I let the ball drop and I apologize. I would like to say i have been taking a break but that's not true. I'm looking for His direction with this blog. Even if readers are just added one at a time, His Word will go out from this site and the Bible says His Word will not return to Him void. Read this:
Passage Isaiah 55:11:
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Copied from Bible.com)
God is sending out His Word through this medium. I want it to flourish, to reach out and grab someone's heart. Maybe provoke them to pray, to read their Bible, maybe ask a friend about Jesus, maybe go to church, I don't know. I type this blog in faith and leave the rest to God. That being said, I do not honestly know what new course this site will take. As far as devotionals, I will type those up from time to time, but I really want to engage in discussion. I want to talk about Jesus and His truths. Teaching fuels my faith and I hope fuels yours as well.
I do not know if there is an audience out there, but as for me and this blog, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).
Brian

It's been about 3 months since Trenton Duckett disappeared.

If you don't know the story about this two-year-old's disappearance, read about it. It's on America's Most Wanted site. I went to Yahoo.com and searched "Trenton Duckett" to get current on the latest news.

It's not confirmed to be accurate yet, but a witness says they saw young Trenton with his mother at a Wendy's drive-thru together then saw just the mother alone not too much later at the same Wendy's. This is the only lead investigators have had in 3 months of searching.

Personally, I just want the boy found alive and well. I have a son myself and I know what I would be feeling.

The worst part is that the story seems to incriminate the mother (I can't recall her name - the father's name is Joshua). The mother committed suicide by shooting herself with a shotgun. She did this the day after being grilled by Nancy Grace of Court TV and CNN Headline News. Some blame Nancy Grace for the woman's death, but I imagine Ms. Grace wants what we all do: the boy returned to his father alive and well.

I'm afraid that I believe the mother killed her son.

I pray that I'm wrong.

- Brian

Despite President Bush's words that any pullout decisions concerning Iraq will be for future Presidents to decide, the President has decided to listen to "fresh ideas" from both sides concerning changes in Iraq policy.

Now that Mr. Rumsfeld is no longer Secretary of Defense and Democrats hold the majority in both Houses, Democrat leaders are saying a redeployment of troops must happen in the next few months.

Military officials believe, however, that the sectarian violence in Iraq combined with the inability of the Iraqi government to stabilize will lead to a civil war if the US presence were removed.

Still others say that it is the US presence that started the insurgency in the first place. That the United States are seen as invaders, not liberators.

What are your views? What should the United States do and why?

-Brian

I have a new blog at blog.myspace.com/arkansas_brian. Check it out and remember to email me with any questions.

B

Brian, thanks so much for this testimony and the words of encouragement.

Mark C.

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: Brian Splittorff <brian_splittorff@yahoo.com

>> Dear Pastor Coppenger,> I just read your article "Tithing?! Gross!" on crosswalk.com. I must say that > I agree with you 100% on the tithing principle. My last paycheck, I tried an > experiment of sorts. I created an account on my computer called "Tithes > Payable." (yes, I'm an accountant) In it I would post the amount I would pay > for my tithe, 10% of my gross income. The account roughly said "ok, this is how > much I owe God on Sunday." I did it because my bank account was slim and needed > to pay bills. Not trusting God to supply all my needs, I basically said, "Look, > God, I know I owe you this tithe. See? I wrote it down. I'll pay it when I > can." Sunday morning came around and when it was time for the offering, I was > surprised to find that I had forgotten to write a check for any amount. I had > forgotten my promise to tithe because I felt admitting I owed the money was as > good as giving the money. I was wrong. You were right in saying that we are to > be "hilarious" givers. I have decided to> not "owe" God my tithe but give Him what is His every Sunday. I think I'll be > happier that way.> >

God Bless, Brian Splittorff

> Springdale, Arkansas> >

I was reading in my devotional today about Timothy, the Apostle Paul's protege. Timothy had a complex because of his age, his appearance, etc. He felt no one would take him seriously. Paul urged Timothy to live a godly, pure life in order to set the example of Christian living, in short, be a witness.

I have known failure in my service to God and I have been letting it hold me down. But now I see that perhaps my "failure" was a test, a test that could have been a failure if I hadn't seen it for what it was.

I am getting back on the horse, so to speak, and I encourage any and all that may read this to take heart in your circumstances. All is not lost because Christ is eternal and it's all for Him. Our "failures" are for Him and, yes, He's worth the risk of failing. Knowing this, isn't not trying a sin?

Pray with me:

Father,
Thank you for setting my sights on things above and not on this earth. I only want to serve you in anyway and not on my terms, but yours. I love You and am wholly yours.

In Jesus's Name,Amen.

Thank you all and may God Bless.

I just read an article on crosswalk.com on tithing, one of the core teachings from the Bible. The article states that tithing (giving ten percent of your gross income) is on the decline in recent years. In fact, according to a survey in 2000 sited in the article, 80% of an average church's budget if financed by 20% of the attendees with the remaining 20% of the budget being financed by the next 30% of attendees. The remaining 50%, according to the 2000 survey give little to nothing at all.

The article says one of the reasons in the decline of "tithers" is because some cannot afford to give 10% of their income away, instead spending their money on other important expenses such as medical costs.

I come from Indiana. The church I attended before moving to Arkansas in 2005 had just built a new sanctuary. The church borrowed the money to build the sanctuary from a bank and used pledges from attendees as proof they could afford to make payments. I forget how much the building cost exactly, but it was in the neighborhood of $1.5 million.

In contrast, we attended a church here in Arkansas that had just completed a multi-use facility. The building was paid for in cash with the church accumulating no debt with building it.

Both churches have beautiful new buildings but only one is debt-free. Both churches tithe off of their offerings. The church in Indiana tithes to their missions programs where the church in Arkansas tithes to many different programs, some of them missionary.

I offer these two churches as examples of tithers today. The ones who supposedly cannot afford to tithe are those who are making bad choices thereby living above their means and getting into debt. This makes their budget get eaten alive by all those minimum payments credit card companies love. Plus interest expenses are big budget killers. This is what is happening to the church in Indiana and to givers who cannot afford to tithe today.

If you think you cannot afford to tithe, then your heart is not right with God and you need to repent. Take a step back and make a sacrifice for the kingdom. If the only thing standing between you and making an offering that includes the tithe is $5.00 a week, stop spending that $5.00!!!

I wonder where people get their ideas from. I knew Catholicism held the idea of a "purgatory," a middle-place between heaven and hell. But now I find out there's a spiritual concept of "limbo." In purgatory, according to Roman Catholics, a soul receives purification so as to enter heaven. In contrast, limbo has two functions: (1) to hold those who were righteous before Christ's death and resurrection and (2) to hold the souls of infants who died before receiving baptism.

To enter heaven, all one must do is receive Jesus the Christ as their Savior. He paid the price for all mankind's sins on the cross 2000 years ago. Their is no purification one's soul must go through in order to enter heaven. Being made clean through the blood of Christ is all that's required. That's why Paul calls salvation of our souls a gift in the book of Ephesians. The Apostle John tells us to continually test the spirits in order to ascertain the truth. This spirit that created "limbo" is a false one.

Brian

In times such as these, I know beyond any doubt that we are living in what the Bible calls "the end times," or "last days." However you call it, I'm talking about the second coming of Jesus the Christ to rapture His church out of the earth before the 7-year tribulation begins.

Now I am not one to speculate about times, dates, or persons, but I will give my views on what the Bible teaches. But that's for later. Now, I feel it's time to do first things first. If you are reading this, it's not because of chance. It's not because you sat down at a computer and typed this specific address. It's because you were led here for a reason: to read the plan of salvation for your soul.

First, we're sinners, all of us. You, me, everyone. The Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." You must realize this. It is the most important thing for you to do right now. You must admit that you are not perfect. You've heard of the Ten Commandments? Find them in the Bible. If you have violated just one commandment one time in your life, you're a sinner. That's the truth. It gets worse.

Second, there is a price for being a sinner. I'm not talking about being caught in doing something wrong and being punished. I'm talking about dying in your unforgiven sins and your soul being sent to hell to be punished forever. And there is no end to this punishment. It is called eternal, as in neverending. The Bible says "the wages (cost, price) of sin is death." What death means is what Jesus calls "the second death." It's eternal separation from God in hell. You would no longer be able to call to Him for help. No more chances. You'd be banished from His presence forever.

But we don't have to fear this "second death" nor the first death if our hearts are right with God. If your heart is right with God, you know that God's Son, Jesus of Nazareth, died on the cross 2,000 years ago. You know His death paid that "death price" that was on your head for your sins. If you don't know He did this for you, pray this prayer:

Dear Jesus,

I know I'm a sinner. I know you paid the price for my sins. I want to live the rest of my life for you. Show me by Your Holy Spirit what you would have me do. My heart belongs to you now. Thank you for saving me.

In Jesus's Name.
Amen.

Please email me with any questions you may have. An awesome resourse for all christians is 1-800-NEED-HIM. Please call that number. They have helped me in times past.

Stay strong and in the Word of God and remember our strength comes from the joy of the Lord.

Brian

To my unborn child:

This is a day
I wish I could say
everything turned out
a different way

I never knew you
nor called you friend
but my love for you
will never end

Son or daughter
someday I'll see
what manner of person
you grew up to be

But for the rest of my life
until I die
I'll always find myself
asking "why?"

And someday I'll know.

Baby Splittorff August 28, 2006

BIBLE STUDY ON 3 JOHN

SALUTATION The Elder (John, apostle, author of this letter),

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I (John) love in the truth.
Dear friend (Gaius), I (John) pray that you (Gaius) may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (Some translations say “prosper” instead of “getting along well.”) It (having some brothers come and tell about Gaius’s faithfulness to the truth and how he continues to walk in the truth) gave me (John) great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth. I (John) have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

We know the author; he refers to himself as “the elder.”
We know the receiver of this letter; it is addressed to Gaius.
We know that the elder has heard good things about Gaius: that he is faithful to the truth and continues to walk in the truth.
The elder says doing so brings him no greater joy.

Other references to Gaius:

Acts 19:29 - “Soon the whole city (Ephesus) was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater.”

We know that Gaius was from Macedonia and traveled with Paul.

Acts 20:4 - “He (Paul) was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.”

We know that Gaius was specifically from Derbe.

Romans 16:23 - “Gaius, whose hospitality I (Paul) and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.”

1 Corinthians 1:14,15 - “I (Paul) am thankful I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say you were baptized into my (Paul) name.”

We know that Gaius was one of Paul’s converts.

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

We know that Gaius is faithful in his service of providing hospitality to fellow Christians, even if they are strangers. The elder says that Christians should show one another hospitality “so that we may work together for the truth.” In other words, work together to build unity in the Body of Christ.

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

The elder now mentions a second person, Diotrephes, who seems to be Gaius’s opposite in giving hospitality. So much so that Diotrephes puts those who do try to help out of the church. This may mean that Diotrephes was the leader of the church in this region or at least a leader.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does evil has not seen God.
Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone - and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends their by name.

Keywords: hospitality, faithful, faithfulness, truth, love

Main characters: The elder, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius
Gaius was well-known for his hospitality.
Diotrephes not only wouldn’t show hospitality, but also stopped others from doing so.
Demetrius, while the exact reason of the elder’s commendation is not given, is said to be “well spoken of by everyone.” In other words, his reputation preceded him.

Lesson:
Show hospitality even to strangers and do so in a manner worthy of God. Be faithful in doing so and the truth will bear testimony to you.

Brian

MIDEAST CRISIS: IS IT OVER?

My opinion is that it's not. The rhetoric coming from Iran and Syria does not bode well for a lasting peace in the Middle Eastern region. Plus the nuclear thing with Iran has not been dealt with yet. Anyway, we'll need to wait and see what kind of effective police force this UN militia will be that will help hold Hezbollah at bay. Besides that, remember that there was a conflict with the Palestinians before the Lebanese thing exploded. I think it's all just beginning.

Brian

THE DEPRIVATION FACTOR: DENIAL OF AID DUE TO STABLE HOMES

It has come to my attention that families who need help in the state of Arkansas may not be able to get any help because of something called "the deprivation factor." The deprivation factor requires a family to be under certain circumstances in order to receive aid. What levels are these? Let me explain.
A family of three is financially eligible to receive Medicaid. This family is expecting their second child. Both of the parents work and they cannot afford health insurance. Yet this family was turned down for aid because the husband of the family would be the father of both children. The couple being married also worked against their qualifying for aid. Am I the only one who sees this as odd in a nation that is trying to pass an amendment to the Constitution protecting the sanctity of marriage? Using tax dollars to promote unstable families while preaching family values at the same time? I understand the kids are the focus of the aid but punishing the kids who just happen to come from a stable home that just happens to need help is just wrong. It's providing the loophole that allows others to take advantage of the welfare program.
On the other hand, I'm sure the family I'm writing about is proud to not be "deprived."

Brian

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PIONEERS SPLIT, CONSIDERING DIVORCE?

I read on Yahoo news that the couple who won a landmark Massachusetts case legalizing their marriage have split up. Why? They're not saying. The couple have a daughter and reportedly married to share responsibility of the child. (You have to ask where the father is.) Everyone knows that marrying because of an expected child will soon lead to divorce. Seems marriage woes know no sexual preference boundaries.

Brian

Yesterday, I was having a conversation with co-workers. The topic was the future of the penny as a form of currency for the United States. It was said that it cost 1.35 cents to make a penny. That means to produce one dollar's worth of pennies (2 rolls), it will cost taxpayers $1.35 to make them. Government waste?

Of course, the topic quickly turned to gas prices as the national average nears $3.00 a gallon. I just read that with Israel waging military actions in Gaza as well as Lebanon, oil futures are now a record $75.88 per barrel. This will definitely make the national average over $3.00 a gallon.

Who did my co-workers blame for the gas prices? The auto industry? OPEC? Venezuela? No, they laid the blame at the feet of President Bush saying that he's reaping the benefits of being a Texas oilman. While I am sure that he is making some money from his oil interests, I doubt he has the power as an oilman to control gas prices by much, if at all. As President, he's doing what he can by pushing for measures that allow oil companies to look for oil elsewhere thereby decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and their power on our gas prices.

Personally, I see free markets overlapping being the culprit of gas prices being where they are.

First, oil is a limited resource. If demand is higher than supply, prices go up. Demand is high in the United States because our economy depends heavily on transportation.
Second,Add in to that the push for sales from the auto industry (is there any family besides mine that just has one car?) and you have too much demand from a limited supply.
Finally, if supply is decreased for whatever reason (war, hurricane damage, etc) and demand doesn't decrease as well, prices go up.

How do we fix the problem? If we rely on Congress to fix the problem, they have three options:

1. Increase the supply of oil by opening new areas to drill for oil.
2. Decrease the demand for oil by imposing a limit for fuel consumption (i.e. rationing).
3. Decrease the price of a gallon of gas by $0.184 by removing the federal gas tax.

There could be a fourth option, limiting the number of vehicles a family can own, but that would be counterproductive at this late stage of the game.

So we analyze the 3 options above:

We'll start with #3: the gas tax is supposed to pay for road improvements and the like. Besides it's a source of revenue for the government so forget their doing away with it.

Option #2: The reasoning for not doing this is somewhat the same as #3; limit the number of sales of gallons of gas, limit the dollars of revenue generated by the gas tax. It won't happen unless supply from foreign oil is cut off (like in wartime).

So that leaves option 1: find new sources of oil to increase supply.

Of course you know that eventually all of the oil in the world will be gone. It's not a replenishing resource.

The Colbert Report says the way to fix the problem is to use up all the oil in the world as quickly as possible so that future generations will not have to deal with an oil crisis.

Makes sense (cents?).

Brian

I received these comments on my Superman post....

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

This may sound weird, but ---I'm Chinese. And my Chinese name literally translates as "Son of Superman", given by an ego-centric father who lived in the last century of human advancement.Ironically, I'm not strong nor invincible, like Superman on Kryptonite. Then again, I don't wear S-sized red undies insideout either.Anyway, I'm just sharing. I happened to chance upon this blog by accident. --Posted by Red Havoc 2:16 to Rants. Queries, and Other Stuff at 7/10/2006 01:24:38 PM

Because reality no longer leaves any respite for true innocence. Because evil will not hesitate to use whatever means it has to destroy what is good.Or you can just go on and think; it's just a comic / movie. --Posted by Red Havoc 2:16 to Rants. Queries, and Other Stuff at 7/10/2006 01:19:20 PM

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

As I said in my post about Dan Brown and his "DaVinci Code," there is no such thing as "just a" anything anymore. Whether it be a book, a movie, television show, whatever, someone will be influenced by the content one way or the other.

Like "Red Havoc" wrote up there, "...evil will use whatever means it has to destroy what it is good."

Brian

THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER’S SUPERMAN
“Superman Returns,” a movie by Brian Singer, brings the comic book icon, Superman, back to the big screen after being gone nearly 25 years. For those who don’t know, Superman is the sole survivor of the planet Krypton, which was destroyed after its red sun exploded. Superman was sent to Earth to be raised by the Kent’s, his adoptive parents.
I grew up knowing Superman. I watched “Super Friends” on TV. I read the comic books. I watched reruns of the old Superman series starring George Reeves. I watched Christopher Reeve as Superman through four movies. I watched Dean Cain play Superman in the silly “Adventures of Lois and Clark.” I sometimes watch “Smallville,” too.
I’ve seen many versions of Superman and I have to say this latest one leaves a little to be desired. But, even as I write, I know that the reasons I watched Superman as a kid, some of those qualities kids look for, they were not in this movie. This Superman is for today’s generation of kids and it scares me. This movie was more violent, more cruel. The scene where a powerless Superman is beaten by Luthor’s thugs and then stabbed by a kryptonite dagger was almost too much for me to watch, and I’m 33.
Earlier in the day, I had asked my wife what she thought of my taking our 2-year-old son to see the movie. She didn’t like the idea. After watching the movie, I have to agree with her.
Where is the innocence that was in all the comics I grew up reading? They are gone. I’m appalled by the violence in today’s movies, television shows, and even cartoons. Subtly, over the years, even I have been desensitized to violence. And that bothers me, but not as much as knowing my son will be growing up in a world I do not recognize anymore.
I just pledged to my wife that I was done with comic book stuff. She reminded me that “Spiderman 3” will be out next year sometime. I had forgotten about that so I amended my pledge to just not bringing any comic book stuff into our home.
I suppose I just need something to bring closure so that I can walk away. After “Star Wars: Episode 3,” I swore off anything Star Wars because of the violent themes in episodes 2 and 3. I swore off X-Men after “X2: X-Men United” because of the anti-religious undertones that run throughout the movie. Now I have cut Superman loose as well. He’s no longer my hero. It saddens me but I want to delay my son knowing what I know to be true, the world has become a dark place. It’s no longer innocent.
For now, my son’s world is innocent. He loves the Wiggles and loves to paint. As long as possible, I want his world to stay innocent. To help maintain his world, the dark place that is the real world must stay outside our home. It must stay off our television and off our computer. Unfortunately, I know I am only delaying the encounter between my son and the world, but that delay is all I have.

THE NORTH AMERICAN UNION: ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS THE NEW WORLD ORDER?
In the wake of globalization and the opening of new markets, trade agreements and treaties have created trade blocs and unions such as the European Union. The European Union was created based on the desire of European nation-states to be more competitive and have more of a say on international matters. What has come into being, however, is a political force, not just for trade but also for political matters. The EU came into being to be a counterweight to the United States. Ironically, the United States may become one of a three-nation “North American Union” with Mexico and Canada.
The issues facing the United States in the North American region do not seem to warrant creating a three-nation free trade bloc. These days, illegal immigration is a hot bed for political debate as is the outsourcing of American jobs and unemployment in the United States. Yet creating a free trade bloc between the US, Canada, and Mexico is on the agenda of the Council on Foreign Relations.
What is the benefit of creating a North American Union for the United States? I fail to see it. What I do see is the sectionalizing of the world. More and more, the world is being broken down and rebuilt. It happened in Europe. There is an African union. It will happen in the Middle East. This is why it is so important for the Middle East to be peaceful. In order for there to be a “Middle Eastern Union,” the member nations must be at peace with one another. This point is made by Bradley R. Gitz in the June 25, 2006 edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (“Democracies have more rights”). He says that dictatorships (non-democracies) are the hurdle between where the world is now and the future state of democratic law (new world order?). He was speaking of Iran and North Korea, but you can include any political hotspot on the planet as a “hurdle”: Cuba, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. Remove the hurdles and it’s clear sailing to the future emergence of unions around the world.
What then? First, the role of the United Nations will change from an organization of many member states to an umbrella organization of unions, a super-union that is a conglomeration of the lesser, regional trade unions. The excuse will be to make the UN more efficient. Eventually, the power of the regional unions would be gone and only the UN in the role of super-union would be left to govern (or is it rule?) the world.
This is what was reported on the Council on Foreign Relations website:
--------------------
Task Force Urges Measures to Strengthen North American Competitiveness, Expand Trade, Ensure Border Security
May 17, 2005Council on Foreign Relations (www.cfr.org)
May 17, 2005--North America is vulnerable on several fronts: the region faces terrorist and criminal security threats, increased economic competition from abroad, and uneven economic development at home. In response to these challenges, a trinational, Independent Task Force on the Future of North America has developed a roadmap to promote North American security and advance the well-being of citizens of all three countries.
When the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States met in Texas recently they underscored the deep ties and shared principles of the three countries. The Council-sponsored Task Force applauds the announced "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America," but proposes a more ambitious vision of a new community by 2010 and specific recommendations on how to achieve it.
Pointing to increased competition from the European Union and rising economic powers such as India and China in the eleven years since NAFTA took effect, co-chair Pedro C. Aspe, former Finance Minister of Mexico, said, "We need a vision for North America to address the new challenges." The Task Force establishes a blueprint for a powerhouse North American trading area that allows for the seamless movement of goods, increased labor mobility, and energy security.
"We are asking the leaders of the United States, Mexico, and Canada to be bold and adopt a vision of the future that is bigger than, and beyond, the immediate problems of the present," said co-chair John P. Manley, Former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "They could be the architects of a new community of North America, not mere custodians of the status quo."
At a time of political transition in Canada and Mexico, the Task Force proposes new ideas to cope with continental challenges that should be the focus of debate in those two countries as well as the United States. To ensure a free, secure, just, and prosperous North America, the Task Force proposes a number of specific measures:
Make North America safer:
Establish a common security perimeter by 2010.
Develop a North American Border Pass with biometric identifiers.
Develop a unified border action plan and expand border customs facilities.
Create a single economic space:
Adopt a common external tariff.
Allow for the seamless movement of goods within North America.
Move to full labor mobility between Canada and the U.S.
Develop a North American energy strategy that gives greater emphasis to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases -- a regional alternative to Kyoto.
Review those sectors of NAFTA that were excluded.
Develop and implement a North American regulatory plan that would include "open skies and open roads" and a unified approach for protecting consumers on food, health, and the environment.
Expand temporary worker programs and create a "North American preference" for immigration for citizens of North America.
Spread benefits more evenly:
Establish a North American Investment Fund to build infrastructure to connect Mexico's poorer regions in the south to the market to the north.
Restructure and reform Mexico's public finances.
Fully develop Mexican energy resources to make greater use of international technology and capital.
Institutionalize the partnership:
Establish a permanent tribunal for trade and investment disputes.
Convene an annual North American summit meeting.
Establish a Tri-national Competition Commission to develop a common approach to trade remedies.
Expand scholarships to study in the three countries and develop a network of Centers for North American Studies.
--------------------
Under the heading of “Make North America Safer” above, there are three goals listed. The second is to “develop a North American Border Pass with biometric identifiers.” What exactly would those “biometric identifiers” be? I am afraid that if I investigate a little, I will find that the plan will call for a single chip to be placed under the skin that will serve as a single I.D. at the borders. A wand would be waved over the area the chip is located and information gleaned from the chip would be matched against a database for background information such as criminal records or terrorism connections. Read Revelations chapter 13 for information on the mark of the beast.
Under the final heading, “Institutionalize the partnership,” it is clear that this section calls for a definite organization to be created as in a “North American Union.” In other words, make it an official organization with powers to govern whatever matters are dictated to it: first, trade matters, then what?
In the book of Daniel in the Bible, Daniel sees in a vision “a little horn” that comes from “ten horns” on a beast. These ten horns are explained to be ten kings. These “kings” could also be secretaries of these regional trade unions. This little horn is another king that arises from among them. It is said that he will subdue three kings and will rule for “a year, two years, and half a year” or three and a half years.
Watch this now. The world will soon be divided into ten regions, the regional trade unions.
1. The European Union
2. The African Union
3. The North American Union
4. The South American Union
5. The Middle Eastern Union
6. The Central American Union
7. The Asian Union
8. Etc.
Of course, I do not know exactly how the lines would be drawn, but I do promise it will happen. Be reassured this is all prophesied so it is all in God’s plan. Read your Bible. The end is now in sight. Be ready.
Brian

Here's some more stuff from the Presbyterian's website. This is a paper on expanding the theology of the Trinity. It says that the theology of the Trinity is "rooted in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Being rooted, it is therefore safe, the paper goes on to say, to "explore" new ways of expressing God through the Trinity. One of the ways, but not the only one, is to use a female gender-view of the Trinity to express God's maternal side. It is expressed through the words "mother, child, and life-giving womb."

Don't be misled by this. As I said in an earlier letter, this is an attempt to discredit Jesus and His work. It seems harmless, but I promise this is another step to "toleration" and "peace among religions" in the name of harmony and freedom. What this paper is proposing will one day prove to be a major stepping-stone in creating an all-inclusive religion where all religions know some truth and no one religion has all the truth.

Mark my words.
----------------

This is from the aforementioned paper.

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A Plenitude of Images of the Trinity 382
Recognizing that all language about the triune God refers beyond itself by way of analogy, we draw on 383
scripture and our confessions to speak of the triune God in historically faithful yet freshly imaginative 384
ways. The analogies employed in the following list have not been chosen at random. They are guided by 385
God’s self-revelation as attested in scripture. Some triads have a narrative quality; others are drawn from 386
creation. Three guidelines have been followed: 1) in each case the three terms must have an inner 387
relationship; 2) the terms must either be personal or functional—the two should not be mixed; and 3) 388
functional Trinitarian language should be understood to amplify and enrich our understanding of God—it 389
cannot replace personal language. 390
While classical trinitarian theology speaks of the “first, second, and third” persons of the Trinity, scripture 391
also refers to the three in other patterns, as in the apostolic benediction which invokes “the grace of the 392
Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit” (2 Cor 13:13). 393
As we worship, the triune God is the One From Whom, the One through Whom, and the One in 394
Whom we offer our praise (Rom 11:36). 395
396
As we seek God’s grace and wholeness, acknowledging the sin and brokenness in us, our human 397
communities, and the whole creation, the triune God is our Rainbow of Promise, our Ark of 398
Salvation, and our Dove of Peace (From Gail Ramshaw, Koinonia: Services and Prayers 399
9
(Geneva: Lutheran World Federation, 2004). 400
401
As we read, proclaim, hear, and live out the message of scripture, the triune God is known to us 402
as Speaker, Word, and Breath (Heb 1:1; Jn 1:1; Jn 20:22; Ps 104:30). 403
404
In baptism, the triune God is for us Overflowing Font, Living Water, Flowing River (Book of 405
Common Worship, p.412; Jn 4:10, 13-14; Jn 7:37). 406
407
As we are born anew by water and the Spirit, the triune God is Compassionate Mother, Beloved 408
Child, and Life-giving Womb (Isa 49:15; Mt. 3:17; Isa 46:3). 409
410
As we grow in grace, the triune God is our Sun, Light, and Burning Ray (John of Damascus, First 411
Apology). 412
413
As we offer ourselves, our resources, and our gratitude in stewardship and Eucharist, the triune 414
God is Giver, Gift, and Giving (Jas 1:17; Jn 3:16; 2 Cor 9:15; 1 Jn 3:24). 415
416
In celebrating the communion of our life together in Christ, the triune God is Lover, Beloved, and 417
the Love and binds together Lover and Beloved (Augustine, The Trinity). 418
419
As members of the believing community, we acknowledge the triune God as our Rock, 420
Cornerstone, and Temple (Ps 28:1; Eph 2:20-21). 421
422
When we speak of God’s wrath in the face of evil, the triune God is for us Fire that Consumes, 423
Sword that Divides, and Storm that Melts Mountains (Deut 5:25; Mt 10:34-35; Ps 97:5). 424
425
As we seek to live in faith, love, and hope, the triune God is for us the One Who Was, the One 426
Who Is, and the One Who Is To Come (Rev 4:8). 427
428
In these and other ways we stammer to confess that the triune God is an inexhaustible mystery of 429
purifying and transforming love. God abides in eternal communion. Divine life is giving and receiving, 430
sharing and delighting in reciprocal love. Abundant, overflowing love is the glory, majesty, and beauty of 431
the triune God. By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we are 432
invited to participate in the eternal life of the triune God who is love (1 Jn 4: 8). 433
434
We must always bear in mind that Scripture affirms Jesus Christ is the very image of God. This means the 435
Triune God has chosen to reveal the Divine identity in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is the 436
mystery of our salvation and the revelation of God to the world.

Found this on the Presbyterian Church's (USA) website...
There's more news, but this is the next step in the Trinity controversy...
You can read more yourself at this site.
--------------------------------------

GA acts on Trinity paper
Assembly votes to 'receive' and commend to the church
by Bill Lancaster

BIRMINGHAM, June 19 — The 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a recommendation today to receive and commend to the church for study the paper, "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing." The vote was 282 to 212, with 7 abstentions.

The original recommendation from the General Assembly Council called for the Assembly to approve the paper. An amendment during the debate changed the word to "receive" when some commissioners expressed concern that the word approve meant endorsement. While a majority of the commissioners were uncertain about endorsing it, they were ready to commend it to congregations for study.

Even if approved, the paper would not have had the weight of the confessions and statements of faith found in the PC(USA) Constitution. It would have had only the endorsement of this particular General Assembly.

A second amendment added words to the section on baptism that support only the use of the words "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" in baptism. Specifically, the amendment added the phrase, "with the exception of the baptismal formula itself." The full sentence now reads, "With the exception of the baptismal formula itself, we are also free to supplement this language with additional Trinitarian images to reflect the expansive grace, love, and communion of the one God."

Only 48 percent of the commissioners supported a minority report that would have sent the paper back to the Office of Theology and Worship for further consultation with churches.

After the amended main motion was approved, a motion to reconsider failed by a vote of 222-260.

In other action, Catherine Gonzales was given the Excellence in Theological Education Award. She is a retired professor of church history and historical theology at Columbia Theological Seminary.

The Assembly elected Davis Perkins to a fourth term as president of Presbyterian Publishing Corporation and confirmed William J. Carl as the new president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

The body also approved starting the eight-year process toward producing a new Presbyterian hymnal and a new Internet-based hymn resource.

By voice vote they approved an amended recommendation on the authority of Scripture and a recommendation on the Sacraments called, "Invitation to Christ: Sacramental Practices."

In Birmingham, Alabama, the Presbyterian Church's (USA) National Assembly is considering experimenting with new phrases in describing the Holy Trinity ("Church to allow suggestions on Trinity, June 20, 2006). Traditionally, the Trinity has always been "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," referring to, respectively, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Now, to reflect tolerance and diversity, allowances in the phraseology could include "Mother, Son, and Womb."
There is too much tolerance and not enough standing up for Jesus. This act of making "God the Father" a female gender is another move by satan and his puppets to discredit our Lord.
Jesus told us that when we saw Him, we saw God. Jesus always prayed to His Father in Heaven, not His earthly mother, Mary.
The Assembly went on to speak of seeking "fresh ways to speak of the mystery of the triune God." How about the Biblical way: "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?"

In the opinion section of the Northwest Arkansas Times Friday, there was an article entitled “The anti-life movement.” The writer of the article, Christian Beenfeldt, has a masters degree in philosophy and writes for the Ayn Rand Institute. However, I think Mr. Beenfeldt has missed the point of the movement he calls “anti-life.”
First, I take offense at Mr. Beenfeldt’s language in the article. He says that abortion “(means) women who wanted to terminate a pregnancy (kill a child) would be forbidden from doing so …,(forcing) them to endure the misery of unwanted pregnancy and the incredible burdens of child-rearing.” He goes on to liken parenthood as “18-year terms of enslavement to unwanted children.”
The author speaks of the woman’s needs, the woman’s future, and her dreams. What of the life that she would be carrying? What of the baby’s needs, his future, and his dreams? He would never have the chance to live a life because his mother would not want to be “burdened” with an unwanted child from an unwanted pregnancy.
The author uses statistics to try make a point. I want to know how many abortions have taken place that can be blamed by the lack of morals in today’s sex-driven society. I believe most abortions take place because people want to party and not pay the check. The author agrees with me by calling the babies “unwanted.”
Second, I take offense at Mr. Beenfeldt’s comparing an embryo to “a pile of acorns” that is less “primitive than a fish or bird.” This proves Mr. Beenfeldt is an atheist. God created the world and placed man in dominance over the world to care for it. God did not place the Earth on equal footing with man. We are the ones made in His image (and that includes the babies, Mr. Beenfeldt.)
Lastly, I take offense at Mr. Beenfeldt’s saying the protecting the sanctity of life from conception is nothing more than religious dogma promoted by the Church. I am not Catholic and do not subscribe to any particular “dogma.” I do know that all life is sacred and that life begins at conception. I know that the taking of any life is wrong and, therefore, stand against any killing, including abortion.
I praise God that my wife and I never thought of killing our son in the womb. I praise God my parents let me live. Mr. Beenfeldt should be thankful as well his parents let him live. That is the point of the movement Mr. Beenfeldt calls “anti-life.”

One has to wonder, that if Dan Brown could have known the uproar his novel, "The Davinci Code," would cause around the world, would he still have wrote it? At this point, to say that his book is "just a novel" is just avoiding the cultural force it is. I do not know how much the movie version of his book has grossed so far, but it must be huge, I'm sure.
Here's some irony for you, though: Islamic Pakistan has banned the movie in their country to respect Jesus Christ, who they hold as a prophet of allah. Pakistan has a Christian population of roughly 3%. (Remember the worldwide rage of Muslims over the disrespect of their prophet, Muhammad?)
Again, at this point, to discount the cultural force "The Davinci Code" is by saying "it's just a book" or "it's just a movie" is just avoidance. Whether Dan Brown knew it or not, he unleashed a weapon on God and His Son, Christ, that will help turn millions away from salvation or harden their hearts to the Gospel.
I hope Dan Brown can sleep at night knowing he helped send someone to hell for a paycheck.

Brian

Watch this video. It's worth the tears and touches the Spirit.

Brian

First, I have received nice comments on this space and I thank you all who wrote them.
Next, I have a different opinion on the illegal immigration issue: I now just don’t know what I think. My previous stance was basically “if you’re an illegal immigrant, you are a criminal, end of story.“ On Headline News a few days ago, I heard a story about a woman who crossed the Mexico-United States border when she was fourteen. She went on to get jobs wherever she could get them such as a part-time job at Taco Bell. She eventually married and started a family.
So far this story can be repeated if you ask half of the so-called “illegal immigrant population” which I do not have numbers on how many millions they number lately. Where this story gets tragic and probably unique is coming.
This woman wanted to have something her husband and children had: a U.S. citizenship. She looked for help in obtaining her goal and found a place that promised that help…for a fee. Over a number of years, this woman spent around $8,000 paying for whatever this firm said she needed to pay for. In the end, the people involved in the firm, which ended up a scam, were arrested for fraud and disappeared after posting bail. What happened to the immigrant woman?
After everything hit the fan, she became visible on the federal radar. She will be deported, probably without her family, back to Mexico on June 10 of this year.
When we are dealing with political issues, we lose our focus on who we’re dealing with: real people. The decisions that are made in Congress and signed by our President into law affect each and every one of us.
I don’t like the idea of people who are living in the United States illegally getting away with their crimes, but I don’t like splitting up families either. Where is the compromise?

(I just read this today...)

ROOTS & WINGS : Finding common ground with others
Lowell Grisham lgrisham@arkansasusa.com
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/40670/

What is essential for the Christian faith is that we know we have seen the face of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is not essential to believe that no one else has seen God and experienced redemption in another place or time or way.
— Dr. Joseph Hough, President of Union Theological Seminary One of the fruits of practicing a traditional form of Christian contemplative prayer is the enjoyment of being able to share a common expression of spiritual experience with people from other religious traditions. My practice is called Centering Prayer, and it is a version of the Christian prayer tradition from the 14 th century "Cloud of Unknowing," St. John of the Cross, Cassian, St. Teresa of Avila and others. Centering Prayer is a discipline that opens us to the experience of contemplation, which some describe as union with God or the inner infusion of grace. St. Paul speaks of the help that the Spirit gives us, interceding "with sighs too deep for words" (Romans 8:26). In Centering Prayer we set our intention to consent to the presence and activity of God within, and let the Spirit pray for us in the contemplative deep silence that Thomas Keating calls "God’s first language." Centering Prayer is a Christian spiritual practice that I can talk about with my Buddhist friends. Buddhist meditation shares much in common with Christian contemplative prayer. Another acquaintance who leads Native American spiritual exercises tells me about a similar discipline from his tradition. The Sufis and Quakers, Orthodox and even pain management clinics share similar contemplative prayer practices.
Maybe that is one reason why it has been easy for me to appreciate the wisdom and holiness I’ve witnessed from non-Christian traditions. For a long time it has made sense to me that the God who speaks to me through Jesus Christ is the same God who has spoken through history "in many and various ways" (Hebrews 1:1).
I know that I have experienced the face of God in the face of Jesus Christ and I embrace his promise that in him we have seen the truth, and that the Spirit will lead us into all truth (John 14:17). But that does not mean that Christians have a monopoly on truth. I am happy to say that in Jesus, God is incarnate in a particularly transparent and ultimate way. But that does not mean that God is incarnate in Jesus alone. God is free to be present, manifest and incarnate as God will be. It is a form of idolatry for Christians to claim that God’s revelation is exclusively ours.
In a century when religious intolerance and fundamentalisms are threatening to tear apart the planet, it is time for faithful people from the many religions to call forth their highest and most generous expressions from within their own traditions. That’s where the mystics can help us. The mystical traditions of every faith share a common experience of the ultimate. That’s where the ethical values of compassion and love can help us. Every enduring religion affirms the centrality of compassion and love.
Diana Eck, who studies the world’s religions says, "Jesus Christ reveals to us the face of God, which is love. And Jesus Christ reveals to us the meaning of the human, which is love. This double revelation is enough." That is our witness as Christians, that God is love. I would add also the witness of justice, which is simply love made active in our common life, in our politics and economics. The language and experience of love, compassion and justice is a common language that is present not only in all religious traditions, but also in many non-religious expressions. Wherever there is love or compassion or justice, there is God. It is our duty to honor God, to venerate God, however God may be manifest, especially in the surprising or unexpected person or place.
Now more than ever, we need to be able not only to tolerate our diverse religious traditions, but even to venerate how God is present and revealed "in many and various ways."
Lowell Grisham is an Episcopal priest from Fayetteville.
Copyright © 2001-2006 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: webmaster@nwanews.com

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How can this teacher say such things? Didn't Jesus say that He was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could come to the Father but by Him? Doesn't the word "the" imply a so-called monopoly, as in there is no other way? I am shocked that a teacher of God's Word would misunderstand a scripture like Hebrews 1:1 where the author (we believe it's Paul) says that in times past God revealed Himself "in various times and in various ways through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son..." Lowell Grisham quotes the verse as far as it would strengthen his view.

Let's be real. Jesus is the Son of God. You have read or have heard it said that religions are man's way of getting closer to God. A relationship with Jesus Christ is God's way of getting closer to man. How did He do this?

He became a man. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. He came to this world to die for our sins. His work on the cross paid that price. There is no other way to heaven than through the atoning blood of Christ. By saying otherwise, Lowell Grisham is discounting the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray that his students can see through his errors.

How much longer until the Fair Tax is seriously approached in Congress? I, for one, am tired of the way things are. The Fair tax would address one area of concern: take home pay. Please check out their site and sign the petition. Wouldn't you like to take home 100% of your paycheck instead of 75 or 80%?

The website is www.fairtax.org.

Brian

Word is that Iran will "retaliate" against Israel if an "evil" United States attacks them. Does Iran just want to incite Armaggedon? What are they thinking? Actually, I'm more interested in what China and Russia are thinking. Iran will attack Israel if the United States attacks them and Russia and China want to use diplomacy. Where's Iran's diplomacy? How did Israel get involved?

I wonder how, if war were to break out, sides would play out. Would this be World War 3? Who would be with whom? The United States and European Union on one side with Iran, China, and Russia on the other?

Where's the panic button?

I just heard on CNN about boycotts on May 1. These boycotts are from those who feel any "criminalization" of illegal immigrants is wrong. The Mexican government apparently is also involved calling for boycotts. Ok, the key word in illegal immigratation is illegal. It is against the law to be here in the United States. There is a right way and a wrong way. If you are here illegally, you are breaking the law. A person who breaks the law is a criminal. Illegal immigrants are criminals. Simple logic.

It seems too easy to me. Two steps to fixing this out-of-control train called our economy: (1) passing the FairTax Act (check it out at fairtax.org) and begin using (once it's widely available to all vehicles) a mostly-ethanol mixture for fuel. This would re-ignite the economy (something that needs to happen now that China is number 1, if not number 2) and decrease the U.S.'s dependence on foreign oil.

Any thoughts? Agree or disagree, let's talk.

Brian

Hello, World!

Some quick shots of where I stand on topics.

Relationship with Jesus Christ - the only way to heaven.
Religion - bad for you.
Taxes - they need to change.
Abortion - hate it.
Gas Prices - gouging is taking place, Exxon, Shell, OPEC...taking their customers for millions.
Politics - mostly conservative with a little bit of Green
Afghanistan - Free Afghanistan from terrorists? Good idea. U.S. become occupying force? Bad idea.
Iraq - see Afghanistan, replace terrorists with Saddam Hussein
Iran - U.S. forces are stretched thin already. Would there be a draft to fight a war in Iran?

Remember Jesus is Lord.

Brian