Christian Documentaries and Their Impact On Society

I was watching a television show a few weeks ago and I would rather not mention the name of the program or the presenter of it. I can make my point without making anyone angry. The television show was all about proving that Christianity was real and they had evidence to prove it. The program was full of scholars and teachers. Some of these teachers were from unknown universities, as a matter of fact, I hadn't heard of any of them before this program.

Some of these teachers had very interesting ideas and philosophies on Christianity and I could see quite clearly how someone who was looking for facts could very easily get caught up in the hype in the program. When you start off asking a question, you should be able to answer it without beating around the bush and the answers should the comprehendible and easy to understand. Especially if the question was easy to understand.

If I asked you the question, is Jesus God, and your reply is frank and to the point with a simple "Yes He Is". I can accept this as your beliefs and could probably make sense out of your beliefs through your education, what you were taught and who taught it to you. This makes perfect sense to me and is easy to understand.

If I asked the same question, is Jesus God, and you reply with "let me set the record straight here and give you some truthful information about something that you might not know about. Searching for over 40 years and found the answer and now know for a fact and without a doubt that Jesus is God. Reading the Bible and talking to other Christian scholars has presented me with information that points to the truth and can prove the existence of Jesus and therefore, without a doubt in my mind, I can honestly say that Jesus is God and will be god forever and for anyone who doesn't understand that or agree with it, I feel sorry for them, because they will have to burn in purgatory forever. This death will be the most agonizing and painful death you could ever possibly imagine.

The second answer doesn't give me any more information than the first one, and this is what some religious documentary programs do. This program did it so much, that I had to watch it a second time, just to see if I missed what they were saying. I did gain a little more insight, the second time but the point of the program was completely misleading and relatively speaking, very little factual information was obtained from it.

Don't get caught up in the hype, while watching or listening to some of these programs. Try to watch them with an open mind and see for yourself, just how much factual information or scientific proof there actually is in the program. When I say, to watch these programs with an open mind, that doesn't mean to accept their information without proof. Do some research for yourself, to verify their opinions.

Hope in Religion

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Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing and personal development.

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Christianity

Christianity is the number 1 hated religion in the world.

Even with the State of Israel being our most beloved brothers, they still reject the Messiah being Jesus. In the news this week, I hear of The new Sanhedrin holding meetings on Banning Christians from preaching the Gospel, one year prison terms for those doing so. The restart of the Construction of the third temple with a chance of Arab approval, and the beginning of Red heifer Sacrifices, and finally a replacement of the government, and replace it with a democratically elected King, as was in the Davinich period.

Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What is Christianity, and why is it so hated among all unbelievers?
Christianity is, according to Webster; The religion of Christians; or the system of doctrines and precepts taught by Christ, and recorded by the evangelists and apostles. Whilst politicians are disputing about monarchies, aristocracies, and republics, Christianity is alike applicable, useful and friendly to them all.
Why is Christianity so hated? Because of the doctrines and precepts taught by Christ. We, as believers, follow no man made religion. The religion that we follow is a true, peaceful and docile religion. Developed by God, Delivered By Christ and Taught by the Holy Ghost.

John 18:36; Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (hence; From this cause or reason, noting a consequence, inference or deduction from something just before stated.)
Christians do not seek any kingdom or world conquest, for our Kingdom is not of this world but of the next.

Many of the so called, major religions, seek world domination threw, war, terror, and manipulation of the truth, and those that are weak and cannot suffer much persecution. We see this example in
James 4:2; Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. All other religions are manipulative, and deceiving. Jesus knew this from the beginning. He warned all Christians, threw scripture, that we would be most hated among all men, and nations. We are especially hated because of our unconditional support of The House of David, The state of Israel.
Many say that Christianity is a hateful religion, and that it seeks only to cause friction between nations. This is not so, for Christianity lends itself to all religions, so that they may hear the truth and be saved. When I speak of false religions, I speak this from love of the lost soul. Jesus told us that there would be false doctrine, priest, deceivers, teachers and ministers.

We cannot follow after the doctrines and precepts taught by man, for there is no salvation in them. Many religions, today, do not even speak of salvation or repentance, for the soul of man. If there is to be no resurrection of the soul, then we would be living a life, that would never be held accountable for.
Men such as, Goliath, Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, and even Osayme Ben Louden, would never be held accountable for their, murders, and actions, that were unrighteous.
But we must also remember that a lie, in the eyes of God, is also punishable by everlasting torment in the lake of fire. So a lier, and a murderer are accounted the same punishment, for with God any unrighteousness will never enter into the kingdom of Heaven. This is where repentance is very important.

Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Rev 22:15-16; For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city
Jesus stated in Mark 16:16; He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. A Christian must approach others by two means listed in Scripture; Jude 1:22-23; And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. We do not hate but we know that without Christ, they will be lost and sentenced to the Lack of Fire for eternity. Sometimes Christians approach others with the wrong attitude, these you must forgive and look over.

Christianity brings a light to all unrighteousness, which many other religions agree with. But the Difference between, Christianity and other religions is that, Christ died for all mankind, and no other religion has made such a sacrifice for all men. They speak of their own, and not of mankind at all. We being a gentile race of people, must realize that without Christ, and His sacrifice for all men, we would have no hope, and would still be worshiping devils. This includes all religions today that are not of the Jewish nature.
For before Jesus, the Jews were the only ones that had access to God.

Why did God choose the House of Israel? They were the only people that wanted the true God, they were a one God, religious people. These were the people that were given the first written law, written by God, and delivered by His servant, Moses. John 4:22, states about the people of Israel and the gentile race of people; Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
The end is closer than you think. We must, as Christians, work while there is still light, for a time is coming soon, where the light will turn to darkness, and no man shall work. We cannot deny what we believe and to whom we worship, we are a light to a lost and dieing world. The earth and its people are destroying all hope of peace and a sustainable life. The earth is contaminated, and dieing from within. The only hope we have is in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God. Ars.

John 18:36 -

Jesus: 1Ti_6:13

My kingdom is: Joh_6:15, Joh_8:15; Psa_45:3-7; Isa_9:6, Isa_9:7; Dan_2:44, Dan_7:14; Zec_9:9; Luk_12:14; Luk_17:20,Luk_17:21; Rom_14:17; Col_1:12-14

Source, The new Sanhedrin holding meetings on Banning Christians from preaching the Gospel; http://www.worthynews.com/news/ynetnews-com-Ext-Comp-ArticleLayout-CdaArticlePrintPreview-1,2506,L-3371508,00-html/

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Before You Answer a Trick Question

Last Sunday the "lectionary", or traditional Bible readings, of many Christian churches included Matthew 21:28-33, Jesus' parable of the father and his two sons. The father asks each of them individually to do some vineyard work; the first refuses but later thought better of it and did the work; the second agreed but then did nothing. Jesus' question to his audience, mostly of learned scholars at the Temple and Pharisees was, which did his father's will?

Jesus was asked trick questions many times in His ministry, that is, the questioner's motives were not the answer to the question as much as the opportunity for criticism, derision or culpatory evidence. In this case however, it was Jesus who asked the trick question. The real hero of this story was neither son, but the father, whose patience kept him silent when his first son directly defied him, but enabled that son to eventually come through. This was evidently lost upon His audience, preoccupied as they were about maintaining their own position to be receptive to the moral heroism of the present but silent father in Jesus' story. Eventually, after hearing some more of Jesus' parables, they came to realize that He was speaking of the lowliness of their moral position in maintaining their political position. He did this in an indirect, nonconfrontational way, using trick questions among other things.

All of us have had to one degree or another our share of trick questions asked of us - designed more to manipulate or entrap us than to get information. And all too many of us have asked questions with similar motives - hidden agendas. The value of this Bible story, like so many others, is in enabling us to find parts of ourselves in it. A part of us is that first son, who grumbles if not refuses to do what is asked of him, but eventually comes through. And another part is the second son who promises, but then does not deliver. And another part is the father, who if nothing else is given opportunity to weather a rebuff and so enable another to change his mind in a positive direction.

It is all too tempting for us to deny that we would ask trick questions; that is, ask with dishonest motives or with hidden agendas. Yet the place within ourselves that we come from in so doing is as much a part of ourselves as is our arms and hands and fingers. If we really 'fess up' and ask what the real motives and values of that part is, likely we find that it is self-defense - just as it was for the chief priests and scribes that Jesus was questioning. And, those of us most in denial of that part of ourselves will be most likely to use it - and hate others that use it, just as was Jesus' audience "who would have liked to arrest him" (Matthew 21:46).

Power questions the antidote

In coaching we ask power questions: generally beginning with 'what', 'where', or 'how', sometimes 'when' but generally not 'why'. They are questions with no 'right' or 'wrong' answer; because of that they are nonjudgmental; they invite us to explore within ourselves without fear. They are not multiple-choice and certainly not yes-or-no. Trick questions narrow the horizons, if they do not manipulate and deceive as well; power questions broaden them.

We are not likely to have the great skill Jesus had in asking trick questions to morally illuminate His recalcitrant audience. But power questions can be used by any of us in our personal relationships. One option to having to answer an obviously manipulative 'trick' question is to protest; and ask that the corresponding power question be asked. As an example, if you were asked "Don't you believe the Bible to be the Word of God?", the corresponding power question would be "What do you believe the Bible to be?"

Now might be the time to consider going into coaching; not only to experience the self-illumination and self-discovery of answering true power questions, but to learn how better to ask them.

Dave Smart is the lead coach at Transcendence Coaching and Mentoring. He trained at The Coaches Training Institute where he learned Co-actuve Coaching, where power questions begin with asking the client what his agenda is. If you feel your horizons narrowed by those about you by their questions, coaching is for you. Check out TCM's website: http://www.transcendencecoach.com.

Tithing Education - Giving From Guilt

If you're part of any organized religion and donate money on a regular basis, do you know where your money is going? Have you ever asked what they are spending the money on? Are you one of those people who feels that your pastor and church leaders know best and never even ask them, because you might feel inferior to them? Have you asked in the past and were told not to worry about it but still would like to know.

Before you give your hard earned money away, whether you're doing it out of guilt or pleasure, make sure you're supporting the right organization. You should never feel the need to donate money if you don't have it to give.

I went to a church that had funds for everything, building funds, starvation funds, church funds and even funds to fund of funds if they ran out of money. Okay I just threw that last part in their but all kidding aside, there's plenty of stuff to be done in our country, to help the starving, the poor and the needy. Why do we need to go to other countries?

I want to make a suggestion to people who can't afford to give their money away but feel guilty if they don't. In the Bible it tells you to give away 10% of your earnings to the church. The part that it doesn't tell you is what to do if you can't afford to give 10% to the church. I personally have known quite a few people who give money out of guilt and fear but will tell you that this is a requirement of their religion and its okay. God will take care of us and he always does.

I don't really believe God, the all powerful all-knowing and loving creator, wants us to suffer, if we just don't make enough money to survive. If you're planning on sending your child to a Christian private school and could only afford to send them to that school, using the money that you were going to tithe to the church, what will you do? Tithe the money to the church so that they can use it to feed hungry people in other countries or build a new church somewhere or help with your child's education.

Some of these decisions are made difficult by religious doctrine and these are the parts of organized religion that I have problems with. When do we use common sense, combined with a little education to seek the truth. Does your religion ask you to seek the truth but not to gather your information beyond their religious boundaries?

Only give what you can afford to give and feel good about it. If you don't feel good about giving your money away, don't do it. Take care of yourself, so that you can take care of others, if you choose to. Living a life of fear and guilt doesn't make sense.

Question Your Religion

You are free to copy this article to your site as long as you include the following resource information with an active link to my site:

Greg Vanden Berge is a published author, internet marketing expert, motivational inspiration to millions of people all over the world and is sharing some of his wisdom with experts in the fields of writing,marketing, and personal development.

Greg is currently working on a religious help library filled with great subjects on a wide array of topics, like religion, self help and spiritual changes in the world. His views on religious freedom are slowly changing the way people think about institutional religion.

When A Christian Dies

The coldness of the grave awaits every living being on this earth, there is no escape, no delay and no other recourse except the rapture, and even then, the body must still die. We see things in the physical most of our lives. We see the known and material things of this life, we see clouds, stars, sun, moon, automobiles, and every thing else that is physical. The Bible tells us that these things that we can see are temporal and not eternal. But what about the soul of man and especially the believer in Christ?

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Living a life for Christ is an every day affair. We look not as the world looks, we hear, not as the world hears and we see, not as the world sees When the world looks at a disaster, the believer sees divine intervention, when the world sees hunger, the believer sees, man made famine, when the world sees death, the believer sees resurrection.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Paul tells us in Romans; For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We weep at the death of another Christian, for this is the Adam nature within all of us. We see a blessed hope for reuniting with them in the by and by. We see reunion with great joy and gladness but we still cry. We weep at the death of those that are lost, for theirs is a death within death. Their time is over for decision making and another second death awaits them. They die without hope.

For I, my self, am persuaded, that all of our grief will turn to joy at a time and place chosen by God. Jesus promised us that he would never leave us nor forsake us, this is also including the time of our death. The grave is not cold for a Christian but rather a place that the body can be rested and changed from mortal to immortal.
Sometimes our grief turns into Great in extent, quantity and duration; very extensive, sorrow.

We see someone that gave all for family, husband, wife, children and especially Christ. These Christians will be sorrowfully missed. They all give their heart and sometimes their very life to further the Doctrine of the Everlasting Father. For as Jesus stated about the little Girl, She is not Dead, but just sleeping. The most famous passage, to me in scripture, is;Jesus Wept.
John 11:35-36; Jesus wept.
Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Behold how he loved him! Behold how we loved our departed, sorrow, grief and tears are natural, and must be done to bring closer to our fellow Christians departure, to meet our Saviour. In over fifty years, I have seen many a loved one and Christian put beneath the ground, wondering what they were doing, how they enjoyed not having any more pain, suffering, aging and worry. How were they adapting to joy unspeakable and full of Glory and especially how they reacted to meeting Jesus face to face, this was always a wonderful thought to help me, grieve. Many years ago, the Children of Israel were tempting God and being skeptical as to Gods power, this were their words; Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

We as Christians believe in God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit and Gods word, then as believers we must also believe in the resurrection of the Body and Spirit. The unbeliever, at death, takes a journey into darkness and flames, awaiting the final judgment, the Christian takes a journey into life everlasting with Christ awaiting the resurrection of their immortal body. So the question arrives to all that read this message, What will the journey at your death be like?

Mat 22:31-32; But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
The Christian must remember the promises of God when He stated; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Our Christian family's, Friends, and acquaintances, are not really dead but alive with Christ, we must all comfort ourselves with these words and seek a Kingdom above, for God is not the God of the Dead but of the living. Weep then not for the dead, but rather the living. ars.
This message is dedicated to all our brothers and sisters that have lost a loved one.

2Co 4:18 -
we: 2Co_5:7; Rom_8:24, Rom_8:25; Heb_11:1, Heb_11:25-27, Heb_12:2, Heb_12:3
for: Mat_25:46; Lev_16:25, Lev_16:26; 2Th_2:16; 1Jo_2:16, 1Jo_2:17, 1Jo_2:25
Rom 8:35 -
shall separate: Rom_8:39; Psa_103:17; Jer_31:3; Joh_10:28, Joh_13:1; 2Th_2:13, 2Th_2:14, 2Th_2:16; Rev_1:5
shall tribulation: Rom_8:17, Rom_5:3-5; Mat_5:10-12, Mat_10:28-31; Luk_21:12-18; Joh_16:33; Act_14:22; Act_20:23, Act_20:24; 2Co_4:17, 2Co_6:4-10, 2Co_11:23-27; 2Ti_1:12, 2Ti_4:16-18; Heb_12:3-11; Jam_1:2-4; 1Pe_1:5-7, 1Pe_4:12-14; Rev_7:14-17

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Is Jesus The Real God - Video

Out of the Shadow of Death

If Jesus and the disciples were baekjeong, (outcasts, lowest dregs of society, worthy of misery and death) why am I not? I say I love Him, know Him. But even if I travel to a restricted country, I am usually honored in some way. If these thoughts are beginning to irritate you at times, maybe you are being called alongside the baekjeong of our own day, like this one in modern North Korea:

I was a boy living in the shadow of death, starving and despairing in North Korea. Before I escaped from that land, I lived with my parents and a younger brother. But without rations or food, my family was about to starve to death. So my parents left home to make money. They said they would be back in a couple of days. They never returned. My 14-year-old brother started to cry out for food.

I stayed home and sent my brother to our grandfather's. But he soon had to come back when grandfather died of an illness for which he could do nothing. Shortly after, my brother also died after suffering in the house with no parents present. My heart wrung. I felt it unfair, so I wept a lot. The world seemed pitiless and my parents, reproachful.

Left alone, I waited for my mother and father, but eventually had to wander around for food, begging sometimes, picking anything off the ground that might be useful. I drifted into various towns by train. One day, I got off at a station, and decided to go over to China.

On a dark rainy night in 2001, I crossed the river, very hungry, leaving my parents behind in their miserable situation. I was so weak from hunger and illness, that I started to be carried down the fast-flowing stream. I closed my eyes, thinking that I would die trying to save my life! I'd never see either my homeland or my parents again. But no, I narrowly escaped death. I crossed over something solid, and when I laid my feet on it, I found it was a rock. I came back to myself and reached shore. When I look back, I see that God saved me so that I would spread the Gospel to dying North Korea, and show His love and grace.

After I survived the river, I begged for food in China. At one Chinese-Korean home, they said they didn't want to see North Koreans anymore, and threatened to report me to the police. My opinion of China soon changed. I have always heard that food is abundant in China, but I was being rejected, turned away. It seemed so unfair.

I had walked for a long time when I met an old Chinese-Korean couple. I begged for food. They asked if I was from North Korea. When I said yes, they took me home, gave me food and money, and told me to go to church. I thanked them and walked to another town instead.

I met North Korean kids there, and started to live with them. We sustained our lives by begging for food from Koreans at parks and bridge-heads. This is illegal activity. One day, my friends and I got caught. While in jail, I met a Christian defector. I thought it absurd that he would be praying and singing praises in a prison, but he was.

It was the first time that I had ever seen someone praising an invisible being. Oddly, I felt joyful and strong whenever he would sing. He asked me where I was from and told me to believe in Christ. He said that these hardships would not happen if North Koreans would trust God. He gave me an address and as soon as I was released, I went there.

That is how I came to the house of the Lord and accepted Christ. But the story does not end there. My illness re-appeared and since then, I experienced God's love and grace even more, as I have come to fellowship with this Jesus who died for us and gives us grace to endure all things...

Our young brother goes on to tell his desire to serve this Jesus and tell others of Him. Aren't you proud to know the baekjeong? The earth is filled with them. One day Heaven will be too.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Paul And The Place Of Women In The Church Of Jesus

Those who are convinced that modern woman must have her say in the church, attempt to place Paul against Paul to prove their point. In the light of Paul's burning criticism of female practices in I Corinthians 14, they nimbly turn back a few chapters, to I Corinthians 11:4, and point out the phenomenon of the praying and prophesying woman. They say, Here! You see, women did speak out in the assembly.

It is good for us that Paul himself wrote both of these passages only chapters apart, or men would be pitting Paul against some other church leader. As it is, we need only to harmonize the thoughts of one man, convinced he did not contradict himself.

In the first place, it would be hard to prove that the woman mentioned here is praying or prophesying in a public assembly. The context is again man and woman relationship, and could easily be seen in the area of the home. Philip had 4 virgin daughters that prophesied, probably often. Prophesy was , in the Old Covenant at least, most often an individual, not a group, experience, and could appear anywhere.

It is of note in passing here that persons who come to this passage looking for relief for poor restricted women only find more restrictions on her liberty in the form of the head covering, another taboo topic for Western preachers. We can be assured that this whole matter is just as offensive to modern woman as their required silence, but supporters swoop down and grab half a verse from this head-covering chapter for the sake of a needed proof-text.

But let's suppose that a woman, in the assembly, using the gift of prophecy, is intended here. What is she doing? She is allowing her vessel to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and from there the Holy Spirit is speaking through her. In no way is she assuming authority given to a man. In no way is she striving to be seen or heard or exalted before the Body of Christ. This we must allow to explain the presence of the "prophetess" in Scripture. We will cover this matter later when speaking of Deborah.

In his letter to traveling companion and young minister Timothy, Paul gives instructions as to the set-up of the church's governmental structure. Before stating the qualifications for a man who would be a church overseer or official servant, Paul specifically spells out the role of women, or "wives" if you prefer. (I Timothy 2:9)

He mentions modesty in dress, and good works. Then, consistent with his word to Corinth and God's Word to Adam and Eve, he demands silence and submission. He goes a step further here, the step that is only implied to the Corinthians. A woman is never to (1) teach a man, or (2) have authority over a man. His reasons are not cultural, historical, or temporary. And this is not about "wicked Corinth" as some love to explain in his former words to describe the curiously evil people of that town. No, every age is wicked, including, and perhaps especially, our own, as we almost certainly have entered the great apostasy.

Be that as it may, it is Ephesus here addressed. And his reasons are theological, Scriptural, and based in the origins of all things.

1. Adam was formed first, establishing the natural order.

2. Woman sinned first, bringing that natural order under law.

These words are so painful to the modern ear. This is a "hard saying" to them. But those who embrace hard sayings should allow it to make them hardened soldiers of Christ, and not allow rebellion to spoil the perfecting work of God.

Would this apostle approve of the present set-up of our churches? Would he favor women on the ruling board of a congregation? How about women teaching in an adult Bible class? I think not.

Oh, may God give us grace to repent of anything that a Spirit-filled apostle would disapprove.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

Priceless Treasure in a Flour Bag

The North Korea saga goes on.

Recently I wrote an article here about the importance of the written word, especially the Book God gave His people. How marvelous that Word! How priceless its message. Eternity is bound within its covers.

Yes, and people will still risk their lives for it to be shared with others.

Story goes that about a year ago, several employees of a North Korean company heard the message of Christ from believers in China and the underground North Korean church which is alive and well. The love of God filled their hearts and they longed to share their faith with others. Through their Chinese connections they purchased 200 Bibles and several hundred Christian CD's.

To get their precious cargo across the border, they placed everything in a shipment of flour bags. The mission accomplished. But not without a huge price. The leaders of this project were discovered and arrested and severely tortured. The vice-president of the company, fearing for his life, escaped to China.

But the Bibles and CD's were circulated. How and to whom we will not know for a long time. Except for one Bible, and one CD. Ten college students somehow got possession of these items and began to read and watch. They passed them along to friends. And were caught doing so. And also arrested.

And that's all we know. Should be enough to keep caring Christians up praying tonight. Pray for their release, and the release of those originally locked up. Pray for the fugitive. For those who heard the precious Word of God at their hands. For the government that makes all this secrecy and torment so prevalent. For a people waiting for a break.

Oh, and pray for the West again, for your church and mine, for a fresh appreciation of the Book God gave us.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed , lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosen together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. I love to write Scriptural works. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

North Korea's Kim and America's Graham - Who Used Whom?

Why did Billy Graham go to North Korea twice in the 90's? If you think you are sure of the answer, listen to the following facts:

During the last three years of Kim Il Sung's life, he was visited twice by Billy Graham... Despite claims in Graham's autobiography that his 1992 and 1994 trips to North Korea were solely for preaching the gospel, his translator, Steven Linton... stated:

"The Graham policy has not been to go there and make converts, but to be constructive in a way that raises the prestige of the Christian community generally."

Belke in his book "Juche" goes on to say that while Billy was there he "lectured" on Christianity. Graham's autobiography adds: "I had just been to Pyongyang and had spent several hours with President Kim Il Sung. President Kim had been very warm to me personally, despite our differences in background, and I felt that he sincerely wanted to move forward in establishing better relations. I told Mr. [ex-President Jimmy] Carter this and urged him to go.

Belke: However, upon being asked about Billy Graham's interactions with Pyongyang, John Akers, a Graham advisor, stated, "I'm not sure who's using whom."

When Dr. Graham presented the gospel to Kim Il Sung on January 29, 1994- less than six months before the dictator's death- Kim remained non-responsive.

From "Just As I Am" by Graham: "When reminded about Kim's mother's faith, Kim acknowledged that she had taken him to church sometimes as a boy, although he admitted with a smile that he always wanted to go fishing instead. He listened respectfully to what I said but made little comment."

Who was the winner in that whole 2-year episode? The Democrats Clinton and Carter in Washington, who could now be branded "peacemaker" ? Kim Il Sung for being visited by such a prominent American, and a Christian at that? Surely such a man would not be allowing his Christian citizens to be tortured and killed! What a PR bonus for Kim Il Sung!

We can look at the politics of it all and wince a little for Billy. We can even get concerned with what looks like a man of God cozying up to a dictator. Did he discuss Kim's prisoner situation? The concentration camps? Did he attempt to get prisoners released?

Or we can take just one step backward and look at the bigger picture. We can say that 6 months before he died Kim Il Sung was given the chance of a lifetime. The chance to inherit eternal life through Jesus Christ, offered by the man who has preached a straight Gospel message to more people than anyone in history.

Yes, we can talk about the strange doors Billy has gone through to preach that message, and get a bit annoyed at his seeming naivete and lack of concern about his reputation. But it won't be long - if we know Christ at all - before a still small voice will arise and remind us of the Christ Billy serves and how that Christ gained the very same reputation for doing the very same thing. And if we dare listen any longer we will be reminded of our own cringing compromising avoidance of almost any Gospel-sharing opportunities that come our way.

No, thank God that someone told Mr. Kim. In our own day, the son of Graham has brought the message to the son of Kim. But that's another story...

Tip for today: Keep praying. We never know just how our great God is going to hear the Church and answer, but He always does.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.

What a Way to Live!

What a way to live. Even when he was not in jail, the Holy Spirit would tell the apostle Paul in every city: chains and trouble are coming. He could truly say 'remember the prisoners as though bound with them' for he was bound in the spirit, as was Jesus, when he approached Jerusalem and virtually every day of his life.

I wonder, are we so 'bound' today? Headed for 'Jerusalem'? Going there to die? Heading for chains and trouble and death? Our Master is. But you say, wait, there are some who are called to this suffering business and some who are not! This sort of thing in the first century was for Paul and the other apostles, who laid the foundation. Surely not all believers were or are called to suffer.

I agree. Those who are called to reign with Him are the ones who are called to suffer with Him. Are we people who love to go about bragging about how we will be a 'king' with Jesus some day, and in fact are a king right now? Do we have scars to prove it? Paul tells Timothy, "If we endure, we shall also reign with him..." Apostles Paul and Peter, who are the featured "sufferers" of the Book of Acts, both write to the church informing it that we have been called to join their suffering ranks if we are to be reigning some day.

No, it is not true that we are not called. It is only true that we don't want to hear the call, because it does not fit our comfort level. Here is the call:

First from Spirit-filled Peter, who rejoiced that he was worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:40-42):

I Peter 4:12 ff: "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

Then Spirit-filled Paul, who after 39 lashes from a Roman guard, and a painful evening in a Philippian jail, was singing with Silas so loudly that the prisoners in adjoining compartments could not help but listen (Acts 16:22-25):

Philippians 1:27 ff: "To you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me."

No one to lash us or throw us in jail yet? No one who will burn our house down or take away our income? Let's not panic, but rather, while we still can, let us be the ones who are called to "remember the prisoners, as though we were bound with them..."

That way, no one is left out of the suffering church who wishes to reign with Jesus. My own experience so far has been that the more I ask Jesus, "How can I truly relate to, 'remember', those who now suffer?" the more He shows me. Some of the responses are not too cheery. But what is good about this is that when the fire does fall here (and can it be much longer?) we who have practiced this relationship will be ready.

Yes, what a way to live had Paul. No matter what God showed him or gave him, he could say (Acts 20:23-24) that he was not moved. Unfortunately for too many of us, we listen to the things the enemy tells us are coming, and believe him. That is what the Bible would call "fear." We can believe the lies of the enemy about our future and cower in a corner threatened by it all, or believe that, even when God Himself says difficult times are coming, He will give us the sufficient grace he promises to endure. And that's what the Bible would call "walking in the Spirit." It's the only way for the believer to live.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com - There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosen together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.

Tips on Smuggling the Word of God

So how does the Word of God get into a Communist prison? Or a Communist country? By ordinary means it is impossible. We call North Korea, for example, a closed country. But God does not call it that.

Couriers risk their lives to carry it in, sometimes hidden in bags of flour. These warriors come in from China, from South Korea, from America.

And when the Word gets into a heart, who can keep it out? Arrested believers carry it in this manner to fellow-prisoners and a rich prison fellowship ensues.

We cannot rule out miracles. Angels. Healings. God is not bound. The Word goes in.

But I fear this question takes a different turn when referred to the American church. May I dare ask, how does the Word of God get into some Western churches? There the word "impossible" seems to me more fitting.

So many of our churches are caught up with different agendas than the one outlined in that Book sitting on the shelf of these groups. Even in Scripture's Book of Revelation, there were seven different kinds of churches listed, and not all of them were praised.

In at least one of those churches the doctrines of men were being preached alongside the Word, effectively confusing the congregants and making the Word of God ineffectual. No Word there.

In another there was an agenda of immorality. A popular woman teacher was seducing God's people into immorality and paganism. No Word there.

In another, the Word was so low a priority that God pronounced the church dead. No Word there.

And in still another, materialism reigned. Definitely no Word there.

That's a pretty good outline to explain how difficult it is to get the Word into so many churches today. The doctrines of men, immorality, paganism, materialism. It is that very collection of problems that we are having.

Church after church is now selling out to the world's music, female leadership, and the call to popularity and bigness. Church after church has adopted the world's morality, justifying their downward spiral by saying that they are opposed to legalism.

Pastors are living in fear of losing a paycheck instead of the godly fear of displeasing the Spirit with their preaching. Like doctors in the natural world they dread the accusation of mal-practice in a lawsuit-weary climate. They are forced into saying the exactly correct thing, or face an angry board.

Into this weak and stumbling church comes the revivalist, peddling emotion, hype, and what he or she calls "revival." Who can resist this "new life" , even though within weeks or even days it has died out. Churches are torn apart, some even destroyed, as the revivalist fills his pockets and moves on.

Gone are the hymns of the faith, replaced by choruses written by well-meaning but often un-tried young people. What they sing is true, but not deep. This music is often allowed in because it swings, not because it edifies. And though the promise was "renewal" it is not long before the worship service is revolving around the same 20-30 songs while a book filled with over 500 sits unused in a church library. One of the strongest methods of getting God's Word into the hearts of believers is thus eliminated.

The Bible as a book doesn't fare much better. No need to bring it any more. There are so many versions being accepted by believers that it is confusing for them to read out of the Book as a group. So, leave it at home. We'll use the overhead.

All of this pales into insignificance when compared to the pastors who arise and give their 10-minute nod to Biblical truth, watered down with humor, political commentary, and social justice. No Word here. The salt has lost its savor. Why keep up the facade week after week?

Is this the emphasis we are peddling to other nations via missionaries? I pray not, but many stories come back of how American missionaries have set the "natives" free of some of their "bondage", by which often they mean practices that those nationals found in the Scriptures: male leadership, proper dress and conduct in church, etc.

I ask again, how shall we get the Word of God into the West? It's getting into Communist countries, Islamic countries, and all the persecuted lands receive and value it. May we not lose out on what God is truly doing: calling out a people for His name worldwide, and building them into a holy and separated people.

Look up "Bob Faulkner" on http://sermonaudio.com On my personal home page I have combined my love for the Scriptures with a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs , ovber 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com.

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond .

The Soul of Korea is Gone

Early 20th century Korea. The Japanese, long antagonist of the Korean people, have finally pushed their way into authority and have annexed Korea to their own island nation. Koreans from top to bottom of the peninsula are in agony. Hear the grief expressed by author Younghill Kang's uncle as he receives the dour news. From The Grass Roof:

That night I went into my uncle's studio and lay down on the mat, crying miserably. By and by I heard [my uncle] walking around and muttering in the next room. With my wet finger I made a hole in the paper door and looked through. He stood there at the outer door and just shook his fist in the face of the sky.

"Oh, stars and moon, how have you the heart to shine? Why not drop down by thunderstorm and cover all things up? And mountains, with your soul shining and rustling in the green leaves and trees and grass, can't you understand that it is over now? This national career of the people who have lived with you all these many ages, who have slept in your bosoms, whose blood you have drunk, whose muse you have been for the countless years? You spirits of waters, you ghosts of the hollows, don't you see how death has just come to this people established among you for the 4,000 years since the first Tan-Koon appeared on the white headed mountain by the side of the Sacred Tree? Don't you know the soul of Korea is gone, is passing away this night, and has left us behind like the old clothes?"

Was Korea ended then? A pristine country, contemporary of Homeric times and of Golden Ages- far, far removed from the spirit of the Roman Empire and all later modernity until this day... I cried and cried myself to sleep.

No, Korea. It was not the end after all. The Americans came. The Russians came. Two Koreas were formed from the ashes of World War II and the subsequent Korean War. And still she survived and survives. Her soul? Not dead, but seriously damaged. But in honesty one must add, this was a soul given to idolatry, as the above passage points out quite well. Korea has had to pass through the fire, but perhaps only long enough to burn out of her that which does not bless the one true God. Korea can be born again, in a very literal and wonderful way, if Christ is given His rightful place in the Korean heart. Something to pray about.

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs , ovber 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.