Time to draw a line in the sand

Agape Press today reported three disturbing things going on in Europe right now that indicate how the world at large is heading if we don't stop it.

Taking them from least to greatest threat (if that is possible) in Spain they are proposing a new law that would give the great Ape certain "human" rights which would include them having the freedom to roam as they see fit. Caging them would be considered a crime unless they themselves committed a crime. Also, those that are currently in the zoos would have to be freed unless it was found that it would be hazardous to their health to do so.

In Germany they currently have a law that states that if a woman is on unemployment and refuses to accept any job available she will lose her unemployment benefits. Not that bad an idea so far, right? Wrong. This includes the job of prostitution. Prostitution is legal in Germany and even catored to the World Cup visitors this year. If a woman refuses to work as a prostitute she will lose her unemployment benefits.

In the Netherlands there is a group of people who are not only trying to form a political party for pedofiles but are also trying to get the age of consent lowered from 16 to 12! This and they are trying to get some other vulgarities legalized.

We need to draw a line in the sand, folks. Twenty years ago no one would have thought that homosexuality would have been as widespread as it is today or that we would even consider redefining marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Today, because we have let our morals slide slowly we now see that happening. Today, many people would not agree with me that it is possible for all three of the above items to be the norm in twenty years. I hope in twenty years they are right.

Determine now what you believe is right and what you believe is wrong. Take a firm stand on it. Teach it to your kids and be willing to discuss it with others. I hope you would agree with the teachings of the Bible but even if you don't, I'd hope you would agree to not let it get as far as legalized pedofilia, women being forced to have sex (rape?), and apes being considered to have equal rights.

Link
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http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/312006f.asp

Asking For and Receiving Forgiveness

You can say what you want about the incident with Mel Gibson driving drunk this last week and you can even say he wasn't genuine in his apology but I for one believe him and think that this is truly how a Christian should act when he/she realizes they have made a mistake.

1. recognize the mistake 2. Ask God for forgiveness 3. Ask those you hurt for forgiveness 4. Forgive yourself.

"After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed.

I drove a car when I should not have, and was stopped by the LA County Sheriffs. The arresting officer was just doing his job and I feel fortunate that I was apprehended before I caused injury to any other person.

I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologize to anyone who I have offended.

Also, I take this opportunity to apologize to the deputies involved for my belligerent behavior. They have always been there for me in my community and indeed probably saved me from myself.

I disgraced myself and my family with my behavior and for that I am truly sorry.

I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse. I apologize for any behavior unbecoming of me in my inebriated state and have already taken necessary steps to ensure my return to health."

Mel, you're forgiven in my eyes and I know if you've asked God for forgiveness it has been given to you. God bless you and everyone that has had their life changed for the better because of your work.

Link
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Gibson apologizes for behavior

Smiley Face of Death

Here is a snippet of a news article:
High-grade marijuana is being packaged in gumballs and sold to high school students, according to Maryland State Police officials. These gumballs, known as "Greenades," contain enough THC to be fatal to smaller children. THC is the active chemical in marijuana that causes the user to become "high."

I really don't have much to say on this but read the article and be aware. There are products out there now being sold by drug dealers made to look like normal products so they can pass in our day to day world.

My concern isn't so much that it is being concealed considering that dealers will continue to find new ways to conceal their wares but rather that products like this if left laying around would not be distinguishable from regular candy to a child or toddler. As stated before, we need to do our best to protect our children.

Link
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http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_27267229.shtml

Parent's Rights and Protecting Children

How important are the children of our nation? When do they become important and how long are they important to us? The answer should be from conception to death. Our children are our children from the moment the bonding is made in the womb of a mother to the moment that child passes on at the age of 8 or 80. They are our children and they need to be protected.

That's why its great to see two pieces of legislation going thru our government right now. The first is the Parental Rights Bill. This bill would make it illegal for someone to take a minor across state lines to have an abortion. Wow, a twofer! This would protect the unborn child from being aborted so easily, the teenager from making a mistake she'd regret the rest of her life and hopefully would even give teens a reason to pause before it gets that far. This bill is worth passing.

Unfortunately, some Democrats (not necessarily all) are trying to keep this bill from reaching the President's desk so that they can get more time to turn more Senators against the bill. What do you think - should that happen or should the bill get passed?

Then there is the Child Protection Act that would create a national sex offender registry. This would help law enforcement agencies and the public keep track of where the predators are and be able to avoid them.

The studies show that once a person commits a sexual crime it is more than likely that they will commit it again. Until they find a way to rehabilitate these people there is no other choice than to have a growing registry so as to keep track of them. Can you think of another way?

Links
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Parental Rights Bill

Child Protection Act

In God We Still Trust

I had some issues with the video so I republished!

So I had someone send me this via email. This is an awesome song! It is called "In God We Still Trust". This country was founded on the principles of Christianity and we need to fight to keep God in our Constitution and way of life. Hit play and be motivated.

The Internet is for Porn

A company named Morality in Media did a survery asking the question “Do you consider it to be morally acceptable to view pornographic websites and videos?” and found that the majority of Americans find that viewing porn in morally NOT acceptable. I must admit I found this hard to believe at first. Where I work sometimes that seems to be all that anyone talks about - porn, sex and drugs. Everywhere I turn outside of the church I see people who would not only condone looking at porn but would blatantly talk about their use of it. Our media is filled with soft porn even if they don't call it that.

Then I got to thinking about it a little bit more. This survey doesn't say that it delved any deeper than the above question. What about the question "Whether you find porn morally acceptable or not do you still view it"? Many people, including Christians, would say that pornography is wrong but yet in the quiet of their own home they'll slip in to an adult website just to view the front page or hide a magazine were no one else can find it. If most people in our country find this behavior wrong the reason why it is still so prevalent is most likely because we secretly use it anyway.

Romans 7:14-20 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)

14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

That then brings me to some questions - are any of you willing to talk about this subject? I mean, I'll admit I'm not perfect. I've more than observed my share of porn. Am I proud of it - absolutely not. If I could go back and erase every memory I have of it I would. I can't. Thank God He forgives me. If you're a Christian and know you have a relationship with the Father are you willing to share your insight? If you're a Christian but unsure of your position with God would you like to talk about it? If you're not a Christian and protest my comments would you like to make some comments of your own? If you're not a Christian but are curious what that means post your questions.

1 John 1:8-10 (New International Version)
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Link
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ObscenityCrimes.org

Hope thru study of Evolution

Okay, so it seems that a professor at a major university taught the pros and cons of evolution without teaching creationism and had the students doing some major studying on both sides. Based on his approach many of the students changed the way they see evolution. Not all but a lot of students in his class now say, at least, that evolution is NOT fact and is only a theory. Many students noticed the large number of holes in the evolutionary theories and couldn't believe that no one was being given more information on the subject. Look at these stats:



















The last two are my personal favorites. Look at that! After the class and only studying evolution's point of view and not even delving into the evidence for Creationism the number of students who believed in God jumped. Not a lot but enough to give anyone hope that someday we may win back the cultural freedom to teach Creationism. (please not I said "cultural" as many schools do teach it but it is currently a social and cultural taboo)

Check out the rest of the article and some more stats at the link below.

Link
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An exam to examine evolution

More on the Stem Cells

Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA today announced they have transformed adult stem cells taken from human adipose – or fat tissue – into smooth muscle cells, which help the normal function of a multitude of organs like the intestine, bladder and arteries. The study may help lead to the use of fat stem cells for smooth muscle tissue engineering and repair. ...

Okay, more proof that it can be done without taking stem cells from an embryo! Scientists are coming up with more and more ways to do it so WHY do we need to kill unborn children??

Link
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Researchers transform stem cells found in human fat into smooth muscle cells

The President's Veto

I had planned on not posting today. It's Sunday. I felt, as a Christian, I should abstain from work. But then I remembered two things - 1. I work at my normal job on Sundays so it really isn't the "Sabbath" to me in that sense and 2. This isn't work, its fun!

Anyway, I've been wanting to speak about the President's veto last week but didn't get the chance because I spent all week formatting this blog to look the way I want. By the way, how do you like it? I hadn't planned on actually talking about it as it is now an old issue but the debate continues.

What do you think? Was the President's veto a good idea or bad? Most conservative Christians would agree that it was a very righteous thing to do. I myself agree. I do not believe in abortion (or the production of fetus' for medical research) as a choice on a normal basis. It seems to me that considering there are other ways to get at stem cells other than by fetal tissue that the world would be eager to use those methods. Unfortunately, they refuse to see that even with all the documentation and the President's personal endorcement to these procedures. I'm all for stem cell research but why do we need to kill innocent human lives just to do it? It seems that Governor Schwarzenegger doesn't see it that way as he has proposed to put up millions of California funds to support a facility that would be researching embryonic stem cell production. My thoughts go deeper than this but what are your thoughts on the matter? Any questions you need answered? (I'll do my best)

Links
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Bush's Veto of Stem Cell Research Bill

Schwarzenegger's Decision to fund Research

Abstinence

Focus on the Family reported that teens are increasingly becoming aware that there is a choice other than sex and safe sex. That's great! I just wish that it was a thought that came naturally to our society. Unfortunately, there are actually groups out there trying to tear down the efforts to educate our country on the benefits of abstinence. This is just my opinion but I think they may be influenced by the money produced by condoms and other products sold to minors.

Lets face the facts, folks. No sex - no STDs. No sex - no pregnancy. No sex - no reason to feel guilty. If everyone waited until they were married to have sex and then only with their partner the rate of the above problems would drastically decrease.

Please keep in mind that, as Christians, we are to "love the sinner but hate the sin". We shouldn't judge people because of their mistakes. We've made plenty of our own. Yet, we should encourage those who are still virgins to remain that way until marriage. We should also encourage those who have messed up to take a stand now to wait. If not because God has commanded it then for the above risks. God doesn't set up rules to limit our fun but rather to limit our hurt.
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CDC: Sexual Activity Among Teens is Dropping

Just Starting...

Well, I suppose I should give a little information about myself to start this blog off right. I’d prefer to stay anonymous to those who are not personally invited to this blog so I will call myself only Chris. I have been a Christian now for roughly 13 years. I haven’t been the perfect Christian but who is? I have, however, continued to believe in the God of Abraham, in Jesus my Lord and in the fact that there is absolute truth in the world that is based on the love of God our Father. That is really what has led me to put this in blog form. I’ve have been daily increasing the number of emails I send out to people on events I feels are important for them to know about as Christians (and to some who aren’t Christians yet). In doing so I’m increasingly making myself aware of how important it is to stay up to date on the latest info around the world. More importantly, I’m starting to grasp how important it is to get involved. I haven’t, as of yet, been able to truly get involved in more than just informing others but I hope that this will be a growing lesson for me and anyone who reads this regularly.

All posts will be public so everyone can read them. All comments are welcome if they are clean and respectful. RSS feeds are available to those who want them. Please link to this site as I do not believe there is a way to subscribe at this time!

To start things off right, let's take a look at a video recorded and edited by a group of inner-city youth. I must say, I was highly impressed with this piece and feel it would make an excellent piece to start this blog on:

Click here for the Video(QuickTime required)