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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 16

COGIC Mommas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be International Music Ministers. They Just Might Become Inspirational/Secular Singers & Create Videos That Display Their Sexuality!

Pastor Kim Burrell
Does anyone remember this statement?
"I’m dedicated to God, dedicated to ministry. I’m dedicated to the anointing of God that has on my life. I will never, ever compromise that indirectly or directly; and I’m dedicated to the International Music Department"..."But more than anything I fear God, so you have no worries about me doing anything that God is not pleased with. So I love you all so much and hopefully this will suffice for whatever or whoever needs it.” ~ Kim Burrell Feb. 2010
Well at least that's what PASTOR Kim Burrell did, and does. Yes, I said PASTOR. We all know that even pastors wear night clothes and have sexy apparel...but when you joined your church, did you expect to see your pastor in his/her DRAWS and unmentionables, displaying themselves in a sexually provocative manner on video? Well that is exactly what happened in one particular Church Of God In Christ and what is represented among the top leadership of praise and worship presenters in the Church Of God In Christ and we see it. We know what we're looking at and it is a MESS! I appreciate the attention that GCMWatch has brought to the issue.

The Philosophy Of The Music


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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Watch This Pt. 7..."This Thing, I'm Gon'e Settle!"

In what will be the conclusion of a mini-series and seeming documentary on a form of clergy sexual misconduct, and modern idolatry, the Bishop Eddie Long and his accusers have come to what appears to be an amicable settlement satisfying the unconditional approval of his New Birth,  megachurch faithful and multiple extended followers all around the world.
"I am not gonna try this case in the media. It will be tried in the court of justice and dealt with in the court of justice"..."I've been accused, I'm under attack. I want you to know as I said earlier, I am not a perfect man; but this thing, I'm gon'e fight. And I want you to know one other thing, I feel like David, against Goliath but I got 5 rocks, and I haven't thrown one yet."
Privacy Is The Word

The bishop's words may have indicated "fight" and "court" but in the end, a court-battle was the last thing that the bishop wanted. As stated, the settlement avoided the disclosure of details and greater embarrassment on all sides. It appears to be a sealed affair at this point however, it is hard to tell as final agreements and conditions are being made (more than likely) for an undisclosed monetary amount and a measurable plan of action by either Bishop Long, the ministries involved or all parties. The young men, Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson , who brought the lawsuit may have been successful in their desire to stop Bishop Long from any further future perceived impropriety against others by exposing the bishop, but may have also, at the same time, lost credibility if monetary conditions are the only ones set forth as a result of the agreement.

As stated, we may never know the real requirements on either side of this agreement as it seems that the terms may actually be permanently closed. The lawyer for the plaintiffs B. J. Bernstein simply stated that there would be no commentary:
"...on this matter, now or in the future."
The Man Worship Continues 

When we first talked about this story in our podcast, "What Has The Church Become?" I explained that the worshipful nature of how the church received Long especially in light of the scope of the allegations, was disturbing. At the 8:00 AM Service, the crowd cheered and praised him for almost a full 2 minutes and greeted him as if he had conquered the last villain on earth.

The members of New Birth persist in a form of idolatry of the bishop. What we can readily observe is beyond pure support for a member of the Body of Christ. Many of them have entered into a place of unconditional acceptance where there is clearly no standard of accountability required for the bishop. In other words, some of them have basically told the bishop, "we don't care what you do, we'll follow, believe, and support you no matter what!" Neither of these sentiments are biblical, nor do they display the nature or love of God. Yes, God loves unconditionally, but unconditional acceptance breeds responsibility. Where there is no responsibility in response to unconditional love, there is only abuse and excess which will always lead to greater evil.  

The failure to understand the requirements of unconditional love is disturbing. Not just for New Birth, but for for all them that seek to define the difference between honoring their leader and standing by their church and worshiping an individual and exalting an individual over and above God, HIS standards and HIS precepts. Much of the commentary about the bishop from his members is almost indiscernible from worship directed toward God himself.   

For example, the Atlanta Journal Constitution  reports members to state:

As it pertains to the undisclosed nature of the settlement:
"I'm still steadfast,"..."I know what he's done in my life, and I know what he has done in the lives of others." ~ member Rasheedah Oliver
This sounds like an individual talking about the God of heaven. Unfortunately, this sister is talking about Eddie Long and rationalizing what he has done in her life and done in the lives of others to be the standard by which she is committed to the ministry and ultimately the bishop.  As it pertains to the possible improprieties and scope of the allegations themselves and private settlement, another member stated:
"It doesn't make me think he's guilty or anything,"..."I decided when this came out that I loved my pastor unconditionally. Even if he came out and grabbed the mic and said ‘I'm guilty,' it wouldn't change the way I feel about him. I wouldn't be angry like a lot of people are. You can't walk away after 15 years of being a member of a church."..."He's done 1,000 good things,"..."and he may or may not have done four really bad things." ~ member Kamelya Hinson
Once again, this sister states that it wouldn't matter to her if the bishop told everyone that he was guilty of all charges, she loves him and is attached to him without condition. She further states that no matter the 4 "really bad things" that he has done, he's done an insurmountable number of good things, therefore he and it is OK.

Now, the sad thing is that each of the 4 lawsuits contained over 100 counts of improper, unethical and ungodly behavior by the bishop against his victims. Most of the suits included coersion, misappropriation of funds and even one that claimed that the bishop not only performed oral sex on his victims, but that he also performed oral sodomy. This member skirts by some of the most low-life accusations that could be brought against a person and states that none of that matters, even IF he is guilty and reduces some over 400 counts of impropriety and clergy sexual misconduct to simply "4 bad things"...

This is unbelievable! This is IDOLATRY! This is having another God beside, before, and in the presence of, the ONE AND ONLY God of creation. Without doubt, this is against the word of the Lord God himself as he has outlined not only the 1st Commandment but the entire word of God as God mandates our object of worship to be toward him and him alone.  
Isaiah 45: 5-6 ~ "5-I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6-That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else."
Where Is The Time Of Reconciliation And Restoration?
2 Cor. 5:18-19 ~ "18-And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19-To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
With the seriousness of the accusations against this pastor, which not only alleged ungodly behavior, but revealed severe and pervasive psychological issues for either the accusers (if lying) or the defendant (if accusations are true), one would think that at a very least there would be some time given and an extension for all sides and parties to heal. 

What really drives this point home is that obviously, the bishop in his initial response, did not deny the core allegations against his person or ministry. What he certainly did deny was the allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation levied against himself. Remember, that the allegations included the bishop used money and fame to manipulate the environment, flash material possessions to impress, and use his status to gain access to emotions and feelings that were otherwise off limits. The allegations were also that the bishop used his influence, title and position in a manner unbecoming of bishopric and pastoral leaders. 

However, the spokesperson for the church simply stated that the decision to settle as opposed to fight in court was made

"to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry." and that "This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel," 
What this means is that business regarding this was handled like any other business that should be handled to position the ministry to move on to the next grand adventure. Reconciliation and restoration were not goals of the settlement. "Moving forward with plans" was the whole objective. What this also could mean is that there was enough damaging information on both sides of the case that in the end it would more than likely resemble WW III as opposed to a church, a Christian leader and 4 abused and disappointed followers.

Either way, this is certainly much less than God would require of any and or all of us when confronted with this or similar issue.

Conclusion

We are thankful that this ordeal seems to be over, however neither the Body Of Christ, the modern mega church or any of the parties involved, nor members were edified as a result of this case. We were only brought to more of an open shame.

Some say, "why talk about it, let's move on". That sort of sentiment causes them that buy into it, to miss what God is trying to show us. I believe what he is saying is that our Idols are inadequate and anything built and established by flesh and materialism will not and cannot stand judgement of the Lord. Evidently, neither this pastor nor this church and ministry could stand the judgement of men, yet alone the judgement of God. However, believe me, he will judge. 

Revelation 20:12-13 ~ 12-And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13-And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Blessed!

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Monday, May 23, 2011

"Weaving Spiders, Come Not Here"

2 Kings 21:1-51-Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah. 2-And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 3-For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4-And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. 5-And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.


Worship In The Grove
One of the ways that Israel violated the law of the Lord was in the worship other gods and idols. The first commandment of the Lord was not to worship or have any other gods before (in the presence of) the Lord himself.(Ex. 20:3, Deut. 5:7)  Since one of the attributes of God is omnipresence, the command was not to have any gods or idols period. What seemed to be a simple command in light of all the power that God had shown and displayed by delivering his people would soon be violated over and over until the idol of an Asherah (Deut. 16:21, 2 Kings 13:6) was placed outside of the temple to signify the cohort (female counterpart, partner or wife) of the God of Israel. In other words no matter how God has blessed the nation to rise from obscurity to a possession, they would trample back over the name of the Lord and even add to their sins through idolatry.


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Sunday, May 22, 2011

When Plan "A" Fails

As noted in "False Prophet~Countdown To Apostasy", In what was one of the worlds most critical events of the church in modern times, the ministry of Harold Camping was once again,  and hopefully for all times, put to shame. Since we are all here May 22nd, 2011 Harold Camping has once again been PROVEN to be a liar and a false prophet. Having told Reuters prior to yesterday that there was no possible way that he was wrong about this one, he further stated that:
"There is no plan B"
In other words according to Harold himself, his doctrine was not meant to fail or miss its target date regarding the rapture. Having spent over $100 million to buy billboards and to promote his message, the false prophecy of the Camping rapture was one of the most expensive lies ever perpetuated in modern times. 

About the only thing worse than camping's manipulation of his followers, was the Bernie Madoff scandal which also devastated lives and bilked millions from unsuspecting families and individuals. Singlehandedly, Harold Camping and his avowed faithful followers have set back a rational approach to biblical prophecy and the message of Christianity to almost the dark ages, by promoting a lie of epic proportions, not just once or twice, but multiple times, and refusing to listen to correction in effort to prove superior revelation and servitude toward God. You see Harold rejected everyone else within Christianity even claiming that noone could be saved after 1994 but those who would listen to and follow him. 

Proverbs 16:18 ~ "Pride goeth before destruction, and 
an haughty spirit before a fall."

Be clear, the LIE is not that there will be a rapture. However, the Lie of Camping was that HE, in isolation, knew exactly when the rapture would occur and that according to him, all the rest of the church was rejected by God as God had revealed all the secrets to only him and his adherents.  


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Thursday, May 19, 2011

False Prophet ~ Countdown To Apostasy

Matthew 24:34-38 ~ "34-Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35-Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36-But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37-But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38-For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

Over the years there has been all kinds of predictions regarding the end of time and the end of the church age. In fact Here are a few dates and culprits of the end of the world in modern times: 

March 21st 1844:  In 1843, William Miller (1782-1849), a self-taught prophetic scholar from New York, predicted that based on his interpretation of the 2300 days of Daniel 8:14 in relation to the appearance of Antiochus Epiphanies and the cleansing of the temple, that the world would end in his day. People sold all worldly possessions in expectation of this event 

Ellen G. White
1827-1915
Oct. 22, 1844:  When the March 21st date didn't pan out, some of Miller's adherents people got a hold of Miller's calculations and postulated that he had simply made a mathematical error and proposed this new date. 

1844 Ellen G. White, Prophetess and co-founder of the Seventh Day Adventist church, who was an avid follower of William Miller, claimed that Jesus had returned as Miller preached, only that he done so in an invisible manner making his presence known on earth. 

1844 Revision to 1874: Jonas Swendahl, the founder of The Second Adventist Church, proclaimed that the 1844 date was all wrong and set forth a new date of 1874. Needless to say that date came and went also. 

Into The 20th Century

Charles T. Russell
2/1852 ~ 10/1916
March 21st 1914: Former Presbyterian minister Charles Taze Russell, who would eventually split from the Second Adventists and found Zion's Watchtower & Tract Society, and ultimately the Jehova's Witness, claimed all prior dates to wrong. (Partially because the previous dates came and went), but also claimed that because God had spoken to him, and that all other churches and organizations were apostate  that all one needed to do was add 70 years to the original date. 

Charles would also claim that "Christians" were not the people of God and that Christianity should be rejected in favor of the direction of the true Witnesses of Jehovah's Watchtower.
“True, there have been those in times past who predicted an ‘end of the world,’ even announcing a specific date. …Yet, nothing happened. The ‘end’ did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing?  …Missing from such people were God’s truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them.”—Awake!, October 8, 1968, p. 23 ** 
Remember, The Watchtower (while claiming to be the only AUTHENTIC voice of the Lord in the earth)


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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Thoughts That Shaped A Nation

Nixon Leaving The White House After
Resignation From Office
I always had an affinity for former President Richard M. Nixon. I'm not sure if it was because he was one of the first political figures I came to know or become aware of when I was young, or whether it was because I felt that he had done something of some significance for me and or my family. It could have been that I just felt sorry for him because it appeared that he had been thrown out of office and treated unfairly.  I guess I should have know something from his nickname "Tricky Dick"...

Scandal & Exposure

It seems that the former President was fixated on recording certain conversations. These particular recordings were the back-breaker for his claimed innocence in what was called the "Water Gate Scandal". In this scandal, the President had evidently been involved in covering up a break in at the DNC headquarters at the Water Gate Hotel. The revelation that he had funnelled millions to cover up the incident, eventually led to not only his impeachment as President, but also his resignation from the position as the leader of the free world. While doing some research on another subject, I came across some statements that the dreaded and infamous White House tapes revealed and thought they were quite interesting for discussion as many of the sentiments from 1971 still linger today.

Although I don't suggest that these thoughts are a sum total of what the President and his advisers thought on the subject, but for a minute let's look at what the former leader of our nation thought about blacks, gays and immigrants. Please keep in mind that this was the same conversation one day.

Title Section Of Tapes:
ALL THE PHILOSOPHER KING'S MEN.
(President Richard Nixon, John D. Ehrlichman, and H. R. Haldeman)
(Brief Article) Harper's Magazine, Feb, 2000, by James Warren

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Saturday, May 14, 2011

If Madonna Is Right...

>>>>> Say "HI" To Your Cousin <<<<<

On her 1984 album, Like A Virgin", Madonna introduced a song called "Material Girl" in which she claimed that she was simply a "material girl living in a material world". If her statements are true, there are many implications than can be drawn from it. Let's simply look at a few of them.

Rocks Do What Rocks Do

In the picture above, you see a rock. It is simply a rock. It is no more than a rock. It materially exists as a rock. It will always be a rock.

Rocks have no morals. Rocks have no values. You can call rocks good or evil, but they are nothing but rocks until you use them for a specific or certain purpose. Rocks have no value until someone, with a sense of values, ascribes values to them. In fact rocks have no thoughts nor do they have a mind. Rocks don't kill people, people kill people.

What makes one think that this rock or any rock will one day, over eons of time, and environmental pressure, develop DNA, gain consciousness, become self aware, gain a sense of values, start to think, develop a moral "ought" and ultimately make moral decisions, (settle down and have other, "little rocks") and further formulate opinions regarding abstract concepts such as logic, math and science?


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Thursday, May 12, 2011

What Cleanses Us From Sin? Lessons On Atonement


"What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

In a recent conversation with a friend and fellow pastor, I was compelled to share some insights on the atonement and under what basis and process that our sins are forgiven. In this dialogue, we look at Leviticus 16 as the backdrop for understanding what the bible calls the Day Of Atonement, or the day by Jewish tradition, the annual day when the sins of the nation would be forgiven. 

The Day Of Atonement or Yom Kippur was an annual day established in Lev. 23:26. The commands regarding the day and what sacrifices were supposed to take place were actually given in Lev. 16. This day,

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

It Can Get Better, But Without HIM, It Will Get Worse!

Listen To CRI's Recent Radio Program With Joe Dallas Exposing This Issue

“Beginning with one inspiring video, Dan Savage used the web to create the It Gets Better project--a movement that has generated thousands of uplifting videos that give hope to teens.”


A Mixed Message, Gay Advocacy & Teen Bullying

Recently Google Chrome partnered with gay advocate and relationship advisor, Daniel Savage to promote the "It Gets Better Project". The campaign was developed in response to the recent rash of teen suicides and was designed to help give inspiration to gay teens by letting them know that as society evolves,  and as they get older, the world will become a more accommodating place for them as homosexuals and that they are not alone in the struggle for homosexual rights. In addition the campaign addresses teen bullying which has said to have been responsible for many of the suicide deaths. 

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Osama "Exactly When Did He Die?" bin Laden

See The New Video Added To The End Of This Story
Osama (or Usama) Bin Laden was said to have been killed 5/2/2011, by US Special Forces entering Pakistan. While I certainly applaud the bravery and committment to duty of those seeking to bring Osama to justice, I am left scratching my head as to what happened and who was actually killed. This is why?

According to FOX News report in 12/26/2001 Osama was already dead and had been dead for about 10 years: Here is the article in it's entirety just in case it gets deleted somehow:
Report: Bin Laden Already Dead

"Usama bin Laden has died a peaceful death due to an untreated lung complication, the Pakistan Observer reported, citing a Taliban leader who allegedly attended the funeral of the Al Qaeda leader. 
"The Coalition troops are engaged in a mad search operation but they would never be able to fulfill their cherished goal of getting Usama alive or dead," the source said.

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