Christian Men

Standing on the Promises~~Part 2

nobody@vox.com(Darryl) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:40:29 -0800

I began a series yesterday on "Standing on the Promises of God."

We wrote verses on the concrete floor of the rooms of our new house, before they were covered with carpet or vinyl flooring. Now when we walk around the house, we are standing on the promises of God, literally!

That's what we are doing at "Hallowed House," the first house we have ever owned. It's in the borough of Hanover, York County, Pennsylvania.

I call our house "Hallowed House" because we moved there on October 30th, a day before All Hallow's Eve. Hallowe'en is also known as Reformation Day and I know it well as my own birthday, too!

Yesterday I showed you the verse inside the front door of Hallowed House. Here's another verse, found on the concrete floor (later covered with padding and carpet, after all, it's a living room!):

Living Room Verse

Both my wife and I agree that we like this verse because it gives life a focus, praising God. It's also a prayer, recognizing that we are works in progress, not perfect people by any means.

Our aim is to live in such a way that we may praise God.

Let the redeemed of the Lord praise God!

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Standing on the Promises--Part 1

nobody@vox.com(Darryl) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:21:11 -0800

Before the floors in our new house were covered with carpet or vinyl flooring, I wrote a Bible verse on each room's floor.

Now, when we walk about our new house, we are literally "Standing on the Promises of God."

Here is the first verse I would like to share with you.

Front Door Verse

This is the verse we chose for just inside the front door of our new house. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples when he appeared to them in the Upper Room, after his Resurrection.

Peace be with you is a common greeting in the Bible. It should be more in use among Christians than "Have a nice day" or "Have a good one."

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

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Tim Keller isn't my pastor, but man can he preach

nobody@vox.com(NotConform) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:41:47 -0800

Tim Keller

The Evangelical Alliance has been pushing the whole 'the internet is great and stuff' recently and in that vein came out with this classic internet header 'Tim Keller is not your pastor'. Nice. Pulls in the Keller haters, who hope to take chunks out of him, while tugging at the heart strings of his fans, who'll come rushing to his support. Maybe 'Geek, get thee to a church' would have been a more accurate and still explosive enough choice, but even Christian celebrities (not that he'd call himself one, mind) can pull in the page impressions.

Tangent alert - I do not qualify as a 'successful' blogger really, but I do wish that Christians would stop using the cheap shockjock tactics in their headers to pull in the punters. Make it openly negative or controversial that'll draw them in. Really? If you have something to say that has value then don't be cheap and, yes, don't conform to the rest of the internet. If your aim is to pull in the numbers quickly then that is the way to do it. But is that really why you're blogging? Shouldn't you be praying that God would use your words to reach someone, not whether your Google Rank will help you get a book deal? Actually, I think my problem will trying to avoid writing controversial entries than headlines...

The issue wasn't really Tim Keller, but the disclaimer on the Redeemer Presbyterian Church's sermons page, where they felt the need to mention that the free preaches are not a "broadcast ministry" to encourage "'virtual' members". So yes, get to your local church!

There was a surprising response to this article. Quite a number of the comments seemed to suggest that the Christian community as a whole don't 'get' the internet and how Christianity needs to encourage virtual Christians to be relevant in our fast moving-blah-ever-blah-complex-blah world.

Setting aside the mind-bogglingly generalisation that the 'Christian community' would agree on much else than 'Jesus, he's great you know', a person emoting *raises his hands* or typing 'ROTFITS' (Thats Rolls On The Floor In The Spirit) in the chat room of CyberChurchInternational-Overflow5 is not the same as standing face to face with someone, seeing the anguish in their eyes, the tears on their face and knowing that you're standing with them to pray for God to breakthrough on an issue that weighs heavily in their life.

Okay, sometimes it's not like that. Sometimes it's just a pat on the shoulder or a smile or a sharing moments with people. But essentially 'going virtual' is about control; deciding when and how you're available or open others. You can't suddenly click 'Offline' or 'Block' when you're part of a local church. You're open and vulnerable to God changing you through other people. Surprisingly, our western individualistic, 'I'm a wild, free spirit' culture doesn't like that.

Note: oops, there is a website called CyberChurchInternational, but I really can't be bothered to change it now.

Sharing life isn't easy, but it's rewarding and it grows you. For example, I live with a couple right now and they've just had a baby this year. I've learnt so much from them about how married Christian couples communicate, how they are both one and a team at the same time. I've learnt how selfish I can be and how much patience God can teach you if you're prepared to learn. I've also learnt that baby poo can just go on and on forever, regardless of how tiny the nipper is. Seriously, King Kong would be proud of some of the deposits... but anyway, hopefully you get the point.

The internet is great, but it isn't a substitute for being involved in your local church. What it should be is an extension of church and not a replacement of it. That isn't an opinion that comes out of ignorance of the power of the web, or just my opinion, but rather a desire to listen to what God was encouraging us to do through Paul in passages like Hebrews 10:24 - 25:

"24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

If you're a new Christian, take a deep breath and step into a local church. Ask God to teach you about grace and what it means to be under his grace and be able to express that grace to your fellow Christians. The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace and patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. You are highly unlikely to grow in those locked away in your room staring at your computer screen.

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The god of "WRONG!"

nobody@vox.com(JudgeBob) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:29:14 -0800

Please forgive any sloppiness in this post, I've only got an hour to punch this one out but I felt it too important to let pass unaddressed.

Huggable and unholy god

Judging gods.

Ruth sent me an e-mail that warned of a book being promoted in our state run schools through the Scholastic Readership Program and pushed by Oprah and a slew of other celebs who 'feel' their spirituality rather than "Know" their God. So this one is dangerous because it promotes Oprah's feel good, real good form of spirituality. Conversations with God, Book 1

by Neale Donald Walsch
(Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc., 1997)

Book 2 has been on the best seller lists for 120 weeks and the secular and 'spiritual' people are loving it because it promotes all the anti-wisdom crap the unlearned in spiritual matters, love. Examples follow:

1.
"On a blank sheet of paper, I would merely write a question. . . and no sooner was the question written than the answer would form in my head, as if Someone were whispering in my ear. I was taking dictation!"

Walsch has employed a couple of really bad spiritual practices to write this book. The first is known as auto writing. The second is known as channeling. Look them up, these are practices which allow any dirty ol' spirit to 'inform' you.

2. ORIGINAL SIN

This alleged state of imperfection in which you are said to come into this world is what your religionists have the gall to call original sin. . . Some of your religions have built up whole theologies around this misconception. . . Yet, in order to justify the idea of a punitive God, your religions needed to create something for me to be angry about.. . . Sop you’d better do something about all of this… or you’ll go straight to hell. This, in the end, may do nothing to mollify a weird, vindictive, angry God, but it does give life to weird, vindictive, angry religions. (119-120. See also 136)

Only humans are judgmental, and because you are, you assume that I must be. Yet I am not…. (183)

The ability to discern truth is not our natural state. We are a fallen people, ie. programmed to love self destruction. a.k.a. sin. It is only through the study of truth, especially in spiritual matters, that we can overcome this love of self destruction. "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:6-8)

Walsch's sole authority is a blank piece of paper and his imagination. Oh yeah, and your willingness to accept what you want to believe about God.

3REINCARNATION

NDW: Is there such a thing as reincarnation?

God: You have had 647 past lives, since you insist on being exact. This is your 648th. You were everything in them. A king, a queen, a serf…. No, there is not such thing as karmic debt – not in the sense that you mean… You are not obligated to do anything. (204)

PSYCHIC POWER
Using psychic ability is nothing more than using your sixth sense. Obviously, this is not "trafficking with the devil," or I would not have given this sense to you. And, of course, there is no devil with whom to traffic. (205)

SEX
NDW: Is sex okay?

God: Of course sex is "okay." … Play with sex. Play with it! It’s wonderful fun. (205)

Sex is sacred, too… But joy and sacredness do mix (they are in fact the same thing)… You have repressed sex, even as you have repressed life, rather than fully Self expressing with abandon and joy. You have shamed sex, even as you have shamed life, calling it evil and wicked, rather than the highest gift and the greatest pleasure. 207

The energy that which underscores sex is the energy which underscores life… 207

Walsch bought and sells the idea that there is no limitation on your behavior or desires. There is no devil, there is no harm, there is no cost or consequence. If the physical realm teaches us anything, it teaches us that there is danger in ignorance and undisciplined living. The same is true in the spiritual realm. There are dangers that God is constantly telling us about, has given us oracles and the Bible to inform us about.

Please watch what your kids are being given to read and encouraged to follow. Don't allow the state run schools to be your kids' spiritual guides. Don't allow Walsch and Oprah and Tom Cruz to be your spiritual guides. Test every spirit and know whether they are your enemy or your friend. Be wise in the knowledge of what makes an enemy an enemy and a friend a friend. Teaching you to follow habits and practices that will lead to your own destruction or reinforcing the beliefs you want to hold is the work of an enemy. A friend will tell you when you are heading into a fun self destruction and will tell you off loudly and persistently until you straighten up and walk the way of real life and benefit.

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Alvaro Torres Debuts At #3 On Billboard's Latin Christian Sales Chart

nobody@vox.com(MusicDish) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:58:04 -0800

Url: http://www.bigdreamchristianmusic.com/

NASHVILLE, TN (Dec 2009) - Big Dream Christian Music/Indie Extreme recording artist, Alvaro Torres debuted his newest album, Muy Personal, at #3 on the Billboard Latin Christian Sales Chart. Alvaro is thrilled with the initial success of his first spiritually inspired album because it is different from his previous works. CEO of Big Dream Christian Music, Jorge Tarajano, says, "We are blessed and fortunate for the overwhelming welcome and reception of Alvaro's music in the Christian Ministry."

The city of Miami, Florida, and Puerto Rico have shown their ongoing support for Alvaro. People from these areas have listened to Alvaro's music for years and share a strong personal bond with him. Alvaro's Muy Personal is reaching a new audience through the Christian industry, and unsurprisingly still adored by his huge fan base. The veteran musical artist has won awards and earned numerous Gold and Platinum records in the past, and hopes to achieve the same with this album.

After being involved in a tragic single car auto accident where one person died and all were badly injured, Alvaro realized the power of God. The incident became the inspiration for this album's title and songs because God had approached him in a "very personal" manner. Alvaro is known for his array of love songs, and is now creating songs dedicated to the love of God.

Indie Extreme, which is based in Nashville, Tenn., represents musical acts ranging from folk legend Judy Collins to hit CCM artist Matt Brouwer. The firm partners with Universal Music Christian Group/Fontana for distribution and retail marketing, along with providing various label services to independent labels.

For more information about Alvaro Torres, visit http://www.bigdreamchristianmusic.com, or call Vanesa Hernaiz at (626) 324-2608. To learn more about Indie Extreme or our labels, visit http://www.indieextreme.com, call (615) 309-1718 or (281) 890-5034, send an e-mail to Lisa@indieextreme.com or kathyd@indieextreme.com, or write the company at 1507 16th Ave S., Nashville, TN. 37212.

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Thanks

nobody@vox.com(JudgeBob) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:25:27 -0800

I'm thankful President Obama's ideals are being exposed for the damaging policies they entail.

I'm thankful ACORN is relegated to the trash heap of insignificance which it so richly deserves.

I'm thankful the 'Global Warming Hoax' has been exposed for the money soaking big business scam it is.

I'm thankful most of all that God almighty is still willing to talk to me.

I'm thankful God concerns Himself with me.

I'm thankful that even the youth are waking to the facts of political ramifications to 'feel good' voting habits.

I'm thankful I still have a job in these hard economic times.

I'm thankful for our company's new managing consultant.

I'm thankful for a sound mind and a still mobile, agile body.

I'm thankful for the relative peace I experience everyday.

I'm thankful for the friends, neighbors, family and the team of co-workers I relate with every day.

I'm thankful for the sources of information at my hands now.

I'm thankful for the discovery of, and ability to recognize vessels of rich wisdom through those sources.

I'm thankful I'll be with my family this holiday.

I'm thankful opportunities are open to me.

I'm thankful God is always calling to each one of us to come into relationship with Him.

I'm thankful God is God and I'm not and you're not.

I'm thankful God's plan and behavior is perfectly consistent and constant.

I'm thankful happiness is attainable.

I'm thankful for the knowledge that "Thanksgiving" is the most important key to happiness. That's what makes this holiday one of the most important in our culture.

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2009 National Caring Awards Marks 5th Consecutive Year For Jaime Thietten

nobody@vox.com(MusicDish) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:41:42 -0700

Email: bob@chartnoise.com
Url: http://www.jtmusic.net

Nashville, Tenn. (October 6, 2009) – Jaime Thietten will be a featured performer at the 22nd annual Caring Awards, October 13, 2009 in Los Angeles for the fifth consecutive year. She will perform throughout the evening, as award winners are presented.

“We’re committed to spreading the caring credo: you can do well by doing good,” commented Val J. Halamandaris, founder and executive director of the Caring Institute. “Success, as we constantly stress, is defined by having a passionate concern for the welfare of others. To reinforce this message, we continue to broadcast a new standard of social responsibility. Behind all our endeavors - past, present, and future - is the central concept that one person can make a difference,” he added

“The Caring Institute has been privileged to be surrounded by many wonderful people who support us with their resourses and talents. Jaime’s music is so inspirational and moving that it beautifully complements our message of compassion and caring.” comments Kathy Brennan, President & Secretary of the Caring Institute.

Ms. Thietten expressed her gratitude for the invitation. “I have had the opportunity to sing for the Caring Awards for the past four years,” she said. “I feel honored being asked back to share music during the ceremonies each year,” she added. “It's always hard to fight back the tears as they award people for going above and beyond to help those in need. It's definitely a worthy cause and brings well-deserved attention to many people who are making our world a better place. Val Halamandaris and Kathy Brennan, who head up the Caring Awards, truly lead by example as they are two of the most selfless, wonderful people you will ever meet.”

About The Caring Institute:
For more information please visit: http://www.caring-institute.org
The Caring Institute's mission is to promote the values of caring, integrity and public service. It was founded in 1985 by Val J. Halamandaris after a meeting with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa said that there was a poverty of the spirit in the developed world which was much worse than the poverty of the body seen in the
third world and directed Halamandaris to do something about it. Halamandaris put in place an awards program and a system for identifying people who give back to society in extraordinary ways and holding them up as role models to be identified by others. The Caring Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

About Jaime Thietten:
For more information please visit: http://www.jtmusic.net
As an artist of faith, Jaime challenges us to look past the limitations of our humanity such as denomination, background and appearances which only create divisive relationships built on the fear of differences. Through her music she encourages us to see the Love, Grace and Mercy of Jesus, and that we are called to be as one through Christ. Her desire is to lift up, in hope and forgiveness, those who are hurting, alone and afraid.
During her 10-year singing career, Thietten has used her soaring soprano voice to garner radio airplay around the world, win major industry awards, and share stages with acts such as Phillips, Craig & Dean, Avalon, the Gaithers, Michael English, Clay Walker, Seventh-Day Slumber, and many others.

Media Inquiries:
Robert Morrison: Bob@chartnoise.com
Chart Noise
(203) 470-0149

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Jaime Thietten Announces Special Promotion With National Right To Life

nobody@vox.com(MusicDish) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:51:40 -0700

Jaime Thietten Announces Special Promotion with National Right to Life

Nashville, Tenn. (September 29, 2009) – Award winning recording artist Jaime Thietten has announced a special promotion with the National Right To Life Committee offering her compelling and powerful video My Chance as a premium gift for subscribers to the NRL News. The NRLC has posted a special link on their home page which states “A Pro-Life song so compelling it WILL save lives” and takes the viewer to a special splash page featuring Ms. Thietten’s video and the opportunity to receive it free by giving a gift subscription to the monthly newspaper.

Dave Andrusko, editor of the NRL News says, “When NRL Convention Director Jacki Ragan IM-ed me a link to the My Chance video, it came with Jacki's highest commendation. Had Jaime been available, she would have been a prominent part of NRLC's 2009 national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. You don't have to be a music critic to recognize talent this awesome. Halfway through "My Chance," it's clear that Jaime's voice is a gift from God. It’s an extraordinarily sensitive and powerful pro-life song. We are certainly looking forward to having her share at our 2010 national convention.” He originally wrote an article for his daily blog on the NRL site (www.nrlc.org) on April 10th, 2009. Mr. Andrusko received such an overwhelming positive response that he concluded the natural next step would be to offer the video to the subscribers.

With clarity for God’s calling upon her heart, Jaime is dedicating a portion of her music ministry to raise awareness and become a voice for the unborn and for those who cannot speak for themselves. Although she has never experienced an abortion herself, God has put upon her heart a passion to help those who have experienced this devastating emotional trauma to heal and find hope.

“I feel so honored to have NRL doing so much to help get the song "My Chance" heard. They have helped raise so much awareness about it and the emails and orders are coming in from all over the U.S. and even internationally. What a blessing it has been to be a part of such a life-saving song, I know I would not have reached as many people without their help. I hope, someday, to be able to give back to everyone at NRL for all they've done to help,” says Jaime.

About National Right to Life Committee:
The National Right to Life Committee is the largest pro-life organization in the world. Founded in 1973, NRLC has grown to represent over 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The committee has been instrumental in achieving a number of legislative reforms at the national and state levels. While NRLC’s most visible public policy issue is the protection of unborn child from abortion, the organization is equally concerned about euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the threat of rationing of medical care.
For more information please visit: http://www.nrlc.org

About Jaime Thietten:
As an artist of faith, Jaime challenges us to look past the limitations of our humanity such as denomination, background and appearances which only create divisive relationships built on the fear of differences. Through her music she encourages us to see the Love, Grace and Mercy of Jesus, and that we are called to be as one through Christ. Her desire is to lift up, in hope and forgiveness, those who are hurting, alone and afraid.
For more information please visit http://www.jtmusic.net

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AMERICAN FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN ABANDONED

nobody@vox.com(Humbled Infidel) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:05:53 -0700

AMERICAN FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN ABANDONED

God in Heaven protect our warriors from the Washington, DC arm chair generals as You alone are the Hope we can trust.

Members of Congress and civilian bureaucrats that can't balance a budget, spending America into eternal debt, participate in all sorts of immoral behavior, fully corrupt, can't drive themselves from point A to point B, speak at the level of 8 year olds, are only focused on a personal self serving agenda, totally devoid of courage, integrity, personal responsibility...in short are greedy cowards...with no credible experience in national security and less than zero military service, now want to second guess a seasoned military chain of command in devising strategy and tactics in the Afghanistan war.

The political apparatus in Washington, DC has abandoned our troops in harms way, indecision is allowing the enemy to refit their forces and costing American lives, has sent a message of American political weakness and surrender to the Islamic butchers, while giving scant attention that our warriors are giving their lives and blood while indecison reigns.

If Afghanistan is a "war of necessity" as the Commander In Chief says, how can any level of leadership allow our men and women to be without the resources to win??

Nothing is more despicable than sending men and women into war and then betraying them while in battle...it would be entirely appropriate for the military chain of command to withdraw all troops to safe areas, expect a victory position within 72 hours from the Commander in Chief with credible proof of resources to win, otherwise, the military chain of command resigns.

Not one more drop of American blood spilled while Washington D.C. leadership cowers in surrender.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

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Textbook Social Engineering

nobody@vox.com(JudgeBob) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:10:24 -0700

Part 1 Textbook Multi-Culturalism

Part 2 Textbook Anti-Americanism

Part 3 Textbook Jihad

Textbook Faith OR Not

Part 5 Captive Customers

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