The Fundi Driveby

Debate Nails Media's Anti-Christian Bigotry

2012-01-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

During the GOP debate, candidates exposed the left-wing media's bigotry against Christianity and the Obama administration's war on the DOMA.

This Little Child Is the King of Kings

2011-12-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."

The Real Star Of Bethlehem

2011-12-19T15:24:00.000-08:00

Professor and Lawyer Rick Larson offers a likely scenario that explains the Biblical Star of Bethlehem. Here is the first of a series of seven video's you can see for free on YouTube:

The Bible's Reliability

2011-12-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

The following article is taken from "Reasoning From the Scriptures Ministries" and re-posted here in it's entirety.

ManuscriptSupport for the
Bible's Reliability

by RonRhodes

Manuscript Evidence for the New Testament
There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament.

These manuscript copies are very ancient and they are available for inspection now.

There are also some 86,000 quotations from the early church fathers and several thousand Lectionaries (church-service books containing Scripture quotations used in the early centuries of Christianity).

Bottom line: the New Testament has an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting its reliability.
The Variants in the New Testament Manuscripts Are Minimal
In the many thousands of manuscript copies we possess of the New Testament, scholars have discovered that there are some 150,000 "variants."
This may seem like a staggering figure to the uninformed mind.

But to those who study the issue, the numbers are not so damning as it may initially appear.

Indeed, a look at the hard evidence shows that the New Testament manuscripts are amazingly accurate and trustworthy.
To begin, we must emphasize that out of these 150,000 variants, 99 percent hold virtually no significance whatsoever.
Many of these variants simply involve a missing letter in a word; some involve reversing the order of two words (such as "Christ Jesus" instead of "Jesus Christ"); some may involve the absence of one or more insignificant words.

Really, when all the facts are put on the table, only about 50 of the variants have any real significance - and even then, no doctrine of the Christian faith or any moral commandment is effected by them.

For more than ninety-nine percent of the cases the original text can be reconstructed to a practical certainty.

Even in the few cases where some perplexity remains, this does not impinge on the meaning of Scripture to the point of clouding a tenet of the faith or a mandate of life.
Thus, in the Bible as we have it (and as it is conveyed to us through faithful translations) we do have for practical purposes the very Word of God, inasmuch as the manuscripts do convey to us the complete vital truth of the originals.

By practicing the science of textual criticism - comparing all the available manuscripts with each other - we can come to an assurance regarding what the original document must have said.
Let us suppose we have five manuscript copies of an original document that no longer exists. Each of the manuscript copies are different. Our goal is to compare the manuscript copies and ascertain what the original must have said. Here are the five copies:
Manuscript #1: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole worl.

Manuscript #2: Christ Jesus is the Savior of the whole world.

Manuscript #3: Jesus Christ s the Savior of the whole world.

Manuscript #4: Jesus Christ is th Savior of the whle world.

Manuscript #5: Jesus Christ is the Savor of the whole wrld.
Could you, by comparing the manuscript copies, ascertain what the original document said with a high degree of certainty that you are correct? Of course you could.

This illustration may be extremely simplistic, but a great majority of the 150,000 variants are solved by the above methodology.

By comparing the various manuscripts, all of which contain very minor differences like the above, it becomes fairly clear what the original must have said.
Most of the manuscript variations concern matters of spelling, word order, tenses, and the like; no single doctrine is affected by them in any way.

We must also emphasize that the sheer volume of manuscripts we possess greatly narrows the margin of doubt regarding what the original biblical document said.

If the number of [manuscripts] increases the number of scribal errors, it increases proportionately the means of correcting such errors, so that the margin of doubt left in the process of recovering the exact original wording is not so large as might be feared; it is in truth remarkably small.
The New Testament Versus Other Ancient Books
By comparing the manuscript support for the Bible with manuscript support for other ancient documents and books, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that no other ancient piece of literature can stand up to the Bible. Manuscript support for the Bible is unparalleled!
There are more [New Testament] manuscripts copied with greater accuracy and earlier dating than for any secular classic from antiquity.

Rene Pache adds, "The historical books of antiquity have a documentation infinitely less solid."

Dr. Benjamin Warfield concludes, "If we compare the present state of the text of the New Testament with that of no matter what other ancient work, we must...declare it marvelously exact."
Norman Geisler makes several key observations for our consideration:
No other book is even a close second to the Bible on either the number or early dating of the copies. The average secular work from antiquity survives on only a handful of manuscripts; the New Testament boasts thousands.

The average gap between the original composition and the earliest copy is over 1,000 years for other books.

The New Testament, however, has a fragment within one generation from its original composition, whole books within about 100 years from the time of the autograph [original manuscript], most of the New Testament in less than 200 years, and the entire New Testament within 250 years from the date of its completion.

The degree of accuracy of the copies is greater for the New Testament than for other books that can be compared. Most books do not survive with enough manuscripts that make comparison possible.
From this documentary evidence, then, it is clear that the New Testament writings are superior to comparable ancient writings. "The records for the New Testament are vastly more abundant, clearly more ancient, and considerably more accurate in their text."
Support for the New Testament from the Church Fathers
As noted at the beginning of this chapter, in addition to the many thousands of New Testament manuscripts, there are over 86,000 quotations of the New Testament in the early church fathers. There are also New Testament quotations in thousands of early church Lectionaries (worship books).

There are enough quotations from the early church fathers that even if we did not have a single copy of the Bible, scholars could still reconstruct all but 11 verses of the entire New Testament from material written within 150 to 200 years from the time of Christ.
Manuscript Evidence for the Old Testament
The Dead Sea Scrolls prove the accuracy of the transmission of the Bible.
In fact, in these scrolls discovered at Qumran in 1947, we have Old Testament manuscripts that date about a thousand years earlier (150 B.C.) than the other Old Testament manuscripts then in our possession (which dated to A.D. 900).

The significant thing is that when one compares the two sets of manuscripts, it is clear that they are essentially the same, with very few changes.

The fact that manuscripts separated by a thousand years are essentially the same indicates the incredible accuracy of the Old Testament's manuscript transmission.
A full copy of the Book of Isaiah was discovered at Qumran.
Even though the two copies of Isaiah discovered in Qumran Cave 1 near the Dead Sea in 1947 were a thousand years earlier than the oldest dated manuscript previously known (A.D. 980), they proved to be word for word identical with our standard Hebrew Bible in more than 95 percent of the text.

The 5 percent of variation consisted chiefly of obvious slips of the pen and variations in spelling."
From manuscript discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Christians have undeniable evidence that today's Old Testament Scripture, for all practical purposes, is exactly the same as it was when originally inspired by God and recorded in the Bible.

Combine this with the massive amount of manuscript evidence we have for the New Testament, and it is clear that the Christian Bible is a trustworthy and reliable book.

The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the copyists of biblical manuscripts took great care in going about their work.
These copyists knew they were duplicating God's Word, so they went to incredible lengths to prevent error from creeping into their work.

The scribes carefully counted every line, word, syllable, and letter to ensure accuracy.
God's Preservation of the Bible
The Westminster Confession declares: "The Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek, being immediately inspired by God and, by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; so in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them."

The Westminster Confession makes a very important point here.
The fact is, the God who had the power and sovereign control to inspire the Scriptures in the first place is surely going to continue to exercise His power and sovereign control in the preservation of Scripture.
Actually, God's preservational work is illustrated in the text of the Bible.
By examining how Christ viewed the Old Testament, we see that He had full confidence that the Scriptures He used had been faithfully preserved through the centuries.

Because Christ raised no doubts about the adequacy of the Scripture as His contemporaries knew them, we can safely assume that the first-century text of the Old Testament was a wholly adequate representation of the divine word originally given.

Jesus regarded the extant copies of His day as so approximate to the originals in their message that He appealed to those copies as authoritative.

The respect that Jesus and His apostles held for the extant Old Testament text is, at base, an expression of the confidence in God's providential preservation of the copies and translations as substantially identical with the inspired originals.
Hence, the Bible itself indicates that copies can faithfully reflect the original text and therefore function authoritatively.

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Death-bed Statements of Non Believers

2011-12-17T11:29:00.000-08:00

This is an account of the words of those who died without Christ. It is not proof of heaven or hell, but it is the statements of those who in their final hours...minutes and perhaps seconds made as they contemplated their lives and the prospects that faced them. It is, to say the least, thought provoking.

2011-12-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

ATHEIST PROFESSOR IN HELL! Best testimony EVER! HELL NDE. Amazing! Howard Storm. TBN Interview

Blood Design shows God's Creation

2011-12-16T20:56:00.000-08:00

The Psalmist said; "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Here, from the "Red River of Life," Dr. Moon shows the incredible DESIGN that God did with the Blood cell.
This is one small example of how complex we are. Chance or design? See for yourself.

Sen. Jeff Merkley Explains Why He Voted Against the NDAA

2011-12-16T20:19:00.000-08:00

We Have Lost - Constitutionally Backed Freedoms

2011-12-10T12:30:00.001-08:00

Not So Long Ago In A Land Not So Far Away

The Department of HomelandSecurity (DHS) came out with an advisory that reinforced the stereotypes thatDHS head, Janet Ann Napolitano placed on a potential terrorist watch list sent out to law enforcement agencies nationwide. (Information taken from theUS Office of Homeland Security - Intelligence and Analysis Assessment Preparedby the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment ThreatAnalysis). According to the advisory, you are suspect to the DHS if you could be classified as one ofthe following:

1. Returning Military Veteran

2. Pro-life Advocate

3. Second Amendment Advocate

4. Non Supporter of the President’sAdministration

5. Critical of NAFTA

6. Against Same Sex Marriage

7. If you believe the U.S. economy willcollapse

8. If you are a Christian who believes that we're living inthe ‘end times.’

9. If you are Unemployed

10. Concerned aboutillegal immigration

11. Concerned about a“New World Order"

Then at the end ofthis list, (in echoes that hearken back to Nazi Germany), the DHS advisory saysthis: "The DHS (Department ofHomeland Security) encourages anyone who suspects another of being a right wingextremist to turn them in." (U)Reporting Notice: (U) DHS encouragesrecipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious orcriminal activity to DHS and the FBI." The quote was followed by a seriesof telephone numbers and web addresses to the DHS National Operations Center,the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC) and the FBI.

Well guess what - a law, The National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA) by Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) made it through the Senate.

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) said: "[W]hat we are talking about here is that Americans could be subjected to life imprisonment. Think about that for a minute. Life imprisonment. Without ever being charged, tried, or convicted of a crime. Without ever having an opportunity to prove your innocence to a judge or a jury of your peers. And without the government ever having to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. I think that denigrates the very foundations of this country." Then Franken voted FOR the law anyway - go figure!

Christians and Weapons (Guns).

2011-11-11T21:38:00.001-08:00

Christians and Guns: What do you think?
Should Christians be armed?
Should Christians enlist in the armed forces?

These and other questions are faced every day by believers who declare Christ as their Lord and Savior. This problem I encountered among some of my fellow church goers as I enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971.
Some said that a Christian shouldn't bear arms. Others said that if I went in, it should be as a (concientious objecter) assigned to duties where I would not bear arms. That was unacceptable to me, and recalling the example of our (for the most part) Christian Founders, I ignored the advice of my fellow church goers. Thankfully, I never was in a position to use lethal force, and for that I thank my God.

My personal beliefs, as both a Christian and an American, if called upon I would fight and pay whatever price necessary to uphold the Constitution that guarantees our freedoms, our inalienable rights for which I and every military person swore to defend.
After honorable military service, I decided to be a California Peace Officer. At my oral interview, the issue about my religious beliefs were again raised by the interviewing panel. "What if you had to use lethal force? In view of your religious background, could you?" My answer was that I would exhaust all reasonable means before using deadly force. Though I participated in quelling numerous disturbances and was involved in altercations, I was blessed never to have been in a situation to employ deadly force.
For over two decades now, I've carried personal weapons. I've never had to use them, since any weapon I have is strictly for my family's and my personal defense.
Now there were no fire arms when Jesus walked the earth, but they did have swords. Those were their deadly weapons and soldiers were highly trained in their use.

It is interesting that Christ made this statement to his disciples: "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
In the Old Testament, believers were involved in some really bloody battles. One time Elijah, God's prophet, slew 450 of the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:40).
Another time, following an all night prayer meeting, godly Samuel chopped an evil king to pieces with a sword.
1Samuel 15:33 "And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal."

Ultimately, it is up to the individual's conscience and personal beliefs, but there are two sayings that I keep in mind as I live in America.
1. When seconds count, the police are only minutes away, and
2. I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

Speaking in Tongues

2011-10-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

The day after I received Christ as my Savior, (August 8, 1964) I received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues. It was a Sunday evening service at a Foursquare 'church in the home' in Sepulveda, CA .

Please understand that I was seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost - not speaking in tongues or any other gift. Kneeling at a chair with the dozen or so members of the congregation laying hands on me, I was verbally thanking the Lord for saving me, when I began to stutter and speak words that made no sense to me. When I pray in tongues today, I still have no idea what the meaning is. One thing I'm sorry to say is that there are many Christians who do not believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost as a second work of grace, and some of the ones that do, really don't believe it is for believers today but passed away with the Apostles.
Such was the case with my Baptist partner Smitty, when we worked a housing unit in the California Department of Corrections.

We had just received a busload of new prisoners and among them was a voodoo practitioner nicknamed Jamaica. Smitty and I were sitting just outside of our upstairs supply-room monitoring housing unit floor activities while distributing toiletries to the new arrivals. In the meantime we had been casually talking about faith in God etc. and I referred to my experience with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. I could sense Smitty's skepticism, and declined his urging for a personal demonstration, which no doubt added to his skepticism.
Meanwhile we were observing Jamaica going about to the day room making hand gestures and generally attracting a lot of unwanted attention among the units population. One of inmates came to Smitty and I saying that Jamaica was putting voodoo curses on the guys and word was one way or another, Jamaica was going to be stopped.
In the next few minutes, Jamaica himself came running up the stairs, looking wild eyed he began speaking curses on Smitty and me. "I rebuke you Satan in the Name of Jesus Christ" I said - followed by speaking in tongues at which Jamaica fell down prostrate pleading for me to stop. I instructed him to go to his assigned cell and quit bothering others; and he obeyed.
Afterwards, Smitty asked, 'was that tongues?' (Obviously he was re-evaluating his thoughts on the matter). Praise God for the power of the Holy Ghost in the Name of Jesus!

I could recount many incidents regarding tongues, but what matters is what the Bible says.

At this time, I'm addressing only the fact that there is a further experience beyond salvation, available to any believer, and it is commonly known as the 'Baptism in the Holy Ghost,' with the common evidence of speaking in 'tongues.'
Here's what the scripture says:

Isa 28:11: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. [cf. 1Co 14:21]

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mar 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Mar 16:17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

John 7:38, 39: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Acts 1:4, 5: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 2:4: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2:33, 38-39: Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Act 10:44-48: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ‘Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Act 19:5, 6: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

1Co 14:18a: I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Act 8:14-22: Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Note: Three of the five times in the book of ACTS where people were baptized in the Holy Ghost, it specifically states that the recipients spoke in tongues. The other two times are when Saul (Paul) received the Holy Ghost, and of that his testimony is "I speak in tongues more than you all." In the incident "when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given," it is obvious that some sort of visual demonstration was given, and we're left to decide what that might be for ourselves. For me there is no question - and perfectly consistent with the Bible, that tongues is the immediate evidence.

Also, since Jesus Christ is the one who Baptizes in the Holy Ghost - according to John the Baptist - it is also proof positive that Jesus lives and is baptizing believers today - Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

Promoting Evolution by Denigrating Christians

2011-10-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's politics as usual on MSNBC and the left wing media. When Rick Perry was asked by a child what he thought of evolution, Perry stepped into it with camera's rolling and even though his statement was mildly non-committal, the left wing media wasted no time portraying it as a 'gotcha' moment. Worse, but not unexpectedly, they salivated as they went on the attack relegating every Christian as an enemy of science. Good heavens, Christianity will send us all back to the dark ages!
I guess they forget that many of the modern scientific disciplines resulted from those who called themselves Christians. Here's Rick Perry and the question of evolution.

Here are the left media poking fun at Tea Party advocates as well as those who believe the Bible to be the Word of God.

Religion or Relation

2011-06-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

"Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one." - Thomas Jefferson

I frequently quote Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson considered himself a "real Christian" and said as much, but he was more like a Deist, in the classical sense of the word. Such stalwart and knowledgeable Christian scholars as the late Dr. D. James Kennedy considered Jefferson as more of what we would today term an atheist than a deist. Yet many of Thomas Jefferson’s' statements indicated that unlike most deists or atheists, he did believe in the Bible, at least as it referenced morals and general principles, as well as the judgment that surely befalls a nation or people who fail to heed its warnings.

Many of the quotes of our founding fathers seem contradictory when placed side by side, but when taken in the perspective of evolving beliefs, one may track their personal struggles within themselves. Pardon the personal reference, but in my own life there was a time that I wasn't a follower of Christ, didn't believe in the Bible and have on many occasions been highly critical of both. Statements I made prior to my conversion are 180 degrees opposite of what I am, profess and believe today notwithstanding even statements I make today, taken out of context may present themselves as conflicting with my profession of faith. As an example, I don't disagree with atheists in many of their conclusions about 'religion.' That's because virtually every religious label has at one time or another brought with it all manner of bondage, death and destruction on humanity...yet I declare myself a Christian, not based ‘religion,’ but rather on a ‘relationship’ to the risen Christ of the Bible. Therefore, that distinction really highlights the difference between 'religion' and 'relationship.' Receiving Christ as ones Messiah, Savior and Lord actually changes everything about us, "...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" and that includes our parentage, which includes inheritance: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12) We’ve been adopted into the Family of God.

For me, and millions of followers of Jesus Christ, that is precisely the distinction. We've been born spiritually (of the Spirit - John 3) in that moment when we invited Jesus Christ into our lives to be our personal Savior and Lord, and are witnessing an extreme change from who we were without Christ, to who we are becoming, in Christ. That is God's desire for you and the very reason that He sent Jesus Christ into this world -

Are you ready for a change? Do you want a new direction, a new vision, and a great outcome for your life? Would you consider inviting Jesus Christ into your life, to be your Messiah, your Savior and your Lord? It may sound cliché, but God really does have a plan for your life - wouldn't it be a shame not to discover that destiny for yourself?
Simply ask Him to forgive your sins and to come into your life, and be your Savior and Lord. Then follow Him and you'll never walk alone.

photo: Sierra Nevada/R. Hoeppner

Christ the Lord is Risen! Music Video

2011-04-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

He's Alive - By Don Francisco

Have you hear about all the buzz concerning History Channel's "The Real Face Of Jesus?"
This is clip 9.

This Blood Is For You

2011-04-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

"This Blood is For You," Passion Music Video by Carman.

"Too Small A Price" Passion Music Video by Don Francisco

1000 Years B.C. - Psalm 22:1-19: The Crucifixion

2011-04-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

Psa 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psa 22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Psa 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psa 22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
Psa 22:5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
Psa 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Psa 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Psa 22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
Psa 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
Psa 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Psa 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Psa 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Latest News from the Bible

2011-03-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end. And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Lk.21:24b, 25; Matthew 24:6-8; Luke 21:27, 28; NLT)

"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9-14 NLT)
"Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!- (Luke 21:27, 28 NLT)

Middle Eastern Unrest

2011-03-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

As I write, the Arab world is in a great state of upheaval, the likes of what we have seen when the Iranians deposed the Shah, (Mohammed Reza Pahlavi). The power vacuum caused by the Shah's departure was quickly filled by the radical Islamic extremist, Ayatollah Khomeini.

When Daniel (Daniel 7) dreamed about the coming world ruling empires that were going to rise, he saw the political and social upheavals that accompanied their rise likened to a troubled, wind tossed sea caught in a 'perfect storm.' This is how the Amplified version of Daniel 7:2 puts it:

Daniel said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens [political and social agitations] were stirring up the great sea [the nations of the world].

Further reading in Daniel 7 describes the kingdoms to rise and the last one is going to be headed up by the antichrist, (the little horn). We are living in the end of the fourth kingdom that Daniel saw, and the little horn may well be on his way to power now. While people in the Middle East are in a state of turmoil, a number of governments are leaving a power vacuum that somebody is going to fill.

I believe what we are observing in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, and Libya is but one segment of what Daniel saw as the 'four winds.' There is more to come, as this upheaval is only a fraction of what is coming.

Be looking for the little horn to rise up, displacing three other horns, or rulers. He will be readily accepted, as he will appear to have the answers to the distressed and perplexed nations. I hope that those who know Christ as Savior and Lord will be raptured out by then.

Surely, the sea of humanity is troubled - we are living in the last days and Jesus Christ Himself gives us this warning:

Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed).
And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, [not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea,
Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter.

- Luke 21:24b-26, Amplified Bible.

He instructed us as believers (in describing the events in Luke 21)

Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. Truly I tell you, this generation (those living at that definite period of time) will not perish and pass away until all has taken place. But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.

Jerusalem was taken by Israel in the 6 day war in 1967. Jesus said that the generation living at that time would not pass away until all has taken place. We are that generation Daniel and Jesus spoke of.
What is a Biblical generation? Bible scholar, Dr. Jack VanImpe has calculated that a bible generation averages 52 years. Assuming that is correct, 1967 + 52 = 2019 when ALL the prophecies regarding Daniels visions will be fulfilled. In other words, 2019 is post the 7 year tribulation, or 2019 - 7 = 2012 as the year the tribulation will begin.
So pray you will be accounted worthy to escape - and stand before the Son.

Advice from the Lord Himself - can we afford to ignore it?

2010-06-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

The day after my dad, brother and I gave our hearts to Jesus, I received a copy of the popular Dave Wilkerson book, 'The Cross And The Switchblade.' After reading that book, Rev. Wilkerson became something of a favorite Christian writer and a hero of the faith to us. Visit his website @: http://www.worldchallenge.org/

If you've ever read his book, 'Racing Towards Judgment,' you would have to say that Dave Wilkerson is a prophet.

School Censored Cheerleaders Christian Belief

2010-03-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Georgia school bans inspirational messages because of one person's complaint who doesn't even have any children at the school.

Bible banned from High School

2010-03-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

Another case of a Christian student being persecuted by public school officials.

It Is Well With My Soul

2010-02-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

Horatio Spafford wrote one of the most well known songs of the Christian Church - "It Is Well With My Soul."

My wife and I spent two weeks in late December camping along California's Central Coast - at Pismo Beach. We would take walks down to the beach and gaze out over the ocean. Big storms out over the Pacific sent large waves crashing ashore. In the evenings we were cozily nestled away in our motor home each night listening to the pounding surf. Every time we go to Pismo, we attend a different church...this time we went to "New Life Church" where the highlight of the service was when the song leader/pianist told the story behind the song, It Is Well With My Soul.

Horatio Spafford pictured here - Author of

"It is Well With My Soul"

Horatio Spafford was a successful Chicago attorney, abolitionist and devout Christian serving as an elder in the Presbyterian church. He and his wife, Anna were the proud parents of five children - four daughters and a son. As life often twists and turns, so it did in the lives of the Spaffords. In 1870 four year old Horatio Jr. took ill and passed away. It was a devestating blow but life goes on. Later that same year Horatio made some heavy real estate investments along Chicago's Lake Michigan waterfront. Then, in 1871 the Great Chicago fire wiped out those investments.

Anna's health was declining and the family decided that a trip to Europe would be beneficial, so their plans were made. At the last moment, Horatio had some urgent business come up, so rather than disappoint the rest of the family he decided to let them go on ahead and he'd rejoin them in Europe a few days later.

A few days out of port the ship his wife and four daughters were on collided with another vessel and sank. Horatio was already on another ship following when the telegram arrived. The message was the ship his family was on sunk, his four daughters were lost. His wife had rescued out of the sea, unconscious - but alive. As Horatio's ship crossed over the spot where his daughters were lost, and the ship had sunk, the Captain informed him.

If you would like to read more detail about the Horatio Spafford, his triumphs through tragedy and the song, please read Jane Winsteads wonderful article.

Ronald Reagan; Quote of the Week

2009-11-27T22:30:00.000-08:00

"We don't have a tillion dollar-debt because we haven't taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. " - Ronald Reagan

America's Traditional Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."
According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

America's JUDEO - Christian Roots

2009-08-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

From the Heritage Foundation

"Scholars often mistakenly refer to the god of the Founders as a deist god. But the Founders talked about God in terms that are radically Jewish: Creator, Lawgiver, Governor, Judge, and Providence. These were the names they most commonly used for Him, notably in the Declaration of Independence. For the most part, these are not names that could have come from the Greeks or Romans, but only from the Jewish Testament. Perhaps the Founders avoided Christian language because they didn’t want to divide one another, since different colonies were founded under different Christian inspirations. In any case, all found common language in the language of the Jewish Testament. It is important for citizens today whose main inspiration is the Enlightenment and Reason to grasp the religious elements in the founding, which have been understated for a hundred years."

Faith and the American Founding: Illustrating Religion's Influence
by Michael Novak
First Principles #7

Total Solar Eclipse and the Ninth of Av

2009-07-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

Signs in the heavens? This year’s only total solar eclipse occurs today, July 22, 2009 little more than a week before the critical date in the Hebrew calendar called "Tish B’Av." This year's Tish B’Av (July 30, 2009) is the day of fasting and mourning that concludes three weeks of the austere remembrance of (the curse on Israel down through the centuries beginning with) the failure of 10 of the 12 spies Moses sent to spy out the promised land.

It was on this day of the Hebrew Calendar in 586 BC that Solomon’s Temple was destroyed. It was on that day in 70 AD that the second (Herod’s) Temple was destroyed and on it goes.
August 4, 135 AD, the Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered; Jerusalem was plowed under and later rebuilt as a pagan city forbidden to Jews.
Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade. Tens of thousands of Jews were killed, and many Jewish communities were obliterated
July 25, 1290 [9 Av 5050] marked the first nation-wide rejection of Jews when the official decree expelling them from England was signed.
In 1492, [9 Av 5252] King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree, setting Tish B’Av as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed to walk on Spanish soil.
August 6, 1555 [9 Av, 5315] Jews were first ordered into a ghetto on when the Jews of Rome were ordered to live in a district near the Tiber.
W.W. I broke out on [9 Av, 5674] August 1, 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust. A total solar eclipse occurred on August 21st of that year. (This agrees with the theory that solar eclipses occurring within the proximity of Tish B’ Av effect gentile nations more than Israel which bases their dates on a lunar calendar).
August 2, 1941 [9 Av 5701] Reinhardt Heydrich was ordered to carry out the “final solution” on European Jewry.
August 14, 2005 [9 Av 5765] 8,000 Jewish settlers were forcefully expelled from their homes in Gush Katif, the Southern Gaza strip.
That brings us up to the current trifecta of TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES that occur around the 1st of Av on each of the year’s 2008, 2009 and 2010.
August 1, 2008 there was a total solar eclipse. On August 8, 2008 [9th of Av] Russia attacked Georgia.
This year, on July 22, 2009 (Today at this writing) a total solar eclipse will occur. It's the only total Solar Eclipse of the year, anywhere on the globe. The 9th of Av happens about 8 days later as well. In our Gregorian calendar that translates to July 29th and 30th (since Hebrew days begin and end in the evening). We’ll see what happens.
If something does occur, then we can expect another event in 2010 when a total solar eclipse repeats on July 11 (1st of Av) and see what happens on July 19 – 20 (9th of Av).
Why do I think that these three solar eclipses are significant? Because this is the only time in (Hebrew) history, they occur in such a pattern in conjunction with this austere Jewish remembrance.
One skeptic has already accused me of inferring that naturally occurring cosmological events determine events on earth. Not true! My answer is this: The order and magnitude of cosmological events is repeated throughout the Biblical record. The Magi, or wise men from the East for example, knew of the birth of the King of the Jews (Christ) by observing ‘signs’ in the heavens. The motion of heavenly bodies does not govern human events on the earth! I never inferred that it did; but rather an all-wise, all knowing God has pre-determined their motions, like the intricate workings of a grand clock, set from the beginning of creation. God said that the sun, moon and stars were for signs (Hebrew: "oth" – meaning a signal, flag or warning) and seasons (Heb: "mo-ed,"festivals, convocations, appointments). – Genesis 1:14
It’s God’s ‘alarm clock’ set by His infinite foreknowledge untold centuries ago, to alert us of coming events. As for me, I am unashamed in taking this unprecedented 'trinity' of total solar eclipses that precede Tish B’Av as God’s signal to prepare for a coming event. Personally, I hope this year’s Tish B’Av will peacefully pass unnoticed; but since I really believe there is danger ahead to prepare for, would I be less than responsible to keep silent?
Frequent Biblical references to events in the sky permeate both the Old and New Testament – Why did Jesus talk about things like,
“…there will be fearful sights and great signs…from heaven.” - Luke 21:11.
Or the Torah which says, “He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth.” – Daniel 6:27.
Interestingly however, the Bible also says this, “...be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them." This makes a clear distinction between believers and non-believers. Whatever happens, God has promised to be our "Jehovah Jireh," the provider of all our needs.
The Bible speaks of the sun being darkened and the moon turning blood red as ‘signs’ in both the Old and New Testaments. Isn’t that also a description of both solar and lunar eclipses?
From this moment you have six days to prepare. I would at least have extra food and water available, to last a minimum of a week. Frankly, that is not too bad an idea in the world we live in anyway. Fueling up vehicles and propane containers (by July 27th ) as well.
Flashlights, radios extra batteries, lanterns and candles etc. It’s not going to cost any more in the long run whether or not anything actually does happen, but you know the saying – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That seems to be the most sensible attitude to have now since nobody knows what and where an event (if any) will happen, on this ‘Tish B’Av.
One should at least consider having emergency supplies on hand in any event. Other suggestions could be found online.
We know the world we live in is becoming more dangerous. Israel is on record affirming that they are not about allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, and Iran is on record affirming that their intent is to destroy Israel. We know that Iran has been conducting experiments that seem to indicate they are preparing to initiate an EMP attack. Then there’s North Korea, Venezuela etc.
Last year’s eclipse overshadowed Northern Canada, Greenland, Siberia (Russia), Mongolia, and China. Russia invaded Georgia.
This year it overshadows India, Nepal, China and the Central Pacific.
In 2010 it overshadows the South Pacific, Easter Is., Chile and Argentina.
Whatever the future holds, is it written in the sky?

The Hand of Providence - Quote of the Month

2009-04-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

"The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations. ... The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity. ... It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors." --George Washington

Why Thanksgiving in America?

2008-11-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and
Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to
pardon our national and other transgressions;
to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually;
to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed;
to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord;
to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789." Signed - George Washington
God Bless America!

Ancient Bible Passages ahead of Science

2008-10-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Air Pressure in the Bible

Air Pressure is described in
Job 28:23-28 - "For He (God) looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. "When He imparted *weight to the wind and meted out the waters by measure, when He set a limit for the rain and a course for the thunderbolt, then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out." *Some people have attempted to say that this verse has nothing to do with air pressure. After examining this verse I've found that the reference to the "weight to the wind" can also be translated “how hard the winds should blow.” In view of this it is all the more amazing since the wind velocity, as we well know today is determined by barometric pressures, which is exactly what is indicated in the verse above. So whichever way you want to look at this verse, you can't escape the fact that it does have everything to do with air pressure. The air flows from high pressure to low pressure producing wind.

Over two thousand years after Job, Evangelista Torricelli (1608 – 1647) invented the barometer (1643) while using mercury in a glass tube in an attempt to create a vacuum. He noticed that the mercury level in the tube changed and deduced it was caused by changes in atmospheric pressure. (First called Torricelli’s tube, when working with Galileo in Florence, Italy). Job is considered one of the oldest writings in the Bible. In addition, this verse also mentions 'the course for the thunderbolt.' Today it's common knowledge that electron flow always follows a 'course' or the path of least resistance - but in Job's day, civilization was still over two thousand years away from that knowledge. Torricelli's Barometer:

The Water Cycle :

The Air Currents:

Ecclesiastes 1:6"Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns."
The slow rotation of the earth toward the east causes the air to be deflected toward the right in the northern hemisphere and toward the left in the southern hemisphere. This deflection of the wind by the earth's rotation is known as the Coriolis effect.

Air pressure, air currents, lightning strkes and the water cycle - all revealed by God in the Bible over 2600 years ago! Now Jewish tradition attributes the book Job to Moses. It certainly is a Hebrew writing and predates Christianity by at least 600 years and the discovery of atmospheric pressure by over 2,000 years!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

What To Do If You Miss The Rapture

2008-09-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

OK, so now you suddenly realize that a bunch of Christians have disappeared, vanished!

The world is in chaos and you understand that the “Rapture” might have happened. What’s coming next? What do you do?

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what’s about to happen next: A European world leader is going to rise up. He’s going to confirm a Mideast peace treaty with Israel for seven years will enable the Jews to finally have peace. They will recognize this “peacemaker” as their long awaited Messiah. But for you, it's a tough road ahead. You know by now for certain that the Bible was true and that in the next seven years horrific events will occur on earth. Check this video clip to see what happened to those Christians who’ve vanished!

Listen to Pastor Steve Hadley of Harvest Church, Reno as he explains what’s coming so you'll know how to prepare. I'm not going to sugar coat this. It's going to cost you everything, including your very life. But your destiny is certain and eternal life is certain if you receive Christ and remain faithful to the death. You're in the same boat as millions of others. Remember Jesus said, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Left Behind

The New School Prayer

2008-08-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

[written by a teen in Bagdad, Arizona]

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

We need God in America again!

The Curse of Jeconiah and the Throne of David

2008-08-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew 1:12 the name Jeconiah, (aka Jehoiachin and Coniah) appears. Jesus’ ancestry is traced through Jeconiah to Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus Christ. It is through Jeconiah that Jesus Christ rightfully has access to the throne of David. But there is a problem. You see, in Jeremiah 22:24, 30 Jeconiah was cursed by God.
24. “As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;” 30.“Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.”

According to Jewish reckoning, no descendant of Jeconiah could ever sit on the throne, therefore Jesus would be disqualified from being the Messiah since He descended through Jeconiah. You can see how this has really become a stumbling block to many of the Jews. I’m going to present three solutions that counter this.

The First Solution:
Most Christians simply ignore the “bloodline” of Joseph, Jesus’ stepfather by simply recognizing that Jesus was born of a virgin. Since the life of the flesh is in the blood and the blood line is passed down through the father, anyone born of Adam or any human male could not redeem himself, let alone humanity and so any curse or stain of sin from either Adam or Jeconiah had no effect on Jesus.

Besides this, Jesus Himself said,
“And think not to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham to our father:’ for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." - problem solved!

That being said, a simple gentile like me has no problem with it but I can see where a Jew would.

As one Jew told me, “If Jesus didn’t come through Jeconiah then he could never sit on the throne of David, end of story!”

So that presents an interesting dilemma, doesn’t it? Only a descendant of Jeconiah could sit on the throne, but because of God’s curse on Jeconiah, none of his descendants can sit on the throne.

The Second Solution:
On the “Jews for Jesus” website [http://jewsforjesus.org/answers/prophecy/jeconiah] this problem is eloquently addressed. The argument is that Jeconiah repented and God accepted his repentance and reversed the curse. The “Jews for Jesus” cite many extra Biblical Hebrew sources showing God reversed the curse which is discussed in great detail on their website. I can see the reasoning, there I only submit to one source I can accept as infallable, and that’s the Bible.

The Third Solution comes to light with the discovery of a tablet at the Ishtar Gate of Babylon that says the seven sons of Jeconiah were castrated. By comparing the the Davidic lineage in 1 Chronicles 3:17-19, Luke 3:27 Jesus' line is traced back to Nathan whose brother was Solomon. The line goes down to Neri to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, son of Pedaiah, brother of Shealtiel.

While Jeconiah's line did end, his adoption of David's descendants through Nathan provided the line that gives Jesus the right to David's Throne where Jeconiah's own sons didn't, and neither did they have children because they were eunichs.

Quote of the Month from Jonathan Rosenblum

2008-05-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

"The fossil record is largely one of species and groups of species coming into existence fully formed, remaining unchanged throughout their history, and becoming extinct by virtue of some great catastrophe, not because they were replaced by better-adapted descendants."

Question Darwin and Face the Consequences

2008-05-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

What happens when a professor decides to present students with evidence that challenges Darwin's theory? Find out on this episode of ID the Future, where we've highlighted comments from biochemist Nancy Bryson Ph.D., a professor who knows firsthand the importance of academic freedom on college campuses.
Dr. Bryson was removed from her position as head of the division of natural sciences at Mississippi University for Women when she presented criticisms of evolution to a group of honor students. Listen as she recounts the chilling effect the university's censors' actions had on academic freedom and students' ability to question and engage in their material.

A Very Pleasant Surprise on American Idol

2008-04-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

Hillsong Convention Centre

I don't watch American Idol as a rule. My wife had told me that night (4/9/08) the final eight contestants sang the worship song, entitled Shout to the Lord," written by Darlene Zschech. One thing was missing from the song that night, and that was the name of Jesus. I've noted that many of the songs we sing in our church (Calvary Chapel Chico) don't mention the name of Jesus specifically either, so my reaction was to marvel that God would use the most watched, secular, television program in the world, American Idol, as an instrument to get the Gospel into places that many Christians would or could never go. My thanks to God was to echo the Psalmists words, "This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." - Psalm 118:23.
While I was on the computer watching the You Tube video of the previous night's performance, I could hear American Idol coming on again on the television in the next room. Then they aired another video of the group singing "Shout to the Lord", only this time the name of Jesus wasn't omitted! This is that performance (4/10/08).
Think of how this song speaks to the person who might have been contemplating taking his or her life. Or the impact of these words of hope to some down and outter who just lost everything, to hear the words, "my comfort, my shelter..." Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!"
That's the Gospel!

A Christian Nation

2008-04-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

The prayer at the First Continental Congress

It is argued by some that America was never a "Christian Nation" and that such an idea was never in the minds of our founding fathers. The phrase that Thomas Jefferson wrote in his personal letter to the Danbury Baptists has been taken completely out of context and used by secularists who have no regard for the concept of a Christian God to erect a so called 'wall of separation' between our government and faith in our creator. That's why I wanted to reprint, here in this blog,

House Resolution 888

110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 888
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 18, 2007
Mr. FORBES (for himself, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. AKIN, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. CULBERSON, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. HAYES, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. HERGER, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. MCHENRY, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. PENCE, Mr. PITTS, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mrs. SCHMIDT, Mr. WALBERG, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. WOLF, and Mr. YOUNG of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

RESOLUTION
Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.

Whereas religious faith was not only important in official American life during the periods of discovery, exploration, colonization, and growth but has also been acknowledged and incorporated into all 3 branches of American Federal government from their very beginning;

Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed this self-evident fact in a unanimous ruling declaring `This is a religious people ... From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making this affirmation';

Whereas political scientists have documented that the most frequently-cited source in the political period known as The Founding Era was the Bible;

Whereas the first act of America's first Congress in 1774 was to ask a minister to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the reading of 4 chapters of the Bible;

Whereas Congress regularly attended church and Divine service together en masse;

Whereas throughout the American Founding, Congress frequently appropriated money for missionaries and for religious instruction, a practice that Congress repeated for decades after the passage of the Constitution and the First Amendment;

Whereas in 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence with its 4 direct religious acknowledgments referring to God as the Creator (`All people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'), the Lawgiver (`the laws of nature and nature's God'), the Judge (`appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world'), and the Protector (`with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence');

Whereas upon approving the Declaration of Independence, John Adams declared that the Fourth of July `ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty';

Whereas 4 days after approving the Declaration, the Liberty Bell was rung;

Whereas the Liberty Bell was named for the Biblical inscription from Leviticus 25:10 emblazoned around it: `Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof';

Whereas in 1777, Congress, facing a National shortage of `Bibles for our schools, and families, and for the public worship of God in our churches,' announced that they `desired to have a Bible printed under their care & by their encouragement' and therefore ordered 20,000 copies of the Bible to be imported `into the different ports of the States of the Union';

Whereas in 1782, Congress pursued a plan to print a Bible that would be `a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools' and therefore approved the production of the first English language Bible printed in America that contained the congressional endorsement that `the United States in Congress assembled ... recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States';

Whereas in 1782, Congress adopted (and has reaffirmed on numerous subsequent occasions) the National Seal with its Latin motto `Annuit Coeptis,' meaning `God has favored our undertakings,' along with the eye of Providence in a triangle over a pyramid, the eye and the motto `allude to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favor of the American cause';

Whereas the 1783 Treaty of Paris that officially endied the Revolution and established America as an independent begins with the appellation `In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity';

Whereas in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin declared, `God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? ... Without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel';

Whereas the delegates to the Constitutional Convention concluded their work by in effect placing a religious punctuation mark at the end of the Constitution in the Attestation Clause, noting not only that they had completed the work with `the unanimous consent of the States present' but they had done so `in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven';

Whereas James Madison declared that he saw the finished Constitution as a product of `the finger of that Almighty Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the Revolution,' and George Washington viewed it as `little short of a miracle,' and Benjamin Franklin believed that its writing had been `influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler, in Whom all inferior spirits live, and move, and have their being';

Whereas from 1787 to 1788, State conventions to ratify the United States Constitution not only began with prayer but even met in church buildings;

Whereas in 1795 during construction of the Capitol, a practice was instituted whereby `public worship is now regularly administered at the Capitol, every Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock';

Whereas in 1789, the first Federal Congress, the Congress that framed the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment, appropriated Federal funds to pay chaplains to pray at the opening of all sessions, a practice that has continued to this day, with Congress not only funding its congressional chaplains but also the salaries and operations of more than 4,500 military chaplains;

Whereas in 1789, Congress, in the midst of framing the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, passed the first Federal law touching education, declaring that `Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged';

Whereas in 1789, on the same day that Congress finished drafting the First Amendment, it requested President Washington to declare a National day of prayer and thanksgiving, resulting in the first Federal official Thanksgiving proclamation that declared `it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor';

Whereas in 1800, Congress enacted naval regulations requiring that Divine service be performed twice every day aboard `all ships and vessels in the navy,' with a sermon preached each Sunday;

Whereas in 1800, Congress approved the use of the just-completed Capitol structure as a church building, with Divine services to be held each Sunday in the Hall of the House, alternately administered by the House and Senate chaplains;

Whereas in 1853 Congress declared that congressional chaplains have a `duty ... to conduct religious services weekly in the Hall of the House of Representatives';

Whereas by 1867, the church at the Capitol was the largest church in Washington, DC, with up to 2,000 people a week attending Sunday service in the Hall of the House;

Whereas by 1815, over 2,000 official governmental calls to prayer had been issued at both the State and the Federal levels, with thousands more issued since 1815;

Whereas in 1853 the United States Senate declared that the Founding Fathers `had no fear or jealousy of religion itself, nor did they wish to see us an irreligious people ... they did not intend to spread over all the public authorities and the whole public action of the nation the dead and revolting spectacle of atheistical apathy';

Whereas in 1854 the United States House of Representatives declared `It [religion] must be considered as the foundation on which the whole structure rests ... Christianity; in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions';

Whereas, in 1864, by law Congress added `In God We Trust' to American coinage;

Whereas in 1864, Congress passed an act authorizing each State to display statues of 2 of its heroes in the United States Capitol, resulting in numerous statues of noted Christian clergymen and leaders at the Capitol, including Gospel ministers such as the Revs. James A. Garfield, John Peter Muhlenberg, Jonathan Trumbull, Roger Williams, Jason Lee, Marcus Whitman, and Martin Luther King Jr.; Gospel theologians such as Roger Sherman; Catholic priests such as Father Damien, Jacques Marquette, Eusebio Kino, and Junipero Serra; Catholic nuns such as Mother Joseph; and numerous other religious leaders;

Whereas in 1870, the Federal government made Christmas (a recognition of the birth of Christ, an event described by the U.S. Supreme Court as `acknowledged in the Western World for 20 centuries, and in this country by the people, the Executive Branch, Congress, and the courts for 2 centuries') and Thanksgiving as official holidays;

Whereas beginning in 1904 and continuing for the next half-century, the Federal government printed and distributed The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth for the use of Members of Congress because of the important teachings it contained;

Whereas in 1931, Congress by law adopted the Star-Spangled Banner as the official National Anthem, with its phrases such as `may the Heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation,' and `this be our motto, `In God is our trust!';

Whereas in 1954, Congress by law added the phrase `one nation under God' to the Pledge of Allegiance;

Whereas in 1954 a special Congressional Prayer Room was added to the Capitol with a kneeling bench, an altar, an open Bible, an inspiring stained-glass window with George Washington kneeling in prayer, the declaration of Psalm 16:1: `Preserve me, O God, for in Thee do I put my trust,' and the phrase `This Nation Under God' displayed above the kneeling, prayerful Washington;

Whereas in 1956, Congress by law made `In God We Trust' the National Motto, and added the phrase to American currency;

Whereas the constitutions of each of the 50 states, either in the preamble or body, explicitly recognize or express gratitude to God;

Whereas America's first Presidential Inauguration incorporated 7 specific religious activities, including--
(1) the use of the Bible to administer the oath;
(2) affirming the religious nature of the oath by the adding the prayer `So help me God!' to the oath;
(3) inaugural prayers offered by the President;
(4) religious content in the inaugural address;
(5) civil leaders calling the people to prayer or acknowledgement of God;
(6) inaugural worship services attended en masse by Congress as an official part of congressional activities; and
(7) clergy-led inaugural prayers, activities which have been replicated in whole or part by every subsequent President;

Whereas President George Washington declared `Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports';

Whereas President John Adams, one of only 2 signers of the Bill of Rights and First Amendment, declared `As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him';

Whereas President Jefferson not only attended Divine services at the Capitol throughout his presidency and had the Marine Band play at the services, but during his administration church services were also begun in the War Department and the Treasury Department, thus allowing worshippers on any given Sunday the choice to attend church at either the United States Capitol, the War Department, or the Treasury Department if they so desired;

Whereas Thomas Jefferson urged local governments to make land available specifically for Christian purposes, provided Federal funding for missionary work among Indian tribes, and declared that religious schools would receive `the patronage of the government';

Whereas President Andrew Jackson declared that the Bible `is the rock on which our Republic rests';

Whereas President Abraham Lincoln declared that the Bible `is the best gift God has given to men ... But for it, we could not know right from wrong'

Whereas President William McKinley declared that `Our faith teaches us that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers, Who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial and Who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps';

Whereas President Teddy Roosevelt declared `The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) and the Golden Rule must stand as the foundation of every successful effort to better either our social or our political life';

Whereas President Woodrow Wilson declared that `America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture';

Whereas President Herbert Hoover declared that `American life is builded, and can alone survive, upon ... [the] fundamental philosophy announced by the Savior nineteen centuries ago';

Whereas President Franklin D. Roosevelt not only led the Nation in a 6 minute prayer during D-Day on June 6, 1944, but he also declared that `If we will not prepare to give all that we have and all that we are to preserve Christian civilization in our land, we shall go to destruction';

Whereas President Harry S. Truman declared that `The fundamental basis of this Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul';

Whereas President Harry S. Truman told a group touring Washington, DC, that `You will see, as you make your rounds, that this Nation was established by men who believed in God. ... You will see the evidence of this deep religious faith on every hand';

Whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that `Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first,the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God's help, it will continue to be' in a declaration later repeated with approval by President Gerald Ford;

Whereas President John F. Kennedy declared that `The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God';

Whereas President Ronald Reagan, after noting `The Congress of the United States, in recognition of the unique contribution of the Bible in shaping the history and character of this Nation and so many of its citizens, has ... requested the President to designate the year 1983 as the `Year of the Bible',' officially declared 1983 as `The Year of the Bible';

Whereas every other President has similarly recognized the role of God and religious faith in the public life of America;

Whereas all sessions of the United States Supreme Court begin with the Court's Marshal announcing, `God save the United States and this honorable court';

Whereas a regular and integral part of official activities in the Federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, was the inclusion of prayer by a minister of the Gospel;

Whereas the United States Supreme Court has declared throughout the course of our Nation's history that the United States is `a Christian country', `a Christian nation', `a Christian people', `a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being', and that `we cannot read into the Bill of Rights a philosophy of hostility to religion';

Whereas Justice John Jay, an author of the Federalist Papers and original Justice of the United States Supreme Court, urged `The most effectual means of securing the continuance of our civil and religious liberties is always to remember with reverence and gratitude the Source from which they flow';

Whereas Justice James Wilson, a signer of the Constitution, declared that `Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that law which is Divine ... Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants';

Whereas Justice William Paterson, a signer of the Constitution, declared that `Religion and morality ... [are] necessary to good government, good order, and good laws';

Whereas President George Washington, who passed into law the first legal acts organizing the Federal judiciary, asked, `where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths in the courts of justice?';

Whereas some of the most important monuments, buildings, and landmarks in Washington, DC, include religious words, symbols, and imagery;

Whereas in the United States Capitol the declaration `In God We Trust' is prominently displayed in both the United States House and Senate Chambers;

Whereas around the top of the walls in the House Chamber appear images of 23 great lawgivers from across the centuries, but Moses (the lawgiver, who--according to the Bible--originally received the law from God,) is the only lawgiver honored with a full face view, looking down on the proceedings of the House;

Whereas religious artwork is found throughout the United States Capitol, including in the Rotunda where the prayer service of Christopher Columbus, the Baptism of Pocahontas, and the prayer and Bible study of the Pilgrims are all prominently displayed; in the Cox Corridor of the Capitol where the words `America! God shed His grace on thee' are inscribed; at the east Senate entrance with the words `Annuit Coeptis' which is Latin for `God has favored our undertakings'; and in numerous other locations;

Whereas images of the Ten Commandments are found in many Federal buildings across Washington, DC, including in bronze in the floor of the National Archives; in a bronze statue of Moses in the Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress; in numerous locations at the U.S. Supreme Court, including in the frieze above the Justices, the oak door at the rear of the Chamber, the gable apex, and in dozens of locations on the bronze latticework surrounding the Supreme Court Bar seating;

Whereas in the Washington Monument not only are numerous Bible verses and religious acknowledgements carved on memorial blocks in the walls, including the phrases: `Holiness to the Lord' (Exodus 28:26, 30:30, Isaiah 23:18, Zechariah 14:20), `Search the Scriptures' (John 5:39), `The memory of the just is blessed' (Proverbs 10:7), `May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence', and `In God We Trust', but the Latin inscription Laus Deo meaning `Praise be to God' is engraved on the monument's capstone;

Whereas of the 5 areas inside the Jefferson Memorial into which Jefferson's words have been carved, 4 are God-centered, including Jefferson's declaration that `God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever';

Whereas the Lincoln Memorial contains numerous acknowledgments of God and citations of Bible verses, including the declarations that `we here highly resolve that ... this nation under God ... shall not perish from the earth'; `The Almighty has His own purposes. `Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh' (Matthew 18:7); `as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said `the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether' (Psalms 19:9); `one day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh see it together' (Dr. Martin Luther King's speech, based on Isaiah 40:4-5);

Whereas in the Library of Congress, The Giant Bible of Mainz, and The Gutenberg Bible are on prominent permanent display and etched on the walls are Bible verses, including: `The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not' (John 1:5); `Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding' (Proverbs 4:7); `What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God' (Micah 6:8); and `The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork' (Psalm 19:1);

Whereas numerous other of the most important American government leaders, institutions, monuments, buildings, and landmarks both openly acknowledge and incorporate religious words, symbols, and imagery into official venues;

Whereas such acknowledgments are even more frequent at the State and local level than at the Federal level, where thousands of such acknowledgments exist; and
Whereas the first week in May each year would be an appropriate week to designate as `American Religious History Week':

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives---

(1) affirms the rich spiritual and diverse religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history, including up to the current day;
(2) recognizes that the religious foundations of faith on which America was built are critical underpinnings of our Nation's most valuable institutions and form the inseparable foundation for America's representative processes, legal systems, and societal structures;
(3) rejects, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to remove, obscure, or purposely omit such history from our Nation's public buildings and educational resources; and
(4) expresses support for designation of a `American Religious History Week' every year for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.

Science Reveals Intelligent Design

2008-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some off site resources to access on some issues and answers that I've found helpful. Helpful in a way that it is not biased by the prevailing Darwinian world view being taught to the exclusion of any other theory of origins in Americas public schools. There are at least two other creationist view points in accordance with the Judeo-Christian model and other Intelligent Design (ID) viewpoints that recognize a creator not specific to any religion.

Thanks to All About Science, Answers in Genesis and Intelligent Design the Future for these links.

Evolution's Glass Ceiling

Does Darwinism Have Any Impact on Modern Medical Science?

Biologist vs. Biologist from PBS's Uncommon Knowledge

The Design of Life: What the Evidence of Biological Systems Reveals

How Does a Brain Surgeon Become a Darwin Skeptic?

The Mind-Body Problem and Promissory Materialism

Dr. Michael Egnor's Brain Hypothesis

Darwinism and the War on Traditional Christianity

Salvo Magazine on Intelligent Design

Deconstructing Dawkins

The History of the NAS Report on Evolution

Micro or Macro? Microbiologist Ralph Seelke on Evolution

Texas Darwinists Oppose Critical Thinking

Biologist vs. Biologist from PBS's Uncommon Knowledge

The Dark Darwinian History of Eugenics

Extrasolar Planets, the Copernican Principle, and Expelled: An Interview with Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez

Anthropic Principle Video

Origin Of Life Video

Origin Of The Universe

Spontaneous Generation

Cell Structure

Microscopic Organisms

Behe's Irreducible Complexity

The Fossil Record

The Fossil Record II

Evolution and the Fossil Record

Intelligent Design Theory

Evidence For Intelligent Design

DNA Double Helix Video

Theory Of Relativity Video

Second Law of Thermodynamics Video

Origin of Life Video

Age of the Earth

Age of the Earth part II

Carbon Dating

Carbon Dating part II

Assumptions of Radio Metric Dating

Geologic Time Scale: Circular Reasoning

Second Law of Thermodynamics Video

Charles Darwin

Origin of Species

Darwin's Theory

What Darwin Didn't Know video

Evolutionism- Broad Strokes

Evolution of Man video

Thomas Huxley - Darwin's Bulldog

Social Darwinism
Does God Exist - man on the street video clip.

Does God Exist

What is Truth -video

When Was Jesus Born?

2007-12-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Christians traditionally celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th, but it is more likely that He was born in the month of September.
Bryan T. Huie calculates the times by looking at some remarkably simple verses in the Biblical text that present the most plausible evidence that Christ was born on the 1st day of the Feast of Tabernacles which occurred in that year in September. Using the Jewish calendar of the time, he examines the Zacharias, a priest of the division of Abijah and the time of Zacharias’ temple service, the timing of Christ’s birth can definitely be extrapolated. In his research he also determined that there two total lunar eclipses that year, one on that particular night, September 15, 5 BC, and one six months earlier that would correspond to the birth of John the Baptist.
But does it really matter when we celebrate the Holy birth?
There is no record that early Christians, from Pentecost to the early 300’s BC even celebrated the birth of Jesus. From the beginning ‘Christians’ were just another sect of Jews that mainstream Jews simply referred to as people “of this way.” They were first called Christians in Antioch.

Up until that time, first century Messianic Jews, or the first Christians celebrated Jewish holy days, and the resurrection of the Messiah. When Christianity spread throughout the Roman empire, many pagans were converted to Christ. Now here is where there is controversy, because some say the Romans practiced the pagan celebrations connected with the winter solstice. From that perspective, the Roman Christians converted the pagan holidays into Christian holidays. The website Cadre Comments strongly disputes this belief (that Christians adopted the Pagan holidays for their own) but says it was the pagans who adopted the Christian holiday.

Christmas was later outlawed by the Puritans in parts of early America.
I personally don’t worry much about the exact date that the Birth of Christ occurred. I celebrate the Holy Birth, December 25th. There is scientific research that shows the Magi's visit to Jesus (who was a toddler by that time) was on December 25th, 2 BC. Religion and faith are deeply personal and I currently find nothing wrong with celebrating my Saviors birth on December 25th, nor do I have any problem with those who don’t. Who He is and why He came are far more important to me.

Merry Christmas to All!

315 Miraculous Old Testament Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled

2007-12-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

No other book in the history of the world has so many prophecies within it's pages. The Bible is totally unique in it's visions of the future. Listed in this article are 315 Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fullfilled. This is a fraction of the many overall prophecies contained in the Book. Some of the prophecies are "types" or "shadows" and therefore some skeptics have maintained that they are not valid; however included in my post I've placed the prophecies, types and forshadows side by side with their New Testament fulfillments, which for most Christian's validates those types and shadows.

These two men,

PETER W. STONER, M.S. [Chairman of the Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy at Pasadena City College (1953); Chairman of the science division, Westmont College, 1953-57; Professor Emeritus of Science, Westmont College; Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Astronomy, Pasadena City College.]

ROBERT C. NEWMAN, S.T.M., Ph.D.Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Cornell University, 1967; S.T.M., Biblical School of Theology, 1972; [Associate Professor of Physics and Mathematics, Shelton College, 19689-71; Associate professor of New Testament, Biblical School of Theology, 1971-]

Wrote the book entitled "Science Speaks, Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible."

http://www.geocities.com/stonerdon/science_speaks.html

In it they took only eight of the more than 300 prophecies fulfilled by Christ and determined the odds of one person fulfilling just those eight. The results were astounding! They calculated the odds at 1 in 10 to the 17th power or 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000. Dr. Stoner calculated that if you spread out that many silver dollars, it would cover the entire state of Texas, two feet deep!

Now what do you think the odds are if say, one of those silver dollars was painted red, the likelyhood for a blind folded person to walk out on that pile of silver dollars and pick up the red one - on the first try? Certainly if one did that, it would be by definition, a miracle! The Bible is more than that.

THANKSGIVING

2007-11-22T05:45:00.000-08:00

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and

Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to

pardon our national and other transgressions;

to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually;

to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed;

to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord;

to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
Signed - George Washington

God Bless America!

The Angels

2007-11-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Angels - According to the Bible

Angels are depicted on the Ark of
the Covenant's Mercy Seat.

Called “sons of God” (Job 38:7)

Called PRINCIPALITIES, POWERS Ephesians 3:10;Colossians 1:16)

Created (Genesis 2:1; Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16)

Of different orders (Isaiah 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Peter 3:22; Jude 1:9; Revelations 12:7)

Immortal (Luke 20:36)

Worship God (Nehemiah 9:6; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6)

Not to be worshiped (Colossians 2:18; Revelations 19:10;22:8,9)

Do not marry (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:35)

Have knowledge of, and interest in, earthly affairs (Matthew 24:36; Luke 9:31;15:7,10; 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Peter 1:12)

Men called angels (2 Samuel 19:27)

Are examples of meekness (2 Peter 2:11; Jude 1:9)

Are wise (2 Samuel 14:17,20)

Mighty (Psalms 103:20; 2 Peter 2:11)

Holy (Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38)

Elect (1 Timothy 5:21)

Aspects of (Judges 13:6; Isaiah 6:2; Daniel 10:6; Matthew 28:3)

To Abraham (Genesis 18:2;22:11-18)

To Hagar, in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7)

To Lot, in Sodom (Genesis 19:1-17)

To Jacob, in his various visions (Genesis 28:12)

To Moses (Exodus 3:2)

To the Israelites (Exodus 14:19; Judges 2:1-4)

To Balaam (Numbers 22:31)

To Joshua, "the captain of the Lord's host," (Joshua 5:15)

To Gideon (Judges 6:11-22)

Minister to the righteous (Genesis 16:7;24:7,40; Exodus 23:20,23;32:34;33:2; Numbers 20)

Administer God’s Judgment (Genesis 19:1-25; 2 Samuel 24:16,17; 1 Chronicles 21:15,16; 2 Kings 19:35)

Directs a backslidden prophet Numbers 22:35; God gives vision to men to actually be able to see angels who comprised a fierce army. 2 Kings 6:17 Job 4:15-19;38:7; P)

Angelic Appearances in the Bible

To Manoah (Judges 13:6,15-20)

To David, at the threshing floor of Araunah (2 Samuel 24:16,17; 1 Chronicles 21:15,16)

To Elijah (1 Kings 19:5)

To Elisha while he lay under the juniper tree (2 Kings 6:16,17)

To Daniel, in the lions' den (Daniel 6:22;8:16;9:21;10:5-10,16,18;12:5-7)

To Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:25,28)

To Zechariah, in a vision (Zechariah 2:3;3:1,2;4:1)

To Joseph, in a dream (Matthew 1:20;2:13,19)

At the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:3; Luke 9:30,31)

To Mary, concerning Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)

To Zacharias (Luke 1:11-20,26-38)

To the shepherds (Luke 2:9-11,13,14)

To Jesus, after His temptation (Matthew 4:11)

In Gethsemane (Luke 22:43)

At the tomb of Jesus (Matthew 28:2-5; Mark 16:5-7; Luke 24:23; John 20:12)

At the ascension (Acts 1:10,11)

To Peter and John, while in prison (Acts 5:19)

To Philip (Acts 8:26)

To Cornelius, in a dream (Acts 10:3,30-32)

To Peter, in prison (Acts 12:7-11)

To Paul, on the way to Damascus (Acts 27:23)

To John, on the island of Patmos (Revelations 1:1;5:2;7:11;10:9;11:1;17:7;19:10;22:8)
_________________________
Some religions teach that Jesus Christ is the Archangel Michael. Hebrews 1:5-8 puts this to silence when this rhetorical question is asked: “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?”

Note: The listed information was compiled from Nave's Topical Bible available on BibleGateway.com

Angelic beings are a supernatural manifestation in many religions. They have been popularized in art and culture. You hardly can go into a store without seeing some sort of statuary, card or print with some depiction of an angel. The popular version is baby's with wings or a female human with wings. Those depictions are not biblical. The only times that angels are referred to they are spoken of in the masculine. There are different types, each with the ability to worship God in their own right. They are apparently unrestricted by the different dimensions and can easily move through them, including time. What do you think? Have you ever encountered a supernatural being?

New Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God

2007-11-19T22:08:00.000-08:00

Astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross gives this lecture in MP3 format which is also transcribed on the site. Click on the title bar of this article to proceed. Hugh Ross is an "Old Earth" Creationist and rejects both the Gap theory and the literal 6 /24 hour days of creation. He considers that the Big Bang is evidence for God and discusses this and more.
Some of the topics covered are:

Why Big Bang = Jesus Christ

Belief in a Static Universe Led to Darwinian Evolution

Of all world religions, only Judeo-Christian theology says Time has a beginning

Why the God of Modern Physics Matches the God of the Bible

and much more including a special Q & A session.

Transcribed in PDF format

Air Pressure in the Bible

2007-11-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

Air Pressure is described in

Job 28:23-28
"For He (God) looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. "When He imparted *weight to the wind and meted out the waters by measure, when He set a limit for the rain and a course for the thunderbolt, then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out."

*Some people have attempted to say that this verse has nothing to do with air pressure. After examining this verse I've found that the reference to the "weight to the wind" can also be translated “how hard the winds should blow.”
In view of this it is all the more amazing since the wind velocity, as we well know today is determined by barometric pressures, which is exactly what is indicated in the verse above. So whichever way you want to look at this verse it does have everything to do with air pressure. The air flows from high pressure to low pressure producing wind. Jewish tradition attributes the book Job to Moses. (It certainly is a Hebrew writing and predates Christianity by at least 600 years and the discovery of atmospheric pressure by over 2,000 years).

Over two thousand years after Job, Evangelista Torricelli (1608 – 1647) invented the barometer in 1643 while using mercury in a glass tube in an attempt to create a vacuum. He noticed that the mercury level in the tube changed and deduced it was caused by changes in atmospheric pressure. First called Torricelli’s tube, when working with Galileo in Florence, Italy. Job is considered on of the oldest writings in the Bible. The diagram above-right depicts Torricellis barometer
In addition, this verse also says 'the 'course for the thunderbolt.' We know that electron flow always follows a 'course' or path of least resistance.

THE SCIENCE IN THE BIBLE - Atmosphere
The Water Cycle :

Job 36:27-29 - "For He draws up the drops of water, they distill rain from the mist, Which the clouds pour down, they drip upon man abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thundering of His pavilion? "
Psalm 135:7 - He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.

The Air Currents:

Ecclesiastes 1:6
"Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns."

The slow rotation of the earth toward the east causes the air to be deflected toward the right in the northern hemisphere and toward the left in the southern hemisphere. This deflection of the wind by the earth's rotation is known as the Coriolis effect.

Jesus Christ - King of the Jews by Birthright

2007-10-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Genesis 49:10 - 10 (ESV)- "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples."

Of the twelve sons of Jacob which developed into the twelve tribes of Israel, Judah was the tribe that this prophecy says the Messianic King will come from.

Jesus' lineage was traced back to Judah through both His mother, Mary, and his step-father, Joseph. These genealogies prove that Jesus actually was, by birth, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel. He actually was born the "King of the Jews."

At His trial before the Roman Governer, Pontius Pilate, he remained silent as to the accusations against Him until Pilate addressed Jesus with this question:
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
At the conclusion of a short statement by him, Jesus makes this simple declaration in answer to that question:
"You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness of the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
Jesus fulfilled at least 300 Hebrew prophecies from the Torah (Old Testament) - could that be what he meant when he made this statement, "for this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness of the truth"...? All of the rightful Kings of the Jews, with the exception of Saul, (who fought against David, the rightful king) were from the royal tribe of Judah. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah and was rejected-also a prophetic fulfillment (Isaiah 53). Jesus remains the rightful King and the Bible says He will yet reign in Jerusalem at the conclusion of the Battle of Har-Megiddo, or more commonly called Armageddon. In Nov. 2006 I referenced 315 prophecies that Jesus fulfilled (be sure to read the "astronomical odds" segment at the end of that article).

Wars and Rumors of War

2007-10-05T20:37:00.000-07:00

PREPARE WAR:
Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

I will keep updating this thread for those who want to keep up with the events that concern war with Iran as tensions increase.

The Iranians have announced that 30000 centrifuges could be operational by the end of October. They have announced a goal of bringing 50000 centrifuges online eventually.
The stage is now being set for a coming war.

"If Iran escalates its military action in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and/or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly" - George Bush, (in an interview with National Public Radio).
September 12, 2007 - Report: US crafting Iran bombing plan.

September 26, 2007, 12:44 PM The US Senate passes the Kyl - Iran amendment that authorizes the US to “combat, contain and [stop]” Iran via “military instruments.”

The Iranians test fired a missile that experts say can reach London.

Take a look at these ominous events since the first of this month (October 2007) so far.

October 1, 2007
*US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton said that negotiations with Iran had failed. He also said that he saw no alternative to a strike on Iran.

*Iran threatened to attack 170 American targets in the MidEast and around the world if it is attacked by Israel or the US.

*Iranian news reports the entire cadre of Russian nuclear engineers and technicians working on the nuclear reactor at Bushehr had abruptly packed their bags and returned to Russia.

October 2, 2007 *Congress approves $1.2 billion worth of weaponry for Israel's self defense. They include thousands of missiles, tens of thousands of new bombs worth $799 million and 132 million gallons of jet fuel worth $308 million and 50 GBU-28 guided bunker busters. (Bunker buster pictured on left).

US trains Gulf air forces for war with Iran.

October 5, 2007 Tens of thousands marched through the streets of Tehran in support of Palestinians, chanting "Death to Israel" for al-Quds Day, observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan. Ahmadinejad said "Zionists" should move to empty lands in Europe or North America and out of the Middle East entirely.

October 7, 2007 Israel: Iran 3 months to nuclear point of no return. Iran will reach the point of no return and possess the capacity to build nuclear weapons within three months, Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz warned today.

October 11, 2007 Turkey (which is crucial to US supply lines into Iraq), recalled their ambassador to the United States.

October 15, 2007
Turkey Joins Iran Against Kurds - promises attacks in Northern Iraq.

October 19, 2007

Mullen: U.S. can strike Iran

October 29, 2007

Bush Budget Plans for Iran Attack

April 9, 2008 U.S. shifts focus in Iraq to ‘special groups’
The top U.S. commander is shifting the focus away from al-Qaida. The so-called ``special groups,'' which are funded, trained and armed by Iran, played a ``destructive role'' in the recent clashes between extremist militias and Iraqi government forces in Basra and Baghdad, Petraeus said.
``Iran has fueled the violence in a particularly damaging way,'' he told the House Armed Services Committee today in Washington, his second day of testimony to lawmakers. ``Unchecked, the `special groups' pose the greatest long-term threat to the viability of a democratic Iraq.''

April 29, 2008 The U.S. military has drafted and won approval for attack plans in response to an Iran attack.

May 1, 2008 Second carrier group deployed to Gulf as U.S. approves plans for Iran counterstrike

May 3, 2008 Washington Times: "West Offers Iran 'Refreshed' Deal"

Dr. Dawkins Information Challenge

2007-10-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to listen to the podcast then click here and it will take you to the page where you can access the podcast.

"On this episode of ID the Future, Casey Luskin addresses Richard Dawkins’ Information Challenge. When Dawkins was recently asked to explain the origin of genetic information according to Darwinism, he was embarrassingly silent. He later claimed to rebut this question using Shannon information, but Luskin reveals just how inadequate Dawkins’ explanation is when it comes to explaining the specified complexity of information."

You can click on the title bar and read Luskin's article.

More Evolution Frauds: Archaeopteryx Revisited

2007-09-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

On one of my blogs I addressed the issue of transitional (intermediate) species for which there is no fossil evidence at all. Some gentleman evolutionist wrote back with his short response, "Archaeopteryx" as if that one word confirms Darwins theory. That provoked me to write the article, "Archaeopteryx or Giving Creationists the Bird." I've also dealt with the many frauds perpetrated on society by the "scientific community" to support the theory of evolution. Almost all creationists are familiar with the Nebraska Man and Piltdown Man frauds. Ironically, National Geographic was quick to publish this hoax (depicted above) as well as another fraud I covered, "The Lost Tribe of the Tasaday's." It strikes me odd that the same secular voices that cry out long and loud about wrong doing in the broader Christian society take extreme offense when confronted with the truth that "scientists" perpatrate even more frauds often in an attempt to actively promote their own agenda, especially evolution, and especially when it will net them new money's.
Today I was reminded of those frauds once again when I came across the following article which is reprinted here from nwcreation.net.

"Archaeoraptor Liaoningensis: Fake Dinosaur-bird ancestor

The most recent and perhaps the most infamous evolution frauds was committed in China and published in 1999 in the journal National Geographic 196:98-107, November 1999. Dinosaur bones were put together with the bones of a newer species of bird and they tried to pass it off as a very important new evolutionary intermediate.
'Feathers For T-Rex?', Christopher P. Sloan, National Geographic Magazine, Vol. 196, No. 5, November, 1999, pp.99,100,105

Interesting Quote - "National Geographic has reached an all-time low for engaging in sensationalistic, unsubstantiated, tabloid journalism" Storrs L. Olson, Smithsonian Institution."

(This article is reprinted here from nwcreation.net)

For more information on this fraud see the following:

Another Missing Link Takes Flight

Another Hoax?

Archaeopteryx, Archaeoraptor, and the “Dinosaurs-To-Birds” Theory

Crying Fowl: Tale of 'Missing Link' Embarrasses Scientists

Evolution Coverup

Ancient Bible Prophecies for Today

2007-09-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

"Since a good portion of the Bible consists of Jewish prophecy, it stands to reason that fulfillment of those prophecies will be evident in the nation of Israel." - R. Hoeppner

That's exactly what we find! Here are only a few of those AMAZING prophecies that refer directly to -

ISRAEL

1. The (dissolved, non-existent) nation of Israel would be reborn in one day.

Isaiah 66:8 "Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land [a] be born in one day? Or shall a nation be brought forth in a moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she brought forth her children.

_______

[a] "Never in the history of the world had such a thing happened before--but God keeps His word. As definitely foretold here and in Ezekiel 37:21, 22, Israel became a recognized nation, actually "born in one day." After being away from their homeland for almost 2,000 years, the Jews were given a national homeland in Palestine by the Balfour Declaration in November, 1917. In 1922, the League of Nations gave Great Britain the mandate over Palestine. On May 14, 1948, Great Britain withdrew her mandate, and immediately Israel was declared a sovereign state, and her growth and importance among nations became astonishing." (c)Lockman Foundation

On May 14, 1948 Israel once again became a nation.

Status: Fulfilled
2. Jerusalem to be under Gentile control until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:24 - "They will fall by [a]the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (completed)."

Jerusalem was taken and possessed by Gentiles in A. D. 70 (under Titus of Rome) until the Jews regained control after the Six Day War of 1967.

Status: Fulfilled

3. During the diaspora (the dispersion of the Jews to the four corners of the world) Israel would become a wasteland.

Deuteronomy 29:23-28; - "The whole land is brimstone and salt and a burned waste, not sown or bearing anything, where no grass can take root, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah with Admah and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and wrath-- Even all the nations shall say, Why has the Lord done thus to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean? Then men shall say, Because they forsook the covenant of the Lord, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them forth out of the land of Egypt. For they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods they knew not and that He had not given to them.
So the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, bringing upon it all the curses that are written in this book. And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger and in wrath and in great indignation and cast them into another land, as it is this day."

During the past 1900 years historic Israel was nearly an uninhabited wasteland used as a crossroads by nomadic tribes.

Status: Fulfilled

4. A day would come when Jews will return to Israel from the North, South, East and West.

Isaiah 43:5-6; "Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.(A) I will say to the north, Give up! and to the south, Keep not back. Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth--

Jeremiah 31:7-10; For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and shout for the head of the nations [on account of the chosen people, Israel]. Proclaim, praise, and say, The Lord has saved His people, the remnant of Israel! Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth, and among them will be the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who labors in childbirth together; a great company, they will return here to Jerusalem. They will come with weeping [in penitence and for joy], pouring out prayers [for the future]. I will lead them back; I will cause them to walk by streams of water and bring them in a straight way in which they will not stumble, for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim [Israel] is My firstborn.
Hear the word of the Lord, O you nations, and declare it in the isles and coastlands far away, and say, He Who scattered Israel will gather him and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock."

Zephaniah 3:10. "From beyond the rivers of Cush or Ethiopia those who pray to Me, the daughter of My dispersed people, will bring and present My offering."

Status: Observing the fulfillment currently taking place.

The Hebrew (pure) language to be restored.

Zephaniah 3:9 "For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder [bearing the yoke of the Lord]."

In 1948 the once lost language of Hebrew became the official language of Israel.

Status: Fulfilled

5. In the last days Israel would once again plant forests of trees. Trees are growing all over Israel today after the land was laid waste for nearly two millennia.

Status: Fulfilled

6. In the last days, Israel would blossom and be an exporter of produce to the world.

Isaiah 35:1-2; 6 "THE WILDERNESS and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus.
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of [Mount] Carmel and [the plain] of Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God."

Ezekiel 36:34-36. "And the desolate land shall be tilled, that which had lain desolate in the sight of all who passed by. And they shall say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.'
Then the nations that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it."

Today Israel exports in excess of a billion dollars worth of produce a year plus over 200 million dollars worth of flowers.

Status: Fulfilled

7. Israel would once again enjoy economic prosperity.

Ezekiel 38:12-13. "To take spoil and prey, to turn your hand upon the desolate places now inhabited and assail the people gathered out of the nations, who have obtained livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth [Palestine]. Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all their lionlike cubs [or satellite areas], shall say to you, Have you come to take spoil? Have you gathered your hosts to take the prey? To carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take a great spoil?

This young nation exports ten times ($30 billion) the goods of their neighbor, Jordan ($3 billion).

Status: Fulfilled (photo of date palms near Lake Galilee)

8. The Jews will once again plant vineyards on Israel’s mountains. Once in thier land they (the Jewish exiles) shall never again be driven out of it.

Joel 3:18; "And in that day, the mountains shall drip with fresh juice [of the grape] and the hills shall flow with milk; and all the brooks and riverbeds of Judah shall flow with water, and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord and shall water the Valley of Shittim."

Amos 9:13-15. "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine and all the hills shall melt [that is, everything heretofore barren and unfruitful shall overflow with spiritual blessing]. And I will bring back the exiles of My people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and drink the wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be torn up out of their land which I gave them, says the Lord your God."

Dozens of vineyards are now growing throughout the Golan Heights and other mountains of Israel.

Status: Fulfilled (pictured are grapes in Israel)

9. Jerusalem would be rebuilt on its own ruins.

Jeremiah 30:18 "Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will release from captivity the tents of Jacob and have mercy on his dwelling places; the city will be rebuilt on its own [old] moundlike site, and the palace will be dwelt in after its former fashion."

Zechariah 12:6. "In that day will I make the chiefs of Judah like a big, blazing pot among [sticks of] wood and like a flaming torch among sheaves [of grain], and they shall devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left; and they of Jerusalem shall yet again dwell and sit securely in their own place, in Jerusalem."

Exactly as predicted, Jerusalem is being rebuilt on the old ruins. The fact is that new construction often has to be temporarily halted because the construction site is also an archaeological site.

Status: Continually being fulfilled.

The Bible Book of Genesis

2007-09-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

The name "Genesis" comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament, (the Septuagint), where the first book in the Bible is called “Geneseos,” meaning "origin" or "source." This is appropriate since it's this book that tells us about the origin of the universe, man, and creation. It explains the how’s and why’s of sin entering into the human race and gives the promise of a Savior to redeem man.

Who Wrote Genesis?
Both the Old and the New Testaments ascribe the authorship of the first five books (Pentateuch) of the Bible to Moses.

Jesus and the Jewish leaders both ascribed these books to Moses:
"And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3) And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4) And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. 5) And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6) But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. 7) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8) And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh." – Mark 10:2-8

"And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" – Mark 12:26

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. – Luke 24:27

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. – Luke 24:44

"Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" – John 7:19

The Apostle John: "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." – John 1:17

St. Philip: "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" - John 1:45

St. Paul: "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." – Acts 28:23

(Here are two other references to look up: Hebrews 9:19 and 10:28-29).

Genesis is a Book of God and His Relationship With Man

Genesis centers on God and His relationship with humankind in general. Ultimately Genesis shows God and His relationship with seven individuals: (1) Adam, (2) Enoch, (3) Noah, (4) Abraham, (5) Isaac, (6) Jacob, (7) Joseph.

Why Study Genesis?

Genesis is the ‘Seed plot’ of the Bible. All of the great doctrines originate here. God revealed as Creator, Covenant Maker, Almighty, Trinity, the Provider, King, Judge and the Most High. We are also given to recognize the Devil’s strategies, we need not be ignorant of his devices .

Genesis1.1-2: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2. The earth *was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

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Resources: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance;

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” - Genesis 1:1.

In the beginning [God…Heb. -el-o-heem'] "Plural of; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:—angels, exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), (very) great, judges, mighty." --Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

In the beginning God [created…Heb. -baw-raw'] A primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes):—choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).

It's interesting that the word Elohim is plural but created is singular. This is the earliest reference to the Holy Triune God. In the act of creation we see the work of God the Father, God the Word and the God the Holy Spirit. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... God defined"earth" as dry land (Genesis 1:10). Genesis 1:2a. “And the earth *was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. ”

"And the earth *was without form"[Heb. - toòhuò] to'-hoo - From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), that is, desert; figuratively a worthless thing; adverbially in vain:—confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.and voidHeb. - boòhuòPronounced - bo'-hoo From an unused root (meaning to be empty); a vacuity, that is, (superficially) an undistinguishable ruin:—emptiness, void."and darkness was upon the face of the deep. "[Heb. - choòshek]pronounced - kho-shek' - From the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness:—dark (-ness), night, obscurity.

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*Also translated “became” as a footnote in the Torah and used in the Bible 67 times as

"became.".And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. - Genesis 1:2b
[Heb. - raòchaph]raw-khaf'A primitive root; to brood:—flutter, move, shake.

The three most common Christian theories of Creation:

1. Age-Day Theory

2. Gap Theory

3. Six equal 24 hour periods of the creation week.

All three believe that God the Creator created everything; all three believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God; All are theories.One theory, the Gap theory stands out because it accounts for certain events that the others don't.

Isaiah 45:18. “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, (tohu) he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”
Here God clearly said that he created it (the earth) not in vain (Heb - tohu) yet in Genesis 1:2 that's exactly the word (tohu) used to describe the Genesis 1:2 earth. What could have happened?
Also on the third day God seperated the dry land from the waters and called the dry land "earth." Genesis 1:1 states that God created the heaven and the earth (dry land). In Genesis 1:2 there was no dry land, not until day 3 of the creation week.
In the detective business that's called a clue. Something cataclysmic evidently happened on the earth between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.

Logical Speculation

Now since Satan was present in the Garden of Eden early on, it is reasonable to consider that his prior history with the angels, he being a chreub, occupied more than one literal earth week. Lucifer (Satan) was created perfect 'until the day' that iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15-17) and he was cast out of heaven, as was testifed to by the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:18 below).
That would account for the total destruction that laid waste to the earth and killed off whatever pre-adamite world existed at the time. Whatever physical beings were on the earth at that time were destroyed and beyond redemption and their spirits or 'ghosts' are roaming around becoming familiar with people of Adams race - also called familiar spirits. Jesus said that these demons seek to inhabit bodies indicating that they have been disembodied. Luke 10:18 (Jesus speaking)

"And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

Then in v. 2 the Spirit of God came on the scene and moved on the face of the waters. With that in mind, check out these two verses:

Jeremiah 4:23 “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.”

Psalm 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou **renewest the face of the earth.

Consorting with a familiar spirit was one of the reasons given for King Sauls death.

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* *chaòdashkhaw-dash'A primitive root; to be new; causatively to rebuild:—renew, repair.

What About the Virgin Birth? Is It Necessary?

2007-09-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

The First Prophecy Concerning Christ: The Virgin Birth

He would be born of the “Seed of the woman.”

“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.” – Genesis 3:15 NKJV

This is a direct three part prophecy referring to three distinct events in the life of Jesus Christ:
1. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ (seed of the woman).
2. His victory over the serpent, (Satan)
3. His own suffering (bruised heel).

Note that in the Bible it’s always the case that offspring are the ‘seed of their father’ and not the reverse; except here!

Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah:

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

The New Testament fulfillment:
‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, “God with us.” – Matthew 1:23

Mary, the mother of Jesus herself wondered about what was to take place in her life.
“Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. – Like 1:30-35

Joseph, her betrothed learned of her pregnancy and this is what the Bible says about that:
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21.

This is the record – “and (Joseph) did not know (have intercourse with) her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.” – Matthew 1:25 (Jesus means “Savior”)

Jesus was this promised ‘seed’ of the woman that God said would deal the death blow to Satan and crush the ‘serpents head.’ Satan was embodied in the serpent of the Garden of Eden. Jesus crushed him on the cross but eventually will cast him into the lake of fire.

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10
The promised seed (Jesus) would also suffer a non-lethal blow. The crucifixion of Jesus was referred to here. Though He died physically, he remained alive in the spiritual realm for he himself dismissed his spirit on the cross after assuring the penitent thief that they would be together in Paradise that very day.

Question: Don’t Pagan Traditions Also Have A Promised Seed And A Virgin Birth Story?

The birth of Jesus is not the first story that contains a chosen seed or a virgin birth. Does the word counterfeit ring a bell? Don’t forget that Satan (Lucifer) was in the Garden of Eden with the first human couple. After persuading them to disobey God, Satan heard with his own ears God’s pronouncement of his own doom at the heel of the virgin born, promised seed of the woman. Remember, Satan (the devil, Lucifer) wants to be God and will counterfeit the things of God to suit his evil purpose. It doesn’t surprise me that he uses his powers of deception to present a false messiah. Satan has done it in the past and will again do it in the future (i. e. false Christs).

Is It Necessary To Believe In The Virgin Birth?

Question: What if you believe in Christ and accept most of the Bible but chalk up miracles like the virgin birth to ‘allegory?’
Answer: If Jesus wasn’t the fruit of a virgin’s womb he couldn’t save himself, much less mankind. How can I make a such a dogmatic statement as that? Because when Adam sinned, he contaminated the gene pool of his descendants. The life of the flesh is in the blood, and death passed on to all men because all have sinned. The only remedy for sin is the shedding of innocent blood. The problem is that all of the descendants of Adam have a sinful nature and can not pay the price for redemption. The solution for centuries was an annual sacrifice of a spotless lamb, a temporary, substitutional atonement for the sins of the people. When a family would remember the Passover, for instance, the head of the family would provide a lamb; but God had His own Lamb.

The science behind it is that the blood of an individual is determined by their father – not their mother. So when Jesus came, born of a virgin, offspring of the Holy Spirit (God), His blood was the only uncontaminated human blood in the universe (since Adam before he sinned). In effect, Jesus was the second Adam. Since He never sinned, He was able to offer his own blood once and for all for the sins of the world, eliminating the need for an annual sacrifice.
We know His sacrifice was accepted from symbols like the rending of the veil in the Temple that opened up the Holy of Holies to the common people.

So what would be the ramifications if Jesus was born of a human father? The answer is quite simply that He could never save anyone from their sins being lost himself. So the ultimate answer to the question, “is belief in the virgin birth necessary?” it's a resounding yes! But belief may take time. It’s a building process. I knew I’d met Jesus on the night of August 8, 1964 but by August 10th I was still filled with doubt about the importance of the virgin birth. It took prayerful study and then I finally saw what I’m sharing here. Jesus inherited his humanity from his mother but the blood, the cure for all sin was the unstained blood provided by God Himself.
It is only through that blood, and nothing but that blood we have cleansing from sin!
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:6-7

“He...(God)...hangeth the earth upon nothing.”

2007-09-13T09:03:00.001-07:00

"He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing." - Job 26:7

*"For millenniums, various theories of what supports the earth--elephants, giants, and other fantastic means--were accepted by mankind as truth. The Bible made no such absurd error. How could Job, more than 3,000 years ago, possibly have known that God "hangs the earth upon or over nothing," except by divine inspiration?" [*footnote in the AMP Bible]

This concept was utterly foreign to the thought of man during this time. No other ancient document describes the earth floating on nothing. The Bible doesn't stop there.

"It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in." - "Isaiah 40:22 (KJV).

The Duoay-Rheims translation (which comes from the Latin Vulgate) records it this way;

"It is he that sitteth upon the globe of the earth"

Global Warming

2007-09-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

This subject should be re-visited. I've written about global warming from the perspective of Bible prophecy and the current debate.

The Gap Theory of Creation

2007-09-12T03:48:00.000-07:00

The Bible is not a science book but as I have claimed earlier in this blog, where it touches on proven science it is accurate and reliable. Nobody knows all of the mechanisms God used to create the universe but the Bible encourages us to explore. Believers generally view the creation from three standpoints. Each view makes valid points and each will determine how the creation event in the Bible will be interpreted. It should be remembered that all three are theories and should be acknowledged as such and not used to ostracize or disfellowship other believers. All three view the creation story as recorded in the Bible as divinely inspired.
The Three Most Common Biblical Creation Models are: The “Gap” theory; the “Age-Day” theory and the "Literalist" theory (in which the original universe, including earth were created in six literal days about 6011 years ago)

I. “Gap” or “Reconstruction” Theory. This theory suggests the condition in Genesis 1:2 is the result of a cataclysmic judgment involving the fall of the angels; that there was a primeval creation, complete in itself, in which the Angels were created as well as an inhabited pre-Adamite earth. After an unknown interval of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 there was a rebellion by Lucifer who was cast out onto the earth (Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18) perpetuating a catastrophe creating the conditions of Gen. 1:2. Therefore, the six creative days in the following verses would be the new creation of the earth that had become desolate.
Problem: That death was in the world before Adam sinned.
Solution: Sin (iniquity) was found in Lucifer. (Isaiah 14:16-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19)
At some point (in Genesis 1:2) the Holy Spirit began brooding over the waters covering the earth as God began to create the earth as a home for man and the life we see about us. When Adam disobeyed God and obeyed Lucifer, he forfeited all that God had given him to Lucifer, and that old serpent became ‘god of this world’ (2 Corinthians 4:4) over which he has no right (Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26) and to whom Adam by nature became servant and the earth itself came under a curse.

II. “Age-Day Theory”
This theory regards the first two verses of Genesis as that of the original creation in its raw state as from nothing, while the remaining part of the chapter is a formation and organization of the matter thus created. Genesis 1:1-2 is merely an introductory statement of fact, with each creative day being an indeterminate period or era of time. This is based on verses like 2 Peter3:8 which equates a thousand years as a day. These “era’s” are the geologic era’s t hat fit into modern scientific theories. How long it was, we do not know but ample space is given to all the requisitions of geology.
Problems:
(1). The Scripture says that each day of the creation week is “an evening and a morning.”
(2). The geologic era’s of science do not correspond to the same order that life appears in the scripture.
(3). Plant life was made before there was sunshine. If the age-day theory is correct then plant life survived an era or at least a thousand years without it.
Solution: none

III. 24 Hour / Six Day Creation Theory (Young Earth Creationism)
This theory says that the entire universe was created by God in 6 equal twenty four hour days about 6,011 years ago according to Ussher's Chronology.
Genesis 1:1-2 is an introductory statement showing the earth at the outset, like a lump of clay that God began to squeeze and form into the earth we live in today. Proponents of this theory often say that it is futile to question creation for God said “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4) and “the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)
Problem: The stars & ‘sons of God’ were witness to the creation of the earth. (Job 38:6, 7) How can this be if the stars weren’t created until the fourth day? See other problems.

I believe in both an old and young earth interpretation. God created it from a pre-adamite earth that was destroyed by a flood that completely destroyed all life. This does not conflict with the Bible at all as some have claimed.

(Definitions are derived primarily from Strong's Concordance)

Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”In the beginning…In the beginning God -- (the Self-existent One) Here the Hebrew word for God is 'el-o-heem' which is a plural form of; 1) "gods" in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the "supreme God;" occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:—angels, exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), (very) great, judges, mighty."In the beginning God created…" Here "created" comes from a Hebrew word pronounced "baw-raw'"'Baw-raw'' is a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes):—choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth..." Earth here is the same word as 'earth' which is defined as 'dry land' in verse 10.
Genesis 1:10: "And God called the dry land Earth"
The gap in the creation story is between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 for it says-(Genesis 1:2) “And the earth [**was] without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

Below, you will notice the words I've italicized are terms used in the Bible to commonly describe the aftermath of divine Judgement, not the creation. To say that this a state of the creative act is to contradict every specific creative act of the God who creates all things orderly and whom Isaiah says clearly (Isaiah 45:18) "God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."
The word vain is from the Heb. word pronounced toòhuò or to'-hoo. Same word used in Genesis 1:2:
And the earth was without form ( toòhuò or to'-hoo) which comes from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), that is, desert; figuratively a worthless thing; adverbially in vain:—confusion, empty place, without form, nothing, nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness and void (boòhuò or bo'-hoo) comes from an unused root meaning to be empty; a vacuity, that is, (superficially) an undistinguishable ruin:—emptiness, void.and darkness (khoh-shek') was upon the face of the deep.From the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness:—dark (-ness), night, obscurity.
How do Young Earth Creationists (YEC) reconcile the state of the earth in Genesis 1:2 to a God who Creates all things good?
Now if God said He didn't create the earth in vain, (toòhuò or to'-hoo) who are we to say that He did? This is a state that the earth came into after it's original creation.
______________________________________

**Also translated “became” in the footnote of the Torah.

New Creation

2007-09-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

My Testimony

2007-09-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

Outdated Book

By definition I was an agnostic throughout my high school years-when an elder Christian gentleman (Mr. Garry Lawrence) confronted my non-belief with the Bible.
To me the Bible was an outdated book full of contradictions and fairy tales with little relevance for the twentieth century. Each week I would see Mr. Lawrence and he'd bring a page from a little notebook he kept, with biblical references he'd written down on it. His tireless effort to reach me with the Gospel was surprising since I had launched every objection I could against his belief without so much as making a dent in his faith. Regardless of what topic was covered on his little pages of biblical references, it always ended with my need to be 'saved' (his words) and experience the reality of Jesus Christ in my heart as Lord and Savior.

The Experiment
As time went by I thought to myself that I'd conduct an experiment. I would ask this "Jesus" into my life, and then when nothing happened I could say with some authority that I tried it and it nothing happened! But how does one conduct such and experiment?

How would you conduct such an experiment?

I pondered this question seriously. Certainly, I reasoned that even if a god existed who created everything, he probably wouldn't be interested in this little speck of dust in one solar system in one of billions of galaxies let alone one fininte individual among billions who lived on that speck of dust. There was no way I believed in any god(s) especially a personal God, so what harm could there possibly be to simply say one 'prayer' as an experiment?

But any experiment will yield results of somekind and then the experimenter will be faced with what to do with those results. That begs this question; what if by the remotest chance my prayer should bear fruit of the 'divine' - would I be willing to see it through? In other words, would I allow the results of the experiment to influence my conception of the truth if it were proven to my satisfaction that I encountered God; would I then be willing to change the entire course of my life? This was a difficult decision because up to this point I had been my own god. I enjoyed my life and the so-called 'sins' that being my own god allowed me to participate in.
After much thought, I concluded that it would be worth the infinitesimal risk to my personal lifestyle to know the truth. My opinion was that the experiment was actually a futile attempt that would only continue to confirm to me that my pre-conceptions about God, the Bible and religion in general were correct.

So on Saturday night, August 8, 1964 I knelt down beside my bed in the dark and contemplated what words would constitute a 'prayer.'

God Encounter
While kneeling there I suddenly sensed a presence I'd never known before - emanating slightly behind me and to the left. I turned and looked but saw nothing -yet I sensed what can only be described as the purest love I've ever experienced! It radiated all around me and immediately I felt filthy and naked, as though this radiance exposed my most foul, secret imaginations. Strangely it was without condemnation. My eyes filled with tears as this amazing love melted me down and I knew without a doubt that I was in the presence of Jesus Christ. I cried and pled for forgiveness and then I actually felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I don't know how long I remained on the floor but I knew that I encountered deity, and His name is Jesus Christ.

Plummer St. Foursquare Church
Having had a standing invitation for months to attend the Lawrences' church, (Plummer Street Foursquare, in Sepulveda California) I decided to take him up on it the very next morning. Persuading my dad and brother to go along, I mentioned nothing that had happened the previous night.
We drove up in front of an average house on Plummer Street. The house was a "pioneer" Foursquare church with a small congregation. Before the service began Mr. Lawrence had instructed me that, if at the end of the service I wanted to be 'saved' I should wait for the 'altar call' (an invitation by the pastor to go forward to an altar). At the end of the service I went forward at the invitation and to my surprise so did my dad and brother. The minister, Rev. Marion V. Wagner prayed first with my dad, then my brother and finally she came to me. She laid her hand on my head and said -"you've already received Christ!" which amazed me since I'd kept quiet about it. Then someone began speaking in a strange language following which someone else spoke in English. That was very strange. I wanted to know what Mr. Lawrence thought of that.

Spirit Baptism
Later that day Mr. Lawrence explained it as the Holy Spirit's gifts of tongues and interpretation. He showed me an article in a Pentacostal Evangel magazine citing where he'd spoke out in tongues in a church service and there was no interpretation. He was discouraged thinking he had spoken out of order but after the service two Catholic Jesuits who were in attendance at the meeting approached him wanting to know where he learned that language, because it was a language they were working on. Of course the only conclusion was that this was a demonstration of the gift of tongues. I asked him if it were possible for me to receive those gifts and he said certainly but rather to pray first for for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. This seemed 'far out' to me, but I wanted to get more of what I'd experienced. That Sunday evening I went back to the church. I asked those in the congregation to pray for me; I wanted to receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. They gathered around me and began praying, laying their hands and Bibles on me. They told me to pray out loud as well and I began stammering in another language. Later I was baptized in water as the Lord commanded.

My Old Friends
When school started again I tried to hang out with the old crowd but the dirty jokes, profanity and porn no longer held an attraction for me and I drifted away from them. I began carrying a Bible to school and spending lunch hours reading from its pages. One thing I ran into right away was a ridicule from those who were as I had been before. They asked me questions I had of my own and couldn't answer back then, but it forced me to dig deeper into the Bible. Many of the questions took me beyond the knowledge I had and still do, but dozens of those questions have been answered to those who will seek the answers. As I progressed in my Christian walk I began finding others who shared a love for Christ and the joy that is inherent in knowing Him. I thought then as now that even if there weren't a hereafter I was personally much more gratified by being a Christian than as an agnostic. I realized a new purpose and meaning to life that had been lacking. I even became acquainted with influential men in the '60's Pentacostal movement, Demos Shakarian, David J. DuPlessis, Ray Bringham and a host of others who shared my love for Jesus Christ.

The Living Word
Its amazing how the Bible came alive! It's still that way. It's characters live right off it's wonderful pages.
There’s a great song that describes it – though it’s not sung much in today’s modern churches with their pop-Christian chorus', but it's one of my favorites anyway; it describes the difference Jesus made in my life.

“Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart!
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought
Since Jesus came into my heart!

I have ceased from my wandering and going astray
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And my sins, which were many, are all washed away
Since Jesus came into my heart!

I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure
Since Jesus came into my heart!

There’s a light in the valley of death now for me
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And the gates of the City beyond I can see
Since Jesus came into my heart!

I shall go there to dwell in that City I know
Since Jesus came into my heart!
And I’m happy, so happy as onward I go
Since Jesus came into my heart!

Chorus:
Since Jesus came into my heart-
Since Jesus came into my heart!
Floods of joy o’er my soul
like the sea billows roll--
Since Jesus came into my heart!

A lot of those old 'saints' have gone home to be with Jesus. Garry and Vera Lawrence, Rev. Marion Wagner and her husband Forrest, my dad--yet memories from those days are vividly imprinted on my mind!
When I go to Hawaii I visit Garry Lawrences' grave. He and his wife Vera went home to be with the Lord years ago; but I'm forever thankful for Garry's faithfulness in not giving up on me. I know he's not in that grave but I visit to remember and take pause to thank God that He sent that man into my life. I only hope that I've touched someone else's life as he did mine. One day I will see him, Vera and many others who've departed this earth to heaven's shore-

R. W. Hoeppner

Is Atheism a Religion?

2007-09-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Is atheism a religion?

Christians have made the allegation for years that atheism is a religion. Though vehemently denied by atheists themselves. But finally a leading atheist and spokes person for atheists –Michael Newdow- has freely admitted that in fact, atheism is a religion.

Whew, I'm glad that's settled!

Is atheism rational?
"The irrationality of atheism" By Tom Flannery. A debate between Christopher Hitchens and Dinesh D'Souza.
"The Irrationality of Atheism - Problems Of Logic And Reasoning" by Clay Watson (see Clay Watsons' homepage.
"THE ABSURDITY OF ATHEISM" by Fred Klett

Simple Cell?

2007-09-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

The evidence of Intelligent Design (God) abounds in nature as the evidence for evolution is conspicuous by its absence. The complexity of even the simplest cell is astounding. So how do you get around the simple logic that if all life evolved from a single cell, that first cell (progenitor of all cells to follow) would have at the very least possessed complete reproduction capabilities within itself in order to pass its traits on.

Just a few decades ago a simple cell was believed to be just that; simple. Since then scientific knowledge has progressed to a much better understanding of the tremendous complexity of even the 'simplest' cell here-to-fore unimagined. Even the bacterial structure diagrammed here is merely a simple depiction of a much more complicated life form. In this "simple," single celled creature there are numerous different mechanisms that must work together (interdependency) to enable the cell to function. For example, there are cilia and flagella. They are designed to move the cell or move fluids around the cell. They themselves are made up of microtubules whose structure is made up of linear polymers of tubulin which is a globular protein. They function as conveyor belts. Then there are centrioles, which are also made of microtubules but they are organized in pairs at right angles to each other. The centrioles control the movement of the flagella and cilia. This is simply the most elementary description of a much more complicated function of only one small part of a cell. And then there's the cell membrane which is very complex in itself with it's proteins, lipids and protein channels, it's uniport and cotransport systems and all of that is only a minute fraction of the outside of a cell.

As Charles Darwin himself noted:

"If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not
possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my
theory would absolutely break down."

So to Charles Darwin, I must say, "Sorry - your theory is broken down. The Bible says this:

"For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their
inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.
For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that
is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly
discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So
[men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or
justification], because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they
did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became
futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning,
and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened."

- Romans 1:19-21 AMP

We Would See Jesus

2007-08-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

It was in the fall of 1966. I was a freshman at LIFE Bible College. A friend of mine and I decided to take a peek inside of the first church of the Foursquare Gospel, Angelus Temple. Upon entering the foyer there was a huge display behind glass windows full of canes, wheelchairs, glasses, braces etc. from people who were healed back when ‘Sister’ Aimee McPherson was holding meetings in Los Angeles.
Walking past the foyer we entered the church auditorium which seemed massive to me with its 5,300 seats and domed roof.
The pipe organ console and pulpit sat much as they did when they were installed. My friend is an organ aficionado so he went there and began playing. I walked down front onto the platform. I sat in a chair where some great men and women of God sat. Then I noticed an inscription, hand carved into the back of the pulpit that only someone standing behind it might see.

The inscription came from John 12:21 and simply but boldly said,

“WE WOULD SEE JESUS.”

Now I don’t know what you think about Aimee McPherson. She was a controversial figure in her day but today the fruit of her labor has been multiplied the world over. Anyway she’s not the subject I’m talking about. That subject would be Jesus.
I’ve attended many churches from many denominations, and even spoke in a few. I’m familiar with many of the essential differences that divide them. I’ve served on the boards of churches from two different denominations and have attended two bible colleges, one Trinitarian and one non-Trinitarian. The one thing that I see universally is that on Sunday morning you're likely to be addressed by someone who has not recently considered those words. You're more likely to get advice on how to live your life.

WE WOULD SEE JESUS!

Turn on any ‘Christian’ program on radio, TV or the internet and you’re liable to hear how God wants to bless you, give you health, wealth and prosperity. You will be taught how to have a successful marriage, how to live, tithe, and what to eat and lately, what the Moslems are doing. I'm not trying to minimize the importance of those issues and certainly they have their place in the believers world today. Though they may be helpful to encapsulate tips on the how to's of believers, they are not the Gospel. What you may not see or hear from the books or tv churches today is anything about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now this will turn some of you off. We all like to hear all that success and how to stuff but just watch how many times Jesus is spoken of directly. Some Christian TV shows are nothing but entertainment and some interview only those who have a new book out. I suggest that this comes at a great peril. The peril is the neglect of God’s Book and becoming familiar with the Jesus of the Bible.

WE WOULD SEE JESUS!

In my first years as a Christian, everything was about Jesus; His love, deity and blood. Songs talked of the Lord, Jesus or God many times more than it mentioned me, my and I. Today you can go to church…and I’m talking about solid Evangelical churches and you’re likely to hear a song that never mentions God, the Lord or Jesus and many that do so insert me, my and I more often. I once sat through a youth/music service at an Assembly of God church and heard several such songs. At the end of the service the Pastor greeted me and asked me how I liked the service. I said that the kids seemed to get blessed but some of those songs could have been sung to a boy or girlfriend. My bluntness left him speechless and my wife embarrased. Thank God for wives who will pinch, kick or grab you before you really make a scene. I was literally dragged by my shirtsleeve out of there.

WE WOULD SEE JESUS!

In today’s Christian world the Gospel is still as powerful as it was the day Jesus rose from the grave, but that message isn’t getting out. I’m speaking mostly of America since the Gospel is being more clearly preached in other parts of the world, but here in the US…well…may I say that we are the lukewarm Laodicean Church. Like those Greeks of old, let us remind ourselves often that this world needs to see Jesus! Anything less will fail.

Gospel is "Good News." The Good News is that "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."...God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17 It's good news to me because I'm a sinner included in the 'whoever' of John 3:16. (and so are you).

__________________

postcard photo

Different World Views

2007-08-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

There are differing world views about how we got here and the purpose of life. In the Western world it's interesting to me that we can observe the exact same evidence and come to completely different conclusions based on those views.

Take for example the movement of our earth through space: The earth revolves once every twenty-four hours. The speed of it's rotation at the equator is about 1,040 mph or roughly half a kilometer per second and goes to practically zero at the poles. As the earth rotates, it's moon also rotates with such absolute perfect timing that man has only observed one side of it's surface from any point on earth. We see the same side of the moon as Moses and the ancient Pharoahs of Egypt. Earth orbits the star in our solar system, our sun, once a year at an average speed of 18.5 miles per second (or 30km/ second). Our solar system, which is about 26,000 light years from the center of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, makes one complete revolution of the Galaxy about every 200-250 million years at an average speed of 155 miles per second (250 km/sec.)The Milky way Galaxy is just one galaxy in a group of galaxies called the Local Group. Within the Local Group, the Milky Way Galaxy is moving about 185 miles/sec (300 km/sec).An atheist would look at that and say, it's all coincidence! As a believer with a biblical world view I look at it and say with King David of old, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" When I see universal law, I see the fingerprint of a universal law giver. So you see, in my world view, God exists and I see His love and plan working continually. An unbeliever sees in their world view dumb luck and blind chance without a cause to account for the existence of everything. You may not believe in a god but we all believe something. Amazingly in the Bible book of Job, one of the oldest books in the Bible says God "hangs the earth on nothing;" - Job 26:7. Atheists and Christians are like anyone else in that we all have our troubles. We all go through life and face crises. We are all going to die. The difference is that the Christian has a blessed hope of an eternal day. That's what Jesus guaranteed when He said,
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:1-3.

E. M. Bounds

2007-08-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Edward McKendree Bounds (1835-1913),
Methodist minister and devotional writer, was born in Shelby County, Missouri. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at 21 years of age. After practicing law for three years, he began preaching for the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the Civil War, Bounds served as pastor of churches in Tennessee and Alabama, and in St. Louis, Missouri. He spent the last 17 years of his life with his family in Washington, Georgia, writing his Spiritual Life Books. He was a man devoted to prayer and his writings reflected his life's emphasis on prayer.
Some of these books are studied in Theological schools to this day. Here are the titles of some of his writings:

Power Through Prayer
Prayer and Praying Men
Purpose in Prayer
The Essentials of Prayer
The Necessity of Prayer
The Possibilities of Prayer
The Reality of Prayer
The Weapon of Prayer
Heaven,a Place, a City, a Home
Preacher and Prayer

Check at your local bookstore or library.

Tomb of the Patriarchs

2007-08-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

Cave of Machpelah

Hebron, located 32 km. (20 miles) south of Jerusalem in the Judean hills, is the site of the oldest Jewish community in the world, which dates back to Biblical times.

The Book of Genesis Abraham's purchase of the field where the Tomb of the Patriarchs is located as a burial place for his wife Sarah.

According to Jewish tradition, the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the Matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are buried in the Tomb. The Cave of Machpelah (in Hebron) is the world's most ancient Jewish site and the second holiest place for the Jewish people, after Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The cave and the adjoining field were purchased (at full market price) by Abraham some 3700 years ago. These are considered the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish People. The only one who is missing is Rachel, who was buried near Bethlehem where she died in childbirth. It's there today marked by this uniquely impressive building is the only one in the region that stands intact and still fulfills its original function after thousands of years. Foreign conquerors and invaders used the site for their own purposes, depending on their religious orientation. The Byzantines and Crusaders transformed it into a church and the Muslims rendered it a mosque. About 700 years ago, the Muslim Mamelukes conquered Hebron, declared the structure a mosque and forbade entry to Jews, who were not allowed past the seventh step on a staircase outside the building. Hebron has a long and rich Jewish history.

It was one of the first places where the Patriarch Abraham resided after his arrival in Canaan. King David was anointed in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years. One thousand years later, during the first Jewish revolt against the Romans, the city was the scene of extensive fighting. Jews lived in Hebron almost continuously throughout the Byzantine, Arab, Mameluke, and Ottoman periods. It was only in 1929 - as a result of a murderous Arab pogrom in which 67 Jews were murdered and the remainder were forced to flee - that the city became temporarily "free" of Jews. After the 1967 Six-Day War, the Jewish community of Hebron was re-established. It has grown to include a range of religious and educational institutions. (thanks to Crystal links.com and Paradise Sunday School.blogspot.com)

America in the Bible - final thoughts.

2007-07-27T23:22:00.000-07:00

There have been those who find America and events that have transpired here throughout the pages of the Bible in the so called "Bible Code." It wouldn't surprise me since I believe that the Bible is God inspired, but I personally feel that I need to understand more of what is plainly written and leave the search for hidden coded messages to others.
What is plainly written is that there is a right and wrong. Sin has infected the human race and the only cure is the price that was completely paid by the Son of God - Jesus Christ - on the cross. Those who believe on or rest on the completed work of Christ and have come under His Lordship will be saved. Those who reject Him; nations, as well as individuals will be judged by God Almighty.
In a broad sense all nations including America, it's people and it's leaders will be judged by God. For instance there are judgments predicted against those nations who are bent on the destruction of Jerusalem. Nations that forget the Lord will be turned to hell. In those particular verses where certain actions by nations themselves cause the entire country to enter a period of judgment, the finger of God certainly could now be pointing toward America.
The message of the day is the same as it was when Jesus walked the earth-- REPENT - and it all starts with the with the people of God themselves. See this verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn (repent) from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
As believers it's really up to you and me.

Here are my final thoughts on America's place in Biblical History:
Jesus is coming again, His feet will touch down on Mt. Olivet (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:10-12). The reaction of the Jews will be what this Old Testament Prophet, Zechariah predicted in around 500 years Before Christ (BC): "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.""And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." Zechariah 12:10; 13:6.

Where does America fit in?
Today America fits in as America deals with Israel. What we do to Israel will be done to us. The law of reciprocation (Matthew 7:2; Mark )
America has pushed Israel to give up Gaza, part of the roadmap to peace. Shortly after Katrina hit. When we push Israel to commit national suicide by relinquishing their God given land to Hamas or Fatah, then we're writing out our own doom. God said in Joel 3:2 "... there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land."
We're now pushing Israel to give up part of Jerusalem, their Capital, which is to become the Capital of the Palestinian state. If that happens I would not want to live in Washington DC.
Beyond that, the Bible says "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
The role of America in God's economy is to spread the Gospel to the world. Interestingly enough Jesus said: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) Today that Gospel is being preached in all the world through the many Gospel Television Networks and the Internet.
Almost all of our great historic Universities began as Bible Colleges for that purpose. But I'm not saying anything new. Have you read the Mayflower Compact, written more than a hundred years before the Declaration of Independence? The Compact is often referred to as the foundation of the Constitution of the United States. In part it states the purpose as "...for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith ..."

We've fallen a long way from there.

Gay Lifestyle Unfulfilling - There's Room at the Cross!

2007-07-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

Michael Glatze now declares not only has he given up activism – he's no longer a homosexual.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56481

Charlene Cothran, editor of a magazine for African-American gays and lesbians, on how she renounced homosexuality and came to Christ.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/marchweb-only/112-52.0.html

Faith in Christ makes the difference!

Does America Appear In Bible Prophecy II

2007-06-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

I had one professor in Bible College define a 'cult' as a 'religion fashioned around one person or one groups particular interpretation of usually a single Bible passage.' Of course he was referring to those cults that use the Bible as their base.
I merely say that as a caution whenever I speculate with different passages of the Bible because I'm a believer that likes to study those Bible passages which possibly have some bearing on the current events of our day. I don't believe it's wrong to do so, though you may disagree.

Concerning this topic (America In Bible Prophecy) I began last week with a look at a passage in Obadiah where the prophet speaks of a land who has set it's nest among the stars just before God's judgment falls. Those people were identified with an eagle, which some have taken to mean America's National Bird. They were a proud people, though greatly despised by other nations. Some have taken this to mean America; others that it is talking about the Edomites who were said to have built their cities on the mountain tops.

Today I want to look at another chapter in the Bible and check out some different translations. The passage is the entire chapter of Isaiah 18. Since it is the whole chapter I want to break it down as I go. At the conclusion of this entry I will post the entire chapter.

Right from the start there is a woe pronounced.

[1] "Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is beyond the
rivers of Ethiopia,"

(NKJV) In every major city of America the buzzing wings of helicopters and small aircraft can be heard. In Todays New International Version (TNIV) it says "Woe to the land of whirring wings which accurately describe helicopters.
"Beyond the rivers of Ethiopia" is not taken as a compass direction but rather to describe the boundaries of known civilization as recognized by a Jewish prophet who lived seven centuries before Christ. He then goes on to describe this nations ambassadors traveling swiftly over the sea in vessels made of reeds.

[2] "Which sends ambassadors by sea, Even in
vessels of reed on the waters, saying, “ Go,
swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of
skin, To a people terrible from their
beginning onward, A nation powerful and
treading down, Whose land the rivers
divide.” - NKJV
To reach countries on five continents US ambassadors must travel over sea. They travel swiftly. Today they don't use ships, but travel in aircraft. Aircraft are constructed of aluminum tubing. The central structure of the aircraft itself is the fuselage which is basically a closed tube - like a reed. And it is swift!
"...to a nation tall and smooth of skin, To a people terrible from their beginning onward..."
From America's founding she took on the mightiest military in the world and won.
"A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide.
Todays New International Version reads it this way: "...to a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers."
Young's Literal Translation renders it thus: "...Unto a people fearful from its beginning and onwards, A nation meeting out by line, and treading down, Whose land floods have spoiled."
The meeting out by line in today's language would be "measured out." The next phrase says, "and treading down." Measured out and treading down could be a direct reference to a highway system in the minds of those who believe this is America.
[3] " All you people of the world, you who live on the earth, when a banner is raised on the mountains, you will see it, and when a trumpet sounds, you will hear it. (NKJV)
The world recognizes the American flag which is backed up by the most advanced military on earth. But even the most powerful nation is only a 'drop in the bucket' to God Almighty, and He is watching.
[4] "This is what the LORD says to me: "I
will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place,
like shimmering heat in the sunshine,
like a cloud of dew in the heat of
harvest."
[5] For, before the harvest, when the blossom is
gone and the flower becomes a ripening
grape, he will cut off the shoots with
pruning knives, and cut down and take away
the spreading branches.
[6] They will all be left to the
mountain birds of prey and to the wild
animals; the birds will feed on them all
summer, the wild animals all winter." (NKJV)
Disaster now hits this nation and it is reduced to a shell of its former self. God prunes her to clear away the deadness so that she might once again be fruitful. In the end she is fruitful and is shown presenting gifts to the Lord God Almighty in Mount Zion - a reference to Jerusalem when all nations are ruled by Christ.
[7] "At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty from a people tall and smooth-skinned,
from a people feared far and wide,
an aggressive nation of strange speech,
whose land is divided by rivers—
the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion,
the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty."
I don't know if this is a reference to America. I've presented here a viewpoint that Most Bible scholars, even the ones I look to the most say it is a reference to Egypt and has nothing to do with America. Yet there are some amazing paralells to America here, don't you think so?
Here is the chapter, in it's entirety from the New King James Version:
1 Woe to the land shadowed with buzzing wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, 2 Which sends ambassadors by sea, even in vessels of reed on the waters, saying,“ Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth of skin, To a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide.” 3 All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it. 4 For so the LORD said to me,“ I will take My rest, And I will look from My dwelling place Like clear heat in sunshine, Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” 5 For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect And the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks And take away and cut down the branches. 6 They will be left together for the mountain birds of prey And for the beasts of the earth; The birds of prey will summer on them, And all the beasts of the earth will winter on them. 7 In that time a present will be brought to the LORD of hosts From a people tall and smooth of skin, And from a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, To Mount Zion.

Does America Appear In Bible Prophecy?

2007-06-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

To those who study scripture with an eye on current events, there are references that have been interpreted as referring to America. Though I personally don't interpret the following scripture as anything that points to the United States, its worth bringing up.

In the tiny Biblical book of Obadiah there is this prophecy in verses 4 -

Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." (KJV)

The New Century Version of the Bible renders verses 1-6: "Soon I will make you the smallest of nations. You will be greatly hated by everyone. Your pride has fooled you, you who live in the hollow places of the cliff. Your home is up high, you who say to yourself, 'No one can bring me down to the ground.' Even if you fly high like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, I will bring you down from there," says the Lord. "You will really be ruined! If thieves came to you, if robbers came by night, they would steal only enough for themselves. If workers came and picked the grapes from your vines, they would leave a few behind. But you, Edom, will really lose everything! People will find all your hidden treasures! All the people who are your friends will force you out of the land. The people who are at peace with you will trick you and defeat you. Those who eat your bread with you now are planning a trap for you, and you will not notice it."

The context of the reference is to Edom (actually the descendants of Esau) but because of the reference to the eagle, and the nest among the stars some have by interpretation equated Edom to America. That's a big stretch, in my humble opinion but the symbolism is further enhanced by the parallel of "Edom's" inaccessability as cliff dwellers to America's as flanked by great oceans.

The reference to pride is another parallel some see to America whose national symbol is the Bald Eagle. In this scenario the International Space Station (ISS) is viewed as perhaps being a literal nest among the stars which God will bring down. The problem with this interpretation is that it's an International Space Station, not exclusively American.
Rabbi Nosson Slifkin equates the fulfillment of this verse on the Challenger disaster of 1986.
Most Bible scholars espouse no such interpretations but regard Obadiah's prophecy as having been fulfilled within it's historical context.

So why do I put stuff like this on my blog?
Simply - its interesting!

Some of my friends have asked me about the predictions I referred to in my May 29th blog; (doomsday - December 21, 2012) whether or not I thought that Jesus would return on that date. My answer is this: Since that date is one where many will be expecting something to happen, I will state with authority that Jesus will not return on 12/21/12. He's coming when people are not expecting him (Matthew 24:44) and nobody knows that day (Matthew 25:13). I merely posted it because the secular world is now making it's own doomsday predictions, complete with dates. It seems there is a universal 'feeling' that something huge is soon going to happen that will forever change life on planet earth--that history itself is winding down to an inescapable climax. Whether it's an eruption of a Super Volcano, an asteroid strike, Armageddon or other ELE, it seems we are consumed with earth's end as we know it.

Evolutionist-Creationist Debate

2007-06-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

I was impressed. Dr. 'Fuz' Fazale takes on evolutionist John Rennie in this debate which aired on NPR's Glenn Mitchell Show. The transcript is a must read for evolutionists and creationists alike, if you really want to get down to the issues that are relevant today.

Hear another biologist v. biologist debate @ http://intelligentdesign.podomatic.com/entry/2007-12-19T12_16_01-08_00

What Last Days Society Will Look Like

2007-06-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

In Paul's letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLV) Paul presents a thumbnail picture of what last days society will generally look like.

"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly."

Jesus likened the times to the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-44) when violence filled the land, and to the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-32) when homosexuality (Genesis 19) was a welcomed life style.

To those who would say that these are earmarks of many societies throughout history and that nothing has changed, the Bible has this to say:

2 Peter 3:3-8 "First of all, I want you to know that in the last days men will laugh at the truth. They will follow their own sinful desires. They will say, "He promised to come again. Where is He? Since our early fathers died, everything is the same from the beginning of the world." But they want to forget that God spoke and the heavens were made long ago. The earth was made out of water and water was all around it. Long ago the earth was covered with water and it was destroyed. But the heaven we see now and the earth we live on now have been kept by His word. They will be kept until they are to be destroyed by fire. They will be kept until the day men stand before God and sinners will be destroyed. Dear friends, remember this one thing, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years, and 1,000 years are as one day."

False Teaching is another sign: "The Holy Spirit tells us in plain words that in the last days some people will turn away from the faith. They will listen to what is said about spirits and follow the teaching about demons. Those who teach this tell it as the truth when they know it is a lie. They do it so much that their own hearts no longer say it is wrong."

Some of these prophecies look like they could have been taken out of our newspapers.
picture is from Kings Creek in Lassen National Park

A Bible Sign of the Last Days

2007-06-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

The Big Question:

When?

Now don't get excited my Christian friend, history is littered with the wrecks of "prophets" whose predictions failed to happen on the dates they predicted. I'm not of that ilk, but what do we know that really defines the times we're living in? There is one prophecy that seems key to me as the defining prophecy--and the prophet is none other than Jesus himself:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." - Matthew 24:14

Today the gospel is reaching all the world. So even in the most remote places on earth the gospel can be heard over radio or television. There's no doubt that we're in that time frame or season. Following the statement made by Jesus in verse 14, Jesus said this: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

Here Jesus is referring to a specific prophecy in the Old Testament book of Daniel. Daniel 9:27-
"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

The fact that 'he' shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease is a reference to the sacrificial offerings of the Jewish religion. This won't happen until there is a Jewish temple. And Daniel said that 'he' will make a covenant (with the Jews) for one week. This individual will make a seven year peace treaty with the Jews who will at this time be living in safety. They will have re-established their Levitical sacrificial laws in their temple. After precisely three and a half years this treaty will be broken when 'he' will stand in the the Jewish temple and demand worship from the Jews. That act is called the 'abomination of desolation' according to Jesus. But there is no Jewish temple. There hasn't been one since AD 70! But if the Bible is true, and I believe with everything in me it is, the Jews will build their temple. Look for the Mosque of Oman to come down. It is sitting on the Temple Mount.
The 'he' who causes the abomination is known to believers as the Antichrist--Satan incarnate. I will elaborate on that in the future, since the Bible gives us a lot of information on him and his reign as world leader.
Since these prophecies come together, there's no doubt we're getting close.

Darwin Speaks! Quote of the Week

2007-06-07T18:17:00.000-07:00

"Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graduated organic chain; and this, perhaps is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory." -- Charles Robert Darwin, The Origin of Species, 1st edition reprint. Avenel Books, 1979; p. 292

Finding Fossils That Speak To Us

2007-06-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

The following quote comes from an inciteful article from Dr. David Menton, Ph.D. (Click on the link to view the paper).

"To be consistent with evolution, the fossil record should show how organisms slowly transformed one into another through countless intermediate or transitional stages. Evolutionists, for example, claim that over one hundred million years were required for the gradual transformation of invertebrates into vertebrates; thus we would expect that the fossil record should show at least some of the progressive stages of this large-scale transformation.

To be consistent with creation, on the other hand, the fossil record should show no obvious transitional stages between distinctly different kinds of organisms, but rather each kind of organism should appear all at once and fully formed." - David N. Menton, Ph.D.

What the fossil record seems to show is there are no obvious transitional stages between distinctly different kinds of organisms, but rather each kind of organism appears all at once and fully formed.

Hmmm, now what does that indicate??
As recently as my high school days it was taught that "Eohippus" known today as Hyracotherium, (which evolutionists assumed was the first horse) was a direct line ancestor of today's modern horse, "Equus." Soon after becoming a Christian and comparing the science I was being taught in School with the science in books by scientists who are Christians, I learned that fossils of both Eohippus and Equus were found in the same strata, proving that both were in existence at the same time.
Recently I've learned that some textbooks still perpetuate that story but with a few modifications, one of which states "There's no discernable "straight line" of horse evolution..." God forbid that the Bible should make such changes--they'd throw the whole thing out!

To show how evolution's pathway is illustrated we high schoolers were also exposed to Haekels Drawings:

Those drawings supposedly revealed the development of the human fetus as it passed through, and demonstrated various evolutionary stages. It's since been shown that Haekel was intentionally misleading. There is an attempt today by certain individuals to "whitewash" Haekels hoax and redeem it as 'science.' I also understand that Haekels drawings still appear (with modification) in some of today's high school textbooks--though I've not personally seen them.
*picture of me in Death Valley, obviously mining quotes.

Archaeopteryx or giving Creationists the Bird!

2007-06-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Whenever the lack of fossil evidence showing a transitional specie comes up, one word commonly drops from the lips of the evolutionary protagonist: Archaeopteryx!

Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx is a bird with many unique similarities to certain dinosaurs called Theropods. The fossils of Archaeopteryx date back to the [1]Jurassic period.
Paleo-ornithologists classify Archaeopteryx as a bird because the most unique thing that defines a creature as a bird are its feathers.

Archaeopteryx is said to be a transitional form bridging the gap between dinosaur and bird. In all seven known Archaeopteryx fossils, Archaeopteryx had feathers; feathers which were well developed, and had the ability of flight.

Feathers are very complicated structures of which there are several types. Scientists have promulgated several different theories about why feathers evolved but there has been (until recently) a consensus among them that feathers evolved from reptilian scales. One theory is that thermoregulation is responsible for the original morphing of dino-scales into feathers. Others think that feathers evolved for flight and the most recent theory is that feathers evolved to attract a mate.

The Evidence
The so-called "proof" is a theropod dinosaur (that had a scale that sort of looked feathered). This [2]theropod is called Caudipteryx, (which dates to about 127 million years ago). This goose sized dinosaur is depicted with feathers in every drawing I've seen.

First Problem: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Do you see a problem yet? Feather’s are very complex structures of which there are several distinct categories. Certainly something as complex as a feather would have taken a long time to evolve if Archaeopteryx were to be that “transitional” evolutionary link. Yet not only did Archaeopteryx have one kind of feather, he had different kinds of fully developed feathers and was capable of flight. Archaeopteryx always appears fully developed in the fossil record with nothing showing a protoarchaeopteryx type.
Now here’s the problem. Archaeopteryx pre-dates Caudipteryx by a geologic period (or at least 20 million years). Archaeopteryx goes back to the Jurassic Period and Caudipteryx dates to the later [3]Cretaceous period. That’s kind of putting the cart before the horse, don’t you think?

The Second Problem: The Feathered Look
Reptilian scales are vastly different from bird feathers. They originate in different places, they are made of different proteins and they serve totally different functions. Why would reptiles need feathers? They are not warm blooded and they don't fly (some glide). They don't have a problem mating.

The Third Problem: That’s not a gap-that’s an abyss!
The teeth of Archaeopteryx are not serrated as they are in theropods. Other birds had teeth but Archaeopteryx had several other unique features that don't relate to any other known bird--an indication of special creation. As I explained to one commentator, Archaeopteryx is more evidence for Intelligent Design than evolution.

[4]David B. Kitts, Ph.D an evolutionist and paleontologist, said:

"Despite the bright promise that paleontology provides a means of 'seeing'
evolution, it has presented some nasty difficulties for evolutionists the most
notorious of which is the presence of 'gaps' in the fossil record. Evolution
requires intermediate forms between species and paleontology does not provide
them."
And as [5]David Raup, a paleontologist at the Field Museum of Natural History said:

"We are now about 120 years after Darwin and the knowledge of the fossil record
has been greatly expanded. We now have a quarter of a million fossil species
but the situation hasn't changed much -- ironically, we have even fewer
examples of evolutionary transition than we had in Darwin's time. By this I mean that some of the classic cases of Darwinian change in the fossil record
such as the evolution of the horse in North America, have had to be discarded or modified as a result of more detailed information."

Now, lest I'm accused of quote mining, I admit it. I'm not ashamed of it-the words speak for themselves. Not just a sentence-you can see whole paragraphs--they speak for themselves in that context. These quotations are referenced in the footnotes below.
__________

[1] Jurassic Period extends from about 145 million years to 200 million years ago.
[2] Any of various large carnivorous dinosaurs of the suborder Theropoda of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, characterized by bipedal locomotion, large jaws, and short forelimbs.
[3] Cretaceous Period follows the Jurassic Period; from about 65 million years to 145 million years ago.

[4] David B. Kitts, PhD (Zoology) Head Curator, Dept of Geology, Stoval Museum. Evolution, vol 28, Sep 1974, p 467
[5] David Raup, Field Museum of Natural History Bulletin, 50:22-29

Quote of the Week

2007-06-02T22:32:00.001-07:00

"The absence of fossil evidence for intermediary stages between major transitions in organic design, indeed our inability, even in our imagination, to construct functional intermediates in many cases, has been a persistent and nagging problem for gradualistic accounts of evolution."

-Stephen Jay Gould, Prof. of Geology and Paleontology, Harvard University "Is a new general theory of evolution emerging?" Paleobiology, vol 6, January 1980, p. 127

Doomsday: December 21, 2012??

2007-05-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

We've all seen the caricatures of the robed men standing on the street corners with their signs saying 'doomsday is near.' Well, here's a 3 minute clip from the History Channel that reveals a date from several different cultures and religions that converge upon...December 21, 2012.

Worth the listening to.

The Lost Tribe of the Tasaday's

2007-05-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

I was stationed in the Northern Island of the Philippines, (Luzon) in 1972 at Clark AFB. And I remember this stuff quite well; the previous year a discovery was made that fired up the world of anthropology like nothing else ever had. The discovery of a cave-dwelling tribe called the Tasaday tribe. It was such a discovery that National Geographic ran special articles on the tribes people. A cadre of scientists along with the rich and famous traveled to the Philippines just to see these primitives. Journalists and their publishers couldn't get enough of this stuff. Books were written, television specials were run.

Check it out for yourself: Here is the actual article from Time Magazine archives dated Oct. 1971.

The only problem--it was an act.
The scientific world had rushed in and took the bait--hook, line and sinker!
Supposedly a missionary had recognized the tribes people from an article as a group he'd been working with and knew they weren't living in caves, nore were naked...(those nasty christians, always interfering with science!)

As it turned out a minor official by the name of Manuel Elizalde Jr., paid local farmers to live in the caves, take off their clothes, and appear Stone Age. They even rehearsed using stone impliments. Unfortunately Manuel Elizalde Jr. absconded with a large bankroll of money allegedly taken from funds set aside to provide lands for the Tasaday.

Here is one of the best articles I've read about what really happened. You can google it up and read numerous articles about this fraud...but sometimes the truth is hard to swallow, (especially when you have a group that gets funding for perpetuating the lie).
Not to be confused with the facts of the case, some still believe that the Tasaday are a stone age people co-opted by the modern world.
That's nothing though; I met this Polynesian guy--Cheif Sieulu and his partner on this day. they look primitive in native costume, but are multi-lingual, intelligent, well traveled, funny and know how to entertain, plus I think he drives a beamer. The cheif's survival skills are unsurpassed! (If you go to O'ahu Hawaii you've got to go to the Kualoa Macadamia Nut Farm and take the tour!) Darwin's theory was used to classify some men as more evolved than others which is evident by the Origin of Species subtitle, "The Preservation of the Favoured Races." You probably weren't told about the subtitle in school, were you?

Here is a good podcast on
The Dark Darwinian History of Eugenics

December 2005--Top Korean Scientist Cloned Human

2007-05-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

A landmark scientific paper on cloning that propelled a South Korean scientist, Hwang Woo Suk, to international stardom was an "intentional fabrication." This was one of the top guys in stem cell research in the world...

Alas, humans will do what humans will do and as Rob MacGregor's Indiana Jones said, it's about "Fortune and Glory." Speaking of Indiana Jones, have you noticed the so called archaeologists who are wearing the fedora and galavanting the world? Fortune and Glory! It makes no difference if the person is a butcher, baker or candlestick maker or scientist, politician or preacher, we all have that flaw called 'human nature' (to a greater or lesser degree).

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23.

More So-Called Scientific "Truth"

2007-05-22T00:22:00.000-07:00

Haeckel's Embryos The Real Deal?

"Evolutionist should stand proud and salute Haeckel a true apostle. From his embryos to Piltdown, from Nebraska Man to Lucy the tradition Ernest Haeckel begun, the creation of evidence continues to this day. "

They're doing it again. Oh my!

Listen to the pod-cast for more details. (click on Haeckel's Embryos or the title bar above)

Amber Alert or Tell Me Have You Seen Him?

2007-05-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this guy? In the early weeks of 1990, three news reports appeared which differed as to the disappearance of the fossils of the controversial Peking Man following WW II. In reality this report merely describes different theories related to the disappearance. One theory is that they are buried under a car warehouse in Beijing (Peking). Another theory is that the government has them hidden and a third theory is that two of the teeth were found in Southwest China and were dated at three million years old. That would make the teeth a much older than the Peking Man himself. I've personally been down in China Town in both San Francisco, CA and Honolulu, HI but haven't seen a sign of him so far. I don’t look for him to make an appearance any time soon but keep an eye out for him.

He seems to be as elusive as Bigfoot up around my neck of the woods.

Rocks In My Shoe, or Skullduggery at Piltdown

2007-05-12T02:18:00.000-07:00

It happened around the quaint town of Piltdown, England. Working secretly on their patient a long process was taking place. It took a while to find all of the necessary parts. A human skull and the jawbone of an orangutan and later the tooth of a chimp; all to be merged into one being. Some sawing, filing, taps of a hammer...it was almost ready now, but it needed to look old. A little acid, a little paint, the stroke of a brush and finally he was ready: A creature more bizarre than Dr. Frankenstein's monster was born--

Behold--The Piltdown man!

Frenzied darwinian's finally had the elusive evidence they were looking for. The news was also good for the little town of Piltdown had gained worldwide acclaim as Piltdown had been unearthed from a gravel pit there.

Piltdown's (also known as Eoanthropus dawsoni) career grew when he became a cast member at the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925.
From there he became a textbook icon. Students worldwide were fascinated for decades with stories of how their early ancestor, Piltdown man ate, socialized, mated and died. Pictures of him appeared in print, and life size replicas were fashioned complete with hair, lips and eyes and put on display in museums.

Alas, his career abruptly ended barely fifty years later, reluctantly in 1955 Piltdown man was found to be a fraud, a total hoax. Creationists who had long since been relegated to the back of their classes as comprising the so-called 'flat earth society’ didn’t have much of a respite as a host of other imaginative and artistic representations of man were waiting in the wings.

You know, there is a resemblance between Piltdown and this writer, or is there? Naw! Anyway I want to wish you all Aloha from the Island of Oahu! I wonder if Piltdown ever got sunburned...oh well that's for a different blog. Here's a shot I took as Pearl Harbor came into view (back on the 8th of this month) in a crack in the clouds.
This is looking directly at Ford Island. You may be able to click on this picture and see the little white dot at lower center extreme right is the Arizona memorial. Just behind it is the Battleship Missouri, these cap both ends of WW 2.
I wonder if this view is something like the Japanese pilots had?

Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I'll be taking the mother of my kids to New Hope, Diamond Head and say hi to my friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Fernando.