The Second Great Reformation Has Begun!

God has been speaking to me a lot this year about maturity. I believe that maturity is the greatest hope that God holds for us. (I know, not the sexiest topic, but do read on...) Maturity is the place where God can relate to us in the greatest depth. It's the place where we respond with grace to vicious trials. More than that, it's a response to offending circumstances that defies rationale; therefore maturity contains a tangible element of faith. Maturity has the capacity to forgive the unforgivable and press on, often at a level that nobody on the planet could understand. Nobody but God.

I believe maturity is what God valued in Moses enough to ask for his opinion. Not only did God ask, but fully intended to respond to Moses. As a five-point Calvinist this astounds me! God, in full sovereignty, elevates His servant to taste sovereignty with Him. Breathtaking. Yes, God is fully sovereign, and everything we do is predestined; we prove what we were born to be. Yet when and/or where we have attained maturity, God entrusts us with powerful control in this life, if not an actualized, delegated micro-sovereignty.

As a dad, the greatest joy in my life is empowering my son to accomplish big things. I have to wait for his maturity, and long to see it, because when he gets it both of us are blessed. While I afford him the 'sovereignty' of doing big things, I allow just enough to make it safe. I can't help but see God this way too.



This passage is a curious combination of trials, maturity (by implication), freedom, redemption and adoption. I believe that the heavenlies share in God's heart that we pass the tests laid before us. I believe that the fallen are here watching us, knowing full-well that God is revealed when we mature. Adoption as God's sons means God's sovereignty on display through us. Christians with the mind of Christ. Praying saints with voices that shake the heavens. (I realize the 70AD implications as well.)

Maturity, then, begets freedom and continually pays the price for it. This is the good fight that leads to free will, the taste of God's sovereignty, and a lot of pain IMO. Yet free will is the language of love, and the language of the New Covenant. It's the antithesis of compulsion, and God's desire for us. Therefore maturity isn't responding to commands (as a slave) but to God's desires (as a son).

My paradigm is changing somewhat, though I deserve the right to delete this post if I reconsider! I'm realizing that God's sovereignty encompasses His right to include his sons, and that we are designed to share His sovereignty. As I've always believed we prove His will, but now I believe that His will is for us to touch sovereignty as the body of Christ. ©

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Sunday, September 16, 2007. Barrack Obama attends Senator Tom Harkin's Steak Fry event. But what is on his mind?



The answer holds massive implication for the future of the United States. The answer may very well come from the sermon he (allegedly) heard a few hours earlier.

“…the Jena 6 stand before the unrighteous courts of this land — a symbol of a new generation’s reminder never to forget the things of old — the tree, the noose, the unreachable bail, the three hour trial of a kangaroo court — guilty as charged and sentenced — maximum term — as American as apple pie.”

This was not merely the rantings of a race-baiting pastor, but a litany written out for the congregation to recite in unison. The leader stokes the anger:

A voice is heard in Jena, Louisiana, lamentation and bitter weeping and once again, our children wonder “is there not justice in the land?”

In the bulliten Pastor Jeremiah writes, “Tens of thousands more innocent Iraqi lives are daily being offered on the altar of preemptive war and sectarian violence… In our name human rights have been violated, abuse and torture sanctioned, civil liberties dismantled, Iraqi infrastructure and lives destroyed. Billions of dollars have been diverted from education, health care, and the needs of the poor in this land and around the world. Efforts to restrain the real sources of global terrorism have been ignored or subverted. Trust and respect for the United States throughout the world has been traded for self-serving political gain.”

Wright continues, “As citizens of this land we have been made complicit in the bloodshed and the cries. Lord, have mercy upon us...Today we call for an end to this war, an end to our reliance on violence as the first, rather than the last resort, an end to the arrogant unilateralism of preemptive war. Today we call for the humility and courage to acknowledge failure and error, to accept the futility of our current path… To this end may we join protest to prayer, support ministries of compassion for victims here and in the Middle East, cast off the fear that has made us accept the way of violence and return again to the way of Jesus.”

Dr. Asa Hilliard III adds“Africans cannot afford the luxury of listening to the siren songs of those who do not recognize or respect us...Trusting in our own cultural heritage, ancient and modern, we are in the best position to solve our own problem.”

Was Obama actively protesting, or did he simply forget to put his hand on his heart? Had Pastor Wright, the pastor whom Obama claims inspired his book The Audacity of Hope, inspired him again? Had Wright’s numerous travels with rascist and race-baiter Louis Farracon seeped into Obama’s psyche? No one knows, yet more evidence has begun to surface.

In Wisconsin, would-be First Lady Michelle Obama states, "For the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback." Later in Madison, she reinforced the notion, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."
Is Michelle Obama’s lack of American pride the result of the weekly doses of this preaching for over 20 years at Trinity United Church of Christ?

When I look at the Obamas, I see their desire to take our nation somewhere (though they have not explained where). I’m beginning to wonder if that desire is a ticking time-bomb. Great speakers can lead people in horrific directions, as we watch the current train wreck of Hugo Chavez. Seemingly great leaders can execute amazing rallies where people even faint. While still conscious, we need to ask ourselves, is this man taking us to a better place or is he taking us for a ride. ©
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1. http://tucc.org/upload/tuccbulletin_sept16.pdf
2. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/michelle-obam-1.html
3. http://michellemalkin.com/2008/02/20/michelle-obamas-america-and-mine/

“Even if they want to quibble within our own tribe, they’ll circle the wagons when we’re attacked by the Times,” said McCain campaign senior adviser Charlie Black.



Sorry. Still trying to like him. Really trying. But what kind of condescending word is 'quibble'? A wet mouse quibbles. A stray cat quibbles. A stuttering, half-dead fly quibbles. McCain and his staff think that we are nothing but a thorn in his side -- Oh yeah, unless it serves him to tell the masses that he is a conservative.

But lets talk about quibbling a bit.

McCain looked pathetic *quibbling* at his podium of his disappointment with the NY Times. Are you kidding?! Did he really no see this coming? Is it possible that he is so love-struck with their endorsement smootch that he didn't know they planned to tear him down again? What is in his psyche that he thinks that they will not tear ANY Republican apart?

I realize it wasn't McCain making the 'quibble' accusation, but first, what an arrogant statement! He might have said, "Even though they're the miserable ants that I step on, watch what they do when I say jump! (Heh heh)" Second, what kind of advisors is McCain choosing? Are these like the Supreme Court nominies that he's promising?

The thought just hit me that it may be good to have Huckleberry still in the race, so I don't feel as bad bashing McCain.

I have two distant hopes:
1. That Hillary gets close enough to pull the super-delegate trump and destroy the dems.
2. That McCain picks Newt or Condi as veep. (Condi would kick his butt on a daily basis. Oh, what fun!) ©

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GoDaddy's Superbowl ad turned my stomach, and I was leaning toward dumping them. Then I found out that I had my web site had gone over the size limit. I deleted the extra file, but they penalized me $75. They would not wave it, so I am gone.

McCain has relished his Maverick title because his wavering showed 'flexibility'. Likewise, Bush's wavering showed his 'compassion'.

The thing is, true conservatism is inherently both flexible AND compassionate. There is nothing lacking. Somewhere along the line, both Bush and McCain fell for the lie and became embarrassed to be conservative.

Every single time we compromise, we 'reach out' a mile and the enemy doesn't move. Check this out:



This is President Nixon in his negotiations with China. In this picture Premier Zhou Enlai had instructed his photographers to capture Nixon walking toward him while Zhou would not move. Does that remind you of something? ©

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Okay McCain, I'm TRYING to like you. It's really, really hard, but I'm trying.

Yes, I realize your backroom deals have sealed out Romney, so I don't have a choice, but I'm asking you to at least TRY to win me over. Telling me to "calm down" is telling me that I'm irrational for wanting some form of loyalty from you -- that I'm irrational for wanting conservatism. "Calm down" tells me you have more interest in reaching out for Teddy's loving arms than the base of your party.

I want to like you. It's in my best interest, but you need to win me over. So the next time that Maverick blood needs to wallow in the left, take note how far to the right they are willing to come. Hmm...not much moderate about Hillary or Obama. I only wish our party remembered its base.

BTW, this may be hard to believe, but you can be a patriot WITHOUT serving in the military.

So once you DEAL with your inconsistency, condescension, shadiness, elitism and rage, then let's talk about that conservative title you put under your name. (Did I mention deceptive?)

Do you remember the days when the good of the country trumped selfish ambition? That test has faced Huckabee, and he has failed with flying (self-aggrandizing) colors. Far too self-righteous to back out and let a conservative take the helm, he has himself in a religious frenzy and won't open his eye to see what is going on.

With two days until Super Tuesday, it looks like it's too late, especially as every butt-kissing politician endorses McCain (for special favors of course).

It really doesn't matter if McCain makes concessions to Conservatives and/or Republicans at this point. It's not a matter of flip-flopping with him; it's a matter of betrayal. Yes, I'll honor him for his years in a tiger cage, but his loyalties are now with the Dems. Where he is at NOW is what matters. America is blessed with many, many war heroes. That does NOT mean they should be President.

Republicans have made a far worse strategical error than Rudy -- they have bet the farm on the Independent votes that McCain will reap. Too bad all the Conservatives will stay home and Mrs. Clinton will become President. (If you don't think Conservatives will stay home, take a look at our tantrum-throwing history.)

The level of betrayal that McCain has thrown at both Republicans and Conservatives tells me that he carries a deep hatred for his own party. What would we going to get from him? Frustration. Frankly it would feel better to see the conservative side of Hillary than the backhand of McCain (I would still vote Republican because at least I have loyalty). The reality is that he would be a FAR, FAR greater embarrassment than Bush -BUT- Hillary would be a nightmare beyond our darkest dreams. Check out this comparison from the American Conservative Union:

McCain: 65% in 2006; 82% lifetime
Clinton: 8% in 2006; 9% lifetime
Obama: 8% in 2006; 8% lifetime (note that Obama is the most liberal member of Congress -- and Hillary is right there with him)

In the end I'm glad Rudy is gone, though I wish McCain didn't have his votes. Rudy had me convinced that he was with Conservatives, but his endorsement of McCain proves otherwise. Ron Paul was a blessing to the process, and taught us a tremendous lesson about the economy. I'm glad he stuck in there. Romney is the greatest tragedy. Republicans blew off the best chance to have a great President -- one who could turn the economy around and appoint excellent judges. Instead, I believe we are headed to the darkest days in American history -- all because of the siren song of a blind zealot. Nice going, Huckabee. I hope the fame was worth it. ©

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The most recent false prophecy from Pat Robertson has prompted much discussion between Rock, JL and I. Virgil also chimed in (ref). Our goal is to affirm or deny the modern day existence of the spiritual gifts described in 1 Cor. 12. Here are JL’s questions:
____________________

>I think the quickest and clearest way to summarize my position is:

1) How were the spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12 bestowed?

2) Are these the same things that were done away with in 1 Cor. 13:8-13?

3) And when was/will be 1 Cor. 13:8-13 fulfilled?
JL’s answers:

1) With two initial and notable exceptions, they were bestowed by the laying on of hands by the apostles. The two exceptions were Pentecost and Cornelius' house, where Apostles were present. These two were given as signs to the Apostles, the others as signs of apostolic authority.

2) Yes.

3) At or before the destruction of the Temple. Clement of Alexandria says they ceased after Peter's death but before Paul's. Ultimately, C of A's standard was used by the early church to reject Clement of Rome's Epistle from the canon.

Any miracles beyond and apart from the class of "spiritual gifts" are reserved for another discussion.
____________________

My Answers:
[1.] The spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12 were bestowed by The Holy Spirit. The 'laying on of hands' is a conduit of faith, but not a requirement. It's a similar debate as the water baptism; do we dunk, splash, dip, flick? (Jesus must be so proud!) The point is the release of faith through the act. If someone is convinced that a dunk is required, then God bless 'em. I've waded into lakes and pools more than once to make it happen.

1Ti 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

The context doesn't explain the "gift", but I would heavily lean toward the opinion that these were baptized into the Holy Spirit long before this presbytery prayed and prophesied.

2Ti 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Again the context doesn't explain the "gift of God" of which Paul describes. If taken literally, Paul would've had to personally pray for every single person who was baptized, which he did not do.


[2.] These are not the same things that were done away with in 1 Cor. 13:8-13. From my article, "Are Spiritual Gifts for Today":
Here Paul is comparing spiritual gifts to the fruit of love. The admonition is that gifts of prophecy and knowledge come and go, but that love perpetually consistent. I think that, again, translators are using presuppositional bias to compromise this passage. It literally reads, "[Love] [never] [fail] [but, or even] [IF] [prophecy] [pass away] [IF] [tongues] [cease, (or refrain)] [IF] [knowledge] [pass away]". Therefore if we tossed out the bias we would read, "Even if prophecies pass away, if tongues refrain, if knowledge passes away, love never fails."

As you can see, those are big IFs. The word, 'eite', leaves room for the event not coming to pass. Later in 14:27 we read, "IF any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three..." IF here is describing something that may or may not happen.

[3.] 1 Cor. 13:8-13 is an IF passage, and an admonition that the gifts are not the foundation of ministry -- love is. I think Paul correctly predicted the number of spooks that would come out of the woodwork (like Simon who wanted to buy miracles.) With 15+ years as a preterist I've have never found this passage as eschatology, but rather pneumatology. It makes sense after weeding out translator presuppositional bias. ©

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I woke up yesterday with a mental picture of myself lying on a bench press with Jesus adding more weights. I was upset about the weights, and concerned that they would be too much for me. Yet I saw His crown of thorns reflect in the light, and His scarred wrists locking the weights in place. I realized the authority He holds as my trainer, and my position in the grand scheme of things.

I think of when Mike Holmgren came to coach the Seahawks. He had led the Packers to win the SuperBowl, and for that reason I began believing that the Seahawks would to the same someday. (They've come darn close!)

When I mentor someone, my authority stems from my experiences and more importantly my victory in those experiences. Those experience garner trust, which is vital when someone is pressing you *beyond* what you have ever done before.

For me to grow spiritually in and environment of bad news, I need my trainer to be PERFECT. He cannot have any question about where He is taking me, because the journey can be hell. In the times when I'm tried the hardest, I cannot afford mistrust. It has to be there, which is why it makes sense that the preeminent strategy of my adversary is to warp my perception of God. When he can pull that off, I am suddenly justified in my sin, and I have reason to sin even more.

I'm finding it increasingly more vital to defend my recognition of God's benevolent sovereignty. This has been important for me to recognize, because when my boat is sinking I'm going to jettison the heavy cargo first -- and too often the first to go is the recognition of sovereignty. It's burdensome. It's weighty. It's costly. Yet it's powerful.

Training is inevitable. In my previous blog 'When God Appears Cruel' I wrote that God doesn't relent when we cry 'uncle', and I'm learning more and more why that's the case. As a trainer, God has to risk appearing cruel to get me where I need to go. It's my job to defend my recognition of benevolent sovereignty. With that in place, I can weather the most horrific of trials (training sessions!)

I recently watched a show about a tiger trainer who raised two tigers into adulthood. They grew more powerful that him, yet they were not ready to be released to the wild. So he took often meat away from them to remind them of his dominance at the risk of them attacking. God takes a similar risk by not rebuking the storm when we cry out to Him. He is the trainer, not us, and only He knows how strong we can become. If He lets us stop the process, we will never learn to trust Him at higher levels and we will never become strong enough to survive in the wild.

If God calms the storm when I cry out, I thank Him for it. Yet lately I'm learning that if He doesn't I should consider it an honor that He trusts me enough to train me. More than that, I should thank Him for taking the risk to tame me. Far too often I think more highly of myself than I ought to. I think I'm too godly for training. Truth be known, my recognition of sovereignty would be far easier to defend by remembering the wild man that He's taken on. ©

Awards mean nothing anymore. Pretty much everything you can "accomplish" anymore has been denegrated. Think of the news stories from the last few months:

If you're the national champions of basketball, it may mean the refs were betting.
If you're the national champions of baseball, it may mean you took steroids.
If you're the national champions of football, it may mean you spied their playbook.
If you're an olympic gold metalist, it may mean you lied to federal agents.
If you're the mayor of a metropolis, it may mean you lied about your military service.
If you hold a degree from Columbia or any number of liberal colleges, it may mean you know more about fascism than freedom.
If you won an oscar or an emmy, it may mean that you're only a pawn of propoganda.
If you won the nobel peace prize, you join the ranks of Yasser Arafat and have no problem lying to the world.



Curious, huh?
_________________
-Dana Salsbury
www.legacyhdv.com