A Slave's View

A Human with the same Rights and Liberty All Humans Have

2012-01-25T10:40:00.002-05:00

Children don't view this the image is disturbing.

Its a human being with the same rights and liberty all human beings have.

The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

You have no right to choose to murder another human being.

Sick Tomato

2012-01-21T02:56:00.000-05:00

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution or a Crony Capitalist Sellout?

2011-10-12T14:19:00.001-04:00

An article by Rising Revolution made some points about Barack Obama that progressives and conservatives alike don’t want to admit to lest it wreck their current ideological mindset.

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution or a Crony Capitalist Sellout?

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution against the Crony Capitalism practiced by Wall Street or is he one of their errand boys?

Does he and government serve the people and the True Free Market or serve Crony Capitalism?

Does Many on the false Left-Right Paradigm believe he is owned by Wall Street, like Leftist Matt Damon and rightist Charlie Gasparino.

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution or a Crony Capitalist Sellout?

2011-10-12T14:16:00.001-04:00

An article by Rising Revolution made some points about Barack Obama that progressives and conservatives alike don’t want to admit to lest it wreck their current ideological mindset.

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution or a Crony Capitalist Sellout?

Is Barack Obama a hero of the Revolution against the Crony Capitalism practiced by Wall Street or is he one of their errand boys?

Does he and government serve the people and the True Free Market or serve Crony Capitalism?

Does Many on the false Left-Right Paradigm believe he is owned by Wall Street, like Leftist Matt Damon and rightist Charlie Gasparino.

Remembering 9-11 – 2001-2011–Never Forget!

2011-09-11T12:31:00.001-04:00

Turn off Music Player before playing video.

911 Tribute – Music by Christian band the Fray

We remember all those who died that day as victims to the atrocious acts of a few evil men.

We remember all the hero's that day, the fire fighters and policemen, those that lived and died trying to rescue people.

And, we remember all those who lost their love ones that day. May God comfort them all!

We hope that no one politicizes this day for their own political agendas because this is a day for memorial, reflecting and paying our respect.

Also, finally remember NEVER let our government take away our essential liberties to protect our safety.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~ Ben Franklin

Rick Perry manhandles Ron Paul

2011-09-08T17:27:00.000-04:00

Paul and holds his wrist preventing him from leaving, gets in his face, and Huntsman intervenes or who knows what would have happened.

Huntsman steps in between them...

Very presidential. I hope MSNBC releases video of it.

Open Letter to Rick Perry on his Progressive Record

2011-09-07T20:19:00.001-04:00

Governor Perry, let me be clear: It is not that you supported Al Gore that worries us.

It is that you supported Hillary Clinton's health care plan.

You pushed for federal bailout and stimulus funds.

You support welfare for illegal immigrants.

You tried to forcibly vaccinate 12-year-old girls against sexually transmitted diseases by executive order.

Ron Paul with Ronald Reagan

You raised taxes twice.

And, state debt has more than doubled in your tenure as governor, pushing Texas to the brink of our constitutional debt limit.

It's that you supported ALL of these bad ideas that are inconsistent with how most Republicans understand conservatism, yet you now try to swagger your way into the Tea Party.

Governor Perry, with all due respect, you have used great rhetoric. But you will have to answer to the voters of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and across the country as to why that rhetoric does not match your record.

~ Congressman Ron Paul

To Learn more about Ron Paul click:
Ron Paul for President 2012 Issues

Top 3 Myths About the Great Depression and the New Deal

2011-09-06T21:59:00.001-04:00

Are we heading into the 2nd Great Depression?

Ron Paul can be TRUSTED vs. Rick Perry Not to be Trusted.

2011-09-06T20:03:00.001-04:00

Rick Perry is a liberal in conservative clothing.

For all you Rick Perry Supporters who think he is a conservative. Its all lip service, pretending he is a 10th amendment conservative

Rick Perry supported Al Gore as his cheerleader for US President. Ron Paul can be TRUSTED vs. Rick Perry who is NOT to be Trusted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OAA0NG19_I

No Whosoevers Friday Night Live Webcast on 08-12-2011

2011-08-10T06:03:00.001-04:00

Next week The Letter Black will perform

W Friday Night Invite w/ Dominic Balli

2011-07-27T22:13:00.000-04:00

US Eastern Time 10:30 PM/US Pacific Time 7:30 PM

Watch Live Here

W FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WEBCAST W/ ALL OR NOTHING

2011-06-17T14:34:00.001-04:00

US Eastern Time 10:30 PM/US Pacific Time 7:30 PM

Watch Live Here

Watch the Whosoevers Friday Night Live Webcast w/ Safe Haven

2011-06-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

Starts 10:30 PM US Eastern Time, 7:30 PM US Pacific Time

Click here to watch live!

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Join the Whosoevers Friday Night Live Webcast w/ The Breax

2011-05-27T11:23:00.001-04:00

Starts 10:30 PM US Eastern Time, 7:30 PM US Pacific Time

Click here to watch live!

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Ron Paul Announces 2012 Presidential Run

2011-05-13T15:24:00.011-04:00

Buy Ron Paul's Latest Book "Liberty Defined", as well as other Ron Paul Classics Below:

Join the Whosoevers Live Webcast tonight

2011-05-13T15:00:00.001-04:00

*10:30 PM Eastern Time (7:30 PM Pacific Time)

Watch live here

No Whosoevers Friday Night Live Webcast from Cali this week May 6th – Scott Whosoever gives us the details

2011-05-05T14:24:00.001-04:00

Reminder: No Whosoever Friday Night Live Webcast for this Friday because of Good Friday Services

2011-04-21T18:28:00.000-04:00

You are more than welcome to watch the ‘Good Friday’ Service at Golden Springs Calvary Chapel at 10:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM PST right here.

Reminder: No Whosoever Friday Night Live Webcast for this Friday because of Good Friday Services

2011-04-21T16:20:00.002-04:00

You are more than welcome to watch the ‘Good Friday’ Service at Golden Springs Calvary Chapel at 10:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM PST right here.

Reminder: No Whosoever Friday Night Live Webcast for this Friday because of Good Friday Services

2011-04-21T16:20:00.000-04:00

You are more than welcome to watch the ‘Good Friday’ Service at Golden Springs Calvary Chapel at 10:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM PST right here.

No Whosoevers Friday Nights Live Webcast this April 22nd, Good Friday

2011-04-19T18:14:00.001-04:00

No Whosoevers Friday Nights Live Webcast this Friday, because of Good Friday Services at Host Church Golden Springs Calvary Chapel.

You are more than welcome to watch the ‘Good Friday’ Service at Golden Springs Calvary Chapel at 10:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM PST right here.

Lawmakers Trying To Get Rid Of Real ID For Good

2011-04-15T13:27:00.001-04:00

by Rob Poindexter - April 6th 2011 11:16pm (Augusta, Maine)

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents stood together Wednesday in Augusta to speak out in favor of a proposal to get rid of parts of the Federal Real ID Act implemented in Maine under former Governor John Baldacci.

The federal law would eventually link every state drivers license and ID cards to a federal database but only if the federal government can get all states on board.

Real ID would also require facial recognition or retinal scans in order to get a license or state ID.

Who Killed the Constitution?: The Federal Government vs. American Liberty from World War I to Barack Obama [Paperback]

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Join the Whosoevers Tonight

2011-04-15T12:00:00.001-04:00

Watch the Whosevers Friday Nights tonight at 10:30 PM US Eastern Time/7:30 PM US Pacific Time with recording artist Propaganda and the Teaching of God’s Word :)

Watch Live: Here

Devotional by Raul Ries

2011-04-13T13:18:00.001-04:00

Spiritually Prepared

“So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.”
Deuteronomy 20:2

Who were the leaders? The leaders were the priests, not the Captains or the Generals, the spiritual leaders. Why? The priests stood for the Lord who was the One fighting their battles. The people had to come before the Lord to deal with their spiritual lives, before going to war.

That is why we have to start each day with the Lord. We should be in the Word and in prayer every morning before we leave the house, so we will be spiritually prepared for the battles. Then, we will be walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

How can God do warfare when people’s hearts are not with Him? Seriously, how can He do it? You are going to be challenged every day. You will face problems; you will deal with difficult people; and you will be overwhelmed by people and circumstances.

How are you going to handle these situations without spiritual preparation? I can tell you. You will handle them in the flesh. When we deal with things in the flesh, we no longer bring glory to the Lord. We bring shame. We tell the world our problems are too big for God. Live your life to bring Glory to God, not shame or reproach.

The only thing that God is bound to do is the very
thing that He requires of us—to glorify Himself.
~J. I. Packer~

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Let Jesus fight for you

2011-04-13T12:47:00.001-04:00

And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
Mark 1:13

To the people of Israel, the wilderness was an eerie place that was inhabited by every hostile animal and beast imaginable, including demons. But here we see Jesus walking into the wilderness, a place you would least expect the Savior of the world to enter. And sure enough, Mark tells us that not only were there wild beasts in the wilderness, but Satan was also there. For forty days, our Lord Jesus confronted every possible hostile thing and temptation in that wilderness--and He emerged victorious.

It should be a great comfort for you to know that when you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you don't have to be afraid--of the wild beasts of the world, of temptation, or of the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind." Knowing that Jesus took your place--not only in the wilderness, but on the cross--should make you so thankful. You no longer have to try to confront the enemy; Jesus Christ conquered that for you! Today, whatever you are facing, let Him fight for you, and stand victorious in His strength.

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Join us for the Whosoevers Friday Nights with Josh Hamony followed by the Word of God taught

2011-04-08T14:10:00.001-04:00

Tonight 7:30 PM (US Pacific Time) – 10:30 PM (US Eastern Time)

Persecution of the Church by Raul Ries

2011-04-04T10:14:00.001-04:00

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
Matthew 24:9

Christians have been attacked around the world, and we see the persecution coming to our own country. Issues important to Christians have come under attack, like family and marriage. Next, the church, itself, is going to be attacked. Our tax exempt status and other laws will be attacked.

Many times, when we read what is going on in the world today, we become naïve and say, “Well, that is not really going to affect me.” It is going to affect all of us, believe it or not. It is going to affect jobs; it is going to affect housing; and it is going to affect everything we do in this country. We need to wake up to the real truth, because it is coming.

As I read and study, I see what the Lord is putting on my heart and the hearts of other pastors who are really in tune with what God is doing, but many in the body of Christ have gone to sleep. Many people are trying to live their normal lives. There is no normal life anymore. You are dreaming—there is no normal life!

When you read Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13, on the Coming of the Lord, Jesus spoke about deception being a major factor. There are no happy days ahead. People are going to really be tested in their faith, to see where they are spiritually, to see if they really believe and trust in the Lord. We have been so spoiled. We have had it all, but times are changing and Jesus warned us.

The fire of God can’t be damped out by the
waters of man’s persecution.
~A. W. Tozer~

Join the Whosevers Friday Night Pray Hard live Webcast

2011-03-25T16:35:00.001-04:00

10:30 PM Eastern Time/7:30 PM Pacific Time

Devotional by Raul Ries

2011-03-25T16:20:00.001-04:00

Stumbling a Brother

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 14:16-17

Paul wrote the entire chapter of Romans 14 about eating and drinking. If you make someone stumble, you are guilty. You are guilty for what happens to the person you stumble. Wow, that is heavy stuff—eating or drinking can bring judgment.

Remember, in that culture, they used to eat meat offered to idols. They would buy it after it was offered at the temples. The meat was taken to the market to sell. Christians would buy the meat because it meant nothing to them, but if someone came to the house to eat, and they found out it was pagan meat, they would be stumbled. So, they had to check it before they bought it. Why? There were weaker brothers and sisters in the Lord.

You have to know your boundaries. Think of how many people keep away from the power of God for a little sin in their lives—smoking, drinking, watching dirty movies, whatever it is. These little things can become big things. The little sins in life can kill you as easily as the big sins.

It is really important we understand God has these things for us, so we are careful of the things we do. If you want to be used by God, you need to have holy hands and a holy life.

The secret of clean living is clear thinking.
~John R. W. Stott~

Don’t miss the Friday Night Pray Hard

2011-03-24T17:24:00.001-04:00

Sean Whosoever Invites you to the Friday Night Pray Hard

Check Out the Whosoever Pray Hard This Friday Night 10:30 PM Eastern Right Here

Devotion by Raul Ries

2011-03-24T10:35:00.001-04:00

This really spoke to me as I have throughout my walk had major times of backsliding, and I don’t want to live a life of the continual backsliding Christian. God made us brand new, and he warns us of coming sin, always makes a way out for us, and we can say no to sin through his Power. ~ Kirby Harris

Now here is Rauls Devotion:

We Cannot Continue in Sin

“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.”
Deuteronomy 18:10

What else did God warn the children of Israel about? He warned them against witchcraft, which also refers to drugs. In the New Testament, it is pharmakeia, referring to people who take drugs.

It is amazing. I was talking to this person the other day, and he told me he likes to get high once in a while. He is a Christian. I asked him if he had read Galatians 5 or Ephesians 5. Had he read the Book of Revelation and what it says about drugs, pharmakeia? When you come to Christ, the Bible says all things are brand new, and all things are passed away.

If you are brand new, you cannot continue to be a social drinker. You cannot continue to be a social drug user. You cannot continue to do these things, because the Bible says, in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

You cannot be effective spiritually if there is any leaven in your life. You cannot; there is no power. You really have to be upfront with what God says in His Word. You either obey it, or you disobey it.

Be obedient even when you do not know
where obedience may lead you.
~Sinclair Ferguson~

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Devotional by Raul Ries

2011-03-14T12:39:00.001-04:00

People Follow Their Leaders

“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.”
Deuteronomy 18:9

Notice the command and the warning. He spoke very specifically, very clearly. Now, God did not have to address the people after He spoke to the Levites and the priests. He gave the leaders clear instructions on how to lead the people. Why would He give a warning to the people? The leadership of Israel were the first ones to be deceived. It was not the people. The people followed the priests.

That is how it is even today. The people follow the leaders. When there is weak leadership, there are weak people. Understand that.

In your home, if you are a weak parent, your children will be weak. If you are not the leader in your place of employment, the people will be weak. They will not follow you; they will follow the trends—the world.

God was speaking through Moses. He was talking about the evil practices done by the people. Yet, He was warning His own people about the people of the land and their practices. Despite the warnings, the children of Israel would eventually be enticed by their practices of magic, astronomy and idol worship.

Here, Moses is very upfront. He says we have to be careful of the Canaanites—be careful of the abominations of the world infecting our lives.

Enemy-occupied territory—that is
what the world is.
~C. S. Lewis~

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Daily Devotion by Raul Ries

2011-03-10T18:12:00.001-05:00

God Provides for His Own

“And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it is bull or sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach.”
Deuteronomy 18:3

What was Moses saying? God is going to provide through His people. Priests and Levites should never worry about money. The Bible says if you are really anointed of the Lord, and God really called you, then He will provide for you.

That is what Pastor Chuck Smith taught me. Never depend on anyone. Depend on the Lord. That has been my philosophy for more than 37 years.

I get blown away every Sunday morning with the offering, because we do not ask; we receive. Every time we receive, I am blown away by the Lord—how God takes care of us.

We have learned to trust in the Lord completely in this ministry. There was a time when we had no money, and our payment was due on the building. God provided the exact amount for the payment, and then He provided for all of us, but we had to have faith. We had to trust in the Lord. During this trial, do you know what God did? He moved out all the murmurers and complainers, all who lacked in faith. That is what God did here in years past.

Never, never have we ever gotten up and said, “You know what? We are going broke, and we need this amount of money.” Never— we should never do that—ever. My dependency is on the Lord. If I cannot afford this or that, then we will close the doors. We will shut down and do something else.

In your own lives, do you trust in the Lord, or do you trust in your paycheck? Jobs come and go, but God is always faithful!

Where there is no hope, there is no faith.
~William Gouge~

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Devotional by Raul Ries

2011-03-09T08:32:00.001-05:00

Living Examples

“Therefore they shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the LORD is their inheritance, as He said to them.”
Deuteronomy 18:2

Why were the Levites not given an inheritance? Because they were to trust God by faith. They had the greater inheritance, because they had God, and He told them, “I will take care of you.”

Isn’t that interesting? God will take care of you. God will take care of me. What do people worry about the most? Money, retirement, where they will live, what they will eat. We do not have to worry about our retirement. We do not have to worry about anything. God will take care of us.

Do you remember what God said in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:25-34? He said, “Why are you anxious? You are to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things shall be added to you.”

This is what God is teaching. He is making the Levites and the priests depend on the Lord. The people were depending on the Lord, but when the priests became corrupt, the people became corrupt.

The priests and the Levites were supposed to be the models for the whole body of believers, so they could see their faith in God. They were to be living holy lives, so when they stood before the presence of God, to give the sacrifices of the people, the sacrifices would be accepted by God.

Think about it. Today, God wants believers to be examples of holy living. He wants you and me to be examples, to believers and nonbelievers, of people who have faith in the Lord—people who trust in the inheritance of God.

Faith is the identifying mark of the Christian.
~Ronald Dunn~

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Live - The Whosoevers ‘Only Way To Live And Die’ Conference

2011-03-04T17:21:00.003-05:00

Watch Live Here Now

Friday March 4th - 5th, 2011 - Eastern Time Schedule

Watch Live Here Friday at 3PM Eastern Time

Don’t miss the Whosoevers ‘Only Way To Live And Die’ Conference

2011-03-04T14:09:00.000-05:00

Friday March 4th - 5th, 2011 - Eastern Time Schedule

Watch Live Here Friday at 3PM Eastern Time

Don’t miss the Whosoevers ‘Only Way To Live And Die’ Conference

2011-03-03T10:34:00.002-05:00

Friday March 4th - 5th, 2011 - Eastern Time Schedule

Watch Live Here Friday at 3PM Eastern Time

Who rules your heart? -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2011-03-03T09:52:00.001-05:00

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian." But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you."
Judges 8:22-23

We should never be too caught up in any accolades that come our way. We must always remember where our gifts, abilities, intellect, and accomplishments come from, and that is only through the Hand of God.

God has given you everything you have. And when it comes to people's lives, in no way do you want to rule over anybody. You just don't want to do that. You want to be in a place where you can say, "The Lord rules over me." There are a lot of congregations that are ruled over by the elders and ruled over by the pastor. You belong to God. And I, as a pastor, don't want my fingerprints on any of the people that I serve. If you're a wolf, I'll be the first one to usher you out the door. If you're a wounded lamb, I'll do my best to pick you up, give you a hug, pat you on the back, and turn you over to the right person to help you. But as a pastor I will not rule you. The Lord is your ruler. Don't ever let a man rule over you; submit and be obedient to authority (1 Peter 2:18), but don't allow anyone but God to rule in your heart. Man demands, takes authority, and gets prideful--God doesn't! His ways are gentle and full of peace.

The people of Israel marveled at Gideon's power, but didn't have the spiritual sense to realize that it was God who allowed Gideon to succeed in battle. Had they realized this, maybe they would have worshiped God and asked Him to rule over them instead. Starting today, let God rule in you. Confess those things in your life that you've been holding on to and controlling. Let His gentle authority direct your ways.

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

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Through the Bible in 1 Year
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Leviticus 26:1-27:34

Mark 7:1-13

Psalm 29:1-6

Proverbs 10:22-25

Pray with expectations -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2011-02-25T14:54:00.001-05:00

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:5-7

I have yet to meet anyone who does not want to be happy. Children love to laugh. Their entire beings overflow with delight. As a grandfather, I notice that my younger grandkids thoroughly enjoy it when I tickle them, make funny faces, or engage in silly antics. The older ones now want me to talk with them in a "more mature fashion," so I tell them corny jokes or give them riddles to solve. But regardless of age, they all like to be full of joy. I am full of joy when I see them happy, joyful, and laughing together as a group. It's kind of difficult to laugh when there isn't someone to laugh with. This is where fellowship comes into play.

The apostle John was an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus. He heard the words of Jesus and saw His miracles. John tells us that the purpose of his letters was to bring us more into fellowship with the Lord Jesus. And through the years, I continue to be amazed at the kind of close relationship we can have with the Creator of the universe when we simply communicate with Him in prayer. Things change around us, and more importantly, things change in us.

The byproducts of prayer are happiness and joy. When we pray, we receive a deep-down kind of joy that is far beyond the kind of joy we feel when buying a new luxury car or a five-bedroom house on ten acres of land. The joy from prayer is rich and everlasting. You see, it's all about expectations. If you pray expecting to get "stuff," you'll be disappointed, and you won't benefit from prayer. If, however, you pray expecting God to bring joy, contentment, and fellowship with God and other believers, then you can count on a huge payoff.

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Leviticus 19:1-20:27

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Proverbs 10:10-12

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Pray Hard Feb 25th @ CCGS w/ The House

2011-02-24T11:12:00.001-05:00

Richmond , VA (Eastern) Time:10:30 PM

Los Angeles, CA (Pacific) Time: 7:30 PM

Praying for the Whosoevers “The Only Way To Live and Die” Conference on Friday March 4th & Saturday March 5th - Webcast Here

The power of being prayed for -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2011-02-24T09:18:00.001-05:00

“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word."
John 17:6

Jesus showed us how important it is to pray for others. We see here that as He reported to the Father about His mission, He prayed lovingly about His followers. Jesus prayed for the disciples with real, earnest, and heartfelt expressions of love, warmth, and compassion. And the disciples were in earshot.

You see, they heard everything Jesus prayed. For some of the disciples, this may have been the very first time they heard Jesus acknowledge to God that He had a purpose for them and that He had accomplished that purpose. Do you have a prayer life like that? Do your friends and family know that you are praying for them? Have they ever actually heard you pray for them? Do your spouse and children know that you are praying for their future? Have they actually heard your prayer for them and about them?

Jesus modeled the power of being prayed for. His example is a prayer of intercession, full of compassion and warmth. Jesus lifted His eyes and voice toward heaven, and the people for whom He was praying were right there, listening. Would it overwhelm your heart if you could hear Jesus praying for you? It overwhelms mine. (By the way, Jesus does pray for you; it says so in Hebrews 7:25.) What if your best friend, or your neighbor, or your teacher, or even your boss heard you praying for them? How would they react? What would happen in their hearts? You can be a blessing to others as you pray for them with love and compassion.

To Get Mike’s Daily Devotion Click Here

Make Your Decision
Click for more information about accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

More Resources
Check out these helpful resources:

Know God?

New Believer Bible Studies

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Need Prayer?
Through the Bible in 1 Year
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Leviticus 15:1-16:34

Mark 4:1-20

Psalm 26:6-12

Proverbs 10:8

Teach Your Children Well – Devotion by Raul Ries

2011-02-24T09:07:00.001-05:00

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

I heard recently, seventy percent of girls under the age of 14 have already had sex. Think about it—seventy percent. That is some of your daughters. That is my granddaughters coming up. That is why I talk to them. It is heavy stuff. We are living in an evil world. We are living in a horrible world. If we do not teach them, if we do not share with them in love, tell them and inform them, what is going to happen to them?

I was talking to a guy at the gym. He is in his late thirties. He went to Calvary Chapel West Covina when he was very young, but he walked away from the Lord. He has four, beautiful children, and he always talks about how they are in baseball, they are in dance, doing this and doing that. They are so happy.

I asked him, “Are you teaching them anything spiritually?” He just looked at me. I said, “You better teach them spiritually, more than anything else, because you are going to lose them.” That is the bottom line.

We have to do what God calls us to do. It starts with each one of us, individually, coming to the place where God has called us to be priests of the family, to be men and women of God and live lives of holiness, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

It is really incredible to see what God is doing and what He intends to do with each one of our lives. As we give ourselves to Him, as we are instructed by the Holy Spirit, and as we take God’s Word and let it affect our lives first, then we can affect others.

There is no such person as a person
without influence.
~J. A. Motyer~

An upward perspective–Prayer without Ceasing

2011-02-23T15:04:00.002-05:00

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21

Thessalonica was a populous seaport in Macedonia. The Roman Empire's highway from Rome to the East, The Egnatian Way, cut its path through Thessalonica. The city was continually buzzing with visitors from around the world. I'm impressed by the commerce, wealth, and activity. But I'm more impressed that God sent the apostle Paul there. God had something important to say to this fast-paced, cosmopolitan group. And by extension, us.

Paul encouraged them to keep communication open with heaven. He said, "pray without ceasing." The Greek word Paul chose for "without ceasing" literally means "without intermission." No breaks in the action or music. Constant motion. To "pray without ceasing" doesn't mean you have to stay on your knees 24/7. It means, maintain an attitude of prayer. Allow prayer to become like breathing or blinking--something you do instinctively as part of your existence.

Just open your eyes, look around, and talk with God. Share with Him what makes you scared, what you need, what you're thankful for, and what you love about His character.

"Pray without ceasing" means that you have an upward perspective as you move around throughout your day. You are communicating with the One who promises to always listen. He is the only one capable of responding with power in every situation.

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"The Only Way to Live and Die” Whosoevers Conference 2011 in Los Angeles California - March 4th and 5th

2011-02-21T13:03:00.003-05:00

The Whosoevers Conference

Go be there live Friday March 4th and Saturday March 5th in Los Angeles or if you can't go then watch the conference live via the net right here at the Whosoevers Richmond Site. The whole event is free.

SCHEDULE
“The Only Way to Live and Die” Whosoevers Conference 2011
Friday
12:00-2:00 Doors open
2:00- 2:20 Worship
2:25- 2:30 Larry Page – Opening Prayer
2:30- 3:00 Study w/ Derek Neider (The Work of the Holy Spirit)
3:00-3:30 Study w/ Ron Hindt (Reaching the unreachable)
3:30- 3:40 Break
3:40-3:50 Worship
3:50- 4:35 Interview/Q&A- Ryan Ries/Sonny/HEAD (Walk w/ Christ now)
4:35-4:40 Out Of The Shadows
4:40- 5:10 Study w/ Mike Macintosh (Holiness)
5:10- 5:40 Study w/ Sonny (Jesus not Religion)
5:40- 7:30 Dinner Break
7:30- 9:30 Whosoever Friday Nights – Ryan Ries
The Arrows & The Rep

Saturday
9:00-9:20 Worship
9:25-9:30 Larry Page – Pray
9:30-10:00 Study w/ TBA
10:00-10:30 Study w/ Nathan Robinson (No One Left Behind)
10:30-11:00 Study w/Ryan Ries (No Compromise)
11:00-11:10 Break
11:10-11:40 Study w/ Brian Brodersen (New Wine)
11:40-12:15 Interviews/ Q&A- Ryan Ries/Sonny/ Annie /Guido (Staying connected)
12:15-2:00 Lunch Break
2:05-2:30 The REP
2:30-3:00 Study w/ David Trujillo (Stepping out by Faith)
3:00-3:35 Study w/ Frank Pastore (Q & A Defending the Faith)
3:35-3:45 Break
3:45-3:55 Worship
3:55-4:25 Study w/ Sean Mckeehan (Cleansed by the Word)
4:25-5:00 Study w/ Raul Ries (Wake-up time is short)
5:00-5:15 Worship

CONFERENCE INFO

DATES:
* March 4-5 2011

TICKETS:
* FREE

SPEAKERS:
* Raul Ries
* Mike Macintosh
* Brian Brodersen
* Frank Pastore
* Derek Neider
* Nathan Robinson
* Ron Hindt
* David Trujillo
* Annie Lobert
* Michael Guido
* Sean Mckeehan
* The Whosoevers

BANDS:
* The Arrows
* The Rep
* Phil Sanchez

LOCATION:
* Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
22324 Golden Springs Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 396-1884

HOTEL INFO :
* Ayeres Suites
21951 Golden Springs Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 860-6290
* Holiday Inn
1725 E Gateway Center Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
(909) 860-5440

Preach with Your Life

2011-02-21T12:19:00.001-05:00

Devotional by Raul Ries

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31

I have met so many people, everywhere I go. At the gym, there is a woman who has been coming for the last five years. She works out every single day, seven days a week, and I have been praying for her. Her daughter came to CCGS, and she got saved.

She came up to me and said, “Raul, I want to tell you something. I am searching. I work out every day. I go to work, but I have no peace in my life. I see my daughter, and she has peace in her life now. I am going to come to your church to see.”

Going down to the beach, we have many guys come up to us, and we do not preach. We preach by our lives. They see how we fellowship with one another. We are always joyous; we are not bummed out.

They come up to our cars and ask us questions all the time, because they see something different. They are all educated people, but they are empty.

This is what God has been doing. This is what God does. We do not have to be afraid. We have to be powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ. We have to be bold in proclaiming the Gospel. We have to live it. We have to really live it out.

When people ask you, do not be shy. Tell them the truth. “You are going to heaven or you are going to hell.” Make them make a choice.

It is the Word of God, the Word of God that fills people’s lives and gives them peace—the peace of God.

Evangelism is truth demanding a verdict.
~Lionel Fletcher~

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Freely Give, Freely Receive

2011-02-16T18:31:00.000-05:00

Freely Give, Freely Receive

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.” ~Deuteronomy 16:16

God commanded the men of Israel to come before Him three times a year for these feasts. Each one of the feasts was set up for the people to remember God—remember His provision, remember His deliverance and remember His holiness. God was the heart of Israel, and Israel was His chosen people.

Not only were they to come before God three times a year, but notice, they were not to come before the Lord empty-handed. They were supposed to bring something to the Lord that cost them, never come empty-handed.

Today, we do not celebrate the feasts, but God wants us to come before Him daily. He desires a relationship with us where we recognize His provision, His deliverance and His holiness. When we do not spend time with God, we often forget these things. We sometimes take God and His provision for granted.

When you think of the great gift of salvation God gave us, through the death of His Son on the cross, is it hard to give God something of worth? Is the grace of God and His unending mercy of no value to us? Would we not give all we had to obtain His love, grace and mercy, if it had a price tag? God gladly gives to us freely, and freely we should give to God.

Grace does not make giving optional.
~Charles Caldwell Ryrie~

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NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER (leave you or forsake you)

2011-02-08T13:57:00.002-05:00

Read this great weekly devotion from my friend Pastor G. :

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

The Bible is full of promises that God has given His people. All of God’s promises are wonderful, but this one has to be the greatest promise of God: He promised us that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

Jehovah God, the creator of the universe, promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us. This isn’t a promise given by a man. It is not given by a human who is capable of breaking a promise. It is given by God Almighty, the maker of Heaven and Earth. The Bible says, “For HE had said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” It is God, who cannot lie, who said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Not only is that a great promise, but it is a promise that is guaranteed to be kept. When God says, I will never leave you or forsake you, you can rest assured, He is not going anywhere.

As I was studying this verse, I learned that when this verse was translated into English, it was not conveyed quite as strongly as the original Greek, because of double negatives and other grammatical rules regarding our language. In the Greek two negatives intensify the meaning. When we read this verse in English, it says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Now that is good enough, right? But when this verse was originally written, it actually read like this, “I will never, never leave thee, and I will never, never, never forsake thee.” Hallelujah!

Can you imagine what it would feel like as a Christian to be forsaken by God? I have had times when my own choices left me feeling like God had forsaken me, but He never really did. Forsaken implies utter loneliness. Imagine the loneliness you would feel if you were forsaken by God. Loneliness is a horrible feeling. Being by yourself for a time is all right, but having the feeling of loneliness and of being utterly alone is a miserable feeling. When Jesus was on the cross and He cried out, “My God, why hath thou forsaken me?” He was showing us the most painful cry of mankind which is being without God. That is the most horrible thing about Hell. More horrible than the eternal flames is being forsaken by God for eternity. Being utterly alone, separated from God is the worst thing that can happen to a human being.

I thank the Lord that a child of God never has to experience that feeling. I thank God that you and I, because of God’s promise, will never have to experience the utter loneliness of being forsaken by God.

Not only is being forsaken by God a feeling of utterly loneliness, it is also a feeling of utter helplessness. All real power belongs to the Lord. Take the Lord out of the equation, and the strongest man in the world isn’t anything but a wimp. Just feeling that God has turned His back on you would be enough to make you feel helpless. Just think how helpless you would feel if He really did turn His back on you. But praise God; if you are a child of God, this is a fear that you never have to worry about. Once again, we have that wonderful promise that tells us that we never, never, never have to worry about Him leaving us or forsaking us.

Being forsaken by God would bring utter loneliness, helplessness, and also utter hopelessness. Your husband or your wife may forsake you, or your mother or your father, or a friend, and you can still hang on and have hope in life, because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. However, let a man or woman be forsaken by God and all hope would be gone. Let a man be forsaken by God and there would be no reason to have any hope, because there would be no hope.

From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, God left the choice up to mankind. It is God’s desire that none would perish or have to be forsaken by Him, but He leaves that decision on each and every human being ever born.

We do not want to know what it would be like to not have God leading us or directing our path. We can’t imagine the loneliness, the helplessness, or the hopelessness we would feel if we did not have God in our life. But, praise God, we never, never, never have to worry about Him leaving us, because we have a promise in God’s Word that He will never, never leave us and He will never, never, never forsake us.

Did you know that apart from God, we would immediately fall into sin? We can be living the most righteous Christian life possible, but if God were to forsake us tomorrow, we would be right back living a life of sin. It is only through God’s power and strength that we are able to live a Godly life. The Bible refers to “Him who is able to keep us from falling.” It is only by the grace of God and His mercy that any of us are living with any godliness or righteousness.

We need to know that even at our best, we are no good. The Bible says there is none that do good – no, not even one. The Apostle Paul said that he knew that in him dwelled no good thing. The only good thing that any of us have inside is God. Apart from God, we would go from bad to worse. But because of God – and only because of God, we get to go from glory to glory. That means that God is changing us day by day and that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. That means God will never stop working in our lives, never stop pulling at our heart, never stop convicting us of sin, and never stop picking us up when we fall, because God promised to never, never leave us and never, never, never to forsake us.

Rejoice, Church, that we have a God who is not going anywhere. When God has He would NEVER leave or forsake us, He meant NEVER! That means that everything that God is will always be with us.

EVERYTHING that God is belongs to us. He is mighty, so we will ALWAYS have His strength. God is love, so NOTHING can ever separate us from His love. God is merciful, so His mercy is new EVERY morning. God is forgiving, so His forgiveness is ALWAYS available to us when we need it most. Whatever God is, we will always have with us, because He is always with us. That may sound very simple, and it is just as simple as it sounds. He leaves the choice up to us to live our life through Him.

Just as God promised Abraham, Joshua, David, and all His people in the Bible that He would never leave or forsake them, that same promise holds true for all His children today, because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This promise from God may be hard for you to fully believe, because you have been forsaken, deceived, or lied to by people in your life. Well, I think we can all testify to being treated that way by one or more people, but with God, it is different. God can’t be compared with man. Lord, forgive us for ever insulting You by comparing You with another man or woman. God is not the kind of father that would leave His children. God is not the kind of husband that would leave His bride. God is not the kind of friend that would leave His brother or sister. God is in it for eternity – for the long haul. God will stick with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even when you don’t feel like He is there, He has not gone anywhere. You can’t do anything to cause Him to love you more or less. He loves you no matter what.

We are so use to bailing out when someone falls short that we think God will do the same thing to us. We are so use to throwing in the towel when things are not going our way. You find something you don’t like about your husband, and you forsake him without another thought. When God makes a commitment, it is forever. When we break His heart, and we will, He is not happy or pleased with us, but even then, He will never give up on us. During those times, we will not feel His favor, blessing, and power in our life like before. We will not feel His joy or His peace. We will find ourselves praying David’s prayer for God to “restore unto us the joy of our salvation.”

One thing we need to remember and never forget is that when God first came into our life, He came when we were “yet sinners” with hearts full of sin. If God wasn’t going to love us because of sin, He would not have loved us a long time ago. Jesus came to us while we were dead in our trespasses. God loved us when we didn’t even know we were looking for Him. The Bible says in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If NOTHING can separate us from God’s love, then NOTHING can separate us from Him, because God is love.

Isaiah 41:17 says, “When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” If you are reading this devotional and find yourself thirsting for living water, this promise is for you. The God of Israel will hear you and will not forsake you. Cry out to the Lord, and let Him bring His living water to your dry and thirsty soul. If you are thirsty for forgiveness, all you have to do is call upon the Lord, and He will hear you and He will not forsake you.

Don’t allow the enemy to jerk you around any longer. Accept God’s forgiveness and His promise to never, never leave you or never, never, never forsake you. The key to walking in this promise is to live your life in an awareness that God is with you ALL the time. This will help you make Godly choices to turn away from sin and temptation. This will help you want to live a life that is pleasing to Him and brings Him glory. God will reward you with a greater sense of His presence, favor, power, joy and peace. Remember God is always with you and is always saying, “Hey, let Me help you out with your life. Let’s get rid of the junk and baggage, so you can walk unshackled with freedom and liberty.”

If you will take this teaching and allow the Holy Spirit to work it out in your life, you are going to discover a greater sense of joy than you ever imagined.

Pastor G.
Daniel 12:3

Source:
http://www.theroc.com/church2/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=21&Itemid=100082

Real ID might not be as dead in the water as was orginally thought.

2011-01-21T14:32:00.000-05:00

History

In 2005, both houses of Congress passed The Real ID Act, then signed by so-called conservative George W. Bush. The Act failed pass as a stand alone bill several times, but only passed when the sponsors had it tacked onto the back of an Iraq Defense spending bill.

In turn, thirty-four (34) states, including Virginia, enacted anit-real ID legislation that outlawed such provisions that were in the Act from becoming law in their state.

Virginia passed Anti-Real ID Act (SB 1431, HB 1587) which prohibits compliance with Real ID provisions. (Enacted 3/31/09)

Current Virginia Attorney General Ken T. Cuccinelli was the chief patron in the Virginia Senate and Delegate Bob G. Marshall was the Chief Patron in the Virginia House.

Other Senate Patrons: Emmett W. Hanger, Jr., Frederick M. Quayle, Jill Holtzman Vogel

Other House Patrons: Charles W. Carrico, Sr., Anne B. Crockett-Stark, Sal R. Iaquinto, Brenda L. Pogge

Which states enacted legislation and what such legislation entailed.

Virginia Anti-Real ID Patrons

Dangers of Real ID

Real ID mandates RFID readable chips thta cna be read by any one who buys a reader.
Unfunded Mandates on the State governments costing Billions.
A central database that must be shared with all states, localities and in some cases foreign entities.
No statutory limitations on “official purpose”
Creates a federal identity document that every American will need in order to fly on commercial airlines, enter government buildings, open a bank account, and more.

The language says that those who don't have it can't participate in "Federal Activity", which is rather vague language that could be stretched into anything that comes under Federal Jurisdiction.

Here is a list of a few things that come under Federal Jurisdiction, law or oversight:

Getting a loan to buy a home, opening a bank account, getting any regular loan, getting a student loan, a car loan, refinancing your home, buying a gun, selling products across state lines, flying in a plane, driving your car (if your doesn't offer a state Drivers license alternative to real ID), getting a JOB, possibly crossing state lines (especially if the next state doesn't recognize your non-Real Id state license) and the list goes on and on and on. To see more about the dangers to your liberty and privacy click Here

Real ID Resurfaces

Computerworld.com reports:

"A controversial 2005 bill designed to create a national standard for driver's licenses may not be quite as dead in the water as many might have assumed, according to a report released this week by the Center for Immigration Studies." (Read More Here)

It goes on to say how the Federal government is trying everything they can to re-implement this draconian Nazi style identification system which will limit your freedom of choice and movement . The States rejected it but they keep trying to find new ways to enforce it on us against the wishes of the states and the People.

So tell every one you can to call their Local, State and Federal Officials and urge them to fight a national ID of any kind.

Check out my Articles in my Column at the Richmond Examiner.

God is near -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2011-01-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. ~ Psalm 145:18-19

The book of Psalms contains 150 prayers -- some long, some short, some joyful, some sorrowful. In Psalm 145:18-19, we read that the Lord is near and waiting for us to initiate contact with Him. And when we do begin conversing with Him, He hears -- that is, He listens carefully and attentively. This theme was echoed by Isaiah, who spoke for the Lord, saying:

"It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).

You see, God knows what we need even before we come to Him. While we are even in the process of speaking to Him, God is answering. What great assurance it is to know that His desire is to fulfill the spiritual desires of our heart.

We also have this assurance: He is near! And He is eagerly waiting for us to re-engage with Him in prayer. Be a person that is characterized by these great words of David: one who is continually coming back to God with a heart and mind focused on Him no matter what circumstances come your way.

For more devotions from Mike MacIntosh click: Here

To see archives of worship and Mike's teaching at Horizon San Diego click Here

Freedom from religion -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2011-01-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations -- "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using -- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23

Jesus did not die on a cross for you to be bound by rules and regulations. In this passage from Colossians 2, Paul continues to warn the church against self-imposed religion and false humility, two things that demean and distort the simple truth of the Gospel.

False humility and religion say, "If I don't touch this or eat that, if I pray often enough or do enough good things, then I can be righteous and pleasing to God." But that does not follow the teaching of Jesus. It was not Jesus or the Bible that taught the people not to touch, taste, or handle; it was the doctrines of men. Men wanted to look holy and righteous outwardly, and this is exactly what Paul is warning against.

Rules and regulations do not make us righteous -- only the redeeming blood of Jesus can do that. Be assured that Jesus died on a cross for you in order to wipe out the handwriting of requirements that were against you -- they have been nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). You are free!

Check out more devotions from Mike MacIntosh Here

And, check out video services with worship and teaching Here

Wherever you are, you can be a light -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntoshDevotional by Mike MacIntosh

2010-12-15T12:40:00.002-05:00

Wherever you are, you can be a light

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ~ Philippians 1:12-14

Here in the city of Philippi, Paul is sitting in jail. He is not teaching in a church or synagogue. He is not on a street corner preaching; he is chained and in jail. Yet, in spite of his circumstances and surroundings, Paul's light is shining, he is being a witness for Jesus Christ, and the Gospel is being furthered. And the same can happen for you; you can be in your workplace, in your home, or at your school, and your light can shine brightly. Wherever you are, you can be a witness for Jesus Christ.

Paul had the palace guard watching him, and you have people watching you. They see when you deal honestly with people; they see your kindness and generosity demonstrated.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

God wants you to have the confidence that you can shine like a bright beacon in this dark world. God has begun a good work in you and He promises to complete it. For some of you, that work began 20+ years ago, for some it has been a couple of years, and for others maybe just a couple of days, but He is doing a good work in you. So no matter where you are today and what you are doing, like Paul, let your light shine as you allow the Holy Spirit to use you!

Check out Mike and His Ministry Here

Test 2

2010-12-02T18:02:00.001-05:00

Test News

2010-12-02T17:58:00.001-05:00

test

Overcoming addictions -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-11-22T12:58:00.002-05:00

And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. - Mark 15:22-23

When Jesus was led up to the place where He would be put to death, I find it interesting that the soldiers would offer Him wine and myrrh to drink. These people hated Jesus, yet they still offered him a drug and a sedative so that He wouldn't feel the excruciating pain. Clearly, even the soldiers knew that of all the methods of execution ever devised, crucifixion was the worst. But Jesus did not take their drugs. Why? Because had He done so, He wouldn't have experienced the agony of the cross. He wouldn't have taken on the pain of our sins.

You see, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sin and our sins. He not only died on that cross to pay for our sin, but suffered the pain, agony, and humiliation that each and every one of our sins cause. Jesus has experienced every pain that you feel. He has felt all the hurt and agony that you have experienced. He suffered through terrible shame, as many of us have. And He did it for you. He didn't take the easy way out, even when He was offered a drug to ease the pain.

Today, maybe a drug is the "easy way out" for you or someone you love. For those who are dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, or have sons or daughters, or close relatives or friends going through this, let me encourage you by simply saying this: Jesus Christ is the answer to your addiction problem. You can go through twelve steps or fifty steps, but without the One and Only Step -- Jesus Christ -- there is no freedom from any addiction. Sure, you need to recognize that you have a problem, but then go to Jesus and beg for His mercy and His help. He overcame the most traumatic suffering any one person could ever experience, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that He will help you overcome your addictions, if you just ask.

Check out Mike's Daily Devotions Here

Have you ever experienced rejection? -- Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-11-22T12:47:00.001-05:00

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" - Mark 15:33-34

Have you ever experienced rejection? Many of us have been rejected by the opposite sex (probably many times!). Maybe you've been rejected for a job or promotion. Worse, maybe you were rejected by your parents and have had to deal with that pain for years. Or maybe you have experienced deep bouts of loneliness. Something happens to your body and your soul when you feel rejected. Well,Jesus experienced the ultimate pain you could ever imagine: He was rejected not only by the crowds of people, but by God, Himself.

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Jesus cried out with a loud voice as He hung on the cross. He was experiencing the absolute worst rejection possible: God had turned His back onJesus. But Jesus had you in mind. He had to experience God's rejection in order to take on your sin, defeat it, and give you eternal life.

And Jesus not only defeated sin; He defeated our sins as well. You see, we may be forgiven of our sin, but our sins still cause pain. Living the Christian life day by day isn't a bed of roses; life is difficult and full of pain. But everything that you have gone through, He went through on the cross for you. He endured not only severe physical pain, but emotional pain and psychological anxiety. Imagine it. He hadn't been able to drink water. He was getting dehydrated. Depression comes in with that. He hadn't eaten a fresh meal. He hadn't been able to laugh. He was experiencing all these seemingly little things because He wanted to take every bit of pain that you have ever felt in your life -- pain that is caused by sin. He took on the consequences of our sins so that we can be healed.

Maybe you have been rejected by your family. He understands that. You've been lonely. He understands loneliness more than you think you understand loneliness. Maybe everything has started closing down in your mind and the options appear fewer and fewer -- your vision has become so myopic that you can't even think straight or see a way out. It's what somebody who is suicidal experiences. The devil starts lying to the person and they perceive that they are lonely, rejected, and depressed... and the mind just shuts down. If that ever happens to you, God forbid that you should ever get into a place like that, look to Jesus! You don't need to run to cocaine, to drinking, or anything else to sooth it. Jesus experienced this dark hour way before you ever did. He knows the failure. He knows the rejection. He understands, and He can heal you.

Don't lose heart if you're feeling like giving up. Jesus Christ has paid the price for your sin and for your pain. Give (or re-give) your life to Him and let Him fill you with a renewed sense of purpose and passion for your life. Jesus Christ is the only way, truth, and life. If you're dealing with depression, or loneliness, or bitterness, or anger, talk to your pastor and get some help. If you desire, simply reply to this link and cry out for help; we're here to help you, and Jesus wants to help you right now, right this minute. Don't think you can overcome stuff on your own. You need Jesus to overcome everything. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, being rejected by God. You can trust Him with your life!

Check out Mike's Daily Devotions Here

What are you running from? -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-11-11T16:40:00.002-05:00

Then they all forsook Him and fled. Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
Mark 14:50-52

Do you remember the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife? You can read all about it in Genesis 39:1-23. This woman was trying to seduce Joseph, but Joseph refused. In fact, she was so persistent that she grabbed his clothes and wouldn't let go. But Joseph, being a Godly man, kept on running -- right out of his garments! Joseph didn't want anything to do with her, or with the accompanying sin that she brought. Now that's a man with great faith.

And here in Mark,we see a bunch of people who were face to face with Jesus Christ -- but they were the ones who fled Him. And so persistent was one of these men, that when some of the guards caught hold of him, he kept on running -- you got it -- right out of his garments.

My question for you today is this: What are you running from? Are you ashamed of Jesus Christ to the point that you walk away from Him, or neglect the things He has called you to be and to do? Or, are you the kind of person who stands up for righteousness and flees temptation and evil? There are only two ways to run; you're either going to serve sin or serve Jesus. I urge you from the bottom of my heart to choose the Lord! Run away from evil, even if it means losing your shirt over it. Worldly possessions are temporary, but a relationship with the Lord is eternal.

Check out Mike's Daily Devotions Here

Devotion by Mike MacIntosh

2010-10-12T07:40:00.000-04:00

And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you."
Mark 13:2-5

Have you ever noticed that some of the most important truths from Jesus come at the very beginning of His dialogues? If we don't listen to Jesus from the very beginning, we miss some very important details.

Consider Jesus' response to the disciples in this passage, for example. After Jesus had prophesied that the temple would be destroyed, the disciples privately asked Him for clarification. When would it happen? What signs would foretell it happening? Surely Jesus knew they were concerned by His prophecy -- we saw yesterday how fascinated the disciples were with the temple. After all, they probably thought it would eventually house Jesus' throne, and that they would assume posts there. But rather than satisfy their curiosity, Jesus refocuses their hearts by first saying, "Take heed!"

This Greek word means "to see," and the present tense is best translated as, "Keep on (or continue) seeing." Remember when Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 7:16)? Well, it's as if Jesus is now saying to the disciples, "He who has eyes to see, let him see." Jesus is so quick to love the disciples, to refocus their attention onto the issues that really matter, and to point out the potential dangers that they would face. It reminds me of a caring parent, encouraging a child to "Be careful" when setting out on a task.

You see, there are things that the enemy produces to steer you in the wrong direction; to move you away from the Lord and His people. Jesus is saying: Look. Be attentive to your surroundings. Be aware of things that are going on about you. Watch that you are protecting yourself and your family from the dangers of the world. See that you don't let your spiritual guard down.

What television shows are you watching... or paying for? What books do you purchase or allow your kids to read? What magazines do you pick up or allow your kids to look at? Take these simple words of Jesus to heart. Be attentive. Be watchful and know exactly what's going on in your life and in your family's life.

Check out Mike's Daily Devotions Here

Don't you wish more Politicians had this Limited Governemnt philosophy in Governing?

2010-09-22T14:36:00.000-04:00

Nehemiah, when Governor of Judah, refused to use tax payer money for personal gain or to build the Federal Government it was apart of at the time the Kingdom of Persia (modern day Iran)

Nehemiah Chapter 5 Verses 14-19 (New Living Translation)

¹⁴ For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes —neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. ¹⁵ The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
¹⁶ I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. ¹⁷ I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! ¹⁸ The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.

Where was God on 911?

2010-09-11T16:23:00.005-04:00

Some say he wasn’t there because he doesn’t exist. Some say he wasn’t there cause he abandoned us. Some say he was there laughing and mocking our pain and misery.

What about another option. He was there, he cares and he allowed it, as hard as that may seem, because nothing can happen without God allowing it to happen.

Why would God allow that to happen?

Let’s go back to the beginning to see. God wanted to make a creation that loved him freely, not forced. Actually if you force someone to love you then it’s not love at all. You can’t force someone to love you. If God did force us to love him, then it wouldn’t be love and we would be mindless robots.

And since God wanted independently thinking beings not robots he gave us the choice to choose him, love him, go to him, follow him and his ways which are known as good; or gave us the choice to reject him, hate him, run from him, not follow him and not follow his ways which is known as bad or evil.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying all Christians do good and all non-Christians do bad or evil. I am not saying that at all.

Rather, you become a Christian or not, you have the choice to do good or bad. And rather you are a Christian or not, when you do good you are doing God’s will and following his law of good. And rather you are Christian or not when you do bad or evil you are going against God’s way of Good and committing evil.

So Back to God and 911

God was there and allowed it, because though God hates evil, he allows man choice. Choice to not follow his ways and do evil or choice to follow his ways, Christian or not, and do God’s good.

As I said before, non-Christians (atheists, Muslims and any man) can do what God calls good or do what God calls evil. The men on 911 choose what God calls evil and the rest is history.

But God didn’t allow it to happen and then sit idle. There are stories of many who said for various peculiar reasons they stayed home or changed their plans, unlike normal. People were late when they were normally never late. Some said God warned them to stay home.

Many who were there said a voice (God) told them to move or to go a certain direction in the building and that ended up saving them. And the stories go on and on and on.

Why didn’t God save every one? I don’t know you will have to ask him.

But the Bible says that God will turn all evil things into good for those who Love him. And the Bible says that God, not men in the name of God will avenge all evil eventually in His time. And all debts will be settled when he ends time space and eternity begins.

God was very active in 911, turning the evil of men into good.

One good book about that is by a 911 Chaplain named Mike Macintosh who left his congregation for months to serve the police, firemen and victims of 911. I have included it on the left so you can so you can read his story.

Check out Mike's Daily Devotions Here

This Band Rocks - kinda sounds like Alice in Chains

2010-09-06T13:53:00.001-04:00

*Turn off music player at the bottom.

When I grew up Christian music, at least to me, sucked. I want you to understand No Music sang to God sucks to God. But I am not God, so some Christian music I like and some I don't. Some of it is so bad sounding to me its like finger nails on a chalkboard.

I thought maybe it didn't really suck and it was just me in my spiritual immaturity. But, no I have gone back and listened to much of it, and musically much of it sucked. Part of that had to do with the time in which it was made, some periods of music sucked at different times in our music history..Disco come to mind?

Also some of it had to do with attitudes in the church that any rock, even Christian rock was of the devil. How can music either about God, about his principles, even love songs (not sex songs) be of the devil?

Another poisonous teaching, that was misinterpreted from a real truth, was that we couldn't copy the world in any of its styles: fashion or musically.

The Bible says that we are to not conform to this world and for us to be separate from the world. This is totally true, but it is referring to morals and actions, not fashion and musical styles. Note: Some fashion and lyrics would be ungodly if it violated scripture like very revealing clothes or lyrics that portray sinful thoughts and actions as good.

Actually, I have something to reveal to those who are anti-modern Christian music and are Hymns only people. Hymns used to be bar tunes that the Wesley Brothers turned into hymns for the church. Hymns were the modern Christian music of their day. And many opposed this new Christian music that we now call hymns. (Old Hymns actually Rock, especially when modernized).

So, I will say Rock on to God. Worship Him in all you do! God came to earth as the man Jesus to teach you how to live and die for you so you can be with Him for eternity.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritualact of worship." Romans 12:1

The Message puts it like this:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Why should conservatives vote for Rino and a big government republican like Eric Cantor?

2010-09-02T19:34:00.001-04:00

Many people would try and convince you to re-elect Eric Cantor. But why would any freedom loving constitutionalist American want to do that?

Eric Cantor talks the talk but he doesn't walk the walk. We as conservatives can't let people like Eric Cantor steal our money in the guise of working for us just because there is an R by their name, and they talk the talk.

All a good conservative has to do is deeply check into Eric Cantor's voting record (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400060) and they will see he is no conservative, at least not the definition you and I have.

Mr. Cantor voted for both bailouts, he made sure earmarks went to the bank where his wife is an executive, he voted for the big government boon-dongle No Child Left Behind, he voted for a new Medicare entitlement the Medicare Prescription Drug Program when Medicare is already broken and the list goes on and on and on and on.

He has lost touch with the people and has actually never been a real conservative.

If every real conservative would jump off of Captain Eric Cantor and his Republican Big Government Ship, and vote for Floyd Bayne, the Only Conservative in the Virginia 7th District Race, then he will be our next Congressman. So, look into Cantor's Record and look into Floyd Bayne for Congress at:

http://floydbayne.com

Here is Laura Ingram grilling Eric Cantor:

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

Virginia on Dangerous Papers Please Road of Arizona

2010-08-03T13:10:00.002-04:00

I am against the police being able to ask for immigration status, even if they must stop you for a legit stop. The potential for abuse is staggering. One Example: What if you left your license at home which we have all done, now if you can't prove you are legal, then they can detain you until you can prove your legality, at their discretion.

Or, If the cops or a government official doesn't like you, say cause they read your bumper stickers, or know you of you and your political views, then they can use this to harass you. A cop can make up any 'legit' reason to pull you.

In Arizona they can stop you while walking and you must produce and prove who you are. Walking???? America is a free country and we don't have to carry ID or papers when walking. There is a new Virginia Bill being passed around that is so vague that it could include them stopping you while walking.

Also, currently if I am a passenger I don't have to have ID on me, but under this Arizona type decision in Virginia and especially if that bill passes in VA, then if as a passenger I don't have ID then they can detain me.

Are we resigned to the fact that we must carry papers anywhere we go as passengers or walking down the street. I Refuse! I will fight these Nazi style carry papers please laws til my dying breath. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

I am Glad the judge struck down the egregious parts of the Arizona Law. I love Ken Cuccinelli, and his work defeating the Individual Mandate of Obamacare, but shame on him for basically creating an Attorney General Executive order to make us carry our papers.
Kirby Harris

Technorati Tags: Ken Cuccinelli,Virginia,Immigration,Real ID,Arizona Immigration Law,Papers Please

Devotion by Mike MacIntosh

2010-07-14T12:15:00.008-04:00


	Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.Mark 6:30-32 Can you relate to what the disciples are feeling here? They are exhausted, weary, burdened, and burned out. Too often, life is an exhausting ordeal. But here's the encouraging news: Jesus has so much compassion for you, and He desires the very best for you. Maybe you need to get away from the hectic pace of life and the stress it brings, and spend time in a quiet, deserted place with the Lord to seek His desires for you. Or maybe you are already in a deserted place, spiritually, where Jesus is absent from your life; you need to get out of that place and seek Jesus alone for guidance and hope and joy. You see, not only does Jesus want to give you rest for your soul, He wants to be with you. Notice that Jesus said, "Come aside." He desires to spend time with you, because He's the one guiding and ministering to you. He doesn't leave you alone for you to figure out what your next steps are; He's right there with you, offering His help to you. Trust in the compassion of Jesus. Ask Him for rest. Ask Him for advice. Trust Him with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5-6) for your next steps. And above all, find your true rest and comfort in Him. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).




Make Your Decision Click for more information about accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.	More Resources Check out these helpful resources: Know God? New Believer Bible Studies Questions About God Spiritual Resources Need Prayer?	Through the Bible in 1 Year Click to Read: 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27 Acts 18:1-28 Psalm 83:9-18 Proverbs 21:2-3

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Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-06-25T11:07:00.002-04:00

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."Mark 4:35

When you walk with Jesus, you're going to move. Don't expect to stay in the same place, spiritually. Why? He wants to lead you to a place where you'll continue to grow and be nurtured. Not only does Jesus stay with you through life; He also promises that He'll take you to the other side.

You see, every barrier has two sides. To every fear you harbor, every doubt you hide, every trial you encounter, there is another side. On the other side of fear is love, since "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). On the other side of doubt is faith -- faith that can move mountains (Matthew 21:21). And on the other side of every heartache you experience is hope -- "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven" (Colossians 1:5). But just as we can't see the other side of a wall unless we move around it, so we will never see the other side of a spiritual barrier unless we move.

You know, it's painful to acknowledge fears, doubts, struggles, and heartaches. It's not easy to admit failures and acknowledge defeats. But unless we acknowledge a barrier, we have no hope of moving past it. Today, if there are barriers blocking your spiritual growth, Jesus wants to take you to the other side.

Life isn't a treadmill or a hamster wheel; Jesus is working all things out, moving with you to accomplish what He wants in your life. He doesn't want to see you stuck in the same place spiritually, so He is taking you further along. He loves you and He has a wonderful plan for your life. Be willing not only to go with Him but to enjoy the journey to the other side that He has planned for you. And when you feel like you're stuck in a rut, keep this verse close to your heart.

Visit Mike's Church Website: Horizon Christian Fellowship (San Diego)

National ID: The Time to Resist is Now

2010-05-04T01:18:00.002-04:00

National ID: The Time to Resist is Now

23. APR, 2010

by John Whitehead

As technology grows more sophisticated and the government and its corporate allies further refine their methods of keeping tabs on the American people, those of us who treasure privacy increasingly find ourselves engaged in a struggle to maintain our freedoms in the midst of the modern surveillance state.

Just consider the many ways we’re already being monitored and tracked: through our Social Security numbers, bank accounts, purchases and electronic transactions; by way of our correspondence and communications devices – email, phone calls and mobile phones; through chips implanted in our vehicles, identification documents, even our clothing. Data corporations are capturing vast caches of personal information on you so that airports, retailers, police and other government authorities can instantly identify and track you. Add to this the fact that businesses, schools and other facilities are relying more and more on fingerprints and facial recognition to identify us. All the while, banks and other financial institutions must verify the identities of new customers and make such records of customer transactions available to the police and government officials upon request.

In recent years, this information glut has converged into a mandate for a national ID card, which came to a head with Congress’ passage of the REAL ID Act in 2005. REAL ID requires states to issue machine-readable drivers’ licenses containing a wealth of personal data. However, because the REAL ID Act has been opposed by many states due to its cost and implementation, we have yet to be subjected to a nationwide implementation of a national ID card. That may all change depending on what happens with the immigration reform bill now before Congress.

A centerpiece of the immigration bill as proposed by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is a requirement that all U.S. workers, citizen and resident alike, be required to obtain and carry biometric Social Security cards (national ID cards under a different name) in order to work within the United States. Attempting to appease critics of a national ID card, Schumer and Graham insist that “no government database would house everyone’s information” and that the “cards would not contain any private information, medical information, or tracking devices.” However, those claims are blatantly false. Indeed, this proposed biometric card is nothing more than an end-run around opposition to a national ID card.

Civil and privacy rights advocates, as well as liberal-, conservative-, and libertarian-leaning organizations, have long raised concerns that a national ID card would enable the government to track citizens and, thus, jeopardize the privacy rights of Americans. President Reagan likened a 1981 proposal to the biblical “mark of the beast,” and President Clinton dismissed a similar plan because it smacked of Big Brother.

Most recently, The Rutherford Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with a host of other organizations, voiced their opposition to the biometric ID card. In a letter to both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committees, Senate Finance Committee, House Ways and Means Committee and the White House, this coalition of groups declared that such a national ID card would “not only violate privacy by helping to consolidate data and facilitate tracking of individuals, it would bring government into the very center of our lives by serving as a government permission slip needed by everyone in order to work. As happened with Social Security cards decades ago, use of such ID cards would quickly spread and be used for other purposes – from travel to voting to gun ownership.” And the national biometric ID card would “require the creation of a bureaucracy that combines the worst elements of the Transportation Security Administration and state Motor Vehicle Departments.”

At a minimum, these proposed cards will contain a memory device that stores distinct – and highly personal – physical or biological information unique to the cardholder such as fingerprints, retina scan information, a mapping of the veins on the top of your hand, and so on. Eventually, other information, such as personal business and financial data, will probably also be stored on these cards. For the cards to be effective, an information storage system and central database, which will be managed by the government and its corporate handlers, will be required. That means a lot of taxpayer dollars will be used to create the ultimate tracking device to be used against American citizens.

As journalist Megan Carpentier reports, “The federal government wants to spend hundreds of millions of dollars, and force employees and employers still suffering from a recession to do the same, to create and make accessible to every employer a national database of the fingerprints of all Americans from the time they are 14 years old. And they want to do it in order to keep an estimated 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants – less than 4 percent of the total population of the United States – from accessing the job market.” Under threat of substantial fines by the government and in what promises to be a cumbersome, bureaucratic process, employers will have to purchase ID card scanning devices (or visit their local DMV) in order to scan the cards of every individual they wish to hire before that individual can be employed. What this amounts to, essentially, is a troubling system in which all Americans would have to get clearance from the federal government in order to get a job.

Furthermore, the law’s requirement that machine-readable technology be incorporated into the card opens the door for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to be placed on the cards. RFID is a tiny, automatic identification system that enables data – in this case the private information of American citizens – to be transmitted by a portable device. This will provide the government with unprecedented access to American citizens’ personal information. In addition, RFID tags emit radio frequency signals that allow the government to track the movement of the cards, as well as the cardholders. In other words, wherever your card goes, so do the government monitors.

When all is said and done, the adoption of a national biometric ID card serves one purpose only: to provide the government with the ultimate control over the American people. As one commentator has remarked, this is a “naked government power grab.”

The time to resist is now. If we don’t, eventually, we will all have to possess one of these cards in order to be a functioning citizen in American society. Failing to have a biometric card will render you a non-person for all intents and purposes. Your whole life will depend on this card – your ability to work, travel, buy, sell, access health care, and so on.

What we used to call science fiction is now reality. And whether a national ID card is the mark of the Beast or the long arm of Big Brother, the outcome remains the same.

Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His latest book The Change Manifesto (Sourcebooks) is now available.

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Incarnational Living

2010-02-19T20:42:00.002-05:00

Incarnation is what Jesus did when he came from Heaven to Earth and became a Human.

Incarnation is the belief in Christianity that the second person in the Christian Godhead, also known as the Son or the Logos (Word), "became flesh" when he was miraculously conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The word Incarnate derives from Latin (in=in or into, caro, carnis=flesh) meaning "to make into flesh" or "to become flesh". Definition taken from Wikipedia.com

Incarnational Living is what Jesus did when he came to live among us. He lived with the people, became one with them. Became one with us.

We, Christians, are called to incarnatioanl living as well with Jesus being our example.

Many of us talk about it, but do we really do it?

None of us are perfect, but we can’t use our fallen state as an excuse to not practice what we preach or even what claim or wish to believe in.

Many of us say we are incarnational, but are we?

Because, if we don’t follow it up with action then we are not incarnational at all.

Here’s a paraphrased example given by Bruxy Cavey, the Teaching Pastor of The Meeting House in Toronto, Canada; and the author of the awesome book ‘The End of Religion – Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus’. You can also watch some of his Video Teachings here on the Rivendell Teaching Channel

Bruxy’s Example:

If you say you are a romantic guy, but never do anything romantic, and all you do is watch Sci-fi, then you aren’t really a romantic.

You can say you are romantic all you want, but if you don’t do romantic things, then you are not romantic no matter how much you say or think you are.

Yikes! Is Bruxy watching my life like in the ‘Truman Show’?

(Ok, sorry for the paranoid regression.)

What to do about it?

“Ok, Ok”, you say, “I am terrible at it, but where do I start?”

Well, the Bible tells us to ‘First seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.’ in Luke 12:31 and Matthew 6:33 . This means we are to participate in God being incarnational with us.

God became incarnational 2000 years ago with the people of that time in a physical body as Jesus, and He is still incarnational today when he comes to live in our physical bodies as Born Again Christians.

So, we are to participate in an incarnational relationship with the God who lives in us, first and fore most.

Then what?

Well, if we only focus vertically towards God, and then we don’t in turn focus horizontally, with what God gives us, towards other people, then we will be unbalanced, proud, arrogant and a nightmare to others.

On the other hand if we only focus on people, or God second, then we will be shallow and not have the love of God or His power to live Godly and truly joyful lives.

So, we must be other focused and practice Incarnational living with those around us through a relationship with God. We must be involved in their lives and pay attention to them and what’s important to them, as God does with us.

You might say I already do that.

But the Bible also tells us that we must have our own house in order before we can really be effective in living incarnationally with and for others - 1 Timothy 3:4.

Again, I am not saying we must have a perfect home life before we can live with and for others, or we never would. I am saying that our Family should be our first human priority after God.

Now in the home, your spouse should be the main relationship focus, because if you don’t have a good relationship with your spouse then your children will suffer.

The Kids

Your next priority at home should be your children, and I don’t mean paying the bills and feeding and clothing them. I am referring to valuing them, paying attention to them – I mean really paying attention to them - what’s important to them, what drives them in life, their passions, their dreams and even the little things that seem insignificant to us but have great value and meaning to them.

Many times we say, ‘uhuh honey, that’s nice’ and either ignore and push them away or we half-heartedly pay attention to them. I mean of course work, our favorite TV Shows, favorite books, web surfing or god forbid our Facebook Status or playing Farmville is just to important to let them bother us. (Gulp! Been guilty of all of that.)

Oh Man. I have been doing that to my kids while writing this post. Oops !

Many of us do that with our spouses as well. Many times we spend family time or spouse time together with each other, but each doing our own thing - on our own computers, video games, Ect. Each doing his own thing, but together. Or, we all watch TV together. Again I am guilty.

Doing these things together is not always bad, but doing them all the time is bad. We need Spouse and Family time interacting together, not always staring at the TV.

Ok, so once God is the primary focus of Incarnational living followed by the family, then we can look to the neighbor, in other words other Christians and the non-Christians. Incarnational living with our neighbor should start with other Christians - to learn how to live it out in a God Family context, and then to reach out incarnationally to the non-Christian. Matthew 5:16, John 13:34.

Note on ‘The Neighbor’

Jesus said, ‘Love your Neighbor as yourself', and then He was asked but ‘who is your neighbor?’

Jesus replied by telling the story of The Good Samaritan. And, from that story you can surmise that your neighbor is every one you meet - Christian or not.

Finally, my reason for sharing all of this

I originally wrote this post to spotlight what a failure I am in Incarnational living. Not beating myself up, but expressing a steadfast conviction of my failures in this area starting with God, my wife and my kids and carrying on into my Christian and non-Christian friends and then the stranger.

But God has a way of changing things when you set yourself to thinking of how you are not being very incarnational.

The urgent love of Jesus -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-02-19T16:00:00.001-05:00

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Mark 1:29-31

Your home is your most personal space. No other place could be more private. So it's interesting that Jesus didn't confine His ministry to public squares -- He came to peoples' homes.

Here in Mark 1:29, we see Him coming into Simon Peter's home, where Peter's mother-in-law was sick with a fever. The woman had probably never met Jesus, and maybe wasn't even aware that He could heal her. But Peter was. He and the disciples didn't hesitate to tell Jesus about her need, and Jesus acted swiftly. Tenderly taking her hand, He lifted her up, and "immediately" healed her (verse 31). Jesus touched her life that day, and she never even stepped outside the house. He had worked powerfully and quickly on her behalf, simply because Peter had asked Him to.

You know, we can sometimes forget the urgency of Jesus' love. Jesus didn't wait for people to come to Him -- He went to them. He visited sinners in their most personal spaces, far from the "spotlight" and safety of the public arena. He went not only where He was loved, but where He was needed. While He visited Peter's house, Peter presented a need, and Jesus responded "immediately." Even at this early point in the book of Mark, it is already the sixth time that word, "immediately," has been used. And I don't think it's an accident. Jesus acted immediately, with urgency, because He loved people.

We all have friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who need the healing touch of Jesus Christ. Let me encourage you today to lift up the people around you to Jesus. Like Peter lifted the needs of his mother-in-law to Jesus, lift up your family and friends to Him, that He might heal them, and that they might encounter His love for them. Jesus answers prayer. He tells us in John 14:14, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

Maybe today, though, you are like Peter's mother-in-law -- you are the one in need of healing, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. You may have known Jesus for years, or perhaps you've never known Him. Whatever the case, let me encourage you that you don't even have to leave your house -- He will come to you. Wherever you are, simply ask Him to touch your life, and He will respond immediately, according to His perfect will. He loves you more than you will ever understand, and is thrilled to hear your voice. He urgently wants to give you "a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11), because He loves you.

Jesus wants to touch your life, and the lives of those you love, this very moment. Not tomorrow, but today. Let us never forget or dismiss the urgency of Jesus' love!

Make Your Decision
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Through the Bible in 1 Year
Click to Read:

Leviticus 9:1-10:20

Mark 1:23-45

Psalm 25:1-7

Proverbs 9:13-18

Horizon Online | Know God? | Need Prayer?

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.
This devotional message is provided by Horizon Christian Fellowship.
© 2009 Mike MacIntosh. All Rights Reserved.

Could we all be Terrorists?

2010-02-16T18:09:00.001-05:00

Could your Natural, Human rights be denied?

Could the government deny your natural or God given rights that Jefferson referred to as inalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence? Could they declare you a terrorist?

Universal Human Rights aka Inalienable Rights

Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence to tell King George, England and the World that we were now independent.

That we would not let any man or government take our rights given by birth.

He said that men had certain inalienable rights given by Nature or Nature's God that no other man or government could take without do process (a fair trial).

Jefferson meant that all men had these rights, not just US men.

Remeber there was no United States Government when he wrote it but 13 colonies that the founders considered 13 independent nations aka States (like France and Israel are States).

They later formed the Federation that would become 'The United States'.

So he was saying all men had these inalienable or universal human rights givent o us by natural birth or Nature's God, not rights granted by government. For if government had the authority to grant us these rights, then they have the authority to not give them to us or take them away. And to take them would be justifably moral.

Accused Terrorists and Inalienable Rights

These accused terrorists, are still innocent until proven guilty. They have that right by God and Nature.

Torture, until proven guilty, violates their right to not have their natural or inalienable rights to be taken from them without their being proven guilty or innocent with a fair trial.

If the government claims that those who are arrested and charged with terrorist acts can be held indefiantely without trial, have no trial, have no miranda rights or be tortured for information before being found guilty, then they can also do that to americans who they say commited terrorist acts.

Then the government could not like your politics or criticism of its policies, and accuse you of doing a terroist act, label you as a terroist, and then they could deny your rights.

Ifthis happened, then you could be held indefinately with out trial, be denied trial, have no right to miranda rights (the right to remain silent) and be tortured without ever being found guilty of the terrorist attack.

Now give the accused terrorists the rights the God of Nature or Nature gave them. Once they have been proven guilty, then rather we torture or not is a whole different issue.

On TV they call them all terroists, althoguh they are accussed of being terroists,and have not been proven guilty.

If we torture people because we say they are guilty without their chance to be proven guilty, then we are no better then the savages, brutal dictators and terrorists themselves.

Don’t let government or business control each other

2010-02-16T18:06:00.001-05:00

Business should not try to control, gain favor or interfere with government for good or bad reasons.

And, government should not try to control, give favor, give punishment or interfere with business for good or bad reasons.

The People should control both:

Control the government with awareness, activism and votes.

And, control businesses with their pocket book through a real free market free from government tinkering (and not through the people co-owning all means of production).

Healing for the broken-hearted -- Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

2010-02-12T03:49:00.018-05:00

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table.
Matthew 26:6-7

Years ago, a chaplain friend of mine in northern California received a 2:00 AM phone call. It was the Highway Patrol, and they needed him right away -- there had been an accident, and it was ugly. So he raced to the scene, exhausted, but eager to help. As he pulled up, he saw car parts everywhere and the typical ominous, swirling police lights. "How can I help?" he asked an officer. "Chaplain, this is one of the worst accidents we've seen, but we need to identify the victim, the driver..." Without hesitation, the chaplain interrupted, saying, "I'll do it; I'll get in the car somehow." He walked up to the shattered car; the driver's body was beyond recognition. He pulled out the driver's wallet, and froze. The driver was his son.

Understandably, he flipped out, unable to absorb what was happening. That night, he broke the news to his wife that their only son had lost his life on Interstate 5. It was the start of a horrible time in his life -- a time of anger and bitterness towards God. A time of brokenness and unanswered questions.

Shortly thereafter, he received another phone call, this time from back east. Terrorists had just flown two planes into the World Trade Center towers, and the voice on the other end of the line pleaded, "We need you to come to Ground Zero." He refused. It was the last place he wanted to go. Months passed, though, and that Christmas, after some convincing from his wife, he packed his bags and made the trip to New York.

Walking Ground Zero, he encountered a devastated couple, still wondering if their daughter had been killed in the attacks. "Can you tell me about her?" he asked them. He wrote down her description -- 24 years old, brown hair, brown eyes, 115 pounds -- and said he'd ask around. Later that day, as he walked inside the police perimeter, a truck came around the corner, filled with debris. As it passed by, something fell off the back, and he randomly picked it up. Pulling out his notes, he realized what he had just found: the identification for the couples' missing daughter.

He went back to the couple, hugged them, and cried. And cried, and cried. "Is this your daughter?" Mom and Dad fell apart. But that day, the chaplain was able to put it all in perspective. God healed his heart that day, and used him to lead the couple to Jesus.

You know, it's amazing how God not only loves the broken-hearted -- He uses them to bring love and healing to other broken-hearted people. In Matthew 26, Jesus visits the home of someone who knew what it felt like to be broken-hearted: a leper. Here was a man who had been ostracized and rejected not only by his friends and family, but even by the religious leaders of his day. Jesus, though, freely visited his home. He loved this leper, even when everyone else rejected him. Why? Because Jesus, too, was broken-hearted.

You see, Jesus knew that He would be crucified in only a matter of days. He knew the burden of sin He would carry as He would be tortured and nailed to a cross. And it broke His heart. But there, in the leper's home of all places, a woman poured out expensive fragrant oil over His head to bless Him. Can you imagine how encouraged Jesus must have felt? Can you imagine how blessed He must have been by this woman, broken before her Lord, sacrificing her costly fragrance to honor Him? The disciples, though, grumbled amongst themselves. "This fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor," they reasoned (Matthew 26:9). They didn't share Jesus' brokenness, and couldn't minister to Him. They didn't understand.

Maybe today you feel like a failure, or an outcast, or that you'll never amount to anything. Maybe you, like my chaplain friend, are broken-hearted and crushed. Jesus understands. He loves you, and He wants to heal you. He suffered great loss -- even death on a cross -- because He cares for you so much. Let Jesus heal your heart, and He will use you to heal others.

Make Your Decision
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Rivendell Christian Fellowship is asking you to Donate to New Hope Haiti Mission who are In Haiti and are Currently Helping the Haitian People.

2010-01-15T16:11:00.001-05:00

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Bring Me to Life -Our Cry to Jesus

2009-11-12T09:54:00.002-05:00

How can you see into my eyes like open doors
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb
without a soul
my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

( Wake me up ) wake me up inside
( I can't wake up ) wake me up inside
(Save me ) call my name and save me from the dark
( Wake me up ) bid my blood to run
( I can't wake up ) before i come undone
( Save me ) save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

( Wake me up ) wake me up inside
( I can't wake up ) wake me up inside
(Save me ) call my name and save me from the dark
( Wake me up ) bid my blood to run
( I can't wake up ) before i come undone
( Save me ) save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life
I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch
Without your love darling
Only you are the Life among the dead

All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought without a voice without a soul
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life

( Wake me up ) wake me up inside
( I can't wake up ) wake me up inside
(Save me ) call my name and save me from the dark
( Wake me up ) bid my blood to run
( I can't wake up ) before i come undone
( Save me ) save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life
I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to life

~evanessance~

Grace in Worship

2009-08-08T12:57:00.005-04:00

This song is such a deep and pasionate worship song to God.

(Like it then buy it below and support the artist)

If you like this then support his music ministry and have it for your worship:

Click Here to Download the MP3 single: 'Grace' by Phil Wickham (via Amazon.com)

Click Here to Download the MP3 album self titled: Phil Wickham (via Amazon.com)

Click Here to buy the CD album self titled: Phil Wickham (via Amazon.com)

I Will Not Forget

2009-08-08T12:43:00.001-04:00

I will not forget what you have done for me my God and King. Praise the name of Jesus - King of Kings. Awesome Worship Song!

Come Fall on Us

2009-08-08T12:38:00.002-04:00

Lord, Come Fall on Us. Let your great presence Fall on Us as we praise you in our whole life, not just to music as deep as this. This is a how to play video, but it is still so powerful.

Jesus is Good Medicine

2009-08-06T10:52:00.002-04:00

I keep getting the phrase 'Jesus is Good Medicine' coming to my mind. He is medicine to the soul. He renews and heals my mind. He heals my emotions. He heals my body. He is good medicine just like the song ''KHENORANHKHWA (Jesus is Good Medicine)" by American Indian worship group Broken Walls.

This isn't the song but it is another one from Broken Walls:

Going to Creation Fest 09

2009-04-27T20:04:00.013-04:00

Erica and I are going to take the Girls to Creation Fest 09 NE from Tuesday June 23rd to Sunday June 28th.

Click the on Buton to see a preview:

Creation Fest is a 31 year old festival that takes place at Agape Farm in the beautifaul Allegany Mountains of Pensylvania.

It is an event where you camp outside while hanging out and fellowshiping with 70,000 other Christians and corporately worshiping God with over 40 rock, rap and worship bands. Also there are many speakers including Greg Laurie, Joyce Myer, Ron Luce and many others to inspire us to go full on for God.

This can be a time to strengthen your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our Girls are Madison (11 and 1/2), Alana (almost 6) and Seanna (2 and 1/2). All three of them are excited to go to this event.

Are we cool Christian Hippy Parents or crazy nutty parents for bringing such young girs to this Great Christian Festival.?

Godz Kidz Sing a Brand New Hallelujah

2009-04-14T20:38:00.003-04:00

The rEVOLution

2009-01-16T13:41:00.003-05:00

Tropical Jungle Christianity

2008-07-26T14:58:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure where I found this but my wife and I are guilty of this with the exception of having the lawsuit against us. And we are determined to do what this author did:

Our lawn looked like a tropical jungle. Our neighbors hated us to the point of actually threatening us with a lawsuit if we didn’t “take care of our stuff.” But hey we were busy doing church.

Our neighborhood is actually pretty cool. People do things together for 4th of July etc. We never participated. We waved and smiled at them and headed to another town to go to church. I was a part of the newest church evangelism program—we would drive 45 minutes each week to give away free cokes to people we didn’t even know and completely neglected the people that lived next door to us. We lived in our neighborhood for almost five years without knowing anything about our neighbors, without caring or showing love.

This has changed. We now make a conscious effort to be the church—to love our neighborhood and neighbors. Not in a philosophical way only but in an actual way where we focus on our neighbors well being, not first and foremost to “evangelize” them, to sell the Gospel to them, to have them join our Church, but really more from an angle of love. We’re not perfect in this. Our lawn gets a little unruly sometimes, but we are repairing relationships with our neighbors.

We now participate in the life of the community we live in. We hang out more with neighbors doing “over the fence talk.” We feed our neighbors pets when they go on vacation. We are planning this year to go to the local 4th of July celebration. Things have changed. Things keep changing and we’re excited.

We, Christians, Need Holiness

2008-06-14T16:09:00.004-04:00

Holiness

God is Holy

God asks us to be Holy as He (God) is Holy.

Holiness means 'set apart'.

The Holiness God speaks of is not a list of external rules, in and of itself.

Godly Holiness is a Desire. A desire deep within our hearts. Its a deep desire to have our heart set apart for God. To live for Him. To deny the things not of Him. But, not a rigid system of rules to accomplish living only for Him.

If we position ourselves to desire Him, chase after Him and spend time getting to know Him through reading His Word and sitting in His Presence, then our actions will automatically day by day start to line up with Him and His ways.

Does that mean keep doing sinful things on purpose even though we know they are wrong? Of course not. We must try our best to not do things we know are wrong. And, if we slip and fall, or plunge, into things we know are wrong, then we just get back up, apoligise to God and try try again, until our relationship with God changes are hearts not to be inclined to continue in wrong activity.

Also, Holiness, or being set apart from God, does not mean never having contact with non-Christians. Godly Holiness means loving our non-Christian neighbors and living for God so much that our lived out values and changed natures will draw them to God.

Separating or thinking we Christians are better than non-Christians does not honor God. We are not to be 'holier than thou' towards them or condemn them. We are to love God with all our hearts, live Gods way in perfect humility and love them as He does, and that will bring Glory to our Father in Heaven.

Holiness is an inside job. To sum it up, it starts with us desiring to fully desire God, submiting to Him, Seeking Him through His Word and His Presence, letting Him change our blackened heart, and then letting our miracuously changed actions naturally supernaturally follow.

You can not Serve two masters

2008-03-15T11:07:00.004-04:00

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
~ Jesus

(Matthew 6:24)

Poetic Instruction from God

2008-03-04T10:38:00.008-05:00

My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you.

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”

My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life.

I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.

When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble.

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.

Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving.

For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.

They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.

Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.

Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

-Proverbs 4:4-27 (New Living Translation)-

Where is True Liberty and Freedom in America Politically?

2008-01-03T01:23:00.000-05:00

The people are no longer in charge. I know government is not the answer.

Jesus Christ is the answer. Eventhough Jesus Christ is the answer to true peace and prosperity; the Bible says we are to fight for what is right (a.k.a righteousness), as well as, pray for, support and help Godly people in their leadership duties. In America this also means helping Godly leaders get elected, so they can help foster personal freedom and liberty (freedom of speech, Religeous freedom, right to assemble peacefully). That's why I'm supporting Ron Paul.

He is a Born Again believer who believes the government has forgotten the people. Even his political enemies say he is the most honest man in Washington. He is a leader who is of the same character and fortitude of Washington, Jefferson, Madison and many of the other founding fathers. He, like they, believes that absolute power corrupts absolutely - if you give the government too much power and jurisdiction then the result is tyranny.

Although, the founding fathers and the Constituiton were not perfect, i.e. for one example slavery was orginally allowed in it; the values that inspired it and the safeguards they put in the Constitution to protect the people from the tyranny of a government with to much control are the safeguards to personal liberty when followed. The key word is 'when followed'. Now that slavery has been abandonned, when the values of the constitution are followed (which currently they are not), then liberty can prosper.

From insights in the Bible, I know eventually evil will cause all liberty to be lost, but the bible says we are to fight for what is right til jesus comes back.

Forget the past - God has the future covered.

2007-12-10T13:01:00.000-05:00

"Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the Desert.
The beasts of the field will glorify Me,
The jackals and the ostriches
Because I have given waters in the wilderness
And Rivers in the Desert,
To give drink to my chosen people.
The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise."

- Isaiah 43:18-21 (NASB)

Contemplating the God Breathed Life

2007-11-30T00:18:00.000-05:00

pondering...

meditating.....

(which literally means chewing on the cud - like a cow thoughtfully chews her grass - as if contemplating what eating the grass means)

contemplating....

what is God's purpose for my life

what things can I purge out of my life

what is unnecessary in my journey....

what is weighing down my travel pack

what unnecessary burdens do I have stowed away

what hinders my journey as a soujourner

a foreigner

an alien in this world

my Creator guides me from within

if only I will look

what keeps me from the wisdom he can give

fear...

doubt....

rebellion.....

alas,

it is my fallen human nature

oh how I have tried...

tried...

to align myself with Providence

oh what a wretched man I am

a gift given

taken for granted

do I spit on the Cross of Christ

NO

submit to Him I must

or die

death is the answer

die to self I must...

live for Him

I will no longer keep

my heart from Him...

afraid to let him handle

but allow Him

to break it

and let the Healer be

who He is

so my heart He

can mend

----------------------

I quote:

Why? Why are you still here with me?
Didn’t you see what I’ve done?
In my shame I want to run,
And hide myself.
Yeah, but it’s here I see the truth,
I don’t deserve you.

But I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me.

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing you away from me.
I just never saw how you
Could cherish me.

Cause you’re a God who has all things,
And still you want me.

And I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Yeah, ye-ea-eah

Your love makes me forget what I have been.
Your love makes me see who I really am.
Your love makes me forget what I have been, oh-oh.

And I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to love me, ye-ea-eah!
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me, yeahI need you to…
oh oh oh oh eo
Love me, love me, yah

~Barlowgirl

Pa Pa moves in with Jesus

2007-10-31T22:01:00.000-04:00

Bitter Sweet

Bittter-sweet is the feeling.

Sweet because my grandfather, that all know as 'Pa Pa', has moved on to the place we all long to be one day.

Bitter because we will miss him and know we will not see him again until we break on through to the other side.

It is joyous, because I know that he has gone to be with the Creator, our Lord and Saviour, the God-man Jesus Christ.

But, I will miss his wit and humor. I will miss cold mornings at the back of our family property felling trees, cutting them up and stacking them in the little blue toyota truck (more than the truck could handle). Having long conversations about life, the old days and about God.

I will miss him dearly, but I know he is in no more pain and physical agony from his sickness, no more sorrow, no more worries. He is now in perfect health, with a perfect body and in the presence of Jesus Christ, the Creator.

He is sitting in the presence of God, smiling down on us.

I love you old man.

The Heart of Worship

2007-10-04T21:50:00.000-04:00

Recently, I read a blog posting entitled: Top 5 Worst Worship Songs (Click to read it).

I believe there are bad sounding, theologically empty & unheartfelt worship songs. But, I also feel that there are love songs to God devoted from the writer's heart. And, if they are not theologically correct or poorly written who cares if its written from a heart devoted to God.

I have no problem if you have a legitimate critique of a song theologically or musically if you think it deserves such scrutiny. But this should be done with a heart and attitude of love.

I believe the person who posted this blog and some of the people who commented on their blog posting in agreement were being a little hard hearted and legalistic. It, also appears they were trying to be cute and flippant, but in bad taste. I think they also reduced worship down to music and not a heart of worship lifestyle.

Here was my response:

Post 1

Most of these comments got it all wrong. Worship is not the music, but its a lifestyle of devotion to God.

I love the 'heart of worship' song, because in life, I miss having the heart of worship quite a bit. I get it wrong and need to get back to the heart of worship. This song breaks my heart every time and redirects me back to a heart of worship in my life.

From time to time, I, like you guys and most Christians reduce worship to a 15 to 30 minute music set once a week at church. And that is irreverent, not bad lyrics. God looks at the heart, not the quality of the sound. The question does it bring the hearts of the listener to God that causes change in the person's life.

Also, constructive criticism is fine as long as it is done out of love and not out of a critical spirit or just trying to be a smart ass.

Post 2

P.S. The 'Heart of Worship' song explains whats wrong with all our lives, because we routinely make it about everything but Him, even in our work of the ministry. This song reminds us to come back to the true heart of worship.

The 'Heart of Worship' says everything I said in my last post, and I wasn't even reading the lyrics when I wrote it. lol

The song says it all:

1.(WHEN ALL THE HYPE IS GONE AND I SIMPLY COME TO HIM)

"When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart"

2.(IT IS ABOUT A DEVOTED LIFE, NOT THE SONG STYLE, GENRE OR QUALITY - YOU COULD SING OFF KEY OR SUCK MUSICALLY - GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART)

"I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart"

3.(WHEN I/WE GET MY/OUR FOCUS OFF JESUS AND WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO HIM, THEN WE NEED TO GET BACK ON TRACK - AND IF ANYBODY SAYS THEY DON'T GET OFF TRACK THEY ARE LYING OR ARE OFF TRACK)

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it
When it's all about You
All about You, Jesus"

4.(WHEN WE REALIGN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS IT BRINGS US BACK TO JESUS AND HIS ULTIMATE WORTH)

"King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath"

This song passes all the tests of being a solid song that brings us to repentance and gives God the glory.

What's the worst that could happen? Power trip pastor? - Every One's worst fear when they go to a new church for the first time.

2007-08-28T16:47:00.001-04:00

Peculiar People

2007-07-22T15:36:00.000-04:00

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. - The Bible

We are an unusual people (Christians) - a people who if we follow Him, then we go agaisnt the grain, are the grity wet sand in the clothing of this world and do not confrom to the ways and practices of this world: greed, wanting your neighbors stuff (literally or figuratively), lying, cheating, putting ourseles before others, est.

We are an unusual people (Christians) - if we do not truely follow Him, then we proclaim Him but do not do as he says and are hypocrytes who then do not go agaisnt the grain, are not the grity wet sand in the clothing of this world and do confrom to the ways and practices of this world: greed, wanting your neighbors stuff (literally or figuratively), lying, cheating, putting ourseles before others, est.

The first way we are peculiar to the world and its ways. The second way we are truely peculiar - peculiar to God and the name "Christian".

~

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

1 Peter 2:9 (The Message)

How far would you go for Jesus

2007-03-22T20:54:00.000-04:00

Click the title above to go to the website

God has moved

2007-02-19T23:51:00.000-05:00

God has had me in an area of deep searching myself for some time now. Rethinking everything about my life with Him. Now, I'm not talking about rethinking my theology, as in salvation; grace; Jesus' Divinity; heaven and hell; rather I'm saved or not or anything like that.

I've been thinking about stuff like am I serving Him whole-heartedly. Am I doing enough of the things I should be doing for Him. Am I being a good enough husband, father, friend, example, mentor, est. Are my ministries for Him really His are are they of my own making.

This weekend was a culmination of all these things. God has been having me question everything I am doing. And He has been filling me with all this data - God data - downloading it into my spirit and soul. He's been asking me questions through His Word, directly via my thoughts, through my pastor Robby Rhoden, Don Coleman, Mike MacIntosh, My wife and movies.

He's been tearing down and building things in me simultaneously. He's clearing out the old and constructing the new.

This weekend Pastor Don Coleman spoke and rapped up a three week series that Pastor Rob started. Don spoke passionately about being a passionate worshiper. It crushed me. In a good way. It put a nail in the coffin off my dead ways that are still hanging around. It made me realize what I had already realized, but it brought it home.

I couldn't just say any more, that I gotta be better at so and so, do this do that, change this other thing, because it will make me better and more effective in my life with friends, family and ministry.

This weekend meant, I must do these things. I must be a passionate worshipper in everything I do.

But, there is a problem in all this?

I can't do it! I'm a slacker by nature. I don't have the power.

But I can decide to kill the flesh, the human nature, by deciding to do what God wants of me.

He wants me to obey Him, because what He wants me to do is good for me anyways. He made me, so He knows how I tick.

But there is a problem in killing this human nature. It is I have no power to carry it out.

What's the answer?

The Answer is:

if I decide to follow His will, then He will give me the power to carry it out.

Amen

It is the Lenten Season - a forty day period leading up to Easter. The season of giving up what's holding you back, so you can fully give yourself to God. This the perfect time at which I can now focus on the task of deciding to fully devote myself to whole-heartedly giving myself to Him. Being a Passioate Worshiper giving myself to Him.

Supreme King

2006-12-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

Jesus is Lord! God! And King!

Life is a grand or life is a bitch - which is it?

2006-12-07T12:27:00.000-05:00

Just when you think things are going great, then they go terribly wrong. Then just when you think things couldn't get worse, they get better! Then God takes the good and makes it great and unbelievable. He blesses you in marvelous ways.

(If you think you are having a rough time click the title above.)

Lately life has been bitter-sweet. Let me explain:

God is great. My wife is great. My kids are great. My ministry is great. Life is great. Everything is great! God is blessing me beyond my wildest dreams!

I'm Joyful, Happy and enjoying life. But, I've been having one of the roughest periods I can remember at the same time. Hence Bitter-Sweet.

Something is missing? What could it be?

I've been looking at myself, and I'm not happy with what I see. There are serious character flaws and practices that I want changed. Some are under my control and some are not, but even the ones that only God can change, I can pray and work with Him on the change. Also, I've been looking at things in my life that are under my control, and I'm not happy with how they are.

Just to let you know, I'm not beating myself up or being negative. I'm just honestly observing and pondering as God says to do in the Bible. I don't like some of what I see, and it is painful and bitter.

I know what the problem is, and I've known it for some time.

The answer is:

True Intimacy with God. That's whats missing.

But, I don't implement it. Why? Its fearful Insanity! Knowing the answer and being to scared to do it, because its unfamiliar. Opening your soul naked before the Lord is a scary thing. I'm also, so busy with doing life, family and ministry, that I don't spend the intimate time alone with God.
Sometimes we busy ourselves, over extend ourselves, so we don't have to deal with the fearful unknown - like exposing ourselves fully to God.

I can't remember the last time I sat down and just Privately undevotedly sat and communed in His Presence or read His Word. I'm going on yesterday's revelation and power. Yes, I'm able to function in a spiritual fashion and minister to folks (and really help them). But, its based on stored up knowledge and power.

It's like taking a test that you studied for 1o years ago. You retain quite a bit, and you might do really well with a 'B' or 'C' or at least pass the test with a 'C' or 'D'. But if you had been continually studying all along, and studied that day as well, then you would have gotten an 'A'-plus.

In other words, the outcomes of things in my life would be better. When I helped people my help would have more power and be more effective in their lives. But the most important thing would be that my relationship with God would be excellent.

Pray for me, though I feel this is quite common among believers - if they're honest. That is if they are even trying to really expose all of themselves to god. But I have a feeling most are not. Once apon a time I was not.

If you think you are having a bad day click the title above.

My wife and I are Dedicating our daughters to the Lord Jesus

2006-10-06T01:16:00.000-04:00

My wife and I are inviting all to come to Commonwealth Chapel as we dedicate our daughters, Seanna & Alana to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a great time, as we promise God to raise our children to follow the paths and walk the ways of the Creator and God of all, Jesus the Master. We acknowledge that these are really God's Children only on loan to us. And that they are only truly ours when we obey our parental duty to raise them the way God wants them raised.

For Directions to Commonwealth Chapel from your location click here

Seanna is born

2006-08-25T13:35:00.000-04:00

Erica and I are pleased to announce that Seanna Miriam Harris was born on Monday, August 21st, 2006 at 12:26 PM. She weighed seven pounds and eleven ounces (7-11). We don't follow astrology, but she is born a Leo - the Lion. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Cool !

She is wonderful

I'm showing pictures at Rivendell Gathering tonight August 25th, 2006 at 7:00 PM at Heavenly Grounds.

Click Here For Gathering Times, Locations and Directions

Life is Grand

2006-08-07T12:18:00.000-04:00

Nothings perfect, but Life is Grand.

Right now there are a lot of issues in my life. Some of them are negative, and I wish they would be delt with and go away or change. Some of it won't change or go away, unless I change in my heart. And it is imposible for me to change my own heart.

You might ask then "How will these things change, if your heart needs to change, but you can't change it? That sounds impposible! "

Well, thank God there is an answer!

The answer is "God"

If we truly are willing to at first reconize a fault and then desire to have it removed, then God will remove it for us or give us His power to remove it.

What about the Life is Grand part?

Well, I used to base my joy and hapiness upon rather everything was going right in my life, and if I had NO problems. My life is good, but I have issues and problems (A wrecked house - with procrastination and disorganization to say the least - and tight finances) . I enjoy my family and that's cool (eventhough you can always continually emprove on your relationships - the skys the limit)!

In the past, having good family ties would not have been enough. If I had any troubling circumstances, then all would suck or be totally lost.

Now, I have come to realize that hapiness can be situational, but real joy and hapiness is eternal and not based on our good or bad circumstances. You could have all of hell going on all around you, and if you have the Joy of Heaven in your heart, there is nothing that can bring you down.

And the only way to have the Joy of Heaven in your heart is to be willing to turn from your sins and accept Jesus as your savior from yourself into your heart.

Life is Grand.