My Thoughts Don't Go Away: October 2011

Wednesday, September 21, 2011Green Tomatoes?!?!

To keep them from getting rotten, pick those tomatoes that are close to or touching the ground and put them on or near a window. In 5-7 days you’ll have ripe tomatoes! Keep them from getting cold as the cold decreases the flavor.

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011Hi Bible study friends! Read Revelations 12. Boy, do I have exciting news to share about this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JaxWs5lrkI&feature=mh_lolz&list=HL1316544088

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Forgive God for our mistakes???

There are those statements that make you say, “Huh?”

During dispatch today, a salesman was facetiously asking forgiveness from a tech about job instructions the salesman gave to the tech but the tech had missed. The tech tried to blame it on anyone but himself so the salesman said, “Please forgive us God for your mistakes.” Was that a Freudian slip? That statement made me realize that people, whether they realize it or not, blame God for their mistakes rather than accept the responsibility themselves.

Our actions are ours alone. William Law said, “Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state.”

For the record, God forgives those who are repentant and turn from their sins.

(God forgive him because he doesn’t realize what he did when he said what he said.)

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Monday, September 19, 20111/2

Mailed some pictures and some of my blog posts to my Grandpa Wooten today. I gave him my # hoping he will call me. I'll let you know.

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Family is treasure. We shouldn't take it for granted that they'll always be there. Don't put the me before the them. Love them.

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Friday, September 16, 2011Happy birthday to my dad. Love you!

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Sunday, September 11, 2011The Believer's Identity in Christ by Don Rogers

MY RELATIONSHIP

I am reconciled to God - 2 Cor 5:18

I'm a child of God - He is my Father - 1 Jn 3:1,2

I am a saint - Eph 1:1; 1 Cor 1:2; Phil 1:1

I am Christ's friend - Jn 15:15

I am a fellow citizen in God's kingdom - Eph 2:19

I am born of God - 1 Jn 4:7

I have been brought near to Christ - Eph 2:13

I have been adopted by God - Rom 8:15

I'm to be righteous and holy like God - Eph 4:24

I have direct access to God - Eph 2:18

MY INHERITANCE

I am a citizen of heaven - Phil 3:20

I am an heir of God - Rom 8:17

I've been rescued from Satan's domain - Col 1:13

I am a joint heir with Christ - Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7

I am hidden with Christ in God - Col 3:3

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing - Eph 1:3

I am chosen of God - holy, beloved - Col 3:12

I am a child of promise - Rom 9:8; Gal 3:14

I am a child of light, not darkness - 1 Thess 5:5

I've been given great promises - 2 Pet 1:4

I am a partaker of Christ - Heb 3:14

I'm one of God's living stones - 1 Pet 2:5

MY TRANSFORMATION

I'm a member of a royal priesthood - 1 Pet 2:9

I'm redeemed and forgiven - Eph 1:6-8

I'm to be a stranger to this world - 1 Pet 2:11

I've been justified - made righteous - Rom 5:1

I'm an enemy of the devil - 1 Pet 5:8

I have eternal life - Jn 5:24

I died w/Christ to the power of sin - Rom 6:1-6

MY CALLING

I am free from condemnation - Rom 8:1

I am to be salt on the earth - Mt 5:13

I have received the Spirit of God -1 Cor 2:12

I am to be light in the world - Mt 5:14

I have been given the mind of Christ - 1 Cor 2:16

I'm chosen and appointed to bear fruit - Jn 15:16

I have been crucified with Christ - Gal 2:20

I am called to do the works of Christ - Jn 14:12

I am a new creation - 2 Cor 5:17

I am to do what Christ commanded His disciples - Mt 28:20

I have been made alive with Christ - Eph 2:5

I have been given spiritual authority - Lk 10:19

I am God's workmanship - Eph 2:10

Signs should accompany my work - Mk 16:17-20

I have received fullness in Christ - Col 2:10

I am a minister of a new covenant - 2 Cor 3:6

I am a minister of reconciliation - 2 Cor 5:18,19

MY POSITION

I am to be an expression of life in Christ - Col 3:4

I am connected to the true vine - Jn 15:1,5

I am a partaker of a heavenly calling - Heb 3:1

I'm a willing slave of righeousness - Rom 6:18,22

I am a temple of God - 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19

I am one spirit with the Lord - 1 Cor 6:17

I am a member of Christ's body - 1 Cor 12:27

http://www.sw-mins.org/identity.html.

Friday, September 09, 2011DEMCAD's Corner: SHTF: The Importance of Water

DEMCAD's Corner: SHTF: The Importance of Water: By Reginald Kaigler ( DEMCAD ) Since your body can go longer without food than water, I recommend you start with water. Now keep in mind ...

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Signs of the times....Jesus' return is imminent

Conjecture is for those who don’t see the signs.

I see that the proof is all around us. There are millions of others that see the signs also. To those who don’t see the signs, I can say to them that this is what I see that has either come to pass or is in the process of coming to pass…

The massive travel and increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:4)

Israel becoming a nation in one day (Isaiah 66:8) May 15, 1948; 1967 Jerusalem was returned to Israel

the setting up of all the nations that are to come against Israel is happening before our eyes (Ezekiel 38:1-9,18-23--Magog: Russia; Meshech: Moscow; Tubal: Tobolsk; Persia: Iran; Ethiopia: Ethiopia; Libya: Libya; Gomer: Germany; Togarmah: Turkey/Aremenia) that will come against Israel)

gathering of the Jews from the North country aka Russia (Isaiah 43:5-6) and they will eventually instead of praising God for bringing them out of Egypt (like they do every Passover) they will instead praise Jesus for bringing them back to Israel (Jeremiah 23:7-8) Jesus is the living Lord.

the return of the Jews from all nations (Ezekiel 37:21-28 )

Nuclear warfare gave us the ability to melt the eyes and tongues before our bones hit the ground (Zachariah 14:12)

Jerusalem being built up tells us Jesus is about to appear (Psalm 102:16)

Revelation 11:9-10 tells how the world will see the two witnesses and until the advent of satellites there has never before been possible to see and hear what’s happening on the other side of the earth than where we are.

The Dead Sea becoming fresh is in the works to come to pass (Ezekiel 47:6-11)-though many ideas on how to make this happen have been turned down, it is in the works to happen

the generation that sees these signs will not pass away before the coming of the Lord (Matthew 24:32-34) --we were born after that generation so we will definitely see the coming of the great day of the Lord.

End times Bible study is about the correlation between God’s word and events that have happened and are happing, no conjecture allowed. With the return of Jesus imminent, we must bring the Good News and baptize believers as soon as Phillip did with the Ethiopian. Don’t wait to go to church, baptize in your bathtub if necessary. Time is running out and believers have to band together and tell people the end is here and now, and salvation is only available to those who accept Jesus.

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Wednesday, September 07, 2011Higher Power?

You say you’re a spiritual person which tells me you know there is a higher power than just yourself. The bottom line is that higher power is God and He created us for His purpose, His glory. Man perverted our purpose here. You should not focus on what man has done so much as you should focus on what God wants from you and is doing in you for His glory. God created you to glorify Him. God created your child(ren) to glorify Him. God created your spouse to glorify Him. You are to lead your family in the way God instructs and those instructions are found in His word, the Bible.

I understand the sins man has committed disgust you, as it should, but be careful where your

anger takes you because you can blaspheme against the son of man (humans) because of the bad things they have done in the name of Jesus but you will burn in Hell if you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (God, Jesus, Yahweh, Jehovah, Christ). Which means don’t hate on God for what people have done in His name or in their own name. Forgive them and trust God.

God gave us His law to show us that we need salvation. That salvation is found in His son, Jesus, the final sacrifice for sin. If you have ever sinned, lied, stolen, looked upon a woman in lust (adultery), hated someone (murder, just refer to the 10 commandments), then if God judged you today, you’d go to Hell. Whether you accept that fact or not is very important because God is going to send every lost soul to burn in Hell. There is no grace for the unsaved person. This includes your child(ren), your spouse, and anyone who does not accept Jesus as their savior.

God loves us and wants us with Him. He does not want us to parish. Unlike the angels He created, He gave us the choice to choose Him. Do you want to be saved? Do you want your family to be saved?

I beg you to please accept Christ and be saved from your sins because if you deny Him you will burn in Hell forever.

May God bring you peace in your decision.

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Labels: forgive, God, higher power, Jesus, salvation, sin

Tuesday, September 06, 2011Leviticus 18:24“‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

I've often wondered if what is happening to America, to the world, is the result of the depravity of the world. God's word says, Matthew 24:37-38 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. It's hard to believe that Noah's days were as defiled as these present days but some people have said, "They must have been worse than today because Jesus hasn't come yet." Alright, I'll give them that.

My daughter wanted to know where in the Bible that said being homosexual was wrong. I told her, "If you're going to preach on what is right and wrong, you have to bring the whole Bible with you, not just a verse or two." So, I showed her the chapter above. She was disgusted that people would think to do such things. I told her that in God's merciful grace, He gave us instructions about how to live His way. He knew that we'd be tempted by Lucifer so God told us how to live. He gave us His Holy Spirit to move our conscience, to convince our soul of what is right and wrong.

I am thankful that God will not allow the temptation to be too much for those who are called to His purpose and I pray this depravity will not go on for too much longer. I just pray that those who have fallen, will rise up in the salvation that God gave us in His son, Jesus. Amen.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011The Sinner's Prayer

Father in Heaven, I am truly a sinful person, my sin separates me from you and leads me to judgment and eternal death. I’m asking that you forgive me as I turn from my sins; rebellion, unbelief, sexual immorality, occultism, hatred, cursing, selfishness, and everything you call evil. I do believe that your Son Jesus, came, died, and rose again from the grave and that through Him I can receive your forgiveness and eternal life. So I’m asking you, Father, to completely cleanse me by the blood of Jesus, and write my name in your Book of Life. I gratefully receive this free gift of His righteousness, cleansing, and eternal life as I fully trust that He carried my sins away completely. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving your life for me. Help me to live a holy life worthy of your salvation. Amen.

Matthew 28:19 So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."

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Friday, August 26, 2011Jesus broke the Sabbath

Someone asked me what I thought about Sunday being observed as the Sabbath. Long story short, they claim that the true Sabbath is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, and they are correct.

These Saturday-Sabath-only people criticized those who worship on Sunday and do not accept them as true believers in Jesus our savior. However, they didn't say anything about when Jesus broke the Sabbath (John 5:17-18). Why didn't they mention that?

I choose to follow Jesus' example who also chose to follow His father's example (John 5:19). If Jesus isn't afraid to break the Sabbath then neither I am afraid to "break" the Sabbath. I fear (revere) the Lord (Psalm 111:10) but I do not fear death. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

1 Corinthians 15:55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God gave us the law to show us that we need salvation. The law is death for us (whether we've heard the Good News or not, and of course if it is rejected) because no one can obey the law or escape its penalty of death because we ALL fall short. But God also gave us Jesus (he is our GIFT) to save us from that death. So, follow God's word but don't allow it to burden you or someone else into feeling like they are doomed to Hell because yours or their Sabbath is on a different day than Saturday. Those who claim they are true believers because they observe Saturday Sabbath are boasters! Jesus saved us from ALL sin, even observing Sabbath on a Sunday and breaking it all together. We must remember that it is not in our works that we are saved, Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

We must remember that in our zeal to please our Lord we must not discourage each other. Our time is short and it is much more important to WORHIP God! It is much more important to spread the Good News and baptize believers than to make sure we observe the Sabbath on Saturday. Many of us do not evangelize but instead criticize! We MUST evangelize because God loves us all and does not want any of us to parish. There are many who are going to Hell because they have never been asked if they want salvation. Our burden should be there, not in making it to church on Saturday.

I am reading Hell's Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort. It teaches the basics of evangelism. I recommend it.

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Thursday, August 25, 2011hCG...doing well.

Just a quick catch up on the hCG. I’ve lost 10 lbs. It has been a struggle but praise God I am losing weight and my clothes are fitting better. Even my husband noticed that I was losing weight. I feel really good. I look forward to every morning. The weekends however are another story. I take 5 steps forward during the week and two steps back on the weekends. Such is life but I am improving. God bless!

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Becky Cheek

I am happily married for 20 years, with two beautiful children ages 12 and 13. I blog about subjects that I care about and I post articles that interest me.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011hCG Epic FAIL!

The hCG Diet (I'm taking the drops)

The first two days of taking the drops, you binge. You eat as much fattening food as you can stuff in yourself. Then days 3 through 45 you only eat 500 calories of seasoned meats and veggies. Sounds easy since the drops take away your hunger, right. WRONG! I've been on the hCG diet for 6 days and have an extremely hard time eating the way the diet prescribes. It is a very low calorie diet, 500 to be exact. While the hCG does curb my appetite, I am to only eat certain veggies and meats, and am to abstain from all else. I may drink unsweetened and uncarbonated drinks, or coffee and tea sweeten with Stevia. Oh, and I must drink like a gallon of water a day.

At work it is much easier to keep to the diet. At home it is easy to abstain until it is time to make dinner. I am only supposed to eat 500 calories the entire day; I eat that much and more at dinner. I'm hungry. The drops work until dinner time. Before the diet I easily ate 2000-3000 calories a day, only exercising once a week on average.

I've been working out and the diet says not to. Maybe that's what is making me so hungry. I workout after work and then come home to make dinner. I nibble on veggies while I cook and then I weigh my meat, 5 oz. Tonight I ate chicken and 5 oz of shrimp cooked in coconut oil with onions and garlic. Today I ate about 1100 calories. I have a full belly but I am also full of guilt because in the morning when I weigh myself, I'll won't have lost any weight.

As a failure, I have to face the gals I work with who are doing very well on the diet. They look really beautiful and are leaning up quickly. I am causing myself to stress out a little because I am failing miserably.

I do not understand enough about this diet to know why you can only eat 500 of certain foods or else you'll gain weight. Why am I not losing weight since I am eating much less than I normally do?

Maybe it is because my body is out of whack! I've had a lump on my thyroid for a little over a year now. I had it tested to make sure it isn't cancer, it's not. So I thought this low cal diet would help restart my thyroid. Maybe it will if I get really strict. Only God knows if I'll ever be able to lose the fat that is making me so uncomfortable.

Lord, please help me. What is it that is in a person that drives them to be better tomorrow than they were today? I don't know, but I so know that You said that anything I ask for in Jesus' name You will give it so that You will be glorified. I don't have what it takes to be disciplined. I am so weak and needy. Please put it in me to be disciplined, to be steadfast when I am tempted. I just need to say no to hunger. I need to overcome temptation. Please give me what it takes to do what I need to do when I need to do it and help me overcome temptation even in the most intense situations. In Jesus' name for Your glory, amen.

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Labels: deprived, diet, epic fail, fat, hCG, hungry

Sunday, July 24, 2011Just A Baby by becky cheek

I would have loved my family with all my heart

But then Mommy asked a doctor to tear me apart

My screams she could not hear

I was so tiny

Maybe she would have thought me too whiney

The knife and saline solution massacred me from toe to ear

From God’s hands to Mommy’s belly

He named me Elly

Only 9 months to go and a life time of learning

It was her arms that I was yearning

Forever loving

But now a stick the doctor is shoving

I had so much potential

But in Mommy’s life I was nonessential

She had plans, she was going to be somebody

I was made by God with materials far from shoddy

So what about my plans, who was I going to be

A scientist, a nurse, a teacher, all a possibility

Where is my voice

What about my choice

Who will speak for me

I don’t matter, maybe

because I’m just a baby

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011Pageant Moms...Bad Moms or Just Extreme?

I just saw part of an episode of Dance Moms this evening. It was appalling the way the dance instructor had the children gyrating their bodies on stage. The mothers were berated by the instructor when they voiced their dismay with the inappropriate dance moves. Then the instructor openly mocked the parents while she scolded their children on the previous day's performance. While the mothers looked on, the instructor told the children, “Do not listen to your mothers.”

I couldn’t believe it. I think the show should be canceled and those little girls spared a life of crazy. But that show is only a reflection of the much bigger world of dance and beauty competitions, which will never end. I skimmed over a headline about a pageant mom that gave her 8 year old Botox. Really?! Wow! I know that every mother thinks their child is the most beautiful and talented child in the world, and that mother intents to maintain the beauty through any means, even Botox.

No mother is perfect but there are extremes that must be addressed without prejudice. You can’t always threaten to take a child away from a parent but instead give constructive instruction about the negative behavior and hope they learn a better way because you said something. In the end, you do what’s best for the child.

The best we can do is be a good mother to our children, prepare them in the way that they should go, and let God do the rest. I feel really bad for these families because, like the instructor said, "Your mothers are living through you the life they wish they could have."

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Wednesday, July 13, 2011Don't Get A Tattoo, Get Something That Doesn't Fade

Someone has to tell you the truth. I hope after you read this that you will do the right thing. I don't want to be insensitive to the things in your life that give it "meaning" but don't disrespect yourself by marking your body, be satisfied. God commands us not to have tattoos Leviticus 19:28 and if He has any "meaning" to you, you won't get the tattoos. God loves us no matter what we do but ask yourself if you love God no matter what He wants?

Some people, at this point, say something like "i will only get the gift of life one time, and i will do what makes me happy while i'm still here. and if god loves me no matter what, he will take me as i am when i arrive at his door."

If you thought something like this, then you are at least partially correct, lIfe is a gift, so don't squander it on frivolous worldly activities that you will regret when you are older and wiser. I am not just talking about getting tattoos. God expects more from you. He demands that you rise above the world’s ways. His kingdom is not of this earth

John 18:36

Do you have a relationship with Him? How well do you know God? The only way to get to know Him and the only way to know what He wants is to read His word. You may say, “i will only get the gift of life one time, and i will do what makes me happy while i'm still here.” That is glorifying yourself. We were created for His glory, no one else's. True happiness and comfort is found in glorifying God. How do you think God feels when you prefer to glorify yourself or someone else instead of Him? Btw, a tattoo dedicated to God is not honoring Him. It is your actions, the things you say, the desires of your heart that honor and glorify...or disgrace Him.

Think about what your life would have been like if God was glorified rather than mocked and ignored. Have you wondered what life would be like if you lived to glorify God, if you lived His way?

We love God’s grace when we sin, but we could care less about the fact that He hates sin. The world has created a god in its image. A generic god that hates who we hate and loves who we love and nothing is bad unless we decide it’s bad. This is completely wrong and dishonors God.

We were created in God’s image for His glory. Your life is precious and you should be the person GOD created you to be, not who the world says to be. You’re actions may show that you are slipping into the lie of the world but don’t fall into that trap. Salvation and eternal life will be out of your reach when you don’t do things God’s way because salvation and eternal life are found in Jesus Christ and when you disregard that, you will miss out on your soul’s salvation. Hell is very real and eternal.

To learn how to do things God’s way, we must read His word, study it with other believers, and be teachable. To do things God’s way, we must do it according to the word of God not what the world says. You think like the world now but you don’t have to remain that way. Don’t use the excuse that you are too young and haven’t lived enough, blah, blah, blah.

You’ve had a lot of messed up things happen in your short life but are you going to keep living what’s been shown to you or are you going to choose a better path and lead others to Christ? You were created to lead others, now do it for the right reasons. You haven’t lived until you’ve told the Good News to someone and changed their life for the better. Now that is living on the edge! Very exciting and exhilarating! Salvation last forever and never fades, unlike a tattoo.

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011Sisters

These are my sisters. The day this picture was taken I had known two of them my whole life and one of them for about a day.

I love them with all my heart and hope we can see more of each other.

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Stay Faithful Through the Tough Stuff...

We only have one life and the times we sin against others, God, as well as ourselves, causes some level of destruction 100% preventable. Others sin against us causing some level of destruction we have no control over.

The Gospel message is that we all sin and need the salvation of Jesus or burn in Hell for eternity. But God holds those who choose to follow Him to a higher standard; He will forgive us as much as we forgive others. God says to rejoice in our suffering, persevering through the tough situations of life which in turn makes us a better person. He uses the tough stuff to make us into the awesome people we are. We must not allow the product of sin to destroy the good works God is doing in us.

You are no worse than anyone else. We all have really messed up stuff that happens to us and we must open God’s word to find out what He wants us to do about it. When we read about Job, we find a great example of perseverance and faithfulness. He was a good man, faithful to God, but God allowed the Devil to ruin him. When his wife and friends said to curse God and die, Job chose not to sin against God but instead he chose to be faithful to God. Job was not some unhurtable person. He was miserable from the physical pain, brokenhearted by the emotional pain of losing his family to death, and stressed by the financial pain of losing his livelihood. He cursed the day of his birth but never cursed God. But after it was all said and done, Job’s faithfulness to God returned 10 fold. New family, new friends, more riches.

We must have the same faithfulness as Job. There are many examples in God’s word to help us through all of life’s trials. We just have to be willing to listen and put God’s way of dealing with those trials into practice.

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Labels: death, eternity, faithfulness, family, God, Jesus, Job, loss, misery, rejoice, salvation, stress

Tuesday, June 28, 2011Put on the Armor of God!

You need to surround yourself with believers who will be strong with you. This is a spiritual battle and you were not meant to fight it alone.

Do you remember the movie The Never Ending Story? There is a scene when Atreyu was going through the Swamps of Sadness. His horse, Artax, dies in that swamp because he gives in to his sadness, the misery of the battle they fought was too much for him. It’s too bad Atreyu didn’t have the armor of the Lord, he would have been able to defeat anything, especially the Nothing. But it is a fairytale, so, instead, he had Falkor, the good luck dragon, who swooped down just in the nick of time to save Atreyu before the sadness overtook him.

Well, we Christians have the truth, not a fairytale, that gives us instructions, armor, on fighting a very real spiritual battle.

Ephesians is written to a group of believers who have not fully realized the power and protection they have in Christ. That’s you. In this letter, Paul is lifting Jesus up as their only provision and singular source of power to live victorious lives. We see Jesus’ grace, His glory, His purpose, His inheritance, His power, His love, His workmanship, His spirit, His gifts, His sacrifice, His strength, and His armor. I challenge you, a Christian soldier, to fight this spiritual battle covered with the full armor of Christ. This is a method for victory.(1)

God’s instruction to live a victorious life! You will die and eternal death if you live by your strength; if you give up, you can expect a defeated life for you and your family. God created you to be better than that. He created you to bring the path of salvation to your family.

(1)http://www.realarmorofgod.com/armor-of-god.html

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Becky Cheek

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Becky Cheek

I am happily married for 20 years, with two beautiful children ages 12 and 13. I blog about subjects that I care about and I post articles that interest me.

Thursday, June 23, 2011Texting My Kids...

Normally when I text my kids, it is regarding household chores or some sort of instruction. Today, I texted them Bible verses to encourage them.

To Beth I sent...Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

To Katie I sent...Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

I love being a mom.

Posted by omahacheeks at 10:14 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Wednesday, February 23, 2011Telling my kids about God

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."~Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Some Christians are afraid to tell their kids about God because the world says to not oppress them with our beliefs, it brainwashes them. Yet, God tells us to impress upon our children the commandments He gives us. Commandments that are to be upon our hearts. God said to spread the Good News to the whole world. As a Christian we must teach our children the things of God. Our children are given the same free will that we have been given to choose to follow Him or not.

Are you teaching your children? Are you teaching the Good News to everyone?

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010My short review of The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

by Becky Wooten Cheek on Friday, September 24, 2010 at 9:09pm

I just read The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Long story short, it’s a story told by a guy who’s friend has a face to face conversation with God.

First, I want to apologize that my review isn’t full of expression and fantastic wording and a detailed play by play. Second, Mr. Young is a good writer. I would probably read another fiction book he choses to write. I could easily pick up what he was layin’ down. Third, I loved his try at explaining the Trinity; it’s as good of an explanation as I’ve ever heard.

Finally, rat poison is 99% grain. It’s the 1% of poison that kills. This book is rat poison because most of it tells the truth about what God has been telling us in His Word. It is that 1% that is misleading many to Hell. It is a lie that God will not send anyone to Hell. God’s Word would call Mr. Young's book an ear-tickler. This book tells the lost what they want to hear, “go on and do whatever you want and God will still bring you to Heaven.” WRONG! Dead wrong. You want to know what God will or won’t do, read the Bible; you may not read this book to find that out.

I do not recommend anyone read this book and I have been praying every day for those who have been fooled by it.

Posted by omahacheeks at 4:52 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Thursday, March 05, 2009Ranting About Rising Cost of Healthcare

The Problems with Health Care and It Isn't the Government.

If you Google "health care", you get millions of results. From health care jobs to health care reform. Health care is a big deal. I am really upset at the rising cost of health care. Someone is to blame for this. We have to stop looking at the American government for answers and instead take a closer look at ourselves. We tell the government what our laws are, the government upholds them. The government doesn't pay our medical bills, our mortgage, our car payment or phone bill or any other bill. We supply our government with money to support the laws we pass. Some people (no names, please) pay over $8000 a year in premiums alone. And that's before they see the doctor. And that's with their employer paying part of the premium (multiplied by how many employees?! Employers get raked over the coals too)! Each of us with insurance have a deductible. My husband works for a big company and had the choice and chose coverage with a deductible of $500 per person. We could have chose more insurance with a higher deductible and visa versa. With my hubby and I both working, we can definitely pay that deductible. I think about smaller employers that have to chose between higher premiums taken out of their employee's paycheck or higher deductibles (like $2000 per person or $6000 for a family) out of their employee's pocket (which makes their employees think twice about visiting the doctor). Stop and add up the premiums that you pay every paycheck and what you're expected to pay (your deductible) before your insurance company pays a dime. I ask, who in middle class America can pay upto $14,000 a year (or more) in insurance and medical costs before their insurance kicks in? Sounds like the insurance companies are part of the problem.

I watched this documentary called Sicko by Michael Moore. His argument is governments should foot the bill for health care. Namely, the American government. One of his many distorted examples is of a a poor country like Cuba that is able to sell an inhaler for $0.05, yep, five pennies, to an American woman accompanying Moore. The American woman that needed the inhaler said that she pays $120 for the same inhaler in America. Big, bad, rich America raping it's sick. That's BS! I ask this, what country did the research to develop the inhaler? A rich one. How do they pay for the research? Through the sales of the marketable discoveries from that research. Moore doesn't emphasize that the inhaler sold for five cents was DONATED by a rich company that puts expiration dates on their product and donates perfectly good yet expired product to poor countries. The doctor didn't GIVE it away but instead sold it to the poor people of Cuba. If it was given to the doctor, why didn't the doctor give it to the patient? Oh, to cover his office expenses! Those darn expenses! They get us all in the end, don't they. Maybe if America lowered it standards a little, medicine would be a little more affordable. Having caviar standards and hamburger budget, this is part of the problem.

Another thing that bothers me is hypochondria. There is a pill for every whimper we have. And that pill comes with three or more symptoms. (It's not the only symptom, nor the worst of the symptoms but my biggest fear is anal leakage.) Most people don't go to the doctor if they can treat the wound/problem the same as the hospital/doctor can, but the people who go to the doctor for every little sniffle, ache and pain are the biggest problem with our health care. Let's look at them in addition to the government, insurance companies (and illegals, but that's another rant). There are people who TRULY need the God-given talents a doctor has, the rest of us must live with the minor aches and pains life comes with. Our constant boo-hooing is part of the problem.

Oh! And the people who are afraid of dying. They go to great extremes to live, the worst of which is cloning themselves to grow organs. These demons should be put to death when they're caught. Unnecessary research to obtain immortality is part of the problem.

And then there's life support! Life support is a ridiculous waste of money and resources. If a person cannot live without it, they should be ALLOWED to die a natural death. I am sure you can come up with a millions reasons for a person to be on life support. But the fact is, life support is a huge expense no one but the super rich can realistically afford; when anyone else needs life support, or any other stellar procedure, and cannot pay for it, this is part of the problem.

I stand in awe and disgust of the black hole caused by those who choose to be a burden to our society and those that choose to enable them. They are another big problem with our health care. Note: if you can work, get off your lazy butt and get a job. Any job so you are taking care of yourself and being part of the goodness of our society. If you can't work, I am humbled, honored, and thankful to God to be able help you out. I wish more people would make a CHOICE to help the needy on their own MERIT rather than leaving it to the government to take care of it in the form of welfare. Example, donate money, food, and material needs the same as yours, and don't forget to donate your TIME to the local mission or charity, hospital, and/or food bank; this is part of the solution to many problems but that's for another rant.

Posted by omahacheeks at 3:27 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Wednesday, January 21, 2009Obama's Speech

Transcript

Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address

Published: January 20, 2009

Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:

PRESIDENT BARACK Thank you. Thank you.

CROWD: Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama!

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation...

(APPLAUSE)

... as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.

The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

(APPLAUSE)

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

(APPLAUSE)

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died in places Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

(APPLAUSE)

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.

We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.

We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality...

(APPLAUSE)

... and lower its costs.

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

All this we can do. All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.

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(APPLAUSE)

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.

It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.

These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

(APPLAUSE)

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.

In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.

The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.

At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

And God bless the United States of America.

(APPLAUSE)

Posted by omahacheeks at 10:48 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Tuesday, April 10, 2007Racist Law, Arabs Arrested, Death Penalty for Selling Land to Jews

Jordan, PA arrest 2 Palestinians for selling Hebron house to Jews

By Nadav Shragai and Avi Issacharoff , Haaretz Correspondents

The Palestinian Authority and Jordan earlier this week arrested two Palestinians suspected of selling a house in Hebron to Israeli settlers who have been occupying it since March 19. One of the suspects is being held in Jordan, and the other in the West Bank town of Jericho. Palestinian laws call for a death sentence for anyone found guilty of selling land to Jews. Hebron's Jewish Committee condemned the arrest, saying, "The arrest exposes once again the anti-Semitic nature of the PA. We call upon the government to accept the racial hatred prevalent in the PA."

MK Uri Ariel (National Union-National Religious Party) called on the government to act for the release of the arrested Palestinians. Orit Struk of the committee said the arrest is proof the house legally belongs to the Jewish community.Committee members told Haaretz that police and army officials said off the record the house purchase was legitimate, adding: "Despite this, Defense Minister Amir Peretz has instructed the Military Advocate General to come up with a pretext for our eviction."Meanwhile, several well-known leftist academics have called on Peretz to issue an order to evict the settlers from the building. "The decision not to evict the settlers is not only asinine and wrong, but also a violation of international law and public order," they wrote.Their call was cosigned by Professors Menachem Brinkner, Moshe Zimmerman, Nissim Kalderon, Ariel Hirschfeld and others.The academics warned that the presence of the settlers could disrupt security in Hebron and in the entire area. They said: "The settlers' presence is a violation of basic morals, requiring security forces to allot resources to protecting the Palestinians from the settlers."

Posted by omahacheeks at 1:08 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Wednesday, February 07, 2007Amnesty Is Wrong

Definitions of amnesty on the Web:

a period during which offenders are exempt from punishment

pardon: a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense

the formal act of liberating someone

grant a pardon to (a group of people) wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Amnesty (from the Greek amnestia, oblivion) is an act of justice by which the supreme power in a state restores those who may have been guilty of any offence against it to the position of innocent persons. It includes more than pardon, inasmuch as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the offence. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amnesty

In May, 1865, a proclamation of pardon to the great mass of Southern citizens was issued by President Johnson. Later the policy of universal amnesty was advocated by Horace Greeley and others, and still later the cry was “Universal amnesty and universal suffrage,” which policy prevailed.www.people.virginia.edu/~rmf8a/gaskell/poldict.htm

I am for legal citizenship. Legal citizenship is beneficial for America and the American. Being honest in spite of what the next guy is doing is key to a persons character. The only reason to be illegal is if you don't want to be legal.

The aliens coming to America and sending away US money is wrong. If your country is treating you wrong and for whatever reason changing your government isn't on your agenda, then come to America, bring your whole family and become Americans...stop taking advantage of the benefits and start contributing back into the benefits that you use.

Speaking English will help children graduate high school and be the best they can be instead of limiting them to only what their native tongue will allow. The English speaker will get a better job and be able to afford a good life. Maybe even be able to afford to sponsor other family members so they too can live the awesome life America offers...as an American.

If illegals are using someone else's social security number, drivers license number, name, address, etc. so they can work in America, how do we know what they paid into social security, if they truly paid at all? Are their employers paying in? People come to America to take advantage of the benefits but do not contribute to the benefits. That is the problem I have with the passing of this bill. If a non-citizen is working toward their citizenship legally then there is no issue. They become American and hopefully when they retire there is social security to receive.

Is it rasist to learn English? No! Language diversity has always been a part of American life however if you go to another country and speak English in an American accent someone is bound to say, "Are you American?"

English is the language American's speak. That is not racist. If English is the official language and part of the citizenship exam it will make success for the new American citizen easier to attain. To make a person forget their native tongue...that would be racist.

Posted by omahacheeks at 2:51 PM 0 comments Links to this post

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Becky Cheek

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Becky Cheek

I am happily married for 20 years, with two beautiful children ages 12 and 13. I blog about subjects that I care about and I post articles that interest me.

Friday, February 02, 2007A Priest Writes To Nancy Pelosi

Thursday, February 01, 2007

A Priest Writes To Nancy Pelosi

The image to the left is from the Rock For Life website. You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.

Fr. John Malloy, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, has written an “Open letter to Nancy Pelosi,” which he also published in his parish bulletin.

California Catholic Daily has the story here: A priest writes to Nancy Pelosi

Here is the text of Fr. Malloy's letter:

Nancy, you are fooling yourself and I fear fooling many good Catholics. You are simply not in sync with the Catholic Church. Until you change your non-Catholic positions, you should stop calling yourself Catholic. Your record shows that you support embryonic stem cell research, Planned Parenthood, contraception, family planning funding, allowing minors to have an abortion without parental consent, and are against making it a crime to harm a fetus, etc. etc.

The fact that you favor married priests and women priests certainly would not classify you as conservative, but your answer to the question are you a conservative Catholic was: “I think so. I was raised in a very strict upbringing in a Catholic home where we respected people, were observant, were practicing Catholics, and that the fundamental belief was that God gave us all a free will, and we were accountable for that, each of us. Each person had that accountability, so it wasn’t for us to make judgments about how people saw their responsibility and that it wasn’t for politicians to make decisions about how people led their personal lives; certainly, to a high moral standards, but when it got into decisions about privacy and all the rest, then that was something that individuals had to answer to God for, and not to politicians.”

That sounds fair and tolerant, but your record belies high moral standards.

The NARL rates you 100% pro-abortion. Your statement: “To me it isn’t even a question. God has given us a free will. We’re all responsible for our actions. If you don’t want an abortion, you don’t believe in it, [then] don’t have one. But don’t tell somebody else what they can do in terms of honoring their responsibilities. My family is very pro-life. They’re not fanatics and they’re not activists. I think they’d like it if I were not so vocally pro-choice.”

Do we not elect politicians to make laws that help people honor their responsibilities, such as protecting life itself? Can politicians not tell someone else not to kill? If you can kill a baby in the womb, Nancy, why not outside of it? Oh wait, you are in favor of partial birth abortion, so-called because the baby sticks out of the “mother” about halfway, while the “doctor” sucks out the baby's brain. That seems comparable to the choice the Nazis made killing six million Jews.

Yes, Nancy, we (together with your pro-life family) would all like it if you were not so vocally pro-choice, i.e. pro-death. Until your choice is in line with Catholic doctrine, please, Nancy, do not receive the Eucharist when you attend Mass.

Rev. John Malloy, SDB San Francisco, CA

Posted by omahacheeks at 9:28 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Tuesday, January 30, 2007Abstnence vs. Sex Education

Abstnence vs. Sex Education:

Carl F. Worden

There is this silly argument going on right now over whether it is better to teach sexual abstinence, or to teach sexual "responsibility" to our teens.

One side sees teaching the benefits of abstinence as the cure-all for unwanted teen pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, while the other side promotes enhanced sex-education for the same remedy.

Both sides are wrong.

First, responsible, caring and loving parents do not "teach" their children about abstinence from sex before marriage: They enforce it. If you don't want your underage teen daughter to get pregnant, you simply don't allow her to. Which part of that don't you get??

If you love your daughter, you never allow her to be alone with a young man of interest to her. You let her be with him privately. You let her talk to him privately. You let them get to know each other. But you never allow the two of them to get into sexual mischief out of your supervision.

My mom & dad fell in love when she was 13 and my dad 15. My father was allowed to come to my future mother's house and visit with my mother in the living room while her parents were listening to the radio in the adjacent kitchen. In the process, they became best friends as well as future mates. They were married 43 years before my father died.

My mother thought she was the all-so modern woman, so she didn't see any reason to restrict my sister in the same way. My sister got pregnant at age 16. She lost the baby after she married her lover, so the marriage was somehow annulled.

My mother allowed my sister to cavort with men older than she at age 13. They went with friends to beach parties together without adult supervision. As a result, my sister developed a taste for booze. My sister died at age 47 - looking like she was 63 - as a result of liver failure from a long life of alcoholism and prescription drug abuse.

My mother was an idiot -- a modern idiot. She never learned from the example her own parents enforced, and I'll never understand why. My mother often stated that if she'd known how great sex was before she got married to my dad, she'd have had sex with him before they were married. Did she think my sister was different?? Oh boy…

However, Mom did say my father was an honorable man and would never have allowed it to get that far before they were married. I believe her. Parents in those days also counseled their sons on the honorable ways to conduct themselves with young women of interest to them - especially if they considered the young woman for marriage.

Now let's jump to 1967.

In 1967, when I graduated from High School, one young lady in my entire class of 1,400 students at Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, got pregnant. She was shuffled off to an undisclosed location the moment her pregnancy was discovered, she gave up the baby to adoption, and returned.

In 1973, Roe V. Wade made elective abortion legal. Around the same time, the Pill was discovered, offering an alleged 98% protection against unwanted pregnancy. Schoolgirls often carried the circular plastic pill containers in their tight rear jean pockets to show off their "protection". What they were really advertising was their sexual availability.

Since then, the unwanted pregnancy rates of teenage girls skyrocketed.

In 1967, it was a personal disaster for a young girl to get pregnant. Back in those days, that fear factor kept those young ladies chaste. The joke was they used an aspirin tablet for birth control back then - held tightly between the knees. Back then the girls simply said, "No way, Buster, I'm not getting pregnant!" Believe me, I was there when they said no.

So here we are in 2004, where we're being told that the unwanted teen pregnancy rates have dropped substantially. Oh yeah? Compared to what?? 1967? 1950? No, 1990!

Give me a break! So the unwanted teen pregnancy rate went bonkers by the 1990s, and they're going to claim "success' against those figures in 2004? Is that dishonest or what?

The "Sexual Responsibility" proponents, those of the "farm animal" persuasion, totally miss the point where it comes to controlling unwanted teen pregnancies. Basically, their attitude is that these kids are nothing more than farm animals that can't control their sexual impulses. So when they have hot, steamy monkey sex, they should use protection in the form of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, and the pill, patch or shot, to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and if that doesn't work, abortion is the answer to their problem. They don't even want to suggest not having sex to begin with, because farm animals just can't help themselves when it comes to a human heifer in heat. Yep, that's what they believe, even though they will never admit it.

Brilliant … Just brilliant!

I write "brilliant", because that's where the whole theory of the Farm Animal Doctrine falls apart. These kids are having sex 24/7 because their sex education classes in public school tell them they have a 98% chance of not getting pregnant when they have sex, abortion on demand if they do, and condoms to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases whether they get pregnant or not. But the underlying message is to go for it if it feels good because you just can't help yourselves, and that is a terrible mistake.

That is where the whole theory of sex education to reduce the rate of unwanted teen pregnancies drops dead under the weight of thousands of unwanted pregnancies. These kids are having sex as often as married people, so is it any shock or surprise that they are experiencing the same birth control failure rate as married couples do? If the birth control rate of the Pill is 98%, doesn't that mean that if you have sex 100 times in a month, you have 2 chances of getting pregnant? Helloooo…anybody there???

I've talked with hundreds of married ladies who told me they got pregnant using the most sophisticated methods of birth control. Well guess what? That is why they call it birth control instead of pregnancy prevention. If they called it the latter, it would be false advertising. If teens are having sex 24/7, they are going to experience the same birth control failure rate as married women, and I repeat myself from the previous paragraph because there are a lot of delusional parents out there who didn't get it the first time.

Now, do I have your attention? If your underage daughters are not allowed to be alone with young men of interest to them, then they are not going to get pregnant. That's not called abstinence; because abstinence is a voluntary decision no responsible parent should ever leave up to a daughter they love.

Since when does sex have anything to do with a parent's trust? My grandparents didn't let my future parents get all hot & heavy in private before marriage because they knew damn well sex has nothing to do with trust. Sex is more often an uncontrollable natural act between a couple who love or lust after one another if allowed, so parents of my grandparent's generation simply didn't allow it to happen. As a result, unwanted pregnancies in those days was scandalous, if it happened at all, and it was the parents who were most often held accountable.

Next, my little 16 year-old friend told me she didn't know what HPV was. Huh?? What are they teaching this girl in sex education? Do you know what HPV is? It's the Human Papilloma Virus, which is currently infecting 3 out of 5 girls and boys under age 25. 70% don't know they are infected with it, and if undiagnosed, the critter is responsible for most cervical cancers, and if that's not troubling enough, it advances into uterine cancer that will kill a girl.

The spread of HPV, like Herpes, cannot be prevented by condom use. It is spread by physical contact, and in the outbreak of genital warts, if that occurs at all, it manifests internally in young females who don't have a clue until they start spotting - and that is often too late.

So those right wing Bush Christian types who advocate teaching abstinence in school over the Farm Animal Doctrine have no better argument. When it comes down to it, only the parents of these girls are in a position to prevent them from having sex, and mostly, they aren't doing it.

But there is light at the end of this tunnel. Read the attached article, "The Girl In The Brown Bikini". Teach your daughters the lesson of it. I'd have pursued and married her if I could have, and she'll never be forgotten.

Carl F. Worden

Posted by omahacheeks at 2:31 PM 0 comments Links to this post

The Ultimate Abuse

Young girls work as prostitutes in a poor area of the Nicaraguan capital, Managua.

The ultimate abuse

Article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child calls on all countries to prevent "a) the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; b) the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; and c) the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials."

Likened by some to torture in the depth of the damage and trauma it inflicts, the sexual exploitation of children is one of the gravest infringements of rights that children can endure.

Like child labour, it is everywhere. It runs the sordid gamut from incest and sexual abuse by friends and family members to the enforced, servile marriage of the too-young girl, to the systematic commercial plundering of children and young teenagers in lucrative prostitution and pornography markets.

Even in those countries with well- developed law enforcement systems, the organized abuse of children still flourishes. An estimated 300,000 young people below the age of 18 are involved in prostitution in the United States, and child prostitution and pornography are significant problems in parts of Europe and the Russian Federation.

Few children, even those running away from unhappy and violent homes, readily become prostitutes. Many are kidnapped, sold by relatives, or tricked into brothel captivity by promises of legitimate employment. Girls employed as domestic servants may become prostitutes after enduring years of sexual abuse by their employers. Many are transported far from their homes, and some to other countries, where they are isolated by language and their illegal status. Coercion, intimidation, violence, drugs and degradation are used to compel submission.

The physical toll is horrendous, exposing children to the risk of pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. AIDS is a deadly reality for many. In Thailand, one study found that a third of the children involved in prostitution tested HIV-positive.

Local customers may have created the trade, but growing numbers of tourists from industrialized countries are now travelling to the developing world for the purpose of sexually exploiting children.

A review of 160 foreigners arrested in Asia for sexual abuse of children between 1992 and 1994 showed the accused to be 25% American, 18% German, 14% Australian, 12% British, and 6% French. Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States now have laws permitting the prosecution of their citizens for sex crimes against children committed outside their countries.

Action to control the sexual exploitation of children has begun on several fronts.

In the Philippines, a 1991 law targets the adult procurers, brothel owners, and abusers of children. Several communities have also created volunteer patrols to monitor bars and brothels for the presence of children.

In India, the Domestic Workers' Movement offers legal protection, education and counselling to its members, many of whom have been sexually abused.

In Recife, Brazil, the Casa de Passagem programme offers drop-in facilities, residential care, counselling and job opportunities for girls living on the streets.

Interpol's Standing Working Party on Offences against Minors shares information between police forces on known paedophiles.

One non-governmental organization, End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism (ECPAT), has been particularly effective in agitating for political action and legal reform. The organization now intends to campaign against child `sex tourism', not just in Asia but worldwide.

There are few reliable figures for the numbers of children involved in prostitution. The following estimates, for a limited number of countries only, serve to illustrate the scale of the problem.

GuesstimatesAll estimates are for children under 18 except Bangladesh, which covers children aged 12 to 16.Bangladesh 10000

Cambodia 2000

India 400000 - 500000

Pakistan (children from Bangladesh) 40000

Philippines 60000

Sri Lanka 30000

Thailand 100000

United States 300000

Viet Nam* 8000

* Recent estimate (January 1995) by the Ministry of Labour, Government of Viet Nam. The estimate cited by ECPAT in The Progress of Nations 1994 was 40,000.

Sources: United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, cited in UNICEF `Breaking the walls of silence a UNICEF background paper on the sexual exploitation of children', July 1994. Asian nations: Ron O'Grady, The rape of the innocent, ECPAT (Thailand), 1994.

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Monday, January 15, 2007The Duck and the Devil

The Duck & the Devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see His sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."

Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's...he finally couldn't stand it any longer.

He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) whatever it is....You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing..... He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets..... It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share

This with a friend and always remember: God is at the window.

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Buddhist turned Christian

The Remarkable Testimony of a Buddhist monk in Myanmar (Burma) who came back to life a changed man!

Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu

IntroductionThe story that follows is simply a translation of a taped testimony from a man with a life-changing story. It is not an interview or a biography, but simply the words from the man himself. Different people react in different ways when they hear this story. Some are inspired, some skeptical, a few will mock and ridicule, while some others have even been filled with rage and anger, convinced these words are the ravings of a mad man or an elaborate deception. Some Christians have opposed the story simply because the radical and miraculous events described herein do not fit their feeble image of an Almighty God.We were first made aware of this story from several Burmese church leaders who shared it with us. These leaders had looked into the story and had not found any suggestion of it being a hoax. It was with this in mind that we decided to step out and circulate the story. We do not do so for any monetary gain, or with a motivation of self-promotion. We just want to let the story speak for itself, and invite Christian believers to judge it according to Scripture. If God wants any part of it to be intended for His glory or to encourage His people, then we pray His Spirit will work in the hearts of the readers in those ways.Some people have told us they think the monk in this story never actually died, but that he just lapsed into unconsciousness, and the things he saw and heard were part of a fever-driven hallucination. Whatever you think, the simple fact remains that the events of this story so radically transformed this man that his life took on a complete 180-degree shift after the events described below. He has fearlessly and boldly told his story at great personal cost, including imprisonment. He has been scorned by his relatives, friends and colleagues, and faced death threats for his unwillingness to compromise his message. What motivated this man to be willing to risk everything? Whether we believe him or not, his story is surely worth listening to and considering. In the cynical West many people demand hard evidence of such things, evidence that would stand up in a court of law. Can we absolutely guarantee, beyond doubt, that all of these things happened? No, we cannot. But we feel it is worth repeating this man's story in his own words so that readers can judge for themselves.My Early YearsHello! My name is Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu. I am from the country of Myanmar. I would like to share with you my testimony of what happened to me, but first I would like to give some brief background information from my life growing up.I was born in 1958 in the town of Bogale, on the Irrawaddy Delta area of southern Myanmar [formerly Burma]. My parents, who were devout Buddhists like most people in Myanmar, named me Thitpin [which means 'tree' in English]. Our lives were very simple where I grew up. At the age of 13 I left school and started working on a fishing boat. We caught fish and sometimes also shrimp from the numerous rivers and streams in the Irrawaddy area. At the age of 16 I became the leader of the boat. At this time I lived in Upper Mainmahlagyon Island [Mainmahlagyon means 'Beautiful Woman Island' in English], just north of Bogale where I was born. This place is about 100 miles southwest of Yangon [Rangoon], our nation's capitol city.One day, when I was 17, we caught a large number of fish in our nets. Because of the many fish, a large crocodile was attracted to us. It followed our boat and tried to attack us. We were terrified so we frantically rowed our boats toward the riverbank as fast as we could. The crocodile followed us and smashed our boat with its tail. Although no one died in this incident, the attack greatly affected my life. I no longer wanted to fish. Our small boat sank because of the crocodile attack. We had to go home to our village that night on a passenger boat.Not long after, his employers transferred my father to Yangon City [formerly spelt Rangoon]. At the age of 18 I was sent to a Buddhist monastery to be a novice monk. Most parents in Myanmar try to send their son into a Buddhist monastery, at least for a time, as it is considered a great honor to have a son serve in this way. We have been observing this custom for many hundreds of years.A Zealous Disciple of BuddhaWhen I turned 19 years and 3 months old (in 1977), I became a normal monk. The senior monk at my monastery gave me a new Buddhist name, which is the custom in our country. I was now called U Nata Pannita Ashinthuriya. When we become a monk we no longer use the name given to us at birth by our parents. The name of the monastery I lived at is called Mandalay Kyaikasan Kyaing. The senior monk's name was called U Zadila Kyar Ni Kan Sayadaw [U Zadila is his title]. He was the most famous Buddhist monk in all of Myanmar at the time. Everyone knew who he was. He was widely honored by the people and respected as a great teacher. I say he "was" because in 1983 he suddenly died when he was involved in a fatal car accident. His death shocked everyone. At the time I had been a monk for six years.I tried hard to be the best monk I could and to follow all the precepts of Buddhism. At one stage I moved to a cemetery where I lived and meditated continually. Some monks who really want to know the truths of Buddha do things like I did. Some move deep into the forests where they live a life of self-denial and poverty. I sought to deny my selfish thoughts and desires, to escape from sickness and suffering and to break free from the cycle of this world. At the cemetery I was not afraid of ghosts. I tried to attain such inner peace and self-realization that even when a mosquito landed on my arm I would let it bite me instead of brushing it off!For years I strived to be the best monk I could and not to harm any living being. I studied the holy Buddhist teachings just like all my forefathers had done before me. My life proceeded as a monk until I got very, very sick. I was in Mandalay at the time and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The doctors did some tests on me and told me I had both Yellow Fever and malaria at the same time! After about one month in the hospital I was getting worse. The doctors told me there was no chance for me to recover and discharged me to make arrangements to die.This is a brief description of my past. I would now like to tell you some of the remarkable things that happened to me after this time...A Vision that Changed My Life ForeverAfter I was discharged from the hospital I went back to the monastery where other monks cared for me. I grew weaker and weaker and was lapsing into unconsciousness. I learned later that I actually died for three days. My body decayed and stunk of death, and my heart stopped beating. My body was prepared for cremation and was put through traditional Buddhist purification rites.Although I faded away in my body I remember my mind and spirit were fully alert. I was in a very, very powerful storm. A tremendous wind flattened the whole landscape until there were no trees or anything else standing, just a flat plain. I walked very fast along this plain for some time. There were no other people anywhere, I was all alone. After some time I crossed a river. On the other side of the river I saw a terrible, terrible lake of fire. In Buddhism we do not have a concept of a place like this. At first I was confused and didn't know it was hell until I saw Yama, the king of hell [Yama is the name ascribed to the King of Hell in numerous cultures throughout Asia]. His face looked like the face of a lion, his body was like a lion, but his legs were like a naga [serpent spirit]. He had a number of horns on his head. His face was very fierce, and I was extremely afraid. Trembling, I asked him his name. He replied, "I am the king of hell, the Destroyer."The terrible, terrible lake of fireThe king of hell told me to look into the lake of fire. I looked and I saw the saffron colored robes that Buddhist monks wear in Myanmar. I looked closer and saw the shaven head of a man. When I looked at the man's face I saw it was U Zadila Kyar Ni Kan Sayadaw [the famous monk who had died in a car accident in 1983]. I asked the king of hell why my former leader was confined to this lake of torment. I said, "Why is he in this lake of fire? He was a very good teacher. He even had a teaching tape called 'Are You a Man or a Dog?' which had helped thousands of people understand that their worth as humans is far greater than the animals." The king of hell replied, "Yes, he was a good teacher but he did not believe in Jesus Christ. That's why he is in hell."I was told to look at another person who was in the fire. I saw a man with very long hair wrapped on the left hand side of his head. He was also wearing a robe. I asked the king of hell, "Who is this man?" He replied, "This is the one you worship: Gautama [Buddha]." I was very disturbed to see Gautama in hell. I protested, "Gautama had good ethnics and good moral character, why is he suffering in this lake of fire?" The king of hell answered me, "It doesn't matter how good he was. He is in this place because he did not believe in the Eternal God."I then saw another man who looked like he was wearing a soldier's uniform. He had a large wound on his chest. I asked, "Who is this man?" The king of hell said, "This is Aung San, the revolutionary leader of Myanmar." I was told, "Aung San is here because he persecuted and killed Christians, but mostly because he didn't believe in Jesus Christ." In Myanmar the people have a common saying, "Soldiers never die, they live on." I was told that the legions of hell have a saying "Soldiers never die, but they go to hell forever."I looked and saw another man in the lake of fire. He was a very tall man and he was dressed in military armor. He was also holding a sword and a shield. This man had a wound on his forehead. This man was taller than any person I have ever seen. He was six times the length between a man's elbow and the tips of his fingers when he stretches his arm out straight, plus one span of a man's fingers when he spreads out his hand. The king of hell said, "This man's name is Goliath. He is in hell because he blasphemed the Eternal God and His servant David." I was confused because I didn't know who either Goliath or David were. The king of hell said, "Goliath is recorded in the Christian Bible. You don't know him now, but when you become a Christian you will know who he is."I was then taken to a place where I saw both rich and poor people preparing to eat their evening meals. I asked, "Who cooked the food for these people?" The king of hell replied, "The poor have to prepare their own food, but the rich people get others to cook for them." When the food had been prepared for the rich people they sat down to eat. As soon as they started a thick smoke came up. The rich people ate as fast as they could to ease their consciences. They were struggling to breath because of the smoke. They had to eat fast because they were fearful of losing their money. Their money is their god.Another king of hell then came to me. I also saw a being whose job is to stoke the fires beneath the lake of fire, to keep it hot. This being asked me, "Are you going into the lake of fire too?" I replied, "No! I am only here to observe!" The appearance of this creature stoking the fire was very terrifying. He had ten horns on his head and a spear in his hand that had seven sharp blades coming from the end. The creature told me, "You are right. You came here just to observe. I cannot find your name here." He said, "You must now go back the way you came." He pointed me toward the desolate plain that I had first walked along before I came to the lake of fire.The Road of DecisionI walked a long time, until I was bleeding. I was hot and in great pain. Finally, after walking for about three hours I came to a wide road. I walked along this road for some time until I came to a fork. One road, going off to the left, was wide. A smaller road went off to the right hand side. There was a signpost at the fork saying that the road to the left was for those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The smaller road to the right was for believers in Jesus.I was interested to see where the larger road led so I started down it. There were two men walking about 300 yards ahead of me. I tried to catch up with them so I could walk with them but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't catch them up, so I turned around and went back to the fork in the road. I continued to watch these two men as they walked down the road away from me. When they reached the end of the road they were suddenly stabbed. These two men cried out in great pain! I also cried out when I saw what happened to them! I realized the bigger road ended in great danger for those who traveled down it.

Looking into HeavenI started walking down the believers' road instead. After traveling for about one hour the surface of the road turned to pure gold. It was so pure that when I looked down I could see my own reflection perfectly. I then saw a man standing in front of me. He was wearing a white robe. I also heard beautiful singing. Oh, it was so beautiful and pure! It was much better and more meaningful than the worship we have in churches here on the earth. The man in the white robe asked me to walk with him. I asked him, "What is your name?" but he did not answer. After I asked his name six times the man answered, "I am the one who holds the key to heaven. Heaven is a very, very beautiful place. You cannot go there now but if you follow Jesus Christ you can go there after your life has finished on the earth." The man's name was Peter.Peter then asked me to sit down and he showed me a place to the north. Peter said, "Look to the north and see God create man." I saw the Eternal God from a distance. God spoke to an angel, "Let us make man." The angel pleaded with God and said, "Please don't make man. He will do wrong and will grieve you." [In Burmese literally: "He will make you lose face."]. But God created a man named anyway. God blew on the man and the man came to life. He gave him the name "Adam". [Note: Buddhists do not believe in the Creation of the world or of man, so this experience had a significant impact on the monk].Sent Back with a New NameThen Peter said, "Now get up and go back to where you came from. Speak to the people who worship Buddha and who worship idols. Tell them they must go to hell if they don't change. Those who build temples and idols will also have to go to hell. Those who give offerings to the monks to earn merit for themselves with go to hell. All those who pray to the monks and call them 'Pra' [respectful title for monks] will go to hell. Those who chant and 'give life' to idols will go to hell. All those who don't believe in Jesus Christ will go to hell." Peter told me to go back to the earth and testify about the things I had seen. He also said, "You must speak in your new name. From now on you are to be called Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu ["Paul who Came Back to Life."].I didn't want to go back. I wanted to go to heaven. Angels opened a book. First they looked for my childhood name (Thitpin) in the book, but they could not find it. They then looked for the name I had been given when he entered the Buddhist monk hood (U Nata Pannita Ashinthuriya) but it wasn't written in the book either. Then Peter said, "Your name is not written here, you must return and testify about Jesus to the Buddhist people."I walked back along the gold road. Again I heard beautiful singing, the kind of which I have never heard before or since. Peter walked with me until the time I returned to the earth. He showed me a ladder that reached down from the heaven to the sky. The ladder didn't reach to the earth, but stopped in mid-air. On the ladder I saw many angels, some going up to heaven and some going down the ladder. They were very busy. I asked Peter, "Who are they?" Peter answered, "They are messengers of God. They are reporting to heaven the names of all those who believe in Jesus Christ and the names of those who don't believe." Peter then told me it was time to go back.It is a Ghost!The next thing I was aware of was the sound of weeping. I heard my own mother cry out, "My son, why did you leave us now?" I also heard many other people weeping. I realized I was lying in a box. I started to move. My mother and father started shouting, "He is alive! He is alive!" Other people who were farther away did not believe my parents. I then placed my hands on the sides of the box and sat upright. Many people were struck with terror. They cried out, "It is a ghost!" and ran away as fast as their legs could carry them.Those who remained were speechless and trembling. I noticed I was sitting in smelly liquid and body fluids, enough to fill about three and a half cups. This was liquid that had come out of my stomach and my insides while my body was lying in the coffin. This is why people knew I had indeed been dead. Inside the coffin there was a type of plastic sheet fixed to the wood. This sheet is placed there to retain a corpse's liquids, because many dead bodies release much fluid like mine did.I learned later that I was just moments away from being cremated in the flames. In Myanmar people are placed in a coffin, the lid is then nailed shut, and the whole coffin is burned. When I came back to life my mother and father were being allowed to look at my body for the very last time. Moments later the lid of my coffin would have been nailed shut and I would have been cremated!I immediately started to explain the things I had seen and heard. People were astonished. I told them about the men I had seen in the lake of fire, and told them that only the Christians know the truth, that our forefathers and us have been deceived for thousands of years! I told them everything we believe is a lie. The people were astonished because they knew what kind of a monk I had been and how zealous I had been for the teachings of Buddha.In Myanmar when a person dies their name and age is written on the side of the coffin. When a monk dies, the monk's name, age and the number of years he has served as a monk are written on the side of the coffin. I had already been recorded as dead but as you can see, now I am alive!EpilogueSince 'Paul who came back to life' experienced the above story he has remained a faithful witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Burmese pastors have told us that he had led hundreds of other monks to faith in Christ. His testimony is obviously very uncompromising. Because of that, his message has offended many people who cannot accept there is only one Way to Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. Despite great opposition, his experiences were so real to him that he has not wavered. After many years in the Buddhist monk hood, as a strict follower of Buddhist teachings, he immediately proclaimed the Gospel of Christ following his resurrection and exhorted other monks to forsake all false gods and follow Jesus Christ with all their hearts. Before the time of his sickness and death he had no exposure to Christianity at all. Everything he learned during those three days in the grave was new to his mind.In a bid to get his message out to as many people as possible, this modern-day Lazarus began distributing audio and video cassette tapes with his story on them. The police and Buddhist authorities in Myanmar have done their utmost to gather these tapes up and destroy them. The testimony you have just read has been translated form one of those cassette tapes. We are told it is now quite dangerous for citizens of Myanmar to be in possession of these tapes.His fearless testimony has landed him in prison at least once, where the authorities failed in their bid to silence him. Upon his release he continued to testify of the things he saw and heard. His current whereabouts are uncertain. One Burmese informant told us he is prison and may have been killed, while another informant was told he is now released from prison and is continuing his ministry.

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Homosexuality & the Bible

February 07, 2005

“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” ~ Charles Spurgeon 1860 Sermon at Exeter Hall

How do I answer when someone states that Jesus never spoke out against homosexuality?

First, as Bible believing Christians, we believe Jesus Christ is God in the flesh - and believing so, Jesus' strongest stand on the issue of homosexuality had to be when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. The Bible says God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah - and Jesus is part of the triune God. The Bible tells us Jesus was there from the beginning of creation (Genesis) - and He was responsible for creation as well. How much more clearer can Jesus have been in his 'speaking out against' homosexuality, than in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah?

While it is true that the New Testament does not document any statements of Jesus specifically condemning or condoning homosexuality - He didn't need to. It was very clear. However, John 21:25 states that "…there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one…even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." Further, it should be considered that there is no record of Jesus’ statements on other sexual practices like rape, incest, bestiality, etc. Yet it is unlikely that Jesus sanctioned these behaviors.

In addition, Jesus reinforced Old Testament law on sexual behavior in Matthew 5:27-30 and Mark 7:21-23. Old Testament law condemned the practice of homosexuality:

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." – Leviticus 18:22

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them hath committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." – Leviticus 20:13

Clearly, Scripture does not equate homosexual and heterosexual relationships. In fact, perhaps the best indicator of Jesus’ stance on homosexuality is found in Matthew 19:4-6, where He restates the Genesis 2:21-25 account of God’s ordination of the marital union. This reference is consistent with all of Scripture, which esteems marriage, the union of one man and one woman in covenant union, above every other relationship, and maintains that all sexual activity must take place within its confines. Any other sex outside that of the grounds of heterosexual marriage is considered fornication, condemned by God.

Homosexuality was punishable by death in the Old Testament, but we are under the new covenant of grace now. How does that affect the practice of homosexuality?

Many moral laws are repeated throughout Scripture. Old Testament civil and ceremonial laws changed under the new covenant of grace. But Christ Himself affirmed much of the moral law in the gospels – His dissertation on adultery is just one example. In Matthew 5:17-18 Jesus stated, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Romans 1:26-27 informs us that sexual immorality and self-worship brings great consequence to those involved: "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of a woman, burned in their lust toward one another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet." These New Testament passages references the perversion of homosexuality – and affirms that God designed the sexual relationship for marriage.

Some homosexuals twist the meaning of the Romans passage and argue that what comes "natural" to them is homosexuality so it would be sin to act contrary to those feelings. However, what is "natural" and right is defined by God’s created order (Genesis 2:21-25 and Matthew 19:4-6) not our feelings.

Is homosexuality worse than any other sin?

The Scriptures in Leviticus (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13) refer to homosexuality as an abomination, as detestable. Webster defines abomination as something that is "worthy of or causing disgust or hatred."

The joining of one man and one woman in a covenant union (including sexual relationship) is also a picture or type of the Gospel of Christ. Christ is refereed to as the "bridegroom" and the church (the body of believers) is referred to as the "bride." The two will be joined for all eternity at the "marriage supper of the lamb." The homosexual act perverts this picture to the greatest possible extent. Does this imply that homosexuals are worse than any other sinner? Certainly not. All sin is worthy of disgust or hatred. By its very nature, sin is the antithesis of the character of God. In I Corinthians 6:9-10 and I Timothy 1:9-11, homosexuality is included among a host of other sins – sins that endanger an inheritance in the kingdom of God; sins that the law was designed to punish.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." – I Corinthians 6:9-10

"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust." – I Timothy 1:9-11

We should never view the sin of another as more egregious than our own. All of our sins separated us from our Creator. Christ died to redeem our lives from sin, and to reinstate our personal relationship with God.

When using the Bible to validate the principle that homosexuality is sin, one is often told, "that is your interpretation." What makes this interpretation more valid than others?

An individual who uses the preceding argument is likely using it for one of two reasons. Either the individual (1) does not understand the methodology of Bible study, or (2) is simply trying to justify his or her behavior.

There is a vast difference between interpretation and opinion. Biblical interpretation is guided by hermeneutics. According to Webster, hermeneutics is "the study of the methodological principles of interpretation." Webster uses the following words to describe methodological: systematic, technique, process, discipline, orderliness, regularity, and classification. This means that Bible study must be done with great care to avoid arbitrariness and inconsistency.

A careful, systematic reading of both the Old and New Testaments indicates that marriage between one man and one woman is God’s plan, and that homosexuality is not an alternative; it is sin. Any other "interpretation" must be based on historical or theological revisionism or faulty hermeneutics. A more honest position by those who desire to support the acceptance of homosexual behavior would be to simply reject the Bible as God’s authoritative word; a position which denies any basis for the Christian faith.

How can God condemn two people just for loving each other?

First we must ask, what does the Bible say about love? I Corinthians 13 is known as the "love chapter." It contains the biblical definition of love. I Corinthians 13:5 states that love "thinketh no evil." Further, verse 6 declares that love: "Rejoices not in iniquity [unrighteousness, sin, wickedness], but rejoiceth in the truth." We have examined passages that demonstrate homosexuality is unrighteous and sinful. Thus, it is biblically impossible for true love to be the basis for a homosexual relationship. God does not condemn two people for loving each other; He condemns homosexual behavior because it is contrary to His created order and His character.

Does upbringing have a bearing on one's "sexual preference?"

It is the belief of Stephen Bennett Ministries that you don't need to be a psychologist to see the common brokeness of families and/or parental relationships in many homosexual men and women. While there are many factors we believe a person can be lead down a homosexual path including broken mother/father relationships, molestation, incest and a variety of other causes, the answer is that homosexuals can come from both broken and stable backgrounds. Our backgrounds and experiences can play a part in determining what specific kinds of temptations we face, but are not the root of sinful desires or behavior.

Jesus said in Matthew 15:19: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." James 1:14-15 makes the point again: "…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." The condition of our heart is the root of both sinful desires and actions. We are born with a propensity for evil, and only the life changing power of Christ can enable us to overcome that.

However, parents do play a critical role in the spiritual development of their children. They need to lay a solid spiritual foundation for their children by teaching them to know, apply, and love the Word of God. And they should encourage their children to develop personal relationships with the Lord – to seek God for themselves and listen for His direction. Proverbs 22:6 says that a parent should "train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

How should parents respond to a child who confesses to being a homosexual?

If a child confesses to his or her parents that they are struggling with homosexuality, there are three primary actions parents should take. First, parents should demonstrate unconditional love to their children. As God has extended grace to us, parents must reflect that same grace to their children.

Second, parents should instruct their children regarding God’s plan for human relationships (one man, one woman in the covenant union of marriage) and the biblical admonition against homosexuality. In a loving but firm manner, parents need to express that they do not condone their child’s involvement in homosexuality. Loving your child does not mean you must approve of everything they do. Often parents warn young children not to cross the busy street. The child may become upset, even throw a tantrum. But the parent has correctly rendered his or her protective duty. Similarly, parents who warn their children not to cross the line into homosexuality fulfill their God-given parental responsibility. Sometimes, the hardest part of being a parent is telling your children what they need to hear – even when they don’t want to hear it. Love them enough to tell them the truth.

Third, parents should pray daily on behalf of their children. They must entrust their children to a gracious heavenly Father – He alone can change their heart.

Is it really a "choice" to be, or not to be a homosexual?

This is an area where Christians need to be careful to articulate truth carefully. We often say to the homosexual, "You chose to be that way." Certainly we can all make foolish choices that may place us in a position to be tempted in one way or another. However, while the homosexual may have chosen to give into homosexual desires, few chose to struggle with same-sex attractions any more than we chose the temptations we struggle with. It’s also important to note that God does not hold us accountable for the temptations that come our way but for how we respond to those temptations. That’s when choice becomes a factor.

I Corinthians 10:13 promises "that God is faithful, [and] will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God’s grace is sufficient; His power made perfect in weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9) God will enable the individual struggling with homosexuality to withstand the temptation and to apply practical biblical principles to avoid being in situations that might prove to make it more difficult to avoid being tempted.

Scripture warns us that Satan’s desire is to exploit our weaknesses. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour…" I Peter 5:8. If the enemy is seeking to devour us – then we should not give him an inch by placing ourselves in danger of temptation! We must be discerning. James 4:7 is clear on this point: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The individual who struggles with pornography should stay off the Internet. Likewise, the individual who struggles with homosexuality would be unwise to develop a circle of homosexual friends. (II Corinthians 6:14-18)

Shouldn't we be more tolerant of other people's differences?

Differences should be tolerated, but sin should not. As Christians, we are not free to condemn individuals, but we have the responsibility to address sinful behavior. Correcting sin in a loving manner demonstrates true concern and compassion for the individual. Christians are called to be salt and light to the world. As such, we must take a bold stand for truth, rebuke sin, and share the Gospel with everyone, including those who are involved in homosexuality.

The question is often asked, "How can I witness to homosexuals without offending them or seeming "intolerant." In Jeremiah 6:10 the prophet asks, "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it." Fear of offending or seeming "intolerant" should never move us to silence. Our presentation of Bible truth should never be offensive in and of itself, but the word of God will often cause offense to those who choose to reject it.

How can Christians condemn homosexuality without being considered judgmental?

We live in a society that promotes "tolerance" of everything, whether good or bad. No one likes to be told that his or her behavior is wrong. Rebuke of any kind is considered "intolerant."

It is in this context that homosexuals attempt to justify their behavior by claiming that those who speak against it are judgmental. However, this argument should not hinder Christians from speaking the truth, and condemning sin itself. Is speaking the truth, and condemning sin scriptural? Absolutely. II Timothy 3:16-17 says that "[a]ll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…" Hebrews 4:12 refers to the word of God as "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Thus, it is proper for Christians to use Scripture as a standard for judging behavior.

What Christians must guard against is a judgmental or hypocritical attitude toward the individual in sin. "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17) And in Christ’s own words: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matthew 7:1-2)

Hasn't science proven that homosexuals are born that way?

Anyone who tells you that science has proven homosexuality to be either biologically or genetically predetermined is either ignorant of the current science or is lying to you. No such proof exists. The often-cited studies, including the so-called "gay gene" or "gay brain" studies have all failed to pass the scrutiny of scientific peer review. Without exception, the studies were deemed to be flawed in their methodology or conclusions – or both.

One particular study, the so-called "gay twin study," attempted to provide proof for the genetic argument by looking at identical twins, one of which professed to be homosexual. The study found that in 51% of cases, both twins were professed homosexuals. As a result, homosexual activists and the media announced that more "proof" had been found that homosexuals are born that way. The media never thought to ask the obvious question, "If homosexuality were truly an inherited trait, would not both twins be homosexual in 100% of the cases?" So much for objective reporting!

God has defined homosexuality as sin and sin comes natural to all human beings because we are all born with a sin nature. But we do not have to live as a slave to sin – we can be set free through the redemptive blood of Christ. The Bible makes it clear; no matter what sinful desire you think "comes naturally to you", or however you "think " you were born – you must be born again. It is the opinion of Stephen Bennett Ministries that there are a variety of factors to lead someone down the homosexual path. Our firm belief is no one is born homosexual. Please feel free to contact us to discuss this topic further.

How can someone be a Christian, and still become involved in the homosexual lifestyle?

God accepts us where we are, but He immediately draws us to Him and calls us to a life of transformation in Him. "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)

How does the believer become a new creature? Through incarnation – the indwelling of Jesus Christ in the believer. When incarnation takes place, the Holy Spirit also takes residence in the converted individual. That is why I Corinthians 6:19 calls believers’ bodies "temples of the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin. A Christian cannot sin without experiencing the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately, the chastisement of God. Hebrews 12:6 states: "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

Realistically, a Christian may become involved in a sinful lifestyle. Like everyone, Christians have an inherited sin nature. However, a Christian should experience conviction when he or she sins. A lack of conviction is symptomatic of a deeper heart problem – it indicates that the person has probably never experienced salvation.

What is the most effective way to witness to homosexuals?

Many people are looking for a "silver bullet" for witnessing to homosexuals. It would be great if there was one powerful statement or intellectual argument that could cause someone living in sin to repent. In reality, there is no one sure method for bringing homosexuals to salvation. Christians must remember that their job is not to convince the homosexual to change but, rather, to point them to the One who can change their heart - Jesus Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can convict an individual of sin, and change the heart.

The issue of salvation should always be addressed first when witnessing to a homosexual. How can we expect someone to live a Godly life when they do not know God? Spiritual rebirth is spiritual life – with it comes the capability to understand sin. "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14-15) Only after a person is born again (entering into a relationship with Christ) will a homosexual have the spiritual discernment to recognize their sin and have the power to overcome it.

What is the best way to reach friends and co-workers?

The best way to win anyone to Christ is to set a daily example – by how you work and interact with others – by how you live. As in Stephen's song Do You Have A Testimony? the line says "Do you have a testimony, that the lost can clearly see? For you may be the only Bible they will ever read…"

Pray for opportunities to share your faith. Do not witness in a forceful, overbearing manner. If your behavior is consistently Christ-like, those around you will undoubtedly ask for your secret. Then you have the perfect opportunity to witness, and your life will be proof of what you share. Don’t feel as if you have to force the issue of homosexuality. If a discussion begins with an individual who is struggling with homosexuality, you can be sure they will eventually bring the issue up. Then don’t hesitate to ask them if they would like to know what God has to say about the subject.

What do you say to someone who says they are a Christian, but sees nothing wrong with homosexuality?

Being a "Christian" means different things to different people. When conversing with someone who claims to be a "Christian" and a homosexual, you need to confirm three things: (1) What do they mean when they use the term "Christian"? (2) Do they understand the Gospel? (3) Can they name a day or time when they gave their life to the Lord - when they were born again?

Once you have confirmed the authenticity of their profession of faith, share biblical passages with them regarding God’s created pattern for human relationship (one man, one woman in the covenant union of marriage) and specific passages regarding homosexuality. After being confronted with the Word of God, the true Christian will be convicted by the Holy Spirit regarding their involvement in sin. If there is no conviction, their problem is not homosexuality; their problem is possibly that they have never been born again. Either way, once you have shared the Gospel and provided relevant scripture regarding the issue of homosexuality you will have planted the necessary seeds for God to work in their heart.

by Stephen Bennett

Stephen Bennett Ministries

Posted by omahacheeks at 1:44 PM 0 comments Links to this post

Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of the Bible

by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.

Unique among all books ever written, the Bible accurately foretells specific events-in detail-many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur. Approximately 2500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2000 of which already have been fulfilled to the letter—no errors. (The remaining 500 or so reach into the future and may be seen unfolding as days go by.) Since the probability for any one of these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance averages less than one in ten (figured very conservatively) and since the prophecies are for the most part independent of one another, the odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than one in 102000 (that is 1 with 2000 zeros written after it)!

God is not the only one, however, who uses forecasts of future events to get people's attention. Satan does, too. Through clairvoyants (such as Jeanne Dixon and Edgar Cayce), mediums, spiritists, and others, come remarkable predictions, though rarely with more than about 60 percent accuracy, never with total accuracy. Messages from Satan, furthermore, fail to match the detail of Bible prophecies, nor do they include a call to repentance.

The acid test for identifying a prophet of God is recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:21-22. According to this Bible passage (and others), God's prophets, as distinct from Satan's spokesmen, are 100 percent accurate in their predictions. There is no room for error.

As economy does not permit an explanation of all the Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled, what follows in a discussion of a few that exemplify the high degree of specificity, the range of projection, and/or the "supernature" of the predicted events. Readers are encouraged to select others, as well, and to carefully examine their historicity.

(1) Some time before 500 B.C. the prophet Daniel proclaimed that Israel's long-awaited Messiah would begin his public ministry 483 years after the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25-26). He further predicted that the Messiah would be "cut off," killed, and that this event would take place prior to a second destruction of Jerusalem. Abundant documentation shows that these prophecies were perfectly fulfilled in the life (and crucifixion) of Jesus Christ. The decree regarding the restoration of Jerusalem was issued by Persia's King Artaxerxes to the Hebrew priest Ezra in 458 B.C., 483 years later the ministry of Jesus Christ began in Galilee. (Remember that due to calendar changes, the date for the start of Christ's ministry is set by most historians at about 26 A.D. Also note that from 1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is just one year.) Jesus' crucifixion occurred only a few years later, and about four decades later, in 70 A.D. came the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 105.)*

(2) In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah (Micah 5:2). The fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Christ is one of the most widely known and widely celebrated facts in history.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 105.)

(3) In the fifth century B.C. a prophet named Zechariah declared that the Messiah would be betrayed for the price of a slave—thirty pieces of silver, according to Jewish law-and also that this money would be used to buy a burial ground for Jerusalem's poor foreigners (Zechariah 11:12-13). Bible writers and secular historians both record thirty pieces of silver as the sum paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus, and they indicate that the money went to purchase a "potter's field," used—just as predicted—for the burial of poor aliens (Matthew 27:3-10).

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 1011.)

(4) Some 400 years before crucifixion was invented, both Israel's King David and the prophet Zechariah described the Messiah's death in words that perfectly depict that mode of execution. Further, they said that the body would be pierced and that none of the bones would be broken, contrary to customary procedure in cases of crucifixion (Psalm 22 and 34:20; Zechariah 12:10). Again, historians and New Testament writers confirm the fulfillment: Jesus of Nazareth died on a Roman cross, and his extraordinarily quick death eliminated the need for the usual breaking of bones. A spear was thrust into his side to verify that he was, indeed, dead.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 1013.)

(5) The prophet Isaiah foretold that a conqueror named Cyrus would destroy seemingly impregnable Babylon and subdue Egypt along with most of the rest of the known world. This same man, said Isaiah, would decide to let the Jewish exiles in his territory go free without any payment of ransom (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1; and 45:13). Isaiah made this prophecy 150 years before Cyrus was born, 180 years before Cyrus performed any of these feats (and he did, eventually, perform them all), and 80 years before the Jews were taken into exile.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 1015.)

(6) Mighty Babylon, 196 miles square, was enclosed not only by a moat, but also by a double wall 330 feet high, each part 90 feet thick. It was said by unanimous popular opinion to be indestructible, yet two Bible prophets declared its doom. These prophets further claimed that the ruins would be avoided by travelers, that the city would never again be inhabited, and that its stones would not even be moved for use as building material (Isaiah 13:17-22 and Jeremiah 51:26, 43). Their description is, in fact, the well-documented history of the famous citadel.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 109.)

(7) The exact location and construction sequence of Jerusalem's nine suburbs was predicted by Jeremiah about 2600 years ago. He referred to the time of this building project as "the last days," that is, the time period of Israel's second rebirth as a nation in the land of Palestine (Jeremiah 31:38-40). This rebirth became history in 1948, and the construction of the nine suburbs has gone forward precisely in the locations and in the sequence predicted.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 1018.)

(8) The prophet Moses foretold (with some additions by Jeremiah and Jesus) that the ancient Jewish nation would be conquered twice and that the people would be carried off as slaves each time, first by the Babylonians (for a period of 70 years), and then by a fourth world kingdom (which we know as Rome). The second conqueror, Moses said, would take the Jews captive to Egypt in ships, selling them or giving them away as slaves to all parts of the world. Both of these predictions were fulfilled to the letter, the first in 607 B.C. and the second in 70 A.D. God's spokesmen said, further, that the Jews would remain scattered throughout the entire world for many generations, but without becoming assimilated by the peoples or of other nations, and that the Jews would one day return to the land of Palestine to re-establish for a second time their nation (Deuteronomy 29; Isaiah 11:11-13; Jeremiah 25:11; Hosea 3:4-5 and Luke 21:23-24).

This prophetic statement sweeps across 3500 years of history to its complete fulfillment—in our lifetime.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 120.)

(9) Jeremiah predicted that despite its fertility and despite the accessibility of its water supply, the land of Edom (today a part of Jordan) would become a barren, uninhabited wasteland (Jeremiah 49:15-20; Ezekiel 25:12-14). His description accurately tells the history of that now bleak region.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 105.)

(10) Joshua prophesied that Jericho would be rebuilt by one man. He also said that the man's eldest son would die when the reconstruction began and that his youngest son would die when the work reached completion (Joshua 6:26). About five centuries later this prophecy found its fulfillment in the life and family of a man named Hiel (I Kings 16:33-34).

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 107).

(11) The day of Elijah's supernatural departure from Earth was predicted unanimously—and accurately, according to the eye-witness account—by a group of fifty prophets (II Kings 2:3-11).

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 109).

(12) Jahaziel prophesied that King Jehoshaphat and a tiny band of men would defeat an enormous, well-equipped, well-trained army without even having to fight. Just as predicted, the King and his troops stood looking on as their foes were supernaturally destroyed to the last man (II Chronicles 20).

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 108).

(13) One prophet of God (unnamed, but probably Shemiah) said that a future king of Judah, named Josiah, would take the bones of all the occultic priests (priests of the "high places") of Israel's King Jeroboam and burn them on Jeroboam's altar (I Kings 13:2 and II Kings 23:15-18). This event occurred approximately 300 years after it was foretold.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 1013).

Since these thirteen prophecies cover mostly separate and independent events, the probability of chance occurrence for all thirteen is about 1 in 10138 (138 equals the sum of all the exponents of 10 in the probability estimates above). For the sake of putting the figure into perspective, this probability can be compared to the statistical chance that the second law of thermodynamics will be reversed in a given situation (for example, that a gasoline engine will refrigerate itself during its combustion cycle or that heat will flow from a cold body to a hot body)—that chance = 1 in 1080. Stating it simply, based on these thirteen prophecies alone, the Bible record may be said to be vastly more reliable than the second law of thermodynamics. Each reader should feel free to make his own reasonable estimates of probability for the chance fulfillment of the prophecies cited here. In any case, the probabilities deduced still will be absurdly remote.

Given that the Bible proves so reliable a document, there is every reason to expect that the remaining 500 prophecies, those slated for the "time of the end," also will be fulfilled to the last letter. Who can afford to ignore these coming events, much less miss out on the immeasurable blessings offered to anyone and everyone who submits to the control of the Bible's author, Jesus Christ? Would a reasonable person take lightly God's warning of judgment for those who reject what they know to be true about Jesus Christ and the Bible, or who reject Jesus' claim on their lives?

*The estimates of probability included herein come from a group of secular research scientists. As an example of their method of estimation, consider their calculations for this first prophecy cited:

Since the Messiah's ministry could conceivably begin in any one of about 5000 years, there is, then, one chance in about 5000 that his ministry could begin in 26 A.D.

Since the Messiah is God in human form, the possibility of his being killed is considerably low, say less than one chance in 10.

Relative to the second destruction of Jerusalem, this execution has roughly an even chance of occurring before or after that event, that is, one chance in 2.

Hence, the probability of chance fulfillment for this prophecy is 1 in 5000 x 10 x 2, which is 1 in 100,000, or 1 in 105.

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Over 360 prophecies foretold Jesus/Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach ben David)

Satan's purpose has always been to obscure, and falsify the simplicity of the cross in its application to our sin problem.

The Son of the Eternal Father's substitutional death on the cross stands at the heart of all other salvation truths revealed in the Bible. Jesus willingly took our place in suffering the penalty for sin. The demands of the Law against the transgressor were fully satisfied by His voluntary acceptance of our punishment that holy day in Jerusalem, when hanging on the cross He said; "it is finished".

It was the Savior's incarnate entrance into the human family which laid the foundation for the entire redemptive process. According to the Scriptures, He had to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem, live a sinless life, ride into Jerusalem on a foal of a donkey precisely on April 6, 32 A.D., exactly 173,880 days after the command to rebuild Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Artaxerxes.

The Jewish Messiah also had to suffer and lay down His life for our sins. This is clearly shown in Isaiah 53. He did this for both Jews and Gentiles.

There were over 360 prophecies foretold about the coming Jewish Messiah - hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus fulfilled all 365 of these prophecies. Of these 360+ prophecies, there are 109 that only Jesus (Yeshua) could have fulfilled. See complete list of 365 Messianic Prophecies here

His name in Greek is Jesus, and His Hebrew name is Yehoshua. In Aramaic it's: "Yeshua".

In the "Suffering Servant" passage of Isaiah 53:5 written: 712 B.C.) where we read:

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed"

Jewish Messiah ("Mashiach ben David") & Savior of All

Read Torah, Isaiah 53 3-6: "He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

Isaiah 42:1 - Isaiah 42:9

Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.

He won't shout or yell or call out in the streets.

He won't break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done.

He won't quit or give up until he brings justice everywhere on earth, and people in foreign nations long for his teaching.

I am the LORD God. I created the heavens like an open tent above. I made the earth and everything that grows on it. I am the source of life for all who live on this earth, so listen to what I say.

I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.

You will give sight to the blind; you will set prisoners free from dark dungeons.

My name is the LORD!

I won't let idols or humans share my glory and praise.

Everything has happened just as I said it would; now I will announce what will happen next.

To assume human nature, the sinless Savior had to choose between the only two things available. He could of either chosen the Holy, unfallen nature of Adam, or the fallen nature of Adam and all of Adam's descendants. If He had taken any other kind, it would not have been human nature at all.

Jesus rose again to sit with the Eternal Father, as one with the Father. It’s the greatest miracle God has ever performed. God’s Son who once was dead, has risen to new life forever. This great miracle is the joyous hope for humanity. Satan thought he was the winner. While Jesus hung on the cross outside of Jerusalem, Demons were roaring in triumph... only to realize to their horror that Jesus was the winner after all. Jesus descended into the demonic world and took the keys of death and life back from satans own claws. Jesus gave Himself to be killed, so that He could take away the authority of satan over mankind.

For those who teach that the Bible should not be interpreted literally. Explain the below if you can. All were prophecies Jesus fulfilled to the "letter/iota"....

Below from the King James version of the Holy Bible.

Look at the below in totality! The odds against the below being fulfilled by the only person who claimed to be the Son of God, and who died on a "tree" on Calvary, and who rose the 3rd day are astronomical! In totality--these are no longer "vague"! Now remember, that all these were written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ and were documented. Isaiah & Micah wrote their prophecies below about 700 years before Christ... Zechariah wrote about 500 years before Christ. The Psalms were written over 1000 years before Christ.

It is still under construction....Many more will be added.

The marvelous Trinity

Three Divine Persons unified in one Divine Will is God and is all Love.

The Will of the Father gives Life to Love and eternally generates His Only-Begotten Son. Through Jesus, the Father may see and know Himself.

Genesis 1:26 (4000 B.C.): "And God said, Let us make man in our image.."

Proverbs 30:4 (700 B.C.): "Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the Earth? What is His name, and what is His son's name, if thou canst tell?"

Psalm 2:11-12 (1000 B.C.): Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Recent Bible Code discoveries

---Messianic Jew, Yacov Rambsel found in Torah:

Every 12th Letter in Hebrew spells "JESUS IS MY NAME" via Bible codes

In answer to the question in Proverbs 30:4 above. What is His son's name?

Starting with the first yod, counting every 22nd letter spells “ you guessed it “ Yeshua shai," which means "Yeshua, the Gift." Yeshua means Jesus in Hebrew.

Zechariah 13:6 written: 487 BC (Before Christ)

"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."

(Proverbs 30:4)

"Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the Earth? What is His name, and what is His son's name, if thou canst tell?"

John 9:35-38

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

The Son of Jehovah God, Himself God, One with the Father

Psalm (2,7): "The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son; this day I have begotten you’"

Jeremiah 23:5-6 - "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

New Covenant:

Jeremiah 31:31-33 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

He who brought the New Covenant:

Isaiah 35:5-6 written: 712 BC (Before Christ) - Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

Isaiah 9:6 written: 712 BC (Before Christ) - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 42:1 written: 712 BC (Before Christ) - "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, my Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

Isaiah 11:10 written: 712 BC (Before Christ) "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious."

John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I Am, you will die in your sins."

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

Numbers 24:17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob;

a scepter will rise out of Israel."

Luke 3:34 "The son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor."

the virgin birth, and his name...

Isaiah 7:14 written: 758 BC (Before Christ)

Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Word "Immanuel" means: God with us. In the Old Testament it occurs only in Isaiah. 7:14 and 8:8.

Isaiah 8:8 written: 758 BC (Before Christ) "And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel."

Matthew 1:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."

Luke 1:34-35 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.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

his place of birth...

Micah 5:2 written: 710 BC (Before Christ)

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out

of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have

been from of old, from everlasting."

Luke 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

Matthew 2:1 "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod..."

Isaiah 9: 6-7: written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of

the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His

kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice. From that time forward, even forever"

The Christmas Story

Mary (Mariam) was miraculously with child;

simply by God's Will--as prophesized

Click link below to see this 3.03 min Movie Clip

Written: 758 BC (Before Christ)

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

Word "Immanuel" means: God with us. In the Old Testament it occurs only in Isaiah. 7:14 and 8:8.

What year this occurred remains uncertain. Astronomers do know, however, that in June, 2 B.C. a very rare event occurred in the western skies (in relation to the Magi). Two of the brightest stars emerged in the sky. Venus came in front of Jupiter. A June birth would also fit with the Gospels, as shepherds would be in the fields in June, but not in the late fall or winter months.

Jeremiah 31:15 "This is what the Lord says: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more.'"

Matthew 2:16 "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."

Hoseah 11:1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called my son."

Matthew 2:14 "So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt."

Genesis 49:10 written: 1689 BC (Before Christ)

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

Speaking about Jesus/Yeshua:

Luke 3:33 "The son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah."

Jesus is born of the House of David (Jesse is the

father of David)...

Isaiah 11:1 & 11:10 written: 713 BC (Before Christ)

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem

of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his

roots:"

"And in that day there shall stand for an ensign of

the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his

rest shall be glorious."

Isaiah 28:16 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

Therefore thus saith the LORD GOD,

Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a

tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure

foundation: he that believeth shall not make

haste.

Isaiah 53:2 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,

and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor

comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no

beauty that we should desire him."

John the Baptist prepares the way...

Isaiah 40:3 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in

the desert a highway for our God."

Isaiah 11:2 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)"The Spirit of the Lord will

rest on him--the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge

and of the fear of the Lord."

Jesus Comes from Galilee and teaches in Caparnum

Isaiah 9:1-2 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Nevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

Matthew 4:12-16 "Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth he came and dwelt in to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fuslfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."

Luke 2:52 "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Jesus Teaching in Capurnum:

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he went to Galilee. 13 But instead of staying in Nazareth, Jesus moved to Capernaum. This town was beside Lake Galilee in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 So God's promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said,

15 "Listen, lands of Zebulun and Naphtali,

lands along the road to the sea and east of the Jordan! Listen Galilee, land of the Gentiles!

16 Although your people live in darkness, they will see a bright light. Although they live in the shadow of death, a light will shine on them." 17 Then Jesus started preaching, "Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here."

Jesus Fulfills the Prophecy of the Tzit-Tzit

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings," Malachi 4:2

According to Jewish sages and tradition, this Sun of Righteousness referred to in Malachi's prophecy was understood to be the Messiah, who would have the power to heal who ever touched the tzit-tzit (fringes) on his garment. One of the best known miracles of healing that Jesus performed was the occasion when a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the hem of his garment. Both Matthew and Mark tell us about this incident below. Mark further tells us, that wherever the Lord went whomever merely touched the border of his garment "were made whole".

Matthew 9:20-22

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

In Jesus' day, Jewish men wore a simple tunic both at home and at work. When appearing in public, they would cover their tunic with a large rectangular cloth which draped over the shoulder and fell to the ankles. This cloth was called a tallit and served as protection from cold and rain. Hanging from the end of each of its four corners (wings) was a tzitzit in obedience to the biblical command. The hem of this garment is actually made with fringes, or tassels (called tzitziyot, in Hebrew). These were required to be on the four corners of all clothing of Jewish men, in accordance with God's instruction. These tassels were to remind each Jewish man of his responsibility to fulfill God's commandments in Deuteronomy 22 :12 and Num.15:37-40. In fact, these tassels are tied into 613 knots to constantly remind Jewish men of the 613 laws of Moses, of which there are 365 prohibitions (The "thou shalt not" laws), and 248 affirmations (the "thou shall" laws). The knots also correspond with the ineffable name of God, the unspoken yod-hey-vav-hey, Yahweh.

Isaiah 9:1-2 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those

who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land

of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he

will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea,

along the Jordan--The people walking in darkness have

seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of

death a light has dawned."

Matthew 4:12-16 "Jesus...returned to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

Daniel predicts below the exact timetable that pinpoints the very day (69 weeks) that Jesus rode into Jerusalem (Psalm Sunday) on a colt. He said it would be exactly 69 sabbatical years from the edict permitting the Israelites to return from their Babylon exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple until the Messiah would appear as their Prince.

Zechariah 9:9 - written: 520 BC (Before Christ)

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O

daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh

unto thee: he is just, and having salvation;

lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt

the foal of an ass."

John 12:13-15 [they] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.

This edict to rebuild Jerusalem was issued in 444 BC by Artaxerxes Longimanus of Persia. Exactly 173,880 days later Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was the first time Jesus allowed Himself to be publicly proclaimed as the Messiah and King.

Daniel 9:25:

Know, therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Matthew 21:2-3 2 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 "And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, `The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them."

Daniel also says below that two startling historical things would follow Messiah's appearance. First, Messiah would be cut off. Second, the city of Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed shortly thereafter.

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Here Daniel talks of the Messiah being killed. He also says the same thing that Jesus said - that Jerusalem would be shortly destroyed. It happened in 70 A.D. and Josephus and others spoke of the "flood" of Jewish blood in the streets of Jerusalem...

What about the 70th Week Daniel Spoke of? Many Evangelicals and other Christians and Christian book writers are also deluded to think the 70th week of Daniel went on hold for 2000 years. When it fact it happened just like clockwork and ended when Stephen was stoned by the Jews at the end of the 70th week (3.5 yrs after Christ's crucifixion). Immediately the 70th week ended, and the Gospel then went to the Gentiles. You will recall also, that Paul was "recruited" at the end of this 7 years to minister to the Gentiles. His name was changed from the Jewish Saul to the Gentile Paul (Romans 11:13) which signified the new focus. Also, at this time God gave Peter a vision indicating it was now time to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-28)

This prophesy refers to weeks of years, or 483 biblical years. Beginning with the exact day on which Persian King Artaxerxes gave the decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (March 14, 445), exactly 173,880 days later--Palm Sunday, April 6, 32 A.D. --Christ rode into Jerusalem the week before he was 'cut off' (crucified). This is the precise number of days spanning 483 biblical years, which were then measured as 12 months of 30 days each.

Judas gives up Jesus to Temple authorities after

eating bread with Jesus

Psalm 41:9 written: 1023 BC (Before Christ)

"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel

against me."

Judas gives up Jesus to Temple authorities for 30

pieces of silver...

Zechariah 11:12 written: 487 BC (Before Christ)

"And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver."

Matthew 26:15 "And asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver."

Judas gives up Jesus to Temple authorities for 30

pieces of silver....

Zechariah 11:13 written: 487 BC (Before Christ)

"And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of

them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the

Lord."

Matthew 27:6-7 "The chief priests picked up the coins and said, 'It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.' So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners."

The false accusation....

Psalm 35:11 written: 1042 BC (Before Christ)

"False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not."

The Jewish Messiah was to come first as a Suffering Servant

His Own Disciples Forsake Him the forsaking of the disciples through being offended at him.....Psalm 31:11 written: 1042 BC (Before Christ)

Zecheriah 13:7 - "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the Man who is My Companion," says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Matthew 26:31 - Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: `I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

"I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to

mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me".

FIRST HE WAS BEATEN

Isaiah 50:6 - I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Matt 26:67 - Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,

the mockery of the spectators...

Psalm 109:25 written: 1023 BC (Before Christ)

"I became a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads."

being crucified....

Psalm 22:16 written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

"For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet."

John 20:27 "Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'

Jesus bears our sins at Calvary...

Isaiah 53:4 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten

of God, and afflicted."

Isaiah 53:5 (Suffering Servant Passage) written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Matthew 8:16-17 "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."

Isaiah 50:6 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my

face from shame and spitting."

Being crucified between two thieves was a fulfillment of prophecy (numbered with the transgressors) also.

Mark:15:27-28: And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12: Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 23:34: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Messiah will be Rejected in Israel:

Isaiah 8:14 written: 742 BC (Before Christ)

"And he shall be a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both

the houses of Israel, for a gin and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."

Isaiah 53:3 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Psalm 22: 14-19, written 1000 BC - 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. 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. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalm 118:22-23 - The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a

foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.

John 1:11 "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him."

Jesus bears our sins at Calvary...

Isaiah 53:4 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten

of God, and afflicted."

Isaiah 53:6 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Psalm 22:6-8: written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Matthew 27:39-40 "Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!'"

Above is exactly what happened at Calvary that day when

the people gathered to wag their heads at Jesus and laugh

Him to scorn. Matthew recorded the account:

"And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads;...

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him:

for he said, I am the Son of God" (Matthew 27:39,43)

the silence before his judges...

Isaiah 53:7 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the

slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

Matthew 26:62-63 "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, 'Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?' But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'"

Isaiah 53:8 written: BC (Before Christ)

"He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."

Zechariah 12:10 written: 487 BC (Before Christ)

"And I 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 mourneth for his only

son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

John 19:34 "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water."

Isaiah 53:10 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul

an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the

Lord shall prosper in his hand."

Isaiah 53:11 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my

righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities."

the taunt of nondeliverance...

Psalm 22:7-8 written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

"All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,"

"He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him."

Soldiers gave Jesus vinegar to drink as he hung on the cross

Psalm 69:21 written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

"They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst."

John 19:29 "A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips."

none of his bones were broken...

Psalm 34:20 written: 1042 BC (Before Christ)

"He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken."

John 19:33 "But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs."

the gambling for his garments...

Psalm 22:18 written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

"They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

Mark 15:24 "And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get."

being forsaken by God...

Psalm 22:1 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and the words of my roaring?" "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani"

Mathew 27:46 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

the yielding of his spirit into the hands of his

Father...

Psalm 31:5 written: 1042 BC (Before Christ)

"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth."

Luke 23:46 - And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

being included with sinners....and prayer for

his enemies...

Isaiah 53:12 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the

strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the

transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Matthew 27:38 "Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left."

Darkness reported at Christ's Crucifixion

Amos 8:9 written: 787 BC (Before Christ)

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of God, that I will cause the sun to go

down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:"

Matthew 27:50-54

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Luke 23:45-46 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, Fathey into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Coincidence? A pagan historian by the name of Thallus, who lived shortly after the resurrection of Christ (about A.D. 52)

wrote concerning a miraculous darkness that covered the earth at the Passover of A.D. 32 and attempted to explain it

as an eclipse of the sun. There was no eclipse of the sun that year.

being proven guiltless...buried in a rich man's

tomb...

Isaiah 53:9 written: 712 BC (Before Christ)

"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."

Matthew 27:57-60 "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away."

Isaiah 9:2 written: 740 BC (Before Christ)

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

Psalm 18.5:

The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face.

Psalm 139.8:

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.

The resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua

Psalm 16:10 written: 1018 BC (Before Christ)

"For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

Matthew 28:9 "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him."

Jesus Christ is crucified outside Jerusalem on Golgotha. A Roman centurion, possibly Gaius Cassius, pierces Christ's side with a spear, and in doing so, fulfills an ancient Jewish prophesy describing the Messiah. Gaius Cassius is said to have converted to Christianity on the spot and becomes known to the early Christians as Longinus (the Spearman).

Ezekiel written: 587 BC (Before Christ)

33:30

Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.

33:31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

33:32

And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

33:33

And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

Psalm 47:5

God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.

Jesus Ascended into Heaven - witnessed by many:

Psalm 68:18 "When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men,

even from the rebellious--that you, O Lord God, might dwell there."

Luke 24:50-51 - "When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven."

Acts 1:9 - Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

His Victory over death

Isaiah 25:8 written: 712 BC (Before Christ) - He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken.

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

A priest like Melchizedek

Psalm 110:4 - The LORD has sworn and will not relent, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 5:5-6 - So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek"

Miraculous darkness when Christ died for our sins

* A pagan historian by the name of Thallus, who lived shortly after the resurrection of Christ. In about A.D. 52 he wrote concerning a miraculous darkness that covered the earth at the Passover of A.D. 32 and attempted to explain it as an eclipse of the sun. Julius Africanus, a Christian teacher in North Africa in A.D. 215, wrote concerning this historian's assertions, "Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun - unreasonably as it seems to me." Julius contends, and modern astronomers confirm, that the Paschal full moon in which the Passover occurred (the Passover in which Christ was crucified) could not have been eclipsed. Thus, no known natural explanation can be presented to explain the darkness referred to in the Bible as occurring during Christ's crucifixion.

PHLEGON, A FIRST CENTURY HISTORIAN

[As quoted by Philopon]:

"And about this darkness...Phlegon recalls it in the Olympiads (the title of his history)." He says that "Phlegon mentioned the eclipse which took place during the crucifixion of the Lord Christ, and no other (eclipse), it is clear that he did not know from his sources about any (similar) eclipse in previous times...and this is shown by the historical account itself of Tiberius Caesar."

"And then the Jews drew the nails from the hands of the Lord and laid him on the earth. And the whole earth shook and there came a great fear."

- Gospel of Peter 6:1

The Father turned His face (probably in great discomfort) as His Son Jesus took our sins fully upon Himself:

Matthew 27:45-46:

45 Now from ths sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Read the words of Psalm 22, written by King David, one of Jesus' ancestors: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" This psalm is a clear prophecy of the death of Christ, written hundreds of years before His birth. They were the last recorded words that He spoke before he died, nailed to the cross.

Some more Collateral (external) evidence of Jesus/Yeshua

The Jewish Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) from the Tannaitic Period recorded: "On the eve of the Passover Yeshu [the Nazarene] was hanged"....

On the eve of the Passover Yeshu [the Nazarene] was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Anyone who can say anything in his favor, let him come and plead on his behalf." And since nothing was brought forward in his favor, he was hanged on the eve of Passover." Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a)

The emperor Tiberius reigned from 14-37A.D. This is the period during which Jesus the Christ died on the cross . Tacitus wrote about how the beliefs of this group (Christians) "Broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of (these ideas), but even in Rome", and he goes on to describe how the Christians were widely hated, and many put to death in Rome. All this accords with the New Testament record of Jesus, the disciples and the apostles first spreading their teaching in Judaea, and then throughout the Roman world, including Rome, with great opposition to them.

Suetonius, another Roman historian, commented on the reign of Claudius (41-54 AD): "Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he (Claudius) expelled them from the city". "Chrestus" is another spelling of "Christ". Incidentally, Acts 18:2 describes how a Jewish couple named Aquila and Priscilla had to leave Rome because of the persecution of the Jews.

Josephus (born in Jerusalem 37 A.D.) the First Century Jewish General, Traitor, and excellent historian wrote the following about Jesus in his Antiquities (18:63), while writing for the Romans:

About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not cease. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life. For the prophets of God had prophesied these and myriads of other marvellous things about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still up to now, not disappeared.

This above passage is known as the Testimonium Flavianum. The "Testimonium" is found in every copy of Jesusphus in existence.

In book 20, Josephus also wrote the following:

Second, in Book 20 there is what could be called a passing reference to Jesus in a paragraph describing the murder of Jesus' brother, James, at the hands of Ananus, the High Priest.

But the younger Ananus who, as we said, received the high priesthood, was of a bold disposition and exceptionally daring; he followed the party of the Sadducees, who are severe in judgment above all the Jews, as we have already shown. As therefore Ananus was of such a disposition, he thought he had now a good opportunity, as Festus was now dead, and Albinus was still on the road; so he assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus the so-called Christ, whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as lawbreakers, he delivered them over to be stoned.

In the British Museum an interesting manuscript preserving the text of a letter written some time later than A.D. 73, but how much later we cannot be sure. This letter was sent by a Syrian named Mara Bar-Serpion to his son Serapion. Mara Bar-Serapion was in prison at the time, but he wrote to encourage his son in the pursuit of wisdom, and pointed out that those who persecuted wise men were overtaken by misfortune. He instances the deaths of Socrates, Pythagoras and Christ:

What advantage did the 'Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King? It was just after that that their kingdom was abolished...the Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion..."

Tacitus was a Roman historian wrote two major books about the first century ("Annals" and the "Histories"). In both of these books, Jesus and Christianity are mentioned. In about 115 A.D. Tacitus wrote the following in his "Annals":

"A class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate".

Prophecy of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (He will return from exactly the same place He ascended into heaven):

Only in Jesus is there a promise of life. Allah makes no such promise.

Jesus said; "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live" (John 11:25)

and

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." -John 5:24

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

"And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee" (Zechariah 12:4-5)

THE RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Liberal scholars have long argued that the New Testament cannot be considered reliable as it was, in their opinion, written over 100 years after the events it described. If this were true, considering that the authors claims to have personally witnessed their accounts, the Scriptures must be false, or at least unreliable. So widespread were these sentiments, and so loudly and publicly proclaimed, that even today, after overwhelming documentary evidence proves that these texts were written within 30-35 years of the actual events, many still believe them to be historically inaccurate. Capitalizing on this feeling, many scholars now claim that these Scriptures, while accurate historically, must have been contaminated over the years with additional and erroneous information, accounts and statements by well-meaning believers during the last few decades of the first century.

Consider that the modern scholars now possess over 5000 manuscript copies of the New Testament in the original Greek, as well as over 15,000 manuscripts in other languages, all from the first few centuries of this era. No other important historical or religious text has more than a few dozen copies surviving from this time. These 20,000 different texts can be shown to contain some minor differences, in spelling for example, but no difference in even one small fact or single doctrine. These documents give scholars the strongest possible evidence to confirm the accuracy of the New Testament text as well as confirming their widespread distribution among the churches during the last four decades of the first century. That is, within 30-35 years of the actual events. Simply put, if the liberal scholars claims are true, how were ALL these copies of Scripture altered in exactly the same way within only a few decades without any of the devout Christians noticing?

In order to counter the assertion that changes had been introduced into the Scriptures during this time, consider a few points:

-These Scriptures had been, and were still being, widely distributed throughout the churches during the few years after their being written by the apostles.

-Many of the Christians hearing or reading these Scriptures in the churches had personally known the apostles, or Christ Himself, or at least heard them minister.

-These Christians would have been keenly aware of any changes in the basic truths these Scriptures presented.

-One of Christ's original apostles, John, was still alive during this time and was bishop over the seven churches in Turkey until the first few years of the next century. He certainly would have instantly recognized any "new" or altered portions of the Scriptures that came before him.

-The Greek originals of the Scriptures were widely copied into a variety of languages and distributed widely in Hebrew, Syriac, Latin, Coptic, etc. to churches in surrounding areas many years before the turn of the century. These would certainly have proven as impossible to influence as the original Greek.

Furthermore, consider the significance of the fact that no Jew or Roman alive at the time ever openly denied the Scriptural record of Jesus Christ's life, death, ministry or resurrection. Certainly, with the Christian "cult" growing so rapidly throughout the regions and even into nearby countries in those early days, anyone having evidence to contradict the Scriptural account would certainly have likely been compelled to present it publicly.

A great luminous cross appeared in the heavens over Golgotha

A great sign appeared during the first year of Bishop Cyril's (born at/near Jerusalem in 315 A.D.) episcopate in Jerusalem, in the year 351, at nine o'clock in the morning of May 7. This was in the era of the "Arian heresy", in which the relationship of Christ to God the Father had been placed in question.

In a letter to the Roman Emperor Constantius, Bishop Cyril wrote; "on the nones of May, about the third hour, a great luminous cross appeared in the heavens, just over Golgotha, reaching as far as the holy mount of Olivet, seen, not by one or two persons, but clearly and evidently by the whole city. This was not, as might be thought, a fancy-bred and transient appearance: but it continued several hours together, visible to our eyes and brighter than the sun. The whole city, penetrated alike with awe and with joy at this portent, ran immediately to the church, all with one voice giving praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God." Cyril continued; "Everyone saw that the pious Christian faith consisted not in the disputable words of human wisdom." Thus Cyril gave an account of it to the emperor, and the faithful regarded it as a presage of victory over the Arian heretics. Church historians Socrates, Sozomen, and others also wrote of this apparition.

Also, while Cyril was Bishop of Jerusalem, the apostate emperor Julian resolved to defy the words of Our Lord (Luke 21:6) by rebuilding the ancient temple of Jerusalem. He employed the power and resources of a Roman emperor; the Jews thronged enthusiastically to him and gave munificently. But Cyril was unmoved. “The word of God abides,” he said; “one stone shall not be laid on another.” History records that The combination of an earthquake in Jerusalem, Julian's death, and opposition from the rabbis (who were now the Jews' spiritual leaders in place of the former temple priesthood) put an end to the project shortly after work on it had begun. Another report by a pagan writer tells us that horrible flames came forth from the earth, rendering the place inaccessible to the scorched and frightened workmen. The attempt was made again and again, and then abandoned in despair. Soon after, the emperor perished miserably in a war against the Persians, and the Church had rest..

Bishop Cyril died in peace in 386, leaving behind his Catechetical Lectures (systematic teaching of the Church on the Creed and Sacraments), which are a precious monument of Christian antiquity. He lived to see the suppression and condemnation of Arianism at the end of his life.

The Azazel (Scapegoat) - While the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem were standing, the Jewish high priest would go out into the Temple court and lay his hands over the head of the scapegoat, confessing over it the sins of the people of Israel. Then the goat would be taken outside the city and released into the wilderness. This symbolized the removal (carrying away) of the sins from the people of Israel. According to the Talmud, a scarlet cord was tied around the neck of the scapegoat. The cord was reported to have turned white as the goat was led away from the city.

The Babylonian Talmud records that for the last forty years before the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. - that would have been just about the time Yeshua was offered up as the final sacrifice - the scarlet cord around the neck of the scapegoat failed to turn white.

In Yeshua, all our sins are carried away "as far as east is from west" (Psalm 103:12). Yeshua is not only our High Priest, but He is also the final sacrifice who takes away our sins.

Because of Yeshua/Jesus's sacrifice, Your Name is Written in the Book of Life.

My Thoughts Don't Go Away

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Will Power is an Action

Monday, October 10, 2011