I have to be honest, my faith in Christ is hanging by a thread. And most days I think I would be happier just being an atheist.
That said, posts like this from other Christians, give me hope.
If the Prosperity Gospel could be widely discredited, then perhaps whatever pain America has coming because of our greed and profligacy might be redeemed.
The silver lining of this coming recession, is that it will expose the Prosperity Preachers and the evil they preach. And it may just save my Faith.
Pat Robertson is hearing voices again. He claims they're from God, but Pat's voices are always wrong. So I'm confident it's just his strange fantasies.
Anyway, this years predictions are:
2) McCain will win Virginia in the 2008 Presidential Election.
That's pretty much the gist of this article on CNN:
Has the so-called Prosperity Gospel turned its followers into some of the most willing participants — and hence, victims — of the current financial crisis? That's what a scholar of the fast-growing brand of pentecostal Christianity believes. While researching a book on black televangelism, says Jonathan Walton, a religion professor at the University of California Riverside, he realized that Prosperity's central promise — that God would "make a way" for poor people to enjoy the better things in life — had developed an additional, toxic expression during sub-prime boom. Walton says that this encouraged congregants who got dicey mortgages to believe "God caused the bank to ignore my credit score and blessed me with my first house." The results, he says, "were disastrous, because they pretty much turned parishioners into prey for greedy brokers."
Actually, it was "greedy parishoners meet greedy brokers" and together they create FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT HARD-WORKING CATALYST HAS TO PAY OFF!
Thanks, morons, thanks.
And let me just ad, this is definitely going to financially hurt the churches who depend on the prosperity gospel for their funding. If the tithing is based solely on a love for giving, then yes, I suspect the church will survive any type of economic recession or depression. However, if the giving is based on a belief that it will make you rich, then when the smoke clears and it becomes obvious that no one is getting rich for several years, the giving is going to slow down significantly. And that's going to make it rough for these churches to support multiple campuses. And ultimately, I think it's going to lead to a bankruptcy or two. And thus, when the Depression hits and I'm jobless, living with my parents, raising my chickens and trying to plant beans and rice in my parents back yard in North Portland, I'm going to find great solace in these failures and I will laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh….
Over the last few days I have read an increasing number of conservative blogs, magazines, and news articles in support of Barack Obama. Here are a few:
The New Republic magazine: The New Right?
The American Conservative: The Right Choice?
Dallas Magazine: A Conservative For Obama
Republicans for Obama: Why Obama?
National Review: The Palin Problem
As I have expressed before I was a registered republican and voted for Bush in 2000 and 2004. However, sometime in 2005 I realized that it is more important to vote the people then the party. And since Bush has completely crushed my confidence in the republican party, I've become an Obama supporter.
I believe this election is coming down to who can better "fix America." If you read some of these articles, it seems like conservatives are feeling the same way and crossing party lines because Obama has presented a better plan. The typical moral issues seem less important this time around because of the state of our country and the fact that George Bush ran on that platform, yet very little changed. McCain is loosing votes by not separating himself. By continuing to say he's a "maverick" but then sticking to many of the Bush policies, middle ground voters will never back him. If McCain wants the white house he has to show people he is different, something he has failed at thus far.
The City Church is hosting their annual, "Give Us Money and God Will Make You Rich" Conference at the end of October.
Below is the letter Pastor Wendell Smith writes to the congregation challenging them to attend the conference. It's so great, I'm not changing a word. You can't parody, parody:
I was personally challenged recently by one of our key business men, when he said to me, "Let's not let the present economy dictate what kind of church we are, Pastor. Let's encourage our people to keep giving and sowing." It was like cold water in my face when I was dizzy and stunned! I needed that. I actually got riled up at the devil for doing what he is doing right now in American culture and around the world. Beyond other things, and his typical destructive nature, he is trying to hinder the propagation of the Gospel! I say "No"! How about you? This may be one of the most challenging financial times we have faced in a long time, and for some young people, the first financial blip on their radar screen since they were born! But this is not the end, it is just a new chapter in the testing of our faith, to see what Jehovah Jireh can do for His people even now! If we ever needed this conference, it is now. Pastors, Church leaders, Business people- be here. Make whatever changes are necessary in your schedule and on your calendar- and be here for this Conference. The Bishop who purchased the former home of the LA Lakers will be here. A Pastor who has been a financial Coach to thousands will be here for two dynamic sessions to help us get through this time. Our Marketplace Team will be here to encourage you and pray for you and your team personally. And I will be here- and I am stirred up and loaded with the Word of the Lord for the Church in the midst of a financial test. C'mon. You be here too! This will be life changing and church saving. The Gospel depends on our obedience and faith. Pastor Wendell Smith Someone's getting nervous…
A Letter from Pastor Wendell Smith
The City Church
Four students at George Fox University, a Christian college in Portland, recently confessed to hanging an effigy of Barack Obama.
The students, whose names are not being released, have been suspended on a long-term basis and must complete community service.
Other sanctions include community service and multicultural education, which must be completed before the students can return to campus, said Brad Lau, vice president of student life.
The students were singled out during a campus investigation late last week as those responsible for hanging a life-size cardboard cutout from a tree on campus with a sign saying "Act Six reject."
Act Six is a scholarship and leadership program for Portland students, many of whom are minorities.
I was going to make a sarcastic remark about how the George Fox students are showing such wonderful Christ-like behavior, and then I read this response from one of the students who was being mocked by the effigy.
Vanessa Wilkins, a 19-year-old sophomore in the Act Six program, said she is satisfied with the level of punishment of the four students. "I don't think they knew how far it would go," she said. "They didn't understand the repercussions of their actions. I don't believe the students thought this all the way through."
Wilkins said some students thought the display was just a joke that had gone awry and others were confused about its message. The forums have helped rebuild any bridges that were burned, she said.
"I really believe this is a doorway into more understanding on the campus," she said.
Kudos, Vanessa. I was wrong. There are students at George Fox who truly exemplify Christ.
UPDATE: I'm turning off comments on this blog post. I can see where its going to go, and frankly, I'm tired of fighting. If you want to comment, feel free to use the Oregonlive Article. They have quite the discussion going on.