Please pray

My dear friend and brother in the Lord Steve Muse of Eastern Regional Watch woke to find his wife Katherine non responsive rushed her to the hospital where she is now in critical condition
Please pray for Steve and Katherine's healing and their family as well.
You may send Steve a email of encouragement at smuse@erwm.com
Thank you for your prayers

Rick Warren and Dominionism

On another post here the question was asked "are dominionists christians?
So I wanted to give you some more information on what dominionism is all about and what forms it is taking today in the church.

Here is a great article from the folks at Let Us Reason which I found on my friend Steve Muse website .
http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac26.htm

This links Ricks agenda with the apostolic movements agenda
Another great article
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/arise.html
This is a link to Steve Muse's site"Eastern Regional Watch" Steve is a solid source of creadable, relable information on a number of topics that concern the Body of Christ.
http://www.erwm.com/


Much of this is just repackaged Dominionist agenda .
The Lord Jesus has not called for us to take over the government or the world. What we are to do as Christians is spelled out in Mark 16:15-16 "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
So yes should clothe the naked and feed the poor God has called us to do that. And churches have planted hardworking missionaries all over this planet already who are doing this.
But the most important duty we have as Christian is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. (Not share The Purpose Driven Life principles with a lost and dying world).

The people we feed and clothe why that is good it is only temporal. We need to lead these poor folk to the gospel of Jesus Christ.Trust in that alone will determine where they will spend eternity-in heaven or in hell.

Are evangelicals going soft on Witchcraft?

I just read a article titled "Evangelical Wiccans?"

here is the link http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=8777&department=BLI&categoryid=misc


Here is another link to the source article refered to in "Evangelical Wiccans" from the Religion Journal.
http://www.religionjournal.com/showarticle.asp?id=3099
Every since the major success of Harry Potter as well as this accept all groove evangelical have been in lately embracing New Agers like Leonard Sweet and Ken Blanchard. And the growing Emergent movement with contemplative prayer and mystical experience have opened a door.
You cant take a honest look at the Harry Potter book sales and not believe many Christian are buying these books for their children and teens.
Here are some comments by children on a Harry Potter site asking them what spells they would like to cast if they could.
http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/reading/castaspell.htm
Casting spells (whether they work or not) is in fact practicing witchcraft.

I am no fan of Richard Abanes but I thought his book "Harry Potter and the Bible" was a fairly decent book.
This is part of a recent exchange Abanes had with a Christian who likes Harry Potter on the persons blog site.

"RA
PS I am not for book banning or burning, Harry Potter teaches neither Satanism, nor Witchcraft (capital "W"), and Rowling is not a witch. Let's start from there, shall we?"

Strange stance for Abanes to take in my opinion. I would disagree with Abanes that Harry Potter does indeed teach witchcraft with a big W or a little w its all the same spirit. And these books specifically target young people.
Plus I also believe the Harry Potter books encourage children (even if indirectly) to practice witchcraft and repeat spells learned from Harry Potter books. This could open a young child up to demonic activity.
There is no set exact form for a witch or wiccan to practice their craft so they can take a little from this a little from that. I have met wiccans who even ackowledge Jesus as one of their gods. So you really cant state that Harry Potter books don't teach witchcraft even if that was not the authors intent.
Its not hard to connect the dots here.
It is increasingly difficult to witness to wiccans. They think they are good to go into a wonderful afterlife had a conversation with my ex sister in law who is a wiccan. I expressed concern and love for her because she once knew the truth of Jesus Christ. I expressed a desire to not want to see her go to hell for rejecting Christ. She told me "Thanks Tim but you know I'm good to go." "When I die I'll go where my people go and when you die you'll go where your people go." I agreed whole heartily with her. Its not a question to me because the Bible is very clear on where her people will go. As well as where saved Christians go. And I will not be her judge but Jesus Christ will be.

We need to keep praying for our youth. We also need to love and witness to pagans and wiccans sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

Acts 19:18-20 "And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds (confessed and repented). Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver (several million dollars). So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

It is my fondest hope that many wiccans, pagans and witches would come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And that they would then publicly burn their spell books and items of witchcraft. What a tremendous testimony that would be for Jesus Christ and His power to save sinners.

The Fad Driven Church

Great article by Todd Wilken
Enjoy
http://www.erwm.com/Orrel4.htm

I-Worship? and Lazy Christians

First of all I would like to state for the records that I have a handful of friends who work for Integrity music so no way do I mean this post as a judgment on them. These days its all about the benjamins though.
In my churchwe are using this new aid for enhancing the worship experience. Its called I-Worship and its in DVD form put out by Integrity Music.We basically count off to click on the DVD and play along with the DVD. Kinda like sing along with Mitch or follow the bouncing ball..
These DVD's come in many different songs actually some of them are set to very good worship songs.
The one we are playing to show really nice pictures of small children holding hands and on the swings etc.. (AAhhh).
It all flashes the words up in very cool form-throw away those overhead projectors folks.
Just a couple of observations back a few years ago I dropped $1200.00 plus room and board to go to Integrity Music in Mobile to learn how to lead worship. I was taught there is no I in worship it was about God not me. Guess they changed their minds.
Second as much as I love children (I have four) what the heck does showing pictures of smiling, happy kids have to do with worshipping God?
I am grateful to God for my four children and I thank Him for Alan, Steven, Brittany,and Bethany.
But when I worship God its about Him-no false gods-not even our children-before Him.
I love my kids but I love God more.
So when Im worshipping God my focus in on Him alone.
So showing all these pictures of children and mountains etc.. is not helping worship it is hindering it. It takes the focus away from God and we focus on the ohhs and ahhhs instead.
Some of you may ask why Im still in a church that does so much I disagree with?
Good question and I am starting to struggle ever week with just playing when I believe this is all turning more and more into entertainment and not about God at all.
I do however want to remain an optimist and hope I can make a difference on the inside. Time will tell.
I believe this is the end of worship as we know it and we feel fine (sang of course to the REM song-Its the end of the world as we know it)

Dont forget to pray for your church the deception is getting deep.
The main problem is we have gotten so lazy we need entertainment to prompt us to worship.
But then when we need visual enhancement we lose faith because if we need visual stimuli to prove that God is there we really have no faith at all.
O yea of little faith.
Why don't we put away the special effects, the bands coming out from under the stage with all the lighting effects and smoke and start to worship God is spirit and in truth.
Before we find out its not really God we are worshipping at all.

A Sign of the times

And Share the Gospel

Last night my wife and I sat down to watch a little television. Im not a avid TV watcher because I really just don't have the time between writing, proofing my new book, practicing with the people I play with etc.. So I can't tell you who is who on a reality show, or what the latest hip sitcom is.
Tonight was time for culture shock.
We turned on ABC's Family Channel-Channel 51 here in Modesto here's the gem that was on at 8PM at night here.
Cruel Intentions-here's the plot-Kathryn makes a bet that her step-brother, Sebastian, won't be able to bed Annette (a virgin, who wants to wait until love). If he loses, Kathryn gets his Jaguar, if he wins, he gets Kathryn.
Here is the rating-Rated R for strong sexual dialogue and sexual situations involving teens, language and drug use.
Rightly so I was rather indignant.
My first instinct was to call Don Wildmon and the AFA and organize some kind of protest. But then I thought its kind of screwy to expect unbelievers to act like believers in Christ.
Then I thought don't we claim to be a Christian nation? Most polls state that between 75 to 80 percent of people believe they are Christian.
Then I read this article-
http://harpers.org/ExcerptTheChristianParadox.html

Then it really began to sink in. We are believing a big lie that America is indeed Christian. Look at our fruit.
Dont blame it on Hollywood they only make what we buy. Yes Im sure they have a agenda and we spend millions on it every year. Trust me they will do what ever it takes to make money.
Remember the days when Hollywood made movies like The Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston? The movie that proudly proclaimed the story was taken from God Holy Scripture. I remember hearing this and feeling a sense of pride that they would acknowledge God this way in front of the whole world.
Was Hollywood more Christian those days. Were the studio heads and directors all believers who wanted to lift up God and His word in film.
Of course not.
They were merely selling a product that most people during that time period wanted. That's all and it really is that simple.
Now they are selling us a product that we are still buying and that includes Christians as well. If there was not a market they wouldn't sell it. Ever wonder why horror films are now marketed year around now? Remember the time when the horror movies were only released during Halloween? Now we can see them coming out year around. They used to fizzle with release right before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now they are slated for release year around.
Because there is a market for them-and Christians are going to these movies as well.
Who do we blame for this.
Rick Warren? Well yes Rick has lowered our standards about going to church and does teach a watered down version of the gospel in his books and tapes. And by the way I don't care how fierce Rick preaches at Saddleback most people that read his materials and buy his tapes don't go there.
A watered down version of the gospel is not really the gospel at all anyway.
Rick has created the market-but your buying the stuff.
Should we blame Joel Osteen who preaches no gospel at all?
What about Schuller, Hybels or any of the other gurus of self?
We can point fingers and yes we should point out false teaching but we really don't have anyone to blame but ourselves.
You see its not up to Rick, Joel or Robert to preach the gospel. I don't care how many butts they put in the seats on Sunday.
Jesus commanded us to go out and preach the gospel.
Mark 16:15-16 "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Notice Jesus didn't say "Just pastors and elders preach the gospel" no this is everyone's job. Its the leaderships duty to equip the saints (saved believers) and then up to the saints to go out and spread the gospel Ephesians 4:12. We are the ones that do the work and go out and share the gospel with unbelievers and then bring them in to church so then they can be equipped and do the same-not visa versa
What is the gospel

Jesus Gives Eternal Life to Those Who Believe
God clearly explains in His Word that we are all sinners. "All have sinned." None of us is good enough to get into heaven on his or her own merits to spend eternity with God. "There is none righteous, no, not one."
But God loves us so much that He provided a way. That way is through His Son, the Lord Jesus. By dying on the Cross, Jesus paid the full and complete price for our sins so that we donÂ’t have to.
Because He shed His blood and died for us, Jesus Christ is able to fulfill His promise to freely give believers eternal life.
You also need to repent-andthat'ss not a popular word in today's mega gatherings (its a real leap to even call these places church anymore).
Jesus did not say do penance and believe the gospel, He said, "repent ye and believe the gospel," Matthew 1:15. God has commanded all men everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30. Penance is an act or effort on the part of the guilty to try to render payment for sin, to atone for the wrong done against God and man, when it cannot be done, for Christ atoned for sin on the cross by shedding His precious blood for the remission of sin. The best penance can do is reform, and reformation is only a change brought about by the efforts of man for self-glory, (see Matthew 12:43-45). A person may give up bad habits and try to overhaul the old nature, turn over a new leaf, or make restitution, but none of these will justify a person in the eyes of God. Salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no other way for anyone to be saved. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," (Acts 4:12).
Repentance is a change, the prodigal had a change of mind, and his change of mind effected a change of heart, and his change of heart effected a change of will.
But a penitent heart was always required for saving faith and so repentance is preached , as in Acts 16:30-31 and 2 Peter 3:9, etc. We should ought never preach love without preaching wrath, ought never preach Heaven without preaching hell, ought never preach forgiveness without preaching repentance."
Repentance is not opposed to grace, it is the recognition of the need of grace. "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish," these word are just as important today as they were when they were first spoken. Grace it the unmerited favor of God to all of us, who deserve the very opposite.

In conclusion- yes at first I was ticked at seeing filth on TV during a family hour and I wondered how many children and adults are being deceived and desensitized by this garbage.
But then I got more ticked at myself for not sharing the gopsel-which saved me and helped me realize that what I was watching was garbage.

Our soldiers giving out school supplies to Iraq children

Ordering information for Somebody Brave CD

Please go to the right hand side of our blog to click on the link to order The Simply Agape Projects "Somebody Brave" CD.
Or call us direct to order-209-529-7495

New Steve Camp article

Ahh Steve says it best in this new article about Pat Robertson on Steve's blog.
Meanwhile Pat continues to admit, no deny, no admit, no deny what he said about Hugo a Go Go in South America. Anyone keep score on this? Doesnt anyone just say"Opps I really shouldnt have said that please forgive me."
I thought Christians dont need to spin the truth.

Here's Campi's article via link

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2005/08/mulligan-mondayssometimes-you-just_23.html

Driving away our youth from the Lord on purpose

Another great article by my brother in the Lord -Ken Silva. It will be worth your time to read this

http://christianunplugged.com/amdrivingyouth.htm

The gospel according to Rick

I recently read a really good article titled "The Gospel: A Method Or A Message? How The Purpose Driven Life Obscures The Gospel by Bob DeWaay. I would encourage you to read it here is the link.
http://www.twincityfellowship.com/cic/articles/issue80.htm
two other good articles about the gospel according to Rick-
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?ID=112
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/articles/rick_warren_purpose_driven_2.htm
Warren goes through great pains to search for any translation that will say what Rick wants to say .
In Warrens (not Gods) promotion of church covenants notice this.
2. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH...By praying for its growth...By inviting the unchurched to attend...By warmly welcoming those who visit"To the church ... we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly." 1 Thess. 1:2"The Master said to the servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people there to come so my house will be full.'" Luke 14:23 (NCV)"So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified." Rom. 15:7 (LB)

The Living Bible is the only translation that uses the words 'into the church' its not even refered to in this manner in the apostate translation "The Message."
But Rick only uses the translations that say what Rick wants to say.
here is the verse "Wherefore recieve ye one another, as Christ also recieved us to the glory of God."
Doesnt quite make the same point Rick is trying to make.
We cant take scripture and bend it into what we want it to say. We need to bend our knee to Gods word and let it transform us not visa versa.

We all need to be good Bereans these days and check to see if what is being preached is the truth. And not truth mixed with false teaching-because that is not truth at all.

Ingrids new website

Here is a bio of Ingrid Schlueter. Ingrid is a good source of honest and accurate information on a variety of topics that affects (and infects) the Body of Christ.

My name is Ingrid Schlueter and I've been in Christian radio for 18 years. Of all the trends I've observed, the explosion of the "seeker"-centered megachurches is one of the most disturbing. Mega- churches in America have become absurd to the point where satire is almost impossible. Starbucks franchises and Christian tattoo parlors are now on church property. Rappers, hula praise dancers, contortionists, acupuncturists, liposuctionists, the side show of evangelicalism has an ever expanding cast of performers. The future of evangelicalism is here and it comes as an Elvis impersonator. Among the latest fads is "the Emergent" church idea. Supposedly a more authentic way to worship, the man-centered focus differs little from the status quo. Worse, in a quest for what's real, false teaching is entering through the traditions of the East, like meditation and yoga
Ingrid has launched a new website starting 8/22/05
Please go by and check the site out for good articles and sources of information during these end times. Also check out Ingrids radio program Crosstalk for cutting edge information that informs the Body of Christ.
here is the link to Ingrids new site.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/

New article at Lighthouse Trails Research

I know in my church I am sometimes told I had better be careful when I openly criticize Rick Warren or PDL. I was very vocal when Rick showed his carnality and lack of music taste in playing Jimmy Hendrix song "Purple Haze" in front of a crowd of thousands after worship music had been played.
Here is another article by Deb and Dave Dombroski of Lighthouse Trails Research titled
Purpose Driven Resisters Pay A Dear Price
Deb and Dave are a great source of truthful and reliable information concerning events and teachings that effect the Body of Christ.
here is the link.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/pdlresisters.htm

I would encourage you to check out Dave and Debs website it is a accurate and good source of information.
Tim

Ironic isn't it?

I want to state that even though my church has been decieved into partnering with The Willow Creek Association and the great PDL self help deception I still love my church and my pastor and all the people I have the honor of serving the Lord with every week.
Many good churches have been decieved and sucked into the lie that PDL markets with such great ability and I mourn for them. I will continue to stay in the trenches and fight for the Lord and His truth as long as He allows me.
One thing PDL and many other seeker driven churches market is Spiritual gifts/gifts testing etc..Gifts tests are a way to let people know what spiritual gifts they have so they can use them within the church.
Here is how the test in listed on our church website.

This is an exercise to help give you some insight on what your spiritual gift(s) might be. It is a combination of tests produced by First Baptist Church, Houts Inventory of Spiritual Gifts, Networking, Team Ministry, Trenton Spiritual Gifts Analysis, Wagner-Modified Houts Questionnaire and Wesley Spiritual Gifts Questionnaire and further modified by the pastoral staff of First Baptist Church of Modesto, California.

Here are the results of my test which I took before going to church here. I recieved a perfect score in the following three catagories

Discerning of Spirits
(1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 John 4:1, Acts 16:16-22)
The Spirit-given ability to know with assurance whether certain teaching is from God, man or demons. To be able to discern truth from the lie.

Words of Knowlege
(1 Corinthians 12:8)
The Spirit-given ability to discover, collect, analyze, organize and then share the truth that is beneficial to individual believers of the church.

Prophecy
(Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10,14:1-3, Ephesians 4:11)
Someone with the Spirit-given ability to publicly proclaim God's truth resulting in the conviction of unbelievers and the edification of believers.

Please don't take any of this as bragging or saying Im superior to anyone because I'm not. I pulled this info directly from my test results as it read per their determination as a result of my taking the test. I have however taken this test two other times at different churches with slightly different test always coming out with the same results and gifts.

I'm just trying to use this blog and whatever influence I have within my own fellowship to warn believers and unbelievers of the dangers to come (Heb 10:25). I also want to use my gifts to Jude 22-23 "And of some have compassion, making a difference. And others save from fear,pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Funny how taking a gifts test results in the very warning of the system which in part produced the gift test.
Ironic isn't it?
Tim

A Pastors Assesment of Richard Abanes

As much as I do not like to give Richard (please, please ,please buy my book) Abanes press- here is a great article on why our blog here is a Abanes Free Zone. A friend of mine Pastor Ken Silva wrote it. Ken also has many other great articles that is of benifit to the Body of Christ.
Here is Kens acurate and trueful assessment of Richard Abanes. Richard of course is his own worst enemy and I hope he has either small feet or a big mouth and has a taste for shoe leather.

Here is Kens article
http://www.christianunplugged.com/abanesassessment.htm

Enjoy and I encourage you again to check out Kens other articles as well
Tim

Will the real Rick Warren please stand up

James 1:8 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Im a little older than some (48) but I remember the old Gary Moore show "To Tell the Truth." They would give a little information about a guy or girl and then the players would have to guess which one of the three contestants were the real deal.
This is what we have here with Rick Warren the author of Purpose Driven Life, Purpose Driven Church which have sold millions of books he also has hundreds of thousands of pastors who he gets information to through pastors.com, Ministry Toolbox, and enough purpose driven life stuff that would take a hour to list.

Well lets look at some facts (readers please decide for yourselves).
The book Purpose Driven Life has been promoted as not being a self help book then the book goes into self help mode where the focus in on self.

So is it a self help book or not?

There have also been a ton of exposes on how weak the gospel is presented in the book.
But Warrens excuseoligist's proclaim that Warren teaches the true gospel with out compromise at Saddleback.
But Umm err-most of us dont go to Saddleback.
Rick Warren not being influenced by Robert Schuller is often stated. But read Warrens article in the Ladies Home Journal which focus's on self sounds like Schullerisms to me.

Read the article in BusinessWeek titled" Earthly Empires "
quote""Our goal is not to turn the church into a business," insists Warren, the founder of Saddleback megachurch in Lake Forest, Calif."
then back up a few paragraphs and read
California megachurch pastor Rick Warren's 2002 book, The Purpose-Driven Life, has become the fastest-selling nonfiction book of all time, with more than 23 million copies sold, in part through a novel "pyro marketing" strategy.

Also to me thats a odd statement from someone who was mentored by Peter Drucker business guru deluxe.
On the same page there is a link here that takes you to another article titled"Evangelism Gone Entrepreneurial."
Here is Ricks quote from that
"Q: Why do we see so much entrepreneurial activity among evangelicals?
A: We've always been entrepreneurial. But 50 years ago, most of the evangelical entrepreneurs went into organizations like the Campus Crusade for Christ, World Vision, etc. The spirit used to be that you had to leave the church [to accomplish something great]. But now all of the smart guys I know are going out to become pastors and starting churches. We've helped thousands of churches get started. I've trained more than 350,000 pastors.

Lets look again
Our goal is not to turn the church into a business," insists Warren,
then from the other article-
Q: Why do we see so much entrepreneurial activity among evangelicals?
A: We've always been entrepreneurial. But 50 years ago, most of the evangelical entrepreneurs went into organizations like the Campus Crusade for Christ, World Vision, etc. The spirit used to be that you had to leave the church [to accomplish something great]. But now all of the smart guys I know are going out to become pastors and starting churches. We've helped thousands of churches get started. I've trained more than 350,000 pastors.

Just so we dont misrepresent something someone is saying lets look at the definition of entrepreneurial-

en·tre·pre·neurial (plural en·tre·pre·neurs)
Definitions:

risk-taking businessperson: somebody who initiates or finances new commercial enterprises.

Dont let Rick fool you. He is a brilliant businessman(thats why the world loves PDL so much) even in the first couple pages of PDL he attempts to sell you a Purpose Driven Scripture Keeper Plus and a Purpose Driven Life Journel.
So much for Ricks goal of not turning the church into a business.
1John 4:5-6 "These people belong to this world, so they speak from the worlds viewpoint, and the world listens to themBut we belong to God, that is why those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception."

Is Rick trying to purposely decieve you? Look at page 325 where Rick gives the excuse of why he used so many translations.
" I havent always quoted the entire verse, but rather the phrase that was appropriate."

A phrase that was appropriate to what Rick was saying (get that)- a point Rick was trying to make. Not in the context of what God was saying in scripture. This happens in many cases in PDL.
I call this backward theology. Word of faith people do this all the time. You make up a point you want to make or make up a doctrine you want to teach and then you pick pieces of scripture up from here and there to make your point.
Again there are literally hundreds of exposes on how Warren takes verses out of context. Go check it out for yourself on the internet.

So what does Rick really think or teach? Im not sure because I dont believe the real Rick Warren has stood up yet.

From the IT COULD HAPPEN Department

RICK WARREN RELEASES NEW CD " STADIUM DRIVEN MUSIC THE GREATEST HITS OF JIMMY HENDRIX" featuring Uncle Rick and the Blind Leading the Blind Boys of California.


RICHARD ABANES TO WRITE NEW BOOK "THE ATTENTION DRIVEN LIFE" THOUSANDS OF PICTURES OF RICHARD INCLUDED IN BOOK.


HEY FOLKS-IT COULD HAPPEN

A sign of the times

Girls art school in Baghad after Marines fix it up 

Girls art school in Baghad 

Where our ministry really starts-letting soldiers know that Jesus loves them and wants to save them through His shed blood on Calvary, and we love them and pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour as well by repenting of sin and putting faith in Jesus and His work on the cross and resurection from the dead.

Tim and Alex Acuna after a recording session 

Campi on keys 

Mike on guitar 

In prayer before the session starts with guests Steve Camp and Justo Almario 

Justo Almario in the studio with The Simply Agape project 

Tim Wirth 

New article by Paul Proctor

It would be well worth your time to read this article. I would also encourage you to read Pauls other archieved articles. Paul is a good source of information

http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor75.htm

CCM sells out

I decided not to name the title CCM acts like a whore because the title would be to strong. I'll post and you can decide. I got a link but seeing it was from my friends at the Door magazine I decided to check it out to make sure they were not just pulling the old chain. This is a actual link and you can buy the product.










(The cartoon was by E.J.Pace)(http://www.beliefnet.com/nl/partner/dwango/050803AG.html Now if you scroll down and click on other Christian artists you go here http://mobile.beliefnet.com/faces/beliefnet/web/index Notice you can also download other religious pictures etc.. Muslim, Hindu, Buddist etc.. What do you think of all this? Secondly what do you think of the siging of autographs? Every Christian artist Ive ever played with does it.Now Im not talking about writing someone a personnal note of encouragement in a book someone authors or on a piece of paper. But at book signings if you are popular there is no time to write everyone a personnal note so they usually get a autograph. When I played with Jeff Fenholt he actually signed pictures of himself. Prince recently was quoted in a magazine article stating he no longer signs autographs and he explains to his fans that this is idolatry and he doesnt want to put himself above God. Prince is a Jehovahs witness. If you think signing autographs is ok -please explain why in a post Its not the fans responsibility either though. Because we know we should not cause a brother or sister to stumble Peace Tim

Are Christian Musicians being taught to manipulate you?

Here is another gem folks. Some musicians both secular and Christian are being trained under the guise of communicating with their audiences. The plain truth is its mood and feelings manipulation. You are taught the latest cool rocker moves etc.. Performance coach And Ive been on some many teams where the leaders state we are not to perform so why go to a performance coach? Than they send you to a clinic to learn to perform Check this link. http://www.tomjacksonproductions.com/ and decide for yourselfs what is going on here and what is taught. In my opinion this is audience manipulation folks. Sorry we dont need anymore cool rocker moves in church. What we need is musicians and singers who worship God on their own time and then come lead people into worship.
The problem in church is the worship leaders are trying to be sensitive to the audience instead of being sensitive to God.
Worship God and the congregation will follow. Leave the entertainment behind. Dont let some one mask the word communication with a false meaning. Anyone can be taught to get a responce from a audience.
We need to start worshipping in spirit and in truth. The only one that can teach you that is Gods Holy Spirit through His word.

As for our Entertainment Driven Performance taught false worship leaders and their bands.

Amos 6: 5-6 "You sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and you fancy yourselves to be great musician, as King David was. You drink wine by the bowlful and you perfume yourselfs with exotic fragrences, caring nothing at all that your nation is going to ruin. Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your revelry will end."
Again this is only my opinion and my observations.
Peace Tim

Richard Abanes defends Leonard Sweet

Richard Abanes excuseoligist for Rick Warren currently has been defending New Ager Leonard Sweet over at Tim Challis website.
Leonard has been a big influence for both Rick Warren and Brian Mclaren of the Emerging Church movement.
Rick Warren has called for a New Reformation which actually reverses what the old Reformation did.

Here are some quotes from Leonard Sweets book titled "Quantum Spirituality."
ebook Quantum Sprituality pg 7 "Scientists are criss -crossing disciplines like never before, their common meeting place the computor. As postmodern science reorients itself toward wholeness, the possibility opens for a fresh synthesis in which religion, science, philosophy, and aesthetics can synergize a hermeneutical vision of spirituatity, the nascience of this hermenutical consciousness, or what Max L Stackhouse would call a metaphysical-moral vision, I am calling the New Light apologetic. It is already present in bits and pieces, here and there in this disciplene and that discipline, in this denomination and that denomination, in this thinker and that thinker. The New Light apologetic represents a Christian alternative to the largely Old Light "New Age" movement. The emergence of this New Light apologetic is a harbringer and hope that a new age old world is aborning in the church, even that the church may now be on the edge of another awakening. Amidst all the cliffhanging circumstances and conditions of the church, the Spirit is at work. All around there is evidence that the church is learning to dance to a new rhythm, to adapt the metaphor of Harvard Business School professor, economist Rosabeth Moss Kanter. The New Light movement is characterized by bizarre, sometimes anxious alliances of a ragbag assortment of preachers, theologians, pastors, professors, artists, scientists, business leaders, and scholars. What ties their creative piracy togther is a radical faith commitment that is willing to dance to a new rhythm." End quote
From Quantum Spirituality by Len Sweet The power of small groups is in their ability to develop the discipline to get people “in-phase” with the Christ consciousness and connected with one another. P. 147 New Lights offer up themselves as the cosmions of a mind-of-Christ consciousness. As a cosmion incarnating the cells of a new body, New Lights will function as transitional vessels through which transforming energy can renew the divine image in the world, moving postmoderns from one state of embodiment to another. P. 48 A surprisingly central feature of all the world’s religions is the language of light in communicating the divine and symbolizing the union of the human with the divine: Muhammed’s light-filled cave, Moses’ burning bush, Paul’s blinding light, Fox’s “inner light,” Krishna’s Lord of Light, Böhme’s light-filled cobbler shop, Plotinus’ fire experiences, Bodhisattvas with the flow of Kundalini’s fire erupting from their fontanelles, and so on. P. 235 The Third Testament-pg 249 "The gospel is a story that is only partially completed. Openess to the mysterious suprises of the Spirit working through Logos,Pathos, Ethos,and Theos must affect our understanding of truth if we are to walk where the concret ends. Old things need to be said in new ways. New things can only be said in new ways. When they get corseted into old concepts, they get distorted and damaged.

And here is Richard Abanes defense of Leonard Sweet
Dear Folks, This is NOT a post about Rick Warren. This is a post about Leonard Sweet. OK, here goes—he is NOT a New Ager. (goodness, why is everyone so obsessed with the New Age and making everyone else into a New Ager). Anywhoooooo, clearly Sweet is not a New Ager given his comments in an recent interview with secularpostmodern.org. I submit the following— ___________BEGIN INTERVIEWER: In your interview with Relevant Magazine you said you were very conservative about some things." In what ways are you postmodern? And in what ways are you not? SWEET: I believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. I believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible word of God. I believe in the virgin birth, literal resurrection, all of that. Theologically, my content is very conservative. But when it comes to how one communicates that content and what containers one uses to communicate that content, I'm very open. I want the church to be innovative, radical and indigenous to the culture. (Sometimes it scandalizes people how conservative I am in my theology.) ___________END Doesn't sound very POSTMODERN to me. Sounds kinda, well . . . Christian.

What Richard Abane does not understand
Is that the point of something being New Age is it sounds kinda well... Christian
This is from someone who claims to be a expert in the field of the occult, new religious movements, world religions and Christian doctrine

2 John 10-11 " If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, dont invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work."

Keep that verse in mind these days
Peace
Tim

Was Jesus Seeker Sensitive?

Here is a great article from my friend and brother in the Lord -Ken Silva.

http://www.christianunplugged.com/amjesusseeker.htm

Abanes Free Zone

Ive made this blog a Richard Abanes Free Zone because Richard has plenty of places to present his side and spin his web. Who is Richard Abanes you may ask? Richard Abanes is a self proclaimed best selling author, musician, dancer. Richard has now assumed the role of apoligist (I prefer the word excuseoligist) for Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life and of course all things Warren. Richard is currently all over the web defending Rick Warren and what he teaches and who Rick hangs with.
To me being in apolegetics means to defend your faith which in my case is Christianity. Apolegetics doesnt mean defending someone else's faith and actions.
The best reason for all this is that Richard Abanes tends to be very good at shifting the focus off of where it needs to be and shiftin it on to something else. He is also a master of spin and very good at not answering all the questions put to him. There is a great deal of confusion wherever this guy goes and we know confusion is not of God.
That all being said we wish Richard well but he wont be posting here.

This sites main mission is to protect and inform about the many wolves in sheep clothing we have among us. And also encourage the troops and get them free music as well.
Peace and Blessings
Tim Wirth

Marine puts finishing touches on rebuilt girls art school in Baghad

Marine and kids in Albu Sayf

Good Hygene is Worldwide

Cartoon from my new book

This is a spoiler but I cant resist. This is a cartoon that will be in my new book" Pass The Plate and Let Us Prey." It was drawn by my buddy C. Mcnair Wilson who drew cartoons for
The Wittenburg Door Magazine back in the old days. Enjoy and I hope you get a kick out of it.

Welcome

Welcome to The Simply Agape Project's new blog. Please fell free to post but lets keep it civil. Also encoraging comments to the troops would be great. Once posted I will spread the word. I dont want to get in any discussions about if the war in Iraq is good, bad or whatever. Only uplifting comments to the troops are welcome.
Any swearing will get up banned. Feel free to discuss the Church Growth Movement, Word of Faith abuses, and cultural concerns in the church. Please remember to keep it civil and remember the reason we meet is .
Hebrews 10:25

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
So sound the trumpet
Just dont forget the love
Blessings
Tim

Please check out these links.

This are links of reliable sources of information.

Lighthouse Trails Research Deb and Dave Dombrowski

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/whatsnew.htm

Tim Challis most excellent blog

http://www.challies.com/

Ingrids Schlueter very excellent as well blog

http://sliceoflaodicea.blogspot.com/

Steve Muse Eastern Regional Watch

http://www.erwm.com/

Chris Carmichaels Christian Unplugged

http://www.christianunplugged.com/index.html


These folks are all honest God fearing Christians concerned with the Body of Christ and they are all good sources of solid reliable information

Blessings
Tim

The Simply Agape Project

The Simply Agape Project with Tim Wirth, Steve Camp and Justo Almario in the studio. Tim Wirth pictured below