Tyndale's Legacy

William Tyndale (1494-1536) was a scholar and translator who became a leading figure in Protestant reformism towards the end of his life. He realized the people were lost because they could not read the Bible in their mother tongue of English.Thus he set out to translate the Bible so that the common people could read the Bible for themselves and understand the wonderful truths found in the Scriptures.

Tyndale debated a Roman Catholic who did believe the people could handle God's Word and reportedly said, "I defy the Pope and all his laws. If God spare my life, I will cause a boy that drives the plow shall know more of the scripture than you do."

Much of his work eventually found its way to the King James Bible published in 1611, which was the work of 54 independent scholars but heavily based on Tyndale's translations. Tyndale was arrested by church authorities in 1535 and jailed in the castle for over a year. He was tried for heresy, strangled and burnt at the stake. His last words were, "Oh Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"

William Tyndale will have an entry in the Hall of Faith. He lived and died by these words: "To scatter Roman darkness by this light, the loss of land and life I'll reckon slight."

Compassion

"When God's hands made the heavens and the earth... that was creation.

When God's morning stars sang together... that was celebration.

When God's Word broke the silence of time... that was communication.

When God's prophets stood alone against the tide of disobedience... that was consecration.

But when God's Son was delivered to a manger... that was compassion.

Compassion marked Jesus' every word and deed. The hurting and hopeless pressed close when He walked past, reaching out for the hem of His garment. His eyes of love looked straight through to the heart."

-- Chuck Swindoll

J. Lee Grady's Justification of Idolatry

The editor of Charisma magazine, J. Lee Grady, recently wrote about Christmas and why we stop arguing about it and just get along because Jesus is essentially the reason for the season. Quite a few Christians, who have not bowed their knees to baal, jumped in and began a rather poignant defense which can be read in the comment section below the article. Mr. Grady went on to list known reasons why Christmas should not be celebrated:

• Commercialism and greed.
• No one knows when Jesus was born.
• December 25th is a pagan celebration day.
• Christmas trees are a pagan tradition.

Then he said, "But I unashamedly love Christmas. I love the trees, the ornaments, the lights, the smells, the foods, the music, the gifts and the family and friends who share the celebration with me...I expect atheists to hate Christmas... But it is downright tragic when Christians—who should welcome every opportunity to bring the miracle of Jesus’ incarnation into public life—start bah-humbugging (or even demonizing) the holiday. Keep Christmas in your own way, by all means. If it is offensive to you to hang mistletoe from your mantle or to send a Christmas card to friends, then don’t. I won’t judge you for that. But please don’t judge other believers simply because they want to celebrate all that is pure and decent and meaningful in this special time of year."

I'm sorry but I can't agree with Mr. Grady and let him urge others to the path of compromise and sin. There were kings in the Old Testament like Hezekiah and Josiah, who not only broke down the altars, but also destroyed the groves around them. Some of the other kings struggled to worship God in holiness but the biblical record bears witness of their compromise. Likewise, most Christians don't care so much about truth as what feels right. Their failure to read and comprehend God's word will bring a curse upon them just like when God's people disobeyed Him and served false gods outright or compromised and worshiped a mixture. Read the truth about Christmas if you desire to walk with God in holiness. It's a waste of your time if you're only interested in the Christian fiction that is so prevalent today.

Star Spangled Banner

Most people don't know the price that was paid to secure our liberty. Dudley Rutherford explains the story behind the "Star Spangled Banner" - our National Anthem.

The Declaration of Independence

The opening words to the Declaration of Independence guided our forefathers against a tyrannical government which only had selfish intentions and cared nothing for the people. This is the almost the state of our government today but there is still time for freedom loving Americans to stand up and take to heart the precious words of the founding fathers. We can still turn our nation around before it's too late and our once great republic becomes a smoldering ruin and another another bloody revolution breaks out. Read the following words and compare them to what is happening in our country today.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. 

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. 

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. 

Read the full text

The Days of Youth

"Go and ask believers now, and I think many will tell you: "Oh that I could live my young days over again!" He will most likely say, "Oh that I had spent the beginning of my life in a better way! Oh that I had not laid the foundation of evil habits so strongly in the springtime of my journey!"

Young men, I want to save you all this sorrow, if I can. Hell itself is truth known too late. Be wise in time. What youth sows, old age must reap. Do not give the most precious season of your life to that which will not comfort you in the latter days of your life. Sow to yourselves rather in righteousness: break up your hard ground, don't sow among thorns."

-- J.C. Ryle

Laying Bare The Evil

"Some one, then, must undertake the ungracious task of probing and laying bare the evils of the age; for men must not be allowed to congratulate themselves that all is well. If others will not, he will.

If others shrink from the obloquy of such a work, he will not...He loves his fellow-men too well. They may upbraid him; they may call him a misanthropist, or a prophet of evil; they may ascribe his warnings to the worst of motives, such as pride, or arrogance, or self-esteem, or malice, or envy; but he will give no heed to these unjust insinuations.

He will prefer being thus misunderstood and maligned, to allowing men to precipitate themselves upon a ruin which they see not. Rather than that they should perish, he will allow his own good name to be spoken against. He will risk everything, even the hatred of brethren, rather than withhold the warning. If they give no heed to it, he has, at least, saved his own soul. If they do, he has saved both his own soul and theirs."

-- Horatius Bonar

Thanksgiving Proclamation

General Thanksgiving by the President of the United States Of America.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, 1789.

George Washington

Are you a good person?

Many Christians are intimidated about sharing their testimony with others and few will boldly proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. The Law is the schoolmaster that brings us to Christ and the following video shows how easy it is to share the Gospel by using the Law to show people their need for a Savior.

The "Hate" Speech of Biblical Christianity

The following is from "Atheist Central," a blog by Ray Comfort.

Many nowadays think that any talk of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ is intolerant and unloving and could even be considered by the politically correct as "hate speech." The thought that He is the only way to find everlasting life, is seen by them as nothing but religious extremism.

As we know, on August the 5th, 2010, part of the San José copper-gold mine in the Atacama Desert near Copiapó, Chile, collapsed, leaving 33 men trapped 2,300 feet under ground. However, all 33 miners were safely rescued and brought to the surface on 13 October 2010 (69 days later) through a narrow hole that had been drilled down to reach them.

It was estimated more than a billion people watched the rescue on live television around the world. Each of the men had to be winched in a rescue capsule, reaching the surface in 16 minutes. The total cost of the rescue operation was estimated at 20 million U.S. dollars.

Can you imagine being one of those men, hopelessly trapped deeper than 2,300 feet under the ground? They could move around, and they had limited food and water, but it was just a matter of time until they died in the darkness, in a mass grave.

But hope came from above. Compassionate rescuers spent millions of dollars and went to great effort to drill one narrow way down to them, so that they could be brought back from the very brink of a sure death. When the offer of rescue came, all 33 of them gladly climbed into that narrow capsule, and did exactly as they were instructed to by their rescuers.

Not one of them said, "I am offended that there is only one way out of here. I don’t like this hateful narrow way, and anyone who offers it is narrow minded. Instead, I am going to dig my own way out, thank you!" Anyone who would say something like that would have to be insane!

Yet such is the way of those who are offended by what God did to rescue hopeless sinners from a sure death. Until God gives us light through the gospel, we sit helplessly in the black shadow of death. We can move around and we have food and drink, but we are trapped, waiting to die. It's just a matter of time. That's reality.

Yet rescue came from above. God Himself is rich in mercy and didn’t leave us alone in our darkness. He made a way for us to be rescued, and it didn’t cost a mere 20 million dollars. It cost the precious blood of His Son, who suffered agony on the cross of Calvary. God said through the prophets that He would rescue us from the grave, and that there would be only one way of salvation. He then became a Man and in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and bore the punishment for the sin of the world, so that we could come out of the darkness into the glorious light, out of sure death, into everlasting life. So there is only one way to be saved, and it's straight and it's narrow. Obey the gospel and be rescued from the power of the grave.

Please, oh please, don’t insist that you try and dig your way out of this mess. Repent of your sins, and trust alone in the Savior: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Haiti Opts Out of Remainder of Hurricane Season

Off The Grid News is reporting that after hurricane Tomas ripped through Haiti, destroying some 5,000 houses and causing 18 million dollars in new damage, Haiti’s Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive announced on behalf of the National Assembly that Haiti will withdraw from its current hurricane season contract.

“Haiti had high hopes of making the natural disaster playoffs this season, but we’ve had an absolutely insane schedule,” said Bellerive. January’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake killed 250,000 people and left one million homeless.

In October, a cholera epidemic broke out killing hundreds and infecting thousands. The epidemic has yet to reach its peak. Foreign minister Marie Michele Rey supported the National Assembly’s heartbreaking decision. “At a certain point, it just gets unbelievable, and you just have to say, what the tanbou fey? and throw it in,” said Rey.

Puerto Rico’s governor Luis Fortuno was disappointed with Haiti’s decision but expressed understanding. “With Haiti out,” he said, “the remaining islands now have to accept higher winds and greater rain fall.”

Not everyone was as open to Haiti’s withdrawal. Questions of legality remain. Christopher Taylor of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Haiti’s move was “unprecedented and clearly illegal.” Taylor acknowledged that Haiti has had a rough year but “a contract is a contract.” NOAA coordinates hurricane seasons years in advance. “At the very least,” said Taylor, “Haiti has to find a substitute to take its place.”

This week, Haiti’s National Assembly did just that. It nominated France to pick up the remainder of its hurricanes for the season. Haiti’s secretary of state Magali Comeau Bayard explained, “by picking up Haiti’s contract, France could work off some of $22 billion dollars it still owes Haiti.” The plan would be for Haiti’s allotment of hurricanes to be redirected to the Aquitane region of France, off the Atlantic coast

Michel Jobert, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, declared Haiti’s vote “unfortunate” and explained that the Aquitane region was too delicate an area due to its maize, carrots, strawberries, plums, grapes, oysters, and poultry for foie gras. Haiti’s secretary of state said that he would like some grapes. Jobert added that the thirteen medieval castles in Aquitaine “were a special treasure of France and couldn’t stand up against a category 3 storm any longer.” Jobert strongly recommended that Haiti nominate another former French colony, Gabon, Africa, as its contractual substitute.

Ben Jenson of the National Weather Service objected to the problems connected to a Haiti substitute. “Even if Haiti finds a suitable replacement, the logistics are extremely difficult. A good hurricane is an art form.” Jenson said the U.S. Air Force would have to get involved at a high level.

The 2010-2011 hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico falls under the jurisdictional control of the U.S. Air Force’s High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), Poker Flats, Alaska. HAARP’s Colonel Dennis Pitcher conceded that his office could reroute Haiti’s remaining hurricanes to Aquitane, France, but “Haiti would have to give up something serious in return.” Haiti’s National Assembly continues closed negotiations with HAARP but the sides have yet to reach an agreement.

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This is a satirical story but it makes one compare reality with fantasy.

Focusing on God

"Prayer is preoccupation with our needs. Praise is preoccupation with our blessings. Worship is preoccupation with God himself."
-- Leonard Ravenhill

"You will never please everybody. Some men will say you have gone too far. Other men will say you haven't gone far enough. I just compromise and say I won't please anybody."
-- A.W. Tozer

Good Health in Christ

Eunice Sanborn is 115 years old this year. She was born in 1895 and although she never worked outside the home, Sanborn stayed busy with community activities her entire life. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, where her membership remains. She sang in the choir there for many years and volunteered at the former Newburn Hospital. She outlived three husbands and her only child, Dorothy, and her life has spanned three centuries. Sanborn has credited her long life and good health to her belief in Christ and her salvation.

No Longer Worried

"I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient."

--Hudson Taylor, missionary and founder of China Inland Mission

Forced Abortion

Imagine that you're eight months pregnant with your second child and increasingly feel the baby's activity in your womb. Then you're arrested because you live in China and have violated the country's one child policy. This is a horrific account of forced abortion and having a carry a dead baby afterward.



This is what those "progressive" lawmakers in Washington D.C. would like to see happen in the United States. Think it can't happen, well abortion is legal and they say it's the mother's right to choose to commit murder, but the baby who life is at stake has no say in the matter. If they managed to push the madness this far, what is to prevent it from going even further? We'll see how far this ungodly agenda will progress in the coming years. Imagine being hounded by "birth control officials" because you didn't get the necessary permit to have a second child?

Quotes on Surrender

"The cause of the weakness of your Christian life is that you want to work it out partly, and then have God help you. That cannot be. You must come to be utterly helpless, to let God work. He will work gloriously." ~ Andrew Murray

"To die to self, or to come from under its power, is not and cannot be done by any active resistance we can make against it OR by our own power of nature. The one true way of dying to self is the way of patience, meekness, humility, surrender and resignation to God." ~ Andrew Murray

"We cannot please God by what we do for Him in our own human effort, we can only please Him by surrendering and letting Him work in and through our lives." ~ John Mulinde

"We must be careful not to choose, but to let God's Holy Spirit manage our lives; not to smooth down and explain away, but to stir up the gift and allow God's Spirit to disturb us and disturb us and disturb us until we yield and yield and yield and the possibility in God's mind for us becomes an established fact in our lives, with the rivers in evidence meeting the need of a dying world." ~ Smith Wigglesworth.

Call Me Senator

In June of 2009, Brigadier General Michael Walsh testified at a Senate hearing on the condition of the levees in New Orleans, and was consistently addressing Senator Barbara Boxer of California as “Ma’am,” in accordance with military protocol. Boxer however found it offensive enough to stop him, saying, “Could you say ’senator’ instead of ‘ma’am? It’s just a thing. I worked so hard to get that title. So, I’d appreciate it.”

Well Ma'am, just be happy that you're not called something else less appropriate!



This video is spoof of that exchange and properly puts Boxer in her place.



The arrogance of the woman knows no bounds. Hopefully she gets voted out in November.

Revival Being Withheld

"If revival is being withheld from us it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that, 'It is not by might, but by My Spirit.'"

--Jonathan Goforth, Canadian Presbyterian Missionary to China

The Blindness of Evolutionism

Professor Richard Dawkins is an intellectual and a rabid evolutionist who believes that "science can provide the answers to many of the questions life on earth poses; questions previously considered better addressed by spiritual authorities."

That's just not true. Ray Comfort says, "Evolutionists haven't a clue where we came from, what we are doing here, or where we go after we die. To look to professor Dawkins for answers to life's big questions, is like looking to a blind man for advice about what color you should paint your house. Dawkins is a blind man leading others to their doom with his rejection of God."

Jesus once asked, "Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?" (Luke 6:39)

More Great Quotes

"One who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person on earth. For Christ's sake, I pray I am one. Think about our Master. He became poor and emptied himself for us. Was he not then, and is he not still, the most dangerous man to have ever walked this earth?"
--Sandy Onstad

"I've got the Father on my side, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and two thirds of the angels. What do you think I'm going to do? Sit down and cry?"
--Leonard Ravenhill

"The deepest repentance and humility and our own frailty and weakness must be realized before we can know God's strength."
--Frank Bartleman

CNN host fired for telling the truth

I've have never seen Rick Sanchez on CNN but the following information is important to remember. I tell you why later on...

CNN HOST FIRED AFTER CALLING JON STEWART A BIGOT AND THAT CNN WAS RUN BY JEWS...

CNN anchor Rick Sanchez was fired Friday by CNN after he went on a tirade during a radio interview calling Jon Stewart a “bigot” and accusing the "elite, Northeast establishment liberals” of labeling him as “second-tier” because of his Cuban-American background.

Cuban born Sanchez said that racism in the media comes "not just [from] the right," but also at the hands of the "elite, Northeast establishment liberals." He then pointed out Comedy Central's Jon Stewart, calling him a bigot with “white, liberal establishment point of view" and accusing “The Daily Show” host of picking on Sanchez's on-air mistakes because of his race.

During the radio interview by Pete Dominick of SiriusXM, Sanchez was asked about Stewart being considered a minority since he was Jewish, but balked at the suggestion. "Very powerless people," he laughed. "He's such a minority, I mean, you know… Please, what are you kidding?...I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart...the people in this country who are Jewish -- are an oppressed minority? Yeah," he said.

Sanchez made the mistake of questioning the world's most powerful minority. It's the equivalent of committing career suicide. Sanchez was not fired for calling John Stewart a bigot, but for saying "everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart," a Jew. He told the world one of the biggest open secrets of all time, which is a big no-no.

By now you're either in agreement with me or seriously uncomfortable. Do the research to find out who owns the media conglomerates in the United States and around the world. Wouldn't it be surprising if you found out that it was controlled by a minority just as a former insider like Sanchez claims? Perception is not always reality.

Interracial President

President-elect Barack Hussein Obama Soetoro is described as the first African American to occupy the presidency but he should be correctly called the first interracial president or the first mulatto president to put it another way. But to call him African American would be like calling Lenny Kravitz a Russian/Jewish/Bahamian American. Think about that for a little while...

Oh by the way...

Texas Beer Joint Sues Church

In Mt. Vernon, Texas, Drummond's Bar began construction on expansion of their building to increase their business. In response, the local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before the grand reopening when lightning struck the bar and burned it to the ground.

After the the lightning strike the church folks were rather smug in their outlook, bragging about "the power of prayer," until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church "was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means." In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise.

The judge read through the plaintiff's complaint and the defendant's reply and at the opening hearing he commented, "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that now does not."

Infinite God

"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others."

-- A.W. Tozer

Philosophy of Education

Every homeschooling family needs to write out why they are doing what they are doing. This advice was given to us by experienced homeschooler's who know that not every day will be perfect and it is therefore necessary to have a philosophy of education to steady our resolve and not send them to the meat grinder that is the public school system. As such, here is the philosophy we created and hangs in our house. I hope you're blessed and that it inspires you as well.

THORELL FAMILY PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

OUR GOALS IN RAISING OUR CHILDREN
We love our children and want to teach them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and might. We want to give them an education that honors God, is academically first-rate, and prepares them for future service in His kingdom here on earth. We believe that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of God is understanding (Proverbs 9:10), therefore, children should be raised under the authority and mentorship of parents who both have fear and knowledge of the Lord and thus are wise (Proverbs 13:20).

WHAT EDUCATION MEANS TO US?
Education is a tool, either for God or for the Devil. The word education comes from a Latin word that means “to bring up, rear, train;” and the dictionary’s definition is “to train or develop the knowledge, skill, mind or character.” Education is our responsibility, not the government’s, and involves much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. It includes the developing of character and convictions, whether good or bad, and training either in obedience or in rebellion.

OUR THOUGHTS ON HOME EDUCATION
Our home is God’s primary place for the education of our children. It is here that we have almost unlimited control over their environment. We believe that a Christian Home coupled with a Christian Church and Christian School is essential for developing a child’s mind that is Christ Centered. We realize the awesome responsibility God has placed upon us as parents and there are times when we look at the task that lies before us and feel inadequate. However, we also realize that with the God-given mandate to educate our children, He has not left us to fend for ourselves; the Holy Spirit will empower and guide us every step of the way. As parents, we “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” us. (Philippians 4:13)

WHY ARE WE DOING HOME EDUCATION?
Children are a gift from the Lord and He commands us to raise them in the knowledge of Him. (Psalm 127:3; Proverbs 22:6) The family is an institution ordained by God, headed by the father and sustained and nurtured by the mother as the primary teachers of their children. Over the years, Christians have delegated the raising of their children to the government with terrible consequences. It is a proven fact that children will take into their adult lives what they learned in their childhood. God expects us to be involved in making decisions for our children. Since learning is a natural part of being a child, God commands us to use this instinct to teach them His ways and precepts. It is our responsibility to see to it that our children are not taught falsehood or perverted teachings.

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

God has given us the moral responsibility of bringing up our children in a controlled environment.

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

Righteousness is the end result of teaching and obeying the Word of God. (Deuteronomy 6:18-25) This is the reason ungodly people are opposed to having the Bible as the core of curriculum. We want the education of our children to give glory and honor to the Lord because we’ll have to answer to Him one day for what we taught or failed to teach our children, including the influences we permitted to touch them.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION?
We have found there are several dangers of attending a government run school. First, it is apparent that academics have been compromised because the teachers and books are unsound. Secondly, the public schools are deficient in providing a lasting Godly spiritual emphasis. Thirdly, even the best of schools have an ungodly environment where our value system is being undermined. The greatest danger of the public school system is itself, and although the intentions may be honorable, God never intended for a humanistic system to educate our children.

The Bible says we are not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) Wouldn’t it therefore be wrong to allow the public school system to educate our children when it rejects the truths of the Bible, negatively affects their spiritual welfare and destroys their faith in God? What good can come from a public school system that embraces humanistic and secular ideas? What should we expect from unsaved teachers who are totally indoctrinated in these values? How will they love and embrace our objectives?

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5)

Evolution, sex education and homosexuality are being mandated with no respect to the wishes and authority of the parents. We don’t want unsaved and immoral individuals teaching these subjects to our impressionable children. Furthermore, they want to be accepted by their peers, and in a public school setting, this will also cause them to be tempted to conform to sinful influences in the form of language, clothing and playground conduct, etc.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)

Since the Bible taken out of the public school system, profane and vain babblings have taken over with an increase of ungodliness.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:15-16)

True education ends when the Bible is taken out of it because there is a limit to the knowledge men can gain when they depart from the Word of God.

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth… But they shall proceed no further." (2 Timothy 3:7, 9a)

The only true source of wisdom and knowledge is Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:3) The other source for guidance is the world, but if the public school system has rejected the Bible as the very foundation for education, what do they have left to teach?

"The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?" (Jeremiah 8:9)

OUR EDUCATIONAL GOALS
We want to establish a love of learning in our children irregardless of the subject matter. We know that nothing can take the place of careful, diligent teaching and that training will be impossible if a child doesn’t understand what is expected of them. We want out children to know that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)

We realize that what we study has a great bearing on what we think and what our minds are filled with forms the frame of reference we use throughout our lives. As a result, education is not simply made Christian by beginning with prayer or by adding a course in Scripture; if the course content or teaching method is humanistic, Christian supplements will do little to change the direction. We need to press in to Jesus since He is the Creator, the sustainer of life and author of all that humans have discovered.

EDUCATION WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
How can we teach truth to our children if it is not in our hearts first? (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) God wants us to use every opportunity throughout the day to teach them His Word. In doing so, our children will gain respect for the Scriptures. As they grow older and are established in the truth of the Bible, they will know what God’s will is for them. This is something that will follow them for the rest of their lives.

Christian education means that Christ is central to education. Consequently, our educational theory, methods, and practice must be built upon Christ as their cornerstone. But how can we know Christ apart from His Word? It is in the Bible that God has revealed Himself and His saving purpose in Christ. Because there is only one God and one Christ, there is only one truth. This truth is the focal point of Christian education. While the Bible is not used as the textbook in every subject, it is the foundational handbook for every course and the standard for teaching. We want our children to be educated in History; Culture, Art, and Technology; Language and Literature; Economics; Mathematics; Geography; Science; Government; Society; Health and Physical Education. All of this will be taught with a Biblical worldview. (Psalm 111:10)

The study of the Scriptures is foundational to the Christian curriculum. Our children need to be mastered by the Word of God before they can properly evaluate the writings of men. If we leave the Bible out of education, what do we have left but an ungodly education? (Psalm 1:1) If our children’s minds are filled with the Bible in all their studies, it will be much easier for them to meditate in the Law of the Lord day and night than if their minds are filled with other things. (Verse 2) Some might think that if children only meditate in the Law of the Lord, they won’t be very strong when they face false doctrine, evolution, and so forth. On the contrary, God’s Word will bring strength and stability and whatever they do will prosper. (Verse 3) We are looking for our children to be born again and prosper spiritually; anything less is failure. The Bible is the living Word of God. It becomes meaningful when it is read more and more. The Lord says “my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” so the only way we can know the His thoughts is through the Word of God. (Isaiah 55:6-11)

If we separate the Bible from the rest of our education, we can’t know the mind and will of God. Textbook writers can’t help but inject their opinion into their books. So if they reject what God says, their opinion can’t be trusted. As parents, we can’t afford anything that takes away from teaching our children the eternal truths of God’s Word. An education that is devoid of God cannot help but establish an evil mind because it comes from the natural man.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

THE NEED TO SHELTER OUR CHILDREN
People think that a sheltered child will be at a loss later on in life when they face the world. We value our children and have a vision for them; as a result, we want to protect their minds and guard their souls from the influences that will endanger them. Why should we expose them to the harmful influences of the public school system, on the radio and television, in books and magazines, in evil associates in the neighborhood or in the family relationships? Our duty is to prepare them to meet such associations when it becomes necessary. Until that time comes, we will shelter and protect them and prepare them to meet future storms and evil influences of life on their own, with wisdom to trust the Lord and to look to Him for direction and protection, even as we do now.

THE END RESULT
We believe that education is not just the training of the mind, but also of the heart, an ongoing process throughout life. All the years spent learning will equip our children to fulfill a specific role ordained by God. In the end, we as parents will reap what we sow.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:7-9)

May we never forget that prayer and a complete dependence upon God must under gird everything; for truly “except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” (Psalm 127:1a)

Education: Christian vs. Humanistic

I was raised by Christian parents but educated primarily in the public school system with two years in private schools. Shortly after becoming a parent, I began to plan ahead for their education and realized the only viable option was to fulfill the calling God has placed on every Christian parent. My wife and I are now homeschooling our children because we don't want to abandon them to a humanistic system that hates and rejects God. The following two videos show how government run schools have failed, no matter how much money is pumped into them, and why Christian parents shouldn't throw their precious children to the wolves.

Colin Gunn and his family travel in a big yellow school bus across America shooting a new documentary film that explores the origins of the American education system, the effects of public schools on the Christian family, and the turning of the hearts of parents to their children through home education.



Exodus Mandate calls upon all Christians to remove children from government schools.

California vs. Arizona

The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out, bites the Governor and attacks his dog.

1. The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie "Bambi" and then realizes he should stop; ...the coyote is only doing what is natural.
2. He calls animal control. Animal Control captures coyote and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it.
3. He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases.
4. The Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged.
5. The running trail gets shut down for 6 months while Fish & Game conducts $100,000 survey to make sure the area is free of dangerous animals.
6. The Governor spends $50,000 in state funds implementing a "coyote awareness" program for residents of the area.
7. The State Legislature spends $2 million to study how to better treat rabies and how to permanently eradicate the disease throughout the world.
8. The Governor's security agent is fired for not stopping the attack somehow and for letting the Governor attempt to intervene.
9. Additional cost to State of California : $75,000 to hire and train a new security agent with additional special training re: the nature of coyotes.
10. PETA protests the coyote's relocation and files suit against the State.

The Governor of Arizona is jogging with her dog along a nature trail. A Coyote jumps out and attacks her dog.

1. The Governor shoots the coyote with her State-issued pistol and keeps jogging. The Governor has spent $0.50 on a .45 ACP hollow point cartridge.
2. The buzzards eat the dead coyote.

And that's why California is broke.

Yes Mr. Resident

Here is a portion of an article from ABC news:

Fired Up Obama Pushes $50 Billion Infrastructure Plan to Create Jobs

In unveiling his latest economic proposal, which could face opposition in Congress, Obama also took a preemptive swipe at Republicans, whom he said have become the party of "No, we can't." "When it comes to just about everything we've done to strengthen the middle class to rebuild our economy, almost every Republican in Congress says 'no.' Even on things we usually agree on, they say 'no,'" he said. "If I say the sky is blue, they say 'no.' If I said fish live in the sea, they'd say 'no.'"

I wish there were some politicians with spine but they are all jellyfish, flopping all over the place, going the way of their financial backers. Here is how this piece of the story should read:

In unveiling his latest economic proposal, which could face opposition in Congress, Obama also took a preemptive swipe at Republicans, whom he said have become the party of "No, we can't." "When it comes to just about everything we've done to strengthen the middle class to rebuild our economy, almost every Republican in Congress says 'no.' Even on things we usually agree on, they say 'no,'" he said. "If I say the sky is blue, they say 'no, please show us your birth certificate.' If I said fish live in the sea, they'd say 'no, please show us your birth certificate.'"

But we don't have any civil servants representing the people, just lapdogs serving their respective masters.

The Power of Action

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.

We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you're gonna really build serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during High school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses and become quite popular. Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Age & Treachery

A young lawyer and a senior citizen are sitting next to each other on a long flight. The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easy. So he asks if the senior would like to play a fun game. The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, politely declines and tries to catch a few winks. The lawyer persists saying that the game is a lot of fun. "I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5. Then you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500, he says."

This catches the senior's attention and he agrees to play the game in order to keep the lawyer quiet.

The lawyer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the Earth to the Moon?"

The senior doesn't say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer. Now it's the senior's turn and he asks the lawyer, "What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?"

The lawyer uses his laptop and searches all references he could find on the Net. He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up. He wakes the senior and hands him $500. The senior pockets the $500 and goes right back to sleep. The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, "Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?"

The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5, and goes back to sleep.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Isn't it strange

Things can look different when viewed from another perspective!

Isn’t it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at church, and so short when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it strange that you can’t find a word to say when you’re praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they always choose to sit at the last row in church?

Isn’t it strange how we need to know about an event for church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can easily adjust for other events at the last minute?

Isn’t it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn and repeat gossip?

Isn’t it strange how we believe what magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they aren't interested in God?

A Realtor's Life

This actual correspondence between an FHA loan department worker and a client's lawyer. The lawyer's attitude brings a smile to the realtors who struggle with the stonewalling by various loan lenders.

A New Orleans lawyer sought a FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to FHA, he received the following reply:

“Upon review of your letter adjoining your client’s loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin.”

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows:

“Your letter regarding the title has been received. I note that you wish to have title extended further than the 194 years covered by the present application. I was unaware that any educated person in this country, particularly those working in the property area, would not know that Louisiana was purchased by the U.S. from France in 1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S. ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by right of conquest from Spain. The land came into possession of Spain by right of discovery made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the then reigning monarch, Isabella. The good Queen, being a pious woman and careful about titles, (almost as much as the FHA) took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to fund Columbus’ expedition. Now the Pope, as I’m sure you know is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God it is commonly accepted, created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that He also made that part of the world called Louisiana. He, therefore, would be the owner of origin. I hope you find HIS original claim to be satisfactory. Now, may we have our loan?”

They got it.

Under Sealed Orders

"You are leaving port under sealed orders and in a troubled period. You cannot know whither you are going or what you are to do. But why not take the Pilot on board who knows the nature of your sealed orders from the outset, and who will shape your entire voyage accordingly? He knows the shoals and the sand banks, the rocks and the reefs, He will steer you safely into that celestial harbor where your anchor will be cast for eternity. Let His almighty nail-pierced hands hold the wheel, and you will be safe."

--Peter Marshall (1902-1949)

Another lawsuit on the Arizona immigration issue

We have resident Obama with his appointees continuing to do their best to destroy the law of the land. The Washington Post has a story on the injustice department which has said that Arizona community colleges discriminated against NON-CITIZENS by requiring they fill out documents to prove their eligibility to work.

"After filling out a federal form attesting to his immigration status and producing a driver's license and Social Security card, he was told to complete another form with more immigration-related information. That form required other documents and his green card. When he couldn't present his green card, the suit said, the college would not process his paperwork and would not let him work."

Well duh... that's how it's supposed to work. You need to prove it with the PROPER identification. Then comes the nonsense.

The government is asking a judge within the Justice Department unit to order the Maricopa colleges to pay a civil penalty of $1,100 for each of the 247 non-U.S.-citizen job applicants it says were required to produce the additional documents.

Common sense and rule of law is dead. I'm not really surprised since Obama didn't have to prove he was eligible and and his co-conspirators continue to censor those who see the truth. Liberalism, socialism, communism or whatever you want to call it is a one way street for everything; don't oppose them and you will be fine.

We need a revolution in this country that involves the hearts and minds of people being changed by God or this nation will be doomed just like all the rest in the past.

Importance of Prayer

"A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual revolution."
-- E.M. Bounds

"How often God visited the Jewish Church with judgments because they would not repent and be revived at the call of His prophets! How often have we seen Churches, and even whole denominations, cursed with a curse, because they would not wake up and seek the Lord, and pray: 'Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?'"
-- Charles Finney

"The one thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history."
-- Leonard Ravenhill

"Every Minister ought to know that if the prayer meetings are neglected, all his labors are in vain."
-- Charles Finney.

Sea of Sacrifice

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend.

With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life... to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me. You see... I was the son's friend."

The Pit

"I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." (Psalms 40:1-2)

A woman fell into a pit and couldn't get herself out...

A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you, down there."

An objective person came along and said, "It's logical that someone would fall down there."

A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into a pit."

A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on her pit.

An IRS man asked if she was paying taxes on the pit.

A self-pitying man said "You haven't seen anything until you've seen my pit!"

An optimist said, "Things could be worse."

A pessimist said, "Things will get worse!"

Jesus, seeing the woman, took her by the hand and lifted her out of the pit.

The Church of Make Believe

By Jim Mathes

I have met so many people, I have met them by the score.
And if I keep on living, I’ll meet a million more.
Their souls are tired and weary of what they thought would make them strong,
It’s left them broken hearted, though they try to sing along.
They all are true believers and not easy to deceive
And they’ve heard the Spirit saying, “Leave the church of make-believe.”

This church it speaks of Jesus and they freely use His Name
While they crucify each other and put the Lord to open shame.
But the church they think they’re part of is one they can’t perceive
It’s built on the blood of Jesus and not a place of make-believe.

This church of make-believe is rooted firmly in the sand
Its character is of the world, its ideas, all from man.
It boasts of size and numbers and programs for everyone
Its leaders touch the glory for what they think they’ve done.
The Spirit of the Living God would free them if He could,
But those who think they serve Him are bound by human good.

This church it runs on formulas of so called faith and power
It’s got itself believing it will triumph in this hour.
It hopes to rule the nations before the Lord it sees
But those who know the Word of God don’t buy this make-believe.

This church has plans and busy-ness which keep men on the run
Days and hours are all consumed with getting so much done.
Seminars and conferences and endless meetings do abound,
But years of this can drain your soul and put you in the ground.
The longings of the Savior’s heart toward those for whom he grieves
Are drowned by all the clamor in the church of make-believe.

This church can be like Martha who lived so ill at ease
Trying like the raging tide to make her Master pleased.
But there are those like Mary who in stillness did receive
The best that Jesus offered men and shunned such make-believe.

This church it loves position and like the Pharisees of old,
It lives by much tradition which leaves men dead and cold.
It has a hierarchy spawned of men and not from God
A system of religion that to Jesus must seem odd.
He told them you’re all brethren and this is what you’ll be
And if men teach you otherwise it’s simply make-believe.

Now there is a church of Jesus and it’s like a planted seed
It’s not another system, a doctrine or a creed.
It’s a living organism in which all who do believe,
Live with one another in this shared reality.

There is a church of Jesus throughout earth’s history
That’s recognized in every age by pure simplicity.
It’s trademark is devotion to the Master who is Lord,
Who is held in honor, is worshipped and adored.
And if we love and serve him, you know He will be pleased
To keep us free forever from the church of make-believe!

Historical Moment

The point of this video is not what you see but what you hear.



As someone who has played an instrument in a school band, I can empathize but we were never awful like this.

The Invisible Man

by Douglas Twitchell

He wasn't really invisible – at least, not at first. On the day of his birth, he was the most visible of all his siblings. His parents looked at him, and looked at him again. His mother's eyes welled up with tears, and his father shook his head, making a tsk noise with his tongue.

Their son was born with a terrible birth defect. His legs and ankles were deformed, and they knew he would never walk. This was the greatest tragedy the family had faced. In their society a man who could not walk was a man who could not plow or harvest a field. He was a man with no use at all.

He spent the first years of his childhood lying alone on his cot while his brothers went out to work. He listened sadly as he heard the laughter of children playing, the shouts of children fighting. He wondered what he had ever done to deserve his fate. He cried out to God, but God had nothing to say.

His sixth birthday was a memorable one. His father and his oldest brother picked up his cot and carried it out of the house. They walked down the street, collecting stares from passersby. Two men carrying a little boy on a cot is not an everyday sight. They carried him to the city gate, and set him down there. Gently his father explained to him his great purpose in life--to beg for money, or food. Anything to make it worth his family's while to support this crippled child. Then with a quick tousle of his hair, father and brother left him alone on the crowded sidewalk.

"Pennies for a poor boy? Pennies for a poor boy?" This became his cry throughout the day. He stretched out his legs, to ensure they were exposed to the pitying glance of the businessmen who walked by with wallets full of gold.

"Pennies for a poor boy?"

One by one the citizens would pass by, always with a quick glance at the pathetic child. Some even dropped a coin in the boy's hand. Most just kept walking.

"Pennies for a poor boy?"

At the end of the day, his father and brother returned, and carried him home. Happily, he showed his mother the coins that he had gathered during the day. They laughed, and cheered, then went on with the evening chores.

Day after day, his father and his brother carried him to the gates. Day after day he cried the same cry. Day after day he had that moment of approval as he dropped coins in his mother's hand.

But as the days passed, and weeks turned to months, something happened there at the gates of the city. The boy began to blend into the landscape. Those who had noticed him for the first week--or even the first month--walked by without seeing his deformed legs, without hearing his pathetic voice. Their busyness blinded them, and their clamor deafened them, drowning his pleas.

He became invisible.

As the years passed, and childhood passed as well, hopelessness set in; the boy no longer looked up expectantly as people passed by. He stared--barely seeing--at the ground in front of him. Now he saw only feet, heard only footsteps as they passed him by. As the feet came into view he would put out his hand and say to them, "Pennies for a poor boy?" But the feet never heard him, never saw him, never changed their course, and the boy's hand remained empty. Despair deepened as he spent his days studying ankles that worked, feet that walked.

There was one day when the boy became visible again; it was the day he stopped saying "Pennies for a poor boy?" and began saying "Pennies for a poor man?" Oh, that was different, and the crowds noticed it. But soon he faded into the landscape again.

He was invisible once more.

How many years he sat there, he didn't know. The passing of years was marked most significantly on the day when his father announced he was too old to carry a grown man down the streets. Now the two older brothers carried him. And life continued.

Then came the day when everything changed. Later, the man would be tempted to say that he knew there was something different about that day. But the truth was, it was like any other day. His brothers grumbled about carrying him to the gates, his mother complained that he wasn't making any money, the feet walked by, same as always.

Then there were two pairs of feet, walking side by side. The man held out his hand. "Pennies for a poor man?"

The feet stopped.

The man stared, uncomprehending, at the feet. They didn’t just stop--they turned! As though the owners of those feet were looking at him. As though the owners of those feet actually saw him! The man didn't move. He didn't say anything more, or make any sudden movement. If he startled those feet, would they run away? He continued to stare.

Then a voice spoke from far above him. "Look at me."

Slowly, he obeyed. His eyes traveled from the feet to the ankles, from the ankles to the legs, and then on up to the two faces that looked down at him--looked at him! With--what? What was that look? Compassion? The man barely remembered what that looked like. A faint ray of hope surged in his heart, and he held his hand up higher.

One of the men shook his head. "I don't have any silver or gold," he said sadly.

Then why did you stop? Why did you get my hopes up? he wanted to shout.

"But what I do have..." the man smiled. He was preparing to impart a great secret. "What I do have, I'll give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"

A hand reached down and touched him. Touched him! Not enough that these men saw him; not enough that they looked on him with compassion--they reached down and touched him. Took him by the hand and pulled him from his cot. Dizzy with excitement, he almost wanted to believe that he could rise up and walk. He wanted to believe that it was his own legs holding him up, not the strength of this man who held him by the hand.

After a moment the supporting hand let go. He was prepared to tumble helplessly to the ground – indeed, he did feel wobbly, for he was using his legs in a way they had never been used before. But he continued to stand.

Then he was walking. Then he was leaping. Then he was shouting for joy. And something was happening that had never happened before in his long, tedious life; crowds were gathering around him. They were seeing him! They were staring, gawking at him! They knew he was there, and they were amazed!

And he knew, at that moment, that his life would never be the same again.

Two thousand years later, our world is still filled with invisible people. Where will we find them? In all the places we least expect. They are the bag ladies we never notice walking the streets of our towns and cities. They are the men, women, and children who live out of the back seat of a car, because they have no home. They are the teenagers smoking pot in the school yard, because they have nothing else to live for. They are the men and women whose world is defined by the four walls of a prison cell. They are the sick and the elderly, hidden from view in our hospitals and nursing homes. They are the refugees starving and dying around the world.

And on the day that we see them, on the day that we have compassion on them, on the day that we touch them with the power and the love of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, their lives will never be the same. But we must see the world as God sees it – for He alone has eyes to see the invisible. He alone has compassion to love the unlovable. He alone has power to touch the untouchable.

Oh God, let me see this world as you see it. Help me love this world as you love it. Use my hands to touch this world with your tender, loving touch.

Tips on Buying a New Car

Thinking of buying a new car? Or an old car? Or even a van? Here are some things to look out for and some thing to watch out for when shopping for a new set of wheels.

GOOD SIGNS

• Both bumpers are still on the vehicle.
• All four fenders are the same color.
• You kick the tires and they stay on.
• Car is not up on blocks.
• Odometer is not surrounded with claw hammer marks.
• It suits your lifestyle - no sense in buying a sports car if you have nine kids and family responsibilities.

BAD SIGNS

• Major dents in the roof.
• Seller has "misplaced" the ownership.
• Bullet hole in the back and dozens of air fresheners in the trunk.
• Floor mats are included in the price but the engine is extra.
• Owner says, "Maybe you'll have better luck with this thing."
• Car was made in a Balkan country.
• The owner says, "I'm selling it 'cause I could never master the stick shift and I'm sick of replacing transmissions."
• Previous owner converted car from rear wheel to front wheel drive.
• The air bags have been used seven or eight times.
• To take it for a test drive you have to hire a tow truck.
• Previous owner added a roll bar.
• The house has been treated for termites nine times in the last two years.

The Red Green Book
© 1997 by Steve Smith and Rick Green

Tips on Buying a Home

Thinking of buying a new home? Or an old home? Or a cottage? Here are some things to look out for and some thing to watch out for when buying something that is going to put you in hock for the rest of your days.

GOOD SIGNS

• The owners are still in country and alive.
• No large animal droppings in the attic.
• Glass in all the windows.
• It was not built on an ancient burial ground where many graves were disturbed.
• You're allowed to inspect all the rooms.
• Nothing breaks off when you touch it.
• More than fifty feet from all major airports, railways, dump sites and active volcanoes.
  

BAD SIGNS

• The word "!redruM" is carved in the walls.
• Their grandfather is included in the price.
• The real estate agent warns you not to walk in the middle of the floors where it's soft.
• The sellers are "very motivated" to sell because they fear for their children's safety.
• High-water marks on the basement walls.
• Turquoise kitchen appliances.
• Bullets holes in the bathroom.
• The real estate agent says you can't flush the toilet until after you've bought the place.
• The house has been treated for termites nine times in the last two years.

The Red Green Book
© 1997 by Steve Smith and Rick Green

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Engineer Terminologies

1. A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES ARE BEING TRIED
We still have no idea.

2. EXTENSIVE REPORT IS BEING PREPARED ON A FRESH APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM
We just hired three kids fresh out of college.

3. CLOSE PROJECT COORDINATION
We know who to blame.

4. MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH
It works OK, but looks very hi-tech.

5. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS DELIVERED ASSURED
We are so far behind schedule the customer is happy to get it delivered.

6. PRELIMINARY OPERATIONAL TESTS WERE INCONCLUSIVE
The thing just blew up when we threw the switch.

7. TEST RESULTS WERE EXTREMELY GRATIFYING
We are so surprised that the stupid thing works.

8. THE ENTIRE CONCEPT WILL HAVE TO BE ABANDONED
The only person who understood the thing quit.

9. IT IS IN THE PROCESS
It is so wrapped up in red tape that the situation is about hopeless.

10. WE WILL LOOK INTO IT
Forget it! We have enough problems for now.

11. PLEASE NOTE AND INITIAL
Let's spread responsibility for the screw up

12. GIVE US THE BENEFIT OF YOUR THINKING
We'll listen to what you have to say as long as it doesn't interfere with what we've already done.

13. GIVE US YOUR INTERPRETATION
I can't wait to hear this!

14. SEE ME or LET'S DISCUSS
Come into my office, I'm lonely.

15. ALL NEW
Parts not interchangeable with the previous design.

16. RUGGED
Too heavy to lift!

17. LIGHTWEIGHT
Lighter than RUGGED.

18. YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT
One finally worked.

19. ENERGY SAVING
Achieved when the power switch is off.

20. LOW MAINTENANCE
Impossible to fix if broken.

Worm Redistribution

A little humor for those of you who have a garden and know the rigors of pulling all those pesky weeds.

Now when it comes to human beings, work harder because there are millions on welfare depending on you.

Computer Error

Bob was having trouble with his computer. So he called Tim, the computer guy, to come over to the office. Tim clicked a couple buttons and solved the problem.

He gave Bob a bill for a minimum service call, and as he was walking away, Bob asked about the problem?

Tim replied, "It was an ID ten T error."

Bob didn't want to appear stupid but inquired nonetheless, "An ID ten T error? What's that just in case I need to fix it again?"

Tim grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"

"No," Bob replied.

"Write it down," Tim said, "and I think you'll figure it out."

I D 1 0 T

Alvin Greene

Alvin Green is an unemployed Army veteran who lives with his parents and the 2010 Democratic Senate candidate for South Carolina. He stunned state Democratic leaders when he defeated Vic Rawl without any kind of support whatsoever. Greene beat Rawl with 60 percent of the vote despite not having a job, a house, a website, yard signs or campaign headquarters. Greene put no effort into the race whatsoever other than paying the filing fee and having his name at the top of the ballot. So who paid his $10,000 filing fee? It is obvious that someone did and the speculation is running wild.

David Axelrod, a senior White House advisor is suspicious of Greene's victory and I agree. How can an African-American man with strange origins, suspicious funding, shady associations, no experience, no qualifications and no demonstrable work history come out of nowhere and win an election? We're still speaking of Alvin Greene and not Barack Obama right?

Council of Idiots

The Sacramento city council ignored rule of law on Tuesday and voted to enact economic sanctions against the state of Arizona. According to The Sacramento Bee, this means the city would forbid "city workers from attending conferences in Arizona on the city's dime, boycotting companies based in Arizona 'where practicable and where there is no significant additional cost to the city' and potentially canceling current contracts with firms from Arizona."

Why would they do such a thing. Well it seems that Arizona got tired of the federal government not doing its job of securing the border to Mexico and decided to take the matter into their hands by having the local police enforce the immigration laws. Mayor Kevin Johnson is leading the council in this new "civil rights" movement in which The Bee quotes Councilman Robert Fong as saying the city is "standing on the right side of history."

How about standing on the right side of the law? Isn't that more important? Only Councilman Robbie Waters had the intelligence to vote against such nonsense and wondered how many city staff hours had been wasted in this witch hunt by looking at Sacramento's contracts with Arizona.

Opponents of Arizona's immigration law are trying to make this into a civil rights issue but this is nothing like the discrimination blacks faced in fighting for equality. Anybody who enters the United States of America illegally is a criminal. Plain and simple. It is not a civil rights issue but of law and order. I am sick and tired of the political whores who denounce the immigration law and call for economic sanctions of anything related to Arizona. Liberalism is truly a mental disorder.

Israel's Flotilla Lies

by Ted Pike
June 14, 2010

As nearly 700 “Free Gaza” flotilla survivors return to 20 nations, they bear witness to the same message—all five vessels, bringing aid to Gaza, were attacked by Israel. Preliminary shooting, including live rounds, came from Israeli attack boats and helicopters. All passengers were poorly, if not roughly, treated or assaulted. Are these the ravings of terrorist sympathizers, worthy of attack – as Israel and its PR rep, the ADL – as well as most evangelicals, contend?

The flotilla carried professionals, public officials and parliamentarians – including a member of Israel’s Knesset. Those contradicting Israel's story include a Brazilian filmmaker, a retired German parliamentarian and professor, two German parliamentarians, an acclaimed Swedish academic, an Irish Ulsterman with American citizenship, an Irish medical doctor, a retired Jewish-American math teacher, an American structural engineer, a best-selling Swedish novelist and an Israeli-born Swedish artist. The subsequent flotilla of ships included former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Denis Halliday and Irish Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mairead McGuire.

The nearly 700 members of the flotilla speak with one voice but incredibly Christian/conservatives reject testimony from these credible witnesses and accuse them of crafting an elaborate and bizarre falsehood. The British Guardian tells us, “The details of the wounds came as yet more survivors return to the UK and gave their account of the attacks.”

Citing the coroner’s report of the Turkish government, the Guardian suggests that Israeli commandos were hardly intent on non-violence. It relates that Furkan Dogan, the 19-year-old American-Turkish activist, was shot 5 times from a close range: in the right side of his nose, the back of his head, his back, and twice in his left leg. The oldest victim was 60-year old Ibrahim Bilgen, a Turkish politician, engineer and activist, who was married with 6 children. He was shot once in the right temple, once in the right side of his chest, once in his back and once in his hip. Cetin Topeuoglu, a 54-year-old former taekwondo champion who worked as a coach for the Turkish national team, was shot three times – once in the back of his head, once in his hip, and once in his belly.

Here is a summary of the other seven:

• Alquyz: 4 gunshot wounds - back of head, side of face, back, leg.
• Yaldiz: 4 gunshot wounds – chest, left leg, right leg twice.
• Bengi: 6 gunshot wounds – chest, belly, right arm, right leg, left hand twice.
• Topeuoglu: 3 gunshot wounds – back of head, left side, right belly.
• Yildirim: 2 gunshot wounds – right shoulder, left back.
• Kiliclar: 1 gunshot wound, middle of forehead.
• Songur: 1 gunshot wound – front of neck.

Injuries to these nine Turks tell a different story than Israel’s. It was an orgy of excessive gunfire—yes, a massacre. Do you really think nine dead and 47 injured from gunshot wounds constituted a proportionate response to a group wielding rods, batons, kitchen knives and a sack of marbles?

If Israel had really intended non-violence, it could have snarled the ships’ propellers and rudders with no loss of life. Negotiations could have occurred in daylight to allow the orderly, nonviolent transfer of command. Instead, Israel chose to take over the ships in darkness in the most terrifying manner. It was a terrorist attack.

If Israel is so intent on sharing the whole truth, and has no need of a “biased” international investigation, why did it sabotage the flotilla passengers’ communication with the outside world before, during, and for days after the raid? Why did Israel seize their cameras, computers, and notebooks? Why does Israel insist that in its investigation IDF forces involved in the raid will not be questioned? Clearly, Israel wants no contrary voices as it propagandizes the world – including 70 million gullible evangelicals and their media who are eager (in fact, theologically duty-bound) to believe Israel.

Most evangelicals will probably remain uninterested in more evidence from survivors in the weeks ahead and be content to believe anything Israel says. By prostituting their God-given birthright to speak only the whole truth, Israel-first evangelicals have gone theologically and politically insane.

Read the full article

Lowering the Standard

The message of the Gospel is not having the same transforming power it once had because Christ's ambassadors are changing the message and effectively presenting a false Gospel. Revival is born out of a obedience to God and His commandments and looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Sinful living is looking at those around us and observing their standard while ignoring God.

"Religion today is not transforming people; rather it is being transformed by the people. It is not raising the moral level of society; it is descending to society's own level, and congratulating itself that it has scored a victory because society is smilingly accepting its surrender."

--A. W. Tozer