Where Does Hate Come From?

President Truman Points to the Faulty Headline
When I left you last I was in Randers, Denmark after speaking at a seminar/workshop on ways to facilitate Christian fellowship and outreach and then preaching at the Free Church in Randers on the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem from Bethany.

Jesus was eating with his disciples, along with Lazarus, Mary and Martha when a crowd appeared. Lazarus was fresh from his grave and everyone there knew of his uprising. They knew he was dead and now was alive. It is impossible to hide that kind of thing from your neighbors, especially in a small town like Bethany.

Jesus had been doing a lot of good things as he traveled around the countryside with the 12 young men and the raising of Lazarus was certainly one of the most sensational. How could anyone disagree with Jesus or criticize him for doing good? But they did.

In fact, one of his main men, Judas, was critical when Mary, the sister of Lazarus, showed her appreciation and affection to Jesus by anointing his feet with an expensive oil. Judas burst out with indignation and said that the oil "should have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor." Jesus corrected Judas and affirmed Mary but the even showed the evil heart of Judas.

The next day hundreds of people lined the road into Jerusalem and waved palm branches as they shouted "Hosanna to the King" and honored Jesus as he rode on the back of a donkey into town. But the appreciation and hosannas did not last long for the next few days saw Jesus surrounded by soldiers, arrested and brought before the judges for sentencing. Despite his pure record and wonderful deeds, the crowds now yelled for a murderer by the name of Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus.

People are fickle. People do not love or hate a person because of the good deeds or wonderful ideas but because evil is in our hearts and it comes out in blaming others. Judas was a thief so he was jealous that Jesus was receiving adoration and anointing with expensive oil. Covetousness is a terrible sin that can lead us to murder in either word or deed. The Chief Priests were jealous of Jesus and worked hard to turn people against him. They succeeded and Jesus was crucified.

The heart is wicked and deceitful and no one can change that except the Holy Spirit. Don't operate your life based on the affirmation and approval of others.We are all fickle and want our own way. I often advise people who are anxious about what others say to stop worrying about it because most of them are interested only in themselves.

Not even Jesus, the Great Physician and Savior of the world could please everyone so I doubt that you will be able to. Always stand on the truth and speak it in love.

Healthy Haiti Help

Mature Believers are people who care and who share. The fact that 40,000 American Believers were in in Ministry in Haiti before the earthquake proves this fact. Just think of it. That many people who go for short and long term missions among the poorest of the poor with food, clothing, love and education. They are valiantly trying to tip Haiti, the most dysfunctional nation in the Western Hemisphere, into something like long term functionality.

When governments give aid to a country like Haiti most of it goes to the corrupt leaders. The United Nations and the World Bank throw money at Africa, Haiti and other poor nations but it destroys the economically. I heard on CNN that about 80% of the GNP is from charity! Most of that goes to corrupt politicians.

When Christian ministries take our charitable gifts it goes to help the people. The link above will take you to a mission of mercy that is taking young kids out of slavery and giving them an opportunity to get an education and thus a real life. Check them out.

Stright Talk About Atheists

A Pagan With Nazi Tatoos

Over the last few weeks there has been some dust ups over signs placed in public places as well as government buildings over whether God exists or not. Atheists in Illinois have placed a very aggressive sign in the state capitol that attacks Nativity scenes, the birth of Jesus and the idea that God is real.

I am happy the atheists are finally coming out of the closet. They have been a hidden resource for far too long and used their influence through the shadow organizations to attack historic traditions of the USA through lawsuits, legal maneuverings and left wing judges. Now they are admitting their anti God and anti Christ and anti religious biases. Only when we flush out the real beliefs and ideas behind such groups can we get a true picture of who we are dealing with.

I have no doubt that Christianity will fare well in the public square of ideas if we get a chance to engage atheists honestly. As long as their aggressively promote their ideas as though they are from The US Constitution it is difficult to have a fair hearing. However, now they will need to be honest and open about their religious biases.

The atheist lobby has recently attacked Christianity, and all religious traditions, by suggestion that faith in God and organized religions have been and are responsible for most wars, oppressions and evil in the world. With the advent of radical Islam, the Crusades and other evil examples it is hard to debate their conclusions. However, when we and they must both stand in the full light of history and debate facts, the ideas of Judeo Christian thought are bright lights of liberty, justice and progression compared to pagan, Druid and atheist thought and behavior.

So, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us live daily with the truth that God sent His Son into the world to rid it of all sin, sickness and psychopathology. We Christians have often failed to live out the legacy of love and truth but all in all God's rule and reign are growing whoever the gospel has been preached. Without Judeo Christian thought we could not even judge a behavior such as war, rape, abuse and murder are good or bad. Even an atheist cannot argue for a position of superior morality and ethic without resorting to the Bible either overtly or covertly.

Worship God in Spirit and truth this week and celebrate the fact that when atheists take a stand we can better witness to God's love, power and healing.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Thanksgiving Proclamation

George Washington

City of New York, October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th. day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Take Every Thought Captive to Christ

I am again teaching the classic course, Rational Christian Thinking, that I first developed and wrote back in the eighties. Pastor Brad Rosenberg asked me to train his staff and lay leaders how to live in the freedom of Christ and I agreed.

Because his wife Angie had gotten so much out of the training before she asked Brad to let everyone attend so young mothers like her could benefit from the training and rear their children free of fear and anxiety. So, we are teaching over 100 adults each Wednesday evening at Tri County Assembly of God in Fairfield, Ohio north of Cincinnati.

It is a thrill to be able to "Equip the saints to DO the work of ministry" and I love training them in ways to "Renew their minds" according to the Bible. The students are eagerly lapping up the information and responding with great interactions in the class.

Over the next few posts I will write some of the basic principles of biblically renewing the mind so the readers can start getting free from cultural, social and devilish ideas. I am amazed at how many Spirit filled Christians are ensnared in old fleshly ways to thinking, feeling and acting yet believe they "Have the mind of Christ."

A mind of Christ is a peaceful mind. It is Free from worry, free from anxiety and free from letting others put them down. They could care less what others think because they know what Jesus thinks.

So, read and reflect on how Gos can set us free from the "Stinking Thinking" that keeps us in bondage.

What I have Learned about Healing in 30 Years

I have been involved in an active healing ministry for about 30 years. That is a long time and a lot of prayer. But it was worth it. Here are some of my insights.

1. Everyone has someone who needs healing. All of us have a problem, are a problem or make problems. This means that the original intent of Jesus role as "The Great Physician" and the Bible He inspired are still relevant today.

2. There is not condition or disease that cannot be substantially improved by the love, power and truth of Christians.

3. Very few churches or church leaders believe in or practice the kinds of healing ministries that Jesus ordered us to pursue. Pastors and leaders need to ask for courage to do what Jesus commanded when He said: "Go into the world and make good students of every language and ethnic group. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Make sure that they actually practice very thing I said and did. Do not forget that I will be with you."

4. Practicing the healing ministries of Jesus will win people to faith in God. Read Luke 10 if you want to see what Jesus designed as a "Missional" evangelistic ministry. Read Acts if you want to see how the early church evangelized.

5. It is time for all Christians to share God's love, His truth and His power so others can be healed.

Who Destroyed the Twin Towers?

Recently one of President Obama's top advisers, Van Jones, was fired/asked to resign. Van Jones, a supposed graduate of Yale Law School, had done several really stupid things but the most bizarre came into the light when it was discovered that he was one of the many Left Wing Democrats who has pushed the Congress to investigate President Bush. They claim that Mr. Bush had intentionally told the CIA to plant explosives in the Twin Towers so they would explode after being hit by the airplanes.

Anyone with a lick of common sense can see that such a claim is spurious, impossible and dumb. But, the Left Wing Nuts went completely bonkers when Bush was elected and have made and are still making a lot of deranged claims. Unfortunately, Mr. Obama and his team in the White House seem to have bought into the latest evidence of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) and are persecuting the CIA over other bogus claims.

One of my friends from high school recently posted his belief that Bush was a criminal. He claims that the USA itself blew up the Twin Towers in order to make the Muslims look bad. Below is my response.

Dear Friend:

I flew into New Jersey with The Salvation Army two weeks after the two airplanes hit the twin towers. Our clinic works closely with the Army and they asked us to provide four Clinicians to counsel the first responders who had been on the scene for two weeks and were burned out.

(I assume you do agree that airplanes actually hit the towers? I assume you do agree that Muslims flew the planes and intentionally killed all those people? Or do you think Bush also made that up and got all the TV channels to go along with his plot. That Chaney sure is clever.)

We stayed overnight at the Salvation Army Camp some two hours from Ground Zero. We received FBI clearance after three hours of interrogation and examination by the FBI and received a photo badge. We drove down to Ground Zero through at least five check points. Each and every person in our van had to show his/her badge and it was checked against our driver’s license. It was impossible for anyone to get into Ground Zero and do mischief.

You say that the rubble was very quickly cleaned up before the cops could investigate the crime scene. Baloney! There was no hurried clean up of the rubble. Almost none of the large rubble had been cleaned up by the time we arrived. Why?

Because there were no cranes big enough to lift the very long steel beams. They could not untangle the mess until a crane was brought in from Ohio that was tall enough and strong enough to do the job. It took three days to set up the second largest crane in the world and go to work. Thus, NO hurried clean up. That was impossible.

I was sponsored by the Salvation Army who brought us there from our Counseling Center to provide medical, psychological and spiritual care for the workers, especially the first responders. I worked the night shift with several other people, doctors, psychologists, ministers, etc.

There were hundreds of visiting Cops, FBI, Fire Fighters, EMT’s, Doctors, Nurses, Ministers, Churches, Ministries, who were all around the site. We were some of the very few who had total clearance to go to the morgue, clinics, onto the rubble, etc. The Salvation Army acted as Chaplains when a body part was found. They went out to the smoke filled mess and had a prayer for the person whose remains were found. So, we were up close and very personal so we were on top of anything unusual.

We were there for a week from 1:00 AM until 1:00 PM. We had three tents of food, drinks, clothes, medical supplies and counseling. I walked all over the Ground Zero area. Because I had FBI clearance I could go any place and talk with any one I wanted. And, any one could approach me for counsel, prayer, support and encouragement. I sat and walked all night with Cops and Firefighters.

The fires in the lower levels of the disaster area buildings were still raging that entire week. One night a Fire Captain dropped a thermometer down the hole to get a reading and it was over 2,000 degrees F. There could not have been a hasty clean up with that kind of heat.

I talked with dozens of Fire Fighters, Cops, Steel Workers, FBI Agents, etc. Many of them had brothers, sons, fathers and friends under the rubble. They were frantic to recover them. Had anyone attempted to pull a cover up it would have started a riot. One Fire Chief lost two sons, as I remember. Do you think he would pull a cover up? He, and many others, were all over that steel when the heat and smoke allowed. If they had suspected any kind of set up they would have screamed to high heaven.

These men are experts in fires, types of burns, explosives, etc. They know their stuff. If they had spotted any kind of issues they would not have kept silent. There was a huge fight between the Cops and Fire Fighters. I heard about it in confidential conversations. After almost three weeks of “Search and Rescue” with the Fire Department in charge of searching for survivors, the Mayor changed the code to “Recovery” which meant that there were no survivors so it became a crime scene with the Police Department in charge. When the Cops came in to take charge the Fire Fighters were enraged to lose control and they had a riot.

Does that sound like a cover up by men who were not interested in finding everything they could?

You say people heard pops as the floors fell. Of course they did. the noise was terrible. The pop, pop, pop sounds came from the steel struts popping loose as each floor fell.

The most amazing thing I saw in that place was the total pulverization of everything in those two buildings. There were no bodies, no computers, no chairs, no desks, no carpet, no lights, nothing that would indicate that these two buildings of a hundred stories each had anyone or anything in them.

My final word on these conspiracy theories is:“Take your anti-psychotic medicines and stop all those voices you are hearing.”

911 Personal Memories

It is almost 12:30 AM on 9/11/09. It is the anniversary of one of the most surprising and traumatic days in our nation's history. I still get quesy when i think about it.

Two weeks after 911 Life Way Counseling Centers was approached by The Salvation Army about the possibility of sending a team of four people to Ground Zero to minister to the First Responders who had been working almost around the clock for some 14 days.

They were burned out, traumatized and depressed. It was becoming obvious that they were no longer in a Rescue Operation but needed to move to a Recovery of Bodies Operation. This increased the grief, frustration and despair of the men and women who were digging desperately through the rubble of destruction all over Ground Zero.

To make matters worse, the sub basements of the buildings were still on fire. each day a fire chief came out to the area and let down a rope that had a thermometer attached to it. One day he remarked to us that the heat was over 1800 degrees. No one could have survived that.

The smell of dust, death and disaster hung like a gray cloud over the region.

We stayed there for a week. My shift was from 1:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the afternoon. It did not take long for us to also get overwhelmed with the pain, the disaster and the human suffering.

May God grant us His peace on this anniversary.

State Constitutions

My friend Jon Hershberger sent me this on an email. I don't know the original author. It is a shocker.

Alabama 1901, Preamble

We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, t he people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator=2 0according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction

Michigan 1908, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looki ng to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.



North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....

R hode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man .

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be 'Food for thought' send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.

(Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.)

Muslims Long for Heaven

I was reared in a strongly conservative culture where hell was discussed a lot. We longed for heaven. Now, Christians have it so good that we rarely discuss heaven or hell. Muslims are different and I can see why. No Valentine's Day celebrations are allowed.

The Arab News reports that in Saudi Arabia, opposition to Valentine's Day has the imprimatur of the state: The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice intensified its vigilance over flower, chocolate and gift shops to confiscate items related to Valentine's Day, a perennial crackdown on a holiday perceived by many to be both Western and immoral.

These do not sound like the actions of a civilization confident in its own superiority. In a speech Egyptian cleric Hazem Shuman sounds even less confident: Imagine that the Prophet Muhammad is standing before you, and so are the Jews and the Christians. The more you celebrate Valentine's Day, the more the Jews and Christians are happy, and the more the Prophet Muhammad is sad. The more you do this, the more the Jews and the Christians gloat at us, while tears flow from the Prophet's eyes. Do you want to make the Prophet sad and the Jews and Christians happy?!

He makes the prophet sound like a man in trouble. He says: People, if Muhammad Ahmad Ibrahim holds a party, and George Mikhail whatever holds a different party, [Muhammad the Muslim] will wear the same clothes as [George the Christian], both will buy dresses for their wives from the same shop, both will seat their wives on the stage for all the people to see, both will book a hall in the same club, both will invite single men and women and have them intermingle, both will hire a band, musicians, and female singers and dancers, and both will have crowds intermingling outside the club. If you are invited to Muhammad's party, how would you distinguish it from George's party?

No wonder they long for paradise.

Gary Sweeten

PS If you do not understand God's grace and mercy, you might even mistake Islamic legalism and grim adherence to these standards as being admirable. On one of my trips to the Holy Land a friend was constantly admiring Muslims because they prayed five times each day. I told him those prayers were to a god of revenge and that Jesus showed us a tender Father.

The Dreadful State of Ministerial Training

I have focused much of my professional and personal life on supporting, counseling, coaching and consulting with Clergy. I have concluded that the preparation they generally receive before entering congregational life as a professional is woefully inadequate. Let me illustrate.

The primary context of clerical ministry is human relationships.

The primary issues of leadership and change always involve relationships and the need to motivate members to accept, lead and pay for change.

The problems that come to a pastor's office are heavily weighted toward a breakdown in human relationships and he/she is expected to resolve those problems and make the people better.

The thing that cause most ministers to fail is an inability to relate well with the members.

Despite these obvious facts, almost 100% of the training for ministry is about large group and mass communication and nothing about interpersonal communication. What are they thinking? Who designs such an inappropriate curriculum, someone who wants ministers to fail?

The result is disappointment, family conflict, burn out, frustration, blaming and shaming and churches unable to minister effectively. When will we ever learn?

Gary Sweeten

http://www.sweetenlife.com/

We Have An Image Problem

Ever since I first visited Israel in 1978 I have been aware of the fights among several groups of Clergy who oversee the traditional site of Jesus' tomb. There was another fight, with fists and accusations flying, this week between the Greek and Armenian Orthodox Monks. Read about it here.

Is there any wonder why so many unbelievers think religion in general and Christianity in particular are signs of emotional instability? The six groups assigned the duty of caring for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher cannot agree on how to fix a roof about to fall in or who should remove a ladder leaning on a wall for decades. And we represent The Prince of Peace?

Can you imagine? A Muslim is assigned to open and close the church doors because the Christians cannot agree on which group has control of the doors.

Can you imagine? Jewish police must often come in and stop fights between Monks vying for control.

No wonder many people avoid church and Christians.

One reason so many people vote against Christian politicians is found in this story. They and we are so often reactive, angry and unreasonable. Jesus taught us to act differently than that. He said we could have peace in all circumstances. If we are to have positive influence in the world we need His peace and His wisdom. Let's prayerfully seek both.

Gary Sweeten

http://www.sweetenlife.com/

Faith Based Voters for Obama

The Old Way to Communicate

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the ways the Obama campaign wooed and won religious voters. The article says that:

Reversing his party's poor showing among faith-based voters in the 2004 presidential election, Mr. Obama won among Catholics, 54% to 45%, made gains among regular churchgoers and eroded a bit of the evangelical support that has been a fixture of Republican electoral success for years, exit polls showed.

It is hard to believe that Roman Catholic and Evangelical voters would elect to the Presidency one of the most rabid supporters of abortion that we have ever seen in America. Yet, they did. Catholics voted for Obama 54% to 45% for McCain. This is shocking.

Perhaps the real answers can be found on the blog by my friend Ron Tate. (Click the Boomer Wave link.) We are in a Post Modern era when single issues are not seen as key to a person's life. Young men and women tend to be Post Modern thinkers who see dismiss Obama's radical abortion policies while being strongly pro family and pro life themselves. Post Modern thinking somehow equates poverty with abortion. Obama was able to communicate the notion, wrongly I think, that he is for helping the poor so many Christians voted for him.

We are certainly in a time of transition in America. If we who are older in years and faith want to have influence over the future we need to understand how our kids think. Ron's blog offers some great insights for us. We need to learn how to communicate God's Word in the Post Modern world.

Gary Sweeten

http://www.sweetenlife.com/

Christian Growth and Healing

For the last thirty years or so I have been busily engaged in helping Christians grow into mature, healthy individuals and families. This includes church and small group growth.

One of the books I have found to be most interesting and informative was written by a Puritan Pastor named John Owen and is titled, Sin and Temptation. In it, Owen strongly focuses on 'indwelling sin" as a theme that is essential to Christian growth and healing. By recognizing that sinful tendencies are basic to our nature after knowing Christ, I can deal with temptation, failures and immaturity without lapsing into morbid self condemnation and shameful self hatred.

A pervasive problem faced by serious, pious Christians is the notion that I could be and should be living above sin, sickness and sadness. When that ideal fails, I am thrust into the bog of despair and hopelessness. Such beliefs keep me focused on my PERFORMANCE rather than the finished work of Christ.

The popularity of sermons and books on working harder to obey God, please Jesus and do more to be a "godly person" shows how prevalent this false idea is. People really love to discuss their own works, even if they are defective. Listen to how often people say such things as:

"I know I should do more to please God and be a better Christian, but..."

"I should pray more, read the Bible more and love Jesus better."

And Preachers point at us and say, "You should be doing more, sharing more, giving more, reading more, attending more..."

Then we sing, "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow." Such obvious contradictions leave Believers dazed and confused. How are they supposed to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit when we think such thoughts? It is almost impossible to think clearly and feel the joy of the Lord.

When I realize that I have a disease dwelling deep within my heart, mind and body called "The Old Man" it helps me see that anything I do for God and in righteousness comes form the Holy Spirit. Left to my own devices I will fail every time. But, because the Spirit is with me and in me I can occasionally do something right and godly.

We have a habit of thinking, talking and feeling irrationally. We say to a child that just spilled his milk, "Clean that milk up. It shouldn't be on the floor." But rationally speaking, it "should" be on the floor because he tripped and the milk came out of the glass and gravity pulled it to the carpet.

By saying such crazy things to ourselves and others we bring confusion, false guilt and even shame into our lives. It is rational and reasonable to say, "I wish you hadn't spilled the milk. Now it needs to be cleaned up."

Now transfer this to our self talk about morals and ethics. Instead of saying, " I should be a better Christian" I can think, "I want to read the Bible and pray more so I can understand God and His way better." My performance does not change my relationship with God as His child but it can enhance my understanding of my heavenly Father.

God does not command us to do the impossible. He does not say, "You must live above sin, sickness and sadness." He does promise that we can increase our joy, love and peace by walking and talking with Him on a daily basis.

I can also increase my spiritual growth by thinking reasonably and rationally about myself and the fact that it is God who works in us to produce all good things because there is nothing good in me without Him.

A Pillar of International Missions

Go into all the world and make disciples!

One of my favorite Seasoned Believers is Donna Thomas. She and husband Charles founded a concept that has revolutionized world missions. Their idea was to partner with local ministers and Christian leaders in various nations and support them with funds, education, love and friendship. It worked then and it works now. They called it, "Project Partners" because they partner with nationals as equals.

The idea that Western Ministries ought to develop friendships with national Pastors and support their indigenous ways to evangelizing and church growth is revolutionary. It has led to some of the fastest growing and healthiest groups I know in India, China and Mexico. They are planting thousands of churches and equipping multiplied thousands of "Barefoot Pastors" to evangelize and disciple the new converts.

I received a memo from Donna and I want to share her need with you. Please pray for her trip to visit Samuel Stevens and The India Gospel League, one of the dynamic ministries she and Chuck founded years ago.
Dear Gary,

I am leaving for India October 29th to attend Samuel’s son’s wedding and also to lead, teach, train, etc. in various meetings there. I will leave India on the 11th of November and arrive home on the 12th.

On a trip like this I need prayer partners that will stand with me that I may be useful to the Lord in all circumstances. If you would be a prayer partner with me, please ... let me know.

Blessings,
Donna S. Thomas
3560 Towne Drive
Carmel, IN 46032
317-876-9884
http://www.cvministries.org/

Click on Donna's web site and buy one of her books. She is a great writer and speaker.

Gary Sweeten
http://www.sweetenlife.com/

Down Time

Well, we had a big wind storm in Ohio Sunday afternoon and it left a lot of problems in its wake. Almost 1,000,000 people lost their electric power. Riots, crime, panic, starvation, pollution, disease and floods came upon us.

That may be somewhat of an exaggeration. The truth is that three people were killed by falling trees, and that is tragic. And, some people with illnesses were stuck. However, other than that along with trees down and shingles blown off most of us suffered mostly from going "cold turkey" off of TV, the Internet and the ability to cook.

I drove up to Panera Bread this morning because they were one of the few places with food, coffee and electricity. I stood in line for twenty minutes. I am calling my congresswoman to complain. Twenty minutes without a seat! Where was Bush?!? He failed to get me in immediately and he failed to feed me. (This is satire.)

I stood in line with a man in his forties whose family nearly collapsed from TV withdrawal. His wife kept nagging him to go to the basement and "Jiggle some wires and see if the power would come back". He refused in an act of courage that few modern men are willing to commit when wife and teens are aggrieved.

I think it would be educational if all the power was shut off monthly to train Americans how to deal realistically with minor aggravations. We have life so soft that people think there is a crisis when there is a temporary glitch. If we get too soft we will not be able to respond to real attacks or real crises.

I am reminded of one of my trips to Russia when I stayed in the Seventh Day Adventist compound. It was in the cool of Fall and during the evening the room got pretty cold because there was no heat. However, during the day when the sun shone through the windows the heat came on full blast and it was impossible to turn it off.

That is strange to Americans because we can control our houses and businesses with a local thermostat. That is not, however, the way it works in Moscow where all those decisions are made at a central location. Since there is not enough energy to heat all the places in Moscow at once someone at central planning decided when a section of the city gets heat and hot water. This means that when the hot water is there you take your bath and wash your clothes even if it is at 3:00 AM.

Thankfully, we in the USA do not have central planning but we are moving in that direction with the climate fanatics. Will it come to the place where the Gore followers in Washington, D.C. decide if and when we get heat and hot water? I really enjoy being spoiled.

A Plus from the Storm

It was nice to be in Panera Bread and meet several others with similar issues and challenges who acted like good citizens and good neighbors. We all helped each other get connected to the power outlets and shared like nice people. It was rather heart warming.

Rick and the Candidates

In an interesting article on Monday Morning Insights we can read about the conversations Rick Warren had with the two candidates for President of the USA. Take a look and let me know what you think. Here is the first paragraph:

OK... how many of you got to watch the Saddleback Civil Forum on Saturday night? I watched as 'my good friend' Rick Warren gathered the candidates, and I have to tell you... I really was surprised. No offense, Rick... but I really thought you would ask some pretty boring, safe questions. But I was very encouraged to hear him ask questions like, "What was your biggest moral failure; what Supreme Court justice would you NOT have appointed; and a straight-up question about abortion.

Rest in Christ

When Consulting and Coaching Leaders I sometimes tell them that a favorite hymn of the church is by Kenny Rogers.

It goes like this:

You gotta know when to hold em

Know when to fold em

Know when to walk away, and

Know when to ______________!

(I bet you can fill in the blank. The person who makes comment number three will receive a free training book on timing of ministry interventions.)

The essence of Christian is having discernment about what is the best thing to do in a decision. Here is a time when God knew that the best thing to do was "Walk away from trouble."

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle." Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)

One of the problems with a lot of unbalanced theology is its obsession with "The Silver Bullet Syndrome". When there is trouble in river city, all we need to do is call for The Lone Ranger who will clean up the troubles and leave a silver bullet in his wake. And, it is solved in 30 minutes!

American loves the instant mashed potato, quick fix of a Silver Bullet Syndrome. We hear it all the time from preachers and evangelists who say things like:

1. Just come to Jesus and everything will be fine. It can be summarized by slogans like, "No Jesus, No Peace! Know Jesus Know Peace"!

2. The people who promote prophesy bring in "prophets" who will read your mind and tell you what will happen in the future. When the prophesy fails the person is left thinking they messed up God's plan.

3. Then there are the "Name it and claim it, blab it and grab it" healing guys. They promise the Silver Bullet of total healing with no relapses" to anyone who has the sure faith. When there is any pain or sickness the patient is made to believe that it is his lack of faith that has caused his relapse.

I am picking up the broken pieces of so many ministers and their wives who were taught this kind of toxic, self defeating theology that it is a near epidemic. Their depression, anxiety and family conflict to say nothing of the sexual compulsions and moral lapses are painful to see.

Even more disturbing is the awful, works righteous responses by so many ministries to suggest even harsher legalisms and punishments. These push the pain farther within the heart making it harder to root out and more likely that the people will fall again.

Will you help support our ministry to leaders in trouble?

Quotes: Someone Said It

Holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness is like personally drinking arsenic and expecting the rats to die. Anonymous

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Jesus