HAPPY NEW YEAR...Celebrities Homeless...Is This The Judgement Of God???

Happy New Year from Supt. Harvey Burnett, the Dunamis Word and all of the ministries that feed into the Dunamis Word, to ALL readers and supporters. 

May the Lord bless you with all blessings this year and may you see an immediate turnaround for the good in your circumstance. 

GOD is yet good and we/you have a lot of work to do. 

Special blessings to all my fellow CANCER SURVIVORS! 

We are RAPHA strong!!!!

Keep your eyes open, in the Lord's name, things will be accomplished that have never been done before. WE believe God!

California Wildfires

Already, in 2025, the Southern California wildfires have taken everyone's attention. In addition to the loss of life (currently at 24 individuals at the time of this writing, with 16 persons missing) and amount and type of land that has been burned, has taken everyone by surprise.

The latest stats are as follows:

Eaton Canyon 

Having begun on Jan. 7th, the fire has burned over 14,117 acres the fire is only at 15% containment. 7,000 structures damaged or destroyed and 2,832 people assigned to the fight. 

Palisades

The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Jan. 7th. It is at 23,707 acres in size with 11% containment. At least 5,613 structures have been destroyed which includes 426 homes, with at least five people confirmed killed.

Hurst 

The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando, began on Jan. 7th and has burned 799 acres. It is at 89% containment.

It is expected that over 500,000 students within Los Angeles County will continue to be out of school and the expansion of fire due to weather risk extends beyond mid-week. 

Is This The Judgement Of God? 

The largest question that has arisen within the Christian community has been, "Is this fire the judgment of God?"

To address this issue, I believe that we must first observe the fact that wildfires in the West have long been devastating claiming many homes, acres and lives over the years.

Examination: 

Interestingly enough, in 2023 although there were comparatively more wildfires (55,571), this year presented the least amount of acres burned since 2000. (approximately 2,633,636 acres) In 2024 there were 61,685 wildfires and 8,851,142 acres burned. which is the 2nd lowest total since 2012. 

Aug. 8th 2023, on the island paradise of Maui, Hawaii in the city of Lahaina, over 114 people were killed, 2,700 structures destroyed and over 1,000 acres of land burned in a fire of epic proportions which began with high winds and a downed power line. SOURCE 

In fact in 2023, I remember that the air quality due to American wildfires and sudden Canadian wildfires, became so bad in the Midwest that we were under air quality alert for quite some time. SOURCE Many people, including myself, suffered from the poor air quality during that time and some continue to suffer from issues encountered during that time even today.  

The REAL Question....

"Since these fires have devastated what has otherwise been known as strongholds of liberal thought and lifestyle of the rich, and many of who disdain God and Biblical morality, could these fires possibly be the judgement of God?"

In all of this, over 130,000 people and over 30 Hollywood and entertainment celebrities and their families, have been forced to evacuate their homes, devastated by what is now known as the Southern California wildfires. 

Actors and actresses, the ultra wealthy, and lauded celebrities, ranging from Paris Hilton to the Kardashians, to Mel Gibson and John Legend have been made homeless due to these devastating fires and the battle has only just begun with their insurance companies. 

Because many of these individuals hold and promote liberal views, many Christians have sought out to say that these fires prove that God is sick of the ultra wealthy and the ultra liberal views that many of them have embraced. 

Now, all of those things are considerations that one can undertake, but are those sentiments Biblical and do they pertain to this case and the results of these fires? 

I mean, look, this blog certainly doesn't uphold liberal or open morality and or anti-biblical views. Our readers are strengthened because we uphold the Bible, Biblical inerrancy, and Biblical morality.  However, we also speak out against fanaticism, religious or otherwise. We abhor the desire to see anyone suffer, or the desire to see anyone murdered or killed (including political figures) and it be called "the judgement of God"...

The Dunamis Word, certainly doesn't hold the judgement of the ungodly or any experience in which there is loss of life and or material, a badge of honor for us or anyone to flaunt. We don't place God on the platform of a social vigilante. God is God. He is a savior and a true judge and he raises up one and sets down another at his bidding (Ps.75.:7) and in his due time for his own purpose. All them that have embraced evil, will be handled. The whole world is ultimately subject to his will. 

With that said, it amazes me to see how many, alleged Christians, can view destruction, loss and suffering of others who have views of morality that they oppose, as an opportunity to point towards and uphold their own self-righteousness, and further use the suffering of other individuals as an opportunity to contend that "God is speaking" and, I suppose, because the wealthy suffer, "God now means business" and we suddenly need to listen more intently.

Reexamination Of Truth

Without a doubt God is not pleased with what we have allowed America to become in the name of "freedom". However, the wealthy and ultra elite are not the only ones to blame for this. It is the common folk, the poor folk and some alleged religious folk, who will pay for those sins and the proliferation of sin in the world as we will discuss. 

Yes, we will pay a price as a nation for over 63 million murders of babies through and by abortion. Yes, we will pay a price for the promotion of homosexuality and now the normalization of transsexuality which encourages the mutilation of children. Yes, I could name many sins, that America has embraced, actions, ways and moral positions that are against God and godliness, and totally unworthy of his blessings...However, with all of that said, God's WORD affirms:

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ~ Ezek. 33:11

While Ezekiel stops short of saying or speaking about the possessions of the wicked being destroyed, we can safely say that this verse illuminates the nature and character of God as it pertains to the loss of anyone, due to wickedness or evil. The greatest gift is that those who are evil or wicked will turn to God and repent from their evil. However, many are so attached to their evil and the material by which their evil is upheld, that they do not turn to God and refuse to submit themselves to God and that is the real tragedy. 

The problem is that too many of us (alleged Christians) assume that these celebrities are not saved, or do not have favor with God, simply because they are celebrities. Believe me...I believe that every tree will bear or show it's own fruit, but there can be a real problem viewing people through a human lens of righteousness, rather than through a Biblical lens of righteousness, which we are required to do. 

Revealing Facts

To be truthful, in our holiness church, yes, the Grand Ole Church herself, I have shared the pulpit with some who believe many more liberal things, even if unspoken, than many of these, now homeless and allegedly "judged celebrities" ("judged" according to some)...Believe me, I don't exclude the fact that God is speaking to many of the celebrities who never though that they would or could ever experience such devastation. I don't doubt that God is using their loss as a tool to cause an examination of life and ultimately repentance, but let's tell the truth. We have men in pulpits within many Christian churches who are pedophiles (now Minor Attracted Persons...a SINNER by any other name...) and others who are serial adulterers, fornicators, undercover homosexuals and more...

I know of individuals, some popular Bishops, who have reached out for help and freedom from homosexuality allegedly on behalf of their "friends" or alleged "associates"... In addition, as I have interviewed and shown over the years, there are some individuals who have never repented of their sins and continue in pulpits and even in leadership using statute of limitations laws as a cover for their sins.   

Are their homes being burnt down? Are they homeless as a result of their sin and evil? Does God not wish to judge them, while focusing on entertainers some of whom have more moral views than these pulpit and ministry hypocrites???

I really don't mean to sound harsh, but when God begins to judge, his first judgements will be at the House of God...is that not what the WORD says?

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ~ 1 Pet. 4:17

 Our obedience to the Gospel will be tested. Our faithfulness and fidelity to God is the primary focus of our Lord and savior before he sets the world straight for her sins. 

God's Judgement Offers Clarity Of Voice

One thing is for sure...when GOD SPEAKS he let's the whole world, and the individuals he is speaking to, know that he is speaking and that he has spoken. 

* Noah, spoke for over 100 years warning the people while he built the Ark of God that there was going to be judgement upon the land and the people for their evil and wickedness. 

* Although this was not an act of judgement, God spoke to Abram in Mesopotamia, an area filled with idolatry and much demonic influence, but his voice was altogether so clear until Abram changed his life and the life of his family at the voice of God. (Genesis 12) Later, in an act of judgment  God spoke clearly again to Abraham regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, even sending angels to pronounce his intents prior to the destruction. 

* When God judged Egypt through Moses, this was not done in secret. God commissioned Moses to speak on his behalf and promised that when Moses spoke and raised the rod, he, God, would respond and be faithful to uphold his word and actions. (Ex.3)

* God spoke so clearly that Israel heard his voice in the wilderness and saw his acts and understood his displeasure when they sinned. 

* When God Judged the enemies of Israel, he spoke clearly allowing the people to know that it was he, GOD, doing the judgement. Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar and his ultimate confession that Daniel placed within his narrative in the 1st person? (Dan. 4:36)

* How about David when he was judged by God? Was Nathan silent and did David not know that God was not pleased with his actions and acts before judgement was carried out? (2 Sam. 12)

Now, one could say that warnings have been sent to Hollywood, and that the elite and their works have been revealed and their sins are calling for the reprisal of God. I would certainly agree and do not disagree. The true church has been proactive in speaking to the elite and telling them that their sins and what they promote is certainly before God. They have been preached to and many of them, as well as many ordinary "work a day" Americans, have heard and rejected the truth. However, is their experience, and what we are seeing, a "judgement"? Or is this an opportunity to pause, consider one's ways, dump immorality, repent and be saved???

A Precursor To REAL Judgement And Utter Destruction

What I contend in this article is that what we are witnessing is the precursor to the actual and real judgement that God will bring upon this nation for her sins and evil. God will bring judgement at an appointed time, just like he brought judgement upon Israel for her sins and evil at HIS appointed time. 

We need to understand that there is no amount of wealth or material existence that will save anyone from HIS judgement and ultimate accounting and reconciliation of all things. Lavish living, is not the key or the problem...the love of the world is the issue. (1 Jn. 2:15)

The belief that money exempts one from suffering or that the wealth and accolade of the world somehow places one above others, is called pride and the very look or appearance of pride God hates and ultimately judges. (Prov. 6:16) Why? Because this type of pride (which has little to do with being happy for material success)  suggests and even states explicitly that God is not essential to personal success and being subject to HIM is something either unnecessary or something that a human can dole out according to their will, not HIS. Therefore man exalts himself above God and creates moral relevance that suits himself and is not subject to God in any manner. 

Further Scriptural Insight

Apostle Peter says some very interesting things about the judgement of God along with Paul to Timothy and Paul to the church at Thessalonica. 

In 2 Peter 3:10-13 Peter says:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Drawing from Zephaniah 1:14-15, Peter associated God's ultimate judgement with "The Day Of The Lord" which comes suddenly, quickly and without warning, "as a thief in the night". Peter does not exclude any pre-judgements that God may make to correct evil and reconcile any wrongs, but here Peter deals with final judgement or the "end of the word".

As Zephaniah suggests, this "Great Day" will not be something seen or witnessed on CNN, FOX, MSNBC or any other television network, radio service or internet or other social media site. When his judgement arrives, it will arrive with a sound and inexplicable and unstoppable actions, along with heat and fire that will change the very nature of existence itself beyond repair.

Jesus builds upon this in Matthew 24:26-44 by stating that the everyone would know and see or experience HIS coming, (v.27) and that the church should simply "be ready" (v.44) for the day of the Lord and that when we don't expect that he will come, for whatever reason, he will be there.(v.44)

In Revelation 16:13-14 John presents a vision of demonic and lieing spirits that proceed from the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, in effort to convince humanity to fight against God as he comes visibly, to the world on that "Great day" or the day of judgement.  

After the judgement of God, there will be no human will to rebuild or hope that one can escape. When God makes his judgement, not only will every wrong be accounted for, but death and hell will ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire forever and there will be noone to oppose the will of God.    

When The REAL and FINAL Judgment of God comes, it will be inescapable. 

The fires we now witness are a reminder of what judgement will do, what it will be like and what hell is...These fires are a reminder and an encouragement for humanity to get it right, in light of what hell is and what it will ultimately mean to all them who forsake God...As property is being lost, most of which is beyond repair, hell is also the place of total loss and abandonment, the place where their is no hope and the place where material possessions or worldly comforts cannot save, protect, heal and or set one free. 

I believe this is the message of the fires for now...GET RIGHT...GET READY...BECAUSE THIS AIN'T YOUR HOME, AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE OR WHERE YOU LIVE, NONE OF THIS BELONGS TO YOU. THE WORLD BELONGS TO GOD, EVEN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOUSES AND LAND.  

Even so come Lord Jesus!

Blessed

Sources:
National Centers For Environmental Information, Annual 2024 Wildfires Report    

Read more!

California Upholds Prop. 8

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." ~ California Supreme Court 5/26/2009

In a 6 to 1 decision (Justice Carlos R. Moreno concurring and dissenting) the California Supreme Court has issued it's opinion holding that the California Constitutional Amendment ban on gay marriage otherwise known as Prop. 8 as voted and approved by 52% of voting citizens, is valid and should remain in tact.

In a conflicted note, the court unanimously held that the 18,000 gay marriages placed in force while it was legal should continue to be recognized as such but that no new marriages will be recognized as gay marriage is NOT the law of the land any longer.

I take the time to say thank you to the 52% of voting California citizens. You, by virtue of your actions, could have saved this country in many ways! We also must thank the Mormon church for footing a significant part of the bill. Yes, Christians we owe the Mormons on this one.

The battlefront is laid out. I had earlier said that we should just be in retention mode and retain what we can due to the fact that this immorality is proliferating itself abundantly. The citizens of California have renewed my hope that the liberal and left-wing agenda that we are observing will be met with overwhelming resistance.

The facts are that Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine have all legalized gay marriage, and lawmakers in New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire are considering bills of their own. My own state Illinois is on the docket to review civil unions possibly endorsing such as the law of the land. We have much praying to do.

The Pitfalls:

The title "marriage" seems to be what is being fought for rather than the substance of marriage. Here are words from the decision itself:

• "Analyzing the scope of Proposition 8, the majority opinion explains that, contrary to petitioners’ assertions, the initiative measure does not “entirely repeal” or “abrogate” the aspect of a same-sex couple’s state constitutional right of privacy and due process discussed in the majority opinion in the Marriage Cases — namely, the constitutional right to “choose one’s life partner and enter with that person into a committed, officially recognized, and protected family relationship that enjoys all of the constitutionally based incidents of marriage” — nor does it “fundamentally alter” the substance of state constitutional equal protection principles recognized in that opinion. Instead, it carves out a limited exception to these constitutional rights by reserving the official designation of the term “marriage” for the union of opposite-sex couples, but leaves undisturbed all of the other aspects of a same-sex couple’s constitutional right to establish an officially recognized and protected family relationship and to the equal protection of the laws.~ Judicial Council Of California Administrative News Release # 29 5/26/2009

California's Supreme Court seems to yet suffer from a split personality regarding the issue. If they weren't going to be under scrutiny in this case i wonder would their decisions have been different. For example, Justice Kennard issued her own Concurring Opinion basically giving guidance on how to get gay marriage approved in the future:

• "[a]lthough the people through the initiative power may not change the court’s interpretation of language in the state Constitution, they may change the constitutional language itself, and thereby enlarge or reduce the personal rights that the state Constitution as so amended will thereafter guarantee and protect." ~ Justice Kennard California Supreme Ct. 5/26/2009

Justice Wardegar also issued her feelings that the differences between marriages and domestic partnerships should be eliminated in the future. In her Concurring decision she states:

• "all three branches of state government continue to have the duty, within their respective spheres of operation, today as before the passage of Proposition 8, to eliminate the remaining important differences between marriage and domestic partnership, both in substance and perception." ~ Justice Wardegar California Supreme Ct. 5/26/2009

And of course Justice Moreno in his Concurring and Dissenting opinion just doesn't see how any of the justices would side with the majority against the minority:

• "Proposition 8 represents an unprecedented instance of a majority of voters altering the meaning of the equal protection clause by modifying the California Constitution to require deprivation of a fundamental right on the basis of a suspect classification." He states that "[t]he rule the majority crafts today not only allows same-sex couples to be stripped of the right to marry that this court recognized in the Marriage Cases, it places at risk the state constitutional rights of all disfavored minorities" and "weakens the status of our state Constitution as a bulwark of fundamental rights for minorities protected from the will of the majority." ~ Justice Moreno California Supreme Ct. 5/26/2009

As you can tell this issue is not over and as we watch news reports of the next few days we can only pray for the safety of all citizens, churchgoing and otherwise who reject the immorality of homosexual sin and right to marry.

Ephes 6:10 ~ "Finally My brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of his might."

Blessed!

Read more!

COGIC Member Fought Prop. 8 & Encouraged Gay Marriage

Thank God that in California the citizens, especially the African-American citizens stood up in favor of Proposition 8 and against gay marriage by over 70%.

Californians, thank you for your courage to stand against the flow and the threat of the gay community and for the benefit of both your children and mine. Future generations will laud your courage to stand against debauched and activist Judges who tried to superimpose their will and ignorance on the lives of the citizens of your state.

I also thank you all of you God fearing church goers and bible believers for not being as liberal as some would have us to believe and for being more biblically discerning sometimes than even many of your leaders. GOD BLESS YOU GREATLY AND WE STAND WITH YOU!

Now SAINTS, I have a hard time with this one for obvious reasons.What I couldn't believe is that one of the Proponents of gay marriage was a Church Of God In Christ member. In fact, I though he was a faithful steward and servant of his church, The West Angles Church Of God In Christ pastored by my Presiding Bishop Bishop Charles E. Blake. Not only that, but this gentleman was HIV Infected, obviously as a result of the disease that began within the homosexual community. Further because of his disease he quit his otherwise prolific basketball career. To my surprise I found that according to Marketwatch.com 11/1/2008 that COGIC member and basketball legend Magic Johnson lent his person and personality to the promotion of the defeat of Proposition 8 that has successfully banned gay marriage in the state.

According to the report, Magic's voice was heard in prerecorded phone calls saying :

"This is Magic Johnson calling to ask you to join me and Barack Obama in opposing Proposition 8. Prop 8 singles out one group of Californians to be treated differently - including members of our family, our friends, and our coworkers".... "That is not what California is about. So this Tuesday, vote no on Proposition 8. It is unfair and wrong. Thanks.

This whole thing is especially disheartening to me. I began to wonder, how do we as Pastors handle a member with a message carried outside of the church that is totally contrary to the message of the bible and to the message that we carry within the church? Then I began to wonder...What is the message carried by our Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake? In addition, how was Magic's promotion of gay marriage handled within the church? Remember this was a member who gave over $5 Million toward West Angeles's current building and edifice.

Now this is election year in the Church Of God In Christ and invariably someone will accuse me of trying to sidetrack the Presiding Bishop's chances at re-election. That's certainly NOT the case. He'll be re-elected no matter what I say, of this I am confident. There are at least two reasons that I am concerned.

1- Presiding Bishop Blake has long been committed to increasing the international ministries of COGIC, and has consequently founded "Save Africa's Children," an organization that has raised more than $6 million to assist more than 100,000 children affected by HIV/AIDS. These children by far and large a a result of the rampant disease that has demolished communities and devastated families. Common knowledge is that homosexual activity has contributed to this devastation. How could a leader this concerned about the welfare of these dear children sit silently while a member of his church destroys his work?

2- I do believe however, that it is up to the aged to teach the younger such as myself and I would like to learn so that if I'm ever presented with the same or similar circumstances I will handle the situation biblically.

UPDATE ALERT: GCMWatch has provided an excellet followthrough On Bishop Blake's potential reasons for his silence on this issue and others.

To the Saints at West Angeles Church Of God In Christ, and various individuals that read this blog from time to time, please chime in on what Bishop said about the Proposition 8 issue and especially Magic's involvement in the promotion of the homosexual agenda if you know. From an objective standpoint of view I would like to know more.

All of this becomes very important in light of the fact that California's gay community has currently decided to take to the streets in protest of the MAJORITY decision to repeal gay marriage. Remember, gay marriage WAS NEVER A CONSTITUTION RIGHT, ONLY A COURT IMPOSITION FROM A COURT THAT OVERSTEPPED ITS AUTHORITY.

The Telegraph.co.uk.com 11-6-2008 reports that Lesbian advocate and Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), Kate Kendall (Pictured R with her spouse Tori and a man's baby -Zadie), has vowed "We pick ourselves up and trudge on," She also states, "There has been enormous movement in favour of full equality in eight short years. That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or it's not tomorrow, it will be soon."

In short, this struggle for the homosexual and lesbian is now about EQUALITY not sexual preference. EQUALITY not gender bending. What happens when the pedophile wants equality? Or the bigamist that wants equality? Or the necrophiliac that wants equality. What will we do? Pass a law or amend the constitutions of the states for them to feel EQUAL under the law?

Further revealing is the NCLR's mission statement which is as follows:

"The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education."

For the homosexual this is a human rights issue, to be recognized and condoned by the state, church and everywhere equally in society as if nothing is wrong with the sexual preference. This will take persistent advocacy as the homosexual agenda for societal inclusion and church inclusion is a persistent fight.

At either rate the church should continue to stand strong against the tide of gay marriage, homosexuality and gender bending. We can do that without discriminating in employment, housing and other liberties that are extended to American citizens. Only we do not wish our children to be indoctrinated into your world view as we believe that it is both, ungodly, unbiblical, and harmful to otherwise healthy families.

Blessed!

Read more!