God's gift today

today i was thanking God for the precious gift of His Son. as i do sometimes in monday night class i asked Him if He had another gift for me. He said peace. i was feeling sad that i couldn't spend christmas with the one person i really wanted to spend christmas with. God knew what i needed and He gave it to me. praise God. thank You Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Christmas

we have 2 feet of snow and i'm sitting indoors at my computer feeling sad because the one person i want to spend christmas with isn't here.

christmas isn't about getting things. christmas is about the King who was born today. God who, because of His incredible love for us, took on flesh and lived among us. who, because of His incredible love for us, suffered, died and rose again, for us, because of His incredible love.

everything He did He did for us out of love. thank you Jesus. happy birthday!

Jesus is better and greater than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008
And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year 2009.

Prayer Alert during Canada's current Political Crisis

1. Pray for Governor-General
Michaelle Jean as she consults with her advisors about
the key decisions she needs to make in the days
ahead. Pray that she would ultimately be guided by
the Holy Spirit.

2. Pray for public calm and
safety. Strong emotions are being stirred up by
this crisis. Let's pray that as various
demonstrations take place that peace and order would be
observed and no violence would erupt that might cause
personal injury or property damage. Pray that the
potential divisions and alienation that could deepen in
our land would actually be addressed and healed at this
time. We have had many calls from people who are
concerned about separatism in different parts of the
country.

3. Pray that God's good purposes would
be accomplished during this difficult "shaking"
process. Pray that all party leaders and members
would learn and grow through this crisis. Ask the
Father to thwart every attempt that the enemy is trying
to use to harm our nation and its governance. Pray
that every dark motive and plan would be exposed,
especially back room deals and hidden agendas that would
feed self-interest and not our nation's greater
good.

4. Pray for each of the party leaders that
they would resist the lust for power and would approach
their duties with humility and true
servanthood. Let's intercede that each
one would be able to receive godly wisdom and act in a
responsible manner. Pray that righteousness and
justice would prevail.

5. Pray for the media and
all the "pundits" who are seen and heard in the various
news agencies and networks, that they would be careful
to represent the truth and not take advantage of the
situation. Ask the Father to make this a time of
maturing for everyone involved in the media as
well.

6. Pray for our nation's economy and for
good leadership through 2009 as we navigate our way
through the global economic crisis along with the other
nations of the world. Pray that all parties would
understand how their decisions are affecting
average Canadians and their economic health.

7.
Pray for the emergence of a stronger and healthier
democracy in our land as we move through this political
uncertainty. Pray that all Canadians would realize
the importance of their participation in the democratic
process, especially the younger generation that needs to
be engaged more fully.

8. Pray for all our
members of Parliament, that a spirit of unity would
emerge out of this fractured time. Especially pray
for the Speaker of the House - the honourable Peter
Milliken as he presides over the debates. Pray
that M.P.s who are followers of Jesus Christ would set a
higher tone and be exemplary in their conduct and
conversation.

9. Pray for the "average
Canadian" who is generally ill-informed and therefore
reliant on the media for their perceptions. Pray
that truth would prevail and that apathy or a spirit of
resignation would be lifted from the general
public. Intercede that the people would not become
demoralized or cynical about the political
realm.

10. Let's pray for a revival of prayer to
come upon the Church in Canada. Pray that
believers would rise to the challenge of the hour, and
that a spirit of prayer would come upon us as we stand
on guard for our nation in its hour of
need.

God - the great I AM

have you ever wondered about this name "I AM"? in Exodus 3:14 God identified Himself to moses as "I AM" it's an unusual name whose full meaning is somewhat hard to grasp - at least until the New Testament, when Jesus completes the thought.

John 6:35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 10:9 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

a most amazing story

https://www.seeds.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50

An Amazing Revival in the Fiji Islands
Written by David S. Rathjen
Thursday, 21 August 2008
The story I am about to tell you will stretch your belief to the very limit. I am telling it as near as I can remember, from the many times I heard it from the lips of Pastor Bill, Superintendent of the Western Division of the Assemblies of God in the Fiji Islands. He is the Director of three hundred pastors on the western side of Fiji. (no photos needed for this up-date!) Early in February 2008 four young men went on an evangelistic mission in the Yasawa Chain of Islands. After the meetings as they were returning home from the ferry on the Main Island, they were involved in a terrible accident. Their car went out of control and tumbled end over end seven times, ending up-side down in a deep ditch. The first part of the story was told by three of the boys who were totally uninjured.

Part One:
As they were gathering their wits in the over-turned vehicle, they heard the voice of the driver asking them if they were alright. When they affirmed that they were OK, he then asked them to get out of the car and flag down the first motorist who would come along. Upon reaching the roadside, they realized that Sevuloni, the driver, was still in the car. They found that his body was halfway through the broken windshield with his head buried in mud. They were amazed that he could have uttered any words from the position he was in.

Upon pulling him out of the mud, both his eyes popped out and hung down on his cheeks. His skull was severed across the forehead, with the upper half raised up like a trunk door of a car. His head and hair were full of shattered glass and mud. Stranger still, came the calm voice of the terribly injured boy when he uttered the words, “Thank you Jesus”. Sevuloni wasn’t breathing, nor were there any signs of life.

A police cruiser had stopped, and the officer asked what was going on. The body was quickly loaded into the van, and a speedy trip was made to the hospital some twelve kilometers away. In the high-speed journey, there was a fly-by accident with another vehicle. Seeing that no one was hurt, the police officer elected to keep on going and settle damages later. To his amazement, the injured boy said, “I love you Jesus.”
“Is this man a preacher?” asked the surprised officer. When informed that the lad, whose name is Sevu (abbreviated), is just a sincere young Christian boy, the policeman continued to drive. At the emergency entrance of the hospital, the paramedics were so shocked, they had to be told to hurry up and bring a stretcher and get the boy into the emergency ward.

A doctor examined the young man, finding he was not breathing, nor were there any signs of life. Taking into account the terrible injuries to his head, he pronounced him dead. As he turned to go, the injured boy quietly said, “Thank you Jesus!” Greatly puzzled, the doctor wheeled about and said, “What is going on here? You better clean him up and remove the glass out of his head. Cover his eyes with a bandage and keep him right here under observation.”

They called his mother to sit at his bedside, and nurse to attend to him and report any changes. His brain was so damaged that nothing could be done regarding his broken skull. His eyes, though protected with bandages, were still hanging out of their sockets. There was no sign of life, except for the occasional utterance, “Thank you Jesus”, or “I love you Jesus”. The body laid there in this ultra-comatose condition for three and one half days.

There was no medical description for the state of this inert, yet talking man. His body functions were so faint and decelerated as to be almost non-existent. Perhaps it was similar to extreme hibernation that some species achieve when there is no detectable functioning metabolism. Word began to spread about this patient’s highly unusual condition. Many were the prayers that ascended to God on his behalf. The nurse who was given charge of this unprecedented case, happened to be a Christian. She was very attentive because she realized something supernatural was taking place.

Part Two:
As Sevuloni was driving the car, suddenly he was blinded by a great light, and lost control of his vehicle. He doesn’t remember the crash, but only of being suddenly lifted up and out of the tumbling vehicle by two angels in white garments. He was taken up to a place they called Paradise. He described Paradise as being a waiting place for the souls who are redeemed, and are waiting for their mansions in the New Jerusalem.

One of the first things the angels showed him was the death-rate of planet earth. Streams of disembodied souls were streaming out of the world like grains of sand being poured out of dump trucks. Thousands upon thousands were being poured out every minute. The vast majority of them were going to Hell. A tiny minority were entering into Paradise. The road to Hell and the gates thereof were very wide in order to accommodate the surging river of lost humanity. The gates of heaven, on the other hand, were so narrow that redeemed souls were entering single file. This was very troubling to Sevu. Could it be that many who were convinced that they were right with God, were deceiving themselves?

According to the angel, construction in the New Jerusalem is all complete. All mansions are finished and waiting for occupancy. He was told that the size and value of each individual mansion depends entirely on the number of souls one wins to God during one’s life-time on earth. “The winning of souls to Jesus Christ”, according to the angel, “is the highest priority in the Kingdom of Heaven. Nothing compares with the value of snatching souls from the fires of Hell, and pointing them to Jesus, The Doorway into the joys of Heaven.”
He remembered the story about the Lost Sheep, and how the Shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep safely in the fold and went out into the darkness to search for the Lost Sheep. The way Jesus told it, there is more rejoicing in Heaven over one lost sinner being rescued from certain destruction, than in ninety-nine who are safely in the fold.

The angel pointed to a big clock on a wall. “Look,” he said, “it is a minute and a half before midnight! At any moment now the Rapture will take place and Christ will bring home to heaven all those who truly believe in Him, See, the tables are all prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The food is already on the tables. Food preparation is already complete. All that remains is for the Guests to arrive.” He was then shown a place where God keeps an immense supply of body parts. “When the Lord performs miracles of healing on earth,”
the angel explained, “God does not repair or mend the problem part, He replaces it with a new one. God makes everything new. The old is removed as the new replaces it.” God is prepared for every human emergency, but so few people claim by faith what He has provided!

Sevuloni was told that Paradise is presently located inside the enormous City Four-Square. Paradise is the ‘waiting place’ of the dead in Christ, and for those who will go up in the coming Rapture. Jesus, the Judge, will then try by fire the works of believers at the Bema Seat Judgment. All works that are not done in the will and power of Jesus Christ and for His Glory, will be burned up. Then, and only then will believers place in the New Jerusalem be determined and allotted. The Central place in the New Jerusalem will then become the residence of the Great Triune God. The angels emphasized the importance that all our efforts on earth be engaged in the rescuing of souls from the horrors of Hell, and preparing them for everlasting Life in Heaven. Any other type of Gospel will be judged, not rewarded.

Sevu tried to describe the innumerable precious gemstones everywhere apparent, that were being illuminated by the Glory of Father God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The whole of Heaven was lit up in this way in an astonishing, indescribable, fluorescence of glory.
Sevu was amazed that he instinctively knew people in Paradise. He knew relatives who died before he was born. He saw Christians he had known, who had died and gone to Heaven. He was amazed at the very few young people he saw in Heaven. Paradise was full of people of all ages, but young people were conspicuous by their scarcity. The angel told him he would soon be returned to his body on earth, and that he must warn the young people especially that they must repent and turn to God.

“Now, we will show you what Hades is like,” said the angels. “It is located in the middle of the Lake of Fire. It is the waiting place of the damned, until the Great White Throne Judgment takes place. After those who have rejected Jesus Christ are judged and sentenced to eternal punishment, Death and Hades, with all who are imprisoned in them, will be poured into the eternal Lake of Fire, which is heating up right now.”
Hell, according to Sevu, is a place of unending torment. He saw a woman he knew who had been a very negative critic on earth. She enjoyed spreading hurtful stories about others. The very demons who prompted her in evil deeds while on earth, were her tormentors in Hades. He was troubled at the enormous number of young people in Hell. “Why are there so many young people here,” he asked the angels. “Youth is the age when people on earth are choosing whom they will serve,” was the answer. “Young people tend to go through a period of rebellion. In this condition they often precipitate their death, and end up here. When you return to earth, you must warn them to get right with God, now, not later.”

There were preachers in Hell that Sevuloni had known. He was amazed to find them there. He was told that they had not preached the frightening truth about Hell, the destination of those who reject Jesus Christ. These preachers also had not been warning people of the very soon-coming of Jesus Christ. Then again, they had been watering down the Bible truth about the deadly seriousness of personal sin. “You must tell your people,” stressed the angel, “that Hell is very real, and that they must seek God and Heaven through Jesus Christ with
all their soul, strength and being. Tell them to resist Satan and evil completely so they will not come to this dreadful place.

Sevu was then taken back to Paradise. “You must return now to earth, and your waiting body,” the angel told him. “But I don’t want to go back to earth,” Sevu cried, “I want to stay in this wonderful place of love, blessing and joy!” The angels were adamant that he return to earth. “That is why you have experienced this whole ordeal. You must warn people that they must prepare to meet their God.” The angel picked a fruit from a tree growing by the River of Life, saying “Eat this and it will help with your healing. Your healing will be progressive. You will spend four days in Intensive Care, and two weeks in Recovery. Your complete healing will depend on your being faithful in humbly telling your people the things you have seen and heard.”

Sevu was taken down until he could see his death-like body as it lay on the hospital bed. He was concerned about how he would re-enter that emaciated form with its broken skull and gaping eye sockets. He had been free of its hindering limitations for three and one half days. His questions were soon answered as he entered the body with a swoop, headfirst through its feet. As soon as he entered his body, it became alive, beginning to stir and waking up from its deep sleep.

Those lingering lovingly near that ultra-comatose body began seeing amazing things. As the Doctor removed the covering bandage, the dangling eyeballs popped back into their sockets. The severed skull went back into place. The young man sat up, saying, “I am hungry. Please give me something to eat.” Seeing a plate of fish and vegetables near-by, he asked if he could have it. The nurse told him he must have liquids only, no solid food. Sevu insisted that he was OK, and wanted the fish and vegetables. He ate it up with no after ill-effects. True to the angel’s predictions, healing occurred progressively. He spent four days in Intensive Care, and two weeks in Recovery.

Pastor Bill Naivalu, Superintendent of Fiji’s Western Division of the Assemblies of God, was naturally wary that the lad’s imagination may have played some part in the amazing story he had to tell. “I don’t want you to be telling your story until everything is documented, and every-thing lines up with the Word of God. Too much discredit has occurred in Christendom because of well meaning people who let their imagination prevail over actual facts.” He examined the whole matter from beginning to end, and arrived at the conclusion that there were too many witnesses who all agreed. There was too much documentary evidence for it to be other than as recounted. The sincere transparency of Sevu was convincing as he told and re-told his experiences. Everything lined up with the truth as recorded in the Bible.

We are going to do a test event,” he told Sevu. “You say you have a message from God? We will hold a test service in the remote town of Vatu Colo.” The meaning of the name is ‘Gold Town’, a once-thriving town near a gold mine. Since the gold has been depleted, the town now has only half its former population. Everything, including the Christian religion has been in decline there for years. It would be a good place to test the event.
After modestly informing the town’s people that Sevuloni would be sharing his experience at a meeting on April 27, 2008, the team arrived at the big meeting hall. The whole town had turned out for the meeting. An enormous crowd was trying to get into the building. Pastor Bill requested that all the Church people go
outside the building so that invited Town folk could get inside. The building was filled to fullest capacity, with many people standing outside.

The service was purposely kept low key. Pastor Bill offered a simple opening prayer. A hymn was sung. There was no special music. A brief introduction was made. Then the service was turned over to Sevu. There was no preaching. Sevu simply recounted his experiences in the other world. The congregation of non-church people was intensely impacted by his words. The presence of God in that meeting like nothing Pastor Bill had ever witnessed in forth-five years of ministry. No invitation was given, but everyone in that meeting, plus those who were outside, wanted to get right with God. Two thousand people that day registered their decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives.

The next weekend saw another momentous gathering. It happened at a Youth Convention in the huge Assembly of God church building in Lautoka. It was a three-day event, with the closing meeting being given over to Sevu’s testimony. Again, there was no hype or worked up excitement in the meeting. Once again the simple recitation was backed up by a tremendous sense of the presence of a Holy God.
The young people were sitting in the front rows of the huge wrap-around sanctuary. Thousands of others filled the rest of the place to capacity and then some.

For an hour and twelve minutes the lad related the message the angels had given him. The effect on the vast congregation was electric, with multitudes drenched in tears. Pastor Bill affirmed that even he was affected as never before by an over-whelming sense of the presence of a Holy God. Many believers also were re-evaluating their present relationship with God, and realizing that their own righteousness was like filthy rage to a holy God. They realized anew that only by God’s grace was salvation possible. They also realized in a new and powerful way, that acceptance before God’s infinite purity is only possible when one is clad in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, His beloved Son.

As Sevu was summing up his story, Pastor Bill said that the seat he was sitting in became too hot to sit in. He stood up and looked up. The whole ceiling at the front of the great sanctuary was full of ethereal fire. Suddenly all the young people saw it also. There was no need for an alter call. The youth group literally rushed forward, throwing themselves prostrate before the altar.

They fervently prayed, repented, confessing their sins, and re-dedicated their lives to God for a period of four hours – from nine PM until one AM. During that time they simply could not get up because of the weight of conviction that was so heavy upon them. The travail of their souls was followed by a scene of intense joy and peace over the realization that their sins were forgiven, and for the glory of a renewed relationship with God.
Many others had crawled under the pews, covering their heads with their hands and crying out to God for mercy. Pastor Bill had never seen anything like it before. He asked some of them later why they had done that. Their answer was that they were scared stiff because they felt so unprepared and unworthy in the presence of such a loving and holy God. Time alone will tell out of the thousands who had undergone such soul searching that night, how many received a renewed and lasting relationship with the beloved Son of God.
One week later, another meeting was held in the sleepy little town of Ba. As Pastor Bill would be in San Francisco at that date, he asked that the meeting be held in the park, because there was no venue in town big enough to accommodate the crowd that would attend. Those in charge thought otherwise, and decided to use a church building. Never in their life-time, had there been need of a bigger venue in Ba for religious purposes, than would accommodate three hundred people.

To their dismay, eight hundred intensely determined people nearly wrecked the place trying to get into the building. It was mayhem, with people trying to crowd by and over one another in order to find a place where they could hear and see what would happen. They tried desperately to enter at every door and window in the place, as if their very lives depended on getting in. No one remembered to try getting into the meeting place through the roof. Over six hundred made decisions that night to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives. More business was accomplished for eternity in that one Holy Spirit meeting than in the previous forty years.

The most amazing thing about this move of God is that, whole towns and cities are being mightily impacted. Someone has come back from death and is warning them to prepare to meet a Holy God. The loving Holy Spirit of God is melting the resistance of the most hardened and rebellious of sinners. Those who had a cool head-knowledge of God, new have an exhilarating heart-relationship with Him. The fear of God, which is a very deep, reverent and loving submission to the Lord, is the prevailing response of those who are touched by these meetings. People are forgetting about denominational differences as thousands from many faiths are crowding together to hear what God has to say to their hearts today.

At the time of this writing, May 24th, 2008, two more meetings have been held in the towns of Raki and Nadi. One thousand and seventeen persons accepted Christ in Raki. The meeting in Nadi (pronounced Nandi), was even more amazing. Altar-workers, who were trying to help earnest seekers, were overwhelmed by the response. Somewhere well in excess of one thousand persons registered decisions to surrender their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in that meeting.

Pastor Bill made a special trip to Abbotsford, to see Phyllis and myself in order to tell us the story. In two and one half days while in Abbotsford, he told this story fourteen times to churches, small meetings and interviews. Many were stirred deeply as he shared. He is greatly concerned because there are no adequate follow-up materials in Fiji for the thousands of converts coming to Christ each week. With meetings in Fiji lined up for Sevu until December, and more in 2009, it is crucial that an adequate Follow-up program be initiated immediately.

We, of Multi-Media Ministries Inc., are working together with Seeds International to meet this urgent need. We are short $10,000 to reprint enough copies of the ‘Seeds’ follow-up booklet in order to begin this project. After returning from a three week mission to Romania on July 3rd, we plan to go to Fiji in mid July, The Assemblies of God want me to examine every detail of Sevu’s experience and write a booklet about it. We need your most earnest prayers during this busy summer!

the most amazing sermon ever

http://northview.org/WeekendSermons.html

check out november 22 sermon "two fatal errors" when jeff gave an altar call several people went forward, another young man just sat in his seat and wept. i was so happy when my friend who has been wrestling with God went forward. i thought of many other friends and family members who needed to hear this message and my heart broke for them, believing they were saved, but Jesus would say He never knew them and they would spend eternity in hell.

shane claiborne wall street money drop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ETBMhEzYKU

ok so i'd never heard of the guy before this weekend and now i'm watching all his youtube videos. he's walking the way i want to walk and the way all christians should be walking. wow - i am so inspired by him.

shane claiborne at fusion youth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPANKUHabx4

until saturday i'd never heard of shane claiborne. i left church early so i could hear another speaker at another church. it was a very small church, maybe 50 people, but you could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. it was awesome. then i heard friends talk about the service at northview and how amazing it was. thankfully northview downloads all it's sermon and i was able to watch it.

man that guy is what christianity is all about. i want that kind of walk.

check out http://northview.org/WeekendSermons.html
nov. 8 a scandal of grace.

Esso's (Imperial Oil) record profits - OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Record profits for Imperial Oil - Montreal Gazette 10/31/08
Imperial Oil Ltd., Canada's biggest integrated oil company, said today its third-quarter earnings hit a record $1.4 billion or $1.57 a share, up from $816 million or 88 cents a share a year earlier, with higher oil prices. That brought nine months' profit to $3.22 billion or $3.60 a share, up from $2.3 billion or $2.15 a share a year earlier.

The U.S. Exxon Mobil Corp., which owns 70 per cent of Imperial, yesterday posted earnings of almost $15 billion U.S.

Fort McMurray Today 10/31/08
Imperial Oil has announced record earnings for its third quarter with a jump of about 70 per cent to just over $1.3 billion, the largest quarterly profit in its 128-year history. WHILE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM STARVATION, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEM AND ESSO MAKES THE LARGEST PROFIT IN 128 YEARS. I AM SO-O INFURIATED.

“Contrary to the doom and gloom out there, we think the future looks very bright for Imperial,” said Wong. GIVE ME A BREAK. THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR GET POORER.

you sure as heck won't see me at an esso station.

US elections

Will Barack Obama Support Israel?

By: Dr. Michael D. Evans

Barack Obama’s campaign cries of “change” mimic those of Jimmy Carter’s campaign rhetoric in the 1970s. Carter chose the Shah of Iran, one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East, as his scapegoat for change. I can only stand and wonder which American ally will take the brunt of Obama’s presidential aspirations. Our only real ally in the Middle East is Israel; if elected, would Obama sell Israel down the river just as Carter did the Shah of Iran?

Early in his presidential campaign, Barack Obama added former Carter National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski to his own list of “advisors.” Brzezinski, of course, got himself into trouble early in his role as advisor when “he published an essay in the summer issue of the journal Foreign Policy, defending a controversial new book about the power of the “Israel Lobby” in American politics. One of Brzezinski’s first jobs as advisor was to defend Obama’s plan, if elected, to meet with Iran and Syria: “What’s the hand-up about negotiating with the Syrians or Iranians?” asked Brzezinski. “What it in effect means is that you only talk to people who agree with you.” People who agree with you? I, for one, would like to know just why Obama would want to talk with Iran’s president who denies the Holocaust, has called Israel a “stinking corpse,” and vowed to wipe it off the map.

Another man from whom Obama sought advice was Joseph Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund. Cirincione is said to have decidedly anti-Israel leanings. Ed Lasky, writer for American Thinker, wrote that Cirincione was “another in a disconcertingly long line of Obama advisors, who seemingly have an anti-Israel bias and who would be very willing to apply American pressure on our tiny ally to disarm itself in the face of its mortal enemies.”

I might also add here that Hamas political advisor Ahmed Yousef seemed delighted with Mr. Obama: “We like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the elections.” Obama also drew a pseudo-endorsement from Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani during a stop-over in Bahrain. Larijani purported that “Iran would prefer Democrat Barack Obama in the White House next year.” Larijani also dismissed any idea that the US would attack Iran. “We are leaning more in favor of Barack Obama because he is more flexible and rational, even though we know American policy will not change that much..”

Now, why do you suppose a terrorist organization or a rogue state would support one candidate over another? Could it be the knowledge that one candidate is likely to be more anti-Israel than the other? Or that one candidate would respond to terrorism more forcefully than another?

During a speech to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in June 2008, Obama “clarified” some of his earlier statements: Yes, he is “still in favor of meeting with Iran’s leaders…but (clarification) only at the suitable levels and at a place and time” of his choosing. He favors a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq…but (clarification) it must be gradual. He prefers diplomatic and economic pressure…but (clarification) says the military option “should be left on the table.” After all, one must be willing to “clarify” in order to achieve the highest office in the land.

How committed is Obama to Israel’s security? He promised the members of AIPAC a “Palestinian …state that is contiguous and cohesive, and that allows them to prosper...[and] Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided…[but that the final solution for Jerusalem] must be negotiated between the two parties [Israelis and Palestinians], an agreement that they can both live with.” How can this be, when the Palestinians have demanded again and again that Jerusalem must become the capital of any Palestinian state?

In his formative years and with a myriad of churches from which to choose, Obama aligned himself with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., a man he calls his spiritual mentor. Wright’s stance regarding Israel and the Jews became well-known during Obama’s campaign. The pastor, a Black Muslim sympathizer is riddled with anti-Semitism. He has “damned” America from the pulpit, and his diatribe following 9/11, an event Wright labeled as “chickens coming home to roost,” was particularly offensive and provoking. He insinuated that the horrific assaults were godly revenge for America’s many failures at race relations.

Wright embraces what is called “black-liberation theology,” a tenet that is often associated with the racial supremacist Black Power movement of the 1960s. Rev. Wright openly supported Louis Farrakhan, Supreme Minister of the Nation of Islam. Farrakhan has labeled the Jews “bloodsuckers” and openly endorsed Obama’s presidential bid (which Obama publicly rejected.) Farrakhan has likened Obama to the forerunner of the Messiah, and points as proof to the candidate’s mixed race background.

Was it from his own experience that Obama articulated one of the bigger gaffes of his campaign? He was overheard saying of the people of Pennsylvania, “And it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them…” Obama was referring to the Bible-believing, working-class voters. Does he feel the same way about Israel?

In the first World Policy Forum, held at a French lakeside resort, Rev. Jesse Jackson promised "fundamental changes" in US foreign policy; the most important change would occur in the Middle East, where "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end.

Jackson told author and journalist Amir Taheri that he believes although "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" remain strong they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House. "Obama is about change," Jackson told Taheri in a wide-ranging conversation. "And the change that Obama promises is not limited to what we do in America itself. It is a change of the way America looks at the world and its place in it." And, in fact, Jesse Jackson told me at the White House Middle East Peace Summit in 1993 that the multitudes of problems in the Middle East were caused by the Jews.

On foreign policy issues, Obama’s call to eradicate nuclear weapons worldwide would leave the West and Israel at the mercy of unscrupulous, hate-filled leaders in countries such as Iran and Syria. Those nations would simply go farther underground and continue the secret production of nuclear arms. A part of Israel’s firewall against the launch of a globally inclusive attack is its nuclear arsenal. Obama’s plan would effectively disarm Israel, while making it impossible to police the Irans of the world. Has he considered the danger of beating our collective swords into plowshares? That would leave the world even more vulnerable to those who don’t follow suit; who, instead, keep their swords at the ready.

Jimmy Carter felt that talking with our enemies, i.e. Ayatollah Khomeini, in the name of human rights while castigating pro-American allies such as the Shah of Iran would make the world a better place. Apparently Mr. Carter still feels that way. He considers Israel an apartheid state and Hamas and Hezbollah human rights movements rather than terrorist organizations that need only economic support and understanding. Does Barack Obama embrace Carter’s liberal world view?

spiritual attack

a friend told me her ex biker-boyfriend taught her something that always stuck with her. "every member knows that if you want to hurt someone beyond repair, go get the one he loves the most"

if satan can't get to us he will go after the ones we love the most.

lift your loved ones up and surround them with prayer. trust that God is the one in control and that everything works together for good (even if we don't see it at the time) for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. God will give you total supernatural peace.

supernatural healing

i want everyone to read "And Jesus Healed Them All, by Gloria Copeland. yesterday at oasis i was praying for someone for healing. listening to her and another lady it was like no wonder people don't get healed. doubt kept creeping in. and saying that if it's God's will. God's will is not for His kids to be sick.

we are all wondering what God's will is in our lives and pastors keep telling us that God's Word is God's will. well God's Word says over and over and over how Jesus came to heal us. and if God's Word is as relevent today as it was when Jesus was alive then that means God's will is that we all be healed. and if God's Word is the truth and Jesus is the truth....

when afshin talked he told stories of so many people coming to Christ because in Jesus name all these people had been healed.

why is it so hard for believers then to be healed? besides if there is unconfessed sin in our lives, if we don't REALLY believe that God's Word is living and active and His will for us....

that was the clincher for me. so many people, all the pastors, etc. praying for healing and i kept thinking well if God can use it to bring my family into His kingdom. God doesn't need me to bring my family in His kingdom. He can do that without me.

but... when someone asked if i REALLY believed that God wanted to heal me, when he looked me in the eyes, it was like my eyes were opened to the truth.

what glory does God get if i die. but if i live and declare the glory of God....

i just want people to believe.

Campaign For Safe Cosmetics: SafeCosmetics Home

Campaign For Safe Cosmetics: SafeCosmetics Home

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database

hormone altering cosmetics chemicals found in teens.

search your skin and hair care products. you might find you want to throw some of them in the garbage.

Not Just A Pretty Face

Not Just A Pretty Face

cancer causing skin and hair care products

www.glimpseinvitation.com

wow this is a great video on all the chemicals and toxins in all the skin and hair care products we use on our bodies every day.

my naturopath has been telling me about this stuff for years and i have quit some of the most toxic ones but i had no idea about all of them.

it's scary especially when the doctor's told me i had terminal cancer and that it was caused by chemicals and pesticides (which are covered in the video).

Glimpse

Glimpse

XanGo to Launch Glimpse™ Intuitive Skin Care :: News :: Natural and Nutritional Products Industry Center

XanGo to Launch Glimpse™ Intuitive Skin Care :: News :: Natural and Nutritional Products Industry Center

homeless on thanksgiving

at thanksgiving people are asked what they are thankful for. this past week as i have served breakfast and lunch to the street people at sally ann and listened to them talk about sharing tents and burning 3 candles all night in their tent because it is so cold outside (2 degrees) i am so thankful that i have warm shelter, warm, dry clothes, enough food to eat and clean water to drink.

it bothers me that it is only 2 weeks into fall and it is already so cold. they are addicts or alcoholics or mentally ill, they are people that most of us don't care about but Jesus loves them, as much as He loves you and i, and i don't know how i can help them. my heart breaks thinking what we do or don't do for them, we do or don't do for Jesus. my heart breaks thinking of them living outside, in the cold, in the rain, in the snow, hungry and freezing.

i know Jesus said we would always have the poor. i always think of the poor in third world countries like africa and india, drinking dirty polluted water, going days without food, literally starving to death. now with the cold weather upon us i think of the poor in cold climates facing even worse conditions.

yesterday i found myself wondering which would be worse, dying of starvation or freezing to death.

i know i can't feel guilty that i am not one of the desperately poor but i always wonder if there isn't something more i could do.

so i am thankful that i am not desperately poor, living in a third world country, starving or freezing to death. and i am thankful that i am not one of our homeless people. and i am thankful that like them, Jesus loves me too.

what are you thankful for?

resentment

it's hard to pray for someone when you're angry at them. when you feel resentment or unforgiving toward them you know you're not being very Christ-like. so you ask God to forgive you and take those feelings and change you because you can't do it on your own. then you think of God saying to bless those that persecute you. you know you should but you're almost choking on the words but then the blessing comes and you know it's God working in you because you know it's not something you could've done on your own. and you feel the burden lift.

safe cosmetics

check out - http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm

The companies listed above have pledged to not use chemicals that are known or strongly suspected of causing cancer, mutation or birth defects in their products and to implement substitution plans that replace hazardous materials with safer alternatives in every market they serve. Several major cosmetics companies, including OPI, Avon, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Revlon, Proctor & Gamble and Unilever have thus far refused to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

i am learning more about this as i switch from skin care brands i've been using for years to a new one called glimpse.

check it out - http://www.mymangosteen.com/TasteSensation/canad/product/Glimpse.asp

who makes it you say - Xango (approved as a safe cosmetic)

who sells it you wonder - i do (interested? let me know)

if you would like to put nutrition on your skin instead of potentially toxic chemicals you might like to try glimpse.

think it's just for women, think again, men are enjoying it's benefits as well.

Defining Unforgiveness

Now that we’ve looked at forgiveness, let’s think about unforgiveness—the deliberate decision to cling to 1) resentment you feel toward someone else and 2) your right to get even any way you can. It’s a mindset that says, “You hurt me. You must pay.”

What an ungodly, unscriptural attitude! And yet it is painfully evident in the hearts of far too many Christians. Therefore, we need to uncover the dark truth behind this destructive landmine. Unforgiveness . . .

• Demonstrates unwillingness to extend to others what the Lord has extended to you (Eph. 4:32). It simply means saying with your attitude that you refuse to show the grace and forgiveness of Christ to anyone else.

• Plants a root of bitterness in your heart.It may start with some simple resentment because of the way someone else acted. Then, that little seed of animosity begins to grow. Before long, a whole crop of anger, malice, and bitterness completely dominates you. If it is not dealt with early, these bitter fruits will spoil every part of your life.

• Prevents your becoming the person God wants you to be. An unforgiving spirit makes it impossible to accomplish what the heavenly Father has in mind for you. How can you expect to grow in Christ while willfully allowing bitterness to erode your heart?

The results of withholding forgiveness are obvious, and yet many believers stumble into this very trap. Don’t fall for it. Ask God to help you release any unforgiveness you have, and be reconciled to your brothers and sisters without delay.

in touch devo sept 13

The Landmine of Unforgiveness

What is your first response when someone hurts you? Maybe you want to retaliate. Or perhaps your outward attitude doesn’t change, but inside you are quietly nursing a dark bitterness and resentment. These reactions strike us as understandable and perfectly natural, don’t they?

In reality, however, unforgiveness is one of the most destructive behaviors possible. Impacting every prayer, every relationship, and practically every thought you have, it is a land mine with the potential to completely destroy your life.

Scripture is clear that we are to openly and willingly forgive anyone who causes us harm. Why? The reason is that we ourselves have been forgiven. The grace that God pours out on each of us should be our motivation and example. If we have received God’s loving pardon, then we simply must do the same for others, even when it seems difficult or unfair.

What is forgiveness? Simply put, it is the act of giving up resentment toward someone, along with the desire to retaliate. In other words, we must surrender three things: the general feeling of resentment, the specific feelings toward a particular individual, and all claims to retribution.

Forgiveness is far more than a simple “I forgive you” statement. It involves a total change of action and an attitude that declares, “Though you wronged me, I love and forgive you. I wish you the best and will help you however I can.” Can you make this statement after being hurt? Pray for those who wrong you, and release your resentment.

from in touch magazine devo sept 12

compare Glimpse Intuitive Skincare to...

Glimpse Demographics

It's important to understand your target market for this new skin care system. I'll leave you to read about why this product line is so exclusive and move directly into who is most likely to purchase these products.

Customers who most often purchase their skin care products from the department store will definitely want to know about Glimpse.

To help the men in our group better understand how women use skin care products, understand that in addition to Cleansers, Toners, Serums and Moisturizers, women often buy Eye Cream, Night Cream, Make-up Remover, Wrinkle Reducers, Exfoliators and Masks.

With the Glimpse System there is no need for the additional products!

So, let's take a look at the top-selling department store products. While it its impossible to compare the quality of Glimpse with what is currently on the market, we can compare the pricing of the four products; cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer.

Aveda---$153 for all 4, plus another $125 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $278 per month.

Clinique--$164 for the 4, plus another $119 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $283 per month.

Elizabeth Arden--$237 for the 4, plus another $170 for the necesary eye cream and night cream equals $407 per month.

Esteee Lauder--$369 for the 4, plus another $145 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $514 for the month.

Guerlain--$372 for the 4, plus another $188 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $560 per month.

Kiehl's--$157 for the 4, plus another $36 for the necessary eye cream (they don't offer a night cream) equals $193 per month.

Lancome--$404 for the 4, plus another $282 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $686 per month.

ROC--$190 for the 4, plus another $113 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $303 per month.

Shiseido--$197 for the 4, plus another $146 for the necessary eye cream and night cream equals $343 per month.

All of these companies combined sell BILLIONS of dollars worth of these products. The market exists and the market is hungry for products that (a) actually, truly work and (b) do so without all the chemicals and additives in the current market products.

The Glimpse product line is so exclusive, spas and beauty salon owners should be at the top of your list of people to introduce to this exceptional line of products.

If you use any of these products and would like to try Glimpse please send me your email and I will send you more information.

biblical history of iraq

VERY INTERESTING-
1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq .

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq .

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq!

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq .

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq .

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel

10. Amos cried out in Iraq!

11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

12. Daniel was! in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the Fiery furnace!)

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq .

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq ...

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq

18. Peter preached in Iraq

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon, which was a city in Iraq !

And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq ! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated it than Iraq.

And also, this is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...

The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)

Koran (9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.
(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

church sign

church is a gift from God - some assembly required

eye of the hurricane

if you have the weather layer turned on in google earth you can see the eye of the hurricane and watch it as it changes course, increases in intensity.

child soldiers and the LRA‏

this is from an email from a friend who is in africa (uganda and rwanda) with world vision. she is visiting some of the kids she and her friends sponsor. i saw her huge heart for kids when i met her in el salvador in february.

"today our group had the privilege and unique opportunity to hear from several children were abducted by the LRA and forced to be child soldiers - it was a powerful experience! - the young man who spoke to us painted a vivid picture of what he had gone through and it was easily apparent that both the physical and emotional scars were still visible - it was easy to see scars from old wounds on his body and when he spoke to us he looked away and his eyes were almost closed - a girl also spoke about her experiences and luckily (that word seems inappropriate) she was only 9 at the time so she had not been sexually abused - it was my feeling that the other girls were not so lucky - eventually these kids were a few of the lucky ones and made their way back to their families - they spoke of how WV provided counselling and safety for them - they would be fine during the day but to lessen their fears at night they would gather in a safe haven provided by WV - they continue to receive counselling and school support by WV - when asked what message they wanted us to bring back to canada it was simple .....

THE WORLD NEEDS TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND UNITE IN PEACE

when asked if there was one thing that they could say to Koney (leader of the LRA) what would it be? .....

THAT THEY FORGIVE HIM AND THAT HE NEEDS TO COME BACK HOME TO LIVE IN PEACE

this is a powerful message and if a bunch of young adults can feel this in their hearts then maybe the rest of us could learn a lesson from them"

please make your voice heard - stop pornography

Write the CRTC, the Prime Minister, your Member of Parliament, the Minister of Canadian Heritage Josee Verner, your cable or satellite tv provider. Don't let Northern Peaks create a pornography industry in Canada. If enough people write letters voicing their concerns hopefully they won't get a contract and the license will expire.

Teri, thank you for copying me on your email to the Minister. I must tell you that I am also disturbed by this decision. As you probably know, the CRTC acts at arms length from our government, and the Minister typically would be loathe to interfere in the decisions of an independent regulatory body except in the most extraordinary circumstances. I am quite certain that our Minister had no involvement in the decision to grant a license for a porn channel in Canada, but I certainly understand those who state that ultimate responsibility still rests with the government. I will certainly pass your concerns (and my own) to my colleagues in Ottawa.

child porn

pornography - where does it all lead? do you want your children viewing porn magazines or on-line websites? what would have happened to this little 12 year old girl if her mother hadn't been concerned about the time she was spending on-line? would she have been lured into child pornography as a participant?

Former B.C. prosecutor on trial for child porn
Louise Dickson, Victoria Times Colonist
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Former Victoria prosecutor Roger Denley apologized when his children found pornography on the family computer in 2003, Denley's former wife Dr. Ellen Skinnerland testified in B.C. Supreme Court yesterday.

"I confronted Roger, and he said he was sorry," Skinnerland told Justice Jon Sigurdson. "I asked him to account for what he was doing with pornographic pictures of young girls. He said he wouldn't do it anymore. We left it there."

Denley, who worked as a youth prosecutor, is charged with possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography. He sat calmly in the courthouse, taking notes as the evidence was presented. He appeared to have no contact with his family.
After the couple separated in August 2004, Skinnerland became concerned her youngest daughter, Julia, was spending too much time on the computer. When Skinnerland's sister checked the computer's history, she found the young girl, then 12, had set up a personal website with sexually explicit conversations.

On the advice of her daughter's counsellor, Skinnerland took copies of the website to Victoria police forensic computer expert Const. Paul Brookes, for advice. The meeting was also attended by Francis Graf, president and chief executive officer of Forensic Date Recovery Inc.

In September 2004, Skinnerland brought the family computer to Graf and paid him $2,500 to copy and analyze the hard drive.

Graf told Skinnerland much material had been deleted.

"There were 160,000 images, and he told me he saw some pre-pubescent girls. He said he could show me a few pictures," she said.

Graf, as he is required to, brought the matter to the attention of Victoria police.
Skinnerland also testified that earlier, before the separation, she had found pornographic magazines with names like Barely Legal and College Girls. Although Denley told her he destroyed the magazines, she found others, she told the court.
Defence lawyer Stephen Kelliher asked Skinnerland if she recalled Denley trying to show her "that once you get into the website, it's unpredictable what pops up?"
Skinnerland said she couldn't remember.

ldickson@tc.canwest.com

CRTC

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent agency responsible for regulating Canada's broadcasting and telecommunications systems. They report to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage

The Minister of Canadian Heritage is also the Minister for the Status of Women. Unbelievably this minister that is head of the CRTC that approved the license to Northern Peaks, the new pornographic channel, is a woman. I am outraged and dumbfounded.

What does she think the Status of Women is that she would allow this application to be approved?

What kind of message does she think this sends to the women and girls of Canada. Does she think that it's ok to show this violence, degradation and indignities perpetrated against women on tv? We should be fighting against it not condoning it.

An animal is treated with more dignity than a woman or girl in a pornographic movie.

Please write to the following and voice your opposition to this obscenity.

CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1A 0N2

By fax:
819-994-0218
_____

Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
The Honourable Josée Verner (what is honourable about approving pornography?)
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
_____

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
K1A 0A2

Fax: 613-941-6900
_____

Your local Member of Parliament.

Your local cable or satellite provider.

Would you want your daughters to watch pornography or worse yet to be drugged or seduced into it as a participant?

What kind of message is this sending to your sons, that it's ok to abuse and debase women?

porn channel an abomination

i read this on-line today and sent it to everyone in my email address book. i hope each one of them will send it to everyone in their address book and so on and that everyone will write to the crtc voicing their objections. i hope that everyone will also write to their cable or satellite provider so that with enough objections the cable and satellite providers will not add the channel to its service list so they will not get a contract and the licence will expire.

Porn Channel an Abomination
Fred Henry, For The Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008

The CRTC approved a Canadian pay-television pornography channel called Northern Peaks last week on the basis that 50 per cent of its pornographic content would be produced in Canada, which in turn, will also lead to the creation of a pornography industry in Canada.

In justifying its decision, the CRTC argues that it never takes a moral perspective on the contents of the applications it reviews. This explanation is not only ludicrous in itself but simply not credible because the CRTC has been noticeably reluctant over the years to license religious broadcasting.

Without question, pornography has a devastating impact upon all of society, especially women and young children. Pornography teaches that women enjoy "forced" or perverse sexual activity; advocates prostitution, exhibitionism and voyeurism as normal behaviour; and regards women as sex objects to be used for one's self-gratification.

For some men, the regular use of pornography normalizes aggression toward women in sexual and other interpersonal encounters, and increases the tolerance for such aggression against women in the larger culture.

Sadly, the greatest impact may be on the young, especially males 12 through 17 years of age, because pornography portrays sexual activity outside of marriage as acceptable without the dire consequences of AIDS or other venereal diseases, and without the responsibility toward conceiving a human life.

These assertions are supported by criminal evidence. A proven direct correlation exists between crimes of rape, child abuse, and the physical abuse of a spouse, and the proliferation of pornographic materials and the presence of live porn and sexually oriented businesses in a community.

Pornography is not simply linked to a "one time, one action" phenomenon, but may become like a spiritual cancer that corrupts the person.

Dr. Victor Cline has posited four progressive effects of pornography:
(1) addiction, where the need to view pornographic materials leads to a loss of free control over behaviour;
(2) escalation, where the person delves into progressively harder pornography, usually to attain the same level of sensation and arousal;
(3) desensitization, whereby the user is no longer morally sensitive to the shocking, illegal, repulsive, perverted or immoral quality of the material, but instead views it as acceptable and begins to look upon others as objects; and
(4) acting out, where the fantasizing becomes overt behaviour.

Additionally from a moral point of view, there are three reasons why pornography is wrong and sinful behaviour for individuals.

First, pornography offends the dignity of the participants (actors, vendors, the public). Each one is exploited himself or exploits others in some way for personal pleasure or gain. In all cases, the dignity of the human being -- whether the person posing, the person producing, the person distributing, or the person enjoying -- is debased.

Second, those who engage in pornography immerse themselves in a fantasy world, withdrawing from reality. While genuine love always involves a self-giving of oneself for the good of others, pornography entices a person to withdraw into a selfish world of perverted fantasy which may later be acted out to the detriment of oneself and others. This problem has increased dramatically, since the Internet offers "virtual reality" sexual interaction.

Third, pornography offends against the virtue of chastity and constitutes an assault on marriage. Each of us must respect the sanctity of our own human sexuality, which involves the integration of his physical and spiritual being. Furthermore, conjugal love which reflects the union of husband and wife, and the enactment of their vows is sacred. The conjugal act ought to express that faithful, permanent, exclusive, self-giving and life-giving love between husband and wife.

Economic values that are important today must include the enhancement of people, not their exploitation and debasement.

In making its decision on Northern Peaks, the CRTC specified that the channel would only be given its formal licence if at least one cable or satellite provider agrees to add the channel to its service list. The channel has three years to obtain such a contract or else the licence will expire.

Consider writing to your own cable provider (name and address available on your monthly bill) and advise it that if it includes this pornographic channel on its service list, you will immediately switch providers. If the cable provider believes that doing so will harm business -- the company will refuse the pornography channel.

In addition, write to the CRTC, Ottawa, Ont. K1A 0N2, Fax: 819-994-0218, raising your objections to its approval of this channel -- Canadian content or not.
Fred Henry is the Catholic bishop of Calgary.


Keep the porn channel out of Canada
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Re: Stop porn channel, family group says, Aug. 22.

I think Charles McVety of the Canada Family Action Coalition is right: Canadian content is no compensation for an increase in pornography.
When I read your news article on the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) decision to licence a pornography channel, my first thought was "What good are they?" (The CRTC, that is).
I object to having my tax dollars run an organization that is either unable or unwilling to protect Canadian women from continued sexual degradation, objectification, and exploitation.
Maybe it's time to get rid of both of them, the CRTC and the pornographers.
Peggy Lynn Kelly, Nepean
© The Ottawa Citizen 2008

outrageous wage increases in bc

the following is taken from the vancouver sun august 9th. i couldn't believe it when i read it.

"On Friday the government gave retroactive raises to deputy and assistant deputy ministers ranging from 22 per cent to 43 per cent, depending upon position. For Campbell's deputy minister, Jessica McDonald, her salary will rise to $348,600 from $243,936.

The increase comes less than two years after the government gave its other political staff, including those appointed by Cabinet, raises of 25 per cent." not mentioned was the 53% increase gordon campbell gave himself.

the same government's website says "The First Job/entry level minimum wage rate is $6 per hour. This only applies to employees with no paid work experience before Nov. 15, 2001. After they have worked for a total of 500 hours with one or more employers, these employees are entitled to the regular minimum wage rate."

the minimum wage rate being $8.00/hour which has not been increased in 7 years.

i am outraged. i'm sure none of these fat cat bureaucrats have ever felt the humiliation of standing in line at the food bank because you live at or below the poverty line and can't afford to feed yourself or your family on the minimum wage income.

make poverty history - well that's sure not happening in this province. the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

when i worked people voted to go on strike to get a 2 or 3% wage increase.

don't wait til next year - call the election now and get rid of them.

He made the stars also

offensive advertising on vancity's website

i found their advertising the queer festival on their banking website offensive so i wrote them and told them so. when i was logging off the gay pride advertising came up. if i wanted to watch any of this garbage i'd google it so i wrote them again. i don't understand why a bank website would display such morally bankrupt advertising.

Happy People Dancing on Planet Earth

this is a very cool video some guy made dancing in 39 countries. it is so fun to see people dancing and having fun in so many different countries. the silliness of it all would make anyone smile. i don't know how he managed to get it posted on nasa's astronomy picture of the day site but i'm glad he did. it's nice to see people from all over the world laughing and having fun instead of hearing about wars and violence.

check it out - http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

the world is starving for the knowledge of the God who can satisfy the needs of the human heart.

this is the signature line that goes out with every email i send.

i have been phoning and emailing someone for several months with no reply. today i got an email from someone else saying " he has asked me to tell you that his computer will not accept any e-mails from you if the word God is included. So maybe you should delete your quote about the world starving for knowledge of God etc."

i have not mentioned God in any of our conversations so there's no reason why he could not have returned one of my several phone calls over the past 6 months. it's sad but he won't be the first person that stopped talking to me since i became a christian.

bible couriers

check out http://www.millionbibles.com/ read about an on-fire christian spending his 2 week vacation smuggling bibles into a closed country. it's an amazing story of God's victory over the enemy.

1. While all mission trips are good, do you know of any other mission trip with the sort of impact that Bible smugglers have? If you spent just one week as a Bible smuggler and smuggled even just 1,000 Bibles, at the 1:5 ratio of delivered Bibles to new converts, that’s 5,000 souls won for Christ which will be linked to your heavenly account. Can you think of anything else you can do for a week that will result in 5,000 souls won for Jesus? How about 500 or even 50?

2. Being a Bible smuggler for even just a week will take your faith in Christ to another level. Every passage as a Bible smuggler is a miracle of God, so you end up praying and relying on God like never before, and then watching Him grant humbling miracles. Not only do you get to watch God win, you also have the immense privilege of being used by Him in His victories! I think every Christian should spend a week or two basking in the privilege of serving as a Bible smuggler.

3. You’ll have the added privilege of meeting and fellowshipping with some incredible Christians from around the world. Every Bible smuggler I met on this trip was a sold-out, on-fire-for-the-Lord Christian. After a hard, sweaty and exhausting day, you get together with the other Bible smugglers to share combat stories of the day, personal testimonies and prayers that give you a second wind. The only downside is that you sometimes end up staying up all night and lose sleep, but who cares when you’re being so blessed?

israeljerusalem.com

The Bible says that the Messiah already came 2000 years ago and that when we die, those who believe in him will go to heaven as discussed, while those who deny him will go to hell, a place of unspeakable, eternal torment (Luke 16:19-31).

One day a grave will have your name on it. On that day, which could be decades or even hours away, where will your soul end up?

If you feel tempted to insist that the Bible is wrong and that there is no heaven or hell, consider this. You wouldn't critique a movie without having watched it, right? Have you ever read the Bible for yourself? I'm not talking about hearing things about the Bible or watching people give their opinions about the Bible. Have you ever watched the movie for yourself?

If not, isn't the destiny of your soul too important to be outsourced to anyone? Why not watch the movie for yourself before passing an opinion that could affect the rest of your eternity? If the whole Bible seems daunting, just read or study in-depth the Gospel of John, which is only 18 letter-sized pages long.

But before doing anything, pray to a God you don't believe in. That's right. Tell him you neither believe nor particularly want to believe in him. But you do want to know the truth - whatever that may be - and if he really does exist and needs to help you on this one, that he will.

the above taken from http://www.israeljerusalem.com/jewish-graves.htm

feel like i've lost my best friend

since my best friend passed away a year ago i have been asking God for a new best friend. in february He brought someone into my life and i wondered if they were in answer to my prayers. He put it on my heart to pray for this person and He gave me agape love for him. somewhere along the line my feelings deepened and grew. today he went away. we hugged and said goodbye. if he is faithful to God he will be gone a year. whether or not i'll ever see him again i don't know. i know he had to go and i wanted him to go but now i'm sad. God brings people into our lives for a reason or a season and i wonder if this was a season that is now past. or is it for a reason and there is more to it. i certainly hope so. i praise God that He worked out all the details for my friend to go. i will miss him so much.

if you want to know God's will - ask Him

I am wondering if God is wanting me to go to Peru next month. I prayed about it a month ago when the pastor I went to the Philippines (Bill) with first asked me about it. I said yes and then wondered if 'I' said yes or God did. At that time it was only going to be with another pastor (married man) and me (single woman) and I thought no because just the two of us wouldn't be appropriate. Since then Bill has told me that there are a couple of other women that are going and maybe another man. I prayed about it again and thought yes then wondered if again it was me. My heart is in missions and I love to travel and except for the evangelistic crusade with Bill in the Philippines in April I have always done work trips. For this trip they wanted 2 workers capable of working with children. When Bill said that I thought well that let's me out. I'm more comfortable serving the homeless at Sally Ann than working with children. I prayed about it again and thought yes and I was sure it couldn't be God because I suck at working with kids. Bill had told me it cooled off at night and after praying about it again because I want to do God's will I thought I was thinking yes again. I asked a friend about it and she asked if I had peace about it. I didn't have peace saying I wasn't going. Then I checked CNN weather and I 'knew' God couldn't be asking me to go. I am cold here when the temperature goes below 70. The high temperature where the team is going is 65 and the low is 33. I would die - I did NOT want to go. Then I would read a devo and it seemed that God was trying to tell me I was supposed to go.

this morning i got a devo from a lady pastor "How do we know when it’s God asking and not the world or ourselves or Satan? - it will require more than you have or want to give."

reading her devo i wondered again if God was trying to tell me something. like that He would require more than we want to give, this after saying i'm His servant and will do whatever He asks of me.

she said she would love to hear what God is asking of us. so i was writing this to her and i was going to ask her what she thought and if she would pray about it.

then i remembered if we want to know God's will for us ask Him not someone else. who else would know His mind. i prayed about it again and now i have peace that i am not going.

baptism of fire

But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)(Luke 3:16)

I emailed this to four pastors wanting to know what they thought this meant. One pastor responded. I emailed a fifth pastor, 8 days later I got a second response.

Does it mean God will burn off our sin (the chaff)? or... as Hillsong United's Consuming Fire lyrics say

There must be more than this
O breath of God, come breathe within
There must be more than this
Spirit of God we wait for you

Fill us anew we pray
Fill us anew we pray

CHORUS:
Consuming fire, fan into flame
A passion for your name
Spirit of God fall in this place
Lord have your way
Lord have your way with us

Come like a rushing wind
Clothe us with power from on high
Now set the captives free
Leaves us abandoned to your praise

Lord let your glory fall
Lord let your glory fall

CHORUS

BRIDGE:
Stir it up in our hearts, Lord
A passion for your name

is God trying to tell me something?

this morning in church the pastor said something that was so profound, to me anyway, that it was like God was speaking to me. i had to write it down so i wouldn't forget it and i didn't have any paper but because i had to write it down i wrote it in a book i had in my bag.

'i want you to prove your commitment before you prove your attraction.'

God uses various ways to speak to us so if this is from God i wonder what it means and how i would do that.

unmet longings

the Lord is my Shepherd; i shall not want. psalm 23:1

reading the above scripture i think but i do want Lord. unmet longings. i longed for a husband for a long time. i thought i needed a husband. what i needed was God. then i thought God was enough. He filled my heart with such love and joy. in february God stirred my longings and desires. He awakened in me something that i thought was at rest. He brought someone into my life and i started wondering what life would be like with him. i was content in my singleness and i thank God for that but now i'm wanting more. the book i'm reading right now, walking with God, says it's not good to bury the deep longings of our hearts. having been awakened to my unmet longing i have wanted it more and more. God awakened this desire in my heart and i can't help but wonder what He's going to do about it. cs lewis says in 'the weight of glory' that what God uses to awaken desire is not necessarily what we long for. if it is not that relationship that i desire but what it points to then what is it. i have wondered for months why God brought us together. now i wonder how He is going to meet that longing that He has awakened in me.

walking with God

is a great book and i highly recommend it. by john eldredge. it's about having a conversation relationship with God. it's certainly got me thinking. i've hardly been able to put it down. i had borrowed it from the church library but now think i want to buy it so i can read it again and share it with others.

a futbol game - a gift from God

sometimes God just gives us gifts cuz He loves us.

i haven't watched much futbol this year because i don't get the channel that the best games are televised on. i planned to finish reading a book while eating my breakfast and decided instead to check my email. upon opening my email there was one advertising THE best two teams in england playing in the champions league final.
i put the tv on to see what time it might be coming on and if i got the channel it might be on. it had just started here although it was midnight in moscow where they were playing. it was the first time that the champions league final was an all english futbol game.

it was a tie game so they went into extra time, it was still tie so they went to penalty kicks, it was still tie after the normal five kicks that they allow and they kept going. i absolutely loved it. the best footballer in the world, cristiano ronaldo, scored a goal but missed the penalty. he was a shoe-in, no pun intended, but he missed. then the captain of the other team who you would've thought would also be a shoe-in missed.

it was exciting. thank You Lord.

my addiction

i have had a friend staying with me for about 7 weeks. i've enjoyed their company. i know i used to eat / snack all the time out of sheer boredom but when my friend was here i never did. now that they're gone i find that i'm eating just for the sake of eating again. i miss my friend, in more ways than one.

wills

i have been the executrix for and working on my best friend's estate for over a year now. i'm sure she had no idea everything that is involved, i know i certainly didn't. it's made me realize i want to update mine and simplify it if i can.

i had always planned to donate my organs for transplant but i guess having a blood cancer that would be impossible now considering that blood is in every organ.

if you don't have a will don't wait. my friends will was very clear about the distribution of her assets but it still cost over $10k just in legal fees, probate fees were on top of that. if there is no will the public trustee gets everything and then you have to deal with them to try and get anything.

if you refer to something in your will that you no longer have make sure you delete it so the executor or family isn't searching for something that isn't there.

lost

my heart breaks for a friend with addictions. God gave me a burden to pray for this friend and i have been praying and crying for 6 weeks now but nothing seems to help or work. how do you help someone with no hope who doesn't think they are worthy. grace? mercy? love? nothing seems to be enough. they have lost fellowship with God and it seems too hard to find something when it's lost but i no sooner thought this than i thought of the lost coin, the lost sheep. every time i think nothing will change i think of what God says.

i keep asking God why He put us together. i have prayed for healing and the word believe comes to mind.

palawan

i absolutely loved it. everyone asked if i was coming back again and i said i didn't know. they said they would not say goodbye but only see you next time. it was very similar to where i lived in costa rica, very hot and humid, except it was at the ocean. the people are so amazingly warm and friendly. if God called me to go there long term i'd be on the next plane. i can hardly wait til next year to go back.

we would go to the market in quezon a few minutes ride away from the manna home and while walking around we would find one of the pastors or boys from the home right beside or behind us, watching over us to make sure we were ok. i felt so at home there i felt bad that the boys had to wait and watch while we shopped.

the food was incredible, fresh mangoes, pineapple, coconut, calamari, shrimps, prawns, fish almost every day.

we lived right on the edge of the jungle and within walking distance to the sea so the scenery was absolutely beautiful in any direction.

the kids learn english in school at the manna home so we could converse a little bit but candy, nail polish, skipping ropes and volleyballs broke any language barrier.

the national sport in costa rica is soccer. in the philippines it's cock fighting and they had an arena in one village we went to. i asked the pastors about it thinking they wouldn't condone it and was surprised to learn that they all do. not that i have any love for roosters, especially after they keep you awake all night but...

after checking out the 'facilities' in the villages we went to we would not drink all day and pray that we wouldn't have to use them.

the sea was every shade of blue and green you can imagine, incredibly beautiful, and so warm. it was jellyfish season when we were there and little ones came in and lined the shore every afternoon and were washed out with the tide during the night. the ones we saw out in the ocean were over a foot across.

the caving was so cool. our very first day there our pastor had a business meeting so a couple of pastors that had come for the bible conference took us out to some caves. going through the blackness of the caves and coming out into the bright sunshine was like seeing an undiscovered land for the first time, it was beautiful. a bunch of teenage boys that live there came with us because even though they live so close they had never had the opportunity to go to the caves and it was so fun watching them having so much fun. the local beach was all mud so they got to go swimming in crystal clear waters in soft white sand.

pictures from palawan, philippines

kids having a bath in a dirty, polluted river.
the market in quezon, palawan.
some of the girls after having a manicure.
houses are made of bamboo.
caving on our first day there. where the light shone in the darkness there was new life.
the boys in palawan reminded me of the boys in costa rica. it was so much fun watching them having so much fun. they are hams everywhere.
this is our boat and some of the boys swimming after eating fresh fish and rice cooked on the beach.
stopped at a sand bar to walk in the middle of the south china sea. it was so cool.
some of the kids on our patio filling balloons with candy.
baptism in the south china sea.
some of the pastors cooking lunch. the people were so amazing, i could so live there.
curious onlookers watching being set up for the crusade
walking by flashlight down the beach at low tide after the crusade
this tiny little island was just a white spot in the middle of the sea. another fresh fish & rice lunch cooked on the beach and 3 hours and we were fried.

mission trip to the philippines

this was not like any mission trip i have ever been on but it was the most incredible. after signing up i asked what we would be doing. the pastor said it was an evangelistic crusade and i would be giving my testimony. i might not have signed up if i'd known that in advance. i've always done work trips and hate being up front so i asked some friends to pray for me. it was so amazing to feel the Holy Spirit at work in me. i was filled with the power of God and the words and the boldness with which i spoke blew me away and if you know me you would've been blown away too. we gave our testimonies at a 3 day bible conference then did crusades in 3 different villages. 12 people received Christ as their Saviour at the first one, 5 at the second one and 197 at the third (since then 2 more have been saved). it was mind boggling. of the 5 people at the second crusade 2 of the people were the witch doctor and his wife. that's going to have an incredible impact on that village. we took a boat to the 3rd village where there was no power except the Holy Spirit and it was amazing.

i would never have gone on a trip like this before but now after seeing the power of God at work i want to do it again.

i talked with and prayed for a young homosexual man who repented and was reconciled to God and he has since emailed me to thank me for taking the bad stuff out of him. i can't tell you how blessed or privileged i feel to have been part of that. i wouldn't have known what to say, or had the boldness to say what i did, except that it was the Holy Spirit doing it all.

i don't know what impact my testimony had (it wasn't about what my life was like before God but what it's been like since) at the crusades but it was amazing to see God at work in so many people's lives.

i know God is with me and i have felt God's special presence in my life many times but have never felt His power like this. submitting everything to God and letting Him work through me was one of the most amazing experiences in my life and recommend it to everyone.

He also made the stars

Genesis 1:16. He also made the stars. like it's an afterthought after creating the sun and the moon.

these are some pretty amazing afterthoughts. if you've never checked it out before take a look at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html