Police Vow to Cause PTSD

From Fox News,
The slogan, “Don't suffer from PTSD, go out and cause it,” was emblazoned on the Dec. 14 graduation programs for 43 officers who completed the Idaho Police Officer Standards and Training Academy's latest course.

In the United States today, those we trust to “Protect and Serve” have gone wild. Not a week goes by where we don’t hear of some unfortunate being tazered by some officer who seems itching to use the technology. Always intended to replace deadly force, the tazer is now used routinely in situations where officers formerly wouldn’t even think of shooting off a gun.

There are horror stories of cops murdering spouses and former girlfriends, abusing innocent motorists, harassing people for taking their child out for a walk in a baby carriage, bullying people and just out right abusing their power.

People say that, “well, cops have a very dangerous job, they need to be extra careful!” and I do agree with that. They put their lives on the line every time they answer a call or stop a motorist. That’s why when you’re pulled over, the officer always stands behind your window with his hand on his gun while he waits for you to retrieve your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.

However, none of this excuses the action of our police over the past recent years. They are starting to get out of control. If you try in any way to defend yourself from an abusive officer, you are charged with “resisting arrest” and “battery on a police officer”. You are completely and totally powerless in regards to your own personal safety when dealing with them.

Now we have this report from an academy in Idaho where the mentality has gone so far as they now WANT to cause PTSD!

Apparently, no one attending the graduation event other than Raney complained about the slogan, but a photograph of the program was e-mailed anonymously to news media outlets throughout the state.

Jeff Black, director of the Police Training Academy in Meridian, Idaho stated in regards to the slogan, “"We were mortified that it was in there.” It really causes me to wonder if he was “mortified” because of what the slogan said or because they were caught?

Mr. Black states that slogans will no longer be printed on graduation forms from now on until they have been closely scrutinized by police academy leaders. Come on here! Lets have some common sense! Apparently someone knew what the slogan said, as someone printed up the forms! The person/persons who did that didn’t think there was anything wrong with it? If it wasn’t for the brave photographer who noticed this, I doubt the American public would have been made aware that this had even happened!

Mr. Black wouldn’t even release the name of the class leader who is ultimate responsible for this travesty of public trust. There will be no punishments handed out. There will be no evaluation of the graduating class. Instead, they will be shipped off to their new posts, and these are the new brave officers we’ll have “defending the peace”.

Mr. Black went on to say,

“the embarrassment might be softened by Nampa Deputy Police Chief Leroy Forsman's speech to graduates on the importance of community involvement and of treating people with dignity and respect.”
(Mr.) Black said that is the message new officers should receive in their training — not to go cause traumatic stress.

Are you telling me, Mr. Black, that new officers haven’t been receiving this message, and only now are you going to make sure that they do? With training programs such as these, is it any wonder why we are now dealing with an influx of abusive officers?

"Don't taze me, bro!"

Our Eternal Hope

1 Corinthians 15:12 – 15 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Verse 15 “Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.”

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Christianity does not just rest on the fact that Christ is God come in the flesh, that Christ became the perfect lamb who took the sins of the world on Him, and was slain, but also on the fact that Christ was raised from the dead. Those of us who place our faith in Him also look forward to being raised from the dead to spend an eternity in Heaven.

Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

In fact, the bible goes so far as to state that if Christ Himself was not raised, then we “are of all men most miserable.”

But Christ was raised from the dead. The Jews fearing that the Apostles would steal the body of Christ after His crucifixion petition Pilate to place guards at the tomb. Pilate agreed to this request and it was done. (Matthew 27:62-66)

Those of you who have any knowledge of Roman history know that Roman soldiers weren’t those to be lax in their duties. They would be put to death if any man was found wanting. These soldiers watched and guarded the tomb for three days.

Matthew 28:2-4 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

The angel went on to proclaim that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, but that he was raised. After this, Jesus appeared for forty days to various people, “to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3).

Think on his Apostles for a moment. Of the twelve that followed him, eleven of them followed Christ to their deaths, most of which were horrible. Only one lived out a natural life, dieing in exile on the isle of Patmos. The disciple Steven, like many before him, was stoned to death for Christ. These are sane men who chose death over a life of lies. This in itself is a strong evidence of the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Because we know that Christ was raised from the dead, we can place our hopes and faith upon Him that He will also do the same for us.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Jesus proclaims Himself to be the life:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth unto the Father, but by me.”

Paul stated:

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The promise that we can claim is this:

Romans 14:6 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

Death is not the end, not for those of us who have placed our faith in Christ Jesus. It is simply a stepping stone. Those of us who die go immediately to the Lord where He will comfort us, and we will spend an eternity worshiping and fellowshipping with Him and every other believer.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

God is a personal God. He loves us, and with that knowledge, we can hold this hope close that death is not the end. Instead, we will be released from our pain and sufferings. God Himself will wipe the tears of sorrow from our very eyes!

That is the eternal hope that we have in Christ. It’s not just for salvation from our sins, but also for eternal life after death. When a loved one dies here, there is sorrow for those of us who have been separated from them. But we can also rejoice because this separation is not eternal, and those who have left to go with the Lord are no longer suffering. They are in eternal paradise! We have the hope that not only will see them again, but we will spend an eternity with them in the presence of the Lord!

1 Corinthians 15: 20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Christ has conquered death.

Chicago-Area Police Threaten to Arrest Man for Simply Praying While Pushing Baby Stroller on Public Street

Apparently, it is now against the law to pray while taking your baby for a walk, and wearing any pro-life symbols or signs.

I’m unabashedly pro-life. I do not and will not hide that fact. This man was pushing his baby along in a stroller, and praying. He happened to walk past a protest against Planned Parenthood.

A police officer stopped him, grilled him, and threatened him. All the while, this man was protesting his innocence. I often wonder, what has happened to being “innocent until proven guilty?”

Will this happen to me someday? That this will happen to others again is of no doubt. Society has turned away from being a holiness centered community and now wages war against such.

The story listed below is from Lifesite.net.

VIDEO: Chicago-Area Police Threaten to Arrest Man for Simply Praying While Pushing Baby Stroller on Public Street
Police chief responds, "he can pray at home or anywhere", except near abortion center
By John Connolly

AURORA, Illinois, December 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A YouTube video shows police monitoring a peaceful protest in a Chicago suburb who threatened to arrest a man that was not part of the protest because he was praying while walking his baby in a stroller on the sidewalk near a huge Planned Parenthood abortion facility. – Read More

Philip Damon 2007

Pat Robertson’s Heresies and the End of an Era?

On December 3^rd, 2007, Pat Robertson announced that he was stepping down as Chief executive of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), but will remain Chairman of the Board. His son Gordon Robertson is to replace him.

Mr. Robertson claims to be a Southern Baptist, but holds to more “charismatic” theologies. Personally, I have never met a Southern Baptist that was a constant false prophet and used fear and intimidation to line his or her pockets with cash.

Please journey with me as we take a very brief look at a couple of Mr. Robertson’s more recent declarations.

Pat Robertson was off and running in the New Year with yet another prophecy of impending doom. Apparently reacting to the Democrat takeover of the Congress, the great prognosticator told his 700 Club audience on Tuesday, January 2nd, that a terrorist attack on this country would cause "mass killing" later in the year. "I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear," he told he eager listeners.

“The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that.”

He said further that God told him about the impending tragedy during a recent prayer retreat. God also said that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September. - 2

Here’s another one of his prophecies:

“The world will never receive me (God in Christ), but hundreds of millions will. 2007 will be the final year for my great revelation of my love and forgiveness. Expect miracles beyond anything that you dreamed possible. Demons will be cast out. There will be miracles of healing greater than the world has ever known. Vast multitudes will find salvation. It will be so glorious that you will feel that heaven has come down to earth. 1

Now, I’m no prophet and I will admit that there are still a few weeks left in the month of December, but where has the “mass killing” happened? All of our cities are still around. Except for the occasional nutcase and the daily crimes, there haven’t been any mass graves for our civilians.

As for the other prophecy concerning what basically amounts to a great revival, that has obviously not happened in this country! So unless the Lord performs some sort of miracle during the next few weeks (and far be it for me to doubt the Lord), it doesn’t look like this is going to happen either.

So what’s the point? Why do I even bother with him? Because apparently there are still many people out there who fall for his prophecies and his charisma. Am I the only one who remembers the claim he made about how much he could bench press? Am I the only one who remembers his claim about a devastating hurricane season that never happened?

Why even bother with rebutting him? I bother because I wish to point out that he is not speaking from God, and this, is not of God.

Deuteronomy 18:22 “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Ok, so he does not speak by God, and is not of God. So what is the big deal?

Isaiah 9:15-16 “The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.”

It’s really a very simple fact that anyone who follows a false prophet will be lead to destruction. That is why God is so much against them. Just as those who will look to the stars for their answers instead of looking to the creator, those who follow a prophet that is proven false have also taken their eyes off of their creator. This is the gravest error indeed that one can make.

Mr. Robertson seems aware of this.

“At some times, His word to me has been remarkably precise and the subsequent fulfillment amazing. At other times, either my spiritual perception was lacking or else subsequent prayer or actions by others caused a different result than what I anticipated. Therefore, I must speak with great humility recognizing that I ‘see through a glass darkly.’” 1

There is no prophecy in the bible that is not precise. There are no grey areas. Those that have not happened yet we may not quite understand them, but they are not left up to speculation (such as those made by Nostradamus). Why, I ask you, would the Lord speak a prophetic word to him and then not have that word fulfilled? When the Lord directly speaks to a person, it is not via “spiritual perception”, but it is a known word. Just take a look at the prophets of the bible.

1 Kings 6:11 “And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,”

1 Kings 13:20 “And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:”

Ezra 1:1 “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled,…..”

Isaiah 38:4 “Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,”

Need I continue? There are endless examples. The word of the Lord and his Prophecies are specific. There are no grey areas for interpretation. God does not depend upon “spiritual perception”. Indeed, if Mr. Robertson’s spiritual perception is so weak, one is forced to ask why the Lord would attempt to reveal anything to him at all.

Mr. Robertson then attempts to lay claim to 1 Corinthians 13:12 which states, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

However, let us take a closer look at the context in which this scripture was placed. Was it in regards to prophecy? Lets take a look at 1 Corinthians 13:11 which states, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” A further reading of the passage these scriptures are places in allows one to discover that Paul is talking about discovering the mysteries of Christ, and that no matter what gift we are given, “and have not charity(love), it profiteth me nothing.”

The only mention of prophecy in this passage is this, 1 Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

Paul is obviously not talking about misunderstanding a word spoken to Him by God about events that will occur.

Pat Robertson has been an embarrassment to Christianity. He uses false prophecies to cause others to fear and send him money. I do know if he was ever saved, and what his earlier ministry was like. All I know is what he is like now. If he was saved, he has fallen far from the Lord.

Again I must put emphasis on this following piece of scripture:

Deuteronomy 18:22 “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Please notice how the Lord ends it: “thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

People, please! I beg you, read your bibles! Don’t fall for his scams, or the scams of many others like him! Always, always test the spirits whether they are from God or not! We shall indeed know them by their works, and in this case, their failed prophecies!

Now that Pat Robertson has stepped down as CEO and his son Gordon Robertson has replaced him, there will be some interesting times ahead. However please remember that Pat will still remain Chairman of the Board for CBN. He has not removed his grasp completely and still has plenty of influence.

I can only hope that the greed and corruptness that has touched the father has not yet touched the son.

I do not have any information on Gordon Robertson. If any reader out there has some, please contact me with it. We must make sure that the light does not cease to shine on shady operations such as this! If Gordon is not like his father, then I will not hesitate to praise that. However, as the fruit comes from the tree, and is like the tree, I cannot safely assume that Gordon is unlike his father.

I ask for you to watch the rest of the month. Is he a true prophet or a wolf in sheep’s clothing?

Philip Damon 2007

References:

1 - http://www.patrobertson.com/pressreleases/2007PrayerRetreat_PatRobertson.asp

“Forecast for 2007”

2 - http://www.godweb.org/robertson.htm “Pat Robertson’s Evolution”

Jesus

Today there are many Christ's"running around". All share the same name, but all are different from the one of the Bible. The Mormons proclaim Christ to be the actual fleshly son of God, brother of Lucifer, a result of the copulation between God the Father and one of His many wives. To the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christ is both a lesser god and a spirit. To the New Agers and other eastern religions, he was a prophet, a moral teacher, and an ascended master. To the secular world, he is simply a good man. But who really is Christ? One thing is certain, He did exist.

In this message, it is my intention to point out the historical accuracy of the bible, it’s reliability, and through it, the truth of who Christ Jesus really is. Open your heart, and your mind with me now, as we explore the truth that is Christ Jesus.

The Bible

The bible is a book with a collection of "smaller" books within it. It consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament consists of 39 books, while the New Testament consists of 27. Each of these books have been written over a period consisting of a thousand years and more, by different human authors in different locations and situations. Yet despite all of this, it remains, remarkably, in agreement as a whole. No one book contradicts the other, and they all contain the "flavor" of a single author instead of many, as well they should.

The bible today is thought of in many different respects. To the Christian, it is the infallible testimony of God’s influence and participation in human history, indeed in the history of the universe. To others, it is a piece of literature worthy of many praises, and yet to others, it is a masterful story. One thing is sure, historians all agree that it is a proven piece of literature. Out of all the ancient documents we have, the manuscripts of the bible are the most numerous, numbering in the hundreds. Other well known documents of Plato and Socrates, and even the Iliad only number in the very few. Even concerning Shakespeare, we have very few of his originals. Concerning accuracy to the original text, the modern bible we have today is the most reliable of any literature based on old manuscripts. Translators have access to literally hundreds of the fore mention copies, and with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the veracity of the Bible has been given yet another unneeded boost. Historians agree, that in comparison to the originals, the modern bible is no doubt the leader in truthfulness to the original texts. Of the few minor changes, they number only a half of a percent, and those changes in no way change the context and meaning, they only add a more modern definition of some words. This is all agreed upon.

In addition to it’s truthfulness to it’s predecessors, there are numerous archaeological finds to back up it’s claims. It seems that on a yearly basis, archaeologists find yet another piece of history that collaborates with the bible. No other religious book can make this claim. And more, for being a book being based almost entirely around the relationship between creator and creation, the claims it makes concerning what we would call natural science are astonishing. Long before any human discovered, the bible made mentions of canyons under the seas (this was something that scientists only discovered in this century). In addition, it’s comments concerning the sky are daily being proved by astronomers. Some critics mention that some terminology (such as the "ends of the earth") point out that the bible is not scientifically accurate. I disagree. It is using a type of descriptive language that we use every day. If you don’t believe me, turn on your local weather station and find out when the sun will rise and set.

The bible is a proven historical document, more reliable then any other copies of ancient documents that we have today. In addition, it has the most original manuscripts. This brings a certain scripture to mind that I believe gives the reason why this is so:

Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

As for the authority of scripture, simply look at 2 Timothy 3:16 which states,

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

It is also the only reliable record that we have concerning the life of Christ.

Now that we have had a general look at the bible, and of it’s reliability, lets move on to the main point, the truth of who Jesus Christ really is. To do this, we will use the bible as our guide, and no scripture will be taken out of context.

Jesus - What did his disciples say concerning him?

In response to Christ’s question concerning what men said he was, and what his disciples thought he was,

"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16 (see Mark 8:29)

At the Last Supper, Jesus made references to being abandoned. After asking his disciples if they would abandon him, Peter answered

"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:69

John 20:28 "And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God."

The bible makes it pointedly clear that his disciples firmly believed that he was the Christ, the son of the living God. Thomas, who many have berated for doubting, when he saw the evidence of Christ’s resurrection, proclaimed the words that reside in every believers’ heart.

Jesus - What did the people say about him?

One of the thieves who hung on crosses next to Jesus stated,

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." Luke 23:42

When Philip brought Nathanael to Christ,

"Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." John 1:49

A woman of Samaria who met Jesus at a well proclaimed unto the men of the city,

"Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is this not the Christ?" John 4:29

Mary, sister of Lazarus, spoke her convictions when

"She saith unto him, Yea Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." John 11:27

A man from Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority confessed this also,

"And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37

But perhaps the most moving testimony came from a Roman centurion, who’s duty was to guard the cross where Jesus was put to death.

"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." Matthew 27:54

Jesus - What does the bible say about him?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that commeth into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotton of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1-14

There are 42 prophecies listed in the Bible concerning the Christ Jesus. It has been calculated that for even a few of these prophecies to be completed by chance, it would be the equivalent of finding a needle in a hay stack the size of Texas. Yet Jesus fulfilled every single one of them.

Jesus - what did He say about Himself?

In the Old Testament, God identifies Himself to the Jews by a given name, "I am".

"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, what is his name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:13-14

Jesus made many references to his claim of the name "I AM".

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." John 8:56-59

When Jesus was brought up to the Sanhedrin, the assembly of the high priests, Jesus again proclaimed who He is.

"But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again, the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witness? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death" Mark 14:61-64

In both cases, Jesus used the name of God, "I AM". Some cults attempt to make a point that he is really not claiming deity, but unity with God. They attempt to bend the scripture that states, "I and my Father are one"(John 10:30) to prove their point. But scripture makes it very clear about what Jesus is claiming, that He IS God. It was that claim that finally lead him to the cross. For in the mosaic law, it states that the penalty of blasphemy is death (Leviticus 24:16). It was the only way the Pharisees could put him to death, for there was no sin found in him. Their unbelief killed him.

The Tri-lema

We are left with three ultimate choices concerning Christ, considering that the bible firmly states that He believed himself to be the Christ. They are part of what is commonly called the "Tri-lema". Jesus is either a lunatic, a liar, or Lord.

Lunatic - This would be the case of Jesus believing Himself to be the Christ, when He actually was not. However, people with grand delusions live unstable lives, and are in need of care, lest they hurt themselves. In addition, their lack of sanity leaves no room for life changing wisdom. This was obviously not the case with Jesus. Many of His statements, with their fluid conjunction, and profound wisdom prove different.

Liar - This would be a case where Jesus knew himself not to be the Christ, but went out of His way to intentionally mislead people. This would be a most serious crime indeed, as this effects the destiny of every believer. It would also contain a case of lunacy, since He died for this lie. However, His life proves that this is not the case. Compulsive liars, and people who attempt to lead people in the wrong direction usually show signs of low morality, and again, would usually not die for that lie. Jesus was full of wisdom. No guile was found in his mouth, and he taught self sacrifice over self preservation, or greed. He died for this.

Lord - With the other two suggestions firmly out of the way, we are left with only one other choice, which is, Jesus really is who he said He is. It is now our responsibility to react to this, confess our sins, and accept Him as our savior and Lord. He is the only way to God, and our only way to salvation. For as He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man commeth unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

The Resurrection

This is all and well. Jesus is the Messiah, but as He was put to death, if He was not also raised from the dead, the Christian faith has nothing to hold on to. It is meaningless.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he addressed this issue and puts it to us in a most blunt statement:

"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." 1 Corinthians 15:17-19

A Christian does not follow a "dead" god. We follow a risen savior.

"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:18

After Christ was crucified, the Pharisees had a grave concern. They knew that Jesus claimed that He would rise from the dead on the third day.

"Now the next day, that followed the day of the perparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that the deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again." Matthew 27:62-63

They were worried that Jesus' disciples would steal his body, and falsely proclaim that He would rise.

"Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse then the first." Matthew 27:64

Pilate understood their reasoning and agreed to set Roman guards upon the tomb, continuously, until the time Jesus had prophesied would pass by.

"Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." Matthew 27:65-66

Lets examine these last two verses. Pilate agreed to set a watch over the tomb. In addition, he encouraged the Pharisees to make the tomb as secure as possible, to their satisfaction. So we have recorded that they did indeed do this. They made sure that Jesus' body was still inside the tomb. They then rolled a huge stone to cover the tomb's entrance. Even the stone was not enough for them. They placed a seal upon the entrance, and if it was opened, the seal would be cracked, showing that it had been tampered with. Combining their preparations with a watch of Roman guards, it is impossible for any of Jesus' followers to sneak in and steal the body away. It was the duty of the Roman watch to keep a constant vigilance on the tomb. If a Roman soldier was ever found not obeying his orders, he was put to death. Therefore, these soldiers were not drunken, asleep or in any way lacking in their duty to guard the tomb of Jesus.

Yet on the third day after His death, something did happen! Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome went up to the tomb very early in the morning following the Sabbath. They had come to perform the custom of placing spices on the body, and to anoint it. This was done because as a body decomposes it begins to stink. The spices were meant as a counter to that stench. Mary Magdalene was going to anoint the body of Jesus, following the instructions that He had given her when she repented. The bible records that they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. However, all was not as it should be.

"And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away; for it was very great." Mark 16:3-4

Ariving upon the tomb, worrying how they were to gain access to it because the stone covering it was great, they saw that it was rolled away already!

"And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted." Mark 16:5

Imagine if you were them. You expected to see a blocked tomb, and on even the vague hope of having the stone roll away, were prepared to places spices on the dead body of Jesus. Yet what they saw was beyond all explanation. The stone was rolled away, and instead of seeing the dead body of their Lord, they say a young man sitting where the body of Jesus had been laid. He was arrayed in white clothing, and this understandably caused great fear within them.

"And he say unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6

The tomb was empty!

"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Mark 16:7

They were commanded to tell Jesus' disciples what they had found. They rushed out and fled from the tomb, and were so amazed that they were trembling! (Mark 16:8) On their way to His disciples they did not make any mention of this to anyone, because they were very afraid.

Mary Magdalene went unto His disciples, and the bible records that they were mourning and weeping. Yet they would not believe her. (Mark 16:11)

Jesus Himself then appeared later unto two of His disciples, and revealed Himself unto them. They went and told the rest of the disciples what happened, and still they would not believe that Jesus had risen! (Mark 16:12-13)

One of His disciples, Thomas, went so far as to state

"Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25)

After eight days, when all the disciples were gathered in a closed room, the bible reports that Jesus appeared in their midst.

"Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God." (John 20:27-28)

When Jesus appeared, he did not appear as a spirit. He was a literal risen savior, in a glorified body.

"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." (Luke 24:39)

He then asked his disciples if they had anything to eat.

"And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them." (Luke 24:42-43).

Speaking of Christ and His apostles,

"To whom he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

The gospel of Mark records that after all these things were done, and after Jesus ascended to Heaven,

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen" (Mark 16:20)

Now please consider, these men, His apostles, were in hiding. They were in fear for their lives and in unbelief of what Jesus had said. Yet such a moving miracle had happen, that they were embolden to go out and preach Jesus to the world. What is it that would cause men to change from fearful souls into those who boldly proclaimed Jesus until their deaths?

Why didn't the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time boldly step forward and proclaim it all as a fraud, as a lie? Why could they not refute the evidence that Jesus had risen? Why didn't the Romans proclaim the resurrection as a lie? Why was there an immediate following and growth in believers?

"Then they gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

Why? Because Jesus Christ did indeed rise from the dead! Not as a spirit, or an apparition, but as the savior in His glorified body!

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." (John 11:25-26)

Jesus is the resurrection and the life! He raised Himself, and He will raise us. He promises eternal life (which is eternal glory and fellowship with God the Father in Heaven) to all who believe in Him!

In Closing

One more issue I would like to point out is that every single Apostle, except for one, died horrible deaths for what they believed to be the truth. The only one who died a natural death was the Apostle John, who was exiled to an island for the rest of his life. How many people do you know would die horrible deaths for a lie, or something they were not sure about?

In the light of this evidence above, and the evidence of the scripture, there can be no doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of the Living God, and indeed God himself. Here is the true Jesus. All others are but counterfeit. On the outside, they look like Him, but in reality, are all worthless pretenders to your soul and heart.

By Philip Damon

* Note - Scroll to the bottom for the prophecies concerning Christ. Because of the formatting of this blog, it caused the table to be pushed way down to the bottom, and I don't know how to correct it.

Prophecies		Fulfillment
Genesis 3:15	Would be the "Seed of a Woman"	Galations 4:4 (Luke 2:7; Revelation 12:5)
Genesis 18:18	Promised Seed of Abraham	Acts 3:25 (Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:34)
Genesis 17:19	Promised Seed of Isaac	Matthew 1:2
Numbers 24:17	Promised Seed of Jacob	Luke 3:34 (Matthew 1:2)
Genesis 49:10	Will Descend from the Tribe of Judah	Luke 3:33 (Matthew 1:2-3)
Isaiah 9:7 (Isaiah 11:1-5; 2 Samuel 7:13)	The Heir to the Throne of David	Matthew 1:1 (Matthew 1:6)
Micah 5:2	Place of Birth	Matthew 2:1 (Luke 2:4-7)
Daniel 9:25	Time of Birth	Luke 2:1-2, 3-7
Isaiah 7:14	Born of a Virgin	Matthew 1:18
Jeremiah 31:15	Massacre of Infants	Matthew 2:16
Hosea 11:1	Flight into Egypt	Matthew 2:14
Isaiah 9:1-2	Ministry in Galilee	Matthew 4:12-16
Deutronomy 18:15	As a Prophet	John 6:14
Psalms 110:4	As a Priest, like Melchizedek	Hebrews 6:20
Isaiah 53:3	His Rejection by Jews	John 1:11
Isaiah 11:2	Some of His Characteristics	Luke 2:52
Zechariah 9:9	His Triumphal Entry	John 12:13-14
Psalms 41:9	Betrayed by a Friend	Mark 14:10
Zechariah 11:12	Sold forThirty Pieces of Silver	Matthew 26:15
Zechariah 11:13	Money to be Returned for a Potter's Field	Matthew 27:6-7
Psalms 109:7-8	Judas' Office to be Taken by Another	Acts 1:18-20
Psalms 27:12	False Witnesses Accuse Him	Matthew 26:60-61
Isaiah 53:7	Silent When Accused	Matthew 26:62-63
Isaiah 50:6	Smiten and Spat Upon	Mark 14:65
Psalms 69:4	Was Hated Without a Cause	John 15:23-25
Isaiah 53:4-5	Suffered Vicariously	Matthew 8:16-17
Isaiah 53:12	Crucified with Sinners	Matthew 27:38
Psalms 22:16	Hands and Feet Pierced	John 20:27
Psalms 22:6-8	Mocked and Insulted	Matthew 27:39-40
Psalms 69:21	Given Gall and Vinegar	John 19:29
Psalms 22:8	Hears Prophetic Words Repeated in Mockery	Matthew 27:43
Psalms 109:4	Prays for His Enemies	Luke 23:34
Zechariah 12:10	His Side to be Pierced	John 19:34
Psalms 22:18	Soldiers Cast Lots for His Coat	Mark 15:24
Psalms 34:20	Not a Bone to be Broken	John 19:33
Isaiah 53:9	To be Buried with the Rich	Matthew 27:57-60
Psalms 16:10	His Resurrection	Matthew 28:9
Psalms 68:18	His Ascension	Luke 24:50-51

Tolerance - The World System of Anarchy

It has been reported by the Associated Press that Comedy Central informed the creators of the raunchy cartoon series, "South Park", that they would not be allowed to show an image of the prophet Muhammad. So in turn, the creators decided to replace that scene with an animation of Jesus defecating on President Bush and the American Flag.1

It causes one to wonder, is there really such a thing as "tolerance" in the world today, or instead is it really "tolerance towards all things not of God?"

Upon doing a search on the internet with the key word "tolerance", I came upon Tolerance.org. They have a few articles posted on their main page.

One is by author Rich Stolz, the Immigration Program Director at the Center for Community Change. He says, and I quote, "In the end, however, this movement isn't just about immigrants. The immigrant rights movement draws its strength from basic American values and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. Immigration is a fundamentally American experience, and despite the anti-immigrant hatred pushed through the airwaves and through the halls of Congress, tolerance remains a powerful value.
Families should stay together without fear of separation. All workers deserve a paycheck for their hard work and should not have to fear injury for lack of basic worker protections. Inevitably, attacks on the civil rights of some of us weaken the civil rights of all of us."2

We are also informed on their website that "April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Advocates everywhere are working to provide services and raise awareness." They then proceed to give us a link as to where we can get "involved".2

Another site, ReligiousTollerance.org, clearly states what its purpose is - "This website is unlike almost all other religious sites:It promotes religious freedom, and diversity as positive cultural values." 3
It has various links on religions from literally A to Z.

What about abortion? Looking up their views on the subject, one comes across their definition of three important terms:

"'Life:Any form of living animal or vegetable."
"'Human life:" Any living entity which has human DNA. A spermatozoa, ovum, pre-embryo, embryo, fetus, newborn, and infant are different forms of human life. However, they are not all considered to have equal value."
"'Human person" This is a form of human life which is considered to be a person whose life and health should be protected. No consensus exists about when this state begins. Pro-lifers generally say it happens at or very shortly after conception, when a human life with a unique DNA begins. Pro-choicers generally say that it happens later in gestation; some believe that personhood only begins after birth when the newborn is breathing on its own. "4

On the same page, they state "A consensus exists among both pro-lifers and pro-choicers that when human personhood starts, the person must be protected."4

To quote their author, B.A. Robinson, "There never has been a consensus on major moral questions. We seem destined to always have active ethical disagreements in the world. Even if absolute truth exists in the religious sphere, we may never be able to determine what it is."5

The United Nation's council on tolerance, also known as UNESCO posts this definition of tolerance under Article 1 - Meaning of Tolerance

"1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one's views are not to be imposed on others."6 Emphasis Mine

I then came upon an article by Muslim scholar, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, in which he states, "Before the coming of Islam, tolerance had never been preached as an essential part of religion." And "The tolerance within the body of Islam was, and is, something without parallel in history; class and race and color ceasing altogether to be barriers."7

Dear reader, I could literally fill hundreds of pages with references to "tolerance", and the fascinating thing is, to the world, they basically mean one in the same. According to them, tolerance is in actuality anarchy!

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines anarchy as "2 a : absence or denial of any authority or established order b : absence of order".8

What the world system is really striving for is anarchy. "Let everyone do what they feel is right, and we MUST accept what those people choose."

Please permit me now to analyze the above statements and provide the truth as to what is really going on.

Illegal Immigration

According to Rich Stolz, the United States, indeed all nations, should welcome with open arms those who flagrantly commit the crime of entering illegally. We should look past the fact that these illegal immigrants are taking work from the citizens of such nations, the fact that many of them (not all) bring with them crime in every manner you can possibly think of, and the fact that instead of contributing to the society they invade, they actually harm its economics and social stability.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform states "Illegal immigration causes an enormous drain on public funds. The seminal study of the costs of immigration by the National Academy of Sciences (9) found that the taxes paid by immigrants do not cover the cost of services received by them. We cannot provide high quality education, health care, and retirement security for our own people if we continue to bring in endless numbers of poor, unskilled immigrants."

"Additionally, job competition by waves of illegal immigrants willing to work at substandard wages and working conditions depresses the wages of American workers, hitting hardest at minority workers and those without high school degrees." 10

"Illegal immigration also contributes to the dramatic population growth overwhelming communities across America--crowding school classrooms, consuming already limited affordable housing, and straining precious natural resources like water, energy, and forestland."10

But let's forget all about that! Let's ignore the facts. Let's be tolerant and allow these law breakers to continue what they are doing. After all, "one's views are not to be imposed on others"!

Please don't misunderstand me. I fully support a parent's desire to provide for their family to the best of their ability. I am encouraged that there are many out there who will go to incredible lengths to pursue this goal. But illegal immigration is not the answer! The United States and indeed all nations have procedures that allow full integration of an immigrant into their societies. Those who have gone through the process are proud to call themselves citizens of such nations! I have not met a single individual that in doing so laments such a decision.

In addition to breaking the law, illegal immigrants literally risk their lives in the process! Hardly a month goes by where we do not hear of some poor souls who have died in the process. Thanks to the unscrupulous smugglers who pack them tight in trunks of cars, lead them out in the middle of the wilderness to die, or those who are simply unprepared for the journey that awaits them, the inevitable occasionally happens.

Yet people who scream "Tolerance! Tolerance!" proclaim that it is our fault. They say it is our fault because we simply won't open our borders and roll out the welcome mat. There are politicians and activists that literally want us to place watering holes, feeding stations and rest areas so that these illegal won't perish. Of course, this is all at the expense of tax payer money, but what do they care?

Another consequence of illegal immigration is the known fact that terrorists have, and most likely still are, entering our country to perform their despicable deeds! The majority of the 9-11 terrorists did enter the country legally, but illegally overstayed their green card time limits. Right now, our borders are so porous that we cannot say with any amount of certainty how many illegals are in this country, and how many of them wish us harm. What we do know for certain is that they are already here!

Let's not forget the principle of national sovereignty. A nation is an entity, separate from all the other nations of the world. Each nation has its own culture, its own history, its own policies and its own policy on foreign relations. Of course, a nation is much more then these, but these are major parts of what separates it from the rest. A nation is not just a name. The reason we have an immigration process is so that those who wish to become citizens must assimilate. They must be willing to take the attributes of the nation they wish to join, and call them their own. Illegal immigrants do not do this, and thus, threaten the very sovereignty of that state.

The United States Congress is currently debating bills concerning the plague of illegal immigration. News flash! There are already laws to deal with this situation! We don't need more laws, what we need are people willing to enforce the ones already in place!

Instead of enforcing them, we have politicians calling volunteer citizens who attempt to help, "vigilantes!" Apparently, citizens who love their country cannot even patrol and document their borders. These citizens do not harm, threaten or in any other way commit violence against these illegals. They simply document them and report them to law enforcement officials.

But let's forget all about that! Let's ignore the facts. Let's be tolerant and allow these law breakers to continue what they are doing. After all, "one's views are not to be imposed on others"!

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This is great! This is Awesome! Now we have a month, just like Black History Month, that focuses our attention on the atrocities that unfortunately occur on a daily basis. My question is this: should this be the only month that we should be aware of this stain on society? If so, thank goodness! I don't know what I would do if I would have to think about it every month!

This is yet another drain on taxpayer money to point out the obvious. Instead of using such funds to politicize an issue, we should use that money for real work! Put these vicious animals in a cage and keep them there for the rest of their lives! I'd much rather see my federally demanded donations (also known as taxes) go towards that then towards publicizing something that is already well known, yet treated lightly.

In case you haven't heard, in a recent case in Vermont, Judge Edward Cashman sentenced a child rapist to a mere 60 days in jail. Convicted rapist Mark Hulett confessed to repeatedly raping a little girl countless times while she was between the ages of 7 and 10. Yet "The judge says he did it because he no longer believes in punishment and he wants to speed the rapist's entry into a rehabilitation program."11

Am I missing something here? Perhaps he holds to the "values" of "tolerance" where "one's views are not to be imposed on others".

And in the interest of "tolerance", I wonder if there will ever be a "White History Month"?

Religious Freedom and Diversity as Positive Cultural Values

This can be a touchy subject so let my say right off, I believe that no nation should dictate what faith anyone should follow (be it atheism to Zoroastrianism), and how it should be followed. Indeed, that was one of the main reasons that the nation of the United States was formed. The pilgrims fled England because the King of that time was demanding that the people follow his state sanctioned religion. They had to believe exactly as his majesty said, or face extreme persecution.

However, the error comes when we treat all faiths as equals; they are not. Each faith has a set of standards that its followers must adhere to. That fact alone proves that they are not equal!

There is, however, one "tenant" that all the religions share - the necessity to work out one's own salvation (or whatever their terminology for it is); that is, all religions but one. Christianity is the only faith where one's salvation is based on what one man has already done, not vice-versa.

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

There are religions out there that claim the title of "Christian" but they are really wolves in sheep's clothing. If you study them closely, their path to salvation relies on a different Jesus and a different God. Still examining them, you will notice that they all require "good works" for salvation to be possible.

As Dr. Walter Martin so eloquently stated "I must dissent from the view that 'all roads that lead to God are good' and believe instead the words of our Lord, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me' (John 14:6). It should be carefully noted that Jesus did not say 'I am one of many equally good ways,' or, 'I am a better way then the others, I am an aspect of truth; I am a fragment of the life.' Instead, His claim was absolute, and allegiance to Him, as the Savior of the world, was to take precedence over all the claims of men and religions."12

For us to be "tolerant" and accept all religions and faiths as equally valid is more then a grievous error. It is a choice to allow millions upon millions an eternity in Hell and separation from God!

It has now become a popular pastime in this world to mock the Christian. Many books, many movies and many documentaries strive to portray the Bible as a work of fiction, Jesus as either a "good man" or a "rebel" and his followers as certified nuts.

After all, Christians do not accept that "one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs". Being aware of the Truth, the Christian will not sacrifice it to be "accepted" by the world. We truly care about the state of a person's soul, and it truly pains the Christian to see the lost follow evil doctrine that will lead them to an eternity of Hell and separation from God. Indeed, we cannot, nay, we will not be able to live with ourselves knowing that if we do not try to spread the seeds of Truth, those close to us may never know the eternal peace and grace that comes only from God our Father, through His son Christ Jesus! We will never say that Islam or any other worldly religion is on equal or greater footing then Christianity.

Because of this, the Christian is often labeled an "intolerant bigot" and we are treated as such. However, it is impossible, once you know the Truth, to deny it. Think of the law of gravity. We all know "that what goes up must come down." Now imagine a person who has experienced this and being confronted on this issue willing to state "Well, things don't always fall back down. Gravity is only how one perceives it."

Abortion

Sadly, "family planning" has become a staple in the world's "diet". It is common practice in China to abort baby girls, since families are limited to one child and males are considered "more important." In America, it's promoted as a "right" and as a way to protect a woman's health. The EU and UN are pushing for all nations to make it not only legal, but socially acceptable. This is outrageous! Yet because the mainstream public has been hearing about this practice and listened to its promoter's propaganda over the years, their heart has turned as hard and cold as stone towards it.

What is life? If we take the evolutionist' stand that we all evolved from microbial material, pond scum is as much "alive" as a human being.

I challenge you to change your thinking in regards to this matter. Human life is not pond scum, nor is it equal to those of animals or plants. None of these have a soul.

When a human being is conceived in the womb, that person is instantly alive. We are not just a collection of random cells. We are designed.

Isaiah 44:2 "Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee;"

The bible calls a child "the beloved fruit" (Hosea 9:16) and states that God knows us while we are yet in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee…"

I have yet to meet a mother who was not overjoyed at the birth of her child. Indeed many studies have proven that mothers who have had an abortion (killed their child), suffer with severe depression and regret many years afterwards, if not peminately.

How many of you have seen a live ultrasound of a child? I remember when I saw the first ones for both of my daughters. The heart was beating and I could see the outlines of the head and extremities. When an arm or leg moved, I was awe struck. This was not late in pregnancy, but relatively early on. Mothers carry inside them living human beings.

Yet we are told that they are "fetuses", "embryos", "pre-embryos", "a collection of cells" and just about any other term these murderers can think up to devalue a human life. Did you know that the most effective technique that Pro-life clinics use to save an unborn baby is to give a free ultrasound? Most women after seeing their living and moving child, banish any thoughts of "ending the pregnancy", or in plain English, "killing their own child."

Most heinous of all the acts of abortion is a late term procedure known as "partial birth abortion." During the "procedure", the baby's head is delivered into the birth canal, and with the top of the head exposed, the "doctor" pierces the skull and sucks out all the brain matter. Yet people are still willing to fight to make this legal! This and all abortion amounts to nothing less then murder. The practitioners are the murderers and the parents are the willing accomplices. The child is the victim, pure and simple.

"What about when a woman's life is in danger or is the victim of a sexual assault?" That is a question that many supporters use as the "smoking gun" for support of this crime. The fact that a woman's life may be in danger and that the only way to save her is to kill her unborn child is hard to imagine in these days. Medicine has advanced in leaps and strides. The same technology that allows "doctors" to take an child's life can help to save it.

With both pregnancies, my wife was considered "high risk". Left untreated, both her and our child would have died. Yet because of medicine, lifestyle discipline and the protecting grace of God, I have two wonderful little girls.

Our first one had to be induced, and nearing the conclusion of the birth, the doctor ordered over the loud speakers for all nurses and specialists to rush to our room. Abby had to have a suction device attached to her head, and literally be yanked from the womb. When she came out, she was completely unresponsive. The scale that is used to rank the health of a baby was born ranges from 1-10 (or around there, I don't remember the exact numbers). Abby ranked a two. Even now when I think about it, tears come to my eyes. She wasn't moving, the doctor and nurses had a sense of urgency in them that I had never seen before. But by the grace of God they were able to revive her. Soon after her birth, she had a "relapse" and had to be incubated and force fed by tubes in her nose. But the Lord was gracious and healed her. Today, she is fully active, incredibly intelligent and an immense blessing in my life.

Our second child again was a "high risk" pregnancy. Because of the risk to the life and well being of my wife, she had to be delivered via cesarean. Today, Faith is a beautiful child that brings a smile to my face at every thought.

Yet, using the "logic" of the pro-abortion crowd, we should have aborted both of our children. My wife's life was in danger both times, and the doctors were uncertain if the children would ever be physically normal.

As concerning those who become pregnant as a result of sexual abuse or rape, don't kill the child because of what that evil person did! There are thousands of families that are unable to have children of their own and are eager to adopt. Even if that child has to remain in state custody for most of its young life (which is an extremely rare case), God still has a plan and a purpose for that life. He knows that child while it is still in the womb!

Yet under the doctrine of "tolerance", abortion - the killing of a human child, must be accepted.

Muslim Tolerance

As incredible as it seems, Muslims apparently consider themselves to be the most tolerant of all religions. They even claim to have brought it into the mainstream. Let's list off a few facts and I'll let you decide for yourself.

• .The Islamic countries are at war with Israel. They will not tolerate its existence.
• Under the banner of Islam, Muslims led a holy war that nearly took over all of Europe.
• Under Islamic law, Muslims will "tolerate" a non-believer as long as that person is willing to pay what is in essence a ransom to them.
• Under Islamic law, any Muslim who converts to any other faith should be (and often is) condemned to death. (Afghan convert Abdul Rahman narrowly escaped the death sentence for converting to Christianity, but thousands more face that fear every day.)
• Under Islamic law, any woman who has dishonored her family by being molested or suspected of adultery is slain.
• Algeria just recently passed an anti-conversion law that that punishes anyone who persuades a Muslim to leave his faith, with up to five years in prison, and banishes house churches.

I can literally continue to list examples of how "tolerant" Islam is, but instead I'd like to refer you to two great sites. The first is Answering Islam and the second is TheReligionOfPeace.com. From there you will find many articles from experts concerning the faith of Islam, their practices and their attitudes towards "tolerance."

Conclusion

In today's world, it's unacceptable to display an image of Muhammad, yet at the same time being acceptable to depict Jesus defecating on President Bush and the American Flag.

In today's world, it's unacceptable to defend a nation's borders against an invasion, yet at the same time being acceptable to call those who defend them "vigilantes."

In today's world, it's unacceptable to put away a child molester for life, yet at the same time being acceptable to spend government demanded donations on wasteful activities such as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" and "Black History Month."

In today's world, it's unacceptable to proclaim that there is absolute truth, yet at the same time being acceptable to mock those who hold the Truth dear to them.

In today's world, it's unacceptable to prevent a mother's "right" to kill her child, yet at the same time being acceptable to suck the brains out of a living child.

In today's world, it's unacceptable to depict any negative images of Islam or its prophet, yet at the same time being acceptable to murder those who change their faith and to murder women who "harm" their family's "honor."

That, my friend, is tolerance.

1 - http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20060413/114497364000.html
2 - http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=1371
3 - http://www.religioustolerance.org/
4 - http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_over.htm
5 - http://www.religioustolerance.org/abs_true2.htm
6 - http://www.unesco.org/tolerance/declaeng.htm#article1
7 - http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/toleran1.html
8 - http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/anarchy
9 - http://www.nap.edu/books/0309059984/html/index.html
10 - http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/isacrime.html
11 - http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=4325804&nav=4QcS
12 - "The Kingdom Of The Cults" Dr. Walter Martin; chapter 1, pg 13

By, Philip Damon