Pastor Jade

Hello, Reverend Nooland T. Staley here, (better known as Pastor Jade from Lighthouse Family Ministries here in Phoenix, Arizona.).
Although there seems to be a number of Christians responding to, and activily partisipating in verious blogs on this site; no one site seems dedicated to descussing the spiritual state and issues that now confront our great nation. (Of special concern is the spiritual condition of the body of Christ,the Church.) Nor wheather or not the political atmosphere has any influence on the spiritual attitudes in America, or vis-a-versa.
I've just completed reading a book called "The Harbringer", and another called "The Harbringer, Fact Or Fiction". The general agreeing concensus of both books is that America needs, to put it plainly, a revival.
Of course there are bound to be several differing points of view on this subject. And that is the purpose
of starting this blog; the discussion of this issue.
So, your comments are welcome. Please keep them clean. Name calling is not nessicary. Thank you for joining in.

rumitoid

Thank you for opening this discussion, it is definitely needed. And welcome to wonderland.

We the people can only get something done if we begin to see each other as imago dei, or at least with the respect both stated and implied by the Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights; not to do so seems un-American. We can't begin to fix the many problems in this country until we fix ourselves.

It takes a good deal of both courage and grace to extend a hand across the aisle, especially given all the insults and name calling that goes on. Yet this is what we need from the Christians here and across the nation. Love of enemy is a commandment, not a suggestion. Christians need to stop their complaints in exchange for opening dialogues. Looking at ourselves to where we are flawed and allowing God to work on us will lead the way to better overall relationships with all involved in this "great experiment' called the United States of America.

Practicing the principles of gentleness and kindness to all no matter what the provocation or problem, not engaging in like behavior of hate or derision, is like putting "burning hot coals on the heads" of the opposition. Preach the gospel at all times and where necessary use words.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

American is on the do not call list. American has turned her back on Christ, not all the people mind you but the government head much the same way the Jewish did once.

jetson

I've been a Christian since 1982. I have seen a great falling away of the Church, since those days. The Church has brought in messianic jews, trying to mix Judaism and Christianity together, Churches, bringing in the word of faith teaching, harlem shake dancing, purpose driven life teaching, of Rich Warren. Satan is at work. Try follow a TV preacher, and you will find they are after money. With this going on, you can;t hardly find anyone who is interested in the gospel of Christ. We have four major false religions to deal with,(catholic, J.W. 's, Mormon and islam. Christianity, is being attacked, by the politicians, press, public, atheist etc. I think we are very, very close to the rapture. What do you think.

Pastor Jade

Pastor Jade here again,
As was stated in my last message; there are many opinions about the condition of this nation the whys and wherefores, e.t.c..
I'm looking forward to an intellegent response, backed by research, facts and figures. I don't think that is asking to much in the light of the high level of response noted on most of the other sites already in progress.
And please note that I have already done considerable research, (and am contenuing to do so), on this topic. Therefore I intend to ask a number of what I feel to be hard questions; not to ingender strife, but to bring out what I hope will be the best responses of one and all.
In response to bmac32: Are you infering that there is a connection between the historical Isreal, up to this point in history, and the United States on a spiritual bases? And if so, what does the present political climate portend for us Christians?

jetson

please reply on the quote reply button, stroll down on your message and post. that way we will know who you are replying to

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Having read Harbringer, which took me forever, I find many things go hand in hand. I could see many things that went on then going on today and it was nerving to say the least. Am reading Killing Jesus this week, two chapters a night so as to let in sink in.

TroubleshooterTim Loc: People's Republic of Oregon

I believe that the decline of Christianity in America (as can be seen in geopolitical history in other cultures as well) can be found in two distinct reasons.

1) Utopian Gov't model. Man has through the ages followed the belief that a Gov't given enough resources can cure society's ills. In American history we see that the ministries of the church have been taken over by the Gov't in many differing areas. Education had been a very prominent ministry of the local churches - Horace Mann didn't believe that the church should be teaching children and advocated for a Gov't run school system which would exclude Christ from the classroom. Most Hospitals were created as ministries of the church (thus so many denomination names- which are fading fast). The Catholics still have a footprint in healthcare, but the declining number of nuns working in the hospitals has led to secularization. Feeding and clothing the poor has also been taken over by the Gov't in the name of Safety Net. The local churches that still have food pantries are but a fraction of the size they once held.
The Gov't has taken over many of these traditional areas of Church Ministry, which leaves many in the local church without meaningful roles in service.
This Utopian Gov't model has existed throughout all ages, and it never comes to fruition, because the underlying premise of the nature of man is overlooked.

2) The second reason for the decline of Christianity in America has to do with the wealth (comfort level) of the individual. Even the poor in America live better off than the average person in third world cultures. Those of means are more willing to give money than actually serve (not to mention the money given is often less than their taxes paid). A person can make a huge impact in the business world, but the impact afforded the local church has drastically be minimized.

What do I think the solution is?
Persecution. I hate to say it, but I believe it to be true. If it is too easy to be a "Christian" then the value afforded that faith is diminished. Persecution (separating the chaff from the grain) would provide intrinsic value to faith in Christ.

Pastor Jade

A reply was sent several minutes ago but I must have not done it right as I cannot find it posted here.
Therefore I shall try again.
Your post covered a number of subjects which, without writting a book, I. could not possibly cover here.
But in response to the last about the 'eminate' return of Christ; I believe that like the apostles were expecting in their day when they first wrote their epistles, Jesus may very well return in our lifetime.
Insofar as how that commmon belief among evangelic and concervitive Christians will effect the goverment and the destiny of America is concerned, I believe, is the issue of concern before us now.
Pastor Jade.

Pastor Jade

Understanding that you believe such persecution would actually benifit the body of Christ, how does that benifit this country, or do you feel that is a mote point at this time?
Pastor Jade.

Pastor Jade

Thank you for the warm welvome. As there may be rules of conduct of which I may not know when using this type of forum, please do not hesitate to send me a private message as it is never my intention to step on anyone's toes, so to speak.
Many blessings, Pastor Jade.

TroubleshooterTim Loc: People's Republic of Oregon

I believe that America as we know it will collapse. Our time has come full circle through the governmental lifecycle. I believe that history does repeat itself, and where we are today we have already gone over the fiscal cliff.
There is no economic model that illustrates us coming out of the huge economic weight we are saddled with. The impending collapse of the petrodollar and US Dollar losing global reserve currency status will lead us into a new era, a new government system, following the years of strife.
I follow some world economists that are making this case, such as Ned Goodman & Michael Coffman.

Google the italicized phrases for a wealth of supporting sources on these subjects.
17 Trillion dollars in national debt is only a small part of the equation. It is the Unfunded liabilities that is killing us.
http://usdebtclock.org/
Look at that bottom line, $126 trillion and growing a million dollars every 10 seconds.
17 + 126 = 143.....that's 143 trillion right this second, and growing rapidly. Both sides are to blame for this, as neither side wants to address the political hot potato (except for the Tea Party- unfortunately it's too late).

We have already gone over the fiscal cliff, smooth sailing until we hit bottom.

rumitoid

You're doing great. I know some here would say there are no rules of conduct, though there is a TOS, but generally one point is insisted on: using "Quote Reply" when addressing particular posters. You learned that quickly enough. Stepping on toes here is often the dance, though it is not to be taken as a rule of conduct. From my experience here and in the world, one could say "Good morning" and some "toe" would cry ouch and take exception. Or maybe just wonder what you meant by that.

TroubleshooterTim Loc: People's Republic of Oregon

Please don't get me wrong. I do not like the idea of being persecuted for my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (there's power in that name). I am not looking forward to it, but I believe there is biblical evidence to support that the sheep will be separated from the goats (chaff from the grain). There is coming a time for us to hide in the mountains and pray to God for salvation from the tribulation.
(theologically, I am a dispensationalist).

rumitoid

The most fecund period for the spread of the Gospel, and seemingly for people genuinely acting Christlike, was during the first three hundred years of the Church, which suffered intermittent and often brutal persecution. The Romans were much like the Nazis in providing extensive and detailed records about everything that happened. Roman chronicles about the Christians over that course of three centuries often mentioned the most persistent and annoying quality about them: their love.
They lived as perscribed by the Bible: as citizens of heaven, strangers in a strange land, foreigners and aliens in any country, ambassadors only for the kingdom of God. Then they were accepted into society, given a privileged seat, and the rest is history. Persecutions of Jews and pagans quickly followed. A worldly heirarchy and system put in firm place. Earthly power was sought and obtained. Treasure here was deemed important and worth pursuit. The kingdom of God went topsy-turvy.