Calling a Spade a Spade

Calling A Spade A Spade
Taken from http://www.wickedshepherds.com/Callingaspadeaspade.html


Some think that it is wrong to point out false teachings and other kinds of evil and to call names, let alone to name who these false teachers are! Is this what we read in the scriptures?

In the scriptures, Jesus many, many times had serious confrontations with the religious leaders of his time. In fact it was the religious leaders who ultimately called for his death. (As mostly is the case......same is true for today) All through His life, they were waiting for the right moment.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. John 5:18

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?


But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? John 7:25-26

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Luke 22:2


After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. Mark 14:1

Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.Matt12:14

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. John 11:53.

Jesus called the religious leaders of His day "whited sepulchers", "fools", "blind guides", "hypocrites", "serpents", "murderers", "a generation of vipers," and many such names. Jesus spoke this way to the religious leaders throughout His ministry. He virtually had nothing nice to say about them. But yet there are many in the church today who say that Jesus never spoke this way.

Read Matthew Chapter 23 again and see what it says. Jesus’ words, in practically the entire chapter, are directed at the scribes and Pharisees. Do you think that Jesus would speak to the church leaders today in the same way? Does Jesus change? Have the church leaders changed? Yes indeed. They’ve gotten worse!

You know as well as I, that if Jesus were to return today, there is not one church on the face of the earth who would hire Him to be their “Pastor”. Not one! And why is that? Because people today do not want to hear the truth. Their church leaders are fine outstanding men who deserve to be followed, thank you!

The scriptures speak of things getting worse and worse, and if you read carefully, it’s not talking about the world, but the church and the leaders in the church!

To be sure, when it came to the common people, Jesus was the "Humble Servant.” His ministry to them was marked with compassion. He “was moved with compassion for them.”

He gave the gospel to them.
He fed them.
He healed them.
He wept with them.
He spoke gently and mildly to them. “Martha, Martha,"………"Simon, Simon."
He identified with the people and knew many were distressed,as sheep not having a shepherd.

When it came to the common people, Jesus ministered to them in meekness and gentleness, as His words showed. But when it came to those in the church; when it came to the “great ones”; when it came to the church leaders and so-called experts in the law, something changed.His ways, His mannerisms, His countenance, His words “EXPLODED.”  In all of His confrontations with the church leaders, you could see the difference in His whole attitude, especially in His words. Jesus was exposing their evils. He was exposing their false teachings and hypocrisy like no one ever did before. And in so doing, many others were starting to “see the light.”

His words were as the voice of a trumpet. Likewise today, there is much evil lurking in many churches and in those in positions of “church leadership.” The unbiblical authoritarianism and spiritual abuse within the ranks of the so-called “eldership” is rampant.

The hijacking of many marriages by these wolves in sheep’s clothing resulting in the destruction of many lives is evil beyond words.

To speak of these atrocities in anything less than an angry, forceful tone would be almost impossible. Anger doesn’t have to be sin, just like God’s anger that is mentioned probably hundreds of times in the scriptures, is not sin.

Perhaps the time has come for some others to express a little anger at what is going on with these wicked shepherds who are killing and scattering God's flock for their own power and glory and ego!

Perhaps the time has come for some others to express a little anger at these spiritual monsters who deliver their poisonous and blasphemous theology to so many unsuspecting souls, parents, and innocent children.

Yes, as we speak, there are many WHO KNOW what is going on.  As we speak, there are those in the church today who would readily stand up and say “NO” to the spiritual bullies and to flee from them and to deny them their control over them! Yet, for some, they also know that to do this would only invite persecution and a living death. So they remain.

But wouldn’t you rather suffer the former than to loose your soul and deny your Savior and Heavenly Father?  Many choose serving their spiritual bullies, thinking all the while they are serving their Lord.

Some also think that it’s wrong to name these people. They call it “spreading evil” or "trying to restrict this evil to only certain individuals and places." As has been said over and over on this website, this is a world wide evil that is taking place.

And what do the Scriptures say of this anyway?  Look through the letters of the Apostle Paul. Many times he mentions specific individuals by name.

Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

1 Timothy 1;19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

2 Timothy 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia

2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.


In 3 John verse 9, John named Diotrephes as one who does not receive the brothers, but throws them out of the assembly.

Jude exposes the errors of Balaam in verse 11.

In Revelation Chapter 2, twice the Nicolaitans are singled out and the warning is given concerning their works and their teaching.

And there are many from the Old Testament too.

We are living in a day when false teachers and their dastardly deeds abound. A faithful messenger will warn those in the churches. They will identify these churches by name, as well as their "leaders," calling a spade a spade. Just like the Lord Jesus did; just like the Apostle Paul did, and others as well.

People’s lives are being destroyed. Marriages are being destroyed. It’s not enough to just “generalize” a situation or play games and “hint” at what is being said. Are there any faithful messengers around anymore?

Sale of all Sales

This is one sale you don't want to miss!!!

Passing the Time

Boy time is really passing by quickly! This week has been really busy getting ready for this weekend's MASSIVE garage sale :-)  I am right in my element though.....it is through a garage sale that I came to know my Savior. This is definitely the biggest sale I have ever handled. The gym is just about down to walking room only!  The donations are still coming.  People have been so generous. We should make lots of money for the youth's Mission trip to Rogers Baptist in July. Our very first Vacation Bible School will be in July as well.

I taught my first class tonight!!!  I haven't taught since I had Victoria, so it's been a long while.
Tonight we learned about Zaccheus and the Sycamore Tree.

Just two and a half weeks til summer camp!!  We are SO excited!!  I will be teaching the 2 and 3 year olds!
This year's summer camp is being held at the Purely Gates Retreat in Mt. Vernon, Texas.


Our family is doing great and really excited about everything God is doing.  The Spanish Ministry is going good as is our weekly Bible study. Staying busy serving God where He has placed us.

Amber and Marina were with us several days last week.  We sorely miss them both. They are such a blessing to have in our home.  I sit back in complete amazement at what God is doing.

Lots to do this summer..Kids will be doing LOTS of swimming.  Glad summer has arrived but at the same time I'm ready for it to be over....CRAZY I KNOW!!!

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Fun with friends

This past Saturday several families got to gether to do some horseback riding.
 We had a wonderful time together. 
A HUGE thankyou to the Grimes family for allowing us to have this oppurtunity.

Hard Times Are Like a Washing Machine, They Twist, Turn & Knock Us Around, But In The End we Come Out Cleaner, Brighter & Better Than Before…

A blonde cop stops blonde motorist and asks for her driving license.


The Motorist scuffles around in her purse and can't find it. She says to the cop, "I must have left it at home officer."

The cop says, "Well, do you have any kind of identification?" The motorist scuffles around in her purse again, and finds a pocket mirror.

She looks at it and says to the cop, "All I have is this picture of myself." The cop says, "Let me see it, then." So the blonde motorist gives the mirror to the blonde cop, who looks at it, and replies, "Well, if I had known you were a police officer, I wouldn't have even pulled you over. You can go now."

Scars remind us where we've been. They
don't have to dictate where we're going.

A Funny

THE NEXT SURVIVORSERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework,

complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition,each man will have to budget enough money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to theEmergency Room.

He must also make cookies orcupcakes for a school function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it

presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished, and eyebrows groomed

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches,

have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetingsand church, and find time at least once to spend

the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.


They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them,

brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:30 am.


A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know

all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, doctor's name,

the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color,

middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear,

and what they want to be when they grow up.



The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.


If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years,

eventually earning the right to be called Mother!


After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and

as many men as you think can handle it. Just don't send it back to me....I'm going to bed.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours!!!

Sayings

It's not what you think you are, but what you think, YOU ARE!!! 


Men don't cry...their eyeballs sweat.


Librals are frustated with what the Bible DOES say.....Legalists are frustrated with what the Bible DOESN'T say.

New Blogger

I have not really given our new blogger friend a proper welcome so, here it is.

Welcome to Blog Land, Lois.  May your time here be blessed and bring encouragement as well as direction to others and  yourself.  Remember the Blog is yours!!!!  Use it how God leads you and have LOTS of fun!!   beautyforashes2010.blogspot.com

Friends & Babies

Do you have something you need to do? Something you have been putting off for whatever reason. That garage that needs cleaning, or those patterns that need o be gone through, maybe the kids have outgrown toys or clothes, perhaps the house needs to be painted, weeds need to be pulled, cars washed, ect.  Maybe you have something even more important to do like make ammends. This very second could be your last before you slip away into an eternity where no ammends can be made.  Perhaps it's time to swallow your pride and just get it done.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.”  C. Northcote Parkinson

The peace God will give you when you know things are well aligned in your life is indescribable.

PKD Update

10.2cm = According to my latest CT, that is the size of the largest cyst on my right kidney. My blood pressures are doing great:) So on the whole things are going fine.

Nicholas saw his nephrologist yesterday and his blood pressure is still to high for safety.  He will now be taking a weekly patch on top of his other medication. (This is a patch that contains medication and he has to change it once a week.)  Hopefully with this new medication his blood pressure will level out.  They are gonna take another look at his heart through an echocardiogram and check for any aneurysms with a MRA.
He is up to 5'8 and hoping to pass Jaime soon:)

I would rather be hated for speaking the truth than to be loved for speaking a lie.


John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.


Anatole France

Just Wondering...

Why is it that people who "withdraw the hand of fellowship" from the church you are a member of still request your friendship on facebook?  Thus is the case with several of us who had the courage to leave .....hmmmmmm just wondering.

Making Amends

The Challenge of Clergy Amends

by Dale Wolery

It is difficult for clergy persons to be the ordinary human beings they really are. The universal inclination in our churches is to place pastors on pedestals. Words like anointed, gifted and special are used to describe them. Their careers place them as honored members of every church family at births, baptisms, weddings and funerals. They have the inside track to both the secret pain and the great celebrations of the people in the congregation. Pastors stand in the pulpit regularly to speak for God into the lives of flawed humans.

The peril, of course, is in the perception that clergy are somehow “above,” “better than” or “not as tempted” as earthlings. Looking to the pastor on the pedestal, churchgoers too often see superheroes who don’t sin, don’t fail and don’t feel pain like ordinary people.

This heightened expectation about clergy behavior can have very important consequences for clergy in recovery. No “fall” elicits the whispering or stokes the flames of gossip quite as much as clergy failure. But clergy do fail. And, like everyone else, they need to do inventory and to make amends.

Making amends is a normal part of any recovery journey. It is a spiritual discipline that forces us to face the humbling truth that our personal failure has hurt others. When it is a clergyperson who is making amends there are potential benefits for the entire Church.

Making amends requires looking long enough and carefully enough at one’s failures, addictions, abuses, behavior and sins to determine what appropriate amends are required. Making amends follows telling the whole truth to another human being about the nature of our wrongs. The process is a powerful antidote for the pedestal thinking that can be such a powerful toxin in the life of the recovering pastor.

Making amends grows out of acknowledging one’s wrongs. It is rooted in a heart that seeks to feel the impact that those wrongs have had on others. The resulting feelings are often called guilt, which is a kind of down-and-dirty human emotion. It is reserved for people who have hurt others through their failure. It is not the emotion of superheroes or idealized icons. It is for real people. When clergy own appropriate guilt and act on it by making appropriate amends the humbling, humanizing impact can be significant.

The full impact of grace cannot be experienced until we feel the pain our errors have caused others. Making amends frees a recovering pastor to feel the guilt and experience the grace about which he has preached.

To be sure, when a pastor is guided by a sponsor toward appropriate amends the experience of fully owning one’s failure and carefully and humbly making creative amends has a powerful impact. Pastors who make amends feel their humanity, come to know humility in new ways and join the congregation in the struggles of real life. Making amends requires us to get off the pedestal, to feel the guilt that as resulted from our behavior and to accept the posture of the penitent. Although painful, this is a process that is profoundly good for us. And it will be felt by all who come into contact with us. Making amends makes a difference.

Bonus Blessings

Sometimes just when you think your family is complete...God gives you a bonus blessing.
That is exactly what Isaiah is for us. He came into our lives at a time of great need and
has brought the entire family joy that is unmeasurable.

Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Easter Cantata

Choir of First Baptist Church Clute, Texas