"I picked the baby up for a closer look. I noticed that its chest was fluttering rapidly. 'This baby is still alive!' I said. I thought they hadn't noticed."

Jennifer and Baby Garcia
by Jennifer P., with Greg Koukl

I was a new nurse on a new job. The night shift nurses were hard on the newcomers, and I was particularly easy to intimidate.

One night a nurse on my shift came up to me and said, "Jennifer, you need to see the Garcia baby." [not its real name] There was something suspicious about the way she said it, though. I see babies born every hour, I thought. Why do I need to see this one?

She led me to a utility room the nurses used for their breaks. Girls were smoking and drinking coffee, their feet up on the stainless steel counter. There, laying on the metal, was the naked body of a newborn baby.

"What is this baby doing here on this counter," I asked timidly.

"Oh, that's a preemie born at 19 weeks," she said. "We don't do anything to save them unless they're 20 weeks."

I noticed that his chest was fluttering rapidly. I picked him up for a closer look. "This baby is still alive!" I said. I thought they hadn't noticed.

Then I learned the horrible truth. The nurses knew, and it didn't matter. They had presented the baby to its mother as a dead, premature child. Then they took him away and tossed him on the cold, steel counter in the lunch room until he died. His skin was blotchy white, and his mouth was gaping open as he tried to breathe.

I stared at the little boy, trying to collect my thoughts. Inside I was in complete turmoil. What should I do? Should I talk to the supervisor? But she was involved in this, and I knew the doctors wouldn't do anything.

I slowly realized that this child was going to die and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The only movement I could see was the rapid fluttering of his little chest.

I did the one thing I could think of. I held him in his last moments so he'd at least have some warmth and love when he died, which I was sure would happen any second.

Just then one of the nurses--a large, harsh woman--burst into the room. "Jennifer, what are you doing with that baby?" she yelled.

"He's still alive..."

"He's still alive because you're holding him," she said. Grabbing him by the back with one hand, she snatched him from me, opened one of the stainless steel cabinets, and pulled out a specimen container with formaldehyde in it. She tossed the baby in and snapped the lid on. It was over in an instant.

I was in such shock, hardly breathing. I was a new nurse. I didn't understand the system. I was intimidated by these worldly and aggressive people.

Worst of all, though, I hadn't given issues like this much thought, even though I was a nurse. I'd just rolled along like everybody else. I'd never consciously asked myself, "Jennifer, what is really going on here?" I'd been floating through life as a Christian not facing the hard issues.

When I was confronted with a horrible situation, I wasn't prepared. I didn't respond with what I knew to be true about myself in Christ. Instead, I was easy to push around. I gave in to intimidation.

I can't express the failure, guilt and powerlessness I've felt over these years. In a profession that's supposed to save lives, many people don't really care. To them, this child wasn't human. In seven more days he would have qualified, but at 19 weeks he was just trash.

That baby was meaningless to the world. But God allowed this life to begin because it had a purpose. It was God's desire that this child be created.

That little boy was meaningful to God even though his own mother didn't even know he was alive. He was meaningful to me, too, because it was his death that God used to completely turn my own life around.

Thank you, baby Garcia.

Dear Mommy...

Month One

Mommy, I am only 8 inches long, but I have all my organs. I love the sound of your voice. Every time I hear it, I wave my arms and legs. The sound of your heart beat is my favorite lullaby.


Month Two

Mommy, today I learned how to suck my thumb. If you could see me, you could definitely tell that I am a baby. I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though. It is so nice and warm in here.


Month Three

You know what Mommy, I'm a boy!! I hope that makes you happy. I always want you to be happy. I don't like it when you cry. You sound so sad. It makes me sad too, and I cry with you even though you can't hear me.


Month Four

Mommy, my hair is starting to grow. It is very short and fine, but I will have a lot of it. I spend a lot of my time exercising. I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes, and stretch my arms and legs. I am becoming quite good at it too.


Month Five

You went to the doctor today. Mommy, he lied to you. He said that I'm not a baby. I am a baby Mommy, your baby. I think and feel. Mommy, what's abortion?


Month Six

I can hear that doctor again. I don't like him. He seems cold and heartless. Something is intruding my home. The doctor called it a needle. Mommy what is it? It burns! Please make him stop! I can't get away from it! Mommy! HELP me!


Month Seven

Mommy, I am okay. I am in Jesus' arms. He is holding me. He told me about abortion. Why didn't you want me Mommy?


Every abortion is just:

One more heart that was stopped...
Two more eyes that will never see...
Two more hands that will never touch...
Two more legs that will never run...
One more mouth that will never speak...


(Originally posted by Michael)

Sweet Eternal Heaven

The elegance of a single candle, burning in a dark room

The beauty of a sunset over the ocean

The vastness of rolling hills, stretching for miles

The splendor of mountains lining the horizon

The loveliness of fragrant flowers, floating through an open window

The majesty of giant trees touching the sky

The gentle sound of a river, happily bubbling down smooth rocks

The power of a mighty waterfall, roaring and rushing white froth

The peace of a starry night, sleeping safely under a tent

The warmth of a sunny day, dozing on the beach

The gentle embrace of a warm blanket, on a bitter cold day

The refreshing splash of water in the dead of summer

The serenity of a winter landscape, frozen in time

The vibrance of a spring morning, renewed with life

How do we experience all of the glory of this creation?

How do we express our thanks for this magnificent world?

Instead I ask, How can we fathom the greatness of our true home?

How can we imagine the grandeur of heaven?

All these things and much, much more

The beauty and life of Earth will be present

But the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father

The brotherhood of millions of His children

All of us perfect through Him, how can we know?

Oh, that I could comprehend the wonder of my Savior's works

He who went to prepare a place for us

We shall stand in awe at His glory, and tremble at His power

His deity we shall never deny, His greatness we shall never forget

And the home which He has made for us

Shall always reflect His love and forgiveness

With all the majesty and splendor of this present world

On a backdrop of unfathomable beauty

The simple pleasures of Time,

With the timelessness of never-ending peace and joy

All in a future without time

Even the apostle could not utter the things which he had seen

And had to live his days with the knowledge of that place

So then we must wait until our Father calls

Then we can live each day in His sweet eternal heaven

-Elizabeth Kristy

Give Thanks...

~Thanksgiving is Coming Fast~

Click on the picture-link below for stories, recipes, and Bible verses just in time for this holiday of thanks to our Lord for all He has given us.

http://www.geocities.com/firstjohn1seven

Wow...

Mark Cahill's October 2006 Newsletter

"And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us."

Acts 16:13-15

Open Hearts

I got an email the other day from a lady named Carly. She had an amazing story about her journey from the depths that Satan had taken her, to the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Here is part of her email below:

For nearly all of my life, I hated Christians. I stood against them, I persecuted them, I would go out of my way in attempts to prove them wrong. Everyone I know is still in shock at what happened. In fact, I think I am still in shock myself. Every time I tell my testimony, God is glorified. I feel blessed and honored that I can share this with you right now.

I was born into an abusive family of drug users and alcoholics. I have a long history of abuse in my past, but the most painful scars came from the wounds that no one could see. My parents would constantly tell me how worthless, stupid, insane, and hopeless I was...and even told me many things that I would never repeat. I became seriously depressed at a very young age. Even in kindergarten, my teacher said there was no light in my eyes. But I was very intelligent, so they placed me in advanced classes, and because I kept up my grades, very little was ever done to help me.

When I was a child, my neighbors asked if they could take me to church. My parents agreed, because it would take me off their hands for some time. When people told me about the Christian religion, about hope, love, joy, peace, happiness...I clung to it for dear life. But in every church I went to, finding rides with whatever neighbors would accept me, I would find hypocrisy. My intellect always got in the way, and I would stump the pastors, preachers, ministers, and priests with my questions, or my downright challenges. I recall clearly being asked not to return to a Catholic church when I was 5 because I asked the priest why they bow to statues when the Bible said that was a sin, and asked why they worshiped Mary more than God.

A few years later, in the third grade, I was hopelessly depressed. That year, however, I made some really interesting friends. One friend in particular was very well-read, and I was always going to him to learn things. His name was Nick. He would teach me phrases in French; he would teach me science, math, history, and music. I completely adored him, and listened to everything he told me. One day, he told me that there were other religions in the world besides Christianity. I was shocked, and felt even more anger towards Christians since no one had ever told me this fact before. I immediately became obsessed with studying every religion I could get my hands on. My parents moved us, and I lost touch with Nick, which pushed me further into depression, but I had finally found hope. Every moment that I could, I would study books about religion. I would finish my school work early and get hall passes to the library. I would skip recess and lunch and read about every religion and every deity I could find. I became a recluse, at the age of 10, locked up in my own little world.

I became a follower of the Hindu goddess Kalikamata, or Kali, and intensely studied the teachings of the Golden Dawn, which is a cult. I became highly involved in the occult and magick.

At the age of twelve, I was performing long and complicated rituals, I made an altar to Kali, filled with candles, incense, and even statues that I did indeed bow down to. I worshiped Kali while still studying about every religion I could find. I studied palmistry, tarot cards, numerology, astrology, herbology, and more.

Soon, I got into studying a form of magick called "energy magick". This is the type of magick you see in movies, and you've probably heard about, but I am a witness to magick being very real. I spent a lot of time in meditation, chanting, and doing what is called "invocations". For invocations, you plead with the deities, which I now know are demons, to come into you, and "bless" you with "gifts". By the time I entered high school, I had many "gifts", and I knew how to use them very well.

I had a lot to say. I began to stand up against Christians, and I became evangelical for paganism. Everyone who would listen to me, I would teach about the religions I knew about, and about the occult. Even the toughest skeptics believed me. I started teaching anyone who would listen, and a lot of people listened.

During this time, someone I had known for years began to constantly get on my case about my involvement with the occult, and with my pagan religion. His name was Travis, and I had known him since the sixth grade. He knew the magick I did was real, but he called it evil. I was highly offended by him, and much of my high school time was spent arguing with him. We never got anywhere, but I loved talking about religion, because studying it was my passion, so I did not mind having him around.

As the years moved on, though, I became more and more depressed. I became very suicidal, and my life was saved a few times. I just did not care anymore. Besides, I believed in reincarnation. I was more than ready to trade this life in for a new one.

I actively told Christians why they were wrong. I wrote papers about their hypocrisy. I found Christians who did not walk the talk, and I would verbally beat them down, and tell whoever would listen why Christians were the worst people on earth. I would do history reports on the Inquisition and the Crusades and give copies to people, and post them online as more reasons to hate Christianity. I would get into apologetics debates with any Christian who dared to try to take me on. I played the persecuted party, and would express how I felt that they were monsters for teaching that anyone who didn't follow their religion would suffer eternally in a "lake of fire". I enjoyed showing Catholics why they were wrong, and how they didn't even follow their own teachings. I did these things every chance that I got.

Then, my mother died. I was cold and heartless about it, because of how I had been treated my whole life, but things got complicated when my father got into harder drugs, abandoned my sisters and I, and I was forced to begin working full-time to pay the bills while still in my senior year of high school. My big sister adopted my little sister, and I was left to my own devices. I decided to go to college, and I was awarded full scholarships. I attended a very liberal university, and I soon found myself back in the occult, practicing magick with a few people on campus, and thinking about eventually becoming a priestess of a Unitarian Universalist church. I believed all religions were just different paths to God.

I started talking to my friend Travis more. We talked about religion, as we always did. Because I told him that I did indeed believe in his God, that I prayed to Him and even wore a cross from time to time, he stopped burying me under apologetics, and started trying to get me to go to church. He did not know at the time that I was still a follower of Kali, and set her higher than the Christian God. He kept giving me sermons to listen to and articles to read, but I never would. Finally, he got on my last nerve, and I agreed to listen to ONE sermon. I accepted the link that he gave me, opened the file, and proceeded to completely ignore it while I checked my email.

However, about half way through, something about the speaker's tone made me pause. I still hadn't heard what he was talking about, but I stopped to listen to his tone. I stopped and asked myself how he could actually believe this stuff. Christianity as a religion meant nothing to me. I thought, "Wow, he really believes this. He believes this more than I believe that 1+1=2. He knows this. How? How can that be?" Then, there was almost this voice in the back of my head that seemed to whisper, "because...it's true."

Something snapped in me. Everything shattered. Suddenly I knew it was true, too. I started asking myself questions, and that same little voice always seemed to reply. "Is the Bible true?", "Yes.", "Was Jesus real?", "Yes.", "Is there really heaven and hell?", "Yes.", "Did God really give those laws?", "Yes."...and on and on it went. I believed it completely, with everything that I had. Like a flash of light, everything I thought I knew was changed. My world changed. I fell down in tears, begging God to forgive me for my idolatry, for my years in the occult, and for leading so many people away from Him.

I restarted the sermon, and found out that it was called "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven", by Mark Cahill. The next day, I downloaded all of his sermons that I could find, and asked Travis to give me as many resources that he could think of. Mark Cahill's sermons walked me through the 10 Commandments, and I repented of each and every one of them.

I then listened to "Hell's Best Kept Secret" by Ray Comfort. The next day I hit the streets, street preaching. I called up all of my pagan friends within the next week, and preached to them. I went back to my pagan message board, and shared the gospel with them. When I wasn't reading the Bible, listening to sermons, reading books on witnessing and apologetics, I was street preaching.

I have now been saved for about six months, and I am on fire for God. Nobody can keep me quiet. Mark's sermons told me I "got to preach the gospel", and preach I do. I am now studying Biblical Studies in college, and I plan to live my whole life to glorify God, to evangelize, and to give myself to God. I am prayerful that he will use me to further His glorious Kingdom! I am so caught up in the wonderful mercy of God...His forgiveness for even me, a modern-day Saul of Tarsus...the miracles He has already worked in my life...I owe him all that I am, and I intend to give it.

As you can tell by Carly's story, you have no clue what the Lord can do with a seed that is planted. It is His job, and His job alone to open up the hearts of people. We must faithfully plant seeds, water seeds, and pray and watch Him work His wonders on the hearts of the lost. It might be a CD given to someone, a book, a tract, a conversation, etc., and the Lord can use all of that to get someone's attention. Would you please be a Travis in someone's life this week? Would you care so much about someone's soul that you will never, ever give up on what the Lord might do in their lives? If God can open up the heart of Lydia, Carly, etc., He can open up the heart of the people you desperately want to see saved.

Until the nets are full,

P.S. I thought you would love these two pictures below. They are from Baghdad, Iraq. Thanks for your prayers for the ministry and for getting the books into the right hands. The Lord continues to use the materials in many people's lives. Please pray for the salvation of all soldiers.

Click here >>> Soldiers in Iraq #1

Click here >>> Soldiers in Iraq #2

(In case you can't discern what is going on in the photos, they're holding up copies of One Heartbeat Away and One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven.)

Thoughts On...

Some interesting thoughts in the context of a Christian's actions on (and towards) "Halloween":

"Believers should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, either by participation or by any attitude that might indicate tolerance or leniency."

-William MacDonald (Believer's Bible Commentary on Ephesians 5:11)

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light."

-Ephesians 5:8-13

"Satan loves Halloween because it glamorizes the powers of darkness, drawing little kids into his realm. And it is paying off, witchcraft is exploding among teens today."

-Christian Youth Alliance

"Is there anything wrong, in and of itself, with dressing up in silly costumes and eating candy? No. But when it is associated with everything that goes against a pure and clean spirit (such as every Christian is supposed to have) there IS something wrong with it."

"Samhain (also known as Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas): The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing" (divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life."

-http://www.witchvox.com/ (a neo-pagan community)

"[Halloween] was the most magical time of the year; Samhain was the day which did not exist. During the night the great shield of Skathach was lowered, allowing the barriers between the worlds to fade and the forces of chaos to invade the realms of order, the material world conjoining with the world of the dead. At this time the spirits of the dead and those yet to be born walked amongst the living. The dead could return to the places where they had lived and food and entertainment were provided in their honour. In this way the tribes were at one with its past, present and future. This aspect of the festival was never totally subdued by Christianity."

-http://www.wikipedia.com/ via http://www.samhain.com/

That Time of Year

Yes... it's that time of year when people are getting ready for the Holidays... enjoying the cool Autumn weather... gazing at the beautiful colors of Fall... and being met with evil at every corner. That's right; it's Halloween time.

The following is an e-mail I sent to the host of a Christian talk show who has stated that it's "harmless" to let your children participate in Halloween activities. In the e-mail I state just a few of the reasons why I disagree. Also at the end of this post I have included some resources which tell of the pagan origins of Halloween (known to Wiccans as "Samhain" pronounced "Sow-en") and how they, and their present-day followers, celebrated it.
_______________________________________________________

Todd,

I heard you a couple of months ago talking about the issue of Halloween, and although I disagree with you, I want you to take the following as a compelling statement coming from someone on the other side of the fence, not as from an argumentative spirit. I know you are very busy, but I ask that you would read this e-mail in its entirety so as not to be left with an incomplete or misunderstood view of what I am trying to say and what my Biblical basis are; thank you. Any questions I have included are more of a Socratic or rhetorical nature, I do not require an answer.

The difference between the pagan origins of Christmas, Easter and Halloween, is that Christmas and Easter have been "redeemed" so-to-speak, by what they now celebrate and are associated with. What is there about Halloween that has any redeeming quality? What has Halloween claimed as a Christian celebration? It is still a night of greed, selfishness, and rejoicing in darkness. Its origins are of the highest blasphemy against our Lord, not only in that it was a pagan festival to honor their demon-gods, but that it was put in to practice specifically to dishonor what they perceived to be a day honoring the true God. Christmas and Easter never had such an offensive strike against Christianity.

The article below was written several years ago by a fifteen year old Christian. This teenager had been brought up their entire life without having ever participated in any Halloween or Harvest event on October the 31st, and does not regret it. They never felt left out, they never felt as though they were missing out on something wonderful or essential to a normal childhood.

As the author of this article states, what is the fruit of Halloween? What traits does it bring out in our children? Why must Christians always try to sanitize the world for their children, instead of keeping them out of it so that they can be a light in the darkness? Is there anything wrong, in and of itself, with dressing up in silly costumes and eating candy? No. But when it is associated with everything that goes against a pure and clean spirit (such as every Christian is supposed to have) there IS something wrong with it.

The Bible says, "You shall know them by their fruits... a tree does not bear both good fruit and bad... a spring does not yield both sweet and bitter water."

This is just my opinion about Halloween, although I do feel that I have Biblical grounds for it. Frankly, it scares me to think that millions of Christians are participating in something that displeases God. There is a big difference between what God allows and what He likes. Remember "all things permissible, not all things profitable"?

Just as the writer of this article, I too was brought up never having celebrated Halloween it in any way, shape or form, along with two siblings. Yet, we are not so weak minded as to feel we have missed out on something at all. And I would hope that no other Christian children are.

-Kristina
_______________________________________

"Abstain from all appearance* of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22

The Truth About Halloween

Witches, devils, goblins, ghosts. Are we really abstaining from ALL appearance of evil when we condone the use of these evil symbols to represent our families on the night of Halloween?

What about the "innocent" princesses and super-heroes? What are they participating in? Anyway you look at it they are using this night for greed. On what other night do children threaten their neighbors for candy? It has to be the one night that is admittedly evil.

Did you know that most, if not all, Satanic cults practice crude and disgusting rituals on this night, and consider it a "high holy" day? Did you ever realize that when we participate in any kind of events on this night we are heeding their night to be celebrated, even though it represents everything we are to abhor?

What about this: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control? How many of these fruits of the Spirit of God are shown from anyone you know on Halloween? More important, how many do YOU show?

Think twice before allowing your children, or you yourself to participate in any of the events on this evil night. Because even though you may not be THINKING bad things, or DOING bad things, simply by participating in any way, you are by your actions giving glory the enemy of your God and Savior. One of Satan's biggest lies is, "It's fun! It FEELS good! How could it be sin?"

One more thing to consider is that even the pagans and Satan worshippers don't participate in our Holidays. On Christmas and Easter they disgrace themselves and others by profanity, and drunkenness, and many other things I cannot even mention. So, when even the followers of the enemy are disgusted at our beliefs and the special days that represent them, why are we celebrating along with them on their "holy" days? What does that say about the Christian faith?

Are we supposed to have mushy feelings towards the people who do abominations to God? Aren't things like Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings only going against what God has told us to do? The root of these kinds of entertainment is to cheer on the appointed "hero", who is usually heavily involved in magic, fortune telling (soothsaying), spirit conjuring, etc.

I could go into next week telling about the origins of Halloween. About how it was originated to mock what people thought to be a holy day on honor of the Saints. But I know that if you are truly following God, the Holy Spirit will tell you what is wrong with what so many "Christians" have been doing for so many years.

I believe that unless it is for purely evangelistic purposes, no true Christian should participate in ANY events on Halloween night. Having a harvest party on Halloween night is very transparent, because harvest isn't anywhere near the 31st of October. Why should the children of God want to get mixed up with the lost souls who find October 31st the most "fun" night of the year? Shouldn't Christians be PREVENTING trouble, not PARTICIPATING in it?

Please, think about this scripture, and look even further into the bible about how God forbids things like fortune telling, channeling spirits, and looking for dead spirits.

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Here are some more bible verses showing repeatedly that God does not approve of magic and the like:

(Leviticus 19:26) Nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.

(2 Kings 17:17) And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(2 Kings 21:6) Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(2 Chronicles 33:6) Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(Deuteronomy 18:10) "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you."

(Joshua 13:22) "The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them."

"Definition: DIVINATION AND MAGIC: An attempt to contact supernatural powers to determine answers to questions hidden to humans and usually involving the future."
~"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness."~
~*Psalm 101:3-4*~

~"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."~
~*Matthew 10:42*~

~"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."~
~*Revelation 1:3*~

*The word translated "appearance" here (sometimes translated "forms") is the Greek word eidos (i'-dos) which means "a view, that is, form (literally or figuratively):—appearance, fashion, shape, sight"

September 2004 (originally appeared on the BFN Newsletter website October 2004)
__________________________________________________

Want to learn about (the real) Halloween from those who practice it in all its glory? Go to: http://www.witchvox.com/

It's pretty sad... I mean it's sad that Christians would want to have any part in this evil, abominable, blasphemous, abhorrant, totally anti-God celebration. The god of this world must be loving us this time of year.

-Kristina

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INDEX: Samhain (Halloween)
Posted by: Witchvox Central
(October 31st -Nov 1st) also known as: Halloween, ShadowFest, Martinmas, Old Hallowmas

The Last Harvest. The Earth nods a sad farewell to the God. We know that He will once again be reborn of the Goddess and the cycle will continue. This is the time of reflection, the time to honor the Ancients who have gone on before us and the time of 'Seeing" (divination). As we contemplate the Wheel of the Year, we come to recognize our own part in the eternal cycle of Life.

(Source: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usxx&c=holidays&sc=samhain&id=1984)

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Samhain is the winter season of the ancient Celts. The Celts divided the year into four quarters: Samhain (winter), Imbolc (spring), Beltane (summer), and Lughnasadh (autumn). The Celtic year began in November, with Samhain. The Celts were influenced principally by the lunar and stellar cycles which governed the agricultural year - beginning and ending in autumn when the crops have been harvested and the soil is prepared for the winter. Pronunciation differs radically between different groups of Celtic language speakers.

Samhain Eve, in Erse, Oidhche Shamhna, is one of the principal festivals of the Celtic calendar, and is thought to fall on or around the 31st of October. It represents the final harvest. In modern Ireland, the name by which Halloween is known in the Irish language is still "Oíche Shamhna".

Bonfires played a large part in the festivities. Villagers cast the bones of the slaughtered cattle upon the flames. (the word bonfire is thought to derive from these "bone fires.") With the bonfire ablaze, the villagers extinguished all other fires. Each family then solemnly lit their hearth from the common flame, thus bonding the families of the village together.

Like most Celtic festivals, it was celebrated on a number of levels. Materially speaking it was the time of gathering food for the long winter months ahead, bringing people and their livestock in to their winter quarters. To be alone and missing at this dangerous time was to expose yourself and your spirit to the perils of imminent winter. In present times the importance of this part of the festival has diminished for most people. From the point of view of a tribal people for whom a bad season meant facing a long winter of famine in which many would not survive to the spring, it was paramount.

Samhain was also a time for contemplation. Death was never very far away, yet to die was not the tragedy it is in modern times. Of signal importance to the Celts people was to die with honour and to live in the memory of the tribe and be honoured at the great feast (in Ireland this would have been the Fleadh nan Mairbh (Feast of the Dead)) which took place on Samhain Eve.

This was the most magical time of the year; Samhain was the day which did not exist. During the night the great shield of Skathach was lowered, allowing the barriers between the worlds to fade and the forces of chaos to invade the realms of order, the material world conjoining with the world of the dead. At this time the spirits of the dead and those yet to be born walked amongst the living. The dead could return to the places where they had lived and food and entertainment were provided in their honour. In this way the tribes were at one with its past, present and future. This aspect of the festival was never totally subdued by Christianity.

On the level of cosmic event, the rising of Pleiades, the winter stars, heralds the supremacy of night over day, the dark half ruled by the realms of the moon.

In the three days preceding the Samhain month the Sun God, Lugh, maimed at Lughnassadh, dies by the hand of his Tanist (his other self), the Lord of Misrule. Lugh traverses the boundaries of the worlds on the first day of Samhain. His Tanist is a miser and though he shines brightly in the winter skies he gives no warmth. and does not temper the breath of the Crone, Cailleach Bheare, the north wind. In this may be discerned the ageless battle between the light and dark and the cyclic nature of life and the seasons.

In parts of western Brittany Samhain is still heralded by the baking of kornigou. Kornigou are cakes baked in the shape of antlers to commemorate the god of winter shedding his "cuckold" horns as he returns to his kingdom in the Otherworld.

When the Romans made contact with the Celts, they added their feast of the dead to Samhain. The Christians subverted the recognition of Samhain to honor the saints, as All Saint's Day on November 1st and named October 31 as All Hallow's Eve. This latter became a secular holiday by the name of Hallowe'en. Although using different nomenclatures, all of these festivals and feasts are celebrating the accessibility, veneration, awe, and respect of the dead.

(Source: http://www.wikipedia.com/ via http://www.samhain.com/)

Someone was once asked when all of the suicide bombing would stop in the Middle East. The response was chilling. "The bombing will stop when Muslims love their children more than they hate the Jews."

States I've Visited or Passed Through (Updated)

I just got back last Saturday night (the 7th) from a 10-day our-of-state trip, which is why I haven't posted for so long!

My mom and I left on Wednesday, September 27th for Knoxville, Tennessee. The following Wednesday we went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and spent one night there, and then started the 25 hour trip back home. We spent the night in the Dallas area, and then another night in the Baton Rouge area.

This updated map shows all of the states I have now been in.

They Sold Their Souls...

...For Rock and Roll

The End Times of the 18th Century

This is a very good article that was most likely written in the late 17th or early 18th century (I can't locate the exact date). It is extremely accurate concerning the state of this modern (and post-modern) world. His arguments are convincing, and his theology, while it may be questionable on other topics, is on target here. It definitely gives us a good reason to not only study prophecy, but get the Gospel out there before it's too late. I think it's amazing that he was so able to capture what studious Christians experience still today.

~Kristy

The Importance of Prophecy
By Sir Isaac Newton

(Article from the August 2006 Prophecy in the News magazine.)

Editor's Note: Sir Isaac Newton's book, Principia (1687), is recognized as the greatest scientific book ever written. In it, Newton analyzed gravity and the motion of bodies, demonstrating that the planets were attracted toward the Sun by a force of gravity, and suggested that all heavenly bodies mutually attract one another.

His greatest achievement was his work in physics and celestial mechanics, which culminated in the theory of universal gravitation. He was the father of the mathematical discipline called, Calculus.

In 1703 he was elected president of the Royal Society and was re-elected each year until his death. He was knighted in 1705 by Queen Anne, the first scientist to be so honored for his work.

The following is an article by Sir Isaac Newton, on the importance of studying prophecy. Its grammar is updated somewhat for clarity in modern English.

______________________________

If the prophecies that concerned the Apostolic Age were given for the conversion of the people of that age to the truth, and for the establishment of their faith; and, if it was their duty to search diligently into those prophecies; why should we not think that the prophecies, which concern the latter times, that we might be able to discern the truth; and be established in the faith? Consequently, it is also our duty to search with all diligence into these prophecies.

If God was so angry with the Jews for not searching more diligently into the prophecies, which He had given them to know Christ by; why should we think He will excuse us for not searching into the prophecies, which He has given us to know Antichrist by? Certainly, it must be as dangerous, and as easy an error, for Christians to adhere to Antichrist, as it was for the Jews to reject Christ. Therefore, it is a much our duty to endeavor to be able to know him that we may avoid him, as it was theirs to know Christ that they might follow Him.

You see, therefore, that this is no idle speculation, no matter of indifference, but a duty of the greatest importance. Wherefore, it concerns you to look about narrowly, lest you should, in do degenerate an age, be dangerously seduced and not know it. Antichrist is to seduce the whole world and, therefore, he may easily seduce you, if you are not well prepared to discern him. However, even if he has not yet come into the world; living amidst so many religions, of which there can be but one true (and perhaps none of those that you are acquainted with), it is possible that you may be deceived; and, therefore it concerns you to be very circumspect.

Consider how our Savior taught the Jews with parables: "By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall hear, and shall not perceive." (Matt. 13:14). As these parables were spoken to try the Jews, even so, the mystical Scriptures were written to try us. Therefore, be aware; so that you are not found wanting in this trial. For if you are, the obscurity of these Scriptures will not excuse you; as the obscurity of our Savior's parables did not excuse the Jews. Consider also the instructions of our Savior concerning that "latter times" by the parable of the fig tree:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors"
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:32, 33, 42).

Wherefore, it is your duty to learn the "signs of the times" (Matt. 16:3) that you may know how to watch, and are able to discern what times are coming on the earth by these things that come to pass. If you watch, you may know when it is at the door; just as a man knows by the leaves of a fig tree that summer is near.

But, if through ignorance of the signs you say in your heart,

"My Lord delayeth his coming:
"And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
"The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
"And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 24:48-51).

If you do not watch, how can you escape more than other men?

"For as a snare shall it come on all them that dew on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21:35).

Consider that the same prophets, who foretold our Savior's First Coming, also foretold His Second Coming. And, if it was the main and indispensable duty of the people, before the First Coming of Christ, to have searched into and understood those prophecies beforehand; why should it not be as much the duty of the Church, before His Second Coming, to understand the same prophecies beforehand (so far as they are yet to be fulfilled)? Or how do you know that the Christian church (if they continue to neglect) shall not be punished , even in this world, as severely as were the Jews? Yea, will not the Jews rise up in judgment against us? For they had some regard to these prophecies, insomuch as to be in general expectation of our Savior about that time when He came; only they were not aware of the manner of His two comings. They understood the description of the Second Coming, and only were mistaken in applying that to the time of His First Coming.

Consider, therefore, if the description of His Second Coming was so much more plain and conspicuous than that of the first; so that the Jews (who could not so much as perceive anything of the first) could yet understand the second, how shall we escape, who understand nothing of the second, but have turned the whole description of it into allegories? And, if the Jews were so severely punished for not understanding the more difficult prophecy, what can we plead, who know nothing of the more conspicuous?

We have this advantage above them -- that the first, which is a key to the second (and was hidden from them), is made manifest to us; and that we have the second, also much further explained in the New Testament. Again, consider how the Apostles instructed the churches of the first age in the knowledge of these "latter times" (I Tim. 4:1). And, if it was the duty of those Christians to understand them, which were not to live in them, shall we think that the knowledge, thereof, is of no concern to us?

Consider also, the design of the Apocalypse. Was it not given for the use of the church, to guide and direct her in the right way? And, is not this the end of all prophetic Scripture? If there was no need of it, or if it cannot be understood, then why did God give it? Does He trifle? But, if it was necessary for the church, then why do you neglect it? Or, how do you know that you are in the right way, and yet do not understand it?

Lastly, consider the blessing, which is promised to them that read an study and keep the things, which are written in prophecy:

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand" (Rev. 1:3).

To reinforce the invitation to take these things into consideration, the same blessing is repeated in Revelation 22:7. Does God ever annex His blessings to trifles, or things of indifference? Wherefore, be not wise in your own conceit; but, as you desire to inherit this blessing, consider and search the Scriptures, which God has given to be a guide in these latter times; and be not discouraged by the gainsaying, which these things will meet with in the world.

They will call you a bigot, a fanatic, a heretic; and tell you of the uncertainty of these interpretations, and the vanity of attending to them; not considering that the prophecies concerning our Savior's First Coming were of more difficult interpretation; and yet, God rejected the Jews for not attending better to them. And whither they will believe it or not, there are greater judgments that hang over the Christians for their remissness, than ever the Jews felt.

But the world loves to be deceived. They will not understand. They never consider equally, but are wholly led by prejudice, interest, the praise of men, and authority of the church they live in -- as is plain, because all parties keep close to the religion they have been brought up in. And yet, in all parties, there are the wise and learned, as well as the fools and ignorant. There are but few that seek to understand they religion they profess. And those that study for understanding, therein; do it rather for worldly ends, or that they may defend it; rather than to examine whither it be true, with a resolution to choose and profess that religion, which, in their judgment, appears the truest.

As is their faith, so is their practice; for where are the men that do no yield to anger; nor seek revenge; nor disobey governors; nor censure and speak evil of them; nor cheat; nor lie; nor swear; nor use God's name idly in their common talk; nor are proud; nor ambitious; nor covetous; nor unchaste; nor drink immoderately? Where are they that live like the primitive Christians -- that love God with all their hearts, with all their souls, and with all their might, and their neighbors as themselves?

The godly are not led by fashions and principles of gentility, but rather, by religion. And where fashions disagree, the godly do not account it rudeness to depart from fashions. I fear there are but very few whose righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

This is the guise of the world. Therefore, trust it not; not value their censures and contempt. But rather, consider that it is the wisdom of God that His church should appear despicable to the world, to try the faithful. For this end, He made it a curse under Law to hang upon a tree; that the scandal of the Cross might be a trial to the Jews; and for the like trial of the Christians, He has allowed the apostasy of the latter times, by calling it: "the hour of temptation, which should come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev. 3:10). Be not, therefore, scandalized at the reproaches of the world; but rather look upon them as a mark of the true church.

And when you are convinced, be not ashamed to profess the truth; for, otherwise, you may become a stumbling block to others, and inherit the lot of those "rulers of the Jews" who believed in Christ, but yet, were afraid to confess Him lest they should be put out of the synagogue.

Wherefore, when you are convinced, be not ashamed of the truth, but profess it openly; and endeavor to convince your brother, also, that you may inherit, at the resurrection, the promise made in Daniel 12:3, that "they that turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars for ever and ever." And rejoice if you are counted worthy to suffer in your reputation, or any other way for the sake of the Gospel, for then, "great is thy reward!"

Fall

It's just around the corner...~Click here for animation~

States I've Visited or Passed Through

create your own personalized map of the USA
or write about it on the open travel guide

Eyes

Take the quiz:
What kind of eyes do you have?


Eden
You have eden eyes. Eden is the color of water. Your eyes symbolize your great flexibility. You are a creative person. You can think of many good ways to get your point across to people as you have very good communication abilities. When someone feels down or is hurt, you have the remarkable ability to help them and heal them. If you have too little going on in your life, you may be withdrawn and depressed, timid, manipulative, unreliable, stubborn, or suspicious. Some words to describe you: peaceful, sincere, affectionate, tranquil, intuitive, trustworthy, pure, loyal, healing, and stable.

Actually, I just have brown eyes :)

My Generation

This is generation 'I'. Ours is the plight of possessing knowledge without understanding; being wise in the world yet ignorant in life.
--Elizabeth Kristy

Is Legalism or Liberalism Worse?

There may be something seriously wrong with your walk and relationship with God if instead of "How can I become more holy and Christ-like, and do things that please Him not my flesh?" the question you find yourself asking is "What can I get away with - how long I can swim in the wordly waters - and still be considered a Christian?" Which one of these does your heart dwell on?

All things may be permissable, but not all things are profitable. Just because you may be allowed to do certain things as a Christian, does not mean it will augment your growth, and it does not mean that it is pleasing to your heavenly Father. Do you find yourself saying and doing things that, while they may not be damnable, you know in your spirit they are not "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely"? Do you find yourself listening to secular music, admiring art, or watching movies and television that have ungodly content, or are based on a worldview that opposes the Truth?

The answer to those questions may shed some light on the inward struggle, and guilty feelings. We tend to focus on one part of our imperfections that we admit to being "wrong" about, and then we won't have to worry about the other side of the coin. If we focus on our supposed prejudice or judgmentalism, then we won't have to worry about our tolerance of sin. If we focus on our supposed legalism about the way others act and what they say, then we won't have to worry about our own actions or words. So many of these balancing acts could be settled if we just asked the question "Is it Biblical and does it please God?"

Yes, legalism may be wrong... but liberalism is just as wrong. Wouldn't you rather err on the side of pleasing, rather than displeasing, God?

Just a thought...

I've noticed a lot of "Christians" using words and terminology that I wouldn't normally attribute to Christians. Now, dictionaries are wonderful tools, and I sometimes wonder if we Christians would be pleasing God and growing more in Him if we would actually take the time to open one up and find out what we are talking about when we use certain words.

So, I thought we would take a look at one or two of the most common words I hear (and read). I realize this may come across as being somewhat crass, but is it really worse to define a term than to use it?

Word #1:

freak-ing (freakin')

adjective

Definition: an offensive term expressing strong feelings by its similarity in sound to other offensive terms [I don't think I need to mention which terms those are] (slang )

Source: MSN Encarta Dictionary (http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/freaking.html)

Word #2:

pimp (plural pimps)

noun

Definition: somebody soliciting for prostitutes: somebody, usually a man, who finds customers for a prostitute in return for a portion of the prostitute's earnings

Source: MSN Encarta Dictionary
(http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861726253/pimp.html)

My point in all of this is that sometimes we tend to simply go with the flow, and don't take the time to think about whether or not what we are doing is right and pleasing to God.

Jesus said that we would give an account for every idle word spoken. If you still aren't convinced that these words (and many others I haven't even mentioned) are not acceptable for a Christian's vocabulary, then think about this: Would Jesus say "I laughed freaking so hard" or "I'm pimpin' now"? I think I can safely say "No, He wouldn't." It's bordering blasphemy to even ask the question.

So, in short, I would like to suggest that we Christians be an example to the world. Let's try and think about what we say before we say it. Especially in an internet setting where you have the time to type out and read over everything you write.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

Let us be transformed into the image of Christ, in all our actions, words, and thoughts.

Random Thoughts...

My Jesus, my Savior
Lord, there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Lord of All Creation
Of water, earth and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth

"We must distinguish those things which God can use as tools for good from those things which are good tools to use."

"The Bible is so amazingly and bluntly true concerning every thing pertaining to life and living day-by-day. You could never find such wisdom in the writings of Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Gandhi, or any other philosopher, religious leader, or poet in all of history."

"God knows what it is to be human... He lived our lives. Yet He still says, 'with God nothing is impossible.' Who else would know?"

"May all my thoughts be pure and righteous, and directed towards my Heavenly Father as prayers."

"You will keep him in perfect peace; whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3) "The Hebrew expression translated 'perfect peace' is literally 'peace, peace.' Compare the word 'holy' in Isaiah 6:3. Immanuel will inaugurate this superior kind of peace (Isaiah 9:6 and 11:6-9)."

"If you abide in My Word you are My disciples indeed." (John 8:31) "A rose is a rose, is a rose without exception. A Christian is a Christian, is a Christian only when one follows his name sake."

"Lord, sometimes I feel like everything I need is in my head, but not in me heart. How do I remove whatever is blocking the road to my soul? I want Your ways to be deeply ingrained in my being. I want to always be in touch with Your will for me. Please, Lord, I want to know You. I want to follow always the path You have laid for me. Open the floodgates from my mind to my heart!"

"There are more lies in this world then there are people to tell them... But God seeks truth in the inward parts. Truth that is not pure is not truth at all. It's truth used to tell a lie."

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Time and Change

It's hard to believe it's nearly September. The Summer is all but gone, the Holidays are coming up fast. I only went to the beach twice, I didn't go to the pool at all.

This is how it's been for me the past five years or so. The time has gone by so quickly. Steph's been married for four years; Josiah will be a year old in November; I'll be 18 in December; Josh will be 15 (and driving...yikes).

Mom and I will be going up to Tennessee soon to "scope things out." I don't know how we will move in less than 18 months. There's so much to do. I wish we could all go up together, at the same time. I will miss Steve and Stephanie and Josiah terribly... yes, terribly. But God is making it so clear it's what we're supposed to do.

I was born here, in this very house. I don't know any other place. Yet, I feel like a stranger ... because I am one. I will never feel at home in this world. But, at least I can go be where there are other people who are waiting to go home, who aren't storing up treasures on earth. I know Knoxville isn't going to be the Promised Land, but surely it's better than the San Francisco of the Gulf Coast (okay, I'm exaggerating a little there). We won't know until we're there.

This whole thing is slowing sinking in, creeping up on me little by little each day... we're going to be leaving this place, possibly never to come back. You just don't know what you have until you lose it. Yet, it seems that the positives outweigh the negatives, if only in weight and not size.

I remember the illustration my Sunday school teacher gave one time: She took a jar and filled it with rice, which represented all of our own dreams, desires, and plans. Then she tried to put some walnuts in the jar, which represented God's plans and will for our lives. The nuts didn't fit, because she had put the rice in first. Then she poured the rice out, put the walnuts in first, and poured the rice back in. It fit perfectly. I think that illustration applies to almost every aspect of our lives as Christians. If we don't see the big picture, how are we going to accept our part in it?

I don't usually write such personal posts, but for some reason I felt I should start here. I'm fairly introverted by nature, and I have to consciously make an effort to be outgoing and friendly. I'm sure this stems from being home-schooled and not having much social interaction with people outside my own family. But, it's just another way to glorify God by putting to death my old "nature" and putting on the "new man." I've heard people say that it's not in their personality to go and share their faith with strangers. The thing is, I don't think it's in most people's nature to do that, and yet there are men and women of faith going out of their way every day to share the Good News. God doesn't call us to stay within the bounds of our "personality." He calls us to "go into all nations and preach the Gospel to every creature." That's a pretty blanket command, and He doesn't cite any exceptions.

I've also been thinking about the slightly more distant future. I mean, no offense to the Floridian guys, but I just haven't seen very many godly, decent, clean-cut guys my age here. If they're godly, they're beach-bum surfer-dudes, and if they're clean-cut they're probably legalists. Are there still guys out there that can be men? Do they intend to be the breadwinners of the family, or will they sit back and make the women work all day and try to raise a family and be a good mother and wife? Do they respect girls, stand up for themselves and their faith, and protect their families? Do they live to seek after God and become more Christ-like? Where can I find a man after God's own heart?

These are all questions I've had on my mind for the past year or so. It's not that I don't think God would bring me a good husband down here, because I do. But from the stories I've heard there are some really good, decent men to be found up there, too.

Anyway, it's late and I'm off schedule... another contributor to our dilemma of not having all our ducks in a row (the scientific term is a "severe non-linear waterfowl issue" ;) .

So, anyone who's reading this, please pray for me (and my family). I'm thankful for all the blessings God has given me. And I know it's only by His grace that we even have a place to live, so my fretting about the location isn't showing my gratitude very well.

Keep Looking Up,

~Kristina (John 16:33)

Website Updated

This website has been for the month of: August



In the Light Monthly Bulletin

Kitty Loves Doggy...

Another Survey...

This is the survey from Jessica's blog.

Everything I marked with an "x" is "true" about me:

Appearance:
[] I am shorter than 5'4.
[] I think I'm ugly sometimes.
[x] I have many scars (small ones, mostly cat scratches)
[x] I tan easily.
[] I wish my hair was a different color.
[] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
[] I have a tattoo.
[x] I am self-conscious about my appearance (just a little)
[]I've had braces.
[x] wear glasses/contacts
[?] I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
[?] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[] I have more than 2 piercings.
[] I have piercings in places besides my ears.
[] I have freckles.

Family/Home Life
[] I've sworn at my parents
[] I've run away from home.
[] I've been kicked out of the house.
[]I have a sibling less than one year old.
[x] I want to have kids someday.
[] I've had children.
[] I've lost a child.

School/Work
[x] I'm in school (hope to get my GED soon)
[x] I have a job.
[] I've fallen asleep at work/school.
[x] I almost always do my homework (when I'm given it).
[] I've missed a week or more of school.
[] I've been on the Honor Roll within the last 2 years.
[] I failed more than 1 class last year.
[] I've stolen something from my job
[] I've been fired (does a babysitting "job" count?).

Embarrassment
[]disney movies still make me cry.
[] I've peed from laughing.
[] I've snorted while laughing.
[x] I've laughed so hard I've cried.
[x] I've glued my hand to something (usually a finger)
[] I've laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.
[] I've had my pants rip in public (I don't wear pants that tight).

Health
[] I was born with a disease/impairment.
[] I've gotten stitches.
[] I've broken a bone.
[] I've had my tonsils removed.
[] I've sat in a doctors office with a friend (does family count?).
[] I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[] I've had surgery.
[x] I've had chicken pox.

Traveling
[] I've driven over 200 miles in one day. (I've RODE over 200 miles, but I wasn't driving!!)
[] I've been on a plane.
[x] I've been to Canada.
[] I've been to Mexico.
[x] I've been to Niagara Falls.
[] I've been to the Grand Canyon.
[] I've been to Japan.
[] I've Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans (why is that something to be desired???).
[] I've been to Europe.
[] I've been to Africa.

Experiences
[] I've gotten lost in my city.
[x] I've seen a shooting star.
[] I've wished on a shooting star.
[x] I've seen a meteor shower.
[x] I've gone out in public in my pajamas (when I was very, very young).
[x] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator
[x] I've been to a casino (it's called the Gulfport Casino... we just went Swing Dancing)
[] I've been skydiving.
[] I've played spin the bottle.
[] I've drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[] I've wrecked a car (I was a passenger in a car when it was wrecked).
[] I've been skiing
[] I've been in a play.
[] I've met someone in person from the internet.
[?] I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
[] I've seen the Northern Lights.
[x] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[] I've played chicken.
[x] I've played a prank on someone.
[]I've ridden in a taxi.
[] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[] I've eaten Sushi.
[] I've been snowboarding.

Relationships
[x] I'm single
[] I'm in a wonderful relationship.
[] I'm engaged.
[] I'm married.
[] I've gone on a blind date.
[] I miss someone right now.
[] I have a fear of abandonment.
[] I've cheated in a relationship.
[] I've gotten divorced
[] I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[] I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
[] I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.
[] I've kept something from a past relationship.

Honesty
[x] I've done something I promised someone else I wouldn't
[x] I've done something I promised myself I wouldn't.
[] I've snuck out of my house.
[] I have lied to my parents about where I am.
[] I am keeping a secret from the world
[] I've cheated while playing a game.
[] I've cheated on a test.
[] I've run a red light (not intentionally).
[] I've been suspended from school.
[] I've witnessed a crime.
[] I've been in a fist fight.
[] I've been arrested.
[x] I've shoplifted (I was 5 or younger... it was bubblegum from Blockbuster's... I actually thought it might be free).

Death and Suicide
[] I'm afraid of dying.
[x] I hate funerals.
[] I've seen someone dying.
[] Someone close to me has attempted suicide.
[] I've planned my own suicide.
[] I've attempted suicide.
[] I've written a eulogy for myself.

Materialism
[] I own over 5 rap CDs.
[x] I own an iPod or MP3 player.
[] I own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 a piece.
[] I collect comic books.
[x] I own something from The Gap.
[x] I own something I got on e-Bay.
[?] I own something from Abercrombie.

Random
[x] I can sing well.
[] I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
[] I open up to others easily.
[x] I watch the news.
[] I don't kill bugs. –I'm too scared
[x] I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for the sake of being able to rhyme.
[] I curse regularly. (NEVER)
[x]I sing in the shower.
[] I am a morning person.
[] I paid for my cell phone ring tone.
[x] I'm a snob about grammar.
[] I am a sports fanatic.
[?] I twirl my hair
[] have "x"s in my screen name
[?] I love being neat
[] I love Spam (Yuck!)
[x] I've copied more than 30 CD's in a day (minstry or evangelism material to hand out to people)
[x] I bake well.
[x]My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, red or blue
[] I wear pajamas to school.
[] I like Martha Stewart.
[x]I know how to shoot a gun.
[] I am in love with love.
[]I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
[?] I laugh at my own jokes.
[?] I eat fast food weekly.
[]I believe in ghosts (just demons).
[] I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
[] I've not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class.
[] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[x] I am really ticklish.
[] I love white chocolate
[] I bite my nails.
[x] I play video games.
[?] I'm good at remembering faces.
[?] I'm good at remembering names
[x] I'm good at remembering dates.
[] I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Website Updated

This website has been updated for the month of: July
In the Light Monthly Bulletin

Everyone needs to hear this...

Shocking Youth Message Stuns Hearers

So shocking and Biblical the

preacher was never invited back:

Exhortation to Prayer

What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy-seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of pray'r,
But wishes to be often there?

Pray'r makes the dark'ned cloud withdraw,
Pray'r climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings ev'ry blessing from above.

Restraining pray'r, we cease to fight;
Pray'r makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.

While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when thro' weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.

Have you no words! Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain;
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.

Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To heav'n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft'ner be,
"Hear what the LORD has done for me!"



-William Cowper

Kristina needs...

Hey Jessica. I did that web search. Some of these are really funny :)

Kristina needs your help
Kristina needs a two parent adoptive family with one or two older children or a baby
Kristina needs to stay at Sonny's
Kristina needs to update
Kristina needs this surgery
Kristina needs to find something to do tonight to keep her mind occupied
Kristina needs to stop thinking
Kristina needs to be here
Kristina needs sleep
Kristina needs to stop listening to emo music
Kristina needs more than a bandage
Kristina needs a fan club too
Kristina needs to send the receipt for the aprons to Danielle
Kristina needs an operation

Kristina has always been more of a leader
Kristina has always had a passion for public service
Kristina has always wanted pursue a career that had something to do with drawing
Kristina has always been a performer
Kristina has always had a strong interest in politics
Kristina has always loved dancing
Kristina has always been a strong speller
Kristina has always had a passion for helping others
Kristina has always risen to the top
Kristina has always been surrounded by music
Kristina has always loved animals, especially cats
Kristina has always had an interest in gardening

Some of those are true, but others are completely opposite of my personality!

What Ukulele???

I don't know anything about this guy or the song he's playing, but it's just... amazing.

A letter from Christian guys...

Girls, could we talk to you right out of our hearts for a few minutes? It is awkward for us to talk about something of this nature, in person, so we thought we would write our feelings.

We are young men who have been saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. We desperately want to live for Christ and not follow the ways of the world. Since we have been baptized (immersed) in a "Holy" Spirit, we feel in our hearts that we should live "holy" lives. After all, our bodies are the temple, the sanctuary, the place where the "Holy" Spirit lives and makes His home.

We know that guys and girls are affected differently, so since we desperately want to follow hard after God, could we kindly and respectfully ask you to help us with a few things? We realize that girls are primarily stimulated or turned on by "touch." Did you know that guys are turned on by "sight?" So when you are "aroused" (sexually awakened) by a guy's "touch," we are in the same way aroused by mere "sight." Let us explain. When we see girls who are dressed in a suggestive, revealing, provocative, teasing, tantalizing manner, our sexual desires are aroused. Our bodies are then affected.

To be absolutely candid, let us give you some examples of what we are referring to:

If you are wearing a blouse that barely meets the waist of your slacks and some of your skin shows while you are moving around, or simply while you are walking, sitting, or kneeling, our minds are geared to wonder what more of your body would look like further up....This causes our bodies to respond biologically, and suddenl we are fighting a war in our minds and bodies. And that war of lust is continuing often long, even hours, after you are gone. We hate this, because our "righteous man" wants to think pure thoughts....

When you wear low-cut tops which are in any degree revealing, or when you bend over, and they are revealing, this again causes us big problems in the flesh. Or if the back is out of your top, we automatically think that you do not have the undergarment on, and the Spirit and the flesh begin to fight again. Or when we see any glimpse of your undergarments, such as straps and the like, we have trouble.

What we are trying to say is this: If it is not for sale, don't advertise it. We really feel that the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaks to you and nudges you when it is too tight, too short, too low, or too revealing. Will you listen to that voice? For the Scripture says, "Quench not the Spirit." (1 Thess. 5:19).

Girls, do you know what we would really like? We would like to come among our Christian sisters and not have to fight and struggle in the flesh. We do not need to have to wrestle in the flesh at church or at church activities. We men, whether young, old, single or married, are faced with this every day among girls of the "world." But we would like to have rest in our Spirit man when we come among Christian girls. After all, doesn't the Scripture tell us to "come out from among the world and be you separate, saith the Lord." (2 Cor. 6:17) It also tells us that "all that is in the world, the lust of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (1 John 2:15) We are the church, not the world.

We know that people often use the verse, "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart," (1 Sam. 16:7) to condone anything they wish to wear. This is one of the most misused/used out-of-context verses in the Bible. Conversely, the fact is, if your heart is pure, your outward appearance will be modest....

Girls can be fashionable and modest at the same time. To be honest, we respect you more when your appearance is modest, as the Scripture commands in 1 Timothy 2:9. We really do not want the kind of girl who dresses provocatively, for we know that if we marry her, she will still be that way in the presence of other men once we are married.We know that we have Christian responsibilites toward girls, too. We must be careful to portray ourselves properly. We must treat you like ladies. If we are really committed Christian guys, we will strive to treat you like Jesus would. After all, you are daughters of God.

Thank you, dear Christian sisters, for hearing our hearts on this subject. Once we have conveyed the truth of the matter to you, you become responsible before God for what you do with the truth. We really are "our brother's keeper." (Genesis 4:9.) We know that there is a "cult of conformity" in our generation, but we as Christians "march to the beat of a different drummer."

Please, girls, do not say, "I don't care," but help us in these last days to live as close to Jesus as we can.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely,
--"Committed Christian Guys"

In Common With Jesus

I have something in common, with Jesus my King.
You see He loves me so much,
He laid down His life down for me.

They pierced His hands and feet
The blood flowed from His side
Beyond recognition He was beaten
Upon His head He wore a crown of thorns
He was bruised for my iniquities
He was pierced for my transgressions
And every pound of the hammer
He felt the sins of the world
Being placed upon His shoulders
Yet by His stripes I am healed

His love, His grace, His mercy
My sins, my Savior, both died on that cross
He willingly bore the burdon of the world
And all the hate I have made
And all the hate I have endured
Was put onto Jesus, Love and Mercy manifest
He gave me life, I could never repay Him
All I could ever do is lay down my life back in His hands.

And that's what I have in common with Jesus.

John

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend[a] it."

The Gospel of John is my favorite book of the Bible, and the Apostle John is my favorite person (besides Jesus) in the Bible. He was called, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." We are all Jesus' friends if we obey His commandments, but John was especially close to Jesus as a friend and disciple.

I like the way John writes about Jesus, and speaks of himself as a third person giving respect to Jesus and the other apostles. He focuses on the deity of Christ, as well as His humanity.
He was the youngest of the apostles, and therefore I think that he may have had a less tainted worldview because of that. Perhaps, unlike Peter who called himself a "sinful man," John hadn't been hardened by years of sin and pride.

He was given the privilege of seeing what would happen at the end times, when Jesus comes back. And he was able to make a record of it so that people today can know what to expect, and see the prophecies being fulfilled, proving the Bible to be true.

Here is the introduction to the Gospel of John in the Nelson Study Bible:

The Gospel According to
JOHN

The words "Read This First" have taken an important role in the packaging of modern consumer products. Most consumers think life is too short for instruction manuals, so the packagers state it plainly: If you cannot read the manual, at least read this very important part. "Read This First"- it is for your own good. The Gospel of John makes a similar claim. It is the only book in the Bible that states its purpose clearly and succinctly: It was written to tell individuals how to find eternal life (20:31). This clearly identified purpose sets the Gospel of John apart from the other Gospels. It is not so much a life of Jesus as it is a powerful presentation of His deity. Every chapter presents evidence-both signs and statements-for His divine authority. According to John, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, is the beginning of eternal life (3:14-17). What could be more important? John's statement about his Gospel is as good as a "Read This First" sticker for one's entire life.

Author

The author of the Gospel of John does not identify himself by name, but his identity can be learned from the dialogue recorded in 21:19-24. The author calls himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (21:20), a designation that occurs four other times in the book (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7). This was the same "disciple who ... wrote these things" (21:24). The author had to be one of the twelve apostles, because he is described as leaning on Jesus' bosom at the Last Supper, an event to which only the apostles were invited (13:23; see Mark 14:17). These details imply that he was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus: Peter, James, or John (see Matt. 17:1). He could not be Peter, because 21:20 states that Peter looked back and saw this one Jesus loved, and in another place asked a question of him (13:23, 24). On the other hand, James was martyred too early to be the author of this Gospel (see Acts 12:1, 2). Thus it is reasonable to conclude that this book was written by the apostle John. This conclusion is supported by early Christians such as Polycarp (a.d. 60-155), who was a follower of John.

Date

In the nineteenth century, many critics claimed that the Gospel of John was written around a.d. 170. Then in 1935 C. H. Roberts discovered a scrap of papyrus in Egypt containing portions of 18:31-33, 37, 38 that disproved their theory. This fragment, the Rylands papyrus, was written around a.d. 125. The Gospel itself must have been written before a.d. 125, or even a.d. 110, allowing time for it to be copied and then carried to Egypt.

Conservative scholars typically date the book between a.d. 85 and a.d. 95. The book makes no reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, implying that such a significant event must have occurred many years earlier. Moreover, the statement about Peter in 21:18, 23 seems to indicate that the Gospel was written when John was an old man. Only then would John have had to explain the death of Peter, or contend with a long-standing rumor of the early church. Others have suggested a date before a.d. 70 on the basis of 5:2, which indicates that Jerusalem was still standing. But there is a question about the interpretation of the tense of the verb to be. It is likely that the reason John used the present tense in this verse was to describe Jerusalem vividly, not to describe its present condition. Without more evidence than the tense of the verb in 5:2, the date of around a.d. 90 still seems most reasonable.

Theology

The Gospel of John is a persuasive argument for the deity of Jesus. It concentrates on presenting Jesus as the Word, that is, God (1:1) who became a man (1:14). Thus John meticulously records the statements and describes the miracles of Jesus that can only be attributed to God Himself.

Jesus called Himself the bread of life (6:35, 41, 48, 51), the light of the world (8:12; 9:5), the door for the sheep (10:7, 9), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way, the truth, the life (14:6), and the true vine (15:1, 5). Each of these statements begins with the words, "I am," recalling God's revelation of His name, "I AM," to Moses (see Ex. 3:14). Jesus did not say He gave bread; He said He is the Bread which gives life. He did not say He would teach the way, the truth, and the life; instead He said He is the Way, because He is the Truth and the Life. These are Jesus' clear claims to deity: He was not a mere man.

Then there are the signs of Jesus' deity. Miracles in the Gospel of John are called "signs" because they point to Jesus' divine nature. John records seven such signs: changing water into wine (2:1-11), healing a man's son (4:46-54), healing a lame man (5:1-9), multiplying bread and fish (6:1-14), walking on water (6:15-21), healing a blind man (9:1-7), and raising Lazarus (11:38-44). These miracles show that Jesus is God; He possesses power over nature. Other indications of Jesus' deity include the testimonies of John the Baptist (1:32-34), Nathanael (1:49), the blind man (9:35-38), Martha (11:27), and Thomas (20:28)-not to mention Jesus'own words (5:19-26).

Jesus was also fully man. His body grew weary (4:6), His soul was troubled (12:27; 13:21), and He groaned in His spirit (11:33). At the same time, this God-man was Israel's Messiah. Andrew told his brother, "We have found the Messiah" (1:41). Nathanael concluded, "You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (1:49). Even the Samaritan woman testified to Jesus' identity (4:25, 26, 29). Jesus the Messiah was and is the Savior of the world (4:42; 11:27; 12:13).

John urges us to trust in Jesus for eternal life. Our trust is built on our belief that (1) the Father is in Christ, and Christ is in the Father (10:38; 14:10, 11); (2) Christ came from God (16:17, 30), and God sent Him (11:42; 17:8, 21; see 6:29); and (3) He is the Son of God (6:69; 11:27; 20:31). John reveals the Bible's most important message: Believe and follow Jesus, because He is the way to eternal life.