God
A bent lifestyles results in a good demise – Patheos

Marcus Lamb’s demise from covid final week has led to me to revise my influence of the person. It looked to be the primary original factor he’d ever carried out.
Lamb used to be a televangelist and a “prosperity gospel” preacher. The prosperity gospel isn’t a ministry, it’s a grift. Some recall to mind it as a department of Christian faith that incorporates greater than its proportion of predatory Gantry-esque hucksters, however that’s no longer relatively proper. In fact that it’s an enviornment of predatory Gantry-ism that infrequently, however very hardly ever, additionally comprises some tiny outposts of spiritual sincerity. Most commonly it’s only a rip-off.
Ask any “prosperity gospel” preacher to make a choice from their non-public prosperity and the gospel and 99% of the time they’ll make a selection prosperity with out hesitating. That’s no longer hypothetical hypothesis. The vast majority of them have already made that selection, publicly and enthusiastically and day-to-day.
Prosperity gospel preachers must be presumed to blame until confirmed blameless. We must at all times give them the doubt in their receive advantages.
The similar factor may well be stated for white Christian nationalists, the majority of whom would make a selection — and feature selected — white nationalism over Christianity. And Marcus Lamb used to be additionally a white Christian nationalist preacher.
Marcus Lamb wasn’t a member of the prosperity gospel A-list. His identify wasn’t probably the most first ones that may happen to you in the event you’d been requested to call probably the most well-known and notorious charlatans of TeeVee Christianity. However a lot of the ones extra well-known names maintained their prosperity through broadcasting on Lamb’s Daystar tv community, which hosts and promotes a rogue’s gallery of A-listers like Joel Osteen, Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, and Creflo Greenback. Studying the listings for Daystar’s day-to-day agenda is like studying the studies from Sen. Chuck Grassley’s early 2000’s investigation into televangelist corruption.
Marcus Lamb additionally had his personal TV exhibit on Daystar, in fact, the place he and his spouse Joni introduced their very own non-public model of the prosperity gospel jumbled in with a “prophetic” message of white Christian nationalism. The Lambs made a tidy fortune simply from that program, however their actual cash got here from getting a proportion of the take from all the ones different TV preachers who bought broadcast time thru Daystar.
Lamb introduced his community in Dallas in 1997. His affair started in 2002, with a girl who labored in Daystar’s HR division ahead of Lamb created a extremely paid no-show “consulting” place for her that set her up along with her personal position. That blew up in 2010, when different Daystar staff who’d been tasked with cooking the books to lend a hand quilt up the affair threatened a lawsuit, at which level Marcus went on TV, dragging his spouse with him. He confessed to a misleadingly minor model of the affair, and claimed he used to be the sufferer of an extortion plot.
Lamb even put his marriage therapist on TV, a “Christian counselor”* who described the affair as the results of “a right away assault from the satan” and advised audience that he had recommended the Lambs to stay the entire trade secret as a result of “he feared they wouldn’t triumph over their troubles if that they had to take action in public.”
Numerous cash and attorneys made that complete trade pass away, most commonly, which used to be additionally how Lamb and Daystar treated the accusations of sexual harassment and sexual attack levied towards Lamb’s sweetheart’s father who, like many individuals of the prolonged circle of relatives, had a high-paying process at Daystar.
The Lambs additionally had their proportion of economic scandals, comparable to when Daystar bought a personal jet which they used for private holidays simply after the corporate won $3.9 million in PPP pandemic-relief loans. Daystar sooner or later paid again the ones loans — after intense media power introduced through native information and Within Version studies.
Like maximum prosperity-gospel preachers and white Christian nationalists, Marcus Lamb used to be additionally an early and enthusiastic strengthen of Donald Trump. And his unquestioning loyalty to the previous man by no means wavered — no longer after the Get admission to Hollywood tapes, or the Stormy Daniels affair, or Charlottesville, or child-separation, or two impeachments. Lamb’s lockstep Trumpism carried him into spreading the Giant Lie and wild conspiracy theories about vaccines and horse-dewormer, the entire shebang. Like Zedekiah in 2 Kings 22, he understood the project and the necessities of his selected vocation, and he put at the iron horns and danced round as required.
This used to be just right trade for Marcus Lamb and for Daystar, as a result of if your corporation style is in accordance with convincing worried white Christians to ship you cash, then Trump’s base of unswerving supporters constitutes the Glengarry leads.
So up till a couple of weeks in the past, the whole lot we had ever noticed involving Marcus Lamb gave the impression pretend. His occupation, his skilled associations, his non-public jet, his non-public scandals, his perverse theology, and his predatory politics all gave the impression to point out that the whole lot in regards to the guy used to be as phony as his dye-job and his uncannily unwrinkled forehead. He used to be a person who by no means gave the impression to say what he in point of fact believed and who by no means gave the impression to in point of fact consider what he stated.
Thus when he reduced in size covid, I believed that it used to be a leap forward case that may turn out fairly delicate because of the vaccinations I used to be certain he’d won. And if his case proved extra critical, I believed he would use his huge non-public wealth to protected the most productive hospital therapy cash may just purchase, turning to authentic docs providing authentic therapies.
However no. After many years of marketing phoniness and demonstrating phoniness it sort of feels deficient Marcus Lamb started believing his personal con. He’d began “changing into a shut-eye.” He wasn’t simply promoting anti-vaxx nuttery and Ivermectin quackery to the rubes he’d made his fortune swindling, he used to be purchasing that very same nonsense himself.
And so, on November 30, 2021, on the age of 64, a unethical guy got here to a surprisingly truthful finish. He after all came upon on that day he went to cover in an interior chamber. It will had been the only non-phony factor he ever did.
I’m no longer pronouncing any of this out of schadenfreude, delighting in talking in poor health of the useless. It’s about talking in truth of the useless. We’re obliged to try this — particularly presently of yr.
* The counselor, Fred Kendall, runs “the Lifestyles Languages Institute, which makes a speciality of coaching communicators.” Do you already know what any of that suggests? As a result of I’ve a sense that this description of Kendall’s services and products is supposed to difficult to understand the precise nature of the services and products his institute supplies, which turns out to have much less to do with marriage counseling than with public symbol remedy.
Kendall additionally advised Daystar audience that Marcus Lamb “had one irrelevant length of misbehavior,” neglecting to say that this “one irrelevant length” lasted a minimum of seven years. And Kendall insisted that the affair used to be “with one particular person and it wasn’t a person. It wasn’t a transvestite. It used to be with a girl; a Christian lady.” That remark reads like a paraphrase of Mike Ginn’s vintage Twitter funny story: “My ‘Now not concerned about human trafficking’ T-shirt has other folks asking a large number of questions already responded through my blouse.”
God
The Friend Who Sticks Closer than a Brother

Embracing True Friendship: The Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother
Friendship is a valuable asset that enriches our lives by providing companionship, support, and a shoulder to cry on. But have you ever had a buddy who goes above and beyond—someone who remains closer than a brother? In a world where relationships can be fickle, a friend who sticks by us through thick and thin is a rare and priceless gift.
More Than Just Blood Ties
Consider the tie between siblings, which is based on blood and shared history. Consider a buddy who is more than just a family member. “One who has untrustworthy friends soon comes to ruin,” says Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), “but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse describes a friendship that goes beyond basic conditions. It’s a bond founded on trust, loyalty, and real concern for one another.
Continuous Support
Consider a buddy who is present not only during happy times but also during difficult times. This type of friend is unconcerned about changing circumstances or personal gain. They provide their presence, encouragement, and steadfast support.
Jesus expresses the core of such friendship in John 15:13 (NIV): “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This selfless affection serves as the foundation for a lasting connection.
Journeys Together
Consider a friend you’ve shared many stages of life with—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This shared experience forges a link that extends beyond surface-level exchanges. The value of companionship is brilliantly captured in Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV): “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
A friend who sticks closer than a brother is someone who goes beside us through life’s ups and downs, lending a solid hand and an ear to listen.
A Mirror of God’s Love
As a symbol of God’s love for us, consider the buddy who sticks closer than a brother. God Himself offers an unbroken, unchanging, and everlasting companionship. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” says the Bible in Romans 8:38–39.
God’s love is the ultimate paradigm of true friendship—a love that is not conditional but remains faithful regardless of what happens.
Conclusion: Value true friendship.
A friend who sticks closer to you than a sibling is a treasure to be treasured. This type of friendship is founded on love, trust, and mutual care rather than convenience or shared interests. May we seek to be that sort of friend to others in our lives, just as God offers us His unfailing love.
In a world where relationships can be fleeting, let us create friendships that will endure. Let us be the sort of friends who are present in both joy and sadness, who offer unconditional support, and who mirror God’s unfailing love. We are reminded of the beauty of true friendship, which clings closer than a brother, as we welcome and cherish these unique and valuable ties.
God
The Just God

The Just God: The Divine Balance of Justice and Mercy
The concept of justice is intertwined with the fabric of human society. We seek justice, responsibility, and reparation for wrongs done. But have you ever pondered a God who is not only just but also perfectly just? The Just God is a lighthouse of truth and righteousness, providing a profound awareness of justice and kindness that transcends human comprehension.
Justice in Pursuit
Consider a world where wrongdoers go unpunished and the disadvantaged have no recourse. The pursuit of justice is a natural human goal that reflects a feeling of rightness and order. And if we as humans value justice, how much more should the Creator of the universe, who is completely just?
According to Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), “He is the rock; his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. He is a loyal God who does no wrong, who is straight and just. This verse reveals God’s character, which is characterized by unwavering justice.
Justice and Mercy in Balance
Consider yourself in front of a judge who holds you accountable for every action and decision you make. Imagine that same judge showing mercy and giving you a second opportunity despite the evidence against you. The just God is kind as well as just.
This delicate balance is captured in Psalm 103:10–11 (NIV): “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor does He repay us according to our iniquities. For his love for people who fear him is as high as the skies are above the earth. God’s justice is balanced by his unending love and kindness.
The Redemption of Justice
Consider a debt that you will never be able to repay—a debt of mistakes and wrongs that weigh heavy on your soul. In His perfect justice, the just God provides a solution. God provides a mechanism for justice to be served and redemption to be offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” says Romans 3:23–24 (NIV), “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. This is an example of justice being met via the redemptive act of Christ’s sacrifice.
A Call to Justice
Consider a society in which justice is not simply a notion but a way of life. In our interactions with others, the just God calls us to exemplify justice. Micah 6:8 (NIV) states unequivocally, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord expect of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
Living justly entails treating people with fairness, compassion, and respect, as the character of the just God requires.
Finishing: Adoring the Just God
The Just God asks us to comprehend the breadth of His justice—a justice that supports truth, requires accountability, and strikes a balance between mercy and justice. God’s justice and mercy merge in the person of Jesus Christ, offering us redemption and restoration.
May we turn to the just God as our ultimate standard as we traverse a world that frequently grapples with issues of fairness. May we seek His wisdom and counsel in order to live justly and treat others with love and justice. We find not only a paradigm of perfect justice but also an invitation to experience the transformative power of His kindness when we embrace the Just God.
God
The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Pathway to Achievement

The Pleasure of Serving Others: A Highway to Contentment
Have you ever ever felt the nice and cozy glow that effects from lending a serving to hand to a stranger, the enjoyment that lasts for days after the act of kindness? That emotion offers a way of the pride of serving to others. The straightforward act of serving to can give us a sense of function and pleasure in contrast to the rest in a society that incessantly pushes us to place our consideration on ourselves.
The Want to Serve
Believe a society the place everybody labored to fortify the lives of people of their instant neighborhood. The need to lend a serving to hand, proportion a load, and supply comfort is on the core of carrier. The instance used to be established through Jesus Himself when he stated, “For even the Son of Guy didn’t come to be served, however to serve, and to provide his lifestyles as a ransom for plenty of.” (NIV, Mark 10:45)
Serving others is extra than just a nice deed; it is a way to emulate the compassion and love that Christ proven for us.
Discovering Pleasure in Selfless Giving
Believe spending time with the aged or going to a neighborhood refuge to hear their stories and cause them to really feel essential. Those tiny acts of kindness won’t appear to be a lot, however they be capable to make any person’s day higher, create relationships, and toughen a sense of group.
A better feeling of pleasure emerges after we set aside our personal issues and be aware of the wishes of others. The Bible admonishes us, “Every of you can use no matter present you’ve gotten won to serve others, as trustworthy stewards of God’s grace in its more than a few paperwork.” (NIV) 1 Peter 4:10 We specific the particular talents God has given us through serving others, and it’s in those deeds of carrier that we discover authentic pleasure.
Have an effect on Unmeasurable
Take into consideration the impact if all of us realized to experience serving to others. If we take a bit spoil from our tense schedules to lend a hand a neighbor, supply a sympathetic ear, or donate cash to a reason we reinforce. Small acts of kindness have the facility to unfold, sparking a sequence response of generosity and optimistic exchange.
In step with the NIV translation of Matthew 25:40, Jesus stated, “Actually I inform you, no matter you probably did for this sort of least of those brothers and sisters of mine, you probably did for me.” No longer simplest can we fortify the lives of other folks we serve, however we additionally perform Jesus’ command to like and deal with the ones round us.
Development Relationships and Connections
Believe the sensation of camaraderie that comes from cooperating with others to reach a shared purpose. Folks come in combination via carrier, growing ties and friendships that differently won’t have took place. It serves as a reminder that we’re all part of a broader group, and that group would possibly take pleasure in the acts we do.
Serving others permits us to peer the arena from many angles and to realize the demanding situations and victories of other folks round us. Our lives are enriched and {our relationships} are deepened through this sensitivity.
Conclusion: Discovering Contentment Via Carrier
Every people has a skill that is able to be opened: the pleasure of serving to others. It serves as a reminder that our lives are meant to be about extra than just our personal pursuits; they’re an opportunity to fortify the lives of others.
Let’s thus embody the pride of serving to others, if it is by means of deeds of kindness, volunteering, or simply being conscious about their wishes. The easy act of serving would possibly supply mild and hope in a global that every so often turns out overwhelming. As we emulate Christ and prolong ourselves in love, we no longer simplest exchange the lives of others but additionally revel in a deep feeling of success and enjoyment that overflows into our personal hearts.
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