Category Archives: Religion

October 18, 2008 · 2:47 pm

If An Eight-Year Old Weeps Over Abortion, What’s Our Problem?

The following was written by my son, Scott, on a comment to an article yesterday:

Disclaimer: I am larrywho’s son, Scott, who lives in Missouri. this is my first wordpress post so hopefully I don’t mess up the links.

I am pro-life but am not overtly vocal about it…but the Lord hit me with a ton of bricks yesterday. I was picking up my 3rd grade son yesterday from school while listening to talk radio. The show was making the pro-life argument and discussing some of the gruesome details of abortion. I debated whether I would change the station once my son got in the car…I decided not to change the station.

My son knew the basic definition of abortion because he asked me about it a couple of weeks ago…the result of a curious mind that heard the word ‘abortion’ at school. But beyond that discussion, I had not given him further details about abortion. Trying to shelter him from it, I guess.

When my son got in the car, they played an audio clip of a nurse describing her experience with an aborted infant that somehow survived the process…then was taken to a room to die. She described how she held and tried to comfort the infant in its final 45 minutes of life. My son heard the entire testimony. I said nothing during the clip. I decided to let him listen and react to what he heard.

I looked back at my son after the testimony of this nurse…the tears welling up until they poured forth from his eyes. A great father/son discussion followed.

Bottom line: Even a 3rd grader, who does not understand a lot things about this world, can see with absolute clarity how detestable and horrible abortion is.

Lord, thank you for hitting me with that ton of bricks…I needed it.

If you want to hear the clip, download the podcast titled, “October 16, 2006 – Hour 2″ here.

When I read this, I cried. Half of my tears came from the pride I felt about my grandson’s reaction to abortion. But sadly, the other half came because of the shame that I felt about my lack of tears over abortion.

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Filed under Abortion, African-American, Barack Obama, black people, Christianity, Election 2008, Emergent Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Home Church, Joe Biden, John McCain, Politics, Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Prophecy, Race, reformation, Religion, Sarah Palin

September 30, 2008 · 4:16 pm

Who do You Want To Attend Your Church?

One morning, fifteen years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “Who do you want to attend your church?”

My life, at the time, was okay – not great – just okay. I had a small preaching and prophetic ministry, worked at a Christian book store, and did some writing. Even though I was a small potato, I had a heart for the inner cities of America.

But yet, I was stuck in a town with 2,900 Swedes, Norwegians, and Germans. Blond haired and blue eyed white people. A million miles from the inner cities.

So, when the Holy Spirit asked me the question, I decided to take my time answering it. It was one of those water-shed moments. No sense in being weighed down by a hasty answer.

Throughout the day, I thought of all the possibilities until I focused in on David and his men:

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. (1 Samuel 22:1-2)

At 5 p.m. that day, I went home and bowed next to my bed. “Lord, if You will give me the grace, then these are the people that I want in my church. Send me murderers, thieves, drug dealers, homosexuals, lesbians, alcoholics, drug addicts, gang members, and all of the other dregs of society. Because if You pour out Your grace on these people,they will know that it is Your grace, and Your grace alone, that allows them to do great works for You. When the tough battles hit our nation, these people will not run off, but will stand and fight the good fight of faith against the rulers of darkness.”

Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel. (1 Chronicles 11:10)

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Filed under Christianity, Emergent Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Kingdom of God, reformation, Religion

August 19, 2008 · 6:33 pm

A Book Review (Part 3): Pagan Christianity?

(Continued from Part 1 and Part 2.)

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Authored by: Frank Viola and George Barna

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Barnabooks (Tyndale House)

List Price: $17.99 (Purchase for as low as $9.00 here.)

My Prophetic Revelation from Pagan Christianity?.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan. (C.S. Lewis)

Twenty years ago, I was working as a painter for a motel in Iowa. My life, at the time, was anything but a Norman Rockwell portrait of small town happiness. A marital separation. Two confused children. Unhappy parents. Very few friends. No car and little money. Not exactly a victorious Christian life, right?

As I was painting one morning, a divine revelation slapped me across the face. “Satan hates Christians. He and his demon horde want to destroy the Body of Christ. We need to fight.”

My mouth dropped open. I thought, oh Lord, I don’t know anything about spiritual warfare. Teach me how to fight.

I prayed. I fasted. I studied the Bible. I read books. I listened to tapes. It was slow going, but after a while, I realized that I was a member of the “Joshua Generation.” Many prophets and teachers had various revelations about fighting principalities, powers and rulers of darkness. Each confidently proclaimed that cities would soon be changed by the church’s successful spiritual warfare.

And yet, since then, little has changed. The spirit of bondage is still the ruling principality over America’s inner cities. This cruel task master has been unfazed by our spiritual warfare and intercessory prayers. Even the many ministries who have attempted outreaches into the inner cities have settled for small (if any) gains.

So, if we – the church of Jesus Christ – are the so-called “Joshua Generation”, what are we doing wrong? Why have we accomplished so little in America’s inner cities with our spiritual warfare and intercessory prayers?

Until I read Pagan Christianity?, I never asked myself, “What are we doing wrong”. I just assumed that we needed to keep plugging away. You know – more prayers, more fasting, more prophetic declarations, etc. Same-oh. Same-oh. Ho-hum!

And to be honest, I am sure that Frank Viola and George Barna did not intend Pagan Christianity? to be a spiritual warfare guide. But the light clicked on inside me anyway, and I know that I know: We are warring according to the flesh.

As most prayer warriors know, the number one guideline for spiritual warfare is to get rid of whatever you are fighting against in your own lives first before you begin any spiritual warfare. For example, if you are praying and fighting against a spirit of lust in a neighborhood, you need to repent and get rid of the sin of lust in your own lives first. Spiritual authority is dependent on holiness and clean hearts.

Now, consider this: we are attempting to fight the spirit of bondage in America’s inner cities with an army modeled after the institutional church. And guess what? 99% of the army is made up of Christians who are unable to walk in their royal priestly callings because of the traditions placed on them by the institutional church system.

So, in effect, we are fighting the spirit of bondage with Christians who are themselves in spiritual bondage. It is no wonder that we continue to suffer defeat after defeat in the inner cities.

Our only hope is to change the way we do church. And do it now.

A Book Review (Part 2): Pagan Christianity?

(Continued from Part 1)

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Authored by: Frank Viola and George Barna

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Barnabooks (Tyndale House)

List Price: $17.99 (Purchase for as low as $9.00 here.)

BOOK REVIEW.

As startling as it may seem, almost everything that is done in our contemporary churches has no basis in the Bible. As pastors preach from their pulpits about being “biblical” and following the “pure Word of God,” their words betray them. The truth is that precious little that is observed today in contemporary Christianity maps to anything found in the New Testament Church. (Pagan Christianity?, pp. 4)

Smack! The above words slapped my face with their in-your-face gist.

What? I thought. How can this be? Certainly, Viola and Barna must be talking about the snakehandling assembly on the other side of town, and not my church. Especially, not my church.

But soon, I felt a sharp ache in my toes as I continued reading. The pain was excruciating. Viola and Barna were stepping all over my comfort zones. I wanted to put the book down, but a quote floated across my mind:

Every man has a right to be wrong in his opinions. But no man has a right to be wrong in his facts. (Bernard M. Baruch)

I trudged onward. I read the authors’ study on the history of church buildings, pulpits, steeples, architecture, pews and balconies. At the end of the second chapter, the authors wrote:

Somehow, we have been taught to feel holier when we are in “the house of God” and have inherited a pathological dependency upon an edifice to carry out our worship to God. At bottom, the church building has taught us badly about what church is and what it does. The building is a denial of the priesthood of all believers. It is a contradiction of the very nature of the ekklesia – which is a countercultural community. (Pagan Christianity?, pp. 42)

Sweat formed under my armpits. My mouth was dry, but I kept at it. I was looking for a chink in their logic, but hundreds of footnotes and pages of bibliography support their findings.

The two authors also chip away at the icons of Protestant order of worship, the sermon, the pastor, Sunday morning dress, the Worship team, tithing, clergy salaries, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Christian education. Very few sacred cows are left untouched by this book.

What is the authors’ hope for Pagan Christianity?:

First, we hope that you will begin asking questions about church as you presently know it. How much of it is truly biblical? How much of it expresses the absolute headship of Jesus Christ? How much of it allows the members of His body the freedom to function? Second, we hope that you will share this book with every Christian you know so that they too will be challenged by its message. And third, we hope you will pray seriously about what your response should be for this message. (Pagan Christianity?, pp. 250)

And what’s my opinion of the book? I truly believe that it is an apostolic work which helps to lay a strong foundation for reformation of the American Church. A reformation which will put Jesus back where He belongs as Head of His church.

But hey, don’t just take my word, check it out here. And then buy it.

(To be continued in Part 3.)

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Filed under African-American, black people, Christianity, Emergent Church, Gifts of the Spirit, Home Church, Kingdom of God, Prophecy, Race, reformation, Religion, Uncategorized

August 17, 2008 · 12:30 am

A Book Review (Part 1): Pagan Christianity?

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

Authored by: Frank Viola and George Barna

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Barnabooks (Tyndale House)

List Price: $17.99 (Purchase for as low as $9.00 here.)

In February, 2002, I attended my first home church seminar in Oxnard, California. Tony and Felicity Dale were the speakers. The man, sitting next to me, was a disgruntled denominational pastor. As time progressed, he asked, “Why did you come to this meeting?”

“I read some books by Frank Viola,” I said.

He removed his glasses and stared at me. “You know, he’s a radical,” he replied as if the word “radical” was a poison to be avoided at all costs.

I did not reply. But I thought, hmm! Radical – that’s my type of Christian. I better read all of his stuff.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS.

Frank Viola is a Christian author and speaker. He graduated from the University of South Florida (Tampa, Florida) with a degree in social science education. For 15 years, he taught in the public school system.

In 1988, Frank left the institutional church. Since that time, he has been gathering in organic churches in the United States. He has also been active in planting, aiding, and encouraging organic churches since the late 90s. In 2003, he began authoring books full time. On occasion, Frank speaks at house church, simple church, organic church, and emerging church conferences. His public speaking covers a wide range of topics including the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ, the deepening of the spiritual life, Christian community, church planting, and radical church restoration.

Frank’s books include: Pagan Christianity, Reimagining Church, Bethany, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, Gathering in Homes, Rethinking the Will of God.

Frank’s website. Frank’s blog. Frank’s MySpace.

George Barna founded the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group) in 1984 and helped it become the nation’s leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture. The company has served several hundred parachurch ministries and thousands of Christian churches throughout the country. It has also supplied research to numerous corporations and non-profit organizations, as well as the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army.

To date, Barna has written 39 books, mostly addressing leadership, trends, church health and spiritual development. They include best-sellers such as Revolution, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, The Frog in the Kettle, and The Power of Vision. His most recent book is Revolutionary Parenting. His work is frequently cited as an authoritative source by the media. He has been hailed as “the most quoted person in the Christian Church today” and has been named by various media as one of the nation’s most influential Christian leaders.

George’s website.

(To be continued in Part 2)

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July 18, 2008 · 4:28 pm

San Francisco Homosexuals: Lost, But About To Be Found

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger knows it. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer know it. Mayor Gavin Newsom knows it. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals’ justices know it. Every state and city politician knows it. Christians know it. Even – homosexuals know it.

Homosexuality is an abominable sin. Period.

You can rewrite the laws. You can bring on the lawyers. You can bring on the National Guard. You can change the textbooks. You can hold a gun to every person’s head in the state. But no matter what you do, homosexuality is a sin.

Now, here’s some good news.

The Lord is going to defend Himself against San Francisco’s condemnation of His teachings. Don’t worry! He will not need an army of lawyers. Nor favorable justices on the California Supreme Court. Nor an expensive public relations’ campaign. Nor a ballot initiative from California’s voters. Nor anyone’s help at all. After all, He is the Judge and Counselor.

What is the Lord going to do?

He will send a few good men. Each will be an army of one, invading the city with a gospel of deliverance to set the captives free. They will be more than enough to handle the Spirit of Depravity which has ruled this city up until now.

So, San Francisco – get ready!

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Filed under Abortion, African-American, Barack Obama, black people, Christianity, Election 2008, Emergent Church, Politics, Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Prophecy, Race, reformation, Religion

July 16, 2008 · 6:02 pm

San Francisco: Where Sin Abounds…

My wife, Honey, believes that I have some wires crossed in my brain. Who knows? Maybe she’s right. This is one of those times when she tends to remind me of this fact.

You see, when I read that San Francisco’s supervisors passed a resolution condemning the Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality as “hateful”, “defamatory”, “insensitive”, “and ignorant”, I got excited. I even thought to myself, this is great. Now, San Francisco is right where God wants the city to be. Praise the Lord!

Maybe, you are starting to agree with my wife, right?

…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. (Romans 5:20)

I look at San Francisco and I see a perfect opportunity for the gospel of Jesus. Not just to speak the gospel, but to demonstrate it. What a perfect time to take on the ruling principality over the city of San Francisco, the one that has mocked the Creator by degrading men and women to a depraved level of sexuality. What a perfect time to set the captives free!

Unlike many who want to give up on San Francisco and let it fall into Satan’s hands, I don’t. The Savior died on the cross for all mankind. And everyone needs a Savior named Jesus – even homosexuals.

Just remember this: More than enough grace. It’s all we need to change San Francisco – NOW.

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Filed under Abortion, African-American, Barack Obama, black people, Christianity, Election 2008, Emergent Church, Gifts of the Spirit, John McCain, Politics, Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Prophecy, Race, reformation, Religion

July 15, 2008 · 6:43 pm

An Interview of Larry Who by The Pakistani Spectator

Ghazala Khan of The Pakistani Spectator interviewed me via email. It was fairly painless and she was kind enough to leave a few skeletons behind in my closet. Thanks Ghazala.

So, if you would like to see the interview, go to here.

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Filed under Abortion, African-American, Barack Obama, black people, Election 2008, Emergent Church, Gifts of the Spirit, John McCain, Politics, Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Prophecy, Race, reformation, Religion

May 17, 2008 · 4:18 pm

Want To help Myanmar (Burma)?

So, how can people bypass the repressive regime that governs Myanmar and help the cyclone victims in Myanmar (Burma)? Here is a possible way.

Give a donation to Gospel For Asia. This is an awesome missionary ministry founded by K. P. Yahonnan.

Yohannan is the real deal, as far as being a man of God goes. You can check out some of his writing on this site (here).

While you are thinking about giving a donation to Burma, consider sponsoring one of GFA’s missionaries. Watch the video about Joseph and be prepared to weep.