3 Ways Men Have Failed Women

Snowed In

Our generation has lost what it means to be a man. This problem is well-noted by many in society, from churches to social commentators to websites like Art of Manliness that focus on teaching modern day men to recover what has been lost. Men have become accustomed to being takers and not givers, which has helped contribute to the breakdown in the family. Many of society’s ills can be traced back to this breakdown, especially considering that the greatest indicator for poverty is marital status. Men have abdicated their responsibility, so I thought it would be beneficial to look at  three important ways that men have failed women, especially in this generation.

#3. We Stopped Working

The Problem: We treat our lives outside of a “job” as a recreational opportunity, devoid of responsibility.

The Analysis: Brett McKay of Art of Manliness has written how modern man’s dilemma is that…

View original post 896 more words

Advertisement

God does not Support Equal Oppurtunity

Can you imagine the people gathering around and harassing God for not giving people equal opportunity to be priests? We don’t really know who God is, and we don’t know what true equality is. Let us seek forgiveness for our foolishness and arrogance.

16 The LORD said to Moses, 17 “Say to Aaron: ‘For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. 18 No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; 19 no man with a crippled foot or hand, 20 or who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. 21 No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the LORD. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. 22 He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; 23 yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.’” –Leviticus 21:16-23

Hell….again…

Image via Wikipedia

Due to the Rob Bell/Francis Chan debate, about whether or not Hell exists, and is universal salvation something we can believe in, are on the table and up for serious discussion I hope to tackle these books and issues over the next few months. Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and the related topic will be discussed over the course of the next few months, as time permits. To some, it may seem like a rather trivial thing really, I mean as long as we believe in the same God and worship and pray to the same God, what is really the problem right?

Well, part of the problem is a faulty view of God and of man. The balance between human free will and God’s complete sovereignty is crucial. Neither extremes are correct, and it is a paradoxical truth that we must come to terms with. To go so far as to say that God is in complete control and that I can’t help what I do, removes all responsibility, and yet their are those that advocate that mentality. But on the opposite side of the spectrum we have the “It’s all me, and my choice” aspect, which is also equally wrong.

We have a free will, and yet, confusingly, God is in complete control, so that in a sense…we have no control and nothing to worry about…yet in another sense, we are completely responsible. Perhaps I am confusing everyone, let me try again if I may.

Now this may not seem right, or fair…but it is both Biblical and accurate from my understanding. Essentially to sum it all up, I am completely responsible for my sin, even though God is in complete control and places me where He wants me in life, etc…I am totally responsible for my sinful decisions. But when I become a Christian, and I change and start doing works of righteousness and good…I cannot take credit for that. It is because of Him and Him alone. Now many may view this as an extremely negative view of mankind, but it is accurate, we can not boast, though we do try. Many people get the whole thing mixed up focusing too much on one and not the other…when both are accurate if balanced out and seen in relation to the other.

There is a danger that happens when we stare too intently at one and not the other…there is a fine line and we must find it…

Rick Joyner and The Final Quest; A Guest Review

Ok, so here is the review of The Final Quest, by Rick Joyner. It was written with concern from a good friend of mine, to a book club that she attended, and she has asked that her name be removed if I publish it. It is not too in depth, but the review raises some legitimate concerns that I hope are taken seriously. Now, there is much to be said about Rick Joyner and several of his books, and some of that is mentioned here, but The Final Quest is the primary thing that is being addressed here. If any of ya’ll have any input, be it positive or negative, we would be glad to hear.

My thoughts on Rick Joyner’s The Final Quest

Test the spirits, beloved. Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. I John 4:1

What started out as an enjoyable pastime—joining a CENSURED book club—has become an unpleasant but necessary task for me. Please understand this is motivated by love for all of you. I am convinced the book we are reading contains serious error. A person can’t just make that kind of assertion and not get specific with Scriptural evidence, which is why this document is so lengthy! I don’t say this lightly, and I didn’t come to this conclusion easily. I’ve been researching the book and its author for several days and have quite a few things to share with you.

I was troubled by what I found, but also by what I didn’t find. The message of Christ and the cross never appears. This gave me a general feeling of emptiness as I read.

For example, on the subject of power (page 142), how would you expect this sentence to end? “The greatest power that I have ever revealed on the earth, or ever will…” Surely it would say something about Jesus’ power over death through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection? But instead, it says, “The greatest power that I have ever revealed on the earth, or ever will, is still a very small demonstration of My power…” This message, while certainly whetting the reader’s appetite for more personal supernatural experiences, draws attention away from the supremacy of Christ’s power in both His first and second coming.

On the subject of healing (page 142), how might this sentence be completed? “I will give you power to heal the sick…” Maybe something like this? “…so that God’s glory will be made manifest and people will see their great need of Him!” Instead, it says this: “I will give you the power to heal the sick because you love them, and I love them, and I do not want them sick.” Sure, God loves us and being a good parent, he doesn’t like to see us sick; but His purposes are so much higher, and often are accomplished through our weakness and infirmity—not always immediate healing. But no mention of His glory here.

On the subject of faith (page 143), the Bible gives such a clear, eloquent explanation: “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yet Rick Joyner claims God told him this: “You must seek love first, and then faith. You cannot please Me without faith. But faith is not just the knowledge of My power, but the knowledge of My love and the power of My love. Faith must first be for love. Seek faith to love more, and to do more with your love. Only when you seek faith to love can I trust you with My power. Faith works by love.” No mention of Jesus Christ as the object of our faith.

Second, it greatly troubles me that Rick Joyner puts himself in a position where he is basically untouchable. While sharing things that, if true, would rightly have major influence on our Christian beliefs, his vision cannot be tested and found to be either true or false, because he gives himself an “out” by saying it’s not divinely inspired on a par with Scripture. He claims, for instance, to have eaten from the Tree of Life. Did he or did he not? If he did, then he is the first to have ever done so, and before the appointed time for everyone who overcomes, according to Revelation 2:7. If he didn’t, then he has imagined it and should never have told people that it really happened. He claims to have spoken with the Apostle Paul himself. Did he or did he not? If he did, then every word that was spoken by Paul becomes reliable doctrine for every believer. Either that, or it was not Paul he spoke with, but either an imaginary character or a deceiving spirit. Joyner cannot have it both ways, but that is exactly what he wants to do. Do you see where my frustration lies? If you say, “This doesn’t line up with what the Bible teaches,” then he pulls the “I’m not infallible” card. It is not the same as saying, “I think I have a word from God for you, but please test it,” as many people do when they pray for each other. He is calling himself a prophet of God. Prophets of God spoke the words of God. True prophets in the Bible never spoke forth things that turned out to be error; those who did so were called false prophets. Today we are told to watch out for them: “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. . . . For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time” (Matthew 24:10–13;24 NIV). In the Old Testament they were simply put to death (Deuteronomy 13:1–5). Thank God for His mercy. As I have looked further into Rick Joyner’s teachings and ministry, I have discovered that he is part of a larger movement referred to as the Third Wave. Thousands of sincere believers have become involved in it innocently, by attending conferences and revival meetings where, they are told, the power of God is manifested. Some manifestations (barking, screaming, writhing and twitching), when they occurred in historic revival meetings, were quelled by good shepherds, who did all they could to restore order, because they realized their source was demonic. But now, they are not only welcomed, but sought. They replace the clear teaching of the Word and are treated as if they are evidence of true spirituality.

So, while the desire of seekers’ hearts is to seek God and have more of Him, the leaders of the Third Wave lead them in the wrong direction. They begin with seeking truth, but end up being encouraged to seek supernatural experiences. Yes, Christians will have supernatural experiences! I’m not denying the power of the Holy Spirit. What I am saying is that these particular men are not trustworthy leaders or good shepherds of God’s flock. This is evidenced by what they teach, how they brag, and their irresponsible actions (see clips of the Lakewood Revival on YouTube).

Anyone can fall into error. I’m sure there are areas of error in my own life as well. I keep praying God will reveal them and cleanse me from unrighteousness, because I do see some of my own faults all too clearly; others I’m most likely blind to, which stinks. I guess that’s why God instructs us, when we bring correction to the body, to pray for ourselves so that we won’t be deceived. That’s what I’m trying to do.

Finally, I am concerned with the occultish symbols and references that run throughout Joyner’s vision. Commonly found in occult practices are such things as talking with the dead, astral projection, the use of seer stones, mazes and doors, levels of ascendency, initiation into supernatural experiences in order to receive power and authority, and encounters with spirit beings. I see versions of all these phenomena in this book. What I do not see is the clear truth of the Gospel.

My misgivings with this book began when I could not reconcile Joyner’s interpretation of the Ten Virgins parable with the biblical account, where Jesus says he never knew them. One commentator I read said that the “outer darkness” where the foolish virgins were sent may have referred to the feast taking place at night, and it would have been dark outside the gate. END OF REVIEW

(The ending had to be censured for the sake of privacy and what not, and I apologize for that.)

There are some concerns in this book, and only a few have been brought to light. I believe that, if nothing else, we can learn to look deeper, and learn to discern the truth, and this can only be done with much prayer and lots of reading of the Holy Bible. The good friend of mine does not recommend this book, and I am inclined to agree. Now I would like to point out again, that I have not read this book, she was a guest writer (so to speak) who may contribute again. I hope ya’ll found this useful and if you have any questions or concerns feel free to let us know.

God’s Love and Eternal Punishment….Some Thoughts

I heard a man say that to be punished for eternity doesn’t really sound like love. Eternity is a pretty dang long time, (forever in fact) and he asked about someone who is a good person, by normal human standards, but is not saved; how is that really loving, the kind of love that comes from the true source of love, God? Of course there are proponents that think and feel that the only way to salvation is through Christ is not fair. And to them I reply what has been said before. God created this universe and He runs it. If you don’t like it, then you can run your own universe one day when you get one.

But what this man said indeed troubled me. If He is so loving and forgiving then why eternity? I feel that the search for truth should never allow us to shy away from difficult questions and hard answers. I did not have an answer at the time but I do now. If we look at the Bible, Isaiah 6:5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” He came into God’s presence and was struck by the uncleanness of his lips, and he knew right away that it meant death. I don’t know about all of you but my mouth and the words that it has spoke, pale in comparison to my deeds and actions. If he was to die for merely unclean lips then there is something to be said there.

Of course people automatically think that that is not fair. But again keep in mind that we do not run this universe and we don’t decide what is fair. Though we sure do try. Our God is so Holy, so Righteous, so Loving, He is SO far above us and pure and good that simply a pair of lips that are not clean, in His presence deserves and warrants death. This is not something we can wrap our heads around. Oh we can know it. But we cannot know it experientially until that day comes when every knee will bow. This can be observed with an honest inspection of emotions and people and how guilt works.

As far as is it loving to do that. In a way I feel like I should not have to defend God or His word. Take for example a scenario. Would you as an honest reader, praise a judge for letting a guilty child molester go after doing obscene and utterly detestable things to your child? Would you consider a jury moral and good if they did not hold a murder accountable? If there is no justice there is no love. Now people often times confuse the two as it is easy to do. But do not let yourself follow a double standard of forgive me but hold my enemy accountable.

This happens all too often I am afraid. Mankind likes to think that he sets the standard. In fact this is evident by some of the justifying that we do. How many times have you looked around at other people and thought, well I’m not as bad as them? Or something along those lines. I know I sure have done it. But the standard is not other men, but God alone.

If love is the ultimate virtue, then how does an unjust judge be considered loving? There is a connection between justice and love. Justice with love is nothing but law and rule, and is depicted by the antagonist in Les Miserables. Love without justice is evil. It would have no right and wrong and no moral code. They are inseparable. Yet we try to separate them as we see fit. If we want to not pay up for our wrong, then we demand love and forgiveness, but if someone has wronged us, we have a tendency to want justice or revenge. I believe that those who have trouble accepting that God would be so loving and yet punish people for eternity, are those that have trouble seeing the pure righteousness of our Lord and feel the real weight of their sin and iniquity. Love is good as is justice, they are inextricably combined, and if we can understand this, our next obstacle is understanding and seeing that God is so perfect that well fall short.

Of course the good news is that we can be forgiven, His mercy and grace is just as great. So take to heart, though there are things that our beyond our intellectual grasp, we can know for certain that God is perfectly loving, in spite of our views. All we have to do is ask forgiveness, repent, and then follow Christ.