The King's Highway

Boycotting Yahoo!

2006-05-01T09:49:00.000-04:00

Over the past several years, Yahoo has aided the Chinese Communist government in capturing "freedom-promoters." Yahoo has turned over draft emails, posts, and IP addresses. Other US-based companies have been accused of such crimes, but none of these companies have acted against the freedom of speech as enthusiastically, cooperatively, and blatantly as Yahoo!

Li Zhi, a 35-year old man from Dazhou ( southwest China), was sentenced on December 10, 2003 for “inciting subversion.” The Yahoo customer was criticizing local officials for their political corruption. Yahoo turned the material over to the Chinese government, and Zhi was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Jiang Lijun, 40, was sentenced to four years in prison on November 18, 2003 for “violent means” to impose democracy. Lijun had called the Chinese government "autocratic", and planned to form a new political party that promoted western-style democracy. In a video, Jiang Lijun exposed Yahoo's collaboration with Chinese officials.

Shi Tao, a 37-year old journalist, was sentenced to ten years in prison on April 30, 2005 for "divulging state secrets abroad”. Tao had spoken out against the government, and exposed threats made against the journalism industry. Yahoo supplied Chinese officials with Tao's identity, texts, and IP address.

There are actually many other cases, but information is sketchy. Dozens of other prisoners may have been arrested due to information provided by Yahoo.

Read more about Yahoo's involvement over the past five years.

Things you can do:

1. Close Your Yahoo Account

Search engines and instant messaging programs profit by their subscribers. The more customers they have, the more money they will get to advertise other products (you see in pop-up ads). The more customers they have, the better their stock numbers will do, and so on and so forth.

Closing your account:

1. Log into the Yahoo! account you are going to cancel.
2. Click the "mail" link.
3. Click on "My Account" on the upper left.
4. You'll have to re-enter your password.
5. Click on "Edit/Create Profiles" on the right.
6. Scroll down and click on "Read our help pages."
7. Scroll down and click on "How do I close my account?"
8. Type in your password at the bottom and click "Yes."

2. Replace Yahoo with the Following Services

Yahoo is used to get free email addresses... very handy. But you can get new email addresses elsewhere, just as easily.

HotMail.com is a service from MSN. It will provide you with new email addresses, inboxes, and other neat stuff.

GMail.com is a great service of Google. This is actually one of the best email providers out there, I already have an account. Gmail has great searching tools ( so you don't have to go through years of emails to find what you are looking for) and plenty of free storage.

Yahoo Instant Messaging is also very popular, but can be replaced easily.

MSN Instant Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, and Google Talk are the best replacements. AOL is probably the best and simplest to use. MSN has the most smileys, audibles, and other cool extras. GoogleTalk is awesome for actual talking computer-to-computer ( if you have a mic).

Check them all out... they're free. If you have any questions about them, just ask me.

Finally, the Yahoo Search Engine which some of you may have been using. Believe me, there are many, better search engines out there.

Google is really the best search engine... It also has a good news service that is easily accessible.
MSN is another alternative.

3. Add a "Anti Yahoo" Button to your blog.

Create your own button/banner and link it to this or any other article you want to. It'll catch people's attention and spread the word around the blogosphere.

I found this button on a site somewhere. It's not the best, but if you like it, feel free to use it!

4. Sign the Petition

That's right. On September, 28 2005 a petition was formed against Yahoo.

Read it and sign it here.

If you don't like the petition, send your own letter or email in to Yahoo.

5. Tell People!

Tell your friends, family, church, and neighbors to boycott Yahoo. Blog about what they have done, and what we are doing to prevent it ( or discourage it) from happening again. Send emails, instant messages, telephone calls, Morse code.... :)

Other blogs talking about this:

Mercy Now
From the Pulpit...

Any other blog that does talk about this, I'll link here for others to read.

6. Give Me Feedback!

If you have any other links ( email, instant messaging, or alternative news providers), please show them.

If you have heard other stories about Yahoo's blatant disrespect for people's rights, let us know!

If you have an idea, please come forth....

If you do create a button, please share it with the rest of us.

And, if you have any questions, go ahead and ask them! :)

Yahoo! Aids the Communist Party

2006-04-25T23:36:00.000-04:00

Here's part of an AP article from a week ago:

While China encourages use of the Internet for business and education, it also tightly controls Web content, censoring anything it considers critical or a threat to the Communist Party. Blogs often are shut down, and users who post articles promoting Western-style democracy and freedom are regularly detained and jailed.

Yahoo! turned over a draft e-mail from one of its users to Chinese authorities, who used the information to jail the man on subversion charges, according to the verdict from his 2003 trial released Wednesday by a rights group.

It was the third time the U.S.-based Internet company has been accused of helping put a Chinese user in prison.

Jiang Lijun, 39, was sentenced to four years in prison in November 2003 for subversive activities aimed at overthrowing the ruling Communist Party....

The information was listed in the verdict under "physical evidence and written evidence." It proved that Jiang and the other activists were planning to "make preparations for organizing a party and to use violence to overthrow the Communist Party," the verdict said.

Jiang also was one of five activists who signed an open letter calling for political reform that was posted on the Internet ahead of the Communist Party congress -- a major event -- in November 2002.

Now the first thing that comes to mind is shock at how oppressed China is. The freedom of speech is so limited that the Chinese government will shut down blogs that speak out in any way against the Communist Party! In China, you can be jailed just for voicing your opinion! If you write an email, post, or article promoting democracy or Western civilization you can be arrested!

Just when you're good a mad at the Communist oppression, you learn that a US company is helping China track down these "free-speakers"?!?! Yahoo, a site that most of us use daily, has aided the Communist Party in finding, arresting, and jailing innocent people!!

What a terrible thing it must be to live in a country where you cannot even voice your opinions on a blog or an email. I'd love to lead a nation-wide boycott against Yahoo, but it would probably not get very far. So just say a prayer that life gets better ( and safer) for the poor people living in China.

Faith, Hope, and Charity- Part 2

2006-04-22T21:27:00.000-04:00

Hope
~~~~~~~

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison...
- 1 Peter 3:15-19

The word "hope" usually means "to wish or to long for something". But what is this Christian hope? And why is it such an important virtue?

Christian hope can be defined in many different ways: Hope is the longing for Christ's second coming. Hope is the longing for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. Christian hope is the yearning for the Lord's victory over his enemies.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ... - Titus 2: 11-13

Hope comes from our love of God, our love of His kingdom and laws. Because of this, unbelievers are without this hope.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. - Thessalonians 4:13

This hope is talked about as an "assurance" and a "comfort", being without it must be devastating. Having no hope, results in depression and loneliness. Before we became Christians, we all had this depression; we were lost, without any source of hope and comfort. If Jesus had not died for us, no one would have this hope, and we'd all be lost in sin.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. - 1 John 3:1-3

This hope we are given is such a wonderful thing; we are commanded to spread the news of it. C.S. Lewis talked about this in his book, Mere Christianity:

It [having Christian hope] does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the slave trade all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.

So, in closing, enjoy the wonderful hope God has given us and share it with others!

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. - Ephesians 2: 12-13

The Oath- Book Review

2006-04-21T11:35:00.000-04:00

The Oath
Author- Frank Peretti
Release Date- 2003

An ancient sin. An ancient oath. A town with a deadly secret...

After reading Nightmare Academy and Monster, I became a big fan of Frank Peretti, one of today's leading Christian-fiction authors. I was a little disappointed with This Present Darkness, but The Oath is really an excellent novel.

Nature photographer, Cliff Benson, is found brutally killed after going on a camping expedition with his wife near the town of Hyde River. With very little evidence to work with, the local sheriff department closes the case, ruling that a rogue bear had been the culprit. Steve Benson, wildlife biologist and brother of the victim, is not satisfied with the sheriff's conclusion. He teams up with one of the local deputies, Tracy Ellis, and tries to find out what really happened. It seems that for the last several decades, dozens of mysterious deaths have occurred. The oddest thing is that the townsfolk of Hyde River, don't care at all what happened or is happening. In fact, the town tries to cover up these deaths, by removing any evidence of the attacks.

Steve Benson is repeatedly warned by the local sheriff office, to back off and go home. But the memories of his brother push him forward. He ends up unlocking a deadly secret that had been formed when the town was established over 200 years ago. It was back then, that the oath had been signed in blood and the terrifying predator had been unleashed.

"If This Be Sin, Let Sin Be Served"

The Oath was very suspenseful, and frightening at times. It was very well-written and carried a powerful message about sin and human bondage to it. Sin is a predator that when welcomed into the heart, grows stronger and stronger. The only way to stop sin's rule is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Warning: Even though The Oath is a Christian-fiction novel, the story does take place in a VERY wicked town. The people are wicked and their actions are very sinful. Hyde River contains a lot of murder (some rather gruesome), drinking, and immoral behavior. None of this is graphic in any way, but keep in mind that the characters in the book (even the main characters) are not saved.

Rating: Ages 15+

Faith, Hope, and Charity- Part 1

2006-04-14T09:25:00.000-04:00

Charity
~~~~~~~~~~

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. - 1Corinthians 13

Paul writes to the church at Corinth, expressing the necessity of faith, hope, and charity. Among these three virtues, the greatest is charity. In today's world, "charity" is defined as a donation to some organization or cause (such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army). But here in 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes:

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing...

So what is "charity"? Let's look at the Scripture's definition:

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. -Colossians 3:14

Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: -Timothy 1:5

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-7

So far, we note that charity is one of the greatest virtues a Christian can have. Charity itself is our godly love to fellow man; it is the brotherly kindness and compassion we show to others.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. -2 Thessalonians 1:3

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. - 1 Peter 4: 8-9

Charity can be defined Biblically as "hospitality" or "brotherly kindness" towards "others". We are commanded to be forgiving, compassionate, understanding, and kind towards fellow believers and "strangers."

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church.... - 3 John 5:6

Charity is a specific kind of love. Throughout the Scriptures the word "charity" is defined as the love we bestow on one another. Charity is not the love we bestow on God, but a specific love we must show to men. Charity is a hard virtue to perform... how many times do we argue, hold a grudge, lose our tempers, and do all sorts of unkind things to one another? How often do we ignored strangers we see in church? By ourselves we can not hope to maintain charity and the "bond of perfectness", but with the aid of our Lord and Savior we can grow each day in this Christian virtue.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. -Ephesians 4: 15-16

Vacation!

2006-04-07T13:23:00.000-04:00

That wonderful time of year! My family and I will be headed up to Pennsylvania for a couple of days to visit with my grandparents, so I won't be blogging for almost a week. I should return to the blog world on Thursday. In the meantime, check out these posts by some other bloggers:

The Special Challenges of the 21st Century by Brett Harris is about new technology and the challenges this technology presents to Christians worldwide.

Accountability by Spunky Jr. reminds us that we are going to be accountable to God for all our actions.

The State of Fear: Global Warming by Palm Boy shows the follies of modern environmentalists and their belief that man can change the entire world's environment one way or the other.

That should keep you busy for a couple of days... :)

God bless!

Noah's Ark Found?

2006-04-06T16:01:00.000-04:00

Satellite images taken over the past three years have spotted what many believe could be Noah's ark. These images capture an object almost 1,015 feet in length resting on Turkey's Mount Ararat.

ABC News reports:

A satellite image may launch a scientific expedition to search for Noah's Ark. The snapshot captures a mysterious object on Turkey's Mount Ararat.

"I see for a 1,015 feet in length a shiplike object that has almost unbroken symmetry," said Porcher Taylor, an assistant professor at the University of Richmond. Taylor, a professor of national security law, spent the past 13 years on a quest to discover what is on Mount Ararat, the area where the Bible says Noah steered his ark through raging floodwaters. Taylor persuaded a commercial satellite company to capture the mystery shot.

He calculated that the object in the photo had the same length-to-width ratio -- 300 cubits by 500 cubits -- of the ark described in the Bible. That is about the size of an aircraft carrier. "Currently, I'm working with a naval architecture team, and they're trying to determine whether a wooden boat this size could actually float," Taylor said.

I hope the expedition can get underway without too much hassle. First the US scientists need to abtain permission from the Turkish government to explore Mount Ararat. The "ark" rests on a ledge ( over 15,000 feet high) on the northwest corner of the mountain.

ABC- Satellites May Have Found Noah's Ark

CNN- Satellites Close in on Noah's Ark Mystery

Regenerate Our Culture, Issue 2

2006-04-03T11:16:00.000-04:00

Regenerate Our Culture's second issue came out yesterday... The magazine is awesome with articles like "Can Evidence Lie?"- David S. MacMillian, "Dogpile: Soicial Darwinism Evaluated"- Tim Sweetman, and "God Breathed, Part 2"- David Ketter. Of course, the blog network is still up and running beautifully, so go check it out!

Zenkey, zonkey, zebra donkey!

2006-04-02T17:29:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a really busy week for me.... So I'm sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days...

But anyway, here's an interesting story from Answers in Genesis:

A zoo in Japan has proudly announced the birth of a zebra-donkey hybrid, describing it as a ‘zenkey’—a story excitedly picked up and relayed around the world by news media. Actually, the offspring of a zebra stallion and donkey mare (jenny) is more usually defined as a ‘zonkey’ or ‘zedonk’, or even ‘zebrass’. But whether zenkey, zonkey or zedonk, the appearance of this little foal sure caused a stir at Nasu Safari Park (near Tokyo).

‘As we keep herbivorous animals without separating them, the unbelievable can happen’, said Osamu Ishikawa, deputy head of the safari park. ‘A donkey was pregnant and everybody was expecting a donkey foal.’

But the keepers were surprised when, in August 2003, a striped foal was born! Was it a donkey, or … ? It had a donkey’s ears, and the black cross mark on its withers is characteristic of donkey foals, but oh … those stripes!

This is not the first time the arrival of a half-zebra foal from a non-zebra mare has surprised observers. A Shetland pony astonished its UK owners by giving birth to a half-zebra, half-horse foal—a ‘zorse’ or ‘zony’. The owners had earlier purchased the pony from a wildlife park, where, like the donkey mare at Nasu Safari Park, it had shared a field with a male zebra.

This ability of donkeys, horses and zebras to breed with one another indicates they all descended from the same original created ‘kind’, as specified in Genesis 1. This again helps us understand that Noah needed far fewer animals on the Ark than sceptics claim. Only two animals (maybe not horses as we know them today) were needed to represent the equine kind on the Ark.

Some people might argue that because hybrid offspring are often sterile, the horse, ass and zebra must therefore be separate created kinds. But this definition goes beyond the biblical text—no-one would say that a human male/female couple unable to have children must therefore be separate species!

Infertility in hybrid offspring can be due to rearrangements of chromosomes. Such (non-evolutionary) changes within the horse kind sees zebras today with 44 chromosomes, donkeys 62, and horses 64—so mules, the offspring of donkeys and horses, are often sterile as they end up with 63 chromosomes, which theoretically cannot divide into chromosome pairs.

However, accounts of mules giving birth show they are not always infertile, and also demonstrate that the genetics in such cases is not yet fully understood. Occasional fertile hybrids such as these strengthen the case that all Equus species and their offspring (mules, hinnies, zorses, zonies, zedonks/zonkeys and whatever other inventive names we give them) are the same created kind—descendants of the ‘horses’ that Noah let loose after the Flood around 4,500 years ago.

Southern Baptist Church Condemned by Eminent Domain

2006-03-29T11:25:00.000-05:00

The Redevelopment Agency Board of Long Beach, California voted to condemn the Filipino Baptist Fellowship church building two weeks ago. They claim the building is a "blighted area" and should be removed to make way for condominiums. Many of the town's citizens have testified before the board in an attempt to save their church.

John Eastman of the Claremont Institute’s Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, is defending the Baptist church. He said after the board's vote: "I had no illusions that we were going to stop the vote, but what was most discouraging yesterday was the utter lack of any evidence on why this was necessary to cure some blighted areas blocks away. They didn’t bother to answer that. That was their legal obligation, and they went ahead and condemned a church anyway."

Eastman may challenge the decision in court, but the city leaders have offered the church other sites in which to meet. Eastman talked about these sites several days ago, "Well, let me tell you about the properties they’ve offered. Most of them were vacant lots. It’s a little hard to hold a church service in a vacant lot. Several of them were leases, not buildings to own. [The church members] own this one, and they want to have a church that they own so they’re not at the whim of a landlord. So you take all those off the table. Almost all of the others were in other parts of the redevelopment area, where they could be forced to move out a couple of years down the road when the city gets around to developing that block. "

The city offers three other sites: a bar and two gas stations.

The Filipino Baptist Fellowship church formed nearly twenty years ago, meeting wherever they could find room. Finally in 2002, the congregation gathered enough money to buy their current building.

Eastman says that he believes the church should be protected under the First and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution as well as under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.

Pastor Roem Agustine of the church said, "We are more united than ever and more focused in our prayers to the Lord." The congregation is obviously sad over the matter, but continue to trust in the Lord, " We know that the Lord will not leave us, and we just don’t know what it is that the Lord has laid out before us. But it’s there and we know it’s there. We continue with our prayers and our hopes up, trusting Him."

I had worries about this sort of thing when Eminent Domain was first introduced in June of last year. The city should not have the right to take away the building from this church and offer them no suitable site to move to. I know how hard it is for a church to relocate ( my old church did it twice over the past eight years). It is a very difficult and annoying procedure... I really feel bad for this congregation, and I hope they can get things settled out with the city.

Afghan Christian to be Released

2006-03-27T09:23:00.000-05:00

Afghan officials announced to the media yesterday that Abdul Rahman, the man imprisoned for converting to Christianity, was going to be released. Those close to the trial claim that the case was dropped because prosecutors were unsure if Abdul Rahman was mentally fit for the trial. Right now, the prosecutors and lawyers are debating how and when the release should take place.

Meanwhile, dozens of protests are taking place inside various parts of the country. Muslim clerics threaten to incite other protests if Rahman is not sentenced to death.

Rahman is being held in a high-security prison, Policharki, inside Kabul. He was moved to this prison on Friday, after inmates of a lesser-security prison threatened to take his life. Rahman is being kept hidden from the media and other prisoners for his own safety.

I am very thankful that the Afghani courts have decided to release this man. He is clearly very brave, standing up for his faith in the middle of a country full of hate. But even if he is released, I believe for his own health, he should leave the country or remain under some sort of protection. Muslim clerics will not allow him to live peacefully. All we can do is pray for the Lord to watch over him.

Psalm 148

2006-03-25T19:24:00.000-05:00

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights...

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light...

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens....

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

President Bush Speaks Out On Afghan Case

2006-03-23T19:49:00.000-05:00

Man Faces Death for Converting to Christianity

President Bush spoke about the situation:

"I'm troubled when I hear, deeply troubled when I hear the fact that a person who has converted away from Islam may be held to account. That's not the universal application of the values that I talked about. I look forward to working with the Government of that country to make sure that people are protected in their capacity to worship."

Later, the president continued:

"It is deeply troubling that a country we helped liberate would hold a person to account because they chose a particular religion over another. We have got influence in Afghanistan and we are going to use it to remind them that there are universal values."

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called Afghani president Hamid Karzai to discuss the matter. Karzai promised that "respect for human and religious rights will be fully upheld." Italy, Germany, and the UN have also raised their concerns, some threatening to pull out their peace-keeping troops from the country.

Man Faces Death Penalty for Converting to Christianity

2006-03-22T09:59:00.000-05:00

Abdul Rahman, 40 years old, is on trial for breaking a law, forbidding Muslims to convert into Christians. The nation is Afghanistan, a country US soldiers have occupied for over four years. This is the first case in which the defendant has admitted conversion to Christianity and will not back down, even in the face of death.

Abdul Rahman was converted into Christianity 16 years ago when he worked with Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Many years later when he returned to Afghanistan, his relatives denounced him, his children were taken from him, and he was arrested. Rahman was brought before Judge Ansarullah Mawlavezada several days ago. The judge claimed, "We are not against any particular religion in the world. But in Afghanistan, this sort of thing is against the law. It is an attack on Islam." The law states that no Muslim man can reject the religion of Islam.

A sentence will be decided within the next two months.

US State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack talked to reporters about the incident: "Our view … is that tolerance, freedom of worship is an important element of any democracy. And these are issues as Afghan democracy matures that they are going to have to deal with increasingly."

The prosecutor in the case, Abdul Wasi, commented, "He would have been forgiven if he changed back. But he said he was a Christian and would always remain one. We are Muslims and becoming a Christian is against our laws. He must get the death penalty." Right now, the only way for Rahman not to get the death penalty is an insanity plea.

Abdul Rahman is a very brave person. In the face of almost certain death, he sticks to his belief and can be a witness to others in that area of the world. If Afghanistan does execute this man, it will be a giant step backwards for the country. Right now, all the eyes of the world are watching the situation. Italy has threatened to remove it's peacekeeping troops from the country if this man is executed. Maybe other nations will follow Italy's example and keep Rahman from the death penalty. Just remember to keep this brave man in your prayers.

Other blogs covering this:
Unconformed
Mercy Now
Boy Scout Blogger
Pete's Place

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

2006-03-21T09:18:00.000-05:00

World Magazine movie review:

As is often the case, most of the Academy Award nominees for Best Foreign Language Film were largely unknown to American audiences at the time of the ceremony. What's especially sad about this is that the most inspiring, gripping, and surprising film nominated that evening—among both the winners and losers—was one of these little-seen gems.

Germany's entry, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days, deserves a place next to A Man for All Seasons, Chariots of Fire, and others of the most profound portrayals of faith on film. Although currently only playing in select cities (with a wider release expected), this import is the definition of a film worth seeking out, even though it lost the Oscar to the South African film Tsotsi.

Well-known in Germany, Sophie Scholl is a figure of remarkable courage, intellect, and faith. The film deals with just six days of this young woman's life—the final six days. Key members of a passive resistance anti-Nazi group known as The White Rose, Sophie (Julia Jentsch) and her brother Hans (Fabian Hinrichs) risk their lives by writing, printing, and distributing pamphlets that condemn National Socialism and a bloody war that Germany could not win.

On the morning of Feb. 18, 1943, Sophie and Hans walk into a lecture hall at the University of Munich to secretly distribute the group's sixth pamphlet before the building was flooded with students. This dangerous mission does not end well.

The film concerns itself with the short but intense period between Sophie's capture and execution. After she is jailed, Sophie faces off against Gestapo interrogator Robert Mohr (the steely Gerald Alexander Held), a Nazi true believer and atheist committed to breaking Sophie's spirit in order both to convict her and to search out her collaborators. While one might initially be frustrated at the lack of context for Sophie and her strongly held beliefs, the force of these interrogation scenes erases all misgivings.

Director Marc Rothemund and screenwriter Fred Breinersdorfer base their story extensively on transcripts of Sophie's interrogation and trial previously unpublished and unavailable (they were sealed away in East Germany before 1990). Never coming across as a Nazi-villain caricature, Mohr demonstrates supreme intellect and commitment to his cause—but is shocked to find himself matched by Sophie, who has intellect and willpower to spare.

Mr. Rothemund, at the helm of a technically excellent production, shows immense skill at weaving in details that inform Sophie's character but never overwhelm the production with heavy-handed exposition. We learn of her faith in quiet moments of prayer, and of the influence of her parents (remarkably, it's positive) in informing her political views. Sophie possesses a deep-seated strength of character, and her humble confidence is so unnerving to Mohr that one wonders whether the first to break will be her or him.

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days makes Sophie's moving story accessible to the rest of the world. Though the film is unrated, it contains nothing objectionable; only the intensity of the subject matter ought to give parents pause in allowing children to see it. It's a story that serves as a powerful example of faith and courage in the face of great evil. Go see it.

The Legacy of Terri Schiavo

2006-03-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. In my opinion, this was one of the most atrocious acts ever committed in American history.

Here is a quick recap of the story:

In February of 1990, Terri Schiavo, then 26 years old, collapsed at her Florida home. As a result, oxygen was cut off from her brain for several minutes. The cause of this collapse is still disputed: Terri's husband claimed that she suffered from a cardiac arrest. But top physicians found several neck injuries and bone fractures possibly caused by an attempted strangulation.

Even though she remained in a coma, Terri could breathe, look around, and move her limbs slightly. In contradiction to Michael Schiavo's opinion, his wife was not a "vegetable."

William Hammesfahr, a neurologist hired by the Schindlers (Terri's parents), testified to the Florida court on Terri behalf:

I spent about 10 hours across about three months [examining Terri] and the woman is very aware of her surroundings. She's very aware. She's alert. She's not in a coma. She's not in PVS," Hammesfahr told CNN Tuesday night. "With proper therapy, she will have a tremendous improvement. I think, personally, that she'll be able to walk, eventually, and she will be able to use at least one of her arms.

A video tape showed Terri's interaction with her family ( like Terri's smiling at her mother and watching a balloon float around the room). But nevertheless, Michael Schiavo persisted that it was his wife's wish to be allowed to die. The Schindlers tried desperately to remove Michael as Terri's legal guardian but to no avail.

Judge John Greer ordered the feeding tube removed stating that Terri would not want to live by artificial means. Terri Schiavo died 13 days later.

There are so many injustices seen in this tragic story. First of all, Michael Schiavo's actions were very suspicious and many people believe that he may of had something to do with the accident. Michael should not have been Terri's legal guardian under such circumstances. Terri's parents, who obviously cared for her, should have been made guardians.

It was very clear that Terri was alert and could react to things around her. Of course she would want to live! She took up no room... and expenses were not an issue. Thousands of people volunteered to pay her hospital bills, but Michael Schiavo still insisted on her "execution".

How sickening could this be?

The Florida courts sentenced an innocent woman to death.

Michael Schiavo has moved on and re-married.

The Schindlers still miss their daughter.
------------------------------------------------------
Other blogs covering this:

Agent Tim Online
Mission Amare
The Rebelution
Jennifer's Musings
The RIGHT stuff...
Spunky Jr.

St. Patrick, the Missionary to Ireland

2006-03-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Patrick was born in Dumbarton, Scotland around 390 AD. His father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest, but Patrick, himself, had no interest in Christianity. When he was 16 years old, Patrick was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland. It was during this time that he turned to God for help. The next four years were very difficult ( as you can imagine), and Patrick's only solace was his Lord and Savior. Finally, Patrick escaped from Ireland and returned to his home and family. Once there he began an extensive study of the Scriptures and preparation to go abroad with the news of the Gospel.

Around 435 AD, Patrick ( or St. Patrick) was sent to Ireland as a missionary to replace the discouraged and unsuccessful, Bishop Palladius. He set up his mission "headquarters" in Armagh, Ireland from where he began various evangelistic outreaches. It was during this time that Patrick gave his famous sermon, explaining the trinity by using a three-leaf clover. Patrick probably did more for the nation of Ireland then any other missionary before or after him.

Excerpt from St. Patrick's confession of faith:

.....exalt and praise His wonders before every nation that is anywhere under the heaven. Because there is no other God, nor ever was, nor will be, than God the Father unbegotten, without beginning, from whom is all beginning, the Lord of the universe, as we have been taught; and His son Jesus Christ, whom we declare to have always been with the Father .... begotten by the Father before the beginning of the world, before all beginning; and by Him are made all things visible and invisible.

He spent 40 years witnessing to the pagans, druids, and those who practiced dark magic. His work also staged a surge of missionaries pouring upon Germany, France, and Ireland over the next several decades. Before he died, St. Patrick looked back at the work he had accomplished:

Those who never had a knowledge of God but worshipped idols and things impure, have now become a people of the Lord, sons of God.

Now, I'm sure St. Patrick's doctrine wasn't perfect, but we should respect and remember his work of bringing the Gospel to a dark, unfriendly land. He taught the pagans about the Creation, the fall of man, salvation, and the path to God.

Blog Header and Regenerate Our Culture Button

2006-03-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

I finally got my blog header up! It took me longer then it should have, but at least I got it up.

Palm Boy is the creator of this header. Thanks so much for putting it together for me!

Wholesome Works helped me with the technical work ( putting the header up, adjusting it, and fitting it in the top space), so thanks to you too!

The header still needs some work and adjusting, so it's not completely finished yet.

Also, as you probably noticed, all the "Regenerate Our culture" buttons have died for some reason. So I made my own button:

This isn't the nicest button there is.... but it's good temporarily. :) If you want this button for your blog, let me know and I'll email you the code.

Edit: Regenerate Our Culture has a new button out for your blog. You can find it here.

Regenerate Our Culture Kick Off

2006-03-15T11:17:00.000-05:00

Regenerate Our Culture kicks off today! This excellent idea is finally taking off!! If you haven't become a sponsor, please do so here. Over 50 blogs are helping to sponsor the magazine, you should be one of them.

Note: Check back to the site on and off during the day to see the updates.

1,600 More SAT Scoring Problems Found

2006-03-14T16:51:00.000-05:00

When I take my SAT test... this better not happen...

The College Board disclosed Tuesday that an additional 1,600 SAT scores have not been rechecked from an exam in October that had scoring problems.

The previously overlooked batch of answer sheets came from among those being scored separately for a variety of reasons, including security concerns. Some of those scores were on hold and had not been reported, but others may have been reported incorrectly, according to an e-mail sent to college admissions officers and guidance counselors early Tuesday. The statement also was posted on the College Board's Web site.

College Board spokeswoman Chiara Coletti said Tuesday she became aware of the latest problem late Monday. The sheets will be rescanned over the next few days and colleges and students notified of any changes as soon as possible.

She said she expected some, though perhaps a small number, of scores would be affected."To the best of my knowledge, there are no more surprises," she said.

The College Board, which owns the SAT college entrance exam, disclosed last week that scoring errors had been discovered on 4,000 out of 495,000 tests taken during the October sitting. All 495,000 tests, plus answer sheets from three other sittings, were rescanned.

College admissions offices said that the earlier disclosure came just in time, before final decisions were made, though some expressed concern erroneous scores may have affected the decisions of students on where to apply for college.

Though it is unknown how many — if any — scores will be changed from the latest group of 1,600, the latest revelation will likely intensify criticism that has already surfaced from many in the admissions and testing fields over the College Board's handling of the error.

Some counselors and admissions professionals have also criticized the College Board's decision not to change the scores of students who received higher scores than they should have. The College Board said last week that the effect of those mistakes was "minute" but has since acknowledged about 600 students received higher scores that they deserved because of the scanning error.

Blog Header

2006-03-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

My sister keeps telling me that I need a blog header, and I have to agree that my blog looks pretty "blah" without a nice one. Unfortunately, I don't own any of the fancy photo programs (Photoshop, Adope Photos, etc...) so I'm not quite sure how to do it. If anyone could tell me how to build or customize my blog header, I'd greatly appreciate it. :)

The God of All Comfort, Continued...

2006-03-10T16:45:00.000-05:00

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort....- 2 Corinthians 1:3

The name, "God of all Comfort", is to me the greatest and dearest of all names ( or characteristics) attributed to our Lord Jesus Christ. "All comfort" is an incredible amount of assurance and care given to us by God. But why then are so many Christians troubled or worried? Why are so many ( in fact, a majority of Christians) apprehensive and distressed about spiritual and physical matters? Some do not feel that they are "fit" to come before God and some do not trust him as they ought... These Christians spread sorrow wherever they go, and do not, in any way, glorify God.

God commands us to be lights unto men, living epistles to unbelievers. But how can these "dismal Christians" be living epistles unto the world?

This is a section from Hannah Smith's The God of All Comfort ( a must-read for Christians):

I was once talking on the subject of religion with an intelligent agnostic, whom I very much wished to influence, and after listening to me politely for a little while, he said, "Well, madam, all I have to say is this. If you Christians want to make us agnostics inclined to look into your religion, you must try to be more comfortable in the possession of it yourselves. The Christians I meet seem to me to be the very most uncomfortable people anywhere around. they seem to carry their religion as a man carries a headache. He does not want to get rid of his head, but at the same time it is very uncomfortable to have it. And I for one do not care to have that sort of religion."

How can we promote our religion if we carry it as a headache? We can witness about God's comfort, but if we do not truly know what it is or have it in us, then how are we to be believed by the world? When witnessing, it is not just what we say, but also how we act in our daily life.

What is the comfort that God gives us? This comfort is the knowledge and trust in our Savior. This comfort is the all-encompassing, complete assurance in God's care for us. But many people read about God's comfort and think: "This is all too good to be true.." "Will God truly bestow this incredible gift to us?" "Will God truly send His comfort to me, a sinner?"

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you... - Isaiah 66:13

What a wonderful verse... How many times when you were young ( or even now), did you go to your mother for comfort? Remember the comfort you got from being in her arms? In our mother's arms we feel completely safe... our worries seem to "melt" away as we are basked in motherly affection. Do you remember the times you disobeyed or lied, and were kindly forgiven by your mother?

But unfortunately, many Christians view God as a Judge, instead of as a Comforter. They look up to God fearfully, trembling before a stern, austere, unloving judge. Now I admit, God is the Judge of all nations... He punishes us and keeps His law, but the stern, unforgiving judge imagined by many pitiful Christians DOES NOT EXIST.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; - Isaiah 51:12

What do Christians have to fear, if God is comforting us? And most of all, why do some Christians stand terrified before the GOD OF ALL COMFORT? It is very foolish to do so....

This brings us back to the sheep illustration used many times in the Bible. We are the sheep... foolish... frightened... confused. We are sometimes too frightened or foolish to trust in God, and be comforted by Him.

....to comfort all that mourn....- Isaiah 61:2

God will comfort ALL that mourn... No one is too sinful to be comforted by God ( for EVERY MAN is dead in sin). God offers His comfort to, not a select few Christians, but to ALL.

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down...-2 Corinthians 7:6

This message must be shown to all worried Christians. Yes, God has comfort for all who come to Him. And God is always here, always willing to give us His wonderful comfort. He never sleeps and never is "too busy" to help us!

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.- John 14:27

Now how can any believer, after reading this, go about with fear and terror inside of him?

Many ask, "How can I get God's comfort?" The answer is simple. You must take it.

God offers it to all of His children, but first the believer must have faith and trust in Him. Once he has the faith, he can ask God for the divine comfort...

The next time you meet a Christian who is worried and troubled, give him this message. Show him, that he belongs to a God of all comfort.

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.- 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

Some Short News Stories...

2006-03-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

-Everyone trips and falls, but one art lover in Cambridge, England, had an epic stumble late last month. The visitor at Fitzwilliam Museum reportedly fell down a flight of stairs and crashed into a display of Qing dynasty Chinese vases. The visitor was uninjured, but the priceless vases, which date from the late 17th or early 18th century, were left in pieces. "It was a most unfortunate and regrettable accident," museum director Duncan Robinson told the Reuters news service, "but we are glad that the visitor involved was able to leave the museum unharmed."

-For shame: A Florida state senator wants to use embarrassment as a tool against drunken driving. Mike Fasano proposed that license plates issued to drivers convicted of drunken driving offenses should begin with "DUI" and be pink. "Maybe it will embarrass people and keep them from drinking and driving," Mr. Fasano said. "Maybe they'll think twice." Of course, the ACLU disagrees. Larry Spalding, a legislative counsel for the group, said it opposed anything that would heap ridicule atop punishment for drunk drivers.

- New Jersey may be tired of being made fun of, but a recent campaign to spruce up the state's image with a new slogan might not be having its intended effect. While a vast majority of the slogan suggestions from New Jersey citizens have been positive, some have reflected a sarcastic flair for self-denigration. Slogans perpetuating New Jersey's image of political corruption probably won't help the state's tourism business. "New Jersey: We can always use another relative on the payroll," and "Why should death end your voting rights?" were two entries that probably won't get much consideration. Neither will one suggestion that heaped scorn on the state's environmental record: "Come to New Jersey—it's not as bad as it smells."

-At least one hunter didn't have to spend hours in a deer stand to bag a five-point buck. Wayne Goldsberry was staying at his daughter's Bentonville, Ark., home when he heard the sounds of glass breaking from a back bedroom. When he went to investigate, he discovered a five-point buck had crashed through a window and into the home. When the animal blazed past him into the master bedroom, he told his wife to call police. But instead of waiting for police, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound man eventually wrestled the deer to the ground, broke its neck, and in the struggle suffered only bruises from being kicked. Mr. Goldsberry butchered the animal and packed the venison in a freezer.

These are just a couple of interesting news stories of the past few weeks... :) Read more at World Magazine.com.

Oh, by the way, this is my 100th blog post! Next stop, 150!

South Dakota Governor Signs Abortion Ban Into Law

2006-03-08T10:24:00.000-05:00

On Monday, Governor Mike Rounds of South Dakota signed a bill making nearly all abortions illegal in the state. This is a great blow to overturning the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.

The bill makes it unlawful for a doctor to perform abortion unless it is in an effort to save a woman's life. Any doctor who performs an illegal abortion faces up to five years in prison. ( Rather a light sentencing, no?)

Of course this move faces a lot of opposition from groups such as Planned Parenthood, which is planning on challenging the new law.

I can't wait to see how this all plays out in South Dakota and in other states as well.

Gadget Lets Authors Sign Books From Afar

2006-03-05T23:42:00.000-05:00

I just thought this was cool....

Margaret Atwood has had enough of long journeys, late nights and writer's cramp. Tired of grueling book tours, the Booker Prize-winning Canadian author on Sunday unveiled her new invention: a remote-controlled pen that allows writers to sign books for fans from thousands of miles away.

Some fear Atwood's LongPen could end the personal contact between writers and readers. Atwood says it will enhance the relationship. "I think of this as a democratizing device," said Atwood, whose appearances draw hundreds of fans willing to stand in long lines for a word and an autograph.

"You cannot be in five countries at the same time. But you can be in five countries at the same time with the LongPen."

Atwood's democratic device underwent the most universal of experiences on Sunday: the last-minute technical hitch. Its first-ever public demonstration, at the London Book Fair, was delayed as project director Matthew Gibson and his crew engaged in some frantic tinkering.

"We've had a setback, and we're trying to address it," Gibson said.

Anxious minutes later, Atwood picked up a pen to autograph her new short story collection, "The Tent," for Nigel Newton, chief executive of her British publisher, Bloomsbury. She wrote the words on an electronic pad while chatting to Newton over a video linkup.

A few seconds later in another part of the exhibition center, two spindly metal arms clutching a pen reproduced the words onto Newton's book in Atwood's angular scrawl: "For Nigel, with best wishes, Margaret Atwood."

Later, Atwood planned to give the device its trans-Atlantic "Marconi moment," signing copies of "The Tent," for readers in New York and Guelph, Ontario.

When Atwood, 66, announced her invention late in 2004, many assumed it was a hoax. But the inventive spirit is not surprising from an author whose interest in science and technology informed science fiction-flavored novels such as "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Oryx and Crake."
Atwood, however, said the invention sprang from her own technological ignorance.

"You know those people who come around with a package and you sign a thing?" she told The Associated Press in an interview. "I thought my signature was whizzing through the air and landing somewhere else, and I thought as I was crawling through the night on another maniacal book tour, wouldn't it be great if I could sign a book like that?

"It turns out they don't work that way. But I asked some technically minded people if such a thing was possible, and they said it was."

Atwood set up a company with Gibson and several others to produce the device, naming the firm Unotchit — pronounced "you no touch it."

They plan to lease the gadget, rather than sell it, renting it out to publishers for one-time signing events or tours. Atwood hopes publishers will use it to promote lesser-known authors and to bring author signings to small towns and small countries that usually aren't on the book tour circuit.

Read the rest of the article here.