Archive of used articles
History of Saint Patrick
March 17, 2010
Saint Patrick (real name: Maewyn Succat?) was kidnapped at the
age of 16 by pirates and sold into slavery.
During his 6-year
captivity he found strength in his religious faith. After he escaped,
Saint Patrick studied religion in Europe, then travelled to Ireland to
spread the Christian word there. He used the shamrock, which
resembles a three-leafed clover, as a metaphor to explain the
concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).
Legend has it that Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland
-- that they all went into the sea and drowned. Poor snakes. I don't
know why he would want to do this, except that the snake was a
revered pagan symbol, and perhaps this was a figurative tale
alluding to the fact that he drove paganism out of Ireland.
by anonymous
Why I like Butterflies
2 Corinthians 5:17 is one of my favorite verses.
As a young Christian, I was feeling frustrated at not being as
"good" as I thought I should be. (I was almost 29 when I was
saved. You can learn a lot of bad behavior in 28 years.) I even
began to doubt my salvation. Our Father is so faithful. I came
upon this verse and noticed one tiny little two-letter word -
"is". "...if any man is in Christ he is a new creation...." Not
gonna be, hopes to be, might be, but is a new creation. I
realized then that because of Jesus' redemptive work on the
cross, the creepy crawly, nasty, waller in the dirt caterpillar
that I was had become a new creature. Taa-daa!! I am flying high
on my butterfly wings. So I always have a butterfly around to
remind me to stay out of the dirt and act like a butterfly.
Jesus loves you and I do, too.
Toni T.
Recent article from our
Blog
Power in a Name
I heard that Brit Hume of Fox news spoke two unspeakable words
on TV.
Have you heard about the ruckus that Brit Hume started while
he was interviewing Tiger Woods?
It seems that everyone in the media has a comment to make about 2
words that Brit said.
No the words weren’t the “N” word or the
“F” word, had it been either of those words the media
most likely would have just made passing comments.
********
click for rest of the story****
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Press your browser back button to return here
He Lives
From my earliest childhood, I was told when people died they
went to heaven. Even pets died and went to heaven. Well, my thoughts
were that they were gone forever. I didn't think of Heaven as a real place.
It was just the sky and clouds. I didn't know that there were streets and
rivers and houses and trees in Heaven. I was never told that Heaven is as
real or even more real than the earth we are living on now. I guess I thought
people died and were buried, their bodies returned to dust and their souls just
floated away somewhere. I knew that Jesus rose from the dead and walked on
the earth and appeared to many people. But I thought when He ascended into
Heaven, He was gone again, just a spirit floating around out there somewhere.
One
day, after I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, I was just thinking about Him and
what I had been learning in the Bible and I came to the sudden realization that
Jesus isn't just a spirit floating around somewhere, He is
alive not dead and in
Heaven but ALIVE and in Heaven.
Click to read the rest of the article
The Lamb of God
Thinking about Easter and Jesus being beaten and crucified can really be scary. So I wanted to let you know the happy part of what happened when Jesus died on the cross.
All people, sometimes, do things they shouldn't;when that happens, we call it sin. God knew we couldn't be good all the time, but the only way to be forgiven of sin was for blood to be shed.
A long, long time ago, people killed animals and gave them to God. When God saw the blood, He knew the people were really sorry that they had sinned and he forgave them.
Today we don't have to kill animals or do anything like that to be forgiven because Jesus was willing to pay for our sins with His blood. Jesus was always good, he never, ever did a sin, He is the only one good enough to be able to pay for our sins.
He loves us so much that He wanted to
keep us from having to be punished for our sins. He also wants us to live in heaven with Him forever when we leave earth.
After Jesus died on the cross, He was in a tomb for three days and then the most exciting thing happened. He came back alive!!!
Now if we believe in Jesus and accept the gift of His life, when God looks at us we are clean and pure and we can be His children and live in heaven with Him forever when we die.
Jesus is alive right now. He still loves us just as much and does many things to take care of us.
He sends angels to protect us, He gives us all the things we need to eat, wear and play with. He helps us do the things we have to do, like learning in school, doing our chores, and sharing our things with others. All He wants us to do is love Him back. He loves us even more than our mommies and daddies do, more than anybody. He wants us to love Him more than we love anybody else.
So you see
instead of Easter being scary, it is the most wonderful time. It was the time when it became possible for us to be part of God's family.
Jesus is called the "Lamb of God".
Instead of Easter bunnies, Nana likes to give her grandchildren Easter Lambs. Then when they look at their lambs, they can remember how much Jesus loves them.
What is Palm Sunday to you?
We might quickly say, that's when Jesus entered Jerusalem and they were praising God and placing palm branches on the road in front of Him. ( John 12:12-13 )
Actually this was the start of the week of passion.
That day Jews were declaring Jesus King of Israel, yet within just a few days these same Jews would be yelling "crucify Him". ( John 19:14-15 )
Why?
Love! ( John 3:16 )
Adam in disobience brought sin into the world. Modern science can tell you we carry our ancestors DNA in our genes. Although science might not be able to find the original sin gene in the DNA structure of our DNA, we all share in Adam's sin. ( 1 Cor. 15:22 )
We all have sinned. ( Rom. 3:23 )
Sin has to be paid for. ( Rom. 6:23 )
God through Moses provided man a revelation of what His plan of salvation for man was to be through the Passover. We know that life is in the blood, for even Adam's sin was covered by the blood of animals when God covered man's nakedness with the skin of slain animals. The blood of the Passover lamb placed on the door post protected the Jews from the death Angel. Even so Jesus became our Passover lamb. (The Lamb of God) ( 1 Cor. 5:7 )
There is a difference between the Lamb of the Jewish Passover and our Passover. The Jewish Passover was a yearly sacrifice. Jesus is a greater sacrifice, He died once for us. (Heb 9:24)(Heb 9:25)(Heb 9:26)(Heb 9:27)(Heb 9:28)
Also the Jewish Passover lamb had to be a yearly sacrifice, the blood of animals was not sufficient for a lasting sacrifice. (Heb. 9:11)(Heb 9:12)(Heb 9:13)(Heb 9:14)(Heb 9:15)
Although He could have called 10000 angels,( Matt. 26:52)(Matt. 26:53)(Matt. 26:54)(Matt. 26:55)(Matt. 26:56 ) He was obedient even to death. Jesus paid it all. Death could no longer hold Him captive. After 3 days, as foretold, He arose.
The cross is empty.
The tomb is empty.(Matt.28:1)(Matt.28:2)(Matt.28:3)(Matt.28:4)(Matt.28:5)(Matt.28:6)(Matt.28:7)(Matt.28:8 )
The disciples watched Him ascend to the Father, (Acts 1:6)(Acts 1:7)(Acts 1:8)(Acts 1:9)(Acts 1:10)(Acts 1:11 )and one day He will descend to set up His kingdom for 1000 yrs in Jerusalem.
And we who belong to Him will be with Him and reign wih Him for that 1000 yrs. (Rev 20:4)(Rev 20:5)(Rev 20:6 )
You can reign with us, click to learn more of His Grace
National day of Prayer
May 6, 2010
First Amendment.txt
Please allow me to start off with this. Due to the recent decision by a Federal Appeals Court judge, the National Day of Prayer has come under attack.
It seems most that are against the National Day of Prayer (or any government involvement in any religious activity) are using the First Amendment as the reasoning and the “Separation of Church and State” (which is not in the US Constitution or any of the Amendments, but in the writings of Thomas Jefferson).
First, let’s review the entire First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I am going to explain this amendment the best I can, though I only have “layman’s” knowledge and do not claim to be an expert in law or the constitution.
Click here to read the complete story
“Fasting and prayer are religious exercises; the enjoining them an act
of discipline. Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the time
for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their own particular
tenets; and right can never be safer than in their hands, where the Constitution
has deposited it.” Thomas Jefferson, 1808
Because of the faith of many of our founding
fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant
history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures
to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983).
The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call
to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for
wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history,
including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation,
fasting, and prayer” in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed
by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law
was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first
Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging
all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors
of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
1952 Harry S. Truman declares a National Day of Prayer and signs
into law an annual
observance there of – United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 382 on
April 17, 1952/ President Truman signs Public Law 82-324 (Public Law 82-324; 66
Stat. 64—April 17, 1952).
1988 Ronald Reagan signs into law the designation of the first Thursday
in May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer – President
Reagan signs Public Law 100-307
January 25, 1988, in the Second Session of the One Hundredth Congress (Public Law
100-307—May 5, 1988).
1998 Pub. L. 105-225, August 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1258: The President shall
issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National
Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer
and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
Let Me Tell You About My Father
Most children like to brag about their Fathers, and I'm no different.
I have the best Father ever. My Father is absolutely perfect. He is strong but gentle. He loves to do things like gardening and feeding birds and he really likes animals. He is also a Military man with a large command. He is very loving and kind, but can be very tough when he has to be. He is very strict and demands respect and obedience. He is never over-bearing or rude. He is just and forgiving. He is generous in his provision, always seeing to it that I have anything that I need and has
taught me how to achieve my heart's desires. He gives really good gifts. He knows everything about everything. He can make stuff out of nothing. He is protective and watches over me and keeps me safe from harm. When I am sad, he comforts me; when I am sick, he makes me feel better; when I am weary, he strengthens me; when I am upset, he calms me. He can chase away any fear that I might have. He is very wealthy and He has definitely provided for my future.
Know what else? He is your Father, too !
Yes, I have been describing Our Heavenly Father. Do you know how great he is and all that he has done for you? Do you know how much he loves you and wants a relationship with you? Wouldn't Father's Day be a great day to begin being your Father's child? Accept his free gift of eternal life. If you have done that step, commit yourself to grow into a closer relationship with Our Father. Thank Jesus Christ, our Lord for making the reconciliation with our Father possible by dying on
the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead in victory.
'No Court Can Stop Us From Praying'
To act like a National Day of Prayer is a bad thing or somehow subversive is ridiculous.
Surely our country needs prayer now more than ever.” — Franklin Graham,
the National Day of Prayer Honorary Chairman
BOONE, N.C., April 16, 2010—When a federal judge in Wisconsin ruled that our
National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, it immediately generated widespread
anger, heated debate and new rounds of legal maneuvering. According to Franklin
Graham, the honorary chairman of this year’s National Day of Prayer, it also
shows just how much our country needs God’s help.
“At a time
when our country is waging two wars, approval ratings for Congress are at historic
lows, unemployment is at a 70-year high and financial institutions have collapsed
around us, I can’t imagine anyone seriously opposing a National Day of Prayer,”
said Graham, who is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
and international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse.
Graham
said he was puzzled by the judge’s logic. In her ruling, U.S. District Court
Judge Barbara Crabb wrote, “the nature of prayer is so personal and can have
such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority
to try to influence an individual’s decision whether and when to pray.”
“It
sounds to me like even the judge in this case understands the power of prayer. But
it’s voluntary. There’s no requirement that people pray,” said
Graham. “To act like a National Day of Prayer is a bad thing or somehow subversive
is ridiculous. Surely our country needs prayer now more than ever.”
Graham
also points out that God commands us to pray for our leaders. “The Bible is
clear on this. 1 Timothy says, ‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and
all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness.’"
Prayer is nothing new to Americans, added Graham. “Our
country has a long history of recognizing a national day of prayer. It’s something
that dates back to the Continental Congress when it recommended that states set
aside a day for prayer and thanksgiving. This is a significant part of our country’s
heritage.”
“For me, the bottom line is this,” said Graham.
“No judge can stop us from praying for our country and I pray that on May
6, millions of Americans will join me in praying for our President, all of our elected
leaders, and even for this unjust judge and all those who rule from the bench—that
God would guide them and give them wisdom.”
This year’s National
Day of Prayer takes place May 6. For more information about the National Day of
Prayer, visit
NationalDayofPrayer.org.
