Last Wednesday I tried to go to three different places in London, and did not reach any of them. I will not reveal to you how stupid the Man in Blue sometimes gets, but only show the result of the first incident that upset my plans.   

An accident had happened just past the junction with the Lower Boston Road blocking the 607 from Southall I was on, and also the 207, 427, 83 and E8. I walked from near the accident bypassing the Hanwell Broadway, which was completely ‘taped off,’ by using side streets and ending up on Church Road. The E3 from Greenford also made us wait and therefore I had time to notice the Church which on an official looking notice announced a Methodist Church and on a small notice announcing a Pentecostal Church. Although both Churches like signing, otherwise they are not the same thing at all !

On the way back I travelled on the same route, thinking that by now the tapes would be removed, but discovered that buses were going into Boston Manor Road and then made a sharp right turn into  Lower Boston Road, which caused a wonderful long queue with many buses in it.

I had a long conversation with Puneet Singh from Northolt, from which hopefully even this stubborn old man learned something.     

 

“I’ve prosecuted over 50 murders,” District Attorney Bret Burns said. “This is the most horrific crime scene I’ve ever witnessed.” He declined to elaborate, saying he did not want to jeopardize the investigation.

Read here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090826/ap_on_re_us/us_pastor_killed

By Calvin Palmer

The crime scene at a small Pentecostal church in Oklahoma where a pastor was killed was described today as the most brutal he has seen by a district attorney.

The body of 61-year-old Carol Daniels was found on Sunday inside the weather-beaten Christ Holy Sanctified Church on a rundown block near downtown Anadarko.

“I’ve prosecuted over 50 murders,” Caddo County District Attorney Bret Burns said. “This is the most horrific crime scene I’ve ever witnessed.”

He declined to give any details, saying he did not want to jeopardize the investigation.

He said the crime is truly shocking, especially since it occurred in a church by someone he called “evil and soulless”.

Although an autopsy was conducted yesterday, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown would not say anything about the cause or time of death. She also declined to talk about a possible motive or what evidence was collected at the scene.

She did say that trauma to the body indicated foul play but gave no further details.

Investigators have no suspects.

“Right now we have more questions than answers,” Brown said. “The few answers we do have, we want to hold on to. That might help us in the long run.”

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for this crime.

Daniels made the 60-mile trek from Oklahoma City every week to preach, even though the church had no regular congregation. Her mother, Charlesetta Dunlap, said Daniels spent most of her time helping others and went to Anadarko consistently “with the expectation of someone wanting to seek the Lord”.

Burns plans to meet with other pastors and clergy tomorrow to discuss the case.

[Based on reports by the Associated Press and News9.com.]

By Calvin Palmer

A Pentecostal church pastor with no congregation but who went to the church every Sunday on the chance that someone might turn up to pray was killed in the church yesterday.

Police found the body of Carol Daniels, 61, of Oklahoma City, inside the small weather-beaten Christ Holy Sanctified Church in Anadarko, a town of 6,000 people about 60 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said that Daniels had trauma to her body, but would not disclose details, including how, when or where Daniels died.

The pastor’s body was found after police were asked to check on her, Brown said. She could not immediately say who asked police to look in on Daniels.

Brown said the church did not have a regular congregation, but that Daniels was there every Sunday in case people came in to pray or hear a sermon.

“From the little bit I know about her, she was very dedicated to her calling,” Brown said.

Detectives are interviewing people who live near the church and expect to do more extensive interviews with family and friends.

Mitchell Pendarvis, who lives next door to the church, said that Daniels’ car was usually the only vehicle at the church, which is near an alley where men sometimes congregate and drink.

Daniels was a graduate of Douglass High School in Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. She is survived by her adult daughter, Raina.

Daniels’ mother, Charlesetta Dunlap, said the family had no further information about the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.

“We don’t know anything yet,” she said.

[Based on a report by the Associated Press.]

Vetting Sarah Palin: Irl Stambaugh, Walt Monegan, and Cronyism
Hat Thief
Blog
Friday, August 29, 2008
DemocraticLuntz

“It seems that John McCain’s vice presidential pick Sarah Palin is not squeaky clean.”

Palin’s Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview
Article
Huffington Post
September 2, 2008
Nico Pitney and Sam Stein

“”Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God,” she exhorted the congregants. “That’s what we have to make sure that we’re praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God’s plan.”"

I recognize why my following ramblings could be blown off, but I’m making the point seriously.

And I find it dumb whenever anyone says, “Oh, Palin served in an executive branch office, therefore she MUST be prepared to be the Vice President!

BBC News, 2 August 2009

A US jury has found a man guilty of killing his sick 11-year-old daughter by praying for her recovery rather than seeking medical care.

The man, Dale Neumann, told a court in the state of Wisconsin he believed God could heal his daughter. She died of a treatable disease – undiagnosed diabetes – at home in rural Wisconsin in March last year, as people surrounded her and prayed. Neumann’s wife, Leilani Neumann, was convicted earlier this year.

The couple, who were both convicted of second-degree reckless homicide, face up to 25 years in prison when they are sentenced in October. A lawyer representing Dale Neumann said he would appeal.

‘Faith healing’

During the trial, medical experts told the court that Neumann’s daughter could have survived if she had received treatment, including insulin and fluids, before she stopped breathing.

On Thursday Neumann, who is 47 and studied in the past to be a Pentecostal minister, said he thought God would heal his daughter.

“If I go to the doctor, I am putting the doctor before God,” he said. “I am not believing what he said he would do.” He also said he thought his daughter had had flu or a fever, and that he had not realised how ill she was.

Neumann’s lawyer said he had been convinced that his “faith healing” was working, and that he had committed no crime. The prosecution argued that Neumann had minimised his daughter’s illness and that he had allowed her to die as a selfish act of faith.

They said the girl should have been taken to hospital because she was unable to walk, talk, eat or drink. Instead, an ambulance was only called once the girl had stopped breathing.

“First giving honor to God, who is the head of my life.  To the pastor, first lady, all the ministers, deacons, mothers, missionaries, saints & friends…”

I’m sorry, you must have thought I was talking about this kind of testimony:

Testimony Before Congress

What I really mean is quite different, and its related to my post on Things I Miss About the Black Church.

Giving a testimony in church is one of the most amazing and wonderful expressions of participatory worship you might imagine.    Each person that stands to testify gives a song, an inspiring story, shares a prayer request, exhorts the congregation,  unburdens themselves from the struggles of the week and allows the whole community of God’s people to laugh with them, cry with them, rejoice with them and yes, sometimes even roll their eyes at them.

It was funny to see the concerns of one group of folks as they prepared for a testimony service that is upcoming.  Being reformed, there is of course a great deal of course about maintaining proper order in the midst of it all.  One quote:

one testimony service in the past had been billed, at least to the worship leaders, as a “Spirit-Filled Free-for-All.” A few songs were chosen to start things up, and then … whatever. There is something exciting and spontaneous and … all right, authentic about that. I get it. I even like it. But yikes! The Spirit leads us into freedom, but is it freedom for “all”? Freedom to do anything? Does the Spirit work only in the direction of liberation from perceived stricture and structure? Surely this is appealing—especially to young people. But doesn’t the Holy Spirit also work, as in Genesis 1, in the direction of creating order from chaos? Finding true freedom only in slavery to Christ? How do we balance these two?

I find their questions humorous, but understandable coming from their perspective.  What if the spirit gets out of control?  But it was the next section that made me laugh:

How do we, as a worship team, as musicians, prepare for such a service? Do we choose no songs at all ahead of time? Do we rehearse anything? Do we wait and hope for students to suggest songs that we know? Do we pray for the Spirit to move us in the moment, and move us to play the same song in the same key? What if the Spirit tells us, like that old joke has it, “Oops. You should done more planning.”

And what happens if someone’s testimony turns inappropriate? We can’t control what folks will and won’t say…

Well now that’s just part of the fun of a testimony service.  They could perhaps learn from these folks about how to manage a testimony service:

It may be perhaps difficult to understand what’s being said, but the scene in that church is pointedly NOT chaos, and there are rules of engagement that differ a bit from one church to another, but some which are commonly understood. Testimony service has a rhythm and flow all its own.  And musicians are just along for the ride.

Allow me to tell you some of these rules:

1) The testimony leader (usually an up and coming fiery preacher, or a missionary, or someone who can keep the crowd going) conducts the service.  If there aren’t a lot of people waiting to testify, you can just stand up and start, but if two or three stand up at a time, the testimony leader tells who can go first.

2) The testimony will also shut down the testimony if it goes too long or veers off into “crazy.”  They usually do this by at first saying things like, “Amen, Amen.  Praise God sister” in a calming voice.  They may also interrupt at what seems to be a pause in the testimony and make some remarks before moving on to the next person.  If its really bad they will collaborate with the organist to start a praise song to shut you down.

3) The testimony leader may take over your singing of a song if the singing is really bad

4) Your testimony should begin with giving honor to God in some way, acknowledging the leaders of the congregation and the pastor (whether present or absent) and should end with some sort of, “You all pray for me”

5) It is perfectable permissible to lead out in a song during testimony service, especially if you know the words and can sing.  but even if you don’t people will try to help you out.

6) Your testimony cannot take longer than about 3 minutes unless it is REALLY good and folks get to dancing and shouting from it.  If folks start doing this, then you are not permitted to come back at the end of the shouting session to resume your testimony unless YOU were the one dancing, and then only to give a closing.

I will close with a typical testimony that I might have heard growing up in the Universal Christian Holiness Church (yes, I know our church was the one holy catholic church)
“Praise the Lord saints! Praise the Lord saints!  To the pastor, pulpit guest, deacons, missionaries, saints and friends. Truly we give honor to God today for all that he has been to us.  Down through the years, God has been good to me.  Earlier this week I was thinking back on some times when I thought I wasn’t gonna make it.  Thought I was gonna lose my mind.  But God!  But God!  Even this week, he keeps on blessing me, in spite of all the things I’ve done.  And I thank him for it. He’s been better than good.  You know I’ve been so worried lately; so many people being laid off, and the economy is down.  But God continues to provide for me and my family.   I think about all the young people running the streets and getting into trouble, and then just this week some of my nephews stopped by the house, and they aren’t doing all that they should be doing, but God has kept them from dangers seen and unseen.  They could be out here in the streets, but God continues to have mercy.  He’s been so good, I just can’t tell it all.  Pray for me saints, as I’m traveling next week that God would give me traveling mercies.  And pray that the Lord would help me to hold on until the end.  Y’all pray my strength in the Lord.”

Slowly I am starting to feel better. Not so up and down with my emotions. I still have something on my mind though. It’s the church I’ve been going to. I’m not 100% sure about it being the right church for my family. I love the Sunday school classes, the contemporary worship style & the people. I’m not too sure about the beliefs the church is based on. It is a Pentecostal church. I miss the Methodist style worship services of my old church. I may start visiting other churches again. I’m not sure yet. I’ve been praying on it.

For some unknown reason I started to attend Pentecostal Church services at a local old folks home. I think I was eight or nine at the time. The joyousness of the Sunday morning services really hit home, as did the captivating words of the reverend. I remember a sense of warmth and friendship was so strong, when the congregation was asked if anyone wanted to fully embrace Christ my hand shot up almost involuntarily.

The few of us who had responded to the invitation were blessed and praised by everyone present. The joy in that room was overwhelming and I left filled with so much enthusiasm it took some time before I calmed down sufficient to tell my mother of the events of the morning. Although she had been brought up in the catholic faith she had become greatly disillusioned by the actions of the church when she was young and the way it dominated her family’s life.

Her reaction to my embracing the Christian faith in such an open way was quite pragmatic. She took the view that we should all decide for ourselves whether we believe in a god and which faith we think is the one, if any, we wish to follow. Clearly she knew as an eight year old I was too young to full understand the consequences of my actions that Sunday morning. Today I may not be wholly convinced there is a single unifying power, but I strongly believe in the creed of peace and tolerance to all.

The architecture of St James’s Church in Antwerp is an illustration of how some religions have distanced themselves from their followers. Originally a classic baroque church, St James’s has been embellished with Gothic chapels many of significant opulence. This lavish investment is a contrast to the frugality of most eastern religions and one reason why followers are turning away from a creed that puts more value on the material than humanity.

Church officials have a vested interest in maintaining their life styles while bemoaning the lack of support and lack morals of society. Bishops live in lush palaces with every need cater for by a host of servants and staff. The Church of England clergy have a job for life and cannot be sacked. The church invested millions in hedge funds and short selling (before the practice was banned by the Financial Services Authority) while criticising the finance industry for its lack of morals.

Contrast this to the eastern religions where the officials rely solely on their followers for succour and place the emphasis on human life and theology not ornate embellishments. It’s not surprising these belief systems are well supported and are growing in size. Among the Christian sects the Pentecostal churches and Charismatic Movement are seeing the highest growth rates. These sects put a greater emphasis on worship and a personal connection with God. Religion is seen as an experience not just a belief system managed by a hierarchy that is becoming increasingly out of touch with its followers.

Q: Oh, come on now! Surely things are not that bad. God really does not mean that He will destroy man and burn up the earth, does He?

A. Indeed, Hell is very real, and things are that bad for the individual who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The Bible makes many referencs to Christ as Savior. The Bible also makes many references to Hell, indicating it is eternal destruction. 

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:15

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Mathew 13:49-50

 

…..the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasing destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.  II Thessalonians 1:7-9

 

Q: That’s terrible! Why would God create Hell!

A: Hell is terrible, and it exists because God created man to be accountable to God for his actions. God’s perfect justice demands payment for sin.

For the wages of sin is death. [eternal damnation]  Romans 6:23

For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  II Corinthians 5:10

But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  Matthew 12:36

Q: Does that mean that at the end of the world everyone who has died will be raised from the dead to be judged and sent to Hell?

A: Indeed it does; that is, unless there exists someone who could be our substitute in bearing the punishment of eternal damnation for our sins. That someone is God Himself, who came to earth as Jesus Christ to bear the wrath of God for all who believe in Him.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53.6

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.   Isaiah 53:5

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  I Corinthians 15:3-4

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.   II Corinthians 5:21

Family Radio Live online Broadcast–Open Forum Live Q&A

Sunday AM Online Studies @ e-bible fellowship

Family Radio Live online Broadcast–Open Forum Live Q&A

Sunday AM Online Studies @ e-bible fellowship

Q: I sometimes wonder if God loves me….If He is a loving God, why is there so much suffering and sorrow in the world?

A:  In His book called the Bible, God explains that our sins are the cause for all the suffering and sorrow. It is true that God reveals His love to the whole world, as we read in oneof the most quoted verses in the Bible:

For God so [in this way] loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

However, God has more to say:

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he lveth him that followeth after righteousness.  Proverbs 15:9 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  Psalm 1:6

 Q: But I am not wicked. I am a decent, moral person. Surely the good I have done in my life far outweights whatever bad I have done. How can these verses apply to me?

A: By God’s standard of righteousness, even the most moral person is looked upon by God as a  desperate sinner on his way to Hell. The Bible teaches that no one is good enough in himself to go to heaven. On the contrary, we are all sinners, and we are all guilty before God.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  Romans 3:10-11 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  Proverbs 14:12

 Q: If I am such a wicked person in God’s sight, what will God do to me?

A: The Bible teaches that at the end of the world all the wicked will come under God’s final punishment in a place called Hell on this earth and this time is very near. There is much Biblical evidence that the rapture of believers will occur on May 21, 2011 and this world will cease to exist on October 21, 2011. Please contact Family Radio for the books,“Time Has An End” and “We Are Almost There” that offers a great amount of Biblical information concerning the time table and judgment for the end of the world.

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.   Deuteronomy 32:22-24

For more information on God’s coming judgement on all mankind, go to:

Family Radio Live online Broadcast–Open Forum Live Q&A
Sunday AM Online Studies @ e-bible fellowship

An articulate letter was forwarded to me today via email (planetshakersinsider [at] gmail dot com)

It was described as an open letter to the ACC National Executive [AOG Australia's top leadership], and was attributed to young pentecostal worship leader Ben Manusama (of Manifest Youth) – If someone can find the original source, I’d appreciate it – I couldn’t find it myself.

It clearly articulates some key points that have also been raised about Planetshakers leadership on this blog, as well as the wider pentecostal leadership in Australia and worldwide elsewhere in the light of Mike Guglielmucci’s fall, as well as the fall of Todd Bentley.

To the members of the National Executive,

I’m writing to you in response to the events of the last week regarding the confession of Mike Guglielmucci. I write as a young person directly impacted by his actions and wish to present for discussion a number of issues it has raised within the community of young people in the ACC.

To begin with, my church was quite removed from Mike’s ministry – I had only met him for the first time when he spoke at our youth meeting a few weeks ago. I say this with the hope that you can see the objectivity of my observations as I had no emotional attachment to the man or his ministry.

As I’m sure you’re aware, everyone’s talking, everyone’s speculating, everyone’s processing and trying to come to terms with what has happened and what the consequences are.

I don’t presume to speak on behalf of anyone other than myself but after posting a respectful blog containing some of my initial observations, I’ve had quite an overwhelming response of people who have read it. Some enthusiastically agreeing, some confused, some still undecided. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you there are many profoundly affected young people and they’re not all directly connected to him or his ministry (as you might assume).

I have grown up in the Pentecostal movement with parents whose itinerant ministry saw me and my family visiting churches all over the nation. I’ve been able to observe the changes of culture within our own movement and our observations have always been grounded in our family’s core values and passion for the Body of Christ.

This now is my assessment of these recent events.

What Mike has done is catastrophic not only in the geographical reach of the scandal but also because it has struck at the foundation of much of the methodology of our movement.

The questions being asked are not only about how a man ‘falls from grace’ but people are asking what this says about ministry, the Holy Spirit, human character and the capacity for a regenerated man to commit such wickedness.

The actions and official statements made thus far by the ACC and the Guglielmucci family seem to be dealing with some of these issues although that will need to be an ongoing process (certainly in a church-by-church fashion).

My concern is that the conversation will only go so far – that the issues surrounding ‘the man’ (which must certainly be addressed) will be resolved but that there will be no engagement with the broader problem.

Is it too simplistic to view this as just another case of a man ‘falling from grace’? I think to leave it at that is not only simplistic but negligent.

A person like Mike Guglielmucci is not born but created.

I say this not to negate Mike’s responsibility or guilt for his actions but to draw our attention to how the culture of the contemporary Pentecostal church has allowed and accommodated for somebody like Mike to thrive.

WHAT IS THIS CULTURE?

One of the strengths of Pentecostalism has always been its ability to become culturally relevant to all peoples – and particularly young people. This is seen in our ever evolving forms of communication, media, music and the content and delivery of our message. These things are important when they are the natural side effect of being creative human beings in a changing world, however when they become the mechanism by which we build the church there are dangerous consequences.

What began as a move to bring the church out of the dark ages and into the realm of popular culture has had devastating side effects: Praise and worship has become a music industry (complete with it’s very own rock stars), preaching has become motivational speaking (with little expectation to know or engage with the text) and ministry has become a desirable and lucrative career choice.

Against this background, the value system of church seems to have changed.

I came across an article by an American minister named Dutch Sheets. I am unfamiliar with his ministry but his response to the events surrounding Todd Bentley seem all too appropriate to our situation.

The following is a quote from him:

“We, the leaders of the charismatic church, have built on hype, sensation, innovation, programs, personality and charisma. This has produced: shallowness; false movements; novice leaders— gifted but immature and untested; a deficient understanding of God’s word; the building of man-centered rather than kingdom- centered churches and ministries; competition rather than cooperation; humanistic, self-centered Christians who don’t understand sacrifice and commitment; Christians without discernment; superstar leaders; a perverted and powerless gospel; prayerless and anemic Christians; a replacement of the fear of the Lord with the fear of man; and a young generation that is cynical of it all.”

As a young person in our movement I honestly believe that this almost summarizes the state of our predicament.

I look around and see so many insecure church leaders who are too eager to jump on trends and exploit new talent and ideas as a way to keep up with the Joneses/Houstons.

It is within this environment that a talented, charismatic, gifted, articulate, charming, yet-untested, son of a well respected preacher managed to not only slip through the process of accountability but then exploited the system to get to the top.

Our movement that seems to have become so obsessed with a man’s talent, gifting and ability to draw a crowd was the perfect environment for such a man to exploit. No matter what Mike’s motivations, regardless of the driving force behind his actions (whether he was psychologically sound or not), he has demonstrated that there is a ladder to be climbed and it can be done apparently with no help from the Holy Spirit.

Worse still, not only did he make a complete mockery of Pentecostal rhetoric but he was ultimately endorsed by the leaders of our denomination – which is you guys.

Even at the end there were churches (including my own) who were unsure about his ministry but finally accepted based on the endorsement from the national executive.

QUESTIONS.

In closing there are some burning questions and challenges I would like to put forward.

1) For a denomination that is supposed to be led by the Holy Spirit instantly one asks where was the discernment of our leaders? Is it too much to expect that our spiritual fathers and shepherds will be led by the Spirit to protect their flock? Granted everyone’s saying that he hid this from his own wife and family but surely God would try to forewarn and thus prevent such a catastrophic deception that has ruined so many lives.

2) What system of accountability allows such a man to get so far? Amidst the excitement over his ministry and his ability to draw a crowd – was there anybody in his life to challenge his behaviour? And if so, if someone actually knew even in part about his struggles, why were measures not taken to limit his reach of influence until those struggles were resolved? Surely some of the reports coming out about his methods as youth pastor at Planetshakers City Church should have raised a red flag. Was everyone too quick to celebrate his role in growing the church, and too hesitant to question or check a rising star?

3) Who takes responsibility? In the official statements released so far – no one has taken ownership. Words like ‘illness’ and ‘professional help’ deflect attention from the real underlying cultural problems and the role played by leadership in allowing this to happen. What’s to prevent another Mike Guglielmucci from happening?
It just seems like it would be too easy for somebody else to come through and exploit it all over again.

I don’t think it’s enough for our leaders to say they don’t condone what has been done – this whilst separating themselves from ‘the man’ does not acknowledge their role in the greater problem. Nor is it enough for them to say they had no idea what was going on – that they didn’t know. It was your job to know (surely even just on a practical level regardless of your theology).

Just as a father is responsible for what happens to his kids, aren’t you in some way responsible for what happens to our generation?

The statement from Dutch Sheets in regard to the Lakeland scandal is, I feel, an inspiring example of leadership being transparent and taking responsibility (www.dutchsheets.org).

My concern is that the next few weeks will be about damage control and no discussion or admission of the greater underlying issues.

We don’t expect for you guys to be perfect but we expect honesty and openness. Perhaps if our leaders were willing to be transparent about their weaknesses, we would be less inclined to hide ours.

4) What are you going to do to change it?

__________
There’s a multitude of young people looking to you now. We’re hurt, confused, bleeding and angry.

You’ve spoken to us at meetings, conferences, youth alive retreats and through DVDs. Speak now.

You’re always so quick to let us know you’re leading us.

So lead.

I agree wholeheartedly with Ben Manusama’s sentiments.

While I’ve said previously that I believe Manifest had their heart in the right place, I would encourage Ben Manusama and others at Manifest to also reflect on their actions placing Mike Guglielmucci on stage when they did. Perhaps they were complicit of some of the same failings?

However, I also believe that the questions Ben Manusama asks are apt, and deserve to be answered – by the AOG National Executive, Planetshakers, Hillsong and even Manifest:

1) What happened to the discernment of leaders?
2) How did the lie slip through any accountability, and get so far?
3) Who will stand up and take responsibility?
4) What will happen to ensure this doesn’t happen again?

All reasonable and fair-minded questions.

Today, strong feelings and speaking in tongues are claimed to be the Holy Spirit. But ALL religions speak in tongues, and ALL religions have strong feelings. People have these strong experiences, and then after, they wonder what it was all about. Some people routinely speak in tongues in a dry and legal way, which proves that it is not the gushings of the Holy Spirit in the soul. There is ONLY one way to get the Holy Spirit and to keep him. In Sermon 24 – Praying For The Holy Spirit:

34 4. When the will is really on God’s altar, entirely yielded up to God’s will in all respects, one will not wait long ere he has the Spirit of God in the fullest measure. Indeed, this very consecration itself implies a large measure of the Spirit, yet not the largest measure. The mind may not be conscious of that deep union with God into which it may enter. The knowledge of God is a consciousness of God in the soul.

SO, when we are consecrated to God, then this very ACT is the Holy Spirit, and from then forward, He can give us his FULLEST measure. How many people know about this? If you speak to them about their experience, can it be of this nature? Let me not rebuke the speaking in tongues. In many cases it is a true gift. However, we do not have the Holy Spirit, in a real sense, when we are not completely consecrated to God. And I have to set something straight here. The Assemblies Of God and many Pentecostal Denominations observe the tongues phenomena with interest. The teaching is that TONGUES are the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit. Now, I will agree with them as far as to say TONGUES are the initial evidence of A SPIRIT, but I will not say it is always THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Look at it another way, ask the question “Do we have to wait for the Holy Spirit?” The answer is NO. You can have him right now, simply by consecrating your life. YOU make the decision to live completely for God, and this is the Holy Spirit, to a certain degree. Does God convert people, or do we convert people – most people say, “We cannot Convert anyone, only God can” in the same way they say “We cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit, only God can fill us”.

Now this is not true. YES God converts us, but we also convert us, and the PREACHER also converts us and the TRUTH also converts us.

It is not the FULL truth to say that God converts sinners. It is only the HALF-truth. And it is not the FULL truth that God fills us with feelings of the Holy Spirit, it is only the HALF-truth. Look at this illustration in Bible School Lecture 12 – How To Preach The Gospel:

16 “Suppose yourself to be standing on the banks of the Falls of Niagara. As you stand upon the verge of the precipice, you behold a man, lost in deep reverie, approaching its verge, unconscious of his danger. He approaches nearer and nearer, until he actually lifts his foot to take the final step that shall plunge him in destruction. At this moment, you lift your warning voice above the roar of the foaming waters, and cry out: ‘Stop!’ The voice pierces his ear, and breaks the charm that binds him; he turns instantly upon his heel; all pale and aghast he retires, quivering, from the verge of death. He reels and almost swoons with horror; turns, and walks slowly to the hotel; you follow him; the manifest agitation in his countenance calls numbers around him; and on your approach he points to you, and says: ‘That man saved my life.’ Here he ascribes the work to you; and certainly there is a sense in which you had saved him. But, on being further questioned, he says: “‘Stop!” How that word rings in my ears. Oh, that was to me the word of life!’ Here he ascribes it to the word that aroused him, and caused him to turn.

17 “But on conversing still further, he says: ‘Had I not turned at that instant, I should have been a dead man.’ Here he speaks of it (and truly) as his own act. But you directly hear him say: ‘Oh, the mercy of God! If God had not interposed, I should have been lost!’ Now, the only defect in this illustration is this: In the case supposed, the only interference on the part of God was a providential one; and the only sense in which the saving of the man’s life is ascribed to Him, is in a providential sense. But in the conversion of a sinner there is something more than the providence of God employed; for here, not only does the providence of God so order it, that the preacher cries: ‘Stop!’ but the Spirit of God urges the truth home upon him with such tremendous power as to induce him to turn.”

18 Not only does the minister cry: “Stop!” but through the living voice of the preacher, the Spirit cries: “Stop!” The preacher cries: “Turn ye, why will ye die?” The Spirit sends the expostulation home with such power that the sinner turns. Now, in speaking of this change, it is perfectly proper to say, that the Spirit turned him; just as you would say of a man who had persuaded another to change his mind on the subject of politics, that he had converted him, and brought him over. It is also proper to say that the truth converted him; as, in a case when the political sentiments of a man were changed by a certain argument, we should say that argument brought him over. So, also, with perfect propriety, may we ascribe the change to the preacher, or to him who had presented the motives; just as he would say of a lawyer who had prevailed in his argument with a jury: “He has won his case; he has converted the jury.” It is also with the same propriety ascribed to the individual himself whose heart is changed; we should say that he has changed his mind, he has come over, he has repented. Now it is strictly true, and true in the most absolute and highest sense; the act is his own act, the turning is his own turning, while God by the truth has induced him to turn; still it is strictly true that he has turned, and has done it himself. Thus you see the sense in which it is the work of God; and also the sense in which it is the sinner’s own work.

19 The Spirit of God, by the truth, influences the sinner to change, and in this sense is the efficient Cause of the change. But the sinner actually changes, and is therefore himself, in the most proper sense, the author of the change. There are some, who, on reading their Bibles, fasten their eyes on those passages that ascribe the work to the Spirit of God, and seem to overlook those which ascribe it to man, and speak of it as the sinner’s own act. When they have quoted Scripture to prove it is the work of God, they seem to think they have proved that it is that in which man is passive, and that it can in no sense be the work of man.

20 Some time ago a tract was written, the title of which was, “Regeneration, the Effect of Divine Power.” The writer goes on to prove that the work is wrought by the Spirit of God; and there he stops. Now it had been just as true, just as philosophical, and just as scriptural, if he had said that conversion was the work of man. It is easy to prove that it is the work of God, in the sense in which I have explained it. The writer, therefore, tells the truth, so far as he goes; but he has told only half the truth. For while there is a sense in which it is the work of God, as he has shown, there is also a sense in which it is the work of man, as we have just seen. The very title to this tract is a stumbling block. It tells the truth, but it does not tell the whole truth. And a tract might be written upon this proposition that “Conversion, or regeneration, is the work of man” which would be just as true, just as Scriptural, and just as philosophical, as the one to which I have alluded. Thus the writer, in his zeal to recognize and honor God as concerned in this work, by leaving out the fact that a change of heart is the sinner’s own act, has left the sinner strongly entrenched, with his weapons in his rebellious hands, stoutly resisting the claims of his Maker, and waiting passively for God to make him a new heart. Thus you see the consistency between the requirement of the text, and the declared fact that God is the author of the new heart. God commands you to make you a new heart, expects you to do it; and, if ever it is done, you must do it.

21 And let me tell you, sinner, if you do not do it you will go to hell; and to all eternity you will feel that you deserved to be sent there for not having done it.

As an atheist, there is much to frustrate me about living in America, but nothing frustrates me more than the invidious stranglehold that religion has on politics in this country.

I’ve always thought it ridiculous that in a nation founded in part on religious freedom, no person running for higher office can possibly have a hope of winning unless they proudly proclaim their faith in god.  Our candidates dutifully join the flock while accompanied by a flock of their own, a flock armed with cameras and microphones.   Candidates such as Barack Obama, who has a “Muslim” name and refuses to wear an American flag lapel pin, draw virulent criticism and become the subjects of intense scrutiny.  “Is he a Christian?”, the good, right-wing people of America ask themselves in consternation.  “Is he the Anti-Christ?”, they fret.

Which brings me now to Sarah Palin, the governor of my fair state and the newly annointed darling/pin-up girl of the right-wing.  This woman is frightening!  As the weeks since her joining the Republican ticket have gone by, more and more details of her religious life and beliefs are coming to light, and it isn’t pretty.  To name a few: 

• She attended a Pentacostal church (they of the speaking in tongues) for 25 years, only switching to a so-called “non-denominational” evangelical church six years ago. 
• She has referred to the war in Iraq as a “task from god” and has exhorted the people of Alaska to pray for the natural gas line to be built.  
• Her current church holds conferences on how to “pray the gay away” and promises to help homosexual men and women stop being attracted to members of their own sex. 
• She promotes “abstinence only” sex education, which is amusing considering that her own daughter didn’t seem to absorb that message very well, and apparently neither did Sarah herself, since a study of the dates of her “elopement” with Todd and the birth of their oldest child would seem to indicate that that child was born a mere eight months after the wedding. 
• Palin has also stated that she does not believe in women having the right to an abortion, even in the case of incest or rape.

Pastor Ed Kalnins blesses Lt. Gov. Parnell, Gov. Palin and Sen. Murkowski at One Lord Sunday

Though Sarah protests that her private views on religion will not spill over in to her political life, I think it is obvious that it will.  I see the light of the zealot in her eyes, the utter conviction that her way is the right way, her god the only god.  If the McCain-Palin ticket succeeds in winning the presidential election, placing her in the position of being “one heartbeat away from the presidency,” do we really want someone like her in office?  Haven’t eight years of god-fearing, born-again Bush been enough?  What this country needs right now is a politician that cares more about rational, real solutions for our problems, not one who thinks that you can pray for things and they will happen if you ask god nicely enough.  Why do Americans insist that our politicians be “persons of faith?” Why do we confuse religious belief with love of country? 

Why can’t Americans just grow up?