Category Archives: Christianity

January 5, 2015 · 2:16 pm

To Listen or not to Listen to Prophecy…That’s the Question (Part 1)

A friend sent me an email with a YouTube video link by an evangelist who talked about the New World Order, 6000 FEMA camps in America, pastors pledging allegiance to the New World Order, railroad cars moving Christians to camps, and countless other statements.

I listened to three or four minutes of the video and turned it off.

Today, I gritted my teeth and listened to the full message. Did I feel any better after listening to the twenty-six minute message? No, absolutely not. It still felt like ice water dripping on my inner spirit.

There is no doubt the evangelist has a prophetic gifting, sincerely loves the Lord, and has a little bit of truth mixed into her message. But just because a person talks about dreams, visions, prophetic words, has a few revelations, and inserts some scriptures along the way, are we supposed to accept her message as an inspired word of the Lord?

So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29 AMP)

It is not just the responsibility of leaders to discern whether prophecies are accurate words of the Lord. We all are called to do this. Why? Because the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us and does not just fall upon prophets, kings, and priests as in the Old Testament.

Okay, let’s be honest with ourselves.

Most of our spiritual ears have been dulled by the world around us, by our teachings, by our dependence on leaders, by television and movies, and by countless other things. Our spiritual discernment is probably at its lowest level right now.

So, what can we do to sharpen our spiritual discernment?

(Continued in Part 2)

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December 18, 2014 · 9:17 am

My Final Rant for 2014

My friend, Bill Sheridan, described his memoir, Depot Street Memories, as being comprised of essays. Then, he added: ” It does not have a beginning or an end. At some point I will stop writing. That will be your cue to stop reading.”

His words communicate exactly what I am doing today: stopping my blog until 2015.

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy New Year. I have enjoyed all of you and look forward to great things happening in 2015.

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December 17, 2014 · 9:05 am

Islamic Terrorists Versus Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 11)

How to be a Radical Christian (vi).

And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:15)

The number one rule in spiritual warfare is that a believer needs to be known in two places in order to have authority over demonic forces: heaven and hell.

Being known in heaven comes with having your name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life at salvation. This is an act of grace by our Lord, and has nothing to do with our individual struggles or works. A believer’s authority is a part of the Christian’s makeup from his new birth onward.

On the other hand, being known in hell comes out of struggles, and then, eventual victories over demonic forces that have influenced and controlled a believer in different areas of his life. If there are no victories, there will be very little authority over demonic forces.

For instance, I knew a man that was part of a prayer group. The prayer group began interceding against prostitution activity in his neighborhood, and the unclean spirit behind the activity. But the man failed to mention that he himself had a long standing problem with lust.

After a few days of prayer and fasting, prostitutes knocked on his door day and night, offering their services to him free of charge. It almost drove him over the edge. He withdrew from the prayer group.

In Part 5, I stated that a religious spirit empowers and guides the Islamic Terrorists and that the only way to overcome this religious spirit is for a bunch of Radical Christians to get free of the religious spirit that rules over our nation.

So, how do we get free of the religious spirit?

Most of us Christians will have to come out of our present churches in order to accomplish this feat.

(Continued in Part 12)

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December 16, 2014 · 7:05 pm

Tuesday’s Prayers for America (12/16/2014)

Ugh! Shopping. Ugh! More shopping. Ugh! Even more shopping. Then the battery failed on our vehicle. We waited ninety minutes for our insurance company’s roadside serviceman to jump our vehicle so we could head home again.

“Why do you think this happened today?” Carol asked.

I shrugged. “Maybe to check my attitude,” I replied.

Carol laughed. “Yeah, probably so.”

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray for us American believers to bear with one another and to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Based on Ephesians 4:2-3)

What do you think and did the Lord speak to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for America.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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December 13, 2014 · 8:26 am

How Big is our God?

The following is a true story about a MyGFA campaign and a dad who involved his children in the campaign decision:

Dad: “For Christmas this year what do you think about our family helping raise support for a Jesus Well?”

Kids: “YEAH!!! That sounds great!”

Dad: “How many wells should we raise support for?” (Dad quietly thinking possibly five wells, because anything is possible with God!)

Kids: “How much does a Jesus Well cost?”

Dad: “One thousand four hundred dollars.”

Kids: “Ok. Let’s raise support for one thousand four hundred Jesus Wells.”

Dad: Humbled. “Do you know how much money that would take? We would need to involve everyone we know and then they would have to involve everyone they know and on and on and on…”

Kids: “Daddy, How big is our God?”

Dad: “One thousand four hundred Jesus Wells sounds like the perfect God inspired number. Now let’s get ready to watch God move!”

This is your invitation to become a part of the story to personally see how God can use anyone with a willing heart to accomplish His will. (You can read the rest of the campaign article here.)

To date, the family has raised $2867, which means they still need $1,957,133 to meet their campaign goal. Why not help them out? You can do that by clicking here.

After all, how big is our God?

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December 12, 2014 · 7:56 am

Friday’s Prayers for Prisoners (12/12/2014)

Each Friday I pray and fast for nations where Christians suffer the worst persecution around the world. This week I am praying and fasting for:

Nigeria. 175 million people with 89 million Christians.

Levels of violence against Christians in 2013 remained extremely high, with hundreds of cases of physical aggression, the destruction of nearly 300 churches and the death of 612 Nigerian Christians. Pentecostal leader, Rev. Faye Pama Musa, was shot dead by two suspected Boko Haram members. However, violence from this Islamic terrorist group is not the only form of persecution. Local government and social groups leave hardly any space for Christians to live their own lives; many Christian villages are denied basic facilities, such as wells and schools. (Open Doors, World Watch List)

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is divided between a Christian culture in the south and a radical Islamic culture in the north that is characterized by massive riots, bombings and a plan to create an Islamic state. Since 1999, when military rule ended and one-third of Nigeria’s states implemented Islamic law, sectarian violence has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Greed and corruption consume all levels of government in this oil-rich nation, which faces the growing challenge of division along religious and ethnic lines…In 2009 the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, an al-Qaida ally, vowed to rid the north of all non-Muslim influence, including Christians. Since then, more than 3,000 people have been killed…In 2012, Nigerian authorities killed hundreds of suspected Boko Haram members and arrested hundreds more. Most of those detained were held incommunicado without charge or trial, and many died in detention after being tortured. These abuses have only fueled Boko Haram’s campaign of violence. (The Voice of the Martyrs)

Today, I prayed:

Lord, I pray for Nigerian believers to rejoice in hope, to be patient in their tribulations, to be constant in prayer, to bless those who persecute them, to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. (Based on Romans 12: 12, 14, 21)

Join with me on Fridays to fast and pray for prisoners, according to Hebrews 13:3.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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December 10, 2014 · 9:33 am

Islamic Terrorists Versus Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 10)

How to be a Radical Christian (v).

And it was so, when the Philistine (Goliath) arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. (2 Samuel 17:48)

The Philistine army was on one mountain. Israel was cowering on a mountain opposite the Philistines. A small valley ran between them. The ten-foot tall giant, Goliath, was dressed in bronze armor and was standing in front of the Philistine army, challenging Israel to a duel. He was armed with a sword, spear, and javelin. His shield bearer was standing off to his left and slightly in front of him, protecting him from arrows.

Now, standing out in front of the Israeli army was a fifteen year-old kid with a sling and five stones. No armor. No sword. No spear. No javelin. No shield or shield bearer. He was all alone and he could expect no assistance from the nervous Nellies standing behind him wearing Israeli uniforms.

Goliath mocked and cursed David. Then David boasted about the Lord.

The Philistine giant and his shield bearer trudged forward, but what did David do? He didn’t walk. He raced toward his foe. And while he was running, he swung his sling around and around.

What do you think was going through the heads of the the Israeli soldiers as they watched the fifteen year-old kid racing toward the Terminator of that day? Probably something like this: “He’s a nut! He doesn’t have a chance. We are doomed.”

And yet none of the Israeli soldiers, including King Saul and David’s older brothers, had the courage to take David’s place. So, they stood and watched from a distance as David won the battle for them.

David’s running toward Goliath is a perfect illustration of how Radical Christians must help fight Islamic Terrorists.

“What?” you say.

Not too many years ago, a well-known prophet prophesied what he saw was going to happen in California – death and destruction. He advised all Christians to move to safer states. Maybe, Montana, Utah, or Idaho.

Sadly, I agree with his visions about death and destruction in California and on the West Coast, but I disagree with his advice that we Christians should abandon ship and run for safety.

When the bombs begin exploding (and they soon will), Radical Christians must be set in place to be the Body of Christ, willing to reach out and help the hurting people, and to be leaders. This could be the church’s finest hour.

(Continued in Part 11)

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December 9, 2014 · 1:45 pm

Tuesday’s Prayers for America (12/10/2014)

A centurion named Julius guarded Paul and other prisoners on their journey to Rome. They boarded a cargo ship in Syria and crossed the Mediterranean Sea to other ports. In Myra of Lycia, they boarded a ship sailing to Italy.

The traveling was slow because it was late in the year, when the Mediterranean was hazardous for sailing. They reached a port on the island of Crete called Fair Havens. Paul said to them −

“Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” (Acts 27:10)

The centurion, pilot, and owner of the ship ignored Paul’s words and sailed for a different port on Crete. But a strong wind blew them out into the Mediterranean. They were storm-tossed and forced to jettison the cargo. Soon they feared for their lives.

Paul stood up in their midst when the storm was at its worst and said −

“Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet, I now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.” (Acts 27:21-22)

Paul’s words of hope were like life rafts for the other 275 men on the ship. They followed his advice and all were saved.

Why does it always seem like we people have to travel through terrible storms before we listen to the voice of the Lord? It doesn’t have to be that way.

Today, I prayed:

Lord, give us Americans ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to His churches. (Based on Revelation 2:7)

What do you think and did the Lord speak to you today?

Join with me on Tuesdays to fast and pray for America.

Click on to see MyGFA site.

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December 7, 2014 · 11:07 am

I Love Christmas

In 1994, I attended a Christmas party for youths at an inner city church. There were thirty to forty youngsters between the ages of three and ten years old. The kids were mostly from homes where the mothers had drug/alcohol problems and the fathers were long absent from the homes. Although the children were poor, they wore their best clothes for the party.

The kids sat in a circle in the middle of the church’s basement. I sat between two of the youngest girls who alternated between sitting on their chairs and on my lap. Both were too excited to sit still.

The young teacher asked, “Why do you like Christmas?” She pointed to a child and added, “Okay, let’s start with you and go around the circle. Each can answer that question for us.”

One by one, they stood up and gave their answers. Each mentioned Jesus a little bit and then quickly added, “I sure hope I get such and such toy for Christmas.”

This continued in this manner until a seven-year old boy stood up. “We don’t believe in Christmas!” he proclaimed and sat down with his arms folded across his chest.

All of the other kids gasped, not understanding why the boy said what he did.

The little boy’s mother stood up. “Yes, we don’t celebrate Christmas. December 25th is not even when Jesus was born and is in fact the date of a pagan holiday.” She continued on for five minutes in a diatribe about how it was wrong to celebrate the holiday of Christmas.

Finally, she sat down.

The little children sat there stunned by her words. They looked like they had just heard their pet had been run over by a Mac truck. Their faces revealed their hurt.

I felt the Holy Spirit come upon me and I stood up.

“Yes, she may be right that December 25th is not the exact day for Jesus’ birth, but who really cares about the exact date? He was born and loves us now. Yes, December 25th may have been a pagan holiday, but who even remembers that stupid god except a bunch of fuddy-duddy Christians. That god is long dead and Jesus is alive. As far as pagan holidays go, the other 364 days of the year are all pagan holidays for one god or another. But this one day of the year, Jesus has reclaimed for Himself. If you happen to live in any nation of the world and hear the word ‘Christmas,’ you will learn that a man named Jesus was born on that day. So, let’s enjoy this one day when our Lord Jesus is remembered by the whole world.”

I sat down and every kid jumped with joy. The party continued onward.

The woman ended up coming up to me afterward. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I was wrong to push my ideas on the group and I felt you spoke the word of the Lord to me and everyone. Forgive me.”

The memory of that particular party still reverberates in my heart. I love Christmas.

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December 6, 2014 · 12:55 pm

Being Sick Really Stinks, But…

(Click to see)

Maybe I ate too much turkey and stuffing, but regardless of the cause, I was sick last week. I had a fever, a headache, and slept hours and hours each day. Just standing up was a struggle for me. My sickness lasted for five days before it simmered down to a few sniffles and light coughs.

Yes, I hate being sick, but all and all, I didn’t suffer that much. A few writing projects got pushed to the back burners. Yet, we did not suffer financially at all.

Now, what if I had been a Dalit farm laborer with a wife and two children? What if I would have missed five days of work? You see, Dalits are the lowest rung in India’s Hindu society. They are paid only pennies per hour to do backbreaking farm work.

If a Dalit farm laborer missed five days of work, he could lose ten to fifteen dollars of pay for that week. That loss can not be made up. Something will have to be cut from their family budget. Most likely it will be food.

What can we do to help the poor people of India?

Carol and I like to help poor families in India at Christmas time. We look through Gospel For Asia’s Christmas Catalog and choose a gift that will help earn extra income for a family. The last two years, we chose sewing machines, but this year, we returned to our farm roots and chose two goats.

Throughout the year, we then pray for the families with sewing machines and now, the family with the two goats. And you’re right, we don’t know their names, but God knows them. He also knows how to direct our prayers to the proper recipients.

Maybe you’re interested in helping a family in India. If so, click here.

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