6/29/09

Way Of The Master - Einstein and God


Albert Einstein is considered to be one of the greatest scientific minds in history - a genius. He died in 1955. Yet, contrary to 60% of modern scientists today, he believed in the existence of God - along with other great scientific minds of history, such as Isaac Newton. In fact, most of the greatest scientific minds in history have believed in the existence of God.

wayofthemaster.com, livingwaters.com, needGod.com

God Takes Our Fears Very Seriously

Streams Ministries International Online

Shared via AddThis

Excerpt from Streams Ministries June 2009 Newsletter:

"The angel looked at me and said, 'Never allow the enemy to do that to you again! The Spirit of the Living God will stop it if you will let Him come forth from you. Never stop the breath of God!'

God takes our fears very seriously. None of them is inconsequential, and no matter how small they may seem, every one of them affects us. Our heavenly Father wants us to be free from their negative and binding consequences . . . but we have to want that freedom, too.

We need to view our fears the way God views our fears. Take some time and ask Him which fear, or fears, He wants to address in your life today. What does He want to remove? What do you need to start thinking differently about? It could be that God has a great blessing waiting for you on the other side of this, a blessing that has been there this entire time, but the fear kept it hidden from your sight."

6/27/09

Ezekiel 18

Ezekiel 18
aka God Is Just and Fair and Deals With People Accordingly

1-2 God's Message to me: "What do you people mean by going around the country repeating the saying,
The parents ate green apples,
The children got the stomachache?

3-4 "As sure as I'm the living God, you're not going to repeat this saying in Israel any longer. Every soul—man, woman, child—belongs to me, parent and child alike. You die for your own sin, not another's.

5-9 "Imagine a person who lives well, treating others fairly, keeping good relationships—
doesn't eat at the pagan shrines,
doesn't worship the idols so popular in Israel,
doesn't seduce a neighbor's spouse,
doesn't indulge in casual sex,
doesn't bully anyone,
doesn't pile up bad debts,
doesn't steal,
doesn't refuse food to the hungry,
doesn't refuse clothing to the ill-clad,
doesn't exploit the poor,
doesn't live by impulse and greed,
doesn't treat one person better than another,
But lives by my statutes and faithfully
honors and obeys my laws.
This person who lives upright and well
shall live a full and true life.
Decree of God, the Master.

10-13 "But if this person has a child who turns violent and murders and goes off and does any of these things, even though the parent has done none of them—
eats at the pagan shrines,
seduces his neighbor's spouse,
bullies the weak,
steals,
piles up bad debts,
admires idols,
commits outrageous obscenities,
exploits the poor
"—do you think this person, the child, will live? Not a chance! Because he's done all these vile things, he'll die. And his death will be his own fault.

14-17 "Now look: Suppose that this child has a child who sees all the sins done by his parent. The child sees them, but doesn't follow in the parent's footsteps—
doesn't eat at the pagan shrines,
doesn't worship the popular idols of Israel,
doesn't seduce his neighbor's spouse,
doesn't bully anyone,
doesn't refuse to loan money,
doesn't steal,
doesn't refuse food to the hungry,
doesn't refuse to give clothes to the ill-clad,
doesn't live by impulse and greed,
doesn't exploit the poor.
He does what I say;
he performs my laws and lives by my statutes.

17-18 "This person will not die for the sins of the parent; he will live truly and well. But the parent will die for what the parent did, for the sins of—
oppressing the weak,
robbing brothers and sisters,
doing what is dead wrong in the community.

19-20 "Do you need to ask, 'So why does the child not share the guilt of the parent?'

"Isn't it plain? It's because the child did what is fair and right. Since the child was careful to do what is lawful and right, the child will live truly and well. The soul that sins is the soul that dies. The child does not share the guilt of the parent, nor the parent the guilt of the child. If you live upright and well, you get the credit; if you live a wicked life, you're guilty as charged.

21-23 "But a wicked person who turns his back on that life of sin and keeps all my statutes, living a just and righteous life, he'll live, really live. He won't die. I won't keep a list of all the things he did wrong. He will live. Do you think I take any pleasure in the death of wicked men and women? Isn't it my pleasure that they turn around, no longer living wrong but living right—really living?

24 "The same thing goes for a good person who turns his back on an upright life and starts sinning, plunging into the same vile obscenities that the wicked person practices. Will this person live? I don't keep a list of all the things this person did right, like money in the bank he can draw on. Because of his defection, because he accumulates sin, he'll die.

25-28 "Do I hear you saying, 'That's not fair! God's not fair!'?

"Listen, Israel. I'm not fair? You're the ones who aren't fair! If a good person turns away from his good life and takes up sinning, he'll die for it. He'll die for his own sin. Likewise, if a bad person turns away from his bad life and starts living a good life, a fair life, he will save his life. Because he faces up to all the wrongs he's committed and puts them behind him, he will live, really live. He won't die.

29 "And yet Israel keeps on whining, 'That's not fair! God's not fair.'

"I'm not fair, Israel? You're the ones who aren't fair.

30-32 "The upshot is this, Israel: I'll judge each of you according to the way you live. So turn around! Turn your backs on your rebellious living so that sin won't drag you down. Clean house. No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, Israel? I take no pleasure in anyone's death. Decree of God, the Master.

"Make a clean break! Live!"


The Message (MSG) Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson

6/25/09

Parenting Adult Children

Some parents are so controlling of their adult offspring that they nearly strangle their kids by keeping them tied to the proverbial apron strings. This actually only hurts their child's life and development, and can often make them miserable - even though that is normally not the intention of the parent. Other parents are so neglectful of their child while growing up that they are left with next to no relationship with their adult offspring later in life, and that has a whole set of problems on its own. The best solution lies somewhere in the middle: having a loving, understanding and mature presence in the adult child's life, yet knowing when to lay off and let them make their own decisions and live out their own lives as they choose, and all the while trying to not give them a headache because of it.

By the way, there is a Biblical word for someone who is all-controlling and manipulative - it's called a "witch." Ouch. And, I know what it's like to feel like you need to control someone's life because they are so messed up in their lives and if you don't then they'll never get their act together. It is true that sometimes you need to step in for someone, but most of the time you need to just give them your advice and let them make their own decisions. But, you always need to respect their person. Also, prayer is the key. So, be careful with your relationships and don't play the witch nor the deadbeat.

http://www.essortment.com/family/parentadultchi_szmm.htm

6/23/09

Never Stop Forgiving (Please Read & Comment If You Want)

"Then Peter came to him and asked, 'Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?' 'No, not seven times,' Jesus replied, 'but seventy times seven!'" (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT)

"So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." (Jesus quoted in Luke 17:3-4 NLT)

I remember what Jesus said about forgiveness in this verse of the Bible. There are a lot of different things the Bible says about forgiveness and it usually concludes with, basically, "you need to forgive." It is an odd statement for Jesus to use the phrase "seventy times seven." Why would Jesus say that? Was He trying to say that you should forgive someone more than seven times (in reference to Peter's question), however only up until whatever seventy times seven is. I'm not very decent at math. But, I found out that 70 X 7 = 490 in math. So, was Jesus trying to say that you should forgive someone obviously more than seven times, but only up until 490 times. And, 490 times is a lot by the way. However, if you really think about how easy it is to do or say or think something not right in the eyes of God, then we have definitely done not the right thing more than 490 times. We would need to be able to be forgiven by God, at least, more than 490 times. I am not a perfect person myself. I try to be really good and do what's right. I have a strong belief to live right in life and "be on the good side" - so to speak. In very Biblical terms, I choose to live my live by God, through Jesus and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But, despite all of that, I know that I have not done completely right - by the standard of God's completely holiness - more than 490 times. So, was Jesus really saying that we can only be forgiven and should only forgive up until 490 times? It doesn't seem to be that way.

So, if that is not the case, then it would seem that Jesus must have said "seventy times seven" simply as a phrase - maybe metaphorically, not literally. In other words, maybe Jesus was not saying "you must forgive literally only up until 490 times," but rather using 490 times metaphorically to mean "forgivness is something you need to always do, no matter how many times someone wrongs you, because I have done the same for you and if I hadn't done it then you would have never been able to receive forgiveness for you sins. Look what I have done for you." So, then, this is just something that we should do because it's right, it's good for not only the person that wronged you but for yourself, and because Jesus did it for us.

I was also reading a very interesting article that I wanted to publish on here, but the website said to not republish it. So, I can't. But, the article pointed out something very interesting about the seventy times seven phrase. The person who wrote the article explained that God revealed to him more of an insight into the phrase. He goes on to explain that it is a reference to Daniel 9:24-25 which is about forgiveness of all sins of God's chosen people at the end of the world - which is actually a specific time in the future. He did a word study of the original Hebrew of the Old Testament in the Daniel quote. The word used for "seventy weeks" there is the same thing as "seventy sevens." Given the context of the Daniel quote - forgiveness of all sins at the end of the world for God's chosen people - the person who wrote the article concluded that what Jesus said about "seventy times seven" is actually a reference to Daniel and that what Jesus meant was not just some oddball phrase but that Jesus was literally telling Peter that he needs to forgive someone of their sins until the end of the world. I just thought that was a very interesting point, and it appears to be likely that Jesus was referencing Daniel, as He was always referencing Old Testament Scripture in His teachings.

So, in conclusion, forgiveness is very important for many reasons. It brings peace and it heals. It is good for everyone involved. Yes, there needs to be justice, but at the same time there needs to be mercy. There is a certain way to handle situations. Some people want all forgiveness to the point that there's no justice. Others want justice without forgiveness and there is always bitterness. But, what people often forget is what God has done for us and if He, being as perfectly holy as He is, can do that for fallen humanity, then we, as fallen humanity, should be able to forgive others. And, not only others, but ourselves. This is something else that people often forget. We need to be able to forgive ourselves even if no other person does because 1) God forgives us and we should believe Him and 2) without forgiving yourself you would never be at peace. When it all comes down to it, forgiveness is essential to living out our lives because without it we would all be miserable, bitter and hateful, and it would be very hard to live out our lives and receive forgiveness if we did something wrong towards someone. My "golden rule" in life has always been "treat others the way you would want to be treated." I don't always live by that. Sometimes I get caught up in emotions - whether it's anger, fear, sadness or whatever. And, I don't make the right choices sometimes. But, I still try to live by that rule. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going, if I feel really down, is the hope that things can be better and knowing that I will always have God because the love of God never dies and He is always there and I can always turn to Him even if it's hard to see Him sometimes.

6/16/09

Only Boast Of God (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

God's Message:
"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
God's Decree.

Bob Dylan - Gotta Serve Somebody

You've Gotta Serve Somebody from kc5uzd1 on GodTube.

Gotta Serve Somebody

You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage,
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage,
You may be a business man or some high degree thief,
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk,
You may be the head of some big TV network,
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame,
You may be living in another country under another name

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a construction worker working on a home,
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome,
You might own guns and you might even own tanks,
You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride,
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side,
You may be workin' in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair,
You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk,
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk,
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread,
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy,
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy,
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray,
You may call me anything but no matter what you say

You're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

Copyright ©1979 Special Rider Music

God Is My Defender

"But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17 AMP)

What does the Bible say about karma?

From: www.gotquestions.org

Question: "What does the Bible say about karma?"

Answer: Karma is a theological concept found in the Buddhist and Hindu religions. It is the idea that how you live your life will determine the quality of life you will have after reincarnation. If you are unselfish, kind, and holy during this lifetime, you will be rewarded by being reincarnated (reborn into a new earthly body) into a pleasant life. However, if you live a life of selfishness and evil, you will be reincarnated into a less-than-pleasant lifestyle. In other words, you reap in the next life what you sow in this one. Karma is based on the theological belief in reincarnation. The Bible rejects the idea of reincarnation; therefore, it does not support the idea of karma.

Hebrews 9:27 states, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” This Bible verse makes clear two important points which, for Christians, negate the possibility of reincarnation and karma. First, it states that we are “destined to die once,” meaning that humans are only born once and only die once. There is no endless cycle of life and death and rebirth, an idea inherent in the reincarnation theory. Second, it states that after death we face judgment, meaning that there is no second chance, like there is in reincarnation and karma, to live a better life. You get one shot at life and living it according to God’s plan, and that is it.

The Bible talks a lot about reaping and sowing. Job 4:8 says, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” Psalm 126:5 says, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Luke 12:24 says, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” In each of these instances, as well as all the other references to reaping and sowing, the act of receiving the rewards of your actions takes place in this life, not in some future life. It is a present-day activity, and the references make it clear that the fruit you reap will be commensurate with the actions you have performed. In addition, the sowing you perform in this life will affect your reward or punishment in the afterlife.

This afterlife is not a rebirth or a reincarnation into another body here on earth. It is either eternal suffering in hell (Matthew 25:46) or eternal life in heaven with Jesus, who died so that we might live eternally with Him. This should be the focus of our life on earth. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 6:8-9, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Finally, we must always remember that it was Jesus whose death on the cross resulted in the reaping of eternal life for us, and that it is faith in Jesus that gives us this eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Therefore, we see that the concept of reincarnation and karma is incompatible with what the Bible teaches about life, death, and the sowing and reaping of eternal life.

Recommended Resource: Jesus Among Other gods by Ravi Zacharias.

http://www.gotquestions.org/karma.html

What is the definition of a cult?

From: www.gotquestions.org

Question: "What is the definition of a cult?"

Answer: When we hear the word cult we often think of a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, or takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals. However, in reality, most cults appear much more innocent. The specific Christian definition of a cult is a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth. In simpler terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it. As distinct from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be part of the religion, yet denies essential truth(s) of that religion. A Christian cult is a group that denies one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while still claiming to be Christian.

The two most common teachings of cults are that Jesus was not God and that salvation is not by faith alone. A denial of the deity of Christ results in Jesus' death not being a sufficient payment for our sins. A denial of salvation by faith alone results in salvation being achieved by our own works, something the Bible vehemently and consistently denies. The two most well-known examples of cults are the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. Both groups claim to be Christian, yet both deny the deity of Christ and salvation by faith alone. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons believe many things that are in agreement with or similar to what the Bible teaches. However, the fact that they deny the deity of Christ and preach a salvation by works qualifies them as a cult. Many Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and members of other cults are "good people" who genuinely believe they hold the truth. As Christians, our hope and prayer must be that many people involved in the cults will see through the lies and will be drawn to the truth of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Recommended Resource: The Kingdom of the Cults, revised and updated edition.

http://www.gotquestions.org/cult-definition.html

6/12/09

Stevie Wonder - I Just Called To Say I Love You



No new years day
To celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact heres just another ordinary day
No april rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding saturday within the month of june
But what it is
Is something true
Made up of these three words that I must say to you

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

No summers high
No warm july
No harvest moon to light one tender august night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
No even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No libra sun
No halloween
No giving thanks to all the christmas joy you bring
But what it is
Though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do.

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart

Of my heart
Of my heart

6/9/09

Box Office Busters from 'Godlywood'

Box Office Busters from 'Godlywood'

Christian Film Industry Going Mainstream
From 'Godlywood,' Latest Weapon in Cultural War Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
By NEAL KARLINSKY and VICTORIA THOMPSON

ANAHEIM, Calif., June 6, 2009—

Hollywood can be hard to predict, but given the choice between last year's Woody Allen film, "Vicky Christina Barcelona," Sean Penn in "Milk" and a Christian film called "Fireproof," starring aging teen idol Kirk Cameron, not a single industry insider saw this dark horse coming.

"Fireproof," a Christian-themed film straight out of "Godlywood," buried them all as the top-grossing independent film of 2008.

What's the Christian film industry's next brainchild? A soon-to-be-released film called "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," a film about a 75-year-old man who motivates three young boys to fend off a bully by following the Lord.

The film took center stage last week at an international Christian ministry festival in Anaheim, Calif., where the faithful gathered to pray and to learn about new ways to reach their flocks.

Rich Christiano, the film's director, screened "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" to a pastor-filled crowd, hoping to get them to preach the goodness of his movie and send the faithful to the ticket counter.

Christiano's message was clear: Hollywood is corrupting America.

"Why is it we watch movies with nudity and all this stuff we know we shouldn't? I'll tell you why, because Hollywood rules, not Jesus," Christiano said to the crowd. "Pastors, I'm telling you, this is the fight, this is what's going to steal your youth group; this is what's busting up your marriages. This is the fight. I need you to stand with us."

The movie is becoming the latest weapon in a cultural war coming soon to a theater near you. Christiano, 52, describes himself as a "filmmaker with a message for the Lord."

"George Lucas supposedly said the church, which used to be all powerful, has been usurped by film. And he's right," Christiano said. "The devil knows all this, and he has used films to break down this country; it's a very powerful tool."

With the release of "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," Christiano is urging the church to start playing offense.

"The church normally plays defense," he said. "Hollywood does something we don't like and we react to it. I say forget about that. Quit complaining and let's go on the offense."

The film stars Gavin MacLeod, who is better known to most as Capt. Stubing from the "Love Boat." MacLeod, who turned to Christ in 1985 after a long career in Hollywood, said he "became essentially a different person."

Transitioning from Hollywood to the emerging Christian film industry, MacLeod said it's "humbling" to be "used by God" in the movie.

Christian Film Festival Rivals Cannes

While the Cannes Film Festival has celebrities, like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the Independent Christian Film Festival in San Antonio sports a large cash award for its top movie, which is $101,000. "The Widow's Might," a 101-minute film written and directed by 19-year-old John Moore of Kaufman, Texas, won the award in January. As for "Fireproof," it's the story of a fireman's battle to save his marriage, and was the shot heard across Hollywood. Opening in theaters in late September, the film earned $33 million at the box office in 2008 on an almost unheard of $500,000 budget.

The film's 2008 gross revenue even beat out the Academy Award-winning "Slumdog Millionaire," which opened in mid-November.

"We were all sort of pinching ourselves and laughing and watching it as it did so well," said Cameron, star of "Fireproof" and former star of TV's "Growing Pains."

While the box office profits speak for themselves, the making of "Fireproof" is a story in its own right.

The film was written and directed on a shoestring budget by the brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who are pastors in Albany, Ga. Other than Cameron, the entire cast was made up of church members -- and everyone worked for free. The Kendrick brothers say God told them to make the movie.

"Basically, we'll take weeks at a time and say, 'God, what do you want us to do?'" Alex Kendrick said. "We've learned there's a difference between a good idea and a God idea. And we say, 'God, point us in the right direction.'"

Success took more than prayers. "Fireproof" turned to savvy grassroots marketing as a promotion tool; the brothers shared their vision with pastors across the country who, in turn, encouraged their followers to see the film.

"Fireproof's" impressive success has branded Cameron as the face of Christian films -- a title that was bittersweet, at first, for the former teen idol.

Cameron Comes to Embrace 'Fireproof' Role

"It used to bother me a lot more than it does now," he said. "I really don't care because I've come to a conviction in my own heart."

Cameron's conviction has grown stronger with the flood of e-mails from fans, who say "Fireproof" saved their marriages.

"I think that that's the most wonderful thing about doing the things that I like to do," he said. "Be a part of something God is doing to change the lives of other people."

Christian Flicks Get Grassroot Support

Whatever the content, Hollywood likes a winner. The Samuel Goldwyn film company, more accustomed to big stars like Russell Crowe and Julia Roberts, is the first major studio to embrace Christian films. "Fireproof," then a dark horse, was their release in collaboration with Christian film company Provident Films, and the genre of Christian film is on the horizon.

"It's an underserved audience," said Meyer Gottlieb of Samuel Goldwyn Films. "You know, you can say Christian or faith, that Hollywood is not serving that audience the level it should be serving it, and it's a huge audience. So, I think there are great opportunities, and I'd like to release one or two Christian films a year, or faith-based films a year."

While Christiano doesn't have the support of a studio behind "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," he's counting on churches to back him.

"What we're trying to do is get churches to sponsor this movie in their local theater, kind of a unique marketing plan," he told ABC News. "We actually charge the church $2,000 and then they pick the theater, we book the theater, when the theater pays us, first $2,000 goes right back to church."

It's not the standing ovation in theaters that matters to Christiano, but pastors' agreement to sign on and sponsor the movie.

"We are definitely sponsoring this movie, we want to put it in theaters and make sure that people have an opportunity to see not only this movie but movies like it," said Pastor Jerry Dirmann of the Rock church in Anaheim, Calif.

Get your popcorn ready -- no swearing, no violence -- just forgiveness, redemption and a church-approved happy ending.

The filmmakers, like Christiano, say it's important to know their audiences, as grassroots support from true believers can't be replicated by a slick Hollywood marketing campaign.

"Thank you for coming; the Lord bless you all," he said to the pastors." ... You won't lose on this and you won't lose with the Lord."

Copyright © 2009 ABC News Internet Ventures

Rod Stewart - Forever Young

Rod Stewart - Forever Young
Video sent by jpdc11

(r. stewart/j.cregan/k.savigar)

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young
Forever young

And when you finally fly away
Ill be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young ,forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young

The Grits - Ooh Aah (My Life Be Like)

My life be like
Ooh Aah (yeah), Ooh Ooh
My life be like (yeah)
Ooh Aah, Ooh Aah (yeah), Ooh Ooh
Ooh Aah (yeah), Ooh Ooh
My life be like (yeah)
Ooh Aah, Ooh Aah (yeah), Ooh Ooh
My life be like (yeah)
It's times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
Feel me like a fingertip (fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip)
Sometimes I fall I slip
My heartfelt desire be more like you
Tryin' not to quench your fire with the things I do
I'm on an island by my lonesome stranded
Low key and stayin' candid
Reflect on all the things I try my hand at
Church for the equations to persuasions I'm used to
Finding comfort in the zones of closet bones I get loose to
A mountainous fontaine
Spinnin' and monsoonin', grinnin' it's hign octane
Explosive how I came
Rollin' down hills cause lifes a hastle
Encircled by my folly like a moat surround a castle
Stay afloat, catch a second wind
Thin
Is the air I breathe
Teary eyed nose runnin' wipe the snot on my sleeve
I'm callin' on the Savior to be all that I need
Please forgive me my behavior had me lost at light speed
It's times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
Feel me like a fingertip (fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip)
Sometimes I fall I slip
My heartfelt desire be more like you
Tryin' not to quench your fire with the things I do
The fear of never fallin' in love
And the tears after losin' the feelings of what you thought love was
Like the dirt still up under the rug (My life be like)
Bad characteristics covered in Christs blood
The joy of new birth and the pain of growin' up
The bliss between givin' my all and givin' up
The highs and lows
Paths and roads I chose
In the cold I froze
Tryin' to ease my woes
In this world of sin
Clothes to thin to fend
So to God I send
Words of help to win
In grumblings so deep letters could never express
So the sound of Ooh Aah beneath my breath projects
It's times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
Feel me like a fingertip (fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip)
Sometimes I fall I slip
My heartfelt desire be more like you
Tryin' not to quench your fire with the things I do
My life be like
Ooh Aah Ooh
Dum dum ditty
Here come that boy from the Capital City
Last up on the Grits new ditty
But eight bars or the truth well do (uh)
I believe theres a private stunnin
And I believe in the Kindgom Comming
I believe if you seek the truth
You don't need to look far cause it's gonna find you
So why oh why do I trip and stumble?
And ooh aah as commitment crumbles?
I can't believe that I'm here again....
It's times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
Feel me like a fingertip (fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip)
Sometimes I fall I slip
My heartfelt desire be more like you
Tryin' not to quench your fire with the things I do
It's times like these that make me say
Lord if you see me please come my way
Leavin' bread crumbs for when I stray
Rely on sacrifice and the price you paid
Feel me like a fingertip (fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip)
Sometimes I fall I slip
My heartfelt desire be more like you
Tryin' not to quench your fire with the things I do
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
My life be like
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
Ma-ma-my life be like
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
My life be like
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
Fa-finger tip, fa-finger tip
My life be like

Grits - Be Mine

hey baby hey baby hey baby
slow down hold up
i want you to be,want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
slow down hold up
i want you to be,want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
we can hook up
we can hook up
we can get married
this is my gift to you
my love is true
we can get married

(2x)

who'd have thought my babe was on an island of her own
had me smiling on the phone same page different time zones
god's a real character painting caricatures of christ
and his love for the church enduring the pain cuz it hurts
when i saw you i went bezerk insane goin looney and cartooney
so sue me you was a vision of beauty truly
thinking of all the charm to inflect upon my behalf
forgive me don't mean to stare but your hair is down to your calf
tell me about yourself your culture is polynesian
i love when the breeds be mixin our blueprint is in ephesians
instantaneously cultures collided decided we'd ride it
spent time in prayer separately so we wouldn't have to hide it
fictitious image brought to life reflection of love
carefully inspected with gloves so fragile my darling was
and i aint need miss cleo to re-assure me that i got her
scored big like the opening week of harry potter

slow down hold up
i want you to be,want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
slow down hold up
i want you to be, want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
we can hook up
we can hook up
we can get married
this is my gift to you
my love is true
we can get married

in the beginning i hesitated debated within my soul
wrestling with my feelings of knowing if you was sent
enduring the distance alone being content
longing your presence believing that we was meant
submitted my intent i was truly convinced
youre the women in my life i couldn't breate without
and the one I really wouldn't be complete without
and i wrote this so you wouldn't have any doubt
or misunderstanding of what my love is really about
cause from here on out baby its all about us
and from here on out i wanna build on trust
cause the union we got aint no comparing any other
im askin you to be more than a babys mother
my help mate soul tie my right hand
beginning and end and better half of life
to be my lady my lover my best friend and wife hey

slow down hold up
i want you to be, want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
slow down hold up
i want you to be, want you to be mine
we can hook up
we can hook up
we can get married
this is my gift to you
my love is true
we can get married

(2x)

gonna get through it (4x)

slow down hold up
i want you to be, want you to be mine
hey baby hey baby hey baby
slow down hold up
i want you to be, want you to be mine
we can hook up
we can hook up
we can get married
this is my gift to you
my love is true
we can get married

(2x)

6/8/09

God Is Greater Than Our Feelings

"Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and He knows everything." (1 John 3:20 NLT)

So, then, no matter how guilty we feel about something for whatever reason - whether it's the devil's lies or because we did or said something wrong - God can forgive us. Sometimes we feel guilty because we really did do something wrong, but sometimes we feel guilty because our corrupt nature inside of us likes to play tricks on us and we get confused. The devil starts lying to us and we buy into it. We start worrying or feeling bad, harping on the past as if it's happening now. Once you have accepted the shed blood of Jesus upon your soul, you belong to Jesus forever. And no amount of sin before nor afterward is going to change that. God's love for you is eternal and He will not turn His back on you. Once you've accepted Him, then He will not take that away from you. So, there is no need to feel guilty if you haven't really done anything wrong and if it's in the past then you are allowed to move forward and forgive yourself - even if it's really hard and what you've done is really bad. This is because God has forgiven you and you cannot live your life properly for Him, yourself or really for anyone if you stay in the rut of constant self-condemnation and unforgiveness. If you have sinned, then confess it to God and turn from that sin. Do your best to get it right with regards to your sin and with any person you might have hurt. But, either way, if you have Jesus then you are forgiven. Look for the truth of God in the situation. Do not rely on your feelings to always tell you the truth, as your feelings are not always correct (Jeremiah 17:9). Sometimes they are, but sometimes they are not. But, God is greater than even our own heart. Instead, always trust in God as He is always correct and cannot lie. This is why it is so important to know His Word and Holy Spirit, and to pray to Him.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

What Is Love?

What is love?
By: Michele Tutty

This is a question for the ages. It would seem so easy to answer. "Love is when you feel 'in love,'" or "love is when you feel like this and that and the other." But, when you really think about love, where does it come from. Why do people love. I mean, what really is love? And, obviously there are different kinds of love - love for family, love for spouse, love for kids, love for your friends, love for humanity, love for animals and etc. But, why are there different kinds of love? The concept of love seems so simple, yet so complicated - something right off the tip of your nose, yet something so difficult to completely fathom.
I believe that love is much more than a feeling; much more than having affection and an emotion for someone or something. I can see that it is also a choice, an action. That is why sometimes you might not feel "in love" with someone or you might not feel like doing something good for someone, but that doesn't mean you don't love them and that doesn't mean that you don't do good for them anyway - at least sometimes - despite what you feel at the time.
And, some people show love a lot more than others. Some people have a way with words, others show it best through their giving and yet others show their love by simply being there for someone, even if they never say the words, "I love you." Everyone has their own particular "style" of showing and displaying their love for someone.
Yet, there are times when we don't show very much love with our actions. We might purposely not treat someone right when we know we ought to. Why do we do that? And, why is it that sometimes people can really hurt other people - and even know the consequences of their actions - and yet they do it anyway? Is it because they are really acting out of the bad in them and not out of the love that is inside them somewhere? Yes, I believe so. And, that is a choice.
Although there are times when we don't show very much love with our words and actions, that doesn't mean that we don't love. And, it doesn't mean that we don't care. Because love is more than feelings. But, it does also seem to be more than action. This doesn't make sense and it wouldn't make sense to me unless I could see it and understand it for myself.
I see love as being something deep inside that cannot be altered. It is like how most people see the people that they love most and are closest to in life. It's like this knowledge within you that no matter what happens and no matter what they might do to you, you will always love them. Why do we do that? This itself proves that love is more than feelings and words and even actions. So, then what makes you love?
I believe love is really something eternal, something that cannot be altered once it is set within you. You can stray from it and get lost and feel bad and get confused and all kinds of stuff. But, it doesn't mean that it's not inside of you somewhere, on some level. Even if you can't always see it and understand it.
The Bible says that God is love and that love comes from Him and that we are able to love because He first loved us. I believe this is true. This is where love comes from then - it comes from God. There are feelings and emotions involved and actions as well, but the reason why love can be and is eternal is because God is eternal. That is why love is eternal. That is why we love and are capable of doing so. Because He first loved us.

"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19 ESV)

"...let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God." (1 John 4:7 NIV)

"God showed how much he loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1 John 4:9-10 NIV)

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:16 NLT)

"...since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other." (1 John 4:11 NIV)

6/2/09

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (Movie Trailer)

Ben Stein may not look like a typical school rebel---but when he learned that educators and scientists were being ridiculed, denied tenure, and even fired for the "crime" of discussing evidence of "design" in nature, he'd had enough! Join him as he travels the world, questioning academia's doctrine of random evolution and championing intellectual freedom!

www.getexpelled.com

The Israel/Palestinian Conflict Pt. 1

From the Hal Lindsey Report. What is the modern history of the conflict? Who is right and who is wrong? What is the truth? Why is this important to us? What does the Bible have to say about it and is it relevant?

The Israel/Palestinian Conflict Pt. 2

From the Hal Lindsey Report. What is the modern history of the conflict? Who is right and who is wrong? What is the truth? Why is this important to us? What does the Bible have to say about it and is it relevant?

The Israel/Palestinian Conflict Pt. 3

From the Hal Lindsey Report. What is the modern history of the conflict? Who is right and who is wrong? What is the truth? Why is this important to us? What does the Bible have to say about it and is it relevant?

Hollywood & God

Hollywood and God
Video sent by wayofthemaster

Ray Comfort interviews people that profess the Christian faith and asks them why they go to see movies that contain blasphemy, cursing and the lot. (www.hollywoodandgod.com)

Sinful movies - blasphemy, cursing, lust, etc. etc....this can be a struggle for many Christians when choosing movies to watch. It is understandable because this is the modern state of entertainment. It is all around. But, how can we relate our Christianity, which opposes sin in all its corruption and perversion and sickness and death, with entertaining ourselves with sinful movies, music, books and etc? My point is, why do we willingly soak in corruption for entertainment purposes when we can easily avoid it simply by not watching it, reading it, listening to it? Can that even be validated? What do we really gain by giving in to it, apart from a few cheap laughs or tears, one profound moment of time? This doesn't have anything to do with an opposition to realism - you can't get any more real than the Truth (Jesus) - which is the whole point. You can make the choice for yourself. I choose to try my best to protect myself from the corruption of the world.

6/1/09

Creed "My Own Prison"


A court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today
Just my own sin
The walls are cold and pale
The cage made of steel
Screams fill the room
Alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound
My breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around
My face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence
Expecting no return
Here there is no penance
My skin begins to burn

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

I hear a thunder in the distance
See a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given
On that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness
Only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden
And grant me life eternally

Should have been dead
On a Sunday morning
Banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time{repeat}

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

[Guitar break]

I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison
I cry out to God
Seeking only his decision
Gabriel stands and confirms
I've created my own prison

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one

(And I said oh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
((And I said oh) We're all held captive
Out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one) I created I created
My own prison

Should've been dead on a Sunday morning
banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain't got no time

What Is The Point Of Prayer? (Please Read)

If God knows everything about us, including our thoughts and our hearts, and he knows all of our needs - then what is the point of praying to God?
I have had more than one person ask me this question. I have found that before I even read the Bible as a believer of God, I knew that I needed to speak to God. I knew that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, but that was not really the point of why I prayed to God. You see, prayer is more than just asking God for things or asking for forgiveness or moving on the behalf of other people, it is about communicating to God. Prayer is one way, a powerful and easy way, to communicate with God. Prayer provides us the opportunity to talk to and fellowship with God. Because being a believer of God is not just about having faith, it is about having a personal and loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. If anyone had a relationship with someone, they would not want that person to cease from speaking to them. The more they care about them, the more they want to communicate with them. Prayer is one way for us to fellowship with God. It is not about God not being able to do anything apart from our prayers to Him because God is not limited to our own capabilities. And, anyway, apart from Him we can do nothing good anyway because God is goodness. So, there are many reasons to pray, but the primary reason - I believe - is to participate in communicating and fellow-shipping with God. And, I have personally found that doing this provides a great blessing to me. It makes me feel better and happy and it comforts me. Because, I enjoy the presence of my God who loves me and cares for me and knows what is best for me. I know that God is always right, and I can always trust and rely on Him. The truth is that no one and nothing is better than God. So please, if you are lacking in your prayer life or if you don't have a prayer life at all, please consider the point that I have made. What could it hurt?

True Success & Happiness

If you hunger more for worldly riches than for the treasures of knowing God, then you're climbing the wrong ladder of success. Genuine eternal blessing is measured in relationship with Jesus, not monetary accumulation. Make Christ your top priority and chief joy, and you will experience true prosperity...
The satisfaction of possession is fleeting and, therefore, requires the pursuit of more in an effort to regain the same feeling of gratification...
Lasting pleasure and security are found only in the Lord. He richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). But, if we let His tangible benefits become our primary desire, we'll lose our contentment. Seek God through His Word and prayer; as you learn to delight in Him, you will discover enduring satisfaction for your soul. - Charles Stanley