Gym Shorts & a SPEAR?!?!

Last Sunday (during church, but that's another topic all together) Phil Johnson tweeted:

John MacArthur is reminiscing about the time he found a guy in his office wearing gym shorts & wielding a spear. (10:03 AM Mar 29th)

Now, I don't know about you, but I found that very intriguing. So intriguing, in fact, that I sent Phil an e-mail, asking, since it was during the announcements and not during the sermon, if this was recorded, and, if so, could he post the recording at the Grace to You website.

We all know that Phil is a busy guy, and, truthfully, I never expected to hear anything back from him. I knew that this was pretty low on the priority scale. Imagine my joy when I received the following reply:

He made those comments during announcements. I don't think it was recorded. I'll blog the story one of these days soon.-- Phil Johnson

Well, there you have it, folks! This story is forthcoming, so keep checking the pages of Pyromaniacs!

The Disturbing Case of Peter Popoff

Peter Popoff is one of the most well documented cases of fraud in the faith healing business. Check this out:

He is not alone in his fraud: According to Wikipedia, in 2003, Fox station WAGA showed that W. V. Grant called on and "healed" staff members planted in the audience. James Randi profiled several of the most prominent faith healers in his book The Faith Healers.

OK, there are frauds out there, and that is disturbing, if not very surprising. But what disturbs me more is the fact that, when I searched for sources for documentation of fraud in faith healing, most of the sources are decidedly anti-Christian. James Randi is an outspoken critic of all religions, failing to notice that humanism is a religion.) Humanist organizations are also prominent in documenting such frauds, and Richard Dawkins' website contained critiques. Those who oppose and deny Biblical Christianity are more then happy to use these frauds to discredit the Name of Jesus!

My question is, "Where are the Christians working to expose these false teachers?"

I'm not saying that there aren't any Christian leaders speaking out, of course there are. What I am saying is that there should be more. Many more.

Bible, not Bentley!

"I'm now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the Antichrist when he shows up because they have no discernment." - Anonymous Pentecostal Evangelist

The above quote comes from an article in Christianity Today regarding the imminent return of Todd “hold still while I punch heal you” Bentley to "ministry".

I'm not writing to tell you about my disgust at Bentley & his false teachings, which is considerable. No, I'm writing because I was struck so hard by that quote! It is so true! This is what happens when you base your belief system on "feelings," and "leadings," and "fresh words," instead of on what God has given us, "something more sure, the prophetic word"!

Isn't this exactly the sort of thing that the critics of the Charismatic movement have been saying all along?

The Squirrel's Nut Cache - 326/09

The Nut Cache - a collection of recent things I found interesting, or amusing, or noteworthy.

China has long been known for their draconian “one child” policy. Well, now they are forcing the use of birth control in their efforts to control population. To make things worse, the target group is unaware of the drugs they are being tricked into taking. Read the story from the BBC here.

I’ve never understood the need to set out to set records. I’ve never bought a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records, and have no plans too. I’m not talking about athletes trying to run faster, or further, or jump higher, of catch more touchdown passes. That is not the kind of record I’m talking about. This is the kind of record I’m talking about! And I ask you, if the loo isn’t real, is the queue?

Well, goody gumdrops! Iraq is now open for tourists. Now, if you’re an historian, like I am, or if you just have a thing for Babylon (with or without Squirrels!), this is actually pretty cool. It would be fun to see Babylon and Nineveh and Ur for yourself, wouldn’t it? Just goes to show you how good of a job our boys and girls in uniform have done! Huah!

Here’s a hometown story that you probably care nothing about. This clock is a landmark, and I’m glad that it will be sticking around. I also really like to see community action that actually does something good for a change.

First, full disclosure: I was born in the South, “Rise Again, Dixie!” and all that, ok? When I saw that this story was from Tennessee, I just wasn’t surprised. I’m just trying to imagining the fireman… “Got your cat stuck in a tree, mister? Oh, it’s not your cat?”

Ok, so I’m picking on Tennessee today. What can I say? I was born in Georgia! (Here in Montana, they tell North Dakota jokes. What state does your state make fun of?) Some people just shouldn’t drink beer, and it shows. Shows too much!

From the Better-Late-Than-Never department: David Letterman finally married the mother of his child, 5 years after the fact. In typical Letterman fashion, he then made a joke of it with one of his famous Top Ten lists. Missing from the list was “Obeying God.” Not that anyone is really shocked.

It is a truism that, when you reject belief in the truth, whatever you do believe will be a lie. The only question at that point is, “What lie will you believe?” C. Michael Patton explores a lie that has a surprising number of believers, and has invaded science and popular culture.

"I'm not dead yet... I'm getting better..."

THIS ISN'T ME! Sure, I've been sick, but...

As I said, I hate being sick. But I am feeling much better. I actually left the house today, and went to lunch with Mrs. Squirrel.

I’ve also done some writing, but nothing is ready to post, yet. Mrs. Squirrel says I’m too meticulous about it, but… well, that’s just me.

There will be a Nut Cache tomorrow, and I’ll try to be a bit more prolific in the future.

Until then, I remain,

I Hate Colds!

Ok, I’m sitting at home today, wrapped in a blanket, enjoying a cold. Mrs. Squirrel will tell you that I’m not the best patient in the world. I’m not happy when I’m sick, and I really like to be left alone. My misery does not like company!

My biggest problem with colds is; they’re not fatal! I wouldn’t mind feeling this bad, really, if I knew I was dying. But, really, a cold? Why is it that what is probably the most minor of illnesses, in so far as being life threatening, should have some of the most miserable symptoms around?

(I say that, not having experienced any really life threatening illnesses. I’ve had friends and family who have been really sick, so I’m not in any way belittling the real pain and illness that others have suffered.)

So, being at home, I have to ask: What has happened to game shows? When I was a kid, there were lots of game shows on TV. I just watched The Price is Right… Have they moved to a smaller studio since Bob Barker retired? The stage looks smaller, and it looks like they’ve cut the production values. Whatever happened to shows like Jokers Wild, The Match Game (Oh, that was a wicked show!), or Hollywood Squares? I’m watching the Game Show Network right now, and It is fun to watch these old shows. It really was a more innocent time.

So, now you know where I am and what I’m doing today. Hope your Monday’s better than mine! Now, where’d I put those tissues?...

The Squirrel's Nut Cache - 3/19/09

The Nut Cache - a collection of recent things I found interesting, or amusing, or noteworthy.

I'm going to have to watch this; for laughs, if for no other reason. Mark Driscoll and "Hookers for Jesus" founder Annie Lobert on one side, Deepak Chopra and "Bishop" Carlton Pearson on the other, debating the existance of Satan on Nightline. Wow.

I must admit that I've always had a fondness for vampire stories. I guess I watched the old 1931 Bela Lugosi classic film as often as it was on tv when I was a kid. (I used to love "Monster Week" on WTBS.) So, this story caught my eye. Then I found this and got a good laugh.

Looks like Brittney Spears' father knows the right advice to give his daughter. Here's hoping she gets it! (You know, an hour of Bible reading each day isn't a bad idea for any of us.)

We all know that moral standards a falling at a precipitous rate, but it seems that certain women in the UK are looking to "get lucky" in more than one way.

Here's another story about the level of sexual depravity we, and our kids, face every day. This is the student newspaper at the school I went to; the school my daughter attends now. But there is hope.

This story from Fox News just reminds me that God can smite us any time He wants.

Our current economic meltdown is a prime example of what happens when government interferes with the free market. And the same people who brought us Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac want to run our healthcare system? Here's a reason from the UK why we don't want that.

In case we hadn't alread figured it out, socialists have a problem with wealthy people. The Wall Street Journal gives us more links between Obama and radical, leftest economists. Margaret Thatcher once said, "The propble with socialism is that you soon run out of other people's money." It's going to be a long four years.

Where am I?

Hi, everybody. Just a quick note to let you know I’ve been having a weird week.

I attended a funeral on Monday, and that has just set my whole week off kilter. I’m always disconcerted when a young person dies. I know that God is sovereign and wise, and that His decrees are good, but, from my human viewpoint, I always think about the lifetime ahead that has been lost. And it's tough to watch parents bury their child. It reminds me of what our sin has done to the whole of creation. Death truly is the last enemy!

I’m working on a couple of good posts (as opposed to the normal drivel found here,) and, of course, this week’s Nut Cache!

See you soon!

A Public Service Announcement

As all three of my regular readers (yes, research says that my regular readership is up to three!) know, Mrs. Squirrel and I spent last Saturday preparing our taxes.

For reasons that will soon be clear, you also need to know that I use Computer Associates’ security software on my computer.

While preparing our taxes, I had to do some research at the IRS' website. This is what I saw on my screen:

We have been warned...

Update: I just went back to the IRS website. The warning has been removed. My Tin-Foil-Hat department tells me that, obviously, somebody at Computer Associates has been "gotten to."

Saddened, But Not Surprised

The news has been out for a couple of days that famed abstinence teen pregnancy unwed mom advocate victim spokesperson Bristol Palin and boyfriend fiancé hands-on-dad sperm donor Levi Johnston have called off their engagement. This is not a surprise. As one article states, teen parents wed about 8% of the time.

I don’t want to make to much out of this, nor do I want to attack Bristol Palin. Unwed pregnancies happen every day (all too often) (once is too often) in America. Ms. Palin has the misfortune to have a well-known mom, and, so, the publicity. Ms. Palin (My use of “Ms” is not a nod to feminism, but I respectfully reserve “Miss” for unmarried virgins) (and, as a gentleman, I will assume the virginity of all unwed young ladies until proven otherwise) has a hard life in front of her: Harder than it could have been: Harder than it should have been. It’ll be hard for Levi Johnston also. Mostly, it will be hard for their son, Tripp Johnston.

Governor Palin said of her daughter, “I think Bristol's kind of an example of, truly, it can happen to anybody.”

Governor, it can’t happen to young people who keep their pants on! And that is what Bristol’s example really is, an example of what can, and does, happen when God’s standards are not kept.

I’m sorry that Bristol thinks that abstinence is "not realistic at all." In fact, abstinence is 100% effective; it works every time it’s tried.

Prayer request

Daryl Little just posted this in the comments section over at Pyromaniacs.

"I'd like to ask for prayer if I could. My sister is giving me one of her kidneys next Wednesday. Bit of a stress on both families, although it will be great to finally have it done...Thanks"

Daryl, our prayers are with you.

43/4=4 with 3 left over.

Never forget this most important truth!

The Squirrel's Nut Cache - 3/12/09

The Nut Cache - a collection of recent things I found interesting, or amusing, or noteworthy.

David Wilkerson’s shtick has been “Prophet of Doom” for a long time, so this really is nothing new from him, but it made the news. You knew I had to say something, didn’t you? The Cross and the Switchblade is a great story, but I liked David Wilkerson better when he was Pat Boone.

When you know what you believe, why your believe it, and are prepared to stand behind what you say, it is possible to speak without notes, but it is easier to keep track of where you are going with what you’re trying to say with notes. Having said that, for most occasions, a couple of 3x5 index cards will usually do…

If you missed it, Al Mohler wrote a powerful piece on what it means to die without God. I urge you to read it, think on it, and remember your unsaved friends and family.

From the “You just can’t make this stuff up!” desk: Are you having trouble with your prayer life? Most of us know we could do better in that department. Maybe you will find this helpful.

There have been several articles about the visit of the British Prime Minister to the White House last week, all the ones I’ve seen from the other side of the pond have been negative. What can be said about a president who likes our enemies, but doesn’t like our best friends? At least somebody thinks we should apologize!

Staying with Briton for a minute: It seems that they lie about what books they have read… Golly, look what book made the list! I’m surprised it isn’t at the top!

This kind of goes along with the iMonk's article in the Christian Science Monitor. My position is that there have always been more people in America, or the World for that matter, who say they are Christian, but are not. As it becomes less and less popular to be Christian, less and less non-Christians will claim to be Christians (for whatever reasons non-Christians claim to be Christians in the first place.)

See what happens when you start worshipping cows! Would you like to SuperSize that?

Scampering back up the tree...

Prayer request

Please join me in prayer for the Prewett family. I just learned that Kenny and Merrie lost their 21 year old son, Jordan, in a car accident yesterday. Kenny pastors two churches in our local Baptist association.