Could this be the real reason The City Church has purchased a rowhouse two blocks from the capitol?

A New York Times analysis shows that the number of earmarks for religious organizations, while small compared with the overall number, have increased sharply in recent years. From 1989 to January 2007, Congress approved almost 900 earmarks for religious groups, totaling more than $318 million, with more than half of them granted in the Congressional session that included the 2004 presidential election. By contrast, the same analysis showed fewer than 60 earmarks for faith-based groups in the Congressional session that covered 1997 and 1998.

So much for a balanced budget.

(H/T Andrew Sullivan)

Here is Another great post by Anna Thanks. (btw, the sermon she is referring to is Window's The Provisions of God, Part 2 (Preached on 5/6/07). 

Yesterday I listened to a continuation of the sermon given last Sunday. PF expanded even more on living in blessing…

…PF used an example of how God will orchestrate things for your benefit, and he told the story of a generous man with a painting company who offered to paint the ‘Couve campus for only the cost of the paint ($7000) and waived the labor and equipment fees ($30000+). His response to this generosity? "Thank You Jesus!" Any thanks to the generous man? Hmmm.

Lets not forget that not only did a kind painter offer $30,000 worth of free labor, CBC is also getting the 217 sign replaced for free (a $3,000 value), all because Frank knows how to slide open the windows of heaven, I guess.

I'm not sure why either of those things are listed as "open heavens"…I certainly don't see any examples of that in the Bible (if that book is still relevant…I've been listening to so many CBC and Judah Smith sermons lately I'm beginning to wonder).

I also thought it interesting that in Frank's 1^st "Window's" sermon he told us that we shouldn't worry because "This is not a finance series"…but he has done nothing but talk about finances (aka blessings from God). I keep waiting for him to talk about something other than finances…but I doubt it happens. (I'm going to go off on a bit of a tanget here, I don't recall for certain if Frank used the following scriptures in this sermon, but he has used them in the past and so…)

I'm constantly amazed at how prosperity preachers (such as PF) are willing to quote Matthew 6:21 "where your treasure is there your heart is also" in the middle of a sermon about "Giving money to them" (which is by far the most common topic they preach on) and yet they can't see the correlation to what their own "treasure" is.

If you spend more time Preaching on "giving you money" than anything else…that would mean you would spend more time Preparing to preach on "giving you money" than anything else…which would lead to you spending more time Thinking about people "giving you money" than anything else…yup, I'd say that's where your heart is…right next to your treasure (actually, it's someone else's "treasure", Frank is just trying to get CBC's hands on it).

Then they often throw in Mathew 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…" yet that is exactly what THEY ARE TRYING TO DO. It's so incredibly contradictory…I can hardly stand it. Lets try to take a logical look at this:

You, as a member of his church (CBC), are told to "not store up treasures on earth" because when you die "you can't take it with you" (typically followed by the quote "I've never seen a Hearst towing a U-Haul"…lame.).  So the solution, he tells you, is to give away all your treasures…to the church…so they can…store…up…treasure…(long hard pause)…for themselves…?…and in return for this Frank promises that God…will give you…more treasures?

It doesn't add up. If my money is worthless because "you can't take treasures with you" then why does CBC want it…?

I'm going to go throw up now.

I just caught this gem on the Generation Church website. (Yes, this blog is going "all Judah-all the time")

Generation Interns 2007/2008 

Have you heard about our Generation Intern Program? It’s a program that will train you to be the leader that you’ve always felt called to be! You will encounter other people that are as passionate for God as you are. Join the movement by applying for Generation Interns 07-08 and be prepared for a year of growth and transformation! All applications are due by July 15th. In order to waive the $50 dollar application fee turn it in by June 1st. (emphasis mine) Download the application on our website www.generationinterns.org or pick one up at the church offices!

WHAT? There's an application fee to become an intern!?! Are you kidding me? My office in DC is offering an internship program, and while you get to work for us for free, you also don't have to pay a dime, and you can earn college credit. (I'm lobbying for a 21 year old college female, preferrably she is from the University of Florida or the USC, some college in the South.)

Out of curiousity, I printed out the Generation Intern application. And um… well, the $50 fee is just the beginning. To be a church intern you have to pay the City Church $4,250. This boggles my mind. I checked the tuition fees for Washington State and UW, and it costs $2944 a year to attend Washington State and $3990 to attend UW.

So um, can someone explain to me why on earth you would pay a church to work for free and get zero college credit? I'm trying to give the City Church the benefit of the doubt, but this sounds like an incredible scam. 

A friend from DC sent me this old Onion article about a Kind, Bearded Christian living in P-town.

Give me oil for my lamp, keep me burnin', burnin', burnin'," sings Portland-area resident Gerald "Jerry" Svoboda, a kind, bearded Christian with a guitar and a story to tell.

"Everybody!" he shouts before repeating the chorus.

In a time when community involvement often seems to be a thing of the past, it is rare indeed to find someone who reaches out to others in the hope of making the world a better place.

But here, on the outskirts of Portland, such a man exists. Though a community-mandated restraining order prevents Svoboda from actually entering the mini-mall complex, this modern-day minstrel continues his mission: to spread his message of love, hope and happy sing-along fun.

Mr. Svoboda also appears to be channeling Judah Smith.

"I enjoy talking to people, especially the kids. Because of my long hair, they trust me," he says, casually brushing aside one of his long locks like a young girl. "They know I'm one of them. I talk about this in my song 'C'mon Teens, Let's Hang Out With Jesus.' I admit, I may not know any songs by the Grateful Dead, but friend, I'm here to tell you all about the victory over death by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!"

Teenagers remain the primary focus of Svoboda's music and mission. He approaches a group of pierced, leather-clad rockers. "Say, how are you boys doing today? Just doing your own thing? I think that's neat. Say, do you ever think about God?"

Moments later, Svoboda is savagely beaten by the youths. His good-time spirit, however, is strong as ever.

Classic.

eleytheria, recently made this comment in regard to Judah Smith (I believe):

Oh, if only you guys know how famous you were up in Seattle too.

One Sunday when I went there a couple months ago he said that he didn't care what some stupid blog said about him, he already read his Bible too many times to be convinced otherwise than what he knows about God.

I found this interesting in light of Pastor Judah Smith's recent "Flex" message, which I just listened to.

His message was about 30 minutes long, and while I couldn't really tell you what the essence of his sermon was there were 2 things that I picked up:

1. Judah thinks of himself as more "holy" than your average Christian (Cadre leader specifically) and that he is "the man of God"…it's funny how he manages to make it sound like someone else is calling him these things, but its a story that Judah is making up…anyway you can check that out at the 24min and 30sec part of his Flex sermon. It's actually a rather funny story, he uses a great Texas/Military accent, I honestly laughed while listening to it…he's a great public speaker, give his sermons some substance (maybe a touch more humility as well) and I'd be a big fan.

2. That the term "Flex" means you need to be able to receive correction and advice from all types of people… I guess this is what the sermon was supposed to be about, although its hard to tell for sure since what he mostly talked about was himself…he brings this up shortly following the story referenced above and also at the 20min mark.

To sum up: The message didn't make a lot of sense to me and although it was mildly entertaining I found it to be a waste of my time. However, if "Flex" means to be able to receive a "word" from anyone at anytime…then Judah needs to get back in front of that mirror (listen to the sermon and you'll understand).

And now I have a question for all of Judah's friends:

DOES PASTOR JUDAH SMITH OF THE CITY CHURCH IN SEATTLE HAVE A BET WITH ONE OF HIS FRIENDS THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO MENTION TAKING A SHOWER IN EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS SERMONS?

Every sermon I've heard of his recently has some reference to Judah in the shower, or near the shower, or not taking a shower…the shower is always mentioned. It's odd.

…which God would you be.

(Thanks Chris)

David Mackin writes in this great post: 

There are two meetings coming to town! Meeting #1 is Matt's meeting. Meeting #2 is Paul's meeting.
Which one do you plan to attend?  Here are the details:

Meeting #1:

"Matt McPherson is a highly successful entrepreneur who has been recognized by the Fortune 500 Magazine more than once. He is the owner of several thriving businesses including Matthews Bows, the world's largest archery bow maker. He is also an innovative designer of the-state-of-the-art McPherson Guitars, a name that has become synonymous with quality, integrity and inspiring music. Matt's testimony is that God is the giver of all wisdom and creative ideas, and he is quick to give God all the glory for incredible success." (from http://www.thecity.org/)

Meeting #2:

Marketplace Ministries Banquet
With Guest: Paul of Tarsus…
 
Tickets are not required. (The food has been donated by local brothers and sisters.)

Paul does not know how to make "archery bows or guitars." (He just makes tents and converts for Jesus.)

Paul is not a "millionaire." (He doesn't make enough money to support himself by making tents; at times, he needs believers send him money, too.)

Paul is not a "highly successful entrepreneur."  (He just makes tents because he can take his trade wherever he preaches the gospel of repentance.)

He has not founded any of the "world's largest" companies. (He just travels, preaches the forgiveness of sins and plants churches.)

He says that all of his "incredible success" in Judaism before he met Jesus is now just dung (Philippians 3:8).

He does not play the guitar. (He is not going to try to entertain you. He is just bringing some of his traveling companions who are also risking their lives to preach the Gospel (Romans 16:4). They are asking for greater boldness to preach the gospel. It's going to be a prayer meeting.

Sometimes we try to raise money when we really need to repent
We think that the truth of the gospel boils down to dollars and cents
We all want to live in a nice house and wear clothing that's in style
God loves a cheerful giver so when you pay me be sure to smile

So writes my friend David Benrexi in the song Cheerful Giver. In all likelihood, you'll never hear the song on the radio or recorded by a professional Christian artist, because the lyrics contradict the wildly popular prosperity doctrine. Certainly God wants His people to prosper, however there is no direct reference in scripture that I can find which equates God's blessing with money.

In fact, quite the opposite seems true. Psalm 73:3-12 suggests it is the wicked who lust after material wealth. Specifically, Psalm 73:12 says: “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.”

To borrow a phrase from RP: it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure this stuff out! God created us for fellowship, to love him and one another, multiply and make him a family. Everything we needed to carry out the original commandment of God to “replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28) was right there in the garden. God did NOT create money, nor did He create cities, commerce, corporations, religion, human governments, the judicial system, etc. These are the vain imaginations of sinful man, the creations of corrupt minds to replace the original vision and creation of God, with the creation of man.

For God's people, scripture holds that “blessing” and “favor” are in finding and loving a wife (Proverbs 18:22, 1 Peter 3:7) and having children (Psalm 127:3-5). The word “prosper” brings up a great number of scriptures where prosperity is used in the context of increasing God's people and overcoming enemies. Each of these benefits from God are consistent with His original commandment to go forth and replenish the earth.

Long after the fall and expulsion from the garden, God's desire for us remained the same. Specifically, we who are the sons of Abraham by faith, are the direct result of God's blessing of Abraham – to multiply Abraham's seed and make his descendants as numerous as sand on the seashore, to overcome his enemies and ultimately bless all nations through Jesus (Genesis 22:15-18). God's instruction to Abraham is really no different than His instruction to Adam and Eve. It could be argued that everything God has done since then has been to bring about His people - to pave the way for us to fulfill His original commandment to fill the earth with children for God. So I wonder how is it that we, as the blessing and prosperity of God through Abraham, tally up our prosperity in dollars and cents and not by the love and companionship of our wives, children and grandchildren?

Long ago, I gave up pursuit of fame and recognition, money and property and made the decision to invest in my wife. As I prepare a home for my wife that I know she will love, I can't help but remember the words of Christ when He returned to His Father – that He was going there to prepare a home for us to enjoy with Him. I am grateful to the Lord who has led me to do for my bride, as He is doing for His bride. In this place, there is genuine peace and contentment and I am prospering in the thing that matters most: making a family for myself and my Father.

In terms of God's idea of prosperity and in keeping with His original commandment (Genesis 1:28), surely our best investment in the short and long term, is to sew our time and devotion into our wives, children and grandchildren.

Financial riches as prosperity?

How sad. How blind.

Sam

Anna posted this comment discussing Frank's sermon Windows: The Provision of God. I thought it was an excellent post that deserved front-page reading (I was actually trying to work up my own run down of this sermon and am glad she did it for me…and better than I would have done). Great job, Anna.

I listened to PF's sermon earlier, today. And all I can do is agree with the sentiment, "Woe, Frank!"

He spent the whole time talking about what it would be like to live under the continual favor of God. Around 17:00 he said, "Whatever it takes to make up a full life, God wants to provide for you." And this is what He will provide:

*provision (great emphasis on $$)
*presence (passing comment)
*providence (everything going your way)
*preview (knowing what's coming ahead)
*promotion

That sermon fills a person with a desire for what God can do for them. Not one, NOT ONE mention of God Himself - what He is like, how kind He is, how generous, how loving. It's like telling someone how to marry a rich man, never mind what he is like. Just think of all the benefits!

PF's sermon is just a CBC version of "The Secret." Except at least The Secret tells you how to get all that good stuff coming your way (visualize success). PF hasn't yet revealed how to get those windows open. Even though the verse says that God will open the windows, Frank keeps talking about how WE can open them. How much you want to bet that next week's sermon says that the way to get the windows open is to give the church $$??

The only problem with The Secret and Frank's Windows is that it can only work in the West. Try to tell the starving widow with children in Sudan that she needs to think good thoughts or give money to her church and then money and opportunity will be hers. Try to explain to the tortured pastor in the Chinese prison that he really needs the windows of heaven open for him so he too can have provision / presence / etc.

Once again I am screaming on the inside, "You twisted it around again!! You have these people lusting after THINGS - even intangible things like preview and promotion - and using God to get them. That is not the gospel! Don't you understand that if you have HIM, that is enough!?! The gospel is the message of a God who pays the ultimate price to provide redemption for His loved ones so that He can live with them in the closest possible relationship.

And yet you spend the whole morning telling people how great it is to have things. Woe, Frank."

Anna, This was what stood out to me when listening to Frank's sermon:

While discussing the way to "throw open the windows of heaven" in order to receive the "Provisions of God" Frank says:

…that is why it is so important that you don't ever stoop to manipulation or lying or cheating or any other carnal means to get what you want…

He then goes into an analogy about why you should never lie on a job application to get a job that you really really want (and believe it's from God because it's a better, higher paying job) because if you do you will likely find that your new employer was also lying to you…and all because you did not wait on the Lord and trust him for Provision.

He says "you may actually get what you asked for"… but it won't be what you need because you used the wrong means to get it (Frank may actually be somewhat prophetic. Hard to believe, but just listen for yourself. He does a great job of describing his own situation at CBC).

While hearing Frank's comment "That is why it is so important that you don't ever stoop to manipulation or lying or cheating or any other carnal means to get what you want…" I began to get a vision…certain words started popping up in my head, I'm not clear as to what they mean or what they were about but I'll share them with you and hopefully you can help interpret.

In no particular order:

Faith, Harvest, Forward, Together, Vancouver, Campus, Three, Hundred, Fifty, Thousand, Dollars, Twelve, Straight, Weeks, Teaching, Tithe.

Frank Damazio, you should listen to your own sermons…you might actually be on to something.

It has come to our attention that several long serving members of City Bible have recently been fired or re-appointed by the Holy Spirit or whatever it is they call it.

Anyway, in light of these recent firings, I'm reminded of an old poem about the Holocaust. I've modified it a bit for our purposes. 

First they came…

First they came for the Mortons, but I wasn't a Morton, so I didn't speak up.

Then they came for the non-tithers, but I tithed, so I said nothing.

Then they came for the PBC professors, but I wasn't a PBC professor, so I said nothing.

Then they came for me, and only person left was Marc Estes, and I knew I was screwed.