 | Blogs > Noah235 > PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH > LIFE ON MARS? MY REVELATION MOMENT |
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"Life On Mars" is the title of a TV Drama series that has been on the British screens in the last year or two. I did not watch it when it was first on but because many of my friends said it was brilliant I bought the DVD box set and have started watching it this week. It is about a police officer {Sam Tiler} who has a nasty car accident and wakes up back in 1973! {The title of the series comes from the David Bowie song "Life On Mars?" which was in the pop charts in that year}. Sam finds himself working with the Manchester police who are obviously using 1970s police methods. There is a huge contrast between Sam's training in modern procedures and a teamwork ethic, and the instinctive, individualistic, often politically incorrect attitudes of his new colleagues. I found myself thinking about the message that was being conveyed, and in the middle of one episode had what I can only describe as a "revelation" moment. Hear me out and see what you think. I have recently been for an interview for a job with a Government department. My brother has done this several times so I asked him what to expect. He told me most of the questions would be aimed at assessing my ability to work as part of a team. For the last 18 years I have worked as a teacher and was well aware of the 'teamwork' ethos in education, so this did not surprise me. But is there a trend here? We have cop shows deriding personal initiative and promoting superiority of teamwork. We have public service workers being trained to follow procedure and resist the temptation to take unilateral action. In the church we have an emphasis on being part of a 'body' and submitting to leaders and those who express disagreement are censured for 'gossiping'. Much {but not all} of this is correct and right and I do not have a problem with. But we see an ever advancing march in the world towards globalisation in the economic and political senses. We read the Bible and see that we should expect a world government under the AntiChrist that will tolerate no dissent, backed up by a One World Religon under the 'false prophet' will similar lack of tolerance for dissent. So the question I am asking is: ARE WE HAVING INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE DRUMMED OUT OF US? ARE WE BEING SET UP FOR THE REIGN OF THE ANTICHRIST? I would be interested to know what you all think about my 'revelation' moment. Peter  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15 |
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9/8/2008 11:28 am |
Absolutely we are. EVERYTHING today is geared toward "unity" "oneness" and Group Think. You cant have a mind of your own and SEPARATION is the most dirty forbidden word on earth these days. Ecumenism of every kind is being promoted. Everything is being done "for the good of the whole". You cant even have separation of church and state anymore, they are being united to implement this entire thing... You see, at the bottom of the New Age Thinking is this idea of evolution... but evolution of all things together, even now... and supposedly everything was once "the Great Universal All" ... all of nature, including man was one "God" force... and something happened to upset the balance and so it broke off into individual parts like man, trees, rivers... etc... and everything is supposedly trying to evolve back into the "Great All" which all of us and everything together is "God". So you see, to fight against this unity, this "All is One" mentality is to fight against "God"... and is to be what is "halting Human Progress" and "Human Potential".. Oh I could go on and on about this... its absolutely horrid. They are doing things in schools, businesses, churches, and you name it, they are doing all sorts to promote unity of thinking and action. Jesus is my Saviour, I shall not be moved.
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9/8/2008 1:53 pm |
I enjoyed that series, it was a really interesting concept. creativity is my norm though lol...so I don't always adhere to conforming, though I agree that the body of Christ, as in the church is correct, As a body we all provide different gifts, we all have something to offer and therefore everyone is important, individual and unique. My church is wonderful, it is full of individuals, all so very different. I do get rather tired of people pulling down churches, they are not all the same. Conspiracy theories do my nut in, if you generalize about everything then you are not seeing others as individuals.....hmmmm Apologies if I don't adhere to the intellectual posturing of some here, It grates on me, it smacks of judgementalism and narrow mindedness....
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 9/8/2008 2:22 pm |
No matter what groups I've been associated with over the years, I have always found it better working conditions if the group's compatibility is at a high level. There are several reasons for this, first the working conditions for the group go beyond tolerable and move fully into the realm of pleasure. A happy working environment makes for better workers and, clearly more important for the employer, a better work product. Second, working more effectively and under more pleasurable conditions enhances the self esteem of the workers. It's sort of s self generating concept. This attitude then makes one a better mate, father, son, etc.. So, I do like the concept of being a team player. However, I also believe strongly in the concept of the cream rising to the top. Out of any group a leader will emerge, and generally, if the leader rises at the group's pleasure, it becomes another facet in the embodiment of the group. Thus, there is room for individualism, even in a group setting. This comes about by folks determination in doing the best job possible, bearing in mind the rewards for that good work are Utilitarian in nature. In direct answer to your questions, I believe there are so many and so powerful competing forces in the world that a world government or a world church are impossible. Just look at the discourse here in BC. The vast majority of attendees and bloggers are Christian, but the vitriolic exchanges, the certainty of their respective positions, and the passion with which they pursue their positions often makes one wonder. It reminds me of a story set in troubled Northern Ireland where a man was accosted on the street by a gang of thugs. They asked the man if he was a Roman Catholic or a Protestant. The man answered, neither, he was a Jew. The thugs were somewhat baffled and conferenced the matter. They re-approached the man and asked him if he was a Catholic Jew or a Protestant Jew. Religious hubris at its best. Belief in God represents a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints
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9/8/2008 3:24 pm |
AS A STANDARD MEMBER NOW I CANNOT "RESPOND" SO THIS COMMENT IS MY RESPONSE TO Claudia_T, Izzy1000 and Skariff2 Claudia, I'm glad to have your contribution. Even gladder to see that we are in complete agreement on this one! Izzy, no need to apologise for taking a different view to others. I think the overall trend towards the "One World Government and Religion" is there, but control is nowhere near complete yet. So there will be plenty of pockets where things are good and I am delighted that your church is one of those happy exceptions. Long may it hold out! Skariff, I agree with you that in business, in government, in the church, there is aneed for BOTH co-operation AND individuality. You are right that there are so many competing forces at the moment and that is part of the reason why, as I said to Izzy, control is not yet complete. But the unifying factor is that the world is becoming more and more unified AGAINST GOD, much as the people under Nimrod at the time of the Tower of Babel rebellion. Still hoping to hear responses from others. These first three responses have done an excellent job of 'kicking off' the debate but I am sure there are still many of you out there with a view to express on this. Blessings Peter "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15
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9/8/2008 3:53 pm |
Peter, did you become Standard now? LOL! Should I say "congratulations", or what? LOL! Well, just click "quote" and add your answer, so you won't need to specify whom your comment is addressed to! Just a little comment to this subject before I go to bed. No, I haven't heard about this series, but I have seen many other series and movies that may convey the same points of view or make one think! My answer is that when one "truly" is in the Spirit, one won't have to worry. But I certainly wish to emphasize the "truly", as a real "presence"! The only thing to worry about, is those that AREN'T; and then it would be important to learn how to "communicate" these revelations to them at first in appropriate terms they might "understand"! Going to  ...Don't forget:That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. ( John 3:6 )
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9/8/2008 4:36 pm |
Peter, did you become Standard now? LOL! Should I say "congratulations", or what? LOL! Well, just click "quote" and add your answer, so you won't need to specify whom your comment is addressed to! Just a little comment to this subject before I go to bed. No, I haven't heard about this series, but I have seen many other series and movies that may convey the same points of view or make one think! My answer is that when one "truly" is in the Spirit, one won't have to worry. But I certainly wish to emphasize the "truly", as a real "presence"! The only thing to worry about, is those that AREN'T; and then it would be important to learn how to "communicate" these revelations to them at first in appropriate terms they might "understand"! Going to ...Don't forget:That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. ( John 3:6 ) Yes you are right that those truly in the Spirit do not need to worry about the future, but I think it's as well to be prepared. The following verse has just come to mind: "We are not unaware of [Satan's] schemes" {2 Cor 2v11}. Clearly some ARE unaware of them and I agree it will be difficult to get the message across, not least because of the incessant brainwashing e.g. from the TV that we sometimes don't even notice if the programme is so good! Have a good kip - I'm off to myself soon. See you tomorrow!Blessings Peter "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15
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9/8/2008 4:52 pm |
While I embrace teamwork in general . . . there simply MUST be leaders - those who take initiative, buck the system, take risks - blaze a trail for others to follow. Hey, come to think of it, I wouldn't be over here on my side of the pond right now if folks from your side hadn't decided to ignore the 'team' way back when and strike out on their own! -)) So, teamwork? Sure, we need to pull together toward a common goal. But not at the expense of all individualism and merging into the "Borg". Susan aka Red God gives the very best to those who leave the choices to Him. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...to Him be the glory. Eph 3:20 Find me at my screen name, blogspot and the usual ending. See ya there! Where I For Everything There is a Season Halloween Pics from Work
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9/8/2008 6:03 pm |
Peter, I grew up in a family that was fearful because we knew the way but didn't have the strength of church community, and we didn't discuss our beliefs. I believe I've been given discernment of church error, as someone on the outside looking in, and have experienced the progression of the church. Really, it's sobering when I see churches blindly walk after their pastors when the members know full well the instruction is against God's principals and God's goodness, and they'll do it to the detriment of a member. The stance seems to be that if they obey the leader of the church, they'll be okay. They believe they're obeying God no matter what the pastor says or does. Wow. What error. When anti-christ comes, he'll take his seat of authority, and people will "obey him" and be okay?? I also had the displeasure of hearing an associate pastor recently damn someone because they spoke against a pastor's sin. In an attitude of warring against that person, the associate pastor instructed the church to reject him, and walk away from anyone that dared to address pastor sins. He claimed that the church's strength was to NOT confess their sins, and to merely carry on. The church was to find their strength in numbers instead of going into repentance. In an effort to win the war against the accusation of sin, he was prepared to forbid confession and repentance of sin in exchange for power in numbers. If that isn't antichrist at our doorstep. I was led in the spirit to address this with an acquaintence after the service, and to lift it up in prayer before God. Being God's will, the senior pastor either heard my conversation or it was very diligently brought to his attention. Needless to say, the following week the senior pastor preached on it, and endorsed my exhortations. He prayed over the church to remain in God's graces and to practice discernment. I've been pushed out of a former church years ago because I addressed this very thing in a prior denomination. They seemed to have a one track mind. "No one touch the pastor". I ask, then who will keep the pastor in the right path, that we escape the errors of pastors. If we cannot walk in our own discernment of right and wrong as given to us by the Holy spirit, how will we escape going the way of antichrist? It's truly sobering. One church ex-communicated me, and quite the opposite, my current church was dilingent to hear the Holy Spirit give answer through me, and endorse the need to walk in discernment given by the Holy Spirit. I pray the church hears. My Christ, near and dear Who Leads on BigChurch For Women Only - Christ and the Submission Law God Bless the Believer - Cult or Church When You’re Tempted to Leave the Faith Finding the Road
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9/9/2008 3:55 pm |
While I embrace teamwork in general . . . there simply MUST be leaders - those who take initiative, buck the system, take risks - blaze a trail for others to follow. Hey, come to think of it, I wouldn't be over here on my side of the pond right now if folks from your side hadn't decided to ignore the 'team' way back when and strike out on their own! -)) So, teamwork? Sure, we need to pull together toward a common goal. But not at the expense of all individualism and merging into the "Borg". Blessings Peter "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15
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9/9/2008 4:01 pm |
Peter, I grew up in a family that was fearful because we knew the way but didn't have the strength of church community, and we didn't discuss our beliefs. I believe I've been given discernment of church error, as someone on the outside looking in, and have experienced the progression of the church. Really, it's sobering when I see churches blindly walk after their pastors when the members know full well the instruction is against God's principals and God's goodness, and they'll do it to the detriment of a member. The stance seems to be that if they obey the leader of the church, they'll be okay. They believe they're obeying God no matter what the pastor says or does. Wow. What error. When anti-christ comes, he'll take his seat of authority, and people will "obey him" and be okay?? I also had the displeasure of hearing an associate pastor recently damn someone because they spoke against a pastor's sin. In an attitude of warring against that person, the associate pastor instructed the church to reject him, and walk away from anyone that dared to address pastor sins. He claimed that the church's strength was to NOT confess their sins, and to merely carry on. The church was to find their strength in numbers instead of going into repentance. In an effort to win the war against the accusation of sin, he was prepared to forbid confession and repentance of sin in exchange for power in numbers. If that isn't antichrist at our doorstep. I was led in the spirit to address this with an acquaintence after the service, and to lift it up in prayer before God. Being God's will, the senior pastor either heard my conversation or it was very diligently brought to his attention. Needless to say, the following week the senior pastor preached on it, and endorsed my exhortations. He prayed over the church to remain in God's graces and to practice discernment. I've been pushed out of a former church years ago because I addressed this very thing in a prior denomination. They seemed to have a one track mind. "No one touch the pastor". I ask, then who will keep the pastor in the right path, that we escape the errors of pastors. If we cannot walk in our own discernment of right and wrong as given to us by the Holy spirit, how will we escape going the way of antichrist? It's truly sobering. One church ex-communicated me, and quite the opposite, my current church was dilingent to hear the Holy Spirit give answer through me, and endorse the need to walk in discernment given by the Holy Spirit. I pray the church hears. Blessings Peter "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15
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9/12/2008 7:58 am |
I'll link here my latest blog for anyone to see it asap... It's URGENT! Time is running... ---> ☛ MY 100th POST TO TROY DAVIS SENTENCED IN GEORGIA - WOULD ANYONE JOIN? HURRY!!! ☚ BB
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9/17/2008 8:05 pm |
OK Peter, I think this is a very good question to be asked. I think that teamwork is a good thing in most all situations. I don't think it should stifle individuals from standing out and coming up with new ideas to do old things. I work with a team of programmers on my job. We work as a team and when one has a new idea, all benefit from it. It amazes me that we do not have a problem with someone always wanting to be in the lead. We are 5 women no less but we are all christians. I also have been a very involved church worker for 25 + years and I know their is order to be adhered to in a church. I have been blessed with 2 great pastors and churches to work in during that 25 years. I have not always agreed with everything my pastors have done nor have I always agreed with every christian I have worked with. I have however learned to submit to those in authority as the Word says and leave the correcting up to the Lord. I have had very difficult problems doing that but as I stayed my position and made myself available as a teacher in spite of the difficulty, God did prevail. In one instance he removed a difficult leader over me and I am still there doing what my hearts desire was, teach Junior high girls about the Word of God and how to apply it their lives. If I ever found myself in a position that I felt I could not submit to those in authority over me, I would remove myself from the situation and pray fervently before I ever spoke against a leader. Touch not my anointed. I try to get rid of all of my enemies by making them my friend. I know this cannot possibly be done in all situations but it is my first plan of attack. I am not on a soap box here nor do I ever want to be put on a pedestal. I just have experienced that the Word works. If we are afraid of being lead astray by a false teacher, we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us. That would require us to pray often for guidance and listen to the still small voice. When I am getting clouded due to emotions, I ask for some of my close prayer warrior friends to pray with me about that situation. So I am for team work as long as it is tempered by the Word. God Bless you brother for a very curious Mind you have. Pam In His Service
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10/5/2008 11:54 am |
I like your blog! Don't believe everything you think, God is not a cookie cutter God!
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