Are We As Christians too Quiet?

Are Christians being to silent and weak on every political issue? We have our talk shows, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Mark Levin to name a few, but the rest of the conservative base sit by quietly. I worry that our silence is taken as a head nod. We don't necessarily agree, but we fail to make our voice heard. It has happened so often throughout the years. A small group of people and sometimes just one person stands up to say they don't like something and before we know it, because of lack interest or lack of caring or lack of knowing what to do, certain rights are taken away.

With the case in California, the gay marriage ban being lifted, one state (two counting Massachusetts) is able to legislate for the whole country. I fear that because of the conservative base's silence and the boldness of liberals, everything that we hold dear will be gone and all morals will be lost. I know a lot of conservatives are worried about hurting people's feelings and it is important to approach people with a good spirit, but we have to stand up and speak. As a Christian, I have been commissioned to share the truth and by not standing against evil and what is wrong, I'm allowing the wrong to happen.

Here's what you can do to make a difference:On a spiritual level you can pray and fast for our nation.In the physical you can try to educate people (share what you know - the truth).You can also call your leaders of your state and country.

The time to act is NOW!

College Denies Religious Court Credit

I am steamed about this one. I read this story (found at http://www.sfgate.com/) today on KLove.com. Below is a snippet of the article...

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge says the University of California can deny course credit to applicants from Christian high schools whose textbooks declare the Bible infallible and reject evolution.

Rejecting claims of religious discrimination and stifling of free expression, U.S. District Judge James Otero of Los Angeles said UC's review committees cited legitimate reasons for rejecting the texts - not because they contained religious viewpoints, but because they omitted important topics in science and history and failed to teach critical thinking.

Otero's ruling Friday, which focused on specific courses and texts, followed his decision in March that found no anti-religious bias in the university's system of reviewing high school classes. Now that the lawsuit has been dismissed, a group of Christian schools has appealed Otero's rulings to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

"It appears the UC is attempting to secularize private religious schools," attorney Jennifer Monk of Advocates for Faith and Freedom said Tuesday. Her clients include the Association of Christian Schools International, two Southern California high schools and several students.

Click Here to read the rest of the story...

I have a huge issue with this. The college claims that students should not receive credit for their classes because "they omitted important topics in science and history". What about classes that fail to teach the Bible or creation. I think that those classes omit "important topics in science and history". I am so sick of people misconstruing the intent of the First Amendment. It does not saying anything about separation of church and state - it has two clauses: (1) the Free Exercise Clause that prevents the government from passing any law that would interfere with one's right to worship or exercise their religion and (2) the Establishment Clause that prohibits the government from taking stances on issues as to put one religion higher than another or to establish a national religion.

In this case I think the judges ruling violates the constitution. He has established that classes that leave out important aspects of science such as evolution are not OK, but classes that leave out important aspects of science and history such as creation are OK (violation of the Constitution in my opinion). Had this been a class that taught on a Hindu principle such as reincarnation I don't think we would have an issue.

This makes me so mad. Let's at least be fair. I say we teach it all or don't teach anything. Either teach creation with evolution or don't teach evolution at all. Its only fair!

10 Commandments Allowed to Stay in Ohio Courtroom

I found this story linked on KLOVE.com today. The story talks about the ACLU's demand for a judge to censor a document posted in the courtroom titled "Philosophies of Law in Conflict" because the Ten Commandments are included.

"It is truly unfortunate that the ACLU apparently has nothing better to do than to file baseless charges against a dedicated public servant like Judge [James] DeWeese," said Francis J. Manion, a senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice.

"A first-year law student – looking at the facts and law of this case – could have told the ACLU that there never was a legal basis for this ridiculous contempt charge," Manion said. "We're pleased that the [federal] court acted expeditiously in tossing out this latest gambit in the ACLU's ongoing harassment of Judge DeWeese."

The ACLU strive to take God out of everything. I mean a simple poster that has the 10 Commandments listed has to be removed from a courtroom. I mean seriously. Well the Bible speaks of this. There will be a great pulling away from God in the last day. I just pray that everything I hold sacred (my right to worship) isn't completely striped away. This may sound crazy to a lot of people, but having prayer taken out of school sounded crazy years ago, as did a woman having the right to an abortion. We are living in wicked times and I have learned to expect the unexpected.

What happened to the days of our founding. This nation was founded on God and the principles and laws that could be found in the Bible. The Ten Commandments should stay in the court simply because they are history. They show laws of the past. I am so sick of the hypocricy. We have to take away things from Christians because it makes non-Christians feel bad, but if something make me, a Christian, feel bad, well then I am out of luck. I have to deal with it.

I would like to know how you feel about this decision and separation of church and state. How far should it go? Do you think our country is biased? Comment and let me know what you think!

BAD CHRISTIAN!!!

SHAME ON ME!
"BAD CHRISTIAN! BAD CHRISTIAN!
HOW DARE YOU STATE WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN?!"

We should just all come to the realization that everyone in the world is angry at everyone else for some reason or another. In this photo, you see me... as the Hulk because I am angry about something or another everyday that I live and wake up... but why are we wasting our time and energy being angry all the time?

An anonymous poster commented on my last post [which I deleted the comment for the sake of posting it here.] saying something to this affect: "How dare she not sing Christian music? Perhaps she should be stoned! It is because of Christians like you that people stray away from your religion."

Well, Well Angry Beaver! My Oh My! Perhaps you have been a victim of condemnation yourself. For that I am sorry, and I would like to take this opportunity apologize to you and any other person who has been in that position. Condemnation is when a person or person[s] place blame onto a person, judge them and almost literally sentence them to Hell. I'll be doing a more in-depth post on Condemnation later, maybe next post. But condemnation also comes from the teachings of modern man's idea of "Religion". When one is condemned it is usually by beliefs of a specific church or group's traditions.

In which case, I first must add I do not believe in a sure "Religion" I believe in the Word of God and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Religion is just a set of traditions and beliefs set out by man in addition to those of God, or in remission of those of God or the one true God. If you are reading this Angry Beaver, I hope that you can understand the differences. Please understand that I am not "fighting with you" debating, or promoting an online quarrel. I would just like you to understand more thoroughly what I believe and my statements in my previous blog.

In no way have I intended on condemning Katy Perry or anyone of the sort. I have not sentenced her to eternal damnation in Hell and it is not my job to judge her, her works, or lack thereof. I could make a long list of "Judases" in our midst today. There are also many "Prodigal's Sons", Katy Perry seeming to be one of those as well. Am I chastising or blaming them? No. I have merely pointed out a few facts that other people may not be aware of. I am expressing concern for her seemingly fading relationship with God. I want other Christians to be aware of her past and present so that we can pray that she is not being led astray and that God will bless her in a way that she realizes she truly needs him in her life. I'm not making a "big deal" out of her change in music. I'm wanting to share that she was once a Christian artist, and now she is singing about kissing girls and making bookoo[sp?] bucks for it, after which she has admitted that her Gospel career was on the rocks. The point is she has most likely done it for the cold, hard, cash. I want people to pray for her, not tear her down.

Perhaps our friend did not read the entire post, for it was a long post indeed. I apologize for I tend to be long-winded. [Or long-finger movemented?] I do see where my Angry friend is coming from, such as those who scream "You're going to Hell! Repent now!" I do not believe that way. I believe in stating the facts when prompted to do so, sharing my beliefs and showing Christ in my ways and actions, not by force or by scaring someone, such as threatenings of Hell. Although I do believe in Hell, I don't believe that Jesus would want me to scare anyone into serving him. In a way I would say... Jesus now, Hell later. But thank you Angry Beaver, for assuming I am a stereotypical, insane extremist because I have enough boldness to type my views on Katy Perry's globally advertised life in a Blog. I needed that for inspiration in this post.

Moving On...
Now, why am I the Hulk?
What makes me angry?
When we say "Let's keep prayer in schools, and if a student doesn't believe that way, they can do something elsewhere for that period of time." It's stupid, and unconstitutional.
When we start a petition saying "In God We Trust" should stay on our money... it is too.
And apparently, so is a Christian posting a blog, a video on youtube, or making a website... maybe not unconstitutional, but certainly bogus.
Anyone can post something online, but if it spreads a message of Jesus,
they are often harassed, and beaten down for it.

When Non-Believers mock us and our God, it's freedom of speech.
When Non-Believers say "No prayer in Schools!" It's freedom of speech.
Saying No to God, posting their Blogs and Videos...
All freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of blah blah blah.

WHERE'S MY FREEDOM?
Why can't I say "Jesus loves you" on someone's blogs and videos, [or even my own!] without being attacked?

Well, I want to know why it's so fair for every Non-Believer to post their views on a Blog and not be attacked for it. [I recognize there are many exceptions, but usually, even when there is a Christian who stands up for Jesus and their beliefs, there is seldom a blaming or hateful way of coming across about it. Maybe a loving gesture such as "Jesus loves you, even if you don't believe he is there" or a Bible verse.]

Why all the animosity?!

I found this study outline for those out there who love Jesus and study their word!
It's an amazing outline showing positive ways to deal with and express anger.
It also discusses the anger of GOD himself, instilled in you.
Here's the ANGER page

So, I'd like to know...
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?

Thanks for reading!
-Crystal

Prayer - Does It Really Work?

I saw an article in my local paper, the Cincinnati Enquirer, today called "Can prayer have healing power?" My answer is absolutely, but as I began to research I discovered that so many religions don't believe in the power of prayer or that there is a God who can heal and make people whole.

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Here is what the Bible has to say about this...

Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Psalm 34:19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Jeremiah 30:17 "For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord."

Psalm 103:2-3 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who heals all thy diseases."

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

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I believe that there is great power in prayer when there is FAITH behind the prayer. I believe that Jesus Christ has great power to heal and make people whole. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. In the comment section, take the time to share testimony of healing or let us know if you don't believe in healing.

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My Brother's Healing

My brother Adam (sitting at the far left in the picture) was born with hemophilia. Hemophilia is a blood disease that effects one's blood's ability to clot. People with hemophilia could bleed to death from a small cut or lost tooth or even worse could bleed to death internally and it wouldn't be recognized until the person was dead.

What was even worse about my brother was he was a very hyper and active child. So my parents had the worst of times telling him he couldn't run around or play sports. And playing sports was what our family did (unless you were like me and you could sing).

I remember playing knothole baseball when I was like 6 or 7 and watching my little brother at age 3 cling to the fence wanting so desperately to get out on the field and play. It was just in him to play baseball, but once again with hemophilia that wasn't an option. Soon after that Adam began to get really sick and he desperately needed surgery to make it through the rest of his life, but the surgeons at Children's Hospital would never clear him for surgery because of his blood.

Adam began to lose a lot of weight because he wouldn't eat, and if you knew our family you would know that something was wrong.

Here is where the story gets good. My family is a Christian family and we began to rally the troops (the prayer warriors we knew from churches everywhere) and they went to war. People were praying without ceasing for this little boy until they got results. And that's exactly what they and we got.

One day my mom got a call from Children's Hospital and a nurse told her that Adam had been cleared for surgery. My mom said, "What do you mean". It wasn't that she didn't believe it was that she was worried they had made a mistake because they didn't let her know that his blood was different or anything like that, they just said he was cleared for surgery.

So mom talked to the doctor and he said that he couldn't explain it, but his blood was NORMAL and he could have the surgery. Well I feel the power of God all over me. Adam had the surgery and is completely fine. Right after the surgery Adam ate like three peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

The best part of this story (so far) just happened recently. Adam is now 19 and graduated from high school in June. He has played select baseball all over the country since the age of 5. He has a great talent and I believe he is only going to get better. Since March Adam has been receiving call after call from coaches at universities and colleges all across the United States. In June Adam signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Illinois of a full baseball scholarship!!!

You see this could never had been possible if God had not healed Adam when he was younger. I believe that God has great things in store for this kid. I believe that God has destined him for the major leagues so that he can share his testimony of God's power with the world.

So... Who is this Katy Perry Girl?

Well, it's really late and I'm very tired, so if some of this isn't grammatically perfect, please don't sue me! I think I have enough life in me to get this blog out... I just stumbled upon some interesting information I'd like to share about this Katy Perry.

The first time I heard the song "I kissed a Girl" was her performance on So You Think You Can Dance. The "watching/listening" that happened here lasted a total of about 30 seconds as my mother and I looked at each other and she then asked, "Uh, can we fast-forward through this?" Responding with no words, I x3'd it all the way through the commercial break and thought nothing more of it.

A few days later, I was doing some cleaning and a little rocking out and the song came on the XM Satellite radio. Although the song has an awesome catchy tune, I couldn't help but get a strange feeling about it. I felt to change the channel. I haven't listened to the song in it's entirety, but I get the point.

I read on some online news that gay activists are angry with the song pinning it as "homophobic" I'm not sure where it has been pinned "homophobic" I guess I haven't listened that far into the song, but "I kissed a girl, and I liked it, the taste of her cherry chapstic" personally sounds pro-gay to me.

Anyway, Katy Perry is known as this new "provocative" break out artist with her catchy tunage on pop radio stations, but is this really her story? I was surprised to see my "weird feelings" become unveiled when I came upon an article about her previous recording history.

Katy Perry Is a sell out... and one of the most disheartening kind. Seven years ago, At age 16, she released a self-titled Album, under her real name which is Katy Hudson. (She has since changed her stage name to Perry because of the close similar name to Kate Hudson, the actress. Perry is her mother's maiden name.) This Album "Katy Hudson" was one her Pastor-father and Preacher-mother I'm sure were very proud of. The songs were originals, written at only 15 and 16 years old in praise to our Lord... but as for today's album, I'm not so sure about the parents loving this one.

In an interview I read online she says they are proud of her and support her in all she does as long as she "doesn't get naked in public or do drugs" and answers the next question with an F-Bomb. Parents will be proud of you in all your successes and support your decisions as an adult because they are your parents, but I must say, I'm sure the Hudsons are carrying a heavy burden for their daughter.

Now, say what you will about me or my views, "She sings a song you don't agree with, get over it." or Just because she's a pop singer now doesn't mean she doesn't still believe." The song itself or her "being a pop singer" is not the issue. Nor is even "Believing" I am a strong believer that you must accept Jesus into your life and continue to live a righteous life to be a true Christian and have true Salvation. I was a "believer" before I was actually saved, and I believe that I was mislead in a way and that if I had not actually accepted him and began to live my life for him I would have never actually been a Christian or gone to Heaven when I passed on. My point here is making comments about an urge to smooch Miley Cyrus, dropping F-Bombs, and performing in the Warped tour seems very different from Katy Hudson vs. Katy Perry.

She has also been referred to as: "Lez for pay" on a popular celebrity gossip page.

A review for her album on ChristianityToday [ChristianMUSICtoday] says:
"Katy Hudson's debut easily could have been just another teen songwriter mimicking mainstream music trends with Christian lyrics. Instead, I hear a remarkable young talent emerging, a gifted songwriter in her own right who will almost certainly go far in this business. That name again is Katy Hudson. Trust me, you'll be hearing it more and more in the next year."
[See the album review in its entirety here]

How ironic, is that the word I'm searching for?

It seems that Katy has lost sight of the importance of God in her life and decided to throw out a "struggling" Gospel career for some cold, hard, Cash.
Another person comes to mind right away for me here, and that's Judas. Judas was a sell-out.
Jesus, or 30 pieces of Silver?
It seems to me that Katy Perry has opted for the Silver.

I pray that Katy Hudson/Perry will find her roots and get back to a life that may not bring in as much dough, but she'll have tons of treasures in Heaven.

What do you think?
Katy Hudson vs. Katy Perry
... sold out for the 30 pieces of Silver
or not?

-Crystal

Everything - Lifehouse - Most Power Drama I Have Ever Seen

I saw this video on Myspace a while ago, but came across it again today. It is one of the most powerful and anointed dramas I have ever watched. It is to the song Everything by Lifehouse (one of my favorite bands).

It shows a teenage girl struggling with the temptations most teenagers face - boy/girlfriend, gambling, alcohol, cutting, self image, and then suicide. In the beginning she has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but as the temptations come her way she slowly leaves Him for the temptations. All the while, Christ is fighting to get her back. As the skit goes on she gets further and further away from Him until she realizes what she has lost and fights to get back into His Graces.

This skit is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us and also how easy it is to fall prey to Satan if we aren't careful.

Go here to check it out and then let me know what you thought of it!

Todd Bentley - Florida Revival - Real or Fake?

I was recently at a friend's house and we visited Youtube to check out a guy named Todd Bentley. He is a preacher in Florida and revival has broke out through his ministry. According to his website his ministry has seen healings of many major illnesses and they have even seen people raised from the dead.

I have been curious about this since I have seen the videos. I have no doubt that God can perform these miracles, but in this day in time it would be really easy to fake something like this. I'm not saying that is what I believe, but I'm just not sure. I have been praying for the spiritual gift of discernment. It would come in real handy right now. I am a little uneasy about it, but I'm not sure if that is because he is just so different from everything I have ever seen.

His ministry is violent and he doesn't look the normal part of a preacher (which is fine with me). The violent part is the part that concerns me. He will often slap people across the face or kick them. It's not your typical healing ministry. I am totally ok with it if it is of God.

Watch this video..."WORST ASSAULT at Todd Bentley Raging Revival part 3"

I'm interested in hearing what you have to say. Let me know!

Father and Son Enlist and Mom Turns to Faith

I found this story on the LA Times Website by Jia-Rui Chong and thought it was great. You can check out the full story by clicking here!

Devie Olivas was having trouble focusing on the pastor's sermon. Her thoughts kept coming back to her son Joseph M. Rankins. "God, I have so much faith in you," she prayed silently. "Why do I feel like my son is not coming back?"

She knew that the next day her 19-year-old boy would stand next to his 40-year-old father -- her former husband -- and swear into the U.S. Army.Devie had asked her former husband, Gary J. Rankins, to talk to their son about the Army. Gary had been in the Army before and was reenlisting now after growing frustrated with his work with a delivery company.It was a story the news media, and the public, couldn't resist: father and son enlisting together. But behind the scenes were a mother's hopes and worries, and a newfound relationship between a father and son.

That Sunday at the International Pentecostal Church in Bellflower, Devie reached for the Bible next to her. She found the heading "God's Promises" and a verse from Genesis.The verse told of God stopping Abraham's hand as he was about to sacrifice his son Isaac: "I swear by myself," declares the Lord, "that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you."An ocean of relief washed over her.

Please go here for the full story.

Prayer in Schools

I got this in an email earlier this week and saw a couple posts on Facebook about it...

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games,to say a prayer and play the National Anthem,to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law.

As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it 'an alternate lifestyle,' and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, 'safe sex.' If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a 'viable' means of birth control. If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as 'Earth Day' and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess 'Mother Earth' and call it 'ecology.' I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong,traditional Christian convictions as 'simple minded' and 'ignorant' and call it 'enlightenment.' However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best,and at worst, diabolical.

Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall 'Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's' (1), and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law ----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court ofthe United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the one nation, under GOD. Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER." (2)

1 - Allusion to Matthew 22:212

2 - Matthew 10:33 (Indirect quotation)