My son will tell you I am a movie buff. He and I thought of starting a father/son movie Christian review web site along the lines of Siskel and Ebert, but wisdom prevailed. We have father son outings where we go see the newest release and talk about life's lessons learned through the film, always applying our Christian worldview to weed out the chaff. I've probably seen hundreds of movies in my lifetime, but are three movies that have made an impact on me from a theological and spiritual perspective. The first was when I was a 10 year old kid watching the television movie Brian's Song for the first time. When Brian died, I cried. It was the first time in my life death impacted me through a movie. I have now spent years working with people facing death, and the feelings I have about death are still the same. The second time a film moved me in a spiritual and theological manner was just a couple of years ago when watching the epic C.S. Lewis film Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. When all in Narnia seemed lost and hopeless, and the people were facing certain death at the hands of their enemies, the Lion reappears, steps majestically onto the rock and roars. I know it may sound corny to some, but the imagery in that movie that portrayed Jesus Christ rescuing His people, making death and all His enemies a footstool, moved me to tears of joy.The third time a film resonated with me theologically was yesterday when I watched a thirty minute movie called OVERSOLD.
Pastor David Cowan and Elevation Church
My friend, David Cowan, emailed me to tell me that a story he had written, a modern parable of Hosea and Gomer, was finally ready for distribution in the form of a short film. David is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and is pastoring a Southern Baptist Church plant in Phoenix, Arizona, called Elevation Church, in Phoenix, Arizona. With the help of his church and producer Paul Morrell, the short film has been released for download over the Internet. David asked that I watch the film and let him know what I thought. I went to the offical web-site and purchased the download to watch in my office.It goes without saying that even Hollywood blockbuster movies are fake. They are not real life. Actors wear make-up, stories are made-up, and scenes are set-up. Even if a movie is a biography or based on a true story, it is still just a movie. But those movies that have moved me in terms of my view of life and God have been movies conveying a profound message. Brian's Song was based on the true story of professional football player Brian Picalo, his losing battle with cancer, and the friendship he had with fellow Chicago Bear teammate Gale Sayers, and illustrated for me the importance of relationships and the impact of death The Chronicles of Narnia was a movie built on the allegory of the battle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over the forces of darkness. OVERSOLD is about how Jesus Christ pursues sinners until He wins them over with His incredible, unconditional, effectual and eternal love.
Crissy Moran
OVERSOLD is a short film that is a modern day parallel to the Hosea and Gomer love story found in the Bible. It stars former porn star Crissy Moran, now a follower of Jesus Christ, as the "Gomer" character. It depicts a young pastor who receives an inheritance after the death of his parents in a car accident. He takes a sabbatical to Las Vegas to visit his only surviving relative, a step-brother. In Vegas he meets a dancer and begins to court her. After a couple of weeks the pastor discovers the woman he loves is actually a stripper. Rather than turn his back on her, the young pastor offers to marry her if she will leave Vegas and her life behind and return with him to the church he pastors. She says yes to his proposal, and that is where the story gets really interesting. One of the best scenes in the movie is when the church members discover their pastor has actually married a former stripper. When the pastor's wife begins to feel out of place in her new home, and when the pressure mounts to pay off the huge financial debt she owes her former handler and boyfried, she returns to Vegas. We then follow the pastor as he returns to Vegas to "redeem" his wife. Anyone who has read the book of Hosea in the Bible knows that the movie script is an adaptation of this timeless story of God's love and redemption.
OVERSOLD is basically a video message of hope, targeted towards those that suffer from addictions to porn or are connected with the dark world of the sex industry. It is a film that pours light into dark places, and it is already being used to enlighten many with the grace of God. The film was produced on a small budget, mostly the savings of producer Paul Morrell, and is the dream and vision of the pastor and people of Elevation Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
Crissy Moran, the lead actress in the film, has had her life radically transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. She told me yesterday that it is her hope this film will be used by God to show women and young girls caught up in the porn industry that they are not beyond the reach of God's love. In addition, it is her desire, as well as Pastor Cowen's, that this film cause Christian men to awaken to the truth that viewing porn is not a "victimless" act. Crissy is attempting to remove, through legal means, all of the porn clips of her on the Internet. She may not succeed, but it is my prayer that those who are tempted to search for Crissy Moran porn clips will actually be led to OVERSOLD and discover a testimony that will transform the soul. Pastor David Cowan narrates the movie, and at the end, he gives what I believe is the money quote:
God pursues a love relationship with you that is real and personal. God is truly the God of second chances. You might feel like that all your chances are spent, that there is no hope, that for you all hope is lost.
But this story tells us just the opposite. God tells us, "No, no, there is hope for you. There is grace for you.
Pastor Cowan goes on in his narrative to address prostitutes, strippers, porn addicts, escorts, and other people affected by the billion dollar sex industry in America. He closes by challenging the viewers of the movie to open their lives to Jesus Christ, who unlike others, "will never leave you or abandon you."
My prayers are with Elevation Church, Pastor David Cowan, Crissy Moran and the movie OVERSOLD. I thank God that a Southern Baptist Church and a Southern Baptist pastor have taken the risk of bringing the story of God's love for sinners to people who might never have heard it through traditional church means. They also realize that people in our church pews are sometimes just as hopeless and desparate as those in the back alleys of Hollywood. Pastor and Mrs. David Cowan and Crissy Moran will be at Emmanuel, Enid next year to help us with a regional Men's Purity Conference. May God use their stories and their movie OVERSOLD to lead lost, desparate men and women to a knowledge of the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Go, download the movie, and help support those Christians that are reaching people in the porn industry with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In His Grace,
Wade
77 comments:
Thanks SO MUCH for the kind words, Wade! Can't wait to see all that God will do with this film! He's already impacting many... I am praying for many, many more!
Amen.
Pastor Wade your recent posts have been a blessing to me. I am learning much from your blog and Debbie Kaufman's blog sites. The way I can tell your site is impacting me, is of the changes in my behavior on other blog sites.
Truly, the meek shall inherit the earth.
Thanks.
Please check out Debbie Kaufman's blog post:
Ministry of Reconciliation: YouTube - “What Do You Think About the State of Today’s Church?” White Horse Inn
I was not familiar with Ms. Moran and did a Google search. If she truly wants all video clips removed, she might want to start with her very own website.
Anonymous,
Ever consider Ms Moran may not be in control of her own site? It could be owned by porn marketing company. How about giving a sister in Christ the benefit of the doubt.......and signing your name.
Grace,
Jeff Parsons
wade- can't wait to watch the movie. First movie i cried at was Brians Song. "I love ya Pic".
first scary movie of my life. THE BIRDS!.. At Glorieta several years ago some crows chased me out of the prayer garden. going for my hat. i was running back to the cabin. brought back memories.
God's Grace is good!
Pastor Wade... thank you so much for reviewing our movie!
I just want to address what someone said about having my old material removed from the web... and in particular my own website. I don't think people understand how all of this works.
The pornography business is a business just like any other. You have contracts. If a photographer or webmaster is smart he will have you sign a model release or some sort of contract to allow him to use your images, video, or website. Model releases basically give them the power to use images/video under certain conditions and usually it's how ever they please. Sometimes they do allow you to alter it and add your own stipulations but no one is going to pay you (as "talent") and then allow you to add stipulations that if you ever leave the business they will remove them. That would be bad for their own business. The releases generally give them the power to use them forever. I have shot material with countless people over the span of 6 years. Legally I have signed over the rights to some of my photos/video and they have rights to use them.
As far as my own website goes, another story. A contract was signed for a certain number of years. I left the business and asked for it to be taken down. They refused because of the contract and because they have a business and thousands of other people are advertising the site so to take it down would hurt them all financially. Unfortunately, no one cares who I "feel"... it's a business. I left and never received another dime from that day on just out of principle. They asked if I still wanted my portion to be put in my bank account and I said NO.
I have spoken to about 5 lawyers who chose to help me out or work pro bono. No one has really fought for me because I have no money and/or they are not really a "contract" lawyer but are doing a favor etc. The contract runs out this year and the pornographers have announced to their affiliate webmasters that they plan to continue the site. They do have a lawyer on retainer. I have one that is doing nothing at the moment. Same story different lawyer. Pro-bono. Financially, I can barely afford to pay rent every month much less fight a legal battle. I just can't. Period.
One of the messages I try to convey when doing interviews is the reality of what it means to be a part of that business. I want to warn others who are thinking about it. It's funny when I was 24 years old and got involved I knew it would be out there forever but I did it anyway. Now this is the consequence. I have to live with my mistakes being plastered all over the internet. The thing is - if I do or if I do not speak out about any of this at all...my mistakes have already been made and I can't change it. My only hope is that the Lord can use my mistakes to help other people. I do receive countless emails from people who were googling my name and found my testimony and inspired to turn away from pornography. So until I have a lawyer who is ready to fight - just for what is right - and not for anything more... this is the reality that I have to live with.
Crissy: God bless you, Sister in Christ.
Only Our Lord Jesus Christ can heal the wounds.
"And they glorified God ... because of me! --- Paul, Galatians 1
The passage above makes me think that Paul was always aware and saddened by his own past, and that he was amazed - and grateful - that God had transformed him to someone who could build up and encourage.
Ms. Moran: It is wonderful to hear of another life that God has changed to rescue the hurting. We may walk with a limp, but we walk in God's way, and that counts for a lot.
Crissy,
When our Lord saves a soul, He saves them perfectly and forever. We all have backgrounds we'd rather forget but now we focus on Christ and what He does for sinners. So while your old self may still be out there, you can now concentrate on the new self that has been redeemed by His Blood.
I pray that a lawyer comes your way and the only image of you on the internet will be an image that is a testimony to Grace.
John in St. Louis
Crissy,
I am grateful for your courage and the transforming grace of God in your life. The hundreds of men who have searched your name on the Internet to find something to titilate their flesh, only to discover your testimony of the power of Christ which I pray will convict and ultimately transform their souls. Your past, like the Apostle Paul's, is evidence to me that God works in mysterious ways.
Thanks for explaining how the porn industry works. Again, my prayer is that those addicted to it will find Christ through your bold and courageous testimony!
Wade
Chrissy is more sinned against in her life than sinning, although she has made some devastating choices, which just made it easier for her to be victimized.
One hopes that her nightmare will be over if she can get the right kinds of help: legal, psychological, and religious counseling to help her heal from her scars. Thy Peace is right: the Lord Jesus is very good at healing our wounds.
As for the Anonymous who criticized earlier, think about your own life and thank God that you never had to go through what this young woman has lived through. Remember not to sit in judgment, it can harm someone greatly if they are already vulnerable and suffering. Life is hard enough for all women. Whether it is a 'porn' perveyor or a church leader tormenting a woman employee, the result is the same: pain and suffering and lack of any caring for the person's welfare.
Pray for Chrissy's healing.
Chrissy's name derives from
'Christ' Who will One Day dry all tears. We know this to be true.
Crissy-
Thanks for your testimony. As one who has been in the grip of this hideous addition, I am saddened that I was a part of using women for my own selfish purposes with no thought of what their life was like. What a wretched soul I can be! But thanks be to God that he has opened my eyes...
When even the Church sells a doctrine that women are 'second-class' humans, how can we act as though we are not partially responsible for a society that takes advantage of vulnerable young women in extreme ways?
When the Church learns to respect the dignity of all as children of God, simply because they are human beings, then the Church can hold out its hand to these victims in a way that shows integrity and sincerity.
Some churches cannot even answer for teaching about human dignity.
For that reason alone, women need protection from the practices of these churches, which continue to place these young women in subserviant and demoted roles which are harmful to their spirits.
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE
WARDROBE: Christian symbolism
The main story is an allegory of Christ's crucifixion. Aslan sacrifices himself for Edmund, a traitor who deserved death, in the same way that Christ sacrificed Himself for sinners. The cross is replaced by the Stone Table (which was used in Celtic religion), both being pagan symbols, in contrast to Christ. Additionally, the splitting of the Stone Table reflects the veil of the temple splitting at the point of Christ's death. As with the Christian Passion, it is women (Susan and Lucy) who tend Aslan's body after he dies and are the first to see him after his resurrection. The significance of the death contains elements of both the ransom theory of atonement and the satisfaction theory: Aslan suffers Edmund's penalty (satisfaction), and buys him back from the White Witch, who was entitled to him by reason of his treachery (ransom). Christ is also associated with lions.
"When the four Pevensie children in Narnia first hear Aslan’s name, they immediately feel powerful sensations that they cannot comprehend. Peter, Susan, and Lucy experience an unfathomable joy. Edmund the double-crosser was strangely dismayed. Either way Aslan evoked a strong response.
In the Narnia Chronicles “The Horse and His Boy”, Aslan reveals himself as the one who keeps us from going over the edge, the one who stays with us day and night. The young prince Shasta looked back after entering Narnia: “I must have gone through the pass in the night. What luck that I hit it! At least it wasn’t luck at all really, it was Him (Aslan). And Now I’m in Narnia.” “Who are you?” asked Shasta. “Myself”, said the voice, very deep and low so that the earth shook; and again “Myself”, loud and clear and gay; and then the third time “Myself”, whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all around you as if the leaves rustled with it.” Aslan was Himself, no more, no less.
In Narnia Chronicle’s “The Magician's Nephew”, we learn that Aslan sang creation into existence at the beginning of time: “The Voice rose and rose, till the air was shaking with it. And just as it swelled into the mightiest and most glorious sound it had yet produced, the sun arose...The Lion was pacing to and fro about that empty land and singing his new song...And as he walked and sang the valley grew green with grass. It spread out from the Lion like a pool...Soon there were other things besides grass...'Trees,' Digory exclaimed.”
CS Lewis ‘created’ a world of endless snow in the Narnia Chronicles. Only when Aslan was slain for others by the White Witch did the snow start melting. CS Lewis described his own spiritual breakthrough the same way: “I felt as if I were a man of snow at long last beginning to melt. The melting was starting in my back – drip-drip and presently trickle-trickle. I rather disliked the feeling.”
Many people don’t realize that CS Lewis, a confirmed old bachelor, ended up becoming married because of Aslan. Joy Davidman, a self-declared atheistic communist of Jewish heritage, loved to read the Narnia Chronicles to her sons. In the process, she came to faith in Aslan, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Looking back, Joy Davidman commented: “My first published poem was called "Resurrection" — a sort of private argument with Jesus, attempting to convince him (and myself) that he had never risen. I wrote it at Easter, of all possible seasons, and never guessed why."
As Joy Davidman wrote in ‘The Longest Way Round’, God "had been stalking me for a very long time, waiting for his moment; he crept nearer so silently that I never knew he was there. Then, all at once, he sprang. For the first time in my life I felt helpless; for the first time my pride was forced to admit that I was not, after all, 'the master of my fate'. All my defenses — the walls of arrogance and cocksureness and self-love behind which I had hid from God — went down momentarily. And God came in. Since childhood, I had been pouring half my energy into the task of keeping him out. When it was over I found myself on my knees, praying. I think I must have been the world's most astonished atheist."
After coming to faith in Aslan the Lion of Judah, Joy escaped to England from her alcoholic, adulterous, wife-beating husband. As told in the ‘Shadowlands’ movie, it was there that Joy met her Narnia hero, CS Lewis. As a favour to a good friend, CS Lewis married Joy Davidman to keep her from being thrown out of the country because of her former communist background. As Joy began to battle terminal cancer, CS Lewis then fell in love with Joy for real and married her a second time in a Church wedding,. Romantically CS Lewis adopted Joy Davidman’s children, one of whom, Douglas Gresham, is co-producer of the Narnia Chronicles movie blockbuster.
So who is this Aslan who transformed Joy Davidman’s life?
CS Lewis wrote to some Maryland fifth graders in 1954: "I did not say to myself 'Let us represent Jesus as He really is in our world by a Lion in Narnia'; I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.'". In the letter, sent to a child fan in 1961, Lewis writes: “The whole Narnian story is about Christ.” CS Lewis commented: “Since Narnia is a world of talking beasts, I thought he would become a talking beast there as he became a man here. I pictured him becoming a lion there because a) the lion is supposed to be the king of beasts; b) Christ is called ‘the lion of Judah’ in the Bible.”
My prayer for those reading this article is that each of us, like CS Lewis and Joy Davidman, may open our hearts to the mysterious Aslan."
The Rev. Ed Hird
My first thanks was to Wade for posting this kind blog entry concerning this labor of love that Paul Morrell and myself embarked on about a year ago - and one that Crissy has helped make even more special! My second thanks is to each of you that have written such great and supportive words for this project. Thank you so much...
I'd especially love to hear from you that have seen the movie. What stands out for you? Is Oversold something you would like to share with friends? Why? How would it impact them?
Here's one of the responses I received after someone downloaded and watched the film:
----
Hi, my name is (removed for anonymity).
I feel like I need to say this or this will truely kill me. Although I am a male I give my body away to internet porn. I go by different names and I am scared. Ive done it out of my own choosing. I feel dead and numb inside. Some of my history is moving from foster home to foster home, and the only way i knew what love was, was to give my body away. Its not about the sex, or even that I like it, its more about the intimacy. Im not gay, I just never got to feel or even know that my father loved me. Im so scared for my future. I do believe in Christ but not the father part. I know that I am held by my secrets, i want to be free. I cant talk to the church, because i might be kicked out. I dont want to be known as that. this is something that I wrote that no one yet has read...I just need a new start:
Internet masquerade
When the sky dies down
And the light is no more
I am two people in one
A side that no one knows
And side that everyone adores
I am happy
And I am sad
Loneliness stalks these halls with echoless motion
My heart is empty
Slowly begging for someone to hold me
To take me from this life of hardship and pain
So I don’t have to act like its all okay
I am a prostitute to the world
With one click away
I might be the one who just might make your day
I get no money
Only demands
The screen is in front
Yet my name is banned
Its not like I like it, im just so alone
My mind just keeps running
But nobodies home
I am scared everyday
Wondering if theres really room for me in heaven
Ive lost myself on the world wide web
Click here and you’ll be free
I can make the world smile
And please with delight
But im the one who lays in bed and silently cries
For its cold out side
And inside is a fire
I am being burned to a crisp
Cant you here the choir
They sing
Happy faces while your burning
No one knows the little secret
If you tell you will be the freak
So just continue to act neat
While you cry so deep inside
The fire is swallowing you with pride
Then all is silent
The music dies down
I hate the night
Im scared to be found
But im lost and im feeble
I feel like a child,
But in the end I cry
screaming
please
Just Stay for awhile
Thank you for listening. Thank you for not being afraid.
---
I wrote back:
Wow, (name removed). Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the movie and send this note to us. We have been praying that this movie would touch people's lives with the truth that GOD LOVES THEM - and that there is HOPE for all that reach out in faith.
I want you to know that you are welcome in our church, bro. I am the pastor... I am the one that wrote the script. I wrote this for you. So, no worries about condemnation. I'd love to meet you sometime for lunch or whatever. Let me know. Or just see you at church.
--
His response:
Wow I didnt expect you to reply....where is your church located? Im so excited! Ive been looking for a church, Thank you so much.
--
This is one of many...
I share this because obviously this topic brings shame and hopelessness... and for whatever reason, people without Jesus do not consider the church to be a place where they can go for help. It's time people rediscover the Goodnews Jesus brings by way of His cross and resurrection! Please pray for this guy... pray that we will be able to connect. I'd love to see him come to saving faith!
And thanks, again, for your support and prayers, guys! Thank you!
- David Cowan
Crissy,
Max Lucado used a term in one of his books ... "the insult of the gospel", and it applies to everyone who is surprised when someone they think is "too bad to be saved", is saved the same way they were. Plain fact is that it took just as much grace to save the best person as it does anyone else.
Folks who are surprised when someone else is saved need to examine what they're trusting, themselves.
May God bless you, and continues to show you ways in which He's using your testimony/
David Cowan: That email exchange brought to tears to my eyes.
BOB CLEVELAND wrote,
"Plain fact is that it took just as much grace to save the best person as it does anyone else."
The price for ALL of us was the Same. And The Price was enough for ALL of us. Christ's sacrifice was the SOURCE of grace for ALL.
Chrissy's 'sin' is no greater than the sin of sitting in judgment on her.
Thank you, Bob, for pointing out the fact that we cannot rank-order the 'sins of the world' into least to worst. An unkind word to a suffering person is a greater sin than anything Chrissy ever did.
Some times I think the greatest sin of all the sin of unkindness towards a fellow human being.
If we can be 'unkind' and think that we can justify it because the 'other' deserves that treatment from us, what will we eventually become? Each time, it will become easier to be brutal. And then, in the end, what forms of 'unkindness' will our judgmentalism lead us to?
Like people on this web who have accused others of terrible sins and told them they were going to hell, while claiming to be 'Christian' . . . they know who they are. What a message to send to readers of this blog about Baptists and their love (?) of the Lord.
Thank God for people like Bob Cleveland who radiate the faith of Christ to those looking for hope.
Without these people, the world would be a darker place for all of us.
AngryAnony - Christians can't tell people who have not confessed and repented of their sin and are not bearing fruit of the spirit that they are in danger of going to hell?
Are you serious?
I'm all for showing kindness. In fact, I have given my life for it as I serve as a missionary in Europe.
But kindness won't get anyone to heaven. Including me. And including you.
You sound really angry. Assuming you are a Christian, this is disturbing. I think you are probably the same anony that is popping in and just making comment after comment filled with rage and anger. You are not leading by example regarding showing kindness.
I don't know who or what has made you so upset, but please relax and enjoy this portrait of God's glorious mercy and grace shown to this family and church. That's what everyone else here is doing.
Please don't distract people from this great story in order to gain attention for yourself and sharpen some mysterious personal agenda.
And please give yourself a nick so we can all identify each of your comments.
Even if it's just "AngryAnony".
Wade - Thank you for sharing this story. I have added this wonderful family to my prayer list.
But I can't download movie in Europe it seems? :(
Yet another story of God's mercy He gave to a sinner. Just as He did for me.
SL1M
Thank God. The true gospel at work.
Crissy,
I occasionally write acrostic poems, in which the person's name forms the first letter of each line. Your testimony moved me to write one for you. It follows...
Up From The Depths
Caught up in a tide that was sweeping the land
Redeemed by the Savior, restored by His hand
In life going onward, with work yet to do
She testifies openly, touching both me and you
Showing the depths of the nature of man
Yet showing the healing, for her Savior can
Make a new creature from just what remains,
Offering hope, and His cleansing from stains.
Rejoice, oh thou sinner, for each life He’s made new
Acts as a Heavenly message for you
Never forget; there’s grace for you, too.
Anonymous said,
"As for the Anonymous who criticized earlier, think about your own life and thank God that you never had to go through what this young woman has lived through. "
Amen!
Chrissy said,
"I came from a broken home."
For so many, troubles start there. Children from broken homes have special challenges to overcome.
Some survive well and intact.
Others fall by the wayside and need a good samaritan to get them to shelter, bandage their wounds, and pay for their care while they recover.
Chrissy's story shows many areas where young people from broken homes get into trouble. Surely, the Church can do more to help these young people to survive in a climate of rejection and judgment. Especially now, when there are so many divorces among Christians and so many suffering Christian children.
WADE wrote,
"OVERSOLD is about how Jesus Christ pursues sinners until He wins them over with His incredible, unconditional, effectual and eternal love."
"Unconditional love": God loves us where we are. We don't have to be 'perfect' or any where near that to earn His love. His saving love is our complete healing.
Anonymous wrote, "Like people on this web who have accused others of terrible sins and told them they were going to hell, while claiming to be 'Christian' . . . they know who they are. "
Someone replies, "Christians can't tell people who have not confessed and repented of their sin and are not bearing fruit of the spirit that they are in danger of going to hell?"
How did Chrissy's story spark that kind of response? What is Christian about telling someone else they are sinners and are going to hell? A Christian is someone who does NOT sit in judgment on penalty of the wrath of the Lord. Look to thine own self and take the beam out of thine own eye before throwing stones at others.
The above comment is bad theology, unbiblical and just plain wrong.
But hey, thanks for taking the spotlight off of this amazing story and putting it on yourself.
Mark McMinn in his book, "Why Sin Matters" points out how John Newton became a slave ship captain and adulterer against his bride-to-be AFTER he wrote the song Amazing Grace. Many think that song was his hymn of repentance. Not so. It took years for him to truly see how blind he was. God saves over a long and winding road, and I am encouraged every time I see it.
For the 'Busch Gardens' missionary who said
"kindness won't get anyone to heaven"
Kindness is the act or the state of charitable behavior to other people.
In philosophy and culture
Kindness is considered to be one of the Knightly Virtues, and is a recognized value in many cultures and religions (see ethics in religion). It is considered to be one of the seven virtues, specifically the one of the Seven Contrary Virtues (direct opposites of the seven deadly sins) that is the direct opposite to envy[1]. The Talmud claims that "deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments." Paul of Tarsus defines love as being `patient and kind...` (I Corinthians).
In Buddhism, one of the Ten Perfections (Paramitas) is Mettā, which is usually translated into English as "loving-kindness". Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama wrote "my religion is kindness" and authored a book entitled Kindness, Clarity, and Insight. Confucius urges his followers to "recompense kindness with kindness." According to book two of Aristotle's Rhetoric it is one of the emotions, which is defined as being "helpfulness towards some one in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped".
In a study of 37 cultures around the world, 16000 subjects were asked about their most desired traits in a mate. For both sexes, the first preference was kindness (the second was intelligence)
Baptists do not prize or practice kindness to many of their own missionaries.
So, of course, how could it be a 'Baptist' value? No need to reply.
"I can't download movie in Europe"
'This, then, is the reward of a liar: that he will not be believed, even when he tells the truth.'
The Talmud
I would encourage the Anon bloggers to show the other cheek. I know, I am not a saint and I have said lot of hurtful things too.
God bless you all and may Our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in His peace and His tender mercies.
I had earlier posted Crissy's story in one of the comments. But on reflection I felt it was a poor choice on my part, so I deleted it.
This story is posted here:
I am a treasure
I pray for Our Lord Jesus Christ to nurture and protect this young lady who is in His care now. God bless you Sister.
That is a bunch of great information about many different heresies around the world. Thanks for that.
However, kindness still won't get anyone to heaven. No matter how many heretical teachings there are about it around the world.
If you are relying on kindness to get you there, good luck with that.
Not only will you realize you are wrong, but you would fail to make the grade even if it were so. For I am still still trying to find the kindness you showed by calling me a liar.
As some others have mentioned, your pathetic compulsion to pull the spotlight off of this family and shine it on yourself reveals the fact that you being a very UNkind person is actually the least of your troubles.
No need to reply.
SL1M
nice witness there, SLM1...?
You don't dispute anything I say, but you only pay me a compliment.
You must agree.
Cool.
I guess I'm done with you.
Later.
Man's status in the world:
Lack of kindness and charity infers a denial of Divine creation and the implicit Lordship of God over creation, as it was taught:
"Give to Him of that which is His own, for you and whatever is yours are His.
Thus it is said by David:
'For everything is from You, and from Your own we have given You' (I Chronicles 29:14).
This implies also that when providing for the needy,
when performing acts of loving-kindness,
it is, as it were,
as if one gave to God:
taking from God's bounty entrusted into man's hands
and giving it to God by way of assisting those in need.
To the 'Busch Gardens' missionary:
Don't tell fish stories where the people know you;
but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.
S. Clemens
You are never more truthful than when you acknowledges yourself as a liar. Your character may be learned from the adjectives which you habitually use in your blogging:
really angry
rage and anger
really disturbing
wrong
fail
UNkind
MORE LATER.
"Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted. " R. Emerson
Lying often gets worse with the passage of time. When you get away with a lie it often impels you to continue your deceptions. Also, liars often find themselves perpetrating more untruths to cover themselves. We hold different people to different standards when it comes to telling the truth. We expect, for example, less honesty from politicians than from scientists. We have a vision of purity about those who are doing research, while we imagine that politicians will at least shade the truth about themselves in order to get elected. Why do we dislike liars, especially sociopaths, so much? It’s a matter of trust. When a person lies, they have broken a bond – an unspoken agreement to treat others as we would like to be treated.
A friendly reminder:
All the Anons (including me) who are posting here, Pastor Wade has the IP addresses of each comment that comes in and who browse his site. So with some research, he can mostly figure out who you are. Not your real identity, but at least your online identity.
If you have DSL or Comcast internet service, the only way the IP address will change is if you power cycle your dsl/comcast modem. Of course if you are old fashioned and still doing dial-up, then most likely you will get a new ip address, every time you connect.
If you are at work or coffee shop, then you are sharing your ip address with others.
Bible Truth
Methods adopted for the most part by Protestants: each individual became on principle his own supreme teacher and arbiter in matters appertaining to faith and morals. The Reformers held fast to the Bible as the infallible source of revelation, but as to what belongs or does not belong to it, whether, and how far, it is inspired, and what is its meaning — all this was left to the final decision of the individual, at least in Low Church forms.
Proverbs 6:16-19 "These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look,
A LYING TONGUE, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. "
As per Peter Lumpkins, he will post tomorrow (Sunday) a lengthy ...
Here are his words:
"Tomorrow, I'll post Dr. Allen's lengthy response to critics concerning his paper on Limited Atonement which he presented at the recent John 3:16 Conference.
He especially deals with critics pertaining to his remarks on Hyper-Calvinism. Stay Tuned..."
HyperCalvinism: Professor David Allen Responds to Critics...
Does anyone notice a CONTRAST between these two quotes?
I wonder if both quotes are by John Calvin? There seems to be some conflict between the two.
"God preordained, for his own glory and the display of His attributes of mercy and justice, a part of the human race, without any merit of their own, to eternal salvation, and another part, in just punishment of their sin, to eternal damnation."
John Calvin
No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open UNTO ALL MEN: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.
John Calvin
Contradictions ?
Anonymous,
At the risk of starting a cat-fight:
Your second quote has to do with who may (as in is permitted to) call on Jesus for salvation.
Your first has to do with who will.
CHRISTIAN LEGAL PRO-BONO HELP:
Here's Why CLS has Developed our Christian Legal Aid Program
CLS has developed CLAP to help people as a faith-based alternative to traditional legal aid programs for four basic reasons:
First, Scriptures teaches it and Jesus Christ commands it to be done by His followers. Proverbs 29:7,31-8-9; Matthew 23:23, 25:31-40; Luke 4:18-19, 12:32-33.
Second, faith-based social service agencies, supported by community volunteers, are reported to be most efficient and effective in helping clients get back on their feet.2
Third, current legal aid resources are already insufficient3 and are being further threatened by reduced federal appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation and the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Phillips v. Washington Legal Foundation, __U.S.__, 118 S. Ct. 1925 (June 15, 1998), holding that interest on lawyer's trust accounts is the client's private property and, therefore, may not be taken by the state to pay for legal aid to the poor without the client's approval or state legislation that could be found constitutional under the provision of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution which provides that "private property" shall not "be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Fourth, CLS has found that its Christian Legal Aid Program provides one of the best ways and means to improve the spiritual lives of both the lawyers and the clients who participate in a CLAP program. Jesus strongly instructed the lawyers of His day: "Woe to you, lawyers, you lay burdens on men too hard to bear and you lift not even a finger to help them. Luke 11:46. The Old Testament teaches: "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.... Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them." Proverbs 14:31,22:22-23
As we work together pro Bono and pro Deo to build new voluntary Christian legal services programs or maintain existing programs in every community where CLS members live, let us trust God to provide for the needed resources and teach us daily how to work for the common good of all.
God knows its right and good!
BOB CLEVELAND:
Curious cat will not fight.
Only wish to know this:
How does God choose?
Is He capricious: 'love you', 'love you not', etc?
Or is there any design to His plan of creating humans in order to see them perish?
The Calvinism doctrine seems man-made and appears to go against the whole theme of the New Testament: a chance of Salvation for all mankind. So many Bible verses must be discounted to believe in John Calvin. Why don't the Calvinists remove those verses and make up their own Bible?
Just questions.
I don't think the answers are to be had or all this controversy would have been resolved long ago.
NO MEOW TODAY.
SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH CALVINISM?
To many, Calvinism goes against the whole flow of New Testament teaching. It substitutes a vengeful, capricious and merciless God, for the loving Father of Jesus's teachings.
WHAT ABOUT THE BIBLE?
As already stated, Calvinism seems directly opposed to the whole tenor of Jesus's constant exhortations to us to make the right choices. Why should He have spent so much of his ministry on this sort of teaching if we did not have the Free Will to profit by it? This is one reason why Free Will has always been so important to the historic Church, and why our choices and actions are vitally important.
We can see that the Bible also denies the idea of irresistible grace, showing that our Free Will does affect its action:
2 Cor 6: 1 As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
The Bible shows clearly that God wants everyone to be saved, and that He has NOT predestined anyone for damnation.
1 Timothy 2.3-4: This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3; 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, NOT WANTING ANYONE TO PERISH , BUT EVERYONE TO COME TO REPENTENCE.
1 John 2: 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
ETERNAL SECURITY
The counterpoint doctrine is the idea of the Eternal Security of the Believer, also known as "Once Saved Always Saved". This is an ideal taught by many Protestant churches. Believers are told that once they have been saved, they are "eternally secure" and that nothing can then make them lose that salvation.
Is This Supported by Scripture?
Matthew 24.10-13 And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.
John 15.10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father' s commands and remain in his love
1 Timothy 4 1 The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith
Romans 11.21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. 22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
This is written to believers.
Galatians 6.7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Philippians 3.11-14: in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1 18-19: Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
Hebrews 6: 4-6 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and THEN HAVE FALLEN AWAY, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.
2 Peter 2 20: If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
Again, this passage is clear. Salvation can be lost.
2 Peter 3.16 Paul's letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.
The Christian's position is not so "secure" that it cannot be lost.
Revelation 3.5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.
Scripture repeatedly makes clear that one has to overcome in order to achieve the promise, and that a Christian can lose their crown of salvation. The Teaching of "Eternal Security", Assurance of Salvation or "Once Saved Always Saved", is therefore unscriptural and extremely dangerous, since it can lead people into a false sense that they are guaranteed salvation whatever else they do.
small meow, no fight.
Anonymous,
God is not capricious. IMO that is because He transcends our definitions of behavior, because He is absolutely sovereign and can do anything He wants. And owes no explanations to anyone.
Plan: Calvinists might say that (A) if all were saved, we would not know of His righteousness, whereas (B) if none were saved, we would not know of His love. For me, though, that merely tries to explain the inexplicable.
A full explanation of all this requires a study of the Westminster Confession, which is lengthy. But having done that, I can tell you that it's backed up by as much scripture as the Baptist Faith & Message is. In every point.
We want to understand everything, much the same as Adam and Eve wanted to, but we don't get to. And that's OK with me. Knowing everything would discount faith, for me. Or at least it would place our faith in our teachings and understanding of our doctrines, rather than in the Person of Jesus.
I did know that Wade can check IP's and I think it would be nice if he would verify mine is in Europe, pass that info. on to AngryAnon, and then AngryAnon can throw an apology my way.
I'll be waiting on your act of kindness Mr. AngryAnon.
I'll be waiting forever, I'm sure.
Bob - Good luck having a biblical discussion with AngryAnon. It won't work. Several people have tried the last few posts and I would love to interact with him regarding some of his errors, but AngryAnon won't have it.
Trolls are happiest when they pop in, stir the pot with ridiculous statements that have nothing to do with the post, and then refuse to interact with people that call them out.
Cowardice comes to my mind. He likes to refer to it as "kindness".
Everyone else has learned their lesson and they just ignore him. I like poking at him a little. But I think I'll pass him off to you.
FYI: I have learned that if you say something really biblical and it seers him through to his heart, he will rattle off three or four rants in a row out of anger. See above. :)
A little sad, but kind of funny.
By the way, Bob. I haven't heard from you so I am assuming my email to you is stuck in our server. We have quite a system to go through on "first time" emails due to security concerns. If this is the case, I'll try to add you to my "friends" and see if that does the trick.
Take care.
SL1M
Sam Morris, Baptist preacher in Stamford, TX wrote an article entitled, "Do A Christian's sins damn his souls"? Here is a quote from the article: "We take the position that a Christian's sins do not damn his soul. The way a Christian lives, what he says, his character, his conduct, or his attitude toward other people have nothing whatever to do with the salvation of his souls...And all the sins he may commit from murder to idolatry will not make his soul in any more danger."
SL1M,
I've checked everywhere and I never got it.
Send me something at mightyfowl@gmail.com. Maybe that'll work.
Or go to my Facebook account, if all else fails.
For the love of God is broader than the measure of man's mind
and the Heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
But we make His love too narrow
with false limits of our own,
and we magnify His strictness with a zeal He will not own.
Bob said "God owes no explanations to anyone.
Plan: Calvinists might say that (A) if all were saved, we would not know of His righteousness"
Then why does God need to create humans to be destroyed just to prove to us that He is just? Especially if He owes us not explanation?
This makes Him a pitiful contemptible monster, rather like a pagan god;
not the God of Justice and Mercy of the O.T. and the N.T.
Very anti-New Testament, this.
slightly louder meow, (sorry)
Don't worry, Bob, the mighty roar of Aslan the Lion will not be heard on a Southern Baptist blog.
It is forbidden by the 2000 BF & M to base doctrine soully on the Words and Actions of Jesus in the bible: so no loud roar from the Mighty Aslan will be heard.
Jesus went out of power in the SBC when the conservative resurgence took over. Now, it's anything goes.
Christianity is not about our opinsions, it's about Jesus: true God and true Man.
Some doctrines forget this. In their zeal to glorify the creators of these doctrines, some Christians forget to focus on Jesus. It shows.
"’You do not yet look as happy as I mean you to be', said Aslan.
Lucy said, ‘We’re so afraid of being sent away, Aslan. And you have sent us back into our own world so often.’
‘No fear of that,’ said Aslan. ‘Have you not guessed?’
Their hearts leaped and a wild hope rose within them.
‘There was a real railway accident,’ said Aslan softly. ‘Your father and mother and all of you are – as you used to call it in the Shadowlands – dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is over: this is the morning.’
And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them.
And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has ever read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."
— C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Anonymous,
If HE doesn't owe you an explanation, I probably don't either.
But He DID create you, and you likely don't have any objections to THAT...
BIBLICAL ENOUGH?
ALL the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and ALL the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee" (Psalm 22:27).
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:8-10).
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and ALL NATIONS shall flow unto it" (Isaiah 2:2).
"Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And ALL flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Luke 3:5,6).
"That was the true Light [Jesus Christ], which lighteth EVERY MAN that cometh into the world" (John 1:9).
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto Him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin OF THE WORLD" (John 1:29).
"...This is indeed the Christ, the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD" (John 4:42).
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL MEN unto Me" (John 12:32).
Say something really biblical.
Really Biblical?
"Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of ALL things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:21).
"For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift CAME UPON ALL MEN unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous" (Romans 5:17-19).
"For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might HAVE MERCY UPON ALL .
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:30-36).
"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL BE MADE ALIVE. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (I Corinthians 15:21-28).
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead ... To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (II Corinthians 5:14,19).
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him" (Ephesians 1:10).
"And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:20).
"Who gave Himself a ransom
FOR ALL , to be testified in due time" (I Timothy 2:6).
"For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, Who is the Saviour of ALL MEN, specially of those that believe" (I Timothy 4:10).
"And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the WHOLE world." (I John 2:2).
"And God shall wipe away ALL tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
VERY BIBLICAL.
Christ came to save that which was lost.
Were only the 'elect' lost?
Think about it for your self, I need no answer. I have my answer from the Bible.
Thanks again Bob. It's not your email address, it's on my end. I'm working on it. Hang in there. I don't have Facebook.
You know once this is done, we are required to be "friends" don't you?
:)
Also Bob, you can see my point about AngryAnon? You make a brilliant observation and he rattles off 3 or 4 comments in a row, throwing in a few out of context bible verses and not even addressing what you said.
It appears he is even talking to himself on a few different comments, as if there are 2 different AngryAnon's out there. Weird?
Anyway, I'm laughing as I read the exchange he is having with himself, but like I said, it's truly sad as well. He will never learn until he learns how to interact like an adult and not rant like a child.
Good luck with that Bob! :)
SL1M
SL1M,
I'm not responsible for what anyone else says, so I don't worry about it. I have enough troubles with what I say myself to worry about that.
Birds of a feather . . .
I got dibs on the Old Buzzard position......
haha - Good one Bob. I'll take the young buzzard position!!!
SL1M
Meow, meow...
Famous Recipe For Buzzard Stew:
Ingrediants Needed:
2 buzzards minus feathers and wash off their feet.
Large tub of very hot water
two cabbage heads
bitter herbs preserved in salt
a tub of lard
catnip
Instructions for Stew:
1. combine lard, herbs, catnip, cabbage, and water.
2. Simmer until very hot, but not boiling. (Don't bother adding honey. Nothin's gonna sweeten this stuff.)
3. After de-feathering buzzards and washing their feet off, parade buzzards through the pan of hot water to flavor the stew. They will not be harmed, but, believe me, the stew will never be the same again.
3. "Save" buzzards for another future stew.
Enjoy.
P.S. This receipe comes to you courtesy of:
the famous New Orleans restaurant:
"The Cafe Du Monde"
and its new subsidiary,
"The Hungry Cat"
Meow to all and have a great day :)
Post P.S. Do not eat buzzard stew on Sunday, as may cause severe cramps and indigestion,
Also, addition of beans to stew may cause fatalities, if eaten by gas-bags.
love and meows to all :)
I was just realizing that there may be some of us out there sort of afraid to download this. Let me assure you that though it deals with a tough subject, it does so with integrity. I wish the trailer showed the preaching/teaching aspect - but alas, that can only be seen in the project itself.
Also, if you don't want to download and would rather have a DVD, you may order one through Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Oversold-Stephen-Zimpel-Henderson-Crissy/dp/B001MBTSBS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1227822946&sr=8-3
Thanks, everyone... esp. Wade, for your support!
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