Wednesday, November 01, 2006

A budding friendship?

If you insist on using last names, I will address you Mr. Wisner.

Mr. Wisner, you say I am afraid to be held accountable. If I were, I would refuse to answer you. And, as you assert, if you are the only one reading this blog, it is well worth the expenditure of time and attention. One life has as much value as all lives. So, whether I’m writing to one, 100 or 100,000 doesn’t make a difference; I am communicating with you.

You say (rather dogmatically, I might add), that I can’t represent knowing a Supreme Being without taking responsibility. (Please explain in greater detail and I’ll respond in kind. )

For now, let me say, if there is no Supreme Being, no God, then you have absolutely no authority to assert anything. Your opinions are simply the imagination of your own mind, a construct of your own ego and have no currency, no meaning and no weight outside your own thinking. If I accepted your opinion that there is no God, I would not waste time corresponding with you because it would be meaningless.

But . . . because I believe there is indeed a God, that He loves and values you as much as He does me, I consider it a happy responsibility to correspond with you. In fact, I am doing more--I am praying for you!

If we were both lost in the desert, and I learned where water could be found, but withheld that information from you, I would be rightly condemned by my conscience and all other moral persons. I have learned where Living Water can be found and I am morally obligated—because of the existence of a Supreme Moral Being--to share this knowledge with you. Of course, as the old adage says, I can’t force you to drink.

Here is what I know: God is our Creator, meaning we are not mere products of chance. Human beings have souls, a “third dimension,” if you will, that has been alienated from the Creator by our own desire to replace Him. As in any relationship, our struggle to dominate results in a chasm between the two: humankind and God. It takes the One in the superior position to reach across the divide. God has done so in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who says to us, “Come, all you who are weak and burdened and I will give you rest.” “Come to me, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Mr. Wisner, the restlessness you experience in your heart, mind and soul can only be settled when you make peace with God by accepting His terms. He is eternally in a position of superiority over us. We can only accept His conditions, not the other way around. Once having accepted those terms, we can relax and know utter and eternal consolation.

I am, as they say, just one beggar telling another where to find bread. I am in no way better than you. In fact, have no doubt that I’m worse than you. Perhaps that’s why God saved me before you. He knew I’d do more damage!

Your apparent anger at me—and, I assume, against God—is proof of God’s existence. Why be angry unless there is something to be angry at? Why waste time seeking to prove that something doesn’t exist? The fact you spend any time on it at all proves that God is worthy of your attention.

Enough said for now. Please know that tonight I am praying for you.

And thanks for reminding me about accountability. My sinful tendencies require that I be reminded often!

Blessings to you and yours,

Rob

10 comments:

Jeff Wismer said...

LOL...All I heard from your rant was blah blah blah...I'm a coward.

It takes a man to accept responsibility and take account for his irresponsible, bush-league actions.

Clearly I was attempting to confront you has a man, and you keep brining your god and jeebus into the conversation. What's wrong Schenck..Can't stand to have the spotlight on you for a while?

A leader doesn't display the irresponsibility and inaccountability that you have historically and repeatedly exhibited. My accusations soley lie with you Schenck, and no one else, so stop trying to play the role of the "artful dodger" and look at yourself in the mirror for once, instead of burying yourself in superstition.

The construct of the superstition you rely on is quite brilliant. No other dogmatic doctrinal ideology preys upon escapism quite as well as religion. For whatever part of humanity ailes you there is an escape that can be found, and the more elaborate the escape the easier it is to dive into it head first.

In this case whatever part of responsiblity and accountability that Schenck preferrs to ignore then conveniently god and jeebus is brought into the equation has a backup and fall out position. Schenck may say "Well the reason I acted irresponsibily and the reason I dodged accountability is b/c god or jeebus told me to, or I read about in a fictional book, or I had a divine revelation".

Schenck's following along these lines of reasoning would make allowances for just about any irresponsible action he does. Schenck only follows a mythical, imaginary, abstract line of thinking so therefore he doesn't need to hold himself accountable for anything irresponsible he does as an adult.

It's very much like a teenager who says "It's not my fault". Truly schenck believes he's right, and who is there to tell him any differently.

And IF and WHEN there is someone who stands up to him, and holds him accountable for his irresponsible actions as an adult male, then he ducks, cuts & run, artfully dodges, and ESCAPES.

Jeff Wismer said...

To further state my objections to the irresponsible choices you've made in your life and to address the lack of accountability you continue to exhibit one can only lead to certain conclusions based on science (you know that methodology that uses reality to to come upon conclusions)...

1. Irresponsible Behavior Pattern

If one continualy displays irrational behavior that leads to irresponsible actions that could mean the person is having trouble adjusting to adulthood, and therefore is stuck in a mental state in which that person needs some kind of mythical "daddy" figure who continually feels the need to discipline the child thru acts of guilt and shame thus the adult never has to learn self discipline when the mythical "daddy" figure administers it for them.

2. No Accountability for actions

When one takes no accountability for their actions and "artfully dodges" away from the inevitable consequences one could be having problems not only adjusting to adulthood, but also isn't aware of the choices they make. One can easily use an abstract being to shift attention away from the choices they've made like the magician who uses the art of deception and distraction so well. One will say it's not my fault b/c one never realized it could be their fault to begin with, thus living in a made up world of no results, consequences, or real choices, like a world without gravity.

3. Escapism

Simply put the extreme fear & hate of one's self...which stems from a larger fear of humanity. The more we can avoid the mirror of self truth and reality, the more delusion one becomes. The best way to avoid humanity and all that it entails, is to fight against it everyday, and to never embrace it for what it is. Sugar-coated reality is what I call it. One doesn't want to deal with their own humanity so they mentally construct an elaborate escape that can be used anytime one wishes. For this person extreme unhealthy fear and extreme unhealthy hate (NOTE: fear and hate is very healthy when used in moderation) consumes this person's life and drives them into more and more elaborate escape routes. One needs to concentrate on the abstract mythical superstitions in order to get thru the day, b/c dealing with their own humanity is too difficult and much too hard. A person of this sort can easily be recognized in public by how aloof and distant they seem compared to the rest of us. To us it may seem that they have no use for living in the real world. One must wonder what made them escape from reality???

Jeff Wismer said...

Rev. Rob Schenck...I love you, let's be friends for forever...I wrote a song just for you and your love for jeeebus...

You know Jeeebus, I've been thinking about you alot lately. Really, That's why I wrote this song...

Jeeeebus, this lamb is hot for you baby...

I love you, Jeeeebus
I want you to walk with me.
Take good care of your baby,
call you my baby, baby.

You died for my sins,
and you know that I would die for you, back.
What's the matter, baby?
You tremblin' Jeeeebus baby

Your love, is my life
you know that if I'm without you,
there's a black hole in my life

Ohh, I wanna believe, its all right,
but I can
only pray in the night and it's up to you to save me,
Jeeeebus baby...

Don't ever leave me, Jebus,
I couldn't stand to see you go.
My heart will simply snap, my Lord,
if you walked on out that door.

I promise I'll be good to you,
I'll keep you warm at night.
Jeeeebus, Jeeeebus, Jeeeebus,
why don't we just chill out, tonight.

I need you in my life, Jeeeebus.
I can't live without you, Jeeeebus.
And I just want to feel you,
deep inside me, Jeeeebus.

Jeeebus Jeeeebus Baby, baby
I'm down on my knees
waiting for your salvation
to spread all over me baby, baby

Jeeeebus Jeeeebus Baby Baby
I love when you push me to your body
Put my face close to your holy embrace,
baby baby baby, ooooo Love your lovin baby

Jeeeebus...I'm your lamb and I'm hot for you!

Jeff Wismer said...

Mike Jones, a 49-year-old male escort who lives in Denver accused Rev. Ted Haggard, Evangelical Senior Pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, of engaging in a three-year homosexual relationship with him that he said included methamphetamines use. Jones said he has the proof in recordings of telephone messages Rev. Haggard left for him.

Haggard confessed to his church's board of overseers about some of the accusations although the board has not revealed details of the confession.

Jones provided two voice messages to the local news channel, 9News, claiming they include the voice of Haggard calling him. A voice expert told 9NEWS that the messages left for the male escort matched the voice of Pastor Haggard. Jones claims Art is really Haggard and is referring to methamphetamines in the messages.

August 4, 2006 2:18 pm
"Hi Mike, this is Art. Hey, I was just calling to see if we could get any more. Either $100 or $200 supply. And I could pick it up really anytime I could get it tomorrow or we could wait till next week sometime and so I also wanted to get your address. I could send you some money for inventory but that’s probably not working, so if you have it then go ahead and get what you can and I may buzz up there later today, but I doubt your schedule would allow that unless you have some in the house. Okay, I’ll check in with you later. Thanks a lot, bye."

August 4, 2006 5:10 pm
"Hi Mike this is Art, I am here in Denver and sorry that I missed you. But as I said, if you want to go ahead and get the stuff, then that would be great. And I'll get it sometime next week or the week after or whenever. I will call, though, you early next week to uh, see what's most convenient for you. Okay? Thanks a lot. Bye."

Mike Jones said he met Haggard after he advertised on the internet as a male escort and Haggard replied calling himsel Art. Arthur is Haggard's middle name. Jones said he has more recordings and more will be played on a Denver radio station tomorrow.

Rev. Ted Haggard, a key Evangelical in the religious right also resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and said in a statement that he placed himself on administrative leave "pending investigation, spiritual counsel, and a decision by the church's board of overseers."

Ted Haggard is married and has five children and has vociferously opposed gay marriage.

Time Magazine included Pastor Haggard in their list of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. The Wall Street Journal noted his advisory role with the Bush White House, calling him one "of the nation's most politically influential" clergy, and Harper's Magazine wrote, "No pastor in America holds more sway over the political direction of evangelicalism than does Pastor Ted."

Jeff Wismer said...

Hey Schenck..

Which of the TEN Commandments did Ted just break????

Jeff Wismer said...

Evangelical Minister on Rev. Ted Haggard, Homosexuality and Hypocrisy
Ted Haggard, Homosexuality and Hypocrisy?



Contact: Amanda Sova, Stephen Bennett Ministries, 203-926-6960, 203-814-0219 cell; www.SBMinistries.org/media.html



HUNTINGTON, Conn., Nov. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- Stephen Bennett, founder and executive director of Stephen Bennett Ministries - a Christian evangelical ministry dealing with the issue of homosexuality, as well as pastor of Heavenly Hope Christian Church - an evangelical Bible church - expressed sadness and anger at the breaking Associated Press news of Rev. Ted Haggard and his alleged homosexual affairs and illicit drug use.



"As an evangelical pastor myself now of a small new church - Heavenly Hope Christian Church - I can related to Rev. Haggard, yet my story is EXACTLY the opposite.



"I WAS gay for over 11 years, dated two male prostitutes from New York City and was a cocaine dealer in Connecticut back in the 1980's -- until Jesus changed my life," said Stephen.



"Today, my life is totally different. I am no longer gay. I'm happily married for over 13 years to my beautiful wife Irene, and I'm the father of two little children - a boy and a girl. I am also an evangelical minister, a pastor of a brand new, small Bible church in Connecticut, Heavenly Hope Christian Church.



"If these allegations are true about Rev. Haggard - America's Top Evangelical Christian - I am completely disgusted and dismayed. After being in major Christian circles for many years, the hypocrisy that I have found and personally seen in main stream Christianity is unfortunate and heartbreaking.



"I understand Rev. Haggard is innocent until proven guilty. However, seeing the reports that I have - along with millions of other Americans - this is a time we need to pray. The Bible says, 'Judgment begins in the house of God'," said Bennett.



Stephen ended, "Will this affect the elections next Tuesday? Are Republicans disenfranchised with the hypocrisy within their own party - especially the hypocrisy within the driving force - the Christian Conservative base? You better believe it.



"The more and more hypocrisy I see each day, the more I realize next Tuesday we are going to get EXACTLY what we deserve. Yet I must NEVER forget where I came from and always remember 'But for the grace of God, there go I.'"





Stephen Bennett, a nationally known evangelical speaker on the issue of homosexuality, and now pastor, has appeared on most every major and cable news network, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360 and The O'Reilly Factor. Bennett is available today and this weekend for comment on this story. His office is located only an hour and a half outside of New York City. Stephen's first book - his autobiography - "I WAS Gay - How Intolerance Saved My Life" is planned on being published in the Spring of 2007.

Jeff Wismer said...

Evangelical Leaders Comment on Haggard Accusation
Contact Dane Rose, National Clergy Council, 202-546-8329, ext 106.



WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Reverend Rob Schenck, president of the Evangelical dominated National Clergy Council in Washington, DC, and chairman of the Committee on Church and Society for the Evangelical Church Alliance, America's oldest association of Evangelical clergy, released this statement today on the resignation of the Reverend Ted Haggard from the presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals:



"Ted Haggard has denied the allegations made against him. So far, there is only one accuser. The Bible says no man is to be condemned on the testimony of a single accuser. We must prayerfully wait out the investigative process and continue to judge by the evidence.



"Should this accusation prove true, it will only be another in a long history of human failure. The Bible says if we say we have no sin, we lie and the truth is not in us. Evangelical Christianity does not rest on frail and sinful human beings, but on a just and righteous God in who 'changes not.



"We should pray for Ted Haggard, his family and church and for his accuser that the truth be made known, repentance follows and restoration for all who may be affected."



Rev. Schenck is traveling to Maine today and is not available for comment until Monday morning, November 6.



A further statement on the nature of the case will be issued by the Reverend Dr. Charles Nestor, senior fellow for public policy for the National Clergy Council. Dr. Nestor is available for interviews through the National Clergy Council office. Contact Dane Rose of National Clergy Council at 202-546-8329, ext 106.

==========================

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Jeff Wismer said...

National Clergy Council Statement on Resignation of The Rev. Ted Haggard
Contact Dane Rose, National Clergy Council, 202-546-8329 ext 106.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following text is a statement from the National Clergy Council’s Senior Fellow for Public Policy, Dr. Charles Nestor:



We at the National Clergy Council are saddened by the resignation of The Rev. Ted Haggard from the presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and as the Senior Pastor of the New-Life Church in Colorado Springs amid charges of paying a male personal trainer for sex.



We extend our prayer for Rev. Haggard, his family, the membership of New-Life Church, and the constituents of NAE at this difficult time.



Many have already rushed to raise charges of yet another evangelical clergy hypocrisy. Evangelicals teach that homosexual behavior is proscribed in the Bible and is therefore to be viewed as a sin in all cases.



Many are raising the charge of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is the playing of a role, i.e., as an actor, without the inward conviction that it represents the truth. Pastor Haggard’s swift resignations indicate to us that while he failed to live out the truth he taught, he recognizes that his conduct was clearly wrong.

Dr. Charles Nestor

Senior Fellow for Public Policy

The National Clergy Council

=======================

So does this mean all of the homosexual evangelicals are going to resign today???

bernice said...

Rev Schenk

Thank you for your wisdom in dealing with jeff wismer. Stay humble as you are and you will win many lost souls for our Lord.

God bless and keep you in His infinite peace.

birddog said...

If there is
"NO GOD"
let me see you make a rainbow,
"PLEAE"