In an article titled `Women in the Pulpit´ on the site SpiritLed Women, the old feminist gospel that women are not subordinate to men is used over and over again to trump God's word. A feminist named Daisy Washburn Osborn, 70, wife of evangelist T. L. Osborn, says, "Jesus Christ expected women who received Him as Lord to obey Him. But did He plan later for them to acquiesce in favor of Paul's alleged position for women to be silent?" Her answer to Paul is, "NO!"

However, we believe Paul was Spirit-led and not these women. Their shamefaced husbands allow these wild women, whom are unrestrained by the real Holy Spirit, to mislead the church in the name of the Spirit.

These women are not led by the Spirit of God. As responsible Christians, we have to make up our minds before God whether or not these women are to be listened to or to be ignored. 1 Corinthians 14:34 lays it out pretty clearly, but if a person ignores this, Paul commands them to be ignored, verse 38. Another version has it, "let them be ignorant." In other words, if we ignore Paul, then we will be ignored by the true church and eventually, God Himself.

A really insulting reason given to support women in the pulpit is the one that says, "If men won't get up and preach, then God will send women." This is devilish doctrine and anyone who holds it had better repent. There are many good men who try to preach, but the feminized church shuts them down, as they try to shut down my words. That's one reason we had to get a web site: Our churches will not let us speak the truth in their congregations. No, our churches choose women and their "spirit-led" doctrines. I will plainly state once again, they are not Spirit-led. Then what spirit leads them?

Chris Simonson  1/31/2007

It's minister Sam again; here's new verses on no women preachers. Briefly, 2 peter 2:16. Balaam's donkey talked with a man's voice (kjv) that notes: no matter if it's a human or animal, God will always use a male. 2 Chronicles 29:11: "my SONS be not negligent: for the lord have chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that you should MINISTER unto him and burn incense". Num.12:2: Miriam was punished by God for even THINKING about preaching her thought was: has the lord ONLY spoken through Moses? Why not by me? God did not like that, so God told her why in verse 5-9, and verse 10 God turned her into a leper as punishment. Aaron was there also but he did not get punished because he was a Levite and only male descendants from Aaron or Levi were to minister. You never hear female Levite ministers during the whole course of the bible as being involved in religious ministries. Why? Because the Jewish religion was through Aarons sons. So, Num.12:2 is the only passage that talks about women getting punished for trying to do what God says not to do. I hope this is added to your understanding.

Sam Gibson  1/30/2007

Steven 1/29/2007

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

SAN FRANCISCO - In Tara Guber's ideal world, American children would meditate in the lotus position and chant in Sanskrit before taking stressful standardized tests.

So starts the AP article of 1/28/07.

The article is about Christian fundamentalists protesting the teaching of yoga in a public elementary school in Aspen, Colorado. They argue that yoga's Hindu roots conflict with separation of church and state. As we read the article, we are impressed with Tara Guber's craftiness in re-labeling Hindu pagan practices to get around separation of church and state. The federal government seems to be convinced. According to the article, it gives grants to gym teachers who complete a teacher training course in yoga.

Yoga teaching got big somewhere in the late 1960´s and early `70´s, as the hippie movement wiped out western morality and ethics. Substituting chanting and meditation for prayers to God, and yoga positions and body awareness for obedience to God, it became a method to ease the guilty conscience of wicked men and women.

Now, many Christians practice yoga and see no conflict between their belief system and breathing exercises and body postures. These same Christians practice martial arts, transcendental meditation or whatever else appeals to their carnal natures. They are sure to go to church regularly and place Christian placards and pictures of Jesus around the home. But they disobey their God by worshiping according to heathen religions.

We should not target the public schools. The government is not the target. Neither is Tara Guber. The church that calls itself after the name of Jesus Christ should be our target. We must purge out the leaven of insincerity and bring in the proper worship of God that cleanses our hearts and minds. Cheap grace that allows false teachings and practices in our midst needs to be rooted out and destroyed.

We don't have to picket abortion clinics. homosexual parades, porno houses and bars. But we do need to picket our godless pastors who pick our pockets in the name of love. Like Tara Guber, they re-label things to sound fun and happy, while they strip the meaning from the words. Words like Jesus, grace, love, faith, sin, etc., are twisted to mean something other than the time-honored teaching of the Reformation church (the Catholics are excluded because their religion is based on re-labeling everything).

It's time to wake up! There is nothing wrong with exercise, but if it hinders your walk with God, the Bible says to mortify by the Holy Spirit your flesh, until you repent of your self-serving attention to your carnal body and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. It doesn't matter whether it's yoga or "Christian workout music": we are deceived if we think there is no conflict between our actions and our belief system.

Chris Simonson  1/29/2007

- Steven 1/26/2007

Christianity as we know it has almost come to an end; most Christians here in America have been taken out by covetousness and the love of this world. You wish that they'd just make up their minds; why play Christian, when you love the world more? Thus is the choice: either do wickedly and serve the world, or do righteously and serve Christ... but you cannot have it both ways.

As Elijah the prophet said: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him." 1 Kings 18:21

But, those who serve the Lord should take comfort, that God has preserved a remnant unto himself: "Yet I have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." 1 Kings 19:18

Steven  1/25/2007

This is a response to one of our articles in regards to women preaching: "This is minister Gibson and there is more evidence on no women in ministry: Matt. 28:19 Jesus said to his 11 disciples, go and preach; my point is this: there is not one women in that context of Scripture, therefore women cant preach. Exodus 34:19 & 20 SAYS DEDICATE sons to God, that means to be a preacher; note, women are never mentioned in that verse. Others are: Eccle.7:26-28 (And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.), Eccle.8:1 (Who [is] as the wise [man]? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.), 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works). I am trying to make my statement brief so if you want me to explain, then you know where to find me. God bless. - Sam Gibson

1/24/2007

British troops in Afghanistan seem to have no trouble in justifying the killing of Taliban soldiers by the stealthy method of sniping. Dallas Turner, 27, from Edinburgh, has described in detail how he picked off a Taliban commander from 1050m just before Christmas.

He said: "They were firing at us all day but we could see only their heads pop up from time to time, moving about their positions... one walked into view from behind a wall. He was just standing there. It was beautiful. He was only exposed a few seconds. I didn't need to adjust my rifle sights as they were set right from the previous day. Just like in training, I breathed slowly, inhaled and pulled the trigger. The 338 caliber bullet travels at about 800m a second so it would have taken just over a second to reach him. He was hit full in the upper chest. It took him a couple of seconds to drop but I knew he was slotted. If one of these rounds hits you in the chest, even from that distance, it will cause a lethal amount of damage. It was my first kill. I had a cigar afterwards. I didn't lose any sleep about it. He was a Taliban commander after all."

I suppose the Taliban commander got a little cocky, seeing as they had been shooting up the place for a couple of days with only very little return fire from British troops (they have been trained not to waste bullets). Maybe someone dared him to stand in the open for five seconds. Maybe he just thought he was charmed. But, it only took a second for the decision to shoot, perhaps a couple of seconds to pull the trigger, yet another for the round to arrive in his chest, and he was gone. Incredible sharp-shooting.

God's rounds are even more accurate. Infinitely more accurate. He cannot miss. The wicked play around and act cocky, but they do not know the bullet is heading for them and will presently deliver them to the judgment seat of Christ. The ones who know and understand the majesty and power of God will beg for his pardon, because they have become convinced of his sharp-shooting abilities. The bullet of death cannot harm them, for it only delivers them to eternal life.

In the meanwhile, if you want to pick sides in a war that is far more important (and you must pick one side), pick God's side in the ongoing war between good and evil. May he grant you the power to shoot far and straight.

Chris Simonson  1/23/2007

Pat the Bean Counter

According to the host of the 700 Club, over 461 million decisions were made for Christ "since the fall of communism". I'm not sure when he thinks communism fell; I don't know myself, perhaps because I have been distracted by the rise of atheistic humanism in the so-called Free World. (including good old USA). And how did he come up the figure of 461,000,000? Does he have statisticians with supercomputers filling him in? Or is he receiving this direct from God the way he gets most of his material?

According to Mr. Robertson, the year 2007 is going to be very good and very bad. He's been promised "that this year is going to be a year of extraordinary miracles. And if I'm hearing the Lord right, there are such extraordinary things that are going to take place: victory over demonic powers, victory of healing, some dramatic miracles taking place in people's lives. And the Lord said it's going to seem to the people like Heaven has come down to earth. It's going to be that good. It's going to be really an extraordinary demonstration of God's power. The other thing He said was that this is the final year of the great demonstration of His grace to the world."

The other thing God said was, "Well, the other thing I felt was that evil men, evil people, are going to try to do evil things to us and to others during the last part of this year. I don't know whether it'll be in the fall or September or later on, but it'll be the second half, somehow, of 2007. There will be some very serious terrorist attacks. The evil people will come after this country. And there's a possibility that-not a possibly, a definite certainty that chaos is going to rule, and the Lord said that the politicians will not have any solutions for it. There's just going to be chaos."

So, Heaven is going to come down and chaos will reign. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd put more confidence in a horoscope than in all this double-talk. If it seems that I took this out of context, check out his website and see that the foregoing was all part of a monologue.

But, to be fair, Pat Robertson goes on to explain that the first six months of this year will be pure bliss for God's people (even though the U.S. is "pushing Israel toward national suicide"), after which the chaos starts. He says, "It was as if God is saying, `You've got to put away from yourself those heathen influences that are taking over. Because I'm going to do something wonderful for you, but it's not going to happen unless you put away the heathen influences.´... It's going to be an extraordinary time, and we should expect miracles beyond our wildest fantasies in the first six months. And after then, chaotic."

What does the Bible say about prophecies that don't come to pass and bean-counters that can't seem to get enough recognition? One thing for sure: Don't listen to them. There's plenty on this site that deals with false prophets, and I can't tell you how many have made a decision for Christ after reading our opinions, but I sure hope I won't start saying, "God told me, and I felt it to be true, but even if I didn't hear Him correctly, I am thinking, no I'm confident that, God spoke to me and said, `Maybe, no definitely, I'm going to bless you and curse you, not you necessarily but possibly someone who maybe likes to hear you say "God spoke to me and said such-and-such, even after I may have said 'Not really'." (was that enough "close quotes"?)

Chris Simonson  1/22/2007

Does God Want You To Be Rich?

From a Time Magazine September 18, 2006 front-page article: Does God Want You To Be Rich? subtitled, "The debate over the new gospel of wealth".

There's nothing new here, as there is nothing new under the sun. The Catholic Church taught and still teaches on how to obtain worldly wealth in the name of Jesus Christ, thus defiling that holy name. No new gospel here. However, the new way to preach is to be explicit about it, whereas the Church of Rome was always underhanded. The old church uses people like Mother Teresa and her selfless help for the poor to suck in wealth from donors, while Joel Osteen keeps the vaults full by openly preaching covetousness.

The result is that there is no difference between the two gospels of covetousness.  Both lead to hell.

Roman Catholicism has tried to take over the world using a crafty mix of the Bible and men's desires, using the natural tendencies of the flesh to enhance its control over their souls. Joel Osteen and the "new" gospel preachers use a slick mix of the Bible and psychology, using the natural tendencies of the flesh to fatten their pocketbooks.

On Judgment Day, God isn't going to measure us by how much "faith" we had, or how much "love," or how much "peace" or a thousand other psychological qualities but - did we help him when we saw him hungry, thirsty, a stranger, unclothed, sick or imprisoned?  Matthew 25:35-36. James puts it this way: "Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?"

If we care about our souls, Paul gives us direction: "Command (not suggest) those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment (which the covetous also quote out of context). Command them to do good, to be RICH IN GOOD DEEDS, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they make take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

He also goes on to say: "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many troubles." 1 Timothy 6:9-10.

Joel and his dupes may smile and talk about God's love, but there will be many who mourn and wail on judgment day.

May the love of Christ that leads to eternal life take hold of you my reader, and cause you to turn from your evil before he takes your candle away. Revelation 3:14-21.

Chris Simonson  1/19/2007

HOW TO WITNESS WITHOUT PERSECUTION

No doubt there are other ways to witness without receiving ill will in return for spreading good news; but why not use the most popular method of your peers?

Here are the steps for this way:

First, visit www.livingwaters.com and purchase the gospel tracts that really aren't tracts; they're fake money. Get both the $100 bill and the million dollar bill. You'll notice the $100 bill is super-sized, don't worry, the text size isn't proportionate and by the time the recipient both notices the hidden text and reads what little gospel is therein, you'll be well out of site. The smaller million dollar bill, has even smaller text, and your recipient will be fortunate to make out the words.

Second, when you are passing out this fake money, don't mention the Name... you know the "J____" name. Someone might dislike you for mentioning that name, because they correlate it to the son of the Most High God.

Third, don't speak the words of Jesus. He was persecuted and crucified for it. Ask obscure questions such as: "Would you give up one of your eyes for a million dollars?" Then, once you've warmed them up to it, and only then, let on that your talking to them about sin and Jesus' payment for it.

This will ensure that those you are witnessing to will not persecute you, but there are some stuck on the Old Way. They still insist on preaching the truth boldly and passing out gospel tracts with scripture in them, and letting those that pass by know they are about Jesus. Because they have learned scripture they are able to point out faults in our approach. No worries, just repeat the following, mix and match if you like. The order isn't important:

1. "This is the way Paul did it, he reasoned with the Athenians about their altar to an unknown god; we grab their attention with their god, money." (Note: Its not to your benefit to mention that you love money too.)

2. "More of your gospel tracts are being thrown to the ground than any of our fake money."

3. "These are more fun, go to www.livingwaters.com, they have good stuff there. Check it out."

If none of the above seem to shut them up, repeat yourself, or stick your nose in the air and walk away; it'll be like dumping a pale of coal on your head.

Matt Simonson 1/18/2007

The writer of Hebrews tells us to "keep your lives free from the love of money."

He who practices covetousness will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Covetousness is leaven, and this leaven has infiltrated the lump. Now wickedness pervades in many churches, and not apart from their leaders.

Perhaps I am paying too close attention when I enter a church and a portion of the pastor's minute-preaching time is spent on reprimanding his listeners to give more money to the church. Hebrews says "exhort one another daily." Most churches have a service one day a week, and of that time spent there approximately 45 minutes is spent with the pastor exhorting his parishioners.

The elders of the church should go to God and ask if they need more to preach, teach, and evangelize. They either won't because they don't believe God will provide; or they ask and don't receive because God knows they'll use it to live more cush lifestyles. That is why they are always barking at the churchgoers to tithe and give.

What many churches do have is hardly used for Christ's service. The more they get, the more responsible they'll be on judgment day. Here is a little evidence: it costs very little or nothing to preach the gospel yet few churches even have such a thing in their agendas.

Thousands of dollars go through their hands; it isn't that they haven't got enough, they just want more. You can easily detect the love of money within these churches in a single church service. Just listen to what they're talking about; usually something about tithing or budget deficit.

What are you paying your church for anyway? Examine what it is your church is spending your money on, and you'll get an idea of whether your covetous too.

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve." (1 Peter 5:2)

Matt Simonson 1/17/2007

Over the last thirty years, under the guise of 'church growth', American christendom has created a network of empires; while much can be debated about their effectiveness, said empires have ignited some accepted social changes, such as home-schooling and various other Constitutional rights. However, the majority of the 'good deeds' are mostly rhetoric to gain revenue, which has caught the attention of an anti-Christ, socialistic government, which is hell-bent on destroying every moral fiber in God-given commands.

H.R. Bill 4682 & S.1 are two bills being currently considered in Congress that would change existing law to include churches, pastors, non-profits organizations, etc. into the definition of 'lobbyists' by creating a new category to fit them into called 'grassroots lobbyists'; such classification would result in government demands that each non-profit organization and church that attempts to influence public opinion in any way register with Congress, and give detailed initial and quarterly disclosures of their activities.

Frankly, The Church, our Brethren, are going to have to make up their minds: do they want to continue to live lavish lives of excess or take up their crosses and follow Christ. We will have to determine whether is it appropriate to hold a non-profit and continue to build our 'kingdoms' here on earth, or, will we invest instead in The Kingdom of God, which lasts for all Eternity. The bottom line here is that the general 'Christian' community, our Brethren, have disobeyed the commandment to have no other gods before Him, as well as the follow-up "Thou shalt not covet". If American christendom continues in its idolatry and covetousness, God will allow snares and captivity to fall upon us (as is already occurring) to the inevitable persecution of the saints.

- Steven 1/16/2007

On January 3rd, 2007 I wrote a blog on Ray Comfort & Living Waters Ministry tracts, of which I sent a copy to Ray Comfort via his ministry's website, asking that it would be passed onto him; I gave an invitation for him to respond to the blog.

Liz Ebert, spokeswoman for Ray Comfort and Living Waters Ministry wrote me back, absolutely refusing to forward the letter to Ray Comfort. The following is her email in full: "Dear Steven, We greatly appreciate you taking the time to email us. My name is Liz and I am a member of Ray & Kirk's ministry team. Ray and Kirk do receive and answer emails; but they can't respond to all of them. They have entrusted me to do so. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Please be aware that these are my comments and not necessarily theirs, though I am very familiar with their biblical position and stance concerning this ministry. Sorry, but we can't forward the letter you sent to Ray Comfort, but it there something I can help you with? Thank you again fro taking the time to write us, Liz - Living Waters Correspondent"

My response to Liz's email: " To Liz Ebert - Spokeswoman for Ray Comfort and Living Water Ministries, In your reply to my email, you indicated that your comments may not "necessarily" be 'their' comments. The original letter did not have your name on it, and as you stated you have no authority to answer; so... why, spokeswoman, do you speak on 'their' behalf and refuse to pass the letter on to Ray Comfort, to whom it (the letter) was written? Steven - InformationGospel   PS: Please note, all replies may be published to InformationGospel.net"

- Steven  1/15/2007

Dark Matter, Black Holes...

..and other things you know are out there, but cannot see. As scientists measure our universe using the latest technology and theoretical physics, they confidently announce new findings and herald fantastic consequences for human understanding. However, they will never find out the actual forces behind the things that are seen, much less the things that are unseen. This is because they have rejected the truth that holds the universe together.

It's funny how they make fun of silly primitive ideas such as the belief that there is a life-force separate from matter that makes living things alive. They laugh off any notion there is a spirit within man that keeps him alive, and when that spirit is taken, he will be judged by God, the Maker of all spirits. He mocks this because the spirit cannot be seen by modern scientific equipment, nor can it be weighed in any scale.  Little does he know that he is weighed in the scale of God's perfect balances, and that he is found lacking in anything of note.

Men can predict the existence of dark matter by seeing its influence on matter that is seen and can be measured. Man can believe there are such things as black holes because Steven Hawking and 150 other theoretical physicists say so with elaborate calculations and elegant presentations. Men can and will believe anything as long as enough people say so. When presented with some observations such as, "You know there is wind because you can see it affecting other things, but you cannot tell where it came from nor where it will go", most people would not argue (some scientist with a satellite image of clouds and a few other gizmos might argue). But when Jesus Christ says, "The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell from where it comes and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit," most people will get this wrong by not believing it.

And even though men cannot see God coming with his holy angels to consume them in his fury and wrath, they forget that God can travel a lot faster than light, so they won't know until it's too late. That's why He sent his Son, Jesus, to warn them. Although no scientist can measure the depth and the height and the breadth of God's love, it is bigger than anything he can imagine and is real nonetheless.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:11-21

Chris Simonson  1/12/2007

Risk Factor

There are currently 835 PHA's. What does this mean? This means that man has increased his knowledge substantially in the last few years. This only increases his fear of PHA's, not the actual number of them. The Bible said that men's fear would increase in the last days. Knowledge of the destructive effects of the universe tends to do this.

So what is a PHA? PHA's are potentially hazardous asteroids. They have to be over 500 feet across and have a path that takes them closer than 4,500,000 miles to the earth. This is all pretty inexact, but it just goes to show you how serious this subject has become when they (NASA, for instance) start mapping these things. A lot of time is spent nowadays looking for these glimmering objects in space, trying to see if one of them is headed toward us. For instance, one went past us going pretty fast (around 30,000 miles per hour) on December 20, 2006. It missed us by about 2 million miles. So what's the worry?

"Sometimes our biggest fear is not knowing what to fear most. Fortunately, the weird science of risk analysis can teach us to judge better and fear smarter." (off PopSci website)

Weird science indeed. The Bible calls it "science, falsely so-called," because it is not really science, but speculation based upon limited or distorted facts. The fear of the unknown drives some people crazy, while it just ruins the day for the rest of us while it runs in the background of our minds. The greatest unknown and yet most known fact is death. We don=t know what happens after we die, and yet everyone dies. We have found a way to suppress the ultimate fear, the fear of death, by keeping our minds busy with other thoughts, like keeping track of PHA's. And can we "judge better and fear smarter" by reading Popular Science articles?

"On December 27, 2004, while the world was focused on the Indian Ocean tsunami, a few astronomers were contemplating the possibility of an even deadlier disaster: that of a massive asteroid striking Earth. A fifth of a mile wide, heftier than the space rock that leveled a vast swath of Siberian forest in 1908, Near-Earth Asteroid 2004 MN4 had grabbed the attention of NASA scientists just before Christmas. They put the chance of an April 13, 2029, collision at 1 in 2,700 and two days later upped the odds to 1 in 165. On the morning of the 27th the astronomers elevated their assessment again, this time to an alarming 1 in 38. On the Torino scale, which measures the likelihood and potential severity of an asteroid impact, they gave the asteroid a 4, the highest alert ever issued. Like most people, I was oblivious to this maybe menace. These days, it can be hard to keep your hazards straight. There are the usual suspects -- car crashes, crime, cancer -- and a seemingly endless parade of new threats. Breakneck global warming, bioengineered smallpox, gray goo? Sometimes my worst fear is not knowing what I should fear most." (same article PopSci website.)

In other words, if we die before April 13, 2029, we won=t have to face the fear of death from Asteroid 2004 MN4. That's all.

I suggest that we forget what the scientists analyze about risk factors and decide right now to get ready for our Judge. There is a 100% chance we will give an account to Him whether or not we die.

Chris Simonson 1/11/2007

"FOXES Voices of the Martyrs is the one book none of us want to be in, but it's the one book which should be in the hands of every Christian, and chained to every pulpit." (The Voice of the Martyrs -Special issue 2007 (Quote from Ray Comfort))

Ray Comfort is the proprietor of the www.livingwaters.com website and the 'fake money' tracts.

Already considering writing about the fake money passed off as witnessing for Christ, the above quote from its promoter stuck to me. Is the "Way of the Master" headed this way? Against the Master's teaching?

My Lord and Master said: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

AND HE SAID: "A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub how much more the members of his household!"

As for myself, I want to be in among those who were beheaded for Christ's sake; spoken of in Revelations. Lord, grant me this honor and the strength to endure.

Matt Simonson  1/10/2006

Over the years we have all heard promises; people say they will do this or that. If one works in business long enough you hear plenty of promises from various clients: "Yes, the check is in the mail.", then two weeks later you hear again: "Oh, now the check is in the mail, we didn't have the right signers here.", and so on with various excuses. As an employer you can also hear excuses: "Oh, I'm only 15 minutes late." As an employee you may hear: "If you can just get this done or get this client, you'll make partner/bonus/raise/other proverbial carrot)", or "Can you cut your lunch (or skip it altogether)... we really need the manpower." From friends you might hear: "We'll be there!", and they don't show up, or "Can I borrow $20, I'll pay you back."

Worse yet, in the Christian community, (under the guise of doing ministry) we've all mostly likely heard one of the following: "I'll be there.", "Count on me." When the persons in question don't show up to the event/ meeting/ fellowship, you hear: "Oh, I had a schedule confliction, can I get a raincheck?", or "I'm really busy, but I'll try to make it next time." Whether it's attending a function of The Church, committing of one's stewardship or simply completing a blog by a certain deadline, Jesus, whom never lied nor was he deceptive or flippant in his speech or commitments, laid down the principle for us as believers: that our yes must be Yes, and our no must be No... especially if we commit to something regarding ministry, we should fulfill such promises as if we had promised to God Himself. Our speech should never consist of "Yes, yes..." to Jesus and in our hearts really meaning "No", as evidenced by such commitments not being fulfilled on time.

"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."- Matthew 5:37

 - Steven  1/09/2006

The Pursuit of Happiness

A good movie that recently hit the box office, The Pursuit of Happiness, was full of hardship; but at the end such happiness, you could almost clap.

Will Smith played the main character, Chris Gardener; and Will's real son played as Chris Gardner's son. They both did excellent acting.

In the story, Chris is a struggling salesman, his disloyal wife leaves him because she learns to despise him for his past failures and letting her down. At the separation, Chris demands custody of his son; he didn't know his father, but vowed that his son would.

Chris keeps his son, but soon his financial situation spirals downward, even to the point where he and his son are thrown out on the street and spend the night in a subway bathroom. With no college, Chris applies for a very competitive internship for a stockbroker position, usually requiring credentials. Throughout the story Chris sees much hardship, but the movie ends triumphantly with Chris getting hired out of 30 other internees. He claps with happiness and, indeed, it is a happy moment.

The story was inspired by a true story, but does the character live happily ever after?

Let's say after three months at his new job, Chris can afford to get himself a nicer apartment than he ever had, get his son in a better preschool, buy that nice car; but what about his relationship to his wife, is that going to work out? Or how about that jerk at work, or the traffic, or the monotony of work, or what health problems came his way? Infirmity and adversity is sure to come. Such is life.

Happy moments come and go. So, was the character in the movie correct, when he said the pursuit of happiness is just the right to pursue happiness, because you'll never get it?

"So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 51:11)

Now, that sounds like happiness that will never end and worth pursuing above every other pursuit, which will pass away with its pursuer.

To gain this happiness, you must submit to the Living God and repent of your evil deeds. This is possible because He sent His Son to die for our sins. Then after you die, if you endure until the end, you will be resurrected and enter into His rest forever.

"At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11b)

Matt Simonson  1/08/2006

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Somalia continues to suffer drought, hunger, disease, violence and other aspects of God's wrath against a godless society.  Included in this list of evils is their persecution of Christians, an almost undetectable minority among their Islamic culture. Due to the ongoing violence in that country, almost all outside Christian charity was yanked since 1991.

However, there has been a change in the last few days. Last summer, the terrorist-friendly Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) had seized control of the country's government, but has been ousted by American-friendly Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government war forces. The "Christian" country of Ethiopia is supposedly being used by America to keep Islamic terrorist-friendly governments from establishing themselves in Somalia. But, is the "Christian" county of Ethiopia really Christian? When it is listed by the ICC as the third worst persecutor of Christians in the world, I doubt it.

With the new change of guard, there will be many attempts to regain a foothold for Christianity in the region by means of feeding the hungry, bringing medical aid, etc.  You would think this is a legitimate way of bringing Christ to someone, but listen to the atheists and Muslims: "If people want to be missionaries, they should do so and be open about it. If they want to be aid workers, then they should do that. It is dishonest,
however, for anyone to act like an aid worker if their real agenda is to be a missionary and convert people to a different religion." This from an atheist site by Austine Cline, complaining that Christians shouldn't cloak their real intent of evangelism by helping the poor.

"The BBC reports on a situation in Somalia where a Christian aid group is accused of giving out Christian items with other gifts: Muslim scholars organized the protest following reports that school children were given gifts with Christian emblems alongside charitable aid... The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the demonstrators condemned the gifts handed out by Christian aid agencies, which included Bibles, toys, books, pens and crucifixes. 'These are Christian missionaries working under the cloak of aid workers. The gifts were given to our children without our choice,' Sheikh Nuur Baaruut, the chairman of the Muslim council told the
protesters." This from an old article on the Net.

Many Islam-friendly reporters are now warning that the U.S.A.'s "Christian invasion" of Somalia will only strengthen anti-American sentiments throughout the terrorist world, causing additional recruits to the Islamic Extremist Dudes. Israeli involvement has been condemned (how they are involved I have no idea). It is probably true that American naval forces have been stationed along the coast of Somalia to stop fleeing UIC from
escaping to do more terrorist harm. It is probably true that America has been training Ethiopians on how to invade. It is true much of this is done in the name of Christianity.

Until recently, Somalia was ruled by the UIC who made women wear veils and men pray towards Mecca five times a day. This stopped a lot of violence and gave order to a messed up country for a few months. If you stepped out of line, you were shot. Replacing them will be another messed up regime, and who knows what is going to happen? Will Christians be able to sneak in their under the guise of helping starving people? Will Islam lose its foothold in another wretched society? Will America start another imperialistic missionary outreach? Will this turn an internal struggle for self determination in Somalia into a global war? (I heard someone ask).

Things will change rapidly either way. The outcome: Somalia will continue to suffer drought, famine, disease and violence as long as they continue their persecution of Christians and refuse Christian aid (including the gospel of course).

"Christian" America had better take a lesson from this.

Chris Simonson  1/05/2007

Visitation Rights

In our ungodly, feminized Christian culture, we give visitation rights to the parent who does not have custody of the child (if they qualify). Experts appointed by the courts determine whether a parent deserves to have custody or visitation rights. It didn't use to be like this, when men ran things, whether or not we think that was good or evil. Things have changed in modern Christendom.

Now, we are surrounded with expert women who give advice and enforce the laws for a church and nation who have rejected their God, their Father, and their Lord Jesus Christ, whom is God's Son. These same Christian women (and their tamed husbands) get up and make large speeches about God's love and counsel divorce as a way to punish the husband or at least get him to conform to their sense of 'godliness'. These are the godless, given over, products of a false Christianity. This is the judgment of a God who says, "Because they refused to obey the truth, I will give them over to a lie. I will send great deception their way in order to accomplish this."

And, what further will God do? He will give them visitation rights. He will visit them with his holy angels who will come with flaming fire to bring vengeance upon those who refused to obey. They will be doubly culpable because they knew the truth but turned from it back to their own vomit.

In order to spare some of his children from the wrath to come, God intervenes and removes them from the scene. As one brother quoted at the memorial service for my son, "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come." Isaiah 57:1.

Visitation is coming, but it is not going to be by man's permission. These who think to themselves they are God's appointed prophets or prophetesses have another thing coming: "If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me," Moses said. My advice: Get away from these pretenders who talk of love but have no fear.

But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. Numbers 16:30-35.

Dispensationalists will tell you this is a fairy tale meant for Jews living under some other dispensation. But my Bible reads: "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah." Jude 1:11. And, "The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." God winked at the sins of Korah, but He is now proclaiming the Good News that Jesus died for us and we must repent. Whereas Korah and his group were swallowed alive by the pit, these moderns will be judged before God and thrown into a lake of fire which burns eternally. May we ponder our mortality and cry upon God for His mercy.

Chris Simonson 1/04/2007

Many years ago, I cut my preaching 'teeth' on the streets of San Francisco, with a ministry called SOS Ministries. Once or twice a year, the ministry would have a key note speaker by the name of Ray Comfort, (head of Living Waters Ministry and more recently The Way of the Master) whose ministry at that time was still pretty much unknown. Ray had a well-thought-out and unique way of witnessing to the lost; one of his main premises was the importance of showing the lost, however we preached, that they are indeed sinners according to the Commandments, and that there will be a Judgment someday.

Of all the speakers that ever showed up at SOS, I found Ray to be the most sincere and doctrinally sound; through good, Biblical hermeneutics, Ray instructed us how to go out and properly present the Gospel with the emphasis on sin and repentance. I recommend Ray's website as a resource for anyone who'd like to learn how to properly open-air preach, but I do not recommend some of his tracts.

As of late the Way of the Master has become a kind of pop-culture phenomenon in most modern-Christendom circles (in fact, the only people we see going out on the streets these days, for the most part, are those whom have responded to the Way of the Master). My main beef with Ray's ministry is that some of his more popular tracts lack the substance of the simple Gospel, or are deceptive in nature. For example, recently, Ray's ministry has come out with a Million dollar bill tract (that sells more than a million a year) which has the message of the Gospel inscribed in the border; the message itself, however is in extremely small print, and most people whom receive them on the street don't even know what it is they have received. These tracts of his are, I think, relatively new as I don't remember Ray using this type of deceptive method when he was talking to us in San Francisco.

So the questions are: 1. When we go out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, why are we not being bold? 2. Why do we need to use deceit in order to preach the Gospel?

We know that Paul (1 Th. 2:2) was bold to preach the Gospel even when it was controversial. Surely if we are going to go out and witness to the lost the tracts we pass out should be, if anything, bold in their message as well as what comes from our mouth should also be bold. Here are a few phrases taken from the Greek that Paul used to describe this boldness:

1. freely speaking of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, not hidden

2. to be confident; not hiding or shrinking back

3. showing assurance; knowing the message is true, thus not being ashamed

4. assume a bold bearing; everything that you do publicly is bold in the Gospel, whether in your appearance or your words, you are confident in Jesus Christ

Our methods, and the message in the tracts we pass out, should reflect this boldness, with the Gospel as a running theme throughout; people must be able to clearly see what it is you are saying and whom you represent. If these things are not clear, you are not properly presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ and thus could be construed as being deceptive or disgenuine.

As Christians, the thing we must not do is to say that we believe in Jesus Christ, we've been atoned of all our sin, saved from God's wrath and eternal damnation, that we've become sons and heirs with Christ, being given the right to spend eternity with God in His Kingdom, being commanded to preach this Gospel throughout the entire world... and yet be elusive with the Gospel or apprehensive and ashamed to really tell people about it.

This would be as if Jonah, after being given a message by God Himself to preach, being swallowed by a whale for three days and spit up on a beach, had instead gone to the Ninevites and handed out a bunch of coins with the message of God inscribed in tiny print on the edges, or trying to communicate to them by magic tricks. But no, Jonah heard the call to preach; though he didn't want to be the messenger of God, he went finally to Nineveh and was bold in both his speech and manner, crying out aloud that the city would be destroyed, unless the inhabitants repented.

How much more should we, today, be bold with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead." Acts 17: 30 & 31

Steven  1/03/2007

PS: A copy of this blog was sent to Ray Comfort via Living Waters Ministry; we will post any responses we receive from them.

On New Year's Eve we went out to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; we watched as literally thousands of people crammed into Old Sacramento for the New Year's festivities and fireworks display. We passed out thousands of tracts and did some open-air preaching. During that time we met some brethren out there from the Great News Network, whom came down to promote and pass out Ray Comfort material (tracts which are more 'secretive' in nature, when it comes to the Gospel).

One of the most important thing we can do as Christians, when we go out to preach the Gospel, is to actually preach the Gospel, whether by handing out good, Gospel tracts or open air preaching, or simply telling everyone that walks by that this tract is about Jesus. How can they hear without a preacher?

There are many ministries that claim to do evangelism, but unlike their boasts they lack, or lighten, the communicating of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is very important when you go out preaching the Gospel that the people you speak to don't feel deceived after five minutes of their time is used up, and they figure out you are trying to 'sell' them Jesus like some used-car salesman.

It is better to be bold and straight forward when it come to the Gospel, even if the people you talk to openly reject the message or take the material and throw it to the ground; you have still accomplished the goal and communicated to them that they are sinners, that there is a judgment and God is ultimately going be their judge. Men whom walk in the darkness hate Christ and His righteousness and thus is often the reason they throw away the tract and reject the Truth.

God commanded us to go forth and preach the Gospel we have believed in, and we must do this with all boldness and sincerity; we must not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Steven  1/02/2007

It's New Years again, the day when we consider time and space. On one hand we say "Hey, it's 2007! Happy New Year!", but on the other hand we realize our own mortality as the clock ticks closer to our inevitable death.

We remember old acquaintances and wonder if they will remain so. Some of us have borne much grief over this last year; others great joys. We've made plans to lose weight or get out of debt, to make money or to smile more. But, did we remember the Lord of Hosts, whom came into the world and split time? Have we prepared for the Day when we will meet our Maker, to give an account for our sins? Did we take up our Cross and follow Jesus? Have we been apathetic with the Gospel? Have we served the Lord? Did we proclaim His name? Have we been ashamed of His Gospel? Have we obeyed His Word?

Exactly what have we done this year in service to Christ? And... what will we do this new year?

- Steven  1/01/2007