David C. Alves's Blog, page 3

How Should We Respond To Apocalypse Date Setters? – YouTube

It’s really important to remember what Jesus said, “No one knows . . . ” when the end will come except for the Father. Therefore ANYONE claiming to know is flatly contradicting Jesus and therefore IS IN SERIOUS ERROR!!

Jesus went on to say that we should know the times and the season of His return. But NEVER will we know the EXACT day, hour, or year of His return.

So, if leaders claim to know . . . get away from them as fast as you can unless they’ve PUBLICLY repented of date-setting.

 

Filed under: Consider It, Signs of the Times, Videos

Are Some People Born Gay? – YouTube

Here’s the best presentation of this question that I’ve ever seen. If someone is seriously interested in the question or wants to know if scientific proof supports the LGBT orientation / lifestyle, he or she will find the facts very helpful.

Filed under: Consider It, Homosexuality, LGBT, Recommended Resources, Videos

Welcome to America – YouTube

We welcome Muslims who wish to assimilate as Americans. And we want you to know that if you hold to the best in Islam, you will remain welcomed. But if you choose the path of Jihad or support of murderous individuals and groups, you will not find a home here.

Let Bill give you some sage wisdom and good advice so that you can enjoy a new life here.

 

Filed under: Consider It, Islamization, Videos

Action Steps for “Peaceful” Muslims

I wrote this post five years ago. I repost it today because it’s worth repeating.

I address all peaceful Muslims who sincerely believe that their faith is a religion of peace; yet, feel threatened by the increasing separation from mainstream Americans. We want to love, respect, and trust you. But that must be won by your actions.

I believe that you believe what you believe. You really think that Islam is peaceful and will bring world peace. If Islam devoured the world there would be peace for a short time following the fall of the last free nation and the indoctrination of several generations of children. But then (or perhaps before) the fallen nature of man would have no restraints and you would see the horror of totalitarianism. You would witness a world of bondage, slavery, sexual perversion cloaked in religious dogma. You would see a nightmare like none you’ve ever imagined nor has entered the mind of a human being. Unless you look at some of the places around the world where Islam reigns. They are nations of fear and desperation, bondage and poverty of spirit. Women are enslaved. Creativity is crushed. Violence and evil rule.

The peace would be shortlived. It would disintegrate in the turmoil of the spirits that animate all substitute religions (as opposed to a relationship with Yahweh). The violent and martial spirits of Islam would surface. The anti-semetic spirit that animates totalitarian worldviews would arise and not be satiated until the genocide was complete. Then it would turn and devour everything human as Satan does wherever he manifests.

See here’s the TRUTH.

Behind every doctrine, belief, or faith that denies Yahweh–the ONLY living God–is a spiritual distortion which the Bible calls a “stronghold.” It is a lie or half-truth that presents itself as the truth. All stronholds have the following in common:

They substitute people, animals, idols, or false gods for Yahweh.
They appeal to religious rules and regulations that appease the god being worshiped.
They require absolute obedience based on law, not love. They enslave people. Liberty and freedom of worship are their absolute enemies.
They deny what God says about himself.
They are spiritual in nature, thus very difficult to get at.
They exchange the truth of God for a lie.
They raise up zealots who would kill those who disagree or diverge.

Since you have embraced several cognitive distortions: “ is god.” “Mohammad is his prophet.” and  “Our religion is a religion of peace.” you have embraced three strongholds which have set themselves up against knowing Yahweh and his Messiah.

I suggest therefore, if you are a sincere person, that you take the following action-steps:

Embrace the true Prince of Peace. Yahweh is the Savior of all men and women, nations and tongues. He is not a Western God but the God the entire cosmos. According to the Apostles, Jesus, His unique Son, is his ONLY means of salvation for ALL. The bible calls Jesus–“Prince of Peace” or “Peaceful Leader.” He is the exact representation of Yahweh’s character/person. He is alive, not dead. He lives and is with you now if you are still reading this post.

Believe the truth. The truth has power to demolish “strongholds” and every pretense that sets itself up against the knowledge of Yahweh–God. Contrary to popular notions, not all truth is relative. The truth that God himself has proclaimed or that Jesus has stated is the absolute, TRUTH.

The power of a lie is broken only by the truth. As long as we remain in the age of grace, Jesus is saving the world, not judging it. This truth breaks down the lie. Then when the lie is exposed, we are free to choose. Have you come into freedom or bondage when you converted to Islam?

What about those who choose against our God or Jesus?

He does not tell us to kill them or to rid the world of them. True disciples of Jesus and of God the Father, are commanded to LOVE them. We do that by speaking truth (hoping to awaken people everywhere from their demonic dream). We serve those we love. We pray for them. We care for them in acts of kindness and compassion. That’s the fruit of true disciples of Jesus. And . . . I’m convinced that many world religions, including Islam, have just enough of the truth in them to lead people to the Heart that has created and today rules the Universe–Yahweh, the ONLY living God and His Messiah–Jesus of Nazareth. Even your own prophet spoke of Jesus and his importance. Why did he even bother to acknowledge Jesus?

Take a Stand! If you are sincere in your claim that you are a peaceful Muslim, if you denounce the behavior of your fellow Muslims who have chosen to live out the Qu’ran literally and follow the violent lifestyles of Mohammed and Suleiman, and other champions of your faith, then stand publicly against their understanding of Jihad. Take a stand against the notion that “Sharia Law” is the destiny of the peoples of the world. Speak out against the lying and deceit that goes on as some Muslims seek to deceive in order to become accepted. Under the strategy of assimilation they are a 21st Century Trojan Horse in the midst of the nations where they live. Anyone who lies to win converts is not of God. Jesus said that liars are of their father, the Devil. For the Devil is the Father of Lies and has lied from the beginning. That’s his atmosphere. The bible later states in several places that the Lake of Fire awaits ALL who LIE! True disciples of Yahweh or of Jesus, may lie–but they cannot justify it, nor will they go unpunished for lying. Allah, on the other hand, approves of lying–that is why all Muslims (peaceful or jihadist) must ultimately decided how one God justfies lying and how the other God judges lying. They are not the same God. Which will you follow, the god of lies or the God of truth?

Stand against your personal sin. Embrace a jihad of righteousness in your inner being. Jihad, “struggle,” should be against your own personal sin just as each follower of Jesus has confronted his own sin-nature and reckoned it crucified with Jesus. We put off the old and put on the new committed to living peacefully and in love with our neighbors–regardless of their faith. We only expect the same freedoms. Islam does not respect that freedom.

Make A Choice! The great prophet Joshua said to the people,

   “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord [Yahweh].”” (Joshua 24:15, ESV)

I want to challenge you who claim that Islam is peaceful and is not out to place everyone under Sharia law or enslave the world, to TAKE A STAND! You should be denouncing and refuting those who so interpret the Qu’ran to say that Islam is to rule the world. You should be supporting the freedom and liberty that you claim to value as citizens in this free nation. You should recognize and support the free choice of every human being to worship as their conscience dictates. NO ONE has the right to force ANYONE to embrace a particular religion or dogma. We are free. And when someone becomes a follower of Jesus, they have been set free from sin and from religion.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

The ONE TRUE God values FREEDOM that is what originally made the United States great and Free. We have traditionally been a nation with open arms. We welcome ALL who will come and EMBRACE OUR VALUES, SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE, and UPHOLD OUR FREEDOMS. That is why you are welcome here. The price of freedom: is to stand against Tyranny wherever it is found. Will you stand with me, with us? By standing up without fear and confronting the evils of radical Muslims, you will win our respect and trust.

Related articles

Our Culture Invites Self-destruction (davidcalves.com)
(paulmarcelrene.wordpress.com)
Most US Muslims Feel Singled Out by Terror Policies (davidcalves.com)
Yahweh is My Strength (kevinnunez.org)

Filed under: Bits and Pieces, Consider It, Islamization

A Revival Account: Asbury 1970 – YouTube

Many churches use a week or two week meeting once a year to hold a “revival.” This term is thrown around very loosely in our culture and churches. I have attended many of these “revival” weeks in my life. I’ve spoken at many of them. But I never considered them revivals. Because I’ve been influenced by the aftershocks of a revival visitation of God and know the difference.

For those who want to see what a REAL revival is, I’ve posted this account of the visitation of God that students, faculty, staff, and the Lexington area experienced at Asbury College (Now Asbury University) in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1970. If you take the time to watch this in its entirety–to the end–I believe that you will experience the Lord’s love and a sense of what genuine revival is like.

You’ll see and hear Dr. Dennis Kinlaw share a narrative and video clips that will help you understand what they experienced during that visitation.

I hope that you will use this testimony to help inform your definition of a visitation of the Lord God in genuine revival. My prayer for you is that God will meet you in the viewing of Dr. Kinlaw’s account. And it will profoundly touch your heart.

Filed under: Consider It, ON THE JOURNEY, Recommended Resources, Videos

My Sabbatical Primers and Spiritual Formation Book Available as a “Pre-pub” Collection at Logos.com

I’m writing this to my friends, family, and present and future readers. I believe that my books serve an important role in both spiritual formation for believers in Christ as well as  foundational primers for pastors. Now, they have a great chance of being made available to those students of Scripture and ministry leaders who use Logos Bible Software.

Both Sabbatical Primers and We’re the “sons of God” . . . So What? have been made available to Logos Bible Software’s “Pre-pub” Department. If you have any inclination to help place my pastoral and spiritual formation books into the hands of readers at a reasonable price, I’d like to show you how you can help.

Simply click on the link or the photo of my collection of books here in the post or at the right in the navigation bar and that will take you to the product page. Of course, once there you can buy the books for yourself for $19.99, but that’s not necessary to help. Whether you buy them or not, simply share them using the social media icons directly under the photo of my books on the product page.

You can also simply copy and paste the URL below into your Facebook or Twitter and say something about the books. When you publish your comment, the link will place a photo of the books and the product page on your FB or Twitter so that readers can click and go to the product page to look at and purchase the collection.

When the books gather enough interest, then Logos will publish and ship them. I hope you’ll decide to help make this roll-out of the new collection available.

Filed under: Books, FOR READERS

Pastor Appreciation Awareness–Here’s the Gift

A Sabbatical Primer for Churches

Pastor Appreciation Month is almost through. One of the most opportune times to show your love and appreciation to the pastor and his/her family is the month of October’s “Pastor Appreciation” month. Many  congregations remember and honor their pastors with gifts and special recognition. One year our congregation gave Marcy and I a weekend in Oxford, Maine at a wonderful bed & breakfast in the mountains. And one of the elders brought that Word that Sunday.

However, some congregations are either unaware of “Pastor Appreciation” month, or they don’t understand why the pastor and his or her family deserve to be loved and honored in this way. That’s one of the reasons I wrote A Sabbatical Primer for Churches: How to Love and Honor the Pastor God Has Given You.

This book should be a gift to yourself FIRST. It opens the world of pastoral ministry and pastoral issues to the person who cares about the church and cares about those who sacrifice to lead the church (not just pastors). Most people don’t really have a clue what pastoral ministry is about. That’s not their fault. Most pastors don’t know what a bank teller has to do all day or what a plumber’s major concerns might be.

Only two ways to understand pastoral ministry. First, to live it. Or, second, to read about it. This books helps get you into the life of church leadership. That still won’t give you complete understanding, but it goes a long way past anything that I’ve found out there to at least get you somewhat oriented.

The primer for churches should be read by everyone who is a member of the body of Christ. And it should absolutely be read by every elder, deacon, church board member. So it makes a good gift for that person as well.

Then, purchase copies of A Sabbatical Primer for Pastors: How to Initiate and Navigate a Spiritual Renewal Leave to give to each on the pastoral staff or to the pastors you have come to care about or love. Or if your church is elder led, then give a copy to the lead elder. Both books are also available in the Kindle format and the Kindle Reader App is available FREE online.

Why not make this October a special month for whoever pastors you. Read the primer for churches and give the gift of the primer for pastors to your shepherds. That’s one way you can love and honor your pastor(s).

Filed under: Consider It, the church

So, What’s the Source of Writers’ Distraction?

Republished for those of you who didn’t know me then. Plus, since the first posting I’ve completed and published three books. Two more are near completion.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I am writing this morning.

I made sure everything was done in advance. I showered, shaved, dressed. I spent an hour with my Father-God. Then I ate. All this before my preset writing time which begins and 8AM and runs until 12-1PM. I even had Scrivener opened to the book I am working on and my Ideas binder opened as well. Then it started–as always! Distraction!!

Of course, it wasn’t the usual distraction. It never is. No, I saw a moth. Naturally, I could not allow it to keep fluttering around the window. So I grabbed my electronic insect swatter and zapped him into oblivion. Then I was getting ready to put the swatter back when it occurred to me that I hadn’t checked the batteries since last year (I don’t use the swatter during the winters in NH; I specify the state only because if you’re from Florida, you might consider it odd that I don’t use the swatter in the winter. NH bugs hide or come out in the summer.). Anyhow.

I checked the battery compartment and all seemed well. No leakage. So I put the electronic swatter back where I keep it close under my computer desk. Then I realized I needed to relieve myself of some of my morning coffee. So it was off to the loo. When I returned, I thought I was ready to begin. So I sharpened two pencils that didn’t need sharpening. And now I’m writing. And if you’ve gotten this far . . . You’re reading.

What’s with that? Why do we procrastinate? Fluff the nest? Circle around like a dog, five times to finally give in to the need, then plop down? I don’t have answers to this question. I hope you do because I expect you to comment and give us your best shot at what’s really going on.

Is it our natural curiosity? If it were just me that experienced this pre-writing distraction, I wouldn’t be writing this to ask you about it. I’d simply assume I’m weird, keep it to myself (except at readings), and that’s the end of the matter. But, I’ve read enough in the craft to know that this is a universal, systemic behavior. No, a plague.

I’m not alone. Others have spoken or written about this. But I’ve not really been satisfied with an answer that hits the bullseye. Why do writers/authors have to balance the checkbook, sort through old work, sharpen pencils, adjust the chair or organize the desktop before they begin to put words to paper/screen?

Is it fear? Are we afraid that when we finally do sit to face the blank sheet/screen, we won’t have anything to say? Are we afraid to get into the flow. I LOVE being in the flow . . . So it can’t be that. So what is it? Once we know its source, we can either get past it (or as CK writes–Work it).

QUESTION: What is writers’ distraction?

© 2013, David C. Alves

Related articles

The Keys to Worry Free Writing (thewritersadvice.com)
How it happens (bechereremily.wordpress.com)
Confession: I’m a distracted writer (mimosamorningswriters.wordpress.com)
Distractions- Work Your Distractions (catherinekanewrites.wordpress.com)
Cloud-Based Environment Reduces Distractions For Aspiring Writers (psfk.com)
✎ 15 Wallpapers for Writers (plottingbunnies.wordpress.com)

Filed under: Consider It, FOR WRITERS, Journal Entries

ISIS is not Coming; ISIS is HERE–What to Expect

This video trailer of Europe’s Last Stand: America’s Final Warning, summarizes how Islam’s strategy will dominate your country. Like it or not, you will be affected, your children will be affected, your grandchildren will be affected–husbands and wives, sons and daughters, no one will be unaffected.

I was affected over a decade ago, since my step-brother flew into the North Tower of the world-trade center on American, Flight 11. My mom said to him that morning, “Do you have to go? Couldn’t you stay one more day?” He said “No Betty. I really have business I need to take care of.” Several hours later . . . his business was left undone. That was many years ago. Then we had little idea of what Islam was capable of. Ask anyone who lives near a “no-go zone” in UK if YOU and your family will remain unaffected by Islam or ISIS because you live “safely” in the U.S.

Only the uninformed or the most spiritually and intellectually obtuse do not recognize the truth and the danger. We are almost at the point of no return. I spent all day Saturday with Walid Shoebat. We invited him to inform us. He knows from the inside what Islam’s agenda is. And they are not shy about announcing it. Watch this video. Study on your own to see what’s ahead.

For more on the agenda and strategy of Apocalyptic Islam, find my search field on the right and search for more on “Islam”

Filed under: Consider It, In the News, Islamization, Videos

Living in Light of the Resurrection

David Alves:

If you haven’t read Marcy’s “Living in the Light of Resurrection,” you’re missing great food for your spirit. And do yourself a HUGE favor: Listen to the song “We Are the Reason” at the end of the post. Blessings and a Blessed contemplation of the Resurrection and what it should mean for us all.

Originally posted on Marcy's Walk:

I woke up on “Good Friday” a few years back, thinking of the day more than 2,000 years ago when Jesus was crucified.

I wondered how something so sad, like the death of a righteous man on a cross could be called “good”. It seems that it should be called “sad” or “disappointing” based on the way the disciples of Jesus must have felt on that day.

Can you picture it? The one you had counted on who was going to rescue you from Rome; the hope of the Jewish people who would change the way religion was done, was now hanging on a cross – suffering the same fate as thieves and other law-breakers. How can that be good?

The events of that original Friday would have been justifiably the saddest day in the lives of the disciples if another promised event had not taken place on the Sunday…

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Filed under: ON THE JOURNEY