Thursday, November 8, 2007

Introspective Retrospective

Tempus fugit, and then some. I thought that introduction would be less cheesy than 'like sands through an hourglass' and the such.
Today I suddenly realized it has been almost two months since Homeward Bound was started, and to the faithful few who were here at the beginning, and the others who hopped on board at later dates, welcome, thank you, and God bless you.
Somehow during these two months we've managed not to teach on 1 Kings 17, discovering that there is more to Scripture than the fact 'the widow woman made the pancake for the man of God first', we've seen the Bible's beauty, its complexity and simplicity, it's unique power to chasten and to comfort simultaneously. Within its pages we have discovered wisdom, hope, rebuke, exhortation, and instruction as to how we can be fruitful and obedient servants of Christ.
We've also been able to reinsert what some consider taboo, or antiquated words, such as Jesus, repentance, the blood, and the cross, back into the Christian vocabulary and dialect, and it would seem by some of your comments that this is appreciated.
We haven't had a 'web-a-thon', asking for your immediate donations that we might continue to spread the word, because this web log is free, I haven't asked for support in buying a jet, because flying coach is perfectly fine, and the desk I bought at the local superstore for under $50 seems to be holding up quite nicely. The point I am trying to make, is that it doesn't take allot, to do allot for God. In fact, it's amazing what can be accomplished if one is merely willing to sacrifice of themselves, and be driven by the sincere desire to impart truth without fillers or filters.
Over the years I've been criticized by some in ministry for making available for free, what they would charge an arm and a leg for, being accused of not knowing how to 'play the game', or understanding the rules thereof.
On the contrary, I know he game all too well, I understand the rules better than some, and I find both the game and the rules, dehumanising, disgusting, and depraved. I am not playing a game. You don't play with men's faith, with men's souls, or with men's hopes! I am fulfilling my calling and doing what I have been commanded of God to do.
Would the ministry that God has entrusted to me be more successful in the eyes of the world if I had chosen to play the game? The answer is unequivocally, yes it would be. It's a guarantee that if I had gone the route of publicists, and agents, speaking fees and book signing tours, compromise and truth bending, the ministry would be larger, at least from a financial standpoint, but I would feel the kind of dirty that no amount of soap and water could wash away, or make clean.
It would be false modesty for me to say that I am not aware of my talent, or my gifts, and knowing what I am capable of, could probably crank out a cheesy, cliche filled, self-centered, self-involved, me driven bestseller in under six months. The rub of it however, is that I'd have to live with myself, and with the knowledge that I will never redeem the time I squandered in helping lukewarm Christians justify their duplicitous lives, not only for the rest of this lifetime, but for the rest of eternity. God sees the bright red splotches on men's hands even from a universe away, He sees the blood of innocents on the hands of pharisees from the heavens, and everyone, to the last, will be called to account.
The glow, and afterglow of worldly success fade eventually, and even the biggest of blockbuster books are eventually marked down to seventy percent off, so they can make room for a new batch. Thus passes the glory of the world. The hollowness however remains in perpetuity, and once you ring the bell of compromise it cannot be 'unrung'. Once we promote ourselves over Christ, once we insert ourselves, our ideas, our teachings into the Word, which is not given to subjective interpretation, we have muddied the truth, made the waters impure, and not fit for consumption.
As the old Latin expression so succinctly puts it, pure water flows from a pure spring. (A fonte puro pura defluit aqua.)
May we never forget that the pure spring of God's Word is free, and freely accessible, outlasting both kings and paupers, wise men and fools, from age to age, 'till eternity come.
Psalm 100:5, "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

i can only smile as i have read your present post and wonder why there are not more of your kind in the kingdom!

you don't know me but as i have perused your writings i sure "feel" like i know you and if you are in person as you are in your writings it would be a privilege to run in your circles.:) thanks for the uplifting read!

pete g.

Anonymous said...

Mike,

I have an email distribution list for sending out various articles. I rarely get a response to them, but I did when I sent out the link to your blog article: Geese, Sheep, and Senate Inquiries. Along with the link to your article I sent out a link to a news story that talked about the ministries under investigation.

I received two responses to this email I sent out. One was from my father-in-law; who is a deist; and the other was from a friend that is a Christian. My father-in-law said; “Boldea nailed it.” While my Christian friend said; “...he [Mike]...tried and convicted Joyce...”

Below is the response I received from my friend along with my response to him. This person is a good friend of mine that does follow a handful of large ministries. He and I don't see eye to eye on a number of things, but we do on occasion discuss these differences.

My father-in-law grew up in a Christian home, but has, within the last 5 years, declared himself a deist. That's somebody that believes in a god, but doesn't claim to know who he is (or she, or them, or it).

God Bless,
Jeff

_______________________________

Jeff,
 
I really don’t know where to start here so I’ll just jump in..  A couple of years ago, there was a group that tried to paint a bad picture of Joyce Meyers ministry, claiming misuse of money and such. They even had newspaper articles about it. Thing is, they never found anything. Now, did they write a retraction and apologize? No, they just left it out there for all the world to see and make their own judgments’, much like what Mike is doing here. His article gave me the impression that he has already tried and convicted Joyce and these other “multi-million dollar” ministries.
 
If anyone has questions about JMM, they can go to their website and find a breakdown of the finances (missions, etc). What I don’t like about this is every time a large ministry is brought into this kind of light, all the smaller ministries start bashing and convicting without even knowing the situation. The truth is, if you had written some 70 books and were wealthy from it, no one would question you integrity, but because a well known minister does it, their always considered corrupt. Christain ministries should ban together at times like these and if someone is in the wrong, we should help restore that person, not write articles about them. Now, are there ministries that mis-use finances? Absolutely, is it every large ministry? Absolutely not.
 
I didn’t see in the article any reference to the other five ministries, unless I missed it. I wonder why that is? The truth is, there are people out there who are nothing more than jealous and will use any way available to try to teardown someone else.
 
Joyce Meyer has helped millions of people in their Christian walks. I have been to Joyce’s conferences, she talks very little about prosperity. Her message is about letting God have control of your life and working through issues that we have so we can be more effective Christians.  Now, does her ministry need money to operate? Yes it does, just like churches and hospitals and business’ do. Why is it CEO’s of major corporations can live in million dollar homes but someone who’s really making a difference in people’s lives cant?
 
It’s really true what the world says about the church, we’re the only ones who try to kill their wounded.
 
I really don’t expect you to agree with anything I’ve said because I think we have a difference of opinion when it comes to prosperity, but since I get to read your take on it all the time, I thought I’d share a little of mine. J
 
Have a great day!!
 
C.......

________________________________

Thanks C......,
I appreciate your comments.  Mike typically will not name names.  I read his blog and started searching the web to find out who were these ministries and that’s what I found.   There might be others out there that mention the other 5 under investigation, but I didn’t look that hard.
 
The problem I have with these large ministries is with the opulence.   There’s nothing wrong with pulling in large amounts of money; the problem comes into how they use it.  The world gets to buy the big cars and the fancy homes without incident, but the Christian has to be aware of how he or she will appear to the world. 
 
Highly visible Christians (and those not so visible) need to walk blameless before others.  If a several thousand dollar toilet seat has the potential to cause offense, then maybe it’s not a good idea to purchase it; even if it wasn’t purchased with ministry money.  The same goes with cars, boats, jets, yachts, etc.   This is similar to what Paul talked about when it came to dealing with a weaker brother in Christ.  His liberty to eat anything shouldn’t be a stumbling block to others.  The idea being that love comes before liberty.   We may have the liberty to buy these things, but our love for others should take precedents.   
 
Usually you’ll hear people say of these opulent purchases; “Instead of buying that car, or house, or jet, or gold plated faucet, they should have built homes and churches and feed thousands in the name of Christ.”   I think this is a good logical argument.    So I guess the difference is asking yourself whether you “deserve” to purchase or “should” you purchase?   If I purchase, what will be the repercussions?
 
I think Billy Graham has done a good job of being above reproach and always being careful with how he appears to the world.  I’m not saying that he’s never made a mistake, but he’s been careful to not step into areas that could cause others to point fingers.  He understood that higher visibility brings higher scrutiny.  Similar to what James 3:1 says; My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation [scrutiny].
 
TV evangelists have all been lumped into the category of greedy sheep shearers that only want money.    I think the smart thing to do is to separate from that group and be above reproach.   To be honest with you, I don’t follow JMM.  I have however watched plenty of TBN to know that most of them only want my “seed” and could care less about my soul.  
 
Also, being investigated can be a good thing.  I can’t remember which scripture it is, but Paul said that disputes need to arise so that the one that is correct will be made know.  If Joyce didn’t do what was said about her, then hopefully that will come out during the investigation.  Even if the investigation doesn’t bring it out and she still is maligned in the press; God already knows the truth of the matter.
 
However, even if she was faithful in her accounting practices, the issue may be with how she spent her money.  The world is always ready to destroy the Christian, and we need to be mindful of those things that cause offense.  It’s better to offend with the Gospel, then to offend with a gold platted faucet. 
 
I know we disagree on this.  And I appreciate the fact that we can speak calmly about these types of things.  It shows maturity on both our parts.   I however, would rather see those in high places to boast about their infirmities, then their amenities.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9,10;  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 
 
God Bless,
Jeff

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Dear Jeff,
Interesting to see the two differing opinions. Unless I zoned out completely, which is highly unlikely since I still retain control of my faculties most of the time, I never mentioned 'Joyce' or anyone else.
My problem is not with individuals, God will judge them. My problem is with identifying a disease based on the symptoms thereof, and warning the sheep to stay as far away from said disease as possible.
(I realize I just alluded to the fact that the prosperity doctrine is a disease, and a fatal one at that, for some.)
It isn't my role, my duty, or my job to judge the individuals. That's God job, and He does it well.
My role is to point out the repeated, and visible offenses to the Word, that the sheep of His pasture may know the difference between shepherd and wolf based on Biblical parameters. If the Bible is not the cornerstone of our walk, if it does not remain the final authority, then maybe we shouldn't be calling ourselves Christians.
When the prosperity train hits the roadblock that is just around the bend, have your friend contact me. We'll talk about eternity.
For now,God bless.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

Anonymous said...

Mike,
You didn't mention any individuals in your article. It was included in the weblink I sent out in my email.

Here's the info C... was referencing:

Joyce Meyer Ministries is a target of GOP senator's probe
By Deirdre Shesgreen
POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU
11/06/2007
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/nation/story/9414456BE68D8F628625738B0018DE2E?OpenDocument

I let C... know that you were not mentioning names; nor do you ever in your writings.

I wanted to find an article on the Senate probes so the readers on my email would have some background information. This link was the first one I came across.

It was amazing to see the two opinions. It may give me and my father-in-law an opportunity to talk.

Last night while I prayed I cried over the thought of him and many in my family being lost. I'm hoping he will take the time to read through some of your other posts.

He grew up in church, but over time he grew tired of the hypocracy, lies, and deceipt. Why stay in the church when it looks like the world.

Pray for him and C...

Thanks Mike. As you can see, the Lord is working in those that don't even come to this blog willingly.

God Bless,
Jeff

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mike for being diligent in freely giving what you have received (freely) from the Lord and not "charging" us a small fee for the opportunity to interact with you and learn from you...you'd definitely be wealthy if you had priced all this good stuff and put it in a hard cover...who knows may be you would be getting investigated too if you had chosen that rout. Thanks for choosing the road less traveled, more thorny and stony than the glamor gold plated street.

Joyce (not the one from JMM...just making sure there is no mix up here)

Anonymous said...

Bro Michael, thank you for your faithfulness. It is refreshing and continues to provide hope and encouragement to other like-minded souls.
God bless.

Anonymous said...

Michael,

Psalm 46:4 -- "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells."

The body of Christ is eternally grateful that you have not succumbed to the counterfeit river that is sweeping thousands to hell with a false security of religiosity. I believe that this couterfeit river has its origin in hell and is spewed directly out of the serpents's mouth. Revelation 12:15 says, "Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent."

This river is the devil's counterfeit for the true river of life and it is sweeping away men's souls with its miraculous signs and false promises of health and wealth and prosperity.

Fortunately, God is not surprised about this counterfiet river and He has a plan, and its called judgment, and it will begin with the house of God. Revelation 12:16 says, "But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth." The earth opening it mouth is a type of judgment. Remember Korah and his followers! Numbers 26:10 says, "The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire devoured the 250 men. And they served as a warning sign."

I pray to God that all those dancing their way to glory in the counterfiet river with their big houses and fine cars will heed this warning sign. This is only one of many warning signs in scripture against serving the God of Mammon, but the so-called body of Christ is too drunk and greedy for the filthy lucre that Satan has blinded their eyes.

I implore everyone still reviling in the pleasures of Babylon and its counterfiet river to come out from among her and be ye separate so that you won't share in her plagues. This is a plague that rots from the inside out, so stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment. It looks like these people have it all together and we all want to be a part of the "cool" crowd, but don't be fooled. Proverbs 8:3-5 says, "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave." Don't be fooled by the deceptive words and half-truths used by the charlatans. Although they may be using scripture, they twist it just like the devil did in the garden to meet his own end.

Again, I say, test everything by the word of God and come out while you still can!

Blowing the trumpet in Zion,

Brother Andrew

Dawnthreader said...

Micheal, I have been looking into some big names in the "church" and find that with some it is not just money but pagan practices being sold as Christian. The practice of hindu, buddhaism, and even withcraft in deceptive coating on them. Do you see that also? Trusted names and organization are being caught up. Some practices are the use of prayer where one just says a word or phrase that is from the Bible over and over not to understand but to empty one's mind to hear from God. The other is music as chanting. The Bible is not read in the pulpit only twisted to make a point. There is a great falling away! Your dream may be so and I long to see it so but meanwhile speak the truth and beware the enemy of our souls is working hard.

Pam said...

Michael,

I am truly in great appreciation of your ministry, your writings here on this blog...I love feeding on wisdom.
Pure water comes from a pure spring...I love that....

Long ago, I determined that I would never use what the Lord gives me to my own financial benefit..I believe to do so as you say muddies the waters...It turns your reliance, which is always to be upon Him, to a dependency upon what you have created, which was given to you freely as a talent or gift....
Freely we have received
Freely we should give..
Pam.

worshipwords.blogspot.com

Elm Street Chapel said...

Michael,
What is the big deal? Were the apostles and Moses wrong? I have no problem with naming names, I just better be right, by the Spirit. I know that we are not to sow discord, but many of these need correction, at least being pointed out. It is an absolute shame that the world corrects the church.

2 Timothy 1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

2 Timothy 4
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Acts 13
8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
9Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.
10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Galatians 2:11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Don't receive a rebuke against an elder, but what if you are an elder? We need correct judgment in the church, but we pass the buck to Jesus, where the buck stops. I don't think that Jesus is to happy about the way we handle things though. (You know, Lord,Lord!
Depart from Me you workers of iniquity.) This isn't seperating wheat and tares this is resist the Devil, protect the sheep.
L,J,P&HG
Dave

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Dear Dave,
It's not that I have a problem naming names, it's just that the names are too many to number.
We are living the times of which the Bible spoke, wherein a great deception has seeped into the house of God, and the number of those perpetrating deceit upon the innocent has grown to such levels, that the only thing you can do is point out the symptoms, so they can identify the disease for themselves.
The false teachers, false prophets, and hirelings have always outnumbered the true men of God, even a cursory read of the Bible confirms this, but never so dramatically.
There are others who are naming names, they are doing their part as they believe God has instructed them to do. I am pointing out the lies we need to watch out for, and to guard ourselves against, as God has instructed me to do.
Thanks for all your imput, and encouragements, they mean allot.
I don't know if I know you guys personally, but it seems The Elm Street Chapel has some keen minds and discerning spirits within its walls. God bless.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

Elm Street Chapel said...

Michael,
Forgive me, my intention was not to criticize, not you anyway. I just get tired of those who empower the carnal Christian system. They elevate the teacher, get my next book, get it on DVD, a great Christmas gift, blah, blah. All the while they negate the responsibility to encourage people to arrive. Arrive at the place of confidence and understand by hearing from God. I'd be shocked if, oh lets say Joyce said, "He must increase I must decrease, don't by any more of my books, let God be God and every man a liar". Yes I do have a bone to pick with Joyce. Has she helped many? Yes, way more than me. Has she kept many from coming to the full truth of what a relationship with God truly is, affirmative. Does she by not giving the whole truth make this verse true?

2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The problem is someone gets offended, they don't know truth, the whole truth, but they want your hide. It's like Deja vous all over again. (Is that a bad word?)

Rather than this:
Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

You get this:
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Good Job Michael!!!
L,J,P&HG
Dave

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Dear Dave,
No need to apologize, I have thick skin, plus I did not take it as a criticism. I understand where you're coming from, believe me we're neighbors, even roommates in that department, but the weeds have been allowed to grow to such an extent, that the only thing one can reasonably do is take a weed whacker to the whole lot.
Using the disease metaphor however, a specific medicine is designed to combat a specific disease. The medicine is Truth, the Word, and the disease, well we all know what the disease is.
Why would Deja Vu be a bad word? I experience it quite often. Everything goes along smoothly, and suddenly I get the feeling that I'm reliving something, or that I've been there before, no not in another life, but in my dreams. Anyway I got off topic. Again, no need to apologize brother, God bless you and keep you.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.