Contemplating Cults...

I heard a knock on my door last Saturday morning. I didn't answer it b/c I was still in my PJs! Plus, I wasn't expecting anyone. I went and peeked out the window after a moment and saw a lady I didn't know standing behind a stroller on the sidewalk in front of my home. And I saw a nicely dressed man I didn't know on my front stoop. Later when I opened the door I saw that the man had left some material from the Jehovah's Witnesses.

The materials look nice and warned about false religion or something, I think. The trouble is that the Jehovah's Witnesses are false when compared to the teachings of the Bible. In fact, from what I've learned from Josh McDowell and Dr. D. James Kennedy and his guests on Truths That Transform (M-F mornings at 8:03am on Stereo 1550 WBFJ AM), the Jehovah's Witnesses and the other common door-to-door group, the Mormons, are cults.


Wait, Jenn! JWs and Mormons both believe in Jesus! Well, the issue is WHAT they believe about Jesus, God, etc. On Truths That Transform today I learned that JWs believe that Jesus was actually the archangel Michael made into a man and was not divine. They believe that salvation is based on their own works AND distributing their materials! No wonder they are so determined to go door to door and give them out! Yes, they believe that they assist in their own salvation. Also, the foundations of JW are built on false prophecies.

For more information on cults and their teachings, check out www.truthsthattransform.org and the CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY website at www.carm.org. Below you will see some information that I found very enlightening on the CARM website.

I am thankful that I don't have to depend on myself for my salvation. If I did, I would be doomed and have no hope.

Rejoicing in God's graciousness,

Jenn

Comparison of "religious movements"

This is a simplification of various groups and their beliefs. It is, to be realistic, an oversimplification. But it gives the reader an idea of where the groups stand.

Here's the order:

Group Name,Founder, The Gospel, The Church, teaching about God, teaching about Jesus, Salvation-how?, teaching on Jesus' Resurrection, Scripture and writings associated with group

Christianity
Jesus Christ
That Jesus saves from sin
Those who are saved
Trinity: 3 Persons in one God
God in flesh
by Grace
Jesus rose in the same body he died in
The Bible alone

Christian Science
Mary Baker Eddy
(1821-1910) Religious beliefs of Jesus' teachings, not the atonement.
A collection of spiritual ideas
Impersonal Universal Presence
A man in tune with the Divine Consciousness, not the Christ.
Correct thinking
No Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Miscellany

Islam
Muhammad
Faith in Allah and works
n/a
One God: Allah.
Non Trinitarian
Created being. A prophet. Not God.
by Allah's grace and man's works
No.
Qur'an, Hadith

Jehovah's Witnesses
Charles T. Russell (1852-1916)
founded 1879
Jesus opened the door for us to earn our salvation
Members of their church
One Person
Created being. Michael the archangel who became a man
Keeping the commandments, being in their Organization
No Bible, Studies in the Scriptures, presently the Watchtower and Awake Magazines

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints (Mormons)
Joseph Smith (1805-1844) founded 1830
Jesus' atonement plus the Laws and ordinances of the gospel
Members of their church
Triad - 3 gods.
Created being. The brother of the devil and of all people
Resurrected by grace, saved by doing works.
Yes
The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price

-from www.carm.org

The End Times-Are you ready for Christ's return?

Check out today's broadcast of "A New Beginning" with Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA. It puts the signs of the end times into great perspective. I've felt a couple of signs myself lately. Yesterday there was an EARTHQUAKE that I could feel/hear in my home in Winston-Salem, NC before 5am. And later that evening there were 2 aftershocks. My family and I felt the second one. It happened at 9:11pm. Kinda creepy--the time of it. For more info on this earthquake activity check out www.usgs.gov.

So, anyway, experiencing the earthquake and aftershock yesterday has me thinking a lot about End Times prophecies in the Bible. And today the Lord allowed me to hear this very enlightening message from Pastor Greg Laurie at work at Stereo 155o WBFJ AM. We have a website coming soon, by the way!

From The "A New Beginning Radio" website: The Rapture will come suddenly, and for many, unexpectedly. How can we prepare our friends and loved ones for that awesome day? Get some help today on A New Beginning. Pastor Greg Laurie brings a powerful message from a recent Harvest Crusade called "Is the End of the World Near?"

http://www.harvest.org/radio/index.php/1.html#


FYI, here's some more info about Pastor Greg Laurie:

Greg Laurie Biography from www.harvest.org

Greg Laurie pastors Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. He has authored several books including the Gold Medallion Award winner, The Upside-Down Church, as well as Losers and Winners, Saints and Sinners and The Best Is Yet to Come. You can find his study notes in the New Believer's Bible and The Seeker's Bible.Host of the Knowing God with Greg Laurie television program and the nationally syndicated radio program A New Beginning, Laurie is also the founder and featured speaker for Harvest Crusades—contemporary, large-scale evangelistic outreaches, which local churches organize nationally and internationally.

Whether speaking or writing, God has gifted Pastor Laurie with the ability to apply biblical principles to current events in a way that is relevant and easily understood by people of all ages, from all walks of life. The trademark of a Greg Laurie sermon, book, or broadcast is his contemporary, yet straightforward style and format. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Cathe.For more about Pastor Greg, visit his personal homepage at www.greglaurie.org

Pastor Greg has been a blessing to me over the past several years. I pray he will bless you as well.

Rejoicing in God's graciousness, Jenn

I show my support for the Carolina Panthers while trying to stay warm in the WBFJ gazebo at the Dixie Classic Fair Sunday Oct. 8th.

This is my first Blogger blog. I don't really know what to say, so I'll think on it and try again when I have something on my mind besides my need to balance my checkbook and cook dinner. Not necessarily in that order. I will say, though, that yesterday was my first day back working full time at WBFJ since I had my son Joshua in Sept. 2001. I'm doing mornings on WBFJ AM 1550 again ( I started working at WBFJ in Sept. 1999) and it's good to be back. I have been blessed to stay a part of the WBFJ Family over the past five years doing part time announcing on both WBFJ FM and WBFJ AM while maintaining my full time job of "staying home" with my son. I've also done some work as a teacher's helper at Reynolda Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten and as a BeautiControl consultant. I can whole heartedly recommend RPP&K as a great place to send your children for a loving Christian preschool education. And if you have any interest in BeautiControl--products, Spa parties or joining the business--check out my website at www.beautipage.com/jboger.

Well, I need to make my family some dinner. "Hey guys, how's cereal sound tonight?" Just kidding!

Rejoicing in God's graciousness,

Jenn