Don't be deceived

It's been so cool here since Saturday maybe...that I've not had the AC on. I'm sure WestStar Energy hates this weather just like the gas company hates moderating weather in the winter time. I pulled weeds out of the front flower bed early this morning and since then have just kind of puttered around. I've got some things to do, I just don't have a lot of energy.

I have to go back to work REALLY soon, and my carefree days will come to an end. If I recall, last year, I was ready to get back to work. I came to a point where I sort of missed my colleagues and not only them, but the work that I've been trained to do. Most of the time, I enjoy my job. I'll be starting my 3rd year at the same two schools, and with every evaluation I do, my skills improve. I did not graduate knowing how to do the job. School doesn't teach you time management or setting priorities or discussing sensitive topics with expertise, or getting along with principals - that comes with actually working. The National Association of School Psychologists says it takes 5 years of experience to become a well-versed, competent practitioner and 5 more years to become an "expert". I believe it.

I read an interesting article yesterday from a little newspaper called "The Chronicle", published here in Wichita. The article was on a fast growing ministry in Lakeland Florida headed by a man named Todd Bentley. Apparently, this charismatic preacher began revival meetings on April 2, and intended only to be there for a week, but on July 9 finally wrapped things up. This man has some strange ideas which are rather controversial and which deserve a second or third glance. Some of his claims: he has been visited by many angels, he has seen Jesus in the flesh, he has visited the "third heaven" and seen the Apostle Paul's cabin, where, just in case you were wondering, Paul told him that he and Moses together wrote the book of Hebrews. Oh, and did I mention the angel "Emma", who visited him and sprinkled him with some sort of gold dust, indicating he would achieve financial success as well. Just 3 weeks after the visitation, he received the largest offering he had ever received to that point in his ministry, thousands of dollars (he declined to be specific).

His ministry also claims to be healing people. A local pastor from Hesston went to Florida and states he was healed, as well as several of his congregants - the pastor himself made two visits.

Google Todd Bentley and you will find info on Wikipedia about him, as well as the FreshFire website, and http://www.toddbentley.org/, which states that he is a false prophet (I guess those that put the website up decided to capture that domain using his name before he could, knowing that people will search there first.)

Come on, people. There will be many who come in Jesus' name, and who will dispense false teachings, telling people what they want to hear instead of the truth. Mr. Bentley is in the same ranks as Creflo Dollar, Joel Olsteen, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, and many others who teach questionable doctrine, but yet, who are laughing all the way to the bank with your money. Be wise as serpents! Know what you believe! Test everything you hear, even from your own church pulpit. Your church leaders should welcome the opportunities for people to scrutinize and examine what is said - and question it if necessary. Don't accept "warm-spit" doctrine.