaging the fruits of Biblical contemplation, Christianity has become a private affair, divorced from the universities and public discourse, and this isn’t surprising. When we degrade the factual, objective, rational, and provable aspects of the faith, we are saying that, “It’s not for public consumption or discussion. It just applies to my own personal heart and to anyone else who is willing to take a blind leap of faith into a world where one must park the questioning mind at the door.” This is a message that the secular world is very ready to hear and promote in regards to Christianity!
Daniel Mann
"Sex and the City" Conference in England (Homosexuality)
We work with many of these people speaking at the conference:
Read: "Hundreds Protest 'Sex and the City Conference'"
Read: "Hundreds Protest 'Sex and the City Conference'"
Saturday, May 09, 2009
More Photos from Last Night in West Hollywood
Tourists visiting from Bahrain
Tourists from Bahrain who took a copy of the DVD "Dreams &Visions" in Arabic language
Joe talking to Joe (20 year old guitarist)
Dan praying for Oliver; please continue to pray for Oliver, that he may be delivered from an addictive lifestyle.
LTW to the Smokies Update (from this morning)
From my mother, who leads this outreach location:
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will be glad and rejoice in it.” Psalm 118:24
Although I thank God for all of the rain we have received lately, this morning I was tempted to recite the nursery rhyme which states “Rain, Rain go away; come again some other day.”
However, the above Scripture is much more appropriate. The excitement of beginning the LTW to the Smokies outreach for this season will be just as real next week. The wind is blowing too much today, and the rain is on its way again. I want to thank God for His sovereignty and His plans, which are always perfect and good. Phillip Breeden, a member of one of the singles’ classes at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, volunteered to help today. We spoke on the phone last night, as well as early this morning, and agreed that we should cancel for today. The materials on our table are expensive to replace; the wind and rain could damage them. God willing we will be at the Sugarlands Visitor Center outside of Gatlinburg next Saturday from 9:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M. Please let me know if you would like to serve the Lord with us there.
Claudette Litz
1047 Fine Glen Dr.
Sevierville, TN 37862
(865) 286-5039
Tonight in West Hollywood
Dan, the leader of our West Hollywood outreach, just got a new I-Phone donated to him for the ministry. He sent me an email and this photo from the table tonight. I told him I wish I could be there with them, too, tonight alongside Santa Monica Blvd. setting up in the "gay bar district" of LA. He is out with Mike, Eileen, and Joe to witness at the table to people passing by or stopping for an AIDS test in the testing van parked by our table.
Work Update
I have shipped out three packages to our locations of resources. Tomorrow, I am shipping out more materials for Jehovah's Witnesses to the Rio Grande Valley and DVDs of testimonies for our table in West Hollywood.
Since I have returned from CO, I have been busy with mail, bills, bookkeeping, housework, and returning phone calls and emails. I am planning on working all day again in the storage unit tomorrow to gather more materials for the Philippines and the Rio Grande Valley.
I plan to be here in Atlanta for the rest of the month with an evangelism conference this weekend involving LTW.
Next week I will be getting my music project to Word Records. I have also done more song writing today. I pray for funds to record more songs in the future with my producer in NYC who arranged the ten-song compilation we have just completed.
I plan to return more calls tomorrow...
I SPOKE TONIGHT WITH A FRIEND FROM NEW ORLEANS, AND WE ARE PRAYING ABOUT STARTING A NEW OUTREACH THERE! SHE HAS OFFERED TO LEAD IT. I will be in touch with everyone about it!!!!
Since I have returned from CO, I have been busy with mail, bills, bookkeeping, housework, and returning phone calls and emails. I am planning on working all day again in the storage unit tomorrow to gather more materials for the Philippines and the Rio Grande Valley.
I plan to be here in Atlanta for the rest of the month with an evangelism conference this weekend involving LTW.
Next week I will be getting my music project to Word Records. I have also done more song writing today. I pray for funds to record more songs in the future with my producer in NYC who arranged the ten-song compilation we have just completed.
I plan to return more calls tomorrow...
I SPOKE TONIGHT WITH A FRIEND FROM NEW ORLEANS, AND WE ARE PRAYING ABOUT STARTING A NEW OUTREACH THERE! SHE HAS OFFERED TO LEAD IT. I will be in touch with everyone about it!!!!
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Back in Atlanta: Work Tomorrow
Tomorrow I will be catching up on bills and mail and working all day in the storage unit. The goal is to get a package of more resources together for the Philippines to be shipped out on Friday.
Next week I am focusing on getting my newly-mastered music project to Word Records.
I will be in touch with daily goals and accomplishments this weekend...
With a faithful Shepherd,
Dwayna
Next week I am focusing on getting my newly-mastered music project to Word Records.
I will be in touch with daily goals and accomplishments this weekend...
With a faithful Shepherd,
Dwayna
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Starting New Ministry in Midtown
Well, after such an exciting weekend at the retreat, I feel beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am the one meant to lead the new outreach in Midtown Atlanta to people struggling with gender confusion. I am extremely busy, but I don't want to lose my first love in telling others about Jesus, when it is so easy to just stay overwhelmingly busy with new videos, appointments, sharing my testimony, singing, writing, and web site updates. I am not sure when I can begin this new ministry, but it seems that I am the one meant to lead it when this does begin.
Today, still in Denver, I have not stopped with data entry from the retreat. I have over 20 new names to add to the email list for ministry updates.
In an hour I plan to meet with a pastor in the area to give him information about his youth and college getting involved with our ministry to Boulder.
Yesterday I shipped out $40.00 worth of tracts for Buddhists to the Philippines, England, and three locations domestically from here in Denver...
Tonight I am having dinner with Dewey and Amanda and getting to know their two daughters better. Dewey helps with CD and DVD copies for all of our LTW locations, thanks to the donation of CDs and DVDs from Shepherd's Community Church in Louisville, CO.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Preaching to Ourselves (by Daniel Mann)
I always need to preach to myself a reminder that I am beloved (Eph. 3:17-20) and spotless in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). This is because life is always telling me otherwise, serving me up a platter full of failures, temptations and rejections. In addition to this, I struggle with my sins. They too preach a powerful message: “You’re not righteous! Who are you kidding! How thrilled can God be with you!” And they make a pretty persuasive case!
The voices of condemnation are clever, and they know Scripture and are never at a lack to pull up a disturbing verse:
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
I might not be an adulterer, but Jesus revealed that we are guilty of adultery even when we have the wrong thoughts (Matthew 5:28). Nor am I free of the charge of “murder.” Jesus similarly informed that we are guilty of murder and worthy of condemnation by merely uttering, “You fool” (Mat. 5:22). Not very comforting for a born doubter! However, Paul continues to write:
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11)
How can it be that I was once “greedy,” but now, I am no longer so? I still covet and want what others have. Doesn’t this make me a condemnable sinner? No! Why not? Something that has transformed the deserved-condemnation into unmerited-favor has taken place. I have been “washed,” and “sanctified” and “justified.” I’ve been totally liberated by Christ’s death. Any denial of this fact diminishes His Cross and tells Him, “No, it’s just not enough to transform my scummy-ness!”
Our voices of condemnation aren’t quite so easily put off. They thrust another verse into our wounded conscience with a chuckle:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
The first question that comes to mind is, “Am I truly holy enough?” And the first answer would be, “No, you’re not!” Hebrews goes on to exemplify what “holiness” is all about by citing the unholy Esau who sold his birthright for a “single meal” (Hebrew 12:16). This would remind me of the times when I’d terminate a very important spiritual conversation because I was thinking about a juicy hamburger, just like Esau. If Esau is the example of un-holiness, where does this leave me? Not with a lot of confidence! However, Hebrews continues:
Afterward, as you know, when he [Esau] wanted to inherit this blessing [from his father Jacob], he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind [repentance], though he sought the blessing with tears. (Hebrews 12:17)
Although Esau wanted the blessing, he was unwilling to repent of his un-holiness. It brings me great confidence and reassurance to find no example in Scripture where God refused a penitent forgiveness. On the contrary, Jesus promised that He would receive all who would come to Him (John 6:37). Paul confidently asserted that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
By God’s grace alone, this is one message that has found a permanent home in my fragile heart. However, there are many other sermons that I must continue to preach to myself, because my ears become stuffed with despairing and accusing sermonettes. But this is a good thing. Without this tug-of-war, I would never have learned to adore Christ and His redeeming, all-surpassing and reassuring Word.
The voices of condemnation are clever, and they know Scripture and are never at a lack to pull up a disturbing verse:
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
I might not be an adulterer, but Jesus revealed that we are guilty of adultery even when we have the wrong thoughts (Matthew 5:28). Nor am I free of the charge of “murder.” Jesus similarly informed that we are guilty of murder and worthy of condemnation by merely uttering, “You fool” (Mat. 5:22). Not very comforting for a born doubter! However, Paul continues to write:
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:11)
How can it be that I was once “greedy,” but now, I am no longer so? I still covet and want what others have. Doesn’t this make me a condemnable sinner? No! Why not? Something that has transformed the deserved-condemnation into unmerited-favor has taken place. I have been “washed,” and “sanctified” and “justified.” I’ve been totally liberated by Christ’s death. Any denial of this fact diminishes His Cross and tells Him, “No, it’s just not enough to transform my scummy-ness!”
Our voices of condemnation aren’t quite so easily put off. They thrust another verse into our wounded conscience with a chuckle:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
The first question that comes to mind is, “Am I truly holy enough?” And the first answer would be, “No, you’re not!” Hebrews goes on to exemplify what “holiness” is all about by citing the unholy Esau who sold his birthright for a “single meal” (Hebrew 12:16). This would remind me of the times when I’d terminate a very important spiritual conversation because I was thinking about a juicy hamburger, just like Esau. If Esau is the example of un-holiness, where does this leave me? Not with a lot of confidence! However, Hebrews continues:
Afterward, as you know, when he [Esau] wanted to inherit this blessing [from his father Jacob], he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind [repentance], though he sought the blessing with tears. (Hebrews 12:17)
Although Esau wanted the blessing, he was unwilling to repent of his un-holiness. It brings me great confidence and reassurance to find no example in Scripture where God refused a penitent forgiveness. On the contrary, Jesus promised that He would receive all who would come to Him (John 6:37). Paul confidently asserted that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)
By God’s grace alone, this is one message that has found a permanent home in my fragile heart. However, there are many other sermons that I must continue to preach to myself, because my ears become stuffed with despairing and accusing sermonettes. But this is a good thing. Without this tug-of-war, I would never have learned to adore Christ and His redeeming, all-surpassing and reassuring Word.
Daniel Mann
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Keeping Up with Nitoy in the Philippines
Here is Nitoy's new blog about his campus ministry in the Philippines. I just bought some tracts tonight for Buddhists for this outreach, written by Jonathan Jolly, our LTW leader here in Boulder, CO. I will ship the tracts to Nitoy tomorrow.
Last Day of "Hope As Big As Texas" Retreat
Here I am with Jayson Graves, director of Healing for the Soul. What I found out this weekend is that we are all the same on the inside really, with deep struggles only God sees, and only He can heal. I started out in West Hollywood at the booth in 2005, and, despite the threats and unwarranted insults, the JOY HAS BEEN ALL MINE giving people hope for newness of life in Jesus in such an environment. It was the same for me today. This retreat has refreshed me and renewed me in the Lord and the joy of my salvation in bringing glory to Jesus...one day at a time. Some friends I met at this retreat have asked me to come and share my testimony and sing at a large prison in Augusta, GA, so I am planning on that as soon as possible.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Healing for the Soul Retreat in Estes Park (May 1-3)
We are having a great time at this retreat! I shared my testimony this morning and sang. I also showed a DVD about the outreaches we have to people struggling with homosexuality in West Hollywood, Long Beach, and San Diego, CA. More photos will follow tonight...
Answers for Atheists (by Daniel Mann)
There Can’t be a God, because He Violates My own Objective Standards
According a one Columbia Christian student, “People’s anger…arises from an inability to believe that God could be good when the world is so clearly broken.” (Quoted from the Magazine of the Columbia Spectator, 23 April 2009.)
Usually, for the Christian, the “broken” world doesn’t constitute so grave a theological problem until it messes with our own lives in significant ways. We understand that God has let the world break so that He can even improve upon it, like a mended bone, and even for all eternity
However, the unbeliever lacks this faith. But why “anger?” What is the basis of their moral indignation? When I ask students at the NYU campus if they believe in moral absolutes, like “genocide is wrong,” they struggle to find an answer. While their heart tells them that genocide is wrong, their relativistic university indoctrination puts their mind in a muddle. Some answer, “Every culture differs.” Others answer, “Well, I know what’s right for me,” as if to say, “I can’t decide what should be right or wrong for other people.”
However, when it comes to God, they have no problem in saying what’s wrong with His world. Suddenly, all traces of their moral relativism disappear and they become demanding moral objectivists. They show up at the OK Coral with both guns loaded.
How do we explain this? Isn’t it easier to bring a charge against someone we can see and understand and against evidence we can objectively evaluate? Why the readiness to dismiss a transcendent God based upon a non-existent moral standard—an absolute standard which they admit not having? Are we really in a position where we can honestly charge that there can be no redeeming purpose for a God to have allowed this world to become so broken?
The Bible gives the perfect explanation for this double-standard. We believe the things that we want to believe and encounter little problem in dismissing contrary evidence. Here’s how the Apostle Paul put it:
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
Unbelief is made culpable by the abundance of evidence. This is so clearly illustrated throughout the life of Jesus. The religious leadership saw His many miracles. Rather than believing, they purposely misconstrued the evidence and ascribed the miracles to Satan—the last person in the world who would want to cast out his demons! Jesus, however, exposed their dishonesty with a simple question:
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26)
I ask the same students what type of evidence it would take for them to believe in Christ. Many respond, “If I could see the same miracles, I’d believe.” However, the Gospel accounts amply demonstrate that when miracles are presented to a hardened heart, they merely produce an angry ejaculation, “Crucify Him” (Matthew 27:23)! Why are the students angry? Perhaps it’s because of what Jesus said: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (John 7:7). Nobody likes being judged, especially when the judgment is on target.
If you think I’m lacking in compassion, you are mistaken. I can’t afford to be uncompassionate. I too was like everyone else—a hater of the light (John 3:19) and an accuser of God, even while I was searching for truth, so I thought. I’m in no position to throw around charges.
According a one Columbia Christian student, “People’s anger…arises from an inability to believe that God could be good when the world is so clearly broken.” (Quoted from the Magazine of the Columbia Spectator, 23 April 2009.)
Usually, for the Christian, the “broken” world doesn’t constitute so grave a theological problem until it messes with our own lives in significant ways. We understand that God has let the world break so that He can even improve upon it, like a mended bone, and even for all eternity
However, the unbeliever lacks this faith. But why “anger?” What is the basis of their moral indignation? When I ask students at the NYU campus if they believe in moral absolutes, like “genocide is wrong,” they struggle to find an answer. While their heart tells them that genocide is wrong, their relativistic university indoctrination puts their mind in a muddle. Some answer, “Every culture differs.” Others answer, “Well, I know what’s right for me,” as if to say, “I can’t decide what should be right or wrong for other people.”
However, when it comes to God, they have no problem in saying what’s wrong with His world. Suddenly, all traces of their moral relativism disappear and they become demanding moral objectivists. They show up at the OK Coral with both guns loaded.
How do we explain this? Isn’t it easier to bring a charge against someone we can see and understand and against evidence we can objectively evaluate? Why the readiness to dismiss a transcendent God based upon a non-existent moral standard—an absolute standard which they admit not having? Are we really in a position where we can honestly charge that there can be no redeeming purpose for a God to have allowed this world to become so broken?
The Bible gives the perfect explanation for this double-standard. We believe the things that we want to believe and encounter little problem in dismissing contrary evidence. Here’s how the Apostle Paul put it:
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)
Unbelief is made culpable by the abundance of evidence. This is so clearly illustrated throughout the life of Jesus. The religious leadership saw His many miracles. Rather than believing, they purposely misconstrued the evidence and ascribed the miracles to Satan—the last person in the world who would want to cast out his demons! Jesus, however, exposed their dishonesty with a simple question:
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26)
I ask the same students what type of evidence it would take for them to believe in Christ. Many respond, “If I could see the same miracles, I’d believe.” However, the Gospel accounts amply demonstrate that when miracles are presented to a hardened heart, they merely produce an angry ejaculation, “Crucify Him” (Matthew 27:23)! Why are the students angry? Perhaps it’s because of what Jesus said: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil” (John 7:7). Nobody likes being judged, especially when the judgment is on target.
If you think I’m lacking in compassion, you are mistaken. I can’t afford to be uncompassionate. I too was like everyone else—a hater of the light (John 3:19) and an accuser of God, even while I was searching for truth, so I thought. I’m in no position to throw around charges.
Daniel Mann
challengingthedarkness@yahoo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
