Authentic Honest Reality

In the response from my previous blog some great points were brought up. What follows is my rambling attempt to answer these points.

I encourage feedback. I don't mind be challenged or disagreed with. If you disagree have at it. I am bold enough to write it out... I am bold enough to defend... and if need be apologize. I have been wrong before and been bettered by the challenge.

It was brought my attention that there is a generation that is disconnected and dissatisfied with our not being relevant to this generation.

Speaking of dissatisfaction, I believe this dissatisfaction and disconnect speaks to the insidious nature of some of the ideas and philosophies that are a part of our cultural meme, and not a product of personal spiritual questing for meaning.

To point to the "good works" of celebrities, masons and other religions to in some way discredit what we have done and are doing is a faulty and flawed perspective.

The Billions of the U.N. has not fixed the social ills of the worlds poor. The Combined Billons of Bill Gates and the ultra rich has not placed a significant dent in the poverty and troubles found through out our world. To connect these sorts of causes and in some way lift these things on some equal footing of the basic premise and purpose of the Gospel is flawed.

The intrinsic values of the New Birth message is the very best we have to offer.

Relevancy is over rated.

Jesus was not very relevant. He was crucified by his culture. The church was not very relevant by the popular culture... they were persecuted to point of death.

I think our problem is not a lack of relevancy, but a lack of depth of spiritual questing. We feel a personal spiritual deficit and become distracted by the crowds and fame and "acceptance" of a lesser gospel. The Gospel is counter culture.




Starbucks Generation

Some in this generation of preachers are consumed with Starbucks and fashion trends and sporting events and what others think about them. Facebook demonstrates that everyday.

What birthed this "Apostolic" "Pentecostal" movement was people driven to the point of personal abandonment because they were captured and overcome by a spiritual experience and Biblical revelation the world needed. This produced a rich spiritual wealth and depth.

It is that dieing, crucifying, fasting, cross bearing that produced a spiritual satisfaction, yet craving that gave meaning and drive. They gave all, left all, abandoned all... not for a summer missions trip... but a life time of sacrifice for a cause bigger than themselves.

Today, if we were to contrast that generation... we have educations, soft lives and affluence... but a basic spiritual dearth. I am reminded of the Church of Laodecia.

Marketing does not equal Magical Church Growth

I believe we are mesmerized by the marketing and masses of commercialized Christianity. While stepping into the flow of the ideas and concepts that flow from this, we lose sight of what the Bible states and what we know to be true and feel this ..."They are so Good and Prosperous, they have to be doing something right.

Catalyst and the image makers of our day have hypnotized some into thinking that marketing is this all powerful church growth machine. The easy smiles of Osteen and the powerful communication of Jakes surrounded by the adoring crowds...there are voices that demand legitimizing what they are saying while ignoring what is being left unsaid.

"...there are voices that demand legitimizing what they are saying while ignoring
what is being left unsaid."

And so... there are many voices ... deceiving spirits... doctrines of devils... and we find ourselves surrounded by the howling winds of mighty words and the seductive song of the sirens wooing us into the shallow waters of shipwreck.

I am not talking about what I have heard... I have been there.

I speak of things I know. I have felt the grip on my own identity of these things. I have spent sleepless nights and countless hours looking in the mirror of my own soul... searching for meaning and direction for my own ministry.

I have emerged from that and I find myself passionate about our message and purpose.
What my generation and those that are following need is to reconnect where our previous generations failed us.

Previous Generations have failed us

This is not universally true, but it has happened enough in known and visible ways that we have seen it so much that we all have had a bad taste we had to wash out of our mouth more than once. It is very easy to judge others singular mistakes and then discount all that they were and are. However, if we live long enough, we might make a few disastrous mistakes in judgment ourselves God forbid... hopefully our spiritual offspring don't discount us the same way.

It seems that at times we were given rules, regulations and expectations. We were given status to strive for and symbols of success to attain. We have seen talent celebrated and character ignored. We have seen politics and agenda put on the forefront and sin and darkness swept under the rug.

However, that is not the crux of who we are ... or the seed of where we come from.

I believe we can be a Josiah generation... where we rediscover the scrolls of simplicity and honesty. Childlike sincerity. The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it.

We need to repent of our pride and politics. We need to cleanse ourselves of the filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

We need to return to the roots of righteousness, not just a code of conduct full of loopholes and exceptions.

This Message of being Born Again... Acts 2:38... Jesus Name Baptism, Holy Ghost infilling has the power to transform now as it did in the book of Acts and on the street of Azuza.

Our roots come from the Holiness of movement. Deeply prayerful and sincerely consecrated in living a life of holiness.

We must return to the better angels of our past....
We can not throw out what we have that is right... because of some things that have been wrong....

I am for authenticity, honesty, sincerity and reality.

This will not be found in "Socializing the Gospel."

It will be found in hours of humble prayer and days of fasting and a spirit of humility, submission and serving each other.

My challenge to this generation of ministry is simply this.

Don't make the mistake of Rehoboam and listen to your peers for advice. Be open enough to receive advice, correction and rebuke. Be able to admit you may have drifted and humble enough to make amends.

Include people in your life that will disagree with you and challenge your hair brained ideas. Don't demand idealogical homogeny.... but strive to be challenged and balanced by those who can provide a neccessary angle in our decisions and doctrine.

Don't be dulled by the outside influences of commercialized christianity...but be sharpened by those who you share a common pentecostal experience and apostolic ideals and doctrine.

Lets be sure our doctrine is true to the Apostolic model, and not a permissive, watered down version purposely leaving things out that we feel are just too much truth for our generation.

Let us be Authentic in our Apostolic Message.

Let us be honest with ourselves of where we are and where we need to be.

Let us strive for a Supernatural Reality that transforms lives and hearts, beginning with ourselves.

The Dangers of Socializing the Gospel

WARNING: the following thoughts might make you mad. You might lose sleep. You might find yourself opening your Bible trying to disprove the points found in this article. Your comments and thoughts are desired. The point of the article is not to end the discussion, but to start it.

Jesus did not go about feeding the poor.
He went about preaching to the poor.

Jesus did not go around providing counseling for sinners,
but preached the mandatory need of repentance.

Jesus did not provide health care for the sick...
he healed them.

He did not comfort the sinners, but demanded change.
He did not cater to the Confident Critics, but condemned them. He did not choose sides, he was at odds with the conservative and liberals.

Jesus did not bring a social gospel... he came to prepare people for eternity.... feeding the poor does nothing for the eternality of their soul. I believe we would do well to have a heart of compassion for those who are less fortunate. I believe it is important to involve ourselves in the betterment of others. However the church and it's primary focus and purpose is one of supernatural properties and determines eternal consequences.

Feed a man a fish... feed him for a day. Preach to him the Gospel, prepare him for eternity. I believe that it is possible to do both... however we must not lose sight of our primary priority.

The Bono Gospel
I am not sure who said it, but I was told that a preacher got up and said at one of our meetings that Bono has done more for Africa than the Church. I heard that and thought, well I won't tell you exactly what I thought. Hundreds of people have given their life to preach the Gospel to Africa and the out pouring of the spirit is happening in most significant ways in Africa because the Gospel was preached.

Churches by the thousands have given faithful monthly support to provide for these missionary programs in propagating the gospel to virtually every nation in the world. Hundreds of Millions of dollars have been given and spent.

Some would say we have not done enough. That may be true. I know I don't feel I have done enough. However, to discount what has been done is not wise. When you have packed up and went to Africa and dug a well, get back with us.

Helping People is What we Do

I am for helping people. I have spent thousands of dollars helping people in need. I would be willing to get God to inspect the truth of this. I have. I do. I will. I have given till it hurt. I am not against helping the poor, needy or destitute. I have spent a number of years in prison ministry. I have been countless times to the nursing homes. I am making an effort to help people getting out of prison find meaning and purpose. In all of this, my primary purpose is the Gospel... it is the Power of God unto salvation.

My call as a Pastor/Preacher is to preach the truth. The truth that will allow them to see and enter the Kingdom of God is John 3:3-5 as demonstrated in Acts 2:38.

What did Jesus tell the disciples to go tell John?

"...how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."

These are the hallmarks that Jesus pointed to as a "Successful" ministry.

My experience with Apostolic people is they are generous, caring, helping, praying people. My dad took me to the nursing home to minister to them as a kid. People I knew went to jail and prison services. They honored and cared for the elder saints. People that get hung up beating people down for what the "WORLD" does to help the poor... and say the church is doing nothing is just echoing the voice of hell... whose main purpose is to distract and derail people from what the purpose of God is.

The Purpose of the Church is to "Be the Church."
That Means we as individuals need to be,

Spirit Filled.
Baptizing Converts
Praying for the Sick.
Preaching the Gospel.
Living a Life that is Godly.
Reflecting righteousness in a world of Sin.
Loving Each Other... Loving the world to Jesus.

While we are in ministry mode of visiting, praying, ministering.... our primary product is of eternal consequence.... to introduce them to the opportunity be born again through faith in Jesus Christ. This is illustrated, demonstrated and manifested in the apostolic directive of Acts 2:38

Stephens Ministry

Some would point to the appointment of Stephen and the others "Waiting Tables".

Stephen was a man full of the Holy Ghost and faith. In the ministry of Stephen, the Gospel was not watered down... further, his preaching was so straight... he was stoned by those who rejected his message. He and the others were ministering to the elderly widows. Further to receive care, there was a list of requirements for a person to receive this of the church.

I recieve calls every week from people in need. Light bills, gas bills, grocery money, gas money, medicine money, travel money, doctor money, clothing money... If I was given $10,000 to spend in any way I wanted. I could give $10,000 to legitimate needs in just a few days. However, there are missionaries, Bible Schools, Home Missions... the list is without end of ministry needs whose main purpose is to propigating the Gospel. Given the Choice, based on my priorities, a large bulk of that money would go toward ministry directives. Without a doubt some would go to minister to needs in the community of faith. There are some who have some pressing needs. On many occations we have been compelled to stretch to help those in need.

Our Priority, Our Mission, Our Purpose revolves around propigating the Gospel and contronting our culture with the Supernatural Nature of the Gospel.

Let us not cheapen the Gospel or weaken the church to distract it from it's main purpose. The purpose of the Ministry of the Believer revolves around the eternal qualities and effects of the Gospel on human souls. The Gospel has the power to change people in this life and a promise of Eternal reward in the life to come.

Just some thoughts to provoke a little thinking in my generation that is contrary to much of the propaganda being offered in commercial christianity that is seeking to remove the stigma of sin and extract the exclusivity of truth. If good works equals salvation, then everyone can be saved without the Gospel.

... and with that I will leave you a few scriptures to ponder.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Colossions 2

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

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 7:22-24

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20


And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:47:49

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:15-17

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17


... Just a little rant prompted by Marshall Clack's status update and the great feedback from the original note on this subject. Thanks Marshal and all of you other fine folks for further sharpening my thought process.


"There is NOTHING wrong with allowing social action to be a part of evangelism, but the Gospel is NOT an invitation for us to live a life that simply "betters the world," the Gospel is a message about Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. It's a message of conversion, deliverance, and the hope of eternal life!" Marshall Clack II

Humanistic Ideology vs. Biblical Theology

In the right corner, in shades of gray, weighing in a little over three pounds the human brain. In the right corner, you have wearing a black cover and golden gilded pages, the Bible.

Human Ideology vs. Biblical Theology

I understand the feeling of wanting to rationalize my perceptions and care of people and homogenize the truth of scripture to conform to a template that is less exclusive and more permissive.

I have seen it on the faces of sincerity. I have felt in in the prayer of honest hearted people. I have understood it on a intrinsic human level. I want everyone to be saved.

However, my philosophical desires for the peace and healing for humanity does not infringe or effect God.

God is uniquely God. He from the beginning in his wisdom understood the basic need for division and separation. He is the one that chose to divide the darkness from the light. He divided the land from the water.



There is a basic premise in scripture, if you are one prone to value and believe it that interrupts this humanistic ideology. This ideology seeks to remove the premise of distinction of right or wrong, truth and the lie, light and darkness.

Isaiah 55:9
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This scripture speaking of the wisdom of God is points directly to the wisdom and nature of His infallible, unfailing and unending Word.

I have heard as of late there are people who are rationalizing this humanistic approach to truth.

My first response is one of understanding. I am human. I am a grace loving, people loving, heaven loving kind of person. I have went through the mental anguish and struggled in the very conscience of my personal identity. However having a growing appreciation for the truth of the Word of God I have a few things to say to those who have, are or will struggle with this.

Our opinion and how we feel has no bearing on what truth is. Truth is. Matters not how sincere and honest we may be in our approach, if we fail to fully value scripture and it’s voice on the things of eternal consequence, we are failures. If we are not careful we will find ourselves entertaining age old deceptions and giving ear to the seductive spirit of this age that rejects the absolute authority the Scripture claims to have.

The Catholic church has been in this ideological dance with culture for two thousand years and the end result, it has tried to fit the culture in the church, without effecting real transformation.

We see this same ideological slip in denominations that claim their foundation was poured out of the conscience of sincere men striving for truth... however these denominations have become nothing more than “Another” denomination being changed by the permissive and perverse spirit of iniquity that waxes and wages war upon the very foundations of truth held in the scripture they say they believe.

It is easy to wax philosophical about things that we don’t fully appreciate..

The choice we make will create a division. Division is not bad. God is the author of division. He is not the author of confusion. Division is pretty clear cut. Truth is absolute and definitive. Where confusion comes into play is when truth is minimized and other things come and endeavor the minimize and refute what Truth proclaims.

Hear me, either you choose to believe the scripture implicitly, or you are sliding down a slippery slope where in time you will lose more than just a full appreciation of the Bible, you will be vulnerable to doctrines and spirits whose sole purpose in existence is to deceive and ultimately destroy the purpose of God in your life and those who you love and cherish.

The virtue and treasure of this born again experience can be lost on those who have had it so long they never really experienced it’s saving power. We, were blessed to have this as a formative experience as children and young people. Add to that an environment flavored and influenced by people given to prayer and fervent faith sheltered us from fully appreciating this Holy Ghost experience and it’s delivering power.

So while we have benefitted from this fervent, simplistic and spiritual approach to the Kingdom of God and living for him, if we are not careful, we will water down what we love and in turn cheat those we are reaching for. Cheating them out of the very basic building blocks of creating a spiritual experience and eternal hope that we enjoy.

Humanistic Ideology has it’s root in the original deception.

The original deception was the Devil reasoning with Eve. Eve stated what she had been told, and the Serpent reasoned with her and inserted a simple word that perverted the whole essence of what God had given them.

Gods Word
“In the day ye eat of it, though shalt surely die.”

The Serpents Word
“In the day ye eat of it, though shalt not surely die.”

The insertion of philosophical reasoning turned the truth of God into a demonic lie.

Be careful in all of our striving to connect and relate with our generation that with a simple word we are transformed from being a preacher of righteousness to become just another Angel of light preaching the age old lie of deception to further entangle and deceive those who are already doomed to an unending eternity of misery, shame and regret. Hell is real. Jesus preached about it more than heaven. Bible truth concerning Jesus and the corresponding experience is the only thing that can save them.

My purpose in this article and those that have preceded it and those that are sure to follow are my honest and sincere efforts to provoke discussions about the veracity and infallible truth of the Word of God.

The powerful truth of the scriptures were hidden from people through the tradition and humanistic ideology for centuries.

Let us not in turn hide from this generation what purchased so many spiritual treasures that were given to us.

Biblical Theology must triumph over humanistic ideology.

Come On Guys.... quit over thinking this stuff and lets pray and study our Bible.

Humanistic Ideology has got to be recognized for the tripe that it is when it is trying to minimize the basic fundamental truth that is found in the scripture.

There are many believe that simply belonging to the catholic church will save them.

There are others that believe that accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet will save them.

However sincere belief does not equal truth or true salvation.

Study the Word.
Preach the Word
Teach the Word.