The Great Separation

This Week's Scripture: John 16:33.

Stand in it. - Christ never promised those that believe in Him that life in this world would be easy. Instead He warns us that making a choice for Him will bring difficulty, possibly tribulation, and even death. In fact, the more wicked the world is around us, the more those who claim the name of Jesus will face persecution.

Why does Christ warn us of this fact? So that we will not be surprised when it happens. Instead we will know that Christ is being recognized by the world in us.

And we should rejoice:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16: 33 (AV))."

In the midst of these trials we find peace when we recognize that it is Christ in us that the world sees.

"Be of good cheer," the Master says with a smile upon his lips, "I have overcome the world!"

What joy! What wonder! What a mystery revealed in the Son of God.

He has overcome the world; the hate, the sin, the loneliness, the fear, the doubt, so that He can abide in us.

So that we can join with Him in the real life to come.

A Pair of Slippers I Could Use.

Lighting the way... - I was checking out some oddity news sources and hit this one at Ananova™ about an inventor who put headlights on slippers.

The slippers, created by American inventor Doug Vick, have powerful torches in the toes.

The 20-25ft beam of light only comes on in the dark when a foot is placed inside the slipper reports the Daily Express.

Why didn't I think of it first?

Teens Make Up Sex Charge of Teacher's Aide.

Crying Wolf. - This is a terribly sad story out of my state. In some ways it is an example of the kind of damage wrought in a sexualized culture. Lives are very easily tainted and even destroyed.

The gist of the story is this: Teenage girl thinks it's funny to douse a fellow student with soda from the second story window at her high school.

A teacher's aide witnesses the incident and the girl gets detention.

To punish the teacher's assistant, the teen girl and her friends make the false claim that the he sexually touched her.

The father of the teen, believing his daughter, goes to the school and assaults the teacher's aide.

The father gets arrested and charged with "felony battery." A local radio station, wrongly believing the teen, calls her dad, "Father of the Year."

Police, continuing their investigation, uncover the fact that the girls made the story up. One of the girls admits to this fact.

Now lives are hurt and sullied for years to come.

I'm It?! What if I Don't Want to be It?

I've got the cooties! - Well I was tagged in on of those blog meme things. I usually ignore them. But hey, it comes from one of my favorite bloggers, Bryan over at The Narrow, so I'll bite.

Four Jobs I have Had in My Life:
Christmas Tree Salesman. Computer Geek. Software Store Assistant Manager (Malls are Hell). Self-employed Wannabe Author.

Four Movies I Could Watch Over and Over, and Have:
The Princes Bride (aahh...). Arsenic and Old Lace (what a hoot!). North by Northwest (Suspense and Romance at it's best). Ghost Busters I & II (fantasy's great, but it's just fantasy).

Four Places I Have Lived:
St. Petersburg, FL. Why live anywhere else?

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch:
24, Matlock (I don't know why either), Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke Show (for Mary Tyler Moore of course).

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation:
Washington D.C., New Orleans, LA. Burnsville, NC. Clifton Forge, VA.

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
Drudge Report. The Narrow. WorldNetDaily. WeatherUnderground.

Four Favorite Foods:
My Home Made Habanero Soup. Chili and Rice. Sweet Cornbread in a tall glass of cold milk. Dove Dark Chocolate!

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
In the arms of a woman who loves me, where ever and whoever you are. Busch Gardens Tampa on Sheikra or Montu. On the porch of that little home in Burnsville, NC (in said arms would be a nice touch). At the feet of Christ; which really is better than all these other places.

Four People I Am Tagging With This Meme:
Job at Rocket Surgery (and the Wide Awake Weekly). Nykola. Julie Anne at Fidler On The Roof. Vicki at Windows to My Soul.

This Week's Scripture Verses: Matthew 7: 13-14.

Stand in it! - Well, looking at some of the comments I've received in reference to my stance on "End of the Spear," telling me to be "open minded" and such, I offer this scripture:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 AV)

Takes a lot of "backbone" to choose the narrow way.

The Great Separation continues.

I Will Not See the Movie 'End of the Spear.'

Taking a stand. - I was so psyched when I saw the movie preview for "End of the Spear."

Like so many fellow Christians, I couldn't wait to see the story of one of the most violent tribes the world has known come to redemption and love for Christ.

Now I know that it is little more than Satan's sly way of hoodwinking Christians into overlooking sin for the supposed purpose of proclaiming the Gospel.

It reminds me of the option Satan gave Christ in the desert:

“Again the devil took Him up on a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their splendor, and said to Him, "Every bit of this I will give to you, if you will fall on your knees and worship me."

Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For the Scripture Says, ‘You must worship the Lord your God, and serve Him alone.’"” (Matthew 4:8-10 WILLIAMS)

In essence Satan offered Christ what He came to earth for, the world. But it was at the expense of gaining it Satan's way.

Christ of course rebuked him.

Now we have a movie that is supposed to proclaim the redemptive power of the Gospel of Christ. Only the supposed Christian production company, Every Tribe Entertainment (ETE), chose a man who is an activist for the sin of homosexuality, to help bear that message.

The man I write of is Chad Allen, and he plays both Nate and Steve Saint in the upcoming movie. Chad is an activist for the sin of homosexuality and to promote his agenda, he is now using the platform that ETE gave him by casting him as an evangelical missionary in this film.

Apparently ETE is unfamiliar with the principle of 2 Corinthians 6:14:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

So what are we to do with that knowledge that this film and company actively partners with a man promoting sin?

Many, like Justin Taylor, say it's no big deal.

Justin pens:

Some have expressed shock and frustration that an openly gay man would be cast in an evangelical film.

But I have trouble seeing the big deal here. Film acting is a sophisticated form of make-believe. Good-looking people who talk and memorize well are paid lots of money to act out stories. In my mind, the main issue is whether they do a good job with the task.

Most of Hollywood is out of step with most of America.

The truth is that Hollywood will continue to be "out of step" with America if Christians continue to eat at the table where they know the meat before them was offered to idols.

The title of Justin's post is, "The End of the Spear: Is the Messenger the Message?"

The answer to that question is a hardy, "Yes!"

The missionaries to this tribe were the message of Christ!

We are ambassadors from Heaven. We are supposed to be the light of Christ to the world. We are the message, the redeemed of Christ.

As a Christian, would you accept a message from Satan, when he tells you the message is from God?

On deciding on whether or not to see this film because of the casting of Mr. Allen, Tim Challies writes:

This is an issue that must be decided by the individual - the choice is between the individual and God.

As much as I appreciate and like Tim, I think he is wrong. So too are any who claim this on-the-fence stance. We are called to be separate. Walking the fence is not being separate. We can find direction from God on such matters as this in His Word.

He is dead on when he writes:

As Christians we need to be careful who we select to represent us. It may be only a film, and Chad Allen may be nothing more than an actor playing a man of God, but the fact is that he now has a widened platform that he can use to share his beliefs - beliefs that just so happen to contradict Scripture.

Many say that if we are going to get Hollywood to produce films we as Christians want, than we need to let our wallets do the talking. The truth, however, is that shouldn't be our goal. Our goal should be to show Hollywood the redemptive power of Christ in how we live, with the hope that Hollywood would want to join us in renouncing sin and self and choosing the power of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Here's another thought.

The Holy Spirit gives us a principle to follow in 2 Corinthians 8 and 10 on the subject of food offered to idols.

All things are permissible for us, but not all things are beneficial. Particularly when a weaker persons sees us partaking in what we clearly know has been offered up to an idol.

When I didn't know about Allen's part in this film or that ETE chose him because they liked the article on him found in the homosexual magazine, Advocate, I would not have been guilty of seeing this film. But know that I know, I cannot partake in this film. A film, according to Jason Janz, where the Gospel message is watered down anyway. Not only may it be watered down, but it is yoked with sin.

How can I, a Christian man and leader in my body of believers, recommend such a film?

I can't. In recommending it I would be joining with the promotion of a sin. Instead I must decry it.

If you don't think that the movie will be used to promote the sin of homosexuality than just watch the movie plugs that Chad Allen will be doing over the next couple of weeks.

It looks like it started last night on the Larry King show in a discussion on the sin of homosexuality and same sex marriage.

Larry introduced Allen this way (emphasis added):

Here in Los Angeles, Chad Allen, the openly gay actor best known for his long-running role on "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman" and start [sp] of the movie "End of the Spear." It opens in theaters this Friday, it's a decidedly Christian movie.

The Great Separation continues.

Update: 2006-01-19.

I also recommend reading Bob Bixby's post, Every Tribe Entertainment’s Offense.

He starts off with:

Jason Janz was right to post his article, Nate Saint Played by Gay Activist in ‘End of the Spear.’ And the key word is “activist.”

I would like to offer up a simple biblical rationale that not only defends reports such as Janz’s, but settles in my mind the fact that Every Tribe Entertainment has sinned against the Body of Christ.

Worth reading:
Nate Saint Played by Gay Activist in "End of the Spear" | Jason Janz
Tim Challies: The End of the Spear - Further Thoughts
Tim Challies: Dr. Mohler on Larry King Live (Recap)
Justin Taylor - The End of the Spear: Is the Messenger the Message?

Is Anybody Out There Attending The Florida Christian Writers Conference?

Just wondering.... - I'm headed to this year's Florida Christian Writers Conference on March 2nd.

I'm wondering if any of the readers of The Great Separation are attending?

A novel will be in hand, along with several other items I'm sure.

This will be my first big and multiple day conference so it should be an adventure.

Three Christian Persecution Items.

They hate you because of me - The Iranian President is cracking down on Christians. And yet the Church in Iran survives and continues to grow.

Agape Press reports:

"Fortunately there's been no one put in prison at this point," [Sammy] Tippit says, "but there have been people arrested from just having been meeting together with other Christians in their homes." But the evangelist, whose Christian television program is aired in Iran via satellite, says the Church in Iran is growing as persecution increases.

The International Christian Concern reports that despite being beaten by militant Hindus in India, our Christian brothers and sisters have decided not to press charges against their attackers.

Here's a snippet from the report (be sure to read the full story):

By the time police came, most of the attackers had fled from the scene. The others were taken to the police station, where they alleged that David and his church members were forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity.

While David and other victims denied the allegation of conversion made by the perpetrators, they refused to lodge a complaint against them. They told the police that they had forgiven their attackers and that they did not want them to be punished or prosecuted.

ChinaAid.org is reporting that someone tried to assassinate a prominent Christian lawyer in China.

CAA learned that one of the most prominent Chinese rights lawyers, Mr. Gao Zhisheng, was almost killed in a blatant attempt by government security agents on January 17.

According to Mr. Gao’s report to CAA, at 10:24 PM, while driving on a highway near the Asia Sports Game Village, in northwest Beijing, a mysterious car (with its license plate covered by newspaper) suddenly stopped in front him. Mr. Gao was able to stop his car just inches from the car in front of him. When Mr. Gao exited his car and walked to the front of the mysterious car it began moving toward him and he had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over. As the car sped away from the scene he found that the newspaper covering the license plate on the back of that car had blown off so he was able to record the plate number which is JING EB8233. Moreover, according to Mr. Gao, who recently dedicated his life to Christ, throughout the whole “accident” ordeal, a military vehicle had been on the scene.

The Great Separation continues.

For further information on Christian persecution around the globe the Persecution Blog is a good source.

House Churches in Beijing and Jilin, China, Raided.

They hate you because of me - Here is a recent press release from ChinaAid.org, detailing a crack down by the Chinese government upon Christians brothers and sisters in Beijing and Jilin. There is also details of Christians in jail and those who have been released.

NEWS RELEASE [1/16/2006]
China Aid Association, Inc.
(267) 205-5210
Fax: (432) 686-8355
www.ChinaAid.org
Contact: Bob Fu
info@ChinaAid.org
(267) 205-5210

Photo: Four Policemen Raid Beijing Ark House Church in January 15, 2006

Midland, Texas (CAA, 12-27-2005)—CAA learned that a campaign to clamp down on house churches in Beijing has intensified since Christmas.

According to several eyewitness reports, on January 8 and 15, a well-known Beijing House Church was raided during their Sunday services by Beijing Public Security agents. Beijing Ark House Church, located at Room 1904, Building 111, Nanhu Xiyuan, Chaoyang District, was raided at 4:30 PM, January 15, by four PSB agents. The two uniformed policemen and two plain-clothed agents rushed into the rented apartment where believers were having Sunday worship. One PSB officer, Mr. Gao Xijun, (badge number 035250) declared that the church was disturbing the neighbors and another PSB policeman told the congregation that the gathering is an “illegal religious gathering place” because it’s not registered and quoted the new State Council Regulations on Religious Affairs. One plain-clothed PSB policeman started beating a member of the church when he noticed the PSB were being video taped.

According to Mr.Yu Jie, one of the founders of the church and a best-selling author and internationally-known commentator, their Sunday church service was raided last Sunday by 7 PSB agents. 20 to 30 believers have been worshipping there for two years. It’s a very well-known church because many of the members are prominent writers and lawyers. Among them are freelance writer, Mr. Bei Cun, Professor Jiao Guobiao of Beijing University, and human rights defense lawyers Mr. Li Baiguang and Mr. Gao Zhisheng. According to Mr. Yu, the owner of the rented apartment where the church meets, he can’t let the church continue to worship there any more because the “pressure (from the authority) is already very heavy.”

[click here to see Mr. Gao’s report about the raid]

CAA also learned, Beijing PSB raided several other house churches in Beijing. Right after Christmas, Pastor Jin Tianming, a pastor of at least 9 house churches in Haidian District, was detained and questioned at a police station for one night. Dozens of other leaders in his church were also questioned. Pastor Jin, a Korean minority and a Qinghua University graduate dedicated his life to Christian ministry in the beginning of the 1990’s. According to a reliable source, Pastor Jin’s church had been negotiating with the government to register his churches with the government, but the PSB denied Pastor Jin’s request to register his church with condition that they not join the government-sanctioned “Three-Self Patriotic Movement” (TSPM).

On January 4, 2006, a house church in Dayinjia Village, Mi Sha Zi Town, Dehui County, Changchun City, Jilin Province was raided where 40 believers were gathered. Five officials from the PSB and Religious Affairs office put up a government seal notice and declared that gathering as “illegal.” The raiding officials ordered the congregation to move to a TSPM church. The church Pastor Cui Guojun, 40, was released after a three hour interrogation in a local PSB office.

CAA learned the mother of jailed Pastor Cai Zhuohua was denied the right to meet with her son on January 9. The director of Qinghe Detention Center where Pastor Cai and his wife are jailed told Pastor Cai’s mother that the PSB made that decision because her son’s case was posted on the internet and Pastor Cai’s defense lawyers are all “counter revolutionaries.”

[Click here for the whole case about pastor Cai Zhuohua]

CAA learned the five detained church leaders in Ma Na Si County, Xinjiang Autonomous Region were released on January 8 under intensive international pressure. They were jailed at Ma Na Si County Detention Center because they were leading a Christmas celebration on December 25, 2005. According to an eyewitness report, Pastor Guo Xianyao (54), Ms. Lu Jianzhen (47), Ms. Wu Haifang (28), Ms. Wang Ximei (54), and Ms. Zhou Bin (50) were all in good spirits. However, despite many efforts by the church, none of the private property that was confiscated was returned. The confiscated items were one rented minivan, one Buick car, one piano, one video camera, 80 copies of the Bible, 230 new towels as well as two drivers’ licenses.

CAA is deeply concerned about the escalation of crackdowns against house churches before 2008 Beijing Olympics. “The Chinese house churches have their constitutional right to hold free religious worship,” said Rev. Bob Fu, president of CAA, “house churches like the Ark House Church chose purposely to worship openly without hiding because as Mr. Yu Jie said, “the church welcomes every sinner even President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao are welcomed to worship with them.”

CAA calls upon the international community to continue to pay attention to the escalating situation on religious persecution in China. CAA urges the Chinese government to sincerely comply with the international human rights covenants they signed to respect religious freedom for Chinese citizens.

People of faith should write to the Chinese authority to demand their release.
Phone and Fax of your protest can be sent to the following numbers:

Director General of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau Mr. Ma Zhenchuan
Address: No.9, Dongdajie, Qianmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing (zip code: 100740)
Telephone number: +86-10-84020101

Mr. Wang Wei, General Secretary of CCP of Ma Na Si County:
Phone:+86-994-6667456

Fax:+86-994-6660072

Issued by China Aid on January 16, 2006.

Don't fail to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters around the globe who face persecution for naming the name of our Savior, Christ Jesus.

The Great Separation continues.

For further information on Christian persecution around the globe the Persecution Blog is a good source.

News Causes '24' Cliff Hanger Headache.

Watching it. - I love '24'!

Last night's season five premiere had me yelling at that tv.

They killed President Palmer and Michelle! I loved these characters. What an explosive season opening.

The story telling of the series is wonderful. If you missed it, well, find someone who recorded it.

That said I feel for my fellow fans who missed the last ten minutes of the show.

Adam Beam for South Carolina's The State reports:

Midlands fans of the FOX show “24” are used to cliffhangers — but nothing like what happened during the fifth-season premiere Sunday night.

WACH-TV, Columbia’s FOX affiliate, cut away from the last 10 minutes of the blockbuster show to start its 10 p.m. newscast — leaving fans in the Midlands hanging.

“Somebody has lost their mind,” said Steve Arnold, a fan who was watching the show at his Irmo home.

Boy. That would tee me off to no end. It's the one TV show I look forward too each season.