Judge Orders Christian Convert Runaway to Return to Ohio - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

I last posted an update on the case of Rifqa Bary (9/5/09) who has claimed that her father will kill her according to the belief of "honor killing" which teaches Muslims that to kill a Christian covert is one of the highest honors a Muslim can receive.

Judge Orders Christian Convert Runaway to Return to Ohio - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Laminin, the protein that holds our bodies together.

By Christ all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Watch the video:

The hand of God.

This is the Chandra Nebula. I believe it is a neutron star but, being in the shape of a hand, it is amazing to me because it reminds me of verse one from Psalm 19:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. "

Is blasphemy humorous?

It is hilarious if Monty Python is making fun of it!



Interestingly, Jesus speaks of blasphemy in terms of being used against Himself and the Holy Spirit. He says in Matthew 12:30-32:

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

To paraphrase, the definition of "blasphemy" given in The Complete Word Study New Testament book I own calls it, "defamation, reviling, evil speaking, railing and impiousness."

For comfort, it is impossible for one who is a child of God to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. A house divided against itself cannot stand and the Spirit has made our bodies its dwelling place (or house). The proof is given in 1 Corinthians 12:3 where it is written:

"Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit."

The best Obama counter-propaganda!

Never give up!

I wanted to give an update on my last post about my favorite chicken, Dot. She's able to stand up with a little more strength today and has, in fact, revealed her intuitive nature and desire to survive. Being immobile and finding it difficult to make it to the food dish she decided to conquer her problem in a direct manner.

She sat in the food dish! Go Dot!

She reminds me of a famous poster that I have seen many times of a Stork trying to eat a Bullfrog (not knowing the difference between species of animals in general and birds, reptiles and amphibians specifically, I would appreciate any corrections of the name of the species I labeled from whatever Zoologists, Ornithologists and Herepetologists who happen to come across this post).


This picture reminds me of Matthew 10:16 where it is written, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

So, even in a lighthearted manner, it is good to encourage those believers who come across this post. There will come (or has come) a time for many of us in this life when we will be called to persevere in the face of extreme trials and in the face of death. I have searched up some of the words of God and man that speak to the heart of these troubles. God bless!

Psalm 44:18-22

Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it since he knows the secrets of the heart? Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature^a]"> God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Revelation 22:10

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

My favorite chicken, Dot.

Proverbs 12:10
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal."


Chickens are such helpless and adorable animals. My friends got Dot around the time I came to know the Lord six years ago, so we both had our true beginnings at about the same time. She had very white feathers in her young years and one brown dot on a wing. Thus, she got the name Dot. She has always been one of the first to run over to me when I stop by to say hi to "my girls" and often lets me pet her. She does this hilarious low-crawl/duck walk as the presses herself to the ground and tries to waddle around under my hand.

About a year ago she developed a large growth on her left breast and we were worried she was going to die, but she is a trooper and pulled through. Sadly, it has come back and she can barely stand up to get to the food and water dishes. I try to hand feed her in the enclosure but the other girls are jealous and voraciously attack the food in my hand. I've had to pick her up and take her out of the cage while cradling her swollen bosom in my hand to keep her from hurting. She lets me sit her in my lap while she takes a few nibbles at the greens I give her and then she falls asleep. I wish I could heal her and keep her alive forever.

One of the younger girls. As you can see, she looks crazy and she has this very retarded, throaty cluck so I call her "Crazy-eyes McCluck."

It's so strange for me to feel so much emotion for such a "worthless" creature. I mean, it's a chicken for Christ-sake! Still, I'm so troubled by my own helplessness and inability to keep her safe and well. She's probably going to die in the next few days and I have to watch her do it. I have to watch as she struggles to come say hi when I visit the cage. She stands up on her wobbly feet and takes a step or two before slowly sinking back down to earth on legs that no longer support her greatly diminished and pained frame. It hurts my heart.

I've come to see life and death in a slightly different light during all of this. When I picked Dot up and gently cradled her in my arms I understood to a new depth of my being God's love for His helpless creation. He cradles me in His arms when I am weak, feeds me when I am hungry, nurses me back to health when I am sick and comforts me in my distress. Apart from my understanding, He loves me when He owes me no such thing in my broken and dying state. At the same time, I owe Dot no debt of love as she slowly winds down her brief dance of life to face the eternity of death. Yet, God, who has the power of creation at His fingertips is able to breath life into bodily frames that are suffering from death. He breathed life into me so that I could experience the hope of the life to come. How could I not love a simple and needy animal like Dot when God gave life to a simple and needy creature like me?

Ironically, in a way, a dying chicken has been able to teach me a valuable truth about life, death and my Father in heaven who has walked me through every step of my short, 27 year journey. I know that because He loves me I am heading toward a destination that will never fail to bring me joy and peace because I will be with Jesus who healed me from my sin and saved me from the judgment it deserved. I hope that you, too, can develop a love for all of God's creation simply because and amazing God created and loves it.

Immortal words that will preserve eternity forever.

These videos are the same sermon yet cater to slightly different tastes to convey the same incredible message!

For oratory with a beat that uplifts the soul with powerful imagery:



For comforting pictures and soaring music to accompany the words (unedited):



This one was showed in my church the Sunday after the fires burned through San Diego county in 2007. Some of those in the congregation had lost homes, outbuildings and belongings and were in desperate need of hope that does not fade:

Life advice to myself.

Strive to be content with what you have and determine what your goals are. You don't need to worry about everything tomorrow brings. All you really have to do is be faithful with what you have. The Lord has established all things from the beginning and will give you more as you steward His belongings well. He who is faithful with a little will be given a lot! Does that make sense? God wants His creation to be well-cared for so it's only natural that He would give more of it over to His saints who agree with His words that "it is good." Eventually, you and the saints will be given the entirety of creation to have stewardship over with Christ. Trust then that God will provide for your needs now. Don't be anxious! We are His portion and He is our prize!

How NOT to preach the Gospel (Part 2).

In my first post of this series (a response to Mark Driscoll's tirade against abusive men), I gave some reasons to why his method is not an effective way to preach Christ's forgiveness. After meditating on how to share the Gospel with Christians who live in unrepentant sin, and arguing with some who believe Driscoll's method to be spot on, I have developed my argument more fully.

Preaching should include law and gospel (sin and grace), but where was the gospel in what Driscoll said? I'm really troubled that there are so many men in his congregation that live the way he says they do. Still, scripture, properly applied, does not simply mean yelling at people from the pulpit whether you are giving law and gospel, or not.

It is appropriate for such men who continue to live in unrepentant sin to be cast out after they have been properly confronted. A little leaven leavens the whole loaf! On the other hand, why is he not yelling at the women who stay in such abusive relationships? They are in sin that is just as revolting. Yet, the bar seems to be set abysmally low so that instead of encouraging women to be healthy and wait for godly men, he simply yells at the men for being ungodly. So how do we properly confront such people (men and women)?

Consider Matthew 18:15-17 and ask yourself if Driscoll applies it properly.

"If your brother [or sister] sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

That passage is directed towards individuals, is it not? The biblical way of pointing a man towards the grace of God is to direct him to see his sin through the lens of God's forgiving grace. This should be done firmly by showing him his fault while allowing him to know that he is still loved and supported. Importantly, loving support means that you do not accept a person living in destructive behavior. That being the case, you should send them from your midst when you gather if they don't repent.

If you preach sin and judgment without a gospel of grace and forgiveness you preach a crushing and unbearable burden upon the shoulders of people. Guilt brings death if it is not used to reveal God's love for sinners and forgiveness for them. I am concerned that many people who believe Driscoll was right in the way he addressed sin are suffering from unresolved and unrighteous anger towards abusive people.

The perfect wedding!

One day, we saints will all finally dance our way down the carpeted aisle and into Heaven to be united forever with the love of our lives and Savior, Jesus Christ. Imagine the clapping, cheering, shouting and overwhelming joy that will accompany us at that wedding feast when we are given our new names and uncorrupted bodies! The time is almost upon us when we finally realize how great of a gift God has prepared for us in His kingdom; we will get our first look upon the smiling and joyful countenance of Christ as He stands at the altar to receive us home as His perfected bride! A toast is in order, brothers and sisters, to our eternal reunion with our great and irresistible Affection!

San Diego public train transportation.

Bullet points:

- Spent four hours on four trains to travel a distance of about 100 miles (Escondido - Oceanside, Oceanside - San Diego and back).
- $3.50 one way pass from Oceanside to San Diego (At least $14.00 for tickets had I not gotten a free pass). Not sure of monthly rates.
- Met and talked with some very kind people.
- Scenery is beautiful.
- Costs almost as much as driving and takes far longer.
- Can really only be a leisure pursuit unless used to relax on the way to or from work.
- Car is FAR more convenient and will never be supplanted in any quantity without heavy subsidization.

God gives us a voice.

O Lord, you sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning-though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes; yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure. "O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend. Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return."

It is my witness; my advocate; my intercessor; my friend who pleads my innocence before God. It is Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, who looked down upon my broken state and said, "It is not good that my child, whom I love with all my heart, should perish in his sins." It was tears of blood that He wept for me and it was His face that He set like flint towards His own destruction on my behalf. It was the breath of His Holy Spirit that He breathed into me that lit the spark of life in my soul. He is the twinkle in my eye and the spring in my step! He has opened up for me a path to my gracious Father. He has given to me a voice to offer sacrifices of great praise to our almighty God! Jesus is my voice for He is the rock of my salvation! May He be the same for you!

How NOT to preach the Gospel.

The video is Mark Driscoll shouting at the men in his congregation who have failed in their duties as men, husbands, boyfriends, etc. The motivational message he drives home is powered by the engine of guilt and lacking in grace completely. If he is preaching to unbelievers his message derides them because he is not allowed to judge those who do not claim the name of Christ. They live according to their nature. If he is preaching solely to Christians, he does not invoke the love of God that brings us to repentance. He is quick to condemn. Watch it:



I know that some men (and women) who watched this clenched their fist and shouted, "Preach it!" Do you not know that you are that man? What makes you the judge of your brother? Do you not need forgiveness just as desperately? Do not make the love you have for others a love of self-righteousness. There is no checklist that you can complete that proves that you are capable of showing grace and mercy towards others that you have not first obtained from Christ, yourself. The love we know has been taught to us by Christ alone and we boast in His love above anything that we can do.

Romans 8:1-4 states:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

In a worldly sense, men are under a legal obligation to the women they marry. After all, they sign a document stating that they have declared their intention to honor and love their wife. Yet the legal obligation they are under according to the worldly law is dead and their duties are resurrected in the spiritual law as gifts of unmerited love (this law applies to the single man, as well). Is not the best gift one that is given with no desire for something in return? That is love, and it is the gift of God's grace to us. We can offer the Lord nothing of ourselves that is worth His undeserved gift of forgiveness of sins, godliness and eternal life.

We must not teach one another to obey the gospel out of obligation or else our obedience is a self-righteous work. Truthfully, obedience on our part means that we trust in the sacrifice of Christ and His righteous life of obedience. That alone encourages us to count others as better than ourselves. The godliness of a true Christian comes from a broken and contrite heart because Christ was broken for our sakes. It is a heart that is humble and quick to forgive because of the forgiveness we have received. It is one that is quick to ask for forgiveness because we live by God's grace. Take that to heart you sinful man and know that the love of Christ alone will teach you to love a woman properly. Christ loved you, sinner, in order that His mercy and grace would teach you to show mercy and grace to those who don't deserve it.

Now go out and speak the truth in love!