Mennonite USA efforts to be politically correct

August 23, 2010

An Open Letter to the Executive Director of Mennonite Churches of USA:

My mother was brought up Mennonite. She would tell stories of going to church in the winter time in a horse drawn sleigh. I, in turn, was reared in a less conservative Mennonite “type” church. However, in both churches the Bible was taught to be the inspired Word of God.

I came to know about the Lord Jesus Christ when I was very young, about the age of 7, I would guess. I would attend yearly Bible camps in the summer hearing the truth, the inspired Word of God.

Many years have passed since those days of Happy Time Bible Camp and now I know more than about the Lord Jesus Christ I KNOW Him, personally to be the Creator the Savior, and part of the Godhead.

Today, I learned, to my distress, that part of the Mennonite Churches have gone so far to discredit the God inspired Word of God. The first bit of news came in an internet post about a pastor in Sarasota, Florida marrying his homosexual lover.

The argument is that we as Christians should reach out to the homosexuals and other sinners. Yes, we should reach out to these precious people with the truth.

In I Timothy 1:3-11, Paul instructs Timothy to remain on in Macedonia to instruct the men there not to teach strange doctrines. He, continues to tell Timothy “nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

I feel that the Main Stream Church has lost its first love in the forest of political correctness.

Paul continues to explain in verses 5-11,”But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”

These are God’s inspired words not mine or any man’s. God loves sinners and calls them to repentance. People need to know that according to God’s Word, that anything that is contrary to sound Biblical teaching is sin and punishable by eternal separation from God, which is Hell.

I Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

As a Church we cannot give these people a false hope, just because it is politically correct. We must stand against Satan’s lies. We must believe the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16). We must teach it so “that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:17). In not doing so, God will hold those not doing so accountable for their sin of not believing and teaching according to the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I implore you as religious people to repent. Confess the delusions that Satan has so long imprisoned you. I challenge you to take a step of faith and share with your brethren the true gospel. Choose God’s Word over political correctness. Stand up for Christ, do not deny His teachings.

IKE for President

This came as an e-mail to me from a friend. Usually I do not forward things but this was good. I had not heard about this before and I wanted to share it with all of you anr it was too long to post on facebook.

When I was a kid, Ike was President, I couldn't ever imagine why he was so popular. Maybe this has something to do with it: General Eisenhower Warned Us - [ It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect: “Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses -because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened' This week, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet.. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the,6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests Who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved, beat, experimented on and humiliated' while the German people looked the other way! Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets. This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people! Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world. How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center 'NEVER HAPPENED', because it offends some Muslim in the U.S. ??? Do not just delete this message; it will take only a minute to pass this along. FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...SOMEONE HAD TO PAY FOR IT

Still on the Journey

In the early years of our marriage and even before my husband worked as on offset pressman. He endured an unreasonable boss, to be the light of Jesus as he worked his way through seminary and then to provide for his family. Our needs were always met.

He always yearned to work with people and share the gospel (in college he would go down to the streets of Birmingham, Ala to "Prostitute Alley" and proclaim to the prostitutes, pimps and winos the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ).

He worked at the print shop for what appeared an eternity. Why did God have him at the Print Shop? In hindsight I believe God wanted us to trust Him to bring us through the experience to be able to comfort those who may be going through the same thing, II Corinthians 1:4.

He was given the opportunity in 2005 to become a Hospice Administrator in a small Hospice agency near our small town. He was finally getting paid for what we thought he wanted to do. A year later the Board (all of whom said they were Christians) began to do unethical "things". My husband, in love, went to them and asked them to reconsider, but they would not and became more adamant in their decisions. He felt the Lord was telling him to resign. What would we do without a job? We lived in a small rural town in Indiana and there was no job possibilities.

We were out of work for two months. The Lord did care for our needs. It was I who did not trust Him fully and began to pay some of our bills with credit cards (since then I have repented and do not use credit cards).

Two months after his resignation, and daily sending out his resume's he was offered a job in Gahanna, Ohio with a hospice agency as a full-time chaplain (he hadn't even sent his resume' there; God is so amazing!). During our three years in Columbus we found New Life Gahanna Church and I found life!

The Lord still working on me with the credit card issue, I continued to believe Satan's lie and use my credit cards. Thinking "We are giving to the Church, and we are paying the minimum monthly payment, what's the harm".

God is so amazing, forgiving and faithful. He in His love for me guided me to an understanding of the lie that I had believed.

Now, Len, is working for another hospice agency in Illinois. Our daughter had twin sons in October, 2009 and we felt the Lord leading us to be closer to our daughter’s family. LEAVE Columbus!! We loved Columbus, Len LOVED his job, We LOVED the Church, how could we leave. But we were resolved to do what God wanted us to do, we prayed that if God wanted us to leave then He would open the doors or if He did not, then He would slam them so tight that we couldn't get through.

Well He did blow those doors WIDE OPEN and here we are. Len loves being a Hospice Chaplain, he has seen many come to know Jesus before they pass into eternity.

Okay now about debt. I have repented of my sin of not trusting God and getting into debt. However, as with all sin there is consequences. My consequence is to pay our creditors. As each creditor is paid off I feel a sense of freedom. I am amazed that all our needs are being met and there is still money to pay much more than the minimum monthly payment. God takes care of everything.

I know I have made a long story even longer but I do want to mention one more thing - Before Len and I were married we ministered together; after we were married we wanted a relationship like Aquilla and Priscilla. And so it was for the first few years of our marriage but then my heart was distracted by the thoughts of an everyday housewife and mother.

Now in my 50's with all my children grown and with children of their own, I am less distracted and cry to the Lord to help me to love Him more and to be obedient to His word. I am handicapped so I cannot get out and spread the gospel like my husband does, but I, like you, use Facebook as my outlet to minister to people. Yes, I do play some of the Facebook games and some have said it is not for profit; however I disagree.

I have met people from all over the world while playing those games. Many are hurting and needing comfort. I have been able to share the Lord with them openly and they have received it. I have re-connected with relatives, old classmates, and friends of friends while using the social network. It is amazing, God has allowed me to counsel a friend who is going through an unwanted divorce, and pray for the needs of others.

I weep thinking about the years wasted, however I take comfort in the sovereignty of the Lord. My goal is to be a Titus 2 woman, not only to encourage younger women to love their husbands and children but to teach the truths that the Lord has taught me.

I know this is more than you probably wanted to know but I felt impelled to write it.

God Bless,

Does the Bible Say You have to be Baptized to be Saved??

In response to my first post, a gal asked me my opinion on some verses regarding baptism. She did not give her reasons why; however I think she was trying to express that the Bible states that one must be baptized to be saved. The following i my response to her...

I re-read those verses; very good by the way for pointing out the Biblical way to confess one's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. While it is very important for a Believer to be baptized it is not imperative for a Believer to be baptized to be saved.
I am not sure if that is what you wanted to point out when referencing those scriptures or not; but let me go over a few of them for those who feel you need to be immersed or sprinkled in water to be saved.
In Acts 10:43 Peter was preaching to some Gentiles. In verse 44 it says that while he was speaking to them they believed and were filled with the Holy Spirit. It was after that in verses 47 and 48 that he ordered them to be baptized. He ordered it only because there were Jewish Believers there that were shocked that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Spirit. These Gentiles were Believers and followed the commandment to be baptized.
Romans 6:3-4 is a very good verse! Paul is rebuking some Believers who are in sin. He is reminding them of their position in Christ. These may be Believers who Paul himself had baptized. I do not believe that Paul is saying that the baptism saved them only that they had believed and had been baptized. Baptized is only a symbol of being dead to sin and raised to new life; very much like communion bread and wine is a symbol of Christ's body and blood.
Jesus explained it very well in Mark 16; in His last appearance to His disciples He says "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." I believe Jesus mentions baptism is because it was a step of obedience. The second half of the verse ".... but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Jesus did not say he who has not been baptized shall be condemned. How could He? He told the thief on the cross, after the thief rebuked the other thief by saying "...Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." After that the thief turns to Jesus and asks Him to remember him when He comes into His kingdom (The thief believed). Jesus said to him, "....Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Jesus didn't say Oh no I am sorry you haven't been baptized, or I am sorry you have done so many things wrong. He replied that the thief would be in heaven with him.
Baptism as well as communion is important but they are both symbols of our believing and following Christ.

What is it that makes you a Christian??

My husband recently received an e-mail asking "what defines a Christian" she also wanted to know his opinion on baptism - here is his response. . .

Hi ****,

These two questions are very important. I will begin with the second and then respond to the first question. "What defines a Christian?". I know that the qualification for the question should be: "What defines a REAL Christian?". Many claim to be Christians who simply "Go to Church" or "Do good things". However, the God has said: "If thou shalt (1) confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt (2) believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."(Rom 10:9,10) First, confession of Jesus as Lord (or "Boss" of one's life). There is no such thing as a "Secret Christian". Jesus said: "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels."(Luk 9:26). If you believe that the Cubs are the best team, you would never ashamed to say "I'm a Cub's Fan". In the same way, If Jesus is your Lord, your all in all, your everything, you will never be ashamed to openly confess Him as your Lord, your Boss (the One Who calls the shots).

Secondly, Belief, is not just a mental assent to the existence of God (see James 2:19), but a true confidence in the one Divine "Proof" that Jesus was not "Just a man" but the God-Man. That proof is the Resurrection of His Son from the dead. A True Christian does not believe in a "dead Jesus" but as The Resurrected One. No man who dies can offer Eternal Life and that is what Jesus came to bring us. Read 1st Corinthians 15 as to the importance of the Resurrection.

Now, to the question of Baptism. I believe that following Christ in Baptism is the most Biblical way to Confess The Resurrected One. In Baptism, a person confesses Jesus as Lord and identifies himself in with his Resurrected Lord by being lowered into the watery grave of water and raised in "newness of life" (Romans 6:4). That being said, as I recall speaking with you over the phone, Jesus promised the thief on the cross "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" after the thief asked: " Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom." (Luke 23:42) . The thief (1) Confessed Jesus as Lord when he recognized that He had a Kingdom and (2) Believed that Jesus was going to be raised from the dead when He escaped death and came into His Kingdom. I believe that I will see that thief in heaven one day, not because he was baptized (because he was not) but because he Confessed Jesus as Lord and Believed that God would raise Him from the dead. So, though Believer's Baptism is the most Biblical method to Confess one's faith, it is not necessary to be saved.

The bottom line is found in Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is thegift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast." So, the one essential for salvation is faith. This essential, namelyfaith, has always (even for the believers in the Old Testament) been the Biblical essential for salvation. (Example: "Abraham believed God and it was reckoned unto him as righteousness"- Romans 4:3)

****, you asked for the "abbreviated" version of a "deep" subject. There is much more to say on these questions. Hopefully this is of some help. If there is something that is still unclear, please feel free to ask any question. The only "dumb" question is the one you do not ask.

Blessings

He put it quite simply. To be a true Christian is to Confess Jesus as Lord - there is no such thing as a secret Christian

DawnDee