|
"Take
Heed" Ministries
|
|
Cecil Andrews, 29 Edengrove Park, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AZ, Northern Ireland Telephone/Fax 028 9756 5511. E-MAIL - takeheed@aol.com WEBSITE - http://www.takeheed.net Quick Links - Home - Assorted Articles - Audio/Video - Ministry Newsletters - Words of Wisdom |
Take Heed” Ministries
DECEMBER
2011
Dear
praying friends and supporters of ‘Take Heed’,
The
close of my first year of ‘part-tirement’ is rapidly approaching and I can honestly say
that my workload with ‘Take Heed’
has not diminished by any noticeable or dramatic degrees.
Although
I no longer issue ‘News From The Front’ I have been extremely busy through being
engaged on various writing projects that have been posted to the ministry web
site. In addition I have spoken in a wide variety of locations in Northern
Ireland on various assorted topics and as ever I have had numerous inquiries
for help and information via the Internet from believers in many places dotted
around the world.
As you will read later, 2012 is shaping up to be both busy and
challenging, and I commend the matters detailed on the yellow enclosure to your
prayerful and, if possible, practical support.
Since
the issue of my interim ‘Review Letter’ to you in June I have been working at
writing responses to a number of articles that were sent anonymously to me in
the post. These were predominantly pro-Roman Catholic articles. I have received
similar anonymous mailings in the past and normally consigned them to the bin
but on this occasion I felt exercised to prepare responses to them, showing
where Rome goes wrong and of course proclaiming the glorious truths about
Christ and Calvary. To date the following responses have been written and
posted to the ministry web site –
1.
Does Christ’s Sacrifice continue?
2.
Is Robert Sungenis
right about ‘being saved’?
[Supposed
‘Evangelical’ convert to Rome]
3.
Is the Mass a Propitiatory Sacrifice?
4.
Is Christ in The Eucharist? [Part 1]
5.
Is Christ in The Eucharist? [Part 2]
I
hope to pen a ‘third part’ response to ‘Is Christ in The Eucharist’ [dealing
with ‘grace’] and also to address ‘Justification’ in a further separate
article so your prayers for these matters will be much appreciated.
As
well as dealing with these issues the following articles have also been posted
over recent months to the ministry web site –
ADULTERY
‘Evolutionary
Claims versus Christ’s Explanation’
This
article was sparked by ludicrous claims reported in a Belfast Telegraph article
that according to Dr Helen Fisher of Rutgers University in New Jersey
‘From
a Darwinian perspective… men are genetically programmed to commit
adultery’. I simply pointed out that such immoral behaviour is not down to
‘genetic programming’ but to a ‘deceitful heart’ (Jeremiah 17:9) and adultery
and all kinds of sins emanate from it (Matthew 15:18-20).
Responding
to Allen Sleith’s Belfast Telegraph
‘Thought
For The Weekend’ of 16 July 2011
On
the white photocopy enclosure herewith you will see the article that was
penned by Mr Sleith
and also my response* that was published on 20 July 2011.
(Cecil - The heading to my
published letter was chosen by the paper and is not to my liking)
SHANE
CLAIRBORNE in BALLYMENA
Also
on the other side of the white photocopy enclosure you will see an advert that
appeared in the Belfast Telegraph of 13 August 2011 giving details of various
assorted meetings being held in Ballymena in conjunction with a visit there by
Shane Claiborne. In an interview situation some years ago with Tony Campolo, in response to a Claiborne question about whether
or not to evangelise Muslims, Campolo asserted that ‘We
don’t have to give up trying to convert each other. What we have to do is show respect to
one another. And to speak to each other with a sense that even if people don’t convert, they are
God’s people, God loves
them’.
In response Shane Claiborne said ‘That seems like a healthy distinction—between converting and condemning. One of the barriers seems to be the
assumption that we have the truth and folks who experience things differently
will all go to Hell. How do we unashamedly maintain a healthy desire for
others to experience the love of God as we have experienced it without
condemning others
who experience God differently’.
Also
in the article I quoted where basically Shane Claiborne, viewed by some as an
‘emergent Leader’ had served part of his ‘apprenticeship’ by working alongside
‘Mother Teresa’ in India.
VULGAR
VISIONS of MARK DRISCOLL
This
article highlighted claims made by Mark Driscoll (leader of a large ‘trendy’
and supposedly Reformed work in Seattle USA) that God had given him clear
visions of problems being experienced by couples due to graphic immoral
behaviour that supposedly God had shown to him. Mark Driscoll was the lead
speaker at the 2010 Mandate men’s conference in Belfast and in the March 2009
News From The Front I warned of ‘his approach to preaching’ and in a further
web site article in 2010 prior to the Mandate conference I again identified his
vulgar use of language and vulgar teachings through ‘scripture-twisting’.
US
Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney
IS
a MORMON and IS NOT a CHRISTIAN
This
article was prompted by so-called ‘Evangelical’ Christian personalities openly
declaring that they viewed Mitt Romney as a Christian even though he and his
forefathers have been leading figures in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints since the early 19th century days of Mormonism (His
great-great grandfather was a Mormon ‘Apostle’). The so-called ‘Evangelical’
Christians were the elderly Pat Robertson, a former US Presidential candidate
himself, who for many years hosted ‘The 700 Club’ on the American TV ‘Christian
Broadcasting Network’ that he founded and the more youthful Joel Osteen who
‘pastors’ a very user-friendly ‘church’ in Houston, Texas. Back in my June 2007
News From The Front I issued a warning about the
problems associated with Mr Osteen’s ‘ministry’. This notion of ‘Christians’
viewing Mormons as ‘fellow Christians’ was heavily influenced by such a
declaration from former US President Jimmy Carter who for many years was a
member of the Southern Baptist grouping in America. The purpose of this article
was to totally refute any such notion that Mormons are genuine Christians not
to suggest that Mr Romney should be debarred because of his religion from
becoming President – many holders of that office have been non-Christians such
as the present incumbent despite his claims to the contrary.
Maynooth Community Church promotes
the Jesuit ‘cause’
This
article highlighted the almost unbelievable fact that in Maynooth
Community Church, the latest congregation (and one located in the Republic of
Ireland) to be incorporated into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, they have
been holding special meetings to promote the ‘spiritual exercises’ of Ignatius
Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits whose mission has of course been to
basically overturn the Reformation. What compounded the incredulity was that
they didn’t engage a Jesuit Priest to give these talks, no, they engaged
Presbyterian Minister, Tom Wilson of Kilmakee
Presbyterian Church located near Lisburn. Mr Wilson
apparently credits these ‘exercises’ with helping his own spiritual
development. My December 2010 (and last) News From The
Front reported on a conference that had been held at Maynooth
College (where priest are trained) diabolically linking together John Calvin
and Ignatius Loyola. These current talks are some of the rotten fruit being
harvested from that event.
I
mentioned earlier about hopes and plans for 2012. Currently these include
firstly, in response to requests, a ministry trip in April [DV] to Wales and
Somerset to speak at 3 fellowships and update them on the current deceptions
and challenges facing God’s people.
Secondly,
the 50th ‘World Eucharistic
Congress’ is scheduled to be held in June 2012 in Dublin. I was firmly
convinced that the whole issue of ‘The
Eucharist’ should be openly debated just prior to that congress and so I
contacted Roman Catholic priest, Patrick McCafferty,
who took part in previous debates that I organised, to see if he would again be
willing to participate. He is currently based in Dublin and he was once again
very willing to take part. I have asked him to organise a fellow priest to
partner him and to debate with my good friend Rob Zins
from America and myself. Rob likewise took part in the previous debates and I
also partnered him in debates held in Fresno, USA way back in 1998.
Three
public debates will each consider the questions (1) ‘Is the Eucharist
Transubstantiated into Christ?’ and (2)
‘Is the Eucharist a Propitiatory Sacrifice?’ The debates will be held
firstly in Dundalk Baptist Church on Wednesday 23rd May 2012,
secondly in The Emmaus Centre near Swords on Friday 25th May 2012
and thirdly in Northern Ireland on Saturday 26th May 2012 (venue to be advised) –
all to start @ 7.30pm.
When
you read what has been happening in Maynooth
Community Church, a ‘church’ that declares itself to be ‘Reformed’, you get
some inkling and understanding of the blindness and ignorance that truly
abounds concerning ‘The Mass’ and ‘The Eucharist’.
Obviously
these debates and the earlier ministry trip to Wales and Somerset will involve
quite a major financial outlay, particularly to cover Rob’s airfare from
America, travel expenses for all the debaters, advertising/promotion/printing
costs and the hire of the Emmaus Centre etc. I am conscious that these are
financially very challenging times for everyone but I also know from past
experience that God’s people have wonderfully supported ‘Take Heed’ when there was a worthy cause – I truly believe these
opportunities, the debates in particular, will be great opportunities to set
God’s truth before those who need to hear it.
To
that end I’m enclosing a ‘Support Form’
(the yellow photocopy
enclosure**) and if you are able and
feel led to support these ‘ventures’ then do please complete as per the
instructions. Quite understandably, the level of support during the year for ‘Take Heed’ has decreased due to ‘News From The
Front’ no longer being issued (my deep
and grateful thanks of course to those who continue to regularly support).
Nevertheless the battle for God’s truth continues and I commend it and ‘Take Heed’ to your ongoing prayerful
and practical support. With all good wishes in Christ for
2012.
Cecil Andrews
“Take Heed” Ministries
29 Edengrove Park, Ballynahinch,
BT24 8AZ
Tel./Fax 028 9756 5511
E- Mail takeheed@aol.com Web site www.takeheed.net
(** Text of the yellow photocopy enclosure)
Dear Cecil,
I
wish to support the ongoing work and ministry of ‘Take Heed’ and enclose
herewith my gift of £
(cheques should be made payable to ‘Take Heed’ Ministries).
I
should like my gift to be allocated as follows –
(a)
To
support costs involved in staging ‘The Eucharist’ debates planned for May 2012 £
(b)
To
support costs involved in the April 2012 ministry trip to Wales/Somerset and
the general costs involved in the ongoing work and ministry of ‘Take Heed’ £
From:_____________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________
Please post to
‘Take Heed’ Ministries
29 Edengrove
Park
Ballynahinch
Co Down
BT24 8AZ
For
online readers of this Review Letter and for folks living outside the United
Kingdom who might wish to offer financial support for the debates and the work
of ‘Take Heed’ you can do so via our ministry web site on this link
* Text of my response to Allen Sleith’s
article in the Belfast Telegraph
Dear Editor,
Allen Sleith's Thought for the Weekend (16
July) demonstrates much of what is wrong with preaching that emanates from many
supposedly Christian pulpits. He castigates those whom he labels as being
guilty of 'spiritual terrorism' by declaring their emphasis to be wrong in
identifying the biblically-confirmed consequences of sin. Endorsing the modern
seeker-sensitive or user-friendly approach to preaching he declares 'God loves
you' to be the Christian gospel.
Like many others, Mr Sleith elevates God's
love to being His supreme attribute - not so! God's supreme attribute, the
one that sets Him totally apart from humanity, is His Holiness. Declaring to
sinful and fallen humanity that 'God is love' will never stir consciences to
acknowledge their sinful lifestyles and all the resulting eternal
consequences, but telling them that 'God is Holy' regularly does so as
Paul confirmed by his words in Romans 7:7 and Galatians 3:24. The
realisation that he was a guilty sinner in the sight of God brought him to
Christ for salvation.
For instance, to go out and tell street rioters that 'God loves
you' is likely to evoke a response of either 'So... what' or 'that's great,
I've nothing to worry about' but to tell them 'God is Holy and so punishes
sin' might just cause them to have some anxious thoughts and to look afresh at
the true gospel that 'Christ died for our sins' [1st Corinthians 15:3]. That
loving action by Christ will only truly be understood when God's Holiness and
abhorrence of sin is fully recognised.
Cecil Andrews
'Take Heed' Ministries
Ballynahinch