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| Terri Schiavo Dead- 3.31.2005 |
| 31.3.05 |
Well the ministers of death had their way today. They starved a disabled woman to death. Judge Greer, the Florida Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court, Michael Schiavo, George Felos, Neal Boortz,and the others who took her life will have to face God one day. Their hell will be worse than that of Terri Schiavo- it will be literal. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live... (Deuteronomy 30:19 NKJV)
The ministers of death ignored God and choose death. The judge (Greer) was as filthy as Al Capone. The Supreme Courts overstepped their bounds and choose murder instead of protecting life. The founding fathers are rolling in their graves.
The coward politicians (none being "statesmen") including Jeb Bush, George Bush and too many in Congress to name are just as guilty. I have lost all confidence in our nation's ability to protect the citizens. Our the government's desire to serve it's citizens. The government is only interested in it's own power.
It is a sad day in the United States of America. |
posted by pregador27 @ 09:57   |
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| Emmanuel Ministries Sermon Outline |
| 29.3.05 |
Below is the bare-bones outline of the Resurrection Sunday message.
Christ is Risen!
Being a Christian: is not about- signs, miracles, good deeds, speaking in tongues; nor casting demons or expanding our territory. It is about- JESUS- the Savior who endured the cross & died brutally, rising again on the third day.
Mat. 16.1-4 signs were wanted; counterfeits were offered. Jesus calls it wicked. We are not to seek God for signs or selfishness. (falling down, goose bumps, prosperity)
Heb. 12.2 Jesus embraced the cross: the shame, suffering and separation for us (thus we remember on Good Friday). "The Passion" was His passion- His life for ours.
John 11.25-26a Christ is risen! (early Christian greeting answered by "Christ is risen indeed!") He stole victory from death and the grave (I Cor. 15.54-55) and Christians will share in that resurrection.
Call to Commitment-
KEY VERSE:
A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. (Mat. 16.4 NETB)
Sign of Jonah: three days before the resurrection (Jonah foreshadowed Jesus three days in the grave and rising on the third day)
Do you want Jesus or entertainment?
He sacrificed Himself for the sin of those who would believe.
Do you or will you share in His resurrection?
=====+=====+=====+=====
Scriptures:
Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12.2 NETB)
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11.25-26a NETB)
Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O grave, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting? (I Corinthians 15.54-55 NETB) Labels: Sermon Outlines |
| posted by pregador27 @ 10:17 |
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| Resurrection Sunday @ Emmanuel Ministries |
| 26.3.05 |
| I was asked to preach tomorrow at the ministry and lead worship. I am going to preach making a distinction that we aren't Christians for miracles, signs and wonders, "expanding our territory" or to get rich. We are Christians because Jesus came and suffered and died on the cross and rose again on the third day. We are only saved because he loved us enough to die for us. It's not anything we did for Him or ourselves. I don't know how the message will be put together, but I have seen where God is leading with it. I hope to post the outline when it is complete (definitely after I preach). |
| posted by pregador27 @ 20:49 |
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| About Terri Schindler-schiavo |
| 24.3.05 |
I was just here debating my friend about Terri Schindler-schiavo. It makes me realize a few things: #1. there is a lot of disinformation and lack of information surrounding mainstream reporting of this woman's fight for life, #2. that some Christians can be blind to what the Bible teaches and #3. that some Christians can rationalize beyond may farthest expectations.
I think of Terri now, a woman with severe issues, but a woman who is fighting to survive. A woman who is being deprived of food while the judge who sentenced her to death by starvation can enjoy his 5 course dinner and her ex-husband can enjoy the food prepared by his live-in girlfriend.
I wish there was someone who had the power to throw caution to the wind and rescue her. I hear that the police are setting up road blocks in order to prevent the Florida Department of Children and Families from taking her into protective custody. I will pray that she is rescued again and that the tide turns in her favor. I will also pray that she makes a better recoveryn than is expected. I will seek after God's sovereign will in her life.
I will also try my hardest to not harbor hatred for Michael Schiavo or Judge Greer over this. They will face a reward for their sin in this matter and should be looked upon in pity. May God bring them to repentance and the salvation of their souls. My prayer is also that He has done that for Terri. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 02:12 |
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| More About Emmanuel Ministries |
| 23.3.05 |
Emmanuel Ministries in Dade City, FL ministers to many who are considered poor. They vary from migrant workers to low-income Americans. Emmanuel Ministries provides food and clothing as well as the Gospel message.
The director is Marcia. She was a nurse, but since God saved her and changed her life, she has forsaken the money and position as a nurse and has worked full-time (plus) in helping those less-fortunate by offering food: spiritual and nutritional.
I pastored there last year, and now I assist as needed. My wife helps there regularly now. It is a great opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
Recently, there was (again) trouble with someone who wanted to take over the ministry. I offered to stand by Marcia and assist her in Biblically defending the ministry from this wolf in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7.15 NIV: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.") She accepted and was relieved because she often has no support at all (which is a crying shame). I could go into stories about her being used or taken for granted, but I will leave those issues alone for now.
I waited outside of the services to see if the main wolf- Pedro- would try to come back to undermine the ministry. He did not show up, though I was armed with Scripture- "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16.17-18 NKJV) And, "Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed..." (Galatians 2.11 NKJV). These were two that I had studied and was prepared to begin with.
After the service I spoke to Marcia to see if she would like to officially partner with Faith Missions (FMI) so that we would be able to assist with more authority. She agreed. For Marcia, the partnership means support. She does not have to tithe to FMI, donate or cede any control over to us. We will just be there to stand by Emmanuel Ministries. If she ever has someone try to take over again, she can call on us to stand by her.
I am more than happy to support Emmanuel Ministries. We are seeking to move closer to Emmanuel. If we do we will help even more. My wife will probably continue to help there while my children and I will go to a local church and I will help during the week. But I qualify this by saying that I am open to God's will. If He seeks to change our plan I will not resist. Anything He wants!
There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the LORD's counsel--that will stand. (Proverbs 19.21 NKJV) |
| posted by pregador27 @ 12:46 |
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| A New Endeavor |
| 15.3.05 |
I was asked by my boss about what I thought about my job. I work at a mental health facility. I responded, "well, to be honest, I think we are missing the most important component."
She asked, "What is that?"
"Jesus." I replied.
At this point I figured she would say, "Oh that's nice..." and change the subject. To my surprise, my boss said, "Tell me more." I went on to explain that our facility takes a humanistic approach and neglects (or even resists at some levels) the spiritual aspect- more specifically: Jesus. I told her of my vision to have a Christian mental health facility with inpatient and outpatient treatment, including prayer and strictly Biblical counseling and NO government funds. I want to "Faith-Based" funding from the federal government. That just tells a Christian programs that they like the success rate of our approach and want to fund us doing our work. Just one catch- no Jesus. It is designed to de-faith the faith based programs. I want no part of that.
My boss liked what she heard. The next week we spoke again and I mentioned my frustrations about treatment missing Jesus. She said, "So you're really serious about this?" I told her I was.
A few days later the subject again came up and she told me that she spoke to her lawyer (a Christian), an accountant (also a Christian) and some financial backers (Christians too). She even spoke to a Christian who is in a high level at the state Department of Family Services.
Since then, progress has been slow, but steady. I gave ideas for plans for the organizational approach and structure and a mission and vision statement. She told me that the lawyer developed it into a legal mission statement and that other things (which I cannot divulge at this time) were being worked on.
But now she is facing major attacks. Please pray for her. Just call her "Pete's boss" for now. We know that God is faithful (or as I say, "JESUS é fiel!!" or "JESUS is faithful!!"), and we are praying for His guidance in this. I have battled discouragement lately, but I am sticking to Him in this. Let His will be clear.
Please, if you have any suggestions, leave them in comments or email me. If you have an idea for a name for the facility, please email me or put it into the comments. And please pray for us! Jesus can help people who have mental illness more than Freud, Jung, Eriksson or Adler can. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 23:55 |
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| About Friday... |
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When we arrived at the ministry there were actually more people than I expected. They usually do the preaching outside, but, even with the larger crowd, all the people could fit in the building- so I asked them to move everything inside (it is a shell of a room, in an old storage building converted into a food bank and ministry.
We began with my friend and co-laborer Bobby leading worship. No one really joined in except me, but I knew what kind of crowd we were dealing with before I went in. They like the loud stuff (those that claim to be Christians), the others like the show the former "pastor" put on. I call it "jumping jacks for Jesus." No substance, just fluff. He prayed and then my wife (who works with the ministry- a volunteer leader) introduced me. She called me "pastor," but I do not claim that title currently. I think it is given out too freely. The former "pastor" was not a pastor, but someone who wants to put on a "Jesus show." I call him Pedro, not "pastor Pedro." He did not earn the title of pastor. When there was work to do he would disappear along with most, if not all, of those who claim to be Christians. Good testimony.
Anyway, I did not make a big deal about the title, my wife was meaning it respectfully and as a contrast to the former. As an aside, I may sound bitter, I am not. I do, however, resent that the people who came after I did were forsaking ministry for prestidigitation and hollow words.
I preached on 1 Timothy 6.20-21: "O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-- by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen."
I tied in 2 Timothy 4.1-5 also: I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
I named names and Biblically criticized false doctrines and false practices in the "church." I made truth the main focus. I probably preached for about 40 minutes when I was supposed to preach about 15 to 20. I preached until I felt God wanted me to wrap it up. I made things clear: reject Christ and His Word and hell awaits, embrace Him and His word with true repentance and become His child. I think some were in stunned silence. When I prayed to close the service there was a loud "amen." It sounded more like a relief than agreement from most of the people. Some people would not speak to me, some would not look at me. But those who did speak to me (two were new to the ministry and one was a long timer) were encouraging. They were not offended. That was better than I hoped for.
Anyway, I know that I said what God directed me to say. I gave Him total freedom in my heart to change the message. He only made it more clear that I need to preach this message to this crowd. I had the boldness I needed to take on the task. God is good! |
| posted by pregador27 @ 08:27 |
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| Preaching Friday Morning |
| 9.3.05 |
Friday I am scheduled to preach at Emmanuel Ministries in Dade City, Florida. It is the ministry I often mention in my posts. I pastored there during the Spring of 2004. The director and our family are still good friends- probably better now than when we worked together. She is one of the most selfless and giving people I have ever met. I have seen many people take advantage of her kindness and her desire to serve the Lord. That's bad enough, but when it is a "pastor," I become livid.
Recently, there was a "pastor" there who was doing nothing but jumping jacks for Jesus and feeding the people spiritual cotton candy. I was there as he opened service one day and he said nothing of substance and nothing Biblical. He asked for my agreement and I did not answer several times. He even attempted to undermine the ministry in a takeover attempt of sorts.
Friday, I feel the Lord prompting me to preach on people listening to what they want to hear instead of God's true and holy Word. The Bible says, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encouragewith great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:2-4 NIV) Why people would play games with a holy God Who is the Sovereign King of all that exists, I have no clue. Especially someone who claims a calling to preach God's Word!
I used to be timid about what I preached, but I have set that aside. We have to be vigilant as we have a battle against many who have evil intentions: "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." (Jude 1:4 NIV) Also: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8 KJV)
This crowd has the potential to be very angry when I preach Friday, so please pray about the ministry there. I will not back down, I have few wounds for Christ. When I read about what others have done and currently do, I have no intention of shrinking from this opportunity. I seek to be God's vessel, for His message. I pray that I will preach only what He desires. That way, if there is resistance, it will be for Him and truly toward Him, even if it is directed to me.
May God be glorified! |
| posted by pregador27 @ 21:23 |
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| MSNBC - Fear not, these CRACKPOTS can be saved |
| 7.3.05 |
This was emailed to me by a friend who was incensed at Michael Ventre's article. His article is really a journalistic nightmare. It is not based in truth, it is a commentary, but he has few facts straight as I noted in my response below:
In short, (edited out), I think Mr. Venture (or whatever) is a moron. He speaks as if he knows what he is talking about, but he shows his ignorance as he expounds. Dr. Dobson (not my favorite Christian celebrity) did not attack "Sponge Bob", he criticized the use of popular cartoon characters to promote homosexuality to children. Also the gentleman claims we take parts of the Bible and ignore the rest- well, by his description of what he considers an approved Christian, he doesn't have a clue. He wants some hippy, majorly feminine "psychedelic super-Jesus" that preaches all love, all permissiveness and denies sin and impending judgment. He has a lot to throw out for that!
-----Original Message-----
From: edited out
Sent: Monday, March 07, 2005 11:29 AM
To: edited out
Subject: Crosswalk.com - "Here Come the Loonatics"
Edited Out, has sent you an article titled "Here Come the Loonatics" .
Personal message:
Article from Crosswalk.com, "Here Come the Loonatics"
Pete, what's really disturbing is the article he links about 'crackpot christians' from MSNBC. I was furious. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 11:52 |
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| Washington Times: Schools chosen for sex course in Montgomery |
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According to this Washington Times article: Schools chosen for sex course in Montgomery, schools in Maryland are once again preoccupied with sex. The NEA pushes sex-ed on students across the nation. Is it a wonder with their preoccupation with sex that schools tend to select perverts (mane and female) as teachers?
Of course I am not saying all, or most, teachers are perverts, but too many of those entrusted with young children are. The left wants to point out the Catholic church scandal, but I see little venom for the recent epidemic of female teachers molesting male students.
We need to protect our children. That is why I favor homeschooling. Afterall, the Bible says: "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 6.6-7 NKJV)
"Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." (Deuteronomy 11.18-19 NKJV)
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6.4 NKJV) |
| posted by pregador27 @ 12:15 |
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARISMA MAE HUBBARD |
| 3.3.05 |
Charisma is Diane's (my dear sister whom I love and miss with all my heart) daughter born 03.03.03. She is a miniature princess and is a wonderful child.
Please join us in prayer for Charisma. I know she does not understand why her mommy is not with her anymore, and I ask the Lord to give her His peace to comfort her. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 00:20 |
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| JESSICA LUNSFORD |
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Please pray for JESSICA LUNSFORD. She has been missing since February 24, 2005. She disappeared overnight from her room. There was no sign of breaking into the house. I have two small girls and this really breaks my heart.
I remember the girl who was kidnapped by those funky people, she was okay. Hopefully God is protecting Jessica.
Citrus county is the county north of where I live. We are praying for Jessica's protection. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 00:19 |
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| Walking Circumspectly: "president" of his church |
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Kristen blogs about the BTK killer being the "president" of his church. Click here to read the post- Walking Circumspectly: "president" of his church. My mind wonders if his wife had any clue. Was he an angry man? Did he have a bad temper? Was he normally very arrogant like in his taunting letters?
As for Kristen's question on whether "president" of a church is Scriptural, I can only find the word "president" in the liberal-paraphrase-masquerading-as-a-translation The Message "Bible." And that would be Now the street rabble turned on Sosthenes, the new meeting-place president, and beat him up in plain sight of the court. Gallio didn't raise a finger. He could not have cared less. (Acts 18.17- The Message- yeck!!) (And a couple other places) Not really any kind of endorsement of a church "president." (Since when is a church a democracy anyway? Though most churches have votes)
May God bring out the truth and let righteousness reign in this situation. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 00:12 |
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