Wednesday, February 28, 2007

News Roundup 2/28/07

I'm baaack! Yes. As Ebsfwan so lovingly stated in his last comment:

"Good to see you back to your normal shrill form. :) "


I'm just getting warmed up!!
Don't worry Ebs...I can spot genuine "liberal love" when I see it! Hah!

So much news to catch up on! I will probably be adding to this News Roundup throughout the day so be sure to check back with your favorite shrill!

P.S. In the shrillness category, do I rank equal to, worse, or better than Glenn Beck? ;-)

Anyway...back to the Roundup:


ACLU exec busted for child-porn videos in court today

I have known about this for a few days now and was very curious to see how the MSM handled reporting it. Even though this slug is a
former ACLU exec., the fact that he was involved with eliminating child porn links at public libraries makes this a huge story. But the MSM?? Burying it or not even reporting it at all!!

See how the ACLU exists to protect children??

UGH!!!

World Net Daily Poll question:

Why is case of ex-ACLU chief accused of child porn getting little media attention?

Media are guided by advancing their agenda rather than honest reporting 45.22% (946)


I'm dumbfounded. It should be getting huge publicity since the ACLU has defended child molesters in NAMBLA 20.79% (435)


National news media are sympathetic to ACLU's left-leaning causes 19.55% (409)


When has the ACLU ever had critical media coverage? 12.48% (261)


There's no media cover-up, I've heard quite a bit about this case 0.72% (15)


It's viewed as a local child-porn case, not of national interest 0.57% (12)


Other 0.33% (7)


He's not accused of actual child abuse, only porn, so it's not considered so serious 0.19% (4)


Press figures he's innocent until proven guilty 0.14% (3)


Details are too graphic to give it lots of national play 0.00% (0)



TOTAL VOTES: 2092
(as of 7:43 a.m. P.T.)

HT: World Net Daily

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And then there is this:

Military launches investigation into ban on top independent online news source

Want to make a bet that it was a liberal left influence that achieved this?? They don't believe in "free speech" or a "free press for a free people" unless such speech agrees with them!

*******

Speaking of our lovely lunatic liberal left dafts, how does this one grab you?

Some Americans sorry Cheney survived

Quote:

Some of Dick Cheney's many fierce enemies on the left were unable to withhold their glee today after the vice president escaped an apparent assassination attempt in Afghanistan.


So...when do we get to call these people "haters, death mongers, EVIL and treasonous b*****ds? (Sorry...but this made me SO ANGRY...many of the comments were just so over the top...)

Comments posted to the site include:


Better luck next time! (TDB)

Dr Evil escapes again ... damn. (truthtopower01)

So Cheney is personally responsible for the deaths of 14 innocent people ... and then he waddles off to lunch!! What a piece of sh--! (fantanfanny)

Jesus Christ and General Jackson too, can't the Taliban do anything right? They must know we would be so gratefull (sic) to them for such a remarkable achievement. (hankster2)

Hey, Thalia, lighten up. I, for one, don't wish Cheny (sic) had been killed. I wish he had been horribly maimed and had to spend the rest of his life hooked to a respirator. Feel better now? (raisarooney)

Let's see ... they're killing him over there so we don't have to kill him over here? (ncjohn)

And they missed!? Oh, Hell. Like Mamma used to say, I guess it's the thought that counts ... (Anachro1)

You can never find a competent suicide bomber when you need one. (Mark701)


One contributor to the string of comments, "MNCurler," echoed many others, writing: "The posts advocating for Cheney's demise really show the class of the people who post here. No wonder you can't get a civil debate on this site- we are dealing with lunatic idiots."


See?? I'm not the only one calling them LUNATICS!!

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'Cameron's coffin' is 2007 Easter attack

Every year, at this time, we get another attack on the foundation of the Christian faith. So typical...isn't it?

Just goes to show that "the truth is not in them" who deny Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, Son of God, and (to Cameron and his ilk's detriment) Judge of the universe.

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HT: So far, it's been a WorldNetDaily reporting day...
...more later...

*******
WND Poll Update @ 3:07 p.m. PT

Why is case of ex-ACLU chief accused of child porn getting little media attention?

Media are guided by advancing their agenda rather than honest reporting 43.60% (1741)


I'm dumbfounded. It should be getting huge publicity since the ACLU has defended child molesters in NAMBLA 21.56% (861)


National news media are sympathetic to ACLU's left-leaning causes 20.14% (804)


When has the ACLU ever had critical media coverage? 12.95% (517)


There's no media cover-up, I've heard quite a bit about this case 0.65% (26)


It's viewed as a local child-porn case, not of national interest 0.45% (18)


Other 0.33% (13)


He's not accused of actual child abuse, only porn, so it's not considered so serious 0.18% (7)


Press figures he's innocent until proven guilty 0.15% (6)


Details are too graphic to give it lots of national play 0.00% (0)



TOTAL VOTES: 3993


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Update @ 5:38 p.m. PT

Great article on Liberal Licentiousness

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

News Roundup 2/27/07

I was wondering when this would happen! I just knew that someday, the lunatic New York Times would bash and smear the film "Obsession."

Yep... they can't handle the truth.
Uh huh...they don't know the meaning of truth.

One comment stands out at LGF:

Quoted within the article:

"i felt myself thinking poorly of some aspects of Islam"

Commenter:

"welcome to the friggen' party."


The liberal left LUNATICS OBSESSION WITH POLITICAL CORRECTNESS at IDIOT-BRAINED NEWSPAPERS LIKE the "Times" will PC us to death!

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West.

Arrgghhh! It is times (no pun intended!) like this when I wish I knew how to photoshop a photo. I'd replace "S.F. Liberals" with the "N.Y. Loonie Times" in this photo!!

HT: LGF

Oh sure...there's nothing true in this documentary...it's just propaganda. Until you have the courage to face reality and read this:

World Under Fire: Terrorist Attacks Across the World

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Attacking the Truth About Jesus

It would take someone like James Cameron, who fashioned himself as the "king of the world" a few years back when his film "Titanic" won best picture to make an attack against the truth of God. But the guy is showing himself to be a hopelessly daft lunatic when he makes such a stupid claim as this.

Over the course of history, time and time again scholars have disproved wild claims like Cameron's. Today, scholars have immediately come out and criticized the false assumptions made in this inaccurate and anti-Christian, anti-faith documentary.

Of course, we have the typical MSM secular-progressive attack machine ready, willing, and able to tout a ridiculous story and pass it off as fact.

The fact of the matter is, the Resurrection is a proven fact of history. Simon Greenleaf has already shown that the evidence FOR the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so strong that it would certainly pass a cursory legal inspection; even in a courtroom today.

Greenleaf, one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen.

In a Faith Under Fire commentary, World Net Daily labels it as a 'Titanic' attack on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christian believers everywhere know what hogwash such attempts truly are! We are not easily fooled! Attempts to discredit the Gospel of Jesus Christ have been around ever since the day after the Resurrection happened.

More recently, we've been through the stupid Da Vinci Code abomination. We've seen the idiots of the infamous "Jesus Seminar" make absolute fools of themselves putting "beads into jars" to register their vote on whether or not Jesus said certain phrases in the gospel accounts. And now we have James Cameron and his ilk trying, once again, UNSUCCESSFULLY to diminish, debase, and squelch, the Truth about the Person of Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible.

When will they ever learn?

The more important question is why are such attacks more prevalent these days? Jesus warned that "hearts would grow cold" and false claims about Him would arise.

Fortunately, the public (especially the faithful) are not so easily fooled by heretical claims and apostasies such as these. In a World Net Daily Poll taken yesterday, the following question was asked and answered:



What do you think of claim that burial place of Jesus' family has been found?

It's part of the continuing attack on everything that stands for the truth of God 74.20% (3830)


Jesus took his body with him when he rose from the dead, so this is a bunch of silliness 10.17% (525)


The man involved already was proven to be a shill with the James ossuary, so this is par for the course 4.71% (243)


I think the find is interesting, and it deserves further study 3.02% (156)


I need more information, but I doubt the claim 2.58% (133)


Jesus was not married and did not have children, so this has to be a hoax 2.23%
(115)


Other 1.41% (73)


I believe it, and it shatters the myth that is Christianity 0.89% (46)


I believe it, but it does not destroy the main tenets of the Christian faith
0.46% (24)


I've been awakened to startling truths about the Bible, and this could be one of
them 0.33% (17)




TOTAL VOTES: 5162


*******

The Lord must truly be amused by the silly antics of men such as this who would attempt to challenge the truth of God, His Word and His authority. God has graciously given men the freedom to act as free agents. The greatness of God is that despite what men do, the ultimate goal within the universe has been preset to accomplish His final purposes.

Ten Reasons Why the Jesus "Tomb" Claim is Bogus
Leading Scholars Say Discovery Channel 'Documentary' Makes for Good TV, Bad History and Bad Science.

To encourage you and stimulate your thinking, here are five reasons why you can believe that Jesus was bodily raised from the dead, written by Kenneth Richard Samples of Reasons to Believe.

*******

Update @ 2:42 p.m. P.T.:

Critic: Movie maker 'least qualified to render determination of biblical truth'

You got that right! Look at the idiotic statment Cameron makes in the article:

"Cameron, on a movie information website, expressed a little of his own theology, which won't be familiar to those who study the Bible.


"Well, I see our potential destruction and the potential salvation as human beings coming from technology and how we use it, how we master it and how we prevent it from mastering us," he said."


Ha ha ha ha haaaa!

Had a great laugh over that moronic "theology."

I agree with what Schenck said here:


"Schenck said the whole publicity stunt may backfire on Cameron, and encourage people to dig deeper into the reasons they believe the way they do. "In the end ... the truth will be told," he said.

He cited a favorite Bible verse: "What the devil means for destruction God will turn for good."
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Crisis, Action, Care & Love

When a health crisis occurs, we just never know when or where it will strike. Despite the fact that my husband endured that terrible cardio-vascular reaction Thursday night, the truth is, it probably couldn't have happened at a better place or time. I know that sounds a bit strange, so let me explain.

He was surrounded by the right people who could, and did, react with such speed and appropriate action, that I truly believe such swift thinking helped to lessen any damage to his body. The harm that could otherwise have occured, may have even been halted. Thus, the care of him which was done immediately, may have saved his life.

I want to share what happened. Perhaps some of the information may help someone else, someday, if faced with a similar situation.

For privacy purposes, I will just use the first initial of the first names of people who helped us that night.

We had just finished a delicious dinner. The conversations varied from sharing past funny stories and situations, to sharing golf adventures, to discussing D's special plate of food because of allergic reactions to onions!

P and L, from another table at the dinner, were the first to leave. P still had symptoms from a bad cold, so he needed to get home early.

I glanced over at Charlie and noticed that he was yawning quite often. He also was rubbing his eyes. He looked extremely tired. I was thinking to myself that we should probably leave shortly after the dessert and coffee have been served. I was about to say that to my husband, but as I turned towards him, he had his hand on his upper chest and said he was having bad chest pains and trouble breathing. He grimaced in pain. The blood drained from his face and he said he felt faint.

The next thing I knew, D, who was sitting near Charlie got up from his seat and started giving out instructions on what to do for him. Several people complied and within a few seconds, Charlie had eaten two chewable baby aspirins. D sent someone to get seltzer water for Charlie to drink. Since Charlie felt faint and nauseous, D then instructed him to try and bend down so that he could place his head between his knees. Charlie was able to do that, but when he lifted his head up, he couldn't drink the seltzer water that I placed by his lips. He appeared dazed and incoherent. As he attempted to drink it, the rim of the glass only touched the base of his nose. He was sweating profusely and his shirt was very damp. Several of the people who came around us handed me wet napkins to place on his neck and forehead.

In what seemed like less than a minute, the chest pain subsided, so D and C helped him up and brought him over to the sliding glass doors so that he could breathe in the cool night air. It was raining outside. Someone else brought over a chair for him, then a chair for me. What seemed like two minutes after I sat down in that chair, the paramedics arrived! I was so amazed! They got there within 5-10 minutes!

I found out later that a call was sent through the hotel and restaurant for a doctor to come to the ballroom. I'm not sure if he got there before the paramedics or not, but the medics treated him quickly, right there on the spot. His blood pressure was very low and the fact that he had those severe chest pains meant that he needed to get on a gurney and taken by ambulance to the emergency room at the hospital.

I remember remaining calm through all of this. I had been in situations similar to this before with Charlie. But it was a totally different ailment. Just before getting up from the chair to follow my husband and the paramedics to the ambulance, I looked back at all the guests at the tables. Most were standing, looking concerned. It was evident that everyone at every table certainly didn't want to rush over and hover around us. Each table probably sent one person over to see if they could help in some way.

Many of my husband's co-workers were speaking words of concern, care, and encouragement to him all through this episode. He recalls hearing their voices, but doesn't remember exactly what everyone said to him. Later, when I shared how this event unfolded with Charlie, he was amazed and grateful for the excellent and immediate action taken by many friends there.

As I reflect back, I can see the hand of God working through the people during this time of fear and uncertainty. I found out two days later, that D's wife, W, started praying at our table immediately when she saw that my husband's health was in jeopardy! Both the physical care being given to him and the spiritual care of prayer being sent up to the Lord was a powerful combination that I believe, halted the chest pain and made the ailment less severe than it could have been.

Our friends, P and T were so very kind to drive my car over to the hospital for me. D and W drove my husband's truck (we took separate cars because Charlie came from work and I, from home) to their house until we were able to retrieve it three days later. What caring and thoughtful people!! I just love them all...

As I mentioned previously, I started to tear up while traveling in the ambulance over to the hospital. I prayed and my spirit was calmed by doing so. Plus, two minutes later my husband called from the back of the ambulance to tell me that he was alright.

My next thought was that I can trust in the Lord, for He is good and merciful! I realized that this was a wake-up call for both Charlie and I. There would be some drastic changes in diet, exercise, and a reduction of stress in his life! I found myself wishing that he could retire from his job now! But I also knew that such a thought was, quite frankly, an unrealistic dream, at this point.

After two nights and two days at the hospital, Charlie was anxious to get home! It is difficult to sleep there, expecially when they wake you up to take blood at all hours of the night! And, who ever thought up the idea to weigh all the patients at 4:00 a.m.?

But the worst night was Friday night. Charlie got a roommate. The guy was a crusty old man whose vulgar language and meanness towards the nurses were unbelievable. I could tell you stories! Unfortunately, the guy kept Charlie up most of the night. Finally, the old man fell asleep at 3:00 a.m. So did Charlie...then they came in to weigh him at 4:00 a.m.!! Arrgghhh!

Luckily, the roommate left before I got there the next morning. My son and I went to retrieve Charlie's truck at his co-worker's home. We briefly went into their beautiful home, and were immediately met and surrounded by five of their seven dogs!! Then we saw the two additional puppies! And I thought that taking care of my two dogs (and three when we have my friend's beagle with us) was work! They were all beautiful animals and very sweet. Good upbringing!

D and W gave us a pretty vase with gorgeous flowers for Charlie. So sweet of them! In all of my rushing around (haven't shared the half of it!), I didn't think to get any "welcome home" gifts, so this was a very pleasant surprise. I was so grateful for their kindness.

Charlie was discharged from the hospital about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. He was so happy to be home! We don't have any more answers (yet) as to what specifically was the cause of the condition. He will have to take more tests as an out-patient. Two weeks rest and no stress was also recommended. I better be on my best behavior!

The cardiologist who treated Charlie at the hospital was so wonderful! Charlie will be meeting with him for additional tests. We hope to find out the cause, but even more importantly, want the medications to work so that this never happens again!

Thursday night was tough for me. I didn't want to leave him alone at the hospital. I arrived home at 12:30, but didn't get to sleep until 3:30 p.m. The house was totally empty and quiet. No husband, no kids, no dogs...just me. I missed them all terribly! Even the dogs! They were at my friend's home for two nights.

In the past, I would sometimes complain about the work of caring for two dogs. Not anymore. They are comforting companions and part of our family! I love it when our entire family is together. It's the best part of living life!

Again, I want to thank all of the commenters and those who emailed me with concern, care, love and prayers! Thank you for the Scripture references. They comforted me immensely!

I have often found that when a tragedy, trial, crisis, or fear enters into my life, the grace of God always provides perspective.

It is no coincidence that on Saturday morning, my bookmark in the Captured by Grace book rested on page 136. The Scripture reading there was 2 Corinthians 4:17-18


2Cr 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2Cr 4:18
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Within this chapter, I read the following paragraphs. It was as if God was pointing His finger at those pages in the book, preparing my heart for what I needed to read...an heed!

The author wrote:


Let's consider the remarkable ways God nurtures us through our struggles, according to this passage of Scripture.

1. Afflictions help us to anticipate glory. Reigning with Christ requires suffering with Him - no cross, no crown. But holding the hand of Christ through the darkness gives us a glimpse of the glorious nature of deliverance that is to come

.
2. Light things help us appreciate heavy things. Paul calls it "light affliction," and frankly, that's what most of our sufferings are. These are like smaller models of the "higher" suffering called death, and the higher glory of eternal life. God teaches powerful truth through lesser mediums.


3. Temporary things help us appropriate eternal things. "For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). The hope of wearing Olympic gold drives athletes to persevere through, and even to value, the pain of dedication. Comparing the value of temporary pleasures with potential glory, they press on. Gold medals are of fleeting value. Some even turn up in pawn shops to be exchanged for a different metal. The goal before us also requires rigorous perseverance through pain. Unlike the hopeful competitor, we can have confidence that every trial, every struggle, has a particular purpose to produce in us some eternal value.

[Note: I have an awesome sermon to share in a future post on "what is of eternal value" and how it determines rewards in heaven for the faithful....it's so exciting!]

4. Outward pain helps us accelerate inward progress. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Isn't it exciting that modern-day science is only now beginning to affirm what the Bible has said all along? There is a close relationship between body, mind, and soul. This is why you've met people with physical challenges who have extra layers of wisdom that few others have attained. [Note: Joni Erickson Tada comes to mind!] Bodily suffering drives us deeper. We find God at the broken places, teaching and encouraging.

John Newton wrote, "We will look back upon the experiences through which the Lord led us and be overwhelmed by adoration and love for Him! We will then see and acknowledge that mercy and goodness directed every step. We shall see that what we once mistakenly called afflictions and misfortune were in reality blessings without which we would not have grown in faith."

We can't wish away our problems, and we're unlikely to put on a fake smile and pretend we're enjoying them. What we can do is meet them squarely and soberly, refusing to view them as random shots from an unkind world. Instead, we know they are necessary challenges for the positive growth we're intent on experiencing. Who wants to remain a child forever? We know we need a good workout. We know it's necessary to build our spiritual muscles. There are no muscles of any kind that strengthen without resistance.

When you're at the gym, sometimes you can get through a grueling cycle on some machine by thinking about the muscles that the machine is helping. I suggest you do that very thing during times of struggle. Where can you "feel the burn"? What part of your character is going to be that much more godly tomorrow? My friend, perspective will completely change the way you approach challenges.

In one of his books, my friend Ron Mehl wrote these words: "Storms always leave us with a list of things to clean up and fix. They are times when God restores to us the things we lose through negligence, ignorance, rebellion, or sin. For the Christian, storms are a no-lose proposition. They help me to see and acknowledge the loose shutters, missing shingles, and rotten fence posts in my life while turning me back to the only One who can make the necessary repairs."

Friday, February 23, 2007

Prayer Request

It is 12:30 p.m. PT and I just got home from the hospital. Perhaps no one will read this until tomorrow morning. But I would like to ask each of you to pray for my husband, Charlie.

We were at a co-worker's retirement dinner this evening, enjoying the conversations and having a great time with friends. After eating a delicious dinner, Charlie appeared quite tired. I was thinking that we should leave right after desert. Didn't make it that long. Suddenly, he suffered from chest pains, broke out into a cold sweat and became incoherent.

The paramedics came immediately...I was amazed. They treated him on the scene and then off we went to the hospital. I sat up in the front seat and teared up during the ride. Charlie must have sensed that I was worried and he called to me from the back of the ambulance to say he was alright!

That's my love...more worried about me than himself! He's my prince and beloved...

At the emergency room, he received additional treatment, a chest ex-ray and had blood drawn. He is resting comfortably, but they need to take more blood overnight and monitor his vitals. He will be seeing a cardiologist in the morning.

They don't think it was a heart attack; but it is still a mystery.

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers.

Trusting in the Lord.

Your friend in Christ,
Christine

Thursday, February 22, 2007

News Roundup 2/22/07

The Anna Nicole court hearings could be labeled as a circus. Apparently, the judge in the case has taken a somewhat liberal approach to get to the truth. Many talking head lawyers appearing on the news analyst shows have stated their objections (no pun intended) to the manner in which this judge has conducted the hearings.

After viewing Larry Birkhead's testimony yesterday, I would have to say that he was the most credible witness on the stand (as compared to Anna's mother and Howard Stern). There were several moments (and answers that he supplied under oath) that leads me to believe that he genuinely cared for Anna Nicole. His breaking down on the stand appeared genuine.

Today, on the live streaming court room proceedings, the judge claims that he is searching for the truth.

*******

Remember the uproar over the Danish cartoons that mocked Muslims and Muhammed? Well, it appears that the Egyptians may not be able to take such mockery, but they certainly know how to dish it out!

Egyptian Two-Fer: Racism and Misogyny in One Cartoon

Although I don't plan to vote for either Obama or Hillary, just the fact that they would mock two of my fellow Americans really irks me...

I was glad when Charlie Rangel, a Democrat who opposes most (if not all!) of President Bush's policies, at least was man enough (and patriotic enough) to tell Hugo Chavez where he should go in his dissing rhetoric against our President; both when he was spouting off at the United Nations and then in Rangel's neighborhood.

HT: LGF

*******

This sentence from the LGF post speaks volumes about the liberal loonie left press:

Not even the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians is enough to get al-Reuters to use the word “terrorist:” Second chlorine bomb may show new militant tactic.

HT: LGF

*******
Insane human religious rights abuses are worsening in China. To me, it is unbelievable that China was chosen as the site for the 2008 Olympics.


Christians jailed for walking near Olympic hotel

Excerpt:


"We are deeply concerned about Brother Hua and his elderly, ill mother. They are faithful Christians seeking only to serve the Lord in accordance with their conscience," said Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs.

"We encourage Christians around the world to pray for their family, and we strongly urge the Chinese government to release them immediately," he said.

China Aid Association officials told VOM that Hua has been very active in trying to help persecuted Christians and others who are oppressed by local officials who travel to Beijing trying to obtain justice from the central government.

He and his mother were attacked, and while on the ground, kicked. Then later they were taken to a police station for questioning, according to reports. "When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center," the organization said.

"The Chinese government says they ensure freedom of religion, but this case clearly shows the truth," Nettleton said. Police from the Olympic Sports Stadium Police Station also threatened to arrest Hua's brother, officials reported.

Authorities in China told CAA that Hua was under criminal detention on the charge of "intervening public affair," essentially damaging public and private property at the construction site.

"The charge against Brother Hua is totally baseless and it's clearly … revenge to Hua's Christian ministry to the oppressed," said Bob Fu, who works with Hua. "Hua's case should be seen as a litmus test on whether China is sincere to improve its worsening human rights record before the 2008 Beijing Olympics."

HT: World Net Daily



*******

Update: 10:12 a.m. PT

If I remember correctly, I believe that Jaded once shared a statistic within her comments that was similar to what the following article reveals:

More Americans killed by illegal aliens than Iraq war, study says

This is precisely why the illegal immigration issue in this country must be finally, and completely, dealt with!!

1. I support increased monitoring of our borders to stop terrorists and illegal aliens.

2. I support the registration and deportation of illegal aliens.

3. I do not support amnesty for illegal aliens; however, some sort of "guest worker" program could be created that would not constitute amnesty and allow for workers to come in and do the work.

4. I support a border fence between the U.S. and Mexico to prevent illegal aliens from entering the U.S. in the first place!

(Note: Look at how effective the fence created in Israel has been to prevent suicide bombers from getting in. I think that we need to do the same to prevent terrorists, drug dealers, and illegal aliens from crossing our borders.)

HT: GOP U.S.A.




Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The Froward Heart

Pro 11:20 They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight. (KJV)

Froward. Not a term that we hear much these days.

Let's look at the definitions and synonyms of that word from Dictionary.com:



-adjective

willfully contrary; not easily managed: to be worried about one's froward, intractable child.

[Origin: 1150–1200; ME froward, fraward. See fro, -ward]

—Related forms
fro·ward·ly, adverb
fro·ward·ness, noun

—Synonyms obstinate, willful, disobedient, fractious, wayward, unmanageable, difficult.

—Antonyms docile, tractable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

adj. Stubbornly contrary and disobedient; obstinate.

fro'ward·ly adv., fro'ward·ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

froward

O.E. from weard "turned from or away," from from + -weard. Opposite of toward, it renders L. pervertus in early translations of the Psalms, and also meant "about to depart, departing," and "doomed to die."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper


froward

adjective
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition

WordNet® 2.1, © 2005 Princeton University



*******
Wow! That's certainly a "loaded" word, full of negative meanings!!

Other Bible translations for Proverbs 11:30 say this:

NKJV - Pro 11:20 - Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson


NLT - Pro 11:20 - The Lord hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity. New Living Translation © 1996 Tyndale Charitable Trust

NIV - Pro 11:20 - The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
New International Version © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society

NASB - Pro 11:20 - The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in {their} walk are His delight.
New American Standard Bible © 1995 Lockman Foundation


RSV - Pro 11:20 - Men of perverse mind are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
Revised Standard Version © 1947, 1952.

The Bible is filled with verses regarding the heart, and the character of the unrepentant.

That's the bad news which we all must face about our spiritual state of being since the Fall.

The Bible is an honest book. It records the deeds, errors, sins, and evil done by men because of the "froward heart."

Just click on the link above and read the list of descriptions regarding the froward heart! The verses listed there clearly tell us what the unregenerate heart is severely capable of...and it's not pretty!

Here is the list (go to site for verses under each description)

1. Hateful to God
2. Full of evil
3. Full of evil imaginations
4. Full of vain thoughts
5. Fully set to do evil
6. Desperately wicked
7. Far from God
8. Not perfect with God
9. Not prepared to seek God
10. A treasury of evil
11. Darkened
12. Prone to error
13. Prone to depart from God
14. Impenitent
15. Unbelieving
16. Blind
17. Uncircumcised
18. Of little worth
19. Deceitful
20. Deceived
21. Divided
22. Double
23. Hard
24. Haughty
25. Influenced by the devil
26. Carnal
27. Covetous
28. Despiteful
29. Ensnaring
30. Foolish
31. Froward
32. Fretful against the Lord
33. Idolatrous
34. Mad
35. Mischievous
36. Proud
37. Rebellious
38. Perverse
39. Stiff
40. Stony
41. Stout
42. Elated by sensual indulgence
43. Elated by prosperity
44. Studies destruction
45. Often judicially stupefied
46. Often judicially hardened

Long list!! Discouraging, depressing and disheartening, too...isn't it?

But Jesus tells us to take heart...

John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)


I wanted to throw out a challenge to my readers. Pick one of those words, apply it to the heart (e.g. "Mischievous Heart") and give a modern day example of someone or something that has demonstrated that type of a heart in the comment section.

Then, if possible, also share the story of a person who has overcome a "Mischievous Heart" and tell us what helped make that transformation for that particular person.

The examples chosen can be YOU, or someone you know, or someone you heard about on the news, etc. If you find an article or website link about such people, then feel free to provide a link to the story.

Anyone out there up to the challenge?

*******

There is hope in the Lord! No matter where you have come from...no one is beyond the reach of our loving God!

This Devotional shares why:


The New Covenant of Grace: A Holy Spirit Covenant

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

As noted earlier, the new covenant is about grace, as contrasted with the old covenant, which is about law. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). The connection between grace and the Holy Spirit can be seen in various scripture passages on the new covenant, including this glorious prophecy. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." The first verse in this prophetic promise concerns regeneration, spiritual new birth. Through faith in the Lord, our original, hard, lifeless heart is removed, and a new, pliable, living spirit is given to us.

The second verse pertains to transformation, the ongoing development of this new life. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." The developing of a life that increasingly complies with the will of God depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We know that unredeemed humanity has no hope of living a life that is pleasing to God. Yet, many Christians could be unaware that even the new creature in Christ cannot please God on his own resources. The Spirit of God must be the heavenly cause that produces a heavenly lifestyle in believers.

What is promised here is not an automatic experience. The life of many Christians does not consistently match what is described here in Ezekiel 36:27. The reason is that they are not relating properly to the Lord in humble dependence. Yes, these two relational realities (humility and faith) also determine whether or not the Spirit of God is our resource, just as they were determinative concerning grace.

Two statements by Jesus expound upon this fact. "You have no life in you...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:53,63). We do not innately possess life as God intends it to be lived. Natural human resources are of no benefit in developing a godly life. Such revelation is very humbling. If we embrace Jesus' evaluation of our personal inadequacy, then we are willing to relate to God in humility. Further, there is truth in which we are to place our trust. "It is the Spirit who gives life." As we count on this truth, we are relating to the Lord in faith. The result of such humble reliance is God's Spirit becomes our vitality for living godly.

O Lord, the source of true life, thank You for establishing such a gracious arrangement as the new covenant. I praise You that Your Holy Spirit is my heavenly dynamic for godliness. I confess that my fleshly attempts to please You are so inadequate. I humbly ask You to cause me to walk in Your good will, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Hoekstra, Bob. "The New Covenant of Grace: A Holy Spirit Covenant," Day By Day By Grace. Blue Letter Bible. 25 Oct 2006. 21 Feb 2007.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

News Roundup 2/20/07

Here is a link to a recording that describes why the "hate crimes" law in Pennsylvania is a bad law and why the national "hate crimes law" - H.R. 254, needs to be defeated.

If you take the time to listen to the recording, it will explain (better than I did, previously) why "hate-crimes" law is terrible legislation that has, as it's target, the goal of silencing Christians who want to share the Gospel.

A bill introduced on Capitol Hill, H.R. 254, The David Ray Hate Crime Prevention Act, could federalize statutes like those used to silence and imprison 11 Christians in Philadelphia. Martha Kleder spoke with Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues and Michael Marcavage, director of RepentAmerica.com about this bill and the case of the Philadelphia 11 which is still in the courts.

HT: CWA

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Did anyone see the new show on Fox News called, "The Half Hour News Hour?"

What a hoot!

One of the best parts was seeing the ACLU mocked!! Those segments, alone, were worth it!

Here's a link to Hot Air which has a few video clips of the the show.

I love it! A conservative comedy news show...it's about time! Who said conservatives don't have a sense of humor?

HT: Hot Air

Let the mockers loose! It's inevitable! Especially that lunatic on Countdown....what's his name again? I've erased him from my memory!

Thank the Lord!

Oh no....it just came back...

Beast Olbermann!

Hope they mock him big time next week!
heh heh

I can think of many others...too!

*******
Oops...American Idol is on in 5 min.
Gotta run...

Captured by Grace (Part 3)

Part 2 ended with the realization that although the Prodigal Son was ready to surrender in order to get back to his Father (and get a meal in his famished stomach), he was not yet completely prepared for grace.

Why?

Because his words more likely indicated a manipulative mindset rather then a repentant one.

Just like the Prodigal, we ALL need to take one more step towards genuine reconciliation with the Father!

Recall the summary at the end of Part 2:

1. We know that the Father has kept watch with all that was in him, for that is the essence of all three stories Jesus tells in Luke 15 - a relentless pursuit of the lost treasure.


2. The power comes from the Father's grace, not the son's guilt!


3. Hold the thought of the son's carefully prepared, manipulative speech in mind. Then, think of the end of the parable where the Father, consumed by compassion, filled with love, joyful, and estatically runs out to meet the broken, battered, disheveled, smelly, weary, "ready to surrender" son. The Father greets the son with joy, grace, and kisses. By this time, the son's speech is neither rote nor rigid. The Prodigal is a helpless child again, secure in his Father's arms with no need to plan or contrive. Only now is repentence genuine, when it floats upon a sea of...
__________. Fill in the word!!

Grace! Grace is the word!

Even though this parable is describing a human father and the relationship with his prodigal son, the truth is that this story parallels our Father in heaven with each and every one of us. That is why I have capitalized the word, "Father." As you read this account, place yourself in the shoes of the prodigal son and place God, our heavenly Father in the place of the prodigal son's father.

As Christian believers, ALL of us "were once lost, but now am found." ALL of us have gone astray. ALL of us have sinned against God. ALL of us have most likely attempted to manipulate God's hand in our our lives.

I will pick up back at the point where the father sees the son from a distance. Here's the conclusion of chapter three:


The Father, then, sees the shell of his son from a distance, and he is consumed by compassion. He takes in the labored steps, the bent posture, the very picture of weary surrender, and there is no room in the Father's heart for any substance but love. So joyful, so uncontrollable is the emotion within Him that He begins to run toward the figure -- even to "race," we are told. This would be unseemly for a Middle Eastern Man of His estate. Everything was to be done with quiet dignity. To run means exposing his bare legs. All of these things are beneath the pride of a patriarch. But true love is a powerful force. It erupts on occasion. It is totally unself-conscious.

If the sincerity of the son is ambiguous, there can be no mistake about the heart of the Father. And that touches upon the very essence of this parable. The power comes from the Father's grace, not the son's guilt.

There is still, however, the issue of public shame -- for the boy and his clan. The father is more than aware of that. Therefore he humbles himself in running. He meets the boy in stride. He enfolds him in the full acceptance of his embrace, and he takes on his child's humiliation by his very body language. 1

Try to imagine the story otherwise. We might yet have been moved if the son knocked at the door, went down on his knees, and had his apology gruffly accepted by the Father. We might call it justice tempered by mercy. But nothing of the kind happens here. Instead, the Father commits Himself fully before a word can leave the mouth of his son, before the son can come across the property, before the son could even be recognized by anyone other than a parent who brought him into the world. The son's carefully prepared speech will be delivered as planned, but only after he has been showered in joy, grace, and kisses. By this time, the speech is neither rote nor rigid. The Prodigal is a helpless child again, secure in his Father's arms with no need to plan or contrive. Only now is repentance genuine, when it floats upon a sea of grace.

There at the very edge of the village, a supernatural event has taken place. On this spot, grace has overwhelmed guilt. The Prodigal has come to that place as a lost person. He has not found himself any more than the sheep or the coin found themselves. In all cases, it took the obsessive love of the Searcher for the lost thing to be redeemed.

The primary miracle is the insistence of grace. A secondary miracle is the thawing of a frozen heart. Even the selfish, calculating Prodigal cannot withstand the sight of his running, weeping Father surrendering his high position to meet him at the edge of disgrace. In that moment grace takes him captive, and he sees what his rebellious soul has not until now allowed him to see: the beauty of his Father's love, the absolute value of His acceptance, the sweet joys of loyalty and abedience. As far as his conscience goes, no one need tell him the depth of the pain he has brought to his home. He knows it now; not simply with his mind but in the furthest depths of his heart.

That heart is broken, yet his soul is mended. Such is the supernatural event of grace.

Notice, too, that in the parable the father was willing to surrender his high position to meet him (the son) at the edge of disgrace.

This illustrates what Jesus accomplished at the cross.

He was willing to take off the crown of heaven and replace it with the thorny crown of sin.

He was willing to remove the white robe of righteousness and become sin for us, wearing the ragged, mocking robe of an "earthly king" while enduring the shame and guilt that belonged to us.

He was willing to physically die to pay the penalty for sin that we could not pay for ourselves.

And, because He never sinned Himself and was holy and righteous, He resurrected from the dead; giving us all the eternal hope of salvation!

For all that believe in Him and call on His name, the sins of man are buried in the tomb.

When we confess and repent of our sins, believing, with faith, that Jesus is who he says he is, then our sins are forever forgiven.

Our hearts were broken in this process, yet our souls are mended. We have experienced the supernatural event of grace!

*******

1 Kenneth E. Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2005), 67.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Captured by Grace (Part 2)

The theme of the book "Captured by Grace" is two-fold. It shares the story of how the former slave trader named John Newton, upon conversion, was transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Twenty-five years later, he became the author of one of the most beloved of all Christian worship songs, "Amazing Grace."

Today, it is my goal to share the insights I gained in chapter three, "The Converting Power of Grace." This chapter contains a detailed description of what the lyrics, "I Once Was Lost but Now Am Found" means.

The "once lost; now found" story of the prodigal son is a well-known one, but did you really know the huge meaning and significance that can be derived from it for your life?

The Apostle Paul certainly identified with the parable, and, almost every epistle he wrote echoed the themes of lost and found. He shared what it meant to be a helpless individual captured by the grace of God.

What is interesting to note is that every one of us can identify with someone (or even several of) the characters in the story.

But the truth is, that every single one of us has to identify with the wandering, wasteful son. That identification is the needful step for every lost child in search of salvation.

A thought just occurred to me while I corrected a typo above. I had hurriedly typed, "slavation" instead of "salvation." The truth is, whether or not we want to admit it, is that we are all slaves to the sin of the flesh when we are not salved by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The term salve can be used as a noun or a verb. Let's look at the definitions from Dictionary.com:

noun, verb, salved, salv·ing.
–noun 1. a medicinal ointment for healing or relieving wounds and sores.
2. anything that soothes, mollifies, or relieves.
–verb (used with object) 3. to soothe with or as if with salve; assuage: to salve one's conscience.

[Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE sealf; c. G Salbe salve, Skt sarpis melted butter; (v.) ME salven, OE sealfian]

—Synonyms 3. ease, alleviate, mollify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

verb (used without object), verb (used with object), salved, salv·ing. to save from loss or destruction; to salvage.

[Origin: 1700–10; back formation from salvage]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

We are the objects of Jesus Christ's affection and love! We need the salve he supplies us through his sacrifice for our salvation! We need the ongoing salve application provided by the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives for sanctification.

Salvation occurs but in a moment whereas sanctification continues on throughout our lifetime.

Jesus' ultimate goal during his three year ministry and mission on earth was to "save us from loss or destruction." His destiny was to change ours. The story of the prodigal son is one of the best parables that shows us our need for confession and repentance to God, and God's mercy and grace afforded to us.


Luk 15:11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.
Luk 15:12 "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.
Deuteronomy 21:17 shows where the second son stood as far as how much of his father's estate would come to him. However, we must consider that it was highly insulting for the second son to ask for his portion now.


It was like he was saying, "I can't wait for you to die, Dad."

The author states:

"By the simple act of granting the insulting request, the father showed himself to be a man of grace."
Apparently, the customs and Jewish law in those days would have landed the son a slap in the face and a penniless push out the door!

But similarly to the Lord of the universe, this was a father who could see into the future.

Jeremiah states:


"He knew the desolation and heartbreak that lay ahead for his son. He knew his own heartbreak. Yet he stood by the door and watched his son turn his back coldly and leave, taking with him one-third of the estate."
What's worse, the neighbors would know all about this because of the public sale of a portion of the land so the money could be given to the son. They would all see into the family's shame. Apparently, a public display called the kezazah ("the cutting off") would, according to Kenneth E. Bailey result in the community members breaking a pot in front of the boy. They would cry out that the offender was cut off from his people and then turn their backs upon him forever. 1

As Dr. Jeremiah reiterates, "It was like the son was saying, 'I invite you to ostracize me, and I don't care.' "

The author goes on:

We place ourselves in the shoes of the father and wonder how we would respond. What emotions would dictate our action? For many, the answer would be anger. Yet in this tale, the father's emotion is disciplined love. That kind of love has no strings, no conditions. It knowingly leaves every door open to hurt.

God's grace finds an expression infinitely repeated in His willingness to accept our insult. We stand before Him and say, "Give me what is mine." as if responsibility and obedience weren't part of the legacy. Who would want to take leave of His wonderful palace? Yet that's you and me. We go our own way, to His heartbreak, until we have injured ourselves to our capacity of being injured.

God could take the stance of may parents and bar the doors, lock us in our rooms, and breed in us hearts of rebellion. Yet He stands and watches us set out on the path of misery, knowing it is the only way we will grow a heart of humble obedience. There is no limit to the mileage He will allow us to wander, no limit to the patience with which He awaits our return.

Do you see the hope in this?

Do you see the loving God of the universe pursuing YOU, even when you are in rebellion?

Continuing with the parable, in Luke 15:13-16 we find that the young son "journeys to a far country" in order to pursue the sensuality, dissipation, and sexual adventurism he craves there. The author adds:

... the cheapest bait Satan has to offer: "Eat, drink, and be merry." The problem with sensuality is that it fails to notice anything but the object of its lust.
We know the rest of the story. The money runs out. There is a famine in the land. He realizes that it would be better to be a "slave" in his former household than to live (or, more likely die!) from hunger.

Luke 15:17-19

Luk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Luk 15:18 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

Luk 15:19 "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'
Dr. Jeremiah gave me some new insight into the words, "he came to himself." Some preachers have likened that phrase to the moment of grace. But is it? If we read more carefully, do we find any inkling of remorse or sorrow? Perhaps we must ask whether it was really about his (spiritual) guilty soul or his (fleshly) growling stomach? Is this sincere repentance or just a common sense goal for him to get some food?

Dr. Jeremiah states:

We cannot be certain of the answer - or, more to the point, Jesus keeps it dark. For in a parable we see exactly what the Master desires us to see. And what He wants us to know for now is that the Prodigal knows he needs help. He surrenders.
The Prodigal knows this much. For reinstatement into his father's home he would need to repay every cent he has squandered. But could he do this? It might take years to work off the debt and meanwhile he'd be lowest servant on the totem pole. But he is desperate enough to do this. He is willing to surrender.

But this is key to the story:


It is essential that we, Jesus' listeners, understand that the Prodigal is still unprepared for grace. He is still running his own plans, only sadder and wiser in running them. Whether he realizes it or not, he is still securely within the borders of the far country, a self-chosen exile from the rescue of unconditional love.

This is where I want to insert a previous post on "Beware the crossless gospel." This is what so many of the "feel good, emergent, grace without repentance" churches go wrong. They skip over the need for repentance and almost promote a kind of "redeem yourself" type of gospel that doesn't offend anyone or cause them to suffer any kind of guilt, sorrow or shame for their sin.

Dr. Jeremiah:

We might prefer that the Prodigal "redeem himself" but that would be a misunderstanding of this parable and a misunderstanding of grace. No one on this planet has the ability to redeem him- or herself. Every one of us, like the Prodigal, must ultimately throw him- or herself on the mercy of the court.

But wait -- are we certain the Prodigal isn't penitent? Listen to his speech he is preparing to give: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

Again, Kenneth Bailey offers us a surprising glimpse behind the details. The Pharisees in Jesus' audience would recognize the son's speech as the words of Pharaoh when he tried to manipulate Moses into lifting the plagues (see Exodus 10:16). The Egyptian ruler certainly had no contrite heart; his words were simply damage control for the natural disasters that were ravaging his land. He would have said whatever Moses wanted him to say. 2


In the past, people have often disapproved of a term that I use calling nominal Christians "false converts." But this portion of the story shows the reality of such "false conversions." Look at what Dr. Jeremiah says next about the Prodigal:

"Many a humble word has been spoken when someone is at the mercy of someone else. Words are cheap and inadmissible as evidence of a repentant heart. The Prodigal was simply seeking access to what he hadn't already consumed of his father's estate.

In other words, he is like you or me trying to save ourselves, completely on our own."
This is exactly what I have been trying to convey with my posts that expose those who claim to be Christian, yet who wish to "hold onto a sin that has clearly been shown to be a sin in the eyes of God." They, like this Prodigal, refuse to see the manipulation technique(s) of their position!

Don't be like the manipulative Prodigal!! You need to take one more step towards genuine reconciliation with the Father!

I will share the conclusion in the "Captured by Grace" part three post. Meanwhile, if you are residing in the state of being a "manipulative Prodigal," take heart!! There is much hope!

Here's a taste of the conclusion:

1. We know that the Father has kept watch with all that was in him, for that is the essence of all three stories Jesus tells in Luke 15 - a relentless pursuit of the lost treasure.

2. The power comes from the Father's grace, not the son's guilt!

3. Hold the thought of the son's carefully prepared, manipulative speech in mind. Then, think of the end of the parable where the Father, consumed by compassion, filled with love, joyful, and estatically runs out to meet the broken, battered, disheveled, smelly, weary, "ready to surrender" son. The Father greets the son with joy, grace, and kisses. By this time, the son's speech is neither rote nor rigid. The Prodigal is a helpless child again, secure in his Father's arms with no need to plan or contrive. Only now is repentence genuine, when it floats upon a sea of...

__________. Fill in the word!!

*******

1. Kenneth E. Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2005), 52-53.

2. Ibid., 67.



Sunday, February 18, 2007

Captured by Grace

The current Christian book that I have been reading is called, "Captured by Grace" by David Jeremiah. I have only gotten through chapter three, but I already know that it will end up on my "top ten list" of favorite books. That usually means that a previous choice will be bumped down the list. But that's O.K.

Ranking the books that I read is very important to me. It helps me determine which ones to recommend to family and friends who are in need of finding meaning in life, comfort, encouragement and/or finding salvation in Christ Jesus.

I love what the book jacket says on the back:


Grace - it's a stained-glass, impersonal word until it happens to you...

Until you have been broken beyond belief and need a miracle for your soul.

Until you have betrayed a loved one and cannot bring them back. Until you have befriended every darkness and are desperate for the light.

That's when God's relentless, amazing, very personalized grace finds you.

It reached a slave trader onboard a ship raiding Africa's coast in March 1748. He later gave the world its most beloved hymn.

It struck the Christian church's most treacherous enemy on a Damascus road in A.D. 45...and he became the gospel's greatest messenger.

And it can free you too...of any shameful memory, open wound, unthinking mistake or willful choice.

Encountering God's grace changes lives forever. Let Dr. David Jeremiah show you how the transforming mercy that captured songwriter John Newton and the apostle Paul can awaken within you a fresh experience for the God who love you fearlessly and pursues you with abandon.


Such beautiful words!

I plan to share portions of chapter three later today. Meanwhile, I am posting (below) the parable of Jesus which is about the Prodigal Son.

I'm sure that several of you have heard this story. Some have heard it many times. But I am always amazed that when it is shared by different preachers, I often learn something new and profound about the story.

Jesus is the master storyteller. His parables have such depth and meaning that even a seasoned, 19-year-student of the Bible like me can still gain more enlightenment and insight from just one parable!

That is just one of the facts that makes the Bible such a unique, profound, and miraculous book! A believer can study it for their entire life and never arrive at knowing all the wisdom and knowledge that is contained within its precious pages! I am so excited about this and can't wait to share it!

For now, here's the parable as recorded in the book of Luke, chapter 15:



Luk 15:1 THEN all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luk 15:3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

Luk 15:4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

Luk 15:5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luk 15:6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

Luk 15:7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Luk 15:8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins,* if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

Luk 15:9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'

Luk 15:10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Luk 15:11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.

Luk 15:12 "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.

Luk 15:13 "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

Luk 15:14 "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

Luk 15:15 "Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Luk 15:16 "And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

Luk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Luk 15:18 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

Luk 15:19 "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'

Luk 15:20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Luk 15:21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

Luk 15:22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring* out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

Luk 15:23 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

Luk 15:24 'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

Luk 15:25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Luk 15:26 "So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

Luk 15:27 "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'

Luk 15:28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

Luk 15:29 "So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

Luk 15:30 'But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

Luk 15:31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

Luk 15:32 'It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

Footnotes:
15:8 Greek drachma, a valuable coin often worn in a ten-piece garland by married women
15:22 NU-Text reads Quickly bring.


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Even before I come back to finish this post later today, please feel free to comment, ask questions and/or share any personal feelings about this parable in the comment section.

God bless your day!

Christine

*******
Update: 2/19/07 @ 9:20 a.m.
Here it is Monday morning and I have not completed this post! I apologize for the delay. Had a busy Sunday! Started out with some great worship at church then fun times with the family!

The sermon topic was awesome! I want to share that with readers here, too! So much of God's awesome Word to share; so little time!

I will continue in a new post...

Christine

Friday, February 16, 2007

News Roundup 2/16/07

This takes the cake for the craziest news article title:

Cross-snatching college holds porn show

Ah yes. Secular progressivism at work in a formerly Christian college!

Out with the cross?

In with the porn?

Jesus, I just know that you are returning...soon!

HT: WorldNetDaily

*******

And now for something completely different...but terribly ridiculous...

Yeah....THIS IS A TRUSTWORTHY JUDGE!!!




NOT!!!!



HT: WND...again

*******

Has anyone else noticed that the real story about the Utah Mall shootings has kinda been spiked by most news organizations? It seems that most had been reluctant to point out that the killer was Muslim. Yesterday, on the Michael Savage radio show, it was pointed out that one liberal left loonie reporter actually gave more sympathy and comfort towards the killer and his family during his report rather than focusing on mourning the 5 white, Christian people killed and the 4 white, Christian people who were also wounded (two seriously).

I know that a lot of liberals hate Savage. But at least he is asking the questions that no one else has the guts to ask!

Why is this not broadcast as a "hate crime" against Christians? Many, if not all, were Christians.

Why is this not being broadcast as a "hate crime" against white, Anglo-Saxon people? They were all white, Anglo-Saxon victims.

Why is it strange that the killer targeted ONLY white, Anglo-Saxon and primarily Christian people?

Isn't it strange that the killer chose this particular mall? There was one much closer to his residence with many more people. However, this mall was smack dab in the middle of a primarily white, Anglo-Saxon, primarily Christian community.

Hmmmmm.....

He's a Muslim.

They are Christian.

They are ALL white. No Asians, no Hispanics, no African Americans, no fellow Arabs or Muslims.

Is there a connection being made here?

Do you see a pattern?

Is there no such thing as a hate crime against white, Anglo-Saxon Christian people who were targeted at a mall?

During Savage's radio show, he received an email from a relative who claimed that his/her nephew works at the school that the killer attended. Apparently, the FBI had been alerted over concerns that the perpetrator was researching weaponry on the computers at the school. It appears that the concerns were ignored...

*******

Keep that last story in mind when you see this Radically Ridiculous Item of the Day.

Apparently, most S.F. liberal left dafts haven't seen this photo from the last anti-war demonstration there!!

*******
Update 12:09 p.m. PT

Took them long enough, but at least terrorism has not been ruled out as a motive in the murders.

[Added @ 2:21 p.m. PT: Hal Lindsey shares his take on the matter and makes a strong case for the poll majority conclusion. ]


The public obviously trumps the FBI on this one!
Take a look at this WorldNetDaily poll:

What do you think motivated the Utah-mall shooter?

(Poll now updated at 2:23 p.m. PT)

His affinity for Islamic jihad – it's a state of mind, not a formal political organization 90.37% (3934)


Other 4.30% (187)


Like everyone, he has his own personal demons 1.91% (83)


Exposure to violent video games, movies and music 1.31% (57)


He wore a trenchcoat – it was probably that Goth culture 0.76% (33)


Having been traumatized as a young child by the war in his native Bosnia 0.46% (20)


The failure of the government to provide post-traumatic stress counseling to immigrants from war-torn nations 0.34% (15)


Easy access to guns in America 0.21% (9)


It's unexplainable – everyone says he was a good boy 0.18% (8)


Like his dad said, 'It just happened' 0.16% (7)



TOTAL VOTES: 4353

What's Your Opinion?

I received a "2007 Spiritual State of the Nation Survey" in the mail. I wonder how many readers here would be willing to share their answers to these very important questions on social issues?

After answering each question, please feel free to offer additional comments on any of the issues that are most important to you.

To participate, just highlight, copy and paste the questions in the comment box. Next, use one of the following letters to indicate your answers:

Y = yes
N = no
U/NA = undecided/no answer

Religious Freedom Issues

1. Do you support efforts to uphold the rights of religious freedom and expression in public life?

2. Should pastors and others be allowed to publicly speak out against sexual sins, including homosexuality, without fear of being charged with a "hate-crime" and without jeopardizing the tax-exempt status of their churches?

3. Do you support protecting the public display of the Ten Commandments from the attacks of groups such as the ACLU?

4. Should students have the right to pray in public school classrooms, at sporting events, and graduation ceremonies?

Government Issues

1. Should evangelical pastors and people back away from America's traditional pro-Israel stance, in light of the recent Hezbollah offensive and the anti-Christian rage of the radical Islamists?

2. Is the United Nations a more trustworthy authority than the government of the United States?

*******

Court Issues

1. Should the President choose Supreme Court Justices and federal judges who will interpret the Constitution strictly, without legislating from the bench?

2. Should the Senate be barred from endlessly debating and stonewalling the President's judicial selections?

3. Should the U.S. Supreme Court uphold the federal ban on partial-birth abortion?

*******

Media/Television Issues

1. Do you believe that the national media report Christian, moral, and religious issues in an unbiased manner?

2. Do you support efforts to persuade advertisers and television networks to clean up "trash TV" and offer more family valued programming?

3. Do you favor the restriction of homosexual displays of affection in the media?

*******

Sexual Morality Issues

1. Should homosexual couples have the same rights of marriage as heterosexual married couples?

2. Should Congress pass and the states ratify a constitutional amendment that limits marriage to a man and a woman?

*******

Education Issues

1. Should schools promote homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle?

2. Should schools be required to teach evolution as a theory rather than a fact?

3. Should schools teach that women have a constitutional right to end the life of their unborn child by having an abortion?

4. Should schools teach about contraceptive use?

5. Should schools teach that only abstinence protects against sexually transmitted diseases?

6. Should schools be required to teach traditional American history - including our religious and moral heritage?

*******

Family Issues

1. Do you support the ban on partial-birth abortion and believe that we should support efforts to defend the law in federal court?

2. Do you support legislation requiring abortionists to tell women about the extreme pain their unborn child will experience during the abortion procedure?

3. Should parents be allowed to raise, discipline, and educate their children free from government interference?

4. Should girls under 18 be allowed to obtain abortions without parental knowledge or consent?

5. Should taxpayer dollars flow into abortion provider organizations like Planned Parenthood?

*******

Faith Issues

1. Did you read your Bible more in the past year than the year before?

2. Did you share the Gospel with more people in the past year than the year before?

3. Did you attend church more in the past year than the year before?

4. Did you share your Christian point of view in the last year more than the year before?

*******

Confidence Issues

Do you trust each of the following groups?

Pastors?

Local government officials ?

Local public school officials?

Congressional representatives?

The President?

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Bad "Hate Crimes" Laws Silence Biblical Free Speech

I have been sounding the alarm about the dangers of "hate crimes" laws and how they would subsequently destroy free speech rights for quite some time now. I warned that such bogus laws would target, and attempt to completely destroy, the free speech rights of Christians who desire to protest against the militant agenda of homosexual radical groups.

Now, in this spurious, unconstitutional ruling, we see how radical, activist judges can illegally use their power in order to punish those with whom the secular progressives disagree! Can anyone agree that "I told you so" is in order here? In addition, as the article points out, we must ask what type of freedom of speech would be next to go?? What is this? Gay agenda anarchy or what??

This is more than just stifling of free speech. It is also an attempt for the judicial part of our government to side with the liberal left agenda and prohibit the use of the Bible and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, while, at the same time promoting an illegal double whammy of pressing, and forcing, a kind of "thought police" mentality towards homosexual issues in public places.

This is outrageous, people!!

Could you imagine if a conservative judge (not that one actually ever would!) decided to squelch the free speech rights of the anti-war activists a few weeks ago because he/she didn't like their message?? Again, not that such a judge ever would do that, but can you now recognize how this illustrates the total hypocrisy of the wacky, liberal judge who just did that very same thing to the Christian group?

I sincerely hope that the Alliance Defense Fund gets ahold of this case on appeal. This was truly an absolute travesty of justice!

Christine

*******


Wednesday, February 14, 2007

TESTING THE FAITH

'Philadelphia 11' told 'gays' limited speech
Judge's ruling says permit allows biblical messages to be restricted

Posted: February 14, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern

© 2000 WorldNetDaily.com-->© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

A new federal court decision in the case of the Philadelphia Eleven could send Christians' free speech rights another step towards extinction, according to group members who have been told police officers had a right to silence their biblical messages at a public homosexual festival.

The decision came in a civil rights lawsuit brought by members of that team, including Repent America director Michael Marcavage, who sued the city and a homosexual-festival sponsor after group members were cleared of criminal charges for their actions at the 2004 "Gay Pride" public street festival in the downtown area.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Stengel dismissed their civil rights claim, concluding that a "permit" granted by the city to the homosexuals allowed police to silence the Christian activists' message on public streets.

"The law requires the police to control the crowd and to deal with those acting disorderly, not tell us that we're not permitted to be there," Marcavage said.

The judge's precedent would allow police to arrest anyone at any public gathering simply because they have what the judge called "a contrary message," raising speculation that Republicans could be arrested at a Democrat "festival" and competitors could be arrested at a commercially-sponsored "festival."

Marcavage called it a restriction on time, place and manner. But in the application to a commercial festival sponsorship, it could be assumed that having a discussion about Chevies at a Ford-sponsored event could be prohibited.

"You can't talk about Chevies; you couldn't even have Chevies parked on the streets," he said.
"It is without question that Judge Stengel's decision has set a precedent to eliminate the First Amendment rights of others by citing that a 'permitting scheme' can be used by police and event organizers to 'exclude persons expressing contrary messages' in public areas and at public events," Marcavage said.

"It is for this reason that his ruling is especially troubling and must be overturned," he continued. "Christians must be free to speak the truths of God's Word, warn the wicked, and to preach the Gospel in the public square without interference from government, and therefore, we will continue to battle for these God-given liberties by appealing this decision."

He said the appeal will be pursued in the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, because otherwise Christians will be "left in a position here that will affect the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, because this decision will be binding."

Rev. Ted Pike, of the National Prayer Network, campaigns against such "hate crimes" and "hate speech" plans, and is warning there actually is a federal plan that could be used to make criminals of any Christian who speaks Biblical messages.

"The David Ray Hate Crimes Prevention Act is now before the House Judiciary Committee. If it's signed into federal law, the Philly Eleven incident won't be a freak injustice of American history. Instead, it will be the unheeded first raindrop of a downpour of anti-Christian arrests and lawsuits submerging Christianity in the years ahead," Pike has written.

He said the dismissal of the civil rights complaint means that "the Philly Eleven were wrong in exercising free speech in what had become a no-free speech zone."

He said the federal plan "would eventually allow government 'thought police' to push aside states' rights in law enforcement. Such laws would allow federal indictment of Christian 'haters' in every state of the Union…"

"It would become a federal crime … to show bias against protected groups [including] homosexuals. However, deviant groups such as witches, Satanists, pedophiles, abortionists, and even 'sinners' could quickly catch a ride on the bandwagon of federal protection from the 'hate' of biblically oriented criticism," he said.

The U.S. requirement that there is physical evidence of a crime before an arrest is made could be abandoned, and the only criteria of guilt in a hate crimes case could be "whether the feelings of a member of a federally protected group have been hurt," he said.

Pike's Hate Laws Exposed website is a primary resource center for information on "anti-hate" laws.

The decision by Stengel granted summary judgment to the city of Philadelphia and "Philly Pride Presents, Inc."

Siding with the defendants, Stengel said police were permitted to discriminate against the Christians because of "safety concerns" coupled with Philly Pride's permit from the city to hold the $10,000 taxpayer-funded celebration of homosexuality on public streets.

The judge couldn't escape the facts that "the activity in question took place in a public forum," and "there is no doubt that the venue for OutFest, a designated section of streets and sidewalks of Philadelphia, was a public place," but despite that he found that through the permit OutFest "was empowered to enforce the permit by excluding persons expressing contrary messages."
"Obviously, we are very disappointed," said Ted Hoppe, a lawyer for the Philadelphia Eleven. "We believe that the law clearly supports the rights of the plaintiffs in this case, as well as all individuals, to be able to engage in free speech activities in public streets and sidewalks.

"We do not believe," he continued, "that the fact that there was an event also taking place, even with a permit, diminishes that right."

"I cannot even begin to comprehend what Judge Stengel's thought process was in making this decision," said Marcavage. "This ruling was entirely unexpected considering that all the evidence has been overwhelmingly in our favor, complete with video documentation, not to mention the fact that all 11 of us were vindicated of any wrongdoing in criminal court."

The case dates back to 2004, as WND reported, when on Oct. 10, six men and five women with Repent America, now established as the Philadelphia Eleven, were arrested while ministering on the public streets and sidewalks of Philadelphia during the "OutFest."

Before they were arrested, they had been confronted by a mob of homosexuals calling themselves the "Pink Angels," who blew loud whistles and carried large pink signs to block the Christians' message and access to the event. Other screamed obscenities at the Christians.
Philadelphia officers, under the supervision of Chief Inspector James Tiano, a department "liaison to the gay and lesbian community," refused to take any action against the homosexuals over the harassment, instead taking the Christians to jail.

They were there 21 hours before Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham's office charged them with "Ethnic Intimidation" among other counts under the state's "hate crimes law."
Penalties could have ranged to 47 years in prison and fines of $90,000, but Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe dismissed the criminal charges as being without merit. The civil rights lawsuit by the Christians then followed.

What many people found disturbing was the fact that months earlier, Stengel had refused to dismiss the OutFest organizer from the lawsuit, concluding that "Plaintiffs have pleaded sufficient facts to infer a conspiracy between the Philly Pride Defendants and the other defendants … to deprive Plaintiffs of their constitutional rights."

At that time Hoppe noted that the city's actions "demonstrated a clear hostility toward Repent America and the content of their message."

Repent America is a group that "desires to be in the full Will of God and to adhere entirely to the teachings of the Bible."

"As Christians, we know that there is a literal hell and a lake of fire where the unsaved will burn for all eternity; therefore, we act upon this truth without reservation and GO OUT into the streets and communities of America declaring the Word of God and proclaiming the Good News. We must go out to where the sinners are. We must go to those who would never come into our churches – to the atheists, to the religious, to the self-righteous, to the God-hating and win their souls to Christ," its website says.

"For so long, as followers of Christ, we have allowed Satan to invade our communities through abortuaries, the entertainment and pornography industries, religious institutions, sexually perverse establishments, homosexual parades and other sin celebrations without a word from the Christians therein. God has called us to 'Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression…" (Isaiah 58.1)"

Related special offers:

Sen. Tom Coburn's "Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders into Insiders"
Get Ann's latest and hottest book, "Godless: The Church of Liberalism"
"The Gay Agenda: It's Dividing the Family, the Church, and a Nation"
"Betrayed by the Bench"
"The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom"

Previous stories:

'Philly 11' win round against 'gay' group
Philly group to protest 'Outfest' again
Judge drops all charges against Philly Christians
Judge rules against Christians who preached to homosexuals
'Philly 5' win 1 in court
Christian group gets obscene, hateful messages
Hate-crimes law infringes on 1st Amendment?
Benefit concert planned for 'Philadelphia 5'
Motion filed for Philadelphia protesters
'Philadelphia 5' arrests like 'Christian Rodney King'
Homosexuals planned Christian harassment
17-year-old girl part of 'Philadelphia 5'
U.S. attorneys complicit in arrest of Christians?
Philadelphia accused of 'abuse of power'
Prosecutor: Bible is 'fighting words'
City will prosecute Christian protesters
'Philadelphia 11' fighting back
11 Christians arrested at homosexual event

This is a WorldNetDaily printer-friendly version of the article which follows. To view this item online, visit WorldNetDaily Article

HT: WorldNetDaily

[ 2/16/07 Update: Good News! The Alliance Defense Fund has agreed to appeal Philadelphia 11 free speech limits!]

*******

In a related matter, just see what the "legalization" and implementation of "gay" marriage would result in if it was passed in all states. Massachusetts parents are having their rights taken away from them in regards to teaching homosexuality in the public schools.

Read this article about the ongoing David Parker case.

Note these excerpts:




The elementary curriculum promoting homosexuality, he said, was specifically intended to change a child's outlook of the world to something that his parents didn't teach him.

An ACLU lawyer, however, told the judge that "it is a tremendous bonus" for children to be given information of which their parents wouldn't approve, and that teaching children homosexuality when their parents' Biblical beliefs do not support that has nothing to do with a violation of religious freedom, according to the MassResistance.org reports.

"David Parker's dilemma … threatens the parental rights and religious freedom of every Massachusetts parent, and indirectly every parent in America," said John Haskins of the Parents' Rights Coalition.

"As the Lexington schools themselves are arguing, the state's right to force pro-homosexuality indoctrination on other people's children arises directly from former Gov. Mitt Romney's nakedly false and unconstitutional declaration that homosexual marriage is now legal."


Note how similar arguments used by homosexual activists in front of The European Human Rights Court led to terrible results against a family in Germany:




The arguments on behalf of homosexuals were remarkably similar to a recent European court's conclusion.

The European Human Rights Court several months ago concluded in a case involving similar objections that parents do not have an "exclusive" right to lead their children's education and any parental "wish" to have their children grow up without adverse influences "could not take priority over compulsory school attendance."

That court said a German family had no right to provide homeschooling for their children. The family had argued the public school endangered their children's religion beliefs and violated the family's Christian faith.

Irrelevant, said the court. "The parents' right to education did not go as far as to deprive their children of that experience," it said.

"The (German) Federal Constitutional Court stressed the general interest of society to avoid the emergence of parallel societies based on separate philosophical convictions and the importance of integrating minorities into society," the European ruling said.

In Germany, the situation has continued to deteriorate for homeschoolers, with one 15-year-old student recently being taken into custody by a SWAT team and ordered by a judge to a psychiatric ward of a hospital because she was being homeschooled. WND's latest update on that situation has confirmed authorities now have removed the teen from the psych ward, and she has been taken to a location that is being withheld from her parents and lawyer.

Appalled yet???

Check out these previous stories, too:

Previous stories:
'Gay' groups: We have rights to your children!
Families file federal suit over 'gay' readings
Teacher reads 2nd-graders story about 'gay' wedding
District lifts ban on parent over pro-'gay' book
Charges dropped against jailed dad
Trial over pro-'gay' book set to begin
No notice to parents in 'diversity' classes
Dad on trial over homosexual book
Father faces trial over school's 'pro-gay' book

Valentine's Day-Share Your Love!

Valentine's Day is a day where we are to show "something extra" towards the loved ones in our lives. Typically, we buy gifts, cards, flowers, chocolate candy etc. in order to show how much we care and love them.

My Valentine card to my husband:

Cover: For My Wonderful Husband

Inside:
I don't always tell you

how much I appreciate you

or how much I love you

but I hope you know how much I do

And I hope you know

how proud I am

that you're my husband

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love Always,
Chris

P.S. You are my forever love...and always will be! Love you so much! XXXOOO

Here is an open thread to share your feelings about your loved one, or about this special day in general.

Speaking of showing love to our loved ones, are any American Idol fans reading this blog today? The elimination rounds were quite brutal last night. Some people were unfairly cut, IMO.

I wanted to discuss what each of you thought about the teenager "Matt" who made it through two rounds, but then was sent home by the third round last evening.

What struck me the most about this particular contestant was what he said about his mother. After the very first round, before heading to Hollywood, he shared some details about his visit back home. Just before the first Hollywood audition, he stated on camera that he had hugged his mom because she said she was proud of him. It may only be a teenager exaggerating, but it made me sad when he said that, "she usually never hugs me and she never says she's proud of me. After he passed the cuts in the first round in Hollywood, he called his mom on his cell phone and after hanging up, he shared that she said she loves him. He claimed that she never tells him that she loves him.

What kind of message is this woman sending to her son?? She's only proud of him when he gets on American Idol? She will only hug him when he accomplishes something big like this? She will only tell him she loves him because he was on national television?

Poor kid.

My husband thinks it was just his "gimmick" on the show.

Of course, I cannot know all the details about this teen boy and his relationship with his mother. But it really brought tears to my eyes when he shared what appears to be a very cold-hearted upbringing.

Isn't home where you are supposed to be loved the most?

I know. People and families have problems. There is no perfect family life. But there is forgiveness when bad times hit us.

Sharing love, hugs, kisses and expressing appreciation towards family members is a given in our household. My husband and I were raised that way and my family has always been that way. We tell each other "love you" after almost every phone call. It doesn't cheapen the sentiment (IMO), but strengthens it.

Our children are a gift from God. On "loan" to us from our Creator above. We need to get back to treating our children as what they are...God's Gracious Gift!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...
James 1:17

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Obama Rama Ding Dong

I keep finding more blogs with excellent information regarding why Barack Obama makes a very scary presidential nominee. Therefore, I thought that I should start a thread dedicated to posts I find around the net about him!

This caught my attention early this morning:


Obama Rama...Wasted?

Excerpt of creepiness:


"Yes, there is that brand of politics, but there has always been another tradition of politics that says, 'I am connected to you,' that we are acceptable to each other, that we have a stake in each other." ...

[ Isn't THAT spe-cial? Or can you say creepy? Yes, Obama, there has always been 'another tradition of politics' like that: it's called demagoguery, sychophancy, and false religion... ]


The author goes on to say:


Don't worry Sen. Osama Obama, er, Barak Bin Laden... the mainstream media will always clean up anything indiscrete you ever say...

Place your hope in your media utopian stooges. They love your pseudo-religious talk and are more than willing to ignore your encouragement for the jihadists. Be not afraid!

p.s. For all you utopians searching for a "hero" in Obama ...

Book of Jeremiah 17,5-8.

Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit.


Pseudo-religious talk. Yep...

First Obama tries to hide his Muslim faith upbringing.

Then, when searching and digging into his childhood, we find out that he did, indeed, attend a Muslim school.

He had a Muslim father, Muslim mother, Muslim step-father, and attended a Muslim school. Now, he wants us to believe that he really didn't practice the Muslim faith?

What is wrong with this picture, people??

Why is he lying about his past?

This really bothers me...

And, I think that all the rest of the info I shared about him yesterday adds even more concern over this person who is trying to win the Democratic nomination for president.

HT: Dumb Ox Daily News

Stay tuned...more to come...

*******

Update: 2:12 p.m. PT

Michelle Malkin tells us Obama tries to remove foot from mouth...

Trackback URL:
http://www.michellemalkin.com/mt/oct05-tb.cgi/6200

*******

Scott Johnson over at Power Line has coined a new word for Obama's flubs and fluffs:

Obamanations!

HT: Michelle Malkin

Monday, February 12, 2007

News Roundup 2/12/07

How about something funny...and quite bizarre...to start off your Monday morning?

Wrong Way to Start Your Week

HT: Freedom Folks (Thanks for the laugh...Jake!)

*******
My impression of the looney liberal left has been shattered!! I thought that they weren't supposed to boo and hiss at one of their own? What is the world coming to?

Go to Fox News and click on "Chicago rally turns nasty."

Shame on the looney liberal left!

They need a new title!

Looney Liberal Laft?

Looney Liberal Daft?

Yeah...that's it!!

HT: Fox News

*******
Speaking of Obama, we have a new "war of words" going. (At least it's better than the silly and unnecessary Rosie & Donald thing...)

Australian Prime Minister Blasts Obama's Iraq Policy

HT: Fox News

Democrats Seething at Aussie PM

Yeah...as Charles states at the end of his post about Obama's comment...










"Oh yeah. Call the Prime Minister of Australia a chickenhawk. Now that's presidential!"


HT: LGF

Aussie Prime Minister Defends Obama Criticism

HT: Fox News

*******

Update: 10:22 a.m. PT

Got out of the shower this morning and something new about Obama pops up!








It's an Obama day...

AP Changes Obama Story

Nah...there's no such thing as MSM bias OR MSM MANIPULATION OF THE FACTS!

NOT!!!

As usual, HT: LGF

*******

Hoo Whee!! The faux pas of Obama just keep on comin'!

Obama's got a blog problem, too!

HT: Jammie Wearing Fool blogspot

*******
Update: 11:00 a.m. PT

You just never know what you'll find when reading other people's comments!




In an article at ABC trying to debunk the whole notion that Obama went to a radical madrassa, they let slip this tidbit:

Obama's mother, divorced from Obama's father, married a man from Indonesia named Lolo Soetoro, and the family relocated to the country from 1967-71. At first, Obama attended the Catholic school, Fransiskus Assisis, where documents showed he enrolled as a Muslim, the religion of his stepfather.

The document required that each student choose one of five state-sanctioned religions when registering Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic or Protestant. Gibbs said he wasn't sure why the document had Obama listed as a Muslim.

"Senator Obama has never been a Muslim," Gibbs said

R-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ght.

HT: Commenter "zombie" over at LGF.

P.S. Go see zombie's collection of "Hall of Shame" photos.

WARNING! Many photos in the "Hall of Shame" link are visably and verbally, terribly offensive... and some are awfully gross!

Just don't claim that I didn't warn you before you venture over there.

However, my Christian friends, (as well as anyone else who reads here) IMO, you NEED to look at them.

You will see clear and absolute evidence that my new label for the "LOONIE LIBERAL DAFTS" is exceedingly accurate!!

P.S. I'm SO GLAD that I don't live anywhere near Berkeley or San Francisco!

Thank you Lord for your mercy upon me!!


*******

I know, I know....ANOTHER UPDATE! 8:16 p.m. PT

Obama: Soldier deaths = "Wasted" lives

HT: Michele Malkin

Conclusion for the day: Barack Obama is not ready for prime time T.V.; no less the presidential nomination!!

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Meaning IN Life (part 2)

[Note: For the first segment in this series called, "Searching For Heaven On Earth," go here for the outline. You can look up the verses in the outline and get an idea of why Ecclessiastes 1:1-11 discusses "The Futility of Life."]

SEARCHING FOR HEAVEN ON EARTH
Dr. David Jeremiah

“Sorting Out Your Life”
Ecclesiastes 1:12 - 2:26

February 11, 2007

“vanity”-emptiness or without meaning
“under the sun”- the context for Solomon’s research
“profit”-what is left over

I. The Experiences of Life Under the Sun – Ecclesiastes 1:12 - 2:10

A. Searching for Meaning in Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18







Ecc 1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Ecc 1:13 And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.

Ecc 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Ecc 1:15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

Ecc 1:16 I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge."

Ecc 1:17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

Ecc 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.


Dr. Jeremiah shared a bit about a phenomenol student named Karen Chang. She lives in Fremont, CA and had a perfect score on the SAT's. She was a straight A student and a typical teen. However, she admits that she can be a bit of a procrastinator. Her teachers nick-named her "wonder woman."

Here was a young teen girl who held such a marvelous ability to gain knowledge and retain it. However, when a reporter asked her, "What is the meaning of life?" she answered, "I have no idea. I'd like to know that for myself."

In his poem, Choruses from The Rock (1934), T.S. Eliot states:







"All our knowledge brings us nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God."


Here's the first stanza, so you can better see the context of the quote:







The Eagle soars in the summit of Heaven,
The Hunter with his dogs pursues his circuit.
O world of spring and autumn, birth and dying!
The endless cycle of idea and action,
Endless invention, endless experiment,
Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness;
Knowledge of speech, but not of silence;
Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.
All our knowledge brings us nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God.
Where is the Life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

The cycles of Heaven in twenty centuries
Brings us farther from God and nearer to the Dust.


Sounds like he got his inspiration from Solomon!







Ecc 1:17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

Ecc 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.


If education alone could bring meaning, then every person with a PhD would be happy!

Trouble is, smarter people with a sinful nature are those who learn to do evil in a new way.


B. Searching for Meaning in Wild Living
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3







Ecc 2:1
I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also was vanity.

Ecc 2:2
I said of laughter--"Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

Ecc 2:3
I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.


Notice how Solomon tried amusement, mirth, pleasure, laughter, wine and madness. Such things failed to bring him happiness.

1. He tried amusement






Proverbs 14:13 - Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.


Perhaps we could visualize Solomon's palace like a casino, today, in Las Vegas.


2. He tried alcohol






Ecclesiastes 2:3 - I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.



C. Searching for Meaning in Work

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6






Ecc 2:4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.

Ecc 2:5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

Ecc 2:6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.


In those previous verses, Solomon said "my" or "myself" six times. It didn't do anything for him.

Why was this so? There was no permanent meaning in the accomplishment unless it's after God!

The key is to not make them (accomplishments) the ultimate goal. It won't fill the longing of your soul. Such a longing can only be filled by God.

Look at the life of Ernest Hemingway. After "having it all" he chose to end his life via suicide. He is quoted as having said, "Life is just one damn thing after another."

Seeking meaning in the three ways described above (in knowledge, wild living, or work) alone is empty. What happens is, people are trying to get more out of them than they can deliver!

D. Searching for Meaning in Wealth

Ecclesiastes 2:7-10






Ecc 2:7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.

Ecc 2:8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments* of all kinds.

Ecc 2:9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

Ecc 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.

Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun


Dr. Jeremiah desired to express how rich Solomon really was. Take a look at






1 Kings 10:14 -
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,


The amount of gold that Solomon had was probably valued at 25 million dollars in the days of Solomon. There was gold everywhere! All the drinking vessels were gold. No second place silver in that household! It's nothing compared to the value of gold. Solomons palace was filled with the best of everything; precious stones, exotic spices, gorgeous clothes, the best of foods.






Ecc 2:9 So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.


He had it all! Yet, it didn't bring true meaning and joy to life!

Johnnie Cochran had a saying, "The only value of money is so you don't have to worry about being poor."

But look at Ecc. 2:10-11






Ecc 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my reward from all my labor.

Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.



II. The Evaluation of Life Under the Sun – Ecclesiastes 2:11-23

A. Man's Work Does Not Satisfy Him
Ecclesiastes 2:11-12






Ecc 2:11

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.

Ecc 2:12
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly;
For what can the man do who succeeds the king?--
Only what he has already done.


B. Man's Work Does Not Separate Him

Ecclesiastes 2:13-16





Ecc 2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly
As light excels darkness.

Ecc 2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head,
But the fool walks in darkness.
Yet I myself perceived
That the same event happens to them all.

Ecc 2:15 So I said in my heart,
"As it happens to the fool,
It also happens to me,
And why was I then more wise?"
Then I said in my heart,
"This also is vanity."

Ecc 2:16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever,
Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come.
And how does a wise man die?
As the fool!


What has Solomon learned? That all of this doesn't fill the void in his life. He ends up empty. The reason? We are not created that way! The one avenue that gives us pure joy and fulfill is that which leads to God!





Ecc 2:17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.



C. Man's Work Does Not Succeed Him

Ecclesiastes 2:18-23





Ecc 2:18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

Ecc 2:19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Ecc 2:20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.

Ecc 2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Ecc 2:22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun?

Ecc 2:23 For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.


[Note: Depressed yet? It will be O.K.! Just keep reading! Relief is in sight...in the very next paragraph!]

What is Solomon's message to us all? What is the point of relaying all this depressing non-fulfillment information to us? Are you thinking...but I am enjoying my life, these things, my work, my wild life, my _______(fill in the blank)!

The crux of the matter is this:

If all you see is "under the sun" then there is no difference between the wise and the fool! The end result is that they are the same and it doesn't make a difference.

Except! (you knew that was coming....)

Except when you look at eternity!!!

Here's a simple illustration: Do you ever see a hearse pulling a U-Haul?

Of course not!


We have to get through all of this "bad news" to get to the Good News! What is meant in this portion of Scripture, is that you may build what you want, save what you want; but one day you won't be able to manage it.

So, what is the eternal meaning in the accomplishments in life?

We need to step back and get perspective. If we use only our 5 senses, we feel ultimate despair, discouragement and disappointment. Colossians 3:2 tells us the better way:

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

What is the relief from "days that are sorrowful," "work that is burdensome," and the "heart taking no rest?"

Knowing the difference between vanity and the value of eternity!

That verse is worth repeating:

Colossians 3:2 - Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Now wait, it doesn't end there.

(Remember in my hints in the previous post where I stated, "2. ...has both a humorous meaning, and a more serious one, implying that the answer is to enjoy the ride."?)

Don't stop reading now...the next part is really great...I promise!!


III. The Enjoyment of Life Under the Sun – Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

A. True Enjoyment Is a Gift from God
Ecclesiastes 2:24-25



Ecc 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Ecc 2:25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?*

*2:25 Following Masoretic Text, Targum, and Vulgate; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, and Syriac read without Him


Ecclesiastes is not a morbid book, it is an exciting book! It's not a message to just "check out."

It encourages us to get our heads straight and realize that everything we have is given by God! When we know this...really and truly believe and know this, then we experience the real thing - true joy. That's the gift from God that we receive that allows everything to make sense!

The gifts that we receive here, while on this earth are not the ultimate. Think of them as just a "down payment" to what He has prepared for us in eternity!

True joy - when we realize it- is a gift from the Lord!

God isn't a kill-joy.

As Jesus said in Jhn 10:10 - "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly."

But the Bible is filled with admonitions not to seek joy over there (where the thief resides).

Why?

Because you will miss it!

You will miss the true joy!

That personal, intimate joy!

When we have the joy that God brings- then we can enjoy the things he gave us!

We need to keep God in our "portfolio," so to speak!

Think of it this way. We are to hold all that we have in an open hand. If you close your hand - God can't bless you!



1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;


Ecclesiastes 2:25

For who can eat, or who else can hasten [hereunto], more than I?*

*meaning: without Him!

The problem with finding meaning in pleasure is that you have to increase the intensity to get the same "buzz."

Look at how some choose to seek pleasure:

Alcohol
Smoking
Drugs
Gambling
Illicit Sex
Pornography

Isn't it true that the more you seek pleasure in these things the more addictive they can become? They are traps in the hand of the Enemy of our souls...and he know it!

But note this well.

We NEVER have to worry about the intensity of pleasure that God gives!!

People often say, "never say never." But in this case it's biblical!!

This is where the third hint that I had previously given in the first post comes in:

3. The only time to do something when it feels good is if it feels good to God!

Remember the movie, "Chariots of Fire?" The Christian preacher who ran in the Olympics stated, "When I run, I feel His (God's) pleasure." It's just one tiny illustration of what it means to do something that you enjoy, while at the same time, it is pleasing to God, too!


B. True Enlightenment Is a Gift from God



Ecclesiastes 2:26

For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.


The enlightenment that I have personally received through knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and through studying His Word, the Bible has given me the greatest joy in my life...especially when shared with family and friends!

Dr. Jeremiah shared some examples.

Do you live in a beautiful house? Don't horde it! Use that gift to share God with others through conducting Bible studies or any activity where you can show others the joy of the Lord!

A person once asked Dr. Jeremiah, "if I win the lottery, should I give it to God?" Jeremiah replied, "you shouldn't be playing in the first place; however, if you ever do win give it ALL to God...the devil has had it long enough! Amen?"

Let's end with a beautiful promise verse:



Isaiah 55:1-3



Isa 55:1 "HO! Everyone who thirsts,


Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.

Isa 55:2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you--
The sure mercies of David.


That's a great invitation, isn't it?


Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:


Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,


Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)


Eph 2:6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:


Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.


Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

1. "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever".

Amen!

Meaning IN Life

In one segment of his series, "Searching For Heaven on Earth," Dr. David Jeremiah discusses, and answers for us what is "meaning in life." Today's sermon on this subject was truly awesome. I may need to complete it over the course of several days and posts.

Before I get started on sharing the sermon notes, I decided to google the phrase, "meaning in life." Over 95 million links came up! However, most of the ones I viewed (in the first 30 pages) were headlined, "meaning of life." It appears that most people write about the meaning of life, rather than gaining knowledge and information about meaning in life. What's the difference you may ask? You might discover the difference at the end of this series of posts.

I did find a few links that were entitled, "meaning in life." But I found them quite lacking (as compared to Dr. Jeremiah's sermon) in the information shared.

One link was written by DERK PEREBOOM and was titled: "MEANING IN LIFE WITHOUT FREE WILL." That author based his writing upon philosophical thoughts. He had some good things to say, but he lost me when he wrote:

One might argue, however, that we nevertheless desire to be loved by others as a result of their free will. Against this, it is clear that parents' love for their children -- a paradigmatic sort of love -- is often produced independently of the parents' will. Kane endorses this last claim, and a similar view about romantic love, but he nevertheless argues that a certain type of love we want would be endangered if we knew that there were factors beyond the lover's control that determined it. He says:

There is a kind of love we desire from others -- parents, children (when they are old enough), spouses, lovers and friends -- whose significance is diminished... by the thought that they are determined to love us entirely by instinct or circumstances beyond their control or not entirely up to them... To be loved by others in this desired sense requires that the ultimate source of others' love lies in their own wills. (Kane, 1996, p. 88; cf. Anglin, 1991).

The plausibility of Kane’s view might perhaps be enhanced by reflecting on how you would react were you to discover that someone you love was causally determined by a benevolent manipulator to have the love she has for you.

Leaving aside free will for a moment, in which sorts of cases does the will intuitively play a role in generating love for another at all? When the intensity of an intimate relationship is waning, people sometimes make a decision to try to make it succeed, and to attempt to regain the type of relationship they once had.


Notice the lack of discussion about the role of commitment and covenant being essential in a loving relationship. If we read down a bit further, the closest he gets to even mentioning such a thing is this:

...a marital relationship ideally involves a continuously repeated decision. Indeed, many of us might very much desire a relationship with this sort of voluntary aspect. But again, it is difficult to see what is to be added by these continuously repeated decisions being freely willed in the sense required for strong accountability, as opposed to, say, expressing what the agent really stands for. It might well be desirable for each participant that the other make these decisions. But that the participants should in addition be praiseworthy for these choices seems hardly relevant.


Continuously repeated decision? Seems rather cold and lifeless...to me. I didn't find much satisfaction regarding finding meaning in life within that particular philosophical evaluation.

Then I found this link: More Meaning in Life. But I found that link unsatisfying, too. It was a post that was limited to the concept of "Setting (and remembering!) goals makes frugal living enjoyable."

Decided to go on to page 31 and found a Rabbi's philosophical idea interesting, but still lacking in any all-encompassing search for meaning in life.

OK. I'd better check some of the "meaning of life" links. Since there were so many, I just picked the ones that happened to catch my eye.

If you go to Wikipedia's site, you'll need weeks, if not months, to go through all of that material there!

However, at the top of the page it says this:

There is no question. The meaning of life, the universe and everything is 42.


I thought to myself...what?

Further down, this one offering states how many different ways even the question can be interpreted!


"What is the meaning of life?"


means different things to different people. The vagueness of the query is inherent in the word "meaning", which opens the question to many interpretations, such as: "What is the origin of life?", "What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?", "What is the significance of life?", "What is valuable in life?", and "What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?". These questions have resulted in a wide range of competing answers and arguments, from scientific theories, to philosophical, theological, and spiritual explanations.
These questions are separate from the scientific issue of the boundary between things with life and inanimate objects.


Now I know why Dr. Jeremiah specifically named his sermon, "searching for meaning IN life." It is a much more distinct question than "searching for the meaning OF life."

In my search, I found these interesting:

The meaning of life; can you find an answer on the web?

Yes...perhaps...if you want to search through all 95 million of them!!

Atheism, Depression, & Meaning: Do Atheists Lead Meaningless Lives?"

The author starts off claiming that such a thing (in the title) is a myth. Then, I thought that maybe he was on to something when he said this:

A theist might appear to be correct that, without God, there is no objective, externally imposed meaning or purpose to life. The universe does not seem to establish purpose to our lives, aside from perhaps reproduction, or meaning to our lives, aside from perhaps the sheer act of living itself. Thus it may not be unreasonable to conclude that, without the existence of a creator god, there may not be an objective meaning or purpose to our lives.


But, alas, he went on to state:

If, however, the need for an objective purpose or meaning is dispensed with, the need for a God is also eliminated. Do we need such a purpose or meaning? To be quite honest, I don't think so. It seems perfectly adequate for us to create our own meanings and purposes. Indeed, it is arguable that this is a preferable situation. When someone else imposes upon us a purpose of their own design, aren't we little more than slaves?


My answer? It's not "slavery" when one considers the concept of redemption through repentance. Repent is a word that is positive, not negative in meaning. "Re" means to "return." and "pent" means "highest position" (e.g. a penthouse is the highest position in a building.).

So, when we repent, we return to the past, highest position that was once enjoyed by Adam and Eve before the Fall.

At the Wikipedia page, I decided that I should post these, so that when I get into the actual sermon, you can look back at these thoughts, ideas and philosophies that have, as their goal, the desire to push God out of the picture when considering the "meaning IN life":

Atheistic views
Main article: Atheism
Atheism's strictest sense means the lack of belief that a god or supernatural overbeing (of any type or number) exists, and by extension that neither the universe nor we were created by such beings. Atheism pertains to three of the five interpretations of the meaning of life question: "What is the origin of life?", "What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?", and "What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?" Because most atheists reject supernatural explanations for the existence of life, lacking a deistic source, they commonly point to abiogenesis as the likely source for the origin of life. As for the purpose of life, some atheists argue that since there are no gods to tell us what to do, we are left to decide that for ourselves. Other atheists argue that some sort of meaning can be intrinsic to life itself, so there is no need for any god to instill meaning into it. Some believe that life is nothing more than a byproduct of insensate natural forces and has no underlying meaning or grand purpose.


Humanist views
Main article: Humanism
To the humanist, life's biological purpose is built-in: it is to reproduce. That is how the human race came to be: creatures reproducing in a progression of unguided evolution as an integral part of nature, which is self-existing. But biological purpose isn't the same thing as human purpose, though it may be a factor thereof. Human purpose is determined by humans, completely without supernatural influence. Nor does knowledge come from supernatural sources, it flows from human observation, experimentation, and rational analysis preferably utilizing the scientific method: the nature of the universe is what we discern it to be. As are ethical values, which are derived from human needs and interests as tested by experience.

Enlightened self-interest is at the core of humanism. The most significant thing in life is the human being, and by extension, the human race and the environment in which we live. The happiness of the individual is inextricably linked to the well-being of humanity as a whole, in part because we are social animals which find meaning in relationships, and because cultural progress benefits everybody who lives in that culture.

When the world improves, life in general improves, so, while the individual desires to live well and fully, humanists feel it is important to do so in a way that will enhance the well being of all. While the evolution of the human species is still (for the most part) a function of nature, the evolution of humanity is in our hands and it is our responsibility to progress it toward its highest ideals. In the same way, humanism itself is evolving, because humanists recognize that values and ideals, and therefore the meaning of life, are subject to change as our understanding improves.

The doctrine of humanism is set forth in the Humanist Manifesto [1] and A Secular Humanist Declaration [2].


Nihilist views
Main article: Nihilism
Friedrich Nietzsche characterized nihilism as emptying the world and especially human existence of meaning, purpose, comprehensible truth, or essential value. The term nihilism itself comes from the Latin nihil, which means "nothing". Nietzsche described Christianity as a nihilistic religion, because it removes meaning from this earthly life, to instead focus on a supposed afterlife. He also saw nihilism as a natural result of the idea that God is dead, and insisted that it was something to be overcome, by returning meaning to the Earth.

Martin Heidegger described nihilism as the state in which "there is nothing of Being as such", and argued that nihilism rested on the reduction of being to mere value.

Nihilism rejects claims to knowledge and truth, and explores the meaning of an existence without knowable truth. Though nihilism tends toward defeatism, one can find strength and reason for celebration in the varied and unique human relationships it explores. From a nihilist point of view, the ultimate source of moral values is the individual rather than culture or another rational (or objective) foundation. The characteristic that distinguishes nihilism from other skeptical or relativist philosophies is that, rather than merely insisting that values are subjective or even warrantless, nihilism declares that nothing is of value, as the name implies.


Positivist views
Main article: Logical positivism
Of the meaning of life, Ludwig Wittgenstein and the logical positivists said: expressed in language, the question is meaningless. This is because "meaning of x" is a term in life usually conveying something regarding the consequences of x, or the significance of x, or that which should be noted regarding x, etc. So when "life" is used as "x" in the term "meaning of x", the statement becomes recursive and therefore nonsensical.


Other philosophers besides Wittgenstein have sought to discover what is meaningful within life by studying the consciousness within it. But when these philosophers looked for a holistic definition of the “Meaning of Life” for humanity, they were stone-walled by the Wittgenstein linguistic model.

Logical positivism asserts that statements are meaningful only insofar as they are verifiable, and that statements can be verified only in two (exclusive) ways: empirical statements, including scientific theories, which are verified by experiment and evidence; and analytic truth, statements which are true or false by definition, and so are also meaningful. Everything else, including ethics and aesthetics, is not literally meaningful, and so belongs to "metaphysics". One conclusion is that serious philosophy should no longer concern itself with metaphysics.


Pragmatist views
Main article: Pragmatism
Pragmatic philosophers suggest that rather than a truth about life, we should seek a useful understanding of life. William James argued that truth could be made but not sought. Thus, the meaning of life is a belief about the purpose of life that does not contradict one's experience of a purposeful life. Roughly, this could be applied as: "The meaning of life is those purposes which cause you to value it." To a pragmatist, the meaning of life, your life, can be discovered only through experience.


Although I found many of the following lacking in depth concerning the absolute truth as revealed within the Bible, there are some segments within that can be considered biblically sound and agreed upon. (I have bolded my favorites)

Theistic beliefs
Main articles: Religion and Religious humanism
There are many different interpretations to the "Word of God", and therefore many interpretations to the meaning of life. However, reaching Heaven in the afterlife can be seen as a universal meaning of life or goal for followers of Abrahamic religions. Also universal teachings, or meanings, to be followed in virtually all religions are "The Golden Rule" and simple living.


Relationship to God
Most people who believe in a personal God would agree that it is God "in whom we live and move and have our being". The notion here is that we respond to a higher authority who will give our lives meaning and provide purpose through a relationship with the divine. Although belief is also based on knowing God "through the things he has made," the decision to believe in such an authority is called the "leap of faith", and to a very large degree this faith defines the faithful's meaning of life.


[Note: the following assumption is deeply flawed. For one thing, Satan's destiny has already been settled. Humans are here to find God through Jesus Christ and to worship Him forever; not to "settle a dispute between God and Satan." And, what's up with the mispelling of Satan's name? :]

Another belief by Fundamentalist Christians is that humans have been placed here to settle a dispute between God and Satain. The belief is that Satain thought that he could be as good as God, and therefore become God. With this God threw Satain out of Heaven. Satain appealed to God to be allowed back in by saying that none could follow God, or believe he is God. With that God made a deal with Satain, that if there was one believer in every generation, then Satain would be cast down into the lake of fire. Since the beginning of human creation, with the creation of the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Eve, there has been a believer in every generation. A Jewish believer before the coming of Christ, and followers of Christ after his coming. R.B. Thieme, and others ministries



To "be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth, and subdue it"
An example of how religion creates purpose can be found in the biblical story of creation in the Old Testament of the Bible: the purpose for man comes from his relationship to God and in this relationship he is told to "Be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth, and subdue it" Genesis 1:28. This indicates that subsequent to the goal of being in personal relationship with God, the propagation of the human race, the care and population of the earth, and the control of the earth (but as man sinned, he lost the full ability to do so, characterized by the fact that animals are not under full control) are the first three commandments God has set for man.

Another Biblical example is given in Micah 6:8, which states "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." However, instructions given by God and the meaning of life (or the purpose of one's existence), are not necessarily the same thing.


To love God and neighbor
Another example, this one also from Judaism and Christianity, which agree broadly on two of their most important imperatives for life:

"The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength'." This is the 'first commandment' according to Jesus (Mark 12:28-31), and is also a quote from the central prayer of Judaism, known as the Shema (Deut 6:4-9).
"And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'." (Christianity: Mark 12:28-31). Judaism records this both in the positive sense (Leviticus 19:18: "Love thy neighbor") and the negative sense (Hillel, ""What is hateful to yourself, do not do to your fellow man. That is the whole Law; the rest is just commentary")
Both of these commands are relational and are primarily concerned with knowing God in order to equip the believer to maintain a loving relationship with other members of the human race. According to Benedict XVI, the ultimate reason for loving God and men is that "God is love" (Deus Caritas Est) and men are made in his image. The Christian God, he says, is the Logos, (the Word: meaning and reason).


Reformed theology: glorify and enjoy God
The Westminster Shorter Catechism looked at the history of what God has taught man, and summarized it at its outset: "man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever".


Finally, just for fun, I thought I'd include some of the humorous responses that have been given by popular culture. [Notice, too, the explanation (below) of the comment shared above that expressed that "the meaning of life" is "42."]


Humorous and popular culture treatments
The very concept "the meaning of life" has become such a cliché that it has often been parodied, such as in the radio series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, later released as a novel, a television series, a film, and a computer game. As the story goes, an advanced race of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings (mice) builds a gigantic computer called Deep Thought to find The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Seven and a half-million years later, the computer gives the answer: "42". After giving the answer to an (unsurprisingly) underwhelmed audience, Deep Thought explained that the problem with the answer was not the answer, but that no-one really knew what the question was. (It may be worth noting, that later on it is revealed to Arthur Dent, that the answer and the question cannot be known at the same time. In the book The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, it is found that the question is: "What do you get if you multiply six by nine." The answer would be 54 in base ten, but 42 in base thirteen.) In reference to this series, "42" is commonly provided as an honest answer if someone feels the word "meaning" is too vague. Joe Bob Briggs miscommunicated this in one of his columns as "43". In one strip of the parody comic "Sev-space" it is inquired "why the number 47 constantly shows up on the monitor?" it is then stated that "42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything... But you get 47 if you adjust it to the inflation." This is an obvious reference to the "Star Trek" series where the number 47 is heavily featured [5].

Or maybe there is no meaning to life; that is, "What you see is what you get", as portrayed in the comedy film The Meaning of Life: you are born, you eat, you go to school, you have sex, you have children, you grow old (if someone doesn't kill you first), and you die, and in Heaven every day is Christmas. At the very end of the film, Michael Palin is handed an envelope, opens it, and says nonchalantly: "Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations."

In The Simpsons episode "Homer The Heretic", a representation of God tells Homer what the meaning of life is, but as usual the one who really wanted to know (the viewer) is left disappointed. The dialogue goes as follows:

Homer: God, what's the meaning of life?
God: Homer, I can't tell you that.
Homer: Why not?
God: You'll find out when you die.
Homer: Oh, I can't wait that long.
God: You can't wait 6 months?
Homer: No, tell me now...
God: Oh, OK... The meaning of life is...[Theme music starts and the show ends. The creator's original idea was that a commercial would come after this scene and before the credits, thusly having the commercial interrupt God's explanation to humorous effect]


In the Peanuts comic strip Charlie Brown explains he thinks the purpose of life is to make others happy, to which Lucy responds that she doesn't think she is making anyone happy, and—more importantly—no one is making her happy, so someone isn't doing their job.

Paul Gauguin's interpretation can be seen in the painting, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

In Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Bill and Ted end up meeting God. Before being admitted into his presence, St. Peter (billed as The Gatekeeper on IMDb) asks them what the meaning of life is, and they reply "Every rose has its thorn. Every night has a dawn. Every cowboy sings a sad sad song.". These are the lyrics to a song by Poison, a 1980s glam rock band.

Another popular belief is that the meaning of life is to die, according to comedians and other types of media. In a similar vein, antagonist Smith in the final part of The Matrix trilogy, Matrix Revolutions, tells the protagonist Neo that "it was your life that taught me the purpose of all life. The purpose of life is to end."

In the movie Judge Dredd (1995):

Warden Miller: So tell me, Rico, what is the meaning of life?
Rico: It ends.

Conan the Barbarian, in the film of the same name, when asked, "What is best in life?" responds, "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women."

In several different media, the theme of finding one's individual path is revealed. For example, Coelho's "Alchemist" and the movie City Slickers both present a similar theme: the meaning of life is an individual journey to find one's own "path". In this context, the "path", similar to what is defined in Buddhism as the "4th Noble Truth", and is best explained simply as the overall way one chooses to lead their life. It is a different answer for each person, and the only obligation one has in life is to find his or her path.

Due to the apparently overwhelming "knowledge" of the MSN Messenger chat bot SmarterChild, its creators have claimed that the meaning of life is one of the most common requests from its users. The algorithm has since been tweaked so that instead of responding with a generic message, it replies with a humorous "ask Ken Ma" and a smiling emoticon. There has been speculation as to whether or not Ken Ma is a real person, whilst one common theory is that the name is an inside joke amongst the developers of the chat bot.

In his book "A Man Without a Country", Kurt Vonnegut sums up life with the words: "We're all here to fart around. Don't let anyone tell you any different!" Although it could be said that he believes the meaning of life was stated best by his son Mark whom he quotes in two books, stating, "We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is."

George Carlin has once said that the meaning of life is "to find a place to put all your stuff". In another skit he speculates the meaning of life is that the earth wanted plastic which humans pollute the world with.

One popular phrase is "The meaning of life is 'to live': it's in the dictionary[6]" which, although technically incorrect ("life" is a noun while "to live" describes a verb), has both a humorous meaning, and a more serious one, implying that the answer is to enjoy the ride.



Interested in a sneak preview of what the sermon shares?

Here's three hints:

1. "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever".
2. ...has both a humorous meaning, and a more serious one, implying that the answer is to enjoy the ride.
3. The only time to do something when it feels good is if it feels good to God.

*******
HT: Wikipedia

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Getting Our "Terms" Right

It bothers me when I read an article like World Net Daily's latest one which reveals the "bend over backwards" kind of PC that our security organizations are being led to adhere to in order to not "offend" anyone.

Since we do live in such a maniacal "politically correct" world, then make the terms extremely (no pun intended) accurate! But at the same time, we must not fall into the trap of downplaying them!

As the article in the link above points out, the term "extremists" can mean just about anyone, from any organization or cultic type religion.

In the past, such differentiation has not always been afforded towards true Christians vs. those who use the religion for radical purposes. We can think of several examples:

The Jim Jones cult.
The abortion clinic bombers.
The abortion doctor killers.
The Oklahoma City bombing killers.

Unfortunately, it is often pointed out that Christians were at fault for these terrible crimes. The truth is that the people who conducted such criminal activities were anything but true followers of Jesus Christ.

Because the religion that is being used to propagate terrorism around the world is mostly from Islam, then that term needs to be in the description of the terrorists. Call them something like "Distorted Islamic Terrorists" or, better yet, "Islamic Jihad Terrorists." Perhaps the best description could be taken from the name of the documentary that I have been urging people to see: "Radical Islamic Terrorists." These people, who have self-identified as being at war against the West in general, Jews and Christians in particular, definitely fit such a definition.

However, would this title pass muster with a group like CAIR? I think it should. I certainly think it should! It identifies the fact that these people who want to kill us are radicalized towards such a goal. It also identifies them as adhering to the religion of Islam, which is also true. As the documentaries that have been broadcast on T.V. lately have shown, much of the "kill the infidels" speech hails from imams in mosques, government leaders as well as brainwashed little school children (how awful and sad is that!!!). So, it is undeniable that the religion of Islam is being used to promote the kind of Jihad action that, when taken to its logical conclusion, would result in the deaths of those who do not embrace the religion of Islam. The term "terrorists" needs to be in there because that is their favored tool and mindset that is systematically and continually being used to wreak havoc, misery, fear and death around the world.

Our State Department and Homeland Security needs to get its act together and either use "Radical Islamic Terrorists" when describing these maniacs or come up with a different, but similar term that will accurately describe what we are facing here, in Israel, in Britain, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Lebanon, in Mogadishu etc. and all the other areas where Radical Islamic Terrorists decide to target.

I would like to share this thought. I truly believe, that despite the problems we have in America and the unpopular position we may hold in the rest of the world because of the war in Iraq and/or U.S. foreign policies, that the God of the Universe has kept his protective hand over our country. We have not suffered a major attack on U.S. soil (thank God!) since 9/11, and many additional, major attacks have been stealthily thwarted by intelligence agencies which are doing a magnificient job of protecting our people.

I do not see this as a coincidence. I see it as Divine protection over our land. It's not that we deserve it, mind you, but I think that it is because so many Christians are praying for our President, our country, our soldiers bravely fighting for our freedoms and for the freedom of the Afghanistan and Iraq people.

9/11 drew our attention away from America's unfortunate, and oftentimes bad habit of selfishness, towards a kind of selflessness that our brave military is demonstrating to the world; despite the fact that many countries don't like it, or us.

I think that the Fox News Channel inadvertently clinched the reality of the situation we now face against radical islamic terrorism and the anti-war sentiments that tend to embolden them. The saying mentions our own individual problems here at home (and what society is completely free of problems?), as well as providing a succinct way of telling the America-hating world that they are unequivocally railing against the wrong entity.

"America has problems...America is not the problem."

That's a great saying. Yes. America is not perfect. No nation is. But America has done more for other nations than any other on the planet!

The do-nothing, crinimal and fraudulent United Nations has no where near the victories for freedom around the world that the U.S. has accomplished. It only seems to feed on scandals, unkept and un-acted upon resolutions, greed, distrust, financial waste, crazy appointments of dangerous countries to their "security" council, soldiers who rape women while carrying out their "peacekeeping" duties and the list could go on and on and on!

But what does the MSM continue to harp about? Abu Ghraib. One stain on the excellent work that our military is carrying out over in Iraq. Go ahead, blame the individuals who carried out that gross activity, but don't use it to smear all the rest of our troops!

Security, freedom for individual countries, and world protection is not for the weak at heart. Great missions for the sake of freeing people from tyranny is not done through popularity contests. It gets done when people find a cause, and despite the dangers to their own health, well-being, and the inevitability that some will end up "laying down their lives for their friends," they find the mission to be one that is greater than themselves . They willingly go into the "lions den" to rid the world of such radicalism. These men and women are the heroes of our world. They are the "Davids" who go out to defeat the "Goliaths" of our time in history. They deserve all the commendation, respect, and support that each of us can possibly give them.

Those who would mock, ridicule and show disdain for them should be ostracized by those who know better (which should be all of us)!!

Free speech does not give anyone the right to scream "fire" in a crowded theatre or spew horrible epithets against our men and women in uniform who are currently fighting in harm's way. People like that are truly despicable...in my book. They are obviously ignorant of not only the ideological nature of this fight, but also the spiritual nature of this battle which is going on behind the scenes in the heavens, too. I would recommend that they read from the prophets of old in the Bible to get a glimpse of how what the prophets foretold is resulting in the history that is unfolding right before our very eyes. Being on the wrong side of this fierce battle is not wise.

The noble fight that America has chosen to enter into is just that...a noble fight. Freeing millions of people from barbaric and cruel dictatorships and/or radical Islamic oppression are noble causes. That is undeniable. But those who would undermine such a cause for political advantage are, to me, examples of the bitter dregs of our society. It's another one of those "free speech" issues that rank as borderline treason, in my mind.

Some of you may want to protest against what I have written. Go right ahead. I've heard all of the cockamamie rationalizations of why so many are now against the war in Iraq. I realize that it is why many of the left (as Whoopie Goldberg stated on O'Reilly) "feel" revulsion about the situation. But feelings aren't the right tool to use in assessing the correct way forward.

Choosing any one of the Democratic candidates from the growing anti-war throng of people now running would be absolutely disasterous for our nation, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the global war against radical Islamic terrorists.

Currently, every single candidate on the left is against this war and appears to be for pulling our troops out, (no matter what the consequences would be) that we (and the Iraqi people) would face.

Democrats don't seem to learn from history. The Vietnam pull-out of troops resulted in over a million civilians dying over there.

When Jihad Jane was confronted by Bill O'Reilly's interviewer during the anti-war demonstration in Washington D.C., this fact of history was given to her and the question put forth to her was (paraphrased), "are you concerned about the bloodbath and deaths that would ensue in Iraq if we pull our troops out too soon?" Her answer was something like, "I'm concerned about the Iraqis now," and within her "number of deaths" response, obviously counted the terrorist deaths in with the total number of deaths. Does she not know that there is a huge difference between the insurgent deaths vs. civilian deaths? Does she not know that most of the civilian deaths have been done by Al Qaeda, former Saddam loyalists, and the Iranian insurgents ? Didn't seem like it to me. Her lack of knowledge about the extreme and dire circumstances surrounding this war was truly evident. Yet she marches, once again, in a creepy deja vu manner reminiscent of her Hanoi Jane Vietnam war antics. Lady, go back to your mansion, sit down and shut up...please!!

To further illustrate that many anti-war zealots are living in the land of Oz, Fonda's "assistant" showed the kind of "head in the sand" mentality that they have through her stupid, offhanded comment hurled towards the O'Reilly Factor interviewer. The young man asked if Fonda would be willing to appear on O'Reilly's show. The assistant said, "no" when Jihad Jane didn't respond to the question and also added that "he (meaning Bill) doesn't exist."

Yes. I know that this was just supposed to be a slam against O'Reilly as a person, as well as his views. But I think we could extrapolate a bit here. I think that the Hollyweird, anti-war leftists do not think that Radical Islamic Terrorism "exists," or is something that we need to vigorously confront and reckon with for the sakes of our children and grandchildren. They don't recognize the overarching reach and all encompassing goals of the enemy in the war that we are currently facing. They seem to have the mentality that whatever happens "over there" doesn't, and shouldn't, concern us here. There is an obvious disconnect to reality that these people have! We know the usual mantra that they spew so there is no need to repeat it here.

Like Whoopie Goldberg stated on O'Reilly, they think that we "stirred up the hornet's nest" when we went into Iraq. What goes on in the minds of Whoopie and those like her? Can they possibly be serious that the radical Islamic terrorists "hornet hive" had not already been stirred up into a frenzy well before we ever entered into Iraq? Are these people living in The Matrix or what?

Someone should gather them all together to sit down for a screening of Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West. These Hollywood type people are extremely ill-informed. Whoopie's comments cement that fact.

I am praying, each day, that a conservative Republican candidate would step up and run for president in 2008. The current group would not have my eager vote (except if Newt Gingrich has officially announced his candidacy). Rudy Guiliani would probably be my second choice, but I'm not pleased with several of his social positions.

Let us all continue to pray for our nation, our troops, and for the noble cause of stamping out radical Islamic terrorism around the world. We are in for a long and difficult fight...there is no doubt about that. But we can win if we don't give up and are steadfast in our goals.

Hat tips:
World Net Daily
Fox News

Update: You must read this post over at LGF. It further illustrates the lunacy of the far left mentality.

Friday, February 09, 2007

News Roundup 2/9/07

Whatever everyone thinks or says about Anna Nicole Smith, she certainly was a beautiful woman who, unfortunately, had a very tragic life. Drudge has several article links with details about her, her tragic life and untimely, young death.

We have seen this so many times. Hollywood stars and entertainers who get caught up in drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, greed over money and fights over custody of children. Now, it appears, there is a third man who is claiming that he might possibly be the father of Anna Nicole's baby daughter.

Sigh...

And we all thought that this media circus surrounding this unfortunate woman couldn't get more bizarre than it already is?

If anything good can come of this tragedy, it might serve as an object lesson for young teen girls not to go in the same direction with their lives as Anna took hers.

*******

As usual, LGF is on top of most breaking news items. (Notice that I have now posted a "headline" link to that blog in my Talkwisdom sidebar.) The entry called Questions That Never Get Asked is quite interesting.

*******

Ask Pres. Bush to Pardon Border Agent Heroes!

Border Agents Wrongly Convicted for Doing Their Jobs!

ALERT: Here's a pop quiz -- ready?

Question: What's the difference between a convicted drug dealer and a heroic Border Patrol Agent?

Answer: Convicted drug dealers are more likely to be granted favors from George W. Bush.

Did you get that one wrong?

Okay, here's another one:

Question: What's the difference between a convicted murderer and a heroic Border Patrol Agent?

Answer: The convicted murderer spends less time in prison.

Did you get them both wrong?

Then maybe you agree -- there is something SERIOUSLY WRONG with our "justice" system! Border Patrol agents have a difficult and often dangerous job in guarding our nation's borders. But the danger shouldn't come from our own government!

According to news reports, in 2005, agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean spotted Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican national, in his van near the Rio Grande, near Fabens, Texas, about 30 miles southeast of El Paso. Ramos gave chase while Compean circled around to head off the suspect. When Mr. Aldrete-Davila jumped out of the van and ran south to the river, he was confronted by Compean, who was thrown to the ground as the two men fought. Ramos said that when he arrived, he saw Compean on the ground and chased Mr. Aldrete-Davila to the river, where the suspect suddenly turned toward him, pointing what looked like a gun. Ramos said he fired at the fleeing suspect but did not think he had been hit after watching him run through the bush, jump into an awaiting van in Mexico and speed off. Nearly 800 pounds of marijuana, worth $1 million, was found in the van that he abandoned at the river's edge.

A job well done, right? After all, that's what the Border Patrol is supposed to do -- try and stop illegal immigrants, especially the "baddies" running drugs. Right?

Wrong.

An investigator from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, which oversees the Border Patrol, tracked down Mr. Aldrete-Davila in Mexico, where he was offered IMMUNITY in exchange for testifying AGAINST the agents! As a result, a federal jury convicted agents Ramos and Compean of causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and a civil rights violation. After a two-week trial last year, the two were convicted by a jury on 11 out of 12 counts; they began their sentences of 12 and 11 years' imprisonment, respectively, last month. (Three of the jurors said afterwards they were inclined to deliver a not guilty verdict but had been told by the jury foreman that the judge wanted them to "go along with majority.")

Ramos is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Yazoo City, Mississippi, while Compean is an inmate at a facility in Elkton, Ohio. To add insult to injury -- OUR injury -- Aldrete-Davila, the illegal alien drug-runner, also received care at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso -- and now he's suing the government for $5 million for violating his "civil rights"!

THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

As patriotic Americans, we MUST do something about this!

TAKE ACTION: The facts in this case do NOT add up or justify the length of the sentences for these agents, let alone their conviction on multiple counts. The arrest, trial and conviction of the two Border Patrol agents had resulted in a chilling effect on others. These men have been given the equivalent of a murder sentence -- in fact, they were given MORE time than the average convicted murderer. Even if you accept every fact exactly as stated by the prosecuting attorney, the verdict handed out was an extreme injustice. Thankfully, a growing number of Congressmen are asking President bush to issue a presidential pardon to the two U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot and wounded a fleeing drug suspect. But it won't happen without a HUGE public outcry -- and that's where YOU AND I come in.

Over Christmas President Bush pardoned 18 people, five of whom were drug dealers. Now he needs to do the right thing, and issue pardons for Agents Ramos and Compean. Click "Go!" NOW to send a FREE message directly to President Bush, asking him to grant an immediate presidential pardon for these two heroes.

NOTE: The President needs to move QUICKLY. Since almost 30% of federal prisoners are criminal illegal aliens, many of whom are drug dealers, the agents face substantial danger. Last weekend, "America's Most Wanted" aired a segment which profiled the Border Patrol Agents' case. Shortly afterwards, Agent Ramos was badly assaulted by fellow inmates in his Mississippi prison. Four inmates attacked him, kicking him in the head, the side and the shoulders with steel-toed boots. Injuries sustained by Ramos on Saturday included bleeding from the ear, a degree of paralysis that has developed in the agent's left arm, and migraine headaches. So, not only did the administration choose the side of an illegal immigrant drug dealer over the agents who stopped him from smuggling a load of drugs into the country; now they've failed to protect that agent while this case is on appeal.

THIS MUST BE CORRECTED!

This outrageous prosecution and sentencing does nothing but tie the hands of the Border Patrol and prevent the agency from securing America against a flood of illegal immigrants, drugs, counterfeit goods and, quite possibly, terrorists. It puts the rights of illegal smugglers ahead of our homeland security and undermines the critical mission of better enforcing immigration laws. These two agents should NOT be made scapegoats for our government's enforcement failures. Be sure to send this Alert to EVERYONE you know who wants to demand REAL JUSTICE for these two heroic border patrol agents.

Thank you!

Take Action Now!

Go to link below and click on "Go."

Hat Tip: RightMarch.com

Thursday, February 08, 2007

At SFSU, Speech Is Free, Only If You Agree?

Insulting Allah now a crime at SFSU?

Uh oh...

If I were a student there, I guess that if this post over at my message board were to be discovered, by the speech police, it might get me expelled?

Hat Tip: Little Green Footballs

Jesus' Sacrifice Has Spoken...

Take a moment to view this awesome video created to go along with Downhere's new song "A Better Way."

...Prepare yourself for this video...

Yes.

Jesus sacrifice has spoken...

Who could not tear up while listening to this heartfelt song of love and viewing this gripping video? Stinging tears of pain and sorrow flowed from my eyes in remembrance for Jesus' terrible suffering, yet, they are replaced by soothing tears of joy for the realization of his unfathomable love, forgiveness, mercy and grace...all captured through his awesome resurrection to life...for our sakes.

A quote from David Jeremiah's book, "Captured By Grace" comes to mind:


"Grace is shocking - something like the heavenly converse of a traffic accident. When love is returned for evil, we can't help stopping to rubberneck. Grace is the delivery of a jewel that nobody ordered, a burst of light in a room where everyone forgot it was dark.

Grace turns human politics on its head, right before our eyes. It renounced the entire conventional wisdom of social behavior. Grace suggests that human beings may be something more than honor graduates of the animal kingdom after all, that the rumors may be true that purity and goodness are real and alive."


And "I love you" could not be said...

A better way.


HT: Charlesc28

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Sin Never Leads to Life

The Biggest Loser

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

Recommended Reading
Genesis 37:12-36

Out of the decade of the Sixties, especially promoted at the Woodstock music festival, came the slogan, "If it feels good, do it!" The roots of that slogan may go back to an English writer, hedonist, and occultist named Aleister Crowley who wrote, "‘Do as thou wilt’ shall be the whole of the law" (1904). Later, the pagan Wiccan religion defined it a bit further saying, "Do as thou wilt so long as it harms no other."

And there’s the catch: "so long as it harms no other." It’s far too easy to do what we want without regard to others, and sometimes not even to be aware that others have been hurt. And what about ourselves? Is it okay to do something that feels good at the moment but will definitely feel bad later? When we sin, we are ultimately and always the biggest loser. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they may have felt justified at the moment. But when they found Joseph alive in Egypt years later, they were humiliated and ashamed. Regardless of how right or how good it seems, sin never leads to life. If you have an idea that seems right, make sure God agrees before going ahead.

The only time to do something when it feels good is if it feels good to God.


I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature. Abigail Adams

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Leviticus 25:1 - 26:46

HT: Turning Point Online

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Newsboys - He Reigns

It's the song of the redeemed!
Newsboys - It Is You

Holy Holy Is Our God Almighty!

Holy Holy Is His Name Alone!

Satan's Playgrounds...

I was watching a segment on CNN Headline News (not my usual stomping grounds...but I really like Glenn Beck!) and it was a piece about the XXXChurch. I wanted to ask my fellow Christian bloggers if they know anything about it? Apparently, there are Christian men who go to porn conventions and witness for Jesus there. They hand out Bibles with covers that say "Jesus loves porn stars" on them.

What are your thoughts about this?

Sometimes we do need to enter the "lions den" to reach people for Christ. I just pray that these Christians are strong enough not to get led back into the sin of pornography.

Many Christians are caught up in, and addicted to, this sin. It appears (from what I saw via the program) that the believers are attracting people to the Bible using non-judgmental methods. This looks like a good approach on the surface. However, eventually, the "curious" seekers will need to be led to repentance for what they are involved in. I wonder how successful this is?

People who think that porn is "normal" or "natural" or the "greatest thing," are not likely to want to hear the truth. It could be considered like throwing "pearls before swine."

In the porn convention video clips on the CNN broadcast, I did notice some people who put their hand up against receiving a free Bible from the XXXChurch members. Perhaps they had already been witnessed to and already rejected the message? Or, maybe their guilt for being there and seeing Jesus' name on the Bible cover convicted them for their presence there?

It must be a very difficult ministry. As a new member at my message board recently stated, it is like going into "Satan's playground." What a great description!

It would absolutely creep me out to be at such a place! I can't even allow myself to look at porn; no less go to a convention about it! It would make me sick to my stomach.

But God does equip certain members of the Body of Christ to minister to those that others either can't or won't minister to. It's just not the kind of "playing field" that I would ever put myself in!

Ephesians 4 (especially vs. 11 & 12) is a great chapter that helps to lead me to be a "Christian culture warrior" in certain moral causes; while at the same time, not feel guilty when I know that I'm not "equipped" to work in a certain area.

Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

I realize that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus. It just looks like a very difficult ministry in which to find successful conversions. Secular Progressives don't like anyone messing with their Satan's Playgrounds!

Ha! S-P's = S atan's P layground!

Personally, I see this as similar to the difficulty surrounding current homosexual controversies. There are those "gay Christians" who think that God either "made them gay" or that homosexual sex is not a sin. I have shared some of the best information from the Bible and other Christian authors to counter such beliefs. Yet, I have found that many still refuse to repent or even recognize such sexual acts as sin.

I also know that when God gets ahold of someone who was once involved in homosexual sin and frees them from it (as many exgay Christians can attest to), they are given a powerful, (yet oftentimes very difficult) ministry to spread the Good News of the Gospel to the homosexual community.

But, as is true in most ministry efforts, being a born-again, formerly homosexual Christian is one of the most hated and vilified groups. Gay activists do all that they can to viciously attack and counter any effort done by those with the heart to reach hurting men and women in the gay community. It is as if everything else is acceptable except being a successful convert from homosexual activity and identity. And, if it's done because of a genuine faith conversion to Jesus Christ, you are then a prime target for attack.

Why are ex-gays rejected from the Secular Progressive list of people who label themselves according to their sexual preference (GLBTQ...etc.)?

Gays are accepted by S-P's.

Lesbians are accepted by S-P's.

Bi-sexuals are accepted by S-P's.

Transgendered are accepted by S-P's.

Questioning sex preference is accepted by S-P's.

(Forgive me if I left any group out...they are always adding initials these days.)

Recently, there was another example of how homosexual activism and so-called "tolerance" often goes too far in the states that give homosexuals anything close to what could be deemed "marriage" or even just "civil union" rights. The school teachers and powerful administrators are usually on the side of liberalism and the secular progressive worldview. When you think about it, it is almost like a religious position. The greatest "virtue" is "tolerance." But that word has been re-defined to mean acceptance for anything and everything that the S-P's deem "right." We are to be "obedient" to what they preach...even if it goes against our own sensibilities, morals, values, and religious convictions.

Yep...sounds like a religion to me!



We have become so super-sensitive to gay issues that even a Snickers Super-bowl commercial has now been pulled from the air because someone complained that it was "homophobic?" Does this mean that Jim Carrey's reaction (to finding out that when he kissed a "woman" in "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," where he filled his mouth with and entire tube of toothpaste and spit it out; then placed a plunger over his lips to extract the "trace of kiss," then, chewed huge wads of gum because Lt. Einhorn was really a man) needs to be stricken from the movie?

C'mon...don't homosexuals have a sense of humor anymore??

But this, however can be a very serious subject...especially when it comes to "picking and choosing what is "moral" while teaching young children in public schools.

No wonder author Bruce Shortt wrote a book called, "The Harsh Truth About Public Schools."

Here's an excerpt from a WorldNetDaily article about the book:

In "The Harsh Truth About Public Schools," Shortt, writing from a biblical perspective, presents rigorous research about the agenda and effect of government schooling on the nation's young people.


Shortt especially wants to educate Christian parents, millions of whom send their kids off to public school every day.


"Contrary to what many Christians have been led to believe, there is no such thing as a 'neutral' education," Shortt writes. "All education is religious and conveys a worldview, and there is no more important decision that we make as parents than how we educate our children."


Continues Shortt: "Unfortunately, Christian parents allow an aggressively anti-Christian institution to form the minds of their children, and the fruit of that choice is bitter. The overwhelming majority of children from evangelical families leave the church within two years after they graduate from high school; only 9 percent of evangelical teens believe that there is any such thing as absolute moral truth; and, our children are being forcibly indoctrinated to believe that homosexual behavior is acceptable."


While Shortt wants Christian parents who use the government schools to read the book, he also encourages homeschooling parents to read it.


"Homeschool parents must have this book to minister to their Christian friends and neighbors, pastors and skeptical relatives. Our government-school habit is sowing the wind, and unless Christians turn from this gross sin we will reap a whirlwind that is unimaginable," Shortt says.


In the book, Shortt documents the pitfalls of public schools, saying the anti-Christian thrust of the governmental school system produces inevitable results: "moral relativism (no fixed standards), academic dumbing down, far-left programs, near absence of discipline and the persistent but pitiable rationalizations offered by government education professionals."


Shortt also urges pastors to read the book so they might "understand why the church can no longer abdicate its historic role in the education of our children."


Says Short: "'The Harsh Truth About Public Schools' makes it clear why no Christian child should be left behind in government schools. Our Christian children are perishing because parents and pastors lack knowledge. The information in this book exposes the 'salt and light' and the 'our schools are different' rationalizations for educating Christian children in pagan schools for the contemptible falsehoods they are.


"Any parent or pastor who genuinely desires to be faithful in the education of Christian children needs to find out what the public schools are actually doing, rather than relying on what they are saying they are doing or on memories of the public schools as they may have existed 10, 20 or 30 years ago."



Yesterday, on O'Reilly, a letter writer who agreed that a controversial video shouldn't be shown to third graders without parental permission had a great point. She said (paraphrased here) that the tolerance toward promotion of the homosexual agenda in public schools actually results in intolerance of those who hold the view that homosexuality is sinful and an undesireable lifestyle to teach to any school children, not just the 8 year olds who were targeted with this propaganda video.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Tolerance for the sake of reducing bullying is one thing.

Promotion of such an agenda against the parent's wishes (and even worse, without their knowledge or consent!) is a form of child indoctrination, harassment, and even mind, body, soul and spiritual abuse because the ungodly religious convictions of the secular progressive mindset and worldview are being forced upon them!

Yep...public schools have become just another example of the lure of Satan's playground...



Hat Tips:

Matt Kaufman of Boundless.org

Truthdig

WorldNetDaily

Philly.com

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News Roundup 2/6/07

This is related to my blogpost here. It undeniably shows how allowing homosexual "marriage" to exist in the state of Massachusetts has set the Secular Progressives up to bully and trample upon parent's rights when it comes to whether or not their young children should be blatantly exposed (WITHOUT THE PARENT'S PERMISSION!) to the homosexual agenda being promoted in public schools there.

The David Parker story demonstrates what parents in all states would face if "gay" marriage ever becomes legal in other states. Traditional parents would have a difficult time seeing that their children are brought up the way that they see fit...not the way that the S-P's want to teach them.

David Parker and his family are currently in the pit of Satan's playground. Please keep them, and this volatile matter in your prayers! I suggest that every concerned parent watch the progress of this lawsuit. It could have dire consequences (but I hope & pray for a HUGE VICTORY) for parent's rights!

Christine

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David Parker federal civil rights lawsuit begins Wednesday - hearing on motion to dismiss filed by Lexington school officials. Federal district court in Boston, 2 pm.


This could be the case that shakes up public education across the country.The first big showdown in David Parker's federal civil rights lawsuit against the Lexington school officials is on Wednesday, February 7, at 2:00 pm at the US District Courthouse in South Boston.

It's a hearing before Federal Judge Mark L. Wolf over the school officials' Motion to Dismiss the case without a trial. The school officials do not want this case to be allowed to continue, so they're trying to kill it with a Motion to Dismiss. They've already submitted legal briefs, and national pro-homosexual groups have also submitted a brief to support their motion. And the Parkers' lawyers have also submitted their own hard-hitting brief (all are available on our website; see below).

Anything can happen on Wednesday, but it's most likely that Judge Wolf will allow oral arguments from each side. It could last several hours, or be cut off quickly, depending on what the judge decides to do. But this is the crucial step. The school (and national homosexual groups) absolutely do not this case to proceed to a trial!Many of David Parker's friends, as well as people who care deeply about parents rights, will be down there to support him, and even hold signs.

Homosexual activists are also planning to be there, according to at least one homosexual website, and they are actively organizing their people to intimidate parents and citizens supporting the Parkers.

In April, 2005, David Parker was arrested and spent the night in jail over the Lexington school system's refusal to inform him when adults discuss homosexuality or transgenderism with his 6-year-old son. Later, when Rob and Robin Wirthlin found out that the schools had read the homosexual "romance" book King and King to their second-grade son, the Wirthlins were also told that they had no power to interfere. The Parkers and Wirthlins are now taking this to federal court in a civil rights lawsuit.


Here's the information on the Parker Incident.

Read the latest 22-page legal salvo from Lexington school officials defending their Motion to Dismiss the David Parker case. They say: it's not 'indoctrination' and parents have don't have the rights they think they have.


Back in early October, various national and local pro-homosexual groups, including the ACLU, Human Rights Campaign, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, and others submitted an amicus brief to the court attacking David Parker's position that he has a right to control what his 6-year-old is taught about homosexuality.

The latest legal salvo.

Soon after that the law firm representing the Lexington school officials submitted their own 22-page document further defending their Motion to Dismiss the case. This one attempts to make two "legal" points:

(1) that normalizing homosexuality to elementary school children is not "indoctrination", and

(2) that parents do not have the legal rights they think they have, over what is told to their children in the schools.

This is very frightening, and it really reveals the mindset of the education establishment toward you and your children.


Read the school official's 22-page legal brief attacking the Parkers' position here: Parker Lawsuit Attacked
Here is the complete David Parker page, including all the legal motions: David Parker page

Monday, February 05, 2007

News Roundup 2/5/07

Update
@ 3:06 p.m. PT

Missed this yesterday because I wasn't online much. But it deserves to be placed at the top of the page! Go read it and then I ask you:

Are you outraged yet??

UC Irvine Muslim Student Union Calls For Israel to be Wiped Out!

HT: LGF

This is a link to a longer version of the Daniel Pipes speech that was disrupted by the Muslim students as they walked out. The end of the video displays the hate speech being hurled towards Israel. They chanted "anti-Israel." "anti-occupation," and correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I distinctly heard them yet "anti-Christian," too!

Here are some MUST SEE articles! Be back in a bit with additional links and commentary!

UC Davis MSA Calls for FBI to Investigate Walid Shoebat

It's amazing!! The rabid radical liberal left had all but ignored Walid Shoebat when he was previously only welcomed into mostly Christian circles. Now that he is having a significant impact upon America's views toward, and understanding of, radical Islam (as well as suspicions that the so-called "moderate" Muslims are silently supportive of Islamofascism??) they want him to be "investigated" (MORE LIKELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHUTTING HIM UP!!) BY THE FBI! You must read the post over at LGF. It will anger you no end!!

HT: LGF

One more comment. Note this very well. When Walid Shoebat was interviewed by John Hagee, he mentioned the arabic language term called "hudna." Since I don't have an arabic language dictionary handy, maybe someone else does and can post the definition.

Walid shared that when Muslim Arabs make "deals" or "cease fire agreements" etc. with the West, they cannot be trusted.

Why?

Because of "hudna." As I understood it when Shoebat described this to Hagee, it means that lying for the sake of the cause of Jihad is permissible under Muslim religious beliefs!

Contrast this with what the Bible says (and what God says within the Scriptures) about "lying lips!!!"

This is proof positive that those who think that negotiations with madmen governments like Iran and Syria would get us anywhere, live in the land of la la delusion and denial!!!

Also see Faultline's Our Vulnerable Religious Freedoms to see how Muslim extremists can hide their jihadi hate and desires to kill us behind a facade of "tolerance" while, at the same time, using our religious freedoms in America to plot, kill, and destroy us from within while using our own Constitutional values to do it!!!

HT: Faultline USA

Here are just a few of the over 50 Bible verses about "lies."

Psa 63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.



Psa 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.



Pro 6:19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.



Pro 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.



Pro 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful [witness] speaketh lies.



Pro 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape.



Pro 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish.



Pro 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

These verses describe the deceit of Islam:


Jer 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.


Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.


Also see this post from the past:

Question: Is Allah God? Answer: NO

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Dying To Be Thin?

Mark over at Chester Street has some pictures up of two "stars" who are battling that Hollyweird lie promoting ultra thinness as an attractive look. Such lies push women into that dreaded state of being "anorexic."

Yes. When you look at those pictures, we can see how lies being told about what constitutes an "attractive look" in the acting and modeling industry is more accurately a spiral down towards health disasters. Unsuspecting teen, young women (and the girls that wish to emulate them) are headed towards infertility (often a devastating side effect of extreme weight loss) and even towards death.

Do you think that Nicole Ritchie thinks she looks good in that photo?

From what I have learned from people who have experienced the roller coaster ride of either anorexia-nervosa or bulimia, oftentimes a sufferer like Ritchie would look in the mirror and fear that she is still "too fat"!!

Awful...

Now, I will most likely get bashed for sharing some of the comments I made over at Mark's blog here, but it needs to be said.


Such a disturbing post!

So many young women have become infertile and find that they can't have children because their bodily functions start to shut down in a "prior to death" way. It's so extremely sad!

Since I have a 19 year old daughter in the acting and modeling industry, I have seen the pressure placed upon her to be extremely thin. Fortunately, she has a good head on her shoulders and is working with a personal trainer who encourages her to eat small portions 6 times a day and work out to gain muscle and lose body fat. As the last paragraph in the this article reveals, eating healthy and exercising properly is the healthy way to attain a nice shape.

Thankfully, not all young women are falling for the lie.

Nicole Ritchie looks as bad as the starving children we see on TV in the Christian missionary help ads! Someone needs to rescue that young woman from her current journey towards an early death!

In the past, I have read several articles where it is suspected that some (not all) gay men clothing designers are partly responsible for this anorexia and bulimia epidemic amongst young women. The desire to be a size "2" or "0" (which is totally unhealthy for a 5' 7" woman!) seems to be foremost in the minds of would-be, up and coming, and current, actresses and models.

Why is this so?

Many gays admire that "young boy look" and thus apply that way of thinking to the female bodies of models.

Unfortunately, women in the designer clothing industry, who urge young girls who are 5' 8" and up to weigh in at an unhealthy 110 lbs. (and under!) have also fallen for the same insane lie. All they care about is how the clothes "drape" on the model...not whether or not she has a healthy diet.

Fortunately, there are a few designers, like Giorgio Armani, who are willing to speak out against this unhealthy and dangerous modeling trend.



It is a dangerous trend that needs to be brought out into the open, countered, and stopped...for the sakes of many young women (and the girls that want to emulate them) who are dying young because of it!

HT: Chester Street

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Update: Check out this list of celebs who have suffered from various eating disorder afflictions here.

Friday, February 02, 2007

News Roundup 2/2/07

Sometimes, I'm just led to a certain blog on different days. I realized that I hadn't visited Michelle Malkin's yesterday, so I made her site one of the first on my "to visit" list today. As usual, there are lots of posts waiting to be read. But the one that caught my eye and earned my "first click of the afternoon" actually had been posted over at HotAir. Imam prays to stop oppression and occupation at DNC MEETING!

HT: Hot Air

Oh!

My!!

GOSH!!!


Go click on the video! Many great quips and comments there, too. A few of the best were:


I knew the democrats would embrace religion. Just not this one.

lorien1973 on February 2, 2007 at 2:47 PM



This is going to make a great RNC ad in about 12 months.

Limerick on February 2, 2007 at 2:49 PM


REALLY!!

The Imam's identity:


I believe it’s Imam Husham Al-Husainy. He’s a Shia cleric from Dearborn.
Boy, Dems sure love them Hussein’s don’t they?

The Ugly American on February 2, 2007 at 3:57 PM



I love the democrats. They keep stepping in it. Who wrote the agenda for this meeting, Biden or Kerry?
This is going to be a fun year.

right2bright on February 2, 2007 at 4:07 PM


"Fun" comments aside, there is reason to be concerned...


“oppression and occupation” very typical words with all the dems and it just goes to show where their heads are at. Amazing, the play book of the extremists working very well with the left. GOD BLESS our country and it’s future if this is what we have to look forward too. Where is common sense gone in the minds of those people??

bones47 on February 2, 2007 at 4:07 PM



Isn’t it a bit scary how the islamafascists and the left sound sooo much alike way too often?

shooter on February 2, 2007 at 4:11 PM



Jihad Watch says Yahya Hendi gave the 2004 benediction… and previously had this to say;


Whoever calls the people (and/or himself) to the following and obedience of another law other than the shari’a is a disbeliever and a mushrik.

The scholars of Usool-ul-Fiqh have all agreed on the axiom that “None has the right to legislate but Allah.”
That would rule out human documents like, say, the U.S. Constitution, wouldn’t it?

Terp Mole on February 2, 2007 at 4:14 PM



DNC’s Imam Testified for Sami al-Arian

Terp Mole on February 2, 2007 at 4:20 PM


HT: LGF

That Imam testified for Sami al-Arian? The one who was convicted??

Now THAT'S SCARY!!!!

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Update: 4:08 p.m. PT


Jihad Watch has a transcript of the Imam's prayer. More importantly, there is a not-to-be-missed explanation by the classic Qur'anic commentator Ibn Kathir. He explains:

Allah asserted that the two paths He described here are both misguided when He repeated the negation `not'. These two paths are the paths of the Christians and Jews, a fact that the believer should beware of so that he avoids them. The path of the believers is knowledge of the truth and abiding by it. In comparison, the Jews abandoned practicing the religion, while the Christians lost the true knowledge. This is why `anger' descended upon the Jews, while being described as `led astray' is more appropriate of the Christians. Those who know, but avoid implementing the truth, deserve the anger, unlike those who are ignorant. The Christians want to seek the true knowledge, but are unable to find it because they did not seek it from its proper resources.

This is why they were led astray. We should also mention that both the Christians and the Jews have earned the anger and are led astray, but the anger is one of the attributes more particular of the Jews.


More at Jihad Watch

Robert's comments are very poignant:

It is interesting to see the Democrats standing with heads bowed piously while the Imam Husham Al-Husainy prays, in veiled terms to be sure, for their conversion to Islam, and oh yes, for the destruction of Israel ("And help us to stop the war and violence, and oppression and occupation").


Wow!

Thursday, February 01, 2007

More Attention to Body or Soul?

Image Makeover


For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:29


Recommended Reading

Psalm 119:67-71


There is a growing epidemic in Western cultures: dissatisfaction with one's body image. Men and women are reporting that they are not happy with how they look. Painful solutions run the gamut from daily workouts in the gym to eating disorders and plastic surgery. Even then, the goal for too many remains elusive.


We're not happy with our physical image, but God is not happy with our spiritual image. Fortunately, He has a solution: He has chosen us to be eternally conformed to the image of His own Son, Jesus Christ. But just as "no pain, no gain" applies to diet and exercise, so it applies in the spiritual realm as well. Here is God's principle for reshaping our spiritual image: He will not spare present pain if it means eternal profit. The Old Testament patriarch, Jacob, is a good example. Long a deceiver, God used Jacob's Uncle Laban, who was himself a shady dealer, to teach Jacob some hard lessons (Genesis 29 30). If you're experiencing pain, see if you can find the eternal profit that it is designed to produce.


Based on how long each will last, which of our images should get most of our attention—body or soul?


"Pain can either make us better or bitter." Tim Hansel


Read-Thru-the-Bible

Leviticus 8:1 - 10:20



HT: Turning Point Online

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I seriously needed to read this today! Tell you why later...