Why there is a media double standard on Faith issues – Obama and Santorum

The title of this post could be, “The God Who is vs. The god of your imagination” or “God speaks for Himself.”

Obama and False Theology

The talking heads and fair-and-balanced panels on news programs today are debating whether there is a double standard in the reporting and result of Christian-speak. The players facing off this week are Mr. Obama and Mr. Santorum.

The President gave his interpretation of the Beatitudes during last week’s national prayer breakfast. It is being reported that Obama preaches a gospel message that proves that Jesus would raise taxes.

God Established Absolute Truth

Rick Santorun, on the other hand, speaks of God who established absolutes about what is true and what is not; the same God who requires righteousness and will judge what is sinful. That gospel message is too extreme, too divisive, too exclusionary, and too dangerous for main-stream media and perhaps Main Street, USA.

The media holds up Obama’s “theology” as main stream and practical – and nice. Mr. Santorum’s position that such theology is errant creates headlines that imply Mr. Santorum should be disqualified from office because he may actually believe what he says. And so the question of whether or not a double standard exists is being debated.

Faith – Media Double-Standard or Media Agreement?

I submit that the issue of whether or not there is a double standard is not the relevant point.  As usual, the question is a red-herring intended to disguise the real conversation. What is important to consider is that Mr. Obama speaks of a different god than the one to whom Mr. Santorum prays.

Mr. Obama and the main-stream media (who actually believe in a deity) believe in a god that fits neatly into the standard they conceived of as a useful and acceptable deity. They work under the assumption that God and Jesus must believe as they do and will serve their purpose. Any god who would not agree to their terms is not a god they can get behind. So, they mold god into a graven image; an idol who is powerless and inconsistent – but is reliably obedient.

The concept of god being a helper, an assistant, a useful tool when necessary… is not unique to Mr. Obama and his fellows. It is a belief shared by many “Christians.”

Mr. Santorum believes in the God of the Bible who spoke the world into creation and made man from a tiny smear of dust. There is no reconciliation to be made between the God Who is and a god who is not. It is blasphemy to those who believe in Mr. Obama’s god to agree with what Mr. Santorum suggests.

Obama does not speak for God – God speaks for Himself

Don’t get angry or frustrated when you hear what is being said on television or on the net. The Bible told us this would happen.

Neither logic or argument will convince either Obama or Santorum that they are wrong. Discernment is becoming the daily work for those in the family of Jesus Christ.

Preach the gospel in word and deed. Witness to those who have ears open to hear and eyes that see clearly. Don’t cast the pearl of God’s grace before “swine” who will only trample it in the dirt.

Salvation – Obama and Santorum

There is no possible for way for anyone to know the status of Mr. Obama’s or Mr. Santorum’s relationship with God. One moment Saul was the mortal enemy of Jesus Christ and the next he was the Apostle Paul who penned a great share of God’s Word.

Seek truth.  Ask for faith. Look and inquire in the right place and you will find both. The place is God’s Word, not in the news or commentaries.

God speaks for Himself.

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A discussion of the difference between God/god, Jesus/jesus, Grace/grace, and Christian/christian is included in the new book I will release later this spring, Rapture and Revelation. To keep up with the progress you can find Rapture and Revelation on Facebook or subscribe to Amazing Grays Ministry updates by entering your email address in the box in the right column.

Spreading “Fertilizer” at Brazos Trails Cowboy Church

Pastor Dave at Brazos Trails Cowboy Church invited Amazing Grays Ministry to share a message last Sunday morning. We thank him for the opportunity and the very warm welcome we received.

Bo helps me deliver a message.

To be perfectly honest, this was the first time we spoke during an actual church service. We’ve been to churches, taken Bo to church with us, spoken to church groups, and done round pen programs at church arenas – but never on Sunday morning.

While the foundational pillars of our message never change, I still spent quite a bit of time preparing to deliver a message suitable for the occasion.

Reworking the Message

Several times during prayer and at least once in the middle of the night, I reached for pen and paper and drew up yet another new outline for the talk. Most of you who struggle to bring only spirit-directed messages know that regardless of how much you prep sometimes the Holy Spirit changes everything right before you begin.

Brazos Trails was another example of the Spirit at work. As I sat in the third row waiting to go up front I realized my hands were cold and my mind was a blank. The wireless mic was ready but I didn’t have one outline left in my head. I told the Lord, “I am willing, just make me able.”

My mind went blank

As I wordlessly prayed for assistance I was reminded of the purpose of Amazing Grays Ministry. We are to be fertilizer to the church of Jesus Christ on earth. Our message is always one of faith that overcomes fear through Christ.

Remember, I spent decades as a horse breeder and trainer and I live in a barn. I have moved countless tons of fertilizer from horse stalls to the manure spreader over the years and will do it all over again today.

My husband and I are well-acquainted with fertilizer. When it is applied properly it produces fruit in sweet abundance. When used improperly it just stinks.

Messages of faith over fear.

Two Scriptures Tell the Whole Story

That little reminder put me back on track just before I stood up to go forward. The program was simple and based on the bookmark we use as a business card. I knew the bookmark would come in handy and we made them available to everyone. Why take notes when the scriptures are on the bookmark?

• The scripture on the front is 2 Corinthians 5:17, the wonderful gift of being a new creation in Jesus Christ.
• The scripture on the back of the bookmark is John 16:33, the promise that while we will have tribulation in the work, Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

After the service I spoke with two people who didn’t attend Brazos Trails but were led to visit last Sunday. Both had read or were reading Amazing Grays, Amazing Grace. When they saw me they knew why they were there.

If you have the opportunity, visit Brazos Trails Cowboy Church in Weatherford, Texas. It is vibrant, has a great arena program, and the Spirit of God is at work – and we were blessed by the experience.

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Zero-based Christianity — WHY you believe WHAT you believe.

Why you believe what you believe is a matter of life and death. From the moment you were born the memory banks in your brain have been accumulating truth, tradition, assumptions, fables, bad translations, and false teaching.

Discovering the Only Truth

The process of judging every notion, assumption, and “truth” against the Word of God is the basis of what I call ‘Zero-Based Christianity’.

Zero-Based Christianity

Much, or most, of what you think you know to be true may be inaccurate, incomplete, or just plain false. When it comes to faith there is only one reliable source, the Word of God interpreted to each child of the King by the Holy Spirit.  There is no second way.

In the End Time there is as much error in the message of those who preach Christ as in the words of those who do not. One of the greatest benefits to the work of the Enemy against the family of Christ in 2012 is our lack of self knowledge, discernment, and the elevation of opinion into truth.

Examples of False “Truths”

• The genius intellects of the ancient world thought the seat of the soul was physically centered in the heart. Not true.
• Scientists were positive the earth was flat. Not true.
• Santa Claus does not exist, yet most American kids are sure he is real because society and their parents told them so. Then the kids find out it was a lie.
• When asked “Where did I come from?” my husband’s parents and grandparents answered, “We found you under the front porch.”

You can probably think of better illustrations that these, but the point is that what was once the “gospel truth” is frequently disproved.

Zero-Based Christianity and Eternal Destination

What you believe is a matter of eternal destination because what you have faith in will determine if you will rise to meet Christ or spend eternity apart from God.

Throughout our lives we learn by experience that things we previously accepted as true were not. Society and the world have accepted some pretty weird things that later generations discovered to be false.

Everyone is searching for more faith as the reality of the End Time begins to sink in. The beginning of increasing your faith in what you believe is to know why you believe it.

Bible Study Exercise

Make a list of the top 10 things you believe then look for supporting evidence in the Bible. When you read God’s Word, don’t interpret it by anything you’ve heard before. Ask the Spirit to reveal the truth of God’s Word to you. Once you’ve finished your first list of 10 things, make another list.

Every time you either make or hear a declarative statement about truth, verify it with scripture. It is surprising how often what we think is in the Bible really isn’t.

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Between Two Thieves on New Years

Christmas festivities are over and once the mess is cleaned up it is time to look forward to the New Year. What do you feel during the valley between Christmas and New Year;  Anticipation, dread, or do you plan to pull the covers up over your head and not get up until January 2nd?

Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves – regret for the past and fear of the future.  - Fulton Oursler

Past sins and failures can weigh you down, making it difficult to reach the refreshing, clear air of the promising New Year. Fear of the future is nothing more than the fear of repeating the mistakes of our past.

Dawn of a New Year

The Cross of Christ is a finished work that removed the sins of our past and promises a brilliant future that is ours both now and shortly to come.

Regret

Regret is a part of repentance, not a life sentence. When the Enemy points out your many failings to you, simply point out the Cross to him.

As a new creation in Jesus Christ you are free of your past. The future is more than anything we can imagine. The question is what do New Creations do about New Year’s Resolutions? There is no specific verse to cite about such things. But the entire message is clear – Pursue Christ.

Fulton Oursler

Mr. Oursler was an author and journalist who grew up a Baptist, lived for decades as an agnostic, then returned to Christ later in life. The film, The Greatest Story Ever Told, based on his book, was released in 1965. Mr. Oursler knew what it was to hang between regret and fear, and also knew Who could free him.

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Simple Truth – Simple Faith is devoting this week’s QUOTES and PONDERABLES to the topic of resolutions. Click link to read today’s post, Insane New Year’s Resolution from Mark Twain.

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Christmas – Yesteryear and This Year

Be blessed in Christ today and for all eternity as you contemplate the story told here; each chapter the work of a different author, yet bound together in Jesus Christ.

Linking Past, Present, and Future

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” -Agnes M. Pharo.

Tenderness for Christmas Past

Good news from heaven the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is given,
To crown us with the joy of heaven.

Martin Luther

Courage for Christmas Today

In all the humility, gaiety, gratitude, fear, vigilance and drama of this Christmas and Advent season, remember the defiance and offense of the Christ child who was born in the cave to conquer the world. As Christians celebrating the Incarnation and coming of the cosmic King, we are God’s outlaws.

Patrick Poole, 2005  (Freelance writer and political analyst.)

Hope for Christmas Future

A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes… and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Christmas Past

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Agnes M. Pharo is another enigma of the quoted world. There is no information readily available about her.

Special thanks to dailychristianquote.com for a few of the lesser known quotes I’ve banked this Christmas.

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Christmas – The Gift and The Giver

Christmas lists, both the “to do” kind and the ones addressed to Santa Claus, often exclude the most important entries – the Gift and the Giver.

“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time.  Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?”  ~G.K. Chesterton

The brilliant lights of “Christmas” illuminate the noisy, festive celebrations of Man. There are no strobe lights, no tinsel, and no jingle bells on the Narrow road, only the deep joyous realization that a gift was given to us that made peace with our holy God possible.

Bounty, Not the "Gift"

Love was born in a stable.

Did Mary and Joseph decorate the stable with bows and holly? Can you imagine the shepherds coming to see the newborn lying in a manger, each of their sheep sporting red and green plaid collars and bells? Did the wise men bring not only gifts for the King, but also for themselves, each other, the camel keeper, the message bearers and a few extra presents “just in case”?

Yes, there were brilliant lights the night of Christ’s birth. The piercing starlight that backed up a heavenly chorus was provided by God. Ever since that Holy Night, mankind has been trying to one-up the King of Kings. Many Christians today have put up so many lights on their roofs, lawns, trees, boats, and gates that the glorious light from heaven is not visible amidst the massive amount of light pollution.

Church Service on Christmas

Next Sunday is Christmas Day. How many Christians will skip church services in order to “celebrate”?  And on that point, I have nothing more to add.

Be thankful. Share with others in the family the abundance of love and grace during this holiday time. If you find yourself worrying about the shopping, the cooking and who is using what greeting, I would ask you to stop, look around and take a moment to visit the stable where Love was born.

Matthew 7:13

If for no other reason on earth, the family of God through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ can celebrate the fact that we progress toward the narrow gate left open when Jesus  entered Glory. That ancient gate will remain open until we pass through from this side to that.

Remember both the Gift and the Giver. Christmas has come.

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“Simple Faith” – to share

The world is a mess. Christ said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Unless we become simple as little children we cannot understand the message of Christ, the life of Christ, the promise of Christ, or find the path He blazed to the Narrow Gate. If you find even one valuable nugget within this piece, please share it with someone you care for. Help spread the Good News.

Simple Faith

What is simple faith?

Simple faith is a possession universally sought after yet a gem so rare few ever obtain even a glimpse of its power and majesty. Simple faith is the Star of Christmas plainly set as a solitaire in the universe by God himself, announcing the entrance of the King of Kings. In one twinkling moment, the Star conveyed its complete and simple message to all who lifted eyes toward heaven to bask in the light of his glory.

Simple faith is the silhouette of an old rugged cross. Its eternal message is as simply complete as the cross is empty of any human form. With truths so simple on full display, how does what is divinely simple become complex?

Read more…

Simple Faith.

Praying in the Name of Christ Jesus

Lately I’ve been thinking about the scriptural implication and use or mis-use of prayer and petition in the name of Jesus Christ. As each day brings us closer to Christ’s return I am moved to pursue a zero-sum approach to Bible study. That means no assumptions, no automatic pre-conceived notions learned from any source other than the revelation of God’s word by the Holy Spirit.

The scholarship and witness of others is of great value and import. But in “such a time as this” I’m not going to knowingly leave any falsehood in place.

Pray without ceasing.

Some folks believe that if our faith is sufficient then anything we ask “in His name” must be granted. If our request is not fulfilled the assumption is that our faith was deficient.

After searching the entire New Testament for any linkage to this issue a few patterns developed:

• Baptism is to be done  “in the name of…”
• Disciples will preach and/or  heal ” in the name of..” and bear “the name of…”
• With few exceptions all is “in the name of” not “by the name of..”

Is it possible to stray from God’s intent when considering the name of Jesus?

There’s Power in the Name

There is power in the name of God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior. These names are holy and not to be bandied about frivolously, but the power comes from the relationship you have with the One who bears the Name and not simply using that Name.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ~ Matthew 7:21-23

These verses from the gospel of Matthew tell us two things, (1) that it is possible to prophesy, exorcise demons, and do wonders without a relationship with Christ, and (2) that just because one does such things in His name doesn’t mean He will acknowledge us as kin. It’s worth considering the thought that using His name without specific permission (by relationship) may, by definition, be lawlessness.

May I suggest this article by David Reagan titled Praying in the Name of Jesus? It is well done and there’s no reason for me to reinvent a wheel that rolls perfectly well already. Mr. Reagan’s doctrinal positions are solidly founded in scripture.

“For such a time as this…”

Horses and dogs are fed AFTER my husband and I drink the first pot of coffee in bed and watch the news. The news this morning was as troublesome as the news was yesterday morning and the morning before that.

The times we live in.

“I don’t like the times we live in.” I said to my husband. Never before had I felt that way. In fact, there have been several times I remarked that perhaps we were blessed to have lived through one of the best eras in human history… the 1950s through the 1980s.

Washing machines, microwaves, leisure, freedom, the opportunity to work hard and achieve success on our own merits, and a society that agreed on what was right and what was wrong made those years something to treasure, if only in memory. God is no longer welcome in education or politics, and has been barred from most public places.

What happened to the Shining City on a Hill?

No forty year span is without its trials and rough spots, but overall the citizens of the United States of America were blessed to call her “my country.”  What happened to that shining city on a hill?

That shining city slid down the steep embankment of dis-society in the mother of all moral erosions and now lies in a dirty heap at what I fear is not yet quite the bottom of the mountain.

Immediately after I spoke these lyrics came to mind:

For such a time as this

I was placed upon the earth

To hear the voice of God

And do His will, whatever it is.

The people of the United States (indeed the world…) are like seventy-two snarling jackals (no offense to jackals) tied up inside a burlap sack gnawing at each other in an attempt to get control of all the other snarling jackals inside the bag. Those jackals are about as enlightened as the electorate is today.

Look closely at the 72 Jackals and the US Electorate

• The jackals are INSIDE a burlap sack.
• The jackals are unable to get OUT OF the burlap sack.
• The jackals believe their problem is with the OTHER seventy-one jackals in the burlap sack.

What’s wrong with that logic? Plenty, unless all seventy-two jackals lined up politely to enter the sack and were then tied inside by one who was mutually agreed upon by all.

The people of the United States are fighting among themselves. Those seventy-two jackals would be smarter to figure out WHO forced them into the bag than to snap and bite each other. Once out of the bag the jackals could identify the culprit who took away their liberty and encouraged them to fight among themselves.

The jackals (the electorate) need to realize they have a COMMON PROBLEM and work together to solve it. Only then will they get OUT of the bag and go after the guy who put them there in the first place.

Today is “Such a time”

The choice that lies at the very heart of every ideology, philosophy, action, or opinion is a simple one. The citizens of the world are being asked to choose between (1) God, and (2) Not God. There is no middle ground. The only people who argue that there is another option are guilty of either trapping jackals in burlap sacks or are trapped in one themselves.

The harvest is ready. God is busy preparing His people for their homecoming. The first century AD was rich in spiritual activity, both heavenly and not. The twenty-first century is equally rich.

If you’re reading this then you too were born for “Such a time as this.” Would you prefer to live in a time of leisure and worldly opportunity or the eternal opportunity we are being called to today?

Are you actively listening for the voice of God? Are you prepared to do whatever He wills?

Indeed, for such a time as this we were placed upon the earth, settled in this country, and must choose today:

God or Not God.

Christ’s Promise of Peace

Everyone wants peace unless they’re adrenalin junkies. And one day even they will yearn for perfect peace. Jesus promised his disciples and we who follow that He left us peace – today, not some day. Do you have such peace?

In John 14:27 Jesus tells us;

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

How many of us truly understand the peace that “passes all understanding?” What’s the secret to getting this peace while yet in the world?

The secret is understanding peace in an other-than-worldly manner.

"Peace I leave with you."

The promise of peace in this verse does not guarantee us peace in our body or peace in our circumstances; Jesus Christ promises peace in our SPIRIT.

Those who have obtained the blessed promise of such peace – not of the world; not of the body or circumstance – possess a peaceful soul that fears nothing.

The antidote for all fear is faith in the One who opened the Narrow Gate when He entered heaven and who left it open for us until the last one returns home.