In Christ's Service

K-Love is a Christian, listener-funded radio station that is dedicated to lifting up the name of Jesus Christ. It is positive and encouraging, and the one I listen to most.

The other day, I heard about the new Billy Graham library opening ceremony where three former presidents were to attend. When Reverend Graham was asked about it, he said, "too much Billy Graham." He was then assured by others that the facility would lift up the name of Jesus Christ and would honor Him.

I'm sure that the reverend was so glad to hear that! He has led a life of service to God through pointing others towards the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a more fitting "honor" for Billy to have the facility point towards Jesus rather than to himself.

The difference between tele-evangelists who use God in order to enrich themselves and genuine evangelists who are servants of the Lord (like the Rev. Billy Graham) can be summed up in two sentences.

Ask yourself: Is this person using God? Or, is God using them instead?

As far as Billy Graham and his evangelistic association is concerned, God has used this man and his ministry mightily throughout his lifetime. His children will continue to carry on his ministry efforts. What a blessing this ministry has been on our nation, and the world!

Christine

*******
Billy Graham Library to open

If his fragile health allows him to make the trip -- he can barely hear or walk and his vision is poor -- Graham's message will echo the one his ministry hopes visitors take from the library: The glory should go to God rather than the lanky farm boy who preached the gospel to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

NOTE: The webcast stream will not be available until just before 2:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 31. Click here to watch the webcast.
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ABC News will be broadcasting live from the Billy Graham Library Thursday evening. Watch World News Tonight with Charles Gibson on your local ABC affiliate channel (times vary, please check local listings). Attention media: More information is available in our media section.

Franklin Graham:

"As a son and the president/CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, I support my mother and father fully and I am determined to ensure that the organization remains faithful to the Gospel and committed to the work of evangelism around the world."

“It is my prayer that this center will be a testimony to the world of the amazing love of God and the great things He can do through lives that are surrendered to Him.”
—Franklin Graham
President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Where's The Academic Freedom?

Articles of interest:

Academia's Assault on Intelligent Design

Excerpt:

What is the state of academic freedom when well qualified candidates are rejected simply because they see God's fingerprints on the cosmos? Isn't the Academy supposed to be a venue for diverse views? Aren't universities supposed to foster an atmosphere that allows for robust discussion and freedom of thought? Dr. Gonzalez's fate suggests that anyone who deigns to challenge conventional orthodoxy is not welcome in the club.

In the future, will scientists who are up for tenure be forced to deny that God could have played any role in the creation or design of the universe? Will Bible-believing astronomers be forced to repudiate Psalm 19, which begins, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands"? Will faithful Catholics be required to reject the teaching of Vatican I, which said that God "can be known with certainty from the consideration of created things, by the natural power of human reason..." Just where will this witch hunt lead?

The amazing fact is that, even as many science departments are working overtime to forbid professors from positing that there is evidence for intelligent design in the universe, more and more scientists are coming to this conclusion. The Discovery Institute has compiled a list of over seven-hundred scientists who signed the following statement: "We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged." The list of scientists who find good reason to doubt the strictly materialistic Darwinism that is currently scientific orthodoxy is growing every day.

It seems that many scientists and academicians who hold views contrary to Dr. Gonzalez have concluded that the best way to avoid debate about the evidence for intelligent design is to simply deny jobs to those who will not affirm their atheistic worldview. The fact that these scientists, who are supposedly open to following the evidence wherever it leads, have resorted to blatant discrimination to avoid having this conversation speaks volumes about the weakness of their position. They realize their arguments are not sufficient to defeat the intelligent design movement and they must, therefore, shut their opponents out of the conversation. All the evidence suggests that it is unjust that Dr. Gonzalez was denied tenure and that this ruling should be overturned on appeal. Nevertheless, what happened to Dr. Gonzalez is a reflection of the growing strength of the intelligent design movement, not its weakness.

Darwinism: Still Improvable

Excerpt:

The Darwinian account of the origins of life, he insists, does not begin to qualify as scientifically verifiable by the standards that science itself demands. In a recent Pennsylvania case, for example, the National Academy of Sciences spelled out these standards. "In science," it said, "explanations are restricted to those that can be confirmed from the confirmable data – the results obtained through observations and experiments that can be substantiated by other scientists. Anything that can be observed or measured is amendable to scientific investigation. Explanations that cannot be based upon empirical evidence are not part of science."

On these grounds the court ruled out intelligent design as scientific. But on exactly the same grounds, Grose's book contends, Darwinian theory should also be ruled out. "Pray tell," he demands, "where are the specific, observable, testable, confirmable data – obtained through observations and experiments – concerning [Darwin's view of] origins? There are none. And there never will be."
This was the assertion that first vaulted him into the public eye in October 1969, when the California State Board of Education came under fire for refusing to present Darwinian theory as scientific fact. Grose defended the board and in subsequent months found himself denounced by 19 Nobel laureates who signed a petition against him, while the National Academy broke its own rules by plunging into the political affairs of a single state. News media around the world portrayed him as advocating Genesis for public school textbooks. Cartoons ridiculed him as a scientific ignoramus.

The California board backed him nevertheless, empowering him to edit the state's science texts from which he excised 218 statements, many of them sheer myth, to reclassify Darwinian theory from fact to dogma. The Genesis explanation of origins is "a belief, not a fact," Grose reiterates, "and so is Darwin's." In the end, the Board of Education voted unanimously to uphold him, and even the Academy came around. "The search for knowledge must be conducted under conditions of intellectual freedom," it said, "without religious, political or ideological restriction."

This inhibits the religious. It should, and perhaps one day will, inhibit the irreligious as well. Grose's long-suppressed book may be purchased at AuthorHouse.com.

A Fascinating Macrocode

I often run across atheists and agnostics who have taken it upon themselves as their goal in life to disparage, bash, and quite frankly, demonstrate hatred towards the God of the Bible. They comb the Scriptures to find errors in order to cement their beliefs.

I have often thought that it is quite weird that those protesting and spewing that there is no God, spend so much time trying to refute something (the Bible) and Someone (God) whom they reject and don't believe in!

The truth is, there aren't any errors in the Bible. However, there are fallible human beings claiming that the difficulties in the Bible are to be perceived as errors.

I like to do the opposite. I like to find things in the Bible that demonstrate it's miraculous nature.

The Bible is God's Word to all mankind. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(See 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 12:6; 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5)

There are also facinating discoveries called "macrocodes" that have been found within the Scriptures which can be seen as evidence that links the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of those prophecies.

The following is an excerpt from an article entitled, "The Mystery of the Cross." I found this link back in 2004. I just visited the link and apparently, the article either has been moved or deleted. Now I wish I had copied the entire article. However, this portion was truly fascinating to me and I wanted to share it here!

Christine

GENESIS 5

I find it interesting that the passage in Hosea about God using models and types comes within the context of Him using names to illustrate a point. This is how we find our first type in this study…

Who loves reading through all the genealogies in the Bible? While at first glance they seem long and boring, they are there for a reason. Take a look at this passage…

1This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.

2He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created.

3And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

4After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters….

…And on and on it goes. However, there is a great mystery under the surface of this chapter just waiting to be discovered.

What’s in a name? How many of you have looked up your name to see what it means? As a society, this practice is all but lost today, but in ancient times it was simply the way it was done. Parents named their children after key events of the times, or after God (or gods in pagan cultures). That’s why the term “el” appears in so many Hebrew names for instance. It is a name for God. With this genealogy however, not only do the names give insights to man’s early history, they also paint a much broader picture. Let’s take a look…

ADAM

The first name, Adam, comes from adomah, and means "man." As the first man, that seems straightforward enough.

SETH

Adam's son was named Seth, which means, "appointed." When he was born Eve said, "For God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew." (Genesis 4:25) See, the Bible even helps us out with the name meanings.

ENOSH

Seth's son was called Enosh, which means "mortal," "frail," or "miserable." It is from the root word anash: which means to be incurable; used of a wound, grief, woe, sickness, or wickedness. (It was in the days of Enosh that men began to defile the name of the Living God by the way)

KENAN

Enosh's son was named Kenan, from which can mean "sorrow," dirge," or "elegy."

MAHALALEL

Kenan's son was Mahalalel, from mahalal, which means "blessed" or "praise"; and EL, the name for God. Thus, Mahalalel means "the Blessed God."

As I said, often Hebrew names included El, the name of God, such as Dani-el, "God is my Judge," Nathani-el, "Gift of God," etc.

JARED

Mahalalel's son was named Jared, from the verb yaradh, meaning "shall come down." Some authorities suggest that this might have been an allusion to the "Sons of God" who "came down" to corrupt the daughters of men, resulting in the Nephilim ("Fallen Ones") of Genesis 6, but that’s a whole other study…

ENOCH

Jared's son was named Enoch, which means "teaching," or "commencement." He was the first of four generations of preachers. In fact, the earliest recorded prophecy was by Enoch, which amazingly enough deals with the Second Coming of Christ. (Found in Jude 14-15)

METHUSELAH

The Flood of Noah did not come as a surprise. It had been preached on for four generations. But something strange happened when Enoch was 65, from which time "he walked with God." Enoch was given a prophecy that as long as his son was alive, the judgment of the flood would be withheld; but as soon as he died, the flood would be sent forth.

Enoch named his son to reflect this prophecy. The name Methuselah comes from two roots: muth, a root that means “death”; and from shalach, which means "to bring," or "to send forth." Thus, the name Methuselah signifies, "his death shall bring."

And, indeed, in the year that Methuselah died, the flood came. Methuselah was 187 when he had Lamech, and lived 782 years more. Lamech had Noah when he was 182. The Flood came in Noah's 600th year. 187 + 182 + 600 = 969, Methuselah's age when he died.

Here’s a riddle for you…

If Methuselah was the oldest man in the Bible, how could he die before his father?

The answer: Enoch never died, he was translated, or raptured, before the flood (a type of the Church before the great tribulation)! “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5

It is interesting that Methuselah's life was, in effect, a symbol of God's mercy in forestalling the coming judgment of the flood. It is therefore fitting that his lifetime is the oldest in the Bible, symbolizing the extreme extensiveness of God's mercy.

LAMECH

Methuselah's son was named Lamech, a root still evident today in our own English word, "lament" or "lamentation." Lamech suggests "despairing."

NOAH

Lamech, of course, is the father of Noah, which is derived from nacham which means, "to bring relief" or "comfort," as Lamech himself explains in verse 29...

“And he called his name Noah, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.”

Let me ask you this; was the curse lifted after Noah? Did man no longer have to toil with his hands, or work for his provision? No. In fact, one doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to realize that the curse is very much alive, well, dead actually, today. So even here we see an allusion to something greater within the text…

So let’s see what all these names say when we put them together, in the order they are given in the Bible…

Hebrew


English



Adam
Man

Seth
Appointed

Enosh
Mortal

Kenan
Sorrow

Mahalalel
The Blessed God

Jared
Shall come down

Enoch
Teaching

Methuselah
His death shall bring

Lamech
The despairing

Noah
Rest, or comfort


Simply add a few simple conjunctions and read it again…

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.

Here is a summary of God's plan of redemption, hidden here within a genealogy in Genesis! You will never convince me that a group of Jewish rabbis deliberately "contrived" to hide the "Christian Gospel" right here in a genealogy within their venerated Torah!

Remember our key verses here…

“The volume of the book it is written of me…” and “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

Now just for something to throw out to you, these types of models (actually called Macrocodes) are all throughout the Old Testament. For our purposes here, we have only covered one that reveals the identity of the true Messiah and illustrates salvation through the cross. Remember, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”, and also Jesus’ words directing us to the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms. That’s where we should direct our attention.

Written by Jerry Cesario

Don't Touch God's Rainbow!

This is something that needed to be done a long time ago! However, it's better late than never.

Christian students have had it! They've had it with the homosexual indoctrination going on in their high schools. They are no longer willing to just sit on the sidelines of this volatile debate and watch their free speech rights trampled by the PC liberal elitists who have gotten away with allowing expression of only one side and view on the issue of homosexual promotion!

I say BRAVO BRAVE STUDENTS!

I am sensing just the beginning of the end for the anarchy of the gay indoctrination era!

Students are now reclaiming their free speech rights, no matter what it may cost them in the beginning. Right now, apparently, it is costing them suspensions.

Suspensions, furor over ‘anti-gay’ shirts Parents, students, church leaders press board for free-speech rights

Excerpt:

Local Christian leaders, working with an attorney through the non-profit Pacific Justice Institute, created a resolution asking the board to protect students' right to freedom of speech and religious expression on campus.

Board member Larry Masuoka presented the resolution at the meeting. Parents and students demanded that their fundamental right to free speech and religious expression be upheld, and students told of being harassed by peers and teachers because of their message.

The resolution reads:

As Christian students enrolled at the San Juan Unified School District and members of student religious clubs, we seek to resolve an ongoing conflict regarding free expression on high school campuses. To this end, we respectfully submit this request as follows:

Whereas, there is an ongoing disagreement between students and District administrators, teachers and staff, regarding the rights to free expression on high school campuses;

Whereas, Christian students have worn clothing and distributed literature which the District asserts offends students who are homosexual or otherwise identify themselves as "gay" or "lesbian";

Whereas, students who have engaged in expressive conduct have been subject to discipline, including suspensions;

Whereas, students who have been subject to discipline for peacefully engaging in expressive conduct have protested in front of school campuses;

Whereas, Christian students who engage in peaceful expressive conduct on matters of contemporary moral, political and social topics are acting in accordance with a long tradition within the faith community;

Whereas, proposed laws addressing issues directly related to homosexuality are currently being debated in California;

Whereas, attempts to silence students by punishing or otherwise censoring them has served to aggravate the disagreement between Christian students and the District;

Whereas, as people of faith it is our religious and civic duty to not be silent on important issues;

Whereas, we will continue to exercise our rights of speech on District campuses, both as individuals and through student clubs;

Whereas, as Christians we also seek to live at peace with all of our fellow students and District employees;

Whereas, we believe that all peaceable students are entitled to educational opportunities regardless of their beliefs;

Whereas, students should not be subjected to bullying by other students, discipline by administrators, or academic punishment by teachers merely for what they believe and for peacefully expressing those beliefs;

Whereas, the students and religious clubs are desirous of obtaining an agreement with the District which both protects student speech and maintains an atmosphere which is civil;

Therefore, we respectfully request that the Board of Trustees direct District administrators to draft general guidelines for expressive conduct to be presented for review to the Board at the next board meeting. In view of this, the Christian students have these requirements for the guidelines as follows:

permit students to speak to moral issues and conduct;

permit quotations from religious texts such as the Bible; and,

create a safe, educationally sound, environment for all students regardless of belief.

I hope and pray that this catches on BIG TIME!

It's about time!!

P.S.

One shirt that caused an uproar was emblazoned with, "Don't touch God's rainbow."

Amen!

*******
In a related school morality matter, read these two letters-to-the-editor that are currently posted over at WorldNetDaily:

Why I quit teaching

This ['Have sex, do drugs, speaker says'] is why I quit teaching after 18 years of fighting juvenile mentality such as this. The secular-progressives have trashed all moral boundaries. Our country will follow other great civilizations into the ash-heap of history if this continues unabated. "What is right/wrong" has been changed, by these "S-Ps," to "Who's right/wrong," a hedonistic, amoral philosophy.

With that mentality comes the tossing of "Equality under the law" to "the law is the toughest, meanest, baddest," or "might-makes-right."

Mike Cunningham

*******

Send him to prison

The speaker at Boulder High School who told the kids to have sex and do drugs needs to be sent to prison for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

During his stay in prison he can witness how drugs have destroyed peoples lives and personally tell the prisoners to have sex since they were going to do it anyway.

RB Cox

DefCon? Your Intolerance Is Showing!

I just knew it wouldn't take long before a rabid, liberal left group attempted to launch a disparaging campaign against the soon-to-open Creation Museum.

It's kinda funny though. Sometimes the titles that these groups give themselves are (inadvertently, on their part) abbreviations that can be transformed into words describing their reprehensible character!

"DefCon" is the name of the group. Oh boy...can we have fun with that title! I'll start:

"Defensive Connivers"
or
"Definitive Con-artists"
or
"Defeatist Contrarians"
or
"Deflating Contortionists"
or
"Defeatist Conceitedness"

Ahh! I'm having too much fun!

Actually, I'm sure that Mark and Doug could come up with some beauts! Where are you guys when I need you!

Back to the post.

I became aware of this loonie group over at Citizenlink. Author Wendy Cloyd alerts us with her article entitled Liberal Group Assails New Creation Museum. Excerpt:

DefCon is telling people the project would "undermine" science and "confuse" children. On its Web site, DefCon is described as "an online grassroots movement combating the growing power of the religious right" and fighting for "the separation of church and state … while respecting people of faith and their right to express their beliefs."

According to Ken Ham, president and co-founder of Answers in Genesis (AiG), DefCon is demanding tolerance of all beliefs, but will not tolerate anyone who believes the Bible.

"What is incredible about all this is that this group called DefCon is supposed to be defending the Constitution," he told CitizenLink. "They say that you can have freedom of speech, freedom of religion – but you're not allowed to say that science supports the Bible."

Yep...a tolerant group displays it's intolerance...once again!

Yep...the usual mantra is on display...the museum isn't even open yet and DefCon claims that it has no basis in science!

Ham said it's preposterous to claim the museum has no basis in science.

"We are opening up a major facility to tell the world that the Bible is true and we use good research in biology, geology, astronomy, anthropology and so on – to help people understand you can trust God's word. And they don't like it," he said.

The group is forming a petition against the museum. So much for free speech! So much for freedom of religion! So much for freedom of association! DefCon thinks it deserves all of those things...but not Creation Museum proponents!

So much for tolerance!

DefCon claims this "institutionalizes a lie."

Ham had a great comeback:

"What's our lie?" Ham asked. "We're saying the Bible's true."

Yep...

The Joy Of Knowing God

Tuesday, May 22

Who Do You Know?

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

Recommended Reading

Matthew 7:21-23

At the world's trendiest night spots and restaurants, long lines of the hopeful form who want to be admitted. They stand behind velvet ropes under the watchful eye of those who keep the door. Suddenly, an individual walks past the long line of hopefuls, catches the eye of the doorkeeper, and is motioned forward. The clasp on the velvet rope is released, the door is opened, and the favored guest enters in, leaving all the rest to wonder, "Who does he know that we don't know?"

It's from those kinds of situations in life that the familiar expression arose, "It's not what you know but who you know that matters." And that is definitely true when it comes to eternal life. Jesus said that not everyone who called Him "Lord" would enter the kingdom of heaven. To those who practice lawlessness, His reply to their, "Lord, Lord," will be, "I never knew you." There is a difference in knowing about God and actually knowing Him. And only by knowing Him do the doors to the kingdom of heaven and eternal life open.

Do you know God or only know about Him? Gaining access to a restaurant brings enjoyment for a night. Gaining access to heaven brings joy forever.

Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on Earth! Jim Elliot

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Job 1:1 - 5:27

Turning Point Online

The Amnesty Bill

Oh...excuse me? It's not called an amnesty bill?

Hmmm...

Just what is that saying I'm trying to recall? Oh yeah...if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

You know the rest!

America's illegal immigration problem is alive and well. But this bill makes it far worse!

I'm with Sean Hannity on this one! On his radio show yesterday, Sean mentioned that the moment he heard that Ted Kennedy...of all people...agrees with this bill, that was the moment that he IMMEDIATELY questioned it.

I agree!

And,now that the ugly details are out, I'm even more alarmed!

I heard that this bill will cost American taxpayers TRILLIONS of dollars! That's TRILLION...WITH A 'T"!

Michele Malkin covers most of the details in her posts:

Dissecting the Bush/Kennedy shamnesty bill

In the No-Spin Zone

Michele will be guest hosting The O'Reilly Factor tonight. I think that she is one of the best guest hosts who fills in when Bill is away. Tonight should be most informative and interesting! She plans to cover this awful amnesty bill that Congress is about to succomb to!

Why are many in Congress headed towards approving this bill?

Because they value their OWN power and position in Washington over the desires and will of the people who elected them to office in the first place! That's why!!

We must flood the congressmen and senators' offices with phone calls, letters, and emails voicing our opposition to this terrible bill!!

Trackback URL:
http://www.michellemalkin.com/
mt/oct05-tb.cgi/6910

*******
P.S. This bill is so obviously revealed as amnesty, even a cartoon character like Wimpy can explain it!

Christian News Update

Evangelicals disdained in poll. Majority of professors have negative feelings.

Why does this not surprise me?

Excerpt:

Frank Kauffman was teaching a course in social work at Missouri State University in 2005 when he gave an assignment that sparked a lawsuit and nearly destroyed his academic career.

He asked his students to write letters urging state legislators to support adoptions by same-sex couples. Emily Brooker, then a junior majoring in social work, objected that the assignment violated her Christian beliefs. When she refused to sign her letter, she was hauled before a faculty panel on a charge of discriminating against gays.

The case has fueled accusations by conservative groups that secular university faculties are dominated by liberals who treat conservative students, particularly evangelical Christians, with intellectual condescension or worse.

Yes. It's gets even worse:

The other survey, by the San Francisco-based Institute for Jewish and Community Research, confirmed those findings but also found what the institute’s director and chief pollster, Gary Tobin, called an “explosive” statistic: 53 percent of its sample of 1,200 college and university faculty members said they have “unfavorable” feelings toward evangelical Christians.

Tobin asked professors at all kinds of colleges – public and private, secular and religious, two-year and four-year – to rate their feelings toward various religious groups, from very warm or favorable to very cool or unfavorable. He said he designed the question primarily to gauge anti-Semitism but found that professors expressed positive feelings toward Jews, Buddhists, Roman Catholics and most other religious groups.

The only groups that elicited highly negative responses were evangelical Christians and Mormons.

“When we ask questions like this, we’re asking the respondent to say how they feel about an entire group of people, and whatever image they have of that entire group comes through,” Tobin said. “There is no question this is revealing bias and prejudice.”

*******

Now, isn't this special?? Christian bookstores aren't even safe from secular humanistic depravity anymore!

Excerpt:

WND earlier reported that in the United States, software provided by Internet behemoth Amazon to Christian stores also includes pornographic products, and in Canada, even a search on Amazon.ca for 'science video' turned up X-rated materials.

"Canadian Christians looking for solid, Bible-based materials may be in for a big surprise when they browse the cyber-shelves of online Christian bookstores powered by TBM BookManager, Ltd.," Press said. "Unless they are careful, they will be exposed to much more than just Christian authors and books."

Press said he's talked with a number of bookstore owners and managers about the situation.

"After the initial shock and disbelief, some planned to contact BookManager and complain, while others planned to drop BookManager altogether," he said.

WND talked to Harold Maier, the owner of Heritage Christian Bookstore in St. Catherine's, and he said he wasn't aware of the situation until alerted by WND.

"I'm glad you made us aware of it, so we can filter out some of those things. Of course it concerns me," he told WND.

That is precisely why I refuse to order anything via Amazon.

*******

I just love this!

Creation Museum Causes Stir in Scientific Circles

Some of the great comments there:


aaron Gibson:

"scientifically inaccurate"...what? have they seen what is in the other museums. there are exhibits in support of evolution that defy scientific evidence.

theotherguy:

It would be more scientific for the critics to do some research and visit the Museum before making these judgments.

Dave D:

"There's no doubt these are documented lies."

So show us the documentation.

Otto

To Lawrence Krauss:
Please answer the questions in Job 38:1-6.
May you have an encounter with Him who is your Creator.

charles ashley:

When their religon of "Evolution" is challenged the left goes on Attack mode to Silence the opposing view. These "intellectual's" are Fear the Truth of their Lies being exposed so they try to shut them down by Any means necessary!
What are you so Afraid of anyway?
If your argument's are sound you have nothing to fear, but they are not so that is why you seek to silence us.

Tom:

If the tolerant, pacifist liberal know - it - alls don't like what's in the museum than why don't they just not go in. If they don't like the message then don't listen to it. These know -it- alls have an agenda that calls anyone who doesn't believe them a facist and a danger to their cause. They do not believe in freedom of speech or differing opinions. The dead end of Darwinism is in sight now that we have advanced in so many are4as of science. Evolutionists show us one animal in the middle stages of evolution. Tell us how such complicated information in microscopic DNA was evolved. The DNA information was designed by a creator and they know it is too complex to have fallen into place by chance. A single cell is so complex as to not have been able to have formed by chance and they are afraid just the same as the abortion voters are that the curtain has been pulled away and they are seen for what they really are and that is pathetic believers with no evidence of what they believe in.

Skeptic:

"When they try to confuse [kids] about what is science and what isn't science, scientists have an obligation to speak out,"

You mean like the Global Warming Fraud ??

Bob Cirba:

I don't know about the veracity of this museum, but I'm sure that there are no more inaccuracies than in any evolution lecture. The theory of evolution is the grandest and most tragic hoax of our lifetimes. "Cross-species evolution is so ridiculous, only an "intellectual" could believe it. Blessings, Bob

Steve MacLurg:

What an odd position to adopt for 'objective' scientists--condemning and sanctioning an exibit before they have seen it. Hmmm. It makes one wonder if objectivism or dogmatism is their real method.

dexalatebill:

Dr. Gerald Schroeder wrote the best explanation I have read on science and creation. Typing his name in a search engine should bring you to his works. He was a professor of nuclear physics at MIT.

Bernie Wright

This is just another attempt to silence other scientists and their views. Evolutionists have had their chance for decades. Let the public decide. After all, they have been taught evolution-only for their lives. They will be able to see the truth, don't you think?

stefanie:

What is wrong with a minority group building a museum depicting its own beliefs with its own private money in America? No-one is forced to go. No one is forced to pay taxes to support this. What's the big deal?

John H1029:

Where is the proof for what you erroneously believe Mr. Kraus? Just because you and other indoctrinated professors believe something does not mean it is true

Yep...

ISU Bias - Coincidence or Design?

It should come as no surprise that with the success of Guillermo Gonzalez' book The Privileged Planet and his appreciation for the Intelligent Design hypothesis, that the elites at Iowa State University would deny him tenure.

At first they would not admit that Gonzalez' book and ID promotion was the reason to deny him tenure. Then, they had to face the fact that Guillermo had an exemplary research record, including many scientific, peer reviewed articles for several of the major science journals.

Uh oh!

Guess they had to come clean and finally admit the real reason he was being rejected for tenure. I guess you could say at least they did, finally, admit it!

Breaking News: Iowa State Department Faculty Acknowledge ID Played Role in Gonzalez's Tenure Denial

Author John West writes:

According to a story to be published in the May 26 edition of World Magazine (already available online here), two faculty members of the department that denied tenure to Guillermo Gonzales at Iowa State University have admitted that his work on ID played a role in the denial. While Prof. Eli Rosenberg, Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, insisted to the magazine that intelligent design "was not an overriding factor" (emphasis added), he then conceded according to the magazine that Gonzalez's pro-ID book The Privileged Planet "played into the decision-making process. He also explained that the reputation of a professor among others in his field is a significant factor." Of course, if "reputation" is used as a code word for whether one's views are popular among fellow scientists, then this is another way anti-ID bias entered into the decision.

But Rosenberg is not the only department member who admitted that intelligent design played a role in the tenure decision.

ISU astronomy professor Curtis Struck told World that he was not surprised at the denial of tenure to Gonzales because "[h]e includes some things in his astronomy resumé that other people regard as taking a coincidence too far." Struck was obviously referring to Gonzalez's arguments for intelligent design.

Struck's comments mean that at least three of the five tenured astronomers in Gonzalez's department have now been tied to anti-ID bias. As noted earlier this week, another tenured astronomer in the department signed a statement circulated by the National Center for Science Education denouncing intelligent design as "creationist pseudoscience," while the husband of a third astronomy professor signed the same statement.

Despite his own admission, Prof. Rosenberg tried to do damage control by claiming that there was something deficient about Dr. Gonzalez's sterling research record: "You take a look at somebody's research record over the six-year probationary period and you get a sense whether this is a strong case. Clearly, this was a case that looked like it might be in trouble." Really? Was Gonzalez somehow derelict in publishing 350% more peer-reviewed publications than his own department's stated standard for research excellence? Or in co-authoring a college astronomy textbook with Cambridge University Press? Or in having his research recognized in Science, Nature, Scientific American, and other top science publications?

It is worth pointing out that in early 2004 Gonzalez's department nominated him for an "Early Achievement in Research" award for an outstanding record in research. So what changed between 2004 and 2006 when Gonzalez submitted his tenure application? Well, 2004 was the year The Privileged Planet was published. Dr. Gonzalez continued to publish peer-reviewed journal articles, and even co-authored the Cambridge University Press textbook in 2006, but his department seems to have soured on him just as the controversy over intelligent design heated up on the ISU campus and around the nation.

Coincidence... or design?

Isn't the answer obvious?

*******

Update: 5/18/07

ID The Future — www.idthefuture.com

ISU Faculty Admit ID Played Role in Gonzalez Tenure Denial

On this episode of ID the Future we take a look at Iowa State University’s decision to deny tenure to astronomer and professor Guillermo Gonzalez, despite the fact that he exceeds his department’s standard of research by 350%. Two faculty members at ISU have admitted that the denial of tenure to Dr. Gonzalez had to do with his support for intelligent design, a clear violation of Dr. Gonzalez’s academic freedom. Listen in and learn more about Guillermo’s research record and how you can help support his right to follow the evidence wherever it leads.

Click here to listen.

*******
Update 5/21/07 - Email from Nota Bene

Action Item:
Help Guillermo Gonzalez in his fight for academic freedom.
Contact ISU President Gregory L. Geoffroy at (515) 294-2042 or email him at president@iastate.edu and let him know that you support academic freedom for Dr. Gonzalez to follow the evidence wherever it leads.

The big story this week was the denial of tenure to widely-published pro-ID astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez at Iowa State University, despite the fact that he exceeded by 350% his department’s standard for research excellence in peer-reviewed publications. A quick recap of the key developments in the case:

1. Two tenured professors in Gonzalez’s department publicly admitted that his work on intelligent design played a role in his tenure denial.

2. Two additional faculty members in Gonzalez’s department were found to be connected to a national statement denouncing intelligent design as “creationist pseudoscience.”

3. Tenure statistics were obtained showing that 91% of faculty who applied for tenure this year at ISU received it, refuting the university’s claim earlier in the week that its tenure standards are “so high, that many good researchers have failed to satisfy the demands of earning tenure” at ISU.

4. Tenure standards for ISU's Department of Physics and Astronomy were released showing that outside research funding was not a stated criterion for tenure decisions in the department.

5. ISU continues to pretend that nothing is wrong while ignoring the hostile work environment for Gonzalez.

*******

About Nota Bene
Nota Bene -- Latin for "mark well"-- is the periodic e-lert newsletter for the Center for Science & Culture. The goal of Nota Bene is to quickly disseminate information regarding important events, activities and milestones related to the scientific theory of intelligent design and about efforts to fully and completely teach Darwinian evolution theory, including both its strengths and weaknesses. Please forward this e-mail to friends and family you think would be interested in this important issue.

Horrendous Story That MSM Won't Cover

I first read about the horrific murders of Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian last night over at Hot Air. In the video at Hot Air, Michele Malkin covers not only the utterly heinous and evil depravity of the criminal murderers, but also addresses the very important question as to why this story has been basically ignored by the MSM.

[Please note: the details are truly night-marish. Be forewarned!]

Snopes.com has established the authenticity of the absolutely incomprehensible brutality involved in the attacks upon these two human beings. The essay there further relates as to why this particular story does not merit MSM coverage.

The reasons are similar to the cases involving two young boys (Jeffrey Curley and Jesse Dirkhising) who were brutally raped and murdered by homosexual men, as well as the story of Mary Stachowicz, who was killed by a homosexual man she worked with because she attempted to witness to him about what the Bible says regarding homosexual behavior as sin.

What do these five murders all have in common? They will never be labeled as "hate crimes" against the victims. Why? Well, Michele at Hot Air and Snopes.com covers it quite well and bluntly tells us the answer to that question.

This is just more proof that "hate crimes" legislation is a false dichotomy that should never be passed by Congress!!!

The proof that false claims already abound from the homosexual community is another reason why it's such a farse!!

I was originally puzzled as to why the Newsom and Christian murders weren't deemed newsworthy. Why was this terribly depraved double-murder ignored while the Duke rape case received such endless media coverage? Dare I say that when the murderous perpetrators are either homosexual or black, and the victims are children or white, it just doesn't fit as "newsworthy" in the minds of liberals who are the obviously dominating presence in the newsrooms across America ? What's more, in their loonie left daft opinion, there is no way that such horrible crimes listed above would merit being labeled as "hate crimes."

Why???

We seriously need to ask and answer that question!

Why are certain crimes worthy of being labeled "hate crimes" and others are not?

There must be something else behind this trend.

Anybody care to guess??

I'll tell you.

The Federal Hate Crimes Bill: Federalizing Criminal Law While Threatening Civil Liberties.

I know what you are thinking. Isn't the left considered the reigning champions for civil liberties? Yes! They are...usually, that is. Except when the liberty being discussed does not agree with their agenda!

But wait! There's more! The ultimate goal is not only to threaten religious freedom, in general, but to target and silence Christians and God's Word, the Bible in particular!!

That's why.

HT's:

Michele Malkin

Hot Air

Snopes.com

Concerned Women for America

*******
More blogposts about this crime:

La Shawn Barber

Also, be sure to read La Shawn's related post Hate E-mail and Hate Crimes

Flopping Aces

Newsbusters

Trackback URL:
http://www.michellemalkin.com/
mt/oct05-tb.cgi/6894

*******
Update 5/18/07

This is certainly terrible news. I didn't want to be called a "race-baiter" or make claims about the murderers that I couldn't back up. However, today I read a comment by a blogger named "Hemrud" over at Flopping Aces. He wrote:

I would like to add just one item, at least one of the perps is a member of the Black Supremist group "Black Gangsta Disciples" which would lead one to think that yes indeed this was a racially motivated crime. Would any MSM reporter say a case involving Blacks tortured and killed by members of a White Supremacy group was not racially motivated? I think not. Further backing this is another report on a organisation, Black Poverty Speaks, that will be "Celebrating the Carjackers" believe it or not!

Here's the link to Nowpublic with more on this story.

HT: Flopping Aces

Also, over at Mark's Chester Street blog, one commentor made a great point and observation:

The Merry Widow said...
Mark-You look in the eyes and faces of the perps, there is no soul, the eyes are dead, and the faces show NOTHING!
This is truly an act of total evil.
And before anyone thinks I'm looking at skin, blow it! I'm looking at expressions and eyes, if the eyes are the window of the soul, nobody is home.
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw
And what of the families of Channon and Christopher? What Hell are they going through? With what they know their loved ones went through? What justice for them? Who will wipe their tears? Who will weep with them? Who will hold them? Who can erase the images?

HT: Chester Street

When I visited Mark's blog, I couldn't even bring myself to look at the pics of the murderers. But after reading The Merry Widow's comment, I made the unpleasant effort to look at the eyes and faces of those murderers. She was 100% correct in her observation. Their eyes are dead. Their expressions are dead and hopeless. Their actions were nothing but plain evil.

God's Word describes such a state of being:

Jer 17:9 The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The Anger of the Left

Thomas Sowell has identified what I have often suspected in his article The Anger of the Left.

Sowell writes:

That people on the political left have a certain set of opinions, just as people do in other parts of the ideological spectrum, is not surprising. What is surprising, however, is how often the opinions of those on the left are accompanied by hostility and even hatred.

Particular issues can arouse passions here and there for anyone with any political views. But, for many on the left, indignation is not a sometime thing. It is a way of life

Yep...just as I've always suspected. Anger and indignation is a way of life to the liberal loonie left!


If it is hard to find a principle behind what angers the left, it is not equally hard to find an attitude.

Sowell concludes:

Their greatest anger seems to be directed at people and things that thwart or undermine the social vision of the left, the political melodrama starring the left as saviors of the poor, the environment, and other busybody tasks that they have taken on.

It seems to be the threat to their egos that they hate. And nothing is more of a threat to their desire to run other people's lives than the free market and its defenders.

The desire to run other people's lives! Isn't that what the secular left often accuses Christian conservatives of trying to do?

So that's it!!

Shhhh! Let's keep it our little secret...


HT: Creators.com via World Net Daily Commentary link.

The "Sin Unto Death."

During the Nightline debate, Does God Exist between Christian evangelists Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron against proclaimed athiests Brian and Kelly, both athiests claimed to have been Christians in the past. Of course, that is between God and themselves, however, we can get a hint about their spiritual condition based on what the Bible tells us is the "sin unto death" and what the two athiests are saying now.

So-called "ex"-Christians are often revealed as formerly false Christians anyway. They may have had "head" knowledge about Christ, but hadn't made the decision to invite him into their hearts as Lord and Savior. The act of being born-again is not reversible. We get a hint about this fact from this verse:

Mat 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (bold mine)

Once the Holy Spirit indwells the heart of a believer, it is a permanent conversion. Believers are then "sealed with God," just as the angels who didn't rebel against God (at the fall and casting out of Satan and 1/3 of the angels turned demons) were sealed unto God.

Rom 15:28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

2Cr 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (bold mine)

The meaning of "until the redemption of the purchased possession" refers to the fact that we were purchased by the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary and when we stand before God at the Judgment Seat of Christ, it will be his righteousness that is imputed upon us for redemption; not anything that we did here on earth.

Also, since we still have that "human sin nature" to deal with, Christians still sin (I just did yesterday), but we regret and repent of it because we know that it grieves the Holy Spirit.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (bold mine)

In the cases of Brian and Kelly, their final act of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is not just a sin, but the "sin unto death" (meaning, the only unforgiveable sin leading to spiritual death and separation from God forever). They, as well, have sealed their fate.

Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

1Jo 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

Powerful verses! For easier understanding, read the New Living Translation version:

1Jo 5:16 If you see a Christian brother or sister[fn3] sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.

1Jo 5:17 Every wrong is sin, but not all sin leads to death.

1Jo 5:18 We know that those who have become part of God's family do not make a practice of sinning, for God's Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

1Jo 5:19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.

1Jo 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

1Jo 5:21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.[fn4

Footnotes:
5:16Greek your brother.
5:21Greek keep yourselves from idols.

Oh Glenn...You Crack Me Up!

I certainly needed a good laugh today. With all of the bad and negative news out there, it felt great to have a real belly laugh!

Did anyone see Glenn Beck's show tonight? He interviewed a man from Florida who claims (apparently) that he is Jesus "the man" returned. The brief story is that Jose' Luis de Jesus Miranda was visited by two angels and told that Jesus would return in him.

As if that isn't insane enough (remember, we were warned in Scripture and by Jesus himself about imposters claiming to be him; see my previous post here for the verses), according to his interview with Glenn and the information contained in the online encylopedia, Wikipedia, de Jesus Miranda also believes that he is the Antichrist and has his followers tatoo 666 on their arms.

Huh???

O.K.

Admittedly, that part is certainly not funny. But, what Glenn said tonight was absolutely hilariously timed: (paraphrased)

Glenn to de Jesus Miranda:

"Jesus did say in the Scriptures that he would return 'as a thief in the night' and you have been arrested for petty theft."

Gotta love that sense of humor...and timing!

Ha ha ha hah!

Congress Considering Dangerous Bill

Dear readers,

Don't allow Congress to get away with legislation intent on silencing Christians! Below, is a copy of an email I received today from Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice), which is a Christian law organization designed to counter the despicable actions of the ACLU as well as any and all organizations which are viciously anti-Christian.

Please take a moment to click on the link and sign the petition! Thank you!

Christine

*******

Dear Christine,

This week there is critical lobbying legislation looming over Congress.

In my years of experience, this legislation has to be one of the greatest threats to freedom of speech that Congress has ever considered.

The ramifications of this legislation are staggering! So in protest, I have launched a nationwide petition campaign via email, radio, television, and the Internet, pressing the House of Representatives to reject this stifling lobbying legislation.

Today, I strongly urge you to SPEAK OUT AGAINST H.R. 2093 BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE by signing right now our online Petition of Protest to your Representative in the House.

This legislation, in essence, attempts to override the United States Constitution.

What we're dealing with here is the work of politicians who want to control, limit, and silence Christians and conservative groups.

We MUST fight back, and quickly.

This legislation ... currently being considered in the House of Representatives ... could not be in greater opposition to what our Founding Fathers intended when they wrote the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

House Resolution 2093 would drastically affect churches that speak out on issues like partial-birth abortion, same-sex marriage, conservative judicial nominees, and military chaplains' right to pray. It would also impact Christian groups using TV, radio, or the Internet to mobilize citizens around an issue.

Under the bill, pastors, church leaders, advocacy organizations and even individuals could be compelled to register as lobbyists. Failure to comply with this bill could result in fines in excess of $50,000.

Furthermore, if this bill passes the House, it will wind up in a conference committee, possibly becoming the law of the land before you even have a chance to raise your voice in protest.

Act TODAY! Add your name to our online Petition of Protest, and take advantage of our website's forward-to-friend tool to encourage your friends to join our nationwide campaign as well.

This legislation is one of the most significant violations of the free exercise of religion and freedom of political speech in our nation's history. Here is what I am doing to mount our counter-offense:

*I have launched a nationwide petition campaign urging the House of Representatives to reject this legislation.

*I have assembled a legal and legislative team; we have already produced a legal analysis (posted at www.aclj.org) that details the dangers of the bill, and we are distributing significant legal memorandums throughout Congress.

*I am personally leading three senior attorneys and our entire Government Affairs team - working with Congress.

*And we are preparing a complaint to file in federal court if necessary.

We anticipate that the Floor debate will take place in the House this week, with a vote possibly as early as Friday.

Don't wait on this. Immediately sign the online Petition of Protest and make YOUR VOICE HEARD ON THIS CRITICAL MATTER.

Thank you for participating personally in the fight to preserve our freedom of speech. Please continue to support this effort in prayer in these crucial days ahead.

Copyright 2007, ACLJ

Well Done, Rev. Falwell

Reverend Jerry Falwell passes into eternity at the age of 73.

Biography: Reverend Jerry Falwell.

Reverend Jerry Falwell's last column encourages Christian students to work towards preserving religious freedom in schools.

Reverend Falwell is now with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Well done, good and faithful servant.

*******
Update 5/16/07

Found this article so accurate about the terrible hate-spewing vitriol that is coming from the loonie left.

5-16-2007

Assassinating the Dead

by Gary Schneeberger, Senior Media Director of Government and Public Policy

The media’s coverage of Jerry Falwell’s passing was deplorable in the way it let his critics unload on him.

Jerry Falwell would not be surprised.

He probably wouldn’t even be as disgusted as I am – because everything I’ve heard about him over the last 24 hours indicates he was ever gracious when facing down the media firing squad that took aim at him in 1979 and kept its crosshairs fixed for the next several decades.

But me, I guess I’m not feeling quite so gracious after seeing stories about his death topped today with headlines like “He was a uniter and a divider” (USA Today); “For New Generation of Evangelicals, Falwell Was Old News” (The Washington Post); and “Falwell: one of a kind, thank God” (The Globe and Mail of Toronto). And that’s just what showed up in the print media.

On CNN’s Larry King Live, anti-conservative ax-grinder Mel White, founder of the pro-homosexual organization Soulforce, called Falwell “the face of homophobia.” Even worse, the show that follows King’s on CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, sought expert analysis from Christopher Hitchens, a Vanity Fair reporter and author of the new book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.

“The empty life of this ugly little charlatan proves only one thing,” Hitchens said. “That you can get away with the most extraordinary offenses to morality and to truth in this country if you will just get yourself called reverend.

“If he read the Bible at all -- and I would doubt that he could actually read any long book -- he did so only in the most hucksterish, as we say, Bible-pounding way.”

All of this leads to one question: Is this the kind of news – and I use that word more loosely here than I may have ever used it in my life -- we’ll see on the sad day when someone like the Rev. Jesse Jackson passes away?
Of course not. Jackson will be the subject of hundreds of TV hours and newspaper column inches hailing him for his decades of courageous stands for the causes he believes in. Sure, Jackson has been no less controversial than Falwell, and he has no shortage of personal and political critics. But those people will not be given a worldwide stage, just hours after he’s breathed his last, to call him an “ugly little charlatan.”

And that’s as it should be.

It is deplorable for any news organization that expects to hold the public’s trust to open the vitriol floodgates the way so many did Tuesday after Falwell died. It’s one thing to note that he was a polarizing figure on the national stage; that’s documented, fair-to-report fact. But when an obituary story or TV segment contains as much savagery about someone as it does appreciation for him, when a headline suggests the most important thing about a man’s life was that some people didn’t like what he stood for, there can be only one explanation for it: the media are taking one final shot at someone they have always despised. And you can predict, with almost 100 percent accuracy, that anyone subject to such treatment will fall somewhere to the right of center on the ideological scale.

Focus on the Family Chairman Dr. James Dobson, who knows a thing or two about being attacked by the media for advancing Christian principles in the public square, put it this way during his segment on Tuesday’s Larry King Live:

“They tried to make him look like a clown. There was an effort to marginalize this man because he had such political influence. And as a result, people saw him in a way that was simply not accurate.”
How sad, how sorry, that this character assassination followed the Rev. Falwell to his grave. Thankfully, as fellow followers of Christ, we can be assured it has not followed him to heaven.

© 2007 Focus on the Family. CitizenLink is a registered trademark of Focus on the Family.

The Folly of the God Haters

I had the opportunity today to watch the Nightline debate videos again. I certainly noticed much more the second time around.

I was curious as to how the "Rational Response Squid" would view their performance in the debate, so I ventured over to their atheist website. Found it interesting that the video segment (which was supposed to show their favorite parts of the debate) doesn't even work when you click on it.

Hmmm.....

Of course, there were the usual insults that one might expect to find at a God-haters website. They have a blasphemous ad that contains a picture of Jesus on a lollipop with the caption, "Jesus is for suckers." Yet, during the debate, Kelly claimed that Jesus was a myth. For rational, reasonable people, they sure are having difficulty making up their minds...aren't they?

Hmmm....

To bad they don't have a place to post comments. I would have loved to share my take on the debate with them. But I guess "rational response" people only view their own responses as worthy of being shared at their site.

Hmmm....

It's interesting that they claim to have "won" the debate. Depends on what a person views as "winning." The poll question at the Nightline site asks:

Kirk Cameron and preacher Ray Comfort came together to challenge two self-proclaimed atheists to debate the existence of God.

Do you believe that God exists?

Yes. I believe there is a God. 14,538

No. There is no evidence that God exists. 5,091

Maybe. I'd like to believe there is a God, but I'm not sure. 407

Total Vote: 20,036
Not a scientific survey.

Seems to me that the overwhelming response on God's side (plus the maybes) far outweigh the responses that claim there is no evidence that God exists.

After viewing the videos a second time, the nasty attitudes of Brian and Kelly really are so obvious. It's truly sad. You can tell that they don't have "that peace that surpasses all understanding" because of their rejection of the God of the Bible.

As if the nastiness during the debates weren't enough, they also have a very disrespectful comment written just before a link where people can see more foolish individuals "blaspheme the Holy Spirit" in YouTube videos.

At their website, it says:

More Videos Denying the Holy Spit:

Let's see what the Bible says about foolish people like Brian and Kelly:


Pro 10:18 He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.

Pro 14:16 A wise [man] feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

Pro 18:7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

Pro 19:1 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Pro 17:16 Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] no heart [to it]?

Pro 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

Pro 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

Pro 10:10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Pro 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Pro 24:7 Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Pro 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

Pro 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Remember when Ray Comfort said that God can be found by those who "have eyes that see and a brain that works?"

Ecc 2:14 The wise man's eyes [are] in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

*******
Update 5/15/07

Neglected to mention that I recently saw a bumper sticker that said:

Obey
Pray
Trust

What would an atheist's bumper sticker response possibly be?

Disobey?
Scoff?
Deceive?

Hmmm....

Those last three attitudes sound eerily like a certain character in the Bible who originally rebelled against God...doesn't it?

Let's take it further. I will find Bible verses that support all six attitudes and we will se what God's Word says about them.

1. Obey

Deu 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:

Jer 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Regarding Jesus:

Mat 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Mar 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine [is] this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Luk 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Act 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Hbr 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

2. Pray

(Note: "Pray" appears 313 times in the KJV Bible!)


Mat 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Jesus himself prayed to the Father:

Mat 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Mat 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

Jesus' admonition to us to pray:

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

We are even to pray for our enemies: (Did you notice that Kirk mentioned that he prayed for the atheist Brian prior to the debate?)

Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Jesus instructs us to pray for the salvation of non-believers:

Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.


Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Jesus prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit:

Jhn 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus prays for all believers; past, present and future:


Jhn 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

Jhn 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Jhn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Pray to repent:

Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.


2Th 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:




3. Trust

Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psa 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psa 18:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.

Psa 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

Psa 37:40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psa 40:4 Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Psa 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah.

Psa 73:28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psa 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psa 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

(there are dozens more, too!)


*******

Rebellious, proud, reprobate, rejectors of God:



1. Disobey

Job 36:12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2. Scoffers

An entire chapter in 2 Peter 3 (NKJV) describes scoffers!

2Pe 3:1 BELOVED, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2Pe 3:2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us,[fn1] the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

2Pe 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

2Pe 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

2Pe 3:5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

2Pe 3:6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[fn2] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.[fn3]

2Pe 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

2Pe 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2Pe 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

2Pe 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

2Pe 3:16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

2Pe 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

2Pe 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.


Footnotes:
3:2 NU-Text and M-Text read commandment of the apostles of your Lord and Savior or commandment of your apostles of the Lord and Savior.
3:9 NU-Text reads you.
3:10 NU-Text reads laid bare (literally found).

3. Deceive

Pro 24:28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips.

Isa 36:14 Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.

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.

Jesus admonishes us not to be deceived:

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you:

Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

1Cr 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Eph 4:14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

Colossians 2:8 (NIV) - See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Happy Mother's Day

I wanted to take a brief moment to come online and express a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

On this day, I often reflect upon my upbringing and what my mom and dad did for all those years. How they sacrificed for my siblings and I. But most importantly, taught us right from wrong, showed us love and affection and shared the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in our household.

This day also brings fond memories of my children, now ages 22 and 19, and the process of helping them grow into responsible and loving adults. I have to confess, if it were not for the Bible, our church and the love we share for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, their lives could have turned out much differently...and not for the better. I am so grateful to God for all that he has provided for our loving family. Everyone has hardships, troubles, spats, problems etc. in their lives. But how many people can truly say that their married life with children has turned out better than they ever dreamed it would? I'm so blessed!!

This day also grieves me, when I think of all of the children that could have been...but weren't because of an evil marketing scheme labeled as "choice." My answer to that? Choose life, your mother did.

Just a few minutes ago, I thought about Mary, the mother of Jesus and how she must have felt about her Son; both at his birth and then, at his death.

The scene in The Passion of the Christ where Mary is watching helplessly, as her Son carries the cross to Calvary is quite powerful. Gibson provided a brief flashback, which showed Jesus as a child running, then falling. His mother runs to rescue him, cuddles him in her arms as any loving mother would do and comforts him through his pain. Back to the scene where Jesus is carrying the cross. Mary struggles through the crowd and attempts to get to her son. She gets just close enough to make eye contact and hear those words of comfort from her beaten, bloody and exhausted Son. As Jesus visibly gains new strength upon seeing his mother; knowing that what he is going to do will save her eternal soul as well as all who confess Him as Lord; he boldly proclaims the purpose of it all and says, "mother, I am making all things new." Such a powerful,moment in that movie!! This time, it was Jesus, though suffering through much pain, also is the calming and comforting influence in his mother's life!! That's what he does for each of us...if we will allow him to be our Helper, Comforter, Lord and Savior.

There is a song called, Mary, Did You Know that reflects upon these thoughts. It is usually sung either at Christmas or Easter, at the church. But I think it could also serve as a blessed reminder of how one special mother's little baby boy changed the world.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child
that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that
your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your
baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have
kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know---

The blind will
see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the
dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---.

Mary did you know that your
baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would
one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's
perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great--I--- AM---.

YouTube: Mary Did You Know

Here's The Story Behind The Song.

Jesus - His Destiny Was to Change Ours