"We have turned the holy fire of God into a circus sideshow"

Respected Journalist Exposes the Scandals of the Charismatic Renewal--and Offers Hope

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Financial scandal. Faulty theology. Moral failure. The last few years have shown that the Church and her leaders are not immune to scandal and corruption. The real problem, however, is that no one is holding them accountable. Until now.

Charismatic insider and contributing editor to Charisma magazine, J. Lee Grady has been a voice crying out against the abuse of the gifts of the Spirit in his weekly, award-winning column "Fire in My Bones." Though an avid proponent of the charismatic experience, he has observed trends that both distress and anger him. And now he is overturning the money tables.

"Charismatic churches in America today are laden down with tons of baggage that needs to be thrown overboard," says Grady.

In his new book "The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale" (Chosen/Baker Publishing Group), Grady exposes and confronts the scandals and problems plaguing charismatic and Pentecostal churches today--including abuse, showmanship, manipulation, and infatuation with prosperity. With extraordinary insight and godly discernment he shows how these problems have led to a watered-down spirituality.

"We have turned the holy fire of God into a circus sideshow," he says. "But when the music stops, the TV cameras are turned off and the money is counted, what do we have?"

Yet his message is not one of condemnation and finger- pointing. Instead Grady challenges all who call themselves Spirit-empowered Christians to return to their biblical roots. He offers hope, help, and a passion for recapturing the authenticity, power, and integrity of true spirituality.

"There is surely fresh fire available to us today," he says. "If we would reject our misguided mysticism and smug elitism, and renounce our bizarre infatuation with money and success, I believe our churches would catch fire with holy zeal."

"The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale" includes strategies for developing healthy leaders as well as helpful guidelines for accountability structures. Grady also shares numerous examples of previous revivals in history and insights from his own ministry trips to Africa, Asia and Latin America. Compelled by his great love for God and His Church, Grady gives a straightforward and ultimately affirming message that is a must-read for leaders, insiders, and seekers alike.

Praise for "The Holy Spirit is Not For Sale"

"I could not put this book down. It is compulsive reading. This book could be a turning point for the charismatic movement." -- Dr. R. T. Kendall, former minister, Westminster Chapel (London); bestselling author, "Total Forgiveness" (from the foreword)

"No more discerning voice speaks with such clarity and compassion as Lee Grady's. Today's Church needs not only to hear but to heed the wisdom set forth of this book." -- Jack Hayford, chancellor, The King's College & Seminary; founding pastor, The Church On The Way

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J. Lee Grady is an author, award-winning journalist, and ordained minister. He serves as a contributing editor of Charisma magazine, one of America's most widely distributed evangelical Christian publications, and as editor of Experience, the magazine of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. His "Fire in My Bones" column is distributed to thousands around the world. The author of three books, Lee is also the founder of The Mordecai Project, a ministry aimed at confronting the abuse of women around the world. His preaching ministry has taken him to 24 nations. He has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including "TIME", "The New York Times", and "Christianity Today." He and his family live near Orlando, Florida.

The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale: Rekindling the Power of God in an Age of Compromise

by J. Lee Grady
ISBN: 978-0-8007-9487-3
Price: $14.99

Guys and Dolls

Coming soon to a store near you — The Rev. Barbie

April 8th, 2010

There’s a new woman of the cloth in Malibu and her name is Barbie. Looking fabulous in her clerical garb, Rev. Barbie is
1.) Unitarian
2.) Methodist
3.) New Age
4.) Episcopalian
5.) Scientologist
6.) Non-denominational
Read the rest of this entry »

MEMORIAL SERVICE~Rev. Donald C. Hamer

Our community is surprised and saddened to learn that Pastor Don Hamer of Zion Christian Fellowship in Spring Valley went to be with the Lord on the morning of March 17th, 2010. 

Rev. Donald C. Hamer is survived by his wife Theresa and 5 children Stephanie, Sheridan, Joseph, D.C. and Phillip. Don was co-Pastor of Zion Christian Fellowship Church as well as Director of Kuyper Preparatory School.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Monday, March 22nd, 2010, 1:00pm
Sonrise Community Church
8805 North Magnolia
Santee, CA  92071-4526

In lieu of Flowers, please send a donation to help with memorial services and for the Hamer Family:

Please send all cards and condolences to:

Zion Christian Fellowship

7997 Paradise Valley Rd.
San Diego, CA 92139-1435

Please make your checks payable to:

Zion Christian Fellowship
In the memo section please designate:

Don Hamer Memorial Fund

A1000: Rev Beasley - Look Up and Step Out

Good Friday or Good Wednesday?

The scriptural chronology of crucifixion week

and more

Truly, when was Jesus crucified?

And why is this exact day so important?

Scriptural requirements:

• Jesus had to be in the ground (Hades) “three days and three nights” (Matt. 12:40).  This would be the sign of Jonah (Matt. 12:39; Jonah 1:17) and the only sign of his Messiahship given to the Pharisees (Matt. 12:38).                                                                       
• His resurrection happened before daylight—“early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark”—i.e., Sunday morning before 6:00 AM (John 20:1; Luke 24:1-3; also see Mark 16:2-9)
• There were two different Sabbaths during that week—“a special Sabbath” / “high day” (John 19:31, NIV/KJV) and the regular weekly, seventh-day Sabbath.          
• Jesus died “about the ninth hour” (Matt. 27:46-50) on a day of Preparation (John 19:14, 31; Luke 23:54; Matt. 27:62-66).
• But there were two different days of Preparation prior to each Sabbath day (Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56).

The solution:  (Remember, the Jewish “day” begins with night at 6:00PM)

• Wednesday – the first day of Preparation.  Jesus was crucified and died about 3:00PM. His body was placed in the tomb prior to the start of the special Sabbath at 6:00 PM.
• Thursday – the special Sabbath (a high day—the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and often called Passover) began at 6:00PM (our Wednesday)
• Friday – the second day of Preparation began at 6:00PM (our Thursday).  This was when the women purchased the spices to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1).
• Saturday – the regular weekly Sabbath began at 6:00PM (our Friday).
• Sunday – Resurrection Day – “the first day of the week” begins at 6:00PM (our Saturday). The empty tomb was discovered prior or around to 6:00 AM Sunday morning.

Night & day numerical recap:

Conclusion:

If Jesus was crucified on Friday, as is traditionally held, and his body was only in the grave from Friday afternoon to sometime early Sunday morning, then the sign He gave that He was the promised Messiah was not fulfilled.  The claim of his Messiahship rests on the fulfillment of his words (Matt. 12:38-40).  This is a serious matter. 

The only way all the demands and accounts in the Gospels can be harmonized and synchronized is with a . .

Good Wednesday crucifixion.

Another application:

Other time statements of Jesus have also been misunderstood, ignored, or contradicted by Christian tradition, such as: Matt. 10:23; 16:28;  24:34; 26:64; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 21:20-22; Rev. 22:7, 10, 12.  The resultant confusion has discredited both the clarity and authority of Scripture, as well has cast doubt upon the deity of Christ in the minds of many.

A ‘come-now’ suggestion:

The Apostle Paul had it right when he wrote: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6).  Paul’s “at just the right time” refers to exact, literal, chronological, and sequential fulfillment of Daniel’s 70-week (490 years) time prophecy (Dan. 9:24-27)—no gaps, no gimmicks. 

If I may suggest, everything else God the Father and Jesus the Son promised and time-restricted also occurred “at just the right time.”  Unfortunately, this aspect of divine perfection and precise fulfillments still await discovery today by most Christians and non-Christians alike.  “Come now, let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18).

Blessings, John Noē, Ph.D.

Prophecy Reformation Institute

Village comes to Christ after possessed girl is healed

South Asia (MNN) -- A girl in South Asia struggled from what appeared to be demon possession for nine months. A Jesus Film Project team member and a few others began praying for the girl, and by the seventh day of prayer, she was completely healed. The girl and her family immediately turned to Christ, as did the rest of the villagers when they saw the evidence of the healing in the girl's life. Praise God for this transformation. Pray for the new, small church which has been established following this miracle! Read more here....