Saturday, July 25, 2009

They have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace


Ezekiel 13


1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

3Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

4O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

5Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

6They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

7Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

8Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.

9And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

10Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:

11Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

12Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.

14So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

15Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

16To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

17Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,

18And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

19And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

20Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

23Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Lord, in the Morning (#39)


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Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear
My voice ascending high;
To Thee will I direct my prayer,
To Thee lift up mine eye-

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Up to the hills where Christ is gone
To plead for all His saints,
Presenting at His Father's throne
Our songs and our complaints.

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O may Thy Spirit guide my feet
In ways of righteousness;
Make every path of duty straight
And plain before my face.

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The men that love and fear Thy name
Shall see their hopes fulfilled;
The mighty God will compass them
With favor as a shield.


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COMPOSER
Aaron Williams
TUNE / METRIC
MEAR C.M.
AUTHOR
Isaac Watts


Midi File dh039pn.mid


CONTRIBUTOR
Pablo Aguilar

Friday, July 24, 2009

Our Safety Against Delusions


Sincerity Alone Will Not Save

Faith in a lie will not have a sanctifying influence upon the life or character. No error is truth, or can be made truth by repetition, or by faith in it. Sincerity will never save a soul from the consequences of believing an error. Without sincerity there is no true religion, but sincerity in a false religion will never save a man. I may be perfectly sincere in following a wrong road, but that will not make it the right road, or bring me to the place I wished to reach. The Lord does not want us to have a blind credulity, and call that the faith that sanctifies. The truth is the principle that sanctifies, and therefore it becomes us to know what is truth. We must compare spiritual things with spiritual. We must prove all things, but hold fast only that which is good, that which bears the divine credentials, which lays before us the true motives and principles which should prompt us to action.--Letter 12, 1890. {2SM 56.1}


An Outward Transformation of Character

As long as individuals are content with a theory of truth, and are yet lacking in the daily operation of the Spirit of God upon the heart, which is manifested in outward transformation of character, they are cutting themselves
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off from the qualification that would fit them for greater efficiency in the Master's work. Those who are devoid of the Holy Spirit cannot be faithful watchmen upon the walls of Zion; for they are blind to the work that ought to be done, and do not give the trumpet a certain sound. {2SM 56.2}

The baptism of the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost will lead to a revival of true religion and to the performance of many wonderful works. Heavenly intelligences will come among us, and men will speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Spirit of God. But should the Lord work upon men as He did on and after the day of Pentecost, many who now claim to believe the truth would know so very little of the operation of the Holy Spirit that they would cry, "Beware of fanaticism." They would say of those who were filled with the Spirit, "These men are full of new wine." {2SM 57.1}

The time is not far off now when men will want a much closer relation to Christ, a much closer union with His Holy Spirit, than ever they have had, or will have, unless they give up their will and their way, and submit to God's will and God's way. The great sin of those who profess to be Christians is that they do not open the heart to receive the Holy Spirit. When souls long after Christ, and seek to become one with Him, then those who are content with the form of godliness, exclaim "Be careful, do not go to extremes." When the angels of heaven come among us, and work through human agents, there will be solid, substantial conversions, after the order of the conversions after the day of Pentecost. {2SM 57.2}

Now brethren, be careful and do not go into or try to create human excitement. But while we should be careful not to go into human excitement, we should not be among those who will raise inquiries and cherish doubts in reference to the work of the Spirit of God; for there will be those who will question and criticize when the Spirit of God takes possession of men and women, because their own hearts are not moved, but are cold and unimpressible. --Letter 27, 1894.
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{2SM 57.3}


Need for Understanding the Doctrine

Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by it unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations, professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God's people from giving their allegiance to false christs? "Go ye not ... after them" (Luke 21:8). {2SM 58.1}

The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to teach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase.-- Letter 1, 1897. {2SM 58.2}

Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life for souls than at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on our guard, he will establish in our hearts, pride, love of self, love of the world, and many other evil traits. He will also use every possible device to unsettle our faith in God and in the truths of His Word. If we have not a deep experience in the things of God, if we have not a thorough knowledge of His Word, we shall be beguiled to our ruin by the errors and sophistries of the enemy. False doctrines will sap the foundations of many, because they have not learned to discern truth from error. Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty. The indulgence of one known sin will cause weakness and darkness, and subject us to fierce temptation.--The Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908. {2SM 58.3}


Look Constantly to Jesus

Under the showers of the latter rain the inventions of man, the human machinery, will at times be swept away, the boundary of man's authority will be as broken reeds,
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and the Holy Spirit will speak through the living, human agent, with convincing power. No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the grammar is faultless. The living water will flow in God's own channels. {2SM 58.4}

But let us be careful now not to exalt men, their sayings, and doings; and let not anyone consider it a grand point to have a startling experience to relate; for here is a fruitful field where credence will be given to unworthy persons. Young men and women will be lifted up, and will regard themselves as wonderfully favored, called to do some great thing. There will be conversions many, after a peculiar order, but they will not bear the divine signature. Immorality will come in, and extravagance, and many will make shipwreck of faith. {2SM 59.1}

Our only safety is in keeping fast hold of Jesus. Never are we to lose sight of Him. He says, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). We must cultivate an abiding sense of our own inefficiency and helplessness and rely wholly on Jesus. This should keep us individually calm and steadfast in words and deportment. Excitement in the speaker is not power but weakness. Earnestness and energy are essential in presenting Bible truth, the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.... {2SM 59.2}

There are quicksands upon which many are in danger of being swamped. It is always safe to seek for the earnest of the Spirit of God, if we do not mingle with it a force and presumption that is not heaven born. There is need of caution in all our utterances lest some poor souls of ardent temperament shall work themselves up into a zeal not according to knowledge. They will act as though it was their prerogative to use the Holy Spirit instead of letting the Holy Spirit use them, and mold and fashion them after the pattern of the divine. There is danger of running ahead of Christ. We should honor the Holy Spirit by following where it shall lead. "Lean not unto thine own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). This is one danger of those who teach the truth to others. To follow where
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Christ leads is a safe path for our feet. His work will stand. Whatsoever God saith is truth. {2SM 59.3}

But ministers who bear the last message of mercy to fallen men must utter no random works; they must not open doors whereby Satan shall find access to human minds. It is not our work to experiment, to study out something new and startling that will create excitement. Satan is watching his chance to take advantage of anything of this order that he may bring in his deceiving elements. The Holy Spirit's moving upon the human agents will keep the mind well balanced. There will not be a wrought-up excitement, to be followed by reaction. {2SM 60.1}

Satan will make use of every extravagant expression to the injury, not only of the speaker, but of those who shall catch the same spirit and infuse others to their harm. Calmness and solemnity should be cultivated; the solemn truths we dwell upon will lead us to manifest deep earnestness. How can we do otherwise when weighted with the most sacred message to bear to perishing souls-- weighted by the sense of the nearness of our Saviour's coming. {2SM 60.2}

If we are constantly looking unto Jesus and receiving His Spirit, we shall have clear eyesight. Then we shall discern the perils on every side, and shall guard every word we utter, lest Satan find opportunity to weave in his deceptions. We do not want to have the minds of the people wrought up into an excitement. We should not encourage an expectation to see strange and wonderful things. But teach them to follow Jesus step by step. Preach Jesus Christ, in whom our hope of eternal life is centered.--Letter 102, 1894.
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{2SM 60.3}


Note: Bolds and Highlights added.
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Unity In Apostasy


“Ye adulterers, and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

“If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.” Proverbs 29:12

“For the leader of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16

“A nation's sin and a nation's ruin were due to the religious leaders.” Christ's Object Lesson, p.305

“We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A “Thus saith the Lord” is not to be set aside for a “Thus saith the church” or a “Thus saith the state.” Gospel Workers, p.389-90

“The word of the Lord is to be our guide. Any connection with infidels and unbelievers that would identify us with them, is forbidden by the Word. We are to come out from among them, and be ye separate. In no case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans of work… Again and again Christ had been asked to decide legal and political questions; but He refused to interfere in temporal matters…” Gospel Workers, p.394, 396

“The wicked are being bound up in bundles, bound up in trusts, in unions, in confederacies. Let us have nothing to do with these organizations. God is our Ruler, our Governor, and He calls us to come out from the world and be separate… If we refuse to do this, if we continue to link up with the world, and to look at every matter from a worldly standpoint, we shall become like the world. When worldly policy and worldly ideas govern our transactions, we cannot stand on the high and holy platform of eternal truth.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p.114 (MS 71, 1903)

“The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and clay (Daniel 2:43). This union is weakening all the power of the churches.” SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p.1168-69 (MS 63, 1899)

“By His own example the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the world and yet not of the world. HE came not to partake of its delusive pleasures, to be swayed by its customs, and to follow its practices, but to do His Father's will, to seek and save the lost.” Acts of the Apostles, p.467

“The great conflict is between the commandments of God and the requirements of the beast. It is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments that the dragon (satan, Rev. 20:2) makes war upon them. IF THEY WILL LOWER THE STANDARD AND YIELD THE PECULIARITIES OF THEIR FAITH, THE DRAGON WILL BE AT PEACE; but they excite his ire because they have dared to raise the standard and unfurl their banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshipping the institution of papacy.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 1, p.223

“What are you doing, brethren in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the mark of the beast.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, p.216

“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive: on every hand were crying abuses, extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those on power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures.” Desire of Ages, p.509

“There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand us clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, supposing that by so doing we could accomplish more.” Testimonies to the Church, vol. 6, p.17

“The world must not be introduced into the church and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and as stated in Revelation “a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” (Rev. 18:4,5) Testimonies to Ministers, p.265

“Christ demands all. If He required less, His sacrifice was too dear, too great to make to bring us up to such a level. Our holy faith cries out, SEPARATION. We should not be conformed to the world, or to dead, heartless professors." Testimonies to the Church, vol. 1, p.240

“On the basis of Bible prophecy and the writings of Ellen G. White, SDA's anticipate the eventual success of the ecumenical movement, both in eliminating the divisions of Protestantism and in reuniting Christendom by bridging the gulf that separates non-Catholic communions from Rome. The ecumenical movement will then become a concerted effort to unite the world and to secure universal peace and security by enlisting the power of civil government in a universal religio-political crusade to eliminate all dissent. SDA's envision this crusade as the great apostasy to which John the revelator refers as ‘Babylon the great.' They understand, also, that God's last message of mercy to the world prior to the return of Christ in power and glory will consist of a warring against this great apostate movement, and a call to all who choose to remain loyal to Him to leave the churches connected with it. (See Rev. 13:15-17; 14:6-11; 16:12-14; 17:1-6; 18:1-4; GC 444, 445, 573, 588, 589, 615)” SDA Encyclopedia, vol. 10, p.411

“Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean things; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Isaiah 52:11
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The Sealing and the Latter Rain


Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Tim. 2:19.


Before the work is closed up and the sealing of God's people is finished, we shall receive the outpouring of the Spirit of God. Angels from heaven will be in our midst. {Mar 212.1}

Our heavenly Father claims not at our hands that which we cannot perform. He desires His people to labor earnestly to carry out His purpose for them. They are to pray for power, expect power, and receive power, that they may grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. {Mar 212.2}

Not all members of the church are cultivating personal piety; therefore they do not understand their personal responsibility. They do not realize that it is their privilege and duty to reach the high standard of Christian perfection. . . . Are we looking forward to the latter rain, confidently hoping for a better day, when the church shall be endued with power from on high and thus fitted for work? The latter rain will never refresh and invigorate the indolent, who do not use the powers God has given them. {Mar 212.3}

We are in great need of the pure, life-giving atmosphere that nurtures and invigorates the spiritual life. We need greater earnestness. The solemn message given us to give to the world is to be proclaimed with greater fervency, even with an intensity that will impress unbelievers, leading them to see that the Most High is working with us, that He is the source of our efficiency and strength. . . . {Mar 212.4}

Are you using all your powers in an effort to bring the lost sheep back to the fold? There are thousands upon thousands in ignorance who might be warned. Pray as you have never prayed before for the power of Christ. Pray for the inspiration of His Spirit, that you may be filled with a desire to save those who are perishing. Let the prayer ascend to heaven, "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations" (Ps. 67:1, 2). {Mar 212.5}
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Their faces testify against them


Isaiah 3

1For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.

2The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,

3The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.

4And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

5And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

6When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:

7In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.

8For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

9The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

13The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

14The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

15What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:

17Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,

19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,

20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

21The rings, and nose jewels,

22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

25Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.

26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.


Thursday, July 23, 2009

N. Korea: Clinton 'funny lady, by no means intelligent

Story Highlights
N. Korea launches personal attack on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Spokesman called Clinton "by no means intelligent" and a "funny lady"
She had earlier likened leadership in Pyongyang to "small children"
Communist state made clear that stalled nuclear talks are effectively finished

updated 1 minute ago



Hillary Clinton says N. Korea's refusal to discuss nuclear program could provoke arms race.


BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- North Korea launched a scathing personal attack on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday after she likened the leadership in Pyongyang to "small children and unruly teenagers and people who are demanding attention."

At a meeting of southeast Asian nations in Phuket, Thailand, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman blasted Clinton for what he called a "spate of vulgar remarks unbecoming for her position everywhere she went since she was sworn in," according to the state-run KCNA news agency.

The spokesman called Clinton "by no means intelligent" and a "funny lady."
"Sometimes she looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going shopping," the statement said. Read other colorful insults by N. Korea

The verbal tussle between the two countries culminated with the reclusive communist state making it clear that six-party nuclear talks, stalled for over a year, were effectively finished.

Clinton had earlier warned that North Korea's refusal to discuss its nuclear program could escalate tensions and provoke an arms race in northeast Asia. Watch as North Korea insults Clinton »

"I was gratified by how many countries from throughout the region spoke up and expressed directly to the North Korea delegation their concerns over the provocative behavior we have seen over the last few months," Clinton said at a meeting of southeast Asian nations in Phuket, Thailand.

"Unfortunately, the North Korean delegation offered only an insistent refusal to recognize that North Korea has been on the wrong course," she said. "They expressed no willingness to pursue the path of denuclearization. In their presentation today, they evinced no willingness to pursue the path of denuclearization, and that was troubling not only to the United States, but to the region and the international community."


Her remarks came after the North Koreans issued their blunt statement in response to Clinton's interview earlier in the week with ABC News.

Before Clinton's remarks in Phuket on Thursday, the North Korean delegation attempted to take the podium to speak to the media. But it was turned away by security guards.

North Korea tested a nuclear device in May and fired seven ballistic missiles earlier this month in defiance of a U.N. resolution.

At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting, Clinton said she had unanimous support for U.N. Resolution 1874, passed by the Security Council in June. It tightened sanctions on North Korea, imposing an embargo on the shipment of arms from that nation.

The North protested the resolution by saying it would enrich uranium and weaponize plutonium, according to KCNA. When enriched to a high degree, uranium can be used as weapons-grade material. Plutonium can be used in atomic bombs.

Clinton said the United States will continue to push North Korea to come to the table. She said a "full normalization of relationships" was possible if North Korea agreed to a verifiable dismantling of its nuclear program.

"The United States and its allies and partners cannot accept a North Korea that tries to maintain nuclear weapons, to launch ballistic missiles or to proliferate nuclear materials," Clinton said. "We are committed to the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner."

The United States has also expressed concern that military cooperation between North Korea and Myanmar could destabilize the region.


Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/23/us.north.korea/
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How computers can harm your children's future... by damaging their brains

By Baroness Susan Greenfield
Last updated at 9:58 PM on 04th July 2009


Children who spend hour after hour on the computer may be damaging a vital part of their brains. Here, in a stark warning, Baroness Susan Greenfield, director of the Royal Institution and Oxford Professor of Synaptic Pharmacology, explains how this could be creating a generation blighted by obesity and gambling.
One can look at the world through experience or poetry, or one can view it in terms of science. Science does not invalidate other ways of perceiving things, but it can help explain what we see. And it can do so with regard to young people who spend several hours of the day playing computer games, or in online chatrooms.
The human brain is exquisitely sensitive to every event. We cannot complacently take it that our ways of learning and thinking will remain constant. Humans are highly responsive to change and so quick to adapt - in part because of the prefrontal cortex.



Senseless: Long hours in front of the computer could be eroding our children's ability to think


This area of the brain is more evolved in humans than in any other creature. It also forms late in our development, not becoming fully active until our teenage years.
If you damage the prefrontal cortex, your senses and movements are not impaired but you change; you become more reckless, lose a sense of sequence and consequence, of narrative and of your place in these sequences.
We know this from studies of gamblers. We know it from obese people: the fatter you are, the lower the activity of your prefrontal cortex. We know it from small children in whom the area is not developed and from schizophrenics, whose prefrontal cortex is damaged.
What do all these people have in common? Well, a gambler is aware of the consequences of gambling but does it, regardless, for the thrill. People know that if you eat too much you get fat but an obese person will keep eating. Small children have no understanding of consequences. The schizophrenic inhabits a world of dazzling colours but it is all about them: they live entirely in the moment.
These conditions are about the sensory, self-centred 'here and now' instead of sequence and consequence.
What I am advocating is a hypothesis. That if we were to scan the brains of young people who spend a lot of time playing computer games and in chatrooms, we would find that the prefrontal cortex is damaged, underdeveloped or underactive - just as it is in gamblers, schizophrenics or the obese.
We would find that they become confused between reality and screen life in their virtual world. And that in this confusion, they risk losing, neurologically, the ability to think.
For centuries, humans have listened to stories that have long working memories. When you read a book, the author takes you by the hand and you travel from the beginning to the middle to the end in a continuous narrative of interconnected steps.
We can then compare one narrative with another and so build up a conceptual framework that enables us to evaluate further journeys which, in turn, will influence our individualised framework.
We can place an isolated fact in a context that gives it a significance. The narrative - the basis of traditional education - enables us to turn information into knowledge.
Now imagine there is no robust conceptual framework. You are sitting in front of a multimedia presentation, such as a computer game or chatroom, where you are unable, because you have not had the experience of many different intellectual journeys, to evaluate what is flashing up on the screen.



Crucial: The prefrontal cortex helps us make sense of the world



The immediate reaction would be to place a premium on the most obvious feature - the sensory content, the 'yuk' and 'wow' factor. You would be having an experience rather than learning.
The sounds and sights of a fast-moving multimedia presentation displace any time for reflection or any idiosyncratic or imaginative connections we might make as we turn the pages, and then stare at a wall to reflect upon them.
Screen life has no memory: it is reaction-action-reaction-action-reaction. If you live in that cacophonic environment for six hours or more a day and at a time when the prefrontal cortex is forming, becoming developed and active, what is going to be the effect?
The brain has many chemical reactions, one of which is the release of dopamine. This is associated with immediate sensual gratification, and can influence the prefrontal cortex.
Taking cocaine or amphetamine will release high quantities of dopamine. And it becomes addictive.
Now consider screen life - life playing computer games and spent in chatrooms. What you see is what you get. Screen life is a series of logical tasks that demand immediate attention, which are to do with process, and not with content or substance.

To understand sequences and consequences is to think, to proceed from the sensory to the cognitive, to be able to consider and understand the development and interrelation of things beyond the here and now. The notion of sequence, the order of things, is what we mean by thinking.
It is crucial: it is your life. You cannot live your life backwards or start again. The notion of narrative is that you cannot go either way with a click of the mouse and then go backwards again.
But in a computer game, you can. You can start again.
Take the tale of a princess locked in the top of a tower. Read the story in a book and you are concerned for the wellbeing of the princess.
But try to rescue her on a computer game and it's about you. You don't give a damn about the princess: she is just a goal.
The story is about you completing a task, with a reward if you win, frustration if you lose.
In neurochemical terms, it is similar to gambling or taking drugs. It shows the same disregard for consequence and a confusion between reality and screen life as if you beat up an old lady on the street, recorded it with your mobile and put it on YouTube.
The hypothesis is that those exposed to this environment over a period of time become emotionally stunted. If nothing has narrative and meaning, you do not have narrative and meaning, nor do the princess or the old lady.
It is hard to see how living this way on a daily basis will not result in brains becoming different from those of previous generations. And I feel sad that this is happening after 5,000 years of civilisation.
We have to ask ourselves: Is this what we want?
• This article first appeared in The Frontline Broadsheet, produced by The Frontline Club (www. frontline club.com)


© The Frontline Club.



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Why Not 501c3

theAntiChurch.org

...not affiliated with the antichrist!

Why Not 501c3

There are many, many reasons why no true Christian church should become a "501c3 tax-exempt religious organization." If the average pastor, deacon board, or professing Christian knew these reasons, those who love Jesus (opposed to those who merely practice religion, or a profession) would likely "tear their robes" and RUN NOT WALK out of such institutions.

However, the revelation of these facts is usually a slow process. This page is not exhaustive, but covers the main points in brief, and contains many links you may use to study the issue more thoroughly. Even a "partial revelation" of the information here should be enough to make the case why no true Christian should attend a 501c3 "church," and especially why they might never want to give money to one again. Acting on this information is, of course, a different matter. May God grant you grace to wrestle with and rightly act upon this information in His time.

In overview, these reasons can be listed under these headings:

1) 501c3 "churches" attempt to serve two masters, but their true and legal head (or "lord") is the State, not Jesus Christ

2) 501c3 "churches" sign a waiver to forfeit their 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights, and therefore are legally and honor-bound (by their oath) to NOT teach or preach the entire Word of God

3) Money given to all 501c3's (with paid employees) funds abortions and all manner of ungodliness, and may be an unclean offering before God

Are you willing to examine these claims? Read on...

1) 501c3 "churches" attempt to serve two masters, but their true and legal head (or "lord") is the State, not Jesus Christ:

It may surprise many to know that there is no such thing as a "501c3 church." TITLE 26 section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code (below) does not even mention churches. There are only "501c3 tax-exempt religious organizations" and they are ALL - by legal definition - "corporations," NOT churches. True churches are outside the scope of the law in this regard, because of the 1st Amendment and section 508c of the IRS code (see below). Legally, ALL corporations are creations of the State, and can exist solely by the State's permission. Their right to exist and practice charitable cause(s) - including religion - derives solely from the State granting the applying "charitable organization" the requested permission and requested legal authority to function.

Conversely, the true church is called into existence by Jesus Christ, who is its sole head (Col 1:18) and Sovereign. The church is mandated by God to meet, worship, preach, teach, evangelize, and to collect and distribute funds to the needy, etc, regardless of whether earthly authorities want or permit the church to function or exist. But by incorporating as a 501c3, a group of leaders asks the State's permission to exist, binds themselves by an oath, and effectively renounces Christ as its head...

The following quotes come from a multi-page article Woe To State Churches:

"A corporation is a creature of the state... Its rights to act as a corporation are only preserved to it so long as it obeys the laws of its creation..." (Hale v. Henkel, 201 U.S. 43)

"[A corporation is] an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state."
Black's Law Dictionary West Publishing Company, 1991; 6th Edition, page 340

"A corporation derives its existence and all of its powers from the State and, therefore, has only such powers as the State has conferred upon it. ... the source of this power is the charter and the statute under which the corporation was organized." Len Young Smith and G. Gale Roberson, Smith and Roberson's Business Law, West Publishing Company, 1966, page 796

"A corporation derives its existence and all of its power from the State!" The church on the other hand was created by and is the body of Christ. We belong to Him and we are subject to Him and His Laws. The source of any church's power is supposed to be the Holy Spirit; it's authority to function solely from God... Why would you bring in a "fictitious entity" no less created by the state and man i.e.: corporation, to run and regulate something that belongs to the Lord? To become a corporation in effect divorces the church from Christ. We also commit idolatry by putting something before Him."

Read much more relating to the legal definition of a corporation, versus the nature of a true Christian church operating with Christ as its Sovereign at this multi-page article Woe To State Churches:

The "church" (ecclesia, meaning "assembly" or "called-out ones") as defined by scripture is called out of both the world's political and religious systems. By incorporating, Christian leaders turn their backs on Jesus' headship of His Bride, and wander right back into the religious system of the world. Is "adultery" or "harlotry" too strong a term to describe the church that does this? Probably not.

While of course not intending anything wrong, most churches today usually apply for 501c3 due to ignorance (or, "lack of knowledge" - Hosea 4:6) . "They think they have to," or a lawyer recommended that they do so, but most lawyers simply don't understand that churches are (or that anything could be) outside the scope of the law. Most also think they need to become 501c3 in order to be "tax exempt" (love of money), but in fact (!) churches in the United States of America are already tax-exempt, and donations to churches are tax-deductible already, without ever becoming a 501c3!

More from Woe To State Churches:

According to the Internal Revenue Code, "a church, its integrated auxiliaries, and conventions and associations of the church are excluded from taxation." United States Code, Title 26, 508(c)(1)(A).

Section 508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that churches are not required to apply for recognition of Section 501(c)(3) status in order to be exempt from federal taxation or to receive tax deductible contributions. Churches are automatically exempt from Federal income tax, and contributions to churches are deductible by donors under section 170.

See also Facts About 501c3 Tax-Exempt Status for churches at Heal Our Land Ministries, which states:

"...note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557:

Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include:
Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). "
There is more than enough information out there to convince anyone that churches do not have to incorporate to apply for tax-exemptions, and that - even if the tax exemptions were not automatic - it is spiritual adultery for them to do so because all such religious corporations accept The State as their head. Only the State can give permission to incorporate, and this new legal entity is under the jurisdiction of the State alone the minute it incorporates; under U.S. law, all of a corporation's rights, powers and authority are granted by the State and subject to the State. However, when Christians regularly assemble for worship, teaching, preaching, etc, they automatically meet the IRS definition of a church without incorporating under State power, or requesting State permission for (and therefore scrutiny of) such activities. There is simply no U.S. law requiring churches to incorporate with The State, and churches are still obeying the "law of the land" by doing all of the above without incorporating. There are, however, many scriptural prohibitions to God's people "joining," "covenanting" or being "yoked with" pagan powers and unbelievers - which is the exact definition of 501c3 incorporation of a church.

But these are not the only relevant issues. Those that form such a covenant with the State enter into an oath ensuring their silence on many scriptural issues...


2) 501c3 "churches" sign a waiver to forfeit their 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech rights, and therefore are legally and honor-bound (by their oath) to NOT teach or preach the entire Word of God

Most believe that churches (501c3 organizations, that is) are limited merely from endorsing or opposing political candidates. However, that is only the last line of Title 26 Section 501 (c) (3). The full text which "pastors" (aka "employee agents" / CEOs of the 501c3 Corporations) are required to sign also prohibits "carrying on propaganda" - i.e., public discussion of issues that might at some time, by somebody, be deemed "political."


TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Sec. 501. Exemption from tax on corporations,
certain trusts, etc.
(c) List of exempt organizations

(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

Question...
Is the word "church" mentioned anywhere in
Title 26 501(c)(3)
of the IRS Code?

NO. 501c3's are ONLY granted to corporations, community chests, funds & foundations organized for any variety of non-profit purposes. But "churches" are mentioned as automatically "exempt from taxation" under
Title 508(c)(1)(a)
-see above.

If you attend or "belong to" a 501c3 organization, you are NOT in a church, but a religious corporation that "belongs to" and is ruled by "the State." It is neither the creation, property, or agent of Jesus Christ, as HE is not it's rightful head or Sovereign - your 501c3 paperwork says so!




See Southern Illinois Patriot League's Deal With The Devil for more

Ask yourself - in today's world is homosexuality a political topic? Is abortion? What about euthanasia? These are only among the topics which 501c3 organizations and their "mouthpieces" are promising by their signature never to speak on! Pastors (as well as employees - and possibly, in the future even members of 501c3's who claim tax write-offs) cannot attempt even "to influence legislation" on any issue! America would never have even been founded if earlier churches had signed 501c3 agreements.



In 1954, Lynden B. Johnson introduced the 501c3 system (as documented by Peter Kershaw of Heal Our Land Ministries) in order "....to silence the church and eliminate the significant influence the church had always had on shaping "public policy." Kershaw continues,

"One need not look far to see the devastating effects 501c3 acceptance has had to the church, and the consequent restrictions placed upon any 501c3 church. 501c3 churches are prohibited from addressing, in any tangible way, the vital issues of the day.

"For a 501c3 church to openly speak out, or organize in opposition to, anything that the government declares "legal," even if it is immoral (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, etc.), that church will jeopardize its tax exempt status. The 501c3 has had a "chilling effect" upon the free speech rights of the church. LBJ was a shrewd and cunning politician who seemed to well-appreciate how easily many of the clergy would sell out. "
In Caesar's Grip , by Peter Kershaw

While the IRS has not yet been "pulling these chains" by punishing pastors and churches who speak against abortion and homosexuality (i.e., revoking tax-exempt status and seizing their property), rest assured, that the chains are in place. Even if the IRS never yanks that chain, the problem lies in the fact that a pastor (or organization) who signs a 501c3 application, then speaks on these issues, is breaking his word! He made an oath not to, even though he may not have understood the legal jargon or full implications of his oath. 501c3 pastors have promised not to discuss political issues (including those relating more properly to issues of morality).

But the apostle Paul stated that he did not fail to teach "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Scripture calls God's people to "love justice" and to "defend the rights of the poor" (legal issues), ensure "honest weights and measures" (economic issues) and decry evil (even in moral and political realms). Jonah preached to an entire city to repent of their sins. Samuel rebuked a king to his face over adultery and murder. If the Bible has information or The Holy Spirit gives revelation about any topic, the man of God is called to speak it!

The question is not whether the IRS (or any government agency, the ACLU, etc) chooses to sue or enforce the pastor's 501c3 oath - the question is How could any true Christian (pastor or otherwise) sign an oath to remain silent on any issue? The Biblical mandate for leaders is to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season (i.e., popular, politically correct or not); reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Tim 4:2)."

But today's 501c3 churches cannot only not speak to their own people about these issues (legally, or morally, due to their oath). A 501c3 "employee agent" can't even use church stationary to write his congressman, much less rebuke a political figure personally. Antichrist could rise to power and today's church could not oppose him.

Forget homosexuality - if you do not see the day coming when it will be a "hate crime" to "damage someone's self-esteem" by telling someone what's wrong with being a Hindu, then your head is clearly in the sand. And your heart is clearly serving mammon, and fearing the IRS, not God.

The "law of our land" is clear about this however:

The 1st Amendment states that

"Congress shall make no law regarding an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"

The 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made certain that "religious establishments" (including but not limited to Christian churches) could practice, say and do whatever they pleased, without government interference or regulation. By law, any unincorporated religious establishment can (still!) speak on issues of politics and morality, mobilize for any cause, and even finance the election or opposition of any political candidate. But by applying for and receiving a 501c3 "license to preach" pastors and churches have unwittingly signed away both their legal rights and their God-given responsibility to teach and preach "all the counsel of God." Just to receive a tax-exemption (that they already possess - Title 508(1)(a) - and some sort of unneeded recognition from the State, our "churches" sign away their very fundamental right to speak freely.

Many, many Christians often say that we should always vote, "because someone died to give us that right." Is the Bill of Rights any different? Our Christian forefathers fought and died to secure the Right to Free Speech for the church (establishments of religion), and today's religious leaders are duped into signing it away. Just as a criminal might "waive his right to an attorney" and sign a confession of guilt in order to plea bargain, today's pastors of 501c3 churches waive their right to free speech by applying for 501c3 status.

Consider the moral decline of America since 1954's inauguration of the 501c3 system, and know that this is largely because - as Kershaw states - the clergy have sold out. I ask again, "Is harlot too strong a word?"

What's worse is that due to the IRS's claim on earnings of 501c3 church employees, not only are the people of God unable to condemn the antichrist system, they are actually funding it through their tithes and offerings...


3) Money given to all 501c3's (with paid employees) funds abortions and all manner of ungodliness, and may be an unclean offering before God

Under construction

In the beginning of the 501c3 system, pastors and other church workers were legally classified as "ministers" and were exempt from taxation on gifts derived from their service to God and His church. However, in 1984 IRS law changed to require that even so-called "churches" must withhold income taxes from these otherwise sacred positions. All of its workers came to fall under the legal, secular designation of "employees" (of their tax exempt religious corporation) - rather than "laborers," "workers," "ministers," "pastors," etc, of Christ's church. In keeping with their scripturally prohibited covenant with earthly power, all 501c3 religious organizations must play the additional role of "tax collector" and IRS informant.

What this means financially - in short -is that a significant portion of a 501c3 member's gifts, tithes, offerings, etc goes directly to the Federal government, rather than to the house of God.

Say a religious worker earns $100 per week in salary (for example). Usually 15-20% of that is taken out before he receives it, as well as the 501c3 employer's additional contribution to Social Security, Medicare, FICA, etc - an additional 15-20%. So in order to pay a pastor or other worker approximately $80 net income per week, approximately $115-120 has to be taken from the "church coffers" - i.e., from donations intended for God's work. For every salaried "pastor" who earns $30,000 per year, the Federal Government receives approximately $9,000-12,000, taken directly from what 501c3 institution members (believe they) have sacrificed to God.

$100 salary = appx $120 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $80 (net) to income earner, while up to $40 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
$1000 salary = appx $1200 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $800 (net) to income earner, while up to $400 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
$30,000 salary = appx $36,000 expenses from religious institution's funds, or $24,000 (net) to income earner, while up to $12,000 goes to the federal government, taken directly from tithes, gifts, offerings, etc
(All figures here are approximate, and used for illustration purposes only. Check with your local 501c3 corporation for the exact percentage of your offering that is not going to God's work. Particularly large "churches" however - with over half a dozen employees - may be giving over $100,000 per year of God's money to fund unreligious and perhaps even unholy acts.)

Earthly government of course does many good (or at least benign) deeds with the money derived from collecting taxes, such as building roads, schools, libraries, paying congressmen and senators' salaries, defending borders, on so on. However, they also do many things that perhaps a Christian individual may not sanction or willingly fund according to their conscience, such as go to war and kill other people, and provide funding for abortions, "sex education" or even arts programs that desecrate or blaspheme Jesus Christ.

Note that there is nothing wrong with individuals paying taxes, if you owe them (Romans 13:1-8; this is not a "tax protest" stance). The issue raised here is to inform those who give regularly to a 501c3 institution that your gifts and sacrificial offerings are being perverted when your "priesthood" (church board, accountants, etc) willingly turn over such a large portion of your offering to non-kingdom activities (benign or otherwise). In short, your tithes are not going fully to God, His kingdom, His workers, His ministries, or His eternal purposes for The Church. IF your "church" pays "employees," and IF taxes are taken from their paychecks, the point of this writing is to inform you that your offerings to God are possibly unclean, because of the nature of the 501c3 system and your institution's penchant for rendering unto Caesar that which belongs to God.

A true detail of the antichrist nature of the Federal Reserve is beyond the scope of this article - perhaps only the more "conspiracy buff" individuals reading this have gleaned an understanding of that issue. We cannot help but pay taxes on our own personal income (which God also endorses when the government requires tribute), but as a matter of conscience - if not common sense - no true church or individual should additionally fund the world's system via offerings sacrificed to God. In fact, no true church does, only 501c3 religious corporations with paid employees do! True churches are not under the State's power to legislate or to tax. Only 501c3's are.

Note that there a few rare groups of Christian workers organized as a 501c3 that do not pay salaries - these groups would be okay to give to in the sense referred to here, but note that they are still "religious corporations," and subject to all which has been said here in points 1 and 2. Otherwise, the only way to protect your offerings to the Lord from such desecration is to give non-income gifts directly to individuals in need (alms), directly to those who teach or minister to you, and only to organizations that do not pay salaries to their workers and/or withhold tax. While well-intentioned, 501c3 corporations fund (via withholding taxes) whatever earthly government sees fit to spend your offering on - good, bad, or evil - and the sad fact is that the corporation's "ministers" are the ones who are contractually bound to the State and the IRS to defile the offerings.

How the sacred financial gifts of a Christian's worship can be so freely given to the profane is but another inherent snare of being - or belonging to - a 501c3 institution.

Conclusions
The Church of Jesus Christ is a living organism, called into existence by Jesus Christ. Her mandate to meet and to function is a divine mandate, outside the scope of earthly powers to permit or deny. Just as God instructed the Israelites to "make no covenant" (Ex 23:32 ; 34:12) with the members of other lands, the early church likewise "took nothing (such as tax-exemptions) of the gentiles" (3 John 1:7) "for His name's sake"! True churches functioned (flourished!) throughout history and in America for centuries before the 501c3 system was ever introduced, and no true church needs to be a 501c3 to be legitimate in the eyes of God, OR in the eyes of American law. We affirm that individual believers must obey the all the laws of the land (including paying taxes). However, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution places The Church as a corporate entity outside the scope of legislation. Even if it did not, there is no law that requires churches to become 501c3 religious corporations anyway, so no one is "obeying the law of the land" by incorporating as a 501c3. They are instead simply voluntarily subjecting Christ's church to pagan rule.

To do so reduces a body of believers to the designation of a State Church, rather than a true Church of Jesus Christ, and effectively (i.e., legally, on paper, via a signed oath) names the State as its Head and Sovereign authority. This oath prevents the free preaching of the entire counsel of God by the state-licensed "minister," preventing him from ever calling evil what the State calls good, or from calling good whatever the State may decide to call evil. And instead of the offerings of God's people going solely to the needy, to widows and orphans, and to funding church-planting missionaries, a huge portion of the people's offerings funds evil.

There is no reason why any true Christian believer should ever be a member of a 501c3 religious corporation incorrectly calling itself a church - and many compelling reasons why they should leave immediately if they are, and renounce such membership/covenant with the world.


Solutions
Any delegate of a 501c3 religious corporation may want to visit www.hushmoney.org for more info and resources pertaining to dissolving your corporation and functioning as a legitimate Christian church.

Any individual in covenant membership with a 501c3 religious corporation of the State (and therefore the world system) may want to share this information with those in your fellowship in hopes that they might change, but most importantly, harken to the words of Jesus Christ:

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Revelation 18:6 (Consider also other "come out from among them" verses addressed to Christians practicing falsehood - 2Cor 6:15-18; 1Tim 6:5; 2Tim 3:5, etc. Take note that none of the above verses offer an immediate solution or "alternative," such as "come out and do what...?" - they only implore believers to turn away from those who practice falsehood, and to leave false practices behind. Be willing to "enter the wilderness" if required, and acknowledge God, asking Him to direct your steps.

Any individual wanting to practice non-501c3 Christianity, as well as church without unscriptural building expenses, salaried ministers, and a fully participatory meeting that encourages the maturing priesthood of all believers, may want to visit or start an AntiChurch -


FAQ, Related Topics, Common Objections...

My pastor / elders / church board say they will only bother to unincorporate from 501c3 status if "the State" asks them to do something unscriptural....
Your pastor / elders / church board have already committed the unscriptural act of entering into a covenant with pagan powers and receiving from Gentiles (cf Ex 23:32, 3 John 1:7), and have already committed idolatry by placing the State above Jesus Christ as the head of your church. He/they have already committed the unscriptural act of compromising their calling and ministry by swearing an oath to not teach or preach on certain topics. He/they are already poorly stewarding your donations to God by diverting a large portion of them out of God's hands via federal income taxes to employees. Also, if they report your donations to the IRS, they are disobeying the command to let your giving be in secret (Matt 6:3-4. In fact, you may be in violation of these scriptures as well, if you report such donations to the IRS ). EVERYTHING about the 501c3 system is inherently unscriptural to begin with - can you really trust such "leaders" to not ask "how high" the next time the State says "Jump?" Can you really trust those with this level of discernment to be your spiritual authorities in the first place?

Granted, most do all of the things listed on this page out of ignorance of the real issues (Hosea 4:6). We affirm that many in ministry today are sincere workers who love Jesus Christ and have every intention of obeying His Word. Share this information with them, and pray for them to receive revelation, and hope that they will repent. But do not ignore God's command for you to "come out" and "turn away" from those who love and practice falsehood in the meantime.

All this may be true, but my church still does wonderful things and I know God still uses us, despite our faults. Consider Jesus' words to the church at Ephesus: "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience... and for my name's sake hast laboured... Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love... Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent." (Rev 2) We do not deny that your group may have done many wonderful deeds for the Lord, or that He may be moving among and through you. However, Jesus often still "has issues" with those whom he loves and uses. What could be more akin to forsaking Him as first love than seeking State incorporation and full control of His church? His counsel is to repent. If the leaders of your church will not repent, you should probably leave (but see below*). You should embrace your rightful role as king and priest (and head of household, where applicable). You should follow God's commands without the interfering fog of mediators other than Jesus Christ between you and God. The only thing stopping you is the probable negative opinions of others, worrying about what they will say (fear of man). Didn't you leave all that behind at the cross anyway, when you first obeyed God's call to follow Jesus Christ? Again, His counsel from the letter to the church at Ephesus is to do your first works again.

* (On a personal note, it took this author quite some time of sorting through this type of information before becoming firm enough in my convictions to finally leave the institutional church. May God grant you grace to walk humbly and mercifully with those you share this information with, and may His Spirit guide you in your decisions.)

Teaching like this is more likely to destroy the church as a whole, rather than benefit it. On a personal note, don't you care about such things? Mark 14:58 says "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands." I suppose that I too have "heard him say" such a thing, and frankly have no concern over whether or not man-made or institutional religion survives the wake of this article. (In fact, I believe it will survive just fine, as most 501c3 corporations would be able to financially weather the departure of any "remnant" that leaves based on this single article. I am fully aware that most people will not heed it anyway, but will remain in the system in which they are comfortable with and accustomed to.) Even if I did somehow manage to destroy the institutional system (doubtful), I am at worst following the example of Jesus, and the precedent of God's destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. I am most concerned with the welfare and building of God's kingdom, which I do not believe is or can be rightly expressed through the 501c3 system. This article is intended only as my contribution to edifying those believers who truly wish to build Jesus Christ's church. Those who wish to build the State's church, I wish well, but don't have time for.

I don't know of a "free church" or antichurch in my area. Isn't it better to remain in some sort of church in the meantime? Yes, if you can find a true church. Odds are however, you only know of 501c3 religious corporations, and these are not churches - just see #2 above. "Come out" as the scripture commands, and follow the Holy Spirit from there. It's amazing what you will often see right around you once the scales have fallen from your eyes, and you've obeyed the last thing God made clear to you. Until you obey however, no further revelation or direction is likely to be given (but see God's promise in 2Cor 6:18, below).

What's stopping you from gathering two or three others and starting an antichurch in your area?

I don't like your attitude - who are you to say I'm not in a true church? I truly do not mean to be insulting or disrespectful to those brethren "in the system" when saying this. I especially do not mean that you (as an individual) are not part of Christ's invisible church of the ages (or His Body and Bride), but refer here to your local 501c3 incorporated institution. I know most are only there out of a sincere desire to serve Jesus Christ, and you are merely doing what we have all been told for decades to do. The facts are plain, however, due to your organization's signed paperwork : you are not in a church by legal or scriptural definition - you are in a State controlled "tax-exempt religious organization." You are in a corporation that has made covenant with an earthly kingdom and replaced Jesus Christ's headship with man's. The only way for you to exist and function as Christ's church (on earth, in a local assembly of other called-out ones) is to completely dismantle the organization you are in, or to leave it.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
2 Cor 6:14-18

God's promise is IF you come out from "them," HE will be a Father to you.
Trust him to provide a proper "church home," fellowship, accountability, service to Him, etc
once you have done your part and obeyed the command to leave the corrupt system behind.


Source: http://www.theantichurch.org/501c3churchinfo.htm
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It's Time to leave all behind for Him


And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Luke 5:11.


Brethren, I think it is high time that we leave all our ambitions, all our worldly worries behind, and follow our Lord Jesus. Let us seek a closer walk with Him, and forget everything else as His disciples did almost 2000 years a go.

I believe it is imperative that we focus on Jesus, and give Him preeminence in our lives; Or, we will be deceived by all the deceptions and distractions of Satan in our midst today.
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Arsenio.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Cut and Paste Healthcare

"If you don't set deadlines in this town, things don't happen," the president said in a prime time press conference tonight.
However, he hedged his bet on the deadline by noting that if the bill Congress produces is not a good one by his standard, then he will not sign it.
"I won't sign a bill that doesn't reduce health care inflation so that families, as well as government, are saving money," he said. "I'm not going to sign a bill that I don't think will work."


Potential Adventist Church-WHO collaboration looks promising, leaders say

A partnership between the Adventist Church and the World Health Organization will depend on a mutual respect for "similarities and differences" as both organizations work toward healthier communities, said Ted Karpf, an officer at WHO's Office of Partnerships. [photos: Ansel Oliver/ANN]



Partnering would give church 'larger goals, strategies'
14 Jul 2009, Geneva, Switzerland
Ansel Oliver/ANN

As Seventh-day Adventist Church officials move toward official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), a United Nations agency, many church members said they think such a partnership would benefit the denomination's network of schools, hospitals and clinics.

But at last week's international conference to explore the possible collaboration, some Adventists said they aren't sure about the proposed partnership, citing concerns of blending politics with faith and compromising the church's spiritual values.

Still, leaders of both organizations said that working relations between the two organizations would give each better access to networks and resources as they seek to improve the health of local communities. Adventist leaders said the church's international network could help WHO better implement the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, including improving maternal health and fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Last week's Global Conference on Health and Lifestyle in Geneva brought together representatives from WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and more than 600 leaders of the Adventist Church. While WHO has previously partnered with other faith-based organizations, this would be the first time it could extend official relations to a church denomination. The conference approved an action statement that will be submitted to the world church's Executive Committee, which is scheduled to meet in October.

Requests for official relations are considered after a petition of the board following two years of working relations. WHO could grant the Adventist Church official relations as early as 2012.


"What happens in relationships is that we actually learn how to work together, and ... learn to hear what the other is saying and respect the similarities and differences," said Ted Karpf, an officer at WHO's Office of Partnerships.


Church leaders said they hoped the conference would help spread the church's health principles in a more coordinated fashion.

"The miniscule difference between the different kinds of vegetarian diets is not worth, in my opinion, the time and effort we devote to it," said Dr. Allan Handysides, director of the church's Health Ministries. "We need to have larger goals and larger strategies," he said.

"The most important way we can influence our communities is through lifestyle issues," Handysides said.

Such an influence would include getting back to church co-founder Ellen White's instruction from the 1860s to have each local church serve as a community health center, church leaders said.

"We have a lot of real estate that's not used six days a week," said Dr. Peter Landless, associate Health Ministries director for the Adventist Church.

The church's health principles -- including abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and, where appropriate, a largely vegetarian diet -- have been backed by health studies.


Collaborating with WHO would give the Adventist Church "larger goals and strategies" as it seeks to impact communities with its message of healthy living, said Dr. Allan Handysides, director of the church's Health Ministries.

"A healthy lifestyle is something the church has had a knowledge of since the 1860s and now has an evidence-based knowledge of," Landless said, speaking of the Adventist Health Study 2, which is currently being conducted at the church's Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. The study is also partnering with the United States' National Institutes of Health.


Last week's conference also revealed that many church institutions worldwide have already forged collaborative partnerships: Taiwan Adventist Hospital launched a WHO initiative of 40 hospitals dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles among employees; in Zimbabwe, sexual health workshops for community parents and children have received national funding through USAID; and the South Korean government is partnering with the Adventist Church's smoking cessation programs.

The conference also gave an opportunity for Adventist Church officials to meet with WHO representatives at its Geneva Executive Meeting Room, the first such meeting between WHO and a church denomination.

"Frankly, I didn't realize how historic it was until I was actually there," said Dr. Craig Jackson, dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at Loma Linda University.

Despite the potential opportunities, some conference attendees were unsure of the church's new direction.

"I'm going to pray about it," said Abigail Parchment, a nurse practitioner and Health Ministries director for the church in the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. "I think it's excellent, but I would never want our message to be diluted in any way."

Still, Parchment said she applauds the world church's leadership for the conference, which she said rekindled her dedication to her position as Health Ministries director.

Others were more blunt, saying the Adventist Church should be more cautious. Florence Oyeleke, from Oyostate, Nigeria, said partnerships can be both positive and negative.

"We can be integrated so much that we can forget our faith," said Oyeleke, a parish nurse.

But the conference, Oyeleke said, offered her many new ideas on how to expand the church's health system to be more community oriented -- especially in fighting obesity, which, she said, is becoming rampant in Nigeria.

One attendee said she applauded the collaborative attempt, but that the Millennium Development Goals weren't attainable.

"The MDGs are completely political. They're not practical and they won't fulfill them by 2015," said Dr. Marta Sandoval, an Ear, Nose and Throat physician from Barcelona, Spain. "On the other hand, it's good that WHO knows us and can incorporate some of the tools, structures and skills we already have."

Most attendees seemed to favor a denominational partnership with WHO.

"I hope the results of the discussions will be implemented at the local churches," said Romeo J. Cruz Jr., a business owner in Manila, Philippines.

Ruthzaine López Bolaño, originally from Colombia, and now in medical school in Argentina, said she didn't think the partnership would cause any problems.

"It's a great opportunity any time you work with someone who doesn't share your faith," said López Bolaño. "It's important to be open."

news.adventist.org

Source: Adventist News Network

Click here for reproduction requirements


Source:http://news.adventist.org/2009/07/potential-adventist.html
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P.S. Bolds added by blogster.
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Developing world calls for 'new world order'


Published: Wednesday July 15, 2009


More than 50 heads of state from the developing world met Wednesday in Egypt to tackle the fallout from the global economic meltdown, with calls for a "new world order" to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

Cuban President Raul Castro said in a speech at the opening session of the Non-Aligned Movement summit that the financial crisis had hit developing nations the hardest.

"Every country in the world must seek just solutions to the global economic crisis," Castro told the 118-member body at the gathering in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

"We call for a new monetary and economic world order... we must restructure the world financial system to take into consideration the needs of developing countries."

Global power dynamics also need to be addressed, Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi said, demanding a restructuring of the UN Security Council which he branded a form of terrorism "monopolised by a few countries that are permanent members."

"This represents a danger toward international peace. We have suffered all sorts of harm from the Security Council, it has become a sword over our necks," he said. "The Security Council is terrorism."

Kadhafi said he wanted to correct the imbalance at the Security Council, demanding a permanent seat for the 53-member African Union, which he chairs.

But the developing world's military ambitions looked set to steal the summit limelight, with nuclear-armed South Asian foes India and Pakistan to hold talks on Thursday aimed at relaunching stalled peace talks.

New Delhi and Islamabad's fraught relations deteriorated after terror attacks in the Indian commercial capital Mumbai in November last year which killed 166 people.

The attacks were blamed by India on the banned Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Pakistan has acknowledged they were partially planned on its soil.

Indian foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon met his Pakistani counterpart Salim Bashir on Tuesday ahead of the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Singh has voiced hope that Pakistan will promise action against those behind the attacks when he meets Gilani for only the second high-level contact between the two sides since the Mumbai bombings.

Pakistan said on Saturday that it would "probably" put the five accused of involvement in the attacks on trial next week.

The attacks left in tatters a fragile peace process launched in 2004 to resolve all outstanding issues of conflict, including a territorial dispute over the divided Himalayan territory of Kashmir.

India, along with host Egypt, is one of the founding members of the NAM, the largest grouping of countries outside of the United Nations, aimed at giving a voice to the developing world.

The summit will "provide a chance for discussions over the international economic crisis, which first started in the industrialised countries, and greatly impacted the developing countries, especially Africa," Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said on Tuesday.

He said industrialised states "should not be given free rein to manage such a crisis."

Founded in 1955, NAM's 118 member states represent around 56 percent of the global population. NAM states consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

Set up during the Cold War, the movement sought to distance itself from both the Western and Soviet blocs, but today its raison d'etre is questioned after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing shift in power politics.




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Do Grown-Ups Really Need to Drink Milk?


By Ari LeVaux, AlterNet. Posted July 22, 2009.


Despite what the food pyramid says, we don't need milk after we're babies. Maybe it's time to wean ourselves from cows and grow up


Should grown-ups be drinking milk at all, much less the milk of another species?

Mammals are named after the milk-producing glands that developed as a way to feed babies, but only humans continue drinking mammary secretions after infancy -- and no other species drinks the milk of another. Today, dairy consumption is at the center of several interconnected social, economic, and health crises. Maybe it's time to reconsider our relationship with dairy.

"Every time the milk truck pulls in, more money leaves the farm," says Philip Ranny, a seventh-generation Vermont dairy farmer so in debt he's decided to sell his herd. Across the country, farmers are going bankrupt, cashing in their IRAs, and selling their herds to slaughter because a crash in the price of milk has left them earning less for their milk than it costs to produce it.

And while wholesale prices have dropped by half, retail prices have remained relatively steady. That's been good business for distributors like Dean Foods, which controls about 70 percent of the milk production in Vermont. Its dairy subsidiary reported $182 million in operating income in the first quarter of 2009, 39% more than it earned in the first quarter of 2008, when wholesale milk prices were strong.

Increased supply and decreased demand are both weighing on the price. One factor that affects both sides of the equation is rBGH, a genetically engineered hormone that increases milk production when injected into cows. While rBGH has helped increase supply by boosting production, it's hurt demand by shutting export markets like Canada and the EU, which don't allow milk from rBGH cows for health concerns.

So controversial even Monsanto got out of the business (selling the patent to drug maker Eli Lilly), rBGH causes increased levels of carcinogenic Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) in milk. Due to domestic consumer rejection of rBGH milk, many retailers, like Starbucks and Chipotle's, have pledged not to use rBGH in their products. When large distributers pool milk from rBGH and non-rBGH cows, it disqualifies the whole lot from export.

Public fear of rBGH has helped sales of organic milk, which is required by law to be rBGH-free. But organic dairies have problems of their own.

About 20 large industrial dairies, milking 1,500-7,000 cows each, produce roughly 40% of the nation's organic milk. Under the Bush administration, USDA repeatedly looked the other way as large corporate agribusinesses violated federal standards while jumping on the organic bandwagon.

The poster child for this regulatory failure is Aurora Farms, which operates five factory farms in Colorado and Texas and supplies the store-brand organic milk to Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, Costco and other national chains. In 2007, Aurora was found to have "willfully" violated numerous organic regulations by USDA investigators, but the company appallingly mild sanctions -- including zero dollars in fines -- from USDA appointees who rejected staff recommendations calling for revocation of Aurora's organic certification.

On July 16 in West Salem, Wisconsin, nearly 200 organic dairy farmers and supporters gathered at the La Crosse County Fair to grab the attention of one of the fair's marquee attendees, USDA chief Tom Vilsack. They urged Vilsack to take action against factory farms that are saturating the organic market with non-organic milk, taking advantage of organic's price advantage without incurring the expenses associated by following the rules -- like feeding certified organic grain to their cattle.

"I commit to you that we will enforce the rules," Vilsack told the crowd. But even if Vilsack becomes the guardian angel of organic dairy, the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about will continue farting its dairy-fueled stink-bombs.

A recent episode of the Diane Rehm Show, a nationally broadcast left-leaning radio program, assembled a politician, a dairy industry advocate, a farm advocate, and a USDA undersecretary to discuss problems facing dairy. Most of the conversation focused on federally-funded bailout options for the dairy industry, but one caller made a futile attempt to frame the problem in a larger context. Voicing concerns that milk isn't good for adults and that dairy production creates a lot of greenhouse gas, she was disconnected mid-sentence.

After a moment of audible snickers among the guests, Ruth Saunders of the International Dairy Foods Association gave a limp response: "the dietary guidelines for Americans have always had as one of their key recommendations three daily servings [of dairy]."

Saunders didn't mention that these recommendations largely exist because of intensive lobbying efforts by organizations like hers. But scientific research that's not in the pocket of Big Dairy tells a different story. According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, "approximately 75% of the world's population loses the ability to completely digest lactose after infancy." And Harvard researcher Ganmaa Davaasambuu, M.D., Ph.D., has found that dairy intake correlates with ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and other so-called "hormone-dependent" tumors because of the high levels of estrogen in cows' milk -- especially in milk from pregnant cows, which are routinely milked in large dairy operations.

Meanwhile, the disconnected caller had a valid point about the cattle industry's greenhouse gas emissions, which constitute 2% of the national output. When fed soy-rich diets, as most large dairy herds are, cows belch methane, which traps 20 times more atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide.

While the lifestyle-changing crisis afflicting dairy farmers is creating heartbreaking stories, perhaps for the greater good this is an opportunity in disguise. There are other ways to make a living off the land, and instead of federal price supports, maybe that money should be spent on re-tooling dairy farms. Despite what the food pyramid says, we don't need milk after we're babies. Maybe it's time to wean ourselves from cow tits and grow up.

If not quitting cold turkey, perhaps we should turn it down a notch or two and consider limiting dairy products to special occasions, rather than as a daily staple. If we return the dairy industry to it's small-scale, alfalfa-fed roots, where producers have personal and respectful relationships with their animals and make fine artisanal products like cheese or yogurt, perhaps there's a place for such delicacies. A splash of cream in your coffee, or a pad of butter in your mushrooms, might not kill the world. But maybe the days of standing in front of the open fridge chugging milk from the bottle will come to an end.


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