Prayer Against The Spirit of Hypocrisy

Click link: Research conducted by Barna; image courtesy of the site article

All of us are hypocrites, especially after reviewing our unfulfilled New Year's resolutions for the previous year. Well, it's the beginning of 2018. There is always hope to reverse, to correct, to grow, to evolve away from addictive behaviors: self-hatred, unforgiveness, anger, pride, impatience, unkindness, ignorance, self-importance. And you thought I was going to rattle off addictions like overeating, alcoholism, over-the-counter drug dependence, heroin addiction? No. Those are just the results of the first set of soul problems.

I hear some have made their 2018 resolution to be become kinder, gentler persons. Admirable. How is one kind to someone who abuses and bullies you and sees your "kindness" as a weakness? Christ said "turn the other cheek." In other words, tell the individual, "If it will make you feel better, slap me on this other cheek as well, even harder this time; all so you can feel better and stop your obvious misery. Your emotional needs are more important than mine." But of course, one must say it with the power, truth, sincerity and conviction with which Christ spoke; that is with the anointing of the Living God. Ah, well. There's the rub.

The present day political leaders and leaders of evangelical Christianity, (you know who they are) remain far from this conviction to offer up to their enemies their other "cheek" (ego, if you will) to be slammed even harder the second time. Fear, unrighteousness, arrogance, emotional imbalance, all of the nihilistic impulses in the human soul forbid such a generous yielding up of one's power with strength and purpose. Just think of it. Would the current president "turn his cheek" to Hillary Clinton to receive a second slap from her? Would he ever publicly bow with humility to her to make her "feel better and stop her obvious misery?"

Click link: Research conducted by Barna; courtesy of the site article

The thought is absurd. The current president knows no humility, no conviction to serve others. He has no inner power to admit fault. With him all is his greatness and his overwhelming success, these mantras despite their abysmal error, despite his unpopularity, despite his self-dealing tax break which he misstated would cost him money and not be beneficial to him or billionaire donor friends. Lies, misstatements, hypocrisies have characterized his presidency from the moment he swore allegiance to a constitution he disdains and refuses to uphold (adhere to the emoluments clause, serve the people of the US, uphold the Bill of Rights and amendments, etc.). Hypocrisy is his portion as he squats on and defiles the chair of power which he is unfit to sit in to serve all Americans of every race, creed, color, economic level.

The sweeping hypocrisies of his avowal that he is a Christian and embraces Christianity are particularly egregious given his character, background and TV aired proclamations about women. One thing is certain. Surely, he loves money. His presidency has been enriching his bank accounts while he sticks his travel expenses, security, and 113 golfing outings at his own resorts to the American people ($77,000,000 to date). Luxurious living while there are children, elderly and families who are barely to make it to the next day and indeed, many do not? Beyond cruel and brutal. Nevertheless, what can they give this man who abides by quid pro quos. They are the invisible, the powerless, the politically de-citizenized. Surely, Republicans don't see them, hear them, speak of them. The scripture says the love of money is the root of all evil. Then what are we to say of those who enrich themselves on the backs of the un-mighty poor and middle class? That they are evil? God forbid.

(courtesy of Cameron Buettel, see article from site)

However, this is probably nearer the case. The Bible says "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven." For literal Christians who take the Bible literally, I defy them to interpret that with symbolism. It is saying anyone rich, has an impossibly hard time to enter God's Kingdom or the Kingdom of the spirit or righteousness or the Kingdom of Loving thy neighbor as theyself. Thus, by their actions, not their words (Christ said this to his followers about the Pharisees and Scribes) do we know them; and by their fruits, what they produce. What the current crop of Republicans and their donors and their leader (not ours) have produced is straw, chaff, not wheat. It will be burned.

Those who are in the Kingdom of Heaven see after Spiritual things; they do not live by their egos. God reigns in their lives as their first love. Is it possible to believe that someone who violates God's second commandment (love thy neighbor) is behaving as one who puts God first? Money appears to be first in the president's life. Or else why would he have gone bankrupt four times? Why would he borrow billions, perhaps with his family almost 1 trillion dollars from an adversarial power, then cover it up and obfuscate by not showing his taxes which he said he would? 

Money is of paramount importance to him; hence the billions borrowed and covered up. He has enriched himself in the presidency pushing foreign leaders to stay in his hotels and Mar-a-lago. The tax breaks which will yield for him alone $15,000,000. Is this just a coincidence? No. He acts like he loves money, worships the Golden Calf and Mammon. It is one thing to admit, "I am about money at your expense. If some have to die to give me my money, so be it." However, the opposite is proclaimed; "the tax cut will not benefit him." Lies, hypocrisies! The arrogance of the lie and the hypocrisy shocks. But it is real. And this trend of lying shows no sign of abating, for the president shows no sign of remorse. He shows no recognition that lying and betraying the trust of the American people is wrong. He thinks lying to underlyings, officials, governments, respected, ethical citizens is all right. Demeaning them with his lies and hypocricies is fine. Treating them with such self-serving abuse is fine. Defrauding the American people is legal because he is the law. Since when is criminal, sociopathic behavior to defraud constitutional? Since when is such abuse of the 99% of the citizens loving? Since when does God advocate such abuse and call it loving? I thought God is love?

Worship of the Golden Calf: courtesy of artist Andrea di Lione, see website)

To not recognize such behavior for what it is when Christ tells us to discern after the spirit shows complicity. These behaviors must be called out. That Christian leaders do not call this behavior out indicates their poverty of spirit. Their silence brings into question their own steadfastness and integrity as Christians. Indeed, they appear to be worshiping man for the tax breaks he can give them or for political purposes. This is not like the early Christian church which had to meet in secret for their very power was a danger to the Roman empire. Present evangelical political leaders are complicit with wrongdoing and fraud and deceit if they do not speak out. That suggests God has been placed last. Where is the strength and power of a church which will stand against hypocrisy? Will they turn from their ways or fall into the ditch as blind leaders of the blind?

If man and womankind are made in God's image, is the president not looking at the kingdom of heaven or God when he sees Muslims or blacks or Hispanics, or colored people or the poor or average Americans? However, all are in the image of God and all are dear human beings that deserve equal treatment under the law. This is a fundamental right which our constitution upholds and which should be upheld as European democracies uphold it to attempt to create a social, cultural environment which is more economically equitable, sound and viable. The president and white, male millionaire/billionaire donors and Republican Christians have upheld they are to be served first at the table. The poor are not only not offered a place anywhere near it, they cannot even pick after the crumbs underneath it. They have been thrown into hell where various of the president's donors believe they belong.

Such alt-right donors believe the rich deserve the spoils of heaven. (where the Golden Calf is God) This obvious blasphemy was followed by the Puritans of Salem Witch Trial fame; they used decrying witches as a land grab to enrich themselves. They put the indigent in stocks; they were uncharitable to the poor; they believed if you were rich you made it into heaven, a direct contradiction of scripture (the poor beggar who was accepted into Abraham's bosom, as told by Christ). They persecuted the Quakers who were true Christians and who followed Christ's perfect law of love. The Salem witch trial Puritans melded religion and politics for their own greedy purposes. That vile pre-chapter of American history reveals how the melding of church and state is potentially dangerous. It is also against Christ's teachings: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and what is God's God." Clearly, they are different kingdoms; there is a separation between the two in wisdom. One is the world, the other the Kingdom of Heaven. In this current melding of evangelical Christianity with politics, there is the abuse of power, the constitution and Christ's very tenets.

Follower of Hieronymus Bosch Christ driving the money-changers from the Temple (courtesy of the site)

Another hypocrisy is intolerance. He says he is a president of all the people and yet the optics reveal he is the president of only white wealthy men and donors to his PACs. Tolerance of diversity is a mandate of the president as constitutional leader. He has vacated this mandate that he historically deplores. He prefers white people, with millions of dollars and they happen predominately to be men. He does like rich or poor attractive, young, vulnerable, voiceless, powerless girls or women he can "move on like a bitch." What brand of Christianity is this? The bigoted, privileged, ego-filled Christianity? Surely, that is not Christ; that is not what Paul preached, it is not what the current Pope uplifts, it is not what was followed in Biblical chapters from Romans to Revelation. But the great and professed Christian in the White House has fashioned his brand of Christianity which so-called evangelical Christian leaders embrace. Thus, the hypocrites have profited. They have gained the world and lost their souls. Ultimately, they have no spiritual power; the blind lead the blind and they all fall in the ditch. It is only a matter of time.

Will they, can they be redeemed from their own spirit of hypocrisy in 2018? That is up to Christ. It is a mystery, for no one knows when He comes, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last "trump." And it is a spiritual mystery and different for each soul. It is possible, for "all things are possible with God." However, Christ coming is not a planetary event, a global event where some are physically taken up. That is a mistaken interpretation from a cultish philosophy. His coming to the soul of an individual is personal. And if it happens, the individual begins to turn from his hypocrisies, his arrogances, his old fleshly identity and see with new eyes, the eyes of the Spirit.

Such a revelation would be lovely for Republicans to receive; then they would join the family of mankind, womankind and show empathy to those who are in need: poor children, the elderly, the handicapped, the sick, those in inner cities facing exponentially growing economic inequality. Such a redemption would be lovely for the current president. For then he would empathize with the poor, the middle class, really out of his own compassion. And he would then have the strength of will and courage to come clean, tell the truth, be strong and not just posture strength which must be so exhausting he has to golf one-third of the first year of his presidency to cope with the stress of a dark, hypocrisy-bloated soul.

But the strength to be born of the Spirit and water has to come from God/Christ. No man/woman is capable of it, especially if they have been cowering in fear and hypocrisy all of their lives. Will events in 2018 prompt such remorse leading to redemption for Trump, the Republicans, the compromised Christian leaders? Again, it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. We can only hope it is God's will. The rest is silence.

                  The Spirit of Hypocrisy                         

Oh Lord, you reign in wisdom, love and grace.
Provide us strength when cares we place on you.
The meek, the poor, the patient see your face
Accept your powerful faith and live in Truth.

And those of Spiritual faith? They occupy,
Wait as you shine your brilliance, manifest
Your truth and facts, that hypocrites despise,
Call fake while soul torments bring their unrest.

To live a life unmired by self-hate,
To live with peace, good will toward all in love
Requires courage, righteousness and faith
That overtakes our souls through Christ's sweet dove.

Holy Spirit dethrown the Hypocrite
Cast down that spirit in power, as we resist.

Eschew!

 Prodigal pastors once knew God in the first estate and the first love. If they return, their latter walk with Christ will be greater than their former.

Eschew! I doubt your doubt for it is false.
A prophet you have been of Hell's Belial,
And now you're smote and smoked, though Christ did halt
Your shameful fate which you'd withstood a while.
And now you recognize the gift how great
God's Glory, Truth and Light does keep us free.
And how His dear, sweet Love has sealed your state,
To righteous Truth and Grace to in Him be.
Recall remembrance. Once in faith were strong.
Once did know His coming in your soul.
Once In freedom you did sing Christ's song,
Once His knowledge, wisdom, strength, your goal.
Return to Him! Proclaim His Will always.
Your former joy returns in Christ, the Day.

Persecution of the Righteous

The lack of faith to be as Christ, a son
Does eat at one who knows the difference.
When knowing that the Light in Love has come,
Be unafraid to face this consequence!
But lack of faith would not be manifest
It it's surrounded by unrighteousness.
If everyone's alike in form and dress,
Then there's no seeing all are in distress..
The problem is when one comes in the Light,
Is not afraid to face the Devil down,
And stands for Christ and never stops the fight,
And lets no man* or devil steal his crown.
"Such contrast cannot be allowed," says man*.
"Let's stone him!" But that kingdom's built on sand.

*man and woman

God's Will Never Done

After a revelatory experience and need to return to my roots in Faith, I followed a circuitous route and ended up attending a number of churches birthed on LI from one ministry. If the root is noxious, then the branches are as well. I didn't know that at the time regarding the root of this ministry which is still operating on LI. That story is for another day. Suffice to say my eyes were opened spiritually, not because of the church or the ministry, but because I was seeking the Lord daily in prayer and truth. Actually, being in the church and singing in the choir became frustrating because of what I intuited happening behind the scenes. After a process of two years, I discovered I was right. The minister's will more than the Lord's was being done. The minister of the church that Jessica Hahn went to in Massapequa, NY was connected with Jessica Hahn in more ways than one. We'll leave it at that, though their connection is now public knowledge and a matter of record. And of course, he was and is married. Whether or not they completely conspired to bring down Jim Bakker maybe will never be known. Only God knows. In any case, this sonnet was written 4/28/87. Think Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and PTL scandal and the minister of the church Jessica Hahn went to. (Hahn and the Pastor are still friendly, by the way. Old relationships never die; only old generals fade away.) Jim Bakker is thriving and well, thank God. I do believe he was set up and the media, anxious to tar and feather a preacher, was willingly, yet stupidly duped. Sometimes, I think the wrong preacher was tarred and feathered. The sonnet is NOT about Jim Bakker. It is about those (including ministers) who were judgmental and jealous of Bakker, contributed to his downfall and may have been happy that he was "tarred, feathered and run out of his ministry."

Perhaps you were appointed for crass deeds
To bring His purification of His sons.
Perhaps corruption is the fallen seed,
You do prefer lest God's will would be done.
And ignorance your lot and portion great,
And pride and evil's kingdom what you'd build
To reassure yourself your earthen state
Is what your worshipped idoled self does will.
And maybe satisfaction, joy and grace
Are shams instead of Word becoming Life.
Perhaps you do prefer a Death Mask face
Then supernatural justice, power, might.
Oh Father! Where' the fault within this kind?
My child, these say, "My will be done, not Thine."

Hypocrites Playing Church

In 1987 the evangelical church underwent a cataclysm from which it never recovered. It was the Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker debacle and Jerry Falwell, someone who was not an evangelical Christian sought a way to destroy someone he despised. Bakker allowed him to succeed and the Christian community suffered. At the time I was attending a church whose pastor was carnal, conflicted and unregenerate, but who was lost in this "preaching business" without a "way out."  The problem was he had lost his first love and had been misdirected by foul birds of the air (evil spirits) and other manifestations by not really seeking The Lord for a revelation. Without a vision people surely perish in carnality. This is dedicated to him and his followers, some of whom couldn't discern properly after The Spirit.

 Oh Lord, I see the maggots playing church,
Dressed for the funeral they dance, parade
Around the carcasses and dead flesh birds,
Whilst miming worship, steeped in bondage. Jades!
Oh so convinced are they of their great state,
Persuaded that their works have brought rewards,
Proclaiming knowledge that they're Heaven's gates
They preach like they have power in Christ's word.
Beyond the falseness, darkness of their dance,
Christ's Truth does Light my sight to see their games,
Swept up the public, charmed in their cruel trance,
They've alchemized the fake through "Jesus'  Name!"
The Word discerns these maggot preacher men.
In flames Truth's immolation brings their end.

Money Preachers

A number of pastors on LI preach the prosperity gospel. Its popular allure in the economic downturn, is a boon for the collection plate because to "get" from the Lord you have to "give" sacrificially to the pastor, God' representative. For those who are nearing the poverty level, oftentimes, multicultural populations, this may sound logical after hearing another derivative of the message, another iteration of the Biblical verse, Luke 6:38, "Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down shaken together shall men give unto your bosom."

 The New Testament, especially, is uplifting and overcoming. However, it's quite another bowl of sauerkraut to interpret most scripture as uplifting toward monetary riches. Well being is what the good news gospel is all about; it brings us through good times and bad. Men and women of wealth who have risen from one class to the next (Oprah, Gates, Buffet) were motivated not by riches but by a passion for the thing they loved doing. From my churchy experiences which I will share at some point, I found that pastors did not exhibit a love either for preaching, their sheep or the gospel "business." It was mostly a frustration. It should have been a blessing, despite the ups and downs which always do come for all, even for the entitled: i.e. the Queen of England, George Soros, the Rothchildes and Lloyd Blankfein.

                      Mad Money Pastors
When pastors preach prosperity "for" the Lord
When they cast down and prostitute His Word,
When they demand your payment to afford,
Materialistic lifestyles, showy lures,
When they would sell their body, soul and mind,
For cash and coin to vaunt their vision of
Their self, spectacular and so "refined,"
To "represent" the glory of Christ's love,
When they demand a luxurious life estate
And treasured artifacts then entertain
Whoresons and pimps who'd hang Christ on a stake
And maul His sheep without one thought of shame.
Such pastor Philistines do worship Baal.
Oh Christ! Your Light of Truth their souls impale!

Hypocrites: Carnal Pastors

 True repentance leads to true peace, love and joy. When one is a half-hearted Christian still repeating the same tormenting mistakes, the same regretful actions, like a whirlwind that catches up a house and destroys it, their soul is stretched with guilt, denial and arrogance. I've seen churchmen stand at the pulpit and pray, not believing for either themselves or their congregants. I have seen them go through the motions, acting their way through the sermon, but none of the repetitive words coming out of their mouths cleanse and change their lives. As a result, becoming bloated with sin, eventually their "actions" incriminate themselves and someone blows the whistle.

Jerry Falwell's gluttony superseded his pure walk in Christ. His carnality was evident on his body. His heart gave out from the strain. Jimmy Swaggart condemned sinners and was adept at hiding his own addiction from himself and his relationship with the Lord until a whistleblower found him out. W.V. Grant, Gene Profeta (minister of Jessica Hahn's church) Benny Hinn and others were exposed for their financial irregularities and Grant and Profeta went to jail. Jesus railed against the pharisees who placed burdens on the people and were bloated with sin themselves.

When whoresons pray no blood for cleansing's found
No purity have they to face the Lord
Defiled their prison house, unclean, unsound.
Of doubt and doublemind and unwhole Word
Unsteady markmanship their thoughts betray
The Lord can't hear their pleas. He knows them not.
No sacrifice of love in pig pen's sty.
Of prodigal way their law damned souls do rot
And yet, the law fulfilled is the only way
The Father then does see and hear their cry
In double paradox of death arrayed
They're lost from Him as Him they do defy.
Their blood must drop and drain instead of Christ's
For trashing Christ pure blood, torment's the price.

You Can't Believe For Others

One of my biggest frustrations was when praying for family and friends, so wanting them to be prayer partners or just believers in Christ. I am the only one in my family who believes in Christ, prays in tongues, and has spiritual gifts, recognizing that the fruit of the spirit is how to discern fellow believers. Actually, I am maverick Christian. I do not "follow" the political tenets of evangelical Christianity, adhering to every wind and doctrine that "the group" listens to and abides in. I am guided by prayer and the inner witness. In any case, I have learned to "wait on the Lord" with regard to family and friends and be lead of His Spirit, using wisdom, knowing when to "open my mouth" or be silent, and especially knowing it's not my work that counts, it's His and He has a time for everything. My time is inconsequential and immaterial. Norman McClean demonstrates this beautifully in his work A River Runs Through It made into a film of the same title directed by Robert Redford. The film always makes me cry at the end...for the family, my family and the poignancy of love. All we can do is love our families, pray for them and wait on the Lord to do the rest.

Hence, the poem below. We can never judge or imagine how someone will come to Christ. Indeed, we may be surprised to learn who is with Him after they passed. In the last, the thief on the cross believed...and he was a thief. In that instance, belief spoke louder than his previous actions.


                           You Can't Believe For Others

You can't believe for others if in Christ they're not ordained.
The lesson's hard the lesson's true, but it will keep you sane..
The faith that God drops in your heart is sacrificed with pain,
Because the joy that follows fast will bring the latter rain.

The paradox of life's extremes is only balanced when,
You se beyond your shallow dreams to understand God's plan.
Ordained your footsteps, actions ordained the Truth will be revealed.
You need to know Satan personally before the Lord's revealed..

To see your prayers come to pass words you once spoke were death,
You must fight God with all you strength to abide in His Life's breath.
To be a righteous holy one you have to pay Law's debts.
You have to be a pharisee before you'll be Christ's strength.

Now if your sight is inbetween then what you need to do
Is move to one or the other extreme then balance will come to you.
The men whose limbs do stride the fence are paralyzed can't move. 
The violent ones who know life's done begin new life in Truth.

Christian Divisiveness, End

Oh Father! Spiritual growth comes not in haste
One must renounce the world's compelling force
Abide in You so others see Your grace
In our actions, love and true life's course.
And I do yearn Christ's followers' unity.
Reveal Your love, forgiveness, temperance.
If Christians One, renewed in Christ's body,
No room for chaos, hatred's happenstance.
The spirit of Antichrist would make men blind.
And carnal, lying prophets would obscure,
Your Love and Joy and Peace to peoples' minds,
Your Grace and Power and Truth always endure.
Oh Father, join your servants in Your will,
To Love, Forgive, so racism...Peace Be Still!

Oh Father, I Cry Out...

Years ago in my experience with pastors and churches that were evangelical Christian, I recognized events that were happening that others in the church did not. It sometimes became a source of friction that could not be smoothed or abated for lack of understanding or communication. As much as I tried, I was incapable of conveying my feelings or knowledge. When I finally did relate some of my concern, it often was picked up and used by others to their own advantage without acknowledging the source which for them would have been folly. The benefit was theirs and I was often tarred to demote my impact and significance. I eventually left the churches  stronger and wiser. But it was a cruel time for me yet helpful because I sought the Lord and grew closer to Him in prayer of the type visible in this sonnet. (5/20/1988)



Oh Father, I cry for Your Truth and Love.
This son's* been birthed. The Lamb's been born in me.
And on my shouldered bosom reigns Your Dove,
For all the churchy folk to watch and see.
But few of them do see the work you've done.
They disallow the force you've made my mind.
And overthrow that You in me have won
By making me not of you, but their kind!
And then I'm forced to watch as other "sons,"**
Appear to take the golden ring of You.
Freedom engendered by me, pure Christ son,
They don't acknowledge freed them toward Your Truth.
Oh Father! When will I be recognized
As Kingdom*** Son and not be so despised?

*son:  relates to a man or woman in Christ who has grown to a profound spiritual state
**"sons":  false sheep; coattail riders; wolves in sheep's clothing
***Kingdom: Inheritor of God's Graces and Wisdom with efficacy and power by Faith.

What is True?

This was written in 1988 after the Tammy Faye, Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell episodes had driven PTL toward bankruptcy and had upended Pat Robertson's proposed candidacy for President. By then I had stopped attending the church (I began attendance in 1984.) that had spawned Jessica Hahn.  (The Full Gospel Tabernacle in Massapequa, NY). Evangelical Christianity was perhaps earning its just rewards; the pure at heart were being shaken to the core. The corrupt at heart were being put in a centrifuge, rending out all the waste, chaf and excess fat until nothing was left and there was barely enough for the vulture press to feed on. It was a great day for Grace and Truth to shine, if anyone had eyes to see and knew WHERE to look.

                    Pimps of Christ

Oh Father, show me all Your secret truths.
Your plan, Your will. Unravel all Your Life
In me, and strengthen me, lead me unto,
Those heavens* purified by chastened might.
Why did my life you people with male whores
And pimps of Christ those pastors lost and shorn?
Upon what lethal seas, foam filthy shores
Would you walk me, in wholeness, peace adorned?
Have I been placed on lee on vale and hill
Of Earth to vainly purpose actions void?
Or have you fated me to churn and spill
The stones of Christ You melt to gold alloys?
My Father in Your Glory weld me to
Your Love, the Light the future holds in You!

*people who purely live their faith demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (the kind that sacrificed their lives so that Jews might live during the Holocaust...Corrie Ten Boom)  Corrie Ten Boom Museum