YouTube has changed and no longer presents the "embed" for a playlist, yet, here is, another way to do it, which I think works even better!!
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| Provided by website-hit-counters.com site. |
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
HELL'S PLAY LIST!! by BereanBeacon
Praise God that "trial and error" works, at times, with no error!
YouTube has changed and no longer presents the "embed" for a playlist, yet, here is, another way to do it, which I think works even better!!
General Overview of Hell- Eternal Punishment
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YouTube has changed and no longer presents the "embed" for a playlist, yet, here is, another way to do it, which I think works even better!!
General Overview of Hell- Eternal Punishment
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Saturday, October 30, 2010
Dying Testimonies Of Saved And Unsaved
Dying Testimonies Of Saved And Unsaved
001 -- Triumphant Death Of Ignatius 002 -- Wonderful Conversion Of Mary Lones 003 -- The Awful Death Of Sir Francis Newport 004 -- Polycarp, The Sainted Christian Father 005 -- The Martyr Patrick Hamilton 006 -- Rev. E. Payson's Joyful Experiences And Triumphant Death 007 -- The Awful Death Of An Infidel Son 008 -- "Children, Is This Death? How Beautiful! How Beautiful!" 009 -- "Ma, I Can't Die Till You Promise Me." 010 -- The Child Martyr 011 -- The Sad Death Of A Lost Man 012 -- The Courage And Triumphant Death Of St. Laurence The Martyr 013 -- Triumphant Death Of George Edward Dryer 014 -- "Five Minutes More To Live" 015 -- Black Days And White Ones -- A Rescue Story 016 -- Triumphant Death Of Mrs. Margaret Haney 017 -- Last Hours On Earth Of The Noted French Infidel, Voltaire 018 -- Dying Words Of Samuel Hick 019 -- The Sainted Susanna Wesley 020 -- "Oh! I Have Missed It At Last!" 021 -- "Victory! Triumph! Triumph!" Were John S. Inskip's Last Words 022 -- The Wonderful Courage Of The Martyr Philip, Bishop Of Heraclea 023 -- "I Can See The Old Devil Here On The Bed With Me." 024 -- "God Has Called Me To Come Up Higher." 025 -- Carrie Carmen's Vision Of The Holy City 026 -- The Awful End Of A Backslider 027 -- The Advice Of Ethan Allen, The Noted Infidel, To His Dying Daughter 028 -- "Ma, I Shall Be The First Of Our Family Over Yonder." 029 -- "Take Them Away -- Take Them Away." 030 -- A Dying Man's Regrets 031 -- The Translation Of The Sainted Frances E. Willard 032 -- "It Is Easier To Get Into Hell Than It Will Be To Get Out." 033 -- The Beloved Physician Walter C. Palmer's Sunlit Journey To Heaven 034 -- "Good-By! I Am Going To Rest." 035 -- "The Fiends, They Come; Oh! Save Me! They Drag Me Down! Lost, Lost, Lost!" 036 -- "Oh, Papa, What A Sweet Sight! The Golden Gates Are Opened." 037 -- "I Am Going To Die. Glory Be To God And The Lamb Forever." 038 -- "I Have Treated Christ Like A Dog All My Life And He Will Not Help Me Now." 039 -- "Jesus Will Take Care Of Me." 040 -- A Dying Girl's Request 041 -- Queen Elizabeth's Last Words -- "All My Possessions For A Moment Of Time" 042 -- Dying Testimony And Vision Of Miss Lila Homer 043 -- Dreadful Martyrdom Of Romanus 044 -- John Cassidy And The Priest 045 -- "I Am In The Flames -- Pull Me Out, Pull Me Out!" 046 -- The Triumphant Translation Of Bishop Philip William Otterbein 047 -- "There's Maggie At The Gate!" 048 -- "It Was The Cursed Drink That Ruined Me." 049 -- The Translation Of Willie Downer 050 -- The Dying Experience Of A Wealthy Man 051 -- Last Words Of John Hus, The Martyr 052 -- Last Testimony Of Augustus M. Toplady 053 -- "Be Good And Meet Me In Heaven." 054 -- The Awful Death Of A Profligate 055 -- "You'll Be A Duke, But I Shall Be A King." 056 -- "I Die In Peace; I Shall Soon Be With The Angels." 057 -- Death-Bed Scene Of David Hume, The Deist 058 -- Triumphant Death Of John Calvin 059 -- "I Want Strength To Praise Him Abundantly! Hallelujah! -- John Hunt 060 -- The Great Danger In Not Seeking The Lord While He May Be Found 061 -- Last Words Of John Hooper, Bishop And Martyr
VATICAN DENIES THAT ISRAEL’S LAND PROMISED BY GOD!, Emergent Church and Wiccans, China and FORCED ABORTIONS in the 8th month!, and "Discrimination."
VATICAN DENIES THAT ISRAEL’S LAND PROMISED BY GOD (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
A Vatican synod on the Middle East concluded on October 23 with the warning that Israel cannot use the biblical concept of a promised land or a chosen people to justify new settlements in Jerusalem or territorial claims (“Vatican Synod Ends with Criticism of Israel,” The US Daily, Oct. 23, 2010).
The Catholic bishops hoped for a “two-state solution for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.” It is obvious that the bishops don’t believe the Bible. [How could they? They haven't read it!!]
First, the Bible plainly states that God has given the land of Canaan to Israel forever. Second, the Bible plainly states that there will be no peace to that land until Israel turns to God and receives her Messiah. The Palestinian leaders do not want peace with Israel. They want to see Israel destroyed, and since they were unable to accomplish this in one fell swoop via the major wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973, they have determined to do it piecemeal through a “two-state” program.
According to Bible prophecy, the Roman Catholic Church and her apostate daughters will align itself with the antichrist and be destroyed during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 17).
EMERGENT CHURCH LEADER FELLOWSHIPS WITH WICCANS (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
Samir Selmanovic, an emerging church leader, is practicing interfaith spirituality with Wiccans during Halloween. Selmanovic’s Faith House in Manhattan provides the following information at its web site: “This Fall we will be exploring how to cross boundaries [Sorry! I'd rather not polute my soul with such! The Bible COMMANDS we keep separate!!] into new spaces and meet ‘the other.’
In the US, Wiccans have been an example of a ‘minority’ religion, often met with misunderstanding and at times with hostility. We want to learn about and from them and are welcoming them to Faith House! ... The veil between the worlds is said to be thinnest at this time and so we take comfort in the closeness of the spirits of Nature, our Gods and Goddesses, and especially our Ancestors as we face the changing season and shorter days.
The Temple of the Spiral Path represents the family of covens practicing the Shadowfolk Tradition of Witchcraft, which was founded in 1995...”
Observe that this is not biblical evangelism. Faith House doesn’t plan to preach the gospel to the Wiccans and call them to repentance and faith in Christ. Rather, they want to “learn about and from them.” This is “evangelism” emergent style. Faith House talks positively about the spirits of Nature and gods and goddesses. This is utter apostasy.
As we document in our book What Is the Emerging Church, there is a very liberal side of the movement, represented by men like Selmanovic, and there is a more “conservative” side represented by men like Mark Driscoll. These claim to be “theologically conservative but culturally liberal.” Selmanovic, a Seventh-day Adventist, says on his website that he has “been integral to the birth of the emerging church movement, serving as a member of the Coordinating Group of Emergent Village...”
Selmanovic, his “Faith House Project” and his 2009 book It’s Really All about God: Reflections of a Muslim Atheist Jewish Christian have been highly recommended by Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren.
[My good God!! I want to throw up!! You bet it is ALL about God!!]
For more on this movement see “What Is the Emerging Church?” which is available from Way of Life Literature in print and e-book formats, as well as in a DVD series. Some congregations have shown this series in church-wide Sunday School. Home schoolers have used it to educate their children.
CHINA FORCES ABORTION AT EIGHT MONTHS (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The following is excerpted from “The Reality of China’s One-Child Policy,” CNSNews.com, Oct. 22, 2010: “Critics of Beijing’s ‘one-child policy’ say a televised clip showing a young mother enduring a forced abortion at eight months’ gestation calls for a worldwide response. According to the report by al-Jazeera television, heavily pregnant Xiao Ai Ying was forced to undergo an abortion at a hospital in the southeastern coastal city of Xiamen because she and her husband, Luo Yan Qua, already have their permitted one child--a 10-year-old daughter. ... The report said Xiao’s unborn baby was given a lethal injection.
She was filmed waiting to deliver the dead child. ‘I have felt the baby moving round and round in my belly,” Xiao said. “Can you imagine how I feel now?’ Outside, Luo pondered the effect of the tragedy on their existing child. ‘She’s been feeling my wife’s belly as it has grown larger and larger over the months,’ he said. ‘My daughter says, I will have a little brother soon. I don’t know how I can possibly explain to her what has happened.’ ... China’s communist government says the policy has been an essential factor in the country’s economic development, having successfully ‘prevented’ 400 million births since 1979. ...
Reggie Littlejohn, president of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, noted that the fines levied on couples who violate the policy could be 10 times as high as an annual salary in China. ‘Most people cannot afford to pay these fines. What’s left for them? Forced abortion or forced sterilization.’”
[One question one need never ask a Chinese, in China, is if she or he has brothers and sisters; or uncles and aunts!! The inevitable answer will always be "No!" My God! So much we take for granted!]
WOMAN SEEKING “CHRISTIAN ROOMMATE” CITED FOR DISCRIMINATION (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The following is from WorldNetDaily, Oct. 21, 2010: “A single, 31-year-old woman in Michigan who posted a note on her church bulletin board seeking a ‘Christian roommate’ to share her residence has been cited by the state for violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against those of other faiths.
The complaint signed by Tyra Khan, a ‘Civil Rights Representative’ of the state of Michigan Department of Civil Rights, surfaced when the Alliance Defense Fund announced today it was representing the woman. ADF spokesman Joel Oster confirmed the organization sent a letter to the state explaining that such housing rules don't apply to people living in their own homes and wanting to share their resources.
‘[Tricia] is a single lady looking for a roommate. She is not a landlord. She does not own a management company. She does not run an apartment complex. She is a single person seeking to have a roommate live with her in her house,’ the letter said. ‘She is not prohibited by either federal law or state law from seeking a Christian roommate. Neither Title VII of the US Fair Housing Civil Rights Act of 1968 nor the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act No. 453 prevents a woman like [her] from seeking a Christian roommate.’ ...
The letter asked for an immediate dismissal of the case, but Oster confirmed to WND today that he had not received a response. ...
‘Christians shouldn’t live in fear of being punished by the government for being Christians. It is completely absurd to try to penalize a single Christian woman for privately seeking a Christian roommate at church--an obviously legal and constitutionally protected activity,’ said Oster, a senior legal counsel with the ADF.”
[Ah! Doesn't this hit home! Quite literally! I own income property in which I also reside! Thankfully, I am aware of my rights, and I do exercise them! I have been threatened with lawsuits but nothing has ever come out of it! Sorry! This is my house, and in it, it is I who makes the rules! I would not rent to anyone I consider an undesirable! Unfortunately, even my phone screening and a very involved application does not always keep such away! But, as I have always stated, through the years I have had tenants here and there who have taught me a thing or two, which I never fail to incorporate in the next lease, which is, in itself, quite voluminous already!]
PULLING WEEDS OR SOWING SEED (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
Last year I heard a sermon by an influential independent Baptist pastor who spoke very negatively of “critical” ministries. He said: “I heard of the story of an old farmer who decided that he did not want one weed on his farm. He hired additional help and he finally reached his goal, not one weed on his farm. Now the problem was he had not planted a single crop. And most divisive, issue-oriented leaders live that way to the peril of their own ministry.”
If ever there was a time to sound forth godly warnings it is today, yet there is a growing resistance to this within the independent Baptist movement. There is a neglect of clear warning about issues. Some say that it is O.K. to warn about such things as liberalism and charismaticism and ecumenism and the emerging church, things “out there,” but we should not criticize fellow independent Baptists, but where does the Bible say that independent Baptist preachers are above reproof? Many would like to place such things as music and dress standards and the Bible version issue into a “peripheral” category that is off limits for warnings.
Today, the independent Baptist movement is a hodge-podge that encompasses much error. Within this movement there is Calvinism, Ruckmanism, modern textual criticism, Purpose Drivenism, Christian rockism, Quick Prayerism, and many other errors. The fact is that we need to pull weeds and sow seed, not one or the other, but both, and that is what we are doing. We are pulling weeds through our warning ministry and sowing seed through our missionary church planting ministry, and we intend to continue doing both by God’s grace. [Good for you! May God bless you!!]
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD COMPROMISES ITS POSITION ON CREATION
"I believe the Bible just as it was written, and I believe that the whale swallowed Jonah. I would have believed it just the same if it had said that Jonah swallowed the whale. I've got no better sense than to believe the Bible. Call me a fool for it, and I'm a happy fool. I believe every word in the Bible. I accept everything between the lids of the Book. I have good reasons for my faith." - Sam P. Jones... and me!
I find it unbelievable that we presume to place ourselves at the knowledge-level of our Creator! Such audacity!!
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD COMPROMISES ITS POSITION ON CREATION (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The Assemblies of God (AG) has watered down its statement on “The Doctrine of Creation” in a newly adopted position paper. [As has the Vatican a long time ago!]
The 2010 statement claims that “the creation accounts do not give precise details [UNREAL!!] as to how God went about His creative activity” nor “do these accounts provide us with complete chronologies that enable us to date with precision the time of the various stages of creation.”
The statement goes on to say that “equally devout Christian believers have formed very different opinions [Indeed!! We know of the monetary worth of such: A DIME A DOZEN!!] about the age of the earth, the age of humankind, and the ways in which God went about the creative processes.”
This is a complete capitulation to the heresy of “theistic evolution.”
The Bible most definitely does give precise details as to how God went about His creative activity. Further, the Bible gives precise chronologies in the genealogies that allow us to date the creation within a thousand years or so. There is no possibility of evolution’s millions and billions of years anywhere within the biblical framework of creation. [Surely! I am still waiting to see the fossil of the "link" between man and ape!! If such can be found of dinosaurs, just where are the fossil remains of the "evolutionary steps" between man and ape??...]
A man who does not believe the Bible might be ignorantly sincere, but he is not “devout.” Ken Ham published a blog exposing the AG’s misuse of terminology in its attempt to “explain” its new position. See “Assemblies of God Denomination Responds,” Sept. 15, 2010, blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/.
I find it unbelievable that we presume to place ourselves at the knowledge-level of our Creator! Such audacity!!
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD COMPROMISES ITS POSITION ON CREATION (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The Assemblies of God (AG) has watered down its statement on “The Doctrine of Creation” in a newly adopted position paper. [As has the Vatican a long time ago!]
The 2010 statement claims that “the creation accounts do not give precise details [UNREAL!!] as to how God went about His creative activity” nor “do these accounts provide us with complete chronologies that enable us to date with precision the time of the various stages of creation.”
The statement goes on to say that “equally devout Christian believers have formed very different opinions [Indeed!! We know of the monetary worth of such: A DIME A DOZEN!!] about the age of the earth, the age of humankind, and the ways in which God went about the creative processes.”
This is a complete capitulation to the heresy of “theistic evolution.”
The Bible most definitely does give precise details as to how God went about His creative activity. Further, the Bible gives precise chronologies in the genealogies that allow us to date the creation within a thousand years or so. There is no possibility of evolution’s millions and billions of years anywhere within the biblical framework of creation. [Surely! I am still waiting to see the fossil of the "link" between man and ape!! If such can be found of dinosaurs, just where are the fossil remains of the "evolutionary steps" between man and ape??...]
A man who does not believe the Bible might be ignorantly sincere, but he is not “devout.” Ken Ham published a blog exposing the AG’s misuse of terminology in its attempt to “explain” its new position. See “Assemblies of God Denomination Responds,” Sept. 15, 2010, blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/.
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Friday, October 29, 2010
Is God's Love Unconditional?
Most people are of the belief that God's love in unconditional! I have always disagreed with this stance. God prefaces everything with a conditional and an adverbial consequence to that condition! I have no doubt that God begins by loving all; how could He help it? He creates us!
But, He is not so foolish so as t0 be treated like a pushover! No! The loss is ours if it is that we do not merit His love! The consequence of what His word outlines must be accomplished without regard!
The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE? (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The emerging church claims that God’s love is unconditional, but this is a serious error. God’s love is unfathomable, but it is not unconditional.
Consider the following statements that the Lord Jesus Christ made:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5-6).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14). This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list. To SUBSCRIBE, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/wayoflife/subscribe.html. TO UNSUBSCRIBE OR CHANGE ADDRESSES, go to the very bottom of any email received from us and click "Manage My Subscription." Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org.
But, He is not so foolish so as t0 be treated like a pushover! No! The loss is ours if it is that we do not merit His love! The consequence of what His word outlines must be accomplished without regard!
The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this does not imply an endorsement. For instructions on how to unsubscribe to this list or to change mailing addresses, please consult the information paragraph at the end.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE? (Friday Church News Notes, October 29, 2010, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)
The emerging church claims that God’s love is unconditional, but this is a serious error. God’s love is unfathomable, but it is not unconditional.
Consider the following statements that the Lord Jesus Christ made:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5-6).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mat. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14). This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list. To SUBSCRIBE, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/wayoflife/subscribe.html. TO UNSUBSCRIBE OR CHANGE ADDRESSES, go to the very bottom of any email received from us and click "Manage My Subscription." Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A Heap o' Livin': Home - Edgar A. Guest
Of all the ways through which to be inspired, watching All in the family!
I love its good humor, and never fail to watch it, if I can.
I also love poetry, and Edith and a convict plumber's apprentice offered both!
Well, try as I may, I am unable to shrink this to a smaller page.
Just click on the link to view it: http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/heapoliv.htm
I love its good humor, and never fail to watch it, if I can.
I also love poetry, and Edith and a convict plumber's apprentice offered both!
Well, try as I may, I am unable to shrink this to a smaller page.
Just click on the link to view it: http://sofinesjoyfulmoments.com/quotes/heapoliv.htm
All In The Family: "Prisoner in the House" 1/3
All In The Family: "Prisoner in the House" 2/3
All In The Family: "Prisoner in the House" 3/3
Home by Edgar Guest It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home, A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye lef' behind, An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind. It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be, How much yer chairs an' tables cost, how great yer luxury; I ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king, Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped round everything. Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute; Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it; Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men; And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't part With anything they ever used -- they've grown into yer heart: The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumb marks on the door. Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit an' sigh An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh; An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come, An' close the eyes o' her that smiled, an' leave her sweet voice dumb. Fer these are scenes that grip the heart, an' when yer tears are dried, Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified; An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories O' her that was an' is no more -- ye can't escape from these. Ye've got t' sing an' dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play, An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day; Even the roses 'round the porch must blossom year by year Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes' t' run The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun; Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome: It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home. From the book "A Heap o' Livin'" ©1916 Thanks to Mary Repass-Friend for this poem
~ Unsorted ~
Good Books When Day Is Done What We Need
God Made This Day For Me The Homely Man The Joys We Miss
What I Call Living If This Were All A Christmas Carol
Forgotten Boyhood The Peaks of Valor No Children!
The Loss Is Not So Great Home and the Office He's Taken Out His Papers
No Room for Hate A Boy and His Dog No Better Land Than This
Good Books When Day Is Done What We Need
God Made This Day For Me The Homely Man The Joys We Miss
What I Call Living If This Were All A Christmas Carol
Forgotten Boyhood The Peaks of Valor No Children!
The Loss Is Not So Great Home and the Office He's Taken Out His Papers
No Room for Hate A Boy and His Dog No Better Land Than This
~ Patriotism ~
A Patriotic Creed Memorial Day Show the Flag
Things That Make A Soldier Great
Forefathers' Day A Creed A Patriotic Wish
The Future
A Patriotic Creed Memorial Day Show the Flag
Things That Make A Soldier Great
Forefathers' Day A Creed A Patriotic Wish
The Future
~ Everyday Living ~
Raisen Pie Out Fishin'
Raisen Pie Out Fishin'
~ Friendship ~
A Friend Be A Friend A Friends Greeting
A Friend Be A Friend A Friends Greeting
~ Having Character ~
At The Door Myself You
The Brethren The Love of the Game Influence
The Finer Thought When You Know A Fellow Thoughtlessness
Things That Haven't Been Done Before The Cheat Equipment
True Nobility Can't
At The Door Myself You
The Brethren The Love of the Game Influence
The Finer Thought When You Know A Fellow Thoughtlessness
Things That Haven't Been Done Before The Cheat Equipment
True Nobility Can't
~ On Being A Dad ~
Only A Dad Afraid Of His Dad Story Telling
Only A Dad Afraid Of His Dad Story Telling
~ Being A Man ~
A Real Man My Creed A Man
Lord Make Me A Regular Man The Man Who Couldn't Save
The True Man Answering Him
A Real Man My Creed A Man
Lord Make Me A Regular Man The Man Who Couldn't Save
The True Man Answering Him
~ Home & The Family~
The Little Home On Going Home For Christmas Take Home A Smile
The Stick-Together Families The Perfect Dinner Table
Home (It Takes A Heap O' Livin')
The Little Home On Going Home For Christmas Take Home A Smile
The Stick-Together Families The Perfect Dinner Table
Home (It Takes A Heap O' Livin')
~ God & Faith ~
Silent When Sorrow Comes Sermons We See
The First Easter As We Prayed The Weaver
Faith On a Certain Religious Argument
Silent When Sorrow Comes Sermons We See
The First Easter As We Prayed The Weaver
Faith On a Certain Religious Argument
~ A Certain Kind Of Folk ~
The Lighthouse Keeper Wonders The Scoutmaster
The Lighthouse Keeper Wonders The Scoutmaster
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Updated November 18, 2008
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Where are the Originals? by Dr. Sam Gipp
BereanBeacon February 21, 2008
Friend of Churches Ministries
http://samgipp.com
DayStar Publishing
http://daystarpublishing.org
The Answer Book by Dr. Sam Gipp
http://www.samgipp.com/answer/gipp_an...
We Are Americans
1st Chapter Excerpt
By Dr. Samuel C. Gipp
http://biblebelievers.com/gipp_we_ame...
The Fruit of the Spirit
Today's The Berean ties in well with my previous post AREN’T MULTITUDES OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING SAVED THROUGH CCM? .
John 16:13
(13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Romans 8:14
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
King James Version
Romans 8:14 refers to those who are "led," not dragged, forced, imposed upon or imputed to [nor made to sign anything]. This supplements what Jesus says in this verse. Some of the verbs in this sentence demonstrate that free moral agency is still involved. "Guide," "speak," and "tell" show that God has chosen to persuade rather than force us. In addition, they give the distinct impression that the followers and hearers will need to do something on their own.
They will have to make choices, pay attention to what is said or written, and set their wills and follow through on their choices in order to accompany and learn from the Guide. Without these, they will not produce fruit because they are doing insufficient or the wrong activities.
A teacher cannot impose knowledge, understanding, and wisdom upon a student. The student must cooperate in the process. Without this, little or no fruit is produced. The Bible shows the Spirit of God as influencing, suggesting, and, if we choose to permit it, dominating—perhaps even controlling—our lives. This is good because God is good, and if we will yield, the fruit of His Spirit will be produced in our lives.
Are we aware that a divine influence is drawing us away from the corrupting passions and vanities of this world? Are we conscious of a desire to yield to that influence and be conducted along the path of holiness and life? Do we resist, or do we follow cheerfully and energetically, mortifying pride, subduing passion, destroying lust, stifling talebearing, humbling ambition, and annihilating the love of the wealth and fashions of this world?
God will not lead us astray. Our real love, joy, and peace consist only in yielding ourselves entirely to Him and being willing to be guided and influenced by His unseen hand. To be led by the Spirit is to choose voluntarily and consciously to submit to the Word of God.
John W. Ritenbaugh
From The Fruit of the Spirit
Related Topics:
Choice,Power of
Choices
Guidance of Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Submission
Submission to God
Teacher-Student Relationship
Yielding to God
Commentary copyright © 1992-2010 Church of the Great God
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AREN’T MULTITUDES OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING SAVED THROUGH CCM?
The minute one has to sign something to give a third party "verification and promise" of the faith you feel and your salvation, as also does Rick Warren, then it is that you find yourself in a CULTist environment!
AREN’T MULTITUDES OF YOUNG PEOPLE BEING SAVED THROUGH CCM?
October 26, 2010, 2010 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
Promoters of Christian rock music claim that the bottom line is that God is blessing it and that many young people are saved through it. Hard rocking Mylon LeFevre claimed that tens of thousands signed decisions cards at his concerts:
“There are 52,000 people who have signed a little card that says, ‘Tonight, for the first time, I understand who Jesus is and how He does things, and I want Him to be my Lord’” (LeFevre, cited by John Styll, “Mylon LeFevre: The Solid Rocker,” CCM Magazine, March 1986).
This is an amazing statistic by any standard, especially in light of the fact that LeFevre admitted that he did not get right with God until 1980 and the aforementioned statement was made in 1986.
Many other CCM performers claim that people are being saved through their ministries. The 12th Rock of Ages Festival in Napa County, California, in October 2010, reported 250 saved.
The book Soul 2 Soul contains salvation testimonies from CCM groups such as 4 HIM and dc Talk. They say that people have even been rescued from committing suicide through their music.
I am thankful for every soul that is saved regardless of whether or not we agree in all matters with those involved in the conversion. I do believe that some CCM groups are genuinely concerned for the salvation of young people through their music and concerts, and I do believe that some young people are being saved in the context of Contemporary Christian Music.
Even if people are being saved through a ministry, though, it does not follow that it is to be commended in its entirety. Many have been saved through Billy Graham’s ministry, including my own wife and mother-in-law, but this does not mean we should overlook the dangerous and unscriptural methodology of his ecumenical evangelism, of how he has turned tens of thousands of his converts over to Roman Catholic and liberal Protestant churches. Jehoshaphat was a godly king who did many things to glorify God in his life and ministry, but the prophet was instructed to rebuke him for his serious disobedience in yoking together with Ahab.
“And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:2).
The disobedience of Jehoshaphat is akin to that of evangelicals today (including contemporary Christian musicians) who refuse to practice biblical separation. Just because a church or ministry pleases God in certain areas does not mean that God will not rebuke it for unfaithfulness in others. The Lord’s admonitions to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2-3 illustrate this. Jesus did not overlook areas of disobedience even in the best of the churches, and it is the preachers that God uses to rebuke error today. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). Paul did not overlook Peter’s disobedience in a seeming insignificant matter but rather rebuked him publicly (Gal. 2:11-13).
I would also remind CCM defenders that God has told us how to do evangelism, and there is absolutely nothing in the Bible about entertainment evangelism. It is the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16) and the Bible says that God has chosen to save people through the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor. 1:21).
When someone is saved in the context of Christian rock music, I don’t believe they are saved because of Christian rock music but in spite of it.
Further, I have serious doubts about the statistics that are given of great numbers being saved through Christian rock music, and the following are the reasons for my doubts.
First, the decisions are suspect because of the message.
Salvation comes only through repentance and faith in the one true gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation comes through sound doctrine. Salvation does not come through a false doctrine of the gospel. Note the following Scripture carefully:
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but YE HAVE OBEYED FROM THE HEART THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE WHICH WAS DELIVERED YOU” (Romans 6:17).
The following verses remind us that salvation comes through hearing and believing the right WORDS of the Gospel:
“Who shall tell thee WORDS, WHEREBY THOU AND ALL THY HOUSE SHALL BE SAVED” (Acts 11:14).
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in THE WORD OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:5-6).
A corrupted message of salvation does not produce biblical salvation. The one true gospel of Jesus Christ is summarized in 1 Cor. 15:3-4: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
The Bible warns that there are false gospels and false christs.
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER JESUS, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER SPIRIT, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER GOSPEL, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4).
The Galatians were sharply rebuked because they quickly turned aside to a false gospel:
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER GOSPEL: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7).
In light of these Bible warnings, we must ask some serious questions about the claims of Contemporary Christian Music. What gospel, what doctrine of salvation, is being preached?
The answer is that the gospel is rarely clear and sound in the context of an ecumenical-charismatic CCM concert. There are exceptions, of course, but some men from within the CCM movement have admitted that this is generally true.
“One of my criticisms of those of us who use music in evangelism is the nature and content of the ‘gospel’ which is preached. ALL TOO OFTEN, A SUPERFICIAL KIND OF BELIEVISM IS OFFERED, along with promises of large helpings of love, joy and peace” (Graham Kendrick, CCM musician and organizer for British rock festivals, Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 142).
“An analysis of the lyrics of MOST gospel songs indicates A VERY SUPERFICIAL VIEW OF SALVATION and of Christianity” (Garth Hewitt, CCM musician, Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 142).
Stan Moser was the former head of Word Records and CEO of Star Song Records. He was one of the pioneers and most important executives in CCM. He was the man responsible for signing Amy Grant. In 1995, after 26 years in Contemporary Christian Music, he left it and expressed disgust with what it has become. Note his testimony about the doctrinal content of CCM:
“But to be candid, I look at THE MAJORITY OF THE MUSIC I HEAR TODAY AND THINK IT’S VIRTUALLY MEANINGLESS. ... I would probably be more inclined to call the industry ‘commercial Christian music,’ rather than ‘contemporary Christian music’” (Stan Moser, “We Have Created a Monster,” Christianity Today, May 20, 1996, p. 27).
In the book Contemporary Christian Music under the Spotlight we have given many examples of how the gospel is unclear or is corrupted in Contemporary Christian Music
Kerry Livgren, former guitarist/songwriter for the secular mega rock group Kansas, claims that many people have been saved through a song he wrote before he became a Christian! “More people have been led to Christ with [the song “Dust in the Wind”] than with everything else I’ve ever written. Not only did that song not mention Jesus, but I was not a Christian at the time. It just happened to be a truth that the song emphasized” (Kerry Livgren, CCM Magazine, Feb. 1989, p. 8).
Livgren is saying that many have been saved through a rock song that was written by an unsaved man and that doesn’t mention Jesus and doesn’t describe the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection. That is ridiculously unscriptural. “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). It is the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that is the power of God unto salvation through faith (Rom. 1:16).
The late Rich Mullins was a very popular CCM writer and performer. He wrote songs popularized by Amy Grant and other well-known singers. His gospel, though, was very murky. When he was killed in 1997, it was reported that he was in the process of joining the Roman Catholic Church. In his song “Screen Door” he presents the false gospel of faith plus works:
“Faith without works baby/ It just ain’t happenin’/ One is your left hand/ One is your right/ It’ll take two strong arms/ To hold on tight” (Mullins, “Screen Door”)
This song presents the false gospel that is taught by every cult today. One of the marks of false Christianity is to confuse faith and works, to mingle faith and works together for salvation. While it is true that faith without works is dead and that true saving faith produces works, it is not true that faith and works are the two strong arms by which we hold on tight to God (Eph. 2:8-10), yet that is exactly the heresy that this song teaches. Paul stated just the opposite: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6).
The name of Jesus Christ does not appear even once in three of Michael W. Smith’s albums--Change Your World, I’ll Lead You Home, and Live Your Life. The lyrics to the albums contain more than 6,000 words, but the name of Jesus is not heard even one time. The Bible says there is none other NAME under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). It is impossible to preach the gospel clearly without naming the name of Christ Jesus.
Consider the words to the song “Bargain” which Rez Band has popularized for Christian young people:
“I’ll pay any price just to get you/ I’ll work all my life and I will/ To win you, I’d stand naked, stoned, and stabbed/ I’d call that a bargain/ The best I ever had/ The best I ever had ... I’ll pay any price just to win you/ Surrender my good life or bad/ To find you/ I’m gonna drown an unsung man/ I call that a bargain/ The best I ever had...”
Rez band got this song from legendary rock guitarist Pete Townshend of the violent/immoral/occultic rock band The Who. Townshend wrote “Bargain” as a tribute to his Hindu guru Meher Baba. Townshend has testified: “Baba is Christ, because being a Christian is just like being a Baba lover” (Bob Larson, Rock, 1984, p. 140). Not only is it blasphemous to take a song by an immoral rock star about a Hindu guru and sing it as unto Jesus Christ, but the song itself promotes a false gospel. We do not and cannot win the true God by sacrifice. Salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Further, the sinner has no “good life” to surrender. All our righteousness is as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). There is “none that doeth good, no, not one” (Rom. 3:12).
Note the following song by the popular CCM group Delirious. This is “Revival Town” from their King of Fools album:
“Well I’ve got a story to tell/ About the King above all kings/ He spoke for peace, hope and justice/ Things that we all need today/ You let a broken generation/ Become a dancing generation/ That is revival generation/ You may not hear it on the radio/ But you can feel it in the air.”
This doctrinal murkiness is typical of the “gospel message” preached by most CCM groups today.
The following song is from “Adventures of the O.C. Supertones” (1996):
“You probably ask yourself, how’d this Jew boy get so crazy/ Come from kickin’ mad knowledge, didn’t come from being lazy/ We got the rhythm and the rhythm’s got roots/ I’m a crazy little Hebrew onstage wearin’ monkey boots/ I love to be onstage and sing and bimskalabimmin/ I love to be out in the crowd a skakin’ and a swimmin’/ King David, my great grandfather, was a dancer/ King Solomon, my great grandfather, was a romancer/ Jesus came from Jesse, but Jesse came from Jesus/ Now come to the Lord cuz Lord Jesus frees us.”
Is that a plain presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Could someone be saved through a mixed up message like this? Not according to Romans 6:17. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE which was delivered you.”
The following is an eyewitness description of a Deliverance concert:
“When it came time for the ‘preaching,’ the members of Deliverance took turns talking about love and victory and not being a ‘wimp.’ Nothing about repentance. Nothing about salvation or separation from the world. Instead of an altar call, there was a cattle-call yodel where all the Christians were instructed to yell for Jesus” (Jeff Godwin, What’s Wrong with Christian Rock? pp. 225, 226).
Aaron and Jeoffrey are a father and son music team. As much as we enjoy seeing a close father/son relationship, we cannot support Aaron and Jeoffrey because of their jazzed up worldly music and the unscriptural doctrine they sing. Note the following message from the song “Moment of Mercy” from The Climb album (1997):
“We’ve all been weakened by the choices we have made/ Wrapped in chains it seems we can’t undo/ It doesn’t matter what we’ve done or where we’ve been/ With one honest prayer/ We can be forgiven … And with a simple act of faith we start to see/ Our failures are forgiven” (Aaron and Jeoffrey, “Moment of Mercy”).
This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ that Paul preached in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. The biblical gospel says that Jesus Christ died for OUR SINS according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Aaron and Jeoffrey speak not of forgiveness of sin, but of “failures” and of “choices we have made.” A failure or a bad choice is not the same thing as sin, which is disobedience to God’s law. This is a wrong-headed approach to salvation and it is common among CCM performers. Further, Aaron and Jeoffrey’s gospel is not achieved by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ for sin, but by an “honest prayer” and “a simple act of faith.” People can honestly pray many things and not be saved, and a simple act of faith in itself does not save. The act of faith must be directed specifically to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people who are not saved have faith in God and faith in God’s goodness and faith in God’s love (James 2:19), because they have not put their trust in the finished cross work of Christ. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat. 7:21-23).
The following lyrics to the song “Lovely Mausoleum” by the group Big Tent Revival (from the album Open All Nite, 1996) illustrate the hazy, erroneous CCM gospel:
“Sunrise open your eyes/ When are you gonna see? New day coming your way/ What is it gonna be?”
Chorus: “Your choice, your voice/ You are in control/ Jesus, Jesus/ He will make you whole” (Big Tent Revival, “Lovely Mausoleum”).
There is no gospel here. What new day is coming my way? What is my choice? I am in control of what? Who is Jesus? What does He have to do with a sunrise for me? How does He make me whole?
Consider Don Francisco. When he does give the gospel in his songs, it is often unclear. Consider the words to “Step across the Line” from the Forgiven album:
“You gotta take a step across the line/ Let Jesus fill your heart and mind/ I can show you where to look/ but you gotta seek to find.”
Is that a clear presentation of the gospel? Could someone be born again through that? Contemporary Christian Music evangelism is almost always this hazy. Consider another example. This one is from Francisco’s song “I Don’t Care Where You’ve Been Sleeping.”
“I don’t care where you’ve been sleepin’/ I don’t care who’s made your bed/ I’ve already gave my life to set you free/ There’s no sin you could imagine/ That’s stronger than my love/ And it’s yours if you will come back home.”
It is wonderfully true that Christ died for all of our sins and that His grace is sufficient to forgive any sin, but how do we receive His forgiveness? How can a person be born again? A hazy “come back home” is not the answer. Come back home to what? Don Francisco’s audience is a mixed multitude of believers and the religious lost. What does “come back home” mean to them? Come back home to the Roman Catholic sacraments? Come back home to baptismal regeneration? Come back home to the “hold on tight because you might lose it” insecurity of an Assemblies of God gospel? Come back home to what? Most CCM musicians do not make the message clear because they do not have a strong understanding of Bible doctrine and because they do not want to cause divisions.
Here’s another example of Don Francisco’s gospel. This one is from his song “Give Your Heart a Home.”
“If you are tired and weary, weak and heavy laden/ I can understand how it feels to be alone/ I will take your burden/ If you let me love you/ Wrap my arms around you and give your heart a home.”
This is not the message that the apostles preached. It is not anything like the messages that were preached in the book of Acts.
CCM performer Dallas Holm was trained by Pentecostal evangelist Dave Wilkerson. Note the following feeling-oriented gospel message from the song “Love Has Come over Me” (from the album Chain of Grace, 1992):
“So won’t you make a fresh evaluation/ Think about your life, about your soul/ He can touch your heart and make you whole/ Then you will have a wonderful sensation/ When you decide to give Him everything/ Then you’ll join the holy celebration/ And lift your voice and begin to sing. Chorus: Because/ Love has come over me/ Captured my spirit/ Set my soul free/ Now I just can’t believe/ How different I am since/ Love has come over me.”
Is salvation deciding “to give Him everything”? Who is “Him”? There are many false christs and false gods in this world. Which one is Holm singing about? His fans won’t know from listening to this song. Is salvation a wonderful sensation? Not necessarily. Salvation is often a sensation of struggle and trial. Oftentimes salvation is no sensation at all as far as a feeling. The hazy message of “love coming over me” is too vague to be of help to the young people who listen to CCM. In the context of the ecumenical confusion that surrounds Contemporary Christian Music and the New Age confusion that surrounds young people today, this message could mean almost anything. It could refer to a faithful Catholic attending Mass or a baptismal regenerationist at his baptismal service or a Laughing Revival proponent becoming “drunk in the spirit.” The ecumenical movement thrives on hazy doctrine like this.
Note the following “gospel” message by the Imperials:
“Friend, I know where you’re comin’ from/ Seems your life’s under the gun/ With no real chance of escape/ There is hope right outside your door/ It’s what you’ve been searchin’ for/ A love that will never fade/ So don’t you run away/ Don’t run away/ You can’t hide/ Gotta keep reachin’/ You must keep reachin’/ Gotta keep reachin’ for higher things” (“Higher Things,” The Imperials, 1988, Free the Fire album).
What does this song mean? It’s hard to tell. If it’s for the unsaved, it presents a false gospel that salvation is obtained by a continual reaching for God. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:8,9). If the song, on the other hand, is for the saved, it says hope is “outside your door.” This is false. The Bible says “Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).
Following is an eyewitness account of the message which was presented by the News Boys on their 1997 “Take Me to Your Leader Tour.” This tour was voted #1 by CCM Magazine.
“Then the music stopped and what was to be their gospel message began. The band member who spoke said to the effect, we should have a passion for our faith, that people should see we are different, we should be salty Christians, that we should tell our friends what Jesus did in our lives and how God has changed us. He told how salt preserves, and how we can help stop the spread of decay and corruption and how if we lose our saltiness we are good for nothing. ... In conclusion he said to those who didn’t know Jesus to ask those they came with or ask someone around them about what Jesus did in their lives and he said to the effect, before going back into their rock music, ‘I know you don’t want to hear anymore preaching’” (John Beardsley, “The Invasion Begins: A Review of the News Boys Take Me to Your Leader Tour,” The Christian Conscience, 1997).
That was the only message that was given. The young people were not told about their fallen condition. They were not warned of eternal Hell. They were not told the gospel. They were not told how to be saved. We must recall, too, that the lyrics to the rock songs performed by the News Boys are vague. Further, the words are almost impossible to understand because of the riotous music.
Reviewing the News Boys’ Take Me to Your Leader concert, even a local secular newspaper noted the lack of clarity to the message: “Although most of the choruses are straightforward, THE VERSES ARE HARD TO FOLLOW, A FLAW THAT SERVES TO TRIVIALIZE THE BAND’S CHRISTIAN MESSAGE. ... Built on lyrics that leave too many holes to be filled, THE BAND’S MESSAGE GETS LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE ALTERNATIVE MUSIC” (Rapid City Journal, Rapid City, South Dakota, May 13, 1997).
The WOW 1998 CD contains 30 top CCM songs for the year, thus giving us a clear window into the world of Contemporary Christian Music. The CD jacket says, “This is music that can make an eternal difference,” yet there is no clear gospel presentation in any of the music. How can it then make an eternal difference?
We could give countless other examples of this, but to me it is obvious that a large percentage of “decisions” made in the context of Contemporary Christian Music are suspect because the message being presented is either unclear or overtly unscriptural.
There are exceptions to this, of course, but exceptions do not make a rule.
Second, the decisions made in the context of Contemporary Christian Music are suspect because of the atmosphere.
Not only are the CCM salvation statistics suspect because of the murky message, they are also suspect because of the atmosphere created by the music itself. Powerful music can produce emotional decisions, but biblical salvation is not the product of an emotional decision. It is the product of Holy Spirit-wrought repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel.
Note the following warnings from men who are very knowledgeable about music:
“The element of relentless beat in rock music increases THE DANGER OF A SHALLOW, EMOTIONAL, UNTHINKING RESPONSE, made at the wrong level and for the wrong reasons” (John Blanchard, Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 23)
“In loading our evangelistic programmes with manipulative music, are we not greatly increasing the RISKS OF PRODUCING ‘CONVERSIONS’ THAT ARE PSYCHOLOGICAL RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL? The set-up could not be more perfect. Impressionable young people can undoubtedly be so conditioned by the music that they are much more likely to accept whatever the preacher says. Add a good communicator and the chances are that he will produce an impressive number of ‘decisions.’ However, THE DANGER IS THAT THESE ‘DECISIONS’ ARE THE RESULT OF MUSICAL CONDITIONING RATHER THAN SPIRITUAL CONVICTION” (John Blanchard, Pop Goes the Gospel).
“One day I talked with a pastor who had been in charge of follow-up after a large city wide evangelistic campaign. Christian rock had been used prominently throughout the meetings. Several hundred young people had responded to the invitation at the close of the services. This is what he reported: ‘A few weeks after the meetings I had difficulty finding any who had signed decision cards. There were none in the churches, none attending Bible studies, NONE GOING ON WITH THE LORD AT ALL.’ He concluded that THE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE RESPONDING TO THE MUSIC MORE THAN TO THE MESSAGE” (Lowell Hart, Satan’s Music Exposed, p. 180).
“Here is the testimony of Phil, a young man who had been saved out of a rock band: ‘In 1973 I became a Christian after playing with rock bands and being in the music business for about seven years. … Some well-meaning Christians encouraged me to ‘use my talents for the Lord,’ so we formed a group to play what we considered to be the new Christian sound. It was nothing more than secular rock with Christian words. We thought that the type of music we played, the length of our hair and the way we dressed would more effectively reach these young people. We gave our testimonies with soft, slow music in the background. When we gave the invitation sometimes a hundred or more teenagers would come forward. Were these conversions genuine? We decided to begin a follow-up. We were shocked to find that almost everyone who had given us an address had gone back to their old ways. I can’t think of one person i could show you today as fruit of our ministry. I REALIZE NOW THAT THEY WERE RESPONDING TO THE MUSIC, NOT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT’” (Phil Wilson, June 1978, quoted in Satan’s Music Exposed, pp. 180, 181).
Third, the decisions made in the context of Contemporary Christian Music are suspect because of the medium.
A large percentage of CCM is so loud and raucous that the words are not clear. How can the gospel be presented in its saving power if the very words are not plain! This exposes the hypocrisy of CCM defenders. They know that the message is frequently unclear, yet they claim that it is the message that is important and that the music is insignificant! If they would be honest, I believe they would be forced to admit that what is preeminent to them is their love of sensual music.
A man who attended an Audio Adrenaline/dc Talk concert in Rapid City, South Dakota, testified, “All the while the music was so loud if anyone could hear the words it wasn’t enough to get a message from; hence, the reaction was to the ‘rock’ beat not the words” (John Beardsley, “DC Talk Examined,” The Christian Conscience, June 1996).
I experienced the same thing when I attended a Christian rock concert put on by a Southern Baptist church in Oklahoma City in 2001. The music was so loud and grinding and the singers were screaming so fiercely that it was impossible to understand the lyrics.
Consider the following description of a Sheila Walsh concert, and she is not known as a particularly loud Christian rocker: “For some of us, however, communication ended when she sang because, more often than not, the band was too loud for us to catch the words” (Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 159).
While in Nashville, Tennessee, a few years ago on my way to a preaching meeting, I listened to WAYFM radio station, which advertises itself as “Christian Hit Radio.” I was completing my research in preparation to writing the book Contemporary Christian Music under the Spotlight. They played a skit that made fun of using Bible terms to reach today’s generation, alleging that no one can understand terms such as “justification,” “sanctification,” or “grace.” Instead, “Christian Hit Radio” professes to communicate plainly on a level people today can understand. Having heard that, I listened carefully to song after song to see what message they are presenting. Though I listened off and on for hours, not one song gave a clear gospel message. There was not even a clear Bible message of any sort. In fact, the words to many of the songs were difficult to impossible to understand. I concluded that while it is true that they are not using difficult Bible terms, they also are not communicating a clear Bible message, so their boast is meaningless.
This is true for Contemporary Christian Music at large.
Fourth, the decisions made in the context of Contemporary Christian Music are suspect because of the fruit.
If Contemporary Christian Music is of God, the fruit will be genuine salvation, holiness, perseverance in the faith, sound doctrine, Christian discipleship. In a nutshell, the fruit will be obedience to the Bible.
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4).
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47).
John Blanchard researched 13 mission agencies in Britain to see how many of their candidates were converted at Christian rock concerts. Not one was found. The following reply was typical: “I cannot call to mind anybody who has been converted through this type of youth evangelism and has subsequently gone to missionary service” (Pop Goes the Gospel, pp. 110-112).
When decisions made at Christian rock concerts in Britain were followed up, it was found that very few were genuine. For example, of 200 decisions recorded at one youth meeting, only four attended a follow-up session. Of the 100 students who made “decisions” in a school visited by a CCM performance, only one later showed even “a mild interest” in Christian things (Pop Goes the Gospel, p. 110).
The devil has provided many alternatives to the new birth and there are many sorts of false professions of salvation. Note the Bible’s warnings:
* A person can believe in God and not be saved (James 2:19).
* A person can pray to Jesus and not be saved (Matt. 7:22-23).
* A person can prophesy in Jesus’ name and not be saved (Matt. 7:22-23).
* A person can do wonderful works in Jesus’ name and not be saved (Matt. 7:22-23).
* A person can have a zeal for God and not be saved (Rom. 10:2-3).
* A person can have a zeal to make proselytes for God and not be saved (Matt. 23:15).
* A person can be very interested in Jesus Christ and not be saved (Matt. 19:16-22).
* A person can profess to know God and not be saved (Titus 1:16).
* A person can follow Jesus for a while and not be saved (Jn. 6:66).
* A person can serve Christ as an apostle and not be saved (John 6:70).
* A person can even believe on Jesus’ name and not be saved (John 2:23-24).
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men” (Jn. 2:23-24).
The reason these people were not saved is because they did not believe on Jesus as their Lord and Saviour from sin but as their worldly messiah who would feed them and rescue them from their political enemies (Jn. 6:26).
Fifth, the decisions made in the context of Contemporary Christian Music are suspect because of the scant emphasis on the gospel.
I have been investigating Contemporary Christian Music off and on for 35 years and intently for over a decade. I have listened to and read the lyrics to hundreds of songs, visited at hundreds of web sites produced by CCM musicians and their fans, listened to CCM radio stations in various parts of the country, etc.
My conclusion is that there is some gospel preaching done by CCM artists, but this is definitely not the main emphasis of CCM. In fact, evangelism comes across as a very low priority, generally speaking.
Consider the songs themselves. Only a VERY tiny percentage of CCM songs present a clear gospel.
Consider the websites. The majority of websites produced by CCM artists or fans do not contain a gospel message or a challenge to the unsaved.
Most biographies or interviews of CCM artists do not contain a clear testimony of salvation or any challenge to the unsaved.
As we have seen, it is common for CCM concerts NOT to give a clear gospel message. There are exceptions, but we are speaking here of the general picture.
Charlie Peacock polled 35 popular CCM artists and asked them “to estimate the number of letters received from non-Christians over the span of their careers.” Peacock concluded: “... over 50% gave ten or fewer letters as their answer. ... we must give serious consideration to the possibility that we’re producing very little evangelism and cultural penetration for the cause of Christ.” (Peacock, At the Crossroads, p. 184).
When all of these elements are combined (no gospel preaching, vague lyrics, deafening music, little emphasis on evangelism), it is impossible to believe that large numbers of young people are being genuinely saved through Contemporary Christian Music.
Emotional decisions and experiences, vague faith in God, reformation, religious commitments, rebuilding of self esteem--none of these things add up to biblical salvation. Biblical salvation is a supernatural new birth, and it comes through faith in the gospel.
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