Kabballah, Dallas and the of Jesus Supremacy

This is posting of a email from Amy Downey of Tzedakah Ministry that is eye opening and a bit scary at times. This has been reposted with her permission.

Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors!

Shalom and blessings in the name of Messiah Jesus!

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, March 30th) was a most interesting day for your's truly. I somehow received an invitation to attend an introductory meeting for those interested in Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) in Dallas. Of course, I could not turn down such an invitation and spent a most interesting Sunday afternoon ... and with no nap!

Before I highlight my failed attempt to blend and be anonymous, let me jot down some of the notes (i.e., blasphemy) I wrote down on Sunday:

• According to the instructor, 80% of his students in California are Catholic and Christian
  Abraham's intent (as he was the first man to receive the instruction of Kabbalah) was to enable us to have the power to tap into our soul
• The Bible is not understandable if you don't have the codes of Kabbalah
• Jesus never said that He wanted to be worshipped
• The Zohar (book on Jewish mysticism) takes every word of the Bible and reveals its true meaning
• Our job as humans is to connect to the light force that emanates from the Creator
• The Big Bang was when the soul of humanity rejected the light of the creator and shatterd into billions of pieces across the universe
• Our purpose is to become like God and we have to earn it
• All people discovering and correcting their Tikkun will enable us to become the light that will bring the Messiah

Obviously this is blasphemous in the nth degree. However, what was shocking to me is that while there was a large number of Jewish searchers in attendance there were also people from all ethnic and religious stripes -- including two former SOUTHERN BAPTIST deacons. Obviously we as Christians are not only failing to reach the Jewish people with the Gospel message but also we are not doing too great of a job discipling those who are in the church.
Now let me tell you about my failed attempt to be blend and anonymous (BTW -- a Jewish believing friend told me that I could not blend even if I tried).

• I registered fairly close to the time for the door's to open and kept to the background while waiting
• I purposely sat at the back table so that no one would recognize me (saw someone I knew by the way) and found myself sitting with a "Kabbalah volunteer" named John and a table of Sephardic Jews who were raised Catholic, experimented with Evangelical Christianity, and found "fulfillment" (cough) in Kabbalah
• I took lots of notes that made the people at the table pretty nervous and instead of answering questions during the group table time I asked them instead
• One of the questions I asked at the table after David the Kabbalah leader said that we have to earn our way to God was how would they respond to the idea that faith in Jesus (i.e., Christianity) states that we cannot earn our salvation and that is why Jesus came to earth to die and do the work of redemption for us. John thought this was a wonderful question and insisted that I ask David when we came back together as a whole group
• Despite my continued attempts to remain anonymous, John had me to ask David the question in front of all 300 attendees!!! David was flustered by the question, stammered a bit and came out with a rather silly response about the coming of the Messiah and light (see above)
• After the session was over I was surrounded by John and Danny and Don (the two former SOUTHERN BAPTIST deacons) who kept talking to me. So I asked them a question about how David could say that Jesus did not want to be worshipped when he not only accepted Thomas' declaration of worship ("My Lord and my God") after the resurrection but stated that the faith of those who don't see yet believe is even greater (on the way home I thought about Phil. 2:5-11). Again, John, Danny, and Don thought this would be a great question for David to answer and they brought him over ...!
• David and I then proceeded to discuss the question. He stated that he didn't know much about the New Testament. So I then asked him about the idea that our righteousness is as filthy rags (i.e., garbage) before God (Isaiah 64:6 -- Old Testament!!!) which would make it impossible for us to become like God. He stammered and stuttered and then came up with an analogy of the hand being a part of the body (God) but still being a hand. I then took him to 1 Cor. 12 and the passage in Psalms about being a doorkeeper in the House of God. He had a terrified look on his face and we parted ways.

Obviously I had an interesting day! David the Jewish man who became a Kabbalist instructor was confronted with the truth and it made him nervous!!! Jewish mysticism is heresy and it is leading millions (Jews and others) to hell. Be on the lookout for a special edition newsletter on the subject in the coming weeks. But in the meantime please pray for Alicia, Rene, David, John, Don, and Danny. They need Jesus and they need our witness and prayers. Shalom. God bless.

Acts 20:24,

Amy Downey
Tzedakah Ministries -- "To Equip His Church to Reach His People"
http://www.tzedakahministries.org/
http://www.mysterysolvedwithmessiahjesus.wordpress.com/

A Limerick for Remington (My Daugher)

God blessed Denise and I with Remington,
A great daughter and a barrel of fun,
She is beautiful, intelligent and a leader,
A gorgeous soul, Christ follower and avid reader,
She is all of that at nine and God’s not done.

What are you kids listening to?

From http://churchrelevance.com/raping-the-innocence-of-generation-z/

Obviously, pop lyrics have digressed from the days of the Beatles (i.e., “I wanna hold your hand.”) to the era of Beyonce (i.e., “I know you want my body. Tonight I’ll be your naughty girl”).Many of today’s Generation Z kids already listen to mainstream pop music. In fact, 44% of UK parents sing their babies pop songs and TV theme tunes rather than nursery rhymes. And if they do not listen to provocative pop music yet, media conglomerates will package it to them and tell them to listen.

Look at the some of music nominees for Nickelodeon’s 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards:

Beyonce“Now take it off while I watch you perform.” (Suga Mama)
Chris Brown“Let’s get and make love on Venus.” (Gimme Whatcha Got)
Alicia Keys“So maybe we can go to first base because I feel you.” (Teenage Love Affair)
Jesse McCartney“Spend the night with me and I’ll rock you.” (Rock You)
Katy Perry “I kissed a girl just to try it. I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” (I Kissed a Girl)
Pussycat Dolls“I can get off when you ain’t around.” (I Don’t Need a Man)
Rihanna“What you got up in them jeans? Put it on me, or get lonely.” (Lemme Get That)
Kid Rock“that little p**** l***** finger f***** h* a** c***.” (F*** U Blind)
T-Pain“She was s***** on me. And I was l***** on her.” (69)

Marriage & Divorce Papyri of the ancient Greek, Roman and Jewish world

A collection of papyri from 4thC BCE to 4th C CE

Every published Greek, Roman and Jewish marriage contract and divorce deed is collected here, from the 4th C BCE to the 4th C CE. Each text is presented in its original language, with references to English translations, other online texts, and online images of the papyrus, where available. Some additional marriage contracts have been added which fall outside these boundaries, including a 2nd BCE Edomite marriage written on pottery, and a 5th C CE Jewish marriage contract written on vellum an a 6th C CE Samaritan Greek divorce deed. A few related texts have also been added which illustrate marriage laws...

http://www.tyndalearchive.com/Brewer/MarriagePapyri/Index.html

The Gospel in 60 Seconds...

There is one God, He made us, He made us in His image, He made us good, we?ve sinned against Him and we?ve fallen. God would be just and good to judge us eternally, but in His amazing love, the eternal Son of God has taken on flesh, been incarnate. Jesus Christ, fully man, fully God, lived the life we should?ve lived, lived perfectly, died on the cross, in the place of our sins, in the place of everyone who will repent of their sins and trust in Him. God raised Him from the dead, He ascended into heaven, He will return in the same manner and He calls us to repent of our sins and trust on Him. He will give us new life, fill us with the Holy Spirit, give us the new birth, and adopt us as His reconciled children forever.

Mark Dever, Desiring God Q&A Session in Minneapolis

Today's Marriage

New Wine - 2/25/09

Wed. night's announcements and sermon

6 Marks of a Dangerous Church

Eric "Gunny" Hartman, Pastor Of Providence Church in Garland Texas Shares about Six Marks of a Dangerous Church in a Special Joint Sevice with Northside Baptist and Providence Church in Garland, TX

Driscoll on D.L.

Free Study Notes From Doc Constable

These Bible study Notes, written by Dr. Thomas L. Constable (click here to read Dr. Constable's Introduction to the Notes) over a 25-year period, provide commentary on all 66 books of the Bible, and hold about 7,000 pages of material. Dr. Constable's Notes, also known as expository notes to Dr. Constable's seminary students at Dallas Theolgical Seminary, are intended to help you to better understand the Bible.

Reading Lists for both the Pastor and the Laymen from 9Marks

9 Marks reading lits > Reading List

Reading List: Pastors
Pastors are shaped by what they read (2Tim 2:15). To develop in a healthy way, that reading needs to be selected with discernment. Not all books at the Christian bookstore deserve to be read, and some are neglected that should be required. A pastor's reading needs to be diversified across disciplines. Interdisciplinary reading develops intellectual and pastoral agility. The following reading list is not intended to be exhaustive but we believe these books will serve well as useful entry points into The Great Conversation, and as welcome companions on the long road of ministry.

Reading List for Pastors

Reading List: Laymen
Careful reading is not just the pastor's task. In fact, the members of Christian churches are charged with the responsibility of discerning error in their pastors' teaching, and of choosing teachers who will not simply tickle their ears (Gal 1:6-9; 2Tim 4:3). Reading solid books is a great way to develop your appetite for theology and your ability to discern truth and error. These are not lofty books - but they are deep. Again, this is not an exhaustive list. But it will serve you well as a launching point for future growth and usefulness in the local church.

Browse by Publisher Browse by Topic

Evangelism Explosion Outline

Evangelism
Explosion International

Gospel Outline

Introduction

• Their
  Secular Life

  
  

• Their
  Church Background

  
  

• Our
  Church

  
  

• Testimony
  (Church and Personal)

  
  

• Transition:
  May I ask you a question?

  
  

Two Diagnostic Questions

• #1
  - Have you come to the place in your spiritual life where you know
  for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven, or
  is that something you would say you’re still working on?
  

  
  
  
  

  • John
    5:13

    
    
  
  

• May
  I share with you how I came to know for certain that I have eternal
  life and how you can know also?

  
  

• Before
  I share with you, let me ask you another question

  
  

• #2
  - Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to
  say to you, “Why should I let you into My heaven?” What
  mould you say?

  
  

• Repeat
  and confirm answer

  
  

• Transition:
  When you answered that first question thought I had some really good
  news for you. But after hearing your answer to this second question,
  I know that I have the greatest news you have ever heard.

  
  

GOSPEL

GRACE

• Heaven
  is a free gift

  
  
  
  

  • Romans
    6:23

    
    
  
  

• It
  is not earned or deserved

  
  
  
  

  • Ephesians
    2:8-9

    
    

  • Friend’s
    Gift

    
    
  
  

• Transition:
  This can be seen more clearly when we understand what the Bible says
  about man.

  
  

MAN

• Man
  is a sinner

  
  
  
  

  • Romans
    3:23

    
    

  • Sin
    Defined

    
    

  • Three
    Sins a Day

    
    
  
  

• Cannot
  save himself
  

  
  
  
  

  • Matthew
    5:48

    
    

  • Omelet
    with Bad Egg

    
    
  
  

• Do
  you see why it is impossible for anyone to get into heaven by their
  good works?

  
  

• Transition:
  This comes into sharper focus when we look at what the Bible says
  about God.

  
  

• GOD

  
  

• God
  is merciful - therefore does not want to punish us.

  
  
  
  

  • John4:8b

    
    
  
  

• God
  is just - therefore must punish sin

  
  
  
  

  • 
    Exodus 34:7b

    
    
  
  

• Transition:
  God solved this problem in the Person of Jesus
  

  
  

CHRIST

• Who
  He is - the infinite God-Man
  

  
  
  
  

  • Johnl:1,14

    
    
  
  

• What
  He did - He died on the cross and rose from the deed to pay the
  penalty for our sins and to purchase a place in heaven for us

  
  
  
  

  • Record
    Book of Sin

    
    

  • Isaiah
    53:6

    
    
  
  

• Transition:
  This gift is received by faith.

  
  

FAITH

• Key
  to Heaven
  

  
  

• What
  it is not

  
  
  
  

  • Mere
    Head Knowledge

    
    

  • James
    2:19

    
    

  • Mere
    Temporal Faith

    
    
  
  

• What
  it is - Trusting in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life

  
  
  
  

  • Acts
    16:31

    
    

  • The
    Chair

    
    

  • Beggars
    Hand and Gratitude

    
    
  
  

COMMITMENT

TRANSITION

• Does
  this make sense to you?

  
  

Commitment

• Would
  you like to receive the gift of eternal life?

  
  

Clarification

• Let
  me clarify what this involves:

  
  

• Transfer
  trust

  
  

• Receive
  the resurrected and living Christ as Savior
  

  
  
  
  

  • Revelation
    3:20

    
    
  
  

• Receive
  Christ as Lord

  
  

• Repent

  
  

PRAYER

• If
  this is what you really want, I can lead us in prayer and we can
  tell God what you just now told me.

  
  

• Pray
  for them - that God would give them faith and repentance

  
  

• Pray
  with them - in short phrases of the GOSPEL OUTLINE allowing them to
  repeat after you

  
  

• Pray
  for them - that the Holy Spirit will grant them assurance

  
  

• I
  would like you to read something Jesus says about what you have just
  done.

  
  
  
  

  • John
    6:47

    
    
  
  

• Two
  diagnostic questions

  
  

• El
  Welcome to the family of God

  
  

IMMEDIATE FOLLOW UP

• Partners
  in Growing

  
  
  
  

  • Read
    and sign “My Spiritual Birth Certificate”

    
    
  
  

• Five
  Means of Growth

  
  
  
  

  • Bible
    (7-day callback)

    
    

  • Prayer

    
    

  • Worship

    
    

  • Fellowship

    
    

  • Witness

    
    
  
  

• Appointment
  for church

  
  

Free Vota tune from Amazon

http://bit.ly/YX9KJ

Listen and enjoy

how to use twitter as a productivity tool

pricechris: RT @jasoncurlee: RT @shawnwood: Great post on how to use twitter as a productivity tool. (via @collidemagazine) http://ow.ly/gIZ

Jas Knight "Psalm 91" feat. Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Estee - Free Mp3 Download

They have leaked a song from Jas Knight's album The Psalter which will be releasing later this year. The Psalter has been in the works for almost 3 years now and is finally nearing completion! If you want to download the song, you can do so here. Other songs from the album are on Jas' myspace.

Free Audio of the 2009 Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology

From Charles at bibleexposotion.net

"Free Audio is available here for the 2009 Nashville Conference on the Church and Theology. The featured speakers of this year's conference were John MacArthur, Bruce Ware, and Byron Yawn. You can also access 2008's conference featuring D. A. Carson, Steve Lawson, and Tim Challies as well at the same link."

DTS CRISWELL AND DEVER

Had a very cool day yesterday. First our Worship and Admin Pastor, Eric, and I meet up with Charles Savelle of BibleExposition.net. He is a PhD student at Dallas Theological Seminary and gets to teach there too! We got the full experience as we at in the cafe there which had good food and drooled over the books store in our tour of the campus. The book store is off the chain and has an instant 20% discount of the cover price! Many books were 40% and 60 % off in even the critical commentaries. I will be going back soon as I can get some money together.

Next we were off to Criswell College where Charles also happens to teach to hear Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. and President of IX Marks. Mark was great! I don;t think oyu can find a pastor who is more real and who will answer the hard questions. He made no bones about what Scripture said and gave great counsel to all who came. I actually got the feeling that many that where there came to seek his counsel and benefit from his wisdom and study. It was a true blessing to get to be there and I thankful to whoever hadn the insight to drag Mark to Texas for this wonderful occassion. I must say that I did catch him off guard when I brought up the Whiteboard Sessions and how I was thankful that he was not only a represntative of the "genration that tucks in their shirts," but that he brought a crowd that was a polar opposite of his postion the truth from God's Word.

Thanks Charles for helping to make Wednesday a great day!

Free Bibliotheca Sacra article from DTS

http://www.dts.edu/about/news/20090114_free_bibsac_article/

January 2009

For over 165 years Bibliotheca Sacra’s studies in theology, Bible exposition, ministry, and current issues have provided an invaluable resource for serious Bible students. Its articles by respected theologians and reviews of the latest publications will enhance your ministry and deepen your theological insights

Servanthood: Jesus’ Countercultural Call to Christian Leaders by John C. Hutchison

Friday Nite Prayer

We hae been rpaying about merging with a small Hispanic Church in our area. This was my prayer as began our meeting Friday evening.

Heavenly father, Padre celestial, Sovereign King, el Rey Soberano, we gather in Your Name, nos reunimos en Su nombre, to seek your will, para buscar tu voluntad, let us find your favor, vamos a encontrar a su favor, as we seek to do your work, a medida que tratamos de hacer su trabajo, and be your Church, y ser su Iglesia, Amen,
Amén.

please forgive my translation if it is awkwark or chunky.