After 5.5 years of "really" being a Christian, i suffered a major depression in the middle of this year. It seemed everything --- relationships, school, finances, ministry --- suddenly disintegrated. In the midst of all this, i felt the absence of God. (When God regularly speaks, His silence is deafening.)
i felt that the logical thing to do, of course, was to go (back) atheist. "Well, since I don't sense Him anymore..."
Anymore...?
Any more...
i just conceded that i did sense Him in the past.
i just acknowledged that God *is* real, that i just need Him so much, that ultimately it is His will that shall be done.
i finally realized why He kept on saying before that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Back then, i just felt like an irritated A+ student repeating an entire grade ("Yes, I already know that...!").
i finally realized that back then, faith for me was trusting in my Heavenly Daddy King who lavished His prodigal-princess-who-came-back. (Not much of a spiritual struggle there.)
...And that now, faith literally is holding on to the unseen. When there are no blessings and only burdens...when it seems God only gives out burdens, or when it seems that there is no God at all...
Atheists, agnostics, doubters, non-Christians, and even Christians have endless questions about God. Continue to seek. God promises, "If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me." "God is spirit, and He seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and truth."
Now, more than ever, i see that faith is not blind. Faith is about holding on to the God we already know. The God who is in control of all things. The God who is full of goodness. The God whose promises are always fulfilled.
For me to go back now to atheism would be the stupidest thing i could do.
And by the way, i am starting to sense Him once again. Not as much as before, but at least i'm on the road back.
And the smile is back too :) (yay.)
December 5, 2008
when Christians get depressed
Dealing with Depression
First we must recognize the problem. Then we'll find the solutions.
by Jeff M. Sellers
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/areas/biblestudies/articles/081203.html
First we must recognize the problem. Then we'll find the solutions.
by Jeff M. Sellers
http://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/areas/biblestudies/articles/081203.html
November 29, 2008
giving thanks for being pardoned turkeys
From MooresChapel.Org...cited by ThinkChristian :)
One of the most interesting aspects of our Thanksgiving traditions is the official pardon of a Turkey by the President of the United States. The president of the U.S. is presented with a Turkey which he pardons and the turkey is then sent to live a long life free from the fear of dying for dinner.
It started me in thinking that we are all kind of like turkeys at Thanksgiving. In the world today we live in a time where many think that by living a good life they will make it one day to Heaven. However, when it's all said and done they like their real turkey counterparts do not have much left after it's all over. Some of us will often look and act the best we can and not begin to accept the pardon that Jesus came to bring us. We Christians are the "pardoned turkeys" and we have lost a sense of urgency for our fellow brothers and sisters who are headed for the table.
I know, you're probably getting hungry saying this is a bit of a stretch with all this turkey talk, but the bottom line is that we are those who are to share the Good News of Jesus to those who are either do not know or do not really care that through Jesus we are pardoned and forgiven of our sinful life. We are not called to force people to be Christians or die, but we are called to share our faith, something if we are honest, we just do not have an urgent sense of doing as we should or are capable of doing.
November 16, 2008
twitterpatted
The scene in the animated classic, "Bambi", when the young friends make a childish vow. Thanks to Internet Movie Database for the quotes :)
Flower [about two birds fluttering around]: Well! What's the matter with them?
Thumper: Why are they acting that way?
Friend Owl: Why, don't you know? They're twitterpatted.
Flower, Bambi, Thumper: Twitterpatted?
Friend Owl: Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpatted in the springtime. For example: You're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head!
Thumper: Gosh, that's awful.
Flower: Gee whiz.
Bambi: Terrible!
Friend Owl: And that ain't all. It could happen to anyone, so you'd better be careful.
[points at Bambi]
Friend Owl: It could happen to you…
[points at Thumper]
Friend Owl: … or you, or even...
[Flower looks at Owl shyly]
Friend Owl: Yes, it could even happen to you!
Thumper: Well, it's not gonna happen to me.
Bambi: Me neither.
Flower: Me neither.
Flower [about two birds fluttering around]: Well! What's the matter with them?
Thumper: Why are they acting that way?
Friend Owl: Why, don't you know? They're twitterpatted.
Flower, Bambi, Thumper: Twitterpatted?
Friend Owl: Yes. Nearly everybody gets twitterpatted in the springtime. For example: You're walking along, minding your own business. You're looking neither to the left, nor to the right, when all of a sudden you run smack into a pretty face. Woo-woo! You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head!
Thumper: Gosh, that's awful.
Flower: Gee whiz.
Bambi: Terrible!
Friend Owl: And that ain't all. It could happen to anyone, so you'd better be careful.
[points at Bambi]
Friend Owl: It could happen to you…
[points at Thumper]
Friend Owl: … or you, or even...
[Flower looks at Owl shyly]
Friend Owl: Yes, it could even happen to you!
Thumper: Well, it's not gonna happen to me.
Bambi: Me neither.
Flower: Me neither.
me?
The scene in the animated classic, "Bambi", when he learns about his fellow creatures. Thanks to Internet Movie Database for the quotes :)
Thumper: [Bambi and Thumper see birds flying by. Bambi looks at them intriguingly.] Those are birds.
Bambi: Bur... Bur!
Thumper: Look! He's trying to talk.
Bambi: Bur!
Other rabbits: He's trying to say "bird."
Thumper: Say "bird."
Bambi [wiggles his nose]: Bur.
Thumper: Bird.
Bambi: Bur!
Thumper: Uh-uh. Bir-duh!
Other rabbits: Come on, say "bird." Say "bird!"
Bambi: Bird!
[Rabbits scatter and run to their mother.]
Other rabbits: He talked, he talked! He talked, Mama! The Young Prince said "bird."
Bambi: Bird, bird, bird, bird, bird bird!
[Bambi sees a yellow butterfly, which he begins to chase until it lands on his tail.]
Bambi: Bird!
Thumper: No, that's not a bird. That's a butterfly.
Bambi: Butterfly? Butter-
[Bambi sees the butterfly has now gone; he then runs over to a big yellow flower among some other wildflowers.]
Bambi: Butterfly!
Thumper: No, that's a flower.
Bambi: Flower?
Thumper: Uh-huh, it's purty.
[Thumper smells the flowers.]
Bambi: Purty.
[Bambi starts smelling the flowers, and comes nose-to-nose with a little skunk.]
Bambi: Flower!
Flower: Me?
Thumper [laughing hysterically]: That's not a flower! He's a little-
Flower: Oh, that's all right. He can call me a flower if he wants to; I don't mind.
Bambi: Purty. Purty flower!
Thumper [starts to giggle]: Oh, gosh.
Thumper: [Bambi and Thumper see birds flying by. Bambi looks at them intriguingly.] Those are birds.
Bambi: Bur... Bur!
Thumper: Look! He's trying to talk.
Bambi: Bur!
Other rabbits: He's trying to say "bird."
Thumper: Say "bird."
Bambi [wiggles his nose]: Bur.
Thumper: Bird.
Bambi: Bur!
Thumper: Uh-uh. Bir-duh!
Other rabbits: Come on, say "bird." Say "bird!"
Bambi: Bird!
[Rabbits scatter and run to their mother.]
Other rabbits: He talked, he talked! He talked, Mama! The Young Prince said "bird."
Bambi: Bird, bird, bird, bird, bird bird!
[Bambi sees a yellow butterfly, which he begins to chase until it lands on his tail.]
Bambi: Bird!
Thumper: No, that's not a bird. That's a butterfly.
Bambi: Butterfly? Butter-
[Bambi sees the butterfly has now gone; he then runs over to a big yellow flower among some other wildflowers.]
Bambi: Butterfly!
Thumper: No, that's a flower.
Bambi: Flower?
Thumper: Uh-huh, it's purty.
[Thumper smells the flowers.]
Bambi: Purty.
[Bambi starts smelling the flowers, and comes nose-to-nose with a little skunk.]
Bambi: Flower!
Flower: Me?
Thumper [laughing hysterically]: That's not a flower! He's a little-
Flower: Oh, that's all right. He can call me a flower if he wants to; I don't mind.
Bambi: Purty. Purty flower!
Thumper [starts to giggle]: Oh, gosh.
the absence of fear
Absence Of Fear
by Jewel Kilcher
(see video here)
Inside my skin there is this space
It twists and turns
It bleeds and aches
Inside my heart there's an empty room
It's waiting for lightning
It's waiting for you
And I am wanting
And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear
Muscle and sinew
Velvet and stone
This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans
My bones call to you
In their separate skin
I make myself translucent
To let you in, for
I am wanting
And I am needing of you here
Inside the absence of fear
There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me
And it knows that you're no stranger
You're my gravity
My hands will adore you through all darkness aim
They will lay you out in moonlight
And reinvent your name
For I am wanting you
And I am needing you here
I need you near
Inside the absence of fear
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear...
1 John 4:18
by Jewel Kilcher
(see video here)
Inside my skin there is this space
It twists and turns
It bleeds and aches
Inside my heart there's an empty room
It's waiting for lightning
It's waiting for you
And I am wanting
And I am needing you here
Inside the absence of fear
Muscle and sinew
Velvet and stone
This vessel is haunted
It creaks and moans
My bones call to you
In their separate skin
I make myself translucent
To let you in, for
I am wanting
And I am needing of you here
Inside the absence of fear
There is this hunger
This restlessness inside of me
And it knows that you're no stranger
You're my gravity
My hands will adore you through all darkness aim
They will lay you out in moonlight
And reinvent your name
For I am wanting you
And I am needing you here
I need you near
Inside the absence of fear
There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear...
1 John 4:18
November 15, 2008
when God speaks through film
i love books, i love films, and i love God. So what's not to love about the selection below? (Christmas is just around the corner, so don't even hesitate about giving me at least one of the books below :p) All items are from ChristianBook.com; click on each title to go to its individual site.
Through A Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth and Evil in the Movies
by Jeffrey Overstreet
In the style of a cinematic travel journal, film columnist and critic Jeffrey Overstreet of Christianity Today and lookingcloser.org leads readers down paths less traveled to explore some of the best films you’ve never seen. Examining a feast of movies, from blockbusters to buried treasure, Overstreet peels back the layers of work by popular entertainers and under-appreciated masters. He shares excerpts from conversations with filmmakers like Peter Jackson, Wim Wenders, Kevin Smith, Scott Derrickson, producer Ralph Winter, and stars like Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Keanu Reeves and the cast of Serenity, drawing "war-stories" from his encounters with movie stars, moviemakers, moviegoers and other critics in both mainstream and religious circles. He argues that what makes some films timeless rather than merely popular has everything to do with the way these artists—whether they know it or not—have captured reflections of God in their work. Through a Screen Darkly also includes a collection of reviews, humorous anecdotes and on-the-scene film festival reports, as well as recommendations for movie discussion groups and meditations on how different films echo the myriad ways in which Christ captured the attention and imagination of culture.
These are the confessions of Christian moviegoer, Jeffrey Overstreet, film enthusiast and movie reviewer. He'll sow you characters, different worldviews and different experiences that offer pieces of a larger truth, including movies like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Wings of Desire, and even the X-Men series. What makes some of these films timeless rather than merely popular has everything to do with the way the producers of these films - whether they know it or not - have captured reflections of God in their work. Overstreet also includes a collection of recommendations for movie discussion groups, links to updated movie resources for moviegoers and meditations on how different films echo the ways in which Christ captured the attention and imagination of culture.
Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century
by Craig Detweiler
Detweiler delivers one of the more successful and substantial theological interpretations of contemporary movies, mining film for spiritual meaning. The author, who is co-director of the Reel Spirituality Institute, contends that film is a powerful tool for society's self-reflection in a postmodern world. Nostalgia, memory and amnesia are three key themes in contemporary film that offer insights about our culture's sense of being lost in this postmodern context without any sense of direction. Detweiler brings his theological expertise to bear on several recent works such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Million Dollar Baby, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Besides their impressive entertainment value, these films and several others are rich in God language and religious significance. Why, some may wonder, do we need to reflect upon films so intensely? The answer is that we don't, but if we are grasping for meaning in our culture, as Detweiler contends, movies are a fine place to start looking for God. (July) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Reel Spirituality, 2nd Edition
by Robert K. Johnston
Thoughtful Christians realize they can learn much from movies---they influence our culture and help shape our perceptions on everything from relationships and careers to good and evil. Johnston's insightful book will heighten your sensitivity to cinematic statements about the human condition and theological truths.
Finding God in the Movies
by Robert K. Johnston, Catherine M. Barsotti
Inviting Christians to "have a conversation with a movie's story, not an inquisition," Barsotti and Johnston add to the growing number of film study guides on the market for pastors, youth leaders and religious educators. By even mentioning an inquisition, Barsotti, a film reviewer for The Covenant Companion magazine, and her husband Johnston, a professor of theology and culture at Fuller Seminary, make it clear that their primary audience is evangelical Christians who see film as a guilty pleasure. For the guilt-free, some parts of the book will feel like unnecessary apologetics, and the language sometimes lapses into evangelical jargon. The heart of the book is its evocative, open-ended questions for each film-a study in how to approach visual texts in a postmodern world. Instead of telling readers what they should think of the popular films, the authors simply share their delight in each film, and then invite us to enter the stories with new eyes. Each film gets a synopsis and theological reflection, a few "dialogue texts" from scripture, discussion questions and suggested clips for viewing and analyzing. Anyone wanting to discuss Christian theology or spirituality found in film will enjoy exploring these 33 well-tested movies and will appreciate the well-articulated model for engaging spiritually with popular culture found in this study guide. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films
by Gareth Higgins
Is there more to going to the movies than mindless entertainment? Author Gareth Higgins, avid moviegoer and film critic, says there is. This is a guidebook for looking at films and finding hidden spiritual truths. With chapters on fear, God, justice, love, power, and more, Higgins teaches how to make sense of the spiritual by looking at films with a new perspective. The The Matrix to Magnolia, Fight Club to Field of Dreams, Higgins takes the reader through more than 200 films that, if looked at the right way, just might change lives. Movie buffs and novices alike will find much to enjoy, provide, amuse, challenge and confound in this book.
Entertainment Theology: New-Edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy
by Barry Taylor
The postsecular age is shaping religion in the twenty-first century and challenging traditional thoughts on Christianity. Interest in Christian spirituality however is on the rise. Pop-culture expert Barry Taylor exhorts Christians to embrace new vehicles for communicating the truth of the Gospel, or become a thing of the past. Taking snapshots from numerous fields - including theology, cultural studies, sociology, and pop culture - he explores the broad spectrum of factors affecting religious life today. Ultimately, Taylor suggests a move away from traditional religion, proposing instead a manifestation of Christianity, not as a religion of the past, but as a beacon of hope for the present and the future.
Through A Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth and Evil in the Movies
by Jeffrey Overstreet
In the style of a cinematic travel journal, film columnist and critic Jeffrey Overstreet of Christianity Today and lookingcloser.org leads readers down paths less traveled to explore some of the best films you’ve never seen. Examining a feast of movies, from blockbusters to buried treasure, Overstreet peels back the layers of work by popular entertainers and under-appreciated masters. He shares excerpts from conversations with filmmakers like Peter Jackson, Wim Wenders, Kevin Smith, Scott Derrickson, producer Ralph Winter, and stars like Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Keanu Reeves and the cast of Serenity, drawing "war-stories" from his encounters with movie stars, moviemakers, moviegoers and other critics in both mainstream and religious circles. He argues that what makes some films timeless rather than merely popular has everything to do with the way these artists—whether they know it or not—have captured reflections of God in their work. Through a Screen Darkly also includes a collection of reviews, humorous anecdotes and on-the-scene film festival reports, as well as recommendations for movie discussion groups and meditations on how different films echo the myriad ways in which Christ captured the attention and imagination of culture.
These are the confessions of Christian moviegoer, Jeffrey Overstreet, film enthusiast and movie reviewer. He'll sow you characters, different worldviews and different experiences that offer pieces of a larger truth, including movies like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Wings of Desire, and even the X-Men series. What makes some of these films timeless rather than merely popular has everything to do with the way the producers of these films - whether they know it or not - have captured reflections of God in their work. Overstreet also includes a collection of recommendations for movie discussion groups, links to updated movie resources for moviegoers and meditations on how different films echo the ways in which Christ captured the attention and imagination of culture.
Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century
by Craig Detweiler
Detweiler delivers one of the more successful and substantial theological interpretations of contemporary movies, mining film for spiritual meaning. The author, who is co-director of the Reel Spirituality Institute, contends that film is a powerful tool for society's self-reflection in a postmodern world. Nostalgia, memory and amnesia are three key themes in contemporary film that offer insights about our culture's sense of being lost in this postmodern context without any sense of direction. Detweiler brings his theological expertise to bear on several recent works such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Million Dollar Baby, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Besides their impressive entertainment value, these films and several others are rich in God language and religious significance. Why, some may wonder, do we need to reflect upon films so intensely? The answer is that we don't, but if we are grasping for meaning in our culture, as Detweiler contends, movies are a fine place to start looking for God. (July) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Reel Spirituality, 2nd Edition
by Robert K. Johnston
Thoughtful Christians realize they can learn much from movies---they influence our culture and help shape our perceptions on everything from relationships and careers to good and evil. Johnston's insightful book will heighten your sensitivity to cinematic statements about the human condition and theological truths.
Finding God in the Movies
by Robert K. Johnston, Catherine M. Barsotti
Inviting Christians to "have a conversation with a movie's story, not an inquisition," Barsotti and Johnston add to the growing number of film study guides on the market for pastors, youth leaders and religious educators. By even mentioning an inquisition, Barsotti, a film reviewer for The Covenant Companion magazine, and her husband Johnston, a professor of theology and culture at Fuller Seminary, make it clear that their primary audience is evangelical Christians who see film as a guilty pleasure. For the guilt-free, some parts of the book will feel like unnecessary apologetics, and the language sometimes lapses into evangelical jargon. The heart of the book is its evocative, open-ended questions for each film-a study in how to approach visual texts in a postmodern world. Instead of telling readers what they should think of the popular films, the authors simply share their delight in each film, and then invite us to enter the stories with new eyes. Each film gets a synopsis and theological reflection, a few "dialogue texts" from scripture, discussion questions and suggested clips for viewing and analyzing. Anyone wanting to discuss Christian theology or spirituality found in film will enjoy exploring these 33 well-tested movies and will appreciate the well-articulated model for engaging spiritually with popular culture found in this study guide. (Aug.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Fingerprints in Culturally Significant Films
by Gareth Higgins
Is there more to going to the movies than mindless entertainment? Author Gareth Higgins, avid moviegoer and film critic, says there is. This is a guidebook for looking at films and finding hidden spiritual truths. With chapters on fear, God, justice, love, power, and more, Higgins teaches how to make sense of the spiritual by looking at films with a new perspective. The The Matrix to Magnolia, Fight Club to Field of Dreams, Higgins takes the reader through more than 200 films that, if looked at the right way, just might change lives. Movie buffs and novices alike will find much to enjoy, provide, amuse, challenge and confound in this book.
Entertainment Theology: New-Edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy
by Barry Taylor
The postsecular age is shaping religion in the twenty-first century and challenging traditional thoughts on Christianity. Interest in Christian spirituality however is on the rise. Pop-culture expert Barry Taylor exhorts Christians to embrace new vehicles for communicating the truth of the Gospel, or become a thing of the past. Taking snapshots from numerous fields - including theology, cultural studies, sociology, and pop culture - he explores the broad spectrum of factors affecting religious life today. Ultimately, Taylor suggests a move away from traditional religion, proposing instead a manifestation of Christianity, not as a religion of the past, but as a beacon of hope for the present and the future.
humble ball player :)
Basketball star Stephen Curry, who took his "tiny" college team to the NCAA Elite Eight, remains a humble regular guy. Why?
If you just read the first part of this verse, it would immediately sound an alarm indicating arrogance: "I can do all things." This was the spirit that attempted to build the tower of Babel. This was the downfall of men like Saul or the Egyptian Pharaoh. Many today infected by humanism and without any trust in God - make the same claim: "I can do all things."
But the next two words in the verse take this out of the context of arrogance altogether: "through Christ." It is not a boast of self: "I can do all things." It is, I can do all things through Christ! There is a huge difference. It is one thing for someone to say, "I can do all things." It is quite different to confess, "I can do all things through Christ."
Feature article from ChristianityToday.com, image from DigitupSports, commentary from Bible.Ca (The Interactive Bible).
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
If you just read the first part of this verse, it would immediately sound an alarm indicating arrogance: "I can do all things." This was the spirit that attempted to build the tower of Babel. This was the downfall of men like Saul or the Egyptian Pharaoh. Many today infected by humanism and without any trust in God - make the same claim: "I can do all things."
But the next two words in the verse take this out of the context of arrogance altogether: "through Christ." It is not a boast of self: "I can do all things." It is, I can do all things through Christ! There is a huge difference. It is one thing for someone to say, "I can do all things." It is quite different to confess, "I can do all things through Christ."
Feature article from ChristianityToday.com, image from DigitupSports, commentary from Bible.Ca (The Interactive Bible).
Leaning on God while losing weight
Ruby Gettinger, a Sunday school teacher in Georgia who weighed 700 pounds, battles her obesity — and leans on God — on national television.
from ChristianityToday.com
Excerpts:
Excerpts:
In the show your doctor says you're a metabolic time bomb, threatened with diabetes, kidney failure, sleep apnea, and premature death because you may stop breathing while asleep.
When he said this, the first thing I told myself was, "Maybe I am meant to die." I have been happy. I haven't really suffered, because I have been loved. I thought, I cannot beat this. It took me two or three weeks to tell myself, "I am not going to give up. God has a bigger purpose for you than death. You can do this; you can conquer this." I still believe this, that I will conquer this condition once and for all, for me and for everyone else.
What is the link between God and your journey to weight loss and a healthy lifestyle?
At first I felt defeated. And then my faith said, "no." I felt God telling me that this change is possible, but that I [was] going to have to go down the hardest road of my life. Before it was quick fixes: now I need to find out why. What got me here and why? What strengthens me is that God sees our addictions and does not judge.
How is your diet and new lifestyle a spiritual journey?
Because I could never do this without God and the prayers of my family and friends. I have to get control spiritually of what has taken control of me. Only God truly knows my heart, soul, and mind. He is the only one who truly can direct me on my journey.
How do you get your body to go with your spirit?
My spirit wants this change so much; it is about discipline. I am finding out for the first time how to make the body and spirit meet — the hardest thing to do. Like Paul says in Romans 7:25b: "Christ acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different" (The Message). The very thing I want in life is the very thing I stop myself from having because I can't get control of it; I have to find a way for the spirit to lead the body. This is the why of the television show.
What would you share with fellow believers who are challenged with weight problems?
Do not give up no matter what. Trust God and believe again in the impossible. And no matter how many times you have failed, start over and try again. Live your life! Go out and enjoy times with your family and friends. Have people pray with you. Do not stay alone and do not keep your addiction to yourself, because that is when it becomes bigger and controls you. No matter what, there are people out there who care.
November 11, 2008
Eyewitness accounts of HELL and Present-day Prophecies
#1. "To Hell and Back" by Maurice Rawlings, MD
http://spiritlessons.com/
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
#2. Open Visions from Hell
from "A Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary K Baxter
http://www.divinerevelations.
audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Lord said, "This vision is for the future, and it will come to pass. But I shall return to redeem My bride, My church, and they shall not see it. Awaken, o My people I Sound the alarm to the comers of the earth, for I shall return as My Word has spoken."
I beheld the fiery serpent that was in the right arm of hell.
Jesus said, "Come, see what the Spirit is saying to the world."
I saw the horns of the fiery serpent as they entered the bodies of people on earth. Many were completely possessed by the serpent. As I watched, I saw a huge beast arise in a large place and turn into a man. The inhabitants of the earth ran from him, some into the
wilderness, some into caves, and some into subway stations and bomb shelters. They sought any shelter to hide from the eyes of the beast. No one was praising God or talking about Jesus.
A voice said to me, "Where are My people?"
I looked closer and saw people like dead men walking. There was a desperate sadness in the air, and no one turned to the right or left. I saw that the people were being led about by some unseen force. Now and then a voice spoke to them out of the air, and they obeyed
the voice. They did not talk to one another. I saw too that the number "666" was written on each one's forehead and on his hands. I saw soldiers on horses herding the people about as though they were cattle.
The American flag, tattered and torn, lay forlornly on the ground. There was no joy, no laughter, no happiness. I saw death and evil everywhere.
The people walked one behind another into a large department store. They kept in step like discouraged soldiers and were dressed identically in a type of prison garb. A fence surrounded the store, and guards were stationed here and there. Everywhere I looked, I
saw soldiers in battle-dress uniforms.
I saw these zombie-like people herded into the store, where they were able to buy only the barest necessities. As each completed his purchases, he was placed aboard a large green army truck. The truck, well-guarded, was then driven to another area.
Here, in a type of clinic, these people were examined for communicable diseases or crippling handicaps. A small number of them were shuffled to the side as rejects. Soon, those who failed the examination were taken to another room. In that room, an impressive array of switches, buttons and gages lined an entire wall. A door opened, and several technicians came in. One of them began to call the names of the people in the room. Without a struggle, they arose when their names were called and marched into a large box. When they were inside, another technician closed the door and pulled a switch in a panel on the wall.
A few minutes later he opened the door, took down a broom and dust pan, and swept what remained of them off the floor. Nothing but a bit of dust was left of what had once been a roomful of people!
I saw those people who passed the medical exam being put back into the same truck and driven, to a train. No one spoke or even turned to look at anyone else. At another building each person was assigned a job. They all went to work without a single dispute. I watched as they worked very hard at their assigned tasks, and then at the end of the day, they were taken to an apartment building with a high fence around it. Each undressed and went to bed. Tomorrow they would work hard again.
I heard a loud voice fill the night air. " I saw a huge beast, and he sat on a large, I throne. All the people obeyed the beast. I saw spiritual horns growing from his head. They reached, into and out of every place on earth. The beast took upon himself many positions of authority and many j offices, and he became great in power.
The beast pushed himself into many places and deceived many people. The rich and the famous were deceived as well as the poor and disfranchised. Small and great paid homage to the beast.
A large machine was brought into an office. The beast put his mark on it, and his voice came out of it. There was also a "big brother" machine that could see into homes and businesses. Only a single machine of this type existed, and it belonged to the beast. The
part of the machine that was located in the homes of the people was invisible to the naked eye, but it could and did report to the beast every move the people made. I watched as the beast turned his throne around and faced toward me. On his forehead was the number 666.
As I watched, I saw another man in another office become very angry at the beast. He demanded to talk with him. He was yelling at the top of his voice. The beast appeared and seemed very courteous as he said, "Come, I can help you take care of all your problems." The beast took the angry man into a large room and motioned for him to lie down on a table. The room and the table reminded me of a hospital emergency room. The man was given an anesthesia and wheeled beneath a vast machine. The beast attached wires to the
man's head and turned on the machine. On the top of the machine were the words, "This mind eraser belongs to the beast, 666."
When the man was removed from the table, his eyes had a vacant stare, and his movements reminded one of a zombie in a movie. I saw a large blank spot on the top of his head, and I knew his mind had been surgically altered so he could be controlled by the
beast.
The beast said, "Now, sir, don't you feel better? Didn't I say I could take care of all your problems? I have given you a new mind. You will have no worries or troubles now." The man did not speak. "You will obey my every command," said the beast as he picked up a small object and attached it to the man's shirt. He spoke again to the man, and he answered without moving his lips. He moved like a living dead man. "You will work and not get angry or frustrated, nor will you cry or be sad. You will work for me until you die. I have many like you that I control. Some lie, some kill, some steal, some make war, some have children, some run machinery, and some do other things. Yes, I control everything." An evil laugh came from him. The man was handed papers to sign. He gladly gave all his belongings to the beast.
In my vision I saw the man leave the office of the beast, get in a car and drive home. When he approached his wife, she tried to kiss him, but he made no attempt to respond. He had no feeling for his wife or anyone else. The beast had made him incapable of feeling any emotion. The wife became very angry and screamed at her husband, but to no avail. At last she said, "OK, I'll call the beast. He will know what to do." After a quick phone call, she left the house and drove to the same building her husband had just left.
The beast welcomed her in and said, "Tell me all your troubles. I am sure I can help you." A very handsome man took her by the arm and led her to the same table her husband had been on earlier. After the same operation, she also became a depersonalized slave of the beast.
I heard the beast ask her, "How do you feel?" She did not answer until after he had attached a small object to her blouse. Then she acknowledged that he was master and lord and began to worship him.
"You will be a breeder," he said. "You will have perfect babies, and they will worship and serve me."
The woman replied in a robotic voice, "Yes, master, I will obey."
I saw the woman again. This time she was in another building. There were many pregnant women there. The women lay lifelessly on their beds and in chanted monotones praised the beast. All had 666 on their foreheads.
When their babies were born, they were taken to another building where mind-altered nurses had the task of raising them. The nurses also had 666 on their foreheads. The beast grew in power until his empire stretched across the earth. The babies also grew, and at a certain time, they also went beneath the mind-destroying machine. They worshiped the beast and his image. But the machine had no power over the children of God.
I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Those that worship the beast and his image shall perish. Many shall be deceived and will fall, but I will save my children from the beast. These things will take place in the end times. Do not take the mark of the beast. Repent now before it is too late.
"The beast will call himself a man of peace. And he will bring peace to many nations out of a very chaotic time. He will be able to supply the world with many inexpensive goods, and he will assure that everyone's pay is sufficient. He will make an alliance with many nations, and the great men of the world will follow him into a false sense of security.
"Before these times I will raise up an army of believers that will stand for truth and righteousness. The mighty army that Joel spoke about will hear My voice from the rising to the going down of the sun.
"In the night hours also they will hear My voice, and they will answer Me. They will work for Me, and they will run like mighty men of war. They shall do great works for Me, for I will be with them."
All these things were revealed to me by the Lord Jesus Christ in an open vision. They are the words of His mouth, and they concern the times of the end.
Jesus and I returned home, and I wondered about all the things He had shown me and told me. I fell asleep praying for the salvation of all mankind.
#3. A Prophetic Warning from Pastor Steve Foss
Steve Foss Ministries P.O. Box1592 Keller, TX76244
I am writing to you today an urgent message concerning the coming American election. God has released me to share with you a powerful prophecy He gave me eight years ago. I have shared this prophecy in a number of public meetings, but I have never published it for all our friends and partners. In January of 2000 God gave me an incredible insight into what was about to happen in the coming elections in America over the next decade. I am not using this e-mail to tell you, who are citizens of America, who to vote for. However, you need to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Never in my 22 years of ministry have I seen such a spirit of delusion released upon our country. In January of 2000, while the Republican nomination for president was far from being decided, God spoke to me that George W. Bush would be the president of the United States. He told me it would be the hardest fought election in American history. I'm sure we can all remember the incredible battle that took place in Florida. He told me that President Bush would be elected to two terms. He told me that during Bush's term there would be a season of unprecedented economic prosperity. Now despite what the media has said, the economic wealth created during the last eight years was unprecedented. I know the media and one of the political parties has been trying to paint the last eight years as the worst economic time in American history, but it is absolutely untrue. If you look at the wealth created, there were more millionaires created in the last eight years than any time in history.. Multitudes of people were able to sell real estate before the housing market collapse, and received incredible transfers of wealth. I could spend hours showing documentation of the wealth created, but suffice it to say, the evidence is there. God then said to me, "At the end of President Bush's second term there would be an economic collapse." As everyone in the world knows, we have just faced the greatest economic threat since 1929 and the Great Depression. I will speak a little more about the present economic situation a little later in this message. Every detail that God gave me has come to pass exactly as He said. Now there is one more important thing that God spoke to me. This is the purpose and the reason I am writing this e-mail today. God spoke to me that after George W. Bush, Americawould elect its most ungodly president ever. I'm going to say that again. God spoke to me that after George W. Bush, America would elect its most ungodly president ever. As of the writing of this e-mail we are now less than two weeks away from voting for our next president. At this time the polls are strongly showing that the Democratic nominee for president will easily win the White House. Now in 2006 I began to ask the Lord, "Is that guaranteed to happen in 2008?" He spoke to me very clearly and gave me the key words to what I believe holds this election in the balance right now. He gave me these key words that can forever change what is about to happen in America. He said, "It depends on the Christians." I am not going to endorse a candidate, nor am I telling anyone who to vote for. I am simply sharing what God has shown me. I had a vision earlier this year. I saw Barack Obama in this vision. He was speaking to a large crowd and being broadcast on television. He was speaking incredible words of unity, peace, and bringing all sides together; the words were elegant, the words were comforting, and the words were inspiring. But while he was speaking I saw all a powerful spirit of violence coming out of his spirit feeding into the spirits of those that were hearing him. That spirit of violence was directed at anybody who opposed what he was saying. Those who heard his words and received it had the spirit of violence being implanted inside of them. It was a rage like I have not seen before. It was the rage that would be unleashed against those who oppose and stand in the way of Barack Obama's agenda. We are already seeing the beginnings of this spirit manifested here in America. The vicious attacks against Sarah Palin have been unlike anything we have ever seen before. The sheer hate for this woman from people who knew nothing about her, and who claim to stand up and protect the little people, and women, has been shocking. We now see it with Joe the plumber. These people who are under the influence of this demon spirit of rage desire to completely destroy this man because he dared to question Barack Obama. In fact it wasn't just the question; it was because Barack Obama revealed his true agenda that Joe the plumber became a threat. So the supporters of Barack Obama who had been fed and affected by the spirit of violence went into full swing to destroy a fellow citizen; the very kind of person that Barack Obama has been speaking about in his eloquent speeches, saying how he is the only candidate fighting for them. I want to put this deep in your spirit. I am speaking as a prophet. The words I'm about to tell you are "thus saith the Lord". If Barack Obama is elected, the attacks against free speech, against those who believe differently than he does, and the systematic use of the government and laws to silence the voice of fundamental Christians will be unlike anything ever seen in this nation before. I have talked to many Christians, including pastors, not only here in the United States but around the world, who strongly support Barack Obama. Many of them are angry with the Republicans, and understandably so. Others are inspired by the thought of electing America's first African American president, while others believe Barack Obama to be a Christian who is very concerned with the poor and needy. I am not going to address any of the many concerns about Barack Obama and his form of Christianity. I am only speaking the words of thus saith the Lord, and you have to decide what you're going to do with it. But I want to remind you, every word God has spoken to me over the last eight years and every word which I have prophesied about the American government and the elections has come to pass. God does not give this prophecy to scare us, but to prepare us. God said that the 2008 election is in the hands of the Christians. Just like when God spoke to Jonah about the judgment coming to Nineveh, when the Ninevites repented God withheld judgment; the same can happen in this election. Even though God spoke that America would elect its most ungodly president, He has given us the ability to stay this judgment. Now you may be asking, "Are you saying that Barack Obama, if elected, would be America's most ungodly president ever." Yes! Now I'm not telling you who to vote for. Some people want an ungodly president. That's their choice. I have watched throughout the world, Christians support political leaders who are blatantly ungodly. So again, this is the people's choice. I believe if the Christians will pray, repent, and hear the voice of God, a miracle can happen on Election Day. This nation lies in the hands of the Christians. Will we humble ourselves before God and pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done? Or will we allow our emotions, our feelings, our angers, our greed, our race, the opinions of the media, our fears, to dictate to us and affect who we vote for? If you allow these things to affect you, whether you vote for Republican or Democrat, you are not being led by the Spirit. We must spend time in deep intercessory prayer and cry out for God's mercy upon America. For all our friends who are not in the United States, if Christianity comes under the assaults that it would under a government controlled by Barack Obama and the Liberal Democrats, it will have horrible negative effects on the Gospel throughout the world. All truth is parallel. People say when America catches a cold, the world suffers a flu. This present financial crisis is proof of that. When America is moral and bows its knee to God, it has incredible positive spiritual impact around the world. However, we have seen over the last several decades, when America becomes more immoral that too affects the world. We need all the Christians around the world to pray for revival to come to America, and for God to have mercy and spare us from this judgment. Finally, a brief word about the financial crisis. This is not the end time financial crisis. It is very serious, and it is shaking the foundations of the world's economic system. But we will come out of this, and there will be a time again of incredible wealth creation. However, the cracks in the financial system will not be healed. The door has been opened and the way is being made for a one world government system to overtake the world's economics. The world will falsely look at this situation and say that when the governments individually, and with some unified coordination, jumped in to rescue the world, that it prevented a worldwide depression. In the future, when the true end time financial collapse takes place, it will be very easy for the nations of the world and the peoples of those nations to allow a new worldwide governing body to come to the rescue. Understand that everything that is happening has a significant spiritual purpose. So don't panic by what you see happening today, but take this as a spiritual warning from God. Prepare yourself. Get out of debt. Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in regards to how you handle money. Let God position you to handle the future complete economic collapse and the overtaking of the world's economic system. Please pray for America. May God have mercy on us all.
Your friend,
Steve Foss
http://spiritlessons.com/
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
#2. Open Visions from Hell
from "A Divine Revelation of Hell" by Mary K Baxter
http://www.divinerevelations.
audio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
The Lord said, "This vision is for the future, and it will come to pass. But I shall return to redeem My bride, My church, and they shall not see it. Awaken, o My people I Sound the alarm to the comers of the earth, for I shall return as My Word has spoken."
I beheld the fiery serpent that was in the right arm of hell.
Jesus said, "Come, see what the Spirit is saying to the world."
I saw the horns of the fiery serpent as they entered the bodies of people on earth. Many were completely possessed by the serpent. As I watched, I saw a huge beast arise in a large place and turn into a man. The inhabitants of the earth ran from him, some into the
wilderness, some into caves, and some into subway stations and bomb shelters. They sought any shelter to hide from the eyes of the beast. No one was praising God or talking about Jesus.
A voice said to me, "Where are My people?"
I looked closer and saw people like dead men walking. There was a desperate sadness in the air, and no one turned to the right or left. I saw that the people were being led about by some unseen force. Now and then a voice spoke to them out of the air, and they obeyed
the voice. They did not talk to one another. I saw too that the number "666" was written on each one's forehead and on his hands. I saw soldiers on horses herding the people about as though they were cattle.
The American flag, tattered and torn, lay forlornly on the ground. There was no joy, no laughter, no happiness. I saw death and evil everywhere.
The people walked one behind another into a large department store. They kept in step like discouraged soldiers and were dressed identically in a type of prison garb. A fence surrounded the store, and guards were stationed here and there. Everywhere I looked, I
saw soldiers in battle-dress uniforms.
I saw these zombie-like people herded into the store, where they were able to buy only the barest necessities. As each completed his purchases, he was placed aboard a large green army truck. The truck, well-guarded, was then driven to another area.
Here, in a type of clinic, these people were examined for communicable diseases or crippling handicaps. A small number of them were shuffled to the side as rejects. Soon, those who failed the examination were taken to another room. In that room, an impressive array of switches, buttons and gages lined an entire wall. A door opened, and several technicians came in. One of them began to call the names of the people in the room. Without a struggle, they arose when their names were called and marched into a large box. When they were inside, another technician closed the door and pulled a switch in a panel on the wall.
A few minutes later he opened the door, took down a broom and dust pan, and swept what remained of them off the floor. Nothing but a bit of dust was left of what had once been a roomful of people!
I saw those people who passed the medical exam being put back into the same truck and driven, to a train. No one spoke or even turned to look at anyone else. At another building each person was assigned a job. They all went to work without a single dispute. I watched as they worked very hard at their assigned tasks, and then at the end of the day, they were taken to an apartment building with a high fence around it. Each undressed and went to bed. Tomorrow they would work hard again.
I heard a loud voice fill the night air. " I saw a huge beast, and he sat on a large, I throne. All the people obeyed the beast. I saw spiritual horns growing from his head. They reached, into and out of every place on earth. The beast took upon himself many positions of authority and many j offices, and he became great in power.
The beast pushed himself into many places and deceived many people. The rich and the famous were deceived as well as the poor and disfranchised. Small and great paid homage to the beast.
A large machine was brought into an office. The beast put his mark on it, and his voice came out of it. There was also a "big brother" machine that could see into homes and businesses. Only a single machine of this type existed, and it belonged to the beast. The
part of the machine that was located in the homes of the people was invisible to the naked eye, but it could and did report to the beast every move the people made. I watched as the beast turned his throne around and faced toward me. On his forehead was the number 666.
As I watched, I saw another man in another office become very angry at the beast. He demanded to talk with him. He was yelling at the top of his voice. The beast appeared and seemed very courteous as he said, "Come, I can help you take care of all your problems." The beast took the angry man into a large room and motioned for him to lie down on a table. The room and the table reminded me of a hospital emergency room. The man was given an anesthesia and wheeled beneath a vast machine. The beast attached wires to the
man's head and turned on the machine. On the top of the machine were the words, "This mind eraser belongs to the beast, 666."
When the man was removed from the table, his eyes had a vacant stare, and his movements reminded one of a zombie in a movie. I saw a large blank spot on the top of his head, and I knew his mind had been surgically altered so he could be controlled by the
beast.
The beast said, "Now, sir, don't you feel better? Didn't I say I could take care of all your problems? I have given you a new mind. You will have no worries or troubles now." The man did not speak. "You will obey my every command," said the beast as he picked up a small object and attached it to the man's shirt. He spoke again to the man, and he answered without moving his lips. He moved like a living dead man. "You will work and not get angry or frustrated, nor will you cry or be sad. You will work for me until you die. I have many like you that I control. Some lie, some kill, some steal, some make war, some have children, some run machinery, and some do other things. Yes, I control everything." An evil laugh came from him. The man was handed papers to sign. He gladly gave all his belongings to the beast.
In my vision I saw the man leave the office of the beast, get in a car and drive home. When he approached his wife, she tried to kiss him, but he made no attempt to respond. He had no feeling for his wife or anyone else. The beast had made him incapable of feeling any emotion. The wife became very angry and screamed at her husband, but to no avail. At last she said, "OK, I'll call the beast. He will know what to do." After a quick phone call, she left the house and drove to the same building her husband had just left.
The beast welcomed her in and said, "Tell me all your troubles. I am sure I can help you." A very handsome man took her by the arm and led her to the same table her husband had been on earlier. After the same operation, she also became a depersonalized slave of the beast.
I heard the beast ask her, "How do you feel?" She did not answer until after he had attached a small object to her blouse. Then she acknowledged that he was master and lord and began to worship him.
"You will be a breeder," he said. "You will have perfect babies, and they will worship and serve me."
The woman replied in a robotic voice, "Yes, master, I will obey."
I saw the woman again. This time she was in another building. There were many pregnant women there. The women lay lifelessly on their beds and in chanted monotones praised the beast. All had 666 on their foreheads.
When their babies were born, they were taken to another building where mind-altered nurses had the task of raising them. The nurses also had 666 on their foreheads. The beast grew in power until his empire stretched across the earth. The babies also grew, and at a certain time, they also went beneath the mind-destroying machine. They worshiped the beast and his image. But the machine had no power over the children of God.
I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Those that worship the beast and his image shall perish. Many shall be deceived and will fall, but I will save my children from the beast. These things will take place in the end times. Do not take the mark of the beast. Repent now before it is too late.
"The beast will call himself a man of peace. And he will bring peace to many nations out of a very chaotic time. He will be able to supply the world with many inexpensive goods, and he will assure that everyone's pay is sufficient. He will make an alliance with many nations, and the great men of the world will follow him into a false sense of security.
"Before these times I will raise up an army of believers that will stand for truth and righteousness. The mighty army that Joel spoke about will hear My voice from the rising to the going down of the sun.
"In the night hours also they will hear My voice, and they will answer Me. They will work for Me, and they will run like mighty men of war. They shall do great works for Me, for I will be with them."
All these things were revealed to me by the Lord Jesus Christ in an open vision. They are the words of His mouth, and they concern the times of the end.
Jesus and I returned home, and I wondered about all the things He had shown me and told me. I fell asleep praying for the salvation of all mankind.
#3. A Prophetic Warning from Pastor Steve Foss
Steve Foss Ministries P.O. Box1592 Keller, TX76244
I am writing to you today an urgent message concerning the coming American election. God has released me to share with you a powerful prophecy He gave me eight years ago. I have shared this prophecy in a number of public meetings, but I have never published it for all our friends and partners. In January of 2000 God gave me an incredible insight into what was about to happen in the coming elections in America over the next decade. I am not using this e-mail to tell you, who are citizens of America, who to vote for. However, you need to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Never in my 22 years of ministry have I seen such a spirit of delusion released upon our country. In January of 2000, while the Republican nomination for president was far from being decided, God spoke to me that George W. Bush would be the president of the United States. He told me it would be the hardest fought election in American history. I'm sure we can all remember the incredible battle that took place in Florida. He told me that President Bush would be elected to two terms. He told me that during Bush's term there would be a season of unprecedented economic prosperity. Now despite what the media has said, the economic wealth created during the last eight years was unprecedented. I know the media and one of the political parties has been trying to paint the last eight years as the worst economic time in American history, but it is absolutely untrue. If you look at the wealth created, there were more millionaires created in the last eight years than any time in history.. Multitudes of people were able to sell real estate before the housing market collapse, and received incredible transfers of wealth. I could spend hours showing documentation of the wealth created, but suffice it to say, the evidence is there. God then said to me, "At the end of President Bush's second term there would be an economic collapse." As everyone in the world knows, we have just faced the greatest economic threat since 1929 and the Great Depression. I will speak a little more about the present economic situation a little later in this message. Every detail that God gave me has come to pass exactly as He said. Now there is one more important thing that God spoke to me. This is the purpose and the reason I am writing this e-mail today. God spoke to me that after George W. Bush, Americawould elect its most ungodly president ever. I'm going to say that again. God spoke to me that after George W. Bush, America would elect its most ungodly president ever. As of the writing of this e-mail we are now less than two weeks away from voting for our next president. At this time the polls are strongly showing that the Democratic nominee for president will easily win the White House. Now in 2006 I began to ask the Lord, "Is that guaranteed to happen in 2008?" He spoke to me very clearly and gave me the key words to what I believe holds this election in the balance right now. He gave me these key words that can forever change what is about to happen in America. He said, "It depends on the Christians." I am not going to endorse a candidate, nor am I telling anyone who to vote for. I am simply sharing what God has shown me. I had a vision earlier this year. I saw Barack Obama in this vision. He was speaking to a large crowd and being broadcast on television. He was speaking incredible words of unity, peace, and bringing all sides together; the words were elegant, the words were comforting, and the words were inspiring. But while he was speaking I saw all a powerful spirit of violence coming out of his spirit feeding into the spirits of those that were hearing him. That spirit of violence was directed at anybody who opposed what he was saying. Those who heard his words and received it had the spirit of violence being implanted inside of them. It was a rage like I have not seen before. It was the rage that would be unleashed against those who oppose and stand in the way of Barack Obama's agenda. We are already seeing the beginnings of this spirit manifested here in America. The vicious attacks against Sarah Palin have been unlike anything we have ever seen before. The sheer hate for this woman from people who knew nothing about her, and who claim to stand up and protect the little people, and women, has been shocking. We now see it with Joe the plumber. These people who are under the influence of this demon spirit of rage desire to completely destroy this man because he dared to question Barack Obama. In fact it wasn't just the question; it was because Barack Obama revealed his true agenda that Joe the plumber became a threat. So the supporters of Barack Obama who had been fed and affected by the spirit of violence went into full swing to destroy a fellow citizen; the very kind of person that Barack Obama has been speaking about in his eloquent speeches, saying how he is the only candidate fighting for them. I want to put this deep in your spirit. I am speaking as a prophet. The words I'm about to tell you are "thus saith the Lord". If Barack Obama is elected, the attacks against free speech, against those who believe differently than he does, and the systematic use of the government and laws to silence the voice of fundamental Christians will be unlike anything ever seen in this nation before. I have talked to many Christians, including pastors, not only here in the United States but around the world, who strongly support Barack Obama. Many of them are angry with the Republicans, and understandably so. Others are inspired by the thought of electing America's first African American president, while others believe Barack Obama to be a Christian who is very concerned with the poor and needy. I am not going to address any of the many concerns about Barack Obama and his form of Christianity. I am only speaking the words of thus saith the Lord, and you have to decide what you're going to do with it. But I want to remind you, every word God has spoken to me over the last eight years and every word which I have prophesied about the American government and the elections has come to pass. God does not give this prophecy to scare us, but to prepare us. God said that the 2008 election is in the hands of the Christians. Just like when God spoke to Jonah about the judgment coming to Nineveh, when the Ninevites repented God withheld judgment; the same can happen in this election. Even though God spoke that America would elect its most ungodly president, He has given us the ability to stay this judgment. Now you may be asking, "Are you saying that Barack Obama, if elected, would be America's most ungodly president ever." Yes! Now I'm not telling you who to vote for. Some people want an ungodly president. That's their choice. I have watched throughout the world, Christians support political leaders who are blatantly ungodly. So again, this is the people's choice. I believe if the Christians will pray, repent, and hear the voice of God, a miracle can happen on Election Day. This nation lies in the hands of the Christians. Will we humble ourselves before God and pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done? Or will we allow our emotions, our feelings, our angers, our greed, our race, the opinions of the media, our fears, to dictate to us and affect who we vote for? If you allow these things to affect you, whether you vote for Republican or Democrat, you are not being led by the Spirit. We must spend time in deep intercessory prayer and cry out for God's mercy upon America. For all our friends who are not in the United States, if Christianity comes under the assaults that it would under a government controlled by Barack Obama and the Liberal Democrats, it will have horrible negative effects on the Gospel throughout the world. All truth is parallel. People say when America catches a cold, the world suffers a flu. This present financial crisis is proof of that. When America is moral and bows its knee to God, it has incredible positive spiritual impact around the world. However, we have seen over the last several decades, when America becomes more immoral that too affects the world. We need all the Christians around the world to pray for revival to come to America, and for God to have mercy and spare us from this judgment. Finally, a brief word about the financial crisis. This is not the end time financial crisis. It is very serious, and it is shaking the foundations of the world's economic system. But we will come out of this, and there will be a time again of incredible wealth creation. However, the cracks in the financial system will not be healed. The door has been opened and the way is being made for a one world government system to overtake the world's economics. The world will falsely look at this situation and say that when the governments individually, and with some unified coordination, jumped in to rescue the world, that it prevented a worldwide depression. In the future, when the true end time financial collapse takes place, it will be very easy for the nations of the world and the peoples of those nations to allow a new worldwide governing body to come to the rescue. Understand that everything that is happening has a significant spiritual purpose. So don't panic by what you see happening today, but take this as a spiritual warning from God. Prepare yourself. Get out of debt. Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in regards to how you handle money. Let God position you to handle the future complete economic collapse and the overtaking of the world's economic system. Please pray for America. May God have mercy on us all.
Your friend,
Steve Foss
October 13, 2008
October 11, 2008
Careful what we watch: Oprah says *we* are God
Oprah Winfrey, the most influential woman of our time, proclaims that "We are the source of all life, we are the Creator, we are God" here, and denies Jesus as the only way here.
A longtime Oprah fan, Carrington Steele started taking notice of some of the views expressed by Ms. Winfrey and her guests, and how these views are in conflict with the Bible. Ms. Steele wrote "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid" and started the "Our Eyes Are Open" Ministries to warn people about the eerily cultic and simply anti-Christ teachings being spread right in our living rooms. (Note: The book title references the 900-member People's Temple cult who committed mass suicide by drinking poisoned Kool-Aid.)
See the "Our Eyes Are Open" site for videos, book excerpts, and other resources that explain how Oprah's teachings --- as viewed by millions of homes --- go against the Word of God. More video clips can be found in Isim13's YouTube site.
Indeed, when the most prominent media figure in the world is actively leading people away from Jesus, our eyes must be opened.
A longtime Oprah fan, Carrington Steele started taking notice of some of the views expressed by Ms. Winfrey and her guests, and how these views are in conflict with the Bible. Ms. Steele wrote "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid" and started the "Our Eyes Are Open" Ministries to warn people about the eerily cultic and simply anti-Christ teachings being spread right in our living rooms. (Note: The book title references the 900-member People's Temple cult who committed mass suicide by drinking poisoned Kool-Aid.)
See the "Our Eyes Are Open" site for videos, book excerpts, and other resources that explain how Oprah's teachings --- as viewed by millions of homes --- go against the Word of God. More video clips can be found in Isim13's YouTube site.
Indeed, when the most prominent media figure in the world is actively leading people away from Jesus, our eyes must be opened.
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18)
Who is the liar?
It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Such a man is the antichrist — he denies the Father and the Son.
No one who denies the Son has the Father;
whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:22-23)
Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
(1 John 4:1-3)
Who is the liar?
It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Such a man is the antichrist — he denies the Father and the Son.
No one who denies the Son has the Father;
whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:22-23)
Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
(1 John 4:1-3)
POSTSCRIPT Oct1508: Please pray for Oprah, for her guests and the people behind the show, and especially for her audience. Pray that their eyes and ears would be opened, that their minds would understand, that their hearts would turn to God.
October 10, 2008
MORE prayers for Orissa, India
Article 1. TERROR IN ORISSA
It's time for India to start acting like the world's largest democracy.
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 10/09/2008 06:25AM
Excerpts:
As local police looked the other way, dozens of Christians were murdered, hundreds of homes were destroyed, scores of churches were torched, and thousands of Christians fled to nearby forests for safety. Some faced this stark choice: Become a Hindu or be killed. The mayhem quickly spread to five more states. Pledging aid to the victims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—whose secular government did too little, too late—called the violence a "national shame." What an understatement that is.
The real embarrassment to the world's largest democracy is not this incident. No, it is the fact that this flashpoint is not all that unusual for India...According to All India Christian Council, which defends the human rights of the nation's long-oppressed Dalits, somewhere in India an attack against Christians occurs on average every three days.
...Prominent Hindus who rightly see their nation as an emerging world power are beginning to turn away in disgust from the militants. "I am a Hindu myself," Indian television talk-show host Rajiv Bajaj says. "Hinduism is a strong, ancient, rich tradition. Are we so insecure about our identity and heritage that it should lead to this kind of mindlessness? First the Sikhs, then the Muslims, now the Christians. Where does it end?"
Article 2. WORSE THAN EVER
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 10/09/2008 06:25AM
Christians knew the attacks were coming, but no one knew they would be this deadly.
Excerpts:
Nationalist Hindus have killed, raped, and otherwise assaulted Christians, burned Christian schools, churches, and houses, and left tens of thousands homeless.
...The Times of London called it "the worst anti-Christian violence in India since Independence [in 1947]."
...Orissa's population is mostly Dalit, the lowest rung in traditional Hindu society. Christianity represents relative security for a convert, since India has many reputable Christian schools, hospitals, and charities. "Conversion is basically equal to development," said Sam Paul. For that reason, many Hindus claim that converts to Christianity were bribed or tricked into it.
"If we believe the gospel is life eternal for a person, if it is Good News to the poor, why should that Good News be stopped? It's their choice whether to accept or not, but it is their basic human right to hear that news."
It's time for India to start acting like the world's largest democracy.
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 10/09/2008 06:25AM
Excerpts:
As local police looked the other way, dozens of Christians were murdered, hundreds of homes were destroyed, scores of churches were torched, and thousands of Christians fled to nearby forests for safety. Some faced this stark choice: Become a Hindu or be killed. The mayhem quickly spread to five more states. Pledging aid to the victims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—whose secular government did too little, too late—called the violence a "national shame." What an understatement that is.
The real embarrassment to the world's largest democracy is not this incident. No, it is the fact that this flashpoint is not all that unusual for India...According to All India Christian Council, which defends the human rights of the nation's long-oppressed Dalits, somewhere in India an attack against Christians occurs on average every three days.
...Prominent Hindus who rightly see their nation as an emerging world power are beginning to turn away in disgust from the militants. "I am a Hindu myself," Indian television talk-show host Rajiv Bajaj says. "Hinduism is a strong, ancient, rich tradition. Are we so insecure about our identity and heritage that it should lead to this kind of mindlessness? First the Sikhs, then the Muslims, now the Christians. Where does it end?"
================================================================
Article 2. WORSE THAN EVER
A Christianity Today editorial | posted 10/09/2008 06:25AM
Christians knew the attacks were coming, but no one knew they would be this deadly.
Excerpts:
Nationalist Hindus have killed, raped, and otherwise assaulted Christians, burned Christian schools, churches, and houses, and left tens of thousands homeless.
...The Times of London called it "the worst anti-Christian violence in India since Independence [in 1947]."
...Orissa's population is mostly Dalit, the lowest rung in traditional Hindu society. Christianity represents relative security for a convert, since India has many reputable Christian schools, hospitals, and charities. "Conversion is basically equal to development," said Sam Paul. For that reason, many Hindus claim that converts to Christianity were bribed or tricked into it.
"If we believe the gospel is life eternal for a person, if it is Good News to the poor, why should that Good News be stopped? It's their choice whether to accept or not, but it is their basic human right to hear that news."
kilig. :) SINGLES take note :p
Pardon the thrilling-lovey-dovey-cheesiness-mushiness ("kilig" in Filipino) of this blog entry 
...but then again, it's my blog and there's nothing you can do about it, mwahahahahaha!.....
Current kilig poem:
(by Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham)
(In the words of Snow White, "Someday my prince will come...")
Current kilig prayer: (again by Ruth Bell Graham)
Dear Lord, I just met this man, and I thought I knew what my life's work would be and where it would take me. But if You let me serve You with that man, I'd consider it the greatest privilege in my life.
Current kilig video clip: When Billy Graham meets Ruth Bell ^__^
Current kilig book excerpt: "Billy", Chapter Nine
(Complements the current kilig video clip)
My current GTalk status: Billy luvs Ruth Graham fans club president :)
(After reading all this, you might wanna join this fan club too...or not :) But God made me a movie buff, so watching a young Ms. Bell in action, especially as i barely knew her before, is like hearing gongs going off in my head now. :D )
...but then again, it's my blog and there's nothing you can do about it, mwahahahahaha!.....Current kilig poem:
(by Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham)
Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid
(as we're inclined to do)
I do not need a handsome man
But let him be like You;
I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
Nor need he be some genius,
Or wealthy, Lord, at all;
But let his head be high, dear God,
And let his eye be clear,
His shoulders straight, whate'er his state,
Whate'er his earthly sphere;
And let his face have character,
A ruggedness of soul,
And let his whole life show, dear God,
A singleness of goal;
Then, when he comes, (as he will come)
With quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man I prayed for, long ago.
(as we're inclined to do)
I do not need a handsome man
But let him be like You;
I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
Nor need he be some genius,
Or wealthy, Lord, at all;
But let his head be high, dear God,
And let his eye be clear,
His shoulders straight, whate'er his state,
Whate'er his earthly sphere;
And let his face have character,
A ruggedness of soul,
And let his whole life show, dear God,
A singleness of goal;
Then, when he comes, (as he will come)
With quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man I prayed for, long ago.
(In the words of Snow White, "Someday my prince will come...")
Current kilig prayer: (again by Ruth Bell Graham)
Dear Lord, I just met this man, and I thought I knew what my life's work would be and where it would take me. But if You let me serve You with that man, I'd consider it the greatest privilege in my life.
Current kilig video clip: When Billy Graham meets Ruth Bell ^__^
Current kilig book excerpt: "Billy", Chapter Nine
(Complements the current kilig video clip)
My current GTalk status: Billy luvs Ruth Graham fans club president :)
(After reading all this, you might wanna join this fan club too...or not :) But God made me a movie buff, so watching a young Ms. Bell in action, especially as i barely knew her before, is like hearing gongs going off in my head now. :D )
The Katinas --- LIVE in Manila!
The Katinas have the smoothest vocals 
One of their albums is called "Lifestyle" because, they said, worship is more than just singing songs -- it's a lifestyle 
Indeed, i heard energetic island beats to solemn acapella worship. They led me to fall in love with God in a different way, like seeing a new facet of a diamond :)
i love their unique sound, too...i keep thinking of a brotherhood of crooning Gary V.'s backed up by tropical guitars and drums i've always wanted to buy their albums too (the first one or two tracks were enough to convince me!)...Only i don't really have the funds :( So color me elated when i heard they'll perform here in Manila live...for less than the price of an original CD
Watch the Katinas live on November 30, 2008, 8PM at the Araneta Coliseum:
One of their albums is called "Lifestyle" because, they said, worship is more than just singing songs -- it's a lifestyle Indeed, i heard energetic island beats to solemn acapella worship. They led me to fall in love with God in a different way, like seeing a new facet of a diamond :) i love their unique sound, too...i keep thinking of a brotherhood of crooning Gary V.'s backed up by tropical guitars and drums
i've always wanted to buy their albums too (the first one or two tracks were enough to convince me!)...Only i don't really have the funds :( So color me elated when i heard they'll perform here in Manila live...for less than the price of an original CD Watch the Katinas live on November 30, 2008, 8PM at the Araneta Coliseum:
- Patron A (Reserved Seating) PhP 1,377
- Patron B (Reserved Seating) 997
- Lower Box (Reserved Seating) 897
- Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) 747
- Upper Box B (Free Seating) 497
- General Admission (Free Seating) 247
October 7, 2008
watch "Billy: The Early Years"
Check out Billy: The Early Years, the upcoming film about Billy Graham. The official website has some movie clips of some scenes including with love-of-his-life Ruth (kilig!) and his landmark Los Angeles crusade.
Kelan 'to papalabas sa 'Pinas?!?! Wah!
i'm really excited about this movie :) Especially since i just emerged from my own "dark night of the soul". Because i felt His presence so intensely and for prolonged periods, i felt His absence oh so strongly as well. i experienced the doubts that led people like Graham's friend Chuck Templeton to atheism :( But eventually i had to resolve that just because i don't experience God in the same way that i used to, doesn't mean that He's not there. Actually, the fact remains that He has already revealed Himself to me!
So for all my other doubts, whether they have yet to be resolved, or if new questions arise, i can rest in the assurance of what i already know to be true. "All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). And now, just like a recommitted Billy, i "hear His voice again" :)
And the all-important love story of course! ^__^ It's so inspiring to see two people love and support each other as they love and follow God above all else :) Truly, all good things come from the Father above ^__^
Kelan 'to papalabas sa 'Pinas?!?! Wah!
i'm really excited about this movie :) Especially since i just emerged from my own "dark night of the soul". Because i felt His presence so intensely and for prolonged periods, i felt His absence oh so strongly as well. i experienced the doubts that led people like Graham's friend Chuck Templeton to atheism :( But eventually i had to resolve that just because i don't experience God in the same way that i used to, doesn't mean that He's not there. Actually, the fact remains that He has already revealed Himself to me!
So for all my other doubts, whether they have yet to be resolved, or if new questions arise, i can rest in the assurance of what i already know to be true. "All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen." (Ralph Waldo Emerson). And now, just like a recommitted Billy, i "hear His voice again" :)
And the all-important love story of course! ^__^ It's so inspiring to see two people love and support each other as they love and follow God above all else :) Truly, all good things come from the Father above ^__^
October 3, 2008
killing in the name of atheism: 100 million in 100 years
"The seismic shock of out-and-out atheism sent tidal waves across Europe and beyond, directly accounting for the annihilation and butchering of more than a hundred million people this past century alone. Humanity has paid a steep, gruesome price for the awful experiments in deliberate antitheism carried out by Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao Tse-tung and others (teci: like Pol-pot) --- each of whom was profoundly influenced by the writings of the apostles of atheism...After watching atheism proliferate...it's clearer than ever that...without God, we're lost."
--- Luis Palau, God is Relevant
(as quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith)
--- Luis Palau, God is Relevant
(as quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Faith)
September 26, 2008
help Google change the world ^_^
Google's 10th Birthday Present: World-Changing Ideas
By Barry Levine
September 25, 2008 2:17PM
Google is celebrating its 10th birthday with Project 10^100, an endeavor that will commit $10 million to backing ideas to improve the world. Google's Project 10^100 will accept ideas big and small, from all walks of life. Analysts see Google's Project 10^100 as both a savvy and altruistic move, and say Project 10^100 will benefit Google's image.
For its birthday, what do you give the company that has everything? In Google's case, the Internet giant is asking for only five presents, but each has the same qualification: Each one must help to change the world.
On Wednesday, Google announced its 10th birthday celebration endeavor, called Project 10^100 (pronounced "Project 10 to the 100th"). In a statement, the company said it was "asking our users to send us exciting ideas for ways to improve people's lives," adding that it has "committed $10 million to turn up to five of the best ideas into reality."
Five Ideas Selected for Funding
The company said that an idea could use technology or not, could be big or small, but it must have an impact. The 100 best ideas will then be identified, and users will be asked to vote on which ideas the company should back with funds.
The deadline for submission of ideas is October 20, and the top 20 ideas will be available for online voting on January 27. After that, a panel of judges will choose as many as five of the ideas for final funding.
On the company's official blog, Andy Berndt, managing director of Google's Creative Lab, noted that we are living in a time when people have access to more information, more tools, and more ways of turning good ideas into action.
"Yet," he wrote, "at the same time so many people (in all walks of life) could use some help, in small ways and big." The ideas could come from anywhere, he said -- a lab, a company, a university, or even "some small connection you've noticed, some old way of doing something that you've seen with new eyes."
'Savvy Business Move'
The company mentioned a few examples of the kinds of innovative ideas it's looking for. The Hippo Water Roller makes it possible for people in underdeveloped countries to collect five times as much water as the traditional method of carrying a five-gallon bucket on the head. Instead of causing damage to the spine, neck and knees of the water carrier, as the traditional head-carrying method can, the Roller allows the larger water bucket to be rolled instead of carried.
First Mile Solutions, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and derived from research at MIT, uses Wi-Fi and digital storage
to create "cached Wi-Fi intelligence" that is helping to connect rural communities worldwide, at a very low cost per user.
Google said it would be considering ideas in the categories of Community, Opportunity, Energy, Environment, Health, Education and Shelter, as well as "Everything Else."
Laura DiDio, an analyst with industry research firm Information Technology Intelligence Corps, described Google's birthday present to itself as "a savvy business move," as well as an altruistic one.
She noted that more and more companies are looking to the public to submit ideas via the Internet, and this one in particular emphasizes Google's "sense of inclusiveness, of being green, of trying to make the world a better place," which will benefit its image to the public.
By Barry Levine
September 25, 2008 2:17PM
Google is celebrating its 10th birthday with Project 10^100, an endeavor that will commit $10 million to backing ideas to improve the world. Google's Project 10^100 will accept ideas big and small, from all walks of life. Analysts see Google's Project 10^100 as both a savvy and altruistic move, and say Project 10^100 will benefit Google's image.
For its birthday, what do you give the company that has everything? In Google's case, the Internet giant is asking for only five presents, but each has the same qualification: Each one must help to change the world.
On Wednesday, Google announced its 10th birthday celebration endeavor, called Project 10^100 (pronounced "Project 10 to the 100th"). In a statement, the company said it was "asking our users to send us exciting ideas for ways to improve people's lives," adding that it has "committed $10 million to turn up to five of the best ideas into reality."
Five Ideas Selected for Funding
The company said that an idea could use technology or not, could be big or small, but it must have an impact. The 100 best ideas will then be identified, and users will be asked to vote on which ideas the company should back with funds.
The deadline for submission of ideas is October 20, and the top 20 ideas will be available for online voting on January 27. After that, a panel of judges will choose as many as five of the ideas for final funding.
On the company's official blog, Andy Berndt, managing director of Google's Creative Lab, noted that we are living in a time when people have access to more information, more tools, and more ways of turning good ideas into action.
"Yet," he wrote, "at the same time so many people (in all walks of life) could use some help, in small ways and big." The ideas could come from anywhere, he said -- a lab, a company, a university, or even "some small connection you've noticed, some old way of doing something that you've seen with new eyes."
'Savvy Business Move'
The company mentioned a few examples of the kinds of innovative ideas it's looking for. The Hippo Water Roller makes it possible for people in underdeveloped countries to collect five times as much water as the traditional method of carrying a five-gallon bucket on the head. Instead of causing damage to the spine, neck and knees of the water carrier, as the traditional head-carrying method can, the Roller allows the larger water bucket to be rolled instead of carried.
First Mile Solutions, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and derived from research at MIT, uses Wi-Fi and digital storage
to create "cached Wi-Fi intelligence" that is helping to connect rural communities worldwide, at a very low cost per user. Google said it would be considering ideas in the categories of Community, Opportunity, Energy, Environment, Health, Education and Shelter, as well as "Everything Else."
Laura DiDio, an analyst with industry research firm Information Technology Intelligence Corps, described Google's birthday present to itself as "a savvy business move," as well as an altruistic one.
She noted that more and more companies are looking to the public to submit ideas via the Internet, and this one in particular emphasizes Google's "sense of inclusiveness, of being green, of trying to make the world a better place," which will benefit its image to the public.
September 20, 2008
Urgent: Please pray for INDIA
"Please pray for the Church in India. Buddhist extremists burnt 20 churches in Orissa last night. BJP plans to kill 200 pastors in the next 24 hours. All Christians are hiding in the bushes. Please pray and forward to all intercessors you know so we can cry out to God on their behalf. Pastor Steve, Dubai. Please pass." --- text message from my friend Tina
For more information, here are some sites:
Orissa Update and Fact Sheet
Central Govt hits out at Orissa, Karnataka for church attacks
Violence in Orissa spreads, worsens
Let us remember that God is in control; that His purposes are always good and His timing is always perfect. Let us pray in His Spirit and in His name, for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done.
Much thanks for reading and praying!
For more information, here are some sites:
Orissa Update and Fact Sheet
Central Govt hits out at Orissa, Karnataka for church attacks
Violence in Orissa spreads, worsens
Let us remember that God is in control; that His purposes are always good and His timing is always perfect. Let us pray in His Spirit and in His name, for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done.
Much thanks for reading and praying!
September 18, 2008
when tears fall like rain, 2: ten minutes later :)
it's still dark and rainy, but the birds are starting to sing. very eagerly, i might add.
and so shall i. sadness gave me a bigger picture of the world, but the victory is still on the side of good.
take care everybody :)
and so shall i. sadness gave me a bigger picture of the world, but the victory is still on the side of good.
take care everybody :)
September 10, 2008
on a day when tears flow like rain
Right now, i just rejoice in the fact that GOD is strong where i am so weak. i also rejoice in the fact that He is stronger than any of our pastors, friends, or family. Para sa Kanya talaga ako tatakbo kapag finally naaalala ko uli na hindi ko kaya. (So that it is to Him i'll run to when i finally remember that i can't handle it all.)
Restoring force: F = -kx. The farther i drift away, the bigger the force (yet it's the gentlest, most gracious kind of force!) that He uses to draw me back.
"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love." (Hosea 11:4)
That's all for now. Take care everybody :) Continue to snuggle in God's embrace. :)
Restoring force: F = -kx. The farther i drift away, the bigger the force (yet it's the gentlest, most gracious kind of force!) that He uses to draw me back.
"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love." (Hosea 11:4)
That's all for now. Take care everybody :) Continue to snuggle in God's embrace. :)
September 8, 2008
God gives us perfect peace. :)
GOD GIVES US *PERFECT* PEACE. :)
WARM-UP QUESTION:
Recall an extremely stressful situation :)
WORD:
1. God Himself is our Peace
When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die." So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it "The Lord is Peace." To this day it stands...--- Judges 6:22-24
2. Jesus gives us peace in our circumstances...and in our hearts
Jesus Calms the Storm
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!" --- Mark 4:37-41
* Notes:
- In another translation, Jesus silenced the storm by saying: "Peace! Be still."
- God can give us peace by changing our circumstances...or changing our hearts :)
- Where is *our* faith? are we calm like Jesus when a storm hits...or are we hurt and angry that He doesn't seem to care? Or do we immediately conclude that He never was with us anyway?
3. Inner peace is more important...because Jesus, the "Prince of Peace", also warns:
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' --- Matthew 10:34-36
4. Our peace also lies in the choices we make
Submit to God and be at peace with Him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.
Accept instruction from His mouth
and lay up His words in your heart.
If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored.
If you remove wickedness far from your tent
and assign your nuggets to the dust,
your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,
then the Almighty will be your gold,
the choicest silver for you.
Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty
and will lift up your face to God.
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you,
and you will fulfill your vows.
What you decide on will be done,
and light will shine on your ways.
When men are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!'
then He will save the downcast.
He will deliver even one who is not innocent,
who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands. --- Job 22:21-30
* Note:
It is God who saves, but if you decide to do right, you will have His peace and His blessing, and the people around you can be saved through you as well. :)
5. Peace by focusing on Who is steadfast
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in You. --- Isaiah 26:3
* Note:
God is eternal, unchanging, and ever faithful. We become more steadfast as we focus on our steadfast God.
6. Why the stress? It's all by HIM anyway...
LORD, You establish peace for us;
all that we have accomplished You have done for us.
--- Isaiah 26:12
* Note:
Have you ever felt stressed about not being good enough, as a person or in your actions? Have you ever lost hope in yourself? It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
7. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength..."
--- Isaiah 30:15a
* Note:
Where/In whom do you put your rest and trust? We are saved and strengthened when we trust in God all the more and trust in ourselves all the less.
8. Take heart! Jesus has *already* *overcome* the world, death, and even our own sins.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God;
trust also in Me. --- John 14:1
Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. --- John 14:27
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world. --- John 16:33
* Note:
What else is there to be worried or anxious about? God has already overcome His enemies, the curse of death, and even our own sins. We have peace because God has already overcome all.
APPLICATION QUESTION:
In what area of your life can you appropriate the perfect peace of God today?
FAITHFULNESS
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.
--- Hebrews 10:23
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,
when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.
Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;
at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.
--- Hebrews 10:32-33
So DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE;
it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere
so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what He has promised.
For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But My righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who believe and are saved.
--- Hebrews 10:35-39
By faith Enoch was taken from this life,
so that he did not experience death;
he could not be found because God had taken him away.
For before he was taken, he was commended as one who PLEASED GOD.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
--- Hebrews 11:5-6
(teci: i have already been encountered by God and He has repeatedly revealed Himself to me, so i am sure beyond doubt of His existence. So for me, i should not even be asking "Where are You, God? Are You really there?" I should already go on immediately to conversing with Him. Surely He is anywhere and available anytime! =)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12)
We have come to [b]share in Christ [b,i]*if*[/b,/i] we [b]hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. [/b]
As has just been said:
"Today, [b]if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts[/b]
as you did in the rebellion."
...So we see that they were [b]not able to enter, because of their unbelief.[/b] (Hebrews 3:14-15, 19)
Ang galing.
It's really not my ideas, my words, nor even my testimony
It's the WORD from GOD that will draw them to Him ^___^
Atheists:
If you see/hear nothing,
then it's perfectly reasonable not to put your faith in that nothing!
But if you had an encounter already...
(You'll know it when you're at that moment: some say they sense a voice or a thought, some have even seen physical manifestations, others have this sharp realization of insight that it's all real (then-atheist Lee Strobel, for example, after a two(?)-year investigation, concluded that it takes more faith to be atheist).)
When you hear His voice
do not harden your hearts
please do not say "I still don't hear"
when you've never heard anything more clearly =)
and i say this entirely for your sake :)
Christians:
Are you at the brink of disowning your faith?
Why do we believe in the first place?
Remember why you hold your faith to be real/true
Do not let the presence of hardships or the absence of God
deter you from what you have already established as real :)
for He who promised is faithful.
--- Hebrews 10:23
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light,
when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.
Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution;
at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.
--- Hebrews 10:32-33
So DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE;
it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere
so that when you have done the will of God,
you will receive what He has promised.
For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But My righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who believe and are saved.
--- Hebrews 10:35-39
By faith Enoch was taken from this life,
so that he did not experience death;
he could not be found because God had taken him away.
For before he was taken, he was commended as one who PLEASED GOD.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
--- Hebrews 11:5-6
(teci: i have already been encountered by God and He has repeatedly revealed Himself to me, so i am sure beyond doubt of His existence. So for me, i should not even be asking "Where are You, God? Are You really there?" I should already go on immediately to conversing with Him. Surely He is anywhere and available anytime! =)
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12)
We have come to [b]share in Christ [b,i]*if*[/b,/i] we [b]hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. [/b]
As has just been said:
"Today, [b]if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts[/b]
as you did in the rebellion."
...So we see that they were [b]not able to enter, because of their unbelief.[/b] (Hebrews 3:14-15, 19)
Ang galing.
It's really not my ideas, my words, nor even my testimony
It's the WORD from GOD that will draw them to Him ^___^
Atheists:
If you see/hear nothing,
then it's perfectly reasonable not to put your faith in that nothing!
But if you had an encounter already...
(You'll know it when you're at that moment: some say they sense a voice or a thought, some have even seen physical manifestations, others have this sharp realization of insight that it's all real (then-atheist Lee Strobel, for example, after a two(?)-year investigation, concluded that it takes more faith to be atheist).)
When you hear His voice
do not harden your hearts
please do not say "I still don't hear"
when you've never heard anything more clearly =)
and i say this entirely for your sake :)
Christians:
Are you at the brink of disowning your faith?
Why do we believe in the first place?
Remember why you hold your faith to be real/true
Do not let the presence of hardships or the absence of God
deter you from what you have already established as real :)
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