A Tale of Two Kingdoms

A Reformation Sunday message focusing upon justification by grace through faith with special emphasis upon the substitution and imputation of Christ and his righteousness.


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Robert and His Pumpkin: Separated At Birth?

Funny...but True?

Found while surfing the blogosphere:

A torn and ragged one-dollar bill discovered that it was about to be retired from circulation.

As it slowly moved along the conveyor belt to the shredder, it became acquainted and struck up a conversation with a fifty-dollar bill that was meeting the same fate.

The fifty began reminiscing about its travels all over the country. Life has been good,” the fifty exclaimed. “Why, I’ve been to Las Vegas, the finest restaurants in New York, political fund raisers, and just returned from a cruise on the Caribbean.”

Gee,” said the one-dollar bill, “you’re fortunate to have been able to visit all those places.”

So where all have you been in your lifetime, my little friend,” says the fifty?”

“Well, I’ve been to …

the Methodist Church,
the Baptist Church,
the Episcopal Church,
the Presbyterian Church,
the Church of God,
the Lutheran Church,
the Catholic Church,
the Orthodox Church,
the Assembly of God Church,
the Brethren In Christ Church,
the Quaker Church ,
the Pentecostal Church,
the Charismatic Church,
the Mennonite Church,
the United Church of Christ,
the Church of Christ …”

“Excuse me,” says the fifty, “but what’s a Church”?

Reformation Sunday Spurgeon

Sinners—you must either be cursed of God,
or else you must accept Christ,
as bearing the curse instead of you.
I do beseech you, as you love your souls,
if you have any sanity left,
accept this blessed and
divinely-appointed way
of salvation.
This is the truth which the apostles preached,
and suffered and died to maintain;
it is this for which the Reformers struggled;
it is this for which the martyrs
burned at Smithfield;
it is the grand basis doctrine
of the Reformation, and the very truth of God.

Censored Christian Kindergartner Gets Day in Court

From Liberty Counsel:

Federal Appeals Court Rules That Kindergarten Student's Case May Proceed To Trial Over Censorship Of An Art Poster That Contained A Picture Of Jesus.

Manhattan, New York - Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit handed a victory to Antonio Peck and his parents by ruling that his case, involving the censorship of an art poster containing a picture of Jesus, may proceed to trial. Antonio is represented by Liberty Counsel.

The case began in 1999, when Antonio attended kindergarten in Syracuse, New York, at the Baldwinsville Elementary School. His teacher instructed the class to draw a poster regarding their understanding of the environment. Antonio's first poster contained several religious figures and the following statement: "The only way to save the world." Antonio was expressing his belief that God was the only way to save the environment. This poster was rejected. Antonio's second poster contained various cutout figures and other artistic work. Some of the figures on the right side included children holding hands circling the globe, people recycling trash into a recycle bin, and children picking up garbage. On the left side of the poster was a bearded man wearing a robe kneeling with one knee to the ground and two hands stretched toward the sky. To Antonio, this figure was Jesus, although the figure was not identified. This poster was displayed for half a day on the cafeteria wall along with 80 other student posters, but unlike the other kindergarten posters, school officials folded Antonio's poster in half so that the figure of Jesus could not be seen. When school officials refused to remedy the matter or adopt a policy to prevent future censorship, Liberty Counsel filed suit over the second poster.

In 2000, the federal trial court ruled that the school had the right to censor the poster because of "church and state" concerns. On March 28, 2001, a unanimous federal court of appeals reversed the decision and sent the case back to the trial court. Last year the same federal trial court again ruled for the school. Yesterday a unanimous court of appeals again ruled in favor of Antonio and reversed the decision. Based on the testimony in the record, the court of appeals ruled that a trial was necessary to determine whether the poster was censored because of its religious viewpoint. The court of appeals pointed to deposition testimony of school officials, which stated that the poster was censored because of the religious image of Jesus. The officials also testified that they would not censor other secular images, even if they were not responsive to the assignment.

In Peck v. Baldwinsville School District, the federal court of appeals for the Second Circuit joined the Ninth and the Eleventh Circuits in holding that viewpoint discrimination is forbidden, even in the public school classroom context. The First and Tenth circuits hold that viewpoint discrimination in the public school context is permissible. This case will now proceed to trial. Based on the circuit splits, this case has the potential to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel for Liberty Counsel, stated: "I'm elated with the decision. Now Antonio will have his day in court. The school humiliated Antonio when the teacher folded his poster in half so that the cutout drawing of Jesus could not be seen. To allow a kindergarten poster to be displayed for a few hours on a cafeteria wall, along with 80 other student posters, is far from an establishment of religion. To censor the poster solely because some might perceive a portion of it to be religious is an egregious violation of the Constitution."

T-Shirt Theology

Available from Randomshirts.com

In My Continuing Quest...

Ann Coulter
for the
Supreme Court

Pre-Christmas Sale....Buy-It-Now for only $25,000

My blog is worth $212,831.58.
How much is your blog worth?

Wheat, Weeds and the Ways of God

An examination of the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds focusing on applying its message to believers in four ways:

We need to
1) Stop Sleeping
2) Practice Patience
3) Get Growing
4) Evangelize Eternity


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Tsumani Relief Update - The Church on Phra Yum

In January our congregation raised funds to rebuild this church on Phra Yum Island off the coast of Thailand. It was totally destroyed by the force of the tsumani. Yesterday I received some pictures and a letter of encourgement from Enoch Sirikul (Thailand Campus Crusade for Christ) who has helped adminster the funds. He writes:

Dear Pastor Scott Nichols and Faith Reformed Church,

Even though we expect to see great results from God moving in our midst as we step out in faith to advance the gospel, the reality of bearing fruit immediately from our labor is sometimes not seen. Many times the Lord works through us and gives us the awesome privilege of experiencing ministry with no obvious, direct, results.

Possibly, this helps us understand that the Lord is responsible for His work. Through us, God works and He will produce the fruit. Yet, on the other hand, sometimes the Lord reveals his awesome power very visibly and immediately and with evidence of such glorious results which come directly from His power, which obviously as a result of his great efforts.

This is what has happened here in Thailand. The Lord is moving only in ways that He can move. Don't take me wrong, we, as his agents, have been working passionately to see His gospel spread to the people of the southern part of Thailand. And partnering with you has been a great joy. Because of the great response to the gospel from the people who were affected by the tsunami, we must say, the Lord is working mightily and He should be given all the glory!

As you can see from the pictures I've sent you, the help we have given to the victims of the tsunami is significant. Over 50 new homes have been built, 20 new boats have replaced boats that were destroyed, and 37 fishing equipment sets, such as nets and fisheries have been supplied. Thank you specifically for your donation for rebuilding the church in Phra Yum Island Village.

Hundreds of families have been given a chance to rebuild their lives. And joyfully, I would want to point out something more remarkable than the physical aid that our partnership has provided. We have seen the Lord work through us to build much more than homes, boats, and church buildings. Whole communities have been built into the Kingdom of God! Yes, whole villages line up to follow Jesus! Working through the handful of churches that existed before the tsunami, we have clearly seen a major transformation. Where once there was vast spiritual darkness, there is a light shining so bright that it has made the front pages of the national Thai newspapers, "Thai people and Gypsies in the South turn to Christianity".

I hope you have some sense of the magnitude of your involvement in this transformation. We are literally seeing the history of Christianity changed in a whole country. I want to write this to you to say, "thank you, thank you, thank you!" You have helped us answer the direct call from our Lord to give these needy victims a new life, both here on earth, and a new life for all eternity with the Savior.

The pictures you see are a hundreds of Thai people and sea gypsies coming to the Lord. New churches are springing up in so many areas. The national headlines in the national newspaper pointed out just 17 new churches. This in itself would be significant, since only three churches existed in this province before the tsunami. Well, what they don't know won't hurt them. For we know of at least 35 new churches. And the number continues to grow each month. To God be the glory! And again, please know that you have made a difference here by your prayers and giving to the tsunami relief and recovery efforts.

God bless,
Enoch Sirikul

Here are a few more of the pictures I received.

Let us continue to pray for the victims of this tragedy; especially that out of this disaster more might come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ!

Sunday Spurgeon

If your creed and Scripture do not agree, cut your creed to pieces, but make it agree with this book. If there be anything in the church to which you belong which is contrary to the inspired word, leave that church. To the law and to the testimony here is the infallible chart of faith, follow it closely, and if you do, you need have no fear of coming short, for this book cannot lead you astray.

The Purpose Driven Coffee?

From the Pastor's Weekly Briefing:

"Coffee giant Starbucks, under fire from Christian customers for printing a pro-gay message on some of its cups, is giving equal time to God. The chain announced this week that it will include a quote from Rick Warren, best-selling author of The Purpose-Driven Life, as part of its 2006 "The Way I See It" campaign.

Starbucks is printing 63 quotes from writers, scientists, musicians, athletes, politicians and cultural critics on cups for company-run and licensed locations to carry on the coffeehouse tradition of conversation and debate. Warren's, however, will be the first words to so boldly mention God — some mention "faith in the human spirit."

When Warren learned the company was taking customer requests for the 2006 campaign, he sent in his work. As a result, the new cup will read:

"You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your real purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance and our destiny."

The Rich Keep Getting Richer...

From CBS4Boston: New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg is a bit richer today. He is one of 49 people who won a second place prize in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing.

Gregg matched 5 of the winning numbers, but missed the Powerball. His ticket is worth $853,492. Senator Gregg bought the ticket in Washington, DC at a gas station with a Dunkin Donuts.

There was just one winner of the $340 million Powerball jackpot. That winning ticket was sold in Oregon.

HT: The Drudge Report

Confession Is Good For The Soul(s)

Doug Wilson over at Blog and Mablog raises an interesting point about the besetting sin of conservative Reformed evangelicals (which I proudly consider myself to be) and I think he is right to some degree. Read what he says:

"When we ask if someone can be saved without knowledge of the Deity of Christ, the answer is sure...

This does not mean that everything is absolutely up for grabs. Whether someone has a correct grasp of the gospel matters a great deal -- at his ordination exam. At the great presbyterial banquet, I wouldn't let anybody into the kitchen to cook if he did not know all about the Deity of Christ, the hypostatic union, the triune nature of God, the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and so on. But would I let people into the banquet to eat if they did not know about these things? Absolutely -- the more they come, the more we feed them. And because we keep a close eye on the cooks, we feed them good stuff.

This is the besetting sin of conservative Reformed evangelicals. They think you are not qualified to eat until you are qualified to cook. And we scratch our heads over the dismal results, and conclude that we need to pray for revival. But, as Tozer once put it, if revival means more of what we have now, we most emphatically do not need revival. We don't need revival at all, frankly. What we need is reformation. One of the prophets condemned those shepherds "who feed only themselves." And we won't have reformation in the historic evangelical world until the trained cooks stop stuffing all the food into their own pie holes, and show some kind of willingness to feed and nurture the ignorant. But we are stiff-necked, and refuse to waste any food on him. Why? He's too skinny."

Forgive me Lord, for the times I have kept someone away from your banquet...

"How much less this Temple I have built!"

Slate offers an interesting look at the architecture of the mega-church via slides and commentary. You can check it out here.

Title reference: (1 Chron 6:18)

Extreme Makeover: Old Testament

Michael Duduit at PreachingNow offers this humorous, yet insightful commentary on modern Bibical scholarship.

There's a new book out that insists poor Queen Jezebel has been misunderstood all along. As a news release from Fortress Press notes, "The Jezebel Letters combines top-notch biblical scholarship with a fictionalized first-person account of the biblical character. (Author Eleanor Ferris) Beach transforms the stereotype of the notorious biblical queen into a more historically based portrayal of a powerful, literate royal woman."

If Jezebel can be redeemed by an imaginative dumping of the biblical record, just imagine some of the other book possibilities there might be:

Snake in the Garden: The Misunderstood Reptile

Cain: The Brother You Never Really Knew

Potiphar's Wife: The Real Story

Pharaoh: The Ultimate Pyramid Scheme

Goliath: The War Years

Haman: The Power Behind the Throne

Judas: Beyond the 30 Pieces of Silver

If It Walks Like A Duck...

Time for a silly quiz...Which Disney Character are you most like?



Which DISNEY character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

I was expecting Grumpy...

Power in the Blood

A message on the 7 benefits of the Blood of Jesus Christ. An answer to the bloodless Christianity preached by some in the Church today.


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FYI: The New Iraqi Constitution

The Preamble to the new Iraqi Constitution:

We the sons of Mesopotamia, land of the prophets, resting place of the holy imams, the leaders of civilization and the creators of the alphabet, the cradle of arithmetic: on our land, the first law put in place by mankind was written; in our nation, the most noble era of justice in the politics of nations was laid down; on our soil, the followers of the prophet and the saints prayed, the philosophers and the scientists theorized and the writers and poets created. Recognizing God's right upon us; obeying the call of our nation and our citizens; responding to the call of our religious and national leaders and the insistence of our great religious authorities and our leaders and our reformers, we went by the millions for the first time in our history to the ballot box, men and women, young and old, on January 30 2005, remembering the pains of the despotic band's sectarian oppression of the majority; inspired by the suffering of Iraq’s martyrs - Sunni and Shiite, Arab, Kurd and Turkomen, and the remaining brethren in all communities - inspired by the injustice against the holy cities in the popular uprising and against the marshes and other places; recalling the agonies of the national oppression in the massacres of Halabja, Barzan, Anfal and against the Faili Kurds; inspired by the tragedies of the Turkomen in Bashir and the suffering of the people of the western region, whom the terrorists and their allies sought to take hostage and prevent from participating in the elections and the establishment of a society of peace and brotherhood and cooperation so we can create a new Iraq, Iraq of the future, without sectarianism, racial strife, regionalism, discrimination or isolation.

Terrorism and “takfir” (declaring someone an infidel) did not divert us from moving forward to build a nation of law. Sectarianism and racism did not stop us from marching together to strengthen our national unity, set ways to peacefully transfer power, adopt a manner to fairly distribute wealth and give equal opportunity to all.

We the people of Iraq, newly arisen from our disasters and looking with confidence to the future through a democratic, federal, republican system, are determined - men and women, old and young - to respect the rule of law, reject the policy of aggression, pay attention to women and their rights, the elderly and their cares, the children and their affairs, spread the culture of diversity and defuse terrorism.

We are the people of Iraq, who in all our forms and groupings undertake to establish our union freely and by choice, to learn yesterday's lessons for tomorrow, and to write down this permanent constitution from the high values and ideals of the heavenly messages and the developments of science and human civilization, and to adhere to this constitution, which shall preserve for Iraq its free union of people, land and sovereignty.

(Translated from the Arabic by AP)

The full document can be found here.

Good luck and Godspeed to this new democracy!

Different Quiz...Same Answer

You scored as Reformed Evangelical. You take the Bible very seriously because it is God's Word. You most likely hold to TULIP and are sceptical about the possibilities of universal atonement or resistible grace. The most important thing the Church can do is make sure people hear how they can go to heaven when they die. What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.

The Martyrdom of Latimer and Ridley

Today marks the 450th commemoration of the martyrdom of Protestant reformers Bishop Latimer and Bishop Ridley at the hands of "Bloody" Mary for their refusal to accept the doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Here is an account of their final moments:


It was on Wednesday October 16th, 1555, that Latimer and Ridley were led out "to witness a last good confession". Ridley led the way, "and, looking back, saw Master Latimer coming after, unto whom he said: 'Oh, be ye there?' 'Yea,' said Master Latimer, 'have after as fast as I can follow'; so he followed a little way off; at length they came both to the stake, the one after the other where first Dr. Ridley entering the place marvellously earnestly holding up both hands, looking towards heaven.

' Then shortly after, espying Master Latimer, with a wondrous cheerful look he ran to him, embraced him and kissed him; and as they who stood near reported, comforted him, saying: 'Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame or else strengthen us to abide it.' With that he went to the stake kneeled down by it, kissed it and prayed very earnestly; and behind him Master Latimer kneeled, as earnestly calling upon God as he." As they were secured to the stake, Ridley broke out into prayer with the following words:

"Oh, Heavenly Father, I give unto Thee most hearty thanks, for that Thou hast called me to be a professor of Thee, even unto death. I beseech Thee, Lord God, take mercy on this realm of England, and deliver the same from all her enemies."

"Then they brought a faggot, kindled with fire, and laid it down at Ridley's feet. To whom Latimer spoke in this manner: 'Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out.'

"And so the fire being kindled, when Ridley saw the flame flaming up towards him, he cried: 'Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit : Lord, receive my spirit,' and repeated this latter part often in English: 'Lord, Lord, receive my spirit.' Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side: 'Father of Heaven, receive my soul,' he received the flame as though embracing it. After he had stroked his face with his hands, and, as it were, bathed them a little in the fire, he soon died, as it appears with very little pain.

"And thus much concerning the end of this old and blessed servant of God, Bishop Latimer, for whose laborious services, fruitful life, and constant death, the whole Realm has cause to give thanks to Almighty God. [...] And so these two stalwarts of the faith died as they lived, witnessing to the truth of Jesus."

Sunday Spurgeon

There is toleration for everybody who conforms to the fashion of the day; but no toleration for anyone who believes that the laws of heaven should regulate life on earth.

"May I Be True"

My Poor Computer Came Down With A Nasty Virus

My PC came down with its first real virus so I spent the better part of yesterday trying to rid my computer of trojan.vundo. Nasty bug...

Finally got it when I used Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool.

The New School Prayer

Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd.If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks. They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable. We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong. We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd.It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take! Amen

Coach Resigns over Pre-Game Prayer Ban

From ABCNews/ESPN Sports:

A veteran central New Jersey high school football coach has resigned after being told by school officials he could no longer lead his team in pregame prayer.

East Brunswick coach Marcus Borden was told last Friday by Schools Superintendent Jo Ann Magistro that some parents had complained about prayers Borden initiated at pregame meals and before the games.

After being told he would have to stop leading or taking part in the prayers, Borden stepped down from his position, just hours before his team's 21-0 loss to Sayreville that evening.

"I'm very disappointed," Borden said in an interview with News 12 New Jersey Tuesday. "Do I feel we were violating someone's rights? I don't think so."

But East Brunswick school officials think differently. According to school officials, the prayers violated the separation between church and state in public schools.

A spokeswoman for the district, Trish LaDuca, said students have the right to pray on school property during school events, but the prayer must be initiated by the students; otherwise it violates the law.

"A representative of the school district cannot constitutionally initiate prayer, encourage it or lead it," LaDuca told the Home News Tribune of East Brunswick. "Representatives of the school cannot participate in the student-initiated prayer."

During the television interview, aired Tuesday, Borden said what he was doing was not uncommon, and coaches across the state lead similar prayers as part of sporting events.

"I'm not out preaching, I'm not a preacher," said Borden, who has led the football program for 23 years. He has a 116-100-1 career record, and his team won the Central Jersey Group IV championship in 2004.

He is the founder of the Snapple Bowl, a charity all-star football game that has raised more than $150,000 for physically and mentally impaired children.

His resignation has divided the school community, with many students and parents supporting the coach.

On Saturday, a group of more than 50 members of the football team and some of their parents traveled to Borden's home and asked the coach to return.

Nancy Halupka, president of the school's football booster club, said she sympathizes with Borden and said the prayer tradition started long before he arrived at the school.

But school officials, who emphasized that they did not force Borden to resign, said some students felt uncomfortable with the prayer and their concerns should be treated with respect.

Magistro, the district's superintendent, said Borden's resignation won't become official until the school board meets on Oct. 20. She said the former coach can rescind his resignation at any time before the meeting, something Borden said was not likely.

"I believe that I made the right decision," said Borden, a Catholic. "I believe I made a decision based on principle. I believe that's who I am."

Sermon: Trusting Our Youth

A message based on the familar story of David and Goliath that addresses how we must learn to T.R.U.S.T. our young people in the fight against today's giants.

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MP3 File

New Sermon: St. Timothy's Disease

A look at the symptoms and cure for St. Timothy's disease. An ailment that causes Christians to lose their vision, lose speech, lose their hearing and experience paralysis when they are called upon to stand up for Christ. Based on Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1-18.

Not Ashamed to Share the Gospel
Not Ashamed to Suffer for the Truth
Not Ashamed to Stand Up for Other Believers


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Sunday Spurgeon

The philosophy now in vogue labours to shut God out of his own creation. They inform us that by some means this world and all that is therein were evolved. Even this will not long content the men of progress: they care nothing for evolution in itself, but only so far as it may serve their purpose of escaping from the thought of God.

FYI: Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur

Two important Jewish holidays are also being celebrated this month. About.com offers these explanations.

Rosh HaShana

The origin of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, is Biblical (Lev. 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the Shofar) and Yom Zikaron Teruah (the day of remembering the sounding of the Shofar).

In Talmudic times, Rosh HaShana became a celebration of the anniversary of the world's creation and a day of self-examination, repentance and judgment. While the day was called Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance) and Yom HaDin (Judgment Day), the name Rosh HaShana (Head of the Year) which was first used in the Mishnah has become the most prevalent.

Rosh HaShana is both a solemn and happy day. It is a time for introspection, asking for forgiveness, giving forgiveness, resolving to do better, remembering God is King and Judge, and praying for a healthy and happy year to come. Those observing the Jewish New Year are solemn in their repentance, but happy in their confidence that God is merciful and good.

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews listen to the shofar blown during lengthy prayer services, eat holiday meals, and do no work. After repenting for bad deeds through prayers, they symbolically cast off sins through the Tashlich ceremony.

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, literally "Day of Atonement," is the holiest day of the Jewish year. Yom Kippur is a day of "self-denial" (Lev. 23-27) so that we may be cleansed of our sins. It is observed eight days after Rosh Hashanah. It is believed that on Rosh HaShana God inscribes all of our names in the "books", and on Yom Kippur the judgment entered in these books is sealed. The days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are called the Days of Awe. Yom Kippur is, essentially, our last chance to demonstrate repentance and change the judgment.

FYI: Ramadan

The observance of Ramdan for millions of Muslims began yesterday. Most Christians are unaware of the significance of this event. This blurb from About.com offers some insight on this important ritual of Islam.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm)literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.

Come and Join Us!

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

I AM PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED. THE DIE HAS BEEN CAST. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. I HAVE STEPPED OVER THE LINE. I WON’T LOOK BACK, LET UP, SLOW DOWN, OR BACK AWAY. MY PAST IS REDEEMED, MY PRESENT MAKES SENSE, AND MY FUTURE IS SECURE. I’M FINISHED AND DONE WITH LOW LIVING, SIGHT WALKING, SMALL PLANNING, SMOOTH KNEES, COLORLESS DREAMS, TAMED VISIONS, MUNDiNE TALKING, CHEAP GIVING & DWARFED GOALS.

I NO LONGER NEED PRE-EMINENCE, PROSPERITY, POSITION, PROMOTIONS, PLAUDITS, OR POPULARITY. I DON’T HAVE TO BE RIGHT, FIRST, TOPS, RECOGNIZED, PRAISED, REGARDED OR REWARDED. I NOW LIVE BY FAITH, LEAN ON HIS PRESENCE, WALK WITH PATIENCE, LIVE BY PRAYER, AND LABOR WITH POWER.

MY FACE IS SET, MY GAIT IS FAST, MY GOAL IS HEAVEN, MY ROAD IS NARROW, MY WAY IS ROUGH, MY COMPANIONS ARE FEW, MY GUIDE IS RELIABLE, MY MISSION IS CLEAR. I CANNOT BE BOUGHT, COMPROMISED, DETOURED, LURED AWAY, TURNED BACK, DELUDED, OR DELAYED. I WILL NOT FLINCH IN THE FACE OF SACRIFICE, HESITATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ADVERSARY, NEGOTIATE AT THE TABLE OF THE ENEMY, PONDER AT THE POOL OF POPULARITY, OR MEANDER IN THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY.

I WON’T GIVE UP, SHUT UP, LET UP, Until I HAVE STAYED UP, STORED UP, PRAYED UP, PAID UP, & SPOKEN UP FOR THE CAUSE OF THE CHRIST. I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST. I MUST GO ‘TILL HE COMES, GIVE ‘TILL I DROP, PREACH ‘TILL ALL KNOW, AND WORK ‘TILL HE STOPS ME.

AND WHEN HE COMES FOR HIS OWN, HE WILL HAVE NO TROUBLE RECOGNIZING ME. MY BANNER IS CLEAR: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel , because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)

I AM PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED!

A Review: "Bless the Lord" - Illustrated by Johannah Bluedorn

In a word - BEAUTIFUL. The latest book from self-taught illustrator and author Johannah Bluedorn is a wonderful bit of whimsy wrapped around some of the most compelling words in Scripture. Using the text of the familiar Psalm 103 - "Bless the Lord - she creates a world of wonder and imagination that draws the reader into the words. A mixture of Victorian and country style, Bluedorn invokes an earlier age of innocence and simplicity.

A true cross-generational treasure, my son and his grandmother were both caught up in the intricate illustrations that lovingly enveloped the words. In a day when the often explosive images of TV captivate our children's minds, this book is a return to the quiet habit of sitting together and soaking in another time and place.

I highly recommend this book for young and old.

(I received this book in my role as reviewer for Mind and Media, but that in no way has influenced my recommendation of this great book.)

Please Vote For My Brother's Vision

Dear Blog Readers,

My sister-in-law has entered an essay contest in order to win Lasik eye surgery for my brother. The essay receiving the most votes will win the procedure. Here is her essay:

Title: Poor Social Worker wants to suprise soul mate
Author: Andie Abbas

I am writing this in hopes of surprising my boyfriend by winning the contest for him. Ever since I have known him he has wanted to have this surgery. As much as I love him and would LOVE to give him this as a gift, I am a social worker and therefore my little income doesn't allow me. It would take me years to save for him. Travis does construction and when he is working he wears his glasses. The only time he wears his contacts is when we go out. And now since we are parents, that is hardly ever. When we found out we were pregnant, we had to remodel our house to make room for the baby. And not just add a room on-gut the entire house down to the studs-in the winter time-with heat only in one room. I had to move back to my parents and Travis took 4 months leave from work so he could work on the house. Needless to say it didn't get done in time since our beautiful daughter came 2 weeks early-and we needed every minute. Trav continues to finish up projects we didn't quite get done. So not only does he glasses get lots of wear and tear-he now deals with playing with his energetic daughter who likes to beat up on him and his glasses. Trav deserves this surgery and a break (to cheer on his favorite team) and I hope I can make his dream come true of not wearing glasses, as he is making my all dreams come true.

Please vote here to help make her dream and my brother's come true.

Thank You!

Should We Ban Dihydrogen Monoxide?

Check out these websites for more information:
Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division
Dihydrogen Monoxide: The Unknown Killer

If you agree that we should ban this dangerous substance please leave a comment...

UPDATE!!!

DHMO have been found in rain, snow, and trace amounts in clouds...

Sunday Spurgeon

He knows our likes and dislikes, our desires and our designs, our imaginations and our tendencies. He knows not only what we do, but what we would do if we could. He knows which way we should go if the restraints of society and the fear of consequences were removed; and that, perhaps, is a more important proof of character than the actions of which we are guilty. God knows what you think of, what you wish for, and what you are pleased with: he knows, not only the surface-tint of your character, but the secret heart and core of it. The Lord knows you altogether. Think of that. Does it give you any joy, this morning, to think that the Lord thus reads all the secrets of your bosom? Whether you rejoice therein or not, so it is and ever will be.