The Good Thing About Not Going To Church

Ephesians 4:30-32, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

I admit that I have a contrarian way of looking at things. God is a contrarian too...

Isaiah 55:58-59, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When I attended the Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola for several months in 2024, I cried often from my pew. I cried when I heard the old hymns of the Christian faith being played beautifully on the church piano. I cried being around God's children.

But then I met the horrible pastor's wife, who is rude and obnoxious to say the least. When I attended their 2024 Memorial Day picnic, Pastor Bill Adams sat in his chair under a tee and never so much as waved to me. He never welcomed me or cared that I bothered to show up as a newcomer to their so-called “church.” I kindly said “hello” to a woman carrying food from the church to the picnic area, but she totally ignored me all three times, which hurt my feelings.

After the picnic they invited everyone to watch a religious film inside the church, so I went. I needed to take my prescription pain medications, and kindly asked the pastor's wife who was standing in the kitchen with a few other females if I could please have some water. The rude pastor's wife said, “Why didn't you get some water outside?” She was so lazy that she refused to walk over to the sink and pour me a glass of water. That is so horrible. This is today's pathetic churches! Shame on Bill Adams' terrible carnal wife; and he is just as carnal.

I titled this article, “The Good Thing About Not Going To Church.” Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) used to wisely say that the easiest place to backslide is in Bible college, because you hear Bible preaching every day of the week and become accustomed to it. The same is true of those who attend church for a long times, three times per week. Bill Adams and his wife have been playing church as a game for so long (for decades) that they have become immune to the Holy Spirit's conviction. I have seen this again and again throughout my life, where people who live a religious life become hardened and calloused toward people.

To be honest, I do not attend church regularly, simply because those ungodly churches keep kicking me out their door. But a good thing, a silver lining to the storm clouds you might say, is that by not being in church on a regular basis my heart has remained tender and submissive toward the Holy Spirit's leading. That is why I cry when I do sit in a church service. My heart is still soft and tender toward God, truth and people. I don't ever want to grow thicker skin. I don't ever want to become tough and calloused like the sinful world (1st John 5:19).

I love what Brother Hyles said about this problem in professed Christians today:

“One of the great sins of Christianity, and especially fundamental Christianity, is this sin of losing our responsiveness; and losing our response to stimuli, or to a given stimulus. That's the first step that sets in when churches begin to die. The first step—no response, no response.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Piping And No Dancing”

Dr. Hyles nailed it! People in today's churches, particularly fundamentalist Baptists, have become cold, unresponsive and calloused toward people. That is why Pastor Bob Gray Sr. recently unfriended and blocked me out on Facebook, as did also Steven Anderson. These two cold-hearted phonies know nothing about God's unconditional love for sinners. They do more harm than good when they elevate hard preaching over compassion and love. People just want to be loved. Positions and titles will come and go, but the way that you treat people will always be remembered. There is a coldness in churches today toward people.

When I attended Campus Church at PCC in 2021, their phony pastor Jeff Redlin just coldheartedly walked away when I told him at their July 4th picnic that I was sleeping homeless in Walmart's parking lot. I had just landed the day before from Guam. I flew 9,000 miles to find out that the wicked Woodspring Suites Hotel in Pensacola abruptly cancelled my 30-day confirmed reservation (which I had reserved over a month in advance) without notice. Redlin couldn't have cared less! 1st John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Sadly, most fundamentalist Baptist churches are spiritually dead today. There is a woeful lack of genuine love, concern and compassion for human beings. The very thought that a pastor's wife would refuse to give a cup of water to a 57 year old man who needs to take his pain medication is alarming. Pastor Adam's rude wife at Smyrna Baptist Church asked me why I didn't get some water outside. I didn't need to take my pain medication outside. She is very wrong and irresponsible as a pastor's wife to antagonize a man who just needed some water. Even the heathen world isn't usually that cruel. Unreal. God will be their only Judge (Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 12:36; James 4:12; Matthew 7:1-2). But I believe in “word of mouth” reviews.

In the months to follow at Smyrna Baptist Church, it became clear that they all hated me because of my website ministry, specifically over my preaching against Pensacola Christian College (PCC) where the pastor's daughter attends. As far as I am concerned, she is a victim of PCC! I make no apologies for preaching THE TRUTH. The Apostle Paul was despised, rejected and hated by phony churchgoers too for telling THE TRUTH. Galatians 4:16-17, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.” PCC zealously affect many churches, but not for good. PCC is wrong on God's simple plan of salvation!

When I attended Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, I saw that they distribute toxic Chick Tracts. Jack Chick (1924-2016) was a religious cartoonist, not a sound Bible preacher. Mr. Chick was wrong on God's simple plan of salvation. Since 1960 they have distributed well over one billion of their poisonous religious Chick Tracts throughout the world. Chick Tracts preach another gospel. Bible repentance does not mean to be willing to turn from your sin.

Am I such a horrible troublemaker because I refuse to go along with PCC's, Smyrna's and Jack Chick's counterfeit plan of salvation, to just pretend that everything is okay and play church while singing pretty songs, dropping some money into the offering plate, and staying quiet amidst blatant false teaching? And to be transparent, I never once brought up any doctrinal matters while attending Smyrna. I was a complete gentleman, but they scrutinized my website ministry and condemned me for telling the truth.

Ladies and gentlemen, somebody needs to preach THE TRUTH...

“The world will go to Hell unless somebody is authoritative!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “I Shall Not Be Moved”

My only crime is that I cared enough to TELL THE TRUTH. It is shocking that human behavior is so corrupt that even professed Christian leaders would be calloused and unresponsive toward truth and hurting people. In August of 2024, Bill Adams' ungodly wife deliberately approached me in a Sunday morning church service to shake my hand, but when I did she suddenly looked hard right 45 degrees off at the wall with an impudent face to diss me. She wanted to offend me, hoping that I would leave and never return. I am not that shallow.

I contacted her husband, the pastor, when I got home, but he completely ignored me. I reached out to Pastor Adams again a few days later, and to his secretary in case he was away. I mentioned in my correspondence to Pastor Adams that I am divorced, suffering from chronic neck pain with burning nerves and related health afflictions, and would appreciate his friendship. His response, to his utter shame, was to completely ignore me. Great pastor, huh? Of course I never went back, who would? They got their wicked way. John 8:45, “And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

These ungodly hypocrites have joined together with the deadly cult at Pensacola Christian College. PCC's present net assets is roughly $650,000,000. Their college president Troy Shoemaker gets paid $219,000 per year. That is sickening! PCC are not serving the Lord, they are serving their own bellies, preaching another gospel...

Romans 16:17-18, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

The good thing about not going to church these days is manifold.

First, you won't be corrupted by another gospel in the case of PCC's Campus Church and all the fake churches (like Smyrna Baptist Church) that wickedly support and bid their college Godspeed. Other corrupt churches in Pensacola include: Victor Baptist Church, Family Baptist Church, Bible Baptist Church, Fairfield Drive Baptist Church, et cetera.

Second, you won't become so used to going through the motions of playing church that you are no longer sensitive to the conviction of the indwelling Holy Spirit if you are saved. I don't want to lose my tender heart for Christ. I am a caring person. That is why I make an issue over false doctrine that affects where men will spend eternity. Right doctrine matters!

The Importance of Local New Testament Churches

I am not endorsing staying home from church. Pastor Jack Hyles spent the third act of his life preaching THE BOOK (the inspired King James Bible), THE BLOOD (Jesus' literal liquid blood sprinkled upon the heavenly Mercy Seat), and THE BODY (the importance of attending a local New Testament church). I believe those truths as well. But sometimes staying home is truly the best option. I am often encouraged by this passage from Michael Bowen...

According to many verses in the bible, especially those warnings God gave to us through Paul in the book of Galatians, you should never listen to anyone’s message that runs counter to the message given to us by Christ, and you should never attend a church where the pastor tells the flock that they must add works of discipleship to faith in Christ’s “finished work” as the way to enter heaven. That’s exactly the reason why I no longer attend any of the local churches in my current hometown. [emphasis added] —Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” p. 115

I am glad to know that I am not alone in my difficulties with local churches. In fact, as a faithful minister of the free grace Gospel, I have gratefully received tens of thousands of emails over the past 24 years from people around the world, many from hurting people who cannot find a doctrinally sound church to attend in their area. If that is you, you are not alone friend.

God knows that I do not hate those corrupt pastors and churches. Ironically, I had extended an olive branch of friendship to Marty Herron at the Harvest Baptist Church on Guam, and to Jeff Redlin at Campus Church at PCC, and to Bill Adams at Smyrna Baptist Church. Sadly, none of them wanted to touch me with a 10 foot pole. I know how our dear Savior felt, who was prophesied about in Isaiah 53:3, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” The prophet Isaiah penned those inspired words 700 years before Christ lived on earth. Jesus was a man despised and rejected by people.

What saith the Scripture? 2nd Timothy 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” To the wicked world their Bible only contains two words, “Judge not” (Matthew 7:1a). We see and hear it all the time from the heathen world.

In June of 2024, Canadian singer Justin Timberlake was arrested for a DUI after dining at a hotel in New York. The next day the media asked singer Billy Joel who dined at the same hotel what he thought about the arrest, and Billy Joel interestingly quoted Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” The ironic and interesting thing is that Mr. Joel is an avowed atheist who is quoting the Holy Bible:

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — Music legend Billy Joel spoke Tuesday afternoon about Justin Timberlake’s arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated on Long Island.

The “Piano Man” was eating at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, the same East End town where Timberlake was arrested earlier Tuesday morning.

“Judge not lest ye be judged,” Billy Joel told PIX11 News.

Timberlake was arrested after police pulled him over for allegedly not stopping at a stop sign and failing to keep right twice, according to court documents. Timberlake’s mug shot was released Tuesday evening. SOURCE

John 15:19-20, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”

I think it is tragic that along with the heathen world, most of the clergy today are no better. The vast majority of churches and Bible colleges have turned sour, preaching another gospel. People are out of necessity leaving the churches to find a closer walk with God. The Lord never intended for local churches to become mere fun centers, retirement clubs and spiritual museums for self-righteous relics. Today's churches are pathetic!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Stupid Country Of Sweden

Proverbs 13:24, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

Proverbs 23:13, “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.”

The inspired Holy Bible teaches that parents must spank disobedient children to teach them to be responsible. God put that padded area on the backside for a reason, for spankings. Yet, the wicked liberals in the country of Sweden think they know more than God does. You couldn't make this stuff up! Since 1979, the government of Sweden has outlawed spanking children...

The first anti-spanking law in the world. Historical background to the Swedish legislation

In 1979, the International Year of the Child, Sweden became the first country in the world to prohibit all physical punishment of children. That same year, the Swedish Ministry of Justice financed an information campaign on TV and other mass media. 

The law was discussed in schools. It was advertised on milk cartons and a brochure called “Can you bring up children successfully without smacking and spanking? was distributed, in order to introduce the law and the reasons for it. The brochure also referred to family support services that provide advice and assistance to families and children who find it helpful to talk to someone outside the family.

The brochure was disseminated to all households in Sweden and was translated into English, German, French, and Spanish and into some other immigrant languages. SOURCE

Two generations later and Sweden doesn't know how to handle their criminal youth...

Sweden Mulls Prison For Young Teens As Violent Crime Rises 

Andreas Noll | June 7, 2026

In the fight against escalating gang crime, Sweden's parliament will vote on plans to hold 13-year-olds criminally responsible and, in serious cases, imprison them. Other European nations are also lowering age limits.

Children aged 13 and 14 should still be in school. But in Sweden, young teenagers are being recruited by criminal networks to carry out attacks and contract killings — even shooting people in broad daylight.

Under Swedish law, those under the age of 15 are not criminally liable, a fact that is being exploited by organized crime and gang members who often operate out of sight. Under current laws, children cannot be convicted as criminals, but instead fall under the jurisdiction of social services and youth welfare.

But in its battle against rising gang violence and organized crime, Sweden wants to toughen its legal tool set. Parliament has already approved a measure allowing 15- to 17-year-olds convicted of serious crimes to serve prison sentences in specially adapted juvenile units.

In addition, the government plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 on a trial basis for particularly serious offenses. This would apply to crimes such as murder, manslaughter, serious bombings or other offenses carrying very high minimum sentences. SOURCE

Oh foolish government of Sweden! Ecclesiastes 8:11, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” That “sentence against an evil work” should begin with proper spankings when a child is old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. Sweden's leaders are absolutely insane to outlaw spanking children, which the Lord commands parents to do.

The government of Sweden are in direct opposition to God almighty, and their society is paying for it dearly. Teen crime is out of control in Sweden. So much so, that they want to lower the age limit to incarcerate 13 year old teenagers. What next, 10 year olds? Instead of permitting parents to properly spank their own children as God commands in His inspired Word, they'd rather put the undisciplined misbehaving adolescents into prisons. What fools for leaders!

Furthermore, Sweden has the highest divorce rate in the European Union, with around one in two marriages ending in divorce. This trend has remained consistent over the past two decades. Gee, I wonder what caused that?

Sweden is considered the most feminist country, with 46% of its population identifying as feminists, and it is often viewed as a leader in gender equality due to its comprehensive policies and social protections.

Sweden is considered one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world, with progressive laws supporting same-sex marriage, adoption, and anti-discrimination protections. The country has a high level of social acceptance for LGBTQ individuals, making it a welcoming destination for the community.

Starting to get the picture? Instead of training up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, they've raised up a couple generations of spoiled brats who are now out of control. Sweden has tragically become a modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah. Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Evangelist Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

Ancient Romans Considered Life In Prison Inhumane

Proverbs 12:10, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

This video is very interesting, about punishments in ancient Rome.

Here's What It Was Like For Prisoners In Ancient Rome

Incarcerating citizens for life was unheard of in ancient times...

Wealthy Romans and government officials grappled with how to confine individuals ethically. Figures like emperors and jurists criticized imprisonment as a form of punishment, suggesting it should only serve to keep individuals until their trial or penalty was decided. Execution was common, especially for serious offenses.

During this period, provincial governors were restricted from condemning anyone to life imprisonment. Prominent Romans, if punished, often faced house arrest or opted for exile instead. Overall, this led to a growing network of holding areas, which included underground dungeons, private creditor-owned jails, and even family homes with makeshift cells. The increase in places of confinement reflected a society grappling with complex legal and social changes. SOURCE

As of early 2020, there were 1,465 people serving Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) sentences in the United States for crimes committed before turning age 18. This number has been decreasing as more states eliminate such sentences. I think such cruel sentences should be outlawed completely! I wish we'd get rid of prisons entirely. God never intended for humans to be locked in cages, which the good Lord didn't even intend for animals.

That being said, although the ancient Romans didn't incarcerate citizens for life, they did impose cruel forms of punishment. For example: Poena cullei (Latin, 'penalty of the sack') under Roman law was a type of death penalty imposed on a subject who had been found guilty of parricide (murdering one's parents). The punishment consisted of being sewn up in a leather sack, with an assortment of live animals including a dog, snake, monkey, and a chicken or rooster, and then being thrown into water (the alternative was being thrown to the beasts in the arena). Can you imagine?

The penalty for adultery was that the Roman government would confiscate part of your land and wealth. I sure wish we had harsh punishments for adultery in the United States today. The state of Maryland mocks God's laws, imposing a mere $10 penalty for the crime of adultery. Proverbs 14:9, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”

The Unfair Prosecution Of Daniel Holtzclaw

I was reading recently about a former Oklahoma police offer named Daniel Holtzclaw. The sad story caught my attention because Daniel was born in 1986 and grew up on the island of Guam, where I also lived for 17 years (2004-2021). Daniel allegedly abused his position and authority as a law enforcement officer, sexually taking advantage of prostitutes and African American women as a trusted officer of the law. Daniel was convicted by a jury in court. If guilty, which it appears that he is, he certainly deserves to be punished, but 263 years in prison? No way! The average time served in prison for murder in the United States is 17.5 years. What they did to Daniel was politically motivated in my opinion. It is obvious.

I much better like Norway's penal system. Norway's maximum custodial sentence is 21 years, with life imprisonment applicable only under military law. For crimes against humanity, the maximum sentence can be extended to 30 years, but traditional life imprisonment is not used in the civilian penal code. Something is broken in our American court system! They might as well have given Daniel Holtzclaw 263,000 years in prison, leaving him no hope. That is cruel and inhumane. The guy never murdered anyone. He allegedly took advantage of prostitutes who were drug addicts, which hardly puts him in the same boat as a killer.

In the state of Oklahoma a life sentence is considered 38 years. The state of Oklahoma effectively gave Daniel Holtzclaw seven life sentences (263 years) for the crime of rape, which is cruel and unusual punishment. The average murderer in America only serves 17.5 years! They gave him the equivalent prison sentence as if he had murdered 15 people.

Child Rapist Gets Probation In Oklahoma

In February of 2018, a convicted child rapist in Oklahoma was sentenced to 15 years… of probation. Benjamin Lawrence Petty pled guilty to first degree rape and forcible sodomy of a 13 year old girl following his arrest. Petty, who is blind, was issued the light sentence by Judge Wallace Coppedge partially on the basis of his disability. An online petition to remove Judge Wallace received over 60,000 signatures from outraged citizens. Judge Wallace, however, remains on the bench. SOURCE

What is wrong with the justice system in Oklahoma? You crucify one criminal by showing no mercy, but insanely set the next one free? Although I would never exonerate a guilty criminal, I do believe that Daniel is the victim of a politically motivated racial agenda, since all of his alleged victims were black females. The cowardly state's attorney general and politicians were more worried about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton showing up at the courthouse than they were about giving the victims and Daniel justice. You know it's true!

“There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice.” ―Montesquieu (1689–1755)

This quote highlights how tyranny can disguise itself as a legitimate authority, making it more oppressive. Daniel was 29 years old when sentenced. He never should have received more than 20 years time in prison at most, which the victims I am sure would have been content with. But 263 years is cruel and unusual inhumane punishment by an out of control abusive injustice system that wanted to make an example of the poor guy.

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” ―C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)

That's the only reason why officer Derek Chauvin is rotting in a Minnesota prison, for simply doing exactly what his official training taught him to do, by putting his foot on the perpetrator's neck. That man ought not be in prison! He lost his wife, his home, his wealth and his life. George Floyd passed a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenient store (which is why the police were called in the first place), he was high on an assortment of illegal drugs, and he resisted arrest by refusing to get into the police car. What is wrong with our country today? Derek Chauvin, like Daniel Holtzclaw, are both victims of racial pressure upon our legal system. You couldn't pay me enough money to become a police officer in this insane American society today.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE

There Is Such A Thing As Carnal Christians

1st Corinthians 3:1, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”

I ran across a disturbing YouTube video today by Evangelist Phil Kidd, in which he teaches that if you are still living in unrepentant sin you were never really saved. ...

Can You REALLY Lose Your Salvation?
(Evangelist Phil Kidd)

Kindly, Dr. Kidd is making the same error as the Lordship Salvation crowd. In fact, he is preaching Lordship Salvation. I love what Pilgrim's Progress author John Bunyan (1628-1688) said:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan

Phil Kidd is mixing service with salvation. He is confusing discipleship with sonship. He fails to put a difference between the change (fruit) which the Holy Spirit produces versus salvation (justification) itself.

Consider also these helpful words by Pastor M.R. DeHaan (1891-1965):

"There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel, to be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ; discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can't be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." —Pastor M.R. DeHaan, “Hebrews”; Zondervan Publishing House; 1959 (p. 117)

Yes, bravo! Not all believers are disciples! Not all believers choose to walk in the Spirit. The fact that Galatians 5:25 exhorts believers to “walk in the Spirit” proves that some believers don't. The Bible is full of carnal saints who dropped the ball for God, living sordid lives of sin (Lot, Samson, Solomon, Demas). When Jesus raised up from the dead, he found the Apostle Peter butt naked in public. The problem is not the Biblical truth of eternal security which Dr. Kidd denies; but rather, pastors today have stopped preaching holy living and crying aloud against the wickedness of this perverse generation.

There is such a thing as a carnal Christian. The church at Corinth proves this (1 Corinthians 3:1). And the Apostle Paul challenged them to make sure they were saved (2 Corinthians 13:5). But Paul didn't say they would all "fry like a sausage in Hell" (Phil Kidd's favorite line) for being carnal and immature. Like it or not, there are millions of carnal Christians who live open lives of fornication, adultery, substance abuse and misery, but they are saved.

The inspired King James Bible warns if you can sin without any conviction whatsoever from the Holy Spirit, you are a bastard and not a child of God (Hebrews 12:8). That is to say, If you can sin and win you're not in. But there are countless saints today who choose to live another day with the frogs, like Pharaoh who refused to repent when Moses warned him.

I am sick and fed up and tired of hearing ignorant preachers teach that Christians who choose to live lives of sinfulness are not saved. We all live lives of sinfulness. The only difference is that some believers live above reproach, but NO ONE can live above sinning (Romans 7:14-25). Psalm 130:3, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”

I need to warn you about Phil Kidd, because he is a subtle false prophet. In 2020, he preached a heretical sermon titled: 'The Heresy Of Eternal Security,' in which he foolishly says:

This eternal security stuff. They believe that God can move in you, and it doesn’t necessarily change you. [13:22 time in sermon]

I do believe that when someone is indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God, something inside that person's soul will change (2nd Corinthians 5:17). However, the claim of some preachers that, “Where there is fire there will be smoke,” is unbiblical and wrong. I read this heresy on Twitter by Pastor R. A. Torrey (1856-1928):

"Many attempt to be disciples of Jesus and not let the world know it. To be a secret disciple means to be no disciple at all. If one really has received Christ he cannot keep it to himself."

What saith the Scripture? John 19:38a, "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews..." Clearly, the Holy Bible DOES teach that a person can be born-again and yet keep it A SECRET. Beware of everything you read and hear dear friend, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1st John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

Dr. Kidd further states:

You’re distorting the Scripture, if you think the grace of God is a license for you to live ungodly. [14:50 time in sermon]

I fully agree (Romans 6:1-2), but if a believer does choose to use their liberty in Christ to live like the Devil, God's saving grace will more abound (Romans 5:20) so that they do have ETERNAL SECURITY. To wrongly accuse carnal believers of never being saved is unbiblical.

Here is a long quote from Dr. Kidd:

Lasciviousness means a license to sin. I worry about people, that when you address them about something in their life that is Biblically wrong, they say back to me: “Well, I'm saved anyhow it doesn't make any difference.” You didn’t get the same grace of God I got in my heart! Oh yeah, I don’t care if you shout or pout, I don’t care. When you confront somebody about drinking and the first thing they want to talk about is eternal security, that's lasciviousness! When you talk about people and shacking up, and say: “Look here's what the Bible said” and they say: “Well I'm saved anyway,” that's lasciviousness! Here's what your Bible said, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” What’s that grace of God do? “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world.” If you say, “I know Jesus therefore I can live like I want to — that's eternal security,” that is heresy! You have been deceived! You are twisted in your doctrine, and you're gonna fry like a sausage in Hell when you die! You don't live like that and stay right with God. That is heresy! And for all you've fallen-from-gracers and free-willers, and all of you all that are hanging on; the next time I hear you go around talking about Baptists giving people a license to sin, I'm going to flat out call you a liar! I've never given anybody a license to sin. You get born again; you'll get out of the sinning business! [15:11 time in sermon - emphasis added]

Dr. Kidd is very wrong. Now, it is wrong for a Christian to have the bad attitude that they can live in sin, using their liberty in Christ as an occasion to sin; but just because a believer may have that negative attitude doesn't mean that they are not a born again child of God. The very fact that the Bible warns against using our liberty in Christ as an occasion to sin, proves that some believers do use their liberty to commit sin without worrying about going to Hell. ...

Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

This is why we read in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Do you see friend? Do you see what happens if a redeemed child of God chooses to live a lifestyle of sinning? The Bible doesn't warn that you might lose God's free gift of salvation, it says that GRACE WILL ABOUND!!!

We must be alert to the danger of the pulpit. Evangelist Phil Kidd is a FALSE PROPHET!

My Bird “Bebet” Died Yesterday

James 4:13-14, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

I got married in August of 1987. Sadly, my wife of 19 years divorced me in 2006. We both remained divorced and alone for the next 19 years. I wanted to find another wife, but due to my constant neck pain and reclusive personality I never found anyone. I was delighted in 2025 when my former wife agreed to remarry me (I had asked her a dozen times over the years). We were remarried in May of 2025.

But sadly, she abandoned me again in February of 2026, only 9 months into our remarriage. She filed for divorce in June and it was finalized on September 8th of 2026. I told the judge in writing that I did not want the divorce, but it didn't matter. This country is so evil and far gone into depravity today that anybody who wants a divorce can get one. I am heartbroken and lonely again. But my faith in God and website ministry since 2002 keep me going for the Lord. God is faithful (1st Corinthians 1:9). My Redeemer liveth! Job 19:25, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”

When my wife abandoned me in February of 2026, I inherited three Zebra finches (Dr. Pepper, Gigi and Bebet) and a 5-year-old cockapoo dog (Miss Pickles). I had never owned birds before. I learned how to care for them. I gave them spray millet, cuttlebone for calcium, plenty of water and finch food, and chopped up lettuce. They are the only companions I have. Having some small birds and a dog adds life to the house, without which an empty house can feel like a coffin. God hates divorce for a very good reason, because He knows what it does to people.

Yesterday morning a little after 6 am I turned on their cage light. They have a nice 4' tall cage. I didn't see Bebet. She likes to forage at the bottom sometimes, so I looked down there but didn't see her at first. I kept looking up and down but didn't see her anywhere. Then I noticed her lifeless body laying at the bottom and I wept bitterly. My friend was dead. I had fed her every day. I had greeted the birds each morning to acknowledge them as living creatures. I invested into their happiness and did everything I could to give them a good life. I dug a hole in my backyard 18" deep yesterday morning at about 7 am and I buried Bebet with dignity. I know she's just a little bird, but she was my friend and I loved her.

I wept much after I found Bebet dead in her cage yesterday. That is why I never wanted any pets, and these were suddenly abandoned to me; because it is too painful when they die. I hate death! The Bible calls death “our enemy.” 1st Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” Thanks be to God, through faith in Jesus Christ we need not fear death, who took the sting out of death for the saint (1st Corinthians 15:55-56).

I watched Bebet day by day enjoy pecking at her cuttlebone for the calcium she needed to lay eggs. I watched her enjoy eating the food, flying around and foraging at the bottom. I read that birds need 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, so that is what I set their Full Spectrum light for, that I bought for them. Dr. Pepper and Gigi are brothers. Zebra finches only live for be around 4 to 5 years old. I am not sure how old Bebet was. My former wife bought them in 2024, so she is not sure either. But at least I know I gave them the best life I could.

Although I was sad all day yesterday at the passing of my friend, I praised God for His goodness and for the gift of His precious only begotten Son. 1st Peter 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.” 1st Corinthians 1:18, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” I thank God I am born again! I thank God that I am a Christian! This world is a dark place of sin, shame and wickedness.

Life is so short dear friend. Larissa Nicole Rodriguez in Texas died at the age of 17 in October 2025 from drinking caffeine drinks. Chance Gainer age 18, died in September of 2024 while playing football. His heart failed. We never know what another day may bring. In March of 2009, 18-year-old Whitney Hendrickson of Colorado Springs was standing at a gas pump when another vehicle struck hers and pinned her underneath the vehicle, starting a fire. She screamed for help as the gasoline fire slowly burned her alive. Dear reader, today could be the last day of your life. Are you prepared to meet your Creator?

I know Bebet was just a little bird, but God created her. How much more is mankind precious to our Creator? Ecclesiastes 3:21, “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” As I grow older I have a greater respect and appreciation for all living creatures. Bebet was my friend and I already miss her. Watching her play each day was a delight for me, and now that she is forever gone, my heart aches to see her again just for one more day, but I cannot. Life is a veil of tears.

God loves and cares about little birds, and He loves and cares about you too dear reader...

Luke 12:4-7, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

The Bible says that God cares and watches every bird. Jesus said in Luke 12:6 that NOT ONE OF THEM IS FORGOTTEN BEFORE GOD. Jesus tells us this, so that we will realize the extent to which God cares for us too, for even the number of hairs on our head are numbered by God. Think about that!!! If God keeps track of the ever-changing number of hairs on your head and mine, do you think He has missed the malicious people who have hurt you, cheated you, slandered and lied about you, and done evil against you? Not a chance! And the Lord sees all the little good and helpful things that we do as well.

Hopefully you're not the abusive and evil one. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 that men will give account on Judgment Day even for the words they speak. God doesn't miss anything and nothing is too small a matter to our omnipotent and omniscient faithful God. The Bible tells us not to fear mankind; but rather, to FEAR God whose eyes are upon the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

The Bible teaches respect for animals and life. In the law of Moses, God forbade anyone from harming birds in a nest if it was in their way:

Deuteronomy 22:6-7, “If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam [mother] sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam [mother] with the young. But thou shalt in any wise let the dam [mother] go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.”

God is so wonderful! When I first read this Scripture passage, I immediately thought about pregnant Salmon and other species of fish, how they are often released by law to give birth to more fish. It very likely could be that God wanted the mother bird to be able to reproduce again, which is why He insisted that she be released back into the wild. God is a conservationist more than anyone, caring for His earth (1st Corinthians 10:26).

Whether that's what this passage means or not, it is certainly the ethical (right) thing to do to respect motherhood. I think that this Scripture passage is teaching respect for reproduction in life. Look at all the endangered species in the world today, and how many birds and animals are now extinct because of man's recklessness. It would certainly make sense that God, who cared to preserve His creation through the flood of Genesis Chapter 6, would be concerned about the preservation of the different species of life.

Little Things Matter To God

Matthew 10:29-30, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

I was thinking this week about some general observations about people that Pastor Jack Hyles made in a sermon titled, “Who Cares Anyway?,” as he watched some uninterested teens idly pass by their 89 year old great grandmother's casket at a funeral...

“If you have one person in this world, one, in or out of your family, who really cares for you; and will care for you when you mistreat them, and will care for you when you cannot give them a thing; if you have one person who cares for you with Bible care, you're above average.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Who Cares Anyway?”

“If you really care about one person, you're above average.” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Who Cares Anyway?”

Bebet's death reminded me yesterday of how short life is for all of us. Hebrews 9:27 warns that we all have an appointment with death someday. I am ready to meet my Maker. Are you dear friend? Thank you as always for reading my ministry blog. Jesus is precious!!!

Seeing Jesus Will Not Remove Your Doubt

Matthew 28:16-17, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

When I was a truck mechanic, I worked with an older man named Andy in the late 1980s who was an atheist. His wife was a Catholic. One afternoon Andy said to me: “Until God knocks on my door and says, 'This is my Word,' I will not believe.” What a foolish man! My heart goes out to Andy and his family, because unless he repents of his unbelief, Hell will be his eternal home.

Many people have the wrong attitude: “If I could just see Jesus I wouldn't doubt.” Christ had already miraculously risen from the dead. The disciples saw Jesus after His physical resurrection from the dead, yet SOME still doubted. Wow! That is astounding! ...

Matthew 28:16-17, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.”

I cannot even imagine such unbelief. The dear Savior had been spit upon, mocked and beaten beyond recognition, nailed to a cross and crucified to death; yet, some people still refused to BELIEVE. Can you imagine?

On the road to Emmaus Jesus spake with two disciples concerning the rumors of what had happened concerning Jesus. The two men were speculative. Luke 24:25-27, “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” So many people are foolishly “slow of heart to believe” the inspired Word of God. Do you believe the inspired King James Bible dear friend?

When the rich man died in his sleep and woke up in the fires, agony, regrets and torments of Hell in Luke 16:19-31, he begged Abraham to send Lazarus from the grave to warn his five living brothers, lest they also end up trapped in Hell forever. ...

Luke 16:27-31, “Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

The inspired Word of God, in numerous passages as I have shown you, plainly teaches that if everyone could visibly see God and meet Jesus personally, that it wouldn't change a thing. If you are reading this article it is not too late for you to be saved. GET GOD'S GIFT.

Lord Willing

James 4:13-17, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

I cherish this passage of inspired Scripture. The Holy Bible teaches that it is a sin to boast of future plans without regarding the Lord. The Bible says that we don't know what may happen each day. Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Today could be the last day of our life.

The phrase "God willing and the creek don't rise" is an American slang expression that implies strong intentions that may be thwarted by unforeseen events, particularly referencing the unpredictable nature of creeks rising due to heavy rain. Its earliest documented use dates back to 1851, and while some suggest it may refer to the Creek Indians, most researchers agree it relates to actual water bodies and the challenges of travel in rural areas.

I personally don't use the adage aout the creek rising, but I continually preface all future plans, whether it be something that I plan to do in an hour or in five years, with “Lord willing” or “God willing.” I hear 99% of people boasting of their future plans, retirement, travel plans, family plans, et cetera, without saying “Lord willing.” They clearly take their life for granted, and God, assuming that they will be alive down the road.

Unexpected Deaths in The U.S. Are Rising at an Alarming Rate 

by PATRICK Heuveline

The Conversation | June 14, 2023

People in the U.S. are dying at higher rates than in other similar high-income countries, and that difference is only growing. That's the key finding of a new study that I published in the journal PLOS ONE.

In 2021, more than 892,000 of the 3,456,000 deaths the U.S. experienced, or about 1 in 4, were "excess deaths."

In 2019, that number was 483,000 deaths, or nearly 1 in 6. That represents an 84.9 percent increase in excess deaths in the U.S. between 2019 and 2021. SOURCE

We never know what tomorrow may bring. Lord willing we will be here to find out. I am ready to go home to be with the Lord in His good time. Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

I encourage you dear reader, if you are a Christian, to get into the biblical habit of prefacing all future plans with the phrases, “Lord willing” and “God willing.” It is proper and pleasing to God. I have oftentimes used this statement in the presence of unsaved sinners, and they just look at me, but I am not ashamed to be a Christian.

I have a dear neighbour friend who is 86 years old, born in 1940. She invited me to her house one day to help her find her missing phone. So, I called her on my mobile phone to make her phone ring, and she found her missing cell phone. While visiting her home, I saw a dozen oxygen bottles for her COPD condition, which disease makes it hard for her to breathe. My heart breaks for her because she is an avowed atheist and is hostile against the Gospel. She had cancer and needed to surgically have a kidney removed last year. Her cancer is gone for the time being. I offered her a hard copy of Michael P. Bowen's excellent book, “I Never Knew You,” but she adamantly refused it. What saith the Scripture? 2nd Timothy 2:13, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” Her time is running out quickly. All I can do is continue praying for God to work in her soul. One day at a time.

For the unsaved person, God's wrath is abiding upon them every moment of every day of their life according to John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” God's wrath is upon the Christ-rejecter, because they have knowingly rejected God's only remedy for their sin. Every sinner who wilfully rejects Christ has fallen from grace. They have missed the only bus that is going to Heaven, the grace line.

Lord willing, by His grace I plan to keep writing thousands of ministry articles for decades to come, but none of us know what each passing day may bring. Proverbs 27:1, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” I enjoy reading the biographies of famous people. The famous Robin Hood (1938) actor Errol Flynn (1909-1959) died at only age 50 from lung cancer.

So also did Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) die from esophagus cancer at only age 57. At his death Bogart weighed only 80 pounds. He was 5' 8" tall. And John Cazale (1935-1978) died of lung cancer at age 42. So young! They were all chain smokers which ruined their health. I hate tobacco! And then there are people like Dana Reeve (1961-2006) and Donna Summer (1948-2012), two notable examples of individuals who died from lung cancer despite never having smoked. Approximately 15% of patients with lung cancer never had a cigarettes habit.

Rapper Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) was murdered at only age 25 in a drive-by shooting in Sin City Las Vegas. The Bible warns in Hebrews 9:27 that we all have an appointment with death, which time only God knows. River Phoenix died at age 23 from drug-induced heart failure, and Brandon Lee died at age 28 due to an accidental shooting on set.

Other notable actors include Stuart Sutcliffe, who died at age 21 from a brain aneurysm (it is purported that The Beatles' John Lennon caused his death after kicking him in the head); and Heath Ledger, who passed away at age 28 while abusing prescription drugs. Police found Ledger dead in Mary-Kate Olsen's apartment butt naked on the floor. Take a good look at ledger's body bag. When will people ever learn not to abuse drugs?

Olsen and Ledger were living for the Devil...

A report in People said, "Mary-Kate and Heath were casually dating for three months before Heath's death. They were hooking up, but neither was particularly interested in making it exclusive." SOURCE

“Casual dating”? “Hooking up”? You mean fornicating! As a sinner I do not have the right to condemn anybody, but we are all supposed to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24b). Sex outside of a legally binding marriage is sinful. Ledger had also starred in the sickening 2005 homosexual film “Brokeback Mountain” about a sexual relationship between two cowboys. Sick! What saith the Scripture? Proverbs 14:9, “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” It is not a “phobia” to call a sin a sin.

It doesn't surprise me that Health Ledger died in such a shameful manner, when he was living a decadent reckless deathstyle of glorifying sodomy, fornicating and abusing substances. The coroner listed Ledger's cause of death as “accidental overdose.” Wait... What? The guy had bragged to his sister the previous day that he was going to have fun abusing prescription drugs and she warned him not to, but he didn't take her wise advice. That was no accident.

Dear reader, life is unpredictably predictable. No one has ever escaped death. James 4:15, “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Do you obey this Scripture teaching friend?

Many years ago, I was shopping in a Payless grocery store one day when I lived on Guam, and I heard a commercial on the store's radio system advertising one's future retirement. The advertiser spoke so confidently about the day you're going to retire. I couldn't help but think about what the Bible warns in James 4:15 about saying “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” We are living in a Godless culture in America today! I full agree with singer Ed Sheeran that 'America is a scary place right now.'