Repentance, Restoration & Dr. Earl Carter

In the most recent turn of events within the Church Of God In Christ, Dr. Earl Carter, who was formerly anathematized by previous COGIC leadership, openly displayed his willingness to repent of past statements which fanned the flame of discord within the church. 

Dr. Earl Carter

Taking the opportunity to reset his relationship with the church at the side of Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard, Dr. Carter openly stated his regret for having said things out of anger in times past and has asked the church to enter into renewed relationship and understanding with him. 

In short, this renewal and reset is A GOOD THING! But what of his ECHO CHAMBER???

Remember, many of the most bombastic statements, including those stating that our former Presiding Bishop Blake was a homosexual and potentially engaged in homosexual relationships, and further, that many, if not most, of our leaders where also engaged in nefarious, ungodly and even sexually and spiritually deviant activities were ECHOED by many claiming themselves to be members and associates of the Church Of God In Christ. 

COGIC Presiding Bishop
J Drew Sheard

'SPEAKING TO DR. CARTER'  ~ The Dunamis Word 12/23/2015

Early on, as I state in the above referenced POST, Dr. Carter was seeking to use and distort every bit of information for his purposes of destruction and defamation. At the time, as I point out, he attempted to distort information that he had gained from this blog and use it against COGIC leadership. In that error of ungodliness he was promoted by many individuals, some of whom I can name along with receipts of their statements. In other words he had an audience who felt similar to himself and wanted that confusion to continue. 

Repentance is good...but what about RESTORATION? 

Restoration is a principle of repentance and even an obligation towards them who have committed evil. In a Facebook post by Pastor Carey Gidron Sr. Pastor Gidron Sr encouraged Dr. Carter to not only make a repentance in general, but to also go directly to the one, Bishop Charles E Blake (and others), and make his appeal of repentance to them as they were the object of his offense. Pastor Gidron Sr. wrote the following:

"Bishop Sheard, as our Presiding Bishop, is right to lead with grace. I stand with him in that. He has handled this matter not with personal bias, but in the wisdom of his office. However, we must be clear: this is a matter that deeply wounded Bishop Blake, his family, West Angeles , and the very moral fabric of our denomination.

Therefore, I appeal to the saints and to the leadership of this Church: if Dr. Carter is truly repentant, then the path to restoration must mirror the public weight of the offense. He should humbly and directly seek open forgiveness—not only from Bishop Blake, but from the Blake family, the General Board, and the saints at large. He was direct in his public accusations; his apology must be equally public and sincere.

We cannot look at the Blake family and say, “Just get over it.” We cannot say to West Angeles, “Move on.” No, No, No!!!—true restoration must go through the ones who were wounded, not around them. We do not get to dictate the timeline of another person’s healing. If someone publicly tears down a father, the sons have every right to be part of the redemptive process." (Facebook: 'Appeal To The Global Body Of Christ'

Will the faithful HATERS repent too??? 

Although that remains to be seen, one thing is certain, as we enter into this time where we celebrate the RESURRECTION of Jesus and the certainty of the  of the faith upon which we stand, which is encapsulated in love and forgiveness, there is no better time for repentance, forgiveness and restoration of all things pertaining to Christ. 

I bid Dr. Carter well and prayerfully the Grand Old Church will continue to heal, not just over this, but over other things that have hampered the ministry over the years.

Blessed!

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Your Invitation To Watch Night 2022

This year (2021) has been a year more than most that has taken us as a community of citizens and believers to places that many of us never thought that we would have to venture. It has been a challenge for many, with pandemic/endemic regulation, vaccine regulation, loss of jobs, inflation, social and political unrest, abortion revision, rise in crime and violence and many other things. 

WHAT TIME IS IT?

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” – Hosea 10:12

Welcome to New Year Celebration 2022...It is TIME to seek the Lord for those who didn't already know.  Join us tonight at 11:00PM CST for a WORD from the Lord as we leave 2021 into the great, many, and manifold blessings that the Lord has prepared for us in 2022.

Here is the link to the ZOOM Invitation:

Pastor Harvey Burnett is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: New Bethel COGIC Watch Night 2022 "The Battle Is The Lord's"

Time: Dec 31, 2021 11:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97095859718?pwd=c3p5ZlNyQWFzZWVodS9WZmJlazUwQT09

Meeting ID: 970 9585 9718

Passcode: p8FUyt

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"For It Is Time To Seek The Lord" ~ Hosea 10:12

The Dunamis Word invites you to join us for our first 3 day consecration and petition of prayer and restoration of 2021, Wednesday Jan. 20th through Friday. Jan 22nd, 2021. 

Service will be broadcast through Facebook live and through our Youtube channel. We will also make sure that a live plugin is available right here at the Dunamis Word blog. 

Our consecration and prayer schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, 20th:   12 Noon (CST) ~ Opening Call To Repentance & Prayer
                                  7:00PM (CST) ~ Evening Exhortation

Thursday, 21st:       6:00AM (CST) ~ Morning Manna
                                 12:Noon(CST) ~ Prayer & Petition
                                 6:00PM (CST) ~ Prayer & Petition
                                 7:00PM(CST)  ~ Evening Exhortation

Friday, 22nd:          6:00AM (CST) ~ Morning Manna
                                 12:00Noon (CST) ~ Closing Prayer & Dedication

Specific prayer topics will be introduced as we approach the event and rebroadcasts will be available. Look forward to seeing you then. 

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Bishop Charles E Blake & The Call To A Solemn Assembly ~ Joel 1:14

 To provide further details on the Solemn Assembly set to be recognized by the Church Of God In Christ for Tuesday December 8th, 2020, I have posted the schedule for the event. May the GLORY of the Lord be upon this event and the repentance of the Saints and fellow Christians everywhere be accepted. 

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A WORD From The Lord ~ Hidden Among The "Stuff"

 Bishop Charles E Blake, Presiding Bishop Of the Church Of God In Christ has called for a solemn assembly of Saints with fasting & prayer on Tuesday December 8th, 2020 from 6:00Am to 6:00PM in each time zone all over the world. 

While this is a good thing, as prayer and fasting is always in order, the LORD spoke to me regarding the condition of the church also, in an open vision, this is what I saw and heard:

With the backdrop of a crowd of ministers and church leaders in my view, I heard the Lord ask:

"WHERE ARE YOU?" 

I responded by asking, "Who are you taking about Lord?" 

to which he replied:

"MY LEADERS..."

I spoke, "There they are Lord"

He responded, "NO, FOR THEY HAVE HIDDEN THEMSELVES AMONGST THE STUFF!"

Immediately he showed me 2 things within scripture: 

1- Adam & Eve hiding themselves from the presence of God among the trees and draping themselves with fig leaves after they had sinned against God. (Genesis 3:8)

2- Saul, who had been called to lead God's people after the people demanded a King, was approximately 6 and a half feet to 7 feet tall (head and shoulders above all men) but on the day of his consecration by Samuel, was hiding himself possibly among the luggage and baggage of the people who had traveled with and on behalf of Samuel to find and anoint their new king. (1 Sam. 10:22) 

In both cases, whether because of sin, or out of a sense of some form of warped humility or frivolity, the people, whom were to have an allegiance with God, were in the wrong place, doing the wrong things, hiding themselves, as it were, from the presence of God. 

Final

Although I encourage this call and the call of Bishop Blake, and many other pastors who will follow, but I certainly agree with God...THE CHURCH, and her leaders have been absent and missing in action far too long. THEY have been hiding from covid, hiding among the world and its favors and associations and even her sins and whoredoms.

What has been called for as a "day" of fasting, should be a month, should be a quarter to a half year to a full year. For restoration, we need more than an assembly of prayer, but we need an assembly of REPENTANCE and be recommitted to God, HIS work, HIS way, and HIS will.  

I part with an old song:

There is a STORM out, on the ocean, and it is moving this way...IF your soul 's not anchored in JESUS, you will surely drift away!

Blessed!

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Murder, Crime & Violence In The BLM City

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Tufick REPENTS From The Material Gimmick Trap...HALLELUJAH!!!

Now, one can say what they wish to say about Pastor Benny (Tufick) Hinn, but I believe this man has repented. How and why? The signs are present. He wants to remove, eliminate, disassociate and otherwise correct his mistakes and obvious error of associating material wealth and prosperity with a give to get scheme.

 The critic asserts that he is only trying to expand his wealth. OK, let's see how that goes, but I will say this, he is CORRECT in speaking about the pressure that he came under as it pertains to offering and gimmicks to give...THAT is exactly how too many do it...

In many cases Preachers are expected to immediately after a message, raise and offering. I HAVE REFUSED such practice and WILL NOT engage in such. Not because I don't believe in giving...I simply don't believe in manipulation and preachers and ministries doing that kind of practice are manipulating the people at a time when their spirits are open and they are not thinking rationally...

How may mortgage payments, water bills and electric bills have ended up in the hands of some fancy car driving minister and or Bishop who wouldn't spend a SECOND on helping you when you are in trouble???

NO MORE...Like Susan Powter said years ago in her health and fitness commercials, STOP THE MADNESS!!!!

Thank you Pastor Benny for taking the lead and coming out and back to the cross. I am certainly with you in that mission and on that journey!

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"Krisis" Judgement & The New Sexual Morality Of The Church Pt. 1

The church is under much duress. The attack of the enemy from outside of the church is small and even insignificant when it is considered what is being experienced from within the church. We have false and fanatical teachings and doctrines being proliferated and accepted as if all teachings lead to God. We have apostate leaders, who's only mission is politics and catering to political whims. The modern church is struggling with the acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual unions and even homosexuals in the ministry. There are now bishops and pastors, both male and female who have either ordained themselves or manipulated someone into ordaining them who live gay lifestyles and embrace homosexual immorality claiming that the "bible" covers and or endorses their sins.

As if the rise and seeming acceptance of homosexual sin were not bad enough, we also have a new generation of individuals embracing heterosexual sin and pushing it to sad new heights. The advent of the socially oriented church and so called "reality TV" heavily discussed on social media, has afforded us the ability to turn on the plasma to observe fornicators, adulterers, yet professing to be Christians, pursuing sexual impurity as a "choice" within Christian Christian circles. It is as if living immoral, is not really immoral, and that the believer has a "choice" and that the results and penalties of the wrong choice are merely a minimal inconvenience. 

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What Really Makes The Church "Look Bad"?

Prov. 14:34 ~ Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

In light of our national conference call dealing with COGIC sexual abuse, clergy sexual misconduct, and victim's advocacy, I have taken it upon myself to examine an issue in a much more indepth manner than I have previously. Of a certainty, some think that dealing with the issues which were dealt with during the call should not have been placed on "public display" and should have been dealt with privately and through various church councils and processes. Although we have been there and done that  with no or very little results, I thought that I should address that issue and those sentiments from a more specific biblical view. 

The Problem:

In many Christian circles the thought exists that those who are aware of certain sins in the church should not talk about and or expose those things because the church may "look bad" or be seen in the wrong light by the world. Some say that we should "just pray" and that things will "work out". Some rationalize their lack of response or failure to address serious topics by saying that no business airs its dirty laundry before its customers or clients, so why should it be a practice of people of God to expose the dirty laundry of the church? Others even say that speaking evil or negative of the church or exposing what is going on is a sign of hatred for the church and not a sign of love, because after all, "love covers the multitude of sin and fault". 

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Does Reconciliation Exist For Jamal H. Bryant?

One of the first things to do is define the term in the title of this post:

Reconciliation: Reconciliation comes from the Greek family of words that has its roots in allasso [ajllavssw]. The meaning common to this word group is "change" or "exchange." Reconciliation involves a change in the relationship between God and man or man and man. It assumes there has been a breakdown in the relationship, but now there has been a change from a state of enmity and fragmentation to one of harmony and fellowship. In Romans 5:6-11, Paul says that before reconciliation we were powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies; we were under God's wrath (v. 9). Because of change or reconciliation we become new creatures. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ( 2 Cor 5:17 )...Reconciliation is also subjective in that the sinner is spoken of as being reconciled. It is a relationship that comes between man and wife as well as Jew and Gentile. If a person is about to offer a gift at the altar and remembers that he has something against his brother he should leave his gift and be reconciled first to his brother and then come and offer his gift. Reconciliation is something done by the one who offers it; it is not just something that happens to the estranged people. ~ Baker's Online Evangelical Theological Dictionary

Many in ministry today view it as an "inconvenience" when they fail. It is merely a disruption in things that must be "managed". There are PR firms and image management consultants that are hired and go to work to manage and minimize "damage" that has occurred due to sinful behavior.

When all is said and done there is a difference between restoration and reconciliation. There there is a difference between changing because one was "caught" and changing because one is truly sorry. Some instances of reconciliation may take a lifetime. Although we may never know the difference from God's perspective, one thing is for sure, God knows. Certainly we've all made our share of mistakes and committed our share of personal sins, but when one never knows what one is really giving up and what it will take to actually reconcile or be reconciled to God as a result of sins and personal behavior.

Although I will deal with the issue in greater detail in a future post, I wanted to take the time to listen to what Jamal Bryant is actually saying in this video. Is he real? Has he really changed? Did he truly repent or did he repent at all? Please speak on this in the comments section if you can, I am interested to hear commentary on this.    

Remember Jamal's missive to Ebony Magazine regarding their March 2013 "scandal issue" in which he and this incident was named:

"For 67 years, Ebony Magazine has been the drum beat for culture in the African American community. John Johnson its beloved founder dedicated his life to safe guarding our image with great integrity. 

The March 2013 edition has left a hole in my heart. On page 124 they published that it’s alleged I impregnated a 17-year-old member of my church. This accusation is categorically and completely untrue. To publish this with absolutely no source lends itself to reckless endangerment to my children, my congregation and my community.

Ebony is not the National Enquirer. A higher standard is required and the statement jeopardizes my ministry to the youth in my church and community. So it is on moral grounds that a retraction is necessary. 

In 2007 I participated in an extramarital affair that resulted ultimately in the termination of my marriage to my incredible wife Gizelle. NO minors were involved but my minor children have been affected. I don’t want them to have to live through any further unnecessary pain. 

Matthew 18:15 say’s if your brother has sinned against you go and tell him his fault. I solicit your continued prayers for my family, forgiveness for myself and accountability from Ebony magazine. 

Flawed but faithful. I remain, 

Jamal- Harrison Bryant
(A Father and Pastor)

Check Out my post from 2008 that also includes what we know know was accurate information regarding Jamal:  Parlor Tricks & Magic 

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Marriage & Forgiveness: What That Means For The "Other Woman" (or Man)

1 Cor. 6:18 ~ "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body."(NIV 2011)

I have previously written a post on the biblical position and basis for divorce and remarriage. In that post I specifically dealt with the biblical instructions regarding the institution of marriage and the permissibility of both divorce and remarriage under certain circumstances. While divorce is only a last option when all other forms of reconciliation have failed it is a reality for many and a path that some have had to cross.

I will primarily address how Christians should best respond to the "third party" or the character involved in marital infidelity. This person is usually called "the other woman", and in a growing number of cases it is called "the other man" who now becomes and is the "third party". In some cases it is a whole or complete institution, such as a strip club or some other form of entertainment. I will not deal with the latter in this article.

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Mary, Mary, Forgiveness & Restoration

Essence Online presented a statement regarding forgiveness from the Sunday Best judges, none other than the dynamic gospel music duo Mary Mary (Erica & Tina Campbell). Here is what they said:

"Forgiven Me" is my theme song. It really is! I’m harder on myself than I could ever be on others and I need a lot of forgiveness – so I’ve got to constantly remember that when I confess, God forgives. If I’ve hurt someone, broken someone’s heart, made a bad decision, failed to keep a promise -- I’m always sick about it. I can beat myself up for a long time over a mistake I’ve made, so I have to keep preaching to myself, “Tina, God forgave that one. Let it go.”

Of course, whatever I can “naturally” remedy, I do; apologizing, confessing to the person I’ve wounded, but there’s a part of the forgiveness equation that only God can do. And I’m so thankful that He’s faithful to forgive me, when I come up short. God says we’re to forgive others “seventy times seven” in the same generous, not-keeping-score kind of way. But too many times we say we believe God forgave us, and then we refuse to forgive ourselves! Do you see how wrong that is? Listen, if God can forgive me, then I must forgive myself. I can’t keep dragging up the past. If I truly believe the Word of God, which says, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," then you are cool.

You know what eventually happens when we hold and rehearse past sins and mistakes? We convince ourselves that we deserve to live a miserable life -- that no one’s going to love us, that nothing’s going to go our way, and that God will never bless us again. You see what’s wrong with that kind of attitude, don’t you? It completely counts out God’s grace! Sure, it’s good to claim your mistake. Own it. Say, “Yes, I did that. I committed the crime. I told the lie. I hurt innocent people. I hurt myself.” Then, do what Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to do -- the one caught in broad daylight and dragged out onto the street to be stoned for her sin. Go and sin no more. And then agree with God and forgive yourself.

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Pornography & Freedom ~ "Love Comes With Correction"

Don't Forget These New Radio Casts: 
Sexual Addiction & Freedom Pt. 1   
Sexual Addiction & Freedom Pt. 2 

Pastor Justin Cox of Passion4ChristMovement conducted an interview with former porn video performer Danielle Williams in which Ms. Williams explained how the Lord delivered her through the personal devastation of being an unwanted child, sexual abuse at age 8, rape at age 12, a miscarriage at age 13, prostitution and stripping by age 16, stardom in over 50 porn movies by the age of 18 and a struggle for her very life by the age of 19.

Watch as Ms. Williams exposes the pornography industry for not only it's rank deception, but for it's physical abuse of both men and women and its abundant medical dangers that lurk just beneath the surface. In response to popular speculations, with no punches pulled, Ms. Williams boldly describes why Christians should not ever support the pornography industry in any manner either through the purchase or rental of videos or by accessing content over the internet.  

Ms. Williams further describes how her faithful attendance to one of the largest churches on the west coast even during the time that she was engaging in prostitution, stripping and pornography, was ineffective in delivering conviction of heart, due to the ministry's "motivational" message and failure to define sin and preach that hell was a reality in exchange for ungodly behavior. Ms. Williams summed up the Love of God and how she was able to be free by stating that "Love comes with correction".  Ms. Williams can be found on Facebook, as she demonstrates the power of God in her deliverance by preaching the gospel and telling her testimony to all them that will hear.  

My Life in the Porn Industry from p4cm on Vimeo.

Update: 11/18/2011 ~ Former porn actress known as Jazmine Cashmere has also committed her life to Christ and left the industry behind. Here is part of a recent correspondence to my office after our inquiry:

"...I can ensure you that my departure from the adult industry is a permanent one. God has blessed me so much in these past few years that I enjoy nothing more than praising Him. I thank Him for keeping a covering over me even while I was absent from Him and would never shame Him or my family by moving backwards. My family and I are doing well and I have been doing my best to show my children that their mother is more than my past. Over the past year I have chose to delete my Facebook page. I enjoy the encouragement but needed to filter from all of the noise to hear God's voice rather than what others had suggested for my future endeavors. God is still working on me but I am humbly submitted to whatever He shall have me take on. I guess we will all need to stay posted for that. As for the adult industry I do pray for it and the people caught in it often. I lost a lot of "friends" when I left it behind. However, those same people have never left my heart. I do understand the game, I was once lost in it."

What we can say is THANK GOD for new additions to the Christian family and Kingdom of Christ! 


If You Struggle With Sexual Addiction:

Many Christians struggle with addiction to pornography for one reason or another. Sister Williams also introduced the fact that some get into this industry because of addictions to material wealth and the trick of the enemy. There are no boundaries and it is not a "fair game" when it comes to sexual struggle and addictions. Things like this used to be perceived as a struggle for men only, but in fact, current reports indicate that women are among the fastest growing group dealing with this and other sexual strongholds.

Whether male or female, whether one is considering becoming a performer for financial reasons, peer pressure already in the industry  or an avid or occasional viewer of pornography, or a participant in other devastating sexual sins, the root of the problem stems from lonliness, isolation and low self value issues which are only reinforced by this monster known as pornography and sexual addiction.

What you should know is that Christians are not insulated from any of these struggles and in fact suffer greater because of the contradiction, secrecy, and ultimate shame experienced by simultaneously engaging in pornography and serving the Lord. However, You Can Be Free!

First: Repent of the sin of pornography and break all ties with it. (2 Chron. 7:14) Remember the gratification that many of the actors and actresses display is only an illusion which deceives the mind into believing that everything is OK. (2 Cor. 10:5) Many of the actors and actresses have a great amount of fear and trepidation about their physical health and well being even on the set. Get away from those who promote porn, push porn and even tempt you with it. (1 Cor. 15:33)  

2 Cor. 6:14-18 ~ 14-Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15-And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16-And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17-Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18-And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. " 

A marital relationship is not an excuse to experiment with the limits of porn, or the new thing in may Christian circles, sexually oriented toys and sexual aids. The bed is undefiled in so much as it is used in accordance with God's word and in respect and honor for one another. Pornography can and will hang around for a lifetime if you allow it to exist. It must die so that you and Christ in you can live. (Col. 3:5)

Second: Commit your way and even your desires to the Lord. (Ps. 119:9) Some desires you didn't obtain on your own. (Ps. 51:5) They were given to you by the invasion and intrusion of others that may have taken advantage of you. In cases where sex was introduced by abuse, desires were given that can haunt and individual for a lifetime. The Lord knows this and is willing and able to lift the burden, guilt and shame associated with the heavy laden placed upon you.(Mt. 11:28)

Third: Engage in an open dialogue regarding the issue with someone (preferably two to three individuals) of spiritual maturity and spiritual accountability. Open rebuke is better than the secret love of pornography (Prov. 27:5) and in the multitude of councilors there is safety.(Prov. 24:6) The stronghold of sexual addiction is often weakened if not destroyed when the light of openess and truth shines into the darkness. (John 1:5) Become accountable for both your time commitments and whereabouts. Time which cannot be accounted for is usually a sign of trouble.

Fourth: Contrary to the encouragements of many internet advisers to run from an organized body of believers, become part of a healthy body of believers and receive the word of God on a regular basis.(Heb. 10:25)  This body of believers will encourage fasting and prayer and a faithful commitment to the word of the Lord as well as the opportunity to develop and grow and fellowship in the Lord.

Conclusion:

However and whatever led an individual into pornography or other sexual deviance, does not have to define or be be the end of the individual. God can create a renewed and bright beginning. If you need help and don't know where to begin, contact this ministry, I'll do my best to help or make referrals to them who can. Feel free to email me at Dunamis1@netzero.com. The Kingdom is getting ready and we won't be held down by anything; for nothing (not even sexual addiction and pornography) and no one can stand against Christ!

Blessed!


Special:
See the Facebook thread of Dr. Robbie Warren as he recently was contacted by 2 women who were in illicit relationships with their spiritual leaders, but seeking to be free. The Body Of Christ, must contend for its freedom and we WILL be free! 

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The Call For Bishop Eddie Long To Repent?

In a stark contrast to Bishop T.D. Jakes who said that there is nothing that can be done regarding Eddie Long except prayer (and we know that prayer is always in order), and that he along with everyone else just needs "the blood of Jesus" while pointing to his "blood bucket" both for himself and others to cover all of our sins; Bishop Paul S. Morton, however has joined many of us in calling for Bishop Eddie Long to repent regarding the recent sex and ethical scandal that has enveloped and threatens to destroy his ministry. Here's a recent message regarding the issue:

Surprisingly, ministers such as Creflo Dollar have stated that Bishop Long simply had a "wreck" and that he should keep on moving and everybody should go home because in essence, like a Keystone cop, "there's nothing to see here". Bishop T.D. Jakes assesses the situation as a "recent tragedy" and that Bishop Long is under a great amount of "scruitiny". This is language that certainly softens the emphasis of what has really happened and doesn't really point toward repentance of any kind.

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What God Through TRUE Repentance Can Do

Pastor Harvey Burnett & The Dunamis Word wishes a Happy, Wonderful, and Prosperous New Year to all. May the Lord's face shine upon you like never before in 2011 as the day of our redemption draws near.



Pastor/Evangelist Jimmy Lee Swaggart

Prior to 1988 Pastor/Evangelist Jimmy Lee Swaggart, known by millions simply as "Brother Swaggart" was preaching all over the country and traveling overseas conducting what we now call mega conferences. He was pastoring over 7,000 members at his church Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, LA. (then a part of the Assemblies Of God), bursting at the seams with a thriving Christian bible college, and receiving donations, from an estimated 8 million American TV audience, (over 500 million viewers world wide) Donations were estimated to be in excess of $150,000,000 annually (that's over $500,000 per day). He was achieving all of this while preaching against sin in all forms from the White House to skid row. 

Before May 1988 however, it would be discovered that Evangelist Swaggart frequently visited at least one prostitute regularly, Debra Murphree, from New Orleans. According to her, Evangelist Swaggart didn't see her to have sex, but to spend some time engaging in other forms of sexual fantasy. Even though she would incidentally fail a polygraph test and claims abounded that Evangelist Swaggart had been set up due to retaliation of another TV Evangelist, Marvin Gorman, whom Swaggart had previously claimed was an adulterer. In spite of a possible set up, Swaggart would yet go on to repent before the word claiming that he had sinned and acknowledging his faults before a national TV audience that made world news and even interrupted regularly scheduled programming.

If that wasn't bad enough this same minister, in Oct. 1991 was caught with another prostitute, Rosemary Garcia, in Indio, CA. and would later go on to tell the church that God told him not to step down and that what he had done was "none of the church's business". By the way, to pour salt in the wound, around the same time he was successfully sued for over $10 million by Evangelist Marvin Gorman (mentioned previously) as the court sided with Gorman that Swaggart's claims were without foundation. 

Thank God That's Not The End Of The Story

Some 19 years later Evangelist Swaggart is back to preaching teaching and doing many of the things he used to do, before his moral failures, only he seems to be doing it all better than ever and much more wisely and

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Omniscience and Freewill, Does God Know All Or Did He Leave Some Wiggle Room?

The Proposition:

In Is there a God? (Oxford, 1996, p.7-9) Professor Richard Swinburne, Emeritus Nolloth Professor of the Philosophy of the Christian Religion, University of Oxford said this:

"It seems to me that the same considerations require that we understand God being omniscient in a similarly careful way. Just as God cannot be required to do what is logically impossible to do, so God cannot be required to know what is logically impossible to know. It seems to me that it is logically impossible to know (without the possibility of mistake) what someone will do freely tomorrow. If I am really free to choose tomorrow whether I will go to London or stay at home, then if anyone today has some belief about what I will do (e.g. that I will go to London), I have it in my power tomorrow to make that belief false (e.g. by staying at home). So no one (not even God) can know today (without the possibility of mistake) what I will choose to do tomorrow. So I suggest that we understand God being omniscient as God knowing at any time all that is logically possible to know at that time. That will not include knowledge, before they have done it, of what human persons will do freely. Since God is omnipotent, it will only be because God allows there to be free persons that there will be any free persons. So this limit to divine omniscience arises from the consequences (which God could foresee) of his own choice to create free agents. I must, however, warn the reader that this view of mine that God does not know (without the possibility of mistake) what free agents will do until they do it is not the normal Christian (or Jewish or Islamic) view. My view is, however, implied, I believe, by certain biblical passages; it seems, for example, the natural interpretation of the book of Jonah that, when God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh that it would be destroyed, he believed that probably he would need to destroy it, but that fortunately, since the people of Nineveh repented, God saw no need to carry out his prophecy. In advocating this refinement of our understanding of omniscience, I am simply carrying further the process of internal clarification of the basic Christian understanding of God which other Christian philosophers such as Aquinas pursued in earlier days."...“All this does of course assume that human beings have some limited free will, in the sense that no causes (whether brain states or God) determine fully how they will choose. That is the way it often seems to us that we have such a power. Even the inanimate world, scientists now realize, is not a fully deterministic world—and the world of thought and choice is even less obviously a predictable world.”

The Concept, Called the "Open Futures View" Also Commonly Known As "Open Theism":

1- God is the creator of all things

2- God gave mankind free will.

3- God does not fatalistically predetermine free-will creature's actions

4- God knows only what is logically possible to know about the future
5- The possibility exists that God is wrong about his creation's future actions if they act illogically

6- Therefore God can change his mind to account for what was previously unforeseeable

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Spreading Mega Ministry Holiday Cheer

Saints, I had hoped to run through Christmas on an easy, less intense note. However I was stirred because I received some information on one of our posts that I thought certainly needed to be discussed going into 2009. You may shelve this for future review as to not "mess up" your holiday, but I believe that you will find the contents of this post a terrible reminder of the fallen condition of the church, and hopefully a motivator to lend your prayers and gifts to help solve this problem.

It all begins with a deleted post that I received from a commenter on this site. The post was deleted by the poster but was received by me before it could be deleted. I am also asking the original poster, (who will remain anonymous) to comment further either by email or directly on this site IF they (he/she) deems it necessary. I feel that the contents are especially important for us that are praying that god change the nature of the church for end times ministry. If we do nothing else, I believe this will be a stark reminder of why we must fall on our faces and continue to serve the Lord in righteousness. Hold on to your seats, here we go:

"Hello there!

Thank you for this interview!

I used to work for a "show biz" bishop who was on television every day in different countries.

I saw that there was always a team that protected the image of the "show biz" pulpit celeb. We were berated if we spoke out against sins of other preachers. We were told "YOU aren't without sin yourself so what are you talking about?"

There was a situation where a prominent person came for private prayer and counsel and did not know that his session was tape recorded! This happened more than once in "deliverance" meetings. They say that they tape the sessions in order to protect themselves. Well...one minister started blackmailing a prominent person with the information that was shared in a PRIVATE meeting where this person came for counsel. This minister is now behind bars. These are the things you don't see in the papers.

There are people being paid cash because they have duties to the Bishop but they are not listed on the staff.There is a lack of accountability.The bishop I worked for would tell the masses that NO ONE could criticize him when he has accomplished more than they have for the kingdom. Yessss...he has said this publicly. If anyone told the truth about whatever was being hidden, they were banished by everyone near the Bishop, and their private business was "leaked" to others. Often, the bishop would make comments publicly from the pulpit alluding to the person who had wronged him in a way that people knew who he was mentioning without saying the person's name. This was a way of warning all others who had dirt on him that he would do the same with them.I would like to say this is SO RARE but it isn't.

I believe the church CAN be the salt and the light...but first...we must become repentant, reconciled, cleansed and whole.Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!"

(NAME WITHHELD by Pastor Burnett)

I would like to say that this is a terrible indictment of the condition of church leadership. I would also like to extend that anyone who has suffered in the church because of a ministers misfeasance or malfeasance is certainly welcome here at the Dunamis Word or at any of the New Bethel Ministry sites, locations or associated ministries, or any of the other fine churches and ministries that we network with. If you are tired of "fluff" and need assistance in finding a good ministry in your area, please email me personally at Dunamis1@netzero.com You may also call me or email me with your prayer requests or to discuss your situation.

I would also like to say that if you have been the victim or witness of this or any other type of ungodliness in any pulpit, run, NOT WALK to the nearest exit. God has much better for you than what you are experiencing at the Ichabod Memorial Church that you are attending. I know that there are some of you who don't fellowship at any church simply because of garbage like this. This is the day of your deliverance and healing and I personally believe that God wants you to LIVE because he is LIFE.

Ps. 118:17~ "I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

John 1:4 ~ "In him was the life; and the life was the light of men"

John 8:12~ "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 10:10 ~ "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Now, the critic will undoubtedly criticize me for exposing church failures; saying how can we be an effective witness when we're talking negatively? First of all these individuals and the pertinent, guilty parties expose themselves and their sins. Secondly, I pose to you that there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed. (Mt. 9:26, Mk. 4:22, Lk. 12:2) I believe that service to Christ is the highest possible call in the land. I also believe that God's people are to be handled with care, the utmost regard and the highest integrity especially within the context of the church. The modern church has become so "business like" and modern ministers so akin to business persons and politicians, until we have forgotten that ministry is all about service to God and HIM only and that unto the safeguard and keeping of the flock of God.

I am ashamed to hear that we are living in a time when charlatanism is acceptable within the body of Christ and discernment is held to be an oddity or non essential element of Christian service. A commenter recently challenged the notion of spiritual discernment, reducing hearing and serving God to political and social posturing by claiming that I was merely trying to "influence" individuals to agree with my views and that I was simply pandering for an "amen crowd". You'll find that HERE.

This Christmas and New Year season, let us not only celebrate with our families, but let us commit to being a part of the change that the church so desperately needs. I am extremely blessed by those of you who have called and emailed me saying that this blog has helped encourage you to enter the next stage and dimension of ministry. Now however, we must move forward together at the speed that god has given us grace to travel supporting and praying for one another as we honor the TRUTH that is the only thing that will stem this tide of apostasy. We have the strength, the Lord is on our side and there is NO WEAPON formed against us that shall prosper.

May the Lord Bless each and every one of you, may he make HIS face to shine upon you, may he bless and keep you in the Power of the Holy Ghost is my prayer.

Blessed!

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