ALL THE ESSENTIALS

Should a Christian listen to worldly music?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 14:02:00 +0000

"We’re trying to remind ourselves that the demons who took you away from us were always part of the deal. After all, it was the way you sang about those demons that made everyone fall in love with you in the first place. You fearlessly put them on display, and in doing so, brought us together and taught us to be more human. You had the biggest heart, and managed to wear it on your sleeve.”

The above is part of the statement released by Linkin Park following the suicide of lead singer Chester Bennington.
make of it what you will but for me I still question the wisdom of Christians listening to worldly music.

AWESOME GOD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:36:00 +0000

Christians are ‘evil’ for backing marriage, says Tesco R&D boss

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:24:00 +0000

Christians are ‘evil’ for backing marriage, says Tesco R&D boss

British Premier: Bible gives us values and morality worth standing up for

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:13:00 +0000

Cameron: Bible gives us values and morality worth standing up for

THE POPPIE ROW: WILL CHRISTIANS ALSO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO . .

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:56:00 +0000

So the whole nation were up in arms because FIFA initially refused the wearing of poppies by the England team? Will the whole nation now learn that Christians wearing the cross also feel so strongly about it?

Putting The Fear of God Into Atheists

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:35:00 +0000

Debate - Is God Real? William Lane Craig vs Michael Tooley

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:52:00 +0000

BBC on "No Dawkins" Buses and Reasonable Faith 2011 Tour (Oct. 17-26)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:50:00 +0000

The King James Bible bashers | Life & Style

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:16:00 +0000

CLICK ON LINK FOR FULL ARTICLE.

The King James Bible bashers | Life & Style

REVOLT IN THE MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA: THE CASE FOR CHRISTIANITY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:06:00 +0000

Photo Credit: BBC

Expectations, Great expectations and dreams of better conditions are the aspirations of most people demonstrating in the Middle East and North Africa, however, for some these dreams may never materialise.

The change for now can only be described as cosmetic as nothing apart from dictatorial rulers have been removed but their apparatus remain in place. The constitutions and laws that treat Christians and other religious minorities as second class are still in place.

The question is will it ever be changed? The names- Muslim Kingdom and Islamic Republic still remain but will that also change? These are questions that need addressing. As the wave of change sweeps across the region it is unclear what or who will fill the vacuum as there is no clear leader. No clear leader means no clear agenda and what to expect. Therefore this euphoria could very quickly turn to disappointment for many. This disappointment has already began.

In Egypt Christians and other minorities and women joined in the protests hoping for a better Egypt in terms of their liberties but have now been excluded from the constitutional review committee. In reaction the US State Department simply expressed concern that Women were not included. Is it too much for the powers that be to categorically state the discrimination against Christians must end in these countries?

As the birthplace of Christianity, the Middle East and North Africa are home to some of the world's most ancient Christian denominations. But a combination of factors including persecution and emigration have contributed to a massive decline in numbers of Christians. As a result Christianity in the Middle East today is an endangered species.

It beggars belief why the United Nations body responsible for preservation of cultural heritage UNESCO is silent about the strangulation of the Christian heritage out of every facet of life in these countries. Not even the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have had the guts to speak out in support of equal rights for Christians and other religious minorities. The spot light is always on different muslim sects and how well they treat or mistreat each other. There are pockets of communities all through the Middle East with centuries old tradition steeped in Christianity and these ought to be preserved.

In light of the above, the revolt through out the Middle East and North Africa should not only be welcomed as a victory for human rights but also should serve as a platform for reforms of religious liberties. Attacks against Christians is commonplace and in most cases orchestrated by the State. With the people of the Middle East now calling for change and the freedom of choice, it is my hope that this will be true freedom of choice and expression.

The people are fighting political tyranny and religious tyranny. The idea of countries being called Islamic Republic of . . . or The Muslim Kingdom of . . . is incompatible and inconsistent with the cherished freedom of the people. How could the international community look the other way when countries define themselves by a religious identity and exclude all others. Persecution of Christians is a systematic and sustained practice in the Middle East.

The truth is that these nations are much more secular than you think. To the utter amazement of everybody Syria in July 2010 banned the burkha from the countries Universities. Not everyone living in say Iran is muslim or desires to be one. So why is religious freedom not a constant part of the bargaining with these countries?

Christians in the Middle East have a right to their identity and culture, the right to worship in a church building and freedom to Evangelise without fear of persecution. Christians have a right to live in their own countries without being treated as second class citizens.

RETURN TO CONSCIENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 02:16:00 +0000

"I am quite satisfied as to the genuineness of the defendants' beliefs (Christianity) and it is, I have no doubt, one which others also hold." 'It is a very clear example of how social attitudes have changed over the years for it is not so very long ago that these beliefs of the defendants would have been those accepted as normal by society at large. 'Now it is the other way around."

The words of Judge Andrew Rutherford (JAR) in awarding costs of £3600 against Peter and Hazelmary Bull for refusing unmarried homosexuals and heterosexuals double room bookings in their home based guest house. As devout Christians, the Bulls believe that they are accountable to God for whatever occurs under their roof, hence the long standing policy not to let double room to unmarried persons.

JAR seems to say, yes you're beautiful and admirable people but unfortunately that which you call your conviction or belief or faith is archaic. Christianity is no longer relevant and pitched against homosexuality, it would be beaten any day. In one breath JAR appears to extol the virtues of the Bulls but in another makes them look like outdated religious bigots. He then takes the Bulls back to school in order to lecture them about how fast society has changed and their inability to alter their conviction to conform to society has landed them in this trouble and as punishment, charged them £3600. This high level disregard for religious conviction, conscience and Christian beliefs is sheer moral bankruptcy. In fact JAR words reveal how low society has sunken to abject depravity.

JAR by these words show he does not regard the eternal weight or value of conscience and conviction. To him they are dispensable to be sacrificed on the altar of popular opinion and not eternal principles. How appropriate is the law if it seeks to compel people to act against their deep seated convictions and beliefs and not just any beliefs but the same beliefs and principles upon which Britain was founded and continues to pride itself in. For the Bulls in this case their crime was to hold on to time tested beliefs of not just the fathers of the nation but a faith which goes back thousands of years with about 2 billion following today. It seems JAR did not think his thoughts through as he indirectly pitched the homosexual men against 2 billion Christians and concludes that the convictions of 2 billion people no longer matter in the scheme of the world. Amazing!

This is militant atheism at its best. Imagine having to preserve your conscience all your life living by certain convictions and principles only to be compelled to violate those in a ripe old age in the very democratic land of your birth. If the church and its leaders do not fight this ruling, we would have just conceded that JAR was right. Christians are now the nuisance of society and their convictions and conscience are of no moral or eternal consequence and could be sacrificed on the altar of equality or inequality.

The right to follow ones conscience is a fundamental human right. The sanctity of the individual and the individual conscience is the foundation of all our freedoms. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, all follow from the freedom of the individual to judge for himself or herself what is right and wrong, what is wise and what is foolish. Individual conscience is not infallible, but any political system that forces people to violate their conscience is surely worse: it is totalitarian. (David Chandler).

During wars people are allowed to object by reason of their conscience. "Conscientious objectors" (people who opposes war for religious, moral, or ethical reasons) are offered alternate ways other than direct combat roles to serve the national good.

It is clear from JAR's pronuncement that in a postmodern world, there are no absolutes. Compelling the Bulls to admit homosexuals in their own home is nothing more than religious persecution.

For the homosexual couple in this case it was a matter of choice in that there were other hotels to choose from as they confirmed that the police did help them find alternative accommodation. The Bulls on the other hand do not have the luxury of swinging their conviction around. They cannot and should not be made to sacrifice their deeply held convictions to satisfy other people's preferences. In recent times People have sacrificed their moral compass for convenience and society has lost its raison d'etre.

However, like Martin Luther (the reformer) we must rediscover our inner resolve in the face of hostile postmodernism and militant atheism. When faced with the wrath of Rome to recant his writings, Martin Luther said;

"Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy Scriptures or evident reason I am bound by the Scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience has been taken captive by the Word of God, and I am neither able nor willing to recant, since it is neither safe nor right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen."

Can we stand by our convictions today as Christians even if it costs us? Like Luther, we should not expect much from the church establishment. It might just be time to go it alone and lift high the banner of Christ in the midst of a hostile world.

PRECEDENT

The judge in his ruling has also equated civil partnerships with marraige. This must have come as a shock even to homosexual activists. (Refer to my blog, Sings of the Times). The reason being that the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) led by Peter Tatchell in December 2010 launched a campaign to redefine marriage in the UK. In a well orchestrated plan four homosexual men to applied for marriage licences at register offices across England, fully aware that it would be refused. Also four heterosexual couples also applied to be legally recognised as civil partners. Both applications failed as expected and now a joint application to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg claiming discrimination is to be heard by the end of January 2011.

JAR's ruling is therefore an interesting development as the ECHR in June 2010 in a test case brought by an Austrian homosexual men ruled that there is no universal right to same sex marriage.The homosexuals in their application sought a redefinition of article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights which states;

Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right.

The court ruled that states were under no obligation to grant same-sex couples access to marriage”.The UK government backed the courts ruling.

By his ruling therefore, JAR has amazed both homosexuals and heterosexuals alike including the UK government.

GOD IS ABLE! A Sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:51:00 +0000

At the center of the Christian faith is the conviction that there is a God of power who is able to do exceedingly abundant things in nature and in history. This conviction is stressed over and over again in the Old and New Testaments. The God whom we worship is not a weak and incompetent God. God is able to beat back gigantic waves of opposition and to bring low prodigious mountains of evil. This ringing testimony of the Christian faith is that God is able.

There are those who seek to convince us that only humanity is able. Their attempts to substitute a human centered universe for a God centered universe is not new. It had its modern beginnings in the Renaissance and subsequently in the Age of Reason, when some people gradually came to feel that God was an unnecessary item on the agenda of life. In these periods others questioned whether God was any longer relevant. The laboratory began to replace the church, and the scientist became a substitute for the prophet. Not a few joined Swinburne in singing a new anthem: "Glory to Man in the highest! For Man is the master of all things."

The devotees of this topless religion of humanity point to the spectacular advances of modern science as justification of their faith. Science and technology have enlarged our human bodies. The telescope and television have enlarged our eyes. The telephone, radio and microphone have strengthened our voice and ears. The automobile and airplane have lengthened our legs. The wonder drugs have prolonged our lives. Have not these amazing achievements assured us that only humanity is able?

But alas! Something has shaken the faith of those who have made the scientific laboratory "the new cathedral of our hopes." The instruments which yesterday were worshipped today threaten to plunge all of us into the abyss environmental catastrophe. Humanity threatens to destroy the world in which we all live. Unless we are guided by God's creative spirit, our new found scientific power will become a devastating Frankenstein monster that will bring destruction to us all.

At times other forces cause us to question the ableness of God. The stark and colossal reality of evil in the world - what Keats calls "the giant agony of the world;" ruthless floods and tornadoes that wipe away people as though they were weeds in an open field; ills like insanity plaguing some individuals from birth, the madness of war - why do these things occur if God is able to prevent them?

This problem, namely, the problem of evil, has always plagued the human mind. Of course much of the evil we experience is caused by our own folly, ignorance and also by the misuse of our God given freedom.

Beyond this I can only say that there is and always will be a penumbra of mystery surrounding God. What appears at the moment to be evil may have a purpose that our finite minds are incapable of comprehending. So in spite of the presence of evil and the doubts that lurk in our minds, we shall not surrender the conviction that our God is able.

Let us notice, first, that God is able to sustain the vast scope of the physical universe. Here again we are tempted to feel that humanity is the true master of the physical universe. Our jet propelled aircraft compress into minutes distances that formerly required weeks of tortuous effort. Our space ships carry astronauts through outer space at fantastic speeds. Is not God being replaced in the mastery of the cosmic order?

But before we are consumed too greatly by human arrogance, let us take a broader look at the universe. Will we not soon discover that our fastest rockets seem barely to be moving in comparison to the movement of the stars and planets? Think about the fact, for instance, that earth is circling the sun so fast that the fastest jet would be left sixty-six thousand miles behind in the first hour of a space race. In the past seven minutes we have been hurled more than eight thousand miles through space. Or consider the sun. Our earth moves around this cosmic ball of fire once each year, traveling 584,000,000 miles at the rate of 66,700 miles per hour. By this time tomorrow we shall be 1,600,000 miles from where we are now. Six months from now we shall be on the other side of the sun -- and in a year from now we shall have swung completely around it and back to where we are right now. So when we behold the expanse of outer space, in which we are compelled to measure stellar distance in light years and in which heavenly bodies travel at incredible speeds, we are forced to look beyond humanity and affirm anew that God is able.

Let us notice that God is able to subdue all the powers of evil. In affirming that God is able to conquer evil, we admit the reality of evil. Christianity has never dismissed evil as illusory, or an error of the mortal mind. It reckons with evil as a force that has objective reality. But Christianity contends that evil contains the seeds of its own destruction. History is the story of evil forces that advance with seemingly irresistible power only to be crushed by the battering rams of the forces of justice. There is a law in the moral world - a silent, invisible, imperative, akin to the laws in the physical world - which reminds us that life will work only in a certain way. The Hitlers and the Mussolinis have their day, and for a certain period they may wield great power, but soon they are cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.

In his graphic account of the battle of Waterloo in Les Miserables, Victor Hugo wrote: "Was it possible that Napoleon should win this battle? We answer, no. Why? Because of Wellington? Because of the valor of his opponents? No. Because of God. ... Napoleon had been impeached before the Infinite, and his fall was decreed. He vexed God. Waterloo was not a battle; it was a change of front of the universe." In a real sense, Waterloo symbolizes the doom of every Napoleon and is an eternal reminder to a generation drunk with military power that in the long run of history might does not make right and the power of the sword cannot conquer the power of the spirit.

Once an evil system, known as colonialism, swept across Africa and Asia. But then the quiet, invisible law began to operate. The wind of change began to blow. The powerful colonial empires began to disintegrate like stacks of cards, and new, independent nations began to emerge like refreshing oases in deserts sweltering under the heat of injustice. In a period of less than fifteen years, independence swept through Asia and Africa like an irresistible tidal wave, releasing more than 1,500,000 people from the crippling manacles of colonialism.

More recently a similar fate swept away the empire of Soviet communism, freeing nation after nation in Eastern Europe.

In our own nation, another unjust and evil system, known as slavery, for nearly one hundred years inflicted black people with a sense of inferiority, deprived them of their personhood, and denied them their God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Slavery was the shame of America. But as on the world scale, so in our nation, the wind of change began to blow. One event followed another to bring an end to slavery and the system of segregation that was created in its aftermath. Once long ago people justified slavery by quoting the scriptures; today we know with certainty that discrimination and racism are wrong. The only question remaining is how long their pernicious effects will continue to cripple our democracy.

These great changes are not mere political and sociological shifts. They represent the passing of systems that were born in injustice, nurtured in inequality, and reared in exploitation. They represent the inevitable decay of any system based upon principles that are not in harmony with the moral laws of the universe. When in future generations people look back upon these turbulent, tension packed days, they will see God working through history for our salvation. They will see that God is able to conquer the evils of history.

God's control is never usurped. If at times we despair because of the relatively slow progress being made in ending racial discrimination, let us gain new heart in the fact that God is able. In our sometimes difficult and often lonesome walk up freedom's road, we do not walk alone. God walks with us. God has placed within the very structures of the universe certain absolute moral laws. We can neither defy nor break them. If we disobey them, they will break us. The forces of evil may temporarily conquer truth, but truth will ultimately conquer its conqueror. Our God is able. James Russell Lowell was right:

"Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,

Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown,

Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own."

Let us notice finally that God is able to give us interior resources to confront the trials and difficulties of life. Each of us faces circumstances in life which compel us to carry heavy burdens or sorrow. Adversity assails us with hurricane force. Glowing sunrises are transformed into darkest night. Our highest hopes are blasted and our noblest dreams are shattered.

Christianity has never overlooked these experiences. They come inevitably. Like the rhythmic alternation in the natural order, life has the glittering sunlight of its summers and the piercing chill of winters. Days of unutterable joy are followed by days of overwhelming sorrow. Life brings periods of flooding and periods of drought. When these dark hours of life emerge, many cry out with Paul Laurence Dunbar:

A crust of bread and a corner to sleep in,

A minute to smile and an hour to weep in,

A pint of joy and a peck of trouble,

And never a laugh but the moans come double;

And that is life!

Admitting the weighty problems and staggering disappointments, Christianity affirms that God is able to give us the power to meet them. God is able to give us the inner equilibrium to stand tall amid the trials and burdens of life. God is able to provide inner peace amid outer storms. This inner stability of faith is Christ's chief legacy to his disciples. He offers neither material resources nor a magical formula that exempts us from suffering and persecution, but he brings an imperishable gift: "Peace I leave you." This is the peace which surpasses all human understanding.

At times we may feel that we do not need God, but on the day when the storms of disappointment rage, the winds of disaster blow, and the tidal waves of grief beat against our lives, if we do not have a deep and patient faith our emotional lives will be ripped to shreds. There is so much frustration in the world because we have relied on gods rather than God. We have genuflected before the God of science only to find that it has given us the atomic bomb, producing fears and anxieties that science can never mitigate. We have worshipped the god of pleasure only to discover that thrills platy out and sensations are short lived. We have bowed before the god of money only to learn that there are such things as love and friendship that money cannot buy and that in a world of recessions, stock market crashes, and bad business investments, money is a rather uncertain deity. These transitory gods are not able to save us or bring happiness to the human heart.

Only God is able. It is faith in God that we must rediscover. With this faith we can transform bleak and desolate valleys into sunlit paths of joy and bring new light into the dark caverns of pessimism. Is someone here moving toward the twilight of life and fearful of that which we call death? Why be afraid? God is able. Is someone here on the brink of despair because of the death of a loved one, the breaking of a marriage, of the waywardness of a child? Why despair? God is able to give you the power to endure that which cannot be changed. Is someone here anxious because of bad health? Why be anxious? Come what may, God is able.

As I come to the conclusion of my message, I would wish you to permit me a personal experience. In India Mrs King and I spent a lovely weekend in the State of Karala, the southern most point of that vast continent. While there we visited the beautiful beach on Cape Comorin, which is called "Land's End," because this is actually where the land of India comes to an end. Nothing stretches before you except the broad expanse of rolling waters. This beautiful spot is a point at which meet three great bodies of water, The Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal. Seated on a huge rock that slightly protrudes into the ocean, we were enthralled by the vastness of the ocean and its terrifying immensities. As the waves unfolded in almost rhythmic succession, and crashed against the base of the rock in which we were seated, an oceanic music brought sweetness to the ear. To the west we saw the magnificent sun, a great cosmic ball of fire, as it appeared to sink into the very ocean itself. Just as it was almost lost from sight, Mrs King touched me and said, "Look, Martin, Isn't that beautiful!" I looked around and saw the moon, another ball of scintillating beauty. As the sun appeared to be sinking into the ocean, the moon appeared to be rising from the ocean. When the sun finally passed completely beyond sight, darkness engulfed the earth, but in the east the radiant light of the rising moon shone supreme.

To my wife I said, "This is an analogy of what often happens in life." We have experiences when the light of day vanishes, leaving us in some dark and desolate midnight - moments when our highest hopes are turned into shambles of despair or when we are the victims of some tragic injustice and some terrible exploitation. During such moments our spirits are almost overcome by gloom and despair, and we feel that there is no light anywhere. But ever and again, we look toward the east and discover that there is another light which shines even in the darkness, and "the spear of frustration" is transformed "into a shaft of light."

This would be an unbearable world were God to have only a single light, but we may be consoled that God has two lights: a light to guide us in the brightness of the day when hopes are fulfilled and circumstances are favorable, and a light that guides us in the darkness of the midnight when we are thwarted and the slumbering giants of gloom and hopelessness rise in our souls. And so we know that God is able to give us the interior resources to face the darkness as well as the light.

Let this affirmation be our ringing cry. It will give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low hovering clouds and our nights become even darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a great benign Power in the universe whose name is God, and God is able to make a way out of no way, and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. This is our hope for becoming better people. This is our mandate for seeking to make a better world. Amen!

edited by Charles Henderson

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 23:38:00 +0000

The Christian Institute in a report of Wed. 22 December 2010 shows an attempty by the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) under the direction of Peter Tatchell to redefine marriage.

Peter Tatchell has rallied four homosexual couples whose application for civil marriage licences were refused and four heterosexual couples whose application for civil partnerships were also refused.

Tatchell is now taking the fight to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) claiming their human rights had been breached. A clerical error by Camden council has delayed the case by one month.

Simply the case is meant to blur the lines between marriage and civil partnerships rendering the value and sanctity of marriage as between a man and woman, useless. Expertys do not foresee GLF winning this case but whatever the outcome this is a clear sign of the times we live in.

The GLF in a manifesto of 1971 revised in 1978 clearly stated; “We must aim at the abolition of the family”. GLF described the family as “. . . the man in charge, a slave as his wife, and their children on whom they force themselves as the ideal models. The very form of the family works against homosexuality.”The manifesto further urged activists to target law, education and the media as part of a cultural revolution to demolish the family.

Ok so you get the picture now, for close to 40 years, the gay movement have been systematically plotting the down fall of the family unit. Let me also say that the feminist movement of the 70's also targeted the organisational structure of the family unit. Therefore knowingly or unknowingly, we sit down watching whiles the very fundamenatl unit of society is eroded all in the name of human rights.

One of the sticking points in the Israeli Palestinian talks is the right of Israel to exist, which Hamas and Hezbollah are not prepare to accept. The PLO on the otherhand were forced to renounce it albeit superficially. It is very surreal entering into talks with someone who thinks you shouldn't be in existence in the first place.

I am only raising this to say that I find it very surprisingthat people who claim to believe in the family unit do not find anything wrong with the tactis and antics of the gay and lesbian movement to destroy the very fabric of society.

Clearly the gay and lesbian movement have declared themeselves enemies of the family and want to see it dead. Why should we be welcoming of such ideas knowing that family was instituted by God and as his followers, we have a duty to defend it?

Sadly though, most believers don't even see it that way. I see marks of the Anti-Christ written all over this case. When lawlessness becomes the norm the Anti-Christ would show up. He (Anti-Christ) must overthrow God's order to become the lawless one described in the bible. Both the feminist and gay movements are precursors for the Anti-Christ.

DR 'GOD' CREATES ARTIFICIAL LIFE?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:37:00 +0000

It's the biggest news of the year, "scientist creates artificial life". This development is very interesting. I have read a few comments around it and on one hand you have jubilant atheists, humanists, secularists and generally God and or Church haters. Why, their moment has come and it is EUREKA! "There is no God" giving credence to Invictus: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. On the other hand you have Christian apologists who are trying to make meaning of this all and frankly Bible believing Christians who are simply confused.

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED?

This is what Dr Venter said in an interview as posted on the BBC website;
We've now been able to take our synthetic chromosome and transplant it into a recipient cell - a different organism. As soon as this new software goes into the cell, the cell reads [it] and converts into the species specified in that genetic code.

It is like creating a software e.g. Windows XP to run a Computer and then claim you've made a Computer.
Or for example, a curious person anywhere in the world who successfully copies Microsoft Bill Gates' (BG)Windows XP is not in the position to say that he is BG or MS for that matter. In fact he would shudder at the thought of being the highlight as he is aware of the implications of copyright infringement.

On the other hand, if any one bought the copied version of our curious friend, it would be good as long as they didn't attempt to update it. In the event of an attempted update MS would immediately recognize it as a fake and prevent it from functioning. Already, scientists are raising the ethical question, 'where would this lead to?' and the answer frankly is nobody knows.

That we are even at the juncture where we're contemplating what these experiements could lead to is in itself a scandal of gigantic proportions and a crime against humanity. In almost every facet of life, there are laws to protect creativity and to reward and recognize originality. That's the whole point of intellectual property.

In the name of scientific research, modern man has conspired and executed the most horrendous and naked rape of the universe albeit with one agenda, profit. Our sense of greed has enabled us to constantly and aggressively blur the lines between sacred and secular and now we are on the brink of a total moral break down where Machiavellism reigns supreme.

Another reason for this destructive development is the inherent rebellious attitude of modern man towards God and his hatred for a Creator. In pursuance of his misguided quest to disprove the existence of God or to prove God's non existence, modern man has charted a path that only leads to destruction.

No moral codes are thought necessary anymore with regards to life (human). Ironically, however, man is rather obssessed with halting the destruction of the world's natural resources and environment.

In another interview Venter commented, This is an important step, we think, both scientifically and philosophically. It’s certainly changed my views of definitions of life. It’s pretty stunning when you just replace the DNA software in the cell, and the cell instantly starts reading that new software, starts making a whole new set of proteins, and within a short while all the characteristics
of the first species disappear, and a new species emerges from this software that controls that cell growing forward.

What Venter has found is simply this; the potency and versatility of God's creation. Venter in this interview admits he was stunned by the outcome. All he did was replace the DNA software in the cell and watched the cell do it's own thing. Venter can not claim original creation and indeed does not but misreporting by the press and the hunger of God haters to prove a point against the Church have projected the false impression that Venter has created life artificially.

Terence Keaney a clinical biochemist makes the following observation; It is inevitable, that within our children's lifetimes, molecular biologists will tweak the human genome. If we can re-create existing bacterial genomes, we will be able to create new improved human ones.

Sir Francis Bacon, the Father of the Scientific Method, wrote in 1603 that the purpose of science was the “discovery of all operations and possibilities of operations from immortality (if it were possible) to the meanest mechanical practice”.

According to some scientists, immortality is possible as it is believed that hydra and sea anemone have the potential to be immortal. So one day a successor of Dr Venter will discover how to render all our cells as immortal as the hydra's or the sea anemone's? Probably.

IMPLICATIONS FOR FAITH
Dr Venter would show himmself honourable if he admits that this is NOT the artificial creation of life.
Using an existing cell as the vehicle for a new genome and synthesising the product in medium of live yeast cells is impressive to say the least but it is NOT creation.

We could argue the technicalities all we want but the fact is that the world system is not ready for the truth and would continue to project this as artificial life creation. There are already suggestions for Dr Venter to be worhipped as 'god'.

I have news which isn't exactly good news and that is the Church should prepare for more of the same; a show down with atheists, secularists, humanists and God haters. In these end-times, there is going to be a vicious and sustained assault on faith and most of it would attempt to highlight the Devil's abilities.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Rev 13:15

Until Dr Venter's latest feat it didn't seem quite likely that people would openly consider worshipping a man unless they belonged to a queer occultic or religious persuasion. Now in the case of Dr Venter, it seems the natural and coolest thing to do even though he has not projected himself thus. However, he has also not denounced the misguided equation of his success with God.

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thess. 2:4

The above prophetic scripture refers to the coming Anti-Christ and the fact that he would ultimately exalt himself as God.

We are gradually inching closer to the point where the public verdict would be there is no God (Divine Ruler) of the universe. Humanism would triumph and a man would then be in position to install himself as God.

Between now and the revelation of the Anti-Christ whenever that would be, I submit that many more developments would occur which would directly question not just the existence of a God but also the need for one. Once again man would have God on the ropes the way it happened when the Lord Jesus was on the cross.

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Matthew 27:40,43

The coming attack against the church would be vicious, virile, vindictive, sustained, deadly, demoralising to many a beliver. In the torture of the Church under the Beast (Anti-Christ) it won't be like under the Roman Emperors persecution of the early Church. Under Nero and his cohorts, the challenge was simple, renounce your confession that Jesus Christ is God and accept Caesar as a god.The Nero era Christians acquitted themselves well and exhibited a higher quality faith than we have and would exhibit.

By contrast today we live in an era of international conventions and treaties of human rights giving us power to fight back an opportunity the early believers' never had. Sad to say that many of us today would fail the Nero test. Many preachers of renown today are not able to boldly declare that Jesus Christ is the only way to God let alone say that He is God.

The Devil's strategy is to launch a sustained nuclear-like attack on the core of our conviction and faith. The assault is targeted at the mind till you lose your sanity and begin to give way to permissiveness.
He is bombarding from all angles from archaeology to zoology. This time it will not just be coercive as it was under the emperors, but we will be presented with 'hard facts' - scientific discoveries and proofs fair or foul to disprove the existence of God, prove that humanity doesn't need a God and argue that afterall other
religions could save. The attack machinery is already being unleashed and in the UK it is called Political Correctness.

In this age of reductionism some believers are beginning to subject their faith to reductive analysis and sadly are beginning to succumb to pluralism. It would take blind faith, stubborn obedience and madness to stand up for what you believe in.

It is easier though to withstand when assault on faith is coming in from the outside, but gets more difficult for some when the assault is from within at least superficially.

Residents of the UK would remember the hollow intellect and stupidity of Dr. Robert Beckford a theologian and so-called Christian making an utter mess of himself and the scriptures on channel 4 a few years back in "Who wrote the Bible?" There are many more like Robert Beckford in the Church but whose modus operandi may differ slightly. They are silent consenters to the suffering of Christians under their care.

The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance in the UK recently accused Christians of playing the victim as they seek to fight for their rights in the law courts. In his own words, Christians should remember that they no longer live in Christendom and therefore should not pick a fight with the society they live in.

Inspite of what you may think or feel about them, the Catholic Church as an institution has tackled the issues of Political Correctness head on and taken a clear biblical stance againt it. The Church of England has been consistently incoherent in speaking to the issues.

Is there any hope for the Church then? Yes there is and that is You and I. We should not fail because the host of heaven and the cloud of witnesses are counting on us to make the last stand for Faith before the imminent return to earth of the KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS.

SHALOM!

PREACHER CLEARED OF CHARGES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:51:00 +0000

The Crown Prosecution Service has dropped charges against Dale McAlpine and subsequently discontonued his prosecution. Dale McAlpine a regualr preacher on the streets of Workington, Cumbria was last month charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress contrary to the Public Order Act 1986.

Mr McAlpine welcomed the what he called “common sense” decision. “It’s good news. I'm relieved the police and the Crown Prosecution Service have finally seen sense." He said. “It was a ridiculous charge and I should never have been arrested in the first place. The whole thing was like fiction. It was surreal."

Mr McAlpine was arrested on April 20 whilst handing out Christian literature in Workington.
He was approached by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) who also identified himself as the force’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liaison officer saying there had been complaints about the leaflets.

He was then warned that he could be arrested if he made any comments which were deemed to be racist or homophobic. Mr McAlpine denied being that homophobic but articulated his firm belief in the Bible teaching that homosexuality was a crime against the Creator.

A few minutes later he was approached by three regular police officers who asked if he had made homophobic remarks.

He repeated that he believed homosexuality was a sin and said there was no law against saying so.

However he was arrested and taken to the police station where his fingerprints were recorded and he was forced to provide a DNA swab.

He was placed in a cell for seven hours before being charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress contrary to the Public Order Act 1986.

THE PREACHER: NEXT TARGET IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:34:00 +0000

Raise Up Raise Up The Standard
Raise up raise up the standard
Jesus Jesus
Across the land again
Heavens arches are ringing
Ringing ringing
With His beloved name
Yesterday today forever the same (x4)

It is already here and in case you haven't felt it yet, it's only a matter of time before you could be answering criminal charges for, yes preaching the gospel. Recent trends of preachers being apprehended for categorically condemning homosexuality as a sin leaves much to be desired.

The arrest, detention and charge of Dale McAlpine, a Christian preacher in Workington, Cumbria over the weekend has once again brought to the fore the ugly head of "Political Correctness". Mr McAlpine who works in the energy industry has been handing out leaflets and preaching in his town of Workington for years. His crime this time round was that, he told a passer-by and a gay police community support officer that, as a Christian, he believed homosexuality was one of a number of sins that go against the word of God.

According to the DailyMail;
Mr Mcalpine said a woman came up to him and they became engaged in a debate about his faith, during which he says he recited a number of sins referred to in 1 Corinthians in the Bible, including blasphemy, fornication, adultery, drunkenness and homosexuality, as well as talking about repentance and salvation.

He and the woman were standing close to each other and he said he did not raise his voice.

Mr Mcalpine says that as the woman left, one of the two officers, PCSO Sam Adams, approached her and had a brief chat before walking towards him. Mr Mcalpine asked Mr Adams if everything was OK.

According to Mr Mcalpine, Mr Adams said there had been complaints and warned him that if he made racist or homophobic remarks he could be arrested. Mr Mcalpine said: ‘I told him I was not homophobic but sometimes I did say that the Bible says homosexuality is a crime against the Creator, but it was not against the law to say this.

‘The PCSO then told me he was gay and he was the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender liaison officer for the police. ‘I said, “It is still a sin”, and our conversation ended. It wasn’t a loud or aggressive conversation.’

‘I was then arrested, read my rights and put into the back of a marked police van. When we got to the station they emptied my pockets, took my mobile and my belt and my trainers, so I was in my socks.’

Mr Mcalpine was put in a cell and asked for his Bible. ‘I read it and sang hymns like Amazing Grace as loudly as I could,’ he said.

Police took his fingerprints, a palm print, a retina scan and a DNA swab. He eventually saw the duty solicitor and was interviewed by an officer in a room equipped with a table, four chairs and a

recording device.

At a hearing on Friday, Mr McAlpine was charged under Sections 5 (1) and (6) of the Public Order Act 1986 (same as for hooligans and violent rioters) and released on bail on the condition that he did not preach in public. He pleaded not guilty and awaits a trial date.

Glassgow, March 2010

Shawn Holes a preacher from America was arrested and fined £1000 for telling passers-by in Glasgow city centre that homosexuals deserved the "wrath of God" and would go to hell. The American Baptist, who was touring Britain with colleagues, was arrested by police while responding to questions from people in Sauchiehall Street on 18 March. He said later: "There were homosexuals listening – around six or eight of them – who were kissing each other and cuddling, and asking 'What do you think of this?' "It felt like a set-up by gay campaigners. When asked directly about homosexuality, I told them homosexuals risked the wrath of God unless they accepted Christ."

Colchester, March 2010

Paul Shaw, 62, was arrested on February 19 after complaints about his preaching outside a Debenhams department store due to omments he made about homosexual conduct.In March a district judge threw out the case for lack of evidence.

Gainsborough, 2008

Andy Robertson a preacher, was told by a police officer that it is a crime to publicly express the belief that homosexuality is a sin.

South Wales, 2006

Stephen Green, a Christian campaigner, was arrested for handing out evangelistic tracts at a gay pride festival in Cardiff. Police admitted that he had not behaved in a violent or aggressive manner, but confirmed that officers arrested him because the leaflets contained biblical quotes about homosexuality. Mr Green was held at a police station for four hours, questioned, charged and eventually committed for trial. The case against Mr Green was subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Bournemouth, 2002

Harry Hammond, a Christian pensioner, was convicted under the public order laws for saying that homosexuality was immoral. Mr Hammond, 69 at the time and suffering from Asperger Syndrome, was preaching in Bournemouth town centre holding a sign bearing the words, ‘Jesus Gives Peace, Jesus is Alive, Stop Immorality, Stop Homosexuality, Stop Lesbianism, Jesus is Lord’. But a crowd of around 40 people who disagreed with his preaching forced him to the ground where some people poured mud and water on him. When two police officers eventually turned up at the scene it was Mr Hammond who was arrested and charged. No violent members of the crowd were arrested.

Mr Hammond died the following year. A posthumous appeal at the High Court acknowledging that Mr Hammond should have the right to freedom of religion and the freedom to express his beliefs failed. It was ruled that Harry Hammond had acted unreasonably in holding up a sign he knew to be offensive. A further appeal to the European Court of Human Rights was dismissed.

Projections

For now these arrests have been limited to street preaching. What would happen when they start entering churches to hurl preachers' from behind the pulpits and into waiting vans?

It scares me that Labour has made a manifesto commitment to effectively criminalize bible preaching. The move seeks to repeal the free speech safeguard introduced by Lord Waddington following cases of Christians being investigated by police for expressing their opinions on homosexuality. The Waddington amendment as it is known makes clear that criticizing homosexual conduct, or encouraging someone to refrain from such conduct, is not a crime in itself.

Interestingly, the Waddington amendment is backed by comedian Rowan Atkinson, and homosexuals Peter Tatchell, Matthew Parris and Christopher Biggins.

The Government on four occasions has tried to remove the amendment but failed because the Lords voted against it. So the question is, who is the government fighting for or trying to impress?

According to The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge, Labour’s stance is a “slap in the face to Christians and people who uphold traditional values”.

In an interview with homosexual magazine Attitude in November, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said “I’m proud that thanks to Labour, incitement to homophobic hate will now be a crime. He continued, “. . .the law we recently passed was watered down through the so-called Waddington amendment.

The Conservatives on the other hand have sacked a parliamentary candidate for Scotland, Philip Lardner after he opined that homosexuality was not normal and called for a public ban to be re-imposed.

The Liberal Democrats as their name suggest are too liberal to be bothered.

WATCH VIDEOS OF CHRISTIANS QUIZZED BY POLICE

JUSTICE LAWS' RULING AND THE LOSS OF A NATION'S CONSCIENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:37:00 +0000

The Court of Appeal on Thursday April 29 2010 refused permission for Mr Mcfarlane to have his appeal against dismissal heard. A marriage guidance counsellor and Christian, Mr Mcfarlane was fired from his job for refusing to offer sex therapy to homosexuals because his Christian conscience wouldn't permit him to do so. The significance of this case could not be lost on anyone when before the ruling, Lord Carey (former Archbishop of Canterbury), submitted a witness statement to the judge protesting against anti Christian judgments being handed down the English courts. The ruling therefore has wider implications as it suggests that non-Christian conscience has protection in law but Christian conscience has none.

Gerald Warmer writing for the Telegraph makes the following observation:

Lord Justice Laws, in his judgement, made a number of statements that raise serious questions of public concern. The first is his interpretation of the nature and character of English law. He claimed that to give one religion protection over any other, “however long its tradition, however rich its culture, is deeply unprincipled”. How is that view compatible with the Queen’s Coronation Oath, the Act of Settlement and the Establishment of the Church of England? Our head of state is inaugurated by being anointed by an Archbishop: this is a constitutionally Christian country. The Act of Settlement is the nearest thing we possess to a written constitution, which is why informed Catholics who object to its discriminatory provisions are careful to demand amendment and not “repeal”, which would leave a black hole in the British constitution ... This case is not only about Christianity, or even religion, but about conscience . . .Any civilised society respects conscience. In wartime we do not shoot conscientious objectors, who might well be atheists: we assign them to non-combatant duties. Telegraph.co.uk

Justice Laws' ruling is at variance with Sir Michael Burton's ruling on a case in November 2009, where Tim Nicholson an executive was given the right to appeal against his dismissal for his 'green' views. the judge ruled that ‘environmentalism’ had the same weight in law as religious and philosophical beliefs.

By this ruling, Mr Mcfarlane joins a long list of about 50 cases of Christians persecuted for their faith.

Lillian Ladele (Registrar dismissed for refusal to conduct civil partnership ceremonies when they were introduced in 2005, as she believed such unions were in breach of her Christian faith).

Nadia Eweida (Prevented from wearing a small cross by British Airways whilst followers of other religions could wear items of religious jewellery/clothing).

Lydia Playfoot (School girl and daughter of a Pastor prevented from wearing a chastity ring -silver ring thing with a bible verse inscribed on it.

Duke Amachree (Council worker dismissed for suggesting to terminally ill patient to "put her faith in God.")

Caroline Petrie (Community nurse suspended after offering to pray for an elderly patient).

Shirley Chaplin (Tribunal ruled Christian nurse could not wear a cross for religious reasons though a Muslim nurse could wear a hijab for religious reasons)

Olive Jones (Olive Jones, a Christian supply teacher from Weston-super-Mare, was offered the opportunity to return to her old job after North Somerset Council recognized that it can be appropriate for a tutor to share their faith with a pupil or a family, depending on the situation).

Theresa Davis (Deputy Registrar demoted to receptionist because of her refusal to preside over same sex civil partnership ceremonies).

Denise Haye (A Christian office worker, who was sacked for posting her personal views on homosexuality on a homosexual website).

BY CONTRAST;

Less than 24 hours after the Mcfarlane ruling, another court cleared Tohseef Shah of religious and racial incitement after descecrating a war memorial with the inscription; 'Islam will dominate the world - Osama is on his way' and 'Kill Gordon Brown.'

Shabina Begum in March 2005 won the Appeal Court ruling against her former school, Denbigh High School in Luton. The ruling backed her right to wear a "jilbab" to school claiming that her religion mut be respected.

In June 2009, Fata Lemes A Muslim cocktail waitress who refused to wear a tight-fitting red dress at work because it made her "feel like a prostitute" was awarded £3,000 compensation.

In January 2007 a Muslim woman police constable refused to shake hands with police commissioner Sir Ian Blair during a passing-out parade for qualified recruits because as a Muslim, she should have no physical contact with a man she's not familiar with. She was passed out a fully qualified police constable.

In Feb. 2010 a Muslim bus driver in London stopped the bus in the middle of a journey and knelt in the aisle to pray for five minutes leaving bemused and anxious passengers trapped in ther seats. He carried on with his job afterwards.

FAITHLESS NICK CLEGG A CHALLENGE TO THE FAITHFUL

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:03:00 +0000

I'm not a man of faith but my wife is Catholic and my children are being brought up as Catholic. I think a lot of people want the Catholic Church to come clean. "You can't keep a lid on sin.” NICK CLEGG

If it is alright for Nick Clegg to openly declare, “I’m not a man of faith" thereby allowing his 'faith' or non-faith status to influence his answers to questions and win public approval, why is it that those who profess to be faithful i.e., Gordon Brown and David Cameron do not allow their faith to dictate their thinking on pertinent issues?

The question is would they win public approval in the same way, and if not why not?

Last Thursday’s TV debate amongst candidates in the British election was insightful. What would have been political suicide in the United States and some other countries actually turned out to be the debate winner. Nick Clegg in answer to a question about the pope indicated he was no man of faith. Such a saying is adorable in Britain, as polls immediately after the debate and later weighed heavily in Clegg's favour.

So faith doesn't matter and why would it when the faithful hide their confession and pretend they're faithless? If the faithful tell the public what they want to hear by saying that their faith is private, why would people think faith is essential in national politics? From Alistair Campbell’s "we don't do God", to Nck Clegg's "I’m not a man of faith", Britain is fast gaining grounds as a non-God State or Atheists haven.

From Darwin to Dawkins, Britain has produced some of the most ferocious atheists or simply God haters in modern times. The recent suggestion by Richard Dawkins to have the Pope arrested during his planned visit to the UK suggests the degree of rebellion and backslideness Britain is in. Not long ago Richard Dawkins raised funds to promote his deluded campaign that put posters on London buses saying "there's probably no God. . "

My concern is that whilst the faithless are getting vociferous by the day, the faithful are slowly sliding down along a dimishing curve and fading away in a dying microphone. But what do you expect when even the big wigs in the church are unclear as to what they believe in and consistently give out confusing messages?

That Britain is a godless society to some degree is evidenced by new laws on abortion, euthanasia, embryology and equality laws requiring churches to wed homosexuals if approached. By this article, I am not laying blame on a particular individual or party, but the faithful like myself who have shamefully held back when we should have been forthright and forceful with our message. I must acknowledge that some have been fighting in the cause and we pray that it continues and more would join in. We need to lift up a standard for the Church in Britain.

Photo credit: Google images

NIQAB: MUSLIM SCHOLAR UNDER PRESSURE FROM NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:23:00 +0000

THISDAYONLINE, A NIGERIAN PUBLICATION REPORTS OF HARASSMENT AGAINST A GHANAIAN SCHOLAR BY THE AUTHORITIES. HIS CRIME? PUBLISHING A BOOK ON NIQAB (FACE VEIL) WORN BY MUSLIM WOMEN.

MALAM ISSAH HASSAN TIKUMAH A FOMER LECTURER IN SOCIAL STUDIES AT AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IS BEFUDDLED.

HE CANNOT COMPREHEND THE FACT THAT HE IS BEING ACCUSED OF THREATENING PEACE AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA. “I HAVE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF MY TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY FOR 31 YEARS WORKING TO FOSTER PEACE AND SECURITY IN NIGERIA, HOW CAN I BE ACCUSED OF BEING A THREAT?” HE ASKED.

THE DILEMMA THOUGH IS HOW TO CLASSIFY THIS SITUATION AS RELIGIOUS HARASSMENT OR INTOLERANCE SINCE MALAM ISSAH IS HIMSELF MUSLIM.

MALAM ISSAH IT MIGHT JUST BE THAT YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE WRONG ENVIRONMENT. PERHAPS THE FRENCH OR BELGIAN GOVERNMENTS MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN CONSULTANCIES?

PHOTO CREDIT: GOOGLE IMAGES

HEALING FOR HAITI

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:19:00 +0000

MICHAEL W. SMITH SINGS "COME TOGETHER NOW" IN HEALING FOR HAITI ALBUM.

VIDEO

.

Download from iTunes

Purchase cd

THE DAY THE SKIES STOOD STILL

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:21:00 +0000

At the just ended Nuclear Security Summit in Washington hosted by President Obama, 47 countries committed themselves to a 'non-binding' agreement to prevent nuclear terrorism by securing their nuclear facilities within 4 years. Sceptics call it weak but optimists say it is a milestone in achieving nuclear non-poliferation. Whichever way one looks at it, the summit was hailed as historic. Even more poignant was the agreement reached by both Russia and the United States to reduce their nuclear arsenal a week earlier on April 8.

To all intents and purposes, these agreements fervently hope to prevent a sight similar to that created by "Fat Man"(name of the atom bomb)infamously dropped over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 by "Bock's Car" (American B-29 bomber).

President Obama famously remarked after the summit of April 13 that the world was a safer place with the nuclear agreement.

Just before the ink could dry on the agreement, the world was awakened on April 14 to an unusual situation which also prsented an 'unwanted' sight similar to the one created in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, mere coincidence maybe? Just compare these images.

The spectacle from the Ngasaki bombing. A sight the summit hoped the world never saw again.

Sights from the latest Icelandic volcanic eruption. Note the close resemblance to the Nagasaki bombing.

Credit: Google images

The Volcanic (Dis) Eruption has caused considerable disquiet the world over within the past week. From April 14 to date (April 19 2010) Britain's airspace remain closed as most other European states. Who would've thought that in this modern world of advancement, development and technology, it would be possible to shut up Britain's airspace and most European nations? Britannia at the height of her imperial notoriety proudly proclaimed; "Britannia Rules The Waves," to signify their unmatched dominance of the oceans and in fact civilization at the time. Air travel then wasn't as developed. The Royal navy therefore was the best in the world. By contrast today, the Royal Airforce (RAF) could not say the same thing as Britannia has surrendered her airspace for 5 days due to one volcanic eruption! Volcanologists could do nothing about it, neither could the RAF.

ECONOMY
The economic knock on effects are huge. According to The Epoch Times the losses estimated at around 100 million euros ($134 million)—per day have caused the stock prices of most European airlines to plummet. The bottom line is that it could not have happened at a more difficult time for airlines that are trying to climb out of the global recession,” said Steve Lott, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association. The situation in U.K. is grimmer as all the flights to and out of the country and Ireland have been cancelled, amounting to big losses to British Airways and other British airlines. As a result, some schools and universities are partly closed due to many students and teachers being stranded abroad struggling to return from spring holidays. Additionally, many sports games, concerts, and business meeting have been cancelled. According to the British newspaper Telegraph, the ash cloud has caused estimated losses of 920 million pounds ($1.4 billion) to the U.K. economy,
amounting with a rate of 230 million pounds ($350 million) per day.
This could render the gains of the recovery from recession worthless.

What does all this teach us?
The Icelandic volcano did 2 things;

Negated man's attempts at averting a nuclear disaster
Negated man's attempt at overcoming the economic recession.

In one eruption, so much disruption have been caused putting a big dent in two of mans greatest hopes;

a safe, secure and peaceful nuclear free world
and economic boom.
Mans hopes of a nuclear free world have been dented. As pointed out earlier, the images from the volcanic eruption compare favorably with images from the Nagasaki bombing, same images the world would not want to see again. The symbolism there is that God is reminding man, you cannot avert a nuclear disaster on your own. You have to rely on Me to do it. Students of prophecy give differing accounts as to whether or not the world would experience a nuclear holocaust, but it remains to be seen.

The fascinating things are;

That Britain's airspace could be SHUT up tight and we're not in state of war
That underneath the Ice of Iceland lies Molten Magma
That some people still do not believe in an All Powerful Invincible God including a large proportion of Brits.Man may attempt to avert a nuclear holocaust but who can stop a volcano erupting?

BIBLICAL ACCOUNT & UK ELECTIONS
This incident bears semblance to the biblical account of 2 Kings 6:24-30.
Let us pray that our politicians would answer like the King of Israel; And as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a woman unto him, saying , Help , my lord, O king. And he said , If the LORD do not help thee, whence shall I help thee? out of the barnfloor, or out of the winepress?

In the UK it is election time and doubtless people are crying out like the woman in the story above. We're all saying to our politicians, Help! But what are the answers of the politicians beyond the human know-how?
The polls today show The Liberal Democrats whose leader Nick Clegg is a confessed atheist (although married to a catholic) are leading the polls.

David Cameron at least admits to the existence of God but in describing his faith, it is confusing as it gets. In an interview with the Mail, Cameron said;
'My own faith is there, it's not always the rock that perhaps it should be. I've a sort of fairly classic Church of England faith, a faith that grows hotter and colder by moments.

Gordon Brown should be the staunchest believer here being the son of a church of Scotland minister. But Gordon is on record as saying that his religion is a private matter. He has also strangely backed controversial bills to the chagrin of some in the church.

Whoever wins the election must go beyond the human dimension of resolving issues. And this is where it gets tricky. Will our leaders choose God over the devil? Maybe not, but it is high time the church urged our leaders back to God. If one volcanic eruption is capable of reducing to zero all that our governments have toiled for from G-20 London summit to stimulus plan(s), then we need to think again. Who said there is no God?

DIABOLIC GAMESTATION BIDS FOR CUSTOMERS SOULS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:58:00 +0000

IN MY POSTING ON APRIL 8TH AND 13TH, I WARNED ABOUT THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT PRACTICES AND THE SUBTLETY WITH WHICH IT HAD EVADED DETECTION. SO SHREWD IS THE PACKAGING THAT BELIEVE IT OR, IT IS ACTUALLY BEING PROMOTED FROM SOME CHRISTIAN PULPITS TODAY.

NOW READ ABOUT THE DIABOLIC ACTION BY GAMESTATION (UK's LEADING GAMES RETAILER). IF THIS DOES NOT CAUSE YOU TO RETHINK OF THE DANGER POSED BY NEW AGE, THEN NOTHING WILL.

GAMESTATION WHATEVER THEIR INTENTIONS, CUNNINGLY DISGUISED THE PLOT ON APRIL FOOLS DAY TO FOOL EVEN THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE NOTICED IT. IF IT WERE AN APRIL FOOL PRANK, DID ANYBODY GET THE £5 VOUCHER TOO? IF YES THEN IT WAS REAL BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

It wasn’t just a gag though: the roughly 12% of customers who clicked the links were given a free £5 voucher.

WHAT BAFFLES ME IS THE AUDACITY WITH WHICH GAMESTATION DID THIS. WHETHER IT PORTRAYED A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR OR A BOLD STATEMENT OF ACTUAL INTENT, IT IS EVIDENT OF THE NOTORIETY AND SEEMING INVINCIBILITY OF THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT.

LET ME ASSURE YOU THOUGH THAT THE SOUL OF THE CHRISTIAN WHICH IS REDEEMED BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST CANNOT BE SOLD IN THIS MANNER.

ONE THING IS CLEAR; THERE CERTAINLY MUST BE A MARKET FOR SOULS FOR GAMESTASTION TO EXPRESS THE DESIRE TO BUY.

GAMESTATION'S ACTION WAS NO PRANK NEITHER WAS IT HUMOROUS, BUT SATANIC! THAT'S MY VIEW.

YES WE MUST ALL ENDEAVOUR TO READ THE SMALL PRINT WHERE NECESSARY.

WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, IT IS HIGH TIME CONSUMERS CALLED FOR CLEAR, LEGIBLE AND UNAMBIGUOUS T&C'S?

HOW ABOUT ASKING FOR ALL ESSENTIAL CLAUSES WITHIN AN AGREEMENT TO BE SUMMARISED IN BIG BOLD BULLET POINTS?

IT IS ABOUT TIME CONSUMERS CALLED FOR A REVIEW OF THE SMALL PRINT.

MISSIONS ON THE DECLINE IN AFRICA?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:48:00 +0000

The pew forum on Thursday April 15 released a report; "Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa." The report shows the sub-region in the lead in terms of world religious practice. I am not very excited about the report as it shows that religious expansion has plateaued or peaked as there are just as many Christians as there are Muslims overall. If the report is anything to go by then the revelation is in the section which says:

While the survey finds that both Christianity and Islam are flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa, the results suggest that neither faith may expand as rapidly in this region in the years ahead as it did in the 20th century, except possibly through natural population growth.

There are two main reasons for this conclusion.
First, the survey shows that most people in the region have committed to Christianity or Islam, which means the pool of potential converts from outside these two faiths has decreased dramatically. In most countries surveyed, 90% or more describe themselves as either Christians or Muslims, meaning that fewer than one-in-ten identify as adherents of other faiths (including African traditional religions) or no faith.

Second, there is little evidence in the survey findings to indicate that either Christianity or Islam is growing in sub-Saharan Africa at the expense of the other. Although a relatively small percentage of Muslims have become Christians, and a relatively small percentage of Christians have become Muslims, the survey finds no substantial shift in either direction. One exception is Uganda, where roughly one-third of respondents who were raised Muslim now describe themselves as Christian, while far fewer Ugandans who were raised Christian now describe themselves as Muslim.

It is a frightening prospect though I’ll take it with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless, it shows the imperviousness of Islam as a mission field and also the lack of a sustained campaign by the church to evangelise Islam.
The question to ask is; what happened to all the evangelistic efforts of the church and the much talk about mega and meta churches? Was it simply a case of 'sheep stealing' (wooing Christians from one church to the other)?
The only real avenue for expansion by either religions according to the report is biological reproduction. We are too aware what thie implications are here as multiple marriages births are more common in Islam than in Christianity.

Let me say this; we have got to get out there and start seeing islam as a mission field to be evangelised. Many a Christian either do not believe Islam needs no evangelising. Somehow in their subconscience it also a way to God or Islam is simply too tough to tackle as questions of The Trinity, The Deity of Christ and The Holy Spirit arise. That is exactly the same reason why we need to be schooled in apologetics to do mission in Islamic territory. Failing that, Bruce Bawer's 'prophecy' of a majority Muslim Europe within a couple of generations might come to pass in Africa too.

The thing about the Pew Forum report is that it is not exclusive to one religion and therefore alerts both sides. Since the information is now available to all, those who devise the best strategy wins. That is why I am commenting as a Christian to promote my beliefs. 'Arise O Church!'

Lend me your thoughts please.

FULL REPORT

NIKE AD TRIGGERS DIVORCE FOR TIGER

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:47:00 +0000

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS COMING THROUGH FROM AMERICA INDICATES, ELIN NORDEGREN, WIFE OF GOLFER TIGER WOODS MIGHT SEEK DIVORCE. FRIENDS SAY, IT WAS TRIGGERED BY WHAT SHE (NORDEGREN) CONSIDERED A 'CHEESY' ADVERT FEATURING TIGER'S LATE FATHER EARL.

WIKITIONARY GIVES 4 DEFINITIONS OF CHEESY:

of or relating to cheese
resembling cheese
a cheesy flavor
(informal) of poor quality through being overdramatic, excessively emotional or clichéd, trite, contrived, shoddy
a cheesy songa cheesy movie
(informal) of a solution to a problem, inelegant, showing no skill

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NIKE RESORTS TO NECROMANCY PART 2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 09:29:00 +0000

I knew this subject needed explaining as I assumed a lot of things from the start. First of all the post was more to do with subtle NEW AGE tactics that we hardly ever recognize today.

NEW AGE MOVEMENT
David R. Reid in NEW AGE MANIPULATION
Defines the New Age movement as a worldwide network of loosely interconnected organizations and groupings . . . almost all of these groups are heavily influenced by eastern religious thought and advocate meditation, yoga, relaxation and visualization techniques and other self-help methods of realizing and developing the individual's inner wisdom and spiritual potential.

Stress-management seminars, if not biblically based, can be used to teach these types of techniques. Many of the widely advertised self-help tapes, videos and courses which claim to teach people how to overcome bad habits and develop greater personal potential are promoting these New Age techniques.

NIKE AD

"Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion. I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are, and did you learn anything?"

On the surface I agree that the AD is not Necromantic. However, I also doubt if Nike would be so simple to make it look plain. I would therefore give some insight into why I think this AD is more necromancy than marketing.

I am the first Blogger to call it Necromancy and albeit from a Christian perspective, it would be interesting to know what other people generally think of it.

A contributor on a chat forum said, sounds like necromancy to me. . .

To many critics, Earl's inclusion is the ad's chief offense. "New Tiger Ad Plays 'The Daddy Death Card,' " read a headline on the CBS News website. "I certainly wouldn't want to be quoted out of context from the dead," says Garfield. "How can you do that to your dad? It's repulsive." The whole process of putting together such an advertisement increases the ick factor. "Someone went through tapes, looking for the perfect quote," says Carrie LaFerle, who teaches advertising ethics at Southern Methodist University. "I don't like that."

“For Nike to be the people bringing Tiger back to our screens, repenting for his transgressions but reminding us that he is a sporting icon, is everything you would expect from a brand whose slogan is Just Do It.” Richard Huntington, director of strategy at Saatchi & Saatchi, the advertising agency

Nike said: "We support Tiger and his family. As he returns to competitive golf, the ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father."

But those words have been deliberately taken out of context and thus have no more moral gravitas than text cranked out by copywriters. Worse, in fact, since no one has any idea what Mr. Woods would say if he'd been around to witness his son's tawdry infidelities?
Rosie Dimano (columnist the toronto star)

The current ad is Nike playing the dead dad card for penitence and profit. Woods has prostituted both himself and his father for the benefit of his most important sponsor – admittedly one of the few that have stood by the fallen star throughout his troubles.

Quite what Nike have to gain from the input of a dead man's voice is another matter. Maybe they've conquered so much territory the only remaining option is the after-life (also known as the Seniors Tour). Tiger is usually after leg-over.(Mirror.co.uk sport)

Earl poses questions to Tiger to which he doesn't respond.The question says did you learn anything? Certainly it is expected to influence his future and his conduct there after would affect his fortunes negatively or positively. He is drawing inspiration from his dead dad, but why has it got to go commercial?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines necromancy as;
The practice of supposedly communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future.

The Random House Dictionary on the other hand, gives 2 definitions;
1.a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art.
2.magic in general, esp. that practiced by a witch or sorcerer; sorcery; witchcraft; conjuration.

Necromancy basically involves communication with the dead for whatever reason(s). This Nike AD undeniably promotes the practice even if it is technically not necromancy.
Do you see anything wrong or amiss with the AD? The intention of the AD is to make Earl come alive and correct Woods' behaviour for the better. Why was Woods' mum who is still alive not used instead?
I personally think that the AD carries subtle undertones of necromancy which has been wrapped to make it seem harmless and acceptable. How many more people would be encouraged to try ‘something similar’ as a result? Well, it may sound alarmist but this is my observation based on spiritual insight and understanding I have. You also consider it and see what your spirit tells you.
But I don't think that it was simply for marketing purposes that the AD was made.
Nancy Regan, admitted to seeing and talking to Ronald Regan after his death, mere hallucinations maybe?

Perhaps I should also ask what you think of Harry Potter? Maybe, just an adventurous novel for kids, right?

Further reading