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Dr. George Wood's Reaction on Palin-God Cartoon

"The leader of the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination denounced a cartoon that mocks Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, Pentecostalism, and Christianity as 'despicable.'"

Dr. George O. Wood is the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God here in the United States. The A/G has somewhere around 3 million church goers in the US alone.

There was another demeaning attack last week by the severely slanted left-wing media in the ever increasing liberal Washington Post against former Assembliesof God church attender, Gov. Sarah Palin.

You can read Dr. Wood's reaction in this article found on The Christian Post.

Gov. Sarah Palin & Religion

Here are some more interesting articles concerning the current Republican Vice Presidential candidate, Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin.

If you remember from my first post (which seemed to stir up a good bit of interest), here's one article..., then here's some more.

1. Palin: Pray U.S. Plan in Iraq Is God's Plan
2. Palin Fires Up Conservatives
3. Pentecostalism Obscured in Palin Biography

Gov. Palin went up another rung on my ladder after according to this article, Oprah Winfrey refuses to have Gov. Palin on the Oprah show even after Sen. Obama was previously on the show. (There's something about Oprah that just gets under my skin!)

***If you so choose to leave a comment, which I thoroughly encourage, please remember a general rule of blog comment etiquitte..., don't leave a comment longer than the actual blog entry. If you want to talk that much, then get your own blog and write it there!!! Thanks!***

Meet Sen. McCain's Choice for VP, Gov. Sarah Palin

I have been less than thrilled with this year's presidential candidates, and quite honestly, not too enthused about any of them..., even back in the primaries. However, with Sen. John McCain picking Gov. Sarah Palin, my interest level has been extremely heightened.

I watched most of the Democratic National Convention just to keep my perspective open to all points of view (Anyone that knows me, knows that I am a political conservative which means I strongly disagree with most of the traditional liberal views of the Democratic party.). Needless to say, I was not impressed at all with the DNC nor with Sen. Obama's much anticipated acceptance extravaganza. It seemed to me to be the typical same old Democratic stump speech, emphasizing how horrible the Republicans are and then never giving any solutions, only bland generic ideologies.(***Side Note:Did you know that more people tuned into watch Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech than did to watch the open ceremonies of the Olympics or this season's finale of American Idol? Pretty amazing!***)

Now to what I wanted to say, I am highly intriguedby Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate. I found an article on the Christian Postabout Gov. Palin. Here are the highlights...

• Raised in a Pentecostal church
• Baptized as a teenager at Wasilla Assembly of God
• Led her high school chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Former pastor said her and her family were very active in church
• Sometimes attends Juneau Christian Center (which is A/G)
• Her home church is Church on the Rock, and independent congregation
• Palin spokesperson said Palin attends various churches and does not consider herself a Pentecostal
• Opposes gay marriages
• Desires to see creationism discussed alongside of evolution in schools
• Husband is a member of United Steelworks Union and champion snowmobiler
• Mother of 5
• Her oldest son enlisted in Army in Sept. '07 and will be deployed to Iraq Sept. '08
• "as pro-life as any candidate can be"

• "Not only does Palin oppose abortion as a matter of policy, but she chose to give birth to her youngest child, a son, after a prenatal exam indicated Down syndrome. Studies show that about nine in 10 pregnant women who are given a Down syndrome diagnosis have chosen to have an abortion.

You can read the whole article here...

Anxiously Intrigued

This news article seems to be fairly intriguing. I'll be anxious to see what comes from this conference held by our Baptist brothers on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. How incredible would it be if the conference goers attend with an open heart and no preconceived ideas, and God shows up and just messes up everybody's theology?!

A three-day conference is underway in Arlington, Texas, to teach Baptists and other Christians what Scripture says about the Holy Spirit.

Recent debates on charismatic practices within the Southern Baptist Convention prompted the Rev. Dwight McKissic to open “A Baptist Conference on The Holy Spirit” on Friday along with a host of speakers lined up to discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in the church.

McKissic, a trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), was recently involved in a controversy at the school where he had mentioned in a chapel service of experiencing private prayer language. The sermon sparked debate among Southern Baptist leaders, most of whom do not engage in or accept charismatic practices, and the video recording of the service was not posted on the seminary's website, as was regular practice.

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here...

Missed Nightline Segment on Speaking in Tongues?

In case you go to bed at a respectable hour, or you just didn't get your share of caffeine, and you missed ABC's Nightline segment on speaking in tongues, you can view it online at this link...

The video is entitled "Science in Faith." Click here to view it...

Nightline on Speaking in Tongues

I just finished watching the ABC's Nightline news piece on speaking in tongues. I thought I'd go ahead and write out my initial reactions, even though this is a late hour (12:30AM). Not to mention I'm trying to cool off after watching UCLA pummel Pitt. :(

I am so appreciative to Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos of Freedom Valley Worship Center for how he handled himself and answered the questions of the reporter. ABC asked Gerry to participate in a study at the University of Pennsylvania to have his brain scanned while he spoke in tongues. And let me quote his reaction to them asking if would be willing to be tested.

"I don't think faith has anything to be afraid of from science. Science validates faith, so bring it on, whatever the facts are, bring it on."

On a sort of a side note here, let me say that we don't have to come across as a bunch of crazy people. Pastor Gerry carried himself very well, and explained the pentecostal experience in a very practical and easy-to-understand way. When others ask or if we are talking about the things of God, don't act over spiritual and flaky. Jesus was always down to earth (I mean he actually left heaven and came to earth) and spoke in terms with which His audience was familiar. Just be real and honest.

I would have to give this news piece a thumbs up. It was very fair in its approach. And by the way, it gave some scientific credit to the spiritual phenomena of speaking in tongues. The CAT scans showed that while people prayed in English, the frontal lobe part of their brain that helps control speech was active, but while they began to speak in tongues, the frontal lobe activity significantly decreased. Which eludes to the fact that while someone is speaking in tongues, they are not necessarily in total control of their speech. What do you know..., I think I read that somewhere before!!!

Anyway, if you didn't stay up to watch Nightline's report on speaking in tongues, you can read the report here...

ABC's Nightline to Air Segment on Speaking in Tongues

Okay folks, I'm pretty sure that tonight, Wednesday 3/14, ABC's Nightline will air the segment on speaking in tongues. Nightline usually comes on after your local ABC affiliate 11 o'clock news. As I mentioned in my previous post about this news piece, one of the people that was studied was Pastor Gerry Stoltzfoos of Freedom Valley Worship Center, Gettysburg, PA.

I highly recommend either getting good dose of caffeine to stay up or record tonight's broadcast. It will be interesting to see how Pentecostalism is portrayed on a major network news show.

The Practice of Pentecost (3)

In my previous posts in this series, I've written the basis for speaking in tongues and the emphasis on the power of God. This time I'd like to cover how can one receive the gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

I've heard numerous stories and variations of the occurrence of people praying all night to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, only to have Jesus baptize them in their car on their way home from work a few days later. Then there are always the folks that have prayed for days, weeks, or sometimes years and have never received the baptism. I do not know the answer to the question, why have some received and some have not? The reasons greatly vary for each person. However, I do know my experience and biblical principles that give us the prerequisites.

First, we must be a follower of Christ. In order to be a follower of Christ we must openly confess Jesus is the Lord of our lives and believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus rose from the grave. Without opening another can of worms here, just let me say we must actively follow Christ on a daily basis. We can't just say we believe and not follow. Remember, we must openly confess is Lord, which means master, not a good guy that has great advice for life. Believing is not enough. Even demons believe there in God! (If you don't believe me, look it up!)

The Bible declares when we confess and believe Christ, our old life is gone and a new life has begun. Also, we must allow our old selves to be left behind on a daily basis. Let's face it; none of us are perfect..., especially me!!! We must turn away from our ways and turn towards the way of Christ on a daily basis. In the Christian world, that's called repentance. Repentance is a continual process because we all should strive to know Christ more and more.

Understand this, the primary goal of the person of the Holy Spirit is to bring attention to Jesus. Therefore, the Holy Spirit does not want to be sought after. He wants us to seek after Jesus Christ. Also remember, Jesus is the one that baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. So if you want to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, make your objective to pursue more of Jesus.

Who is the gift for any way? First let's look a great scripture.

28 "And afterward,
        I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
       Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
       your old men will dream dreams,
       your young men will see visions.

29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
       I will pour out my Spirit in those days. - Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)

This scripture covers all the bases here. First, "all people" is a general cover-all blanket that anyone and everyone can receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Next this text says, "sons and daughters" which cover both men and women. After that it covers "old..., and young...," that would break down the age barrier. Lastly, it says even on my servants, so it doesn't matter how much money you have or what your economical status may be, this gift is for you too. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is for any and all who seek after Jesus.

My experience on receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit was in October of 1987. And yes, I was extremely young..., 7 years old to be exact. It was on a week night service that was a part of a series of revival meetings we were holding in my home church, Gospel Tabernacle. I don't remember the sermon, or really anything about the service other than my time with God at the altar. I was kneeling just to the right of the middle section of steps to the platform praying on the end of an old fashion wooden altar. Only being 7 years old, I had to really stretch while on my knees to rest my head atop the altar.

The man that was preaching that night was a former pastor of the church, Poppy Elliot. He would come by from time to time laying his hand on my shoulder as I would hear his aged yet passionate voice cry out to God to, "pour out the Spirit on this young boy." I remember my pastor, Fred Tomlinson, kneeling down beside me with his arm around me praying for me. However, I remember it was over an hour and people were beginning to leave the service, when it happened. Something began to surge deep within me, and an overwhelming sense of the presence of God began to fill my heart and mind. From that point on, I don't remember anything until I got up from the altar. As I stood up, I remember the first face I saw as I cleared the tears from my eyes turning around from the altar, was my granddad, Pap Charles. There he was along with a few other "pillars of the church" beaming with joy and crying in happiness as they watched God empower a 7 year old boy with the fire of the Holy Spirit. That night, God changed my life forever. I'll never forget it.

If you want to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, seek Jesus. Seek Him without reservation. You may receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit when you least expect it, but whenever you do, it will be at just the right time..., God's time. And for those who question if the baptism in the Holy Spirit is of God, seek Christ. He'll let you know all you need.

The Practice of Pentecost (2)

In my last post in this series, I explained the basis for speaking in tongues. This time I'd like to take a different approach.

Pentecostals can easily fall into a treacherous trap. Too many times we settle for just speaking in tongues instead of craving the power of God. Think about this: how many times do you hear a sermon on Pentecost, or you are involved in a conversation about it, and 3/4 of the time is spent on "speaking in tongues?" While speaking in tongues is definitely the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, it is not the reason God created this Pentecostal experience. The original purpose of this great gift of God is so believers can have divine power to spread the Gospel!

Without the power of God, we will just be a bunch of mumbling fanatics wasting our time and selling out God! More than ever before, we must proclaim the good news of Christ to our world, nation, neighborhoods, and families. Each day that comes and goes just shortens the time we have before Christ returns. Each day that comes and goes is another lost opportunity to share God's gift of grace. When will we stop worrying about if someone is speaking in tongues and begin to care if someone is on their way to heaven or hell?

If you were to read the instances in the New Testament where the baptism in the Holy Spirit is explained to people that had never heard it before, the emphasis is not on speaking in tongues. The emphasis is always put on a new experience that will heighten one's appetite for God that produces a passion to carry out the Great Commission. Speaking in tongues is always the byproduct, not the product.

The challenge is simple. Pastors, proclaim the Pentecostal experience within the biblical framework based on power for proclamation. Christ-followers, hunger and thirst after more of God, not a religious experience. For everyone, live life fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit of God so that we may snatch souls from the path to hell and get them started on the way to heaven.

Rescheduled

I'm sorry if anyone stayed up last night to watch Nightline's segment on Pentecostals. Apparently, Nightline decided to push the air date until next week (Can you believe they didn't call me?). The exact night is yet to be announced, however, as soon as I find out I'll let you know.