God helps those who ... ~ By Greg Laurie

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Greg Laurie

Posted: January 30, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010


Some people think the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves. But you won't find this quoted in the Bible. In fact, it is not a biblical concept. The fact is that God helps those who can't help themselves. God helps those who see how radical their condition is, who recognize there is no way they can save their own souls.

The Bible tells the story of a man like this, a man who was in a very difficult state – a seemingly hopeless situation. I think it may even have been his utter helplessness that drew Jesus to him. He had been abandoned. He was a desperately lonely man, a man who, for all practical purposes, was an outcast.

Paralyzed for 38 years, he spent his days by a pool in Jerusalem called Bethesda, hoping for a miracle. All alone and in need, he was surrounded by people who were blind, lame and paralyzed. Each were waiting for the stirring of the water – believed to be the work of an angel – because the first one to step into the pool would be healed.

Perhaps the night before, this man had offered up a prayer to God. Maybe he prayed, "Lord, if you would just help me be the first one into the water when the angel stirs it up, I would be so grateful." Little did he realize that God himself would come in human form and give him far more than what he asked for. Instead of sending an angel to stir up the waters, God was about to stir up his life – not just physically, but – more importantly – spiritually. The Bible tells us that God is able to do above and beyond that which we could ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20). And that is what happened in this man's life.

The Bible says that "Jesus saw him lying there" (John 5:6 NIV). What I find interesting is that he wasn't the only person there at the pool. There were a lot of people. But we don't read that Jesus saw them. The Bible says that Jesus saw him. And that is important to realize, because when God looks into a crowd of people, he sees you. He sees you as an individual, just like he saw this man. In the midst of all this activity Jesus had time for an individual whom he knew by name.

Then Jesus asked him – and in a broad sense, all of us – a poignant question: "Do you want to get well?" (verse 6 NIV). Or to expand the question, "Do you want to change your life?" Jesus was essentially asking, "Are you willing to put yourself, just as you are, in my hands? Are you ready for me to do for you what you are unable to do for yourself?"

Now this may seem like a strange question. We might think, What kind of thing is that to ask a guy who is paralyzed and unable to move? Of course he wants to be made well. But not everyone wants to change. Not every drug addict wants to be free from the power of drugs. Not every immoral person wants to be a moral person. Not every person who has chosen a certain lifestyle wants to break free from it. So it is a valid question: Do you want to change your life?

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Another great movie recommendation ~ By Joseph Farah

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Joseph Farah

Posted: January 30, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010

I can't remember the last time I had two current movie recommendations to offer at the same time.

I told you last week about "The Book of Eli," an amazing new release starring Denzel Washington – the kind of movie one would never expect to come out of Hollywood. If you haven't yet seen it, do so. But remember, it is mega-violent and contains some very rough language and harsh scenes unsuitable for kids.

This week, I want to tell you about "The Blind Side," a movie for the whole family starring Sandra Bullock.

This one is the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless black teenager welcomed into a wealthy white Christian family.

What these two films have in common is a strong Christian worldview – not exactly considered part of Hollywood's formula for success.

Both are stories of faith in action – one fantasy, one very real.

"The Blind Side" is a feel-good movie all the way.

It's a story about the biblical admonition to care for orphans lived out by a mom and her family – and the joy and victory it brings not only to the young man, but to all those involved.

The movie is an adaptation of the 2006 book by Michael Lewis – "The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game."

Michael Oher was born to a crack addict mother in Memphis in 1986. he had trouble in school, was bounced around in foster care and spent periods of his life before the age of 16 on the streets.

Through the intervention of other adults in his life, Oher is enrolled in a private Christian high school, where he continues to flounder as a student and still faces the challenges of poverty, alienation and learning problems.

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August 24, 2009 - The Blind Side Movie Trailer

This November, you'll get a hard-hitting football movie featuring no less than Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates and Tim McGraw. It's called The Blind Side, and it might be the Rudy of the new millenium.

When a high school student, operating under the perfect storm of being poor, wildly undereducated and badly out of shape, gets recruited by a major football program that grooms him into the exact opposite, his life will change forever. But will it change it for the better? Check out the trailer.

November is the perfect time of year for this kind of movie to hit because it so clearly wants to go for an Oscar run. But at the same time, it should prove accessible to anyone who watches it. Dust off your thesauruses--you'll need synonyms for "heart-warming" because EVERYONE'S going to call it that. But do you want your heart warmed? Or does this one leave you cold? Hit the comments section and tell us what you think. Thanks for watching!

The Blind Side Cast: Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates, Kim Dickens, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Rhoda Griffis, Ray McKinnon, Lily Collins

The Blind Side movie trailer courtesy 20th Century Fox. The Blind Side open in US theaters November 20th, 2009. The Blind Side is directed by John Lee Hancock.

Video provided by ClevverMovies

Building consensus on life ~ By Joseph Farah

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Joseph Farah

Posted: January 22, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010

It's unusual for a newsman to offer up a diatribe on the sanctity of life.

Yet, today, as we mark the 37th anniversary of the most ill-conceived and most politicized Supreme Court decision in the history of our republic, I feel compelled to speak out again.

Any society, if it is to remain a self-governing, free and cohesive one, must have consensus on some foundational issues.

Our founders understood this. In fact, they knew well that slavery was an issue causing so much division within the early republic that it could well tear the nation apart – as it did in an internecine war that would be the bloodiest in which Americans ever fought.

From the beginning, however, there was a consensus on the sanctity of life.

It was written into the Declaration of Independence and, in a way, less directly, yet still clearly, into the Constitution of the United States.

Only when America began to lose its moral bearings did the idea that people had an inherent right to kill their unborn offspring and others who couldn't speak for themselves begin to emerge and even dominate our society.

Today, I am considered some kind of fanatic within my own profession because of my outspokenness about the sanctity of life.

Yet, child sacrifice, whether performed in the name of Baal or to the gods of feminism, political correctness, convenience or the "right to choose," is wrong, immoral, evil and sinful. It always was and it always will be.

On that principle, Americans need to rebuild a consensus.

Without some media support, that will be difficult.

It might surprise some that many of the greatest newspapers in America were founded on Christian principles. After the American Revolution, Christians dominated U.S. journalism, and their worldview characterized many major American newspapers. What was the largest circulation weekly in 1830? The New York Christian Advocate.

What were newspapers like in those days? Three-quarters of all material in papers at that time was religious, theological, ethical and devotional. And, in the early 19th century, New York City alone boasted 52 magazines and newspapers that called themselves Christian. Between 1825 and 1845, more than 100 cities and towns in America had explicitly Christian newspapers.

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Go see 'The Book of Eli' ~ By Joseph Farah

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

"If you are looking for an action-packed adventure movie that carries a powerful message and profound truth, I urge you to go see Denzel Washington's triumph."

By Joseph Farah

Posted: January 21, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010

I saw a great movie last weekend.

That's not something I can say very often.

It's called "The Book of Eli" and stars Denzel Washington.

In Hollywood high concept language, you might want to think of "Mad Max" meets "Raiders of the Lost Ark." But that wouldn't be doing it justice.

It's a hard movie to watch – dark, violent. It's not a movie for children. But its redemptive message couldn't be clearer or more needed for a time such as this.

The movie is set in the future, after an apocalyptic event or events leading to the destruction of organized society in America and the rest of the world. What's left after this somewhat mysterious disaster are marauding bands of criminals who prey on others, widespread cannibalism, drunkenness and pockets of communities with little sense of morality.

It seems after the "event," there was an effort to destroy all the world's Bibles. In their wisdom, world leaders deduced that it was this book that caused this plague to befall them.

One man, though, has a copy of the King James Bible and is given a mission by God to take it West. He is also promised that he will be protected in this quest.

The movie is about Eli's story and what he encounters on this trip.

I don't believe I have ever seen a more overtly Christian movie come out of Hollywood.

It shows what the world would be like devoid of God's Word, His law and the hope of salvation He offers. It shows what happens when the salt and light and truth are removed from the world. It shows the world in its most fallen state.

How a movie like this could even be made today is a mystery. One has to conclude it has much to do with Denzel Washington's own values and clout in the industry. He not only stars in the movie, he is one of the producers.

The overall theme is walking by faith, not by sight.

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Satan's Meeting

Watch this!

Satan's meeting: about how he keeps the Christians too busy and pulled away from the relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

Video provided by Terry Pollard on Tangle.com

www.revelationministriesoutreach.org

UPDATE 01/12/10 at 3:51 a.m.: I was not able to get the above video to work when I clicked on the PLAY button. If you are having the same problem, here is the direct link to the video:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=0edec55cb25411422efd

Last Week on TheREALjohnny2k - 12/21 through 12/31/09, Part II

By John Kubicek

It was the 201st decade since the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. It was a decade of wars. and very little peace. While there was the actual wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and every where else in the world that terrorists were able to strike, there has also been the virtual war for the hearts and minds of the masses. The battlefront has become youtube.com, facebook.com, twitter.com, and on the blogs. Between those two fronts, I opted for the cyber side of the war. It doesn't require blood, guts, and glory, but it does involve a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

My ultimate weapon of choice has been my work on youtube.com, along with this blog. That's right, uploading videos to youtube.com is a fantastic way to keep many people informed of all the things that are involved in the way this world is now headed. I don't even feel the need to expound in the video descriptions. I'll just let the videos speak for themselves.

I hope that the videos I tell you about today, that you'll see below, will show that not everything I think about has to do with politics.

December 21, 2009 - Has Anyone Told You? You are loved!

Jack and Rexella Van Impe provided me with the perfect video for this wonderful season to upload to this channel.

This will hopefully help remind you of the Reason for the Season.

December 23, 2009 - The spiritual surge in sports

It seems to me that in this segment, the spiritual surge in sports is being attacked. Or,is it just me?

December 24, 2009 - Best Church Choir In America - The Atlanta West Pentacostal Church Choir

This is absolutely sensational! They really are deserving of the honor of Best Church Choir In America as you will see - AND HEAR - in this video.

Thank you all for visiting my channel, TheREALjohnny2k. Please have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I love you all!

December 27, 2009 - "Onward Christian Athletes" - The problem with turning athletes into "heroes"

Who should be our heroes? This video brings up some interesting questions about athletes being heroes, and if some are expressing their Christian faith only when they win.

December 31, 2009 - About a Christmas Miracle - This will make you smile!

This video is about a great miracle. This happened just before the Northwestern Flight 253 miracle, where a bomb ddn't work, 278 people were sill alive, on Christmas day. Here are two more people that made it. God just wasn't quite ready for them to go home.

FAVORITE OF THE WEEK

Maybe it's because of the season. I chose this one to be my favorite of the week.

December 04, 2007 - Christmas Story - Steven Curtis Chapman - BluefishTV.

Video provided by bluefishtv

The real beginning of Christmas ~ By Greg Laurie

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Greg Laurie

Posted: December 19, 2009 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2009


How often do you look at your watch in a given day? Or check the time? Or ask someone else what time it is? Why do we do that? We do it because we govern our lives by time. There is a time that we get up in the morning. There is a time when we go to work or school. There is a time when we go home. There is a time when we go to bed and when we get up the next morning and repeat the process. We live our lives by the clock, and we have a constant awareness of time.

According to the Bible, we even live our lives for a certain period of time – not a moment longer and not a moment shorter. You can eat free-range chicken and organic vegetables and use all of the lotions and potions and special vitamins available, but you will not live one day longer than God wants you to live. Nor will you live one day shorter. The Bible says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NIV).

As one person said, "Men talk of killing time while time quietly kills them." The problem is that we spend a lot of our lives doing things we would rather not be doing. We have control over some of these things, but not all of them. For example, the average American will spend six months of their lives sitting at traffic lights, one year searching desk clutter for misplaced objects, five years waiting in lines, three years in meetings and eight months opening junk mail.

As C. S. Lewis said, "The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is."

We live by time, while God exists outside of time. I am not implying that God is unaware of time, because He is completely aware of every minute and second of our lives and everything that is happening in them. But God lives in the eternal realm. Therefore, we might say that God's interpretation of time is quite different from ours.

God has His own timing, and there are times in life when it appears to us as though God is late, as though God is somehow disengaged and not paying attention. And sometimes as we look at the way the world is going, we wonder whether God is aware of what it is like right now.

That is how it was at the time of Jesus' birth. Israel was tired of waiting. They felt it was time for the Messiah to arrive. They were difficult and dark days in the history of Israel. In fact, the time in which they were living when Christ finally came was almost as bad as it was under Pharaoh's rule in Egypt, because they were under the control of Rome and the tyrannical rule of the puppet King Herod.

While Herod was known for the great buildings he erected, he was also known for his paranoia. He would have anyone he saw as a potential threat to his throne killed. He had two of his sons put to death because he thought they would try to lead a coup against him. It was said of Herod that it was better to be one of his pigs than one of his sons.

The fact is that 6 B.C. was a lousy time to be living in Judea. People were wondering when God was going to intervene. They had not heard from him for 400 years. Not a single prophet had delivered a message from heaven. There had been no miracles and no angelic appearances – only a stony silence from heaven. The people were probing. They were searching. They were wondering when things were going to change.

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Request For Transfer

The following came in an email from my good friend Rev. Gerri. The author is unknown.

Request For Transfer

TO: Commander-in-Chief Spiritual Armed Forces, Jesus Christ

Dear Lord:

I am writing this to You to request a transfer to a desk job. I herewith present my reasons: I began my career as a private, but because of the intensity of the battle You have quickly moved me up in the ranks. You have made me an officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private.

I realize that You have promised to supply all I would need for the battle. But Sir, I must present You a realistic picture of my situation. My uniform, once so crisp and starched, is now stained with tears and blood of those I have tried to assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I have walked trying to enlist, encourage, and instruct the troops. My weapons are marred, tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from endless use. The words are now smeared.

You have promised You would be with me throughout, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so alone. I'm tired. I'm discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue. I would never ask You for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I humbly request a demotion and transfer. I'll file papers or clean latrines. Just get me out of the battle -- please, Sir.

Your Faithful, but tired, Warrior.

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

TO: Faithful, but tired, Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces

LOCATION: The Battlefield

SUBJECT: Transfer

Dear Soldier:

Your request for transfer has been denied. I herewith present My reasons: You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I will keep My Word to supply your needs. You do not need a demotion and transfer. Besides, you'd never cut it on latrine duty anyway. You need a period of "R & R" (Renewal and Rekindling). I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is insulated and fully protected from the enemy. I will meet you there and I will give you rest. I will remove your old equipment and "make all things new."

You have been wounded in the battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you. Also, you have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will strengthen you and be your strength. I will instill in you confidence and ability. My Words will be rekindled within you, giving you renewed love, zeal and enthusiasm. Report to Me tattered and empty. I will replenish you.

Compassionately,

Your Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ

Validation

By John Kubicek

A wonderful friend of mine, Leah, a truly amazing person that I was lucky enough to get acquainted with on twitter, sent me a direct message yesterday that linked me to an awesome video on youtube.com. Leah said that I would love it, and I did. I don't know if Leah knew, or not, just how much I needed to see this video right now.

And whether she knows it or not, Leah is always sending me incredible messages just when I needed to be lifted up. You could call it, "Validation." You will understand what I'm saying much better once you watch the following video:

October 03, 2008 - Validation from hughnewman1024

"Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking. Starring TJ Thyne & Vicki Davis. Writer/Director/Composer - Kurt Kuenne. Winner - Best Narrative Short, Cleveland Int'l Film Festival, Winner - Jury Award, Gen Art Chicago Film Festival, Winner - Audience Award, Hawaii Int'l Film Festival, Winner - Best Short Comedy, Breckenridge Festival of Film, Winner - Crystal Heart Award, Best Short Film & Audience Award, Heartland Film Festival, Winner - Christopher & Dana Reeve Audience Award, Williamstown Film Festival, Winner - Best Comedy, Dam Short Film Festival, Winner - Best Short Film, Sedona Int'l Film Festival.

You are the Wind Beneath My Wings

From Thespadecaller on youtube.com

Leaving with us this musical treasure, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, the giant man with the little ukulele and an angelic voice, passed away on June 26, 1997. This Spadecaller video presentation honors the man and his music. Aloha!

The Health Care System & the Mark of the Beast

The following is lovingly brought to you by anewlife4us7 at youtube.com

(Formatted by John Kubicek for easier reading on this blog.)

September 5, 2009

anewlife4us7 writes:

In late 2008, I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the Mark of the Beast will arise from the Health Care System. I had always believed that it would arise from the financial system, and although it will most certainly become the only means in which one will be allowed to buy and sell under the new world system, it will come under the guise of health care system. Unless you submit to this anti-christ system of world government, you will not be allowed to participate in the world system, but will rather be considered an appointment to the health and well being mankind.

I saw this in the spirit, had it confirmed in a Dream, and am now witnessing the fulfillment of this in our world today. The WORD of GOD says, that we know in part, and prophecy in part, therefore I do not claim to know the fullness of this truth, but I firmly believe we will see this come to pass very soon. Never before have I felt such an urgency to warn the body of Christ to seek the Lord, to truly know in whom you have believed, trust NO Man, but seek to know the true will of the father, hide his word in your heart, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The Bible says that my people perish for a lack of knowledge. Please do not take what I am saying as absolute truth, but rather humble yourself before the Lord your God, seek wisdom from Him who is able to make known that which is truth from err. There is a darkness and vile evil that is blanketing our world, all these things have been foretold, and will certainly come to pass. For God is not a man that he should lie, he has given us the gift of his word, more over the gift of eternal life, that is salvation through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, our comforter.

Seek him Beloved, while he can still be found, ask him to reveal himself to you, in all humility and brokenness, be ye separate from the world, less ye fall into the greatest deception this world has ever seen, or shall ever see again, for the day of the Lord is coming quickly, and is already upon us.

[See the video below, or click here to see it at youtube.com]

God’s Universal Health Care Plan ~ by Garland E. Harris

From GarlandEHarris.com

By Garland E. Harris

God has a plan for universal health that doesn’t involve the government. Although God would heal the land of any of His people that complied with His Word.

Bible, Authorized King James Version:
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If the land of a people is sick, then the food grown on that land will not be able to provide the proper sustenance for the people of that land and the people will get sick, sicker and sickest. There is so much to be dealt with in food growth, production and distribution that it is outside of the scope of this article, but God has provided health care for all people regardless of the current food problems.

First, God designed the body to heal itself. Almost every doctor and health care professional knows this. A doctor can set a broken arm, but the bone refuses itself together. Once a cause is removed, if removed in time, the symptoms will disappear. Even a tiny splinter would kill you if it wasn’t battled until it is ejected from the body and the wound is healed.

There are many herbs and foods that serve man by aiding in or jump starting the healing process for the body.
Psalms 104:14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

The apex of God’s health care or healing plan is in the awesome power of His Word, whether it is spoken, written or incarnate (Jesus Christ).
Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

God’s Word is healing in itself, because it is light instead of darkness. God’s Word is life and makes life available to all those who believe it no matter where they live or who they are. God is so gracious and loving that even unbelievers in Jesus Christ can be and are healed divinely at times as long as they believe to be healed. So, I would like to prescribe to you the healings in the Bible. Take at least one of these a day and pray (believe) to receive. And please note that there are no incurable diseases. Only your negative believing can make a disease incurable. God can and will heal them all. [READ ENTIRE COLUMN]

Things can be tough, but God Is There

"In the darkest time, God is there," says Marty of Diamond Rio.

There is no doubt that you may want to share this with your friends and relatives that may be going through a dark time. You may be surprised how much better you will feel to be able to support others that are going through "dark times."

It's all about lifting others up.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

By John Kubicek

It wasn't long ago - or at least I didn't think it was long ago until I realized it has now been three weeks - when I posted "Don't Give Up!". The music and the lyrics of that song by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush hit me hard, in a good way. It was what I needed to hear at that time.

So, last night, I had another deja vu moment. I accidently found this song, and then searched and found the lyrics. I came across a song that not only had I not heard for decades, but hadn't even thought about it. When I came across this one, it also hit me hard. Once again, it was another wonderful surprise to hear this song, and I'm sure it was no coincidence that this great song came back into my life at this time, for a reason! Listen to this song, and read the lyrics. It is a continuation of the theme, "Don't Give Up." I'll explain after you see this, hear this, and read the lyrics:

The Lyrics for "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" ~ By The Hollies

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there

For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share

And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

In "Don't Give Up," the theme was about having somebody give us encouragement during difficult times. The focus was on the part that Peter Gabriel sung, from his perspective, having somebody there for him, giving him a lot of tender loving care, and keeping him going. But, in this song, it would be from the perspective of the person giving the tender loving care. This song would be from the perspective of the words that Kate Bush had sung. It is from the perspective of those of us that have a burden of caring for somebody else above ourselves.

Isn't it amazing how our Lord has set this all up?

Our own burdens seem so much lighter when we go out and help to carry somebody else's burdens! The more we care about helping out somebody else, the more we tend to forget - and not worry - about what faces us, and the burdens that we carry!

And in hearing this song, you will find that Love lightens the load, our love will make the load to be no burden at all!

I think that the Lord has taught us something today. I know that I learned something, anyway. My life just became a little better, even if it is a long, long road. Loving people, it "Doesn't weigh me down at all." Again, read this segment of the lyrics:

"If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another"

Does God exist? If so, what are His attributes?

Let's get a little scientific... shall we?

I know, it has been way too long since I've posted anything here. I'll be honest, I've been busy on other projects, much having to do with the political side of my blogs. I don't feel bad about that, either, by the way. God has a purpose for all of us. We can't all be pastors. Some of us have to do what we need to do for God in our way, using our talents. A great example would be Mike Huckabee. He's been a pastor, a governor, ran for President, and now a great host on Fox News, not to mention a frequent guest on Fox and Friends.

But I digress. I saw the following in a great email this morning from my good friend Susan, and felt it highly worthy of being shared in this venue.

Does God exist? If so, what are His attributes? Is He a God of Love? Is He an angry God? Is He passive and complacent? Has He revealed His demeanor at all? Saul of Tarsus, commonly known as Paul the Apostle, a first century theologian, wrote to the Christian Church at Rome, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). According to Paul, if we make an unbiased investigation of the world around us, we can determine God's existence and His attributes by merely observing the things of nature. In essence, by examining creation we can discover the Creator.

God: Necessity or Convenience?

Is God necessary, or merely convenient? 20th century science successfully proved with certainty that the universe is not eternal -- that it did have a beginning. An eternal universe is contrary to our Natural Laws (laws that remain unbroken within the observable universe). Furthermore, beginning with Einstein's Theory of Relativity, science has determined that space and time are intertwined. So much so, in fact, that they are no longer separate concepts, but referred to as the "space-time continuum." Once upon a time, there was a time when there was no time. Thus, explaining our origins by pointing to the eternal existence of the universe is no longer a valid position. Now, there are only two options to answer the riddle of the existence of all things: Either Someone made the world, or else the world made itself.

The first option is summed up by this formula: Matter + energy + information = concept and design (creation). The alternative is expressed by this formula: Matter + energy + time + random chance = complexity and apparent design (an incredible accident).

God: Concept & Design Revealed!

Do we see God's handiwork? Over several millennia, mankind has developed an appreciation of the beauty and complexity of the universe. However, it wasn't until 1953, with the discovery of the structure of DNA molecule by James Watson and Francis Crick, that mankind finally began to understand the incredible design that permeates all life. Anyone who truly investigates the mystery of the DNA molecule -- this incredible micro, digital, error-correcting, redundant, self duplicating, information storage and retrieval system, with its own inherent language convention, that has the potential to develop any organism from raw biological material -- understands that life is the result of concept and design. Information Science tells us that concept and design can only result from a mind. Therefore, a Creator is the scientific default for all that we see. Unless mankind is able to identify a natural mechanism by which the universe could have created itself, a Creator is necessary.

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(Read God Part 1 First)

God: Validated by Scientific Endeavor

In an attempt to disprove the necessity of God, graduate student Stanley Miller performed the famous Miller-Urey "spark and soup" experiment in 1953. Miller based his experiment on observations made by Harold Urey in 1952 regarding necessary atmospheric conditions for Spontaneous Generation of the "building blocks" of life. The ironic result of Miller's work was the validation of the Creation argument. Urey demonstrated that the presupposed atmospheric conditions of primitive earth were lethal to the "building blocks" of life. Oxygen destroys amino acids. However, without oxygen to deflect UV light, UV destroys amino acids. Thus, life can't develop as a result of Spontaneous Generation with or without oxygen. Geology indicates oxygen has always been a part of earth's atmosphere (every layer of strata, including the lowest layers, consist of oxidized rock). Furthermore, Miller demonstrated that Spontaneous Generation creates material lethal to life's "building blocks." The Miller-Urey experiment produced 85% tar, which is poisonous to life. Actually, Miller's experiment only produced amino acid "building blocks" in very small amounts (approximately 1.9% of the total product), but they themselves were harmful to life due to their structural makeup. The principle of "chirality" requires that all amino acids in proteins be 'left-handed', while all sugars in DNA and RNA, be 'right-handed'. Miller's experiment produced roughly equal amounts of left and right-handed material, thus establishing the mathematical absurdity of creating even the basic elements of life from a "spark and soup" process. Miller also demonstrated the necessity of information in his designed process. Miller performed the experiment twice, once under "natural" random conditions, and a second time using a manmade "trap" to keep the resultant amino acids from being zapped and destroyed by subsequent sparks. The first test, which represented "natural" random chance, produced no amino acids. Thus, science, even in an attempt to disprove God, further demonstrated the necessity for a Creator.

God: His Attributes

So what are the attributes of this Creator God? First of all, the Natural Law of Cause and Effect states that an effect is always less than its cause. If all of the energy in the universe came from God, it stands to reason that God is all-powerful (Omnipotent). If all the combined knowledge of mankind is the result of God, it's logical to propose that He is all-knowing (Omniscient).. If everything we see originally came from an unseen God, it holds that He exists outside our physical dimensions (Transcendent). If all humans were created by God to be personal beings, then God must be a personal being Himself. So what does this Omnipotent, Omniscient, Transcendent, Personal, Creator God want from mankind? Surely, man was created for a reason. What is it that all personal beings want? The answer: a personal relationship with other personal beings.

God: His Purpose for Creation

Interestingly, the Bible describes God as an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Transcendent, Personal Creator who wants a personal relationship with mankind. However, mankind is separated from God by sin, a result of His gift of freewill. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that there must be retribution for mankind's crimes against God -- the breaking of His Divine Law. But that's not fair. We did not create ourselves with this ability to sin. We should not have to pay the consequences. Well, what would be fair? If God paid the penalty for us? "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10). "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

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Jesus said "Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." May you find Him now - He's right there waiting... and knocking... Can you hear Him?

Taking advantage of a crisis (In a good way!)

By John Kubicek

Rahm Emanuel was right when he stated, "Never let a serious crisis go to waste … it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before." Only, I'm sure he wasn't talking about anything like this!



Did you ever wonder when you'd have a chance to share the Gospel with somebody? Would you want it to be in a situation such as what happened in the above video? God had a purpose, and He offered the opportunity. The elderly couple survived the ordeal by making use of that opportunity. I'm just sayin' ...

Happy Independence Day

By John Kubicek

The following was derived from an email sent to me by a very good friend, Rev. Gerri Janeway. This came from an email by Bob Gotti, of Poetic Pulpit.

Faith of a Nation

An Unchanging Truth that truly changes some,
This is the work of The Spirit, sent by The Son.
The Father, The Son, and The Spirit are three,
And when we see Them as One, we are truly set free.

Free from the path of sin, as unbelievers we had trod,
Freed only through The Grace of an Unchanging God.
Once as a Christian, for we believed in His Name,
Our person and our lives will never be the same,

We strive to be different in what we might do or say,
However, some who have believed have fallen away.
As a Body in this Nation, we have truly been deceived,
And worse yet, by a peoples who do not even believe.

They say God Bless America and United we stand,
But, they fail to see the sin throughout our troubled land.
We are not truly United and divided we will fall,
For as a Nation our eyes are not on The Lord at all!

As a Nation we speak of our power and strength from within,
While we embrace and endorse all kinds of wicked sin.
Although we have Bibles, how much have we learned?
For even The Lord asked "Will I find Faith when I return?"

Copyright ©07/2002 Bob Gotti) / http://www.poeticpulpit.com/

Freedom In Christ

When we receive God’s Salvation, we are freed from condemnation,
No longer at enmity with our God, we’re now lead by Staff and Rod,
In Christ, with God, we have peace, a relationship that will not cease,
Saved out of the world of strife, we’re granted, by God, Eternal Life.

True Freedom from God we receive, when in Christ, we truly believe,
While in this life we are free of fear, as The Lord God is always near,
While seated now upon His Throne, Christ watches over all His Own,
And our Father has complete control, over every trial, big and small.

We can be free of discouragement, in The Spirit, who God has sent,
Sent to be our Counselor and Guide, to all believers, to dwell inside,
While in this life, to encourage us, as in The Lord, we place our trust,
With our eyes fixed upon His Son, through all trials when they come.

We too have freedom from defeat, for in Christ we’re now complete,
By saving us from the power of sin, we now can live our life for Him,
As His Spirit helps us to live above, all our trials, guided in His Love,
For in Jesus Christ we have victory, through His power from Calvary.

Believers today can rest assured, knowing Jesus Christ, as our Lord,
Even through life’s darkest night, we’re guided by The Savior’s Light,
With God’s promise of Eternal Life, through our Savior, Jesus Christ,
And we have this freedom eternally, all through the Cross of Calvary.

(Copyright ©06/2009 Bob Gotti) / http://www.poeticpulpit.com

Who’s Following Who?

Why do many politicians deceive, those in the land who truly believe,
The Word, written long before, these men stood on the Senate floor?
God’s Word, written by men of Old, regarding what God has foretold,
About the things to be fulfilled, not how man but how God has willed.

How can we be blessed by God, as these men with a convincing nod,
Speak to people across this land, while they assert a Godless stand?
Making stands that have inferred, new ways opposed to God’s Word,
Moving from our firm foundation, as they weaken this beloved nation.

How can politicians stand so aloof, while distorting fundamental Truth,
Only to further their own policy, while dismissing The God of Eternity?
Their ways are not apparent to all, as Knowledge of God is truly small,
In the minds of much of this world; as the darker policies are unfurled.

How can these men be so arrogant; pursuing policy, they’re truly bent,
On treading underfoot all God’s ways, in their quest for men’s praise?
Self-willed politicians, filled with pride, they cast all God’s ways aside,
Basing reason on human deduction, they pave the way to Destruction.

Are these politicians, truly deceived, by the power they have received,
Or fully aware of a darker plan, that is hidden from the common man?
A plan that’s known by many of us, who in God have placed our trust,
But, it’s God’s Plan that will prevail, while man’s dark plans surely fail.

Is there no Godly fear in their heart, while from Truth they truly depart,
Making policy on their own accord, dismissing the ways of our Lord?
In these days who’s following who, as mere men govern me and you,
Do they not realize and understand, God still reigns over every land?

(Copyright ©06/2009 Bob Gotti) / http://www.poeticpulpit.com

Slipping Away Into Silence

Some souls are considered foolish; some may be just a bit unwise,
As times become nearly ghoulish, all can’t seem to open their eyes.
Accepting things that should not be, accepting with a wink and nod,
Having eyes that will not see, minds dismiss the wisdom from God.

Some seem asleep in The Body, men who say in God they believe,
And ignore things morally shoddy, to follow men who truly deceive.
Aren’t we here to be God’s Light, in a world that is darker each day?
Instead of embracing what’s right, many appear to be going astray.

Today many of God’s Holy people, bought at an exceptional price,
Gathering weekly under a steeple, forgetting God’s Great Sacrifice.
We’re here to be vessels for Christ, to hold up high all God’s Truth,
But, it seems like we’ve been iced, frozen by fear of man’s reproof.

Have we been silenced by those, leaders without God who are lost?
By the devil they’ve been chose, to become an enemy of the cross.
Which side are you on these days, on Christ’s side to be His voice?
Or working for man’s empty praise, as in darkness he does rejoice?

The time may be slipping away, to be that voice for Christ our Lord,
It would be grand if we could say, all together in one strong accord,
That The Lord above changes not, and He’s coming back my friend,
And God has cast the enemy’s lot, and Judgment shall be their end.

(Copyright ©06/2009 Bob Gotti) / http://www.poeticpulpit.com

True Liberty

The day in which one celebrates, Independence of a union of states,
Independence from powers outside; freedom that was once denied,
The freest nation in this world, a point that others sometimes herald,
Causing many who are weary in heart, to come here for a fresh start.

A day of real joyous celebration, all across this now powerful nation,
As our voices together are raised, with full hearts a nation is praised,
Festive fireworks are always planned, in many cities across this land,
Celebrating what many of us see, as the greatest nation in all history.

Liberty we celebrate by proclamation, extends to all within this nation,
However that liberty extends only, to the borders of this dear country,
Beyond the borders and the sea, the nation’s people may not be free,
When many travel to other lands, freedoms turn into other’s demands.

Demands which turn into bondage, leaving this land of great privilege,
Privileges that others only dream of, as they look to this land we love,
A land that is so blessed by God, many agree, on this day with a nod,
But, forgetting Him most of the year; living so privileged, without fear.

There’s a freedom many don’t know, as their freedoms for them grow,
Liberty, from the bondage of sin, that captivates our land from within,
That freedom which we celebrate, doesn’t free men from Satan’s hate,
As the Devil leads a war against God, all across this land that we trod.

Freedom from such an evil foe, comes only when the Savior we know,
Who left all the Glory of Eternity, coming to earth to set captives free,
The only true freedom on this earth, comes to man, by a spiritual birth,
Through the Liberty in Jesus Christ, when in Him they receive New Life.

(Copyright ©07/2008 Bob Gotti) / http://www.poeticpulpit.com

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared
To all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and
Worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for The
Blessed Hope--the glorious appearing of our great God
And Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to
Redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself
A people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
(Titus 2:11-14 )

In Christ's Love, Bob Gotti

Please be sure to visit the Poetic Pulpit!

I am most curious, Mr. Obama

I bring you this open letter, with permission, by a great friend of mine, to President Obama. "Susie" asks the President where his heart lies. While the judgement of anyone is way above our pay grade, it doesn't mean that we can't ask somebody where they stand. We need to know. We want to know. Character matters.

The President has left us some questionable actions that may really make us ask the questions. "Susie" is not judging, but making an inquiry, so that we will know where the President's heart truly lies. There should not be any problem with just asking, right? But as "Susie" wrote in an email, "...if I get suddenly arrested by Homeland Security for being a 'terrorist' - by the new definition of the word - you'll know why. And that my intentions were Godly minded ones, not hate filled ones..."

I am most curious Mr. Obama, why on God's created earth you call yourself a Christian, i.e. a Christ Follower, and do none of the things that He has or would? In fact the things that you do do are completely and totally opposite to all that He is.

The Word of the Living God says that His children should pray for those in authority over them, and in obedience this I do in as far as it relates to what God Himself stands for..

Every night I pray for your salvation and for that of your family, too, as I know that the man is his families spiritual leader. I also pray for the restoration of this Christian nation to the principles upon which she was founded by the fathers. Just as I, too, again in obedience and love, always pray for the blessings of God upon His chosen people, the nation Israel. His written Word says in Genesis 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

God is not a man that he should lie, Mr. Obama. What He inspired by His Holy Spirit to be written, no matter how many thousands of years ago it was, Mr. Obama, He still means today. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of Almighty God.

I have spent much time on my knees recently, far more than at any other time in my life. Praying that we in this country will turn from our collective sins before and against the Holy and Righteous God. And turn back to Him in collective and united repentance, seeking first His wisdom and Will in all matters.

If we do not Mr. President? Then it will most certainly be just like the dearly beloved Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Grahams wife, said before she left this earth to go Home to be with our risen Lord and Savior. Ruth said these following words: "If God does not judge America for her sins, then He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."

I end this inquiry the same way I began it. Why is it that you call yourself a Christian and deny all that He is in the choices that you are making? The massive decisions you make as the person God has allowed to become the elected president during these biblically prophetic times will have far reaching and devastating consequences sir.

This is a most sincere question that I have been led to come here and ask you. And I beg of you for the sake of your eternal soul, and the future, if any, of these once great United States, along with the millions of unborn children who are silenced before they have the opportunity to even have a voice with which to ask anything at all.

I implore you sir, to look deep within yourself even as with humbled human hands clasped and uplifted towards Heaven, asking Almighty Jehovah God to reveal to you the truth of this matter. As you sir, ask this most important question of all your life of your own self.

For in the end - it is His opinion that matters most of all and by which we all will be judged.

Thank you very much for your time.

In Christ Jesus, I gratefully remain,
"Susie"

Can you only imagine?

To hear the song, click on the play button at the bottom of the following:

Please don't write me off while I am still alive!

A message from John Kubicek (the Editor of this blog)

This is the first time I've written here for, uh... how long? WAY TOO LONG! Yeah, well, go ahead, YELL at me! You have no idea what I've been through, either, now do ya?

Life has been exciting, to say the most. Just for starters, a new friend in my life, and another mouth to feed. That would be my adopted kitty, Pearse. You can read more about that here.

I had been planning on writing to let you know that I had taken a short hiatus from this blog. I had been wanting to do a few things to enhance the appearance of the Cross Tribe Network. I'm working on it.

But there are those times when I wonder how I'll "find the time" to do all the things I want to do. I found that there is a good locator device available that helps us to "find the time": It is called Motivation. How about some great videos to help you with operating the motivation device?

Let's start with the video, "In My Life," which shows us how Life is a journey, and we choose the path that we want to take:



That was such a beautiful song! It is the perfect lead into this next video, where Cedar Rapids native and PGA tour pro Zach Johnson shares some thoughts about perseverence, striving for excellence, and supporting those that are dealt the hardships of life:



And I'm not even going to say much about this one, because it speaks for itself. Folks, this is what our "choice" is all about. This is about the freedom to choose to excel in life:



I'll do my best to keep this blog going in the months coming. Right now, I am still looking for the time to get everything done. Translation: So much to do, so little time.