A Must Read

• The Detergent Church by Doug Giles
• The Appeasement Chronicles
• Memorial Day: Time to Remember, Never to Forget
• Appeasement By Any Other Name
  

Technorati Tags: Church, Appeasement, Memorial Day

The Church of Oprah Exposed

People need to wake up! New Age is creeping more and more into the lives of people without them even realizing it. This teaching is far from what scripture teaches. She says 'God is a feeling experience, not a believing experience'. She is saying that there are other ways to heaven other than God. That is not what scripture says.

John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

2 Timothy 4:3-4, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

Linked at Conservative Cat
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Technorati Tags: New Age, Oprah, God, Church, Salvation

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Seven Churches Bombed in Iraq

As Orthodox Christians were beginning to celebrate their New Year's Eve service, seven churches were bombed. This took place although Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had vowed to protect and support Iraq’s Christian community back in October.

Some Christians are unwilling to let these bombers ruin their worship services. They refuse to stop worshipping in their churches because they feel they will wipe them anyway, if that is what they want. One man said he had rather die proud.

Christians in Iraq, composed mostly of Chaldeans, accounts for less than three percent of the country’s population. Today there are about 600,000 Iraqi Christians – down from 1.2 million before the 2003 U.S.-led offensive.

Many Christians in Iraq and abroad, as well as religious freedom advocates, have expressed concern of the extinction of Christians in Iraq – either through death or forced emigration – if more is not done to protect the powerless minority group.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Iraq, Christians, Chaldeans, Minority

The Deadly Virus of Celebrity Christianity

J. Lee Grady, editor of the Charisma magazine, has written an article about the church of today - how some ministers are put on a pedestal. They seem to think the church owes them a huge chunk of money, among other things, to even get them to appear before a congregation.

Grady says we have fallen so far from New Testament faith, and that New Testament Christianity should be humble, selfless, and authentic. But, he doesn't see this in many of the big egotistical preachers of today who demand so much of the church. Somewhere I think I've read, "if any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) Apparently these preachers have not read that portion of scripture yet.

clipped from www.charismanews.com What has become of the American church? What is this sickness spreading in the body of Christ? I don’t know whom to blame more for it: The narcissistic minister who craves the attention, or the spiritually naive crowds who place these arrogant people on their shaky pedestals. All I know is that God is grieved by all of this shameful carnality.

20/20 sued by preacher for defamation

Rev. Fred K.C. Price, the 75 year old founder of Crenshaw Christian Center, alleged he was defamed when 20/20 ran a clip from 10 years ago. The statement they used was taken out of context, according to Rev. Price.

Price, founder of the Crenshaw Christian Center, was featured in a "20/20" segment about well-heeled televangelists titled "Enough!" that the suit says "devastated, embarrassed and greatly humiliated" the 75-year-old. The suit also names Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC, and "20/20" co-anchor John Stossel.

In the March 23 segment, "20/20" ran a clip from a sermon Price delivered 10 years ago and displayed a still photo of the preacher as Stossel interviewed an activist who keeps tabs on how ministries spend congregants' donations. The suit calls the use of the clip "one of the most outrageous instances of 'out of context' editing in the history of television."

In the clip, Price declares, "I live in a 25-room mansion, I have my own $6-million yacht, I have my own private jet and I have my own helicopter and I have seven luxury automobiles."

What they did not explain was the fact that he was pointing out that there is such a thing as bad success. Without the clip being taken from the beginning, it portrayed him as a "hypocrite and thief" who financed an extravagant lifestyle with church funds, according to the lawsuit brought against 20/20.

Price does own the mansion pictured in the segment, which he bought in 1989. He does own two Bentleys, one of which was given to him by one of his parishoners, but he does not own a helicopter, yacht, or a private jet.

Congregants expressed their support for Price and disdain for "20/20."

"It's obviously so outlandish," said Ed McMahon, Johnny Carson's former sidekick, who has attended the church for 15 years. "I know the man quite well, and there's no possible way" that Price would ever dip into church coffers.

Linked at Pursuing Holiness
Cao's Blog
Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Rev Fred K.C. Price, Lawsuit, Sermon, Church, 20/20, John Stossel

Using Church for political gain

I've been under the impression that there is, according to some politicians, a separation of state and church. Therefore, you don't mention religion within any form of government function, or use religion to get ahead.

But, some politicians lose sight of the 'separation of church and state' stance they say is in the Constitution (which it is not). The following quote, taken from the First Amendment, is mis-interpreted.

• "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

If it is 'convenient' for their purposes, politicians fall back on God to give them support. Cases in point:

1. Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois: "Budget puts me on the side of the Lord.

   This is Armaggedon, and we are on the side of the Lord.", Blagojevich replied.

2. Barack Obama - Speaks at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa

   Obama challenged the congregation to get involved in the race for the White House, regardless of which candidate they support. "I want you to be involved in this election...there is too much at stake", he said. "This is your country and we shouldn't settle for less. We shouldn't settle for a situation in which it only works for a lucky few."

   
   
3. Hillary Clinton - Speaks at Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas.
   

Speaking at a breakfast meeting before going to the church she had the following to say:

Criticizing the Bush administration on a range of issues, the New York senator said she would create a universal pre-kindergarten program, provide health care for all Americans and generate jobs.

I have only had time this morning to run these three candidates down. I am sure there are more than these going to Church to speak to advance their candidacy. I would think, if they really did view separation and state the way they do for everyone, then, they themselves would think twice before getting up before a congregation to speak about anything. But, then, I'm only another voice in blogosphere who thinks you should live by what you preach.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness
Stuck on Stupid

Technorati Tags: Church, Politicians, Politics, Separation of Church and State, God, Religion

Passover Seder dinner

I am not Jewish and had never participated in a Seder dinner until last night. A Messianic Christian couple came to our church and put on a Seder for us last night. We learned how to prepare for the dinner, the customs of the Jewish people, and what the Passover Seder was all about. The lady also had special Seder plates that were placed in the middle of the tables,holding all the necessary symbolic items.

If you ever have the privilege of attending a Seder meal, I would encourage you to do so. Just prepare for a longer dinner than your usual dinner meal. You will learn lots of things that perhaps you never knew. The week of Passover is 8 days and ends on Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday, as lots like to call Easter Sunday.

You can go to this web site and learn all about having a Passover Dinner for a Christian congregation.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness
Basil's Blog
Stuck on Stupid Midweek Linkfest

Technorati Tags: Passover, Seder, Christian, Messianic, Easter

How do you work in your church?

Or, more on target, should I ask "do any of us show the attributes of any of these animals?"

I just received the following in an email. I do not know the author, but what profound knowledge this person has about the 'interior' of a church!

• "Some church members are as stubborn as a Missouri mule about doing church work, but as sly as a fox in their own business deals; as busy as a bee in spreading the latest gossip, but as quiet as a mouse in spreading the gospel of Christ. Many are as blind as a bat to see the needs of others, but have eyes of a hawk to see the faults of a few. Some are as eager as a beaver about a barbecue, but as lazy as a dog about the prayer meetings. Some will roar like a lion when things do not go just to suit them, but they are as gentle as a lamb when they need the preacher of the church. Some are as noisy as a blue jay when calling on the church for advice, but as timid as a kitten about talking to the lost and as slow as a snail about visiting absentees and shut-ins. Many are night owls on Saturday nights, but "bed bugs" Sunday mornings and as scarce as hen's teeth on Wednesday nights."

There are so many animals named in that one paragraph that 'work' in a church!

1. Mule
2. Fox
3. Bee
4. Mouse
5. Bat
6. Hawk
7. Beaver
8. Dog
9. Lion
10. Lamb
11. Blue Jay
12. Kitten
13. Snail
14. Night Owl
15. Bed Bugs
16. Hen's teeth

Hopefully, none of our churches have all these animals in them. Otherwise, our church wouldn't exist. But, I'd be wrong if I said the church of today doesn't harbor some of these 'animals' amongst us. We become complacent in our every day walk and fail to pray or go to meetings other than Sunday morning, thinking that will get us through the week. I've missed on Sunday night and Wednesday night and feel like I've been out forever!

There are those that are right handy to be at the next Church outing/meal, etc., but only come on the days there is to be a big meal. And, then there are those that really want to 'run the church' and make noise if all doesn't go their way. But, they aren't quiet when they need the preacher to come visit! I've seen these things happen time and time again.

What we need in our churches today are those that are true warriors for Christ: prayer warriors, intercessors, and those not afraid to help where help is needed. Many want help, but never want to give help. I believe that it's just as important a job to be janitor for the church and clean the toilets as it is to serve on any other job. It takes the whole body to make up the true church. And the 'whole body' should be willing to do what is necessary to help the church grow both spiritually and in numbers. When we have gossipers that spread the bad news, it gets around. Nobody wants to go to a church where you have lots of 'loose tongues'.

If a church has all those 'animals' in it's congregation, perhaps the thing to do would be to corral them all up on the front row and preach the Word to them! Seriously, we need to pray for the 'health' of our church - for the people to see the light of God through the Word preached, and for the Holy Spirit to enlighten them as they read for themselves. Then, perhaps it would weed out the 'sin' in our hearts,and our church could become healthy and more on the fire for the Lord!!

Technorati Tags: Church, Church Members, Congregation, God, Holy Spirit, Bible

Persecution of Christians in Mexico Accelerates

The National Bar of Christian lawyers say that evangelical Christians are being persecuted daily in the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico. They are being pressured to pay quotas for the festivals of 'traditional Catholics'. Traditional catholics are a blend of native 'traditional' religions and Catholicism.

If the quotas are not paid, they are expelled from their homes and lose their property.

The organization directed by Farrera has told the government it has records of 200 cases of unresolved religious intolerance in Chiapas, including “threats, intimidation, and robbery or expulsion from their communities, or death.”

Last January 31, three evangelicals from San Juan Chamula municipality were driving home from San Cristobal de las Casas when they were ambushed and shot at, requiring hospitalization. Authorities concluded that it was a case of religious persecution.

State government has met with local leaders, insisting that the evangelical Christians are backed by the law and they should not be expelled. The evangelicals say they will help in every thing, but they refuse to pay the quotas for the Catholic festivals. They say these festivals involve drunkenness and immoral behavior.

In a statement in Mexico City’s La Jornada newspaper published yesterday (February 8), the Roman Catholic bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Felipe Arizmendi, declared his church had no relationship with the “so-called traditional Catholics, who do not depend on our diocese, do not take into account the Bible nor the laws of this country, but are governed by their own agreements and traditions.”

Linked at Conservative Cat
Don Surber

Technorati Tags: Evangelicals, Mexico, Persecution, Catholics,

Pastor returns to Navy

Rev. Dan Klender, pastor of Grace Bible Church in Walla Walla, WA, was in the Navy Reserve in 2005, when he was commissioned to active duty. He spent 8 months in Iraq. He has resigned his pastorate of the church and turned it over to Rev. Dave Jones, the interim pastor for Klender when he was in Iraq in 2005.

Klender will be going to Fort Gordon, near Augusta, GA, for a 3 year assignment. He will be Chaplain to the sailors who will be dispatched to Iraq.

Klender said he ``just felt a compulsion with the Lord'' to return to active service and looked forward to working with the sailors and Marines he will meet.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Church and State

Technorati Tags: Chaplain, Navy, Fort Gordon, Dan Klender

Teenager becomes first Youth Chaplain

Brian Baker, a 14 year old from Virginia has become the first Youth Chaplain for the Church of God. He felt the call to the ministry by God and began the training with other youth at the Church of God campground in Roanoke, Virginia.

Not only is Brian the first Youth Chaplain, he is also the youngest ever associate chaplain. He came with his parents to the training center and endured 27 hours of training and passed.

Brian is very active in his local church youth group. His ministry will include visiting members of his youth group who are sick or in the hospital. He will also be the chaplain for the Church's Royal Rangers group. He will be actively involved in supporting his youth as a Church of God Chaplain.

Brian is an 8th grader who is a straight A student. He attends a Christian school. He will have more training as needed. He will also go forth in his ministry with the blessings and prayers of his local church, World Outreach Worship Center Church of God in Newport News, Virginia. This young man is not only setting high standards for the Church of God youth, but the youth of the world.

Linked at Church and State
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Don Surber

Technorati Tags: Chaplaincy, Youth Chaplain, Virginia, Church of God

Never too old

We've all heard the quote 'never too old'. But, most of us never think about what we will be doing at 100, since most of us won't be here to worry about it.

In Nigeria, though, the quote came alive when a pastor of 107 took his third wife. That doesn't seem too awfully unusual, since lots of people get remarried in old age. But, in this case, the bride is 77 years his junior!

Lagos - Samuel Akinbode Sadela, Nigeria's oldest preacher at 107, said he derived his strength from God after marrying a 30-year woman, said his church member on Sunday.

After the wedding, they quoted him as saying: "The Lord is my strength. I am very strong and energetic." Sadela, founder of Gospel Apostolic Church, had been on the pulpit for 75 years.

The pastor first got married in 1934, and this marriage lasted 21 years until his wife died. None of their seven children made it past infancy. The second marriage was in 1965, and lasted until his wife died in 2001. They had four children, but only 2 survived.

This really makes the verse of Matthew 19:26 ...'with God all things are possible' meaningful to many!

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness

Technorati Tags: Marriage, Wedding, Nigeria, Oldest Preacher

Pastor D. James Kennedy suffers heart attack

Dr. Kennedy, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL, suffered a heart attack. He was transported from his home to a local hospital Thursday night, where he was in serious condition, although he was becoming more alert and responsive on Friday.

Kennedy came to Coral Ridge in 1959 and had only 45 members. Today, the church has 10,000 members, and televises to 40,000 cities across the US and in 200 countries.

Rev. O'Neal Dozier, pastor of Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach, FL, says Pastor Kennedy has an uncompromising view of the Bible and social activism among Christians which makes him a great role model.

"I pray we don't lose Dr. Kennedy," Dozier said. "He is the one everyone looks to on leading the fight. No one has put it on the line like Dr. Kennedy has."

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Stuck on Stupid

Technorati Tags: Pastor James Kennedy, Coral Ridge, Heart Attack

Pastor reaches out to the 'unchurched'

In today's world, you might think that most people have either grown up going to church, are going to church, or have been to church sometime in their lives. But, there are a number of people who have never gone to church, simply because they weren't taught as a small child. Then, there are others who just decided it was no longer necessary to go to church any longer, or perhaps were hurt in a church. So, there is truly a reason to want to go after those who simply do not attend a church for different reasons.

Marcus Johnson, a 30 year old single minister from Greensboro, NC, is one of those ministers who feels a need to go after those unchurched people. So, he has started a church called 'Hungry Church'. The name may sound a little different for a church, but it is right for those that have a hunger that hasn't been filled.

Johnson wants Hungry to be engaging and approachable, like the time he used the popular 1970s sitcom "Good Times" as the basis for a monthlong Bible study.

As he sees it, Hungry won't compete with other churches. "Our competition," he said, "is every other place people could be, such as the movies, the driving range ... or the football game."

Johnson said over the years he would see places that would make a good church, but not him. He was happy where he was. But, he kept getting those visions of people hungry for God, worshipping God. And, one day, he realized the vision was for him. He shared his plans with three people who agreed to be elders of the new church - three who were desperately needed in starting a new church. They are making decisions together in things that have to do with running a church, such as choosing a podium (too expensive?), or how do you collect the offerings? And, he is not afraid of failing.

"If something doesn't go the way you thought it was going to go, it's realistic to mourn ... dust yourself off and get back up, get counsel," he said. "God may be saying do it again, or he may give you the missing piece and say, 'This is how you should have done it.'

"Failure is one of the destinations on the way to success."

Linked at Conservative Cat
Pursuing Holiness
Third World County

Technorati Tags: Church, Unchurched, God, Worship

With God, all things are possible

Too many times, we think that something is not possible. And, that is cutting God out of the process, because scripture says 'with God all things are possible' (Matthew 19:26). And, to say anything else is not true.

As Christians, we understand that God is

• Omnipotent - has unlimited power or authority;
  
• Omnipresent - present every where simultaneously;
  
• Omniscient - He is all knowing.

But, if you aren't taught these things, you have no understanding of what our God is like. And, that's the way of the Muslims. But, God has a way of showing just how powerful He really is, showing His presence when He isn't seen, and how much He really knows, when others think they know it all. More and more Muslims are beginning to respond to the gospel.

Throughout the nearly 1,400 year history of Islam, Muslims have resisted the Christian gospel. Many Christians tried to reach them with the good news with little success.

But according to many reports from the Middle East and around the world, that history is changing.

"I see many, many Arabic-speaking people turning to Christ, accepting Him as Lord and Savior,” said Nizar Shaheen, host of Light for the Nations, a Christian program seen throughout the Muslim world. "It's happening all over the Arab world. It's happening in North Africa. It's happening in the Middle East. It's happening in the Gulf countries. It's happening in Europe and Canada and the United States-in the Arabic-speaking world. Everywhere, people are accepting Jesus."

"What's happening nowadays in the Muslim world has never happened before," said Father Zakaria Henein, an Egyptian Coptic priest is one of the foremost evangelists to the Muslim world. He says a cross-section of Muslims are accepting Jesus Christ. "Young and old, educated and not educated, males and females, even those who are fanatic."

We often put God in a box, and think He will only do what we want Him to do, or what we 'think' He can or will do. But, often, we are proven wrong. God is able to do 'exceedingly, abundantly, above anything we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20).

"There is an end-time phenomenon that is happening through dreams and visions," said Christine Darg, author of The Jesus Visions: Signs and Wonders in the Muslim World. “He is going into the Muslim world and revealing, particularly, the last 24 hours of His life-how He died on the cross, which Islam does not teach-how He was raised from the dead, which Islam also does not teach –and how He is the Son of God, risen in power."

"We receive lots of letters about people who have had dreams about the Lord, visions, even miracles,” Shaheen said. “When they watch the program, they say yes, we had a dream or a vision, and they accept Jesus as Lord."

God will have His church ready when He comes. When we see those that do not believe in our God coming to Him, and facing persecution and often death, one realizes that He is indeed a powerful God, and there is nothing He can't do.

Linked at Conservative Cat
Woman Honor Thyself
Pursuing Holiness

Technorati Tags: God, Muslims, Jesus Christ, Gospel,
Visions, Dreams

Persecution is coming to your church

You read that title and thought, 'no way, not my church.' But, look at what is happening around the world today. We never thought other things would happen here, either. We never expected the 9/11 attacks, but it came. They promise us more of the same, and worse.

We never thought prayer would be taken out of the schools, but it came by the way of one woman - not one tried to stop her. And, now, Christian clubs are having a hard time surviving in the schools. And, one day, someone will rise up and make such a fuss, they will fall by the wayside completely.

The church is now faced with the threat of hate crimes - a church will be unable to preach against the abominations spoken about in the Bible. Of course - God didn't speak the word homosexual in the Bible. But, whose eyes are blind, when they read the words " If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination:" ? ( Leviticus 20:13)

Persecution is coming to your church, and it might be sooner than you think. Take heed to what the Lord says- "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Bill Haymin has written a great article in the American Chronicle, entitled 'The Soon Coming Sufferings of the Church in America'. Drop by and read it; it's a great and enlightening article.

Technorati Tags: Persecution, Church, America, Bible

Seeds of doubt can destroy

Regardless of the truth of an allegation, when seeds of doubt have been placed in the minds of the people, they can destroy a person's reputation, his family, and even his life.

Allegations have been made by Mike Jones of Denver, a former gay male escort, against Rev.Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church in Denver, Colorado. He is saying he had a 3 year long affair with the pastor. Pastor Haggard says this is not true, and that he has never had an affair outside his marriage with his wife.

Jones made his allegations known to the public on a radio station in Colorado. He says he is coming forward because he feels Rev Haggard is being hypocritical in his stance against gay marriage. Sounds a little fishy, just a few days short of the elections, but he says he has recorded voice messages and a letter with $200 that this preacher gave him.

Only time will tell. But, Jones is having a polygraph test on the radio show today. Nevertheless, Haggard has stepped down from his pastorate temporarily. He has also resigned as leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. In the meantime, the Christian community needs to be in prayer for this pastor, the situation, and also for all the rest of America's Christian leaders. None are immune to attacks such as these, and they need our prayers daily.

Other links to this story: Gay affair charge leveled at Pastor Ted Haggard.

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Is It Just Me?
Pursuing Holiness
The Liberal Wrong Wing

Lifeway conducted survey of former Churchgoers

The research division of Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Conference took a survey of former churchgoers. They wanted to find out the reason that many evangelical Christians stopped going to church.

469 adults, who formerly went to church all the time, were polled this past summer. They asked the reasons why they left and also wanted to find out what it would take to get them back into regular attendance. Here are some of the reasons cited for leaving:

• 59% said they left because of changes in their life situation
  
• Schedules became to hectic to allow for church attendance
• Family responsibilities at home
• The feeling that other church members were hypocritical or judgemental
• Perception the church was run by a clique which discouraged involvement

The director of LifeWay Research believes the exodus of many adults from church may be the result of certain church practices, or that certain practices may at least contribute to the problem.

"In some cases," he asserts, "we've done a poor job of grounding people in their faith and making sure that their own understanding of scripture and their own commitment to the local church is where it needs to be."

Waggoner says some of these concerns may have come because of nonexistent or immature faith. But, he does not discount the some of the concerns of those surveyed. He says there is concern about the facts that some of our churches are not healthy and have poor involvement. He says there has to be a real investment by the church in the people so they will become committed. But, he says it will never happen until the church fosters a culture of concern, fellowship, and involvement in those people.

I cannot understand how people could lay out of church for so long, after going faithfully. But, the survey says that the churched adult surveyed had been out for an average of 14 years. But, it looks promising that, in 2/3 of those adults, they are ready to entertain the idea of coming back.

Linked at Conservative Cat
TMH's Bacon Bits - Bacon Break
Stuck on Stupid

Technorati Tags: Church, Churchgoers, Survey, Adults

Are local churches becoming taboo?

Dan, over at Cerulean Sanctum, wrote a post that caught my eye. The name of it is “Because we can, we should?” I read up on the website he was talking about, MySecret.tv, and found it is an offspring of LifeChurch.tv.

Now, I love church, and I love going to church. But, I have yet to understand how an online church could suffice for a live church service. To me, there is nothing that can replace the meeting of Christians as a church body, to edify one another. How easily it would be for anyone to say act like they were Christians ‘online’, because nobody can see me or really know my heart, unless they know me personally. There is no way I can be taken seriously, because I’m a ‘hidden figure’, saying I’m Christian. Only God would know if I was an imposter or not.

But, what really got to me was the fact this LifeChurch.tv has a place for you to send in donations, tithes, and offerings! I know we are living in some fast times, where the Internet plays a big part in our lives.But, I have a hard time seeing my home church replaced with an online one, and my giving to people I do not know. For all I know, the money could be going for anything for the ‘pastor’ of this ‘online church’ to do with whatever he wants, whether it is to further the gospel message or not. I don’t see where the ‘online church’ is held responsible by any organization. It was started by one man, and has an online staff of two people, that I can tell.

MySecret.tv is a place to go tell your ‘secret’ confessions online to other people. Oh, I know he says don’t go and read just to see what others have done. I could understand telling a chosen few in my church body I had done wrong, but not an entire world! You need people praying who truly know you, and want to see you back on the track with God. I see no way a body across the world can truly know you have indeed changed by making an online confession. We need to repent to GOD – not man.

Help me. Am I reading this all wrong? Are today’s churches taboo, since we are so computer minded, and are too lazy to get out of our chairs, get ready, and go to our local assembly?

Linked at Conservative Cat
Is It Just Me?
DragonLady's World

Technorati Tags: Church, Online Church, Christian, Confession

Pakistani couple seek sanctuary in Scottish church

Masih, 49 and Christine Raymond, 42, left Pakistan 2 years ago because of persecution. They became Christians and sought asylum in Glasgow. But, they were denied, and were to be deported last night. But, at the last minute, they sought sanctuary in the Scottish church in Glasgow. The priest gave up his living quarters for the couple.

The couple has lived in Glasgow for 18 months, and has attended the church. Father Nugent said the parish will offer them support and a place to live until extradition is no longer a threat.

They fear they will be persecuted even more, if they return to Pakistan, although the Pakistani Consulate general says they have nothing to fear. But, they have had stones thrown at them, because of their religion, and churches have been burned. Masih had a stroke recently, and he also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Linked at Conservative Cat

Technorati Tags: Christians, Persecution, Pakistan