Changing My Life, One Choice At A Time

"Entertainment is Satan's substitution for joy."

2012-01-29T13:56:00.001-06:00

Congressmen told not to say 'Merry Christmas' to citizens

2011-12-20T20:11:00.000-06:00

Congressmen told not to say 'Merry Christmas' to citizens

Anthony & Kristy's Blog

2011-12-13T22:50:00.000-06:00

So, we've created a blog.

I still plan on doing my normal blogs here (with the goal of increased frequency) but this other blog will be exclusively about our life together.

As Two Lives Become One

Big Changes Ahead

2011-11-30T22:17:00.001-06:00

I have big changes ahead in my life.

I'm ENGAGED!!!

We are putting a website together via TheKnot.com. I'll post it here once we are ready to release it to everyone.

I think I'll start a new blog site for our wedding & future life together which I'll tell you all about & link to here once I make it official. Not sure what I'm going to call it though. Any ideas?

Anyway, below are a few pics for now. :D

Communion

2011-10-02T12:23:00.000-05:00

Here is a video describing the Lutheran point of view on communion, or what we Baptists refer to as "the Lord's Supper."

Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalian/Anglican/Church of England, Presbyterian/Church of Scotland, from what I've studied, all kind of have a similar view of what happens to the bread and wine during consumption. There are two terms that, in my quick research, seem very difficult to differentiate. The two terms are "transubstantiation" and "consubstantiation." From what I can tell, "transubstantiation" means that once the priest blesses the bread and wine, they literally become the body and blood of Christ. "Consubstantiation" means that the spirit of Christ is in the sacraments and not his actual flesh and blood. If you have a better explanation of these two terms, feel free to let me know in the comments.

I am a Baptist and I can testify as to how we view this remembrance practice.

Many other Protestant denominations view communion the same as Baptist but may practice it a little differently. Some have communion every week while others may have it once every 3 months; some use grape juice and others use wine. There are valid arguments for every difference, however, that is not what I am here to discuss today.

Baptists, and many other denominations, hold that the bread and wine/grape juice is symbolic representations to remind us to remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

This is how I view it: Jesus used parables and symbols to teach about justice, himself, and God the Father. The way I read it, Jesus took the parts of the Passover that they understood and used them to explain what he was about to do. Unleavened bread to represent his sinlessness and the wine to represent his blood that he would spill for us all.

The Passover was celebrated each year to remind the Israelites of how God rescued them from the slavery of the Egyptians. The unleavened bread was to remind them of how quickly their ancestors had to flee. They did not even have time to allow the bread to rise. I must admit that I do not have a clear understanding as to if that particular representation applied to Christ. I can only speculate that it may refer to the fact we do not have much time. Our time is fleeting and unknown so we must make a decision to follow Christ quickly. However, one should never take others or their own speculation as to compete with what the Bible is actually saying.

Another possible, and more probable, reference is to the lack of yeast in the unleavened bread representing the sinlessness of Christ. There are multiple instances where Jesus used yeast to describe sin in a visual way. Paul even used it to describe how a little sin ignored or tolerated can affect an entire congregation in I Corinthians 5. I believe this may be what Christ was referring to when he offered the unleavened bread. He then broke it to symbolize how his body would be broken for them/us.

The wine offered at passover was to represent the blood that spared the Israelites from the Angel of Death if they choose to paint it on the door posts. The wine now is to represent his blood that, if we choose, will spare us from eternal death.

In this particular video, there are a couple of other things that I would disagree on, besides what I listed above. One would be, he says that Jesus said four times that "this is my body." This isn't exactly accurate. Jesus only said it once but four people reported it.

The other issue I have is how he continuously says that they believe what Jesus said. However, he then turns around and quotes Jesus when he said he was "the door." This pastor says, "he is the door, he is the only way." Which is true, he is the only way, but I doubt very seriously that this man actually believes Jesus physically becomes a door.

The most irritating part of this video, for me, is how the pastor seems to talk down to Baptists or anyone else who might disagree with him. If he were to talk to me in this way, when trying to argue his point or convert me, it would irritate me more than want me to actually consider what he said. There is nothing wrong with arguing your beliefs and using a sure/assertive tone, but one must be careful not to sound condescending or give the impression that you think the other side is unintelligent or doesn't have an argument worth listening to as well.

This isn't one of those topics that should divide fellowship but can spur (hopefully healthy) debate.

I really want to do a similar post, more in-depth, discussing how Jews still conduct Passover and how it relates to Christ. There are some seriously interesting connections. There are some practices they perform during Passover that they do not know why they do them but if you explain them to a Christian, they immediately know what they are referring to.

180

2011-09-26T18:48:00.001-05:00

This is a great video. It does have some disturbing, Holocaust images but, even though they are difficult to look at, I think it is important for us to see them just to remind us what happens when people remain silent in the face of evil and don't speak up for the innocent and don't speak out for what is right and true.

My Goals

2011-09-25T14:04:00.001-05:00

Well, I've trailed off a bit. I was doing so good with blogging a couple of years ago. I was doing so good with several areas of my life. Not anymore. I have let myself down in so many areas: 1.) weight loss & fitness; 2.) Bible reading, & 3.) blogging. I feel icky everywhere; spiritually, physically, mentally, &, due to the stressfulness of my job, emotionally.

I've been so-so on the physical front lately. I've been counting calories...kind of...I do great until after work then I am usually too tired to care anymore. I do work out to Dance Central every now & then but not enough to really be very beneficial. I've really got to step it up. I hate that I keep saying that & then I never do. :P I'll be making a post soon about the gym I currently belong to, Lady of America, & what a huge scam they are & of my disappointment with them. If they are not going to let me out of the contract & continue taking my money, I might as well use the gym, so I've started going back to there. I went last week & my anger fueled my workout so I guess it was actually more beneficial. I also used the weight machines...I had forgotten how good it felt to leave with all my muscles tight. I felt stronger the next day & felt the slight pain of having had a good work out & it felt good. I'm going back next week.

Spiritually, I've really fallen off the horse. I haven't been reading my Bible every day like I was. I have a Bible plan but I'll stick to it for a couple of day & then not for a few days. The worst part is that I don't even realize I haven't done my reading for several day/weeks. Ugh! Guilt!

Also, we still haven't really found a church that we feel is doctrinally sound & that we feel comfortable at. The main problem we have is A lives about 45 mins away, so we try to take turns driving back & forth. If when we ever get married, we'll live in my house (unless something changes) so it would be better to find a church in my area. Buuuut, there are nice churches in his area as well. The other issue is, where ever I/we end up, I would like to be involved during the week in Bible studies, ministries, etc... Driving 45 min in DFW traffic with gas prices the way they are just isn't ideal or wise if there are closer churches that would fit the bill. We know we will never find the "perfect" church but it seems like most of the churches are either hard-core Calvinist (neither of us are very Calvinist, we lean that way but not enough that any Calvinist would say we were....definitely not Arminian, though), charismatic (I really don't feel comfortable in a charismatic church), like being at a rock concert (bordering on Emergent/New Apostolic/Seeker Sensitive), or basically dead/dishing out nothing but milk. I don't think we are being too picky...I just believe there is A LOT of apostasy going on right now (& according to scripture will just get worse from this point on). I really would rather wait & find the right place than to get involved in one & either have to leave after friendships have been formed or be compromised due to false teachings.

There is one church we have been to twice now that I really like & I think A does as well. However, both times we have been have been special Sundays when the preacher didn't preach. The first Sunday they had some missionaries speak & it was amazing. Today we went again & they had a guy from Team Impact preach. I was expecting it to be really disappointing but in his first few sentences he had me "Amen"ing him inside. He was an excellent preacher & I was very impressed. We want to hear the preacher actually preach a few time & maybe meet with him before we make any decision but it seams like a pretty decent church so far.

Mentally, well, blogging would certainly help with that...probably the emotional side of things too (I know, I know, working out regularly helps with that as well). I have big plans for this blog but I always have these great plans & then never do anything with them. I like to blog about general, life stuff but I also need a project & I have several ideas.

Here is my biggest: I want to create some very well researched apologetics/polemics postings. Ok, what does that mean? right?

Apologetics is giving a defense of what you believe. Most people have a bit of a hang up with the word (myself included) at first. "Apologetics" does not mean you are apologizing for what you believe. It comes from the greek word, "apologia," which means "speaking in defense." So, you can see how we get apologize from the same root word because when you "apologize" for something you are, at least in today's screwed up word, you are defending yourself (aka, blaming someone else...often former President Bush). It is typically used in conjunction or under the assumption of Christianity. So, in such, usually when people refer to "apologetics" they are referring to defending or "giving a reason for the hope" (1 Peter 3:15) of Christianity.

Polemics is presenting an argument/debate against another view, doctrine, or person. This word is typically used to present the differences between Christianity & other religions/belief systems/cults.

A long time ago, in a series of posts far, far away, I talked about the differences in different world political systems & in American political parties. I had fun doing those posts but I really didn't do much research...more just referencing Wikipedia. I want this series to be different; I want them to be VERY well researched. My main reason for this is I know a lot of people that may take a bit of offense to some of what I present & I want to do it in a loving way & actually REALY know what I am talking about. Another reason is, in my fantasy world, I would like these to be done well enough that I could eventually have them published & then maybe someday write some study material that could be used in small groups & (in a really fantastical part of my dream) eventually go around speaking at conferences regarding it. I know...me & my imagination but, hey, if it does happen like that, fine, but even if it doesn't I'll have learned a lot on the way to nowhere. ;) Who knows, it could come in handy someday.

Anyway, that's my "big" project; probably not one that will come to fruition for a long time...possibly several years.

Smaller projects I have in mind are: a series on the history of the Church (I have a book sample on my Kindle that I'm thinking about purchasing called "The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History"); a series on Christians that have impacted the Church (I have 2 more book samples on my Kindle called "131 Christians Everyone Should Know" & "50 People Every Christian Should Know"); and a series on popular heretical teachings.

I really want to get started on these now but I have HUGE test on Tuesday that I have to have taken & passed by Oct. 15 for work. I'm really mainly procrastinating on that right now & don't have time for another subject to procrastinate on right now. So after Oct, I'll either be fired & have plenty of time to work on these projects or I'll have passed & can start procrastination on them then. ;)

Anyway, just an update & what is going on in my mind. :D

Stand to Reason Blog: Full-Birth Abortion

2011-09-14T22:11:00.000-05:00

Stand to Reason Blog: Full-Birth Abortion

Article: WND: "Jesus, Mary, &...Josephine? It's lesbian Nativity at church"

2011-08-07T01:36:00.003-05:00

Jesus, Mary, &...Josephine? It's lesbian Nativity at church

“Don’t call us young-earth creationists . . .” - Answers in Genesis

2011-07-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

“Don’t call us young-earth creationists . . .” - Answers in Genesis

It's been awhile...time for an update

2011-07-02T00:54:00.008-05:00

Well, first, I have met a GREAT guy. We met through Twitter...believe it or not. We're happy, we're in love. I know...sounds disgusting, but I don't care. :D

Second, I have gained all the weight I had lost back. I'm very sad, very disappointed, & irritated. With a bit of reluctancy, I'm trying to get back in it. I've rejoined Weight Watchers but they've changed the program & I'm having to do a bit of research to figure it all out. I'm actually ready to get back into the gym. Now, if I can just motivate myself after work when all I want to do is come home & crash...&, no, doing it in the morning is out of the question.

Thirdly, my sis & bro-in-law just moved to Barrow, AK on Thursday. I already miss them sooooo much.

She texted me tonight saying that they are now officially part of the Polar Bear Club (until they post pictures or a post, here is another person's post on their experience joining Barrow's Polar Bear Club).

Planned Parenthood cheats taxpayers with imaginary mammograms

2011-04-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

Can't please all the people.

2011-01-27T16:02:00.001-06:00

I know "you can't please all the people all the time." However, what really stinks is how when I don't, the unpleased ones go out of their way to make my life miserable.

I don't mean to be such a downer after such a long time of not blogging but, most of you know I have been SUPER stressed for a while now & today hasn't been a whole hunk of a lot better. I ask you all to pray for me & those of you who know of my number one prayer request right now, please continue to pray for me in that area. I'll update you all soon...hopefully.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Live your faith - lose your job? (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-10-10T12:25:00.001-05:00

Live your faith - lose your job? (OneNewsNow.com)

Great Video: Amazing Water Fall Art

2010-10-07T20:20:00.000-05:00

Great Video: Alice Cooper's Christianity

2010-08-30T19:39:00.002-05:00

Great Video: 81 Year Old Couple Reunites After 62 Years

2010-08-18T19:39:00.001-05:00

"Lawsuit Claims College Ordered Student to Alter Religious Views on Homosexuality, Or Be Dismissed"

2010-07-28T18:15:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.foxnews.com

Lawsuit Claims College Ordered Student to Alter Religious Views on Homosexuality, Or Be Dismissed

A graduate student in Georgia is suing her university after she was told she must undergo a remediation program due to her beliefs on homosexuality and transgendered persons.

school officials have informed her that she'll be dismissed from the program unless she alters her "central religious beliefs on human nature and conduct," according to a civil complaint filed last week.

"The university has told Jennifer Keeton that if she doesn't change her beliefs, she can't stay in the program," he told FoxNews.com.

simply because she has communicated both inside and outside the classroom that she holds to Christian ethical convictions on matters of human sexuality and gender identity," the 43-page lawsuit reads.

clipped from blog.speakupmovement.org

"Competing currency being accepted across Mid-Michigan"

2010-07-24T16:51:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.connectmidmichigan.com

Competing currency being accepted across Mid-Michigan

clipped from www.connectmidmichigan.com

New types of money are popping up across Mid-Michigan and supporters say, it's not counterfeit, but rather a competing currency.

They sound like real money and look like real money. But you can't take them to the bank because they're not made at a government mint. They're made at private mints.

"Do people have to accept dollars or money? No, they don't," Gillie said. "They can accept anything they want or they can refuse to accept anything."

He's absolutely right.

The U.S. Treasury Department says the Coinage Act of 1965 says "private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash, unless there is a state law which says otherwise."

"This establishment accepts any form of silver, gold, chicken, apple pie, if someone works it out with me," said Jeff Kotchounian of Deerfield Chiropractic. "I've taken many things."

While the government and banks don't accept them, many others do.

"Wal-Mart Radio Tags to Track Clothing"

2010-07-24T16:35:00.001-05:00

Not that I bought all that many clothes at Wal-Mart anyway but I sure won't be now. And If I do, you'll see me cutting the tags out at the door.

clipped from online.wsj.com

Wal-Mart Radio Tags to Track Clothing

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to roll out sophisticated electronic ID tags to track individual pairs of jeans and underwear, the first step in a system that advocates say better controls inventory but some critics say raises privacy concerns.

Before now, retailers including Wal-Mart have primarily used RFID tags, which store unique numerical identification codes that can be scanned from a distance, to track pallets of merchandise traveling through their supply chains.

While the tags can be removed from clothing and packages, they can't be turned off, and they are trackable. Some privacy advocates hypothesize that unscrupulous marketers or criminals will be able to drive by consumers' homes and scan their garbage to discover what they have recently bought.

"There are two things you really don't want to tag, clothing and identity documents, and ironically that's where we are seeing adoption," said Katherine Albrecht

"Suffer These Crimes in Oakland? Don't Call the Cops"

2010-07-24T16:19:00.001-05:00

My personal favorite is poisoning. So, if someone is being poisoned, the cops won't respond? Wow. Who sees a huge rise in murder by poisoning in the Oakland area in the next few weeks?

clipped from www.nbcbayarea.com

Suffer These Crimes in Oakland? Don't Call the Cops

Here's a partial list:

burglary

embezzlement

grand theft

identity theft

grand theft:dog

theft

false information to peace officer

required to register as sex or arson offender

dump waste or offensive matter

discard appliance with lock

loud music

possess forged notes

pass fictitious check

obtain money by false voucher

stolen license plate

fraudulent use of access cards

embezzlement by an employee (over $ 400)

extortion

false personification of other

attempted extortion

injure telephone/ power line

interfere with power line

unauthorized cable tv connection

vandalism

administer/expose poison to another's

"Justice Loses It's Stars & Stripes"

2010-07-18T15:33:00.002-05:00

clipped from spectator.org

Justice Loses Its Stars and Stripes

What's black and white and "red" all over? The Department of
Justice's newly designed website. Gone are the
standard red, white, and blue motifs, replaced by an
all-black backdrop. And prominently placed on virtually every
page of the site is a quote credited to a man who facilitated a
greater role for socialists and communists at the U.N., and the
global "workers rights movement."

We were
told that the media team and the senior leadership that signed
off on the design thought that the patriotic shtick from the
Ashcroft days was a bit much for an agency that isn't supposed to
be political," says a DOJ lawyer

But most jarring is the quote that is appears on
virtually every page of the website. "The common law is the will
of mankind issuing from the life of the people," which, some DOJ
staff say, is tied to a man who ushered in the socialist and
communist theories that now permeate the United Nations.

Bearing arms dwindled to bare freedoms (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-07-11T01:14:00.001-05:00

Bearing arms dwindled to bare freedoms (OneNewsNow.com)

"Publisher puts warning label on the Constitution"

2010-07-10T15:54:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.cc.org

Publisher puts warning label on the Constitution

As hard as it may be to believe (or perhaps not), a US publisher has put a warning label on a recently released book comprised of a copy of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and other works written by America's Founding Fathers.

(Via Fox News)

Wilder Publications warns readers of its reprints of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, Common Sense, the Articles of Confederation, and the Federalist Papers, among others, that “This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today.”

The disclaimer goes on to tell parents that they "might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before
allowing them to read this classic work."

"Montana School Proposes Controversial Sex Education Program"

2010-07-10T11:04:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.foxnews.com

Montana School Proposes Controversial Sex Education Program

A proposed plan to teach kindergartners sex education has come under fire in Helena, Montana.

The Helena Public School system is considering a comprehensive plan for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It includes teaching first graders that people can be attracted to the same gender. In second grade students are instructed to avoid gay slurs and by the time students turn 10 years old they are taught about various types of intercourse.

According to the draft proposal obtained by FOX News Radio, fifth graders should “understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration.”

"University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs"

2010-07-10T10:55:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.foxnews.com

University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs

URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

"Natural Moral Law says that Morality must be a response to REALITY," he wrote in the e-mail. "In other words, sexual acts are only appropriate for people who are complementary, not the same."

An unidentified student sent an e-mail to religion department head Robert McKim on May 13, calling Howell's e-mail "hate speech."

"Teaching a student about the tenets of a religion is one thing," the student wrote. "Declaring that homosexual acts violate the natural laws of man is another."

says he was fired at the end of the spring semester after sending an e-mail explaining some Catholic beliefs to his students preparing for an exam.

"Pastor Yanked From Capitol Over 'Jesus' Prayer"

2010-07-10T10:49:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.foxnews.com

Pastor Yanked From Capitol Over 'Jesus' Prayer

A North Carolina pastor was relieved of his duties as an honorary chaplain of the state house of representatives after he closed a prayer by invoking the name of Jesus.

“I got fired,” said Ron Baity, pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. He had been invited to lead prayer for an entire week but his tenure was cut short when he refused to remove the name Jesus from his invocation.

Baity’s troubles began during the week of May 31. He said a House clerk asked to see his prayer. The invocation including prayers for our military, state lawmakers and a petition to God asking him to bless North Carolina.”

“When I handed it to the lady, I watched her eyes and they immediately went right to the bottom of the page and the word Jesus,” he told FOX News Radio. “She said ‘We would prefer that you not use the name Jesus. We have some people here that can be offended.’”

"Fed. Govt. Helped Pay Home AC Bills for Fed. Employees, Prisoners, & > 11,000 Dead People"

2010-07-06T19:35:00.002-05:00

Fav. Quotes at the end of article:

FreedomOSpeech: "Through out our nation's history, the Democrat party has by far been the most successful at appealing to dead voters."

dixiesuzan: "Well, one wonders exactly where a dead person is who need air conditioning."

LOL

clipped from www.cnsnews.com

Federal Government Helped Pay Home Air-Conditioning Bills for Federal Employees, Prisoners and More Than 11,000 Dead People

(CNSNews.com) – According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government helped pay the home air conditioning bills for more than 11,000 dead people, 1,100 federal employees, and 725 convicts in fiscal year 2009.

The payments were made by a $5 billion program known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is designed to provide federal assistance, administered by the states, to help people pay the energy bills to heat their homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. The funds are disbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services and are distributed based on a formula that takes into account a state’s weather and the size of its low-income population.

Cat Lassie

2010-07-04T19:16:00.001-05:00

"Planed Parenthood Urges Supporters to Report Places of Worship"

2010-07-04T13:44:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.worldviewweekend.com

Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM) has asked its supporters, through Twitter, to "Report Personhood petition activity! Be our Eyes and Ears, particularly at and near places of worship! http://tinyurl.com/y9fxz5r

The link leads you to page where people are directed to watch for efforts to collect signatures for a Missouri petition drive to redefine personhood.

I am ambivalent about this effort from Planned Parenthood to watch places of worship. On the one hand it is a bit chilling to know that a taxpayer funded organization is using those funds to watch and report what they see in church (presumably by peering over that wall of separation). On the other hand, anything that gets pro-choicers to attend a church service can't be all bad. Maybe this is just a brilliant attempt to win some more souls.

"Court: Christian group can't bar homosexuals, get funding"

2010-07-04T13:41:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Court: Christian group can't bar homosexuals, get funding
Associated Press - 6/28/2010 9:50:00 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) - An ideologically split Supreme Court ruled Monday that a law school can legally deny recognition to a Christian student group that won't let homosexuals join.

The court turned away an appeal from the Christian Legal Society, which sued to get funding and recognition from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law. The CLS requires that voting members sign a statement of faith and regards "unrepentant participation in or advocacy of a sexually immoral lifestyle" as being inconsistent with that faith.

Alito said

the Court arms public educational institutions with a handy weapon for suppressing the speech of unpopular groups

...I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that today's decision is a serious setback for freedom of expression in this country."

"U.S. court grants asylum to 'Son of Hamas'"

2010-07-04T13:34:00.002-05:00

Praise the Lord!!!

clipped from www.haaretz.com

U.S. court grants asylum to 'Son of Hamas'

The son of a Hamas strongman, who had provided Israel's security establishment with valuable inside information for almost a decade, will not be deported from the United States, a California court ruled on Wednesday.

However, on Wednesday Homeland Security officials indicated they were prepared to grant Yousef asylum, thus retracting their original intention, after claiming to have received new information which shed new light on the case.

The pro-Israel think-tank EMET, who had aided Yusef in his attempts to be granted asylum, said in a statement following Wednesday's ruling that they were "enormously grateful to all those who played a part in standing with Mosab during this time, and helping the Department of Homeland Security come to understand what a grave error deporting Mosab would have been."

John Adams - Declaration of Independence

2010-07-04T12:08:00.001-05:00

No matter how much we celebrate today, don't forget that this was not an easy thing for our founding fathers to make. It meant giving up on hopes, dreams, & ideas they all had for the future & replace them with new ones but ones that would take a lot of work. They knew that their decision that day would plunge them into war & would lead to the deaths of many men. They had to be questioning whether they were up to the task & whether they were making the right decision. Thank God such men were willing to make this decision & were willing to do the hard things in life. Pray today that such men would rise up today & be willing run for office & return this country to what these men created it to be.

Kagan: its Fine if The Law Bans Books Because Government Won't Really En...

2010-06-30T21:31:00.001-05:00

Cool Video: "Transformer Owl"

2010-06-22T21:57:00.001-05:00

"Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Rulled Ineligible for Federal Funds"

2010-06-19T13:22:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.citizenlink.org

Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Ruled Ineligible for Federal Funds

The National Institute of Health's (NIH) Advisory Committee recommended withholding federal research funding for embryonic stem cell lines on Wednesday that were thought to be eligible with Obama's policy. Concerned that one particular sentence would open up to lawsuits, the Committee decided to err on the side of caution.

Days after his inauguration, President Obama reversed President Bush's policy of restricting the use of federal funds for research on human embryonic stem.

Prentice notes that embryonic research involves destroying a young human life and more.

"They haven't helped anybody. They haven't really helped that many mice in almost 30 years of research. They tend to form tumors instead."

Meanwhile he lists numerous advances in adult stem cell treatments from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and more.

"Reports say Obamam admitted he's a Muslim"

2010-06-19T13:17:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Reports say Obama admitted he's a Muslim

two major Middle East media outlets -- Nile TV International and Israel Today Magazine -- are reporting that the president has admitted in recent months that he is a Muslim.

Those outlets say that Obama, in a one-on-one meeting earlier this year with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, told Gheit that he was still a Muslim, the son of a Muslim father, and the step-son of a Muslim step-father; that his half brothers in Kenya are Muslims; and that he was sympathetic towards the Muslim agenda.

"[In] this latest report...Foreign Prime Minister Gheit on Nile Television...said that, in confidence, Obama told him that he was a Muslim," says Geller, "and that after he straightened out domestic issues would show the Muslim world how to handle Israel."

"SAfrica protesters march for US AIDS funding"

2010-06-19T11:42:00.001-05:00

Entitlement spreads across the globe. I'm all for helping people but when they start to demand it, I'm for pulling out.

clipped from apnews.myway.com

SAfrica protesters march for US AIDS funding

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Thousands of South African protesters marched on the U.S. consulate Thursday to demand the U.S. increase its AIDS funding for Africa, weeks after U.S. officials said their biggest AIDS fund would not substantially rise.

The protesters, clad in green T-shirts emblazoned with the words "HIV-Positive," marched before the consulate in a wealthy northern suburb of Johannesburg to demand that the U.S. government increase its contribution to the Global Fund on AIDS, TB and Malaria to $2.8 billion by 2013.

Officials from the international program, known as PEPFAR, say this year's budget had increased only marginally, from $6.8 billion in 2010 to nearly $7 billion for 2011.

Mark Heywood, deputy chairman of the South African National Aids Council, lambasted world leaders for cutting back on AIDS funding in the wake of the global economic crisis.

Great Video: "Amazing Stop Motion Candles Video"

2010-06-17T19:56:00.000-05:00

Harpeth High valedictorian refuses to let school censor her - WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |

2010-06-06T09:10:00.000-05:00

Harpeth High valedictorian refuses to let school censor her - WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports

Good for her. I, however, believe she should have left out the whole bit about "it doesn't matter who you pray to" bit because it really does.

Gov't = caretaker, parent = babysitter (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-06-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Gov't = caretaker, parent = babysitter (OneNewsNow.com)

Article Link: "Sherrif under fire for rejecting request"

2010-05-28T08:31:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Sheriff under fire for rejecting request

A Texas sheriff is standing firm against the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which says he violated an inmate's constitutional "right" to an abortion.

"Well, [we were told] the county will have to take this inmate to the abortion clinic, transport her, and then you get into a situation of a guard hire and all the costs associated with that," the sheriff points out. "So I said, 'No. I don't think that's a proper use of county taxpayers' money.'"

Fowler did ask to have the inmate's case moved forward quickly, which did happen. She received five years probation and was released. But now the ACLU is demanding to know what the sheriff will do if a similar situation occurs in the future.

"My take on it is unless the legislature creates a law that requires a sheriff to take inmates to an abortion clinic, then I'm not gonna do it," he explains.

Article Link: "What does future hold for medical field?"

2010-05-28T08:27:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

What does future hold for medical field?

A Christian medical leader says the current culture governed by business and government interests instead of patient interest has him deeply concerned about the climate of the medical profession.

Some medical experts predict severe doctor shortages, especially with the passage of healthcare reform legislation. But Dr. Gene Rudd, senior vice president of the Christian Medical Association (CMA), tells OneNewsNow there is already a critical doctor shortage in certain areas of healthcare. In his field of obstetrics and gynecology, for example, the deficiency is desperate because of the climate.

"Not only is there lots of litigation, there's also this fear that doctors in training are being forced to do abortions as part of their training," he laments.

The CMA senior vice president adds that two aspects have fostered a change in the culture of medicine: business and government interests, and the devaluing of human life.

Great Video: Kids say the darndest things clips

2010-05-27T21:24:00.000-05:00

TX adopts new social studies curriculum (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-05-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

TX adopts new social studies curriculum (OneNewsNow.com)

Article Link: "Young Christian convert faces cancer treatment"

2010-05-25T20:41:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Young Christian convert faces cancer treatment

A former Muslim who was pastor of a church in Columbus, Ohio, says 17-year-old Christian convert Rifqa Bary has told him she has a very aggressive form of uterine cancer.

Jamal Jivanjee is currently the director of Florida-based ministry illuminate. But while pastoring in Ohio, he was contacted by Rifqa Bary, whom he later met at a coffee shop. Since that time he has become a major confidant of the teenager, who remains in foster care in Ohio while her well-publicized custody dispute with her parents continues.

Bary fled from her parents' home last summer in fear that her father would harm or even kill her for converting to Christianity.

Jivanjee says now the young girl has told him the very disturbing news that she has been diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Article Link: "Up in flames: Melting false teachings of 'The Shack'"

2010-05-24T22:14:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.wnd.com

Up in flames: Melting false teachings of 'The Shack'

Professor takes torch to 'blasphemous doctrine' of best-seller

Millions of evangelical Christians are among the masses who have embraced William Paul Young's "The Shack" as though it were gospel. Even three years since its release, "The Shack" has remained on numerous best-seller lists for more than 100 weeks – a claim no other book can make.

Yet it is infused with counterfeit Christianity, argues "Burning Down 'The Shack': How the 'Christian' Best-seller is Deceiving Millions," a new title from WND Books that publishes June 1.

If such deceptions, which upend biblical teachings on sin, redemption, salvation and damnation, go unchallenged, says De Young, this "feel-good novel" could prove terribly divisive and destructive to millions of Christians.

Order your copy now of "Burning Down 'The Shack': How the 'Christian' Best-seller is Deceiving Millions," the new title from WND Books that publishes June 1.

Ray Stevens - Throw the Bums Out

2010-05-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

Couple of interesting articles.

2010-05-20T22:48:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.rap-con.com

NKorea warns of war if punished for ship sinking

North Korea, accused of waging the deadliest attack on the South Korean military since the Korean War, flatly denied sinking a warship Thursday and warned that retaliation would mean "all-out war."

Evidence presented Thursday to prove North Korea fired a torpedo that sank a South Korean ship was fabricated by Seoul, North Korean naval spokesman Col. Pak In Ho told broadcaster APTN in an exclusive interview in Pyongyang.

He warned that any move to sanction or strike North Korea would be met with force.

"If (South Korea) tries to deal any retaliation or punishment, or if they try sanctions or a strike on us .... we will answer to this with all-out war," he told APTN.

Read the Full Article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100520...
Opens in media box [Open in new window]

clipped from www.rap-con.com

Ahmadinejad's Chief of Staff Warns that Iran Could Completely Destroy Israel within a Week

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, said Wednesday that if Israel attacked Iran it would be destroyed within a week.

Speaking at a political conference of ultra-conservatives in Iran's north, Mashaei said, "If the Zionist regime attacks Iran, the Zionists will have no longer than a week to live."

Read the Full Article:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,...
Opens in media box [Open in new window]

Somewhat of an update :)

2010-05-20T22:07:00.008-05:00

I know, I know, more articles not written by Kristy. Sorry. I do plan on getting back into writing soon but I'm dealing with a lot right now:

I'm finishing up "remodeling" my bathroom. Last Saturday, my sis & bro-in-law came over & helped me remove the icky wallpaper & paint it a pretty blue. Yesterday, I sectioned off parts of the walls & started putting a faux finish to look like linen. I got every other section done & was going to finish it tonight so that when my parents come tomorrow night, my dad could help me get my toilet back together (I had to take the tank off to get to some of the more difficult areas), rehang my mirror, remove the cooshy toilet seat & install my new normal seat (I am going to miss that less icy seat but the thing is just hideous), rehang my above the toilet cabinet, rehang my blinds, & help me hook up my new light (super cute by the way, my sis picked it out...way to go sis!); however, I ran out of glaze on the first panel tonight, so now I have to stop & get some more tomorrow & hope to get at least two of the major panels done tomorrow before my parents get here. I still need to get new towel holders, a faucet, drawer pulls, toilet paper holder, floor mat, & I want to get some prettier/girlier curtains, maybe an embroidered shear. I'm also wanting to "frame" my mirror with crown molding, but that can wait a bit.
I'm seriously struggling with my weight/diet/exercise. Sadly, I have gained much of my weight back. In fact, I should have a baby now for as much as I have gained in the last 9 months. :P I even woke up this morning about 45 min early in a panic about my weight gain/lack of discipline. I could make excuses all day but when it comes down to it, I'm out of control. Romans 7:19-20 were written perfectly for me. I quit 24 Hr Fitness & joined LA Fitness with my friend Brandie so that should help. It also doesn't help that I have gotten a bit lax on my Bible study/reading as well.
I've also gotten addicted to blog reading, particularly Christian apologetics, theology, & eschatology; political; & housekeeping/family blogs. To the point that I don't eve read many of them & the ones I do, I just skim through too fast to pay attention. So by the time I catch up (if I ever do) I'm too tired or can't think straight on what to say in my own. I need to purge/trim down.

Having said all that, the next post will be a couple of articles that I recently read & found interesting & wanted to share them.

Article Link: "New Pictures Show Jupiter Is Missing a Stripe"

2010-05-16T21:01:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.rap-con.com

New Pictures Show Jupiter Is Missing a Stripe

AOL News (May 13) -- New pictures of Jupiter show that a huge band of dark clouds that normally surrounds the giant planet has vanished.

The planet's appearance usually is dominated by two dark bands in its atmosphere -- one in the north and another in the south -- along with the Giant Red Spot, an enormous storm that is more than twice the size of Earth.

All three were visible at the end of last year before the planet went behind the sun. When it re-emerged last month, new pictures from Australian astronomer Anthony Wesley showed the southern cloud band was nowhere to be seen.

This is not the first time the southern band has gone missing. It vanished in the 1990s and was also absent in 1973 when NASA took its first close-up pictures of the planet, according to New Scientist.

Wesley is already looking forward to seeing the southern band return, an event he hopes will happen this year or next.

Article Link: "Transgenders win discrimination tiff with American Eagle Outfitters, AG Andrew Cuomo forces changes"

2010-05-12T21:04:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.nydailynews.com

Transgenders win discrimination tiff with American Eagle Outfitters, AG Andrew Cuomo forces changes

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has forced the flannel and khaki outpost to make some changes, including nixing a rule about employee "personal appearance" that banned men from wearing women's clothing and ladies from dressing as guys.

"This shows me that there's faith and hope. There might be a domino effect, that's what I'm hoping for," said Joi-elle White, 35, a transgender member of Make the Road New York.

The retailer - which employs more than 2,000 people in its 61 New York stores - signed a settlement deal promising to change its policies and employee handbook.

The chain store also has agreed to train its staff on transgender issues - like which pronouns to use when referring to workers and customers.

Article Link: "Court won't hear appeal on Boy Scouts land rental"

2010-05-04T20:35:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Court won't hear appeal on Boy Scouts land rental

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court has let stand a ruling saying the Boy Scouts cannot lease city park land in San Diego because the group is a religious organization. The high court refused to hear an appeal from San Diego-area Boy Scouts.

The Boy Scouts maintain that they have no theology and only hold the position that children have a "duty to God" to become productive citizens.

The American Civil Liberties Union had sued San Diego and the Boy Scouts on behalf of a lesbian couple and an agnostic couple, each with Scouting-age sons.

The Boy Scouts have been the target of lawsuits since the Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the group can exclude homosexuals from serving as troop leaders and because Scouts must swear an oath of duty to God.

Article Link: "The President of the European Central Bank is Calling for a One World Economic Structure"

2010-05-03T22:16:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.bible-prophecy-today.com

The President of the European Central Bank Is Calling for a One World Economic Structure

Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, has called for global governance of all financial institutions saying it is extremely necessary if the world wants to prevent another financial crisis like what is happening today. Trichet emphasized that politicians, economists, and financiers must work together and collaborate on methods to create an international set of standards and that through this global governance the resiliency of the global financial system can be assured.

Christian Persecution: "Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin"

2010-05-03T22:15:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk

Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin

Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a
homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him reciting a
number of “sins” referred to in the Bible, including blasphemy, drunkenness
and same sex relationships.

The 42-year-old Baptist, who has preached Christianity in Workington, Cumbria
for years, said he did not mention homosexuality while delivering a sermon
from the top of a stepladder, but admitted telling a passing shopper that he
believed it went against the word of God.

Police officers are alleging that he made the remark in a voice loud enough to
be overheard by others and have charged him with using abusive or insulting
language, contrary to the Public Order Act.

“My freedom was taken away on the hearsay of someone who disliked what I said,
and I was charged under a law that doesn't apply.”

Article Link: "Has Noah's Ark Been Found on Turkish Mountaintop?"

2010-04-27T22:57:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.foxnews.com

Has Noah's Ark Been Found on Turkish Mountaintop?

A group of Chinese and Turkish evangelical explorers say wooden remains they have discovered on Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey are the remains of Noah's Ark.

The group claims that carbon dating proves the relics are 4,800 years old, meaning they date to around the same time the ark was said to be afloat. Mt. Ararat has long been suspected as the final resting place of the craft by evangelicals and literalists hoping to validate biblical stories.

Yeung Wing-Cheung, from the Noah's Ark Ministries International research team that made the discovery, said: "It's not 100 percent that it is Noah's Ark, but we think it is 99.9 percent that this is it."

There have been several reported discoveries of the remains of Noah's Ark over the years, most notably a find by archaeologist Ron Wyatt in 1987. At the time, the Turkish government officially declared a national park around his find, a boat-shaped object stretched across the mountains of Ararat.

Article Link: "Law school policy labeled 'crazy'"

2010-04-27T22:39:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Law school policy labeled 'crazy'

A spokesman for a conservative legal group is taking note of the significance of a Supreme Court justice calling a law school policy "crazy." The case in question deals with a club on campus that is fighting to maintain its Christian standards.

The high court last week heard arguments from the University of California's Hastings College of the Law and a campus chapter of the Christian Legal Society. CLS claims Hastings' policy forces them to accept as voting members and potential leaders, classmates who do not share their core religious beliefs.

Hastings says official campus groups may not exclude people due to religious beliefs or sexual orientation. But during arguments, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was reported as saying: "To require the Christian Society to allow atheists not just to join, but to conduct Bible classes -- that's crazy." (See earlier story)

The Supreme Court is expected to render its decision on the case by the end of June.

Article Link: "Good News: Court Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Student Expression"

2010-04-27T22:25:00.002-05:00

clipped from www.citizenlink.org

Good News: Court Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Student Expression

A federal court has ruled that a New Jersey teen should not have been prevented from taking part in the national Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity.

The Bridgeton High School student was not allowed to distribute pro-life literature during non-instructional times or wear a red armband bearing the word "Life." School officials told her that public schools allowed nothing "religious."

David Cortman, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, said the ruling provides vital protection for free speech.

"When a student attends a public school, he or she retains their First Amendment rights, and that also pertains to religious speech," he said. "This particular school has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the state, and the highest teenage abortion rate in the state, and this young lady was being a faithful witness."

Article Link: "Rare 4.0 earthquake hits South Texas on Saturday night"

2010-04-26T21:46:00.001-05:00

clipped from www.rap-con.com

Rare 4.0 earthquake hits South Texas on Saturday night

A light to moderate quake jolted the South Texas area last night. The quake was some concern to the fact the area rarely sees this activity.

The quake was 28 miles West of Corpus Christi, TX and was a magnitude 4.0 on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 02:10:41 UTC, which in local Texas time was around 11:10pm Saturday night.

Scientists are unsure at the moment what caused the quake in South Texas, however the earthquake density maps are very telling to the situation. The area does not experience these types of quakes.

The depth of this quake was around 5.0km, which suggests it was either geological or induced by oil production, which does happen. Never-the-less this is an interesting area to have a quake due to the fact the area has a large crack running north to south in Texas, discovered several years ago, origin being unknown.

The quake comes after a 4.3 Magnitude shaker in Mexico earlier in the day.

Article Link: "Social Studies Update: Professor Neil Armstrong & Alexander Graham Bell Out, Pro-Abortion Group (NOW) In" (TEXAS)

2010-04-25T12:26:00.001-05:00

clipped from texaslegislativeupdate.wordpress.com

Social Studies Update: Professor Wants Neil Armstrong & Alexander Graham Bell Out, Pro-Abortion Group (NOW) In

Click here for a link to Professor Jesus F. de la Teja’s review and recommendations for the SBOE, on the social studies standards. He recommends removing Neil Armstrong, Alexander Graham Bell, and the Texas Rangers by name, completely. He also recommends removing Columbus from one section. De la Teja Review Current Social Studies TEKS[1]

Liberty Institute has compiled a condensed list of approved social studies standards for study. Among those:

Historical Figures: Neil Armstrong, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Columbus

Alamo Heroes: All 189 heroes who died at Alamo. including contributions of Texians and Tejanos

Important Concepts: “American Exceptionalism”

Contributions of Founding Fathers: John Hancock, John Jay, John Witherspoon, others

Thomas Jefferson:

BC/AD: SBOE members approved correct dating system, some teachers tried to change it to BCE/CE.

Great Article: "Cultural Marxism in Education: The Gathering Revolt"

2010-04-18T10:13:00.003-05:00

clipped from www.americanthinker.com

Cultural Marxism in Education: The Gathering Revolt

For decades now, American schools corrupted by cultural Marxism have been eroding the moral fiber and judgment skills of schoolchildren. Unless sensible parents and teachers put a stop to the indoctrination, today's free speech-crippling political correctness, tolerance of immorality, and lack of knowledge of our country's birth will continue to grow until America is no more.

traditional values must be obliterated in order to free "oppressed" social groups, called for eliminating social decorum and glorifying perverse behavior in order to destroy the Western middle class and collapse society from within.

control social discourse on culture, politics, and economics and hush debate

demonizing people who question progressive wisdom

unacceptable to criticize any manner of sexual behavior

urged people to engage in "perversions" to soften the sting of capitalism's alleged enslavement.

Great article

Amazing how much has changed since I was in school just 12 yrs ago. Very sad. One reason I'll be homeschooling if & when I have children. I will teach them the truth & they will love this country. But most importantly, they will learn & learn to be independent.

"Cheating is now called cooperative learning"?! I remember "cooperative learning." We called it group projects or group work. Essentially it composed of me doing all the work for the lazy people who didn't care what grade they got. I think now days we call that socialism, or what many want to now adopt as the "American way."

Biden's salty remark Obama's favorite part (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-27T10:41:00.001-05:00

Biden's salty remark Obama's favorite part (OneNewsNow.com)

AZ homes forced to close doors to church events (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-17T20:42:00.002-05:00

AZ homes forced to close doors to church events (OneNewsNow.com)

Movie Review: "Avatar," "The Book of Eli," & " "Shutter Island"

2010-03-13T09:50:00.003-06:00

I have been slacking on blogging all together but I haven't done a movie review in a long, long, long time. So, I'm going to do short reviews on the last 3 movies I have seen in the theater.

The first is Avatar. I hate that I can't love this movie. It was beautifully done, it had a complete story line, the special effects were outstanding, & the balance of action scenes with dramatic interludes was perfect. If I were a liberal, non-Christian who bought into the whole global warming hysteria & thought our military were nothing but a bunch of goons, I would have thought this movie was the best movie ever made. I must admit it is a very well made movie. I hated that I couldn't love it.

Most politically conservative movie reviews have commented about how it put the military in a bad light. It makes them look like a bunch of heartless, blood-thirsty, mercenaries. I confess that I didn't even recognize that at first. My biggest problem was the push of paganism.

You may think I'm going a little over board at this point, but people buy into this crap. It wasn't even somewhat hidden. There is a growing number of people today following Universalism (there are many ways to God & we are all part of "one mind"). Oprah being pretty much their Pope. This religion, I would not be surprised, may possibly be the "One World religion" that is to come. Movies like this just energize that belief system.

I do not recommend this film.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The second film, is The Book of Eli. I loved this film. The only reason I would not recommend this movie is due to the violence. This film is filled with extreme violence.

The movie is set in post-Apocalyptic America. Almost all books, especially religious texts, have been destroyed because the people believed they were what caused the wars before. The protagonist is a man that was alive before the destruction of society & has the last Bible. He was instructed by God to take the Bible west. The antagonist is a book collector who is searching for a Bible so he can use the scriptures to "rule the world."

Besides the extreme violence, my only hang up with this film was at the end, when the Bible is placed on a shelf along with the Koran & other religious "holy" books as if it is equal to them. Other than that, if you can take violence, I recommend you see this film. It made me want to go home & read my Bible even more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shutter Island I saw last night with my friend Brandie. I was scared to see this movie at first but Kim & Jonathan saw it & said it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be.

I had mixed feelings about it. I loved the mystery. It was quite reminiscent of classic mystery films & I love that as well. Although I am not a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, he is a phenomenal actor & his role in this movie is no exception. However, it is a pretty disturbing movie.

In case you do not know, the movie is about a US Marshall that has been called to an asylum for the criminally insane to investigate the disappearance of one of the inmates. This woman who seems to have disappeared into thin air, is in this facility because she drowned her 3 children. I won't tell you anymore so I won't ruin the movie.

There are several scenes with dead children & several Nazi prison camps with dead Jews (including children) which are quite disturbing. There is also a short shot of full frontal male nudity. The language is terrible. I really don't believe there is any reason to use the "F" word & it rears it's ugly head through out the movie along with taking the Lord's name in vain. Because of these reasons, I would encourage movie goers to use extreme caution. I certainly would not suggest this movie for my mother.

Christian Persecution: "Halt to church services questioned (OneNewsNow.com)"

2010-03-09T06:58:00.001-06:00

Halt to church services questioned (OneNewsNow.com)

Christian Persecution: "Christian's speech deemed 'hateful propaganda' (OneNewsNow.com)"

2010-03-09T06:57:00.001-06:00

Christian's speech deemed 'hateful propaganda' (OneNewsNow.com)

Christian Persecution: "City agency halts chruch services at public housing unit"

2010-03-08T06:35:00.001-06:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

City agency halts church services at public housing unit

DALLAS - A Dallas church that has held Sunday worship service at a public housing apartment complex for the elderly for 14 years has been ordered to stop.

Dallas Housing Authority president MaryAnn Russ told the Dallas Morning News that the church services violate separation of church and state and the agency's contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds public housing programs.

But Jerry Brown, a HUD spokesman based in Washington, DC, said there may be a misunderstanding.

He said the Fair Housing Act allows religious activity in common areas of public housing as long as it does not result in unequal treatment of residents.

Great Video/Politics: "OBAMAFELD"

2010-03-06T09:29:00.001-06:00

Politizoid: OBAMAFELD

Bible for porn - a fair trade? (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-04T17:19:00.000-06:00

Bible for porn - a fair trade? (OneNewsNow.com)

Christian Persecution: "Judge rules against religious expression"

2010-03-03T19:45:00.001-06:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Judge rules against religious expression

A judge in Montana has ruled against a high school valedictorian who wasn't allowed to speak at her graduation ceremony because she wanted to give God credit for her success. (See earlier article)

Rennee Griffith is now in her second year of college. She graduated from Butte High School in 2008 as one of the valedictorians, but when she submitted a draft of her speech to school authorities, her First Amendment rights were violated.

"She was asked, as were the other valedictorians, to speak about what helped them get through school. Some people wanted to thank the football coach or the track coach or their uncle or a particular teacher, and they were permitted to do that," explains Griffith's attorney, Bill O'Connor. "The only thing they would not permit, by their own admission, was...her to attribute any achievements to her belief in God."

"Photos of children 'inappropriate' for display"

2010-02-27T08:03:00.000-06:00

clipped from www.onenewsnow.com

Photos of children 'inappropriate' for display
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 2/26/2010 5:20:00 AM

The more than 100 photos are of unclothed women and girls shown as part of "Body Awareness/Body Appreciation Week," an annual event on the campus. A university spokesman claims the exhibit does not constitute pornography. But Kent Ostrander, who heads up the Family Foundation of Kentucky, disagrees.

"Our concern is primarily focusing on the fact that some of these photos are of young children -- two-and-a-half years old, eight years old, twelve years old -- and that's just inappropriate," he remarks. "A child [that age] has not reached the age of consent."

The photographer is quoted as saying he obtained permission from the parents. In response, Ostrander says that "any adult who would allow their child to be used that way, exploited that way, is a fool."

"universities should be pushing the envelope on education, not on sexuality."

Directionless Rambling: Annual Goals: 2010

2010-02-26T22:45:00.003-06:00

Ok, how about this? Two posts two days in a row. Wow.

First, I must apologize in advance if there are any huge spelling or grammar mistakes in this post. I had a glass a wine tonight (for a extremely rare drinker, it takes me about 1-2 hrs to drink on glass) with my dinner of popcorn & cookies. Yes, I know, extremely healthy & diet friendly. Give me a break. It's Friday & I'm sitting at home alone with my cat...don't tell me that wouldn't drive you to chocolate & drink too. LOL Also, I just woke up from apparently falling asleep on the couch in my Snuggie (yes, I did finally cave & buy one) at about 9 pm while catching up on blog reading & while watching season 1, episode 12, "The Ball" of Everybody Loves Raymond. So, my brain isn't really functioning at 100% right now. Why in the world I feel like this is the perfect time to blog is beyond me. Probably along the same reasons I suddenly got in the mood to steam mop my bathroom the other night at 11:30 pm as I was getting ready for bed (btw, I like to typically be in bed by 10 pm). I really am starting to feel like an old cat lady now. Yikes.

Anyway, I was about to shut down for the night & saw the title of a post on a blog I follow entitled "Annual Goals." I didn't read the post because it wasn't from a blog that I follow that closely & it was on a topic I'm not hugely interested in at the moment. Anyway, that got me to thinking what my goals are for this year. Now, I have not thought these through one bit so I'm just going to jot down a few here just for "directionless rambling." I'm going to number them but they are in no particular order.

Get married -- ok I know this sounds a little crazy but I thunk it is early enough in the year to say if I met the right guy in the next month or so, it could happen.
If not married, at least a date or two -- It has been a long while since I have been on a real date. It isn't the most confidence building exercise to have a "dry spell" for x number of...ahem...years. (The truth would be too much for many of you to bear.)
Loose weight - I would love to say be at goal weight but I think if I set a smaller goal of say, 20-25 lbs, I would feel better if it doesn't come off as easily or quickly this time. This one I may reassess later...hopefully increase (the amount I want to loose due to incredible sauces, LOL)
Get back into running - While I really don't care for running, I do really want to complete a 5K.
Decorate house - I need to organize my two spare bedrooms & get furniture for them, organize my bedroom, redecorate my master bathroom (still has the funky wall paper & the old people cushy toilet seat from the owners before me...must say, however, I think I have found the attraction to cushy toilet seats...not as cold as the others first thing in the morning. LOL), organize & clean my garage, and I would really like to paint (at least one wall) of my living room & maybe kitchen.
Have a successful garden. - Working on this one. So far, I have garlic, onions, cabbage, spinach, cilantro, & rosemary planted. I had lettuce but the snow killed all but one plant of it & I think the rest of my herbs may have bit it as well. I want to end up having this summer, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, basil, oregano, thyme, savory, marjoram, lavender, parsley, & sage. At least, that is the plan.
Finish the Bible for the first time after starting reading daily (or pretty much daily) almost 3 yrs ago.
Cook more
Keep my house clean more often - I am working on planing out a cleaning schedule. (I'm not sure if having to get a plan made out before tackling an idea or project is an Aries thing or just a Kristy thing...I'd like to go with Kristy thing because I don't like messing with the whole astrology mumbo-jumbo)
Get a gun - living alone can be a bit scary...there are several stories behind this that I will talk about at a later time. Trust me, you'll love them
Write more - This includes writing some articles & getting them published and being more organized & consistent here on this blog.
Rock Band parties - I have Rock Band (video game) parties at my place pretty often but I'm wanting to set up a schedule where we have them at least once a month, so I need to come up with some kind of schedule.
Care less about what others think of me & more about what God thinks of me.
Get organized
Get to know my neighbors
Read Systemic Theology & finish listening to the podcast on it by the author.
Go to some political rallies - I think I may actually go to one tomorrow...all by myself...how's that for asserting my independence? :)

Ok, that's it for right now. I keep falling asleep. I've got to get to bed. I'm sure I'll be adding to this list, daily throughout this year.

Directionless Rambling: Patience

2010-02-25T21:25:00.004-06:00

Ok, I'm going to try something a little different. I am trying to get back into blogging again. It is good for me & I have fun doing it. I still plan on having some formal blogging topics but every once in a while, I'm just going to let myself go & ramble away. I may have a topic, I may not. My rambles, my rules. :)

Today's' topic: Patience. Do we all hate that one? :P It's like medicine, the best you can do is just "practice" it. And, boy have I been doing a lot of practicing lately. Ugh!

It seems like everyone I know is going through something at the moment that requires a great deal of patience. Two people I know have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. One had a double-mastectomy today & the other is planning on having her double-mastectomy in a couple of weeks. Two couples I know are trying to buy houses. One couple I know are waiting to find out if they are going to be adopt a 4th child (from the same mother as their other 3). I know several couples trying to conceive & things just aren't working quite as they expected. One friend is trying to figure out what food product he is allergic too & his diet hasn't been very fun lately. One friend has been very unhappy at her new job & has recently been offered another job at another company & is waiting for that to start.

Me? I'm waiting for several things. (1) A husband...(2) Children...(3) A husband...(4) The day when I no longer have to work outside the home...(5) A husband...(6) My tax credit on my house...(7) A husband...(8) The rapture of the Church...(9) And, did I mention, a husband

Patience isn't something you can have. There is only a very limited amount. Even God has an end to His patience. And, one of these days it is going to run out. I praise God that I am not going to be on the wrong end of that stick on that day.

Proverbs 19:11a says "A man's wisdom gives him patience..." So, how does a man gain wisdom?

Well, Solomon asked God for it. And, let me tell you right now, this is a daily prayer for me. Not just daily but sometimes hourly or minutely (probably not a real word). "To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." (Job 12:13) "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) Wisdom also found among elders. "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" (Job 12:12) I am involved in two Bible studies associated with two different churches right now (I'll go into all that another time.) One of them is a ladies only Bible study of mixed ages. The other is a co-ed all of who are married except me, of course. What is great about these groups is we are all in different stages in our lives. But I must say, that I am at an advantage in both of these groups. I have the most to gain. I am one of the youngest in both of these groups but I am also one of, if not the only single in these groups. In the ladies group, the ages range from older/retired to twenties. Some are homemakers, some work outside the home, some have kids, some have grand-kids, some never had kids & some want kids. In the co-ed group, there is one couple who has kids, one couple than can't have children biologically but have adopted 3, one couple who are pretty much newly weds but want to start trying in the near future (I think), one lady with teens whose husband is in the military & absent much of the time, & then there is me. I think I am in a pretty good predicament. I have surrounded myself with people who are in places I would like to be or may be one day. Much wisdom can be gleaned from these people. (Now I'm starting to sound like some creepy villain from a Stephen King novel.)

Reading the Living Word of God is also a way to gain wisdom. "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6) The whole book of Proverbs itself is intentionally given to impart wisdom. In fact, the first few verses of Proverbs explains the purpose of the book is "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:2-7) C.S. Lewis states in Mere Christianity, "Anyone who is honestly trying to be a Christian will son find his intelligence being sharpened." I wholly agree. I have found that when I am actively seeking the Lord, especially through daily Bible reading & study, I find that I feel smarter. That may sound a bit egocentric or stupid but it is very difficult to explain. I seem to "see" more of what is going on around me. I tend to pick up on subtleties in music, movies, TV, etc... that do not only not promote the Truth but actively try to dissuade people from the real Truth without their knowledge. I also seem to be able to find the words I want to say more readily. And, I seem to understand things easier & recall them better.

Ok, I'm done rambling for now. I didn't really mean to go into a treatise regarding wisdom but, like it says, these aren't really meant to be formal or intentional. More just a thought flow, a stream of consciousness. We'll see if I do this again. ;)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12)

Great Video: "Promo for '3 by 3 by 3'"

2010-02-23T06:34:00.001-06:00

Promo for "3 by 3 by 3" Documentary from David Watson on Vimeo.

Great Video: "Squirrel Fight"

2010-02-18T06:52:00.001-06:00

Weight Loss Vlogs: The Return

2010-02-06T16:10:00.000-06:00

"Aprononlogy" Book Give-away

2010-01-28T22:45:00.002-06:00

One of the blogs that I read is offering a give-away of a book called Apronology. It is all about aprons. So one of the requirements of entering this give-away was that I had to make a post about it.

Ok, I know what you are thinking, "Why would anyone want a book all about aprons?" However, the aprons in this book are fantastic; a whole new take on "the apron." I really would like to get into making my own clothes & aprons seem pretty simple so maybe that would be one way to ease myself into sewing. This book may give me some great ideas on what to create myself. Some of these aprons look like, with a little more fabric, they would make some really cute skirts, so that could be an idea as well. :)....also, never forget, I'm a bit of a dork, not to mention a book collector.

My Day Book: 1/27/10

2010-01-27T06:41:00.007-06:00

I got this from young lady's blog at "A City On A Hill" & thought it was a cute idea & wanted to do it myself. I loved her title, A Young Maiden's Day Book, but didn't want to use the same title because that would be stealing, plus, I'm not really that "young" anymore.

Today: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010...getting ready to watch the State of the Union Address. Boring but I feel like yelling at my TV tonight.

Outside my window: It's dark, so I'm too scared that if I look outside, I might see the boogey man.

I am thinking: I wish I could find my glasses.

I am thankful: (1)For my growing passion for my Lord & Savior & for my new interest in apologetics & Bible prophecy. (2) My amazing family, I love more than I could ever attempt to describe. (3) My growing number & diversity of friends. Especially, the my growing number of "close" friends. (4) My new house & garden (can't wait for spring to get my hands in the dirt).

I am wearing: Gray sweat pants, a gray & black striped long sleeve shirt, house slippers. I know, sexy. Hey, I'm going for comfort here. :D

I am reading: I am listening to the Left Behind series on my iPod & I'm addicted. I am also reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I recently got Systemic Theology by Wayne Grudem & I want to start studying it while going through the podcast of the same name & by the same guy, after I finish a Bible study podcast studying the prophecies in Daniel & Revelations by Gayle Evers. And, of course, my Bible. I just got a new one (The Apologetics Study Bible) but I'm not going to start on it until I finish reading the one I have now from cover to cover (I've got about a bit more of the NT to finish then I've got a couple of more books in the OT to go back & finish...I should be finished sometime this summer or before).

I am creating: I'm usually creating a mess, but I'm working on creating a warm, welcoming home where people will feel comfortable hanging out & fellowshiping.

One of my favorite things: My drive every morning to work. I live pretty much in the city but I have found an alternative route to work in the mornings that takes me through some country-like areas. The speed limit is 35 mph (except for the short 20 mph school zone) & I never speed on purpose. I set my cruise control & roll along, despite the fact I am usually running a bit late. Driving this speed, with little traffic, through the country has a very calming effect. It is lovely. God's artistry in the sunrises are also incredible & quite enjoyable every morning, plus, unless you were confused, they are made especially for me by Him. ;)

For education this week: I'm working my way through the Daniel & Revelations bible study I mentioned above...& trying to keep up with current events & politics & news.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning: I baked bread on Sunday & I'm getting quite good if I do say so myself. I'm working on my cooking skills & trying to keep, at least the main areas, clean, or at least somewhat presentable.

A spiritual lesson I’m learning: Patience...always...Will I ever complete this one?! ;) Also, faith & trust, but those all three kind of go hand in hand, don't they?

A godly character trait I plan to work on: Trust, wisdom, & discernment.

Scripture I am memorizing: I've got a huge list I started making this week of verses I want to start working on memorizing. However, the one that is running through my head over & over lately is Ps. 37:4.

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I’m praying for: Wisdom & God's supernatural patience (I make sure to ask for his patience & not my own because I'm not willing to go through what it takes to make "patience"). I've also been praying even more fervently lately for a husband. Not just any husband, but a God-approved husband. I have WAY more "requirements," but "God-approved" is the best adjective I can come up with to save on time.

For the rest of the week: Two more days of work, maybe a Rock Band party this weekend (maybe not, I haven't really planed on one so maybe next week, maybe a movie night with some of my closer gal pals), church on Sat night, I'll try another church on Sunday (I love my church on Saturdays but I would like to find one closer to my house on Sundays so I could get to know some of the people in the town I now live in), & I am starting a new Bible study on Sunday with people I've never met. At least that is the plan. However, those plans can change at any moment now that one of my best friends is about to go into labor any day now. When she does, I may have to go keep her little girl until the in-laws can get to town to take care of her. Hehe

A picture I’d like to share: The first picture is a pic of a Grilled Chicken Pesto Pizza with Feta Cheese & Red Bell Peppers I made last week that was to die for & the second is a pic of the bread I made Sunday.

Great Video/Politics: "America Rising: An Open Letter to Democrat Politicians"

2010-01-08T13:32:00.001-06:00

Great video. Very well done. I would like to say, for the record, I never bought into the whole "hope & change" rhetoric in the first place, but I totally agree with the rest of the video.

Great Video: TSA Commercial

2010-01-08T13:12:00.001-06:00

Great Video: "Terrorist? Where?!"

2010-01-08T13:10:00.001-06:00

The Downfall of NPR

2010-01-06T19:05:00.002-06:00

I use to listen NPR quite a bit...back in my more liberal days. I even considered donating to them. I will NEVER make that mistake. Not only because of their lack of respect for the majority of America or the truth but also because apparently, NPR actually receives tax dollars.

How much do you think other talk radio stations got from our tax dollars?

I guess their accepting tax dollars explains their strong hatred of those who oppose wasteful government spending. At this point, I guess they should probably change their name from National Public Radio to Government or Left Propaganda Radio.

Great Video: "How the World Works: Learn to Speak Teabag with Your Tax Dollars"

2010-01-05T06:55:00.002-06:00

If NPR receives tax dollars, why the heck do they keep demanding that I give them money with their numerous telethons each year.

Cheers & Jeers: Copenhagen

2009-12-18T20:45:00.004-06:00

Cheers to China & India for walking out on this Copenhagen "Climate Change" fiasco.

Jeers to Pres. Obama's typical egocentric speech at the same "conference."

Draw a pic of Jesus & get suspended

2009-12-18T20:00:00.001-06:00

The Rutherford Institute Defends Second Grader Forced by School Officials to Undergo Psych Evaluation for Drawing Crucified Jesus

Hello again

2009-12-18T19:30:00.004-06:00

Hello my small hand full of readers. I know it has been awhile...I have reasons.

Moved into my new house. YAY! I'll post pictures one of these days. :)
New job. I'm now the lead tech (supervisor) of radiology at an outpatient imaging clinic & stand alone ER. I've never been in this type of position, so to say I'm scared to death & feeling like a fish out of water, would be an understatement. I am not comfortable in this role but I know it will be good for me. Most importantly, I argued with God several times when considering this position & told Him many times I wasn't right for this job & then He told me Moses wasn't either. Now I'm not comparing myself to Moses or my little role to leading the Jewish nation through the wilderness for several decades but, that vision of Moses reminding God of his shortcomings & God choosing him anyway, comforted me & stopped me from arguing with Him anymore.
My computer just got back last Friday from being in the shop for about a month. That is a long frustrating story & basically, my computer is still acting up but I'm not in the mood to annoy you all with that. Essentially, I think I have decided to learn to build my own computer. I have an old computer that the hard drive is fried on (I assume) & a laptop that is beyond recovery. I thought about throwing them out but I think that I have pretty much decided to use what is still good on them to rebuild them. The best way to learn about computers is to build your own, so I think I'm going to set up one of my extra bedrooms as an office & IT workshop. :)

So, needless to say my life has been a little nutty lately. I can't wait to get back to blogging but this coming week is ridiculously crazy & the next isn't much better but once life settles a bit or at least I get use to it, I may not be blogging quite as much. So, until next time...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

Crapcare brought to you by your local Congressman

2009-10-29T16:42:00.003-05:00

Well, a healthcare bill has been proposed by the Senate & Obama is sure to sign this text book case of government usurpation.

For one thing, when a Democrat or our President says that this bill will not cover illegal aliens or cover abortion, in the words of Rep. Joe Wilson...the lie! If this bill wasn't going to cover those two cases then why did every amendment that a Republican brought forth to restrict them get voted down every time?

Second, this new bill is going to cut Medicare & increase Medicade. Those who already have insurance, rather provided by their job or purchased personally will notice an increase in the cost.

Medical devices, such as stents, hip replacement hardware, pacemakers, etc... will have a significant taxation. If the insurance you have does not follow exactly what the government is mandating, you will be fined. For example, if your insurance doesn't cover drug or alcohol counseling, you will be fined. Drug & alcohol counseling may sound nice but if you are like me & don't do drugs & may have 5-6 drinks a year, why should I pay extra for such a service?

Government has no business sticking their nose in healthcare. The reform we need for healthcare is for the government to get out of it.

"Hate Crimes" bill passes Senate

2009-10-27T21:05:00.004-05:00

clipped from www3.capwiz.com

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

This bill includes the "hate crimes" amendment

Agreed to: 68-29

By 68 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 327), Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2647, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense. In a devious maneuver by Democrats, a "Hate Crimes" amendment was attached to this bill. Though AFA supports adequate funding for the military, this attachment is a poison pill that makes the bill unacceptable. Our military deserved a stand-alone vote on funding.

A vote in favor of this bill criminalizes thought, endangers freedom of religion and speech, and destroys the American principle of equality under the law.

Both Senators Hutchison & Cornyn voted for this bill. Needless to say, I sent them an email telling them of my disappointment in them. In case you don't know, this is a huge step in direction of Christian persecution. This will take our Freedom's of Religion, Speech, & Protest and throw them under the bus. Basically, if you speak out against homosexuality, call it a sin as the Bible does, you can be held responsible for another person's violence toward a homosexual. It shouldn't be ignored that this may eventually lead to making the Bible, written the way it is now, illegal. Already, certain verses (those that condemn homosexuality) are banned from public display in certain cities. And, don't for a second, think that the liberals won't push this as far as they can.

Speaking out against homosexuality is not "hate speech." Granted, I know some people do it in a hateful way, but that is also a sin & they should be counseled on that also. However, if Christians hated homosexuals, they would let continue in their sin & never try to help them see the light. God does not hate homosexuals, he does, however, hate homosexuality. If someone is standing on a train track & you see a train coming, if you love that person you will let them know that the train is coming. However, if you don't care for that person or hate them, you'll ignore the train. I heard one commentator that was talking about another topic but he said, "We are loving them into Hell." He wasn't talking about homosexuals but I think the same statement could be made in this situation.

U.S. Political Parties: Conclusion

2009-10-25T11:39:00.005-05:00

Well, thank God that is over. I learned a lot but as you could tell, I got a bit distracted for a little while. I mean, hello, I'm buying a house & moving...geeze. Hehe

For a list of several other political parties in the U.S. check out this Wikipedia page. Some of the are quite interesting like the Marijuana Party, the Christian Socialist Party, the Pirate Party of the United States, etc... LOL

Here is a chart I found that did an overview of the differences in the parties I covered.

From this research, I have decided that I'm somewhere between a Constitutionalist and a Republican. I like the more conservative stance the Constitution Party takes but I disagree with them about pulling out of Iraq & Afghanistan and I also don't really understand their idea on taxation. They don't support a flat tax or sales tax or much of taxation at all. While that would be great, how do you pay for the military? I do support a flat tax but not a sales tax, but then again, I really don't understand much about taxation, I just know that I pay for a lot of crap that our government has no business sticking their noses in not to mention the immoral issues our taxes support.

I do have more ideas for more series I want to do including a series on comparative religions, comparative denominations, basic theology, and a series on heroes in the history of the Church such as John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, etc. Anyone have any opinion on what you would like me to cover first?

U.S. Political Parties: The Green Party

2009-10-25T11:30:00.003-05:00

Ok, this one isn’t as long. Also…I am so not a Green Party person. LOL

The Green Party was officially recognized in 2001.

The Ten Key Values of the Green Party are as follows:

1. Grassroots Democracy
“Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives and not be subject to the will of another. Therefore, we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations which expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.”

2. Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
“All persons should have the rights and opportunity to benefit equally from the resources afforded us by society and the environment. We must consciously confront in ourselves, our organizations, and society at large, barriers such as racism and class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law.”

3. Ecological Wisdom
“Human societies must operate with the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature. We must maintain an ecological balance and live within the ecological and resource limits of our communities and our planet. We support a sustainable society which utilizes resources in such a way that future generations will benefit and not suffer from the practices of our generation. To this end we must practice agriculture which replenishes the soil; move to an energy efficient economy; and live in ways that respect the integrity of natural systems.”

4 Non-Violence
“It is essential that we develop effective alternatives to society’s current patterns of violence. We will work to demilitarize, and eliminate weapons of mass destruction, without being naive about the intentions of other governments. We recognize the need for self-defense and the defense of others who are in helpless situations. We promote non-violent methods to oppose practices and policies with which we disagree, and will guide our actions toward lasting personal, community and global peace.”

5. Decentralization
“Centralization of wealth and power contributes to social and economic injustice, environmental destruction, and militarization. Therefore, we support a restructuring of social, political and economical institutions away from a system which is controlled by and mostly benefit’s the powerful few, to a democratic, less bureaucratic system. Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.”

6. Community-Based Economics and Economic Justice
“We recognize it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a ‘living wage’ which reflects the real value of a person’s work.” “Local communities must look to economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers’ rights; broad citizen participation in planning; and enhancement of our ‘quality of life.’ We support independently owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that distribute resources and control to more people through democratic participation.”

7. Feminism and Gender Equity
“We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control with more cooperative ways of interacting that respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.”

8. Respect for Diversity
“We believe it is important to value cultural, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity, and to promote the development of respectful relationships across these lines.” “We believe that the many diverse elements of society should be reflected in our organizations and decision-making bodies, and we support the leadership of people who have been traditionally closed out of our leadership roles. We acknowledge and encourage respect for other life forms than our own and the preservation of biodiversity.”

9. Personal and Global Responsibility
“We encourage individuals to act to improve their personal well-being and, at the same time, to enhance ecological balance and social harmony. We seek to join with people and organizations around the world to foster peace, economic justice, and the health of the planet.”

10. Future Focus and Sustainability
“Our actions and policies should be motivated by long-term goals. We seek to protect valuable natural resources, safely disposing of our ‘unmaking’ all waste we create, while developing a sustainable economics that does not depend on continual expansion for survival. We must counterbalance the drive for short-term profits by assuring that economic development, new technologies, and fiscal policies are responsible to future generations who will inherit the results of our actions.”

In addition to these, the Green Party is for reducing the military budget, are pro-choice, support a single-payer national health insurance (socialized medicine), oppose capital punishment, oppose the war on drugs, against penalties for marijuana, and they are against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which states that marriage is to be between a man and woman only).

Resources:
The Green Party
Wikipedia: The Green Party

Christian Persecution: "Raid on Full Gospel Church"

2009-10-25T09:24:00.003-05:00

Pray that God encourage & strengthen these Christians and that He will send his angels to protect them. Pray that He use them whether they are in or out of prison. Pray that their persecutors & the rest of the community see their faith & ask what it is about this Christianity that causes them to risk their lives & make people hate them so much. Also, pray that when we begin to suffer persecution, that we will hold fast & never bend under the pressure of Satan & his emissaries.

A muscle does not grow unless stress it put upon it. It is the same with the church. Those Christians who suffer persecution are like no other Christian you will ever meet. Persecution against the Church is begging to grow. Every time the Church has been persecuted in the past it resulted in a stronger, more faithful Church.

Many times in the Bible, persecution has been compared to the threshing of wheat. Back before we had machines to do all of it for us, the farmers would place wheat on the ground & toss the wheat into the air. As the wind blew, the chaff (the useless part of the wheat) would blow away, leaving only the good, useful grain.

This is what happens when the Church is put under persecution. Persecution is a time of weeding out the weak & useless, a time for the chaff to be blown away.

You need to decide now. Are you going to be chaff or grain?

Just before Stephen was stoned (Acts 7), he looked up to Heaven & proclaimed that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Act 7:55-56).

I heard a preacher once preach on this & he commented that he couldn't find any other reference of Jesus standing next to God, he was always sitting next to God. So he asked, "Why did Stephen say he was standing? Did he make a mistake?" He went on to say that he believed that Jesus, seeing Stephen's faith & knowing what was about to happen to him, Jesus stood.

Just as when we are at a football game & the whole game depends on the last couple of seconds & your team is just slightly behind but has the ball. What do you do? You stand. You are excited.

This preacher thought it was a similar reaction with Jesus. He saw that his boy, Stephen had just stood up & witnessed to the Sanhedrin and knowing that because of what Stephen had just said he was about to die, Jesus stood up. He was excited, he was proud of him, & he was about to welcome his friend home.

When the gun or knife is pointed at you, are you going to cower away later to feel the shame that Peter felt at denying Christ, or when you die is Christ going to raise to his feet & say to God, "Father, just wait till you meet this girl/guy!"?