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For Marisa Hester, a Pentecostal Christian from Prattville, Ala., choosing an outfit for an ultra-Orthodox Crown Heights wedding wasn’t easy. Sorting through her two sets of formalwear, she eventually opted for a knee-length floral skirt and a high-necked black chiffon blouse, embellished with sparkling beads. She worried, however, that her slightly sheer sleeves were too revealing and would insult her newfound family. But at the June 24 wedding, the bride and her relatives could not have been less offended. A year ago, Hester, 26, gave an invaluable gift to the bride’s father, Hershey Fellig, 47, whose struggle she had read...

NEW YORK — The angels are familiar, and the demons with the yellow sulfury smoke rising from their nostrils — but the plot, well, not so much.    The stage version of This Present Darkness, this summer’s Broadway sensation, is raking in profits but has rankled the author and many Christians expecting a faithful re-telling of the book.     "It’s a pale, watered down representation of my novel," says author Frank Peretti who sold the rights to two longtime producers but is now urging Christians to boycott the show.     Renamed ‘Dark,’ the musical depicts demons in Cats-style costumes and 12-foot...

The value of anything must always be set by something outside of that object. A coin is no more valuable than a pebble except by common agreement that it can be exchanged for something else. Humans are unique in their ability to assign abstract values to inherently non-functional and other wise useless objects. A diamond ring, a thousand dollar bill, or a gold bar have no more value to an animal than a smooth pebble, shiny rock, or fuzzy leaf. Animals cannot even assign value to their own lives. Apart from survival instincts and some mutually beneficial biological relationships, animals...

The Texas Supreme Court, showing continued deference to religious practice, on Friday tossed out a $188,000 judgment against members of a Pentecostal church who restrained a teenager they feared had come under demonic influence. Laura Schubert claimed that rough handling during the hours-long 1996 incident — involving the "laying on of hands" and intensive prayer — left her disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder. Jurors agreed, finding that Schubert, then 17, was falsely imprisoned and assaulted by a pastor, youth minister and members of Pleasant Glade Assembly of God church in suburban Fort Worth. However, the state Supreme Court dismissed Schubert's...

Leaders Commission Todd Bentley at ‘Lakeland Outpouring’ The special service was billed by leaders as one of the greatest moments in revival history   [06.24.08] Canadian revivalist Todd Bentley, leader of the “Lakeland Outpouring,� was commissioned as an evangelist last night in a special ceremony in Lakeland, Fla., that was broadcast into millions of homes by God TV.   California pastors Ché Ahn and Bill Johnson, along with Canadian pastor John Arnott, laid hands on the 32-year-old Bentley while Peter Wagner, leader of the International Coalition of Apostles, read a statement about the need for apostolic alignment. Other prominent leaders...

CHARITY: Even some Pentecostals are skeptical of Todd Bentley’s tent revival | Rusty Leonard and Warren Cole Smith Canadian Todd Bentley doesn't look much like a minister. The 32-year-old has body piercings and tattoos on his arms and neck, and he often dresses in black. But a minister of the gospel he is, or claims to be—and those claims have become the real story of a series of meetings Bentley is holding in Lakeland, Fla. Bentley's British Columbia-based Fresh Fire Ministries arrived in Lakeland on April 2 for five days of revival meetings at a local church. These services would...

Whether the problems in America are plagues or not, God is still in control. The revisiting of the ten plagues of ancient Biblical times makes it easier to understand the reasons why America is in the mess that it is in today. All the possible plagues that have been mentioned could become even worse as days, months and years pass. But, one thing is for sure, if America does not repent as a nation, God will send some form of punishment. God will not be continually mocked by sinful Americans who rebel against Him.

Evangelist Bill Keller of LivePrayer a dot com ministry that has 2.4 million daily subscribers to Keller’s messages is leaving the seat open for Sen. Obama to answer questions about his Christian faith. Will he accept the invitation? The call is simple and cordial but the questions are biting and will not be easy to answer. Bill Keller has issued the public invitation by saying “I am sending a formal invitation to Senator Obama to sit down with me on camera and deal with these serious questions regarding what he believes about his Christian faith

From the natural disasters that have devastated thousands of lives around the globe to the bleak financial reports we’re hearing in our own country, it’s apparent we’re living in some serious times. We are an informed bunch with news alerts sent to us by email, text messaging, and the old standby—the TV screen. News seems to travel at the speed of light. But how much of this information is just too much?

JUNE 5--Last June, Matthew Lincoln was attending an evening service at his nondenominational Tennessee church when he approached the altar where a visiting minister was offering individual prayers for parishioners. Assigned "catchers" were present on the altar in case congregants fainted, fell, or otherwise lost control. When the minister, Robert Lavala, slightly touched his forehead, the Knoxville-area man "received the spirit and fell backwards." Except nobody was there to catch him, Lincoln charges in a $2.5 million lawsuit filed yesterday against Lakewind Church and its pastors. Lincoln, 58, claims that he fell backwards, striking his head against the "carpet-covered cement...

CH Spurgeon called it "the Down-Grade", when preachers and churches fell away from the pure Truth of God's Word for those methods and teachings that would appeal to the flesh. It ain't stopped and the technology of today make it obvious to anyone with spiritual discernment (that of the Holy Spirit) to see the danger and falsehood of "the Down-Grade".

<p>Several factors have caused the United States to deny its Christian heritage. First, after World War II, many immigrants moved to the United States. Many of these immigrants brought with them their non-Christian religious beliefs and their undemocratic political ideologies. Also, as decades and centuries have passed, the number of people who belong to non-Christian religions has increased tremendously. Therefore, these non-Christian religions are giving Christianity some serious competition. As a result of this religious competition, Christianity is gradually losing its recognition as being America’s most favored religion.</p>

The great harlot of revelations. It seems I caused a lot of confussion by not taking more time in writing the thread, mayby I should have put some smileys in it to let people know that it was not a hate thread, I do not hate the church,s.Please do not take this as an apoligy, I admit that I am a grade school drop out and should have watched my spelling and grammar, but what I wrote was meant to be guestions in the form of comments. that should be easy to understand even for me and much easier for...

A new Web site is offering a miraculous service — e-mails sent to loved ones left behind on Earth after you've been swept up to heaven in the Rapture. YouveBeenLeftBehind.com promises to alert up to 62 people exactly six days after the event that, according to the Bible, signals the beginning of Armageddon, Wired magazine's Threat Level reports. "You've Been Left Behind gives you one last opportunity to reach your lost family and friends for Christ," the site promoting the service says. Final e-mails from vanished subscribers will be triggered when three of the site's five Christian staffers fail to...

Remember to take some time for prayer. This is the Lord's will. The worlds smallest bird, a hummingbird and as mentioned in the Bible, a sparrow, is always being noticed and looked upon by God.

Doctrines RomanCatholic EasternOrthodox Anglican/Episcopal UnitedMethodist Lutheran Reformed/Presbyterians Southern Baptist Trinitarian Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Apostolic Succession Y Y Y     N N Roman Papal Infallibility Y N N N N N N Immaculate Conception of Mary Y N N N N N N Assumption of Mary Y Y N     N N Purgatory Y N N N N N N Celibacy of the Clergy Y Higher only N N   N N Infant Baptism Y Y, Triune  Y     Y N Transubstantiation Y N N N N N N Consubstantiation N Y Some...

It can be a little intimidating in a Reformed context to admit that one is Pentecostal. It's a bit like being at the ballet and letting it slip that you're partial to NASCAR and country music. Both claims tend to clear a room. And yet I happily define myself as a Reformed charismatic, a Pentecostal Calvinist. It's been said that testimony is the poetry of Pentecostal experience, so permit me to begin with a personal poem to provide some background. I wasn't raised in the church; rather, I was quite "miraculously saved" the day after my 18th birthday through my...

Thank you, Pastor Gruen for the opportunity to ask you some questions. 1. Did you ever hear the rumor that you recanted "aberrant practices "? If so what was your reaction?I was more disappointed, than shocked. I was disappointed that Mike Bickle and/or his I-hop staff would willfully, deliberately spread lies and it continues to this day. I receive several e-mails a month asking if I recanted, etc. (See e-mail I received this week in question #7.)2. What were you going through when you wrote your report?I really received tremendous support locally, and was not attacked by other ministers, so...

But why am I opposed to this 'Healing Revival' so soon after it has been announced? -It is because I already know Todd Bentley's ministry all too well, and this whole thing centers around him.

I have been to the outpouring in Lakeland twice with my family. I was wondering if any other Freepers have been as well. We went when it was still in Ignited Church which holds 700. It has moved to a church in Auburndale that holds 3,000, they then moved it to the Lakeland Convention Center that holds 9,000 and then to Lakeland Tigers Baseball stadium that holds nearly 12,000. Tonight it will be at Lakeland/Linder Airport, Sun and Fun Grounds. We have seen lots of healings and miracles. It has been going on for over 35 days and will be...

An Apostolic Pentecostal is a person that believes in speaking in tongues - glossolalia - as proof that a person has received the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals are people who believe in dramatic demonstrations of the Gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy or the interpretation of tongues. Pentecostal Oneness believers reject the concept of the Trinity and are convinced salvation relies upon the literal form of baptism; dunking rather than sprinkling and repentance of one's sins. People who are not familiar with Pentecostalism may think that the following descriptions are exaggerated and shocking, however the things depicted in this article...

I was about to ask someone on another thread which translation she uses and I thought maybe it might be better as an individual thread. I don't think this will become contentious, but who knows? So, the question: Which translation do you use for your personal Bible? If the answer is different: Which do you prefer? Why not use it as your personal Bible?

When I read of Deal Hudson’s outreach and encounter, I rejoiced. It shows that the work of authentic ecumenism continues. Deal used a difficult situation to make progress with another Christian.

Looks like Canada's not the only jurisdiction with human rights commissions acting as speech police - although in Delaware they're called human relations commissions: A Delaware state human relations commission is investigating allegations that a fifth-grade teacher told her class she wouldn't vote for Barack Obama because he is "scary" and a Muslim.   The mother of a 10-year-old student complained, saying her daughter's teacher made the comments during a mock primary on Super Tuesday last month at a southeastern Delaware elementary school. The student is a Muslim. The Democratic presidential candidate is a Christian, but he's had to fight against...

The Voice of Change is Stirring Us to Come UP from the Wilderness! Dear Friends and Intercessors: We are heading into two of the most rearranging, realigning months that we have ever known in the history of this generation. What occurs during these days will set a course for our lives and this nation. The Lord woke me at 1 o'clock on Tuesday morning, March 4th, 2008. As I walked into the bathroom I noticed a calligraphy verse: "Lean not on your own understanding." This verse lit up even though the light was not on in the bathroom. The verse...

WAREHAM, MA -- “Left Behind denies what Bible-readers have believed for centuries," says David A. Reed, author of LEFT BEHIND Answered Verse by Verse. "I'm just giving the preachers of the Reformation an opportunity to reply."   Reed's new book features Martin Luther and John Calvin on the cover, along with illustrious preachers Jonathan Edwards, William Tyndale, John Wesley, John Wycliffe and Charles Haddon Spurgeon – all pointing fingers of condemnation at Tim LaHaye's blockbuster novel Left Behind. "The founders of the Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Congregationalist traditions all testify against the teachings of LaHaye's novels," Reed explained.  ...

As a believer, I always see miracles and good things when God and prayer are involved. Tommorrow, at 1030hrs CST, my mother, Ann Bryan, will undergo heart surgery to replace/repair her mitrol valve in her left ventricle. She has been in the hospital for ten (10) days at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, AR under intensive antibiotics for a diagnosis of endocarditis caused by a strep infection in her blood, and on her heart valve. Anyways, we believe in the power of prayer, and I have personally witnessed miracles here on FR. Any additional prayers sent her way would be...

There are numerous examples that prove that the name of God and Jesus Christ is being attacked regularly by America’s politically correct government. Many American leaders support the removal of the name of God from the currency of the United States. They support the removal of the name of God from the walls of Federal buildings (the Ten Commandments and encrypted scriptures) and from U.S. government documents, such as flag certificates. They also have tried to prevent the mention of God in the funeral ceremonies for deceased veterans buried in Veteran Administration cemeteries. Of course, everyone should remember the “One...

Washington DC, Feb 25, 2008 / 08:26 pm (CNA).- The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has released the results of a detailed new study of the religious affiliation of the American public. The results reveal that the United States is on the verge of becoming a minority Protestant country, that one-third of Americans who were raised Catholic no longer identify themselves as such, and that the outflow of these Catholics is stabilized by Catholic immigrants. The survey also shows that a significant number of Americans change their religious denomination over their lifetimes. "We hope that the U.S. Religious...

Before there was a Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Benny Hinn or Joel Osteen, Oral Roberts was televangelism. He, along with a few other pioneers brought the tent revival into the age of mass communications; Roberts was broadcast on numerous television stations across the country. He stalked the stage, raised his voice, and had the audience in the palm of his hands. He appeared to indicate that he had special powers; he could heal the sick, mend the wounded, comfort the afflicted.Oral Roberts had wealth, power, prestige and an all-American family. He amassed a fortune and later...

My energy is not atomic it is Eternal and flowing , Alive ! And Creating , not manufactured . So as you see things constructed by man realize this ; All elements of the Universe and mankind evolve from My Hand and I AM CREATOR AND GOD ALMIGHTY . There will be an ATOMIC ANOMALY SOON yet far more reaching will be the effect on man's heart than just an incident or explosion Yet the critical element is not what has been pushed away , vaporized or displaced , but the raining down of My Spirit on mankind shortly...

The four biggest names in American Televangelism have united for an evangelistic outreach that is truly out of this world. Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson and Kenneth Copeland announced earlier today that they have purchased the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope from the University of Manchester in Great Britain for a reported $130 million. The University had been looking to unload the Radio Telescope after funding for ongoing scientific research had dried up from the British Government. Faith healer Benny Hinn shared a vision that Jesus gave him several months ago, on a recent Praise The Lord broadcast: "I was...

Joel Osteen wants you to stand up straight. "Even many good, godly people have gotten into a bad habit of slumping and looking down," Mr. Osteen writes in his best-selling self-improvement tract Become a Better You. "[Y]ou need to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high, and communicate strength, determination, and confidence." After all, "We know we're representing Almighty God. Let's learn to walk tall." Mr. Osteen is the pastor of Houston's Lakewood Church, a Pentecostal congregation recently named the largest in the country by Outlook magazine, hosting some 47,000 souls in the former Compaq Center, where the...

Using only his Bible as a guide top internet evangelist Bill Keller has a new website entitled “A vote for Romney is a vote for Satan.” Bill Keller the founder of the controversial “LivePrayer” program running for the last eight years is no stranger to controversy. He has confronted the gay activists, Planned Parenthood, Muslim groups and even posted a video response to Osama Bin Laden.

Burton declined to say why the two resigned, but said both wrote the board to express their support for the school's mission.The resignations come a month after the resignations from the board of regents of two other televangelists, Jesse Duplantis and Creflo Dollar.Hinn and Dollar are among six televangelists being investigated by Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley to determine if the high-profile preachers violated their organizations' tax-exempt status by living lavishly on the backs of small donors. They have denied wrongdoing.

For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict. (Titus 1:7-9) I remember well the night the membership of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church considered my calling to be an elder amongst them. I remember contemplating the qualifications of an elder found in the...

If the ACLU has not contended against all the nativity scenes and public displays for a Christ centered Christmas, this year 2007 might be a pretty good Christmas in America. The only thing missing might be the knowledge of what it really means despite the smattering of meaning of Christmas TV specials.

It would seem that penning a Christian best-seller can't compete with a flap about how an actress looks in a bikini. Except in Texas. Readers of People magazine in Texas will find a big picture of Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen and his wife, Victoria, on the cover of the Dec. 17 issue that lands at the nearest grocery store checkout line today. The rest of the country gets a photo of Jennifer Love Hewitt creating a stir about whether she looks chubby on the beach. Osteen's photo will have a smaller spot on the national cover. It is clear...

Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre/Jesse Merz, Artistic Director and Lisa Dozier announce that The Gospel According to Tammy Faye, a new two-act musical based on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner, will be presented in three special industry readings in New York City, on Sunday, December 16 at 7PM; Monday, December 17 at 4PM and Tuesday, December 18 at 2PM. Mindy Cooper (choreographer for Dracula, The Musical) directs and choreographs and Seth Farber is the musical director. With a book by Fernando Dovalina and music and lyrics by JT Buck, The Gospel According to Tammy Faye is based on a...

SUNCOOK, N.H. — Betty Lynn Monroe believes her dog, Rambler, has had a conversion comparable to what humans experience. Monroe says that for months Rambler has been sitting in a corner and listening to her home Bible study group discuss the Bible. Then, last week during the prayer time, Rambler ran into their midst, lay down on the floor and looked up at them with "a look of pure regret and sadness," Monroe says. "It was as sincere as anything I’ve seen among humans at the altar at church." The group laid hands on Rambler and prayed that God would...

The complete text of the address delivered at the consistory by the president of the pontifical council for Christian unity. Good progress with the Orthodox, bad with the mainline Protestants, so-so with the "evangelicals" and Pentecostals. And meanwhile, with the Muslims... by Sandro Magister ROMA, December 4, 2007 – Eight days before it was published on the last day of November, Benedict XVI had announced the release of the encyclical on hope, "Spe Salvi," to the cardinals gathered in Rome from all over the world, at the meeting that opened the consistory. For many of them, the announcement came as...

They cut the line off at about 300 people.... Osteen arrived around 11 a.m. for a "meet and greet" with Super Wal-Mart employees. Edwin Del Rosario brought along a copy of Edwin's own self-published book, which he says was inspired by Osteen. The name of the paperback is "Divine Prescription for Your Total Prosperity." Rosario noted that he got only a "30-cent advance" for his book compared to Osteen's $13 million but "it's a start."

The Vatican’s top official on relations with non-Catholic Christians has called upon the Catholic Church to critically self-examine itself in response to the “exponential” rise of Pentecostal movements. At a meeting of the world's Catholic cardinals, Cardinal Walter Kasper, who serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said “self-critical examination of conscience” was necessary for the church body. “We must not ask first what is wrong with the Pentecostals but ask what our pastoral failings are and come to a spiritual renewal," the ecumenical leader said Friday, according to Agence France Presse. It is believed that...

A senior Vatican cardinal told a gathering of the world's top prelates Friday that the Roman Catholic Church had to examine what it is doing wrong in the battle for souls who are leaving the church to join Pentecostal and other evangelical groups.Cardinal Walter Kasper, who heads the Vatican's office for relations with other Christians, told a meeting of more than 100 cardinals that the church must undergo a "self-critical pastoral examination of conscience" to confront the "exponential" rise of Pentecostal movements."We shouldn't begin by asking ourselves what is wrong with the Pentecostals, but what our own pastoral shortcomings are,"...

On today’s broadcast of his television show The 700 Club, Robertson stated that “God revealed� to him that he was an “idiot.� This surprising disclosure came during the show’s segment entitled “Bring It On,� during which viewers submit questions to Robertson for advice. Near the end of the segment, the following question was read to Robertson, “I have watched your show for years, and I have read most of your books. I respect you highly as a man of God, but lately my pastor has been preaching about the Old Testament prophets and how a true prophet is known by...

INN News Exclusive Interview with Benny Hinn Interviewed by INN Correspondent Joseph Knoll Transcript created September 6, 2007 Knoll: Pastor Hinn, I want to thank you so much for joining with us today. I know many listeners will appreciate that fact that you are willing to participate in this intimate and candid interview. Hinn: You are welcome Joe. I’m glad to be here. I have nothing to hide. I am a servant of the living God. He is the only one I answer to. Knoll: That’s interesting that you say you have nothing to hide. Isn’t it true that you...

Washington DC, Nov 8, 2007 / 11:29 am (CNA).- A top Republican on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is investigating the finances of televangelist preachers after allegations of corruption, the Associated Press reports. The investigation by Senator Church Grassley of Iowa is a response to reports of extravagant spending by preachers, whose purchases include Rolls Royces and a $30,000 conference table. Senator Grassley said in a statement he was acting on complaints from the public and news coverage of the organizations, which enjoy tax exemptions. Those under scrutiny include faith healer Benny Hinn, Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar, and one...

The following story of my conversion, "His Open Arms Welcomed Me," is the first chapter of the bestseller Surprised by Truth, edited by Patrick Madrid (Basilica, 1994). "His Open Arms Welcomed Me" Paul Thigpen I was quite young the first time I saw him, so I don't remember where it happened. But I do remember being terrified by the sight: that tortured man, thorn-crowned, blood-bathed, forsaken. The sculptor had spared no crease of agony; the painter, no crimson stroke. He was a nightmare in wood. Yet I was strangely drawn to him as well. His open arms welcomed me; his...

END TIMES PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES OF ISAIAH.—CHARISMATIC, PENTECOSTAL, DISPENSATIONALIST CAUCUS THREAD.   This is posted for hopefully a mutually beneficial iron sharpening iron dialogue, discussion amongst the above interest groups. We must avoid throwing rocks at others to protect the decorum and rights of a caucus thread.  We must police ourselves on that score first and foremost. I will ask for any post crossing that line to be removed promptly. Please spare us the hassle.   Lurkers are certainly welcome to ask questions in the thread or VIA FREEPMAIL. Keeping in mind the rules of a caucus thread, please feel...

How to determine when Joel Osteen is speaking heresy: