LAST HOURS

Trusting in God's promises

2008-05-20T13:47:00.003+02:00

Here's a thought that amazed me. I reproduce it (Source: Waterfont Media Inc. © through e-mail delivery "God's daily promises"):

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. Psalm 138:2 NLT

God makes a promise, faith believes it, hope anticipates it, patience quietly awaits it.
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Precious promises

When David Livingstone had to pass through the most dangerous country of the fierce native chief Mburuma and decide whether to furtively sneak through at night or go by day and risk being killed, he staked his life on the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 29:19-20: "Go and make disciples of all nations.…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." He wrote in his journal, "t is the word of a Gentleman of the most sacred and strictest honor, so there's an end on it!" Livingstone knew that God backs up his promises with all the honor of his name, so he proceeded in broad daylight, trusting in his Savior's promise. God fulfilled his Word, and Livingstone made the crossing safely because the Lord Jesus was beside him, just as he said he would be. God's promises are just as true and alive today for those who will pray them, trust them, stand on them, and walk in them.

THANK YOU, FATHER, for backing your promises by all the honor of your name. It is a mighty and powerful and trustworthy name! I give thanks to you for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Help me to move forward under your direction in the light of your unfailing and precious promises.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for June 20.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

How do you avoid temptation?

2008-02-22T17:39:00.002+01:00

She came and grabbed him by his shirt, demanding, "Sleep with me!" Joseph tore himself away. Genesis 39:12 NLT

A man who fled from temptation

Like cream, Joseph rose to the top. Each time he tackled temptation, he thrived. He was the next-to-last son of Jacob, but the first son of Jacob's favorite wife, Rachel. He had two significant dreams. We don't know how he told his brothers about the dreams, in which they bowed down to him, but they hated him for the content.

His brothers tried to kill him, but sold him into slavery in Egypt. At age 17, Joseph was carried hundreds of miles away to Egypt, where he became a slave. Most people in his situation would have become bitter. Not Joseph. He was a worthy worker. And he rose to the top.

He was "handsome and well-built" (Gen. 39:6), 300 miles from home, and single. That was a set-up for someone like Potiphar's wife. She kept after Joseph "day after day" (Gen. 39:10), but he kept saying no. When she tried one last time (Gen. 39:12), grabbing him by the shirt, Joseph ran off minus his shirt.

The reward for his good conduct was jail. Even there, Joseph rose to the top. After interpreting a dream, Pharaoh made Joseph vice-president of the country. When, twenty years later, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt to buy food, they didn't recognize their brother. He resisted the temptation to pay them back for what they had done. But Joseph showed them forgiveness.

Joseph was sold from his father's house, seduced in Potiphar's house, and suffered in a prison house—yet he remained faithful to God. He triumphed over temptation.

Adapted from Men of Integrity Devotional Bible with devotionals by the editors of Men of Integrity magazine (Christianity Today, Intl), Tyndale House Publishers (2002), p 53

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

A cheerful spirit

2008-01-23T11:57:00.000+01:00

For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15 NLT

When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

A happy heart

A person's heart is a major concern of the Lord. God's Word tells us that he doesn't look at the things people look at. We look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart; that is, our "thoughts and intentions" (1 Samuel 16:7). Today's verse tells us that a happy, or cheerful, heart make life "a continual feast." How do we obtain—and maintain—this happy heart? There are many clues throughout the book of Proverbs. We should not let our hearts be anxious or proud because anxiety and pride are deterrents to a cheerful heart (Proverbs 12:25; 16:5). Instead, God calls us to have pure hearts and to keep them on the right path (Proverbs 22:11; 23:19). These are positive steps to achieving a happy heart because when we are being obedient to God's Word and experiencing his smile of approval, our hearts will be lighter, even in difficult times. The Bibles gives us many other ins tructions about how to have "healthy" hearts, but a good place to start is to embrace the truth of Proverbs 15:15 and ask God to show us how to develop hearts that are happy, no matter what challenges we are facing.

FATHER, help me to have a happy heart. Remove the anxiety that sometimes weighs my heart down. Keep my heart from growing proud. Instead, give me a pure heart—a heart that is pleasing to you. Help me to hide your Word in my heart so that I can walk in your ways and enjoy life that is a continual feast.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for May 17.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

A Decided Reformation Needed

2008-01-11T20:19:00.000+01:00

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life. John 5:24.

Just as long as you allow pride to dwell in your hearts, so long will you lack power in your work. For years a wrong spirit has been cherished, a spirit of pride, a desire for preeminence. In this Satan is served, and God is dishonored. The Lord calls for a decided reformation. . . . Let [a truly reconverted soul] renew his covenant with God, and God will renew His covenant with him. . . . Let angels and men see that there is forgiveness of sin with God. Extraordinary power from God must take hold of Seventh-day Adventist churches. Reconversion must take place among the members, that as God's witnesses they may testify to the authoritative power of the truth that sanctifies the soul. Renewed, purified, sanctified, the church must be, else the wrath of God will fall upon them with much greater power than upon those who have never professed to be saints. }

Those who are sanctified through the truth will show that the truth has worked a reformation in their lives, that it is preparing them for translation into the heavenly world. But as long as pride and envy and evil-surmising predominate in the life, Christ does not rule in the heart. His love is not in the soul. In the lives of those who are partakers of the divine nature there is a crucifixion of the haughty, self-sufficient spirit that leads to self-exaltation. In its place the Spirit of Christ abides, and in the life the fruits of the Spirit appear. Having the mind of Christ, His followers reveal the graces of His character.

Nothing short of this will make men acceptable to God. Nothing short of this will give them the pure, holy character that those must have who are admitted to heaven. As soon as a man puts on Christ, an evidence of the change wrought in him is seen in spirit and word and act. A heavenly atmosphere surrounds his soul; for Christ is abiding within.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you," Christ declared, "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). Oh, how few there are who reveal in their lives the principles of this life! They profess to believe the most sacred truth ever given to mortals, but in their lives they dishonor God. He that "eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him" (verses 54-56) . . . It behooves us to live in the fear and love of God. God is supreme, and He cooperates with those who represent Christ in life and character, those who are kind, thoughtful, self-denying, and self-sacrificing. Christ says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:14) (letter 63, 1903).

EGW

Peace in relationships

2007-12-27T13:34:00.000+01:00

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must take allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. Colossians 3:12-15 NLT

"[Jon Farrar addresses marriages, but his comments apply to other relationships as well]. Maintaining peace in any relationship is very difficult. Each one of us is a unique individual who interprets and views things differently. Whether in relationships in the church, among family and friends, or in our marriages, conflict is natural. When conflict comes, we need to follow Christ's example by showing love and forgiveness in difficult situations. God loved us when we were still sinners in rebellion against him (Romans 5:9). We need to show that same type of love to others by being kind, merciful, and patient.

Do you long for peace in your marriage? Ask Jesus to point out times when you have not been forgiving, areas where you need to be patient, and ways you can express genuine love to each other. That is how we have peace in our marriages—when we look for ways to love and forgive each other.

from Praying God's Promises for My Marriage by Jon Farrar (Tyndale) pp 42-43

God blesses in the midst of suffering

2007-10-21T15:05:00.000+02:00

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Psalm 126:5-6 NLT

For he has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries for help.
Psalm 22:24 NLT

Those who suffer the same things from the same people for the same Person can scarcely not love each other.
C. S. Lewis

Suffering—the soil of spiritual growth

"The Bible does not promise that Christians won't suffer. In fact, the Scriptures give much evidence that we can expect to suffer, given the evil that is in the world around us and the sin that is in us.

What God does promise is that our suffering can become the catalyst for new growth. God promises to redeem our suffering into his glory.

What griefs are you currently suffering? Can you entrust them to God, confident that he will use them to bring new growth into your life?

The worst kind of suffering is that which we experience alone. When we suffer with another person who is sympathetic to our problem, the suffering is easier to bear. Throughout history, God has sympathized with suffering people. He hears our cries. How would your life and outlook be different if you become convinced that God never failed to respond to your pain?

from the TouchPoint Bible with commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 538, 479

What's so bad about a little lie?

2007-09-28T22:35:00.000+02:00

Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:19 NLT

"Lying is deceiving someone. It can be direct—"I didn't touch that cake" (as you swallow the last bite)—or it can be indirect, such as telling only part of the truth when it benefits you to do so. But to fall short of truth, in any way, is to lie. Pilate asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Pilate had the answer to his question standing before him, in person. "I am the way, the truth and the life," Jesus said on another occasion (John 14:6). Think of it! Jesus not only tells the truth, he is truth. We cannot follow the God of truth while we persistently tell lies—even "small" ones. Determine to tell the truth in all matters of life, big or small.

From the TouchPoint Bible

Lying is the basic fault line in the foundation of the soul, putting all the superstructure in jeopardy. All the believability a person has, his very integrity, totters on the shifting sand of one lie. Deceit holds hostage all other virtues.

Robertson C. McQuilken

How well are you running the race?

2007-09-26T23:31:00.000+02:00

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what I should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT

As he watched athletes training for and competing in their games, Paul saw an illustration of the struggles and victories of the Christian life. Although our final victory over death through Christ is always assured, we must strive for daily victory over the issues and temptations we face now.

We discipline ourselves, not in order to earn salvation, but to experience the joy and victory God intends for us now!

Look hard at your spiritual life. Are you vigorously participating in the game, barely keeping pace, or merely watching from the stands?

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

When and how do you pray?

2007-09-24T21:43:00.000+02:00

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the harp and lute and the harmony of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:1-4 NLT

What a way to start the day! The verses in Psalm 92 represent one of the first prayers on the priests' lips on the Sabbath day: "You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!"

What if before you read your morning paper, before you head out the door, before you start the countless tasks you have to do for each day, you determine that you're going to start your day with praise for how God has "thrilled" you? Right now, you have the chance to start afresh. A new day is before you. Why not start things off right with a regimen of praise instead of the old routine? In prayer today, proclaim his unfailing love, and tonight, before going to bed, praise him again for his faithfulness.

Adapted from The One Year Book of Bible Prayers (Tyndale House) entry for May 15

Do you have a joy that rubs off on other people?

2007-09-22T14:00:00.000+02:00

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them. Psalm 34:4-7 NLT

Do you enjoy watching the televised Olympic games? If you do, you know the joy the winners of an Olympic event experience is contagious. That's one reason millions of people watch the Olympics so religiously. It's not simply to see the drama of the event and the excellence and form of the athletes. It's also to share in the contagious joy of the winners. In Psalm 34 David describes the same type of joy radiating from believers. All those who look to God for help will experience a joy so intense that other people can see it in their faces. David says the reason for that joy is that God has heard and answered our prayers. Our shame has been taken away. We have been set free from all our fears because the angel of the Lord encamps around us. He guards his people. Pray today that the angel of the Lord will set up camp around you and your relationships. Commit your fears and worries to God, and ask him to guard you. He can set you free from your fears and grant you radiant joy as you look to him for help.

Adapted from Praying God's Promises for My Marriage by John Farrar (Tyndale House), pp 92-93

From mourning to joy

2007-09-20T22:08:00.000+02:00

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11 NLT

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness. Isaiah 51:11 NLT

Have you ever danced at a funeral? That would be unthinkable, absurd. Funerals are times of reflection, sorrow, and mourning. We expect funerals to bring sadness and tears, not joy and celebration.

We mourn for many reasons, and each painful loss tears our emotions and causes us to regret past actions and missed opportunities, to wonder what might have been. Certainly nothing hurts more than the death of a loved one—we miss our fiance or spouse or child or parent or friend, and we long to hear that familiar voice and feel the person's touch.

Through the Scriptures, however, we learn that, one day, God will turn mourning into gladness and sadness into joy. That is God's plan. Because we know him, our ultimate destiny is heaven, and we have the solid assurance that one day all sickness, death and sorrow will be banished—we will be perfect and complete. All of this earth, including our pain, is temporary, but our joy will last forever.

From A Cup of Living Water for a Hurting Soul (Tyndale House) pp110-11

Have you experienced God's presence as you pray?

2007-09-18T23:12:00.000+02:00

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!… I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:4,12 NLT

Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.
Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind. Melt them like wax in fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence.
Psalm 68:1-4 NLT

Rejoicing in God's presence
Too often, we approach our prayer time with reluctance. It is almost as if we are saying, "Not again. I'm too busy to find time to talk to God." As this prayer in Psalm 68 indicates, David cultivated an attitude of joy when he approached God in prayer. He understood what a privilege it was to talk to the Almighty. God's enemies wouldn't even be able to stand in the Lord's presence. Though David was astonished by God's power, he was filled with joy because he was allowed to enter God's presence. He counted himself among the egodly—those who reverence God and obey his laws.

When you enter God's presence in prayer, thank God for listening to you.

From The One Year Book of Bible Prayers (Tyndale House) entry for September 29

Personal responsibility comes home

2007-09-08T17:02:00.000+02:00

Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Romans 12:11 NLT

The USS Astoria was the first U.S. cruiser to engage the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island, a night action fought 8-9, August 1942.

About 0200 hours Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples was swept overboard by the blast when the number one 8-inch gun turret exploded. He was kept afloat by a narrow life belt that he managed to activate.

At around 0600 hours, Staples was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser by beaching her. The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same life belt, found himself back in the water. Picked up again, he was one of 500 survivors.

On board a transport, he closely examined the life belt that had served him so well. It had been manufactured by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, and bore a registration number.

Given home leave, Staples asked his mother, who worked for Firestone, about the purpose of the number on the belt. She replied that the company insisted on personal responsibility for the war effort, and that the number was unique and assigned to only one inspector. Staples remembered everything about the life belt, and quoted the number. It was his mother's personal code and affixed to every item she was responsible for approving.

Commander Eric J. Berryman, quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) p 234-35

Is God not hearing you?

2007-08-31T23:34:00.000+02:00

Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Exodus 14:15 NLT

When God waits

There are a lot of why questions that we lift up to God. Every day people are looking to heaven and crying out in frustration, "Lord, why aren't you doing something about this? Why is this happening to me?" We saturate the airwaves with the why questions of life.

I'm convinced that God has one answer for almost every one of those questions. He says, I'm just waiting on you.

When Moses and the Israelites stood on the edge of the Red Sea watching the Egyptian army close in on them, they cried out to God in fear. They began praying that God would somehow rescue them. And look what God said: "Tell the people to get moving!" (Exodus 14:15). To paraphrase, "I'm just waiting for you."

Too often we spend our days waiting for a miracle. When trouble comes, we cry out to God for help. When things don't move fast enough, we blame God for taking his time. And all the while God is saying to us, I haven't gone anywhere. I'm just waiting on you.

And what is it that God is waiting for? Often he is waiting for us to lay aside our own agenda and trust him.…Whenever God waits, he waits for a purpose.

And when we finally come to our senses and do the thing that we know he wants us to do, he moves with a vengeance. The Red Sea parts, and things start to happen.

From a devotional thought by Frank M. Martin in Embracing Eternity (Tyndale House) p 289)

What can I do to be free of guilt?

2007-08-24T16:56:00.000+02:00

No one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it. But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight—not by obeying the law by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26 NLT

What we cannot do for ourselves

This is the gospel in a nutshell: God knows we are guilty and knows we cannot save ourselves. He has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sin. When we trust in him, the consequence of our sin is fully removed.

From The Promise Bible (Tyndale House), p A56

How can I deal with feelings of hopelessness?

2007-08-18T19:09:00.000+02:00

"The truth is that you will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:10-11 NLT

Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse of many, but it comes in a context that may add even greater meaning.

It appears in the middle of the prophet's announcement. The people of Israel were going to spend a long exile away from their homeland—70 years—as God's discipline. After that, God would return them to the land. In other words, God had a plan for their future.

Our sinfulness often leads to dismal situations and feelings of despair. But we must always remember that hopelessness does not come from God. God is the author of hope. Even the Exile, with its seeming hopelessness, was part of God's long-range plan for his people. And his plans were good.

If you are facing hopelessness, you may be inheriting the results of some other person's sinful decisions and actions. Or you may be reaping your own bad rewards. You may not have really discovered the hope that is found in God's love for you through Jesus Christ. Reject despair and seek out God's plan—and his hopes—for you.

Adapted from the TouchPoint Bible (Tyndale House) p 660

What appears bad may be God's plan for good

2007-08-13T21:02:00.000+02:00

I am Joseph!" he said to his brothers. "Is my father still alive?" But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. "Come over here," he said. So they came closer. And he said again, "I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. These two years of famine will grow to seven, during which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation. Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you! And he has made me a counselor to Pharaoh—manager of his entire household and ruler over all Egypt." Genesis 45:3-8 NLT

Homespun wisdom says, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Although you won't find it put just that way in the Bible, you will find many stories of both effective and poor planning. The Bible teaches that God is a God of both purpose and planning. His purpose is to draw all humanity to himself in order to forgive and redeem. His plan—from Creation, to the Law, to the Prophets, to Jesus and the church—is what we are seeing when we read and study the Bible. Planning is part of all of our lives. The only question is if, in all our planning, we ever consult his perfect and eternal plan.

From the TouchPoint Bible (Tyndale House) p 1243

How do I know which way to go?

2007-08-02T16:44:00.000+02:00

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5 NLT

Pay attention and grow wise, for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my teaching. Proverbs 4:1-2 NLT

I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. Proverbs 4:11-12 NLT

Facing options

Sometimes we're faced with several options, and we don't know which way to go. In Psalm 25, David asked God for guidance. Perhaps he remembered when, as a shepherd boy, he had to show the right path to his sheep who were wandering away. Just as he knew which path would lead to safety for his sheep, God knew the path that would lead to everlasting life. Just as those sheep that looked to him for direction were in the least danger, so David knew he needed to look to God for direction.

Today, God still leads us by his truth—his written Word and his Spirit, which helps us to understand it. Are you not sure which path to take? Pray as David did and read what God has already said in his written Word. He will show the right road to follow.

Adapted from The One Year Book of Bible Prayers (Tyndale House) entry for September 9

Be faithful yourself

2007-07-16T17:57:00.000+02:00

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22 NLT
When big problems come, there is something in all of us that wants to bail out, throw in the towel, wave the white flag of surrender, and retreat to someplace less stressful.

This explains why so many people under great stress and strain walk away from God, a marriage, a friendship, or a church. When the future looks stormy or uncertain, it becomes easy to rationalize, to jettison one's convictions, to go back on promises.

Before you succumb to panic and start to renege on a commitment, you need to strongly consider God's promise. It tells us that we have something within us (Someone, actually) who desires for us to be loyal and who gives us the courage and grit to hang tough. The Holy Spirit will, if you ask him, enable you to persevere—even in the face of overwhelming trouble.

Praying God's Promise
God, you are always faithful to me. By the power of your Spirit, help me to keep my commitments in tough times. I want to be reliable and trustworthy. I want to be wholly devoted to you, through thick and thin. Fill me with your Spirit so that I have the courage to stand firm.

From Praying God's Promises in Tough Times by Len Woods (Tyndale House) pp 160-61

The Stronger Man

2007-07-11T22:28:00.000+02:00

"But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when Satan, who is completely armed, guards his palace, it is safe—until someone who is stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings." Luke 11:20-22 NLT

Do not be misled: Satan is strong in power and cunning. He has laid low some of God's choicest servants because they underestimated him and overestimated themselves. Even Samson with all his strength was no match for Satan. Nor was Solomon with all his wisdom.

So how can you keep the devil and his buddies out of your "house"? A man stronger than the one who controls you must deliver you. Only one qualifies as stronger than Satan: Jesus Christ.

I want to make it clear that genuine Christians need not fear being possessed or controlled by demons; Jesus is not into a time-sharing program with Satan. The Bible tells us, "He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." (1 John 5:18)

Oh, Satan may knock on the doors and rattle the windows. He may threaten to "huff and puff and blow the house down." But he cannot enter because someone stronger has taken up residence. "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4 KJV)

From Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House) pp 55-56

Do what He says

2007-07-06T22:48:00.000+02:00

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
Believers who build their lives on a solid foundation are like the man whom a reporter found in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Amid the devastation and debris, one house still stood firm on its foundation. The owner was cleaning up when the reporter approached him. "Sir, why is your house the only one still standing?" the reporter asked.

"I built this house myself," the man replied. "I built it according to the Florida state building code. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane. I did, and it did! I suppose no one else around here followed the code."

If you have built your life on Jesus Christ and His teaching, you will stand when the storms of life hit. If you are not merely a hearer but a doer of the His Word, you will endure. The true Christian—the one who has built his or her life on the right foundation—will stand the test.

Based on Breakfast with Jesus by Greg Laurie (Tyndale House) p 113

Why is obedience important to my spiritual life?

2007-07-01T23:00:00.000+02:00

Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. You will receive a curse if your reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn from his way by worshipping foreign gods. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NLT If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me. Exodus 19:5 NLT
"Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them." John 14:21 NLT
Countercultural Obedience
To speak positively of obedience today is be profoundly countercultural. The valid suspicion of talk about obedience is grounded in the experience of authoritarianisms, both past and present. Obedience is confused with "blind obedience," which is normally odious. Obedience is confused with conformity, with going along, with asking no questions. But obedience really means responsiveness; it is related to the Latin audire, to hear, to listen, to respond appropriately. Obedience is not the surrender of responsibility but the acceptance of responsibility for what we respond to and how.

Richard John Neuhaus

Quoted in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes by R. Kent Hughes (Tyndale House), p 295

Is God concerned about our pain?

2007-07-01T21:18:00.000+02:00

Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, "See how much he loved him [Lazarus]." John 11:35-36 NLT

But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry.

"I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in lace, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you." Luke 19: 41-44 NLT

Jesus' example

The story of Lazarus's death and resurrection (John 11:1-44) contains a profound teaching about sorrow. When Jesus arrived and was taken to the graveside, he wept openly. Onlookers were impressed with the power of his grief and immediately recognized it as an indication of his great love: "See how much he loved him," they said.

The tears Jesus shed that day forever validate the experience of human sorrow and grief. Even though we have the hope of resurrection and we know that for the believer physical death is not the final word, our tears and sorrow are appropriate and good. How comforting to know that God himself is willing to walk the way of sorrow with us! Is there any sorrow that you have been unable to express fully? You can share it with the Lord, for he understands your grief fully.

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

What is trust?

2007-06-20T21:42:00.000+02:00

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.

Psalm 9:10 NLT

Trust involves letting go and knowing God will catch you.
James Dobson
Why Not?

Something is holding us back. Perhaps it is a fear that maybe we are wrong about God. Maybe we feel presumptuous. It is possible, if we have been disappointed in the past, that our misunderstanding is haunting us. We hear a voice in the back of our minds that says, "What if God doesn't come through? What if he makes it more difficult than I can handle? What if all my hopes are illusions?" So we hesitate to trust God. We pray and we hope, but faith remains incomplete and doubts linger. We'll ask Him to help us, but we withhold judgment until we've seen His response.

We are called to believe God with reckless abandon—not just believe that He is there and that He is involved with us somehow; but that He is actively, personally seeking our good and answering our prayers. We are to give up our own strategies and ambitions, to relinquish all "Plan Bs," to recklessly, irrevocably cast ourselves completely into His arms.

God called Abraham to leave Haran and go to a place to be revealed later. Jesus invited Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water. That kind of call is scary, though typical in God's Kingdom. But why is it scary? Where could He lead us that we'd regret? Would He ever lead us into danger but not out of it?

God calls us to "reckless" trust, the kind that prepares no safety net and reserves nothing for a spiritually rainy day. Try to find someone God had forsaken, observe His faithfulness, and ask yourself: "Why wouldn't I trust Him wholeheartedly? Think about it. Why not?

Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotional by Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for May 12.

From killers to converts

2007-06-03T16:07:00.000+02:00

Blessed are those who die in the Lord…They are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials; for their good deeds follow them! Revelation 14:13 NLT

In January 1956 the news media told the world how five missionaries had been martyred by members of a primitive Ecuadorian tribe, the Waodani, popularly known until recently as the "Aucas." What happened to the tribe after that fateful day?

Rachel Saint, the sister of slain missionary Nate Saint, had already learned their language from Dayuma, who had fled from her tribe ten years earlier. As Rachel learned the language, Dayuma learned more and more of what Christ's love could mean for her personally. She finally confessed her faith in Christ to become the first convert. In 1957 Betty Elliot, who continued serving in Ecuador after the death of her husband, Jim, made contact with two women who had left the tribe, looking for Dayuma.

Over time, Dayuma was able to return and share the gospel with her fellow Waodani. One by one they began to put their trust in the Lord Jesus (including the five men who had murdered the missionaries).

Rachel Saint began the translation of the New Testament into Waorani, the official language of the tribe. It was completed by Catherine Peake and Rose Jung. On June 11, 1992, the Waodani finally received the New Testament in their language. The "Auca Five" did not die in vain.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003), entry for June 11.

A message for all people

2007-05-31T17:02:00.000+02:00

With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me."

Luke 24:47 NLT
A man named Muhammad

In an age of pluralism, most people assume that all religions have equal access to heaven. One getting much attention today is Islam.

Muhammad, the founder of Islam, the world's youngest major religion, was born in Mecca between 570 and 580.

When he was forty, Muhammad claimed that he received a prophetic call from Alah through the angel Gabriel. He began preaching monotheism, a final judgment, alms, prayer, and surrender to the will of Allah. Persecution in his hometown of Mecca forced him to flee to Medina. Traditionally dated to July 15, 622, that flight, or hegira, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

During his time in Medina, Muhammad's revelations become more legalistic and more secular and Islam, as the new religion was called, became a community and state with Muhammad as ruler and lawgiver.

By the time he died on June 8, 632, almost all of Arabia embraced Islam. The successors to Muhammad encouraged jihad, or holy war, against non-Muslims and within a century built an empire stretching from Spain all the way across North Africa to India.

In 1900 only 12 percent of the world's population embraced Islam; by 2000 it had grown to 21 percent, partly due to a higher birth rate. Islam is the majority religion in forty-two countries and territories. Most of these countries prohibit Christian evangelism and exclude Christian missionaries, yet since 1980 more Muslims have turned to Christ than in any earlier period in history. Pray that the doors will open even wider and that many more will come to Christ…while there is still time.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten (Tyndale, 2003), entry for June 8.

Everyone will see

2007-05-28T20:23:00.000+02:00

[Jesus said], "Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!"

Luke 21:27-28 NLT
No fear of judgment

What images come to mind when you think of "end times prophecies"?…Most people, if they were honest, would admit that their view of the end times is a frightening one.…They imagine an angry and vengeful God hovering high above it all, bent on destruction and raining terror on all who have rejected him.

Have we missed something? In many ways I think we have. God didn't reveal these graphic images of the coming judgment to express his wrath or even to frighten us into believing. He revealed them to show us his wonderful grace and mercy in the midst of our sin and unworthiness. The story isn't about pending gloom and doom, but it's about a loving Father who will do anything he can to help people escape the consequences of evil.

Bible prophecy isn't intended to frighten us, but it's to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is real and omnipotent and active in our lives; to warn us of the very real danger lying ahead for those who reject his love and mercy; and to encourage us to accept his gracious and free offer of salvation through his Son, Jesus.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul tells us that God "wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth" (2:4).…Time and again in Scripture we are told that God longs for his people to be with him in heaven. The Bible is not a story of wrath and judgment but of unconditional love and redemption. God longs to be with us and wants desperately for us to accept his hand of salvation. What we do is up to us.

Adapted from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins and Frank M. Martin, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for January 3.

"I will come back"

2007-05-28T09:34:00.000+02:00

[Jesus said], "When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there."

John 14:3-4 NLT
His promise to return

As a child, George Tulloch was fascinated by stories of the Titanic.…In 1996 he put together a team of the best scientists and sailors and set out to the exact spot where the Titanic sank in 1912. He and his crew were able to recover numerous artifacts from the ship—eyeglasses, jewelry, dishware, some coins and the like. But the most exciting thing they found was a large piece of the hull resting several hundred yards away.

The team did it's best to raise the twenty-ton piece of iron, but to no avail. At one point the team almost had it.…but a storm blew in and.…the Atlantic reclaimed its treasure. Then Tulloch did something surprising before they were forced to retreat. He descended into the deep once more in a small submarine, and using a robotic arm, he attached a small handmade placard onto the section. It said, "I will come back. George Tulloch."

For a lot of the same reasons, Jesus left us a similar message. "I am going to prepare a place for you..…When everything is ready, I will come and get you" (John 14:2-3). Some may wonder why he cared in the first place. Why would he even want to reclaim us? What good are we to him? In many ways we're just as worthless and cumbersome and unyielding as that lazy piece of iron in the Atlantic.

But Jesus doesn't see us that way. He's dreamed of this moment since the beginning of creation, and now that the time is near he can't help but leave this mark on our hearts. "I'm leaving now. But don't worry, I'll be back.

Adapted from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins and Frank M. Martin, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for January 1.

Let him see

2007-05-20T21:24:00.000+02:00

Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs." Then Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes and let him see." The Lord opened his servant's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

2 Kings 6:15-17 NLT
God's strength is greater

The Aramean army was advancing. Enemy horses, troops, and chariots were everywhere, surrounding the city with the express purpose of seizing Elisha. No wonder his servant was petrified when he woke up to the sight of a massive army bearing down on them. When the servant cried out to his master, Elisha shared how he perceived in spirit the might of the Lord, which was far greater than the forces opposing them. And when Elisha prays for God to open his servant's eyes so that he, too, can see what Elisha has seen, immediately he perceives the horses and chariots of fire protecting them.

The Lord is ready to open our eyes afresh for each new situation and to show us his vast resources. His strength and might are far greater than the enemy's, but we, like the servant, see "through a glass darkly," and we need for God to open our spiritual eyes.

LORD, grant me the light this day in the unseen realm to see how your strength is greater than any foe that threatens to assail me. Open my eyes, Lord! Remind me of your awesome power and unlimited resources, and then let me take courage because you are fighting for me!

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers (2003), entry for June 24.

Study: Religion is Good for Kids

2007-05-20T18:44:00.000+02:00

(Source: Livescience.com).

Kids with religious parents are better behaved and adjusted than other children, according to a new study that is the first to look at the effects of religion on young child development.

The conflict that arises when parents regularly argue over their faith at home, however, has the opposite effect.

John Bartkowski, a Mississippi State University sociologist and his colleagues asked the parents and teachers of more than 16,000 kids, most of them first-graders, to rate how much self control they believed the kids had, how often they exhibited poor or unhappy behavior and how well they respected and worked with their peers.

The researchers compared these scores to how frequently the children's parents said they attend worship services, talked about religion with their child and argued abut religion in the home.

The kids whose parents regularly attended religious services-especially when both parents did so frequently-and talked with their kids about religion were rated by both parents and teachers as having better self-control, social skills and approaches to learning than kids with non-religious parents.

But when parents argued frequently about religion, the children were more likely to have problems. "Religion can hurt if faith is a source of conflict or tension in the family," Bartkowski noted.

Why so good?

Bartkowski thinks religion can be good for kids for three reasons. First, religious networks provide social support to parents, he said, and this can improve their parenting skills. Children who are brought into such networks and hear parental messages reinforced by other adults may also "take more to heart the messages that they get in the home," he said.

Secondly, the types of values and norms that circulate in religious congregations tend to be self-sacrificing and pro-family, Bartkowski told LiveScience. These "could be very, very important in shaping how parents relate to their kids, and then how children develop in response," he said.

Finally, religious organizations imbue parenting with sacred meaning and significance, he said.

University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, who was not involved in the study, agrees. At least for the most religious parents, "getting their kids into heaven is more important than getting their kids into Harvard," Wilcox said.

But as for why religious organizations might provide more of a boost to family life than secular organizations designed to do the same thing, that's still somewhat of a mystery, said Annette Mahoney, a psychologist at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, also not involved in the research. Mahoney wondered: "Is there anything about religion and spirituality that sets it apart?"

Unanswered questions

Bartkowski points out that one limitation of his study, to be published in the journal Social Science Research, is that it did not compare how denominations differed with regards to their effects on kids.

"We really don't know if conservative Protestant kids are behaving better than Catholic kids or behaving better than mainline Protestant kids or Jewish kids," he said.

It's also possible that the correlation between religion and child development is the other way around, he said. In other words, instead of religion having a positive effect on youth, maybe the parents of only the best behaved children feel comfortable in a religious congregation.

"There are certain expectations about children's behavior within a religious context, particularly within religious worship services," he said. These expectations might frustrate parents, he said, and make congregational worship "a less viable option if they feel their kids are really poorly behaved."

Having faith

2007-05-06T21:47:00.000+02:00

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty."

Daniel 3:17 NLT
Facing the furnace

In 1989, Lazlo Tokes was the pastor of a fast-growing reformed church in the city of Timisoara, Romania. His powerful preaching had caught the attention of communist officials, and they began a strategy of suppression. Just before Christmas, they decided to send him into exile.

But when the police arrived to hustle Pastor Tokes away, they were stopped cold. Around the church stood a wall of humanity. Christians from around the city—Baptist, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic—had joined together to protest.

All through the day they held their post. As it grew dark, a Baptist student named Daniel Gavra pulled out a packet of candles, lit one, and passed it on to his neighbor.

Then he lit another. One by one the burning candles were passed out among the crowd. Soon the darkness of the December night was pierced by the light of hundreds of candles. When Pastor Tokes looked out his window, he saw a sea of faces lit up by a warm glow.

Two days later, police finally broke through the crowd and dragged Pastor Tokes away. But that was not the end. People streamed to the city square. Hundreds were shot, Young Daniel's leg was blown off. Yet the brave example set in Timisoara inspired the rest of the nation. Within days the entire population of Romania had risen up and the bloody dictator Ceausescu was gone.

adapted from How Now Shall We Live? Devotional by Charles Colson (Tyndale) pp 711-12

What guides your life?

2007-05-06T21:32:00.000+02:00

Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, foot your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:97-105 NLT

No Other Book

I have guided my life by the Bible for more than sixty years, and I tell you there is no book like it. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder of surprises, a revelation if mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort.

Pay no attention to people who discredit it, for I tell you that they speak without knowledge. It is the Word of God itself.

Study it according to its own direction. Live by its principles. Believe its message. Follow its precepts.

No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and none is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
SAMUEL CHADWICK

Quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes , Tyndale House Publishers (1998) pp 29-30

Churchgoers Breathe Easier

2007-05-05T00:42:00.000+02:00

That's what I have found reading an interesting article at Livescience.com. It says as follows:

"Some people live and breathe their religion. Turns out going to church might actually help them breathe easier.

Researchers measured the breathing of 1,189 people aged 70 to 79. Those who attend church regularly scored better on a test that measures pulmonary flow rate.

The findings could not be explained by differences in smoking or physical activity, the scientists said.

"Pulmonary function is an important indicator of respiratory and overall health, yet little is known about the psychosocial factors that might predict pulmonary function," said Temple University’s Joanna Maselko. "At the same time, religious activity is emerging as a potential health promoting factor, especially among the elderly. We wanted to determine whether there was a connection between the two."

A study earlier this year found that churchgoers live longer, too.

Church could benefit health in several ways, Maselko and her colleagues speculate. It provides social contact and emotional support, reducing the isolation many older people experience and boosting psichological well-being."

Is the Bible really God's Word?

2007-05-01T19:27:00.000+02:00

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

2 Timothy 3:14 NLT

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for many years. He rendered Homer into very modern English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was sixty years old and a life-long agnostic when the same firm invited him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will be interesting to see what Father makes of the four Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu, convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that he had undertaken the task of translation because of an "intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was determined to approach the documents as if they were newly discovered Greek manuscripts,. "Did you not get the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes , Tyndale House Publishers (1998) pp 28-29

What guides your life?

2007-04-25T15:27:00.000+02:00

I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, foot your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:97-105 NLT

No Other Book

I have guided my life by the Bible for more than sixty years, and I tell you there is no book like it. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder of surprises, a revelation if mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort.

Pay no attention to people who discredit it, for I tell you that they speak without knowledge. It is the Word of God itself.

Study it according to its own direction. Live by its principles. Believe its message. Follow its precepts.

No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and none is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
SAMUEL CHADWICK

Quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes , Tyndale House Publishers (1998) pp 29-30

Is your obedience complete?

2007-04-05T12:38:00.000+02:00

"But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' The son answered, 'No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, 'You go,' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. Which of the two was obeying his father?"

They replied, "The first of course."

Then Jesus explained the meaning "I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the way to life, and you didn't believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to turn from your sins and believe him."

Matthew 21:28-32 NLT

Someone has said that the road to destruction is paved with good intentions. In this parable, Jesus is showing us that our actions prove our obedience or disobedience. Even though the one son had no intention of obeying, the fact that he obeyed in the end made him the obedient son. The other son said the right thing but didn't follow through, and he was therefore disobedient. We are reminded that our professions of faith are only as valid as the actions that follow them. Which brother in this story illustrates your walk with Christ?

Do you understand justice?

2007-03-26T22:40:00.000+02:00

Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

Proverbs 28:5 NLT

Justice means righteousness, lawfulness, and moral rightness, the quality of being true or correct, the moral principle determining just conduct. So justice has a moral quality. It contains a concept of what is right and, therefore, must also have a concept of what is wrong. Only people who understand these concepts of right and wrong can understand and administer justice. By extension, only those who follow the Lord can understand justice. Why? Because they subscribe to the foundational laws of the one who created them.

Thus, as this proverb points out, evil people don't understand justice. Because they refuse to subscribe to justice's moral underpinnings given by God in his Word, they are left to discover their own truths. As a result, many conclude that there is no truth. Others conclude that everyone can have different truths. Both perspectives are hopelessly doomed. And as a building without a foundation will crumble, so justice can never be served without the foundation of right and wrong as given by God in his Word.

WISE WAYS What are you using for your foundation? Where do you get your concept of truth, of right and wrong?

Today, Lord, teach me the foundational truths about life that are given in your Word.

Estafa, timo, engaño, etc

2007-03-26T22:21:00.000+02:00

Quizás no sea le lugar más adecuado, pero hay que dejar constancia en cualquier parte que sea útil.

He roto el motor de mi moto, (África Twin), y puse un anuncio en Internet buscando uno de segunda mano. Me llamó un tal Jose Maria Castillo Ramirez, desde su telefono 972331458. Me dio su DNI ( 52399807 B ), y comprobé su dirección, c/ Julio Romero de Torre, Nº 5, en Blanes, Girona (se puede ver en paginas blancas de telefonica). Me dijo que tenía un motor y que le hiciera un depósito a su cuenta de la Caixa, nº 2100.0712.88.0101053046, (verifcada como suya) y me enviaría el motor por mensajería.

La cantidad era de 380 €.

Bueno, esto fue el 15 de Marzo de 2007, y a día de hoy, (26 de marzo de 2007) están desaparecidos, el dinero, el vendedor y el motor.

He buscado, y todos los datos anteriores son ciertos. Pero encontré este enlace en internet donde otra persona parece haber sido víctima de un timo por parte de esta persona.

Con esto, ya soy el segundo. Esta tarde he pasado por el cuartel de la guardia civil y he puesto la correspondiente denuncia ( atestado número 2007-002516-00001202 ), donde, además me han informado de que este hombre tiene antecedentes, ya ha sido detenido por los Mossos d'Esquadra en otras ocasiones.

Mientras que no se demuestre que la denuncia es infundada, este post permanecerá para avisar a cualquiera que busque en google. Si me he equivocado, retiraré la denuncia y borraré este post.

Si alguien conoce algún dato más, agradecería me lo comunicara. Si usted ha sido víctima de una posible estafa, hay que saber que los importes están estudiados, por debajo de los 400 € para que sea una falta en vez de un delito. Sólo queda pasar por el cuartel de la guardia civil más próximo, o de la policia nacional, y poner la correspondiente denuncia. Si hay varias faltas cometidas (y registradas como denuncias) entonces sí se considera delito.

Mi correo es johada@telefonica.net

How do you respond to God's Word?

2007-03-25T23:28:00.000+02:00

Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise him. Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth. Psalm 33:1-5 NLT

What does it mean to be trustworthy and true? In a society that insists that all truth is relative, many people have given up looking for truth, much less basing their lives on it. But Scripture declares that there is something that is completely true—no matter what angle you look at it, no matter what perspective you come from. God and his Word will always remain true. That facet of God's character is what this psalm celebrates. It encourages believers everywhere to shout for joy, for their lives are securely established on God's eternal truths.

Take a moment to reflect on how few things are certain in this world and how much change is a normal part of life. Then think about how God and his Word are forever trustworthy and true, and give him praise.

Dear God, your Word holds true, and everything you do is worthy of my trust.…

Is the Bible really God's Word?

2007-03-23T13:18:00.000+01:00

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. 2 Timothy 3:14 NLT

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for many years. He rendered Homer into very modern English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was sixty years old and a life-long agnostic when the same firm invited him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked: "It will be interesting to see what Father makes of the four Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels make of Father."

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu, convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that he had undertaken the task of translation because of an "intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was determined to approach the documents as if they were newly discovered Greek manuscripts,. "Did you not get the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."

What does it mean to be created in God's image?

2007-03-22T09:38:00.000+01:00

My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet.

Psalm 45:1 NLT

Why does an artist paint, a musician play, or an author write? Because they are overflowing with ideas and must express them. Creativity is the overflow of a full heart and mind. But sometimes we're empty—or full of the wrong material. How can we be full of the beauty that will spill out in wonderful visions, sounds, words and movements? Take time to know God—the author of all creativity. Take time to soak up all that is beautiful. Take time to think. As your inner wells fill up, you can be sure that the creativity will soon be flowing out of your life in productive ways.

What do you do in the face of injustice?

2007-03-21T09:31:00.000+01:00

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!
Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts.
May the Lord bring their flattery to an end and silence their proud tongues…
Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and even is praised throughout the land.
Psalm 12:1-3, 7-8 NLT
A Complaint Concerning Injustice

Why is it that those who get ahead always seem to be the ones who lie, cheat, and steal? They not only get away with their evil deeds, but their actions are admired and paraded around the world.

Daydreaming about wicked people getting their just desserts may bring a smile to your face, but thinking about revenge isn't healthy for your soul. Instead, we should commit the wicked and the evil they do to God in prayer. We can't stop others from speaking lies or taking advantage of us, but we can and should cry out to the Lord who watches over his people. God knows the truth about all people, and he hears and responds to the cry of his people. This truth can give us peace amidst all the evil of those around us.

Does it help you avoid temptation when you know it lies ahead?

2007-03-20T09:56:00.000+01:00

A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Proverbs 22:3 NLT
Anticipating danger

Interestingly, this proverb expects that dangerous situations will arise in our lives. If these situations are indeed inevitable, then we should plan a course of action. For some people taking action means devising endless preventative measures. Still others feel that taking precautions implies that they are not living in faith. Neither of these solutions displays a balanced trust in God.

We must examine where our confidence lies. Are we really trusting in God? Trusting does not mean that we should purposely step into pitfalls. If we see ourselves heading for danger, we can take precautions to avoid the situation. We lack faith when we feel that we alone possess the strength to conquer any temptation. Humbly anticipating our weaknesses will allow us to bypass harsh consequences.

WISE WAYS Is there a specific temptation you face continually during the week? Take steps to avoid situations that foster that behavior before you come to them.

Lord, help me to live wisely by knowing my weaknesses and anticipating dangerous situations .

Putin and the Pope Benedict XVI

2007-03-14T09:43:00.000+01:00

In this blog it was already proclaimed this meeting between Vladimir Putin and Benedict XVI, I even had the opportunity to anunce it last saturday (sabbath) publicly. the apointment had place finally, and the headlines at 20minutos.es says:

Putin y el Papa se reunieron para analizar la crisis Oriente Medio y la relación entre católicos y ortodoxos en Rusia

(Putin and the Pope meeted to analize the Middle East crisis ant the relation between catholics and Orthodoxes in Rusia).

This new is passing hidely in the mass media, but to the Christians that are waiting for the second coming of the Lord shouldn't be so. One of the motives of the meeting, perhaps the main one, is the ecumenical relation between catholics and orthodoxes.

"There have been treated some topics of common interest, the relationship between Catholic Church and Orthodox ... The last two visits of Putin to the Vatican, he didn't invite John Paul II to Russia, who died without seen acomplished his wish of visiting Russia, due to the strong opposition of the orthodox patriarch, Alejo II. The relationsbetween Vatican and russian Orthodox Church suffered a strong deterioration during the last years of Wojtyla, due to his decision of reorganize teh Catholic Churc in Russia formig four dioceses. The orthodox received such attempt as an ofense, and during that year (2002) russian authorities deported 5 catholic priests, including one bishop, without an official explatation, but insinuing spionage. In the religious media is not discarded a next meeting between Benedict XVI and Alejo II, but the most of the observers agree that the apointment would take place in a "neutral" city. After that, could happen the so waited wisit to Russia".

It is already published, the papal hegemony will come back to the whole world...

My Pic

2007-03-13T14:08:00.001+01:00

Is God really in charge today?

2007-03-13T11:29:00.000+01:00

Lord, in the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. Even they will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will roll them up like an old coat. They will fade away like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will never grow old. Hebrews 1:10-12 NLT

Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!" Exodus 14:13-14 NLT

Wars, starvation, disease, natural disasters—when we see all the pain in the world, it is easy to wonder if God is really in control. This passage assures us that however unpredictable, fearsome, and seemingly out of control the world is, Christ is Lord and King of all. Although we fully understand how he exercises his authority over daily events, we can trust fully that eternity is his and that we, adopted children of God, will exist in eternity long after the present trials are over.

Don't panic!!! He is not eternal

2007-03-13T11:00:00.000+01:00

In a published report, the Lovenstein Institute of Scranton, Pennsylvania has detailed findings of a four month study of the intelligence quotient of President George W. Bush. Since 1973, the Lovenstein Institute has published its research to the education community on each new president, which includes the famous "IQ" report among others.

147

Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)

132

Harry Truman (D)

122

Dwight D. Eisenhower (R)

174

John F. Kennedy (D)

126

Lyndon B. Johnson (D)

155

Richard M. Nixon (R)

121

Gerald R. Ford (R)

176

James E. Carter (D)

105

Ronald W. Reagan (R)

98	George H. W. Bush (R)

182

William J. Clinton (D)

91	George W. Bush (R)

Well, if we make the average, the republicans have a lower IQ than the democrats... talking about presidents, of course. Clinton has the highest, but George W. Bush, shamely has the lowes, and he is "conducting" the future of half of the world...
---------------------
CORRECTION:

I fell too in the error of this hoax, as is seen in the museum of Hoaxes:

The Lovenstein Institute IQ Report

In July 2001 an e-mail (see below) began to circulate around the internet claiming that the Lovenstein Institute, a think-tank based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, had conducted research into the IQ of all the Presidents of the past 50 years and concluded that George W. Bush ranked at the bottom, with an IQ of only 91.

This news quickly gained attention from the international media. The London Guardian broke the story on July 19, and on August 26 Garry Trudeau featured the report in his Doonesbury comic strip.

Unfortunately both Trudeau and the Guardian had fallen for a hoax.

The e-mail had originated as a joke on a website called linkydinky.com. In its original version, the joke was pretty obvious. For instance, Linkydinky.com cited the Pennsylvania Court Observer as its source for the news, noting that this newspaper only had a circlation of five readers. Furthermore, it described Dr. Lovenstein as "living in a mobile home in Scranton, Pennsylvania."

As the joke made its way through people's inboxes, these textual clues were stripped away, until in the final version of the email it sounded as if the Lovenstein Institute was an actual research organization.

Once they learned of their mistake, both Trudeau and the Guardian published retractions.

How do you respond to God's justice?

2007-03-11T21:05:00.000+01:00

For the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face.

Psalm 11:7 NLT
Loving justice

In an attempt to comfort Job in his of suffering and pain, his friend, Elihu, proclaimed a truth that we can depend on even today. Job 34:12 declares:

There is no truer statement than this: God will not do wrong. The Almighty cannot twist justice.

Isaiah received a prophetic message from the Lord to give to the nation of Israel. God's words to the Israelites in Isaiah 1:17 remind us of the importance of seeking justice.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.

God is concerned about justice in our world—this theme runs through the entire Bible. It is clear that he expects his people to encourage, defend, and plead for the needy in society. Thus, obvious personal applications flow from Scripture as we consider the oppressed, fatherless, and widows with whom we come into contact. "What can we do to seek justice for them?" we should ask.

Because God wants justice, he will be on our side when we are oppressed and when we lose father, mother, or spouse. He will be fighting for us and will be with us through it all, encouraging us, defending us, and pleading our case.

So when you feel abused, abandoned, and alone, as though no one cares, remember that you worship a God of justice—supreme, almighty, the righteous judge—and he is on your side. And, oh yes, don't forget to encourage others with that trust as well.

How much do you see God in his creation?

2007-03-06T12:18:00.000+01:00

Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed to worship them? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

Job 31:26-28 NLT
We understand the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Hebrews 11:3
Sunsets and chromosomes

A student stood on the crest of a hill silently admiring the sunset. As the colors came to a brilliant crescendo, he suddenly shouted, "Way to go, God. Fantastic!" Then he raised his hand in praise to the Creator.

Dr. Carl Sagan marveled that a single human chromosome contains 20 billion bits of information. This corresponds to four thousand 500-page books—and that's only one chromosome! Yet Dr. Sagan never professed any belief in God.

When it comes to praising God for his incredible work in creation, some of us are more like Dr. Sagan than the student. We are quick to condemn those who deny that God created the universe, yet we, too, often forget to praise him for all that he has made.

We praise God for salvation but forget to praise him for creation. Whether we look at the grandeur of the heavens or the intricacies of a chromosome, we should stand in awe of our Creator. Praise him today for his masterful work.

Christian Group Readies Anti-Wii Campaign

2007-03-04T11:01:00.000+01:00

(Article found in 1up.com)
Get ready for this. Are you sitting down?

It's possible to access porn over your Wii's Internet browser.

Shocking? Reprehensible? A danger to the virgin minds of youth everywhere? Mike Foster from The Porn Talk sure thinks so. In fact, his organization is so shocked and appalled at the Wii's potential for vice dispensation, it is mounting a smear campaign against the innocuous little machine.

Kotaku broke this news earlier today, with the revelation of a leaked press release purportedly forwarded by an anonymous mole dwelling inside The Porn Talk's alabaster halls. For double creepiness points, also check out the website of The Man Behind the Plan, aka Ethur -- a secretive, faith-based Christian ministry that operates out of California.

The press release in question is full of pretty awesome stuff, not the least of which is its high-larious title: "The Wiittle Porn Problem For Nintendo's Best Selling Game Console". You can read the whole thing here, but here's some selected highlights:

"Parents think the computer is the only way for their kids to get porn on the internet. Unfortunately, they are dead wrong [...] Gaming devices like the Wii and the PSP aren't just for fun games anymore. You're able to surf the net, chat with friends, email, and view porn because of its internet access. Kids know this but parents don't!"
Wireless internet (Wi-Fi) technology allows electronic devices like Nintendo's Wii to wirelessly connect to the internet. Airports, Starbucks, schools, and even entire cities give people the opportunity to log on the internet with a Wi-Fi device like the Wii or even Sony's PSP. This makes it very difficult to monitor as a parent. You can easily put safeguards in your house but it's impossible to monitor in a Wi-Fi world [...] Even though the Nintendo Wii has parental controls, parents don't see a need for them because they are unaware of the porn capabilities."

Right. And because parents are ignorant of the various safeguards deliberately set in place by Nintendo, a mudslinging campaign is totally justified? One wonders if Mr. Foster's ever tried to enter a Friend Code.

To be fair, the release does make an attempt to conclude with a piece of genuinely sensible advice. "The solution", it reads "lies in parents getting the facts and then talking to their children about expectations for online activity. [...] The Wii is an amazing console and tons of fun but parents need good info on how to keep kids safe."

Hey, Mike -- by that logic would it also be too much to expect a reasonable and genuinely informed parent to be capable of making a distinction between "Swirling, nebulous cloud of distributed sin" and "Talk to your son about surfin' teh b00b13s"? Just sayin'.

What Is A Creationist?

2007-03-02T19:16:00.000+01:00

(Article taken from Back To Genesis issue # 30 [www.backtogenesis.com])
-----------------------------
" . . . their shepherds have caused them to go astray . . . (Jeremiah 50:6)"

There is obviously a revival of interest in the topic of creation across the nation. Our "Back to Genesis" seminars are attracting bigger and bigger crowds. The demand for creation books and videos, and for creation speakers is increasing at rates that makes it difficult to keep up with.

However, when people begin to turn away from error (evolution), and seek truth, Satan will do all within his power to hinder people from believing God's Word. One of the most effective ways Satan uses to get people to disbelieve the entire Bible is to get them first to doubt and then disbelieve the foundational book of the Bible, Genesis. Because all of the New Testament is founded on the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is founded on Genesis 1-11, if the first few chapters in the Bible cannot be trusted, ultimately, the rest of the Bible will be doubted and disbelieved.

During a recent tour in the United Kingdom, I met a pastor who listened intently as I spoke about the foundational importance of the book of Genesis and how vital it was for the Christian to take the words literally, as they were foundational to every major Christian doctrine. After I had finished speaking, he said:

"You mean if a Christian doesn't believe Genesis and accept it literally, this would put him on a 'slippery slides of doubt and unbelief in the rest of the Scriptures?" "Yes," I replied. He then looked at me sadly and said in a soft, broken voice, "I am on that slippery slide."

As we sat and talked, it became obvious that the professors he had had at seminary as well as other Christian leaders he had met over the years had convinced him that a Christian does not have to accept Genesis literally. In fact, he had been told he had to accept the evolutionary scientist's word, and use this to interpret the Bible. Because of this situation, he had started to doubt other parts of the Bible. He was a broken man, not sure of what he could or could not trust in the Bible, and his faith was shattered. He is not alone. This is happening to many Christians, including Christian leaders.

It is interesting to note that at the same time that we see a "revival" in creationism (and acceptance of a literal Genesis) across the nation, there is increasing activity by many who call themselves "creationists," but, who, in reality, include evolutionary ideasinto their (compromised) Biblical world view. Often these people use ail the right words, and sound so authoritative, yet what many listening to them think they mean might not be what they really mean, thereby putting us and our children on that "slipper slide."

I have found that many times when a person (or college) claims to believe in creation, they actually believe in evolution, but that God did it! They basically accept Darwinian evolution, but say that God started and guided the whole process, so that, after millions of years of death and struggle, man finally evolved, and God then gave him a soul, etc. However, be warned, that theistic evolutionists claim they are creationists.

You will have to question them very carefully to find out what they really believe. There are others who believe {hat God created various groups of animals and plants throughout the supposed millions of years of the history of life, and that then He created Adam and Eve. In reality, this is not much different from theistic evolution, except that God "created'' the, various groups along the way, particularly at points where there are gaps in the fossil record. However, these people also will claim to be "creationists."

Such people usually believe that Noah's Flood was only a local flood, yet if you ask them if they believe in a global flood, they will probably say, "Yes." what they mean is that it was a flood that covered part of the globe. Or they will say they believe the flood was worldwide—meaning that it covered the "known world" at that time.

They often say they believe that God created the world in six days, put they interpret the days as being millions or billions of years in length. Certainly, there are many sincere Christians who hold these positions, either out of ignorance of the facts or because they have been brainwashed by scientists or Christian leaders to whom they look for guidance.

It is these leaders who affect so many people with their persuasive arguments, of whom we have to be aware, particularly those who have had access to information produced, for example, by ICR, but who deliberately choose to be in the evolutionist camp.

All teaching should be tested against the clear teachings of the Word Of God. Because Genesis is so foundational, Satan will use people with clever words who can sound scientific, to undermine this foundation. Such people, I believe, are described in Matthew 7:15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Some may accuse me of being too harsh in my treatment of these compromise positions; however, because creation is such a foundational doctrine, and because the words in Genesis are so foundational to the words in the rest of Scripture, any attack on the book of Genesis is a major attack on the Bible.

We need to take note of Paul's admonition to Timothy, in I Timothy 6:20: "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babbling, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith."

Because of the enormous power a teacher has, God warns that teachers will receive a stricter judgment: "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." Jeremiah 50:6 states, "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains." In Ezekiel 34:2, we read: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"

One is not popular today who stands against the shepherds that are leading the sheep astray. But I believe that both the shepherds and the sheep must be warned if what is being taught is against God's Word. Each of us is responsible before God for what we allow our children, our friends, and ourselves to be influenced by. Instead of just accepting what is being taught because it comes from someone educated, we must check everything against the absolutes of God's Holy Word. If it doesn't measure up, we should be prepared (despite any persecution) to be like the prophets of old and stand up for what is right and true.

How often do you want to "get even?"

2007-03-01T17:07:00.000+01:00

The Lord despises double standards of every kind.

Proverbs 20:10 NLT
Never pay back evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.
Romans 12:17-19 NLT
Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
Proverbs 20:22 NLT
God's measure

How often do we see the evil around us and pray for God's justice? We wonder, Why does God allow this evil to go on! This kind of thinking leads to two of the most common double standards: (1) judging others more harshly than we judge ourselves, and (2) believing God should judge others but remain lenient with us.

The Lord despises double standards because they elevate one person at the expense of others. These man-made standards also lack the mercy of God.

In our cry for fairness, we should not forget the frightening consequences of justice. As sinners, God could justly destroy each of us today for missing the mark of perfection. When we remember that God's patience and mercy block his judgment towards us, we will more likely show others patience and mercy.

WISE WAYS Before you rush to judge another person, ask yourself whether you would be able to endure the same standard.

Today, Lord, give me strength to replace judgment with mercy.

Earthworms, did they choose?

2007-02-23T21:57:00.000+01:00

That earthworms are highly specialized creatures? They seem obviously designed for their important task of burrowing through soil. They burrow into the ground in all parts of the world, and make an important contribution to the fertilization, aeration, and drainage of the soil.

Earthworms swallow huge amounts of earth digest the nutritive matter it contains then cast up the remains onto the surface of the ground or in their burrows. In this way, they work at a constant and effective system of plowing. An average acre of soil may house three million earthworms, which can move about 18 tons of soil in a year. Their work is so thorough that in the areas in which they live almost all the soil to a depth of many centimeters has passed through the alimentary tract of an earthworm at some time.

Could the earthworm's activities of loosening, stirring up, and aerating the soil to make it more fertile be the result of evolution? Could its valuable work come about through mutations or natural selection via its struggle for existence (the supposed methods of evolution)? Did the earthworm choose to dig everlastingly, to pass countless tons of earth through its body over the centuries to help cultivate the soil for plant life? Or is a better explanation found in the proposal that the Creator designed and planned the earthworm in the beginning, to be a willing, if humble, servant of the plant world?

What kind of person makes a good leader?

2007-02-23T21:19:00.000+01:00

He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified cities, and he gave them these instructions: "Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case that comes before you. Fear the Lord and judge with care, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.

2 Chronicles 19:5-7 NLT
Fit for leadership

When Jehoshaphat appointed leaders for the people of Israel, he told them they would represent God in their decisions—a solemn responsibility.

Second Timothy 2 describes the kind of person fit for leadership. Those who want to become leaders should ask God to develop these traits in them: honesty, kindness, patience, purity, and integrity. Verses 24-25 explain:

The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth.

Leaders who teach God's Word have an even greater responsibility to use their authority carefully. Paul urged his friend Titus to model Christian character and to guard his integrity. People watch Christian leaders very carefully—they must be above reproach. Titus 2:7-8 and 15 state:

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized.… You have the authority to do this, so don't let anyone ignore or disregard what you say.

Have you felt your sin was beyond forgiveness?

2007-02-16T21:29:00.000+01:00

And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved…

Joel 2:32NLT

"I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy; but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin." He told them this because they were saying he had an evil spirit.
Mark 3:28-29 NLT

"But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."
Mark 11:25 NLT
Nothing can ever separate us from his love…
Romans 8:38 NLT
Can any sin be forgiven?

The Bible commands us to forgive others when they have wronged us and to seek forgiveness when we have wronged others. We must do this to follow the example of God, who extends to us the ultimate pardon—forgiveness for our sins.

Forgiveness is not based on the magnitude of our sin, but the magnitude of the forgiver's love. No sin is too great for God's complete and unconditional love. The Bible does mention one unforgivable sin—an attitude of defiant hostility toward God that prevents us from accepting his forgiveness. Those who don't want his forgiveness are out of his reach.

The peppered moth does not prove evolution

2007-02-13T20:28:00.000+01:00

Years ago, back before the industrial revolution in England, the common peppered moth
existed in two shades, light and dark. Most were of the lighter variety, for the lichencovered
trees provided an effective camouflage for them. The darker ones were more
easily seen by birds, therefore more easily victims of prey, and thus fewer in number.
Together, they constituted one freely interbreeding species, with parents capable of
producing both light and dark, much like both brown and blue-eyed children being
produced within the same family.
Industrial pollution in the late 1880's, however, darkened the trees, making the darker
moths less likely to be eaten, and causing them to become the more common shade.
Now, as the environment has been somewhat cleaned up, the lighter shade is making a
comeback.
Is this a good example of evolution? Many textbooks and exhibits claim it to be the
proof of evolution! But where is the change? The peppered moth has not changed, only
the ratio of light-to-dark individuals. Both shades were there at the start, in the middle,
and at the end. This isan example of natural selection, but this is not evolution!

Are you breathing the sweet air of forgiveness?

2007-02-12T10:08:00.000+01:00

Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all.

Psalm 65:3 NLT
The sweet air of forgiveness

If you doubt God's forgiveness, allow the words of Romans 8:32 to strengthen your faith. If God gave up his only Son for you, so surely he will not hold back his forgiveness!

Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

God's forgiveness is different than human forgiveness. Isaiah 43:25 declares that when God forgives sin, he forgets them forever.

"I—yes, I alone—am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again."

Human forgiveness often comes with hidden strings. We say we forgive, but later, at a crucial time, we yank the string and pull the offense back into view. Saying "I forgive you" comes easily, but truly forgiving and forgetting is much more difficult. Knowing our tendency to store past offenses and hold grudges, we assume that God does the same.

But the Bible proclaims that God will never think of our sins again. Does God take sin seriously? Definitely! Sin is so serious that it deserves the death penalty, eternal death.

Does God want to forgive sinners? Certainly! God sent Jesus to take the punishment for sin, dying on the cross in our place. All who repent and trust in Christ can be forgiven.

Can we trust God to forgive us? Of course! Release that load of guilt. Stand tall and breathe the sweet air of forgiveness.

Do you see the results of sin in your church?

2007-02-10T17:01:00.000+01:00

O our God, hear your servant's prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.

O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.

O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, list and act! For your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for your people and your city bear your name.

Daniel 9:17-19 NLT
----------------------------------------
Most of us can think of one or two "inherited consequences" in our lives. Others may have made bad decisions, but we seem to be suffering the results. This is what Daniel was experiencing in Babylon. He knew he was there because his nation was being punished for generations of sinfulness. So he prayed for his people—God's people. From the land of punishment, he begged the Lord for forgiveness. His plea for mercy was based solely on God's compassionate character.

The Lord still disciplines his people when they refuse to walk in his ways, only now God's people are the church rather than an actual nation. Do you see the results of sin in your church? Spend some time today praying for the Lord's forgiveness and guidance.

Dear Lord, for your own sake, smile again on your desolate sanctuary…

How does your life reflect God's forgiveness?

2007-02-08T00:08:00.000+01:00

Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38 NLT

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Proclaiming God's forgiveness

Proclamation of the Good News of God's forgiveness is what my Christian testimony is all about. That includes forgiveness within my marriage. There is great testimony of God's power when I forgive Teresa as He has forgiven me.

Nothing about myself wants to forgive. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that I am able to forgive. Forgiveness is a divine reality that I must first receive from my Creator. Only then can the Spirit prompt me to share that forgiveness with others.

I remember when God humbled me with this truth through the words of Isaiah 53:4-6. Christ took on my sickness of selfishness and price and carried my pain to the cross. Jesus was pierced for my harsh words and snippy attitudes with my wife. He was crushed by my "white lies" and subtle dishonesty. The Savior took on the punishment for my years of neglecting my wife and forgetting my kids.

Because of Christ's forgiveness, Teresa and I can proclaim that it is possible to live in harmony with one another. We are grateful to be able to proclaim God's work in our marriage, to be able to demonstrate to those around us that we don't go to sleep with unforgiveness or bitterness in our hearts. This testimony has only been possible through the divine provision of His forgiveness.

adapted from The One Year® Book of Devotions for Couples by David and Teresa Ferguson, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for June 5

What, me worry?

2007-02-02T22:17:00.000+01:00

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.

Matthew 6:25 NLT
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Psalm 55:22 NLT
The mistrust of anxiety

Words of encouragement from the Master are always welcome. The stresses of life come upon us and a brother or sister in Christ reminds us that He is in control. He is sovereign, He knows when the sparrow falls, He numbers the hairs on our heads, He clothes the lilies of the field. He says not to worry about our life, and we welcome the suggestion as an encouraging pat on the back.

But how often do we view this verse as a commandment from on high? It may not carry the force of "Thou shalt not," and it may not have the emphasis of a "Go into all the world," but it is written as an imperative nonetheless. "Do not," Jesus says, and Paul echoes this injunction in Philippians: "Be anxious for nothing" (4:6). These are our liberating orders. We are told not to do something we hate doing anyway.

Dare we suggest by our worry that some catastrophe may slip by without His notice? No, "tragedies" befell Joseph, Moses, David, Jesus, Paul, and others, and God ordained them all for good. All of these surely could have worried, examining their circumstances while going through them. But looking back, we see God's perfect plan unfolding. Therefore Jesus urges, even commands: Do not worry.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.
CHARLES SPURGEON

Havasupai Indians and the flood

2007-01-29T14:30:00.000+01:00

. . . ."Before there were many people on earth there were two gods: Tochapa of goodness, and Hokomata of evil. Tochapa had a daughter named Pu-keh-eh, whom he hoped would become the mother of all living. Hokomata, the evil, was determined that no such thing should take place, and he covered the world with a great flood.
Tochopa, the good, felled a great tree and hollowed out the trunk. He placed Pu-keh-eh in the hollowed trunk, and when the water rose and flooded the earth, she was secure in her improvised boat.
"Finally the flood waters receded and mountain peaks emerged. Rivers were created; and one of them cut the great gushing fissure, which became the Grand Canyon.
"Pu-keh-eh, in her log, came to rest on the new earth. She stepped forth and beheld an empty
world.
"When the land became dry, a great golden sun rose in the east and warmed the earth, and caused her to conceive. In time, she gave birth to a male child. Later, a waterfall caused her to
conceive, and she gave birth to a girl. From the union of these two mortal children came all the people on the earth. The first were the Havasupai, and the voice of Tochopa spoke to them and told them to live forever in peace in their canyon of good earth and pure water where there would always be plenty for all . . .
-------------------
This is, of course, a recognizable (albeit distorted) version of the worldwide Flood of Noah's day. It adds more evidence to support the fact that all peoples are descended from Noah and have a common cultural background.

The end is near!!!

2007-01-27T13:51:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I found this interesting article. For the millenarist churches, to speak about the end of the world is something usual. I prefer to speak about the new beggining of a better world. And quite often, we find publications with the classical clock ponting almost midnight.

This time, are scientists who put this picture on the coverpage of their magazine, calculating (I don't know how) how long will last this world, or in other words, how much time we have till the end of the world. That is what has been called "The doomsday clock". Here is the article:

Global warming center:
You know that doomsday clock? The one nuclear physicists created just after World War II to measure how close the world was to destruction from nuclear war? That's a picture of it there, on the cover of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (image courtesy http://www.centennialofflight.gov).

The Bulletin, originally a newsletter and now an organization, today moved the hands of the clock forward by two minutes, from 11:53 to 11:55. Why? Because of "atomic standoffs" with Iran and North Korea, but also due to something new. Climate change.

While nuclear war remains the organization's number one concern, they state, "dangers posed by climate change are nearly as dire as those posed by nuclear weapons."

"As scientists, we understand the dangers of nuclear weapons and their devastating effects, and we are learning how human activities and technologies are affecting climate systems in ways that may forever change life on Earth," said Stephen Hawking, the renowned cosmologist and mathematician.
"As citizens of the world, we have a duty to alert the public to the unnecessary risks that we live with every day, and to the perils we foresee if governments and societies do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and to prevent further climate change."

The Bulletin's statement calls for carbon-trading, increasing gas taxes, increasing energy efficiency in items such as appliances and lightbulbs, subsidizing solar and wind power development and using venture capital plus government funds for the development of innovative technologies such as fuel cells and carbon sequestration.

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

Interesting, Isn't it?

How much to you trust your Heavenly Father?

2007-01-26T23:03:00.000+01:00

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you.… Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love them. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them.

John 14:15 - 21 NLT
An expression of trust

Parents set up rules for their children: Clean up your room, don't go anywhere with a stranger; be home by 11 p.m. The purpose, of course, is for the children's benefit and protection; loving parents are not trying to make their children miserable by given them rules to follow. And parents hope that their children will understand rules as expressions of love and concern; they hope their children's obedience will be motivated more by love than by fear of punishment. Our obedience to Christ should likewise be an expression of our trust in his care for us.

Is obeying God worth it?

2007-01-24T14:15:00.000+01:00

If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

Job 36:11 NLT
-------------------------
Sometimes you may wonder if obeying God is worth it. Job's friend, Elihu, concluded in Job 36:11 that God is just and does bless those who obey him. If you don't reap the benefits of obedience in this life, you will in the next.

The Pharisees in Jesus' day obeyed the law, but for all the wrong reasons. Jesus warned in Matthew 5:20 that God looks at people's hearts. He wants obedience that flows out of love for him.

But I warn you—unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!

When the religious leaders commanded Peter and the apostles to stop preaching the gospel, their priorities were put to the test. Their answer, recorded in Acts 5:29, teaches us that obedience to God must come first, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority."

God has not hidden the secret of obedience—he has made his expectations clear. Micah 6:8 summarized the way people can please God.

No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Do you deserve justice or mercy?

2007-01-23T15:16:00.000+01:00

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my body is in agony.
I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?
Psalm 6:1-3 NLT

"You have heard that the Law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting like true children of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:43-45 NLT
----------------------------------
When others wrong us, we cry out for justice. When we wrong God, we cry out for mercy. Fortunately, God is merciful. But if we don't accept his merciful gift of salvation, we are subject to God's justice, the punishment of eternal death and separation from God. Until God sets up his eternal kingdom, where perfect justice prevails, justice will continue to be needed here on earth—both God's justice to urge us toward his kingdom, and law and order to keep anarchy from ruling. But we would do well to learn some lessons about God's mercy as we mete out justice. While justice provides law and order, mercy provides hope and forgiveness—God's formula for restoration.

By my lavas!!!

2006-12-09T09:11:00.000+01:00

That as a general rule, only volcanic and igneous rocks (those rocks, which were once in a molten or liquid form,) can be dated by radiometric dating schemes? Several methods have been devised which can, in principle, date such rocks, but in each case several assumptions must be made which may or may not be accurate.

The scientific literature is full of cases where the method provides dates, which cannot possibly be true. For instance, historic lava flows are frequently dated as millions of years old. The lavas at the top of the Grand Canyon are dated by some methods as over a billion years older than those in the bottom of the canyon!

Given the questionable assumptions involved, it is no wonder that so many results are thrown out. The true wonder is that some of the rest come to be accepted.

to hang on to your appendix?

2006-12-09T09:07:00.000+01:00

(Unless of course it is inflamed, which could be a
dangerous condition.)

Most of you are familiar with the idea that the appendix is a vestigial and useless organ. We have been told that since the appendix was left over from our evolutionary ancestry, it should be removed as soon as it gives us any trouble. In fact, some doctors have suggested removing it to keep a problem from occurring. This is a good example of how non-scientific evolutionary ideas have been detrimental to the advancement of true science. Now that considerable research has been done on the appendix, it has been found to be a complex and highly specialized organ. While there are still a lot of things we do not understand about the human appendix, scientists believe it has important functions in the following areas: embryological, physiological, microbiological (bacteriological), biochemical, immunological. For instance, consider the following physiological function: The goblet cells which line the appendix and the adjacent caecum and colon secrete a special mucus which can be regarded as an antibacterial paint controlling the organisms which develop in the bowel, without which the body cannot truly utilize its food. Thus, most doctors now say that the appendix should not be removed. Think about it! How could these evolutionary scientists be sure it didn't have a function, just because they didn't yet know what the function was? Millions of people were led astray by this anti-scientific evolutionary belief. Had people accepted the Bible, which is the basis of true science, they would have seen that the Creator was responsible for all organs in the human body, and therefore the appendix was the result of creative design and organization formed according to a plan to perform a specific purpose.

A matter of jaws!

2006-08-21T19:18:00.000+02:00

Today I will refer a very common and deliberate manipulation, but not very known. I have taken the picture of a Neandertal Skull, as you can buy it as a souvenir in some museums. In that picture you will notice the jaw moved forward in order to give an ape appearance. But if you see the other picture, with the jaw in its place, then it looks more human rather than "ape". Actually played musical instruments, and did more things. It was a human being, probably a race of eskimos now extinguished. Well, just to advice you in case you're planning to visit a museum soon.

Oh my gooDNAes!!!

2006-08-18T20:04:00.000+02:00

The newspaper "la Nueva España" has published an article about the DNA that "more distinguishes us from chimps".
Well, it has its merit to find an evolutionist recognizing that our DNA is different from the chimp ones, I say this because sometimes they want to make us so likely chimps, that we find the monkeys more clever than the humans.
I want to enphasize the intentionality and the prejudice in these kind of studies. The article literally says: "«It is very exciting to use the history of evolution to investigate areas of our DNA that aren't yet explored», said Howard Hughes, from Medical Institute, and David Haussler, coordinator of the team, that includes scientists from different universities." (Emphasis is mine).
Anyway, if they realize one day that all animals are "builded" with the same "bricks" (cells) and they arrive to the conclusion that most of the DNA is common because we share a bsaic structure in spite of diversity of species. Even they could deduce that Somebody took DNA and make changes in it willingly to create new and different creatures why not?
Another question, is to ask oneself why certain areas of DNA have coincidently "evolved" in different animals, and other areas not so, remaining identical. What if this area of DNA had muted or evolutioned? Shouldn't we find other species or kinds with different structures shared to mamals, for example? Well, I'm not specialist in this issues and I get lost by the way.

Homo Floresiensis

2006-08-16T13:45:00.000+02:00

Well, last October 13th 2005, was anounced the finding of the "homo florsiensis", a new link in evolutive scale (as was supposed), published in Nature # 437 (pages 1012-1017). It was said that it wasn't a microcephaly case, nor other disorders, but a new link between modern humans and the past apes.
Now, ten months later, I've found another article in "New Scientist" where it says that the supposed homo florsiensis had a brain "too small" to be a new species, and classifies him as a modern human (pygmy) with microcephaly, or at least, with a pathological condition.
Well, as the man of nebraska, that resulted to be a kind of pig extinguished already, this time happens the same. Evolutionists want to find the link anyhow. Thank God there are some hones scientists that recognice errors.

No Words...

2006-08-15T19:35:00.000+02:00

This is what Israel is doing in Lebannon...
No words....

Meanwhile, rabbis are blessing bombs...

Neolithic Endodontics

2006-08-11T21:01:00.000+02:00

I just have found the following article in one spanish magazine "Muy Interesante" about supposed "teeth fillings" in Neolithic age.
(http://www.muyinteresante.es/intro_observa.htm)

"Here we see the reconstruction of the procedure to perform holes in the teeth; the end of the "drill" was made with silex.

How did they deal with teeth problems in Neolithic? According to Roberto Macchiarelli, anthropologist form the french University of Poitiers, with much more accuracy that we never thougth. Is so proved the findings in Pakistan, of a serial of set of teeth dating between 7.500 and 9.000 years, showing drilled holes in eleven teeth.

Macchiarelli'sn team has ascertained that these drills were made with an edge of silex, hard enough to perforate the enamel in less than one minute; what is not yet known is the end of such drills, if were therapeutic or with a different motif, neither if the holes were filled with any kind of material, nor if the patients did take any drug to bear the pain".

Thank goodness that they weared "loinclothes"!!!...

How affects evolution to our relationships

2006-08-09T20:31:00.000+02:00

Did you know that the acceptance of evolution affects people's view of their fellow men? Much has been written concerning the early European settlers of the state of Tasmania in Australia and their attitudes towards the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Even before the time of Darwin, clergymen in the early days of the colony ignored the aborigines completely, believing them to be so far beneath the level of humanity as
not to be worth teaching. In fact, when Governor Arthur asked the church missionary society for a missionary, he was refused. Darwinian evolution later reinforced this ungodly attitude to these people.
In the book, The Coming of the Strangers, by Beiba Baibaberzins (Collins), the author states "They (the first European settlers) had no doubts about the superiority of their culture and they regarded the aborigines as 'poor creatures who were at a very primitive stage of evolution.'" In fact,in 1924,the New York Tribune had an article on the Tasmanian Aborigines, and had as one-of their headings, "Missing Links with Mankind in Early Dawn of History." Sadly,many of the early settlers treated the Tasmanian aborigines as a missing link and less than human.
What was one of the consequences of these wrong ideas about the Aborigines? At one
stage, the settlers lined up across the state to shoot every aboriginal they could find.
The settlers treated them as less than human. Even today, many people still have wrong attitudes regarding certain cultures because of the influence of evolutionary ideas. Each of us needs to examine our own thoughts in regard to this matter.

Torricelly and the Bible

2006-08-07T09:28:00.000+02:00

The first scientist that studied deeply atmospheric pressure (the weight of the air) and measured it, invented the barometer. This was Evangelista Torricelli, and did it accidently in 1643. Evangelista Torricelli, Galileo's assistant, poured a little bit of mercury in a cristal pipe. Then he closed one end with his thumb. Then he tryed to pour the mercury back into a bucket; but somehow was not possible. Vacuum was formed between his thumb and the mercury. Somehow this holded up the weighted liquid in its place. He had discovered the vacuum, the pressure of the external air holded the mercury inside the pipe, stopping it from coming out. Since then, we know that the air weights. One litter of air weights about one gram. On one square meter of surface ground, it lays one column of air weighting about 10.000 kilogrammes. We are used to this pressure, that's why we don't notice it.

If somebody had said before this discovering that the air "weights", nobody would have taken him seriously. But if this postulated had been formulated "because the Bible tells so", mockery was assured. But YES, the Bible already said that the air weights. It was written about 3.500 years before Torricelli. The text can be found in Job 28:25. Then was ussually mocked anything that the Bible said "in the name of science". Nowdays is not very different, but there's a difference, today nobody discuss that madness of the weight of the air.

The MothBalls Men

2006-08-04T11:53:00.000+02:00

There have been, and are, what I call "MothBalls Men", because they seem indestructible or some people want to keep them alive at any cost. Let's think in Yasir Arafat, or Ariel Sharon inconscious since last January. Now we are talking about Fidel Castro. Why does people get so worried for those men? We may find many reasons. Without Arafat, terrorism could have be stronger or weaker. With Sharon "out of game" but still alive, Hizbolah is trembling (so israelians under katiusha rockets). Now Fidel yields power to his brother Raúl Castro. Are we before a transtition time? What will happen whe Fidel dies? One thing is so clear, communism is like some modern dinosaurs, in danger of extinction.
What has the power that makes people embrace it and try to never loose it? Why is so addictive? Since sin is with us, selfishness is part of us. Some disguise it as "serving to others", but I'm sure that Castro's family didn't need things as other families living in Cuba (communism? ha ha ha!).
I remember when the people of Israel denied theocracy, and wanted a King, like other "countries". Then God pleased them, starting with Saul, David and Solomon. But all these also meaned yield power to men (wise men?), and the raising of taxes, services, slavery, and so many other things.
It wasn't God's plan to stablish such a kingdom, but we still rewalk the same paths. And we don't want to yield power to God in our lives. We, each one of us, are "mothballs men and women", we want to keep the power and control of our lives, very often at any cost, but it's so hard to yield God the steering wheel...

BAMBOO EATER

2006-08-02T23:11:00.000+02:00

Have you ever seen the giant pandas on display insome of our zoos? You will notice that their diet is basically bamboo. Of course, if a human being tried to munch on bamboo, he probably wouldn't have many teeth left at the end of the meal! The reason the giant panda is able to have such a diet is because it has strong, sharp teeth.
It was fascinating to hear the evolutionist guide at the San Diego Zoo explain to the public the panda's teeth. She said that the panda had obviously evolved to be a carnivore (thus it has sharp teeth), and now it is able to use those sharp teeth to eat bamboo. Because the panda had sharp teeth, she assumed from evolution that it had to be a meat eater to start with. This is because evolutionists equate particular types of teeth with food rather than function.
The thing to consider, of course, is this: How do the evolutionists know that the panda used to be a carnivore? They were not there to see the supposed evolution occur. In fact, how do they know that it wasn't a vegetarian originally and that its teeth were designed specifically for eating such things as bamboo? According to the Bible, in Genesis 1:29, 30, the original animals were created to be vegetarian. If this is the case, then the panda was created with sharp teeth to eat such things as bamboo—but now (because of the entrance of sin and death) on rare occasions it eats small animals.
This is exactly the opposite of what the evolutionists say. It is important to realize that just because the evolutionists talk of evolution over millions of years, it doesn't mean this is a true scientific statement. Evolution is just a belief. There is no scientific reason why creationists can't insist that the panda was designed with sharp teeth specifically for eating plant material such as BAMBOO.

Rewired Brain!

2006-07-31T20:29:00.000+02:00

In the magazine newscientist I found an article about a study of the "miraculous" recovery of a man who spent 19 years in a minimally conscious state. The findings suggest the human brain shows far greater potential for recovery and regeneration then ever suspected. The studies also highlight gross inadequacies in the system for diagnosing and caring for patients in vegetative or minimally conscious states. After a car crash, Terry Wallis was thrown out of his pick up. Within a few weeks he had stabilised in a minimally conscious state, which his doctors thought would last indefinitely. It did indeed persist for 19 years. Then, in 2003, he started to speak. Over a three day period, Wallis regained the ability to move and communicate, and started getting to know his now 20 year old daughter – a difficult process considering he believed himself to be 19, and that Ronald Reagan was still president.To try and find out what was going on inside Wallis's brain, Nicholas Schiff and colleagues from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City, used a new brain imaging technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The system tracks water molecules and so reveals the brain’s white matter tracts – akin to a wiring diagram. The team's findings suggest that Wallis’s brain had, very gradually, developed new pathways and completely novel anatomical structures to re-establish functional connections, compensating for the brain pathways lost in the accident. Wallis was frequently classified as being in a permanent vegetative state. Though his family fought for a re-evaluation after seeing many promising signs that he was trying to communicate, their requests were turned down. Now I remind Terry Schiavo's case. Who are us to take the life out? Terry was able to smile, as is seen in the picture (before and after). Let us think, we still don't really know how we were created, and the possible ways that our God can act. Much more to say, but, I think it's enough to think. Please, visit also these sites: http://www.terrisfight.org/ and http://www.aceb.org/terry.htm

Did you know?

2006-07-30T18:29:00.000+02:00

Did you know that the domestic dogs, fox, coyote, wolf, colishe, jackal fennec, and dingo could be the descendants of a single mating pair of dog-like creatures? If this is the case, Noah would have only needed a pair representing the dog "kind" on board the Ark that would eventually give rise to the large number of varieties (this is variation within a kind—NOT evolution) that we see today. Noah did not have to take an excessively large number of animals on board the Ark. Noah needed only the representative kinds of all the air breathing land dwelling animals—and these could have easily fit on the Ark with room to spare!

The Day when David became Goliath

2006-07-28T10:40:00.000+02:00

About 3.400 years ago, God commanded Israel to invade Canaan. And they "obeyed" (more or less). But the mediterranean shore of Canaan, a long and plain extension from north to south, was occupied for what was called "the peoples of the sea" (probably coming from Crete and Turkish coast and greece). These people was named Philistines. They were strong, had chariots of war, had the dominion over iron weapons, etc. Since the days of the Bible judges, the philistines have been trying no conquer the mountains behind them. Deborah, Barak, Samson, and many others where deffenders of Israel before the Philishtines. You already know the story of David and Goliath, it is more of the same. Over 30 centuries have passed since those days. The Philistines, in hebrew "Pelishti", now we call them Palestinians (remember that hebrew alephat didn't have vowels until midle age, so the root is the same PLST). The people of God were discarded (as a nation, nor as persons) when Jesus was crucified. And they found their diaspora again, like in babilonian days. Now, after the second world war, UN decided to restore Israel as a Nation. Why are so hated the Israelians today? Well, Who is the major country behind this restauration? USA, of course. Why? I already wrote an article (May 31st) titled "USA defends Israel", where I explain the theological reasons for this (postmilenarism). And the Islamic world now becomes a little David facing an enormeous Goliath empowered by Bush. And I repeat, there is NO petrol in Israel, but Jerusalem... Now palestinians teenagers are throwing stones against big israelians tanks. Where are God's commandaments among all this? Simply are lost! David has become Goliath.

Counting down

2006-07-26T11:21:00.000+02:00

Israel is bombing Lebanon and palestinians. Today four UN observers died under Israel fire. Some sects are anouncing the begining of the armagedon next September 12th. War in Irak, terrorism is camping almost everywhere. Don't forget Liberia's civil war, neither Sierra Leona, and many other wars. How about nuclear weapons? Iran, North Korea... Anything else? YES, big tsunamis, earthquakes, famines, disasters, diseases like AIDS, Chicken flu... Are you still doubting that the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not at hand? If so, read Mathew chapter 24. My question for you: All these signs are shouting that the Lord is coming, are you ready to meet your Creator?

The Wombat Pouch

2006-07-25T00:28:00.000+02:00

Why Does A Wombat Have A Pouch That Opens Backwards?
A wombat is an Australian marsupial, which, like the kangaroo has a pouch. However, the pouch of the wombat opens backwards! At wildlife sanctuaries in Australia, the evolutionist guide usually tells the listening audience how wonderful evolution is to make sure the wombat's pouch was turned around. This is necessary because the wombat tunnels under the ground—if its pouch opened forward like the kangaroo, the young would not survive as the pouch would become filled with dirt! One wonders how the young wombats survived for millions of years as the pouch slowly evolved its way around to ensure the pouch opened backwards! Design by the Almighty Creator—NOT evolution is the ONLY explanation.

Real Dinosaur Please Stand Up!

2006-07-14T19:15:00.000+02:00

How many different dinosaurs were there? Secular books on dinosaurs give the idea that there were hundreds of different kinds of dinosaurs. Children are indoctrinated to believe that these hundreds of different types of dinosaurs lived during the
dinosaur age millions of years ago. Thus, they are led to believe that evolution is true and the Biblical account of creation wrong. However, one begins to lose faith in "science falsely so called" when a careful dinosaur investigation is made. There are far fewer dinosaurs than we have been led to believe. Recently has been reviewed the book A Field Guide to Dinosaurs—an evolutionary book claiming to be the first complete guide to every dinosaur known. We mention just a few examples from this book:

1. Arctosaurus is known from only one vertebra once thought to be a turtle's (page 92).
2. Colonosaurus is known only from a jaw that might just as well be from a bird or sea lizard (page 92).
3. Diplotomodon is known only from one tooth (page 93).
4. Paronychodon was named from a single tooth found in Montana (page 93).
5. Chienkosaurus is known from just four teeth. Some experts think they came from a prehistoric crocodile (page 82).
6. Embasaurus is known only from pieces of backbone (page 76).
7. Macrodontophion is known from just one round-topped tooth (page 76).
8. Supersaurus is possibly a diploma docid (page 119).
9. Dystrophaeus is known only from pieces of bone from an arm, hip, or shoulder. It was a big dinosaur, possibly the same kind as another already named (page 115).
10. Aepisaurus is from one arm bone found in France (page 125).

It almost seems that whenever some bone fragments are found in so called "dinosaur age" rock, someone names a new dinosaur! There are some complete skeletons of dinosaurs and some large deposits of dinosaur bones, but there are far fewer dinosaurs than we have been led to believe. Not only that, but also what are named as different dinosaurs, in many instances may just be variations within a kind (like the variation within the dog kind mentioned elsewhere).

WHO IS RIGHT?

2006-07-12T11:07:00.000+02:00

FAITH-T left a comment about the Superman returns post. And she made me think about her argument. This time, I will illustrate the issue with a real fact. In 1844 a medical doctor named Ignas Phillip Semmelweis, who was assistant director at the Vienna Maternity Hospital, suggested to the doctors that the high rate of death of patients and new babies was due to the fact that the doctors attending them were carrying infections from the diseased and dead people whom they had previously touched? Semmelweis ordered doctors to wash their hands with soap and water and rinse them in a strong chemical before examining their patients. He tried to get doctors to wear clean clothes and he battled for clean wards. However, the majority of doctors disagreed with Semmelweis and they deliberately disobeyed his orders. In the late nineteenth century, on the basis of the work by Semmelweis, Joseph Lister began soaking surgery instruments, the operating table, his hands, and the patients with carbolic acid. The results were astonishing. What was previously risky surgery now became routine. However, the majority of doctors criticized his work also. Today we know that Lister and Semmelweis were right; the majority of doctors in their day were wrong. Just because the majority believe one thing does not necessarily mean it is true. It is good to remember this when the evolutionists insist that because the majority of scientists accept a theory it has to be right.

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWER TO DA VINCI CODE

2006-07-07T13:38:00.000+02:00

(SOURCE: ADVENTIST NEWS NETWORK) Reporters and personne from Adventist Media were visiting la Mona Lisa, to produce part of the DVD "The Code" produced by Seventh Day Adventis Church in Australia. [Photo by courtesy of Adventist Media - Productions and Ministries]. A group of scholars, pastors and laymen have prepared an answer to the Da Vinci Code writting a book titled "The Da Vinci Code Decoded"
According to pastor Grenville Kent, coautor of the book The Da Vinci Decode, his motivation to write the book was a conversation heared casually: "One day, walking down the street I heard an employee say to another: Are you still Christian? Didn't you read The Da Vinci Code?" And this moved me to write it.

"I know about youth adventists that stopped attending church after reading the book", says. "Everywhere christians are wondering worried if what the book affirms is true".

Also has been produced video serial titled "The Code". Leah McLeod and Geoff Youlden, program conducters, visited the key places mentioned in the book. "We also visited the places where are the gnostic gospels of Egypt, and the Dead Sea scrolls at Israel", says, dice Berreen Schulz, producer of the serial. "We interviewed there historians, archeologists, teachers, scientis and scholars of the Bible".

"This new serial combines documental with dramma", explains. "In the five episodes is used the story of a young lady searching the truth about her own origins, which demonstrates the insatiable wish of human kind for "knowing".

"It is NO time to hide our heads in our himnal books and ignore all this", explains Kent. "It's time, as says apostle Peter, to give reason of our faith with respect". I feel good thinking that God is transforming this potential attack against christianism in one opportunity for relating the story of Jesus to a new generation.

"We are not attacking the novel, but we are using it as an opportunity to affirm the possitive: That Jesus was real, according the testimonies of independent historians, and that was predicted with exactitude by prophecies, and that His original techings are awesome"...

TO KNOW MORE ABOUT:
http://news.adventist.org/data/2006/04/1147790345/index.html.es

SUPERMAN RETURNS

2006-07-05T12:22:00.000+02:00

One of the most famous characters in the celluloid world is superman. Now, after Christopher Reeve, we have another substitute to keep working the "evangelization" according to Hollywood. Why am I using the word "evangelization"? Because is that what I find in these kind of movies. For example, Superman's father in Krypton is named Jor-El, which is the name of God the Father according to the jewish teachings. Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sent his "only" son to enlight the men (familiar sentence?). The name of superman in Krypton is "Kal-El", which in hebrew means "the Voice of God" or "The Verb of God". There is a scene in the new movie where we can see superman with a wound of knife at the ribs, with a crosslike position of his body. Another sentence from "Lois": "The world doesn't need a Saviour, me neither". But when problems come, then calls Superman. Actually this is a reflect of our society, self-sufficient, that doesn't needs God. Another sentence interesting from Clark Kent: "I'm allways "at hand"". Well, probably this will undermine the Story of Salvation and the credibility of our Savior, the authentic Hero. Maybe another day I will talk about Matrix, or Star Wars... let's see.

SUBWAY CRASH IN VALENCIA CITY

2006-07-04T13:03:00.000+02:00

I've tempted to post a picture with harmed people, you know, looking for shocking picks. But I can't do it, because it's exactly what I want to expose. Now it's easy to write a "sermon", but I think it's not the moment. Death is never welcomed nor at time. But are paparazzi? I mean, the information has to be given away... but at which price? When 11-M the spanish TVs offered very discusting images, and it has been very criticized widely. After that, we had the bombing in London. The images offered were far different from the spanish ones, respecting the families of the victims or harmed people. I talked about this issue with some Ph. D. in Communications recently, and we wondered if it was possible to change our minds (as consumers and as journalists) to avoid the "show" in news (macabre show). It seems this time finally happened, but, is it because all debates and articles concerning this have been fruitful or because the police didn't allow the press to cross the policeline in 500 m (1500 feet)? I better think that we're growing in ethics. From here my condolences to all the families that have lost a beloved one in this disgrace, also to the harmed peolple and theirs. Believe or not, there's stilla God in heaven that knows and suffer with us, and one they (very close) will resurrect our beloved ones.

BAPTIST CHURCH AND THE WAR OF IRAK

2006-07-04T11:27:00.000+02:00

A few posts ago, in one I titled "USA defends Israel" I spoke about hte "other" reasons for the war agains Irak. These motifs were theological, talking about the millenium. Then I said that were my thoughts, but now I've found an article in spanish ( http://www.noticiacristiana.com/news/newDetails.php?click_id=0&idnew=82252 ) where my thesis has a solid base. Mr. Bush and Mrs. Rice have attneded a meetig organized by the Southern Baptist Church. The article Literally says "la teología de los Bautistas del Sur rige el Partido Republicano y sirve de fundamento popular a la guerra que se desarrolla en Irak", that is: "Southern Baptist's theology guides the Republicans Party and serve as the popular basement for the war that's taking place in Irak". Well, perhaps I'm not so fool as some other can think when I explain thinks like ones in the article "USA defends Israel". This proves that there is in play more than the "black gold".

YOUTH MEETING IN CORDOBA

2006-07-04T10:53:00.000+02:00

Here in Spain, it's very common to see young people gathered on the streets to drink alcoholic beverages. This phenomenon is called "botellon" (big bottle). Well, some evangelical churches have promoted a christian musical event to gather young people, as an alternative to the "botellon". I think is a good idea (It would be interesting to be between the people during the concert, just to have a look...). The Seventh Day Adventist Church promotes events like this since a few years ago, gathering quite a pair of thousands of people, but nothing on the news... We'll have to think what's happening with our communications. Anyway, the possitive aspect of this new is that there is still some young people searching for the Lord and looking for a better lifestyle.

MORE FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN SPAIN!!!

2006-06-29T19:45:00.000+02:00

This new happened past June 12th. The council of ministers of the spanish government approved the law to regulate hte work of ministers (protestants, jewish and islamic) in the spanish jails, in order to give religious assistance to the prisssioners (inmates), with a warranty of security (this also can have a double sense...). The vicepresident María Teresa Fernández de la Vega said this is a step to approach the equality to all the persons who live in Spain, whoever be the religion they profess. I think the people in Jail need the gospel even more than others. God will bless this plans.

GOOD FOR MR BUSH!!!

2006-06-29T19:17:00.000+02:00

Well, I use to be critic with Mr George W. Bush, but this time, he's worthy of a long clap and congratulations!!! The Chinese government has jailed a bunch of "underground" christian leaders, and deportated another one from South Korea. While this, in Pekin Mr. Bush had a meeting with Liu Jiangchao. who said that chinese people are enjoying all kinds of democracy and freedom "under the law"... George W. Bush was there with several purposes, but one of them was to promote the freedom of worship. The Chinise minister, very politely ignored Bush's call to permit the free circulation of Bibles. Well, again, good for Mr. Bush!

FREEDOM of RELIGION PRACTICE

2006-06-29T18:58:00.000+02:00

This is another brief but very imoprtant new! The Spanish government will allow the muslim women to wear the "hiyad" or veil at the moment of take the photography for the Spanish ID card. Well, I think this is a very good progress in religious liberty, let's see how long will keep this on!

SOCCER WORLD CUP

2006-06-29T18:45:00.000+02:00

Well, after 20 days I'm back!!! I think it's interesting enough to post this new. The soccer stadiums have a chappel, and the FIFA opens them for the christian soccer players, to fulfill their needs of prayer with God. This is a good new that doesn't appear in the mass media!!! Don't you think so?

MIRACLES "A LA CARTE"

2006-06-08T11:58:00.000+02:00

Well, it seems this summer we're going to have a festival of healings in NY City. An "evangelistic crusade" called "Miracles, Salvation & Revival" will take place in NY City next July 27th through 29th. The pastor Jaerock Lee, supposedly received power from high at Republic of Congo, is responsible of the miracles expected these days.
Well, I really would like this comes from heaven, but I keep sceptic... Let's see which are his fruits, following Jesus teachings.

DESSAPEARING SPECIES

2006-06-01T08:59:00.000+02:00

It stated by scientists and scholars that me're living an era of massive extinction of species, but only a few are realizing of this fact. The point is that no new species are supplanting the lost ones. According to the evolutionist theory, the extinguished species should be replaced with other species adapted or evolutioned. Why is this happening? Probably because the human race is adulterating the biosphere faster than the process of adaption or evolution. This is a good answer, but I still have some more questions. Where are the "middle way evolutioned species"? We only can find definite species, not the steps between them, or stepping towards a new specie. I just can think that we're reaching to an unsupported kind of environment because of degeneration. Something must happen to solve this. What? I have an answer in the Bible, a new beggining promised by God.

USA DEFENDS ISRAEL

2006-05-31T14:46:00.000+02:00

It has been recently published that if Israel is attacked, USA will defend Israel. Obviously in reference to the nuclear menace of Iran. It is well known the interest of George E. Bush in defending Israel, but there's another spiritual reason less known. I'm talking of millenium. The Bible talks about 1000 years of "peace" or unactivity of the devil (Revelation 20:1 - 3). It's teached by most of protestants that these "millenium" preceeds the second coming of Christ. So it is tryed to involve the secular powers to impose the "millenium of peace" in this world. This must include the restoration of Israel and his temple. Here we go! That's the non political reason for Mr. Bush to act so! I affirm he is convinced that he's divinely appointed to instaure the peace of the world and the inauguration of the millenium. What's wrong with all this? The key for this is the resurrection of the righteous. Jesus said that there are two resurrections (John 5:29): "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation". Accordin to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:23) at the moment of the second coming of Jesus, the death in Christ will be resurrected. And if we keep reading in Revelation 20:4 and forward, we'll se that the righteous resurrected are reigning WITH Jesus 1000 years, and in verse 5 says "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection". So in this first resurrection, at the beggining of the millenium are resurrected only the righteous, but not the rest of dead. In summary, the Bible teaches that the millenium begins with the second coming of Jesus, not preceeds it. Now let's think how important is to understand correctly the Bible, even can provoke wars in the name of Jesus (modern and hidden crusades in Palestine, Irak, Iran...?). Irak has petroleum, but not Israel or Palestine or Iran...

WHAT REALLY EXTINGUISHED DINOSAURS

2006-05-31T14:45:00.000+02:00

Well, the magazine Science, and some mass media, are publicating the discovery of the planning ahead of some apes. But as it can be read in the article, the basis for the developing thought is that planning ahead is a only-human characteristic. The argument is that some chimps can bring a tool to somewhere else to solve a problem, or even keep it for a time waiting for the problem to appear. It's argued again that SOME scientifics define the future planning is a beyond animal capability. Well, my questions are: How long took this investigation? Did the apes learn a pattern of behaviour? What about the using of tools by bultures to open eggs and breaking bones? How about hunting in groups by other species? Is not that future planning also? I mean, we've more in common with other species and families than is thought. Are these "discoveries" monstrating that the apes are still evoluioning?

APES PLANNING AHEAD

2006-05-31T14:43:00.000+02:00

VARSOVIA

2006-05-31T14:42:00.000+02:00

I have the blog in stand by since one week ago waiting for interesting news, and today we've one! USA (Mr. Bush) wants to install an anti-nuclear missiles shield in Europe. It's okay to deffend oneself, but I've a few questions. What if these missiles are destroyed in european sky? Will we have more toxic or radiactive clouds or rain (like Chernobyl ones)? The countries that offer themselves to install the shield, will become in targets of the enemies of others? It is easy to use the far neighbour as an antibullet jacket. The truth is that we see the supremacy of USA in the world, as it was previewed thousands of years ago in Bible symbols. "When ye see this things, rise up your face, because your salvation is at hand".

IMMIGRATION: GUILTY OR GUILTY?

2006-05-31T14:41:00.000+02:00

In these days, Spanish shores are an enormeous and coveted destination. Every day are arriving hundreds of african immigrants pursuing a dream. Now we complain to the Spanish government to take measures of prevention. Which measures? Repatriation? Too expensive, and very often, burocraticaly impossible. We don't want immigrants, they disturb us, they are a problem. Let's think, who's the guilty (responsible) one of all this? The same immigrants? Ourselves beeing inhuman for don't wanting them among us? Isn't it fair to search for a better life? SOLUTION: Is not to make massive deportations. It isn't matter of build higher fences on the borders, like Mr. Bush is doing nowdays along the mexican border, sending there 6,000 soldiers to do it. Let's ask ourselves, why are these people coming to our country (any country)? Perhaps would be a good idea to invest in the immigrants' countries of origin, in place of investing in uncrossable borders. If the money destined to protect our borders, could be destined to development in those countries, perhaps we could find a better world in a few years... But no, we still prefer being "safe" and comfortable in our occidental bubble. I don't beg us to dispense of what we have, but to invest resources in other things thar aren't weapons, for example. Or stop destroying tons of food to keep the market prices up, and try to send them anywhere that need them... Who's the guilty? The incoming one? Or the one who provokes them to come?

CHRISTIAN RADIO MARTYRS

2006-05-31T14:40:00.000+02:00

This "New" has no comment. The News Agency Europa Press in Nairobi, Kenya, has communicated that a Pentecostal Radio Station has been assaulted. In this assault, one person was murdered, and part of the radio installations were burned up. Why? Just in that moment they were comparing several texts between the Coran and the Bible. Radio stations have much more power to preach the gospel than we think...