If you get a chance please remind your minister/pastor that most church leaders should repent for their utter dereliction of duty to their congregation during the c19 abomination.
Maybe they should spend at least one Sunday morning helping their flock to understand how pathetic their behavior was.
I tried that! He held strong, we left in early 2021 after 35 years of being very active and raising our sons there. He pitted vaccinated against unvaccinated, and has the injuries and deaths of many parishioners and employees on his hands. He loved the power of separating people and the six foot separation and masking. He ignored everything I sent him to read. I was part of the management team and we spoke often, but he refused to listen. He forgot about discernment! He trusted the science and not God or those God put in his church!
How absolutely Awful for you all as a congregation. We too left our small church (19 yrs ) because of all the rules that were printed in our bulletin every Sunday and how we were doing this for the greater good and loving our neighbor .
We were very active there , but the members had lost the will to grow and spread the gospel locally, so we dusted the dirt from of sandals 🩴 and join a present church ⛪️ that is strong in doctrine and worshiped outside that summer & fall as long as we could (2020 ) The pastors asked the congregation what we wanted and we all in unison cheered ( outside on the lawn ) let’s Worship outside as long as we can and then get back to normal. What a gift from God to be fearless in our Worship !!! 🙏🏻✝️❤️🙌⛪️
I used to sit in sunday school as a little girl and gaze wistfully at the outdoors. (No AC so doors and windows open.) Just maddening in the Spring with the birds chirping merrily. I would think of Jesus out in a boat or preaching at a shoreline, and it seemed a bit unfair. It’s still difficult for me to spend much more than an hour inside.
Christine...hearing "doing this for the greater good" is a trigger when it is preached from pastors who were full of fear. It felt like virtuous manipulation. Now some are trying to figure out how to get people back into the building.
Exactly! My Catholic friends had mass via radio broadcast. They drove to church, after a stop at a coffee shop, sat in their car, had communion via drive-up and done. On their way in 30 minutes. They got spoiled 😂
We did that on Easter at my urging to at least see each other. As a Flower Guild member, we decorated a large wooden cross with flowers with large arrangements at the base. It was a healing service to at least have our windows down and talk or say hi to fellow parishioners. Then the diocese shut it down from happening again! The churches are supposed to stand in the face of this kind of tyranny!! The majority of them failed.
I pray you do 🙏🏻 keep seeking God’s truth …. ✝️ we belong to WELS Synod ( Lutheran ) Strong in doctrine at Shepard of the Hills , West Bend , Wisconsin.
Thank you. He is in my heart and mind everyday. I will never turn away from him!! I can’t live without him and his guidance, protection and love. We are in Portage Lakes, Ohio.
Exposed: Communist Infiltration of the American Church
Eric Metaxas is an author, speaker, and radio host, as well as the host of the nationally syndicated Eric Metaxas Show. He has also published well over a dozen books. Among his published works, is ‘Letter to the American Church’, a book which was recently turned into a film. In today’s episode, I sat down with Eric, to get a better understanding of his message, about the parallels between the American church today and German Churches in the 1930s, as well as why staying silent isn’t an option.
Same. We even had "parking lot church" in our cars, with a "safety team" deployed to roam the lot and admonish parishioners who dared crack a window. We were gone before that absurdity came about. Not surprisingly, the pastor bailed after losing roughly 50% of the congregation--the week before Easter!
But just remember this, God is immutable, the same goes with His Word, follow it very close to your heart, not by tradition, but by conviction, With your vast experience, I’m pretty sure you do!
Thank you, Ed. It was amazing how fast people turned into Nazi's! The groups I was part of bragged about their jabs and that all of them (since I resigned) were jabbed and not one wasn't! What a badge of honor and now all of them who had cancer in remission have it ten fold and new ones. And boy did they love the masks....so much so they had some made and embroidered with the our names on them!!!! I refused! I pray everyday and keep his word close!
Nothing new under the sun Joni. Look at the controlling political class that Jesus fought against daily in his short teaching career. Jesus had some very choice names for them, brood of vipers is one of my faves...
nor FEAR... the fear that gummit might come along and whack you for not jugging to THEIR fiddle.
But GOD's command is "DO NO forsake the gathering of yourselves together...... and siting in a parked car,m windows up tught, is NOT "gathering". Nor is staring at the zoom screen in your own living room at home, all by yourself.
I've got a LOT of disagreements with John Mac Arthur, but now i have a tremendous amount of respect for the man, because HE STOOD FIRM against the City of Los Angeles by refusing to close his church when so "ordered". then the city coerced the bank nearby which had, for decades, allowed them to use their car park on SUndays for attendees, so the bank shut it down NOW where they gonna [ark? Well, whaddya know the Jewish Temple round the cornder approached him and said "we're aenever here Sundays, you and your folks go ahead and park in OUR lot.
The Fallen Church finally exposed. And to think it took the Scam/Plandemic to accomplish this feat. But at what appalling cost? And who knows because we haven't yet begun to pay the freight on now unstoppable impacts. At any rate, you said it very succinctly. It hit me like it hits you.
We have some kind of dumb church next door. It was chilling to see the place shuttered down week after week. And so, what you say resonates. And my best to you. And enjoy life as much as you can.
Ryan G - Us too. We still haven’t found one to go back to. We watch one online in a different state, that we wish was here so we could attend. We refuse to go to one that was derelict in their role as a church and derelict in their role as Jesus followers. If they exposed themselves as fear over faith we refuse to go there. It’s sad we can’t find one nearby.
We’ve visited many in our area. I know there has to be at least one. We just haven’t found it yet. It gets tiring to keep going to new ones and walk away disappointed. So we’ve taken a break from the search for now. We also have a special needs adult child so it makes things more difficult in the search as well.
In the meantime, you may enjoy The Shepherd’s Chapel online and on several times a
day on some Christian stations —TV.
I was up with our newborn on the wee hours, too exhausted to get up and change the channel. He looked like a grumpy old
man i’m a bad suit but he proceeded to answer an age old question I’d had, WHY no gays in the
military. He then backed up his answer with nothing but scripture, displaying it right there on screen. It got my attention in a big way. I’ve been watching ever since! That was almost 33 years ago and his knowledge of the WORD has changed my Christian life.
Singing to the Lord hiding the face and smile He gifted us with. There is a woman I used to work with who still wears a mask everywhere. I haven’t seen her entire face in 4 years behind her plexi fortifications. She’s young.
I know a young man about 21 who continues to wear his superhero themed mask as a fashion statement. On rare occasion, I see him without the mask (it is usually when he is eating), and I am always surprised to see his whole face. He is a good looking young man. Much better looking without the mask. I worry about him. Have told him about the health issues of continual oxygen restriction and bacteria etc on the mask (which I doubt he cleans on a daily basis). But he loves his mask. I think at this point it is part of his identity and an emotional crutch of some sort.
Cotton dust causes brown lung disease. This has been known since the early textile age. Brown lung disease is like asbestosis, a silent killer over about 20 years and then a distinct crippling disease.
There are no studies on the other various synthetic materials used in masks. What do those particles do once inhaled into the lungs? No one knows. Yet.
Many cloth dyes are lung carcinogens. Again, the toxic inhalations occur over time only to end in a catastrophic medical event years down the road.
Was horrifying to see so many children forced to wear cloth masks with cartoons printed on them. And still sad to see how many people of all ages cling to a face rag to save them from a virus that is 1/40th the diameter of a human hair. I’m certain the young man you mentioned could pluck a hair and likely pierce the mask he wears. The virus is 40 times smaller. So.
that virus runs from about point zero two eight MICRONS up to about point zero five six microns. The grit that sashays easily through the N95 mask is around fifty to a hundred microns. Four decimal places larger. And I cannot poke a human hair through an N 95 mask, but it is easy to do that with the silly pleated blue glorified kleenex thing most commonly worn.
And studies HAVE been done concerning the particles sloughed off those wretched things.. largish spicules of hard plastics, for one small item... that do NOT break down.
tell him if he likes the thing so much wear it as a headband.
I wonder how many folks have evr read tthe mandatatory protocol for operating room personellregarding the use and wearing of those masks in the surgical heatre. I read them, and was astounded. VEY precise and paricular. But I never saw this published in any health department releases, nor in any newspaper. It would have ex[osed the fundamental lies regarding these worse than useless things.
I kniw from using the N95 masks to protect my lungs etc when doing car body work, woodwork, sanding, grinding, painting, etc. After wenty minutes of griding body filler and sanding to prep for painting I had to stop, take it off, scrub the grit off my face ( a thick layer of whatever colour I was working with, covering the area UNDER the mask on my skin... I could feel the grit on my teeth, blew out out of my nose in copious quantities, etc. When I read how tiny that silly virus is I KNEW it was a few thousand times smaller than the paint and sand particles mu mask could NOT filter out.. and so what's the point of the mug nappie beyond blind submission to some gummit poohbah who knows less than a tenth what I know about such things.... he has NO background in medicine, science, practical work experience..... only to do what he is ordered to do to keep his paycheck coming every two weeks. Hirelings are NEVER out for the good of their employer OR victims.
@BasedFloridaMan, your comment is so ironic, yet paints a picture many of us saw at church during c19. Sad how many pastors donned masks and stated rules soaked in fear. Faith is the only thing that can overcome fear. And as pastors their livelihood, their purpose is to spread faith, not fear.
While our church followed the local authorities, being a sacramental church, we never stopped administering the Eucharist! And mind you, we share the same communion spoon. Some did not partake out of fear, others did. It was their faith call.
This is how I feel when I’m sitting in our Bible Study and there are stupid women with masks on, extolling the virtues of Jesus and how much they “trust” God. It’s all I can do to not just walk out.
Ive tried to go back to my Methodist church twice and I just can’t get over how it behaved. What did they get back in caving and sin? Around 20 sitting in the pews. (Had a 2,000 membership at one time.) Older people like me. No younger families. About 5 children in Sunday school, most of them just get dropped off by parents while they go to breakfast. No choir. No outreach. I just can’t do it. I can’t forgive. Lukewarm church as Jesus warns. The other churches in town are the same. I’m looking. It’s a smallish town.
In the meantime, maybe you could get the @real life network” app. Jack Hibbs is a marvelous pastor. Maybe you can start a home church watching his services and eventually bring in a pastor. Praying for God to give you wisdom regarding a church for you and others like you.
Jack Hibbs did part 1 of a 2 part sermon yesterday. It's about Israel and what the Bible says about it and how it correlates with what's happening worldwide. Very, very good sermon. Next Sunday is part 2 and I'm looking forward to it.
Also, you don't necessarily need the app. His services can also be found on fb, X, and I believe on other social media sites. The sermon can also be seen on Fox Business channel for those who have that particular TV channel.
What the bible says about Israel is that He sent the Roman government and armies to utterly destroy Isreal and that land ti end her spiritual debauchery that had been ongoing for a long time. The political entity commonly referred to as Israel has no real connexion nor relationship to the Israel of the First Century AD. This is clearly laid out inJohn's Revelation, and borne out by the secular history of that era, which had no axe to grind nor point to prove.. only recording what happened as they watched.
Josephus, known and trusted Jewish historian, wrote a five volume history called "The Jewish Wars", volumes 2, 3, 4 are relevant. Good english translations are avaiable online for no cost. A guy named Tertullian was embedded with the army Vespasian was ordered to deploy to Israal by Nero in 66 AD, spring, to bring those rowdy Jews under control. Every Roman army had their "scribe" to record what went on.
Just as Jphn's Revelation predicted, every detail of it actually happened in real tme history as reccorded concurrently.
I've heard Jack Hibbs a few times.. won't listen any kore, as he also fails to comprehend that, just as Jesus Himself predicted clearly, "all these things will come to pass before THIS PRESENT GENERATION passes away." The "all these things" he clearly meant were the things He spoke about in what is known as the Olivet Discourse", as described to the Twelve umedately folloing His prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.. ot oine stone left upin another. That mdae a bunch of folks mad.. and yet we all acceot that IT happened... which is (very tellingly) jot recorded in the bible. WHY? Because the canon was closed prior to the year AD 70, thus the Temple was destroyed after it was closed, so thus jot mentioned in scripture. We take secular reports that the Temple WAS indeed destroyed.. why not all the other details tat started to unfold well before Rome came to do what God had sent them to do... destroy the Temple AND the nation.? And I am thus left with only two viable possibilities.. either He spoke truly and it all DID happen (which recorded history bears out) or He is a liar. The second option is ot acceptible thus leaving me with the first.
Tio...Do not be discouraged by the disagreement from others. You are more correct than most people will ever know in this life. Pastor Chuck Baldwin in Montana is a great resource on this subject for any reader wishing to investigate this further. God bless you and your house.
You realize Herod’s temple was not the first to be destroyed utterly. God evicted His people more than once.
Yours is one interpretation. There are Bible scholars who interpret differently. And the prophets of the Old Testament made prophecies about the Jewish people coming again to the holy land from the four corners of the earth, where God had scattered them.
Zechariah says Jesus will set foot on the Mount of Olives, when He returns.
Technically it is "one interpretation", but it is by far the strongest one in regard to those passages. It's extremely clear that God allowed a time of patience for Jews to accept their Messiah (as Moses told them to), but eventually judged all those who refused. As long as they remain in rebellion against the savior who was prophesied for them, they will continue to be rejected.
However, I would remind anyone who accepts this view (as I do) that God doesn't change; even today, any rabbinic religious Jews who recognize their messiah and repent from rejecting him, will be forgiven and welcomed. We should follow Paul's example to pray that Israel might turn and be saved. (Israel, as in the descendants of Israel, not the political state... though if the political state of Israel were to become overtly Christian/Messianic then I would also see that as a good thing!)
It’s the strongest in your opinion. I believe your camp largely ignores the Old Testament prophets. God made promises to Israel. The apostle Paul said, “For the gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29.
Read Romans 11. Section 11:1-10 says Israel’s rejection is not final.
Section 11:11-24 speaks of the salvation of the Gentiles and ends with this message for Gentiles; vs.22-24;
22“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you have been cut from which is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Vs. 25-36 say Israel will be saved. Vs. 25….a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, the deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Vs 28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they may also receive mercy. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Vs 33 (I hear angel wings and get chills every time) O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35. Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
36 (angel’s wings and chills again) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
I ask myself, Why is Jesus Jewish? Why is his second coming prophesied to take place on the Mount of Olives.
Israel is a physical place that is very near and dear to the heart of God. Of this, I have no doubt.
Be sure you’re on the right side of this war. Your attitude towards Israel is of the utmost importance for your soul.
You say that, and yet it seems like you then ignore Jeremiah (ch. 18): "Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it."
And modern-day non-messianic Jews are unquestionably still "not obeying", as long as they reject the Messiah.
Also bear in mind that Paul's writing in Romans takes place before the judgement of Jerusalem, and indeed at that point God was still waiting in mercy for Israel to repent before he finally carried out that judgement. (And I'll point out again that God of course still wants any rebellious Jews to repent and accept Christ; nobody is beyond redemption. But any kind of prophecy of good things for Israel - even assuming it isn't something already fulfilled - will clearly not take place as long as they remain in rebellion against Christ.)
Verse 2. Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the peoples round about; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will come together against it. 4 On that day, says the Lord, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But upon the house of Judah I will open my eyes, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Loed of Hosts, their God.’
Verse 9. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Mourning for the pierced one.
Verse 10. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so that, when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born.
Chapter 13
The Wounded Prophet
Chapter 14
The Day of the Lord is Coming
Vs 4. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two…
Vs 5…Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Vs 9. And the Lord will become king over all the earth; …
Thank you. I find online unsatisfying. Maybe that’s just me right now. Our northern Illinois town is nearly 75% Hispanic now and they have their own churches. I’m praying too.
I have always felt the same way but I've been watching/listening to Jack Hibbs sermons the last month or so and I've gotten so much out of them. Sometimes I place my phone on the window sill while doing dishes or while cooking.
I know it doesn't replace Sunday worship service but it's a great addition for days in between.
Will they let you attend? Are their services only in Spanish? Can you ask them if they will start a Spanish as a second language class? You could just try learning Spanish by immersion ( that’s how all the 19th and early 20th century European immigrants learned English). Perhaps someone would be willing to translate the sermon.
It may seem like I am being snarky, but I am not. I have done short term missions in immigrant communities in the US, and abroad and have attended Nepali, Twi (in Ghana), Aramaic (in Iraqi Kurdistan), Spanish, Portuguese services. We currently teach English as a second language in our church (all légala as far as I know, but we don’t check—render unto Caesar, etc.)
It would be a tremendously welcoming thing to do, and they might even see it as an evangelistic opportunity. I am quite sure that their theology, beliefs and practices are more orthodox and Spirit filled & driven than 75–90% of the churches in your area.
I’m still half hearted looking. In upstate New York, I found one but it was all former Wiccan ladies and I think they were still doing reiki, not true laying on of hands. I never went back there. & My favorite Methodist church in Florida fell for the mask and jabs.
I found a wonderful, Bible based non woke Calvary Church in my area. Nondenominational Christian. Also check out some of the Creationist speakers/ teachers like Russ Miller & Mike Riddle. We’ve had both in our Church.
Excellent advice P Flournoy! Pastor Jack's teaching is awesome and he is a national leader. I remember him conveying the story after he was convicted over closing the sanctuary of planning to re-open in person no restriction church. Many 'big name' pastors contacted him asking please don't do that. The Holy spirit said open, who was he to disobey?
CCCH home churches are very active and you get to meet with other believers. 'Just like the good 'ol days'! I find the church app a little simpler to navigate for live services: https://calvarycch.org/ there is a pop-up link to the Real Life Network there if you rather. I watch the 8:00 am and the 10:30 am services, same message but I always hear something different. His mini series on Israel packs a mega punch, highly recommend!
We had the same experience with our 35 year membership to our first United Methodist church. Tried to meet with pastor to get over the hard feelings- they completely abandoned us when we took our mother in to get her out of hospice in the nursing home. (She lived an additional 5 months once released from solitary confinement). Found a nondenominational church and are growing to love it. Takes time. The wounds are DEEP!
I understand your pain, Janet, and I wish you well in your search.
As a practicing Roman Catholic I was devastated when Pope Francis showed his true colors. But I also, thank the Good Lord that covid became a warning to believers that my Church was infiltrated by evil. God led me to Traditional Latin Mass parishes and devout Novus Ordo priests, worldwide, who are fighting the good fight against this corruption.
Neither a bad pope nor corrupted wolves in sheep’s clothing will make me leave the faith of my fathers. So I now am delighted to be a Traditional Latin Mass Catholic aligned with prelates who will not succumb to evil.
Ireland refused the globalist elite changes to their constitution, which replaced "family" and "motherhood" with rainbow cult speak. They found miraculous medals of Mary in with many of the ballots.
That’s great! I’m not sure what our Catholic Church did during the great shutdown. There is a Greek Orthodox monastery outside of town. They encourage visitors but I don’t know yet if they do services. It was recommended by a poster on another substack. I may visit.
We had new members at our church ⛪️ ( WELS ) who were lifetime members of the United Methodist church. They were seeking truth from scripture and were very upset with homosexual pastors and the over all teachings of the Methodist church body . God is separating the Sheep 🐑 from the goats 🐐 The Holy Spirit is working in the hearts and minds of believers and it’s a Wonderful thing to see . ❤️🙏🏻✝️
God is working for sure. Some other power protected and led me away from the lies. a sermon I heard in 1988 hit me hard in 2021. The only thing I remember, indeed, from any sermon since 1988 was when the pastor told us that some of us may be led by God to “pull people out of the ruins”. I have thought of that often since then. I believe that time is coming. ❤️🙏🏻
Janet if you can look for a Calvary Chapel near you; they are wonderful, beautiful music and message and they are all packed and still growing. The old traditional churches are empty because everyone is at Calvary! we have 8 different locations for Calvary in driving distance because they are so busy, and they have even been asking for people to come Saturday night instead of Sunday because every seat is taken on Sundays. Online church is also a great way. It’s much easier than you think too to join an online service.
I was fortunate to be discipled in a Calvary Chapel early in my Christian walk. Their “distinctives” as Chuck Smith called them are first and foremost rooted in solid expository teaching from the Word of God, led by some of the most gifted pastors in generations. The Chuck Smith protégés — you are lucky if you can find one! — are now in the process of handing pastoral duties to the next generation of gifted and uncompromising teachers and leaders. I’ve never heard a watered-down Gospel preached in a Calvary anywhere. Be a Berean, and test everything, but I agree with Lyndsay that CC is a solid source of truth whether you’re “attending” online or in person.
Thank you. Many churches have the name Calvary in it. How do I know the difference? Like would Calvary Community be that? It’s 35 minutes away. Is “Chapel “ specific? Is it denominational?
Janet, I believe Calvary Chapel is the key in the name to the original organization built under the late Chuck Smith. Jack Hibbs' church (which started in a friends home as a Bible study) is called Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. So simply replace Chino Hills with your local community and see what you come up with. As a rule CC's are Bible teaching churches, not big on formalities or ritual and generally relaxed in attire. The worship music can vary and is usually contemporary in nature, though that can vary on local talent. You probably won't hear an organ anytime soon. I would like to hear some of the old time hymns personally, such a strong message from the olde artists. I'll give you one more source to research, His Channel https://hischannel.com/ Pastor Chuck Smith helped the founder of His Channel, Dennis Swick, move from radio to television a long time ago. His Channel carries an archive of Chuck Smith sermons. Look under the movies and documentary section to watch the biography of Calvary Chapel, it's quite interesting.
Hi Janet: here is the link and you can put in your zip code. it will try first to give you an exact Calvary Chapel, but if not, it will recommend others. this is the official website.
Ours too. Never once did anyone call us during the shut down. The "reopen" was tentative and outdoors (Michigan). Wear your masks and sit far apart. I finally sent an email to our pastor in 2023 along with a wonderful talk between some pastors regarding the failure of faith during the pandemic. He didn't listen to it and instead doubled down on how appropriately they behaved to be "safe". I won't go back. If our rotten governor ever issues another lockdown, I know they will eagerly comply.
I can almost go along with the 'better be safe than sorry' stuff excepting that a pastor should have looked into the initial claims regarding C19 madness using mortality figures. Had they done that red flags would have started sprouting all over the place.
The problem is that pastors these days are not well educated ... not in general, and specifically not well educated by the seminaries. The situation is appalling. We, of course, had no idea how bad things were in the American churches back in 2009/2010 until we began reading classical theologians, Reformation era confessions of faith, and material like Matthew Henry and the Geneva notes.
I am proud to say that these days my wife (God bless her) knows more about Christianity than ninety or more percent of the pastorate in the country. God gave me a very smart wife. For this I am grateful.
Same with my rotten governor. Illinois. Everybody was all jabbed up by September 2021 (except me, I’m sure) but still masks were ordered on again. That’s when I left. Plus the church district poached our well liked young pastor during the shutdown and we had a new not even ordained in our denomination guy right after we opened. I considered that a heinous betrayal after the stress of lockdowns. Methodist so there are lots of baked in issues right now.
So much Jumbo Pritzker did during those years still makes me seethe. He loved that power—soaked it up for all he was worth. He may be rich but he still has to look himself in the eye every morning knowing full well what he is.
I got 2 phone calls the entire time 1 from the pastor (the new one they put in place during the shutdown after poaching our well liked one) and one from a parishioner. I was an active member.
12 of us TOTAL sitting in Episcopal pews the last Sunday when the Bishop(?) in Denver shut down ALL in-person services...not even the balls to go to 10 person services! I saw the collapse of community and was within an inch of doing free coffee pushcart and prayer needs at the empty high school parking lot (TOO BUSY with my essential/critical business--and not a type A). Should've stepped up as NO ONE ELSE DID!
It was so weird. Some I did see regularly out and around but very few. That late winter of jabs I sat around a CAMPFIRE in the snow with my Bible sermon women’s group. I still attended that but our church was still closed. They were getting jabs but one wore 2 masks outside. The others just 1 🤣🤣🤣🤣. I told them I won’t wear masks outside and I was “waiting to see what happened” about the jabs and was very clear I wasn’t going to be a “lab rat”. Still, absolutely no one has ever asked me WHY I didn’t get them. A couple still sent me outrageous crap about jab immunity was so much better than natural immunity. Or pulled the “Christian thing to do”. Didn’t I care if I infected anyone? Later in the year these same fully jabbed went to a party and infected each other or created a testing opportunity. I stayed home because my throat felt a bit scratchy.
My wife and I were appalled at the church's COVID response and stopped attending. They kowtowed to all the COVID rules and even jumped on the BLM race apology bandwagon. My independent men's Bible study group was also on board with the COVID hoax and I left that, too. A few weeks ago I finally got back to attending a local church. Great music (traditional hymns) with loud congregational participation and good gospel presentation. Yet some habits seem to be lingering from COVID. Offerings are deposited in collection boxes and once-monthly communion is offered only at a dedicated evening service. That latter mat not be COVID related and I intend to inquire about it. Regardless, it feels good to get back to communal worship. We do have to bolster the right-thinking physical organized church, even uf not perfect. They need us
We changed churches in 2021, some reasons for covid response and other reasons for direction of UMC. Now in a Jesus loving church, that teaches His Word.
We were blessed with a message yesterday from a missionary we support.
We need to grow in His commands and promises, we're given examples from around the community which is great. However, most need to understand the power of God and the healing that He has provided through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to get away from the litany of sickness and tragedy. So, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Wherefore we labour, that...we may be adopted of Him.
Forgive.. you MUST. then move on. Don't hold bittterness. It will only poison you when you find the next one. Leave them to wallow in THEIR vomit. don't participate.
Janet, we have entered into a new age of worship, and the sheep are being separated from the goats. The internet is your ally right now, if you can follow and comment here you have the wherewithal to watch Jack Hibbs on line! If you have a problem reach out and I or someone more qualified will help you out. I posted links in reply to P Flournoy to get you started, you can do this, 'see' you in church soon!
Or reformed Baptist or non-denominational. Of course, you need to examine them carefully. Plenty of churches are calling themselves reformed who are not.
I read this a few years ago, didn't then know about the Federal handouts to churches, a payment for getting the job done. And Presby still have this on their website.
Your comment causes me to wonder just how many members of their congregations have the Presby. ministers consigned to death or to a living hell?
Yes, and the Gvt WAS preparing in 2005-09 for these actions, the fact that no one saw it coming is B.S., we didn't WANT to see the pre-planning and certainly it was ALL only for our own good!
@SusanMc I knew the churches received PPP “loans” and I have either read or just “heard” that there were strings attached (of course 🙄) about staying closed, etc. Supposedly, it was just to keep staff and teachers paid, but I’m sure those strings were held tightly in the fine print. Here’s one article I found from the MSM:
These are people devoid of the knowledge of scripture that only the Holy Spirit can give. They have read the description of the construction of the Old Testament tabernacle, that it was to be skillfully made, exactly after the pattern that was given to them by God. They have also read that when details were not obeyed, as in the use of unauthorized incense, or "strange fire," the result was death. They have read in the New Testament that we are living tabernacles. And despite all this, they take it upon themselves to encourage their congregations to meddle with God's handiwork, the work of the most skilled craftsman.
They are always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the Truth.
Locally our Lutheran ELCA was LAST to open, i told the pastor that was his call as who knows better just how very old and sickly most of his congregants are than he? One upside is ZOOM services for the true shut-ins; praise God that is a true blessing to come from this devious plot against Christ-followers and ALL humanity.
What? The pastor knows best? Not when he shut his church..... When we attended an event at the PCUSA at Christmas time in 2022 (an event that was forever before then FULL) there were 35 of us in the congregation... There were a dozen college choir members, all masked and sitting 8' apart in a choir loft that holds 100... Their voices drowned out by the piped in vocals of yesteryear, that only few knew about. The fear exhibited in that large church was palpable. The pastor spoke through his N-95 double mask. Yep, I'm sure he was a scholar on how healthy his congregation was...🙄🙄🙄 Church on ZOOM is not a church of faithful believers.
Our PCA church in Overland Park, KS never stopped meeting in person, although it was outside in the parking lot for months, they moved inside as soon as the local government “allowed” it (without enforcing mask mandates) and claim they will never comply with lockdowns again.
Ugh. I tried to find anyone's email from PCUSA website to share some current science with them. Not even gonna try to engage on the theological issues as the whole PCUSA is a lost cause. Very sadly spoken as a former PCUSA member (but not for the last 30 or so years.)
I remember our pastor wearing a mask—taking it down to preach, then putting it back on when he sat down. It was such nonsense. Then telling everyone that we wouldn’t be singing for a while. You know, because it forcefully causes germs to travel at a faster speed…🙄 I’ll never forget the idiocy at walking in and having someone meet me with hand sanitizer as if it was ‘permission’ to get in the door. Pews roped off to keep 6ft distance, people suspiciously looking around, masks —and gloves on for some people. INSANE. The straw that broke it for me was when they sent an email to people who had taught Sunday School for years, that if you were unjabbed you could no longer work with children. After 10 years of volunteering with children, I stopped and haven’t ever returned to it. No one ever apologized, and they likely never will because they’d have to admit how utterly wrong they were. Many people will never admit it, even though a good majority of them must know. We left for 3 years and returned about 6 months ago. It still isn’t the same. The sermons are biblical and there’s no wokeness or twisting of scripture, but I think my church caved to the fear. They bought it hook, line and sinker. I don’t go every Sunday. Some days, I just don’t want to. I wish my church and the people in it would have been strong and looked to God for guidance and not the corrupt and criminal CDC. Now, many members of my church have passed away, have cancer or some kind of life changing illness. I wonder if they ever connect the dots. If they do, they won’t say.
For me...when I heard it was global, I knew it was spiritual and we were fighting a battle that was not of flesh and blood. And, now, as I look around, I wonder where the men of God are? Where are the bold and fearless? I have been bold and fearless for the last 4 years...and not of my own doing either. I know who my Father is. Yes, why now? Why me? Why us? I have had many talks with myself..."Stay strong, you are a daughter of The King". There is a hierarchy in God's kingdom for a reason. But I refuse to back down, even if there is no bold male to stand in the gap. I would rather be drawn into the arms of the Lord with the words "Well done, my good and faithful servant" than have any human say "Good job! Thanks for going along with us because we told you we know what is best for you." Does that make any sense?
Jails should've been filled with pastors, priests, deacons...but the Prideful Compromised State Church leaders would've heaped hate upon them all for their anti-science, anti-gospel, rebellion against our Caesars and Governors.
I attended a Catholic funeral as restrictions were relaxed. The pews were still segregated with taped X’s for the seats to be left empty. That 6’ stuff was all BS. Pulled out of Fauci’s, um, “you know, the thing.” 😄
We tried that with our pastor and church counsel…wrote emails, met with them but to no avail. We were a flock without a true leader and then to top it all off our church held a vaccine clinic! On that note…we left, actually we fled! I pray that one day they will repent but I fear that they feel justified because they obeyed our government. It appears that today’s church put government over God….God help us!
SHOULD have known better Anyine with half a lick of sense should have figured out that a new unproven technlogy (mRNA) that had never been used as a "vaccine", and was rushed thorugh "approval" with NO real tirals then released on the public after only SIX months of "trials" (fake ones a that ) should not be trusted.
I remember it taking TEN YEARS to get the Salk polio vaccines cleared for use.
I remain steadfast. I find them without excuse. It was NOT their job to weigh government edicts, nor make judgements on the accuracy or falsity of those edicts. Nope.
An HOW could these "men" stand quietly by and refust to OBEY ghe clar unambiguous WORD OF GOD that clearly cOMMANDS "forsake NOt the gathering together of yourselves". And fuher, preadh the Word, in season and out".
nd how bout tho=is little jewel: "He gave some apostles, prophets, evengelists, PASORS< TEACHERS for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry UNTIL WE ALL come into the fullness of the faith, full, complete, lacking nothing, equipped for every good work (from memory here, might be a tad off, but if you doubt go and find it yourself.. Ephesians 4, around ten and following, if memory serves)
It does NOT fall under the job description of pastors or teachers, and certainly not elders or bishops, to be giving instructions and/or setting policies relating to medical or health issues. NOT their bailiwick. ALL the ones of which I became aware did their pandering to the government for the safety of their own skin.
WHAT might have happened had ALL the pastors, elders, teachers, deacons, members etc, in every church naming the name of CHrist all across the land had stood firm and said "we will obey God rather than MEN, and He has COMMANDED us to NOT forsake the gathering of ourselves together. WE are determined o obey GOD rather than men. And if he gummi goon squads nip round and have us all into the lockup, there is strong precedent for the saints to sing and praise and pray IN the prison. The original Jail House Rock took place in a jail in Cesarea Philippi. It ended with the entire household of the Jailer and all the other guards, etc, being baptised the next morning.
When my little church decided to shut down (I believe out of fear of reprisal) I suggested we meet anyway, those who were willing. but no, we can just use Zoom (which despise to this day) I had my own key, but realised I'd be the only one showing up. No point to that.
I have since connected with a arger group that did NOT shut down.. a vibrant alive bunch, many fourth generation families. Nearly all declare they would JOT stop meeting bcause of soe government edic. If they'd arrest the teaching pastor, we have a number of others who can handle the Word well. Nothing wrong with getting some of the young chaps started teaching, either
Great rejoinder!! It’s extremely important (in my honest opinion) to come to the realized conclusion that our governments and states are pathocracies. They are led by psychopaths or sociopaths or malignant narcissists. In addition to these political institutions and establishments, so are financial and religious-ecclesiastical institutions and establishments. Psychopaths and sociopaths and malignant narcissists are attracted to the power and the status of leading these organizations.
“All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. - Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV (decto)” — “Chapterhouse: Dune” by Frank Herbert
".....most church leaders should repent for their utter dereliction of duty to their congregation during the c19 abomination."
Agreed.
As a side note, Pastor Gary Hamrick has stood strong as a pastor against these ungodly issues. At the beginning of his teaching on 17Mar24, he addresses the signing, INTO LAW, of same sex marriage by the conservative Governor Youngkin. It's not yet posted on the website, CornerstoneChapel.net, but he provides a SUPERB commentary on the issue and is well worth checking the site soon to hear it.....along with the teaching, of course.
I tried joining a local church last year after many, many years without. Discovered that they are cashless in their fund-raising merchandise store, and push technology at every angle. Your supposed to "Text a number if you've accepted Jesus."
I've already left. I'm a much better person, spiritually and otherwise, when I stay home and do introspection/bible study on my own...
The minister stumps for amazon.com in many sermons. I finally put a hand-written note in with one of my donation checks, asking why this was so? Did he understand the centralization of power taking place, to the detriment of the Church? I included my phone number with my note.
They cashed the check the next day. And i never heard form them on my question ....
My church Cornerstone Chapel has stayed true to Biblical principles and our Pastor Gary Hamrick has never wavered once! I watch him online and he is fantastic! A true Biblical Conservative who is courageous and principled! https://cornerstonechapel.net
-21 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children, guard yourselves from idols.
”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/php.4.13.NKJV
If you get a chance please remind your minister/pastor that most church leaders should repent for their utter dereliction of duty to their congregation during the c19 abomination.
Maybe they should spend at least one Sunday morning helping their flock to understand how pathetic their behavior was.
Don't forget Jesus spits out lukewarm water.
I tried that! He held strong, we left in early 2021 after 35 years of being very active and raising our sons there. He pitted vaccinated against unvaccinated, and has the injuries and deaths of many parishioners and employees on his hands. He loved the power of separating people and the six foot separation and masking. He ignored everything I sent him to read. I was part of the management team and we spoke often, but he refused to listen. He forgot about discernment! He trusted the science and not God or those God put in his church!
How absolutely Awful for you all as a congregation. We too left our small church (19 yrs ) because of all the rules that were printed in our bulletin every Sunday and how we were doing this for the greater good and loving our neighbor .
We were very active there , but the members had lost the will to grow and spread the gospel locally, so we dusted the dirt from of sandals 🩴 and join a present church ⛪️ that is strong in doctrine and worshiped outside that summer & fall as long as we could (2020 ) The pastors asked the congregation what we wanted and we all in unison cheered ( outside on the lawn ) let’s Worship outside as long as we can and then get back to normal. What a gift from God to be fearless in our Worship !!! 🙏🏻✝️❤️🙌⛪️
Let's NEVER FORGET how the children were robbed of two years of their lives by cowardly adults.
The Church had a lot of responsibility in that regard.
How could they forget that EVIL always comes for the little ones first.
How?!
Amen to that Ryan! Good to see you here!!
You too!
I used to sit in sunday school as a little girl and gaze wistfully at the outdoors. (No AC so doors and windows open.) Just maddening in the Spring with the birds chirping merrily. I would think of Jesus out in a boat or preaching at a shoreline, and it seemed a bit unfair. It’s still difficult for me to spend much more than an hour inside.
Church on the lawn sounds incredible!
Christine...hearing "doing this for the greater good" is a trigger when it is preached from pastors who were full of fear. It felt like virtuous manipulation. Now some are trying to figure out how to get people back into the building.
Exactly! My Catholic friends had mass via radio broadcast. They drove to church, after a stop at a coffee shop, sat in their car, had communion via drive-up and done. On their way in 30 minutes. They got spoiled 😂
Yep. We held services in our parking lot. Our Pastor would not budge!
We did that on Easter at my urging to at least see each other. As a Flower Guild member, we decorated a large wooden cross with flowers with large arrangements at the base. It was a healing service to at least have our windows down and talk or say hi to fellow parishioners. Then the diocese shut it down from happening again! The churches are supposed to stand in the face of this kind of tyranny!! The majority of them failed.
I would love to find a church like that again!!!!
ASK and you shall receive, SEEK and you shall find...
I pray you do 🙏🏻 keep seeking God’s truth …. ✝️ we belong to WELS Synod ( Lutheran ) Strong in doctrine at Shepard of the Hills , West Bend , Wisconsin.
Thank you. He is in my heart and mind everyday. I will never turn away from him!! I can’t live without him and his guidance, protection and love. We are in Portage Lakes, Ohio.
Exposed: Communist Infiltration of the American Church
Eric Metaxas is an author, speaker, and radio host, as well as the host of the nationally syndicated Eric Metaxas Show. He has also published well over a dozen books. Among his published works, is ‘Letter to the American Church’, a book which was recently turned into a film. In today’s episode, I sat down with Eric, to get a better understanding of his message, about the parallels between the American church today and German Churches in the 1930s, as well as why staying silent isn’t an option.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/a-letter-to-the-american-church-interview-with-eric-metaxas-facts-matter-5605474
The STATE Church must be called out, and evacuated immediately; like comparing Noah's Ark to the TITANIC! To the Lifeboats!!!
Same. We even had "parking lot church" in our cars, with a "safety team" deployed to roam the lot and admonish parishioners who dared crack a window. We were gone before that absurdity came about. Not surprisingly, the pastor bailed after losing roughly 50% of the congregation--the week before Easter!
Sorry to hear that.
Now, you should in a better place! I hope.
But just remember this, God is immutable, the same goes with His Word, follow it very close to your heart, not by tradition, but by conviction, With your vast experience, I’m pretty sure you do!
Thank you, Ed. It was amazing how fast people turned into Nazi's! The groups I was part of bragged about their jabs and that all of them (since I resigned) were jabbed and not one wasn't! What a badge of honor and now all of them who had cancer in remission have it ten fold and new ones. And boy did they love the masks....so much so they had some made and embroidered with the our names on them!!!! I refused! I pray everyday and keep his word close!
Nothing new under the sun Joni. Look at the controlling political class that Jesus fought against daily in his short teaching career. Jesus had some very choice names for them, brood of vipers is one of my faves...
Yes, I agree. In these days, brood of vipers is very fitting!
I still have my mask that says ”Faith over Fear”🙄 given to me by a multply jabbed member of my small group. Smh.
Now that’s funny, totally backwards thinking on her part and she forgot about God’s great immunity!
🙋🏻♀️ us too. 🔥 It was a great move for us butt hurt. God is cleansing the Bride for the Coronation/Consummation 🙌
And he was trusting in false 'science,' at that.
Exactly!!!
PRIDE!...the Devils playground.
Not to mention POWER.......
nor FEAR... the fear that gummit might come along and whack you for not jugging to THEIR fiddle.
But GOD's command is "DO NO forsake the gathering of yourselves together...... and siting in a parked car,m windows up tught, is NOT "gathering". Nor is staring at the zoom screen in your own living room at home, all by yourself.
I've got a LOT of disagreements with John Mac Arthur, but now i have a tremendous amount of respect for the man, because HE STOOD FIRM against the City of Los Angeles by refusing to close his church when so "ordered". then the city coerced the bank nearby which had, for decades, allowed them to use their car park on SUndays for attendees, so the bank shut it down NOW where they gonna [ark? Well, whaddya know the Jewish Temple round the cornder approached him and said "we're aenever here Sundays, you and your folks go ahead and park in OUR lot.
God bless you!
Thank you and you as well!
Can you imagine your pastor wearing a mask as he preaches about the freedom Jesus brings to your soul?
Disillusionment. Dismay. Despair. Double crossed.
That's how I felt about The Church during the plandemic.
The Fallen Church finally exposed. And to think it took the Scam/Plandemic to accomplish this feat. But at what appalling cost? And who knows because we haven't yet begun to pay the freight on now unstoppable impacts. At any rate, you said it very succinctly. It hit me like it hits you.
We have some kind of dumb church next door. It was chilling to see the place shuttered down week after week. And so, what you say resonates. And my best to you. And enjoy life as much as you can.
Likewise!
🎯
Ryan G - Us too. We still haven’t found one to go back to. We watch one online in a different state, that we wish was here so we could attend. We refuse to go to one that was derelict in their role as a church and derelict in their role as Jesus followers. If they exposed themselves as fear over faith we refuse to go there. It’s sad we can’t find one nearby.
You need to find a church. Surely there is one somewhere... We can't be a community of believers without standing with each other in worship.
We’ve visited many in our area. I know there has to be at least one. We just haven’t found it yet. It gets tiring to keep going to new ones and walk away disappointed. So we’ve taken a break from the search for now. We also have a special needs adult child so it makes things more difficult in the search as well.
In the meantime, you may enjoy The Shepherd’s Chapel online and on several times a
day on some Christian stations —TV.
I was up with our newborn on the wee hours, too exhausted to get up and change the channel. He looked like a grumpy old
man i’m a bad suit but he proceeded to answer an age old question I’d had, WHY no gays in the
military. He then backed up his answer with nothing but scripture, displaying it right there on screen. It got my attention in a big way. I’ve been watching ever since! That was almost 33 years ago and his knowledge of the WORD has changed my Christian life.
Pray abt it and give him a couple of tries.
Singing to the Lord hiding the face and smile He gifted us with. There is a woman I used to work with who still wears a mask everywhere. I haven’t seen her entire face in 4 years behind her plexi fortifications. She’s young.
Trying to attend Church services with people hiding behind masks made me physically ill. I finally found a Church that shunned the masks.
I bet you almost thought that you had found Paradise!
It was an overwhelming peace of mind and spirit.
Good! This is what we need. Not some parasitical criminal state cannibalizing us, forever eating away at our flesh.
I know a young man about 21 who continues to wear his superhero themed mask as a fashion statement. On rare occasion, I see him without the mask (it is usually when he is eating), and I am always surprised to see his whole face. He is a good looking young man. Much better looking without the mask. I worry about him. Have told him about the health issues of continual oxygen restriction and bacteria etc on the mask (which I doubt he cleans on a daily basis). But he loves his mask. I think at this point it is part of his identity and an emotional crutch of some sort.
Cotton dust causes brown lung disease. This has been known since the early textile age. Brown lung disease is like asbestosis, a silent killer over about 20 years and then a distinct crippling disease.
There are no studies on the other various synthetic materials used in masks. What do those particles do once inhaled into the lungs? No one knows. Yet.
Many cloth dyes are lung carcinogens. Again, the toxic inhalations occur over time only to end in a catastrophic medical event years down the road.
Was horrifying to see so many children forced to wear cloth masks with cartoons printed on them. And still sad to see how many people of all ages cling to a face rag to save them from a virus that is 1/40th the diameter of a human hair. I’m certain the young man you mentioned could pluck a hair and likely pierce the mask he wears. The virus is 40 times smaller. So.
more like four THOUSAND times smaller.
that virus runs from about point zero two eight MICRONS up to about point zero five six microns. The grit that sashays easily through the N95 mask is around fifty to a hundred microns. Four decimal places larger. And I cannot poke a human hair through an N 95 mask, but it is easy to do that with the silly pleated blue glorified kleenex thing most commonly worn.
And studies HAVE been done concerning the particles sloughed off those wretched things.. largish spicules of hard plastics, for one small item... that do NOT break down.
like a blanky or teddy bear?
Good possibility
Lol ! I'm still laughing!
tell him if he likes the thing so much wear it as a headband.
I wonder how many folks have evr read tthe mandatatory protocol for operating room personellregarding the use and wearing of those masks in the surgical heatre. I read them, and was astounded. VEY precise and paricular. But I never saw this published in any health department releases, nor in any newspaper. It would have ex[osed the fundamental lies regarding these worse than useless things.
I kniw from using the N95 masks to protect my lungs etc when doing car body work, woodwork, sanding, grinding, painting, etc. After wenty minutes of griding body filler and sanding to prep for painting I had to stop, take it off, scrub the grit off my face ( a thick layer of whatever colour I was working with, covering the area UNDER the mask on my skin... I could feel the grit on my teeth, blew out out of my nose in copious quantities, etc. When I read how tiny that silly virus is I KNEW it was a few thousand times smaller than the paint and sand particles mu mask could NOT filter out.. and so what's the point of the mug nappie beyond blind submission to some gummit poohbah who knows less than a tenth what I know about such things.... he has NO background in medicine, science, practical work experience..... only to do what he is ordered to do to keep his paycheck coming every two weeks. Hirelings are NEVER out for the good of their employer OR victims.
and rubber gloves and pre-packaged "sacrament" what an abomination
just makes me sick
@BasedFloridaMan, your comment is so ironic, yet paints a picture many of us saw at church during c19. Sad how many pastors donned masks and stated rules soaked in fear. Faith is the only thing that can overcome fear. And as pastors their livelihood, their purpose is to spread faith, not fear.
While our church followed the local authorities, being a sacramental church, we never stopped administering the Eucharist! And mind you, we share the same communion spoon. Some did not partake out of fear, others did. It was their faith call.
Priests and deacons were never masked.
This is how I feel when I’m sitting in our Bible Study and there are stupid women with masks on, extolling the virtues of Jesus and how much they “trust” God. It’s all I can do to not just walk out.
I could have taken pictures of several!!
Florida Man! You might like some of these. They are mostly very short articles.
https://ironink.org/2013/06/the-contemporary-western-chruchs-handling-of-gods-love/
https://ironink.org/2022/09/does-god-only-love-love-always-hate-hate/
https://ironink.org/2022/07/loving-your-enemy-while-hating-gods-enemies/
https://faithandheritage.com/2014/05/biblical-love-and-hatred-harmonized/
Unfortunately, yes.
Ive tried to go back to my Methodist church twice and I just can’t get over how it behaved. What did they get back in caving and sin? Around 20 sitting in the pews. (Had a 2,000 membership at one time.) Older people like me. No younger families. About 5 children in Sunday school, most of them just get dropped off by parents while they go to breakfast. No choir. No outreach. I just can’t do it. I can’t forgive. Lukewarm church as Jesus warns. The other churches in town are the same. I’m looking. It’s a smallish town.
In the meantime, maybe you could get the @real life network” app. Jack Hibbs is a marvelous pastor. Maybe you can start a home church watching his services and eventually bring in a pastor. Praying for God to give you wisdom regarding a church for you and others like you.
Jack Hibbs did part 1 of a 2 part sermon yesterday. It's about Israel and what the Bible says about it and how it correlates with what's happening worldwide. Very, very good sermon. Next Sunday is part 2 and I'm looking forward to it.
Also, you don't necessarily need the app. His services can also be found on fb, X, and I believe on other social media sites. The sermon can also be seen on Fox Business channel for those who have that particular TV channel.
I watch him on YouTube. He is a wonderful pastor and speaker.
I think I've found the link, and will watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/user/RealLifeJackHibbs
What the bible says about Israel is that He sent the Roman government and armies to utterly destroy Isreal and that land ti end her spiritual debauchery that had been ongoing for a long time. The political entity commonly referred to as Israel has no real connexion nor relationship to the Israel of the First Century AD. This is clearly laid out inJohn's Revelation, and borne out by the secular history of that era, which had no axe to grind nor point to prove.. only recording what happened as they watched.
Josephus, known and trusted Jewish historian, wrote a five volume history called "The Jewish Wars", volumes 2, 3, 4 are relevant. Good english translations are avaiable online for no cost. A guy named Tertullian was embedded with the army Vespasian was ordered to deploy to Israal by Nero in 66 AD, spring, to bring those rowdy Jews under control. Every Roman army had their "scribe" to record what went on.
Just as Jphn's Revelation predicted, every detail of it actually happened in real tme history as reccorded concurrently.
I've heard Jack Hibbs a few times.. won't listen any kore, as he also fails to comprehend that, just as Jesus Himself predicted clearly, "all these things will come to pass before THIS PRESENT GENERATION passes away." The "all these things" he clearly meant were the things He spoke about in what is known as the Olivet Discourse", as described to the Twelve umedately folloing His prediction of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.. ot oine stone left upin another. That mdae a bunch of folks mad.. and yet we all acceot that IT happened... which is (very tellingly) jot recorded in the bible. WHY? Because the canon was closed prior to the year AD 70, thus the Temple was destroyed after it was closed, so thus jot mentioned in scripture. We take secular reports that the Temple WAS indeed destroyed.. why not all the other details tat started to unfold well before Rome came to do what God had sent them to do... destroy the Temple AND the nation.? And I am thus left with only two viable possibilities.. either He spoke truly and it all DID happen (which recorded history bears out) or He is a liar. The second option is ot acceptible thus leaving me with the first.
Tio...Do not be discouraged by the disagreement from others. You are more correct than most people will ever know in this life. Pastor Chuck Baldwin in Montana is a great resource on this subject for any reader wishing to investigate this further. God bless you and your house.
You realize Herod’s temple was not the first to be destroyed utterly. God evicted His people more than once.
Yours is one interpretation. There are Bible scholars who interpret differently. And the prophets of the Old Testament made prophecies about the Jewish people coming again to the holy land from the four corners of the earth, where God had scattered them.
Zechariah says Jesus will set foot on the Mount of Olives, when He returns.
You may not know all you think you know.
Technically it is "one interpretation", but it is by far the strongest one in regard to those passages. It's extremely clear that God allowed a time of patience for Jews to accept their Messiah (as Moses told them to), but eventually judged all those who refused. As long as they remain in rebellion against the savior who was prophesied for them, they will continue to be rejected.
However, I would remind anyone who accepts this view (as I do) that God doesn't change; even today, any rabbinic religious Jews who recognize their messiah and repent from rejecting him, will be forgiven and welcomed. We should follow Paul's example to pray that Israel might turn and be saved. (Israel, as in the descendants of Israel, not the political state... though if the political state of Israel were to become overtly Christian/Messianic then I would also see that as a good thing!)
It’s the strongest in your opinion. I believe your camp largely ignores the Old Testament prophets. God made promises to Israel. The apostle Paul said, “For the gifts and call of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29.
Read Romans 11. Section 11:1-10 says Israel’s rejection is not final.
Section 11:11-24 speaks of the salvation of the Gentiles and ends with this message for Gentiles; vs.22-24;
22“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you have been cut from which is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Vs. 25-36 say Israel will be saved. Vs. 25….a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, the deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27 and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Vs 28 As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they may also receive mercy. For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Vs 33 (I hear angel wings and get chills every time) O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
35. Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
36 (angel’s wings and chills again) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
I ask myself, Why is Jesus Jewish? Why is his second coming prophesied to take place on the Mount of Olives.
Israel is a physical place that is very near and dear to the heart of God. Of this, I have no doubt.
Be sure you’re on the right side of this war. Your attitude towards Israel is of the utmost importance for your soul.
You say that, and yet it seems like you then ignore Jeremiah (ch. 18): "Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it."
And modern-day non-messianic Jews are unquestionably still "not obeying", as long as they reject the Messiah.
Also bear in mind that Paul's writing in Romans takes place before the judgement of Jerusalem, and indeed at that point God was still waiting in mercy for Israel to repent before he finally carried out that judgement. (And I'll point out again that God of course still wants any rebellious Jews to repent and accept Christ; nobody is beyond redemption. But any kind of prophecy of good things for Israel - even assuming it isn't something already fulfilled - will clearly not take place as long as they remain in rebellion against Christ.)
I ignore nothing.
Please watch this! Blessing and cursing is connected.
Exact Promise of the coming of the Messiah
Jonathan Kahn
The timing of the nation of Israel
https://youtu.be/Q8gjGLaKsBM?si=rvgT7_zW-H7Xj9uA
Zechariah 12
Verse 2. Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the peoples round about; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem. 3 On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will come together against it. 4 On that day, says the Lord, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But upon the house of Judah I will open my eyes, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the Loed of Hosts, their God.’
Verse 9. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Mourning for the pierced one.
Verse 10. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of compassion and supplication, so that, when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born.
Chapter 13
The Wounded Prophet
Chapter 14
The Day of the Lord is Coming
Vs 4. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two…
Vs 5…Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Vs 9. And the Lord will become king over all the earth; …
The Apostle Paul—-Jews belong to God
Romans 3:27-31
“What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out.
On what principle, that of works?
No, rather on the principle of faith.
For we consider that a person is justified by faith
apart from works of the law.
***Does God belong to Jews alone?****
Does he not belong to Gentiles, too?
Yes, also to Gentiles, for God is one
and ***will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith***
and the uncircumcised through faith.”
Why do you say God has rejected Jews?
Jack Hibbs message yesterday (“Epicenter: Israel”) was fantastic.
Thank you. I find online unsatisfying. Maybe that’s just me right now. Our northern Illinois town is nearly 75% Hispanic now and they have their own churches. I’m praying too.
I have always felt the same way but I've been watching/listening to Jack Hibbs sermons the last month or so and I've gotten so much out of them. Sometimes I place my phone on the window sill while doing dishes or while cooking.
I know it doesn't replace Sunday worship service but it's a great addition for days in between.
I am watching right now! These comments inspired me, and YES its VERY good - must watch. https://www.youtube.com/user/RealLifeJackHibbs
Will they let you attend? Are their services only in Spanish? Can you ask them if they will start a Spanish as a second language class? You could just try learning Spanish by immersion ( that’s how all the 19th and early 20th century European immigrants learned English). Perhaps someone would be willing to translate the sermon.
It may seem like I am being snarky, but I am not. I have done short term missions in immigrant communities in the US, and abroad and have attended Nepali, Twi (in Ghana), Aramaic (in Iraqi Kurdistan), Spanish, Portuguese services. We currently teach English as a second language in our church (all légala as far as I know, but we don’t check—render unto Caesar, etc.)
It would be a tremendously welcoming thing to do, and they might even see it as an evangelistic opportunity. I am quite sure that their theology, beliefs and practices are more orthodox and Spirit filled & driven than 75–90% of the churches in your area.
I’m still half hearted looking. In upstate New York, I found one but it was all former Wiccan ladies and I think they were still doing reiki, not true laying on of hands. I never went back there. & My favorite Methodist church in Florida fell for the mask and jabs.
I found a wonderful, Bible based non woke Calvary Church in my area. Nondenominational Christian. Also check out some of the Creationist speakers/ teachers like Russ Miller & Mike Riddle. We’ve had both in our Church.
Encouraging to hear!
Excellent advice P Flournoy! Pastor Jack's teaching is awesome and he is a national leader. I remember him conveying the story after he was convicted over closing the sanctuary of planning to re-open in person no restriction church. Many 'big name' pastors contacted him asking please don't do that. The Holy spirit said open, who was he to disobey?
CCCH home churches are very active and you get to meet with other believers. 'Just like the good 'ol days'! I find the church app a little simpler to navigate for live services: https://calvarycch.org/ there is a pop-up link to the Real Life Network there if you rather. I watch the 8:00 am and the 10:30 am services, same message but I always hear something different. His mini series on Israel packs a mega punch, highly recommend!
We had the same experience with our 35 year membership to our first United Methodist church. Tried to meet with pastor to get over the hard feelings- they completely abandoned us when we took our mother in to get her out of hospice in the nursing home. (She lived an additional 5 months once released from solitary confinement). Found a nondenominational church and are growing to love it. Takes time. The wounds are DEEP!
Welcome home to the church as Jesus intended Susan In Kansas, my prayers are with you!
I understand your pain, Janet, and I wish you well in your search.
As a practicing Roman Catholic I was devastated when Pope Francis showed his true colors. But I also, thank the Good Lord that covid became a warning to believers that my Church was infiltrated by evil. God led me to Traditional Latin Mass parishes and devout Novus Ordo priests, worldwide, who are fighting the good fight against this corruption.
Neither a bad pope nor corrupted wolves in sheep’s clothing will make me leave the faith of my fathers. So I now am delighted to be a Traditional Latin Mass Catholic aligned with prelates who will not succumb to evil.
Ireland refused the globalist elite changes to their constitution, which replaced "family" and "motherhood" with rainbow cult speak. They found miraculous medals of Mary in with many of the ballots.
https://www.spiked-online.com/2024/03/17/ireland-and-the-terrible-truth-about-wokeness/#google_vignette
Beautiful!
That’s great! I’m not sure what our Catholic Church did during the great shutdown. There is a Greek Orthodox monastery outside of town. They encourage visitors but I don’t know yet if they do services. It was recommended by a poster on another substack. I may visit.
Wonderful. Let us know if you visit it.
I'm not Catholic, but I have been following Bishop Strickland's story. My maiden name was Strickland, so I'm claiming him as a relative!
What a great relative to have!!!
We had new members at our church ⛪️ ( WELS ) who were lifetime members of the United Methodist church. They were seeking truth from scripture and were very upset with homosexual pastors and the over all teachings of the Methodist church body . God is separating the Sheep 🐑 from the goats 🐐 The Holy Spirit is working in the hearts and minds of believers and it’s a Wonderful thing to see . ❤️🙏🏻✝️
God is working for sure. Some other power protected and led me away from the lies. a sermon I heard in 1988 hit me hard in 2021. The only thing I remember, indeed, from any sermon since 1988 was when the pastor told us that some of us may be led by God to “pull people out of the ruins”. I have thought of that often since then. I believe that time is coming. ❤️🙏🏻
Janet if you can look for a Calvary Chapel near you; they are wonderful, beautiful music and message and they are all packed and still growing. The old traditional churches are empty because everyone is at Calvary! we have 8 different locations for Calvary in driving distance because they are so busy, and they have even been asking for people to come Saturday night instead of Sunday because every seat is taken on Sundays. Online church is also a great way. It’s much easier than you think too to join an online service.
I was fortunate to be discipled in a Calvary Chapel early in my Christian walk. Their “distinctives” as Chuck Smith called them are first and foremost rooted in solid expository teaching from the Word of God, led by some of the most gifted pastors in generations. The Chuck Smith protégés — you are lucky if you can find one! — are now in the process of handing pastoral duties to the next generation of gifted and uncompromising teachers and leaders. I’ve never heard a watered-down Gospel preached in a Calvary anywhere. Be a Berean, and test everything, but I agree with Lyndsay that CC is a solid source of truth whether you’re “attending” online or in person.
Thank you. Many churches have the name Calvary in it. How do I know the difference? Like would Calvary Community be that? It’s 35 minutes away. Is “Chapel “ specific? Is it denominational?
Janet, I believe Calvary Chapel is the key in the name to the original organization built under the late Chuck Smith. Jack Hibbs' church (which started in a friends home as a Bible study) is called Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. So simply replace Chino Hills with your local community and see what you come up with. As a rule CC's are Bible teaching churches, not big on formalities or ritual and generally relaxed in attire. The worship music can vary and is usually contemporary in nature, though that can vary on local talent. You probably won't hear an organ anytime soon. I would like to hear some of the old time hymns personally, such a strong message from the olde artists. I'll give you one more source to research, His Channel https://hischannel.com/ Pastor Chuck Smith helped the founder of His Channel, Dennis Swick, move from radio to television a long time ago. His Channel carries an archive of Chuck Smith sermons. Look under the movies and documentary section to watch the biography of Calvary Chapel, it's quite interesting.
Hi Janet: here is the link and you can put in your zip code. it will try first to give you an exact Calvary Chapel, but if not, it will recommend others. this is the official website.
https://calvarychapel.com/church-locator/
What a nice picture. I'm definitely in the I Like Dogs club.
Thank you. Wheaton Terrier!
Ours too. Never once did anyone call us during the shut down. The "reopen" was tentative and outdoors (Michigan). Wear your masks and sit far apart. I finally sent an email to our pastor in 2023 along with a wonderful talk between some pastors regarding the failure of faith during the pandemic. He didn't listen to it and instead doubled down on how appropriately they behaved to be "safe". I won't go back. If our rotten governor ever issues another lockdown, I know they will eagerly comply.
I can almost go along with the 'better be safe than sorry' stuff excepting that a pastor should have looked into the initial claims regarding C19 madness using mortality figures. Had they done that red flags would have started sprouting all over the place.
The problem is that pastors these days are not well educated ... not in general, and specifically not well educated by the seminaries. The situation is appalling. We, of course, had no idea how bad things were in the American churches back in 2009/2010 until we began reading classical theologians, Reformation era confessions of faith, and material like Matthew Henry and the Geneva notes.
I am proud to say that these days my wife (God bless her) knows more about Christianity than ninety or more percent of the pastorate in the country. God gave me a very smart wife. For this I am grateful.
Same with my rotten governor. Illinois. Everybody was all jabbed up by September 2021 (except me, I’m sure) but still masks were ordered on again. That’s when I left. Plus the church district poached our well liked young pastor during the shutdown and we had a new not even ordained in our denomination guy right after we opened. I considered that a heinous betrayal after the stress of lockdowns. Methodist so there are lots of baked in issues right now.
So much Jumbo Pritzker did during those years still makes me seethe. He loved that power—soaked it up for all he was worth. He may be rich but he still has to look himself in the eye every morning knowing full well what he is.
I got 2 phone calls the entire time 1 from the pastor (the new one they put in place during the shutdown after poaching our well liked one) and one from a parishioner. I was an active member.
12 of us TOTAL sitting in Episcopal pews the last Sunday when the Bishop(?) in Denver shut down ALL in-person services...not even the balls to go to 10 person services! I saw the collapse of community and was within an inch of doing free coffee pushcart and prayer needs at the empty high school parking lot (TOO BUSY with my essential/critical business--and not a type A). Should've stepped up as NO ONE ELSE DID!
That’s 2 calls more than I got.
It was so weird. Some I did see regularly out and around but very few. That late winter of jabs I sat around a CAMPFIRE in the snow with my Bible sermon women’s group. I still attended that but our church was still closed. They were getting jabs but one wore 2 masks outside. The others just 1 🤣🤣🤣🤣. I told them I won’t wear masks outside and I was “waiting to see what happened” about the jabs and was very clear I wasn’t going to be a “lab rat”. Still, absolutely no one has ever asked me WHY I didn’t get them. A couple still sent me outrageous crap about jab immunity was so much better than natural immunity. Or pulled the “Christian thing to do”. Didn’t I care if I infected anyone? Later in the year these same fully jabbed went to a party and infected each other or created a testing opportunity. I stayed home because my throat felt a bit scratchy.
My wife and I were appalled at the church's COVID response and stopped attending. They kowtowed to all the COVID rules and even jumped on the BLM race apology bandwagon. My independent men's Bible study group was also on board with the COVID hoax and I left that, too. A few weeks ago I finally got back to attending a local church. Great music (traditional hymns) with loud congregational participation and good gospel presentation. Yet some habits seem to be lingering from COVID. Offerings are deposited in collection boxes and once-monthly communion is offered only at a dedicated evening service. That latter mat not be COVID related and I intend to inquire about it. Regardless, it feels good to get back to communal worship. We do have to bolster the right-thinking physical organized church, even uf not perfect. They need us
What gets me about The Church is:
THIS WAS THE EASIEST CALL ALL TIME!
When I find one I will go.
We changed churches in 2021, some reasons for covid response and other reasons for direction of UMC. Now in a Jesus loving church, that teaches His Word.
We were blessed with a message yesterday from a missionary we support.
We need to grow in His commands and promises, we're given examples from around the community which is great. However, most need to understand the power of God and the healing that He has provided through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to get away from the litany of sickness and tragedy. So, 2 Corinthians 5:9, Wherefore we labour, that...we may be adopted of Him.
May It be so, in Jesus' name. Amen
There's no forgiveness if there's no wanting to be forgiven. The gift is ready to be delivered but the recipient despises it.
Yeah. Same. Despicable imo
Forgive.. you MUST. then move on. Don't hold bittterness. It will only poison you when you find the next one. Leave them to wallow in THEIR vomit. don't participate.
Janet, we have entered into a new age of worship, and the sheep are being separated from the goats. The internet is your ally right now, if you can follow and comment here you have the wherewithal to watch Jack Hibbs on line! If you have a problem reach out and I or someone more qualified will help you out. I posted links in reply to P Flournoy to get you started, you can do this, 'see' you in church soon!
Find a reformed Presbyterian..
Or reformed Baptist or non-denominational. Of course, you need to examine them carefully. Plenty of churches are calling themselves reformed who are not.
https://upci.org/
https://upci.org/
From PCUSA website:
https://www.pcusa.org/news/2021/9/27/vaccination-and-faithfulness-time-pandemic/
I read this a few years ago, didn't then know about the Federal handouts to churches, a payment for getting the job done. And Presby still have this on their website.
Your comment causes me to wonder just how many members of their congregations have the Presby. ministers consigned to death or to a living hell?
2 Timothy 1:7.
Nuff said. The only verse they needed to follow...ya know one of Jesus most important and profound messages...
“Federal handouts to churches”?!?!
I’ve missed that! Please source this for me. Important information to have in my file.
Thank you!
Yes, and the Gvt WAS preparing in 2005-09 for these actions, the fact that no one saw it coming is B.S., we didn't WANT to see the pre-planning and certainly it was ALL only for our own good!
@SusanMc I knew the churches received PPP “loans” and I have either read or just “heard” that there were strings attached (of course 🙄) about staying closed, etc. Supposedly, it was just to keep staff and teachers paid, but I’m sure those strings were held tightly in the fine print. Here’s one article I found from the MSM:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/catholic-churches-paycheck-protection-program-12000-applied-9000-got/
I didn't know this. But why am I not surprised?
These are people devoid of the knowledge of scripture that only the Holy Spirit can give. They have read the description of the construction of the Old Testament tabernacle, that it was to be skillfully made, exactly after the pattern that was given to them by God. They have also read that when details were not obeyed, as in the use of unauthorized incense, or "strange fire," the result was death. They have read in the New Testament that we are living tabernacles. And despite all this, they take it upon themselves to encourage their congregations to meddle with God's handiwork, the work of the most skilled craftsman.
They are always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the Truth.
Excellent!
bullseye
And this barely scratches the surface.
Exactly
PCUSA on the way down for awhile.
UMC too. The split to United or Global Methodist was devastating.
Our local PC USA was so in lock step they were one of the last churches to open. Thankful we departed that church in early 2000.
Locally our Lutheran ELCA was LAST to open, i told the pastor that was his call as who knows better just how very old and sickly most of his congregants are than he? One upside is ZOOM services for the true shut-ins; praise God that is a true blessing to come from this devious plot against Christ-followers and ALL humanity.
What? The pastor knows best? Not when he shut his church..... When we attended an event at the PCUSA at Christmas time in 2022 (an event that was forever before then FULL) there were 35 of us in the congregation... There were a dozen college choir members, all masked and sitting 8' apart in a choir loft that holds 100... Their voices drowned out by the piped in vocals of yesteryear, that only few knew about. The fear exhibited in that large church was palpable. The pastor spoke through his N-95 double mask. Yep, I'm sure he was a scholar on how healthy his congregation was...🙄🙄🙄 Church on ZOOM is not a church of faithful believers.
‘Vaccines’ are meant to trick our God given immune systems. Revelation 18:23 https://www.pathwaytopeace.net/index.php/blogs-and-articles/pharmakeia-deception
LS, thank you for the link. What I have read so far is very interesting. I will make the time to finish reading it. Saving for reference :)
Our PCA church in Overland Park, KS never stopped meeting in person, although it was outside in the parking lot for months, they moved inside as soon as the local government “allowed” it (without enforcing mask mandates) and claim they will never comply with lockdowns again.
Kansas City!
That's a positive at your church imo. Everyone makes mistakes. The first step is acknowledgement
Ugh. I tried to find anyone's email from PCUSA website to share some current science with them. Not even gonna try to engage on the theological issues as the whole PCUSA is a lost cause. Very sadly spoken as a former PCUSA member (but not for the last 30 or so years.)
I remember our pastor wearing a mask—taking it down to preach, then putting it back on when he sat down. It was such nonsense. Then telling everyone that we wouldn’t be singing for a while. You know, because it forcefully causes germs to travel at a faster speed…🙄 I’ll never forget the idiocy at walking in and having someone meet me with hand sanitizer as if it was ‘permission’ to get in the door. Pews roped off to keep 6ft distance, people suspiciously looking around, masks —and gloves on for some people. INSANE. The straw that broke it for me was when they sent an email to people who had taught Sunday School for years, that if you were unjabbed you could no longer work with children. After 10 years of volunteering with children, I stopped and haven’t ever returned to it. No one ever apologized, and they likely never will because they’d have to admit how utterly wrong they were. Many people will never admit it, even though a good majority of them must know. We left for 3 years and returned about 6 months ago. It still isn’t the same. The sermons are biblical and there’s no wokeness or twisting of scripture, but I think my church caved to the fear. They bought it hook, line and sinker. I don’t go every Sunday. Some days, I just don’t want to. I wish my church and the people in it would have been strong and looked to God for guidance and not the corrupt and criminal CDC. Now, many members of my church have passed away, have cancer or some kind of life changing illness. I wonder if they ever connect the dots. If they do, they won’t say.
For me...when I heard it was global, I knew it was spiritual and we were fighting a battle that was not of flesh and blood. And, now, as I look around, I wonder where the men of God are? Where are the bold and fearless? I have been bold and fearless for the last 4 years...and not of my own doing either. I know who my Father is. Yes, why now? Why me? Why us? I have had many talks with myself..."Stay strong, you are a daughter of The King". There is a hierarchy in God's kingdom for a reason. But I refuse to back down, even if there is no bold male to stand in the gap. I would rather be drawn into the arms of the Lord with the words "Well done, my good and faithful servant" than have any human say "Good job! Thanks for going along with us because we told you we know what is best for you." Does that make any sense?
They did not know better.
Few did. Some holy monastics and bishops overseas ( Godless EU) which I follow did know better, and were disciplined for it by the law!
Jails should've been filled with pastors, priests, deacons...but the Prideful Compromised State Church leaders would've heaped hate upon them all for their anti-science, anti-gospel, rebellion against our Caesars and Governors.
Cleanse Thy Church oh Lord!
I attended a Catholic funeral as restrictions were relaxed. The pews were still segregated with taped X’s for the seats to be left empty. That 6’ stuff was all BS. Pulled out of Fauci’s, um, “you know, the thing.” 😄
So tragic!
We tried that with our pastor and church counsel…wrote emails, met with them but to no avail. We were a flock without a true leader and then to top it all off our church held a vaccine clinic! On that note…we left, actually we fled! I pray that one day they will repent but I fear that they feel justified because they obeyed our government. It appears that today’s church put government over God….God help us!
Your church may have received money for hosting the vaccine clinic.
We did wonder about that?
Regarding vaccines. They did not know better. I was quite annoyed at times, but never angry, as long as I wasn't forced.
SHOULD have known better Anyine with half a lick of sense should have figured out that a new unproven technlogy (mRNA) that had never been used as a "vaccine", and was rushed thorugh "approval" with NO real tirals then released on the public after only SIX months of "trials" (fake ones a that ) should not be trusted.
I remember it taking TEN YEARS to get the Salk polio vaccines cleared for use.
Yes, I agree, but they trusted the lies: "safe and effective" , remember? And they were made to be scared out of their wits.
I remain steadfast. I find them without excuse. It was NOT their job to weigh government edicts, nor make judgements on the accuracy or falsity of those edicts. Nope.
An HOW could these "men" stand quietly by and refust to OBEY ghe clar unambiguous WORD OF GOD that clearly cOMMANDS "forsake NOt the gathering together of yourselves". And fuher, preadh the Word, in season and out".
nd how bout tho=is little jewel: "He gave some apostles, prophets, evengelists, PASORS< TEACHERS for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry UNTIL WE ALL come into the fullness of the faith, full, complete, lacking nothing, equipped for every good work (from memory here, might be a tad off, but if you doubt go and find it yourself.. Ephesians 4, around ten and following, if memory serves)
It does NOT fall under the job description of pastors or teachers, and certainly not elders or bishops, to be giving instructions and/or setting policies relating to medical or health issues. NOT their bailiwick. ALL the ones of which I became aware did their pandering to the government for the safety of their own skin.
WHAT might have happened had ALL the pastors, elders, teachers, deacons, members etc, in every church naming the name of CHrist all across the land had stood firm and said "we will obey God rather than MEN, and He has COMMANDED us to NOT forsake the gathering of ourselves together. WE are determined o obey GOD rather than men. And if he gummi goon squads nip round and have us all into the lockup, there is strong precedent for the saints to sing and praise and pray IN the prison. The original Jail House Rock took place in a jail in Cesarea Philippi. It ended with the entire household of the Jailer and all the other guards, etc, being baptised the next morning.
When my little church decided to shut down (I believe out of fear of reprisal) I suggested we meet anyway, those who were willing. but no, we can just use Zoom (which despise to this day) I had my own key, but realised I'd be the only one showing up. No point to that.
I have since connected with a arger group that did NOT shut down.. a vibrant alive bunch, many fourth generation families. Nearly all declare they would JOT stop meeting bcause of soe government edic. If they'd arrest the teaching pastor, we have a number of others who can handle the Word well. Nothing wrong with getting some of the young chaps started teaching, either
I get what you’re saying but since when is a church scared out of their wits and actually doing medical treatments? That’s not their role in society!
Great rejoinder!! It’s extremely important (in my honest opinion) to come to the realized conclusion that our governments and states are pathocracies. They are led by psychopaths or sociopaths or malignant narcissists. In addition to these political institutions and establishments, so are financial and religious-ecclesiastical institutions and establishments. Psychopaths and sociopaths and malignant narcissists are attracted to the power and the status of leading these organizations.
“All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. - Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV (decto)” — “Chapterhouse: Dune” by Frank Herbert
Directly under this article/conversation is a 2021 post by Mr. Childers, but a timeless classic nevertheless: https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/what-the-church-needs-to-know-about-covid-19-2307dc2a111c?r=mz98w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
".....most church leaders should repent for their utter dereliction of duty to their congregation during the c19 abomination."
Agreed.
As a side note, Pastor Gary Hamrick has stood strong as a pastor against these ungodly issues. At the beginning of his teaching on 17Mar24, he addresses the signing, INTO LAW, of same sex marriage by the conservative Governor Youngkin. It's not yet posted on the website, CornerstoneChapel.net, but he provides a SUPERB commentary on the issue and is well worth checking the site soon to hear it.....along with the teaching, of course.
I tried joining a local church last year after many, many years without. Discovered that they are cashless in their fund-raising merchandise store, and push technology at every angle. Your supposed to "Text a number if you've accepted Jesus."
I've already left. I'm a much better person, spiritually and otherwise, when I stay home and do introspection/bible study on my own...
geez Louise. The Church is rudderless....but Jesus warned about this multiple times.
The minister stumps for amazon.com in many sermons. I finally put a hand-written note in with one of my donation checks, asking why this was so? Did he understand the centralization of power taking place, to the detriment of the Church? I included my phone number with my note.
They cashed the check the next day. And i never heard form them on my question ....
I did this in both KC and STL, where my two main offices are, to see if I can get a response. None but they accepted the donation.
I only had one pastor call me out of several dozen. He was legit and fighting the good fight.
AMEN, Ryan--I just was given a similar message and shared it to my fellow C & C "army buds" today.
Good on you. The Church needs to take some responsibility as well as a majority of "Christians".
Jesus would've kicked over the tables.
How can they not see that?
Just baffling.
Blinded by the darkness of Lucifer, Ryan!!
First they wore mask. Then blindfolds.
Then they were gagged with them...
Beautiful metaphoric description of the human "slavery" that sinfulness and disbelief in our Sovereign Creator God invokes on ALL humanity!
My church Cornerstone Chapel has stayed true to Biblical principles and our Pastor Gary Hamrick has never wavered once! I watch him online and he is fantastic! A true Biblical Conservative who is courageous and principled! https://cornerstonechapel.net
you are blessed. STAY STRONG!
You too Ryan! ✝️💜💪🏻
That's one of my bestest favorite-est. Thanks. That and (1 John 18) "perfect love casteth out fear".
St. Paul in Romans:
"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things."
My Favorite ...Be Still and Know that I am GOD Psalm 46:10 ✝️🙏🏻🌎🪐⭐️☀️🌖
Thank you, Political Phil. Romans is my best-loved book of the epistles.
Jesus of Mercy, I trust in You.
Whatever God wants Christ strengthens us for. Much of it means persecution.
Read 1John 5:19.
-21 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children, guard yourselves from idols.
And nothing of any use without Him.