Pilgrim’s Progress (2019), A 400 Year Journey

This afternoon I watched my first animated movie ever. I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I’m not much for cartoons or animation. But this movie, Pilgrim’s Progress, was surprisingly very well done and captivating. 

It was one of those Fathom Event movies with a very limited engagement in theaters. It showed in theaters only twice, last Thursday and today, Saturday. But it will likely be out soon on DVD. It would be a worthwhile movie to rent, purchase or watch when it comes to a venue or church near you.

John Bunyan in the late 1600’s wrote this enthralling tale while sitting in jail. His book became, next to the Bible, the best-selling Christian book of all time. Unfortunately, I never read book version of his book.  However, I think I got the message of the book quite well from the movie.

What an interesting story. The main character was named Christian. The story was an allegory. The movie portrayed Christian’s journey from his home in the City of Destruction (the world) to the Celestial City (heaven), his future home.

Along the way he becomes a Christ-follower, a true Christian and the heavy burden he had been carrying (his sins) for part of his journey was lifted. He faced trials and difficulties, nevertheless, both before and after he became a Christ-follower.

As many true Christians living in the world today find, life is an adventure, with many ups and downs, challenges all along the way. We are all tempted. Evil and demonic forces raise their ugly heads both obviously and subtlety. We all experience some wrong turns or decisions, distractions and barriers along life journey.

The main point of the story for me is the importance of keeping our eye on the ultimate goal being with King Jesus in heaven and seeking the help He provides along the way.

Interestingly, this morning I attended the 31st annual Resurrection Breakfast in Mansfield, Ohio (a friend gave me a ticket because he was going out of town)which featured a speaker whose message dealt with how we should deal with our problems, needs and fears that plague us.

His four-step approach included: (1) Taking our problems, needs, fears (burdens) to God and focusing on Him for solutions. (2) How we do this is through very specific prayers. (3) As well as by memorizing key scriptures, especially those that admonish us not to be afraid, such as perfect love casts out fears, etc. (4.) We should also fight our fear and humble ourselves asking others to pray for us. 

Like Christian in the Pilgrim’s Progress movie, who focused on getting to the Celestial City and being with the King (Jesus).  Christian also needed help from others along the way and God provided him timely assistance.

Ending Abortion is a Cause Worth Fighting For!

A group of defenders of the sanctify of human life in Mansfield, Ohio and surrounding areas last Thursday, April 11, 2019, just completed a 6-day campaign in front of a PlannedParenthood affiliate near downtown Mansfield.

We followed the 40 Days for Life model somewhat. The national 40 Days for Life campaigns are held twice a year in the spring and the fall. While the actual 40 Days for Life Campaign is conducted for 40 consecutive days, we only covered the hours that the local facility is opened (8:00am – 6:00pm) on six consecutive Thursdays. We managed to have someone present each hour for six Thursdays.

The highlight of our mini-campaign for me was when, ironically, a pregnant couple stopped to talk to us. It is not that unusual to have people walk by and either greet, ignore or condemn us. However, this couple was extremely happy. They stopped by Denny, who had a “Dads for Life” sign, and talked to us. The father couldn’t stop smiling in reaction to that particular sign, after all he was a new dad! 

The couple apparently had just been to the doctor’s office, because the mother proudly displayed her ultrasound pictures.

Happy Couple Outside of Planned Parenthood Celebrating New Life

What a beautiful and refreshing contrast to the mostly malicious and devious misinformation, counsel and services provided inside of the typical Planned Parenthood facility.

The biggest or the “Mother of all Lies,” told by Planned Parenthood staff as confirmed and shown in the insightful and dramatic Unplanned (2019) movie (see also the movie's Facebook page), which is currently in theaters, is that the baby that mothers carry are “Not a Baby.” They deny scientific reality to make a sale.

Additionally, although Planned Parenthood employs ultrasound machines, most of the time they do not show those pictures to the mother. They typically use ultrasounds to determine how far along the pregnancy is and for use in the actual abortion procedure, which was also depicted in the Unplanned movie.

Other highlights were the young man who stopped and heard the gospel from Pastor Kerby and prayed to receive Jesus as his savior. Two homeschool families joined us over a lunch hour and the 4-year old boy counted 90+ honks from vehicles passing by during the hour he was present. Several people stopped to join us when they saw what we were doing and took signs and stood with us.

The Virgin Birth, True or False?

Even at, and maybe especially at Christmastime the anti-Christians are on the attack. One example of this obvious and intense hatred is the www.AlterNet.org article by Valarie Tarico, "Not-So-Virgin Birth: Why Stories of Jesus Became More Magical Over Time."

 

I recently posted my comment to the article:

AlterNet:  Attempting to destroy the truth one lie at a time:  “… these auspicious infancy (about the virgin birth of Jesus) stories are never referenced elsewhere in the New Testament, for example in the letters of Paul or in the other two gospels that made their way into the Christian Bible.”

The thing that the progressive leftists, atheists, and secular humanists refuse to recognize about the Judeo-Christian Bible, unlike the sacred writings of other so-called faiths, is that it is inspired by God, Himself.

The only defense as to the veracity of the biblical account of Jesus’ virgin birth that I’ll offer is that which is stated by the Bible itself where Paul writes, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” --- 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

Stealth Islamic Jihad and Progressive Cultural Perversion

 

Some entity or individual(s) in the Muslim community In Columbus, Ohio and in other cities in the United States recently purchased billboards insulting to Christianity. This incendiary advertisement, during the most sacred of Christian holiday seasons, which culminates with Easter, was meant to test the Christian response. Would there be apathy? Is this the prelude to further insult or injury? Who knows?

Well not all Christians stood idly by and ignored this travesty. Several Christians organized a rally to protest the false message being portrayed and propagated on the billboard. The billboard was changed once the media began to cover the story. The new message as I saw it today read “Muslims love Jesus, too,” which was quite a different message.

At the morning protest, held despite the leftover winter weather – 36 degrees and a cold biting rain – drew a crowd of between 50 and 100 people. Actually this "protest" could actually be considered a praise rally, where the name and nature of the real Jesus was raised up.

 

There was one lone Islamist with a megaphone across the street under the billboard spouting his falsehoods. I paid no attention, except that he said something to the effect that we were telling lies about Islam. What nerve, a case of the teapot calling the kettle black!

 A half dozen men or so Christian activists and leaders along with one recently returning veteran woman, gave speeches accurately describing the truth about Islam and pointing out the inconsistencies and lies that the preachers of this false so-called religion so easy inflict on the sheeple of America.

One of the speakers perceptively described the truth about the “Jesus is Muslim” billboard. He said that in a court of law, making such a testimony would be considered perjury. He said that in a civil lawsuit, it would be considered slander or defamation of character. He stated that in the church, that statement is considered heresy. An in regard to the bible, that statement would be considered blasphemy against God. Above all “Jesus is Muslim” is a lie straight from the pit of hell.

The Progressive Movement in many ways parallels that hypocrisy and bigotry of Islam. Much of the Progressive Movement is built on lies, like the “fact” that abortion is merely the exercise of a woman’s so-called reproductive rights, while ignoring the basic right to life of the aborted child. The left touts its stand against discrimination against homosexual and lesbian behavior and calls for “marriage equality.” Essentially this is calling for the institutionalization of perversion. Global Warming and Evolution are also part of the Progressive religion’s creed.

The progressives’ agenda of mainstreaming and forcing the acceptance and approval of abortion and homosexuality on our society, climate change, evolution, etc. is dangerous. Likewise, Islamists are using the freedom permitted in this country to spread their perverse, vile, and violent political-militaristic-religious system on America, which is equally destructive. One of the speakers pointed out that in Saudi Arabia there was no freedom of religion, except for Islam. In the United States more and more it seems that unless you fully embrace the Liberal or Progressive Agenda you are flat out wrong, haters, intolerable and bigoted.

Islamist and Liberal Progressives seek to anesthetize and desensitize Americans, hoping we will disregard or treat as irrelevant the principles and values that made America great and exceptional in the first place. The church and Christians, conservatives, and all patriots need to wake up and begin to plug the holes in the dyke holding back the water that, if uncontained, will drown our culture.

 

Here are some of the signs I saw today in the crowd included:

*   Jesus is God and He Loves the Muslim (the sign I brought)

*   Wake up Church

*   Jesus is Lord

*   Jesus is the Standard

*   Jesus Lord of Lords

*   Stop Supporting Pagan Traditions

Here is more information about the "Jesus is Muslim" billboard controversy by Dave Daubenmire, one of the key organizers of the praise and protest rally.

 

 

 

Maurice Clarett: Sports Star, Cellmate, & Saint

Last weekend the church that I attend had asked Maurice Clarett to speak. In the morning service an interview was conducted by the pastor of the church. Sunday evening Mr. Clarett spoke for about an hour telling his story. What follows is a bit of what I captured of the interview and his talk.

This is a story of grace, mercy, reality, and truth. It is an account of a young man from the ‘hood, who made good on the football field, but never really fully understood.

Mr. Maurice (Reese) Clarett was the product of his environment. Growing up he wanted to prove himself to the guys in his inner city Youngstown, Ohio neighborhood. In doing so, within one three month period of time he got picked up by police three times and was headed to juvenile detention, but for the intervention of an “angel,” a man who took him under his wing convincing the judge to allow Mr. Clarett to spend the summer being mentoring him in lieu of time in the juvenile detention center. This would be Mr. Clarett’s first taste of grace (which is an instance where you don’t get what you deserve; instead you get what you need).

Truth is that in the cities of America – especially among the poor minorities – gangs and a variety of thugs substitute for missing fathers in the lives of young men. These lowlifes companions teach the young men the ways of their evil world. The young men emulate these lousy “role models” to the chagrin and dismay of their mothers and grandmothers.

Star Athlete

In Mr. Clarett’s case he was “saved” by a couple of adult men who saw potential in him and stepped up and encouraged him to pursue his athletic talents. They took him under their wings and taught him discipline and raised his expectations. Therefore Mr. Clarett became very successful throughout his high school career. He and his team under his leadership excelled.

He ended up going to Ohio State University, where as a freshman he led his team to a national championship in 2002. He even scored the winning TD in the BCS national championship. Accolades of all kinds came his way. He had a phenomenal freshmen season. He was a superstar, the next LeBron James. However, it didn’t take too long before his world was shattered.

Shackled  

Unfortunately others wanted a piece of the Clarett action and glorly. The good ‘ole boys from the Youngstown ‘hood came back into his life, and he lost his focus, his concentration. Drugs, alcohol, girls, he was basking is his celebrity and glory. He got suckered into the kind of lifestyle that leads one astray. He had several run-ins with the law. He got tossed off the football team, lost his scholarship, left school his sophomore year.

Depression led him deeper into the lifestyle that sidetracked his brilliant, promising football career. He tried to escape by going to the West Coast. But he got mixed up with an even more intense and care-free party crowd than the one he fellowshipped with in Ohio.

He attempted to get into professional football after he was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos. He knew he was not in shape to be a professional football player after wasting himself in Ohio and California. But he went to the Broncos training camp. He said he was a poor teammate, a chronic complainer and not as dedicated to the game as he should have been. He was released. Another failure he felt.

He returned to Ohio but soon got reconnected to the Youngstown boys from the ‘hood and returned to his immature and drug dulling depression pattern. He didn’t want to face reality.

It wasn’t until he was incarcerated in the penitentiary that he began to see the light, thanks to a warden who advised him to put himself on the right track. Mr. Clarett heeded the warden and the example and mentoring of very helpful lifer inmate, who shared the things of God with him.

Saint

When he got out of prison he was better prepared to face reality. He even played professional football again in Omaha, Nebraska, where under the direction and instruction of a pastor he said that he eventually gave his life to God as a Christ-follower in 2012.

Mr. Clarett now speaks to groups about his restored life and he helps young men to avoid taking the wrong path that he chose to take. At 30 years of age he plans to return to school to complete his degree. He wants to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor in the field of geriatric services. While in prison he received a lot of help and encouraging letters from seniors who gave so much of themselves to him while he served almost 4 years of a 7-year sentence. Mr. Clarett seems to have made some better decisions in his “old age” of 30!

Lessons Learned

What can be learned from this young man’s journey from football star to cellmate to saint?

·        God is a gracious God, a God of second and third chances, etc. He is a merciful God. Recognize that you are a sinner and have missed the mark and accept His provision, Jesus, to completely redeem your life.

·        Be careful in choosing your friends.

·        As long as you stay focused on purposeful pursuits you are not likely to fall into temptations that will foil your plans and ruin your life.

 

·        Use your time, talent and treasure wisely.

 

You can see or hear the interview for yourself by going here.

Pure Blasphemy! NBC’s SNL skit has Jesus on murderous rampage

This pretend movie trailer is not in the least way funny. It is, frankly, sick. It is pure adulterated blasphemy of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.

For allowing Saturday Night Live (SNL) to sink to the bottom of the sewage pond with this so-called skit, it has earned the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) a new moniker. The network should henceforth be known as the 'NOTHING BUT CORRUPTION' network.

Apparently this trailer was supposed to be a parody of the Quentin Tarantino’s films. If anything maybe SNL should go after one of the real cause of ‘Gun Violence’ these despicably violent films produced by such evil-minded Hollywood directors such as Mr. Tarantino.

This is trailer is trash, it’s inexcusable. Thanks to the tone set by our Dear Leader, I guess it is always open season to mock, marginalize, and ridicule Christ, Christianity, and Christ-followers.

It is obvious that cowardly leftists fear the revengeful Islamists and dare not poke fun at them.  They obviously do not fear God, who will not be mocked.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 NASB

By the way, which 'religion' is truly the religion of peace? What would Mohammed or his ‘true believers’ do if he or their ‘religion’ was mocked in the same way SNL mocked Jesus? They would take swift revenge, that’s what. Unlike the admonition Christ prescribes to His followers:

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” – Matthew 5:11 NASB

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19 NASB

That should send shivers through those given to mockery of the true Messiah, if not now, then when they face the King on Judgment Day!

 

A Politically Incorrect Christmas Song - Ray Stevens

Here is a special Christmas song from Ray Stevens, Merry Christmas everyone!

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 11

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Elsewhere - The Weather - An Example from Scripture

Jesus was sound asleep in the boat on the Sea of Galilee while a storm was raging; filling the boat with water. The disciples awakened Jesus and said, “Don’t you care that we parish.”  Jesus calmed the storm and then said to his disciples, “Where is your faith (Luke 8:22-25)?” This passage really speaks to me.  Often I am besieged with problems and I say to God, You don’t care.  Now I see His response, where is your faith?  How about you, where is your faith?

“And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, ‘Let us pass over unto the other side.’  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, ‘Master, carest thou not that we perish?’  And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And He said unto them, ‘Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?’  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, ‘what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him (Mark 4:35-41)?’”

You’re Response

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”  

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 10

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Elsewhere - The Weather and the Women

Ladies were having a Bible Study outdoors because the weather was so nice and enjoyable.  During the study, wind suddenly arrived on the scene blowing papers around and the pages of the Holy Bible.  This annoyed the leader of the Bible Study; she rebuked the wind and told it to calm down and the weather became quit again.

You’re Response        

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 9

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Elsewhere - The Weather - Samuel

Samuel was driving in Missouri to Jefferson City.  He happened to see a funnel cloud on its side and thought.  “That could do some damage if it touched down.”  Samuel said, “Satan I bind you in the name of Jesus and cloud I command you to break up in the name of Jesus.”  A shaft of light started in the bottom of the cloud and went to the top splitting the cloud in two; then it dissipated.

You’re Response

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.” 

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 8

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Elsewhere - The Weather - Merrill

One day Merrill took Dan to work. It was raining very hard.  When Dan was about to get out of the car Merrill said, “Wait, let’s see if this storm is of the enemy or not.”  Merrill rebuked the storm in the name of Jesus and the weather cleared right up.

You’re Response

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”  

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 6

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

ANYWHERE – You Must First Bind the Strong Man

Jesus said that you cannot destroy a person’s house until you first bind the strong man.  The strong man in this case is Satan and/or his unholy angels.  These evil entities must be bound first.  That is why I first say, “Satan I bind you In the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”  Jesus said, “What you bind on earth is bound in heaven.”  This means that God binds from heaven what you command to be bound on earth.  This is found in Matthew 18:18:  “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

After commanding Satan to be bound then I speak what I want to take place; like.  Satan I command you to get out of here in the name of Jesus or rain I command you to stop in the name of Jesus.  The weather can be controlled by Satan and if a particular storm is being brought on by him the believer has authority over it.  One does not necessary know if a particular incident is caused by the devil.  If it is not, taking authority will may no effect.

You’re Response

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”