Richard Albanes - You Will Know Them by Their Fruits

If you haven't heard about the latest atrocity against our brother, Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries, then get a load of this...

Richard Abanes has threatened a lawsuit against IPower who currently hosts the website Apprising Ministries.” IPower had alerted Ken about “accusations” from Abanes in which he stated that Apprising Ministries contains content that is alleged to be, “untrue, offensive, slanderous, harrasing or controversial in nature.” They then demanded that Ken remove that content within 48 hours or his website would be terminated.

Ken has done no such thing and furthermore, why is Richard violating 1 Corin. 6:1-8 in the first place? I smell rotten fruit!!!

Please go to these sites to get the full story.

Mike Ratliff of Possessing the Treasure

Daniel Chew of Daniel's Place

Lighthouse Trails

Slice of Laodicea

HT: Isaiah of Word and Verse for sharing this with me.

Women and Head Coverings

During a brief phone conversation I had with my dad yesterday, he asked me what I thought of women and head coverings. Although I didn't answer him at the time, (because I was traveling) I was already set in my mind that it wasn't for us today because it was based on the culture at the time. But I said I'd read it and I did. Below are my comments according to my understanding.

1 Corin. 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Paul is about to explain one of the basic traditional practices of the church more fully so that the Corinthians might understand and observe it more willingly, not merely as a traditional custom but as a teaching.


1 Corin. 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Paul is establishing a hierarchy; one of leadership, not worth.

God is the head of Christ, Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman. He wants every male and female to honor their head. (not the one on their shoulders) A similar hierarchical conception was expressed in 1 Corin. 3:21-23 when he speaks of teachers being under the church, which is under Christ, who is under God.

1 Corin. 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
Paul started with men. If a man prays or prophesies while his head is covered (with a hat or any form of head covering) he dishonors his head which is Christ. (again, not the one on his shoulders)

1 Corin. 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

Paul wanted to show how dishonorable an uncovered head of a woman is and he used a shaved head as a comparison. Even today, it is very odd and/or strange to see a woman with a shaved head. A woman's head covering is an emblem of her submission. It follows then that a man should not wear such a head covering. As the image of God's authority he should not dress like a woman because this would involve a symbolic violation of his headship.

1 Corin. 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

Paul is reiterating the verse 5 above. If the woman is going to remain uncovered, then she may as well be shaven because it brings just as much shame. Why? Because it dishonors her head, which is man.

1 Corin. 11:7,8,9 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of man. 8For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

The majesty of God belongs to men according to the mandate, “Let them have dominion,” and for a man this is part of what it means to be the image of God. Man was created to symbolize God's dominion in the earth. But the woman is not designed to represent God in this way that the man does. Instead, she is “the glory of man,” that is, she reflects the glory of the man by her submission. Even a well ordered marriage explains submission of the wife and is compared to Christ and the submission of the church. (Eph 5:32)

It's all about headship, honoring, and giving glory to ones head. A physical example is given, (the head on your shoulders), to better illustrate his point on headship. Jesus oftentimes used word pictures (earthly examples) to illustrate that which is spiritual and here, Paul uses the same method.

1 Corin. 11:10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

“Because of the angels”, this one's a tough one. Perhaps this is a simple reminder that the “angels who kept not their first estate” lost heaven and they should not go beyond the limitations that God has set forth, and so women (and men) should follow in kind. It could also refer to the Seraphim covering themselves in Isaiah 6:2. Or perhaps she covers her head in co-operation with the angels that remained faithful to God as a testimony of submission and obedience. Remember angels and demons see us.

1 Corin. 11:11,12 Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord 12For as woman came from man, even so man comes through woman; but all things are from God.

There is really no such thing as an independent woman – or an independent man for that matter. There is nothing to be gained by either sex in pretending that the one can be independent of the other.

1 Corin. 11:13,14,15 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

Some translations say “hair is given as a substitute for coverings” (International Standard Version)
“because the hair instead of a covering hath been give to her” (Young's Literal Translation)

I tend to follow the KJV primarily and that version doesn't say that her hair is given to her instead of a covering. If this were the case, then that would nullify verses 5 and 6. And if by “uncovered” Paul means only a shorn head in the first place, then his argument in the same verses (5 & 6) would be nonsensical. So it cannot mean her hair is a substitute for the veil.

The Greek word used for 'covering' in 1 Corinthians 11:15 ("for her hair is given her for a covering") is completely different from the one translated 'covered' prior to this in Chapter 11. This Greek word (peribolaion - 4018), here in verse 15, means to 'wrap around'. Hence the meaning would be ... "for her hair is given her for 'to be wrapped around'". The words translated "covering", "covered" or "cover" prior to verse 15 in Chapter 11 use an entirely different Greek word (katakalupto - 2619). This one means to 'veil or cover up oneself'."

Some might think that this head covering issue is a tradition originating from Paul when establishing the church due to 1 Corin. 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.


But if we start from the beginning, we find that the earliest reference to a head covering is found in Gen 24:65.

“For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

So this could not have originated with Paul.


1 Corin. 11:16. But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Some might think that this is proof that there was no practice of head coverings in the church but that is not what this verse is referring to. It is referring to them not having the practice of arguing over this head covering issue.


Conclusion: I do believe this practice of women covering their heads is a tradition not born of Paul, but from the beginning in Genesis. Although it is not expressly stated by God, it was taught by Paul who was lead by the Holy Spirit in his epistles. I also believe that women are not to cover as part of their daily dress but only during prayer and prophesying. (1 Corin 11:5) I believe the church has lost sight of this teaching because nowhere have I ever seen this in practice and I have never been taught this. I probably don't have a thorough grasp on this subject like some theologians do but the Bible is for everyone, including lay-persons like me, and from what I've read, I believe this head covering teaching to still be in effect today.

Interesting note: Covering your face, as the Muslims do, is not only NOT in the Bible, but is the dress of a harlot!

Gen 38:13-15 13And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. 14And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her up a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; fo rshe saw tha tShelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. 15When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Our attire tells a tale. Proverbs 7:10 says “And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.” The harlot has her attire and the people of God has theirs; but that's another study.

The Lord's Kindness in Spite of My Foolishness

I've been on the job hunt for awhile now and last week, I came upon the perfect job. It was great pay, great opportunity, and if that wasn't enough it seemed fun and exciting. I wanted it badly. I aggressively pursued this job meaning I called several times, emailed my resume and called again until I got an interview, and prayed diligently.

The first interview went great. They said they would call me that evening IF I was chosen for the 2nd interview. I spent much of the rest of the day praying, no, pleading that the Lord would put it into their hearts to call me. I thought of all the things I could get with my huge paycheck, the bills I'd pay down, and a bunch of extras. So.....

They called and I was ecstatic! I thanked the Lord for His generosity. So I went on the 'interview' which was really working 'in the field' for a day and it was just awful! Without getting into details, the job was short of slave labor for very little pay and no benefits. They grossly misrepresented themselves in the ad and the first interview and then expected me to be excited about it. My high hopes were dashed! I came down off of my 'high' with lightening speed and was a little more than miffed! They wanted me to interview for the 3rd and final time before hiring me but I promptly declined.

So later I was thinking about the events and I thanked the Lord for showing me that this job was not for me. So that's when it hit me....if I didn't get the call for the 2nd interview, I would have played the "if" game. I would have thought IF they would have called me, my life would have been different. IF they called me I'd have a brighter future and so on. I would have thought that the Lord, for whatever reason, did not want me to have this excess of money because it would corrupt me so He wanted to keep me in check. I would have been upset and always wondering 'what if'.

He didn't have to grant me a 2nd interview. He could have let me go on believing that I missed an opportunity of a lifetime and play that 'what if' game over and over in my head. But the Lord didn't leave me hanging. He allowed me to get the call, go through a grueling day, and see for myself that I wasn't missing anything. He didn't owe me an explanation yet He chose to give me one in spite of my foolishness. He cared enough about me to let me know the truth and then put my mind at rest. Praise Jesus!!!

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Words I plan to live by.

Help Wanted! Pastors!

I look at these want ads and I compare it to the apostles who first established the church and I see very little similarities. Sure, there is a mention of Jesus but the focus seems to be on business, leadership skills, communication, music, church growth, and furthering their church's vision. So when did pastors become so specialized? There seems to be as many different pastoral positions as there are doctoral positions. And when did a bachelor degree (in anything) become a criteria?

Here are a few want ads for pastors...

Executive Pastor

MCC is looking for an Executive Pastor (i.e. acting as the Chief Operating Officer) who will manage the operations of the church and will report to the Senior Pastor. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of effective staff leadership and development and will be a person of integrity committed to the mission and vision of the church. The individual will possess exceptional organizational skills and excellent oral and written communications skills. He/she will be able to manage multiple priorities. The Executive Pastor will supervise all senior staff at MCC and will lead the development of integrated plans across ministries/staff to deliver the church vision. This candidate will have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. MCC is a 2300 member church that is mission oriented and has a passion to reach the community and the world with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Executive Pastor will embrace this mission and share this passion. This is a full time position with a full benefit package. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelors degree and a strong background in business and organization management. A minimum of 10 years experience in a leadership capacity with responsibility for delivering a vision is required. Executive Pastor Experience desirable (but not required).

Worship Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church is seeking a man to serve as full-time Worship Pastor. Candidates must be comfortable leading a "blended" style service. EBC leans toward the contemporary side of "blended," but we need someone who truly loves and uses both traditional and contemporary music to unite people of all age categories in worship. A little history of our church may help... EBC has more than doubled in worship attendance over the past 5 years to a weekly attendance of 600+. Last year, we saw 251 salvations, 50 baptisms, and 136 new members added to our church family. EBC has grown at an average of 100 people per year in a small town setting. In addition, Emmanuel Christian School has 450+/- students enrolled in grades PreK-12. We also opened a School of Fine Arts teaching music, voice and drama. Emmanuel Baptist Church is balanced, growing, financially sound, and known as "A Place of Grace" in our community. Emmanuel is truly experiencing a modern-day miracle! Candidates for this position should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Music, a minimum of 3 years experience, and be proficient in piano.

Senior Pastor – Life Groups
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
This purpose of this position is to create "Raving Fan" small groups where people can learn, change, grow, connect, support and experience God together.

PRIMARY STRENGTHS/GIFTS/TALENTS REQUIRED

o Vision Caster - Able to communicate the LG vision effectively so that people buy in and embrace it.
o Strategic & Systems Thinking - Able to develop effective systems (both administrative & leadership) to make sure the LG's are on track and achieving their goals.
o Up Front Teaching Gifts - Able to design and deliver effective leadership training in a way that creates Raving Fans.

What's God's criteria for being a pastor or leader?

He must posses a desire to serve.
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

Must be vigilant, sober, good behavior, apt to teach, patient...
1 Tim 3:2,3 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

Blameless.
1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Good report from others.
1 Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Rule over is house along with his children.
1 Tim 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
(how can you 'rule' or lead others if you cannot rule or lead your own house?)

Hold fast the Word of God.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

It seems like anyone holding a Masters (in anything) could easily make the transition into a pastoral position. Even though these positions require degrees, they have severely lowered their standards!