“Are not the Church in their present state a standing, public,
perpetual denial of the gospel? Do they not stand out before the
world, as a living, unanswerable contradiction of the gospel; and do
more to harden sinners and lead them into a spirit of caviling and
infidelity, than all the efforts of professed infidels from the
beginning of the world to the present day?”

“A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual revolution.”
-E.M. Bounds

“How often God visited the Jewish Church with judgments because they
would not repent and be revived at the call of His prophets! How often
have we seen Churches, and even whole denominations, cursed with a
curse, because they would not wake up and seek the Lord, and pray:
‘Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in
Thee?’”
-Charles Finney

“All it takes to make a preacher is a sermon – but it takes an altar
to make a man of God.” – B.H. Clendennen

“The great number of teachers is the reason of the multitude of sects,
for which we shall soon have no names left.” Jan Amos Comenius

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far
one can go.”
-T.S. Eliot

“The one thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from
history.” – Leonard Ravenhill

“Every Minister ought to know that if the prayer meetings are
neglected, all his labors are in vain.”
-Charles Finney.

Thanks to http://www.SermonIndex.net

Anyone else tired of watching the world go down hill?

I wish I knew what to do about it. I can post all day long about why it’s wrong, but God’s already done that. It’s called a conscience. So if man is able to ignore God, surely they are able to ignore me.

I know that in the end days evil will abound. But where is the Holy Spirit? Isn’t that supposed to be overflowing as well?

Perhaps I know why it hasn’t been overflowing in my life. Or this country. In my video, The Passion Promise, Paris Reidhead is quoted saying “…are you using God as an end or a means?” I, for one, have been using Him as a means to my own end. I’ve been so distant from Him, because He hasn’t been anything more to me than a way to fix my life or this country. Maybe a little more. But not enough.

Even writing this out, I noticed that I called the Holy Spirit an it. I don’t think He likes that.
I’ve even started to write sermons based upon what I think the people need, and not what God wants.

There are so many people in this world, myself included, who are capable of declaring war on sin, evil, and the flesh. But instead of using the immense power given to us by God we raise our white flags almost proudly declaring peace with a world that hates Christ. Not for God’s sake, obviously, but for our own selfish desires and ambition.

Who are we that we should even consider our own fate when there are thousands of souls, within and without the church, over whom the Lord weeps?  They will spend an eternity in Hell because I wont spend a minute in surrender sharing the gospel. Shame on me. I deserve a fate worse than theirs.

Who are we that we think we have the right to a comfortable life? We rub the name of Jesus Christ in the mud. He denied comfort and chose instead the most gruesome way to die after living a most humble lifestyle. There are 159,000 Christian slain every year, and I distance myself from them.

Who are we to call ourselves Christians? We use the word so flippantly. I don’t have the right to the word any more than I could call myself a U.S. Marine.

Perhaps nobody does. At least I see that now.

-Cullen Webb
Soldier in Training

I haven’t been this angry in a long time.

In 2008 voters came together to decide the fate of same-sex marriage in California. 52.47% of voters wanted it restricted to only one man and one woman. With a lead of about 504,000 votes, it was an obvious decision.

But lately the government doesn’t care about the opinion of its people.

Yesterday, August 4th 2010, federal judge Vaughn R. Walker told the American people that He understands the constitution better than the rest of us. By stamping the ban as “unconstitutional” He essentially gave the millions of voters a pat on the head while saying “Silly people. Law is government.”

We don’t want this. We told them we don’t want this. We are the people the constitution defends, and it is instead being used against us because a judge fails to interpret it beyond His own nearsightedness.

I’m not going to argue about the morality of homosexuality. I already did that. But I want you to realize where morality comes from:

If there is a God, then it comes from Him.
If there is no god, then it is the opinion of the majority.

But there is a God, and He says no. And the opinion of the majority also says no.

It is a proud and arrogant thing for this judge to say otherwise.
Pray for Him. Pray for Him hard.

-Cullen Webb

Black and white. That is how the law starts out when it is written on our hearts (Romans 2:15.)

But God gave us a clever mind. A mind that is capable of reasoning away anything we wish to. We can convince ourselves that theft is okay, if you take only a little. Or that lying doesn’t matter, so long as nobody gets hurt.
Abortion is no exception to this list of exceptions.
I don’t care who you are. You could be the great grandchild of Adolf Hitler, but if you saw a small child about to be murdered, you would do everything you could to prevent it from happening.

Unless, of course, that child is in the womb.

Our culture has argued itself stupid with abortion, when in its simplest forms, we are killing babies.

They reason that they are not living, yet they feel pain.
They say that they are just extension of the mothers body, no more than a zit, yet it can have a completely different blood type.

I could go on with a list of reasons why I think abortion is wrong. But I’m going to let God do the talking.

The Value of Children (more…)

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Brian Moore.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have betrayed.” The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed at.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve yelled at my brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.”

I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I have listened to,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!”

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep.

Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.

He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no, ” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.” I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

-Written by Joshua Harris, 1995

I was reading an article by an atheist a very long time ago, and He used this image to argue that God was evil.

Before I discuss whether it is evil for God to kill people, I want to point something out about this image. It’s very inaccurate. God has killed many more people than 2,038,344.  He cursed all of humanity, dealing us the inevitable blow of death.

Let us begin with the 9/11/01 attacks on America.

So many people ask the question “how can a good God allow this?” I have heard many answers. Some very good. But I wish to offer my own to you.  It begins with an assumption. Let’s assume that 50% of the people in the twin towers were sinless, Godly people who deserved to go to heaven. And the remaining 50% were sinful wretches who deserved to go to Hell.
Please note that this is pure speculation and I am in no way trying to judge or belittle any of the victims of 9/11.

When the airplanes struck the towers, and when they eventually collapsed,  all the people who deserved Heaven went to Heaven, and all the people who deserved Hell went to Hell. Why is this evil?

For those who deserve Heaven, Earth is the closest thing to Hell they will ever experience and thus desire to leave.
For those who deserve Hell, Earth is the closest thing to Heaven they will ever experience and their judgment will be good.

Who deserves Hell and who deserves Heaven?

During our assumption the people who deserved Heaven or Hell were split into a clean 50 – 50. Do you know the actual percentage of people who deserve Hell?

100%

We have all committed sins against a righteous God and deserve His wrath.

Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;“

Few seem to grasp this. And is it no wonder, when we are bombarded by “you deserve this” and “you deserve that” in our commercials, radio and newspapers?

When God kills somebody He has the full authority to do so. Does this anger you?

Consider this:
What if you turned on the television and saw on the news that a judge allowed a serial killer go, simply because he was sorry? Would that anger you? Of course it would, because the judge was not good in his decision.

Would you be angry if the judge sentenced the man to death? Probably not, for that is a righteous and just decision.

Conclusion:
When God sentences a man to death, it is because that man deserves it. And any anger you feel is due to your own pride and inflated image of self-worth.

See yourself as God sees you, and then you will know the balance between love, wrath and mercy.

-Cullen Webb

You need to watch this. It’s short, but sharp. With a little bit of humor thrown in.

-Cullen Webb

I was given the privilege of speaking at a Revival in Indiana. The pastor is the man who got my dad interested in the Church of God, Indiana.

The meetings all went great, and the Spirit of God was undeniable. But I walked away with a new perspective on church, and realized just how many traditions I have come to accept without even realizing it. I just wrote a post a little while ago rebuking many traditions in the Catholic church, all the while being a hypocrite.

So here is a list of un-biblical things that our country knowingly or unknowingly accepts in the Church.

#1 – The Building

Is there something wrong with the body of Christ owning a building designated for worship? Nope. This isn’t about wrong or counter-biblical traditions, but simply UN-biblical traditions. Things we have that was never expected, mentioned or needed in the New Testament.

The Church used to be based in the homes of the congregation. Normally changing in location week to week. The Amish have kept this aspect of the early Church going to this day.

I don’t think it’d be a bad idea to go without a gym or fancy equipment that can distract. The idea of a home-based Church is almost attractive to me. But the impact and ministry of these things are phenomenal.

#2 – Pastors

Odd, eh?

But the Church of the early days did not have a designated leader per congregation. Each had a table of “elders” who would share the burden and take turns speaking and sharing.

Of course, we have a variety of boards and such today in the Church, but I think it is very easy to have too many people in leadership. Any pastor can attest to this, I am sure.

#3 – Multitudes

Jesus had only 12 in his “congregation” if you don’t mind me calling it that. And most of the spiritual meetings in the NT were only a dozen or so. Since then we have grown accustomed to hundreds if not thousands of members in our Churches.

Of course, it is POSSIBLE for those congregations to have peace and love amongst them, but it is no doubt much more difficult. Keeping a close relationship with a thousand other people every week doesn’t sound like a day of rest to me, personally.

#4 – Schedule

Step #1 – Have worship
Step #2 – Have offering
Step #3 – Listen to sermon
Step #4 – Worship more
Step #5 – Leave

Although structure is not a bad thing at all, and it is obvious that our God is a God of order, this wasn’t what the early Church did. They would meet with great enthusiasm as nobody knew what the Holy Spirit would do next.

#5 – Denominations

This is an obvious one.

Although I don’t give a wooden nickle about whether your are Church of God, Methodist, Baptist or any of that, a great many people do. I have heard stories about people “shunning” others simply because their label.

Something my dad often quotes (I don’t know the source) is:
“Labels either fall off on the way to Heaven or burn off on the way to Hell.”

God bless,
Cullen Webb

This is a hilarious video that I enjoyed very much.

The opening and ending are a little random, but everything else is worth watching!

And I forgot to mention earlier, I found this video reading from Living Journey.

I mean no disrespect to the Catholics who may end up reading this. But I simply cannot take your tradition seriously. I have examined scripture, and have found them to be both pointless and contradictory to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

For example, your near divination of Mary

Take a look at this verse in which Jesus rebukes a woman who praised Mary:

Luke 11:27-28
“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.“

Obviously Christ did not see any need to praise his Mother more than any other.

Sainthood

From what I understand, you must perform various miracles and be dead, among other things, to be considered a Saint among the Catholics.

Let us look at another scripture verse regarding Sainthood:

1 Corinthians 1:2
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”

They’re not dead and there are no miracles to speak of. Why are they regarded as Saints? Because they are sanctified in Jesus Christ.

If that’s not enough for you, here’s another one.

Ephesians 2:19
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

Ephesians has another troubling opposition to Catholics.

Jesus Christ is the mediator

I quoted Ephesians 2:19, but lets step back a little bit and read what else it has to offer:

Ephesians 2:18
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

Stop praying to the Saints! Jesus Christ is the only mediator between us and God. Don’t you remember when Saul tried to speak to the prophet Samuel after he had passed away? Was he not rebuked and met with a demon?

Confession

Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.“

Catholics have tried to earn their salvation in a number of ways, including “hail Marys.” Salvation is not for your to earn, but for God to give. Only through his Son Jesus Christ can you be saved.

And no, you are not supposed to confess to a Priest. Look throughout scripture, you will find that the man of God convicts the sinner, and the sinner repents to God.

David for example. He did no apologize to the Prophet who revealed the sin in his life, but rather he fell before God almighty and begged forgiveness.

Here is an account of a dedicated Catholic during confession:

“He told me I was absolved of my sins, and to go in peace.

I stared at him for a moment. “That’s it? Don’t I have to say Hail Marys? Our Fathers? The Creed? The Rosary? Anything?”

He laughed at me and told me to go do a good deed or something.”

The Priest told Her to “do a good deed or something.” How can I take that seriously? How can they argue that as scriptural? The rest of the story can be read here: http://caity.nu/musings/he-laughed-at-my-sins

There are too many holes and contradiction in Catholicism for me to offer any respect.