by admin | Mar 14, 2008 | Kingdom Comments, Politics
Two top items on our news today, strike at the very heart of ethics and morals for America! I have heard that if a Pastor taught on certain sins a lot it was because that was his own struggle. How interesting that Eliot Spitzer (we are told) was dogmatically ruthless and tough on prostitution and yet alledgedly indulged himself in that ‘profession’.
The press is asking “Why” would someone like Eliot take a chance on losing everything, for something like that. There are a lot of answers, and here is mine. Somewhere in his life he came into agreement in his mind with prostitution, or possibly suffered some kind of sexual abuse, got a hold of some porn magazines, etc. An array of sexual improprieties will open the door to a spirit of lust.
We hesitate to talk about such evil agents as though they don’t exist and yet we cannot explain things like this miss-guided action that could de-rail a person’s life and cause pain to family and friends. Once an evil spirit has access to the mind of their victim, they wait patiently to temp and motivate action. And they may only work on one area. Does the person, such as Eliot think he is too powerful and clever to get caught? Of course, evil spirits tell their victims whatever they need to hear to take action and they seem to know what that is. Possibly give the person a picture of how pleasant it would be and tops it off with something like—how exciting it would be, especially as a Public servant, or in ministry.
C. S. Lewis wrote a great little book called the SCREWTAPE LETTERS that is an insight into a reality that most are not willing to face. Frank Peretti wrote several fiction books (THIS PRESENT DARKNESS and others) that well describe the work of the devil and his demons. Hollywood makes movies about such things, not quite so accurately, as I have written about in my own book ANGELS AND DEMONS, HOLLYWOOD KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE. If that is the problem as I suggest, the person is a victim as well as the people injured by their actions. One great difference, people are held accountable by the world and by God for our free will decisions.
The devil made me do it is a reason not an excuse. And, how difficult it would be to try and legislate deliverance and restoration for offenders. So what is the answer? Better education in the church and the world about the results of sin and immoral decisions. We are too eager to condemn sin instead of giving reasons why God hates behavior that will harm us. More education on the devil, evil in the world, and the demons made from a positive offensive position–explaining there are better choices to be made and what those choices are.
The Catholic Church had a good idea in offering confession to someone sworn to secrecy. Anyone in a shameful awkward place should be able to confess to some one who can help. But not just a listener but a believing Jesus following person who is willing to help with resolution or take them to someone who can help.
Most of all the church needs responsibility to be the church. You know, a place where the wounded go, not just a hang-out for those of us who are not presently facing the same situation. But for the grace of God there go I. We don’t think we would do whatever they have done but we haven’t walked in his or her shoes. Deliverance should not be something to fear, but something to face with hope and desire for a better life. I am not speaking of the world because barring a miracle of God the person will reap what they sow, and pay for an act they have commited against society. I am speaking of being more concerned about their spiritual well-being than their physical position in life. What can we do? We can pray the same way I suggested in the last Blog:
- First forgive the person, (not the behavior) John 20:23
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Second, ask God for the grace to cleanse me of all judgment of that person’s character and nature; since that is God’s business and not mine.
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Third, ask the Holy Spirit to draw them into the Divine wisdom, mercy and grace that they need to become men and women of God in their position, what ever that may be.
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Fourth, I ask God to bless them with attributes opposite of those in the offense.
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Fifth, I ask the Holy Spirit to release the Spirit of Prophecy (of Jesus) in their presence.
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Six, I bind the forces of darkness, deaf and dumb spirits, spirits of lust and greed not to interfere. I declare there will be no retaliation against me, my family, property or finances for these prayers.
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Seven, I thank the Holy Spirit, Jesus and my Heavenly Father for all they have done and are doing! Then rejoice!
Of course there are times to sign petitions, to go to congress, to protest, to boycott; absolutely stand for the things of God. But, always with prayer beforehand, committing the way unto God and believing for His favor–without condemning individuals.
I have learned how easy it is to curse a person with my words, or condemn them with my opinions. Curses always boom-a-rang on those who make them, and condemnation creates anger, bitterness and hostility. And how am I doing with all of this? I’m a work in progress, and the more I share, the better I become.
Eliot Spitzer and family need our prayer. Our officials, those in authority–home, church, school, government–need our prayers of protection. And what about Planned Parenthood alledged fraud? More on that in Part Two!
by admin | Mar 14, 2008 | Jesus Talk, Politics, Relationship Not Religion!
Well, I am the one who blew it. One act of Christian failure is so painful, especially when it involves a principal you try to live by. I have been so caught up in the political rhetoric of who did what and when, that I just teamed up with the enemy to be an accuser with a capital A. Not because I changed or added to the message but because I was so judgmental of the person involved.
Absolutely I am required to look at the behavior and the platform of those who are in office and those who are running for office. But there is that one little verse–well, maybe several hundred–about not judging others, not running to evil, especially not to lie about others.
I sent out an email to personal friends about someone in office, believing that the email I received was true. Well, it was not! It was about a person already in office and it did sound like the person, from what I have heard. I have known for years when I receive something of that kind, there are steps I should take.
The Bible says, It is the goodness of God that brings one to repentance! It is down dog awful hard to be the goodness of God while accusing and condemning another person. The steps I have learned and practice (when I am not in a fog bank of stupid) are:
First forgive the person, (not necessarily the behavior) John 20:23
Second, ask God for the grace to cleanse me of all judgment of that person’s character and nature; since that is God’s business and not mine.
Third, ask the Holy Spirit to draw them into the Divine wisdom, mercy and grace that they need to become men and women of God in their position, what ever that may be.
Fourth, I ask God to bless them in the area of behavior that is not in line with His will and ways.
Fifth, I ask the Holy Spirit to release the Spirit of Prophecy (of Jesus) in their presence.
Six, I bind the forces of darkness, deaf and dumb spirits, spirits of lust and greed not to interfere. I declare there will be no retaliation against me, my family, property or finances for these prayers.
Seven, I thank the Holy Spirit, Jesus and my Heavenly Father for all they have done and are doing! Then rejoice!
Of course there are times to sign petitions, to go to congress, to protest, to boycott; absolutely stand for the things of God. But, always with prayer beforehand, committing the way unto God and believing for His favor–without condemning individuals.
I have learned how easy it is to curse a person with my words, or condemn them with my opinions. Curses always boom-a-rang on those who make them, and condemnation creates anger, bitterness and hostility. And how am I doing with all of this? I’m a work in progress, and the more I share, the better I become.
The good that has come out of my rinky-dink mistake is that the Lord has put on my heart to start a prayer campaign for the candidates, starting the week after Easter until the election. One candidate and family per week! Think of the power of all that prayer in agreement!
So, my hope is, that you will join with me as we make a difference in the lives of those courageous enough to run for office and put themselves in the gladiator arena of the media and public opinion.
Was this ‘sin’ so awful? There are no major or minor sins in the Kingdom of God, just plain ole’ sin– a better get it right mistake. I am so grateful for the ones I can find and change, God help us for the ones we don’t see.
Just when I think I have enough to do, the Lord has another idea, and I stepped right into this one. I am grateful for that, the friend who called me on the error and very grateful to the Lord that He will use what the enemy meant for evil to energize and create good!
by admin | Mar 8, 2008 | Kingdom Comments, Politics
The Bible to me has more interesting stories than even Hollywood. Even more amazing is what Hollywood does with those stories–forget that for now–there is one particular story that is on my heart this morning.
That is the story of King Abah and Queen Jezebel in First and Second Kings. Jezebel is the picture of evil, selfishness, lust and power. Abah on the other hand allows whatever Jezebel wants and does what she tells him. Ahab is the king of indifference. Many things in the Old Testament of the Bible are physical stories that apply spiritually in the New Testament–and present day. This to me is one of those stories.
Many books have been written about the spirit of Jezebel, such as the one by Pastor Francis Frangipane, THE THREE BATTLEGROUNDS, that give good coverage of this spirit and how it works.
I want to suggest that both spirits are alive and well hovering and working in our country in our politics. I am not about to suggest where Jezebel is working but rather my concern is how active the spirit of Ahab is, especially in the Christian community. Ahab has a strong apathetic influence over minds, even entire areas (more like a principality than a spirit–check out Ephesians Chapter Six) to do nothing.
We Christians can be very critical…choosing not to like any candidate running for office and think in some bazaar way, not taking any action, not voting will in some way speak for us. Great balls of fire, something is better than nothing. Others Christians may say well, it is in God’s hands, we don’t need to do anything. (Ahab is really busy with dispensing those thoughts)
I am reminded of the Jewish people in the Old Testament telling Samuel they wanted a king to judge over them like all other nations. Samuel argued with them, God argued with them, but they contended and insisted they have a king. God relented and had Samuel appoint Saul King. Notice the peer pressure–“like all other nations”. (I Samuel 8:5) The kings they got from that time forward were evil and oppressive, not all, thank God but many!
We get the people we vote for and pray for. How many of us raise our children to go into politics and make a difference in strong moral, ethical and Godly ways? I know I didn’t.
Most of us do not have the time or the resources to raise up a candidate of our choice, but we sure can campaign, call, email, protest and vote. The spirit of Ahab dulls our minds to a true agenda of responsibility, and Jezebel jumps in with all the reasons we are too busy, too tired, too broke and actually just too preoccupied. You don’t believe that spirits do that—WOW, I hate to think we are void of social conscience all on our own.
Joan, a new friend, reminded me this week of ‘our condition’ and I thank her for that. Busy or not, and I am busy, I am going to start sending protests to Sacramento, because I live in California, against some of the new legislation. Also, to Washington, D.C. I have hesitated in the past because, I reasoned and Ahab agreed, they probably wouldn’t listen anyway. Happy horse-feathers, that’s a lousy excuse, Ahab and Jezebel probably toast champagne on that one!
More importantly I am going to pray for those running for office until the election, as well as those in office. Prayer the Bible says, will move mountains, and I know that to be true. I am not going to moan in my prayers or condemn but forgive and bless the men and women and their families. Not just the candidate I personally support but all the candidates–that God would move on behalf of this country, that the Holy Spirit will draw them into the wisdom and knowledge that will benefit all mankind, and bless our Nation.
Well, Ahab, Jezebel, your term in office for influencing me is over. I plan to take the authority Jesus died and was resurrected to give me, to push for better things, action not apathy, and Divine intervention in all the affairs of men. I pray for supernatural protection for myself, my family and all those who choose to join me in this effort to save the country we know as One Nation Under God!
by admin | Feb 23, 2008 | Politics
Last night I saw a picture of people supporting both Democratic Candidates with placards, wearing hats and other apparel demonstrating what they stand for in front of the building where the debates were being held. They were screaming and shouting…with great fervor. I could easily think critically of this display (as neither of these Candidates are my choice) but instead it brought a big smile to my face and joy to my heart.
I think it is great! Thank God for all that emotion and excitement. God forbid we become complacient about what is happening and sit at home, judging those who are willing to step out and stand for what they believe.
Are they right or wrong? Thank God we get the choice! Do I have strong opinions–you bet! Am I happy about the choice I have? Not really! I am thanking God we have non-government controled media (with whom I disagree often).
I have friends in Kenya where there is great violence taking place. Slaughter and mayhem all because of a ‘questionable’ election. Automatic weapons, knives, rocks, weapons of any kind being used on fellow countrymen between tribes.
How grateful I am to be in America with choice. Many are saying in this election they have no choice or very poor choices. My thought is, who in America do we want? Why would anyone (who values life, security and peace) want to be President? For noble, ethical reasons, let alone Godly reasons? To expose themselves to the public, to the media, to their opponents is one thing, but the whole family is involved and possibly someone from their past dredged up, and humiliated for simply doing business with them.
For the power alone? There are many powerful men in our country who are never in the news or well known. The Presidency is not the only road to power, of course it is one. One that used to be honored and revered, a desire of young men in their youth. Even though some of that has been lost I still believe with all my heart in the system. I still believe our political system attracts men and women with a heart to serve mankind, to make a difference in the world.
I have a friend from the far East that is well known there in political circles who says those people have great respect for President Bush. They consider him a man of strength and courage and a man of his word. They are mystified about the mock, media abuse and humor that is thrown at our President, and his cabinet.
The good side of all of this is, we can. May not show ‘class’ or respect, but we can. Thank God for the freedom to speak our mind, display our choices and fight our battles in the media, radio talk shows and demonstrations; not to mention the new arena of the Internet. Even though, I personally, am very careful of information I receive by email. I received several emails that claimed people I admire were endorsing certain Candidates. Contacting the office of those people only to find that was not true.
God forbid we come to blows, or violence, or use weapons to express our opinions. God forbid that our desires, our emotions ever erupt in violence of any kind.
And, most of all thank God, we have men and women willing to run for office. Thank God for our system and the freedom we enjoy. So as we keep a positive political perspective, we will pray for those we support, we will forgive those we find offensive, and we will bless those, all of them, who take the risk to step out and say, “Choose me!”
by admin | Feb 14, 2008 | Politics, Uncategorized
Happy horsefeathers! I am so upset! I just read in the paper that a Pastor in the South from a southern Baptist Church endorsed Huckabee for President and now he is under investigation by the IRS.
Any church or non-profit organization is required to sign on the Federal application for that status, that they will not as an organization endorse or support people or legislation to protect the alleged violation of mixing religion and government. I say alleged because those of us who have taken the time to look into that allegation that the two must be separate have found the ruling was made to keep the government from running the church, and from the church becoming government as it was in Europe before our country was founded. I personally believe it was in no way intended to inhibit our government from using Godly principals and ethics that would guarantee freedom for all. What an oxymoron that would be.
The Pastor under investigation, Wiley Drake, used church stationary to send out a statement that he personally endorses Mike Huckabee for President and encourages others to do the same. His mistake was using church stationary and putting his endorsement in print, so to speak. It is perfectly legal for any person, pastor or not to voice their own personal opinions and endorsement….it just can’t be from the pulpit or through the organization with non-profit status. Had he personally written a letter or even made fliers and distributed them in the parking lot, I believe he would have OK.
My ‘happy horsefeathers’ irritation in all this is….Who turned him in? Who was so on top of things as to do that? In a previous election Jesse Jackson and other black leaders came to black churches in San Diego and preached from the pulpit endorsing their Democratic Candidate. I was told that one person even had everyone put their hand on their heart and swear they would vote, and support the candidate. Obviously many knew about it, but no one turned them in; there was no investigation.
As for me, I was alarmed at such a brazen political act, but after it was done, I saw no point in reporting it. Would I want the church to loose their non-profit status for making such a mistake? I think not. I just wanted equal time for other candidates. And, actually I just wanted them to follow the law as the rest of us are required to do.
I hope you will join me in praying for Pastor Drake and his church. I pray he will receive a warning and nothing more, and we all learn from the incident. Hoorays to him for standing up for what he considered an important issue. And, chuckle, chuckle it is more publicity for Candidate Huckabee. If it reached a small paper in Redding, California, think how many papers it must reach across the country!
All things work together for good, for those who love the Lord. Romans 8:28 in the Bible. I personally forgive those who blew the whistle and forgive Pastor Drake for his indiscretion as I am required and privileged to do according to Matthew 18 and John 20:23 in the Bible. Rats, that means I have to give up my judgment of whoever notified the IRS and let the Holy Spirit handle this. Well, I feel better already!
P S I am in no way endorsing Hucabee….that would be illegal; just reporting the facts!
by admin | Jul 13, 2007 | Politics
Amazing how our ‘history’ is evolving….excuse the ‘pun’. The United States Senate by an invitation of Senator Harry Reid opened the Senate with a Hindu prayer. I haven’t yet read what he said.
It does not matter what he said, as much as what is the Christian Church going to do? Take a stand, write notes and emails against such a practice? Is a Muslim prayer next?
Or will we, who believe in the One and Only God of the Universe, Jehovah God of the Bible, going to send a message where it really counts? Simply and profoundly we must declare forgiveness of these men, and those in agreement with them, for their ignorance of the truth.
Those who do know Jesus personally, know that forgiveness is the most powerful tool in the Universe. As we love on those men (meaning ‘wanting the best for them’ not sentimental sloppy love we see on TV regularly) and demand that they be brought into a knowledge of the Kingdom of God right here on earth who has Jesus as its’ King.
We must agree and demand they be ‘loosed’ from the bondage of false religion and receive a personal revelation of the God who cares for each one, personally, on this earth, taking our authority (You know, the one Jesus paid so dearly to give us!), to set them free.
Few men could stand against the agreement of millions in prayer for their souls and their spiritual well being, let alone these two men, trying to do the ‘right’ thing.
Why would that work? Because the Holy Spirit is so powerful, wonderful and undeniably thorough, in His job of drawing people into the Kingdom. He is just waiting for someone to pray ‘His Heart’ for the world! Waiting for someone to have enough love for these enemies of Who He truly is, to bless them, sending Angels to carry out God’s plan!
How about a personal visitation from Jesus? I can pray for that, can you?
Think of the change in the world if we drown every person who opposes the things of God in prayer, forgiveness and the Spirit of truth! Our enemies would stop, they would be in fear of being identified by the Army of the LIVING GOD! SELAH!
P S We still need to pray for Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump
