However, in our rapid success of processing and refining we made a big mistake. We tinkered with this prominent food source so we could attain a longer shelf life. Like wheat, we have tinkered with the gospel by taking away the essential elements of sin and repentance. It is much like taking the bran and germ from wheat leaving it with almost zero nutritional value. The remnants of this gospel provide longer pew life from attendees and while it may look the same, it is spiritually empty.

All types of grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates, various vitamins and minerals, and are naturally low in fat. But grains that haven’t been refined - called whole grains - are even better for you. Whole grains are better sources of fiber and other important nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, and magnesium. Whenever possible it is best to choose whole grains over refined grains.

Over the years milling has become subject to increased market pressures and customer demand. As a result our farming processes and techniques have taken away almost all of the nutritional value of wheat. Countless essential vitamins and oils are lost in today’s commercially processed flours, all in the name of convenience. To ensure that today’s store bought flour will last on shelves, all traces of the grains bran and germ must be removed. Why must they be removed? Once the bran and germ are milled, they can only last up to 72 hours at room temperature before becoming rancid. Since the germ is packed with vitamins B and E, much is lost by their removal. This removal process also results in a loss of up to 26 essential vitamins necessary for proper nutrition. Valuable roughage, which our bodies need to absorb and remove unwanted toxins and poisons within our digestive system, is lost. White flour is created by removing the bran and germ from the wheat, which contains 76% of the vitamins and minerals. It is more pleasing to the eye but lacks any nutritional value.

After these processes have taken place bread still looks like bread to the naked eye but the value to your body has decreased dramatically. This is the same with commercially enhanced man-centered theology. Removing all of the elements of the gospel that may be offensive offers people a longer shelf life, giving them the “preservatives” they need to sit in service and be active in church.

Commercial processors have tried to “enrich” flours with vitamins B1, B2, Niacin, and Iron, but this still cannot make up for the many other valuable vitamins lost. By milling your own grains, you can utilize all the essential vitamins and oils. Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, heart disease, bowel cancer, and tooth decay are just some of the major diseases on the rise since the introduction of white flour in the 1900’s. Many nutritionists agree that white flour and other refined foods are largely responsible.

The gospel message is often altered in a way that gives man prominence. For example, it often begins with, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” (note that man gets two mentions here, while God only gets one and Jesus is not even mentioned at all!). Neither Peter (Acts 2) nor Paul (Galatians 1-2) ever preached such a message, nor does any book of the Bible, since it is not the gospel. While it is true that God draws the sinner out of love for His creation, and that Christ died to make it possible for him to be saved, it is not true that God has a wonderful plan for every lost sinner. His plan for lost sinners who reject Jesus Christ is that they will be cast into Hell.

Let’s be honest; the preaching of the gospel gets refined and processed by our own agendas to grow the church. Some major ingredients get removed because of our pride and need for acceptance. We will do whatever it takes to produce a longer shelf life for people in our church. The bread of life contains the acknowledgement of sin, repentance, and God’s judgment along with God’s love. Anything less is spiritually empty.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Matt 4:17 ESV

“If Jesus preached the same message ministers preach today, He would have never been crucified.” (Leonard Ravenhill)

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number,
and been guilty of pride and unbelief,
of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word,
of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life.
My transgressions and short-comings
present me with a list of accusations,
but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me,
for all have been laid on Christ.
Go on to subdue my corruptions,
and grant me grace to live above them.
Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind
bring my spirit into subjection,
but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power.

I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused.
I have asked amiss and do not have,
I have prayed from lusts and been rejected,
I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness.
Go on with Thy patient work,
answering ‘no’ to my wrongful prayers,
and fitting me to accept it.
Purge me from every false desire,
every base aspiration,
everything contrary to Thy rule.
I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love,
for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject,
for sometimes putting me into the furnace
to refine my gold and remove my dross.

No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin.
If Thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure
and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial,
give me sanctified affliction.
Deliver me from every evil habit,
every accretion of former sins,
everything that dims the brightness of Thy grace in me,
everything that prevents me taking delight in Thee.
Then I shall bless Thee, God of Jeshurun,
for helping me to be upright.

The LORD detests all the proud of heart. (Proverbs 16:5)

Money Grubber-a preacher that always preaches a extended sermon during the offering and the words “press down shaken together” are used in every other sentence.

Fluff Cake-will never mention Hell, Sin, or Repentance

Panty Waist- Cares more about their appearance  than properly dissecting the sermon text. (if they use a text)

If you have your own….share them in the comments….

7 Characteristics of False Teachers
by Thomas Brooks   (1608-1680)

That Satan labours might and main, by false teachers, which are his messengers and ambassadors, to deceive, delude, and for ever undo the precious souls of men (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 4:14; 2 Tim. 3:4-6; Titus 1:11,12; 2 Peter 2:18,19): “I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err” (Jer. 23:13). “The prophets make my people to err” (Micah 3:5). They seduce them, and carry them out of the right way into by-paths and blind thickets of error, blasphemy, and wickedness, where they are lost forever. “Beware of false prophets, for they come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mat. 7:15). These lick and suck the blood of souls: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Phil. 3:2). These kiss and kill; these cry, Peace, peace, till souls fall into everlasting flames, &c., Proverbs 7.

Now, the best way to deliver poor souls from being deluded and destroyed by these messengers of Satan is, to discover them in their colors, that so, being known, poor souls may shun them, and fly from them as from hell itself.

Now you may know them by these characters following:

THE FIRST CHARACTER

False teachers are men-pleasers (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:1-4). They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart: “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecy no unto us right things: speak to us smooth things; prophecy deceits”‘ (Isa. 30:10). “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so. And what will you do in the end thereof?” (Jer. 5:30,31). They handle holy things rather with wit and dalliance (playful come-on) then with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-undoers. They are like evil chirurgeons, that skin over the wound, but never heal it. Flattery undid Ahab and Herod, Nero and Alexander. False teachers are hell’s greatest enrichers. Non acerba, sed blanda, Not bitter, but flattering words do all the mischief, said Valerian, the Roman emperor. Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners (Jer. 23:16,17).

THE SECOND CHARACTER
False teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ’s most faithful ambassadors. Thus Korah, Dathan, and Abiram charged Moses and Aaron that they took too much upon them, seeing all the congregation was holy (Num. 16:3). You take too much state, too much power, too much honour, too much holiness upon you; for what are you more than others, that you take so much upon you? And so Ahab’s false prophets fell foul on good Micaiah, paying of him with blows for want of better reasons (1 Kings 22:10-26). Yea, Paul, that great apostle of the Gentiles, had his ministry undermined and his reputation blasted by false teachers: “For his letters”‘ say they, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak and contemptible” (2 Cor. 10:10). They rather contemn him than admire him; they look upon him as a dunce rather than a doctor. And the same hard measure had our Lord Jesus from the Scribes and Pharisees, who laboured as for life to build their own credit upon the ruins of his reputation. And never did the devil drive a more full trade this way than he does in these days (Matt. 27:63). Oh! the dirt, the filth, the scorn that is thrown upon those whom the world is not worthy. I suppose false teachers mind not that saying of Austin, Quisquis volens detrahit famae, nolens addit mercedi meae, He that willingly takes from my good name, unwillingly adds to my reward.

THE THIRD CHARACTER
False teachers are venters of the devices and visions of their own heads and hearts. “Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent then not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophecy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart (Jer. 14:14); “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Harken not unto the words of the prophets that prophecy unto you; they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord” (Jer. 23:16). Are there not multitudes in this nation whose visions are but golden delusions, lying vanities, brain-sick phantasies? These are Satan’s great benefactors, and such as divine justice will hang up in hell as the greatest malefactors, if the physician of souls does not prevent it.

THE FOURTH CHARACTER
False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and concernment to the souls of men. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned; from which some have swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, and understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm” (1 Tim. 1:5-7). “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt. 23:2,3). False teachers are nice in the lesser things of the law, and as negligent in the greater. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (1 Tim. 6:3-5). If such teachers are not hypocrites in grain, I know nothing, Romans 2:22. The earth groans to bear them, and hell is fitted for them, Matt. 24:32.

THE FIFTH CHARACTER
False teachers cover and color their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with very fair speeches and plausible pretenses, with high notions and golden expressions. Many in these days are bewitched and deceived, viz. illumination, revelation, deification, fiery triplicity, &c. As strumpets paint their faces, and deck and perfume their beds, the better to allure and deceive simple souls (Gal. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17,18; Mat. 16:6,11,12; 7:15), so false teachers will put a great deal of paint and garnish upon their most dangerous principles and blasphemies, that they may the better deceive and delude poor ignorant souls. They know sugared poison goes down sweetly; they wrap up their pernicious, soul-killing pills in gold.

THE SIXTH CHARACTER
False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in their conversations. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matt. 24:17). They busy themselves most about men’s heads. Their work is not to better men’s hearts, and mend their lives; and in this they are very much like their father the devil, who will spare no pains to gain proselytes.

THE SEVENTH CHARACTER
False teachers make merchandise of their followers. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:1-3). They eye your goods more than your good; and mind more the serving of themselves, than the saving of your souls. So they may have your substance, they care not though Satan has your souls (Rev. 18:11-13). That they may the better pick your purse, they will hold forth such principles as are very indulgent to the flesh. False teachers are the great worshippers of the golden calf (Jer. 6:13).

Now, by these characters you may know them, and so shun them, and deliver your souls out of their dangerous snares; which that you may, my prayers shall meet-yours at the throne of grace.

Will you share the Gospel today?

Ten Myths of Marriage

1.    Marriage means living happily ever after, just like in the fairy tales
2.    Marriage means your spouse can read your mind
3.    Marriage is for my happiness- it is all about me
4.    Marriage could only work if my spouse would change
5.    Marriage will get better and easier with children
6.    Marriage roles are viewed the same by both husband and wife
7.    Marriage is easy when you marry the right person
8.    Marriage is held together by love
9.    Marriage makes you whole or complete
10.  Marriage could survive without God

True love is sacrificial, focused on giving not getting.  Love is a decision, not a feeling. It is selfless.

These make for great conversation.  What myths could be added?

To the Body of Belleville First Assembly,

I would first like to say, I have a great love and gratitude for the many friends that we have developed here at Belleville First Assembly.  As we have grown together with all of you, our family has become part of yours and all of yours part of ours.  So before I say anything else, I want to make it very clear that my family and I are not leaving this family … we are just beginning a transition we believe we are supposed to be making in order to continue what God has for us.

For the past year or so, I believe God has been trying to get my attention to launch into a very different area of ministry … something I have never been involved in before.  There have been many sleepless nights as God would wake me up and cause me to pray and seek His direction.  During that time, I know He has been preparing me for the future.

When I first began to explore these thoughts and desires, I began with the traditional route that most ministers who feel a stirring take … I thought I needed to plant a church.  The Assemblies of God has made that a big push for young ministers right now and I began to explore that direction.  I talked with Pastor David and the two of us even went to the Illinois District to get some of their thoughts.  They were very supportive of the idea of a church plant and I even began to pursue that direction.

As my Idea Tank began to churn away, I began to think very differently about what it means for me to be involved in something that could potentially connect the community to the church, become a resource to those who do have the call to plant churches and to be involved with the Gospel going forth at home and abroad through missions.  I began bouncing the idea off other people in the Assemblies of God and outside the Assemblies who have similar gifts and passions.  It became more and more clear.

I believe I am supposed to take my entrepreneurial gifts and start a thrift store that would be able to fund a variety of ministries … and while the storefront itself would serve as a connection point to the community … it would also become a place of ministry.  The possibilities are endless for the ministry that could happen.

Providing low cost clothing and goods for households would be done through the Thrift Store.  It will give opportunity to those in difficult circumstances of life to have an inexpensive alternative for some of their daily needs.

It could also give opportunity to those in difficult circumstances of life to receive goods for their daily life. Preaching the Gospel through outreach evangelism to children, youth and adults … Preparing new converts for transition to Body life in a local church could all be part of a Ministry Center that would be designed to give opportunity to those in difficult circumstances of life the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the hope for the future.

I recently attended a conference put on by the Assemblies of God where I met many people who share a similar vision and passion for this type of ministry.  I have also spoken with several churches around the country who do different facets of this type of ministry and they are seeing God doing great things through these efforts.

So I know it is not only feasible but is also a viable opportunity to further the Gospel by going into the marketplace.

So all that being said, as of January 18th, I will conclude my service to this Body as a staff member and become a member of this Body who will be taking a new direction for ministry.

I will begin immediately after that date to pursue opportunities with churches inside and outside our local area to cast the vision for this ministry and to also gain support. There is much to be done as we have set a launch date for May 1st.  The first year of this endeavor will be filled with travel and much of that will be on the weekends, so you will probably not be seeing much of my face.

However, our prayer is that just as we have walked together with you faithfully for the last 8 years, we will continue to walk together in this new adventure … and that as we do, we will continue to build the Kingdom of God … together.

Thank you for hearing my heart … and I will appreciate your prayers for the days ahead.

I have shown this to lots of people and have had many different responses to it.  What do you think?

mad props to this guy

It requires about 15 minutes a day.  Its been awesome for me.  So below is how to change your Firefox homepage.

Open Firefox

Here’s is a few tips before you plan your trip to the Creation Museum…

1. Wear some good walking shoes

2. Get planetarium tickets (money well spent) and reserve your spot early.

3. Try Cincinnati chili (via Skyline or Goldstar)

4. Weekdays are less busy if you have go on the weekend go early.

5. They have a great picnic area for packing a lunch. (Save a little money)

6. Don’t forget quarters for the petting zoo to feed the animals.

Any other tips feel free to leave your input…..

]]> http://raybaumann.com/?feed=rss2&p=159 http://raybaumann.com/?p=143 http://raybaumann.com/?p=143#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:24:16 +0000 Ray Baumann http://raybaumann.com/?p=143

how true is this......

We had a great time at the Creation Museum over the Thanksgiving weekend. The above pic is from one of the exibits.  I will post my pics from the rest of the trip tomorrow.