LaVrai – The Truth

Wow. When I see brothers and sisters really, truly walking the Way, Truth and the Life, the Spirit truly rejoices. Please watch this video profile of a young homeless man named VINCENT PANNIZZO. He’s not crazy, a drunk or a druggie — he’s lost his home (many times) through no great fault of his own and has accepted that the LORD has called him to minister to the homeless. I can’t think of ever hearing ministries talking about going out, like really, into the gutter to minister to America’s homeless. We go overseas sure, into the jungles and nearly uncharted places. But how about that alleyway down the street? Do Christians side-step the homeless, too? Please watch this video, it’s not very long. Pray for this young man that the LORD will continue to strengthen him and use him for HIS glory. [And watching this, I couldn't help but think of John the Baptist, for truly, where did he lay his head?]

If you have problems with the video for any reason, you can watch it in WMV or Quicktime at the PBS article page.

1 Corinthians 4:9-13

9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

As a young Christian woman, I find it curious sometimes when I consider what is supposedly ‘normal’ for a person of my age group and gender living in America. Of course, I wasn’t very different from my peers before I gave myself over completely to the LORD Jesus Christ, and HE showed me exactly what Salvation is about and what life is worth.

Based on previous experiences and observations, I know, for example, the typical weekend for a young person consists of going out to a club or bar with friends and acting a little wild to blow off steam from a week of work (or studies). Some ‘harmless’ party drugs might come into play. A random make-out (or hook-up) session will most likely happen. Guys will wear a simple top (button-up, nice shirt, etc.) and jeans or khakis; girls will wear something with straps, that doesn’t completely cover their stomachs and tight, low-cut jeans (to expose even more of what’s beneath the belly button) or a mini-skirt (even in winter). All in all, the guys look comfortable; the girls look like they’re using their bodies to bait something. Read the rest of this entry »

I learned about this article at Slaughtering The Sheep. Chrystal has a very good write-up in regards to Osteen’s preaching ‘style’:

Preaching a man-centered message, Osteen claims that God wants to see you happy, blessed, and healthy; but God’s Word never promised we would exclusively be any of those things. Scripture affirms that we are a peculiar people. It says that we would be hated, we would suffer, and some would be put to death. Another troubling aspect of Osteen’s message is that he doesn’t preach sin… he only tells people that God loves them. With a doctrine as sugar-sweet as this, people never have to fear the wrath of a jealous God, and they’ll never thoroughly understand the sacrafice our Savior made for us. Without preaching sin, there is no need to preach the Savior, or Him crucified. Without preaching the Savior and Him crucified, or the ramifications of sin, obedience to God’s Word is kicked to the curb along with the mandate to live a separated life of obedience to God the Father. As you can see, it all revolves around Jesus, and if Jesus, and His complete sacrafice and resurrection aren’t being taught, then people aren’t getting to know the Savior.

Read the rest at Slaughtering The Sheep…