What is it within mankind that we feel the night to fight against the simplest of things… and the best of things?

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives ALL your iniquities,
Who heals ALL your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

(Psalm 103:2-5)

So much energy is spent within the Church by people who are desperately trying to STAY sick!

Yes, you know what, if you’re sick, you should deal with it in a temporary fashion however seems best. Need a wheelchair? Ride in one. Need medicine? Take it. But seek healing. Seek the wholeness that God has PROMISED (and read 1 Cor 1:20 until it gets down deep inside of you).

Don’t get comfortable because your symptoms can be alleviated or you can “live with it” – that’s NOT God’s best.

New Day the Church at High Point is holding its second semester of Healing School on September 18th from 9-4:30 (registration at 8:30). If you are involved in healing ministry at any level, or want to be – or if you just want to find out what this “healing stuff” is all about – please come!  All are welcome (whether you were at the first School or not).

Registration is $25 and includes lunch; pay at the door. You must, however, register in advance and get details at New Day’s website.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment here, email, or call me!

I just posted a challenge to a Mormon friend on Facebook and I think I’ll echo it here, with a bit of a twist.

If you’re an LDS Church member and you disagree with what I said in yesterday’s post, please – educate us. This is your opportunity.

NOTE: THIS CHALLENGE IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT, PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF THE LDS CHURCH. Not to Christian apologists, not to ex-Mormons, or anyone else (y’all feel free to comment on the original post and share your thoughts there, though!)

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Here’s the challenge:

Answer the following questions. State what your church teaches/what you believe/what you practice in daily life. Back up everything you believe using ONLY the Bible as your source.  You may either answer in the comments section here, or on your own blog and post a link to there.

#1 – Who is God? What is His role in the universe? Where did He come from? Where was He before the creation of the earth? When did He begin to exist?

#2 - Who is Jesus? What is His role in the universe? Where did He come from? Where was He before the creation of the earth? When did He begin to exist, and in what form? When and how did He end up on earth? How did Mary become pregnant?

#3 – Who is Holy Spirit (you may call Him “the Holy Ghost”)? What is His role in the universe? Where did He come from? Where was He before the creation of the earth? When did He begin to exist?

#4 - How do these three work together?

#5 – Who is satan? What is his role in the universe? Where did he come from? Where was he before the creation of the earth? When did he begin to exist, and in what form?

#6 – Who is man? What is his role in the universe? Where did he come from? Where was he before the creation of the earth? When did he begin to exist, and in what form? What happened after that? What is man’s role upon earth? What happens after man dies?

#7-  What is sin? How did sin enter the earth? Who created it? What is the cause of it? What happens to those who sin?

#8 – What is salvation? How is one saved? Why must one be saved? What happens to those who are saved? What happens to those who are not?

REMEMBER: USE ONLY THE BIBLE TO BACK UP WHAT YOU BELIEVE. If you cannot, it’s permissible to say, “The Bible does not address, but the Book of Mormon says…” OR “The Bible says _____, but the Book of Mormon says _____ and I choose to go with what the BoM says”  … but be very, very clear about either.

I posted yesterday that I really like Glen Beck. Seems to be a super guy. He’s a great conservative leader in our country and he’s uniquely positioned to leverage both media and money for the conservative cause. In spite of his views, which are sometimes perceived to be divisive even among conservatives, he’s done an incredible job of making diversity among us a reality. Everything I see, hear, and read indicates that he’s a family man, leads a life of integrity and good moral values, and he really believes in the stuff he talks about. He has the added bonus of being brilliant.

Beck has been able to rally and organize a wide range of people. His recent Restoring Honor gathering in DC is a great example – he brought together an incredible number and range of people. If we could have gotten there, Ken and I would have attended. Good stuff.

We can call Beck a great conservative leader and be absolutely correct. I believe that conservative people of all races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds can and even should agree with him, rally with him, and look to him as a leader. I have no issue with Christians joining with Beck (or anyone else) to promote the conservative agenda.

We can call Beck a great conservative leader who happens to include Christians among those he leads. HOWEVER. (isn’t there always a “but…” to everything?)

We cannot call him a “Conservative Christian” nor can we say he promotes “Christian” values and morals.

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