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Why This Christmas Matters
Behind The Window Dressing
By David Crowe
Christmas, 2009, matters more than any Christmas in our lifetime. As I try to comprehend the God of the universe coming to us as a child, even a dependent baby in a manger, born of a virgin, I find it incomprehensible that when the most important birth in history is about to be celebrated around the world, the greatest battle of our time rages in Washington D.C. to protect innocent human life in the womb - and American taxpayers - from those who believe they have a right to end that life at will, and force all Americans to pay for those murders whether their conscience allows them to or not.
If this struggle to protect and preserve life and the conscience of millions of Americans is lost, the outcome will further polarize the nation and propel us into another civil war. One side, like those who defended slavery, seek to force the rest of us to accept a 'right' God never granted, and worse, to make us slaves to their demands, against our conscience.
What is happening even this day in the United States Senate is a life and death struggle not only for the future unborn in America, but for America as a nation. Our national debt will no longer be measured in currency alone, but in the political, spiritual, and cultural bankruptcy that will follow little discarded and inconvenient bodies.
Chief amongst those elected officials who demonstrate an extreme disregard for the value of life in the womb and the conscience of millions of Americans, is the President of the United States, Barack Obama. In fact, his cold blooded position on killing the unborn and the newly born is being outworked behind closed doors as I write. Never in American history has there been an elected official more determined to not only force acceptance of abortion from conception to birth, but force Americans to pay for it. Consider the following:
Obama on Abortion and protecting the rights of the innocents
(Comments taken from the below article by Robert George of Princeton University)
~He supports a federally guaranteed "fundamental right to abortion during all nine months of pregnancy.
~He condemned the Supreme Court decision that upheld legislation banning partial-birth abortions
~He wishes to strip federal funding from pro-life crisis pregnancy centers that provide alternatives to abortion for pregnant women in need
~He opposes any efforts to reduce abortion even though he gives lip service publicly to a desire to see fewer abortions
~He opposed legislation to protect children who are born alive, either as a result of an abortionists unsuccessful effort to kill them in the womb, or by the deliberate delivery of the baby prior to viability
~Obama, in his opposition to the above bill, has favored protecting what is literally a form of infanticide
~He supports the large-scale industrial production of human embryos for use in biomedical research in which they would be destroyed
~He opposes any alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells for research
~He received extraordinary support from the industry that profits from killing the unborn
~He wants to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which protects pro-life citizens from having to pay for abortions that are not necessary to save the life of the mother and are not the result of rape or incest
~He overruled the Mexico City Policy against funding abortion abroad
~He opposes parental consent or notification, and conscience protections
If you do not believe these well documented facts, please read the complete article by Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.
The Value of Christ's birth, life, and death
Christ's birth is evidence and testimony to the value of human life. His willingness to forego His rights and prerogatives as God, to live and die on our behalf, is testament to the importance of dying to ourselves, and giving up our 'rights' that others may live.
The current argument, now engaged on the floor of the U.S. Senate, finding some 'right' to kill our unborn children, contradicts not only the God granted rights, values, and beliefs of the majority of Americans down through our history, but the very foundation of a society whose laws are intended to protect us from those who do evil, and preserve all that is good, and a blessing to any society.
Barack Obama's air of superiority and ideological indifference to fundamental principles that reflect America's respect for life, God granted rights, and ordered liberty, is revealing. Unfortunately, for all Americans, and those who will die before they are given the same rights to life and the pursuit of happiness, his obsession with self indulgent pagan liberty rather than the values, beliefs and principles of the Christ he says be follows, will destroy all that we hold dear.
Pray that a growing number of Americans see what should be obvious, and that our Congressman and Senators have their blinders removed by the Spirit of God before it is too late.
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@December 10, 2009
Embracing The Manhattan Declaration
Standing Together for Life, Religious Liberty, Marriage, and The Rights of Conscience
Manhattan Declaration
By David Crowe
A Summary
"Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are 91) the sanctity of human life, (2) the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and (3) the rights of conscience and religious liberty. Inasmuch a these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (Highlights mine)
Go here to read the entire Summary.
Go here to read the entire Declaration.
As of late today (Nov 29), 10 days after it was introduced at a press conference in Washington D.C., nearly 200,000 people have signed the Manhattan Declaration.
Given the degradation of marriage, morality, the value of life at all ages, and the continuous assault on our institutions by Hollywood, the secular elites in our media and universities, this Declaration could not have come at a better time.
It is a statement of great importance for all Americans, and if embraced by millions of Christians, can help change the political, moral, and spiritual landscape of any nation.
Christians can and should make a difference in every society by standing for the eternal truths revealed in Scripture and in Jesus Christ.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. . . But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Ephesians 5:11,13
Please read and sign The Declaration. It makes 'manifest' the truth by shedding light on current falsehoods and the evil they perpetrate. Join thousands of Christians who have already signed on in support of this monumental document.
Please forward this information to your friends, relatives and associates and encourage them to read and sign the Declaration.
May God Bless you as you stand with us for the Glory of God and the good of all mankind.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." II Corinthians 10:3-5
David Crowe
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@December 2, 2009
Genesis 6-8: Noah's Ark--Answering the Critics!
By Bruce Bauer, M.A., D.B.S.
1. The Bible describes the ark to be a wooden vessel of huge dimensions (450+ feet long, 75+ feet wide, and 45+ feet high). No modern wooden ship of over 300 feet in length has proven to be seaworthy. Answer: The ark was a flat-bottomed barge designed for stability, not for speed or movement; all that it had to do is float.
2. There is no way that a sea-going vessel could contain all of the millions of species of birds and animals which we see today; there simply wouldn't be enough room to house them or all of the foodstuffs necessary to sustain them for a year. Answer: The Bible says that Noah was to bring onboard pairs of all of the "kinds" of animals, not separate species of animals (along with additional "clean" animals and birds for sacrifice). Bovine kind: cattle, water buffaloes, bison; Equine kind: horses, donkeys, zebras; Canine kind: dogs, dingos, coyotes, wolves; Feline kind: lions, tigers, leopards--possibly only several thousand total animals. The ark had over 1 ½ million cubic feet of space, more capacity than 500 train cars—plenty of space for all of the animals, people, and supplies. Plenty of dried foods could be stored; drinking water may have been funneled off from the rainwater.
3. How did the dinosaurs fit into the ark? Small young pairs or eggs taken aboard. They probably couldn't adapt long term to the vast geologic and climatic changes on earth after the flood. Strong evidences exist of men and dinosaurs co-habitating the earth---see Dr. Carl Baugh's work on the subject at his museum website: http://www.creationevidence.org/
4. How could eight people possibly care for thousands of animals? They would never be able to rest. Many animals could have hibernated most of the time, especially in the months of lack of sunshine.
5. How would they deal with all of the animal waste? Bedding of wood shavings and peat moss to absorb moisture and odor; worm composting. Waste limited for animals in hibernation.
6. You say that petroleum reserves were caused by the plant and animal remains of the flood, so where did Noah get "pitch" to coat the ark? Not petroleum-based; pitch for coating ships was distilled from heated wood for 1000 years in Europe.
7. What are the evidences of a worldwide flood? Fish fossils on mountains and deserts far from oceans; sedimentary deposits ( Mt. St. Helens laid down 25 feet of layered sedimentary deposits in a few hours). The Colorado River channel must have been created in days or weeks rather than over the millenia because several sections would otherwise have had to flow uphill!
8. How could Noah possibly have gathered and loaded all of the animals? He didn’t have to go searching for them; God brought them—Gen. 7:9.
9. Wouldn’t the oceans of the flood have wiped out all of the fresh water fishes in the world? The ocean has been becoming saltier for thousands of years from runoff from land; it may have been mostly fresh in Noah’s time. Many species of fish can live in fresh, salt or brackish waters.
10. Couldn’t the flood described in Genesis 6-8 have been localized to a certain region and not global? Nonsense---there would have been no reason for Noah to build the ark. God would have simply told him to move. Gen. 7:19 says that even the mountain tops were covered to a depth of more than twenty feet. Mountains were uplifted as a result of the flood.
11. Wouldn’t a global flood have wiped out the entire fossil record which we see today? On the contrary, the flood created the fossil record, the so-called geologic column that we see today. Petrified trees are found extended through several layers of sediments.
Notes:
6:9: Noah walked with God: 600 years! In obedience. Amos 3:3: "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?"
6:14: " Cypress wood": "gopher wood", meaning uncertain
6:14: Coat it with pitch inside and out: to preserve it for the future; Hebrew---cophar---means "atone or atonement." Pictures Christ's atoning sacrifice.
7:1: "Come into the ark" is correct, not "Go into the ark" as NIV puts it. It was God's welcome invitation to Noah and his family.
7:2: "Seven of every kind of clean animal" Referring to extra animals taken for sacrifice.
7:9: "came to Noah" Animals came freely, willingly.
Typology: The ark and Christ each equal one means of salvation.
· The Lord bids us "come" (7:1).
· The Lord "shut him in" ( 7:16); Christ protects his own.
· God took the initiative in sparing Noah and his family; Rom. 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us."
· There was only one door to the ark; there is only one way to God through Christ—"I am the gate for the sheep . . " (John 10:7).
About the Author – I am a Bible teacher and freelance writer from California. My passion in writing is defending the gospel message of faith in Christ alone for salvation. Additional resources: Excellent video: "In Search of Noah's Ark," Vestron Video, 1976. Recommended book: "The Ark on Ararat," by Tim LaHaye and John D. Morris. Interesting website: http://noahsarksearch.com
@ November 6, 2009; Source: Christian Article Bank
Is True "Faith" Dead In America?
"Without faith it is impossible to please God"
By David Crowe
Down through the centuries, the one great prime mover that has formed history has been faith, not just talking faith by those who profess to believe in Christ, but demonstrable, action based, faith.
The witness of Scripture
Noah, by faith, built an ark in obedience to God, in the midst of a perverted, violent generation. Abraham, by faith, picked up his family and servants and journeyed west in obedience to God, and by faith, was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. Joseph, by faith, trusted God while wrongfully imprisoned. David, by faith took down Goliath and led his people. By faith Daniel entered the lion's den. By faith Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego defied the king's order, and chose the fiery furnace rather than disobey God. It is the witness that the world is looking for from the sons and daughters of God, as proof that He is and is a rewarder of them that trust Him.
The proof of their faith, was the action they took because of their faith. Faith proves itself in action. James, the brother of Jesus, decries the all too easy contemporary notion of faith that is simply 'talking faith' when he wrote, "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." He went on to say, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, oh vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
American Christianity - talking faith, or something else?
Have we learned that simply talking about the ills of our society is 'vain' without taking action to address them as citizens? In God's eyes, our silence and disengagement in matters of civil government is vanity. We don't even 'tremble' as do the demons, as we talk, talk, talk about faith in God and have little understanding that true faith results in courageous and costly action.
To many millions of American Christians, faith is simply intellectual assent, a sense of 'I'm saved, hallelujah! I am going to heaven!" It is mere profession, and minimal commitment to our God, our fellow Christians, evangelism, or missions, and even less to our citizenship duties. James says that we are 'vain' men when we don't act, when we simply talk, and do not DO! It is our nature to follow men who take action, men who lead, at great personal risk, and lay their lives on the line.
The Pilgrims risked their lives to come to America to be free from oppression, to live out their faith in community to the glory of God and the well being of their families. The Founders pledged their "lives," their "fortunes," and their "sacred honor" as they declared their freedom from their mother country. Many of them suffered greatly along with tens of thousands of other Americans to free us from tyranny. Hundreds of thousands since have given their lives that we might continue to enjoy our God granted freedoms.
What will we Christians give? What will we do? Who will we follow? When will we act?
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In a day when foolish and unenlightened men control government in America, answering the four questions is critical for every Christian man. Will we follow those who disdain our history, the laws of God, and the blood of the patriots? Will we simply resign ourselves to the yoke of the ungodly, who circumvent, reinvent, and ignore our Constitution for personal and political gain? Or will we ACT?
More government is not the answer. Faith in God is always the answer. Not just 'talking faith,' but faith that trusts in God, looks to Him for strength, courage, and wisdom, and ACTS!
Father in heaven, creator of heaven and earth, and LORD of all, renew our understanding of our responsibilities as citizens of heaven and citizens of earth. Renew our commitment to occupy until You come, to honor and exalt You as the only true God, Whose laws are eternal, and judgement sure. Awaken us to the times, to our continuing duties. Do not allow us to withdraw from Your calling, from upholding the Truth, and speaking boldly to those who do not fear You nor Your coming judgement. We pray that you will enlighten the eyes and change the hearts of our elected representatives, and ours as well. Bring us to our knees as we ask these questions of our selves, and of the Living Savior. May we hear Your voice and find courage to obey. In the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, the only begotten of the Father, the One Who will come to separate the sheep from the goats, and Will say to many, get away from Me. I never knew you.
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 7:20-21 KJV
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ September 22, 2009
Media Begins To Recognize The Abortion Issue in the Obama Healthcare Plan
By David Crowe
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"In my mind, reproductive care is essential care, basic care, so it is at the center, the heart of the plan that I propose.... insurers are going to have to abide by the same rules in terms of providing comprehensive care, including reproductive care... that's going to be absolutely vital." - Barack Obama, July 17, 2007 speech to Planned Parenthood
The Associated Press (AP) Released an article yesterday, saying that Senate staff aides "confirmed that the public plan -- and private insurance offered in the exchange -- would be allowed to cover abortion, without funding restrictions. Under both the House and Senate approaches, the decision to offer abortion coverage in the public plan would be made by the health and human services secretary."
Read the full article
The left of center article quoted Richard Doerflinger, associate director of pro-life activities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops as saying, "We don't want health care reform to be the vehicle for mandating abortion."
Given the Obama Administration's commitment to abortion on demand, the adamant pro abortion stance of his choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius - former governor of Kansas and personal friend and supporter of abortionist George Tiller - Obama's own statements and his political debt to the pro abortion interest groups in America, this issue could become key in whether state control of healthcare becomes law in America, or not.
If passed in current form, the deceptively named America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, and still not released to the public, will:
- Make individual private medical insurance illegal
- Mandate taxpayer funding of abortion
- Expand Medicaid and provide free healthcare for millions of illegal aliens
- Place government regulators between you and your doctor
- Impose huge burdens on small business
- Destroy millions of jobs in the private sector
- Increase taxes to cover the cost
- Cost way more than projected
- Take healthcare out of your hands, and. . .
- Create a massive new healthcare bureaucracy to ration care
Please call your congressman and senators respectfully making your opposition to this bill crystal clear. The month of August provides the greatest opportunity since the 2008 Election to halt the Obama plan to overhaul America.
"We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human hitory, the stage of rule by brute force." - Ann Rand 1905-1982
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ August 6, 2009
The Glorification of Michael Jackson
Pop culture idolatry and the collapse of sanity in America
By David Crowe
My first recollection of a national fixation on the death and burial of an American was that of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Not since then have we witnessed such adulation by the media and masses.
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The glorification of Michael Jackson is a stark and stunning example of how far we have fallen from our moorings as a people. Our obsessive fascination with this individual is nothing short of unabashed idolatry embodied in post modern, self absorbed America, equivalent to pagan countries of the past.
It should sober us all that this lost and misguided generation run our media, our government monopolized brain draining educational establishment, Hollywood, Madison Avenue, Congress and State Legislatures. Like a juggernaut they mow down the values of the past to satisfy their appetites, including the adulation of their peers, the rush of the moment, and a sense of being some body. God help us, and them, in this eschatological insanity.
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While the nation was force fed the death and burial of a self absorbed American, it seemed to care less that the person who gave his life in service to his country and not himself on the same day as Jackson, was buried in obscurity. What was his name?
Quotes To Ponder
"There comes a time in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend, not their homes alone, but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments, and their very civilization are founded." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
"Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." - Nehemiah 4:14 NAS
"Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them." - Justice Joseph Story, U.S. Supreme Ct. 1811-1845
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ July 15, 2009
To the Youth of America!
By Andrew Strom
I write this as a musician and a radical. Christian Youth of America, your generation is dying, and I need to ask if you are EXTREME enough to provide the answers. We know there never was anyone more "Extreme" than Jesus. But what about you?
Christian Youth, I need to ask why you sit in the padded pews of your fathers while all around the darkness takes your cities and your friends.
I need to ask why you worship the great god of Entertainment, just like your parents before you - but a bit 'louder' - and think that is "radical".
I need to ask why you think it is "extreme" to slam and mosh, when all the while the devil owns your streets, and fat Record Companies line their pockets with your cash.
I need to know why you have allowed the system to make you a slave - a "consumer" - a clone. I need to know why you can be sucked into buying $150 shoes and $200 sunglasses - while 30,000 children die of starvation every day.
I need to know why you will not cry out to the rich money-preachers "REPENT". I need to know why you still enjoy it when they tickle your ears and never speak of Hell. I need to know why you accept it when their gospel sounds like a toothpaste commercial - all slick and no substance. Well-dressed drones with plastic smiles, selling you the latest line in snake-oil. WHEN WILL YOU WEEP?
I look at your piercings and your tattoos and your hair and I still have to tell you: You are nowhere near EXTREME ENOUGH. The outward appearance will not do.
The time is coming when an army of young warriors will hit the streets - fearless and bold beyond anything we have ever seen. Even death itself will hold no fear. They will cry to the church "REPENT" and to the comfortable, "SELL what you have and GIVE TO THE POOR". They will be hated and despised by religious authorities. They will openly decry the TV preachers and eschew the watered-down pap that passes for 'gospel' in our day. They will reject sin and love people - even the homeless and the very least. Utterly pure of heart, they will befriend the prostitutes and the gang bangers. They will look and sound just like Jesus.
With great daring and ruthless aggression, this army will make war on the devil and the darkness. Their music will be hymns of battle. Their sound will ROAR over the crowd. Truly these shall be the 'Sons of Thunder'.
Christian Youth of America, can you not hear the call of God in this hour? All heaven awaits the moment when you will arise and ACT on behalf of your generation.
To the Christian Youth of America I say:
It is time to get "EXTREME".
God bless you all.
-Andrew Strom.
@ July 10, 2009
Do You Know What This Means?: LAUS DEO!
Author Unknown, Sent in by Sherri Hellman
One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.
On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.
Once you know Laus Deo 's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America .
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say ' Praise be to God!'
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo 'Praise be to God!'
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ..a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.
Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy 'One Nation, Under God.'
I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!
'Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.'
Laus Deo !
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of ' Laus Deo ', its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1)
@July 3, 2009
You’re Never Too Old
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen
Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years. Genesis 18:11
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. 1Timothy 4:12
Age isn’t related to important achievements. Maturity, yes. Attitude, absolutely. Skill and intelligence, of course. But not age.
Benjamin Franklin, already a successful publisher, inventor, diplomat and signer of the Declaration of Independence, led the convention that drafted the Constitution of the United States. He was eighty-four. A few years earlier, about the time Franklin was signing the Declaration, Mozart was living in Salzburg, having just completed all five of his violin concertos, each one a masterpiece. He was twenty. Age had no bearing on that summer of significant moments.
Some time ago I interviewed a young man seeking a job. At nineteen he lacked spirit, the fire within—if there had ever been one—just an ember. The same day I spoke to a new friend, age eighty-seven, whose voice was alive, eyes shining, energy directed toward what was next. Age is irrelevant. Attitude is everything. Trying, not giving up, caring enough to use the resources we’ve been given—these are the things that matter.
So William Gladstone at eighty-five was prime minister of England and the world’s leading statesman. At seventeen Elizabeth Barrett (Browning) published a volume of serious poetry. Galileo was dictating records of his latest discoveries about the rotation of planets (and hiding them in his mattress in order to avoid punishment as a heretic) when he was seventy-eight. Michelangelo began painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in his early thirties. Insight, determination and genius are not limited by age.
Martin Luther was thirty-four when he walked to the door of the castle church in Wittenburg, Germany and posted there the ideas for change he wanted to debate with Church leaders. Abraham, founder of the Hebrew nation at the age of one hundred, might have smiled at how one so young could do something so important while Timothy, at twenty-six the leader of one of the largest Christian churches of the first century, might have wondered what had taken Martin so long.
Beethoven had composed a prodigious quantity of music by the time of his death at fifty-six, while Grandma Moses, the famous 20th century folk artist, didn’t take up painting until she was seventy-five. Golf prodigy Michelle Wie turned professional at fifteen, the same summer as my father-in-law, age ninety, made his first hole-in-one.
We’re not too young to do something significant. And we’re never too old.
Dr. Michael A. Halleen writes very insightful and inspirational messages known as "Monday Moments". If you would like to recieve these messages please contact Mike at mhalleen@att.net.
@ June 22, 2009
Art and the Christian
By Jennifer Grow
Art is defined as the realization or expression, through aesthetic principles, on what is beautiful or appealing. For the artist, this beautiful world of ours provides endless inspiration for the pieces we wish to create. Self expression through writing, drawing, acting or even speaking requires us to tap into that creative spark deep within us, allowing it to filter our feelings and ideas about who we are and how we live.
A great deal of people who call themselves artists insist that the only way to grow in this field is to keep an open mind. That, I could not agree with more. They believe that you must open yourself up to new experiences, or risk never coming up with new material to work with. In order for an artist to do well in what he or she sets out to do, the task at hand must be compatible with the type of person attempting it.
That sounds fine, until you come to a crossroads.
A crossroads, a conflict, something that makes you hesitate to go on with what you were planning to do. For the child of God, this is guaranteed to come up several times in your career. You have a choice to make, and it’s rarely an easy one. You can set aside the principles that are supposed to be the core of your being, to take a job that you are not sure that the Lord would approve of, or turn your head the other way in the name of righteousness and lose out on the opportunity. Some take the job, and then pray for forgiveness afterwards, but what I hear most of the time is the individual prays before taking the job, explaining to God that it’s just a job and nothing more.
To make the situation even more complicated, there are times when we must make a decision on what we do right away. Try setting up at an art show or a convention. If you offer commissions, pictures that people request you to draw before the day is out, and someone requests of you something you are not comfortable with, what do you do? Without the ability to read minds, you have no warning in what people will ask you to do for them. It could be pornographic, offensive to your beliefs, or something you are just plain uncomfortable with. What do you do then, when you promised service and are not sure if you want to give it?
By now, it’s obvious that the majority of situations you face will not be black and white. In fact, most of them will be in that hazy grey area, which honestly confuses you on what is right and wrong. So what does one do then? In this, and any case where a decision must be made, we must go to the Creator himself for the answer.
The first step we need to take is to realize who is in charge of our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you”, saith the L ORD, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (KJV)
Next, you should search the word of God to see if He has anything specific to say about your potential project. Sometimes you will stumble right upon the verse you need, and it will clearly direct you in the way you should go.
Still no clear answer? Perhaps we are listening more to what we want than what the Bible has to say. We tend to think that we can ‘handle’ things without God, and this will only lead to trouble.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the L ORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)
It should go without saying that you pray before each and every step you make in the decision making process. This process should be applied to all decisions made, not just those in the artistic community. However, I realize how hard it is to be considered part of a group that is considered free-thinking, progressive, and daring. It is the creative minds that are given the task of moving the world forward. Satan tells us there is no way we can be successful if we limit ourselves to the lives that God wants for us; that we will grow stagnant and stale and everyone else will just pass us by. So, does that mean that because we choose to be led by the Holy Spirit, that we are doomed to failure in this world? I assure you, the answer is no. Consider this: isn’t one even more creative than the next if he or she is able to stick to what they hold dear and still come up with expressive, innovative art?
Make your choice and be at peace, remembering this:
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV)
About the Author: Jennifer Grow is a 23-year old Norfolk resident and has been writing most of her life. She is a Christian with a passion for short stories and encouraging the believer to rely on God.
@June 12, 2009
Security is at Hand
By Peter Mallett
These days we have security for our homes, elaborate system for our cars, and personal security devices on our person. Everyone seems concerned with protection. Isaiah forty-five shows us that unless we look for God’s protection nothing will stand. The background is God’s people will again find themselves in exile in Babylon. Yet God also assures them, through Isaiah, they will be delivered by King Cyrus. God will give Cyrus victory over all of his enemies, and he will gain the spoils of war. The ultimate purpose these victories are to provide for Israel.
First we see God calling King Cyrus anointed even though we have no proof that he ever knew God as Israel did. God chose to use him. Next God took his right hand; this is a symbol of power. This in also shown Psalm 73:23-24, and Isaiah 41:12-13. God says with this power He will subdue nations, and loose the loins of Kings. Several times in scripture people are told to gird up their loins, this simplified means to put on all your protective gear because a battle is coming.
Here God is saying I will take away their protection. Now look at what will not stand: Gates will not be shut, Doors will be open, Rough places will be made smooth, Giant bronze doors will shatter, and Iron bars will be cut in two. Will the dead bolts, safety locks, and window latches, in your home be enough without Gods cover? King Cyrus is told he will gain the spoils of war; treasures though they may be hidden is dark places will become his. God shows He will do these things for Israel and they will be the ultimate beneficiary. These events were prophesied over a hundred years before they happened, yet if we jump over to Ezra we know King Cyrus used the wealth God gave him to greatly benefit God’s people.
Isaiah forty-five, verses three through five is where we observe God’s stated purpose for him gaining these riches. In five through eight God powerfully declares who He is.
The message is clear with God’s protection we can survive any challenge, and even flourish, at a later date. Yet, without this provision, our high walls, alarm system, and protection plans, will dissolve. Few of us go through the elaborate lengths cities went through in ancient days for security. Yet, even with those elaborate things in place when God moved His hand, it was all inadequate. I’d rather hold God’s right hand. One final point, in verse eight we also read of coming salvation and righteousness. Some commentaries view King Cyrus as a type of Christ because he is called anointed and because he delivered the captives. Who is sitting at God’s right hand, and who is in you? Christ. God’s protection is at hand. Hold on.
About the Author: Peter D. Mallett is the President of the Tidewater Christian Writers Forum (TCWF) that seeks to encourage and promote Christian writers in our area. For more information concerning the TCWF or to learn more about Peter, please email him at f18pete@aol.com.
@May 27, 2009
Tea Parties - Find One Near You!
By David Crowe
Don Wildmon's American Family Association (AFA) sponsored TEA Party Day rallies on April 15 are scheduled in 2,027 cities. Find and attend one near you.
- 1. Fountain Plaza, Town Point Center, Virginia Beach. 1am-1pm TODAY!!
- 2. Oyster Point Fountain, Oyster Point, Newport News. 1am-1pm TODAY!!
David Barton, the foremost Christian historian in America, quotes what our leading Founding Fathers said about government debt. David Barton - Wallbuilders
Alexander Hamilton -- America's first Secretary of the Treasury and a signer of the Constitution
"Allow a government to decline paying its debts and you overthrow all public morality - you unhinge all the principles that preserve the limits of free constitutions."
"Nothing can more affect national prosperity than a constant and systematic attention to extinguish the present debt and to avoid as much as possibly the incurring of any new debt."
George Washington
"Avoid occasions of expense. . . and avoid likewise the accumulation of debt not only by shunning occasions of expense but by vigorous exertions to discharge the debts, not throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear."
Thomas Jefferson
"If the debt should be swelled to a formidable size, we shall be committed to the career of debt, corruption, and rottenness. . . . The discharge of the debt, therefore, is vital to the destinies of our government."
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."
"I. . . place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared."
"I am not among those who fear the people. . . . [A]nd to preserve their independence we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy [frugality] and liberty, or profusion [excess spending] and servitude. If we run into such debts as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our callings and our creeds, our people must come to labor sixteen hours in twenty-four, give the earnings of fifteen of these hours to the government for their debts and daily expenses; and the sixteenth being insufficient to afford us bread. The [forerunner] of this is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression."
Find a Tea Party near you
Barton goes on to say, "Millions of citizens, following the example of America's early residents, have finally decided to draw a line and raise their voice against the government's exorbitant spending and exploding debt. On April 15, citizens at more than 1,000 locations across the country will be sponsoring TEA parties.
If you want to participate with your fellow citizens, go here to find a location near you.
Remember to encourage your friends to join you; also bring your cell phone and call Congress and the president while attending the TEA party (switchboard for Representative and Senators, 202-224-3121; President, 202-456-1414)."
Please help us Restore America
"Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." Nehemiah 4:14 NAS
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ April 15, 2009
Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly or Forrest Gump’s Mom – Take Your Pick!
By Rev Michael Bresciani
The ‘Change we can believe in’ is quickly becoming ‘change that’s hard to believe.’ Perhaps it’s not Rush Limbaugh we need to refer to but Forrest Gump’s mom. If ‘stupid is as stupid does’ then ‘socialism is as socialism does’ thus we don’t need O’Reilly’s concurrence to call Obama a socialist.
The Chicago mob of the 1930s has returned to haunt us but with the spit and polish of the politician as its appeal and well placed appointees in high positions in government as its enforcers.
In kinder, simpler days people could be stirred with propaganda. The elite of today fancy themselves as elevated by education and now the means to assuage is carefully worded semantic argument. Same stuff different day.
Unborn babies, CEOs of large corporations, non-profit organizations, Bible believing Christians and conservative media are reeling from the effects of ‘change we can believe in’ and there are not enough PACs and political activist groups to calm the blitzkrieg type onslaught. Each quarter or group is busy covering their own losses and that effectively keeps them from coming together to uniformly deal with their collective problems.
As the ‘change we can believe in fast becomes ‘the storm we didn’t see coming’ it’s hard to ‘cling to our bibles and our guns as Barack Obama said we do. In a Stockholm syndrome kind of effect we grab at anything that is offered to keep from being blown away or washed out with the flood. We are captive to administration policy if only by its momentum and caught off guard by its perversity rather than its diversity.
It is at this point that we need to insert or perhaps revert to the rationale that first compelled our forefathers to produce the documents that guided this nation firmly until recent days. Our historical annals and the plethora of portraiture and paintings adorning the capital and other government offices attest to a time when patriots sought the living God for the nation’s guidance and support.
Now the Godly faith that our founders were moved by is being moved to the archives of our consciousness. The forefathers are seen as some sort of uninformed patriot geeks who missed the higher enlightenment of Darwin, Dewey and do your own thing.
In theological circles a growing number of eschatologically versed ministers are saying it has to happen. They are concurring more each day that the prophesied demise of the world has to begin at sometime and they all agree we are now well out of the starting gate.
The biblical doctrine not as often discussed when prophecy is the subject is that of ‘delusions.’ It sounds more like a psychological term and thus it is overlooked more often than not. Since modern man sees himself as only a body and a brain unlike the tripartite divisions the bible speaks of, body, soul and spirit; we could safely say that this doctrine is bound to fly over a lot of heads un-noticed and unheeded.
In a discourse written to the Christians in the Macedonian capital city of Thessalonica the Apostle Paul wrote to quell the concerns of the Christians there about the coming of the antichrist. He told them that the antichrist would not come into the world until a great falling away (apostasy) happened first.
From the language used by Paul it is easy to see that the apostasy will include the church but is not limited to it. In fact it is a political change and a shift in the social order that is distinctly implied by the Apostle and it is the precursor to a universal event. That event is the rise of the world’s last dictator who sees himself as on an equal par with God.
It almost seems befitting that a world that dismisses God out of hand will be saddled with a mere man who thinks he’s as good or better than God and billions will buy it. Higher education will not prevent decisions that will bring man to the lowest levels of their entire history.
What is far more interesting is that the social climate preceding the rise of the antichrist is one of casting off the old school thinking and taking on the universal claim that a global consciousness is the way to dispel the old myths of a God ordered, morality based system of governance.
Paul declares that it is not the gradual disappearance of truth that brings on the day of the antichrist. Rather it is the love of the truth that dies. To wit; “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thess 2:9-10)
Unfortunately what follows the death of the love of truth is delusion. What follows delusion is the death of decency, democracy and nationhood. Paul said “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:” (2Thess 2:11)
This theological principle is perhaps the most shocking revelation in the bible. We think of all deception as coming from the ‘arch deceiver’ or Satan but never from God. The key to this enigma is simple. If the love of the truth is abandoned then God will no longer offer the truth. He will pull back the restraints so to speak and allow the flood gates of error, deceit and flagrant falsehood to fly wide open and it will come in with a vengeance.
Far from being a figure of speech it is precisely how God exacts his vengeance on a disbelieving and disobedient world. Leaving them to wallow in their own darkness creates their own doom. It is a theological thread repeated and announced throughout the entirety of the bible but even more so it is God’s way of dealing with man throughout the ages. It is the biblical equivalent of “give a man enough rope and he will hang himself.”
Oddly enough when men give up the love of truth it is mere vanities that are left to take its place. Each of these vanities is addressed in the bible and each of them sounds like America to the letter.
If it’s a new socialistically motivated president that we choose to trust above all else then we might want to reflect on this verse. “Thus saith the Lord; cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. (Je 17:5)
But if its intellectualism, notions of being a military super power or our economic riches we are trusting in then this passage speaks to us. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:” (Je 9:23)
It sounds like there is nothing left. What can we revert to call upon or trust in? Try this. “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” (Je 9:24)
This is the description of a God who has much more to do than to turn down his ear to every old lady mumbling a prayer in the corner of a dark cathedral. (No disrespect intended to those who pray,) but it is a picture of a God who wants the world to work right and for men to flourish in every endeavor but who will not tolerate the death of “the love of the truth.”
About the Author: Rev Bresciani is the author of two books. He also is a columnist for several online sites and magazines. His articles are read throughout the world. For more articles and news from around the globe visit "The Website for Insight" http://www.americanprophet.org.
@ April 9, 2009; Source: Christian Article Bank
Standing In The Gap?
The day of our accounting has arrived
By David Crowe
""I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads, says the Lord God." * Ezekiel 22:31
The events of the last several months reveal the reality behind contemporary American culture. Stephen Williams of Prepare The Way says,
"These are sobering times. The rate at which our country is moving away from a Biblical worldview is increasing dramatically. In all cases, we find ourselves on a culture train going the wrong direction, fast."
Gary Bergel, in his March Prayer Commentary said, "I believe it can be summed up in one word, "corruption," and points us to Ezekiel 22.
Ezekiel 22 - The Parallel of our day
Six times in the first 13 verses of this passage on God's judgement of Israel, the shedding of blood is given as the primary reason Jerusalem and the nation of Israel were under judgement.
"Now thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city?" vs. 2
"The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself." vs. 3
"Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the nations, and a mocking to all countries." vs.4
"Behold the princes (rulers/leaders) of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood." vs. 6
"In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness." vs. 9
"In thee have they taken gifts (bribes) to shed blood;" vs. 12
"Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee." vs. 13
Immediately, and in summation of the people's bloodguiltiness, defilement, and corruption, the God of Israel said. . .
"Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it." vs. 14
Will we endure in the days that God deals with us?
The time for America's judgement has been determined by the people of America, as it was in Israel. We-the-people are responsible for our decisions to participate in sin, as well as choosing Godless and dishonest leaders, both spiritual and governmental.
God said the people of Israel had 'caused thy days (of judgement) to draw near,' and 'art come even unto thy years' (the fulfillment of the time of their judgement), for her wanton disregard for life.
Because of our slaughter of 50 million innocents since 1973, and daily murders of every kind; choosing leaders who tolerated - even encouraged - the slaughter, moral depravity, and the worship of pleasure and money, God has made us, as He did with Israel, a 'reproach unto the nations, and a mocking to all countries.' We have become 'dross' to the God of heaven and earth, to be melted in the furnace for His purposes.
"The house of Israel is to me dross...As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it, so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you." vs.18, 20
We have no one to blame but ourselves for our 'corruption' and for what is coming upon America. He has withdrawn His hand of protection on America and all who do evil, from the lowest amongst us to the highest officials in government who refuse to humble themselves and honor God in their decisions. vs. 13
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God." Ezekiel 22:30-31
Our Father, our hope is in You, and in no other, neither in ourselves. We have forgotten You in the good times and looked the other way as Your eternal truth has been ignored for the convenience of men. We beg Your mercy as You heat the furnace of your fury to melt us, remove the dross, and draw us to you in humility and brokenness. Forgive us LORD for taking Your grace so lightly. for believing that we could slaughter the innocent, engage our lusts, and elect those who would look the other way. Lead us back to you in repentance, and obedience. Reveal to us now oh LORD, how we can 'stand in the gap' in the days and months ahead with courage and conviction. Lead us in our heavenly and earthly citizenship to Your glory. May You once again be exalted, and may many come to You that they might be saved. In your Name we pray. Amen.
* There are those who say the Old Testament is not for our day, that the New Testament supercedes it. I Corinthians 10:6, written of the Jews in O.T. times, says, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." God does not change. He is the same yesterday and today, and will deal with sin in His time.
To read more from David Crowe, please visit his website at RestoreAmerica.org.
@ April 1, 2009
Prophetic Warnings for the last days of the Returning of Jesus Christ
By Shaila D. Touchdown
Genesis 8:22 makes it clear that the preceding must be the final, last signs which usher in Jesus' appearance on the last day, for God has promised that day and night and the seasons will not cease until the very end, which the destruction of the sun and universe will bring to an end.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, following deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, who have been seared in their own conscience with a red hot branding iron.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we request you, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,
2 Thessalonians 2:2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure, nor be disturbed either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as to have come from us, that the day of the Lord has come.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Not anyone should deceive you in any way, because that day will not come unless the apostasy should come first and the man of lawlessness should be revealed, the son of destruction
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Not anyone should deceive you in any way, because that day will not come unless the apostasy should come first and the man of lawlessness should be revealed, the son of destruction
2 Thessalonians 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or an object of worship, so that he sits in the temple of God displaying himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who is restraining him now will do so until he should be taken out of the way.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the appearance of his coming,
2 Thessalonians 2:9 namely, the one whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan in all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with all deception of wickedness to those who are perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they would be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this reason God sends them a deluding influence, so they believe the lie
2 Thessalonians 2:12 in order that all who did not believe the truth but delighted in the wickedness may be condemned.
Matthew 24:4 And answering, Jesus said to them, “Watch out that no one deceives you.
Matthew 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet
Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, . .
Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and they will kill you, and you will continue being hated by all nations because of my name.
Matthew 24:10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another, and they will hate one another.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and will deceive many.
Matthew 24:12 And because of the multiplying of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform great signs and w onders, in order to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect
Mark 13:9 But you indeed watch out for yourselves! They will hand you over to the local councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will be stood before governors and kings on account of me for a testimony to them.
Mark 13:12 And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and will put them to death.
Mark 13:13 And you will continue being hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved.
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
Mark 13:11 And when they lead you away and hand you over, do not concern yourselves beforehand about what you should say, but whatever may be given to you in that hour – speak this, for indeed you are not the ones who speak but the Holy Spirit.
Mark 13:12 And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents and will put them to death.
Mark 13:13 And you will continue being hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved.
1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. From this fact we know that it is the last hour.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
1 John 4:3 And every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.
2 John 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
1Peter 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 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days scoffers will come with their scoffing, conducting themselves according to their own evil desires
2 Peter 3:4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue in this manner from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a roar, and the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and the works in it will be burned up
Joel 2:30 And I will give wonders in the heavens and on the earth, Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
Joel 2:31 The sun will be turned to darkness, And the moon to blood, Before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes
.Luke 17:20 Now, after he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation
Luke 17:21 nor will they say, ‘Behold, here it is,’ or, ‘Behold, there it is,’ for the kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17:22 And he said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
Luke 17:23 And they will say to you, ‘Behold, there he is!’ or, ‘Behold, here he is!’ Do not depart nor run after them.
Luke 17:24 For just as the lightning when it flashes from one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
Luke 17:25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
Luke 17:26 And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
Luke 17:27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:28 It was the same as in the days of Lot; they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;
Luke 17:29 but that day when Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:30 It will be in just the same way on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.”
Luke 21:9 But when you should hear of wars and revolutions, do not be terrified. For these things must happen first, but the end does not come immediately
Luke 21:11 And there will be great earthquakes and from place to place famines and pestilences, and there will be frightful events and great signs from heaven.
Luke 21:25 And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and there will be upon the earth anguish of the nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and rolling waves,
Luke 21:26 people fainting from fear and expectation because of what is coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken
Revelation 6:12 And I looked when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood
Revelation 6:13 and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, like a fig tree drops its late figs when shaken by a strong wind
Revelation 6:14 and the heaven was split like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved from their places.
Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth and the great men and the military commanders and the rich and the mighty and every slave and every free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains
Revelation 6:16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb
Revelation 6:17 because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
Revelation 20:2 And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil, and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
Revelation 20:3 and cast him into the abyss and locked and sealed it over him, in order that he may not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years should come to an end. After that he must be released for a short time.
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years should come to an end, Satan will be released from his prison
Revelation 20:8 and he will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the battle; whose number is like the sand of the seashore.
Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth and they surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down out of heaven and devoured them.
Daniel 7:8 The anti-Christ will rise to global power among 10 earthly kings
Daniel 7:21,22 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them. until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom
Daniel 8:23 In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise
Daniel 8:25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power
Daniel 9:26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary
Daniel 9:27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolation, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."
Daniel 11:31His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Daniel 11:36 The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.
Daniel 11:45 He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
Daniel 12:4 "But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase
Zechariah 12:2 I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Habakkuk 2:3:For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Gal 5:19 -20 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft...
Gal 5:21 ... they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
About the Author: To read more about Shaila D. Touchdown, log onto her website at http://www.freewebs.com/sdtouchton/
@ Feb 23, 2009, Source: Narrow is the Path
When the god of Empiricism Fails - Science Blocks Its Ears
By Rev Michael Bresciani
Empiricism is ignoring the fact that after a generation of hammering Darwinism into the heads of our youth and scoffing at the idea of teaching them creation as an alternative they are defying the very premise of science itself. Hiding behind the thin veil of “the separation of church and state,” science has managed to hide all the possibilities to a generation whose knowledge is made suspect thereby.
Not knowing that the “separation of church and state” is an extrapolation derived from misconception and driven by the “common wisdom of the day” (word of mouth) America’s youth recently displayed their ignorance of this fact in the State of Colorado.
In one high school in Colorado where they were thinking of re-writing the pledge of allegiance, students said they didn’t want anyone interfering with their “separation of church and state.” Forget science, it seems that social studies, civics and political science teachers failed to tell the students that “Congress shall make no laws regarding religion” does not necessarily mean “separation of church and state.” Common wisdom doesn’t usually give much importance to semantic differences; it is all too often only interested in what is common or with what is better known as popular wisdom. This is another example of the marriage of knowledge and ignorance.
The remarks of the students in Colorado cause me once again to recall the quote from author and educator Josh Billings who said “I’d rather know a few things for certain than be certain of a whole lot of things that just aren’t so.”
Secular empiricism would have us ignore the voluminous new discoveries that creation science has made in the last forty years that defy the basic premise of Darwinism. Some discoveries are so astounding that if it weren’t for the intrinsic dignity of the creation scientist the information could be used to deride and embarrass the Darwinist’s The restraint afforded to the secularists is never returned in kind and any college freshmen risks being laughed out of the classroom for just bringing up the subject of creation as a legitimate possibility.
Secular empiricism asks us and our children to ignore reams of material recently discovered that supports creation. It is not what has been recently discovered that cast aspersions on secular science but it is still what “has not” been discovered that casts the darkest cloud over its musings.
Evolutionists are not likely to defer to the mathematicians who have concluded that the missing links should be overwhelming us in every dig from the Boston Tunnel to the average backyard vegetable garden. The most conservative calculations show that the skeletal remains of inter-species links would be so pervasive that we would be numbering them in the millions or billions instead of the eighteen or so that evolutionist’s now embarrassingly flaunt to an unsuspecting generation. Creationists don’t need to wait for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to have the last laugh. But it isn’t about who’s laughing, it is about who is losing. In this case it is the minds and souls of an entire generation.
The Bible that secularist’s hold in such contempt has subjected itself more truly to the definition of science than modern empiricism. Science which is defined by the pursuit of data derived from “repeatable and observable phenomena” refuses to recognize the miracles of sight to the blind, healing of the lame and resurrection from the dead that was so often repeated and observed by crowds of witnesses to the life and public ministry of Jesus Christ.
It was witnessed, recorded and carefully disseminated to each successive generation for their examination. Isn’t that enough repeatable observable phenomena for empiricists? Isn’t an entire generation of religious pilgrims, transients and travelers going in and out of Jerusalem and seeing Jesus performing these things enough eye witness?
Evolutionists haven’t anything to compare with the Bible account but must rely heavily on prior philosophic postulate to present their theories. And since no one was there to witness the alleged unfolding of evolution throughout the ages, they haven’t a single witness. For many this requires far more faith than belief in God as creator of the universe. Those who say faith in God is too taxing on the reason of man should take another look. After weighing what the ignorance of empiricism’s god offers it seems the God of the Bible isn’t asking for all that much.
The list of scientific inadequacies doesn’t end with the theory of evolution. Science seems all too unaware even of the similarities and associative verifications it gives to the Bible. The idea that God could be Omni-present is not unlike the new theory of quantum physics which holds that it may be possible for some things to exist in two places at the same time.
Science says that when physical objects (biological or not) approach the speed of light that time slows down in equal and direct proportion to that speed. At the speed of light it is believed that the physical object should still exist but in only a pure metaphysical state. Keep in mind that the word metaphysical is the most oft used term for what the Bible calls a spirit. The Bible also says that after life on earth all humankind continues to exist in a spiritual state and is no longer subject to the ravages of time. Science as seen in this case is not proven wrong when compared to the Bible, rather it is just late; this of course doesn’t give science any room to brag.
Science scoffs at the idea of a resurrected Christ appearing in a room without entering through a door, eating some fish and then leaving without exiting through the door. (Lk 24:36f) But they are willing to imagine a time when humans could be transported from place to place by something akin to Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trekian transporters.
The need to indoctrinate youth into a strong secular world view is driven by events that are yet to come. It is all part and parcel to the “last days’ the Bible refers to just before the second coming of Christ. The Antichrist will not have much difficulty convincing the largely secularized world that he is the best one to handle the world’s economy, politics and it’s military. He will be seen as a savior at first but he will always be no more than a dictator who will lead the world to its final demise at the battle of Armageddon.
Until the end it does well to remind ourselves that religion is not the only area where charlatans, fakers and fools are birthed. Science has its own hefty share of misguided, over zealous and closed minded ideas and individuals. The scientific community has the same limitations as the religious community, both should strive for excellence but neither has accomplished perfection. The only real difference is that the faithful can point to God for perfection and the scientific community has time and chance alone. For discerning minds, religious or not that is far too close to nothing at all.
Trusting in the god of empiricism will offer little comfort at the final judgment of all mankind. Christ said all will stand before God’s throne and the books would be open. There is little reason to believe that the book of science will be one of those books. No one will be frantically looking around for Dawkins, Hitchens, O’Hare or Darwin to help them make their defense before God.
About the Author: Rev Bresciani is the author of two books. He also is a columnist for several online sites and magazines. His articles are read throughout the world. For more articles and news from around the globe visit "The Website for Insight" http://www.americanprophet.org
@ Feb 16, 2009 , Source: Christian Article Bank
Dibs
By Pastor Patrick Odum
The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers. (Leviticus 25:23)
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Chicago has a fascinating tradition that's in some ways a much a part of its fabric as the Cubs and Sox, deep-dish pizza, windy winter days, and skyscrapers. It's a tradition for snowy days during the winter months, when the combination of heavy snow, narrow residential streets, and lots of apartment buildings make parking a challenge.
It's the tradition of putting household items out on the curb to reserve parking places.
It works like this. If you park on the street, when the snow plow comes through it pretty much buries your car. Armed with a shovel, you go out into the cold and dig your vehicle out, leaving a nice parking space carved out of the snow bank. The problem, of course, is that the shortest measurable length of time so far discovered by human beings is the time between the moment you pull out of that space and someone else pulls in. (Statisticians estimate that, at any given time, upwards of 20,000 people are driving around Chicago neighborhoods looking for parking. OK, I made that up; but I bet I'm not too far off.)
So someone, sometime, came up with the idea of bringing out an old lawn chair to put in his spot until he got home. It's actually fascinating to notice as you drive through Chicago neighborhoods just what people will use to reserve their spots. I've seen floor lamps, couches, bar stools, bookcases, and old tires. Some folks go the utilitarian route and use orange traffic cones. Quite a few use sawhorses with “no parking” signs hanging from them. I've seen chairs, coffee tables, and I read about a guy who scatters a couple of boxes of screws and roofing nails in his spot. (It takes him an hour or two to pick them all up Ð in which time, of course, he could drive around and find another place to park...) I've even seen an old toilet. Once, I drove by and saw a kid standing in a freshly dug-out space. I could only assume his parents didn't have a spare lawn chair or an old toilet.
Despite the fact that it isn't legally possible to own a parking space on the street, no matter how much time you may have spent digging it out, to move someone's space marker and park in “their” space is to ask for retaliation in the form of a broken windshield, slashed tires, or angry confrontations. And that's just the elderly grandmother who lives down the street from me. People get possessive about those parking spaces they work hard to dig out. Psychotically so. Remember when you were a kid and would call “dibs” on something? It's like that, only more so.
So I sometimes wonder what would happen if someone dug out a space in front of their neighbor's house, and then reserved it for him.
That would just be weird, wouldn't it? Fly in the face of everything we assume in our world to be right. If you doubt that, try it sometime. I'm guessing that your neighbor won't know what to say or how to respond. It's just too strange, just too opposed to the popular notion that says “What's mine is mine.” There are only so many places to park, after all. If you take “my” space, where will I put “my” car?
You can be excused if you haven't heard much about the Jubilee year in the Old Testament. The Law of Moses decreed that every fiftieth year was to be a year of general amnesty and redemption. Specifically, any sale of property made in the previous fifty years was nullified and the property returned to the family that originally owned it. The purchase price for property, in fact, was supposed to reflect the number of years left until Jubilee.
Sounds pretty strange to us, doesn't it? Keep in mind, property in Israel was assigned by tribe and family, so for there to be equity those tribal possessions needed to remain fairly constant. That was the practical reason for it, but the practical reason rested on the theological one: the land on which Israel lived didn't belong to Israel at all. It was God's land, given to them because of his generosity and grace. Every fifty years, they had no choice but to remember it.
I can't begin to imagine the economic implications of something similar to a Jubilee today though maybe at this point we should be willing to try anything. And, hear me now, I'm not advising you to help yourself to your neighbor's parking space this winter. Not everyone's ready to celebrate a Jubilee, you understand. I do think, though, that as God's people it would do us good to remember that what we own isn't as much “ours” as we tend to think, and to try to mold our attitudes about ”our” stuff accordingly.
As the Jubilee laws of ownership remind us, though, our attitudes won't be molded if our actions don't change. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. If our habits in regard to collecting and keeping stuff look no different than the habits of those who don't recognize that God is ultimately the owner and bestower of everything we have, then we shouldn't be surprised when our attitudes begin to reflect theirs, too. In short, if you act like you have “dibs” and take special care to mark off “yours” from “theirs”, it won't be long until you start to believe it, and God is out of the picture entirely.
Maybe what we need, in this land of affluence and opportunity, the birthplace of the American Dream, is a good dose of Jubilee. We who set such stock in titles and deeds and all the myriad ways we call “dibs” on stuff that we don't want to share might now and then need a reminder that God isn't necessarily impressed with the legal chairs and traffic cones and sawhorses we use to keep other people away from “our” stuff. In fact, in God's world it might just be that he makes us trustees of his resources so that we can be a blessing to those other people.
So declare your own personal Jubilee. You're not allowed to declare your own debts cleared, you understand, but maybe God's calling you to free someone from a debt that they owe you and are having trouble paying back. Maybe you have something that someone else could use, and he's calling you to give it to that person. Maybe he's asking you to welcome someone as a guest in your home Ð the home he gave you. Maybe he's calling you to use your expertise to help someone without worrying about whether you get compensated or not. Whatever blurs the lines of ownership, reminds us that it's really God through whom all blessings come, and removes the markers that tell others that some of the things you have are off-limits - that's Jubilee.
All that old furniture in front of your house looks kind of tacky, anyway.
To read more from Patrick Odum, please visit his website at Faithnet.Faithsite.com.
@Jan 27, 2009
FIVE KEYS to SURVIVING the CRISIS
by Andrew Strom.
Since I believe (like others) that 2009 is going to be a year that "All hell breaks loose" (-Yes - you can quote me on that), I believe it is very important that God's people come to grips with the key things that will help us survive - and even thrive - through this dark period of great Shaking. The following keys are taken from my book, "SURVIVE the DEPRESSION"-
(1) SPIRITUAL PREPARATION. As has been intimated all the way through the book, the most important keys to surviving and thriving in this present crisis are 'SPIRITUAL' in nature. The root causes of this mess are things like greed, apathy and the "Love of money" - which are all SPIRITUAL diseases. And thus the answers are mostly spiritual also. Those who merely prepare in physical orpractical ways will find this out to their great cost. If you want to survive and thrive, prepare yourself "spiritually" above all else.
Spend time seeking God, get rid of all sin, obey Him implicitly, help the poor, leave behind the shallow "junk" of our culture and become a radical disciple of Jesus. If you have a family to care for, put the same principles into practice. Become a RADICAL
FAMILY for Christ! Don't delay. We are out of time. Such "spiritual" preparations are by far the most important answer to surviving and thriving in these dark times. But don't just selfishly seek God so you can "survive". Seek Him for His own sake. Become a true disciple who lives for Christ - not for what you can "get out of it" - but because your deepest desire is to utterly glorify Him.
(2) POSITION YOURSELF. Sometimes Christians can get away with being in the wrong place for quite some time. But not in a crisis like this. Every Christian needs to ask themselves right now, "Am I exactly where I am meant to be? Am I with the people that God wants me with? Am I in the right group, the right city?" If you know that God has been whispering to you for quite some time that you are meant to be in a different place, then do not delay. Get yourself and your family into the place that you know is in the very center of His will - even if it means losing money, or leaving behind friends, a well-paid job, or whatever. This is no time to be caught anywhere but in the exact center of God's will for your life. Pray about it and take action. Don't put it off!
(3) FOOD STORAGE. This can be a difficult thing to talk about today because there have been so many "false alarms" such as Y2K, etc. However, there have been a number of prophecies about food shortages and famine in the days ahead - even in developed nations like America. I certainly believe this is possible. In fact, we are already beginning to see disruptions of international shipping and trade caused by the Credit Crunch. Even basic grains and foodstuffs may be affected - which could have terrible consequences for the Food Supply in the months and years ahead. So if God has been whispering to you to start a garden or to collect canned goods, then you need to heed that "still small voice" and begin to prepare in this way. Again, if this is something you feel God has been warning you about, PLEASE DO NOT DELAY - but act quickly to get yourself positioned for what lies ahead. It isrelatively painless to gather canned goods - and they can always be used whether there is a crisis or not. And gardens likewise.
(4) SMALL GROUPS HELPING THE POOR. So far the pointers we have been discussing fall into the category of "Surviving". But this one comes under the category of "Thriving". If you want to thrive in this crisis, get involved in ministering to the poor and needy. (Sadly there will be a lot more of them as time goes on).
When I was down in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina there was one Spirit-filled Fellowship that was "thriving" in the midst of the chaos. They had filled their sanctuary with food, clothes, and emergency supplies of all kinds - and they were ministering to hundreds. They also prayed with many of those they helped. In the midst of that crisis, when many churches had closed down and many pastors had left town, this Fellowship was thriving and becoming a Help and Ministry center for the entire community.
They were a light in the darkness - a "city set upon a hill" - ministering to many who ordinarily never go near a church. And if you look in Scripture you will see that this is exactly what the early Christians were like. Helping the poor was a big priority with them also.
In the first chapter of the book I mentioned how important it is to band together with perhaps 2 - 3 other families that we can link arms with when times get really tough. (We may even end up LIVING with some of these people. Do you have friends who are that close?) And in conjunction with this I urged people to use these small groups to begin to minister to the poor. I cannot tell you how important this is, if we want to "thrive" - not just 'survive' -through this current crisis. This is one of the absolute keys. In fact it is very doubtful if we can even have real New Testament Christianity without a strong emphasis on the poor and needy. It is that crucial. So will you be a "light shining in the darkness" during this present crisis, my friends?
(5) LISTEN FOR THE "STILL SMALL VOICE". We already put "Spiritual Preparation" at the top of our List of priorities, but I just need to re-emphasize this aspect. To survive this crisis, we simply MUST be walking close to God and listening to His voice. We have to hear from Him. And we have to be ready to respond - even if it means "leaving all". This is utterly crucial, and for many people may literally be the difference between life and death. Learn to listen to God's voice and obey Him. Wherever he wants to send you, whatever He wants you to do - do it. And I pray that not only will you be one who "survives" this crisis, but one who 'thrives' - to the glory of God the Father. May the Lord be with every one of you in these dark days, my friends.
-Please comment on this article at the following website-
http://www.revivalschool.com/index.php
God bless you all.
Andrew Strom.
@ Jan 6, 2009
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