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Friday, December 12, 2008

OK, Here's My Take On The Election.

I was speaking with a friend the other day, just after the election. He stated that although he did not vote for Obama, he was chosen so it must be the will of God. Well that reminded me of a nation many years ago that was ruled by judges and heads of their tribes. They wanted to be like all the other nations around them so they pressured the local prophet to get God to give them a King. Reluctantly the prophet prayed and God told him that they were not rejecting his rule but HIS rule over them.
He told the people that it displeased God, but God would give them what they asked.
But there choice would come with consequences.
He gave a list of what the new King would do. The word "take" came to mind mostly.
I do not tend to say weither our new president is chosen by God or not. He was chosen by the people. I can not see God chosing someone that is Pro-choice and is OK with the killing of the unborn or the harvesting of those murdered unborn' stem cells to make it juctified.
Will our desire for a new world order with the promises of prosperity and sucurity trump our mortal attitude in America.
We will see in years to come. Will our desire to be like all other nations split us in half. Will the wrong kind of change come and it be to late to change back.
Again we must not put or trust in Obama, Cain or any man/woman, but the Lord God. If the Bible only showed one thing it is this, when mankind puts their trust in themselves instead of God, they fall.
Read: 1 Samuel Chapter 8 and so-on

Friday, November 21, 2008

Being The New Testament Church Part 2: Baptisms

In continuation of my last post on “Being the New Testament Church” we are discussing Acts 2:41. After the new believers “believed in what Peter preached and then became baptized. The fact that the early New Testament (NT) believers were “baptized” can have many implications. According to which Christian discipline you are of the baptism mentioned could be “water baptism” or “the Baptism of the Holy Ghost”. Peter’s requirement for those asking “what they needed to do” mentions the “remission of sins” and “receiving the Holy Ghost”. This may be a little confusing so let’s take a look at the Biblical Baptism question.
In the NT we first see John the Baptist performing this service. I have see programs on the TV that suggest that John got the practice of baptism from an earlier Jewish sec like the Essenes. This is debatable. The first baptism we are introduced to is a baptism in water by submersion. This has been called all through the New Testament as John’s baptism or the baptism of repentance. In three of the gospels Jesus is pictured as coming to John and being baptized and in all three accounts the Heavens opened up, a voice spoke and the Holy Spirit came down. This is one of those moments when the total God was present. God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit all showed up for Jesus’ baptism. Now since this was a baptism of repentance why did Jesus need it unless He had sinned? In Matthew3:13 He answered this, “…it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” One Commentator said that He had to be baptized so that He could be identified with His people. This is true but in Galations 3:27 and Colossians 2:12, both show that baptism is a picture of us being buried with Christ and risen to new life with Him. We rise clean and we put on Christ. We forsake our nature and we take the nature and righteousness of Jesus. We no longer live but Christ lives in us (Galations 2:20). So there was a reason to for Him to submit to John’s baptism.
We see that as the Holy Spirit entered Him at this moment things began to change. Jesus was introducing a new baptism that would come into effect after He fulfilled His purpose. Acts 10:37 states that the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus at John’s baptism of Him. At this point some may say, “the Bible states there is One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism.” Some say that there are more than one according to Hebrews 6:2 where it states that “baptisms” plural, is one of the elementary doctrines of Christ. Which is right? As we look at Ephesians 4:5 in context we see that Paul is speaking of the Body of church believers, also called the Body of Christ. So this one Baptism of believers must be a baptism into the church, because there are other baptisms mentioned in the scripture. Jesus called His death on the cross as a baptism as recorded in Luke 12:50.
So, how do we know of which baptism Peter was speaking of I vs. 41? Let’s look at the Christian growth process as a whole. In Gen. 1:26 and 11;7. God reveals Himself as a plural Personage. By reading the revealed scriptures in the NT we see that God is in fact Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Now I do not agree with our brethren that say God was God the Father in the Old Testament times , God the Son in NT times and now is a God the Spirit at our present time. We have seen that all three were present at the baptism of Jesus the Man. Jesus said at least one time that he had to “go to the Father” and that He ascended to the right hand of the Father. And that He would send another comforter.
Back to Christian growth as concerning baptisms. We being created in the image of God, which is body, soul and spirit like He is Father, Son and Holy Ghost. At the fall of mankind the spirit part of man died. Giving future humanity a dead spirit nature. At our conversion, our being born again, we received a live spirit able to worship and commune again with God. In the Christian Growth Process we deal with the past, present and future. We have been saved, we are being saved and we will be saved. That is why the bible says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). When reading scripture we can see by reading the text within context if it is speaking of our past, present or future condition. I need to say here that the fallowing is my opinion and not to be taken as doctrine. I am an uneducated factory worker just trying to help you make some sense of this subject. I am not the final authority on the subject.
With that said, let’s move on.
John’s baptism was a baptism for repentance. It dealt with our past condition. An outward act reflecting an inward work. It shows that we are buried with Christ and risen with Him in life. That we are no longer subject to eternal death. I remember when I was a child baptized after walking the aisle and saying “the prayer”, it had no effect on my life. When I was converted as a teenager, I knew it was not right and that I needed to be baptized again. Nobody told me I needed to, I just knew. It was after this that I started to change. I started to understand the Bible. Christian principles were open to me. Concern for the lost became genuine.
In Acts 19:3-4 we see another baptism. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost. This baptism is a baptism for the present condition of a believer. Just as John’s baptism was for the saving from the past, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the saving of the present. Here I would like to say that the baptisms of and in themselves do nothing but (as said before) give outward show evidence of an inward work. John’s baptism was connected to the “saving of the Spirit”, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is connected to the “saving of the soul”. Soul being the mind and emotions. It is a daily process with the Baptism as a starting point. Simply said, baptisms are just marks of a “new beginning” in a Christian’s growth in life with God. There is much debate as to the evidence of this baptism and when does a person receive it. Many believe that it comes when we are born again and some say it is a “second blessing” that comes separate. Whether separate or together, whether with out without evidence. No matter which way you swing, just get it. I know some who claim it and some who don’t that love the Lord and the same for ones that live worldly. One thing for sure, if you can argue about it, hold back fellowship or hate your brother over it, you do not have it.
John had had spoken of Jesus coming to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and Fire. What is this Fire Baptism? (Mat. 3:11 and Luke 3:16) Many have tried to answer this and here is my try. Fire in the Bible has mostly been a symbol of purging. In Luke 3:16 were John says that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire, the next verse speaks of wheat being purged from the chaff. The useless part of the wheat. In a Christian’s life there will come times of testing. Times of “New Beginnings” that serve to purge us of useless things in our lives that hinder our spiritual growth. These are baptisms of fire. I may add that if a person has not had the Baptism of Repentance and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, things might not turn out that good. I once had a job that I had been employed at for fourteen and a half years. At the time I was consumed with preaching in group homes, jails and prisons. Ministry in the streets and concert outreaches. And quit full of myself. Then I found myself jobless. Having to start all over again. At this time I started doing “Internet Evangelism”. I found out quite quick that I did not know as much as I thought. Looking back at my job loss, I saw mistakes that I had made which lead up to my loss. I was completely humbled. This was a baptism of fire. I look back now, at this time ten years ago, and see my spiritual growth much higher and my usefulness to the kingdom increased. I’ve learned to “humble myself” instead of letting the Lord do it for me.
This is the Baptism of Fire which will save us. (again, outward marks of an inward work) It is the daily dying of our flesh. Our ego. Anything that hinders our relationship to the Lord with the final climax as our bodily death. As Jesus pointed to His death as a baptism, so we will all enter into a baptism that will save our body. A baptism for the future. A new beginning with the Father.
In Acts 2:41 the baptism Peter spoke of is one or all of the baptisms. Some say that we are to baptize in Jesus’ name only because nowhere in the book of Acts does it show anyone doing it. Jesus gives us the commission to “Go and teach all nations and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”, in Mat. 28:19. Could Jesus be telling us to go and baptize for the saving of all the person? Body, Soul and Spirit? The Baptism of John or Repentance for the saving of the Spirit and for being added to the Church. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost for the saving of the Soul, in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit teaching us of Jesus and renewing our mind. He Baptism of Fire for the salvation of our body. The Holy Spirit leading us through the fire baptisms of life. All the way to our bodily death and final union with God.
Again, this is just an idea and an attempt to put baptisms in perspective. I’m not pushing my formula or anything else. The point is, baptism is a new beginning. The new believers in Acts 2:41 had to start all over again before they could be added to the Church. Then they could understand the Apostle’s teaching with revelation. Fellowship in true Christ-Like love, take part in the Body of Christ and pray effectively. They became New Testament Christians.

Further Reading on baptisms:
Mat. 3:6; 21:25
Mark 1:4; 16:16
Luke 3:12, 21; 7:29
John 1:26; 3:5, 23
Acts 2:38; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:48; 13:2416:15, 33; 18:8; 22:16
Romans 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Peter 3:21

Friday, November 14, 2008

Fwd: FW: ABC bans flag lapel pins





--- On Sat, 11/8/08, Bill Taylor wrote:



From: Bill Taylor


Subject: ABC bans flag lapel pins
To:
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2008, 9:10 PM

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 3:14 PM


Important that you read this ....unbelievable....is this the change our country is looking for and what about our boys protecting our country for you and me, upon their return to this.


I have checked this out on Truth or fiction.com and on Snopes.com. This is true and even though I will have little effect on ABC News revenue I do plan on being careful to not view any program that is on ABC and boycott, if at all possible, the sponsors of ABC. Barbara Walters said that this was going to hurt ABC bad.


As you know she works for ABC.


This should make your blood boil...it DOES mine!


ABC NEWS BANS FLAG LAPEL PINS! YESTERDAY THE BRASS AT ABC NEWS ISSUED ORDERS FORBIDDING REPORTERS TO WEAR LAPEL PIN AMERICAN FLAGS OR OTHER PATRIOTIC INSIGNIA. THEIR REASONING WAS THAT ABC SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT 'CAUSES'. SINCE WHEN IS SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING DEATH AND DESTRUCTION SOME SORT OF A 'CAUSE'? SINCE WHEN IS PATRIOTISM TO BE DISCOURAGED? I URGE YOU TO BOYCOTT ABC AND ITS SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES. WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING EVERYTHING OUR COUNTRY STANDS FOR AND EVERYTHING OUR MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT AND DIED TO PRESERVE! PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY AS YOU CAN. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED THROUGH: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/noflags.asp


THIS ONE NEEDS TO GET OUT IF IT HASN'T ALREADY!

Monday, November 03, 2008

Just A Quick Word Before The Election Tomorrow.

We really need to pray for our nation. And put things in His hands. history has tought us that no one man can change this country (or ruin it. No matter who wins, we the praying people will bring change. If we do not pray, we will bring change also. But who wants that kind.

Pray about your vote before doing it.
Pray for True Spiritual revival in our nation.
Pray for our new leaders that they will allow the Lord to guide them.
Pray that His enimies will be shown and that He would deal justly with them.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Being The New Testament Church Part 1: Intro & Belief

Our pastor has been teaching lately on , "Being A New Testament Church". Many groups have used this title in their Church name and I will not sit in judgement as to whether they are or are not a NTC. One thing we have seen is that you can not have a NTC with out New Testament people. We have been studying in Acts 2:41-47
After Peter had preached and many decided to follow Jesus, they followed a certain pattern for growth.
1. They believed
2. They Baptized
3. They devoted time to learning the Apostles teachings
4. They had close fellowship together
5. They ate together daily and had communion
6. They prayed together.

I will discuss these as I can in different post.
First they believed after hearing Peter's preaching.
They had heard that Jesus rose from the dead. No one questioned the fact of the matter. Some chose not to believe, but many chose to do so. Belief starts from Heaven, comes down to man and then goes out. To really believe, one must have a revelation from the Lord. Just like when Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter answered correctly and Jesus told him that man did not teach him this but it came from God the Father. We will only get truth from the Bible or Preaching when the Lord reveals it to us. Then, like the early believers, we will not deny our faith for nothing. Not even to save our lives.

I will do baptisms next, after I have studied and prayed about it.

Note: The Main points in this post were made by my pastor, Robert Grice of Grace Harvest Church in Dothan, Al. USA

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

The Preacher and the Atheistic Barber


A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the barber to the preacher: "This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was so kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things."
The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Said the minister: "You must not be a very good barber because you wouldn't permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and shave." Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop; I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!"
Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then don't blame God for allowing the people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved."


Friday, June 13, 2008

Used Book Review: Chapter and Verse by Mike Bryan

I found this book (Chapter and Verse: A Skeptic Revists Christianity by Mike Bryan C.1991 Random House) in a used book store and thought it would be another book about an atheist that found Christ through studing the works of the New Testament. Like Josh McDowell, C.S. Lewis and others. But as I read it I found the narrative exciting. The Author was a skeptic and he let out at the being that he did not convert, but wrote a honest work on what a "Real" Christ is and what they believe. He also added the skeptic views along side of the Christian and it was enlightening. Sort of a peek into the atheist mind. All the atheist retorts and insults were not used. It was very refreshing and informational. For those Christians and their Pastors that just want people to "just read the Bible" this would be a good book. It would make a good text book for a apologetics class.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Being Salt in the Workplace

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Matthew 5:13 Geneva Bible 1599

I have read and heard this verse for years and saw it as a verse to compel us to share our faith. On further looking it also speaks to me of striving to make our surroundings better because of Christ in us. Like our workplace. Many of us go to work, get by with doing an O'Right job, and go home:
Think about what our calling in life is.
Wonder when will God use us?
Collapse on the couch and fall asleep to TV reruns.
When in fact we are "salt", not "we are to be salt" If we are born again and therefor a new creation in Christ, we are salt by New Creation Nature. We can not stop from being salt no more than salt can lose its flavor. Because if indeed it could lose its flavor it would be "not salt" and good for nothing but to be cast out in the street.
I had an atheist who was trying to show Jesus as a liar and not perfect use the fact that salt does not lose it's flavor ability. When in fact he did not understand how the eastern train of thought worked and how they said things in a way that gave a mental picture of facts by saying the opposite. Salt does not lose it's salty-ness like no one who lights a candle and covers it, if they wish to see. And a city on a hill cannot help but being seen. A Christian will change his environment just because that's the way Christ made him or her after the New Birth.
So, back to work. In many settings when persons have been at their job for a long time they become bored and uncaring. The company suffers and quality goes down hill. A Christian should have a trunk load of new ideas and improvement options.
In Japanese work culture there is a phase used called "Kaizen" (Ky'zen). 1 Meaning "gradual, unending improvement, doing little things better; setting and achieving ever higher standards". And this goes deeper than just the workplace in Japan. It flows over into daily life. The push to do better in every area of our lives. This is being salt. Making improvements to our work and daily life. A good pinch of salt does wonders for some dishes. It can totally change the meal for the good.
At this point I could produce a formula for achieving this seasoning but as stated it should become natural. We only have to look around and think, "What if I had the power to change the things at work or put policies in place to make it better", and then do something about it. Don't get bogged down with those who have lost there way and live only for the weekends of short relief from work pressures.
Find out the procedure in making suggestions and do it. Stuff the box or email them in.
And work in a way that sets up the person after you in the production line that will make their job easier and more productive. As long as it doesn't slow down your production.
And one word of advice (well, one more), when you don't get the results or recognition that you wanted, remember who you really work for and expect the currency of the Kingdom of God. Which are Righteousness, Peace and Joy. Romans 14:17 And if you do get a at-a-boy, pass the glory to the Lord, therefore is your witness.

If you are not a Christian and wish for something better in life. Give it a try and Receive power from Christ to make a difference in your life and others.
Mark 9:50
Luke 14:34-35
1- Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success by Masaaki Imai

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Currently Offline at Home

Sorry guys, I'm currently offline at home but will try to post when I can make it to the library or Troy State Dothan's libaray where my daughter goes to school.
I've been reading up on English history and have been finding it very interesting.
Many people blame the Bible and Christians for the "dark ages" but while making myself informed I have found that the Huns and the fall of Rome caused the DA and the "church" was the only light in the arts and literature that there was. I'm reading about Alfred the Great right now and he is fascinating as a leader. You know, "driving off the Danes", thing.
I will expound on this later, but wanted to give you all something to read while you were here.

Second piece of news. DishNetwork stole over $400 from my bank account. Without letting me know. We had trouble getting them to down size our package so we canceled the service. A month without service they took out one month's payment for services we did not have and $400 for the box they did not tell us to return and did not ask for. Needless to say there goes our house payment and gas for a week to get back and forth to work on. More on this later.

Just celebrated my wife's and my 25 wedding anniversary. Also more on this later.

And I hope to see,"Exspelled" soon with Ben Steins. Guess what? More on that later, too.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

How toUnderstand a Christians

To understand Christians and why do they act the way they do and how did they get that way. First you must understand that just because people call themselves a Christian does not make them one. Gandhi called himself a Christian, Muslim and Hindu. As great a man as he was he was neither of the three. No amount of claiming could make it true. Each belief system is opposite the other.

To understand what makes a Christian we must go back to the very beginning. In the book of Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let Us make man (kind) in Our image, according to Our likeness." God is a three in one being, so we are created a trinity (body, soul, and spirit), Deuteronomy 6:5. In the garden God commanded Adam not to eat of the "Tree of Knowledge" or he would die that day. {Genesis chapter 2} Adam did eat of the fruit. Did he die? No! Did God lie? No! The spirit-part of man died therefore killing the part of man that God fellowships with. Man's soul (the mind) becomes cursed and corrupt therefore corrupting the body causing physical death and an eternity separated from the God that loves him.
To this day all mankind is born with a dead spirit that is unable to have "real" fellowship with God. But God knew this and had a plan. He came down as His Son Jesus, who was all God and all man, to become a sacrifice for all mankind. One man (Adam) brought death. One man would bring life. Through this sacrifice a person's spirit could be "Born Again" (John 3) and be made right before God.
This event of being born again is the process by which God draws a person to
Himself. The Holy Spirit convicts the person of his need for God and Christ' sacrifice on the cross-purchasing redemption for the convert. All three of the "ONE" is involved. All the person has to do is to repent (change his way of thinking about his condition) and have an open heart for God to work and ask the Lord to complete the process.
Now that you see how the person became a Christian, why does he act the way he does? The person now being perfected in spirit now spends his life on the salvation of the soul and body. The soul, which is mankind's mind and emotions, is in constant need of "renewing". It is in never-ending conflict between the spirit's desiring to please God and worldly influences that separate him from spiritual growth in his relationship with God.
The Lord knew this and therefore made a way for mankind to overcome this conflict. He created a way for the Holy Spirit to "fill" the believer, giving them the power to renew the mind and to overcome desires. (Read Acts Chapter 2 for more details) Now if a Christian is not tending to the renewing of his mind, he starts occupying his time with other pursuits. Sports, TV and other-things that are not bad in them-selves but when overdone can hinder the spiritual growth of a Christian. When a Christian reads the TV Guide (Backslider's Bible) more than his Bible or memorizes sport stats more than Bible verses, he has a problem. When a Christian lives by the desires of the natural soul, they are known as being "soulish".
Then we have the saving of the body. That's why most Christians do not drink or smoke. They are taught to see their bodies as the Temple of the Holy Spirit and should protect it as such. The body is also in conflict with the spirit. Most of the body's desires are formed in the mind. That's why it is important to renew it as much as possible. A Christian living to fill his bodily desires is known as being "fleshly" or "carnal". This is confusing to most non-believers, but the hope that we have is that when death comes, we have nothing to fear. We will have everlasting Joy in Body, Soul and Spirit. No other religion promises this.
You may wonder where all this so-called JOY is and why you do not see much of it in that Christian you work with. The answer is simple. While you, the non-believer, goes through life without a care for your soul or eternal destination, the Christian has an uncontrollable desire to share with you how you may have this relationship with the Lord. He has a desire to see you restored to Christ and at the same time has a fear of being rejected by you or even worst, offend you.
The only way to control these desires is to either share with you and risk being rejected and offending you or talk to you only about sports and TV shows, anything to keep his mind off your eternal desti­nation.
When you make comments about "all the hypocrites at church", you do not realize the battle that goes on in that Christian for your happiness. Most Christians care very deeply about you, their co-worker, and grieve when you grieve. They know what you're looking for in life. He has it and may not know how to share it with you. When they became "Born Again" they made an enemy of a dangerous foe that watches over you and would do anything to keep you theirs. I speak of evil spirits doomed to hell that are trying to keep you from God so you can join them. They live to plague the Christian and keep him beat down so that he really believes that it would be better to let you slip into Hell than to risk offending you or face rejection. Most do not know they have the power from the Holy Spirit to overcome the Evil One and share with you; the greatest of gifts.
I hope this explains why Christians act totally out of this world. It's because they are. Next time a Christian sticks a tract in your face, flashes you with the latest Christian T-shirt or quotes a Bible verse to you. Look at him the way God sees them. A lost child of His that was found. That is trying to show you the best way he can that you are loved and there is joy in serving the Lord. They are like the butterfly, a totally new creature from what they were. In their awkward way they are trying to show you God's love and lead you to Him.
To better understand that Christian you work with, spend some time with them and ask them why he or she is a Christian. Only then will you truly understand where they come from.
If you would like to experience this new life that I have found, just find a spot that you can get alone with Jesus (restroom, bedroom or closet) and confess to Him that you are sinful and ask His forgiveness. Believing that He died to pay for your sins and that He heard you and that He has forgiven you. Then, turn from your sins and follow Him. You follow Him by staying in constant prayer with Him and learning His will through the reading of the Bible. Also, join a local church that He leads you to and become active in that community of believers. A sheep separated from the flock (the Church) is the best target for the enemy (Satan).

Here is an outline with Bible verses that my help:
1. Repenting from your sins. Mark 1: 15: for without turning from your sins there is no Salvation.
2. Receiving forgiveness of sins by faith Ephesians 1: 7
Like any free gift, you must receive it for it to be yours.
3. Confessing with mouth and believing with your heart that the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9:
for it is your heart you must believe with and not just your mind. And with your mouth you confess your salvation.
You may use the prayer in Psalms 51 to pray to God with. King David prayed it to ask forgiveness of adultery and murder and God heard him and forgave him.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Have You Killed An Atheist Today?

Have You Killed An Atheist Today?

“Posted For Christians Only, Not Intended For Others”
A while back I stumbled on an atheist blog on mySpace. He put out a challenge for Christians to go seven days letting everyone they knew think they had turned to atheism. This was to prove that atheists were being persecuted more than any other people like theists. On starting the challenge he took great pains to paint a picture of the suffering atheist that was being persecuted for his belief or lack of. When I read this I could not believe that he actually thought that more atheists have been killed than Christians through the years. So I smugly commented back for him to give me at least one account of an atheist being killed by a Christian.
Well his reply dropped my jaw. He gave me two, one on the comment page and one by email.
“Ashley John Appoo, 40, pleaded guilty in a court in Brisbane, Australia, to the manslaughter death of John Leslie McDonald, and to cause grievous bodily harm to McDonald’s wife, Alois, during an ax attack in November 2001. Appoo, a hitchhiker whom McDonald picked up and befriended, went berserk when Ms. McDonald mentioned they were atheists. Described as a “proud Christian whose bible was one of his most precious possessions,” Appoo grabbed an ax and began attacking the couple. Source: Daily Telegraph, Dec. 23, 2004″
And “On October 18, 2004, Arthur Shelton, a self-described Christian and Eagle Scout, murdered his friend and roommate, Larry Hooper, because Hooper didn’t believe in God.”

This really chapped me. At first glance my response was typical,” These were not real “Christians”. But on giving it more thought. This argument is all used up. The person reporting on the Larry Hooper story, who was an atheist, and reported on how the “Christians” treated him during the trial, calling them devils and shoving their crosses in their faces like they were vampires and just plain hateful.
And although these are atheist sources, I say it is a shame that I have no problem believing they are true.
So I want to address this post to Christians. Have you all ever read the Ten Commandments, “Thou (that means you) shalt (you will not) Kill (stop the life of an innocent being). What part don’t you understand? God has told no one to kill anyone in His name. You say you read and follow the Bible, well let’s take a look at that:
Matthew 5:43, you have heard that it was said, “love your neighbor and hate your enemies”. But I (Jesus) say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.
1 John 2:9, anyone who says,” I am in the light,” but hates a brother or sister (even under Adam), is still in darkness.
1 John 4:20, if people say, “I love God”, but hate their brothers or sisters they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. Get the picture? We are to love others, not kill them.
To kill a person whom God created is a serious sin against God. You will never have a good reason to do this. Although atheists have gathered us in mass and killed us like animals, so what?
They constantly insult us by telling us we are stupid and do not use our brains, so what?
You can’t even get on a Christian forum for encouragement without one butting in and insulting you, so what? You can’t watch a sit-com with your family without seeing a Christian depicted as a lunatic murderer, so what?
These would make a natural person want to attack back, but we are not to be natural.
We are not our own, we are bought with a price.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it loves its own. But I have chosen you out of the world, so you don’t belong to it. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his Master, If people did wrong to Me, they will do all this to you on account of Me, because they do not know the one who sent Me.” John 15:18-21
People, it would be better for us to die than an unbeliever.
The Bible says, “Say to them, as I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11 King James
and “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
Years ago I used to travel a little for a small company and I decided I would take a gun just in case I needed it. The Lord impressed on me the question,” Would I really kill someone and send them to hell instead of yielding and risk him sending me to Heaven?” I held on to the gun for a while joking with the idea that I would never kill, but it was surprising what someone could live through. I later got rid of the gun. My point is we are not to kill, if anyone was to be killed we should have the attitude that it would be better if it was us. This would give the Lord full time to reveal Himself to the unbeliever.
Now let us return to the murdered atheists. Who the hell are we to kill someone just because they do not believe? This makes me mad and we have seen above how God feels. He has no pleasure. God does not smile. You have given Him no pleasure. These impostors will have to stand before the Lord and give account of them. And the worst of it all is that some of you are more offended over me saying “hell” than over these two men killed. Repent. Change your way of thinking. Turn to Jesus and love your neighbor as yourself. For believe me, if you hate your neighbor you are not saved no matter how many times you walk that aisle and shed a few tears.
An Atheist is not our enemy. Not gays. Not any unbelievers!
Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.” Ephesians 6:12
Have we forgotten these things? Or did we ever know? If you’re one of those who pickets graves of dead soldiers, bash gays or anything else you believe is God’s will, you’d better read all the Bible. Without the love of Christ operating in you are no different than the ones you hate. You just know how to speak religious and you hinder the Holy Spirit moving on the unbelievers.
It is real simple: Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Even atheists, gays and unbelievers can do this. And then all the hate crimes will cease. And I leave you with this: “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ’you must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders anyone will be judged.’ But I (Jesus) tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged.” Matthew 5:21-22
Note: This post is intended for Christians, please all else hold your negative comments. Verses are from the New Century Version
Originally Posted: Friday, March 07, 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Remember Natalee

Newest News from Aruba as of today (see time stamp)


Court blocks re-arrest in Aruba mystery

By BEN FOX, Associated Press Writer Fri Feb 15, 10:43 AM ET

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I saw the news article Tuesday (12/18/07) on Aruba putting Natalee Holloway's (an Alabama Teenager) case on "Cold File" status.
Without ranting on injustice and other issues about this case. I look at my 19 year old daughter and wonder why anyone would send their child off to an island were any person of any age can enter a bar and get drunk? I blame not the parents but the whole worldly view that kids graduating from school should be rewarded by letting them go off and sow their wild oats. This is a lie from Hell and soon more children (and that is what they are. Not young adults.) will end up being the ones planted.

But I do not want to go into all the issues involving this case. I just want us to remember her through the years and not forget that our responsibility to our children do not stop when they get their diplomas. And they board that ship for a Sr. trip to mark their passage to adulthood. Let's use our common sense, OK?

Also, Let’s do something constructive , boycott Aruba. Don’t go, let your school system know not to allow senior trips there, and contact Game Shows, or the networks they appear on, when you see trips to Aruba offered.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Black History Month - Part 1

This being black history month. I hope to do some post on some of my black heroes. Being a white southerner this may be strange to some, but it should not be. There were (is) some really smart and real black people in history that really made a difference.

Watch for these post in the next couple of weeks as I gather my information.

My interest in this subject started years ago. In the Wiregrass area we have the "Peanut Festival" once a year. Back in the early '90's I noticed that there wasn't much acknowledgment to Dr. George Washington Carver. The brilliant scientist that discovered the many uses of the peanut. Making it the cash crop for our area after the attack of the boweavel on cotton crops. Almost ruining the south's economy.
Being a street minister at the time and needing a good tract to pass out, I wrote a tract on Dr. Carver and his belief in God as it's message. People took the tract and some teachers asked for more to give their students. By the next year there were floats honoring this black gentleman.
And now we have a small museum for him here is Dothan. Men like this are worthy of acknowledgment.

I hope to share more on Him and others of the black race that I have come to admire.

Sunday, January 27, 2008