Always remember – bad doctrine can result in very poor living, and a very smelly bathroom.
Recently a woman and her pastor were busted by the Juneau County Sheriff’s Department in Wisconsin. The crime? Keeping a dead body on the toilet seat in the ONLY bathroom in the house.
At this point you might ask: Why did the woman have a dead body sitting on her toilet?
The answer: Because her pastor/bishop (Alan Bushey) told her that if she prayed hard enough God would bring the woman (Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth) back to life.
Oh, and did I tell you the woman, Tammy D. Lewis, had two children ages 12 and 15 (male and female respectively). They had to use a bucket in the closet as a bathroom.
Am I saying that if you follow T. Dexter, Creflo, or a host of other pimps you might end up with a dead body on your toilet, stinkin’ up the whole house? Certainly not. But you will depart from the truth and power of the Gospel you will miss all of the blessings, the real blessings, God has provided for the believer.
Doctrine is important. Without right doctrine you cannot live the Christian life. Without right doctrine, you cannot grow in Christ; you cannot, as it says in Colossians 1:10 “…be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual understanding…and increase in the knowledge of God.” It just won’t happen.
Instead, you will get wrapped up in chasing money (while looking spiritual), rebuking Satan (while he keeps you blinded), and making your kids go to a closet to take a crap because grandma is sitting on the toilet.
I have one word (sort of) for this,EWWWW!!!
Melvin, I see you filed this under “Christian Living” - LOL
At the risk of sounding callous (more than usual, perhaps) when are people going to GET A CLUE?
I predict (oops, better not dabble in prophesy!) it is only a matter of milliseconds before the apologists come out with their psychobabble of how this poor woman was victimized by her “superior”. She’s not at fault because he brainwashed her, etc. etc. etc. blah, blah, blah…the old, “no one is responsible for their actions” nonsense….
No, like you said Melvin, it’s another example of ‘chasing money’ -
~For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (Timothy 6:10)
Just think how this has affected the children…
I have been part of this blog almost from its inception which in all reality hasn’t been that long seeing PP.Org has only been around for a few years. That being said, I am having a difficult time grasping my mind around the twisted scripture being foisted upon people resulting in this nonsense. Let me clarify. Just when I thought things were bad, they have now become even worse in such a short time. I only hope and pray Jesus returns soon to stop all of this nonsense. It’s things like this that can make one actually look forward to the tribulation period.
Kyle
Oh my my my!
More victims of what I call “Silly Sheeple Syndrome”!
http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/the-silly-sheeple-syndrome/
@Phillyflash: Thanks for putting some focus on Todd Bentley. He is currently “imparting” his so-called anointing and teaching visualization techniques for going to the third heaven. Look at this report I got in an email about Bentley’s damage. The info comes from Andrew Strom’s website. The fellow who sent me the email has a family member who is caught up in this prophetic movement, but is experiencing severe depression which I believe is coming from the likes of Bentley and his brand of mysticism.
Below is a testimony by Lynn Clark who is a Moderator at our website ‘RevivalSchool.com’. This is what she wrote about her involvement with Todd Bentley’s ministry:
“I decided to check out Patricia King and Todd Bentley and, ignorant of their ‘third heaven’ guided visualizations, attended a five day conference of Patricia King and then two of Todd Bentley’s conferences and began to imagine third heaven visitations - guided visualization - still not realizing that these are actually spirits of darkness - the New Age calls them spirit guides - demons is what they are. And so I bought Todd Bentley’s teaching on third heaven visitations and brought it home to listen to.
“I was in my living room laying on the floor listening to the teaching on how to visualize the third heaven and what to say and was getting caught up into his teaching and all of a sudden I began to
shake uncontrollably and jerk and groan, and no sooner had this taken place I became frozen stiff - I could not move any part of my body and I knew this was a demon trying to take hold of me,
and so with all the effort I could muster I cried out, “God save me - Jesus help me” - and as soon as I cried out to the Lord my body went limp. God spared me that night and I will be forever grateful.
“I spent much of the night in tears asking God to forgive me - and renouncing all the hands layed on me and all the awful deception I had opened myself up to…”
Church Warnings
Further:
“When Todd Bentley conducted a healing meeting in a large charismatic church here in England in 2005, he laid hands on many people who were apparently healed. I know of at least one instance where a pastor’s wife with cancer was prayed for by Todd. Soon afterwards she heard voices in her head telling her to ‘drown herself just like her father did’. The poor woman ended up in a mental hospital, I believe she still has the cancer.
“No-one is following up or keeping records of what happens to people who have hands laid on them by Todd or others like him.
“I have kept records as far as I can, concerning this particular church. Over a relatively short period, there has been a dramatic increase in premature deaths, cancers, marriage break-ups, sickness and disease amongst the congregation where the leadership have allowed this type of ministry into their church. Many people left the church in fear.
“These are the consequences of following this type of ‘ministry’ which no-one is either aware of, or wants to address. I know, I have visited the people in hospital and attended one of the funerals…”
Todd Bentley is dangerous. Here he is on YouTube using “cold-reading” techniques, with the typical shaking and falling phenomena:
Thanks Stan,
This whole Lakeland “outpouring” is troubling on multiple levels!
You’re welcome, phillyflash. I have been keeping track of Bentley for a while since my friend who emailed me alerted me to his activity and practices. You can see what Jesus warns of in the latter days coming more and more into the world.
Through people like Bentley, unsuspecting believers are coming into direct contact with spirits that are oppressing them as long as they go along with the error. It is so important that Christians who know better follow 2 Tim. 2:24-26 so that these people have a chance to recover themselves from the devil’s snare.
Yes phillyflash, I’ve heard of Todd Bentley’s nonsense. This church in Lakeland is pastored by Stephen Strader. His dad Carl had a church in Lakeland too. Carl’s church gave us Rodney Howard-Browne in the 90’s. Remember the “holy laughter” crap? Well, now we’ve got a younger generation doing it again. (++++Melvin had to edit this. It is, as you say, a rumor++++) . Can it get much worse than that? Bentley is a bigger kook than Copeland,Hagin,and DuPlantis put together!
Ex-Wofer,
You think that Bentley is a bigger kook than DuPlantis? I don’t know. Jesse Da Ragin Cajun Duplantis has told some real whoppers in the past. Have you ever heard of his meetings with Jesus? CRAZY!
Kyle
Ah yes, Jesse DuPlantis! Yes I have his book Kyle. “Heaven Close Encounters Of The God Kind.” I’d recommend you buy it used on line. The book is crazy and down right blasphemous in some places! Incredibly ridiculous!
Kyle,
Bentley claims to have visited heaven, met with the Apostle Paul who BTW lives in a cabin in heaven. It was on this visit that Paul allegedly told Bentley that Abraham co wrote the Book of Hebrews with Paul….
http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/todd-bentley-and-the-florida-outpouring/
This guy is a hot mess Kyle..
PhillyFlash,
I agree with you. But just for comparison sake read the “heaven” experience by Jesse Duplantis. BTW in Jesse’s Heaven experience every angel has blonde hair so unless your Scandinavian you might not make it into Heaven.
Kyle
Charisma Magazine ran an article about Bentley’s prison past. (Sept. 2002.) Now,maybe Todd has repented of his criminal past,but he is teaching very questionable things in his crusades. So it looks to be more than just rumor about Todd.
(MN: I’m not saying it’s not. But I need you to provide me sources, hard sources. Which edition? What page, etc? )
Hey Melvin I sent you the link of the Charisma article. The writer is named Billy Bruce. Evidently the story has been out for several years. Check your e-mail. Bentley admits to the wrong doing.
(MN: I’m kind of in a quandry. The report of child molestation is not a rumor, it is something he has admitted to and [as far as one can know such things] felt remorse for. Here is a short riff from Charisma magazine.
His actions don’t make what he says now any more or less true. They don’t make him any more or less saved. The validity of his message is based on the Bible and a right reading of it. However, it is only fair that folks know a guy’s past. What they do with it is up to them.
At the same time, I don’t want to gratuitously provide information about some guy, no matter how much of a doctrinal scum bag he might be.
You can read the complete areticle here. )
And Righter says
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY 2 U 2 MELVIN!!!
Yuck!!!!!!!! what is wrong with these people?!
EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW………….
I’m 17 years old. Common sense [not the Holy Ghost] tells me that if my grandmother has died and the doctors know that they know that they can’t do a single thing, what the beloved woman will need is not prayer and fasting - she needs a funeral home.
It never ceases to amaze me that these sheeple, MNRs, etc. are preparing to suspend their judgement and God-given common sense to believe a man who quite frankly has no Spirit of God in him. I’m a teenager, but I’m gonna go on a limb and say this: that woman needs some Bible, not a pimp preacher
DKAB,
What is crazy about the Pimp racket is the blatant selfishness. Think about it. “It is appointed for men to die once”. God calls the shots not man. Besides, what if their Grandmother was saved? There should be solace in that and by the way Grandma or anyone else who is saved wouldn’t want to return to this dump once they realize what it’s like to be with the Lord.
Kyle
You’re right, Bro. Kyle. It is selfishness that would motivate to take such a bewilderingly weird course of action. Then again, an earth-centred message will produce earth-centred people.
For me it’s not so bad what she attempted, which is bad enough, but come on 2 months?! Ok then bad scripture makes you think you can raise people from the dead but if they haven’t gotten up after a day or two…….. Man really scary stuff how blind someone can become right up there with OCD exorcisms that result in death.
Frankly, if they had REAL faith they would have had her buried and kept praying for her to rise from the grave like Lazarus. I mean, c’mon…when Jesus got to Bethany He didn’t find Lazarus stiff as a board propped up against the family outhouse.
Amateurs.
I’m really hoping that they were just trying to keep Granny’s Social Security checks going and that they didn’t really believe that. My dad calls stuff like this “faith as a weapon of distruction”
(MN: Yeah. Same thing I’m hoping. But somehow, I doubt it. Afterall, you could make things a whole lot easier by just burying the body in the back yard, or down the street, or something. )
But then again maybe they are so duped that every time they got another check in the mail from Granny’s social Security they thought they were reaping their seed harvest.
“Keep her around longer! The checks are still coming in”
Kyle
Righter says “valid point” @ Melvin–:-)
smh.
I had to read that twice. I wonder if she is going to plead temporary insantity. She might have a good case.
Yvette,
I think she should tell the truth that she actually believed in the lies of the Pastor. The WoF/Prosperity Gospel is a cult WORSE THAN MOST COMMON CULTS. Yes you heard me. It is worse. I would even venture to say that this “religion” is more dangerous than Catholicism. I stand by that statement.
Kyle
I’m pretty sure those kids are having nightmares and other disturbances.
That is Crazyyyyyyyy!!!!!
And you said it right Mr. Melvin: Bad doctrine = Non Christian life and no growth in Christ.
PLEASE PRAY FOR US IN CALIFORNIA!
Dear Melvin & PP Community:
I am sure by now that all of you have heard about the unthinkable decision that the State Supreme Court came to on last week, overturning the will of 63% of the voters in California, by allowing the State to start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.
Needless to say, this decision is just the tip of the iceberg as other States will try to follow suit. However, due to the sensitivity of many pastors and civiv leaders alike, there has been well over 1.12 million signatures, which needs to be certified by the Secretary of State, and the measure will be put on the November 4th ballot.
While I do not take Satan and evil lightly, I am confident that with the prayers of the Saints, diligent leg work on the part of people who believe in marriage as God ordained it, that this ruling will be defeated and overturned, consequently, nullifying any so-called “Gay mariages.”
Please pray for us..as well as the entire USA, that we will do what we know is right. Much is at stake, and therefore, we had better not be slothful about this ordeal as it will surely adversely affect us all if allowed to stay this way!
Melvin, I’ve missed the PP blog, and have been wreaking havoc on a few other sites, but I am especially partial to this site. I hope you and the family are doing well.
Blessings to You!
BT