My Glory

"Has a nation changed it gods, even though they are no gods?
But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD..."
Jeremiah 2:11-12

The glory of the people of God has always been God Himself. It's what makes them special. It's what makes them different from anyone else. It's all about WHO they belong to. I found this wonderful quote that illustrates this simply:

In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of value because they were possessed and used by some great person. It is the ownership which gives them worth. It is so with the Christian...The greatness of the Christian lies in the fact that he is God's.
~ William Barclay

Every time that Israel forgot God and mixed with the sinful worship and lifestyle of the nations around them, they became indistinct, there was no more beauty and the enemy nations around them had no reason to fear them anymore. The same principles are true today with those who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ. It's not about our religious training or pedigree, it's just about whether or not we are truly walking with God, in Christ, right now.

I love to watch those 700 Club clips featuring the testimonies of people who have experienced God's power to transform them from the darkest lifestyles and hopeless situations. They often stir my heart and bring me to tears. I've watched ex-porn stars, exotic dancers, homosexual sex-addicts, drug addicts and dealers, chronic adulterers, witches and satanists, all shine, glow, beam, through my TV screen with the glory of God, proclaiming His power to deliver, to heal and to totally set free in Jesus Christ. I am not a melodramatic person. The beauty in those people really came through the TV camera and God was magnified.

So, whether we have a sordid history or not, you and I have no glory except our God. We have this glory because we belong to Him and He is with us and in us. Don't sell out! Don't sell out! Don't sell out!

Paper's personal touch

I mailed some greeting cards and letters abroad during the last three weeks and today I went to the post office to send off my last letter - for now. It was such a thrill to have an envelope in hand, with a postage stamp and then see it slide into the 'box' labelled 'Overseas.' I have missed that. I didn't realize it though, since all my communication with friends abroad has been via email, Facebook, Skype and phone calls and text messages for a very, very long time. According to an article by Tom Barlow, the 9th thing on the list of the Top 25 things vanishing from America is handwritten-letters. And I think there is just something about paper that seems to make the letter a keepsake. I do archive certain emails, but my paper greeting cards and letters go into a special box which I made for myself years ago. There is a certain satisfaction in browsing through it, even many months apart. There is something special about holding paper in your hand and imagining someone writing, thinking, signing...for the purpose of sending it to you.

Send someone a handwritten note today...or at least type a note on paper, print and send with a personal signature!

Prescription for pain: James 5:13

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. 
James 5:13

In the words of a popular hymn, "What a Friend we have in Jesus"

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886 

Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

Choosing a Wife/Beauty is Vain - Tim Conway

This is a long video, but worth the watch, for any man or woman...I don't even limit this to singles. The godly principles are for everyone and may help you to pursue godliness even if you are already married.

Another perfect attribute of our God - be warned

"See now that I, even I, am He,
and there is no god beside Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
and there is none that can deliver out of My hand."
Deuteronomy 32:39, ESV

It really bothers me when I hear people speak of God as if He is nothing more than a version of Santa Claus.  This benign, even weak figure-head of a nebulous set of principles for life (indeed, there are hardly principles since things tend to be taken on a case by case basis where our ideas of love are projected unto Him to justify what we want to do) smiles on everyone and shies away from making judgments about right and wrong, righteousness and sin. He can be disobeyed indefinitely and one should never expect chastening or punishment.

Yet, the God of the Bible is nothing like this. As if to reiterate this truth proved over and over again in the Old Testament record, Jesus says to us:

"But I will warn you Whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"
Luke 12:5, ESV

The goodness and mercy of the LORD are unmatched. But so too is His power and wrath.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31, ESV

Yes, we've been warned.

I Remember When You Used to Love Me

I was introduced to Blair Wingo today by Vee of Living Journey. All I can say is Wow. There are powerful messages in these 'slam poetry' pieces.

A message to both you and I: Come back to your First Love



First posted 12/2/09

The Power of the Blood

Through the blood of Jesus, I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil.
Ephesians 1:7

Through the blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven.
1 John 1:9

Through the blood of Jesus, I am continually being cleansed from all sin.
1 John 1:7

Through the blood of Jesus I am justified, made righteous, just-as-if-I’d never sinned.
Romans 5:9

Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God.
Hebrews 13:12

Through the blood of Jesus, I have boldness to enter into the presence of God.
Hebrews 10:19

The blood of Jesus cries out continually to God in heaven on my behalf.
Hebrews 12:24


{Excerpt from Derek Prince article - Beacuse of the Angels: The Climax of the Conflict. For great free resources and media go to www.derekprince.org}

"I Almost Threw It All Away"

This will be inspiring and insightful whether you're married or not.

One man's incredible testimony of how God's grace rescued him from his adultery and grave deception.

Click HERE

Whether or not you understand the bible's teaching on marriage-divorce issues as this guy and his wife now do, this is just an amazing account of what God can do. You will also see the clear battle between God's army and satan's cohorts.

I have been coming across various examples of the church of satan's agenda lately. You probably already know that they (satanists) have an international prayer & fasting mandate each year and it seems that it always includes destroying Christian marriages. So when a colleague of mine came across this testimony and shared the link with me, I am reminded of how very real this evil at work is.

P.S. Although some people think the world's problems, even Christians' problems, can be solved with psychology and basic morality, there still is sin, satan and something called evil, exercising force on lives and relationships.

First posted 3/25/09

Epiphany: Love & Peafowl

I was sitting in the beautiful reception dining room at a friend's wedding in June a few years ago, stared out the glass window, saw a pair of peafowl and had an epiphany about relationships and pursuit.

Epiphany - a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization; a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.

The wedding (ceremony and reception) was held at a resort in the north of the island. It is just beautiful there. For some reason, in addition to the ocean as a natural backdrop, incredible landscaping and design, the owners felt they needed a resident pair of peacocks to complete the ambience.

So there I was sitting around a table near a window and happened to see this pretty peacock and his mate right outside. I think they were looking in on the reception from behind the glass. They got the attention of everyone at my table and as we tried to figure out if they were male or female, we had a brief discussion of animal behaviour and concluded that males are always the more decorated ones, for the purpose of attracting and pursuing and winning a mate (See picture inset).

Zap. Lightbulb moment. Whatever you call it. There came my epiphany.

"The peacock has some of the brightest feathers and one the most impressive courting displays of any bird in the world. The Indian peacock has very flashy plumage, with a bright blue head and neck, but the peahen is a drab mottled brown in comparison. The male needs his bright feathers to attract a mate...Male and female green peafowl have similar coloration, with green feathers on the head and neck, but the peahen's colors are not as vibrant as the peacock's."

[Source: San Diego Zoo. I have learnt a lot about these peafowl - including the fact that only the males should be called peacocks!!!]

Now, humans are not animals and we cannot just apply all the rules and mores of the animal kingdom to the human race. But I began to think of the scriptures and certain male-female relationships outlined there, and they were in synchrony. The male was expected to choose a wife and marry her. All the seeking, courting, arranging (with her family) was ultimately his responsibility. He really did have to win her (or her parents, in that day) with his heart, his wealth or both. The reason for which he succeeded and was selected is another matter and would say more about the woman (or her family), but that is outside the scope of this post. My point is he really did have to pursue her to acquire her.

In considering this alongside the God-appointed leadership role men have been given in marriage and otherwise, the core principle this scenario contains could not have just been an old eastern tradition. A man's pursuit would be evidence of his desire. He did not have feathery plumage but what he had was put on display, evidence of his worthiness, what he had to provide and how much he was willing to take on this responsibility of caring for the chosen woman. Even Jesus 'follows' this principle.God and His Son, Jesus Christ sought out His bride. If God hadn't chosen and pursued us, we would not have come looking for Him. And why does He pursue? Because He desires a relationship with us. He loves us. Even when we mess up. He pursues us. Even though we've messed up. For some reason, He wants us in His life.

Now, this is not meant to be a comprehensive article and I cannot cover the both sides and all the possible scenarios. Certainly, a man cannot be expected to pursue a woman forever no matter how he may love her, if she refuses him. Certainly a woman may reciprocate. However, there's just something really sweet about being chosen. And women should be the one to be chosen after God has approved ;)P.S. I've read that, 'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
P.P.S. Peacocks are mentioned in the Bible as one of the most precious items brought from Asia by King Solomon's ships.

10 Tips for dealing with Heartbreak

I got this from someone else and it's not going to describe every situation but it's sure got enough practical wisdom to glean from and will help someone in this hard place get through it and get over it.

10 Tips for dealing with Heartbreak

1) It is grief, don’t delay dealing with it (getting drunk, partying, pretending you don’t care, and finding someone else would not help). Confront it head on.

2) It hurts, so cry.

3) Pray, this gives you the strength to cope. Only God can heal you. People will listen for you for a season or until the next gossip comes along. They WILL get fed up of hearing you rant and cry. God  always has time for you.

4) Resist the “overwhelming” urge to call him/her to tell them something “important”. They see it as manipulation or justification to why they left you.

5) Find healthy entertainment with friends (same sex) or family. Church, lunch, dinner, sports, gym, movies are good ways to keep your mind occupied. Your mind will be bombarded pain, anger, malice, jealousy, suicide, if you are not careful, you’ll do, say or perform something you will regret.

6) Your confidante must not be of the opposite sex unless that person is a close blood relative. “Involved” men should not counsel single (hurting) women and vice versa. It is the subtlest seduction.

7) Be very careful where you get advice. Don’t entertain anyone who speaks of revenge, destruction or embarrassment.

8) If there are children involved, don’t use them as pawns. When a split occurs no one wins, but the children always lose. Love them more than you dislike/hate your ex. A child should never have to choose between parents. Never speak ill of your ex for the children to hear. Leave them out of “big people” business.

9) Take time to heal. Don’t go into another relationship until you determine what was your part in the termination and deal with it and learn from it (yes you had a part to play, be honest with yourself!). Baggage is not appealing. If you don’t remove it, history will repeat itself. Also it is not fair to the new person.

10) Forgive and forget. Forgive and forget. FORGIVE & FORGET!!! Most bad things happen for a good reason. You’ll look back and thank God. The person who hurt you was a conductor for God’s blessings to move you to a better place. If you don’t forgive and forget, you will be hindering your blessing. You will not grow and become a better person. Your pain will be without purpose. For nought.............. I’m reminded of the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50). Because of jealousy, he was sold in slavery, thrown in prison and finally ascended to the second highest rank in the land. When his father died, his brothers thought that he will extract revenge; however, this was his response.... “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.(Gen 50:19-20)

Hope this helps.

There are friends, and Then there are Friends

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:6

I have a few good friends. Well, three to be exact. I have many more acquaintances than that. I appreciate most of my acquaintances, some I seem to just be stuck with (Ooops). Altogether, I just recognize that these relationships don't run very deep, even for those who may be wonderful true friends to others. And in fact, some of them are shallow enough for me to be pretty certain there is a lot of syrupy sweet, fair weather niceties involved. Sometimes, I even know I'm being flattered (bad, bad, bad - just look it up in any Bible concordance).

Are you sure that the people you consider to be your friends are more than just 'fun to be with'? You can have fun with a bunch of uninhibited tipsy people too. I'm just saying...And anyone can smile sweetly, or switch out their tone of voice and say, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm praying for you." Are they indeed praying for you? Is it dutiful mention if it happens, or intercession? Are they going to press through for your good?
Are your friends going to do what hurts you, for your own good? I found out about a woman who cheated on her husband with another guy at church. Her friend suspected, confronted and gave her time to break it off. She didn't break it off. Her friend then told the Pastors, who then took the matter over. She was mad that her friend told, caused all of this to come crashing down on her. Today, she knows that the woman who stepped in was a true friend (and her life has totally been restored, repaired and taken up a couple notches!).
How many times are we simply content to be the one that a friend in trouble calls...and all we do is listen and rehash the situation and make exclamations...until the next phone call. Are you a good friend to others? Are you willing to faithfully wound a friend? Are you willing to lose your invitation to their inner circle for a while, or maybe always?

I'm just going to conclude this brief 'heads up' here by repeating the last part of the Scripture verse I started with: "Profuse are the kisses of an enemy"
Who's kissing you profusely and not meeting the biblical standard of friendship in other areas? Think on it!

Form of Godliness and Growing Deception

David had spiralled into a web of sins. Lust of the eyes and flesh had enticed him all the way to adultery, which led to pre-meditated murder of the innocent husband of the married woman he decided he had to have, after she revealed she was pregnant.

 ¹And the LORD sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. ²The rich man had very many flocks and herds, ³but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. ⁴Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."
⁵Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, ⁶and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." ⁷Nathan said to David, "You are the man!

2 Samuel 12, ESV

He had to have been in that condition of darkness brought on my unconfessed sin for at least a few months based on what details of the story we are told. Finally, the LORD sent a prophet to confront David (let me just interject that this was an act of mercy, since David's heart would have only grown more hardened and separated from God). Nathan, performing such a critical role, likely had received from the LORD the method he was to use to confront David, namely, the parable above. And here we have what alarms me: David still possessed a strong sense of 'justice' and 'righteousness'. He expressed outrage at the scenario which the prophet presented before him. He would use his authority as king to punish the man who had done such an evil thing. And Nathan said to him, "You are the man!"

There is a lot that deserves attention here, but I want to focus on the scary fact that we can be in unconfessed and known sin, drifting from God, in open rebellion and disobedience, and yet raise our voice for 'righteousness.'  We can still have a taste for what is morally good. We can fool a lot of people. People can give us the wrong impression of their spiritual health too. We can even fool ourselves. Yet God knows all and nothing can be hidden from Him. Also, nothing is overlooked by Him - not even if we've had an impressive track record of faithfulness and obedience before.

Because this type of deception and hardness of heart is a reality, the lesson for you and me is that we need to continually ask the LORD,  "search me, see if there is any wicked way in me, and to help me to get rid of it lest I turn from You and get seduced by the deceitfulness of sin." 

Thank God that grace abounds more where sin abounds. He showed His love by confronting David so that he could escape the grip of the darkness that he had invited into his life. He will also help us if we are committed to sanctification. We do not have to wait till after sin has occurred with its myriad consequences.

Form of Godliness

I have been thinking about how easily I may find myself drawn away and deceived if I don't stay fixed and committed to reading and immediately applying the Word of God to my life. I find sin in my life. Not just sin of things done, but things not done. For example, I find myself sometimes so slow and unenthusiastic about starting my bible reading, yet more eager to read my newest Christian book. Or, I have found myself slow and uninspired about having my own personal bible study, yet eager when it comes to group bible study. As I pondered how unfaithful to God I have been in these areas and others, it occurred to me that this is how I/one may easily slip into the great destructive error of having a 'form of godliness but denying the power thereof.' If we're not careful we can slip into a nice, good 'Christian' life without a growing, intimate relationship with God. And Christianity just doesn't make any sense without Christ.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, ESV

Worldliness

Just a quick question:

"Imagine I take a blind test in which my task is to identify the genuine follower of Jesus Christ. My choices are an unregenerate individual and you. I'm given two reports detailing conversations, Internet activity, manner of dress, iPod playlists, television habits, hobbies, leisure time, financial transactions, thoughts, passions, and dreams. The question is: Would I be able to tell you apart?" 

- C.J. Mahaney in Wordliness: Resisting the seduction of a fallen world

The influence of godly women

I'm in the last 2 months of my vacation in Silicon Valley, California. I have a mental drive more than ever to use my time wisely and in such a way that I grow spiritually while I'm resting. I enjoy the church I attend here tremendously. I know God led me to this place in answer to my almost daily prayers for about 2 months before arriving in CA. I had been praying for some time whether I should try to get more involved at church or if I was just in a period where I needed to sit and be taught (fed).  Anyway, I didn't actually go forward with my little inclinations to look into the weekly women's bible studies until the very end of December '09. It was like all of a sudden, it's something I needed to check out so I went to the website, found the director's contact info and asked about it all. The classes were closed for the holidays so I eagerly awaited 2010, truly believing this was something the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to go forward with.

So today was the first session for my group after the holidays and I had a fabulous time. There were 14 ladies in class today (supposed to be 20) and almost all are old enough to be my mother or grandmother even. They were so warm and welcoming. I am excited about being in a position to gain not only from their general fellowship but from the wisdom and experience their age will lend to me. The bible study was serious and totally Word-based too. We are going through the book of Acts in an expository form and there is real opportunity to learn. They ended with authentic, personal types of prayers, just praying for the needs of one another and one woman even just confessed her sin of doing things her own way in the recent past and not seeking God or being obedient. I was shocked by that to say the least, in a good way. I didn't ask for prayer so at the end they asked me if they could pray for me. I was so blessed. After class, they usually continue 'fellowshipping' over lunch so they decided to take me to lunch and paid for my meal. Even the conversation at the table was varied,  funny and warm. It was such a good time and I am so grateful to God for the warm connections that were made already.

I got home with my desire stirred for the things of God, for real growth, for becoming a godly woman full of His word and Spirit.

Thank You LORD!

Practical & Spirit-Filled Purity

from Voice of Revolution, online magazine from the ministry of Dr. Michael L. Brown

After being personally challenged and blessed by the recent article on a call to ‘Cleanse Our Eyes!’ by VOR writer Bryan Purtle, I felt led to write a short follow up with some practical principles and suggestions for dealing ruthlessly with sin, and the enemy’s enticements.

Jesus gives this instruction in Matthew 5: 27 – 30:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

What does it mean to ‘gouge’ out your eye, and ‘throw it away…’? Or what does Jesus teach in ‘cutting off…’ your hand and ‘throwing it away…’? Isn’t the Lord being a little too radical? Doesn’t this kind of Christianity sound a little weird or extreme? In response to this I would say, ‘Absolutely!’ He is teaching us how to view sin, and He is instructing us on how to radically deal with it! Only God ultimately knows the darkness, power and destruction sin brings, and thus has sent Jesus into the world to not only deal with its power and effects through the Cross, but also to instruct us in the Spirit filled life of holiness.

Another may say: ‘Surely, grace is available, and He understands our weaknesses, not to mention Christ is our advocate before the Father, and He forgives and cleanses confessed sin’ To which I say in accordance with the Scriptures, ‘absolutely’! (1 John 1: 5 – 2: 2) But also in accordance with the Scriptures I say, that not only has Jesus dealt with our filthy past if we have been truly Born Again, and has made more than adequate provision for our present and future failings as He deals in our lives through our life in the Spirit, but He has also given His glorious Spirit and Word to loose us from the bondage of sin and its dominion! (Romans 6: 14 – 23) As Paul says in Romans 6: 14: ‘For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.’

Grace is there to not only cover but to deliver, empower and bring victory because of His triumphant death and resurrection, through the outpoured Spirit!

Jesus has dealt with sin and the enemy, ‘once for all’, and now we partake in Kingdom life by the Spirit of God. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we then experience His Holy power dwelling within, and also we hear Him taking the Words of Christ and establishing them in our hearts. The affect is purging, refining and establishing. The Word then becomes a living burning Word by the Spirit, and it brings power and grace for a holy life.

So then, we come to the practical issues of Matthew 5. Jesus is using radical terms to cause us to flee from sin, and deal with it ruthlessly in our hearts. In this chapter it is the heart Jesus is primarily concerned about, not just the outward deed (though that too will bring disastrous consequences!) He knows that sin must be dealt with at the root, not just the fruit. This is why He talks of the murderous or adulterous heart. It is the heart of a man which determines his actions.

So below are just some key practical ways of dealing with sin:

· Seek the face of God radically with all your heart through prayer and reading the Word. If the Lord leads, do this with fastings also. Allow in that time the Spirit of God to come in fire and freedom and bring you into the freedom of Christ. Allow Jesus to come to deal thoroughly with the root of the issue in your heart. One man said: “Is sin hounding you; are your old habits re emerging? Do you feel the enemy pulling you back to your old ways? Then the remedy is this: Run to the Risen Christ!”

· Go and find a strong, Godly man or woman of God to be accountable to. Maybe you know of a minister or elder, or a leader of some kind. Ask God about whom, but don’t delay in looking and going to someone. Become accountable to them, and allow them to speak into your life and pray with you through into victory. Confess your failing to them in confidence. Let them ask you frequently how things are going. Trust them, and let God use them to instill discipline, Godliness and humility into you. All sin ultimately is rooted in pride. This is a great Kingdom principle (James 5: 16) and helps bring humility and light into our hearts. Don’t listen to the enemy telling you not to confess and be open. I have proved that there is tremendous liberty and victory in humbling myself to my brothers, under the sight of God!

· Married? Be open with your spouse. It’s amazing to me how often times when I confess my failings to my wife, how much thoroughness, grace and wisdom she has in helping me. This is a gift from God for both men and women. Use it!

· Cut off the offending part. Is the problem TV? Maybe go on a TV fast, or only watch it with someone else, or even get rid of it all together! Is the problem the internet? You can get rid of it or if you must have it for your work, then buy a children’s filter software, and let someone you trust and is Godly, monitor your use. You can never be too final or thorough in these practicalities!

· Don’t isolate yourself or become weary in well doing! One proverb says: He who isolates Himself, seeks His own desire. Remember King David’s falling because He did not go to war with the army of Israel. It is a key thing to plug in to a strong Jesus exalting, Biblical and Spirit filled NT Church, and serve there.

· Read and listen to messages of servants of God who are aflame for God! Holiness is infectious in the Holy Spirit’s presence! Many times I have sensed the flaming arrows of God through another’s ministry, and it sets me aflame even more!

So there are just some of the essential things to be done to gain victory. I’m sure there are many more things some of you may consider worth while, and by all means, please feel free to add some to the comments section below. However, please let’s remember the main thing. Christ has come in the power of the Spirit, and has defeated sin in His body on the Cross! His Blood, His Spirit and His words are the key factors. At the same time don’t let legalistic ‘extras’ come in. Remember, the key issue is always the heart of man. It is there God wants to ultimately work. From there our actions will be righteous, our eyes will be consecrated and our minds free!

May God give you freedom, victory and fullness through His Son, for His glory.

Stop Worshiping & Idolizing Celebrity Preachers - Paul Washer

T-Shirt Theology

The one on the LEFT is $19.99 (with applicable tax).
The one of the RIGHT is free.

For this and more biting, but eye-opening, satire visit The Sacred Sandwich

Give Thanks

Philippians 4:4-7, NJKV
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 130
 ¹ I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up,
         And have not let my foes rejoice over me.
 ² O LORD my God, I cried out to You,
         And You healed me.
 ³ O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
         You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.^{[a]
        
 4} Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
         And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.^[b]
 5 For His anger is but for a moment,
         His favor is for life;
         Weeping may endure for a night,
         But joy comes in the morning.
        
 ⁶ Now in my prosperity I said,
         “I shall never be moved.”
 ⁷ LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;
         You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
        
 ⁸ I cried out to You, O LORD;
         And to the LORD I made supplication:
 ⁹ “What profit is there in my blood,
         When I go down to the pit?
         Will the dust praise You?
         Will it declare Your truth?
 ¹⁰ Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me;
         LORD, be my helper!”
        
 ¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
         You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
 ¹² To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
         O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

When I Became A Man (Put the Toys Away)

Wow - Spending too much on 'Christmas'?

Check this out!

Former Abortion Director Has Radical Change of Heart

I have been coming across lots of important messages that continue to highlight the atrocity that abortion is. I feel these are worth sharing. This is from CBN News, go here for the written report.

An ultrasound of an abortion being carried out - Horrific

Vee writes one of my favourite blogs, Living Journey. I saw this today at her blog and thought it important to share:

The Fire (a video by Nate Pfeil)

This is Ouch Truth. The kind we all need to hear. This is a must-see. Please view!

Busy as a Bee - Examining Myself Too

I have generally been deficient in the whole department of online correspondence and interaction. I leave for San Francisco in just over two weeks so I also have a list of things to do to get myself ready and packed. I am sooo ready for departure day to arrive already!

I have a lot on my mind lately. I have been spending time reading on false teachers and apostates from books of the bible such as Jude, 2 Peter and 1 Timothy - and making notes. It's 'scary' and eye-opening stuff that every serious Christian needs to be aware and educated about. There is so much deception out there right now and it's not our good intentions that will protect us from being deceived. Nothing but the word of God (knowing and doing it) will shield us from being deceived and deceiving ourselves.

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless you are disqualified.
2 Corinthians 13:5

"The Tragic Path of James Baldwin"

This is just an excellent article by John Piper that I felt it important to share:

James Baldwin, novelist, essayist, poet, was born August 2, 1924 and died November 30, 1987. From child evangelist in a store-front church in Harlem, to the front of TIME magazine as a dominant prophetic voice of the sixties, to a disillusioned anti-American living and dying in France, Baldwin’s life was another witness to the power of Christian roots and the tragedy that comes when the root is severed.

...Continue reading here

One Year of Blogging

I have now had this blog for ONE YEAR. I have enjoyed it. I had two other blogs some years ago but I was a student at school and didn't have the time and ability to keep at it though. Right now, I think I have discovered my place in the blog world as well as what I hope for out of it. At the very least, I have discovered what I am not.

I am not a pro-blogger. I am not seeking to earn any sort of income, ever, from blogging.
I am not a mommy blogger (yet) and so though I enjoy the stories and pictures, there's only so much I find I can comment on.
I am not a daily blogger. In fact, I can go happily for a long time without blogging as long as I continue to read/skim my favorite blogs at my own leisure. I do want to be somewhat regular for my readers though.
I am not a blogger driven by the number of readers or stats. It is nice, for sure, to have new readers - yet I would be very disappointed to know all these people weren't actually taking the time to read every now and then!
I am not the prettiest blogger. Aesthetics are nice and I wish I could do more design-wise, but I am not at the stage of pursuing change yet. I would be very happy were I to find someone who wanted to take on the challenge and teach me some stuff too. Even uploading photos for posting is something I have to discipline myself to do more of!
I am not an impersonal blogger. I really enjoy interacting on some level with the people who read my blog and vice versa. This is the 2nd biggest pay-off for me I think. I value authenticity in relationships greatly.

The WWW is not the best place to hope for relationships and friendships per se, but as long as I'm here and there are other people sitting behind their computers, I really want to make something more than an impersonal or superficial connection on some mutual level at some point along the way.

I read/subscribe to a wide variety of blogs: biblioblogs, mommy blogs, artsy blogs, food blogs, pastors' blogs and others. It's not possible to comment on everything but I do get a kick out of simple things like getting a reply to a comment or a whenever a little discussion evolves.

I am a blogger who wants to have something of value to say at the end of the day. I want something greater than my own thoughts, ramblings and experiences to be woven throughout the blog posts here. And this is my biggest pay off. To hope that God will use something I've said or shared, maybe even a Marvelous Musing, to reveal something more about Himself in some way to some one.

Finally saw Fireproof

I finally saw Fireproof the movie on DVD. I had heard a lot of great things about it. In fact, my friend's hubby who is strictly an 'action movie' type of guy, actually cried a little! I have to say, the acting was quite sub-standard. And this runs throughout the movie for the most part. However, the message of the movie is superb, necessary, and it comes through loud and clear. I was not as emotionally moved as I thought I would have been, based on the effect I've heard it had on some men who saw it, but I think this is because the movie targets men and husbands more than the opposite sex.

I would absolutely recommend this movie to anyone. It brings a message of what true love really is and how to make it work. The principles will work for anyone, regardless of whether they're a Christian or not. However, I daresay a non-Christian will not truly be able to love their partner consistently in actions, without the inner work of the Holy Spirit. This just happens to be another message in Fireproof. Enduring love starts with God and is perfected in God.

What's In MY Name?

Well, I have been absent from my blog for about two weeks now. A lot has happened in various areas of my life. On Wednesday 24th June, while in the course of a conversation, I stumbled upon some information in an article that shook me up pretty good regarding my ethnicity. As you know, I have been spending more time praying. Around this time, praying for Israel, Jerusalem and the Jews is something that became very exciting for me.

I was casually discussing an old Jewish shop sign I spotted along one of the main roads and checked online for more information about a prominent and Jewish family that had operated a successful exclusive store on the island until a few years ago. Hans Stecher came to the island at the age of 14 with his family, fleeing Vienna in 1938. In his reflections about the 'disappearance' of the Jewish community on the island, he mentioned that many Jewish family names were changed and listed some last names that actually point to Jewish families, as well as some that were slightly changed. My last name was one of them. I also found a website maintained by our national library that also contained this information.

I spoke to my mom (who has always been intensely passionate about anything Jewish, without knowing why) and was told that:

• she has always considered herself a 'Jew', I have many times heard her say that she is connected to 'those people' (but thought it was her Christianity making the connection)
• she long ago, secretly felt and wondered that perhaps there was some Jewish ancestry just based on the depth of her emotions
• not only is my last name from my father, well, they also share it in their genealogy. More precisely, my mom and dad are related: My mom's grandfather's (her mother's father) sister's son , was my father's father. That means my parents are distant cousins.
• these were white-skinned, long, straight-nosed, brown/red haired people who married into the other Caribbean ethnicities, namely, East Indian, perhaps indigenous Indian and African, so that now, we mostly look a nice blend of dark, 'local Caribbean'.
  

I face several difficulties in finding out more. Detailed birth and ancestry records were not kept in the islands; much of my family is split up in different countries now; the older generations are practically gone; my parents' and their families were actually from another island nearby (and most of them did leave that island) and my parents have never been back to their island of birth since leaving in the mid 1960's.

The more research I do on my last name, the more evidence turns up that this name does indeed point to some Jewish Sephardic families. I have always known it was 'Portuguese' and since I live on the brink of South America, that made even more sense, but the origins of its origin had never occured to me till now.

Part of me is very excited. Part of me was somehow 'shook up.' I want to know for certain. But I don't know how to know. There just seems to be nothing else to work with right now.

My Name is Pride

My name is Pride, I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny....because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment......because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge......because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing......because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness.......because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you on vision......because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship......because nobody is going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love....because real romance demands a sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven....because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory.....because I convince you to seek your own.

MY NAME IS PRIDE. I AM A CHEATER.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.
U-N-T-R-U-E.
I'm looking to make a fool of you. God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me YOU WILL NEVER KNOW.

by Beth Moore

From LSD to Ph.D. (The Personal Testimony of Dr. Michael L. Brown)

Dr. Michael Brown recounts his Jewish youth of drugs and rock music, and how he came to follow Yeshua (Jesus).

Dr. Michael Brown's testimony - from LSD to PHD. from RealMessiah.com on Vimeo.

“I’m, burning in hell! I’m, burning in hell!”

It was 1:30 in the morning, the first week of September, 1971. I was only sixteen years old, but already I had earned the nicknames “Drug Bear” and “Iron Man.” I could do greater quantities of drugs than any of my friends -- and live to brag about it! Whether I was shooting heroin or using hallucenogenics like LSD and mescaline, taking megadoses of drugs had become my lifestyle. But this time I went too far. I took enough mescaline for thirty people, and my friends put me on a bus alone, sending me home to fend for myself. They thought it was a big joke! Actually it was a matter of life and death.
I became delirious on the bus and got off too soon, more than a mile from my family’s home on Long Island, New York. As I walked slowly towards the house, I thought the journey would never end. I became disoriented and got lost just two blocks from home. I sat down on the ground in mental torment, feeling like I had entered a maze from which I could never get out. I thought I had died and gone to hell.

Then, at that late hour of the night, a friend of my parents came by, walking his dog. He looked at me with shock as I screamed, “I’m burning in hell!” I was shocked too. “Why is he walking his dog in hell?” I wondered.

As soon as he walked away, I made a decision: “I’m going to jump in front of the next car that comes by. I can’t take it any longer.” I was losing my mind.

Within minutes, a car came racing around the corner. I jumped into the road directly in front of the car and threw my hands in the air. The car came to a screeching halt just inches from my body. It was my parents! The man with the dog had gone to my house and, deeply shaken, told them what he had seen. They came looking for me. They were ready to stop at that very corner. If it had been any other car I would have been killed.

But what was I doing there anyway, stoned out of my head? How did a nice Jewish boy like me get so messed up? And why was I thinking about hell? Let me tell you the story. I think you’ll be interested to hear what happened!

READ MORE or VISIT DR. BROWN'S SITE

Keeping The Heart Intact

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal... lock it up safe in the coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket... it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable... The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell."

- C.S. Lewis

About Me & Him

This song is my song right now.

Catching Up With You!

It's been a lonnng time since one of my more uniquely personal posts. I felt really bad about it but then I stopped stressing knowing that I need to keep my priorities in order and mine just weren't allowing extended blog time recently. Another factor in my semi-delinquency has been that since blogger sent me that 'post from email' notice, I can easily send stuff right at the time of doing routine e-mail rounds and never actually get around to the Blogger or Google Reader site.

Well what have I been doing? Two weeks ago my contract at my job ended and I am looking forward to a new job (which I am confident God has for me - zero stress there). I want to spend about a month 'home' on a sabbatical of sorts (and yes I have some money in the bank, lol!). In the meanwhile I have been spending lots more time reading the word, praying, catching up on sermon series and making notes. Oh and intercessory prayer has been a BIG part of this lately. Actually, it was the catalyst to the whole thing. And nope, I'm not super-spiritual as I may sound (I want to be of course, in a balanced and genuine way!) - but I am a single, kid-less adult with very little responsibility so what a wonderful way I get to spend my time. I had to explain this to my best girl friend as she did start to feel kinda ignored. She thought it strange that our any-time-of-the-morning phone calls were not happening anymore...But then she is married and so life is a little different for her anyways.

It's much needed time growing my relationship with my God and Father. I can actually feel life pouring back into me and finding my heart and mind abuzz with heavenly thoughts in a more spontaneous way is so exciting. It's now so easy to recognize I have been sort of running on a minimum. But that minimum is not what the normal Christian life is supposed to be like!

Hmm, what else is there?

Well, I am still enjoying my 'new' church. I am still so thankful for the easy and effortless transition really. I am now about to start serving by handling the the projector for the sermon verses and song lyrics. And other help when requested. On Mother's Day I was asked to help in the kitchen and we had some lovely tea plates and roses (real ones) for the moms. Another neat thing is that over the last couple weeks, whatever I have been studying that week at home or felt God was talking to me about, is just what the Pastor spoke on in his Sunday services! It has been happening like this for a series of weeks. Very cool huh ;)

Still praying on my burning desire for a vacation. Ok, so I know some people may think that's excessive praying, but flying abroad is a big deal that involves many unknowns and I never intend to make a trip without God giving me an all-clear AND accompanying me (so to speak). I am the kind of girl who will just pack up and go, all on my own. It is adventurous but it also leaves me very much aware that I need to be watchful and Spirit-led. I am thinking of doing Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas for the first time...but we'll see ;)

Well, going to polish my nails now so enough typing! Blog to you soon (or -ish) ok ;)

Instant Messaging

For young women who need to be rescued...

...Or those who need an eye-opener to what else it out there...

You never really can tell what lies behind people's smiles, or seeming self-confidence. Not every 'gorgeous' girl really thinks or feels that she's beautiful. And not every white-picket-fence-family had it all behind closed doors. Oh, and not every 'bad' girl had a reason to become like that either. Sometimes it's just a matter of choices.

Ever wondered about all the stories of the women who strip, sell sex, or 'dance'? Not everyone enjoys what they're doing after the show is over. And for some women the exhilaration and sense of power and freedom doesn't last, or else it's an addiction to be maintained like any other.

I bet some of you know women like this, even if you don't know their story right now. Maybe you do. Maybe you have been there. These are, or will be, the similar stories of some of the girls in your high school class right now, your college class/campus, your workplace, and maybe even your church.

http://www.iamatreasure.com/index2.html - These ladies' stories are shocking and eye-opening.

But there is a common denominator in all of these stories. Jesus the Son of God stepped in.

Jesus was not meant to be the center of a popular 'religion.' He is a real Person we can know and communicate with personally, Who came to seek out and to save us.

The time spent perusing these brief life stories will be well worth it. Please also pass this link on: Blog, Twitter, post on Facebook or just Fwd a link via your email.

Life in the 1500s

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be Here are some facts about the1500s:


Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water.The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water.

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying. It's raining cats and dogs.

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house.This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a thresh hold.

(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realised they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a ...dead ringer.

And that's the truth. Now, whoever said History was boring !

Educate someone. Share these facts with a friend.


Received via fwd email

Bestseller: Confusion

Working Dogs

Good Advice

Deceiving and Being Deceived

I believe this is a solid warning (given in 1965) that is as timely today as they get: Click HERE

Excerpt:

Many shall come with seducing spirits and hold out lustful enticements. You will find that after I have visited My people again, the way shall become more and more narrow, and fewer shall walk there in. But be not deceived, the ways of righteousness are My ways. For though Satan come as an angel of light hearken not to him; for those who perform miracles and speak not righteousness are not of Me. I warn you with great intensity that I am going to judge My house and have a church without spot or wrinkle when I come. I desire to open your eyes and give you spiritual understanding, that you may not be deceived but may walk with uprightness of heart before Me, loving righteousness and hating every evil way. Look unto Me and I will make you to perceive with the eyes of the Spirit the things that lurk in darkness, that are not visible to the human eye. Let me lead you in this way that you may perceive the powers of darkness and battle against them. It is not a battle against flesh and blood; for if you battle in that way you accomplish nothing. But if you let Me take over and battle against the powers of darkness then they are defeated, and then liberation is brought to My people.

I warn you to search the Scriptures diligently these last days. For the things that are written shall indeed be made manifest. There shall come deceivers among My people in increasing numbers, who shall speak forth the truth and shall gain the favor of the people. For the people shall examine the Scriptures and say, "What these men say is true." Then when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and THEN ONLY shall they bring out these wrong doctrines. Therefore, I say that you should not give your hearts to men, nor hold people's persons in admiration. For by these very persons shall Satan enter into My people. WATCH FOR SEDUCERS. Do you think a seducer will brandish a new heresy and flaunt it before the people? He will speak the words of righteousness and truth, and will appear as a minister of light, declaring the Word. The people's hearts shall be won. Then, when the hearts are won, they will bring out their doctrines, and the people shall be deceived. The people shall say, "Did he not speak thus and thus? And did we not examine it from the Word? Therefore he is a minister of righteousness.This that he has now spoken we do not see in the Word, but it must be right, for the other things he spoke were true."

Note: Not having familiarized myself with the other writings or materials provided by the original website, I do not necessarily endorse any other article or work on said website.

Learning About Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse varies in its manifestations and is more consistent than just a bad mood, an outburst or a hurtful comment or action. Many people like myself have had some idea about what it means just by putting the meaning of 'abuse' and 'emotion' together, but do not really know what it looks like and just how harmful it can be. It is more common for women to be emotionally abused. I believe this is because of the emotional vulnerability and sensitivity of women, alongside their greater need to maintain relationships and family which creates the perfect conditions for an abuser. Nevertheless, a number of victims are male as well.

At the end of this post you will find a few site links which will provide a starting point if you'd like to know more about this type of abuse. I hope that this will help you or someone you know to identify any relationship that is emotionally abusive and to take the steps to avoid being scarred by it. There is also healing for abusers who want to end the cycle that destroys their relationships or traps others with them in unhealthy patterns. For other interested readers, this may also be eye-opening.

There is no globally accepted definition for emotional abuse but there is a comprehensive list of traits which are components of this type of abuse. Emotional abuse is psychological and may or may not always require the use of words. It is habitual and cyclical. It can include degrading comments, insults, angry outburts, shame tactics and various forms of manipulation and control. But other manifestation of this abuse comes in the form of cool indifference, sarcasm, witholding affection, approval or companionship. It is just as damaging to the victim, especially over time. For example, the victim may be subjected to harsh comments/sarcasm, followed immediately and sharply by indifference and prolonged withdrawal. Meanwhile, the abuser never accepts responsibility and awaits the victim's 'apology'. The rare but closest half-admission would be framed by the emotional abuser as 'I apologize for...but.'

Emotional abuse breaks the victim down from the level of the soul and spirit, insidiously. Many victims of emotional abuse will tell you that they would prefer to be physically hit if they had to choose one over the other. However, emotional abuse tends to co-exist or progress into sexual and physical abuse. This is particularly a stronghold in marriages where it is less easy to delineate the normal sexual obligation of partners in the marriage covenant from sexually abusive demands and practices. Furthermore, in families where children are involved, childhood emotional abuse may develop by the abusive partner and will affect children who live in the unhealthy environment and view its effect on one parent.

The abuser may not appear to the outside world of family and friends as the other partner knows them to be. This can trap the victim in fear of being blamed or of bearing the embarrassment of this secret reality. I have read desperate stories and letters from women in different online forums and I am amazed at how it nearly seems they are all married to the same man. For the Christian wife it is particularly difficult as she is torn by the doctrine of submission, sexually belonging to her husband, protecting the children, decisions for separation or grounds for divorce. Read one example here. Many more exist if you browse.

The emotional abuser is in his/her own way, a victim as well. He/she is usually so emotionally/psychologically broken somewhere that they do not recognize their abusive behavior which is almost ingrained in their own psyche. They are enabled by responses from the other person which provide a sense of affirmation, power and even love to attempt to remedy their own brokenness. This may be the reason that they rarely accept blame or see their problem.

There have been emotional abusers who were able to admit their problem, find healing and follow through to become emotionally healthy in stable relationships such as Paul Hegstrom, a christian author and teacher on many such life issues. He wrote from experience in Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them: Breaking the Cycle of Physical and Emotional Abuse. And is also the author of Broken Children, Grown-up Pain: Understanding the Effects of Your Wounded Past.The reviews are good although I've not been able to get my hands on either. I suggest you look him up for more resources.

I studied psychology and still enjoy reading up on psychological research and theories. I find it does accurately identify and even predict many human thought processes and behaviors - some of it is absolute rubbish too - but I want to emphasize that psychological techniques cannot once and for all change a human being from the inside out and achieve wholeness. Behavioral modification comes with no lasting guarantee either. Without the word and power of God as the source and foundation of our healing process we would not even know what wholeness is or what a healthy soul and spirit looks and thinks like.

Because there is so much information available quite easily, I decided to pull out a few that were also from a Christian perspective. Other more general sites will also be useful too.

Links to Info with a Christian Perspective:-

http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/verbalabuse.html

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/search.aspx/search?q=emotional%20abuse

http://silverreflection.tripod.com/speakoutagainstverbalabusecopy/id5.html

http://www.abigails.org/a-studypage.htm

"O God Of Our Many Understandings" - READ AS - "O Man-Made God"

In case you haven't read it already, you can read this ludicrous and disturbing inaugural prayer below, from a purported representative of the christian church (it is also available on YouTube which the simplest search will turn up if you're interested).

While many of the components seem noble, this prayer is foolishness because it went wrong from its first line "O God of our many understandings." This 'god' just simply does not exist.

In addition, I shudder to think of what this type of prayer means in the spiritual realm, and how far America has fallen. Can you imagine King David's inaugural ceremony including a prayer by a high priest of baal? Ok, ok, so that did not and could not have happened, but please ponder that as the reason I call all of this ludicrous.

Gene Robinson may truly be part of 'a church', but he's definitely not a member of the Blood-bought Body of Jesus Christ. This prayer is not going any further than the ceiling, so-to-speak...unless, of course, it's captured by some demons and carried off as a keepsake for the kingdom of darkness.

By The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire

Opening Inaugural Event
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
January 18, 2009

Welcome to Washington! The fun is about to begin, but first, please join me in pausing for a moment, to ask God’s blessing upon our nation and our next president.

O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.

AMEN.

P.S. Yes I do realize that Barack Obama is no King David either...

More on: deception at TWILIGHT

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
(Ephesians 5:8-11)

If you've just started reading, you can get the first installment on this topic here. I will share even more informative links with you in this post. But first, a little preamble.

In taking the scripture I started with seriously, it is my hope to expose what I can about this demonically-inspired saga that has baited and caught many Christian women and girls. I wonder how many of you already knew that the author had this saga start unfolding to her in the form of a dream she had one night. In that dream she just 'knew' that Edward was a vampire and she described how beautiful he was...and from there it continued to unfold as she put it to paper. No, this was no writer having a moment of artistic inspiration. In fact, she was no writer and this series made her into one. She was a prepared and open vessel for this satanic deception that would be unleashed to have just this effect on women and girls who just long for this supposed undying love and romance and cherish these types of sensual longings.

In the bible, a search for the keywords 'Twilight', 'New Moon', 'Eclipse', 'Breaking Dawn' and 'Midnight Sun' (her books in/hinged on the Twilight Series) or even for the word 'vampire' will not turn up anything. What the bible does tell us is clear and sufficient. God reveals Himself and the awesome holiness of His ways, so that the person in a growing relationship with Him (reading His word, loving Him, talking to Him, worshiping Him and obeying Him diligently) gets to know that this God does and does not approve of certain things - some of those are things that were never even spelled out in black and white on those pages. In those situations what we gain through a growing relationship with Him, really KNOWING Him, is what turns out to be the ability to apply the truths He has revealed (about Himself and what He requires of us), to the things that face us in our everyday life. It is for this reason that the bible is relevant for every age, for every generation, every society, every person. It contains the indestructible word of God upon which His own eternal, unchanging character is based.

Most people who read this blog and who will in the future, will do so because they consider themselves to be Christians and already have some type of relationship with the bible. It is for this reason, that a post like this should not be necessary for everyone, because discernment is sharpened by regularly exercising our senses to view and judge everything through the Word of God.

The first book I'll always refer you to is the bible. Not in the sense that you go look it up like a text you would use to support an argument in some essay. Not a cold, religious, Pharisaical study. That's not what I mean. But if you love the truth, if you seek the truth, go to the word of God. Read it. Feed on it. Pray for more understanding on what you find there. Think about it. What does this tell me about God? Knowing this, how can I best please Him? What does God require from me?

In addition, resources such as articles and teachings by other Christians who already have some insight into the ways and works of God through their own relationship with Him and His word - though not necessarily inerrant - will often do much to open our eyes to the truth and to point us in the right direction in how to start exercising discernment.

I am about to post a few more links on these Meyer books. I have been doing some research and I am not surprised that the sequels to the first book are increasingly dark and demonic though attempting to intertwine themes of 'love' and self-sacrifice' e.g. Bella's pregnancy being a risk to her that she is unwilling to end, although her baby (she is now married to the vampire by this time) is eating her (Breaking Dawn).

Living Dead Christian Blood Suckers Come Out For Twilight

The Twilight Saga – Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga – Research Resources

Vampires and Young Female Desires

As a side note, I found out that Meyer has another book called The Host. As I was reading about it from her own website I couldn't help but think that this was just like a demon's take on demonic possession (or whatever you want to call it).

Here is an excerpt from her site on this other book:

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Dark, with a very dramatic plot that is designed to pique your curiosity and stoke your imagination.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
(Ephesians 6:12-13)

If you know the God of the Holy Bible. If you are walking with Him. If you are desiring Him above all else sincerely. If you have set your heart on Him. If you love Him. If you love His works and His ways. Then, you cannot read or continue to read these books without having to sit on your conscience and silence that still small voice inside that tells you that this is not like the "Holy One of Israel", the One who "clothes Himself with light as with a garment"...If after being warned, convicted, enlightened or presented with some clear standards to judge these books by, you find yourself able or willing to sit on your conscience or silence the conviction of the Spirit of God, it reveals something else, much worse, about what your heart is really set upon. And maybe, just maybe you may not be what you think you are either. But thank God, there is the Cross of Jesus.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

[On the top right side of this page I have posted the links included in this article, along will an additional link for more information about Vampirism. I will continually update this list.]