My post in the defense of Vision Forum and what, I believe, is a ministry headed in the right direction...despite the naysayers...couldn't be followed more supportively than by this sobering interview. Geoff Botkin is also a supporter of and contributor to the Vision Forum Ministry:
Brannon Howse: Brannon interviews former Marxist Geoff Botkin on how "Cultural Marxism" came to America from Germany under the name of "political correctness" when the Frankfurt School leaders came to America in 1933. Mr. Botkin explains how as a Marxist he and his colleagues sought to deconstruct the American Western Culture, the American family and to destroy Christianity. Learn how the Frankfurt School leaders have accomplished much of their agenda and how Christians must respond to defend freedom of expression, religious freedom, parental authority the traditional family and our Constitutional Republic. Click here to listen now:
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/radio-show-episode.php?EpisodeID=6444
THANK YOU, BRANNON, FOR BRINGING THIS INFORMATION TO THE FOREFRONT. WAKE UP, CHRISTIANS!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Vision Forum
Recently, on a Christian blog, I defended the ministry of Vision Forum led by Doug Phillips. I continue to stand by that defense. However, rather than respond, and take up someone else's blog space - especially on something off-topic to that particular post - I choose to comment here on my own blog.
My particular comment there included an encouragement to check out Vision Forum's ministry for those that were interested in resources for raising boys to be godly men. The post addressed the fact that boys no longer seem to be growing up into men that exhibit the traits of Biblical manhood. I was simply offering a suggestion. But, my comment drew another commenter who is unequivocally anti-Doug Phillips. He stated that Doug Phillips, "rules Vision Forum, his church and his family like a cult." Finding this to be an attack on a very godly ministry, I quoted, "For he who is not against us is on our side." (Mark 10:40) There is no evidence that even hints at this commenter's implication. I would venture to guess he is representative of evangelical liberalism.
Perhaps, some believe that Mr. Phillips has gone beyond the Bible in his convictions - but they are HIS Biblical convictions. Those that have chosen to attend his church obviously have the same convictions, for no one is keeping them there - there are plenty of other churches in the San Antonio area. As I stated in my comment: What is "legalism" to one, may very well be "honoring the Lord" to another. This is the liberty that we have in Christ. Where this goes awry is when one man's convictions are demanded or expected of another - not when his beliefs are shared for the edification of the body of Christ.
I have been following the ministry of Vision Forum for several years, nearly since its inception. Our family has been incredibly blessed by various teachings from Vision Forum's conferences - and they are not all taught by Doug Phillips (which proves he is not the leader of a "cult", as was suggested). Some well known names such as R.C. Sproul, Jr., Voddie Baucham, and Jeff Pollard, as well as other pastors/layman from across the nation are among the annual conference speakers. These men, though not all of the same denomination, are on the "same page". The main focus has been the reuniting of church and family.
Many will admit that there is a problem in the visible church today with a lack of continuity in the family, in general. Every day, each family member seems to be going in his/her own direction - a husband to his job, a wife to hers, and the kids to a public or private school. Later that day - once again, separate interests govern the family - meetings, Bible study, youth group, and sports. This goes on year after year until, by the first years of college, a high percentage of college students walk away from the Biblical truths their parents thought had been instilled in them. All in all, there seems to be a great disconnect between the church and the family. In the opinion of Vision Forum (as well as my own), a large part of this has to do with our culture of "individualism" - rather than the church influencing the culture (as it did in the formation of this country), it has now become the other way around.
Nothing that I have seen or heard from Vision Forum over the years has ever raised a red flag for me. It is a ministry that stands for bringing the family back together; fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the family as a whole - all of it Biblical, Old Testament and New Testament - which both bear the thread of law and gospel. This ministry does not promote works-based salvation, but God-honoring obedience which follows regeneration and faith. God-honoring families create God-honoring congregations - I like that word "congregation" - or ekklesia as I recently learned :).
Admittedly, our family doesn't hold to every conviction that is taught by Vision Forum. Perhaps we aren't there yet, or perhaps some things will never become our conviction. But, I certainly respect those that hold fast to those beliefs. Their standards are to be commended, not ridiculed. In a day and age when the average family is falling apart, I applaud those that are seeking and finding viable Biblical solutions and have the boldness to share them with the body of Christ. I would rather see the church move in the direction of a ministry like Vision Forum than in the direction of the church growth/seeker friendly/emergent movements any day.
Praise God for what the ministry of Vision Forum is doing...encouraging the return of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6) - in other words, building back Biblical familial relationships which, in turn, build the body of Christ. Shame on those that would decry this ministry without ever doing some serious homework.
My particular comment there included an encouragement to check out Vision Forum's ministry for those that were interested in resources for raising boys to be godly men. The post addressed the fact that boys no longer seem to be growing up into men that exhibit the traits of Biblical manhood. I was simply offering a suggestion. But, my comment drew another commenter who is unequivocally anti-Doug Phillips. He stated that Doug Phillips, "rules Vision Forum, his church and his family like a cult." Finding this to be an attack on a very godly ministry, I quoted, "For he who is not against us is on our side." (Mark 10:40) There is no evidence that even hints at this commenter's implication. I would venture to guess he is representative of evangelical liberalism.
Perhaps, some believe that Mr. Phillips has gone beyond the Bible in his convictions - but they are HIS Biblical convictions. Those that have chosen to attend his church obviously have the same convictions, for no one is keeping them there - there are plenty of other churches in the San Antonio area. As I stated in my comment: What is "legalism" to one, may very well be "honoring the Lord" to another. This is the liberty that we have in Christ. Where this goes awry is when one man's convictions are demanded or expected of another - not when his beliefs are shared for the edification of the body of Christ.
I have been following the ministry of Vision Forum for several years, nearly since its inception. Our family has been incredibly blessed by various teachings from Vision Forum's conferences - and they are not all taught by Doug Phillips (which proves he is not the leader of a "cult", as was suggested). Some well known names such as R.C. Sproul, Jr., Voddie Baucham, and Jeff Pollard, as well as other pastors/layman from across the nation are among the annual conference speakers. These men, though not all of the same denomination, are on the "same page". The main focus has been the reuniting of church and family.
Many will admit that there is a problem in the visible church today with a lack of continuity in the family, in general. Every day, each family member seems to be going in his/her own direction - a husband to his job, a wife to hers, and the kids to a public or private school. Later that day - once again, separate interests govern the family - meetings, Bible study, youth group, and sports. This goes on year after year until, by the first years of college, a high percentage of college students walk away from the Biblical truths their parents thought had been instilled in them. All in all, there seems to be a great disconnect between the church and the family. In the opinion of Vision Forum (as well as my own), a large part of this has to do with our culture of "individualism" - rather than the church influencing the culture (as it did in the formation of this country), it has now become the other way around.
Nothing that I have seen or heard from Vision Forum over the years has ever raised a red flag for me. It is a ministry that stands for bringing the family back together; fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, and the family as a whole - all of it Biblical, Old Testament and New Testament - which both bear the thread of law and gospel. This ministry does not promote works-based salvation, but God-honoring obedience which follows regeneration and faith. God-honoring families create God-honoring congregations - I like that word "congregation" - or ekklesia as I recently learned :).
Admittedly, our family doesn't hold to every conviction that is taught by Vision Forum. Perhaps we aren't there yet, or perhaps some things will never become our conviction. But, I certainly respect those that hold fast to those beliefs. Their standards are to be commended, not ridiculed. In a day and age when the average family is falling apart, I applaud those that are seeking and finding viable Biblical solutions and have the boldness to share them with the body of Christ. I would rather see the church move in the direction of a ministry like Vision Forum than in the direction of the church growth/seeker friendly/emergent movements any day.
Praise God for what the ministry of Vision Forum is doing...encouraging the return of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6) - in other words, building back Biblical familial relationships which, in turn, build the body of Christ. Shame on those that would decry this ministry without ever doing some serious homework.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Misunderstood
I think I've been misunderstood, again......{foot squarely inserted in mouth}.....Oh, Lord, I need to find somewhere to share the things I see in your Word...when I try to encourage others in the things I've been encouraged in...it's taken the wrong way...I'm sorry if I've said the wrong things in the wrong places...I wonder if I should close down this blog...but, then, I have such hopes of being an encouragment to someone...somewhere...somehow...
Friday, February 22, 2008
Death - a Reality Check
Today, our family attended a funeral. This funeral wasn't just any funeral for the tiara-adorned young woman in the casket was only fifteen years old. Her name was Shelby.
Shelby was born a normal child but her life, very quickly, was taken over by a seizure disorder. Living for years with seizures progressively taking their toll on her brain, her body gave in during one final prolonged episode.
Her funeral was largely attended by teary-eyed young and old alike - members of her father's church, as well as fellow classmates, teachers and medical personnel - many, whose lives were deeply touched by her own. Her grandfather, a pastor, spoke. Her father, also a pastor, sang a song which he had written for Shelby, "We're not sayin' good-bye...because we will see you again," - an incredibly moving moment. The event was a marvelous tribute to Shelby.
I, however, have had a gnawing feeling to go deeper - to find more truth in this situation than I thought was addressed. Death, for example, is what every one of us faces from the day we are physically born. Every day we exist is one day closer to our demise. This is, inevitably, the result of Adam's fall. The wages of sin is death.
The fact is that every day someone dies. Each time death is observed, man is reminded of his fragile human mortality. Moreover, born into the sin of Adam, he is forced to recognize his rebellion against a Holy God by his failure to keep God's law. He must accept the fact that he has placed himself, rightfully, under God's Righteous judgement and wrath. If this was the end of the story, we would all be doomed. However - glory be to God - it's not.
For those who recognize these facts and feel the weight of them, there is hope. For those who recognize their sinful nature and that they must look outside of themselves for redemption, there is One Who saves. Jesus Christ lived the perfect, righteous, sin-free life we cannot live -for us, and He died the consequential death we deserve - in our place. He has provided the Blood that makes Atonement for our sin. Therefore, He has removed the sting of death. Death is swallowed up in victory!
Funerals seem an opportune time to preach the Gospel. The soberness of those attending constitutes for a serious observance of life and death. Jesus Christ should be the object, and the focal point of all we do as Christians. Death is a wake-up call -one which should cause all to take a reality check.
Shelby was born a normal child but her life, very quickly, was taken over by a seizure disorder. Living for years with seizures progressively taking their toll on her brain, her body gave in during one final prolonged episode.
Her funeral was largely attended by teary-eyed young and old alike - members of her father's church, as well as fellow classmates, teachers and medical personnel - many, whose lives were deeply touched by her own. Her grandfather, a pastor, spoke. Her father, also a pastor, sang a song which he had written for Shelby, "We're not sayin' good-bye...because we will see you again," - an incredibly moving moment. The event was a marvelous tribute to Shelby.
I, however, have had a gnawing feeling to go deeper - to find more truth in this situation than I thought was addressed. Death, for example, is what every one of us faces from the day we are physically born. Every day we exist is one day closer to our demise. This is, inevitably, the result of Adam's fall. The wages of sin is death.
The fact is that every day someone dies. Each time death is observed, man is reminded of his fragile human mortality. Moreover, born into the sin of Adam, he is forced to recognize his rebellion against a Holy God by his failure to keep God's law. He must accept the fact that he has placed himself, rightfully, under God's Righteous judgement and wrath. If this was the end of the story, we would all be doomed. However - glory be to God - it's not.
For those who recognize these facts and feel the weight of them, there is hope. For those who recognize their sinful nature and that they must look outside of themselves for redemption, there is One Who saves. Jesus Christ lived the perfect, righteous, sin-free life we cannot live -for us, and He died the consequential death we deserve - in our place. He has provided the Blood that makes Atonement for our sin. Therefore, He has removed the sting of death. Death is swallowed up in victory!
Funerals seem an opportune time to preach the Gospel. The soberness of those attending constitutes for a serious observance of life and death. Jesus Christ should be the object, and the focal point of all we do as Christians. Death is a wake-up call -one which should cause all to take a reality check.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Will He really find faith on the earth?
Men always ought to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18).
Lately, I have had the overwhelming urge to lose heart. I feel like I don't want to say anything to anyone anymore. It seems not only does the world not want to hear the truth, but neither do many professing the Christian faith. Yet, I know, this does not negate my biblical obligation to stand for and share the truth that has been so graciously imparted to me.
Perhaps this bout of discouragement is amplified by the fact that my husband and I have been, of late, continually marginalized by Christian family and dear old Christian friends, as well as people that don't really know us that well and who have no tangible reason to reject us. It's a lonely feeling in a lonely town in a lonely part of the state we live in. Thankfully, the Lord has given us each other, our children...and a handful of faithful believers we have met on the internet.
I do wonder why Christian believers would be so quick to slap labels on others; especially, when they don't know them, how they've struggled or how deeply commited they are to the Lord. "Pharisee", "legalist", or "hyper-something" is attributed, I would guess, mostly due to fear on their part. I am thankful that God not only knows my motives and my desires, but has given me the same, and that He is the One judging them.
The question is: will He really find faith on the earth when He returns? Will He find insulting unbelief and the making of excuses or will He find His children making application of Biblical truth to all areas of their lives? Men always ought to pray and not lose heart: a good reminder.
Lately, I have had the overwhelming urge to lose heart. I feel like I don't want to say anything to anyone anymore. It seems not only does the world not want to hear the truth, but neither do many professing the Christian faith. Yet, I know, this does not negate my biblical obligation to stand for and share the truth that has been so graciously imparted to me.
Perhaps this bout of discouragement is amplified by the fact that my husband and I have been, of late, continually marginalized by Christian family and dear old Christian friends, as well as people that don't really know us that well and who have no tangible reason to reject us. It's a lonely feeling in a lonely town in a lonely part of the state we live in. Thankfully, the Lord has given us each other, our children...and a handful of faithful believers we have met on the internet.
I do wonder why Christian believers would be so quick to slap labels on others; especially, when they don't know them, how they've struggled or how deeply commited they are to the Lord. "Pharisee", "legalist", or "hyper-something" is attributed, I would guess, mostly due to fear on their part. I am thankful that God not only knows my motives and my desires, but has given me the same, and that He is the One judging them.
The question is: will He really find faith on the earth when He returns? Will He find insulting unbelief and the making of excuses or will He find His children making application of Biblical truth to all areas of their lives? Men always ought to pray and not lose heart: a good reminder.
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