The "Tool of Satan" & Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Two things have come up this week that has grieved me. Bare with me, this is a long post:

1.) The Christian right and their stance that Global Warming is a “tool of Satan”

2.) Kenneth Copeland Ministries

The first point is offensive to my soul because it’s absurd! But, that doesn’t really explain it – it’s like saying something is “stupid” (which is also true in this case). Anyway, I will share with you why I am so peeved with this particular group. Please note, I know not everyone who would be considered a part of this group believes that global warming is a hoax. Please also note, I don’t like using the terms 'right' and 'left' to describe Christians. However, it helps me to get across my point quickly – and I'm at work . . . Don’t worry, I’ll work through lunch and I rarely take breaks, so I am not stealing from my employer.

OK. So, where was I before I set my disclaimers? Oh yes, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson and their thoughts on global warming. Now, of course one would suspect Jerry Falwell of saying something so ill conceived - (that the debate over global warming "is a tool of satan"). It’s almost expected. Besides, does anyone really take this man seriously any more? But then to have Dr. James Dobson, founder and Chair of the Board of Focus on the Family (which I'm saving for another post and could evetually be the basis for my Doctoral dissertaion if I ever do a Doctorate), and some of his cronies, demanded Richard Cizik’s resignation from the National Association of Evangelicals because Cizik “cannot be trusted to articulate the views of American evangelicals on environmental issues.”

This is madness! Oh, and what might these unusual views be, you ask? Cizik agrees with the consensus of international scientists, religious leaders, business leaders and economists that global warming is an urgent and imminent threat to planet earth, a threat that if not acted upon soon will only get worse and worse (thank-you Joey for allowing me to plagiarize without your knowledge). If you would like more info on these articles go here for Falwell’s thoughts: http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=8596 or go here for Dobson’s and friends’ remarks: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/marchweb-only/109-53.0.html.

It really upsets me that people in such high positions in the Evangelical church would come out and say something like this (I’m more focused on Dobson here, as again I really hope there are more people out there laughing at Jerry Falwell then taking him seriously). Besides, even if (and I do mean if) global warming isn’t occurring, shouldn’t we as Christians still be encouraging one another to honour God by taking care of this gift that has been given (the earth)? To encourage each other to focus on moving away from materialism and be more responsible with the resources we have been given? To be better stewards? To not buy SUV’s or trucks if they’re not for work purposes? To be more conscientious of the global community and how every time we’re at the grocery store buying grapes (or whatever your veggies and fruits are) from Chilli (or any other developing or unstable economically nation) we’re stealing food from a community who is starving because they’re being made to export their food to feed other families who on average, tosses 20%-40% of the produce they buy from companies who are based in North America but continue to run companies in other countries in a manner that would never be allowed to take place in their home country. Where unfair wages and long hours, are the norm. Where land is raped of it’s nutrients as it’s over harvested and pumped with chemicals used to kill ‘predators’ (bugs) and is subsequently destroying parts of an already fragile ecosystem. And don’t even get me started on the distance these grapes (or other fruits or veggies) have to travel using gas and refrigeration on the journey.

Phew – I’m getting’ angry. Whoa - my blood pressure I'm sure has gone up. OK, so you get my point, we need to be better stewards and this is important to me. Is it important to you? If so, what are doing to show this?

By the way, have you thought of trying the 100-mile diet challenge? For more, go here: http://www.100milediet.org/.

OK, and I will try to be quick on thought number 2, as you’re probably getting antsy.

So, a couple days ago I get an e-mail about a focus group looking for young Christian women to come and discuss their thoughts on various ministries. So, I signed up, not just because I love to give my opinion but also I could finally get paid to do so – and the payment? $75!!! Awesome.

For 2 hours then we (me and 4 other women) chatted about different ministries. However, the focus group was to find out what we thought/ knew about Kenneth Copeland ministries. Well, before signing up for this focus group I will be honest, I didn’t know any thing about this ministry. But, being a BIG fan of Google and having a few hours on my hands I did some research, since they mentioned a few ministries I might want to have some knowledge on. And what did I find? The antithesis of my Christian existence (no, this is not more on Jerry Falwell). I discovered ‘Word-Faith’. Word, wha? That’s right, “Word-Faith”. Here it is explained by Pastor and Authour Gary E. Gilley and then in the words of several proponents of this movement, namely Kenneth Copeland:

“As is implied by the title “Word-Faith,” the supporters of this movement believe that faith works like a mighty power or force. Through faith, we can obtain anything we want -- health, wealth, success, whatever. However, this force is only released through the spoken word. As we speak the words of faith, power is discharged to accomplish our desires. Hagin's theme, as found in his booklet How to Write Your Own Ticket with God, can be summarized as follows (Christianity in Crisis, pp. 74-75):

In the opening chapter, titled "Jesus Appears to Me," Hagin claims that while he “was in the Spirit” -- just like the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos -- a white cloud enveloped him and he began to speak in tongues. “Then the Lord Jesus Himself appeared to me,” says Hagin. “He stood within three feet of me.” After what sounded like a casual conversation about such things as finances, ministry, and even current affairs, Jesus told Hagin to get a pencil and a piece of paper. He then instructed him to “Write down: 1,2,3,4.” Jesus then allegedly told Hagin ”if anybody, anywhere, will take these four steps or put these four principles into operation, he will always receive whatever he wants from Me or from God the Father.” That includes whatever you want financially. The formula is simply: “Say it, Do it, Receive it, and Tell it.”

1. Step number one is “Say it.” “Positive or negative, it is up to the individual. According to what the individual says, that shall he receive.”
2. Step number two is “Do it.” “Your action defeats you or puts you over. According to your action, you receive or you are kept from receiving.”
3. Step number three is “Receive it.” We are to plug into the “powerhouse of heaven.” “Faith is the plug, praise God! Just plug in.”
4. Step number four is “Tell it so others may believe.” This final step might be considered the Faith movement's outreach program.

Kenneth Copeland states the faith formula this way: "All it takes is
1) Seeing or visualizing whatever you need, whether physical or financial;
2) Staking your claim on Scripture; and
3) Speaking it into existence" (Christianity in Crisis, p. 80).”


OHMIGOSH!!! I'm suddenly over-come with the desire to kick the crap out of something (inanimate of course)! Wow, nothing burns me up more then this ‘type’ of simplification, misinterpretation, and false theology then this! And to top it all off – what REALLY burned me the most? The woman leading this focus group I believe was un-churched. So now here she is, working on this assignment which is giving her a glimpse into what she’s being told is a Christian Ministry. Lord have mercy! No wonder Christians get framed in a negative light so often. That’s it, I have to stop here, I’m getting too worked-up and I shouldn’t really be crying at work. But it just grieves me so much to know that God is being abused so horribly for political and monetary gain. It hurts me to see the special and intimate relationship one can have with Jesus Christ is being boiled down to 3 or 4 steps of what YOU have rights to demand out of it. Anybody else out there grieving this?


P.S. This is Kenneth Copeland - to find out what he does you can visit his website at http://www.kcm.org/. To see pictures of him with his new jet, Google Kenneth Copeland jet ministry.

Feels like home to me. OK, well seems like home to me?

Steve’s dad is home now. This is great as I am sure he was tired of the hospital. I mean even at the end of the day at work or a long trip, there’s no place quite like home. And multiply that when I am not well or in pain and well, little red-shoed Dorothy had it right.

Hmmm . . . Home. What a concept. I mean as a Christian home is the hear after – Heaven. I believe this.

As a human being, home is also that place where I can ‘let my hair down’. But, it is so much more than that. And yet, as someone who has moved around a great deal, home is somewhat abstract. I mean for Steve he can say, “Winnipeg is home”. He was born there, raised there, and the vast majority of his friends are there. Should I live in Winnipeg 20 years this could never be true for me (and it should be noted that in fact Winnipeg, or at least Winnipeg and surrounding area, is the longest place I have ever lived). But, Winnipeg is not, nor will it ever be, home (I am trying not to apologize for this vow, because I do enjoy some aspects of Winnipeg, MB, but I gotta say, Winnipeg has nothing on the Maritimes - except jobs).

The Maritimes, and in particular Halifax, I have claimed, is home. Yet, this is still not entirely accurate. Though it is my favourite city I have ever been/ lived, it is no longer home. It has a definite place in my heart though. Nor is home where my parents reside (the booming metropolis of Coles Island, NB). Nor was it where I was born (Newcastle, NB – lived there maybe two years? Couldn't even find it quickly on a NB map). Nor is it really where I was raised or grew as an individual (all over NB, 8 months in Edmonton, AB, just over 2 years in Montreal, QC, about 3 years in St. John’s, NF, on and off in Halifax/Dartmouth, NS, as well as Barrie/ Toronto, ON, 1 year in southern California).

Home is truly then, where my heart is. Where I feel I belong. Where I feel connected and have some history or roots. But, my heart then, is divided. For my heart then is where my sister is, Toronto, ON, where my oldest friends are, Halifax, NS, where my closest friends are, Calgary, AB and Haiti, where my parents are, and where my husband is. As well, my heart is with the 48 million AIDS orphans in Africa (and should the Lord see fit, Steve and I will be doing work there in just over a year for hopefully 2 years– and then quite literally my heart will be with these children).

So home, eh? What an idea. What’s your idea of home? Or where does it feel like home for you?

On a somewhat related note, my dad said to me one day over the Christmas holidays that he and my mom were wrestling with where they should be buried when they die. Yes, a rather morbid discussion for Christmas, but I guess a practical one. Anyway, they truly are at a loss. Because my sister and I live away and they no longer have connections to their hometowns, they really have no one place that sticks out as the place to be buried. It's tough not having physical roots. I wonder if there are many others in such a state, what with the global community we now have? Hmmm . . . I imagine so.

Thanks for the prayers

Hey all. Thank you so much for the support. Man I appreciate friends. Wow - what a big hug I got from each of your comments. I am teared up with joy. THANK YOU.

Steve's dad is still in the hospital and will be for a few days. This is due to pain management. He has 3 broken ribs, a broken shoulder bone and a broken collar bone. WOW! But, despite the pain he's in his spirits are up. Though, please continue to keep him in your prayers as he's in pain and has stated that he's felt himself slipping into a slump. Totally normal of course, but none-the-less difficult.

Please keep Steve in your prayers too as he feels so useless. He wants to help, but there's not much he can do. There's only so much time you can spend at the hospital and only so many errands that need to be run. So, he's kinda feeling stuck.

Sorry for all my venting these last few Blogs. I was just commenting to Steve last night, as we went for a late night walk, how good we have it. We both have jobs (Steve is now working half time at the University of Manitoba in Disabilities Services). Steve is doing a practicum at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba - like the best place to be able to do your practicum. We both will be graduating this April. My folks are coming then and then we get to go to NS/NB in May to see my oldest friend get married (WOW! How wonderfully exciting) and see other friends! Steve and I also get to go to San Jose, CA in late June to early July with my work. There we're doing a seminar for youth on Addictions. Cool, eh? Steve and I are speaking at a HUGE Conference - we'll be in the conference book and everything. And we'll be doing it together. Awesome. And just in reality, each day comes with ups and downs, but overall things that are important remain true. And these things for me are:
1. I love the Lord and I have a growing understanding of His love for me
2. Steve is healthy and he loves me
3. I am healthy and I love Steve
4. Our family, despite some broken bones, are healthy and they love us and we love them
5. I have friends that are supportive and kind and even despite the miles love on me so well and I except these gifts of their friendship as I attempt to reciprocate

So, I am one blessed woman of God - but I am still human I guess. So, I am prone to bad days but at the end of it I can confidently know that I am God's and He is mine and how blessed I am - I just may not feel it from time to time.

By the way - I can't wait for summer when it's warmer out and Steve and I can go for longer walks - last night was just a taste of what will be! Yippieee . . .

I have a headache

Today was my Friday the 13th. It seems that everything that I touched fell apart, was a disaster, warranted a freak out session, a shut my office door time, etc. My head just can’t take this. It’s been so bad today I have a headache. (I realize this is another entry on my stress-level – sorry). I guess this is a sign that I need a vacation. . . Oh dear, I sound like my mother (not that that’s a bad thing – Hi mom).

Today I think my blood pressure actually went up – hence the headache. Over what exactly? Well, first it started with my computer homework. I dislike EXCEL! I just can’t seem to get the hang of this computer program – well, at least when I am reading how to do things with Excel. (I am in class right now and it’s a little better. Thanks Holly – she’s my computer neighbor). And then there’s work related stuff that I would dig venting about – but it’s confidential. And then Steve called me today at work to tell me he was on the way to the hospital with his mother as his father was in a car accident – and he knew nothing more than that! WHOA!!! So, I shut my door calmly and prayed HARD!

Now, don’t worry too much (but do pray) as my father in law is doing OK. While I type he’s still in the hospital with a broken collar bone, bruised up shoulder, and various other things. He was getting his chest scanned when I had to leave for class (not that I was at the hospital – I went home early from work and waited for news from Steve).

So, that’s that. Highs and lows – mostly lows today. My week hasn’t been all bad. I got to hang with friends, see Steve most evenings, and relax. Just today was difficult. It was a bad day. Not a real self-esteem booster or happy day. A blah day. You know what I mean.

The lie that "time will tell"

Phew! Ever experience stress so much that your body feels on edge, your mind races even in the wee hours, you dream of the tasks you have to do at work, school, for volunteering, etc? Well these past two weeks I have been carrying a great deal and have experienced these things. It seems I had taken on quite a bit. Though I enjoy keeping busy, I think I hit a threshold recently.

It started with Computers Class, mix in the weight of my last counseling course before I graduate this April (FINALLY!), mix in Campus Visit Day at work – which I am in charge of planning and hosting (www.cmu.ca - check that off – until the next one at the end of March), then mix in volunteering for UNIFEM (http://www.unifem.org/) and their upcoming event (which took place last night – check that off) and then mix in my one client I am still meeting with, and work (it’s another busy season at CMU for me as applications are due if they want to receive Academic Entrance Scholarships), and throw in life – events I want to attend (Anglicanism 101 at St. Benedict’s Table http://www.stbenedictstable.ca/), a house that I like to keep clean, my husband whom I would like to see and spend time with, and shake all these up and you’ve got stress. Who knew?

But I have survived (obviously) and things are winding down and oh boy am I happy for this. Sure it’s all great things to be involved with. They each serve a wonderful purpose – raising money for UN projects that serve women around the world, raising awareness of Christian University Education, updating my computer skills, completing my Master of Arts. But sometimes I wonder to what end? Sometimes I wonder what I am working towards – as I don’t know what I want to be, to do, or whom I am becoming – because who I am now is not who I was a few years ago – but how did I get here?

You know, despite having a degree in Counselling Psychology (O.K. – I know not quite yet – but almost) I really am not reflective. But who has time? So much to be done – but again – to what end? Cyclical little bugger isn’t it. Crap. If only someone could figure it all out for me – save me time. Ha-ha. Time.
Oh time you nasty little thing – and to think you were invented to help create more humane working conditions. Yes, perhaps it does help working conditions – but what about my life’s condition – my soul’s condition?