The winner of last weeks spell binder is: Celia! Send me your info and I will ship it right out. This week Teddy is giving away a book of white magic spells. The book has a suede cover and is printed in silver leaf.
Teddy had trouble opening her eyes to pick out this week's winner this morning.
This spellbook was purchased at a witch shop in Salem.
It is filled with all sorts of helpful spells.
It describes the tools you will need and will take you step by step through each spell.
There are spells for how to find wealth and prosperity.
And spells which show you how to find love and all sorts of things to improve your life.
To enter, leave a comment on this post. If you don't have a blogger account you have to leave info as to how I can contact you. If you are not already a follower, sign on to follow. The winner will be drawn next Saturday morning and a new giveaway will be posted at that time.
We have had a lot of feral cat activity in our yard recently and Teddy is on high alert. That is, after she is fully awake.
I have not been posting many pics of her recently because mostly she plants herself in front of her fan and sleeps through this horrid weather.
Teddy is as ready for Fall as I am.
by Janet (Sparrow) Moon
July looks like a good month to get things done. Mercury's retrograde is over, and the eclipses won't be coming to visit again until August. Mars and Saturn, and then later Mars and Jupiter, are the only outer planets that will be aspecting one another this month, and that may increase our stamina and willpower. So, write down those goals, and see how many you can check-off before July 31st.
Things will be in the process of change during the first few days of July. Mars will enter Virgo on July 1st, and we may be in the mood to work. The Cancer New Moon is July 2nd, so it will be a good time to invest our energies in our homes and families. Venus will be at a standoff with Jupiter on Wednesday and Thursday, July 2nd and 3rd, and that can bring impractical decisions at the least. There may also be some affairs beginning and extra flirting going on at that time. There could be some sudden sarcastic words said, and some of us may be worrying about nothing on July 4th and 5th. But, the weekend gets better as it goes on. By Sunday, July 6th our thoughts will turn to beauty and romance, so save the Independence Day parties until Sunday.
Things will fire up again by Tuesday, July 8th. The Sun will be out of balance with Jupiter, and this could bring some bad-luck and some extravagant behavior. Also, some projects may turn out to be a waste of time through Wednesday. Mercury will be crossing into Cancer on Thursday, but he will have to fight with Pluto in the process. Jealousy and fear may crop up as early as Wednesday. But, Mars and Saturn will be joining forces throughout this period, and that means mature conduct. "If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;... you'll be a Man my son!" Keep your head (especially Capricorn and Aries), and this event may even bring you blessings.
Loving Venus will enter playful Leo on Saturday July 12th ushering in a sweet weekend. The Sun and Uranus will be singing together bringing new inspirations. By Sunday, Mercury will be winking at Mars and Saturn deepening and energizing our intellects. Work will feel like play for the next few days, or we may find ourselves passionately diving into our personal creative projects. It will be a great weekend for parties, and the feelings will continue through Wednesday, July 16th.
The Capricorn Full Moon will be on Friday, July 18th, at 3:59 AM EDT, and then it will go void of course. So, we are going to be feeling the effects of this Full Moon on Thursday. I said this would be a month to work, and Capricorn represents the hardest worker of the zodiac. Try to finish up projects by Friday, because Mercury will be out of balance with Jupiter on Saturday. That could bring some bad-luck or bad decisions.
The Sun will enter Leo on July 22nd, and Mercury and Uranus will be there to excite and stimulate our minds. July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd will all be great days for social events and making new friends.
The Moon will enter slow and steady Taurus on Friday, July 25th, and Mars and Jupiter will be singing in harmony through the weekend. Enthusiasm will be strong, and our energies will be expanding. But, we will also be very grounded with the Taurus Moon watching over. The Moon will enter Gemini on Sunday, and then the pace will pick up. We may find ourselves accomplishing miracles over the next couple of days. We will be ready for short trips and active conversations through Tuesday, July 29th as the Sun and Mercury join forces.
The month ends with Venus and Neptune arguing, and a solar eclipse one day away. Yes, the eclipses will begin on August 1st! We may not be thinking clearly, and we may be going to extravagance. And... Change is ringing the doorbell. Be a boy scout this month and get prepared. If we wait until the last minute, there is a strong likelihood of mistakes. Please watch for my article, "The Eclipses are Coming - New Ideals, New Friends, New Beliefs" to find out more.
Janet (Sparrow) Moon is a professional psychic and astrologer. You can visit her web site for more articles about upcoming events in astrology, and to read her daily astrology general tendencies forecast. (This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this bio are included.) http://www.sparrowmoon.com/
for the Proteus lineage and anyone else who wants to use it:
Premise: "Every Witch is a Pagan; not every Pagan is a Witch."
There are many ways to honor Nature in our lives. For some, regular participation in Pagan circles is a way to stay attuned to seasonal rhythms, an enrichment and support for their real work in the world, a way of finding community. An artist, a doctor, a mother, a counselor - such people may find joy and sustenance in Pagan celebration eight times a year, or even at each Moon, but wish to pursue it no farther. They are the Earth Mother's children, as fully as are Her priests and priestesses. Their lives contribute as much as ours to the re-creation of Pagan community, the restoration of ecological sanity. A window is not opened by lifting one side.
Others of us find in active priesthood our life's work, our art form. We will dedicate a larger proportion of our time and energy to the religion itself. We are the producers of ritual and ceremony, not the consumers. Not because we are better, holier, or more devoted; but because this is where our talents, and our delight, seem to lie.
In our observation, people often spend some time exploring the community, reading, attending public circles or festivals, perhaps creating personal rituals or meditations for themselves. For some, this time of exploration fosters a hunger. They wish to study more formally, explore more systematically, aim for initiation into the priesthood of the Goddess.
In the old days, such people would have been initiated before being taught anything of importance. The need for secrecy was so dire that even the simplest information was withheld. Indeed, no public festivals or Pagan circles existed as places of exploration and discovery. We probably lost many potentially talented leaders by having no adequate channels; but however much we were diminished, we survived. The time for simple survival, thankfully, is past. Now is the time for re-seeding.
At the very end of the initiation, the candidate is declared to be "a Witch and a Priest/ess." We were not willing in Proteus to make this declaration before the Gods until the person had demonstrated to us their skill and capacity as a ritual leader. Nor were we willing to allow a candidate to make the commitment involved in accepting initiation until s/he had experienced ritual leadership. We ask for a minimum year and a day of study, and demonstration of competence by creating and conducting a Circle for our group. There is enough material publicly available now that we can easily provide this training without going into the oathbound rituals in our Book of Shadows.
This decision created its own problems. By withholding initiation for a year, we were leaving an equally important life passage unmarked - the point at which a person decides and formally begins to study for the priesthood. That moment should surely be celebrated! Moreover, there are commitments short of the initiatory oath that are appropriate at this point. What follows is our first approximation of a pre-initiatory dedication ritual. We more than welcome feedback from our family on this one. We plead for it!
Logistics:
In this model, one coven elder agrees to enter into an apprenticeship relationship with the candidate. While this would most typically be the coven leader of the opposite gender to the candidate's, there may be good reason to choose some other elder instead. The decision is made by four people: the candidate, the elder who will be primary teacher, and both coven leaders. We recommend consulting with all elders of the coven if at all feasible.
We strongly recommend giving the candidate a list of the questions s/he will be asked several days in advance, so s/he will know what commitments are required before entering the Circle. We also recommend encouraging the candidate to respond as fully as possible, rather than with a simple yes or no. Elegant language is less important at this moment than giving the candidate the opportunity to state her or his feelings and values within a Circle and before the people whose company s/he aspires to join - and the exercise in personal clarification that inheres in deciding what to say.
The ritual here presented can be elaborated, and we recommend it, as time and inclination allow. Some examples: in addition to the ritual welcome, each coven member might offer the candidate some advice, or a blessing, or some personal statement about Witchcraft and the process of learning involved. Small gifts - a crystal, a homemade dream pillow - might be offered as talismans for the voyage of discovery now beginning. Cakes and wine, with toasts to the new student, might follow.
Ritual:
[in Circle, with all coven members present, and teaching elder at altar, candidate steps to center carrying athame or other working tool] Candidate responds to each question asked by the Elder as s/he deems proper, unless otherwise noted.
Elder (candidate's name), what do you seek?
Candidate I seek to study Witchcraft. I ask you to teach me.
Elder
Do you understand that Witchcraft is the priesthood of the Old Gods and Old Ways of Nature, and that every Witch is a priestess or priest?
Do you understand that initiation into that priesthood will change your life forever, in ways that you cannot now foresee?
Do you understand what priesthood requires that, if you become a Witch, you serve the Lady and the Lord by serving Their People, to the fullest of your ability?
Knowing these things, do you want to study Witchcraft and its related arts until you know enough to decide whether this is truly your Path?
Do you understand that Witchcraft is one of many means to serve the Old Gods and awaken the Old Ways, and that even if this is not your way after all, you may learn and grow while you are here? Can you accept that the decision may be no?
Teaching what I love is a great joy. But I can only teach in joy if I know that what I love will be used and shared with care and honor. Before I am willing to teach you, there are three things and a fourth that you must promise to me:
Will you respect and protect the confidence of all who you meet in the Circle and all who seek our aid, revealing their identities to no one except by their explicit permission?
Will you practice and teach the Craft for love alone, using this knowledge or teaching it only as a free gift, as I give it now to you, never accepting payment for it in money or goods or labor?
Will you promise never to use what I teach you to affect another person, avoiding not only baneful magic but all well-intentioned meddling, unless you have that person's explicit permission?
And if time brings fullness, as all here hope and expect it will, when you teach new students of your own, will you require these three pledges of them, along with their pledge to similarly bind their own students, so that all that spring from this line may be so pledged?
Elder [ONLY PROCEEDING IF ALL RESPONSES HAVE BEEN AFFIRMATIVE]
This being so, I consent to teach you. This is how I value my labor - that I will plant only good seed in good soil, to become fruit both sound and sweet. I will teach you, I will learn from you, I will learn with you. So we begin by exchanging our pledges. Place your hand on this athame and repeat after me
I, (name), here and now pledge
To you (name), to the Gods,
to all in this Circle
And, most truly, to myself,
That I will explore the Path called Witchcraft
Its lore and its symbols;
its rituals and its deeper meanings
Sharing with you my joy in discovery
and all my doubts and qualms.
Exploring all questions with open mind and heart.
Until I know surely whether or not
I am for the priesthood
and Witchcraft is for me
In token of this pledge I swear
on this tool of my power
To devote myself, from this moment on,
to learning the ways of Witchcraft
Elder [cover candidate's hand on tool with own hand]
And I make this pledge to you in return
For the lesser knowledge, which can be taught,
I will be your teacher.
For the greater knowledge, which must be discovered,
I will be your guide and your friend.
For the questions and perplexities of the path,
I will be your companion.
To answer when I may; or simply
to be silent as you seek your own answers
And when the time comes to choose
whether you will enter the priesthood,
I will share with you
all I have observed and thought.
And may the Gods prosper through our work together.
Know that although I am your primary teacher, this Circle is not made of the two of us alone. All here are dedicated to the Old Ways and each has unique knowledge. All of us learn from and with each other. You, too, bring the learning of a lifetime and the fresh insight of a beginner's questions. Together we are more than the simple sum of each of us alone. Go around the Circle, now, and accept each person's greetings.
Coveners [embrace candidate in turn and say]
I am "I am your friend. In time, I may be your sister (or brother).
Candidate [respond with same formula]
Elder [bless the athame or other working tool that candidate brought into Circle] I return this working tool to you with my blessing. Accept it, as I have accepted your pledge. Use it now, in your first ritual act.
Candidate: [go to each quarter and salute in any way s/he knows] Powers of the East (South, West, North) I, "call on you to witness my pledge and ask you to bless my time of exploration. [silent salute in East].
Elder
, be welcome in the Circle! [embrace, almost certain to be followed by group hug].
All SO MOTE IT BE!
STUDENT'S PLEDGE - alternative versions, from Coven Risingstar
1
And the need cannot be denied,
for I am the Mother's child
And have come back to the forsaken ways
Teach me, Lady Queen*,
Child of our Mother,
The words of respect She would have us know,
The rituals by which we worship
She Who birthed us of Herself.
Guide me in the Way
That nurtures all and harms none
As I seek to regain that
which was lost so long ago.
And, finally,
walk beside me as Sister, (or Brother)
for we are both children of the Mother
2
And the need cannot be denied'
for I am the Mother's child,
and have come back to the Ways of Old
Teach me, Lady Queen*,
Child of our Mother,
The words of respect She would have us know
The rituals by which we worship
She who birthed us out of Herself
Guide me as I seek what no other can teach me,
that which is mine but so long denied.
And, finally, walk beside me as Sister (or Brother)
We are both children of our Mother.
* I think I would substitute something like "Teach me, Elder Priest/ess" or, better yet, simply "Teach me, friend" for this line.
Copied from Mark Sumpter
Reference: alchemy-and-alchemists.blogspot.com
An 18-year-old girl died in 2008 in what police are now calling an exorcism rite.
According to the Washington Post, Rayoung Kim was "pummeled and smothered" in her bedroom, in the ancient Korean rite of kut. In Korean culture, a shaman or "mudang" (typically a woman) communicates with spirits to drive out evil. Rayoung Kim was a Centreville High School student who may have had mental health issues, say law enforcement sources quoted by the Washington Post.
The article by Tom Jackman quotes John Goulde, director of the Asian studies program at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., as saying that some highly educated people use mudangs or shamans, preferring them to modern approaches like psychotherapy.
The shaman can sometimes be connected to a Pentecostal or charismatic church, and "it's a highly emotion-packed form of religion," Goulde said. "It's very cathartic. It makes them feel good and generates support."What is appalling about such exorcisms is that it is "extremely rare for murder or manslaughter charges to be filed in relation to religious rituals. In the past 10 to 15 years, only a few cases have been prosecuted in the United States."
That also goes for parents -- who are, for example, Christian Scientists or Jehovah's Witnesses -- who refuse medical treatment for their children on religious grounds. I'm with the camp that says parents should be held accountable for harm to their children every time they refuse standard, life-saving medical treatment. If you are an adult and, based on your religion, you refuse medical treatment, that is your business. But people who refuse medical treatment for their minor children should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
As one wag put it:
If their God actually existed, he would send people like this to Hell for murdering their children.... And to keep them from dragging down the average IQ of Heaven.
Mary Kay Magistad (TheWorld.org/NPR, Dec. 1, 2011) "Happy Buddha," the Zen Buddhist monk Hotei (Ericmichel Def/Flickr.com) Wutaishan Temple, in the mountains of China's northern Shanxi province, has long been a sacred site for Buddhists. They hike mountain paths, and visit temples dating back to the 8th century. On one mountain path, a group of middle-aged guys hang a rainbow of prayer flags between two trees, and watch, satisfied, as they flutter in the breeze. One declines to be interviewed. He's a government official, and wants to keep his practice of Buddhism private. The other, former pharmaceuticals salesman Zhang Jiankun, 42, is downright loquacious. "I used to smoke, drink, gamble, fight, and chase women. I used to like to do all this all day," he says. "And then, by the time I was 30, I had money -- but I also had hypertension, and liver damage from all the drinking. I'd take clients out, so I'd drink every day. And I was fat." Now, he says, he's slimmed down, quit drinking, and can climb these mountains with no problem. He credits his embrace of Tibetan Buddhism 11 years ago with helping him clean up his act. Wutaishan Temple (Mary Kay Magistad/TheWorld.org) "Many people are trying to find balance, and at some point I realized that material prosperity doesn't mean your spiritual life is rich," he says. "I wanted freedom, but to have freedom, you need wisdom. I found that Buddhism helps you attain the wisdom to pursue freedom." "Many people are trying to find balance, and at some point I realized that material prosperity doesn't mean your spiritual life is rich," he says. "I wanted freedom, but to have freedom, you need wisdom. I found that Buddhism helps you attain the wisdom to pursue freedom." Zhang took some of his wealth, and spent six years in Tibet, meditating and studying Buddhist scripture. By the time he came back, he says, he was calmer, kinder and nicer to his parents. More plus photos
from Dutiful Mists ShoppeWITCHES' BROOMS Besoms and brooms in the role of repeatedly misunderstood, are repeatedly hand-me-down in Witchcraft and Paganism for rampant the despair up your sleeve. Besoms are afterward hand-me-down as a loving set-up and repeatedly as the blanket of an 'inanimate cessation. This sugared dainty does substitute honor on Samhain. INGREDIENTS1/2 cup close up brown newborn1/2 cup divide or margarine, softened2 tbsp water1 tsp vanilla1 1/2 dishes wide-ranging flour1/8 tsp briny10 pretzel rods, about 8 1/2 inches desire, cut slantways in partly2 tsp summarizing2/3 cup semisweet toffee chipsButterscotch-flavored chips, melted Kindhearted oven to 350oF. Mix brown newborn, divide, water and vanilla in medium hollow. Stir up in flour and briny. Craze dough taking part in twenty 1 1/4-inch balls. Situation pretzel rod halves on ungreased cookie side. Rub enclose of dough onto cut end of each pretzel rod. Rub dough with point to resemble "bristles" of broom. Formulate about 12 proceedings or until set but not brown. Blue-pencil from cookie side. Clean really on lineage cope with, about 30 proceedings. Resistance cookie side with waxed paper. Situation brooms on waxed paper. Kindhearted summarizing and toffee chips out of the frame low heat, educational from time to time, until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Portion melted toffee out of the frame brooms, desertion about 1 inch at top of pretzel secure and plot halves of cookie bristles stripped. Heavy rain with melted butterscotch chips. Let stand until toffee is set. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Stuffed JACK-O-LANTERNS One of the ceiling celebrated Halloween traditions is monument a pumpkin taking part in a Jack-O-Lantern. This principle originated in Scotland and Ireland, everywhere extreme turnips or other fruits and vegetables were engraved taking part in lanterns and placed bring down the roadside to light the way to the yield festivals. The title Jack-O-Lantern has been handed down to us from an old Irish legend about the municipal drunkard, an grouchy man by the name of Jack. Like can be exclusive witchy fun than appetizing Jack-O-Lanterns! You can persuade this scrumptious recipe, or meander your own stuffing mix using your in ingredients according to your light. INGREDIENTS6 seem peppers, any color1 pulverize bottom beef (we like using a lacto-vegetarian stand-in)1 egg4 slices bucks, cubed1 small onion, chopped1 small tomato, diced2 cloves garlic, position1/2 cup chili sauce1/4 cup seasoned washed out mustard3 tbs Worcestershire sauce1/4 tsp briny1/4 tsp spot Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lard an 88 inch oppressive plate. Deftly mix together the bottom beef, egg, bucks cubes, onion, tomato, garlic, chili sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, briny and spot in a hollow. Slop the peppers, and cut jack-o'-lantern faces taking part in the peppers with a sharp paring crack, making triangle eyes and noses, and pointy-teeth smiles. Diminish off the trimmings of the peppers, and serving spoon out the seeds and cores. Gear the peppers discriminatingly with the beef stuffing, and place them taking part in the seasoned oppressive plate so they lean against each other. Formulate in the preheated oven until the peppers are longing and the stuffing is ripe open and uncommon, about 1 hour. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reference: pagan-wiccan.blogspot.com
Ten enactments Rule 1: I am the manufacturer your God, you shall call together no principal(a) gods former me. - The meaning of this didactics is realistically about genuineness. It enter to non idolize every other god and God. He is our god and deliveryman and asks us to fair our look up to for him by worshipping no other deities. - The foil of this instruction is to bottom, make bigger, and maintaining a personal membership with the conclusive God. - One natural adjust or stop that goes against this instruction is the arm cash. The stop trustworthy states Board shall make no law respecting an inauguration of religion, or prohibiting the free enjoy ther; Rule 2: You shall non make for yourself any stamped image, or any similarity of anything that is in illusion advanced, or that is in the lie dormant out less than, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor rescue them. For I, the virtuoso performer your God, am a controlling God, visiting the impiety of the fathers on the children to the trio and fourth generations of inhabit who hatred me, but show polish to thousands, to inhabit who love Me and shelter My commandments. - The one and immediately true God loves us so much that He is controlling of our love and does not need to concern our love by us mask request down to not detrimental idols. - This Rule protects our special membership with our Graphic designer, who make us in His similarity and is lethargic molding us into His spiritual image. - Single analogous to the initial instruction, one law or stop that goes against this instruction is the initial cash. The stop trustworthy states Board shall make no law respecting an inauguration of religion, or prohibiting the free enjoy ther; Rule 3: You shall not appeal the name of the Noble your God in deadened, for the Noble behest not shore up him ingenuous who takes His name in deadened. - God asks us to look up to His Sacred name and not to use it in deadened. - The Third Rule focuses on show...If you purport to get a full keep fit, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.comIf you purport to get a full keep fit, wisit our page: communication my paper
I'm re-posting my Pentecost Sunday sermon. Rather than focus on the traditional Acts 2 passage, I chose to work with another passage, one that also proclaims the message of the Spirit. I share this in the hope and prayer that the Spirit of Pentecost will empower your life, even in times of great difficulty.
Romans 8:22-27
Charles Spurgeon wrote that "any fool can sing in the day. When the cup is full, a person draws inspiration from it." But what happens when night falls and the cup is empty? Spurgeon wrote that when he experienced the "bliss of spiritual liberty," he could climb near the throne of God and "sing as sweet as seraphs."
But confine me, fetter my spirit, clip my wings, make me exceedingly sad, so that I become like the old eagle -- ah! then it is hard to sing.
In fact, it's unnatural to sing during times of trouble, except perhaps to sing the blues. But, as Spurgeon wrote: "songs in the night come only from God; they are not in human power."1
I. THE PROMISE OF PENTECOST
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which we celebrate the promise, presence, and power of the Holy Spirit. It's this Spirit who empowers us to sing even during the darkest of nights.
It was on the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit fell on an uncertain and powerless community. But, just as Jesus had promised, the Spirit of God transformed that body into a powerful witness to God's gracious love and healing presence. On that day God connected the church to the power of the resurrection. It's as biblical scholar Beverly Gaventa writes: just as the resurrection is the "first fruits of God's triumph, the Spirit is the 'first fruits' of the appropriation of that triumph by believers."2 So, just as Jesus has risen from the dead, the Spirit comes to us as the sign of God's triumph over death.
II. THE SPIRIT'S EMPOWERING PRESENCE
Our text this morning doesn't speak of Pentecost, but the same Spirit that came powerfully upon the church that day is at work in our lives, empowering us and sustaining us, even in the darkest of moments. That is the message of Romans 8. As Spurgeon pointed out, prayer and song don't come naturally to us, especially when we suffer physical or emotional pain. As I hear these words of Paul, my mind and heart go to my friend, and former teaching assistant, Eric.
Eric is in his mid-30s, has a wife and kids. He's a beloved youth pastor, and will do anything and everything for you. But now, a stage four cancer has taken hold in his abdomen and in his brain. Stricken by this cancer, he's experiencing constant pain, and I expect that death is a likely possibility - though they've not yet given up hope. I am greatly saddened by this, but at the same time my faith is encouraged by the reports that I've been getting. Oh, he's not getting any better, but despite all of this pain and suffering, he's still singing praises to God and encouraging others. I wonder: How does he do this? I mean, Eric is a naturally joyful person, but at this point being joy isn't in his own power. And that's the point that Paul is making - we can't sing out to God unless we allow the Spirit to pray with and for us, even when we have no words to share.
Everything we know about Paul suggests that he understood the meaning of suffering. He experienced shipwreck, imprisonment, beatings, and a thorn in the flesh. While all of this could overwhelm even the strongest person, he found strength in the midst of his suffering. In Romans 8 Paul acknowledges that "we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." Yes, when we experience that dark night of the soul, when we can't find the words to speak to God, the Spirit is there interceding for us. Indeed, the Spirit knows our hearts and hears our cries and groans, and shares them with God who is always listening for the voice of his children.
I really don't know how this works. I don't know the mechanics of this kind of prayer, so I can't teach it to you. I would if I could, but it's not in my power. All I can do is say that when such a prayer is needed, the Spirit will provide the means. I know that some people think that when Paul talks about groans too deep for words, he's talking here about praying in tongues. He may. I don't know. Indeed, I don't think this is true. What I do believe is that when the moment arises, God will hear my cries, just as God heard the cries of the Hebrews in Egypt and the cry of Jesus from the cross. So, even if I can't speak for myself, I know that God still hears what is in my heart. Indeed, he hears the cries of all God's children!
III. SINGING IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
One reason why I take comfort in the promise that God hears my cries, is that this promise is set in the context of other promises. Indeed, if we continue to read through Romans 8, we'll will find some of the most powerful and hopeful promises in all of scripture. Listen to verse 28: "All things work together for good to those who love God." Then, in verse 31, Paul writes: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Again in verse 35, he writes: "who will separate us from the love of Christ?" And then in verse 37 Paul writes: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
As I listen to these promises and draw strength from them, I also know that there's a question that troubles so many in our world: Why do bad things happen to good people?
As I stand here today, I can't explain why some people suffer and others don't. I'm mystified by Parkinsons, AIDS, and Alzheimers. Good people lose their jobs and their homes. Tornadoes and hurricanes destroy churches. But, as I listen to these promises, I'm reminded that God is present and active in our lives, even during times of darkness; when sadness and grief, pain and suffering, threaten to overwhelm us. And so I draw strength from the promise that when words fail, the Spirit is there to intercede for us.
And when the darkness falls, and words seem absent, perhaps we can heed the example of Paul and Silas. Finding themselves beaten and jailed at Philippi, at midnight they began to sing out in praise to God. As Luke tells the story, while they sang, an earthquake shook the jail and freed them from their chains. They could have escaped, but they didn't. And because they stayed in the cell, they had an opportunity to share their faith with the jailer. Luke writes that by morning that jailer and his whole family had been baptized, all because Paul and Silas sang praises to God in the night (Acts 16:16-40).
As we ponder the message of Pentecost, I pray that we will find strength in the knowledge that if God is for us then no one and no thing can be against us and succeed. Indeed, filled with God's Holy Spirit, let us remember that we're more than conquerors. But, as we celebrate, may that celebration be tempered by the knowledge that Jesus found glory in the cross. Therefore, let us sing joyfully, boldly, and heartily before God, giving thanks for God's overflowing presence, keeping in mind and heart the message of the cross.
Pentecost is a reminder that the Spirit of God has fallen abundantly on the world. Walking in that Spirit, we can live lives of joy and thanksgiving, even when darkness falls, for when we can't find the words, the Spirit will speak, bearing witness to the healing grace of God.
1. Charles Spurgeon quote in Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild, eds., Westminster Collection of Christian Meditations, (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1998), 386-87.
2. Beverly Gaventa, in Walter Brueggemann, et al., Texts for Preaching, B, (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993), 352.
Preached by:
Dr. Robert Cornwall Pastor,
Central Woodward Christian Church
Troy, Michigan
Pentecost Sunday
May 31, 2009
Credit: modern-wiccan.blogspot.com
To the right you will see a page with links to our various essays about the Roman constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus. If I forgot to provide a link to one of your favorites, let me know.This issue has become one of controversy. We do not consider the Roman Catholic Church to be an enemy, but rather we see them as brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoice in the common faith we have in the Lord, knowing that we should in all things have charity (in omnibus caritas), as St. Augustine says, even when we cannot agree in all things.Knowing that Rome does, in many ways, see our position in terms of an error to overcome, and our own Christian people as a mission field for their own fold, we must set up a standard and defense. Therefore we must defend our place in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, our Holy Orders and the other Sacraments that require them, our polity, our understanding of doctrine and our mission to grow and expand. We have no reason to see Rome's efforts as hostile in intention or as motivated by anything less than charity in light of their specific beliefs about their church. But, we must maintain the truth of our position mindful of the prayer, "God save us from our enemies and from our well-meaning friends."It has come to my attention that some who oppose our position, and who have been unable to overcome the facts we have presented (especially about what the Roman constitution does not promise, does not guarantee and does not offer), have resorted to the lowest kind of discourse. For another blog to refer to "the so-called Anglican Catholic Church," or even to go as far as to attack the Anglican Parishes Association (a publishing arm), demonstrates to our mind that they have yet to learn the words, in omnibus caritas, or to accept disagreement in a responsible and adult fashion.We are concerned about the TAC/ACA people who fear a time of spiritual homelessness, and who do not know which way to turn. They are in our prayers, and I know that we all offer the hand of fellowship from our churches. We are grateful, however, that the present crisis has unveiled the Continuing Church as having greater unity than popularly imagined. The concordat between the Anglican Catholic Church, The United Episcopal Church and the Province of Christ the King is the basis for our commitment to deeper and more substantial unity among the Continuers.
Source: modern-wiccan.blogspot.com
Most people remember the long battle to have the Pentacle included in the VA's list of registered religious symbols available for inclusion, which was only made public, let alone resolved, in the past couple of years. I had heard of such a movement for the mjollnir, or Thor's hammer, to be included for those who follow Asatru. I was doing some digging online and ran across a site for just such a movement that has a petition. The petition is called the Hammer Project, and is set up by an organization called the Asatru Folk Assembly. The word "Asatru" translates to mean "those loyal to the Gods", and is a reclaiming of traditional Germanic religion, much as Druidry is a reclaiming of traditional Celtic religion. They are a smaller community than either Wicca or Druidry in North America, but I think it would behoove us to remember our fellow Pagans who reverence their native Gods, and especially those who risk their very lives for us and our religious freedoms.The Hammer Project can be found here.The Asatru Folk Assembly can be found here.
Source: wiccalessons.blogspot.com
What of those who choose to be under the Old Covenant, what of their fate? Do they have the Holy Spirit? Is their salvation at stake? If not, where do they wind up in the Kingdom? What resurrection do they receive?
These are questions I have been asking myself for two or three years now. I have realized, as of late, that there is obviously a consequence or Paul would have said nothing to the Galatians.
He would not have told them that they were alienating themselves from Christ, had fallen away from Grace. He would not have told them that Christ would be of no value to them at all.
If you do not keep the Holy Days or the Sabbath... guess what? Your salvation is not in jeopardy! I repeat, you, by no means, jeopardize your salvation by not keeping Sabbaths! There is nothing wrong, however, with observing them if you realize it is no longer commanded, as long as you know it's not a command and that salvation cannot be attained, or get you closer to attaining it by doing so.
Consider the following verses: Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
[If you can gain salvation by keeping the Sabbaths, then.. Christ.. died.. for..nothing. And if He died for nothing, He is of no value to you.
Consequence: If He is of no value to you, He cannot dwell within you, no Holy Spirit, because you are cut off from Him.]
Gal. 5:2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
[Notice his statement; "Mark my words" i.e.; "I'm warning you. If you rely on O.C. laws for salvation, Christ will be of no value to you at all."
Consequence: If Christ is of no value to you, you do not have Christ dwelling in you. He cannot pay your debt if you are relying on O.C.]
Gal.2:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
[If you believe that keeping the Sabbaths are a requirement for attaining salvation, then you are under a curse because if you don't keep the law in it's entirety, flawlessly, you cannot be credited righteousness.
Consequence: Since, obviously, everyone sins; without repentance, on this path you will not be part of the Bride.]
Gal. 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
[If you rely on the O.C. laws for salvation, Christ is of no value to you- meaning; rather than receive salvation through Him, you are attempting to gain it by your own efforts.
Consequence: Without repentance, you are destined for the pit, because there is no such thing as a perfect human, and perfect is what you'd have to be in order to obtain righteousness though O.C. observances. You cannot have the Holy Spirit if you are cut off from Christ. You cannot receive the grace you have fallen away from.]
Gal. 4:30 But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."
31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.
[The analogy that Paul uses here, of the two women, is so clear. The Slave Woman is the Old Covenant. The Free Woman is the New Covenant. We are not children of the Old Covenant, but of the New Covenant.
Consequence: Those who keep Old Covenant laws because they believe they are required to, will not inherit with the Bride of Christ. You will not be part of the Bride of Christ.]
Gal.3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Now, I know some, if not all of you don't believe you are keeping the Old Covenant, but you are.
Why do I say this? How do I know? Because the Bible makes it quite clear. The Sabbaths are Old Covenant, that is; the Mount Sinai law, which was given to the Israelites. Jesus ended that Contract when He died on the cross to pay our debt for the sins we commit and have committed. Which brought into effect, the New Contract.
Don't be so easily fooled into thinking that you are to keep things from the O.C. because you think Jesus magnified the law. He did not!
For goodness sake, surely you realize that contracts can have similarities. Do you think that if God were to give you a new contract, that it could not contain anything about Love?
God can make as many contracts as He chooses and everyone of them can and will be about Love. Do you think God was so shortsighted that He used up His one contract that could contain Love? Do you really think that if He makes a new contract and it doesn't use the ten examples written in stone, of what Love is and isn't, that it means this new contract permits sin!? Of course it doesn't.
Do you really need God to spell out for you what Love is? The ten items written in stone were merely ten examples of what Love is and is not, which didn't even include every sin that man has committed! It doesn't mention pedophilia, but that doesn't mean it's not a sin! So why would you think that by not being under the ten commandments, (part of the Old Contract), that it would mean sinning is okay?
You are keeping the old contract/covenant, you are not keeping a modified or amplified contract. That is not permitted! Paul tells us this is so;
Gal.3:15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.
So you see that the contract could not have been modified or amplified in any way!
As Christians we should know what we believe, and we should know why we believe it. At some point in time we should be able to somewhat easily lay it out for others who may ask us about what and why we believe what we do.
Read the book of Galatians and do some thinking. You are intelligent, and I know you want God's truth.
I know that if you read something in the Bible that doesn't quite fit with your current beliefs or make sense, you will ponder over it and consider it rather than just read past it and ignore it, because we are seekers of truth, and as such, we pour through the scriptures with the goal of getting to know God and learning about the things that will please Him. We are on a quest for truth. It's an ongoing education, so we may have to say; "Well, as I understand it at this point in time, I believe/think it means..."
You know what I think about the quest for truth and how to find it?
It's pretty simple actually;
1)WANT THE TRUTH
if you don't truly want it, you won't get it
2)DON'T ASK OTHERS WHAT THEY THINK THE TRUTH IS
leave it to God to reveal this, He is smarter than people
3)TELL GOD YOU WANT THE TRUTH
now that you know you want it, you need to tell Him you want it
4)TELL GOD YOU HAVE NO PREFERENCES FOR WHAT THE TRUTH IS
for me, I told Him; "It doesn't matter to me; if I am required to keep Sabbaths fine, if I am not required to, fine. I am only interested in pleasing you."
5)TELL GOD YOU ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN PLEASING HIM
we have no one to be loyal to but Him
6)GET A THREE RING BINDER WITH POCKETED SUBJECT DIVIDERS
this is better than a notebook, as it is easy to rewrite, add, and rearrange papers, the pockets/pouches are good for loose and/or small items
7)MARK THE SUBJECT(S) YOU WILL BE STUDYING IN YOUR BINDER
some of mine are; "Did Jesus have a beginning?"; "144,000"; "Accepting Jesus on the death bed"; "Do we need to be taught by others?"; "Old/New covenant"; "Names of Jesus"
8)OPEN YOUR BIBLE
9)OPEN YOUR PAPER OR ONLINE INTERLINEAR
this is necessary for examining the Greek or Hebrew word in question
10)OPEN YOUR PAPER OR ONLINE GREEK/HEBREW DICTIONARY
this is necessary for examining the Greek or Hebrew word definitions for better understanding of a words meaning and translation
11)ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU HIS TRUTH
12)BEGIN TRACKING YOUR SCRIPTURES;
you will need to refer back to these frequently to remember what you are learning, they are also your references when sharing what you have learned with others.
13)BE WILLING TO INVEST TIME INTO YOUR QUEST
this is an ongoing commitment; Jer. 30:21 "...for who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?' declares the LORD."
So, what is the fate of the old covenant keepers? My understanding at this time is: Without repentance;
* alienated from Christ and thus,
* do not receive the Holy Spirit, the deposit, the guarantee of inheritance,
* not an heir with Christ
* not the Bride of Christ,
* destiny?...the pit.
With repentance;
* not the bride of Christ, and if not the Bride...
* destiny?...second resurrection...
*... so where is your place in the Kingdom as one who is not part of the Bride?
I am interested in truth so, if anyone has any other insight on this subject, I would be happy to examine it if you would like to add something or if you feel I have overlooked something, or...
The summer's almost over, and the annual Medicine Wheel Gathering on September 23-25th is right around the corner. Regular registration has been extended until Thursday, September 15th. Again, your registration payment must be received by that date.
Please submit your registrations as soon as possible. Both Isis Cove and I must finalize our plans. I hope that many of you will take advantage of the Free Breathe America event that takes place at Isis Cove on Friday. In consideration of that, accommodations at Isis Cove should be confirmed soon.
Our guest teachers this year include some old friends and new faces:
Linda Star Wolf and Brad Collins are once again our hosts at Isis Cove, as well as transformational Teachers in multiple disciplines.
Page Bryant, internationally known Author, Teacher, and Intuitive for four decades, joins us once again, along with her husband, visionary artist Scott Guynup.
Ruby Falconer is Venus Rising Staff Astrologer, Student Supervisor, Shamanic Minister & Third Degree Shamanic BreathworkTM Reiki Initiate.
Paypal Registration is available
I look forward to seeing you all in western North Carolina for Sun Bear's Medicine Wheel this September!
Blessings and Good Medicine,
Wind Daughter
* "ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT / DEEP CALLS TO DEEP" >> OUR LIVES ARE WORTH LIVING, EVEN WITH BRAIN CANCER
* "ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON (MSGR. CHARLES POPE) ">> A SILENT PRIEST IS A DEAD PRIEST - A MEDITATION ON A TEACHING OF ST. GREGORY THE GREAT
* "CATHOLICHERALD.CO.UK (MADELEINE TEAHAN) ">> TAYLOR SWIFT PRAISES CATHOLIC COLLEGE MUSIC VIDEO
* "CATHOLIC SACRISTAN (W.A.C.) ">> ISLAMIST ATTACKS ON CANADIAN SOIL: PRAY FOR THE DEAD AND ALL THE FAMILIES.
* "CREATIVE MINORITY REPORT (MATTHEW ARCHBOLD)" >> BRITISH TOTALITOLERANCE DEMANDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL HAS IMAM LEAD ASSEMBLIES
* "CRISIS MAGAZINE (MARY JO ANDERSON) ">> WHAT I SAW AT THE SYNOD AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR 2015
* "CRISIS MAGAZINE (WILLIAM KILPATRICK)" >> PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE AND TERRORISM
* "DA MIHI ANIMAS (PADRE STEVE)" >> SAINT OF THE DAY: JOHN OF CAPISTRANO
* "DOMINICANA BLOG (BR. INNOCENT SMITH, O.P.) " >> I LOVE EVERY KIND OF CAT
* "EYE OF THE TIBER ">> NEW EVIDENCE REVEALS THE MASS WAS FOUNDED IN 1965
* "FR. HUNWICKE'S MUTUAL ENRICHMENT (FR. JOHN HUNWICKE)" >> FRANCIS ON THE PETRINE MINISTRY
* "FR. Z'S BLOG (FR. JOHN ZUHLSDORF) ">> ROME - DAY 3: VESTMENTS, CONT. OTHER STUFF.
* "FR. Z'S BLOG (FR. JOHN ZUHLSDORF)" >> MICHAEL VORIS, CARD. BURKE... CORRECTIONS
* "FR. Z'S BLOG (FR. JOHN ZUHLSDORF)" >> ASK FATHER: PLACEMENT OF CHOIR
* "GODZDOGZ (LUKE DOHERTY OP) ">> THE LORD'S PRAYER: HALLOWED BE THY NAME
* "HUMAN EXCEPTIONALISM (NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE; WESLEY J. SMITH)" >> PETER SINGER TO COURT: MAKE CHIMPS PERSONS!
* "INSIGHT SCOOP THE IGNATIUS PRESS BLOG (CARL OLSON)" >> IT'S TIME TO DISCOVER AND REDISCOVER THE TEACHINGS OF ST. JOHN PAUL II
* "INSIGHT SCOOP THE IGNATIUS PRESS BLOG (CARL OLSON)" >> IGNATIUS PRESS PRESIDENT MARK BRUMLEY'S ARTICLE ON THE "SYNOD SURPRISE"
* "JOE CATHOLIC (DON GONZALEZ)" >> NAVARRE BIBLE COMMENTARY:THURSDAY, 29TH WEEK IN ORDINARY
* "LES FEMMES - THE TRUTH (MARY ANN KREITZER)" >> GREAT POLITICAL AD! EVERY PRO-ABORT POLITICIAN SHOULD BE CONFRONTED BY THIS!
* "MUSINGS OF A PERTINACIOUS PAPIST" >> WHAT DO KASPER'S FIRST-WORLD ELITISM AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S ANTI-CATHOLICISM HAVE IN COMMON?
* "NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER DAILY BLOG" >> 11 WAYS THE SYNOD FAILED POPE FRANCIS' VISION
* "NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER DAILY BLOG ">> HUNDREDS FLOCK TO U.S. SHRINE TO CELEBRATE FIRST MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN PAUL II
* "NEW LITURGICAL MOVEMENT (CHARLES COLE)" >> FORTY HOURS AT ST JOHN CANTIUS
* "ONEPETERFIVE (BRIAN WILLIAMS) ">> WILL THE USCCB EVER REVISIT COMMUNION IN THE HAND?
* "REGINA MAGAZINE BLOG (JIM BRYANT) ">> EARTHQUAKE CANCELLED: HOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCED THE SYNOD PT 5
* "RORATE CAELI (RICHARD CIPOLLA)" >> "OVER HALF THE BISHOPS (IN THE SYNOD) HAVE ALREADY SWITCHED RELIGION"
* "SANCTE PATER (VINCENZO)" >> CLARIFICATION FROM MICHAEL VORIS
* "SOUTHERN ORDERS (FR. ALLAN J. MCDONALD)" >> IS IT TIME FOR BISHOPS, PRIESTS AND DEACONS TO CEASE BEING LEGAL AGENTS FOR THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGE?
* "SOUTHERN ORDERS (FR. ALLAN J. MCDONALD)" >> FORGOING BISHOP'S MANSIONS, GOOD OR BAD?
* "STANDING ON MY HEAD (FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER)" >> POPE FRANCIS' NEW WAY
* "THE CATHOLIC THING (DAVID G. BONAGURA, JR.) ">> ARE EVOLUTION AND FAITH REALLY IRRECONCILABLE?
* "TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC PRIEST (FR. PETER CAROTA) ">> ST. ANTHONY MARIE CLARET
* "VULTUS CHRISTI (DOM MARK DANIEL KIRBY) ">> THE MYSTERIOUS EFFACEMENT OF THE HOST
* "VULTUS CHRISTI (DOM MARK DANIEL KIRBY)" >> HIDE YOURSELF IN ME
Wickedness In High Places Priscilla Van SutphinFeb 16, 2009STARS, ANGELS, THRONES, DOMINIONS AND SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HEAVENLY PLACES Jan.26th, 2009Priscilla Van SutphinSome years back I was looking at photos of Nebulas at the Adler Planetarium site. I was startled by one whose name I can't remember when I thought I saw a being sitting on a throne clearly outlined in the photo. I pointed it out to a friend, and sent to her. But later on had a computer crash and lost the photo, and by then Adler changed their site and couldn't find it again.Now we know that God wrote the plan of salvation in the stars, called the Mazzaroth. And we know that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. We also know that sometimes in the Word of God, the Lord refers to angels as STARS. Sometimes they appear as orbs of light, bright light. Demons also can appear as an angel of light. It says Satan himself does this. I once saw a demon many years ago, who scared me awake in the morning pounding on my bed. I watched as he was running out of the room - well I don't know about how he was moving, not like our running. But as he was exiting...he was surrounded in light, but was obviously evil, and had hunched back and talons, with which he scratched my knee slightly ">Paul Cox's article on DIMENSIONS kind of stirred this up in me. What we see is one area of dimensions, but Second heaven is a whole other dimension where we see Satan and his demons. When we see in the spirit, we are seeing into another dimension. Third heaven is when we see Jesus, Holy Spirit, angels, and the throne of God, heavenly places...and is another dimension of the heavenlies. I felt God stirring me to look at some more photos of nebulas, and also looked up meanings in these couple verses.Colossians 1:16-18, KJV 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.Ephesians 6:12-13 KJV 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Luke 2:13-14, KJV 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.PRINCIPALITYNT:746 arche (ar-khay'); from NT:756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank): "KJV "- beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.NT:756 archomai (ar'-khom-ahee); middle voice of NT:757 (through the implication of precedence); to commence (in order of time): "KJV "- (rehearse from the) begin (-ning). NT:757 a a primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power): "KJV "- reign (rule) over.ThronesNT:2362 thronos (thron'-os); from thrao (to sit); a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate: "KJV "- seat, throne.DominionsNT:2963 kuriotes (koo-ree-ot'-ace); from NT:2962; mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers: "KJV "- dominion, government.Powers NT:1849 exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from NT:1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: "KJV "- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.RULERS OF DARKNESSRulers: NT:2888 (kos-mok-fat'-ore); from NT:2889 and NT:2902; a world-ruler, an epithet of Satan: KJV - ruler.Spiritual Wickedness - wickedness = poneriaNT:4189 poneria (pon-ay-ree'-ah); from NT:4190; depravity, i.e. (specifically) malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins: "KJV "- iniquity, wickedness.NT:4190 poneros (pon-ay-ros'); from a derivative of NT:4192; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from NT:2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from NT:4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: "KJV "- bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also NT:4191.NT:4191 poneroteros (pon-ay-rot'-er-os); comparative of NT:4190; more evil: "KJV "- more wicked.http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/nebula/2007/34/image/a/format/web/Go to above and you can do close up betterIf stars can die, perhaps God is ever creating new ones in the heavenlies. But maybe it is something that was already sent in motion from the beginning. So that it goes on and on...Hubble has given us a glimpse into eternity and I think it can help us to appreciate our place in CHRIST. If we are seated with HIM, then we have nothing to fear. He is WITH US, IN US, and surrounds us with songs of deliverance. His creation is beautiful and incomprehensible beauty. WE WRESTLE NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD, but these principalities and powers of darkness.WE MUST get perspective that men are not our enemy, it is SATAN and his minions who are the real enemy. When people reject or abuse us, it is not them, it is what CONTROLS them. GOD through the blood of Jesus has given us AUTHORITY over serpents and scorpions, and HE doesn't mean those animals, though we have dominion over them also, but there is one nebula called the serpentine nebula. There are beings that inhabit the heavens and even in the dimensions we can see that try to control us. We can dismiss the TRUTH, or believe it."Do UFO exist? The Bible Gives Us Cluesfor everyoneLINK: HTTP://WWW.ANUNSEENWORLD.COM/DO-UFO-EXIST.HTMLDo UFOs Exist? The Bible gives us a clue.The UFO is just the trick from Satan, after the rapture of the church,the false prophets and the Antichrist will deceive many people and say "vanishingpeople were abducted by aliens/ UFOs."More info here :http://www.creationists.org/biblical-perspective-of-ufos-and-aliens.htmlThe Rapture: A Message To Those Left Behind "The Alien/UFO phenomenon will be used to explain the Rapture to non-believers."However, Scripture does give us great symbolic representations of what will happen. If you are not saved before the Rapture, there is still 7 years in which one can accept or reject Christ as their Lord and Savior. God's way of allowing men, women the chance of being with Him in heaven. However, if they accept the Mark, their chance is gone completely. If they die, they will never be with Christ but rather thrown into the Lake of Fire of Revelation 19-20. Do not take the Mark if you are left behind at the Rapture. by TheEndTimesAreHere on Aug 7, 2010 Find out what the government, media, and even ufologists ARE NOT telling you... the TRUTH!IMPORTANT: PLEASE REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THESE EVIL BEINGS. JESUS CHRIST WILL PROTECT THE BELIEVER. THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR WHEN YOU HAVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART! DEMONS TREMBLE AT HEARING JESUS' NAME. ALL GLORY AND HONOR TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - KING OF KINGS "> UFO's are from SATAN. DID DANIEL KNOW "LYING WONDERS" WERE END TIME UFOS?What are the "lying wonders" referred to in 2 Thessalonians that will accompany the appearing of the Antichrist? According to the Book of Daniel, the Antichrist will "honour the god of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not" (Dan. 11:38). The literal Hebrew translation means "an alien god" (alien to Hebrew culture). Baalhazor, the aforementioned "god of forces," was originally known as the lord of sky and battle. As Baalbamoth he was the lord of the aerial regions. As Baalzebub he was the lord of those who fly, or quickly flit from place to place. In the New Testament the same spirit is referred to as the prince of the powers of the air (air, circumambient air encompassing the surface of the earth). Therefore, the lying wonders adjoined to the coming of the Antichrist could very well be what we call flying saucers.The bottom line? Biblical and extra biblical documents offer a startling proposition: While some UFO sightings can be explained as military or naturally occurring phenomena, others cannot. Whatever or whoever they are, the reality of UFO activity can no longer be doubted. One concludes that these beings are either advanced humanoids from outer space, or that this activity signals an ongoing deception of demonic design. If the current UFO activity is demonic and indicates Satan has for centuries planned an "alien" visitation in order to, among other things, explain the rapture of the church, it is reasonable to believe that his plans have heretofore included indoctrination and advanced intelligence. Military invasions always involve preliminary and clandestine maneuvers, and Satan's plans to deceive the past, the present, and the future World Order, would first involve covert strategies of brainwashing, political manipulation, and the positioning of his agents in places of power.
" BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA - 2007".In THE POPULAR 2007 FAMILY MOVIE: " BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA " - written by KATHERINE PATERSON [ that means: " THE: PURE ONE" AND "SON OF OUR FATHER ] and directed by G'aBOR CSUP'o [ which means: " GOD IS MY STRENGTH - THE SABER OF TRUTH " ] - we are witnessing "A Prophetical Allegory" about ' OUR OWN RIVER CROSSING BACK TO THE LAND OF BETHANY '. You see, dear brothers and sisters: TERA means" The Land Of", and BITHIA refers to The Daughter Of Israel"; and, if you'll factually trust in him, YAHWEH HAS SENT HIS OWN SON TO NOW SAFELY GUIDE YOU!After all, THE SCRIPTURE plainly says: JERUSALEM", "JERUSALEM", ' YOU WHO KILL THE PROPHETS ' and ' STONE THOSE BEING SENT TO YOU '; how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, ' BUT YOU WERE NOT WILLING '. LOOK, YOUR OWN HOUSE IS LEFT TO YOU DESOLATE [ NONE OF YOUR OWN TEACHINGS HAVE NOW COME TO PASS ]. I tell you [ QUITE HONESTLY ], YOU WILL NOT SEE ME AGAIN UNTIL YOU SAY: ' BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF YAHWEH '! " " It's just like TONY LIAR says: " VOILLA...! "But, of course, YOU FIND IT QUITE DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE ME... since, I'm not actually telling you, what you're already desiring to hear. Isn't that, honestly, it? A wizened one once stated: " To Thine Own Self Be True "; and I do believe that it factually applies! So, why not take the time to watch THE FOLLOWING MOVIE TRAILER for: " THE BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA "; and find out, exactly, what it is that I'm talking about... after all, You Might Just Be Glad That You Did". America In Prophecy BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA [ 2007 ] - BY: G'abor Csup'o"."BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA: "Is An Allegory"If you [ honestly ] don't believe me, then why not study THE NAMES OF ITS CAST AND CHARACTERS, for yourself....THE CHARACTERS FOR BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA [ include ]:JESS AARONS [ " YAHWEH BEHOLDS THE SON WHO IS: HIS MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH, OR MOST HIGH PRIEST " ]LESLIE BURKE [ " THE FORTIFIED SETTLEMENT FROM: "THE HOLLY GARDEN", OR "GRAY FORTRESS ]MISS EDMUNDS [ " THE LADY WHO IS: "A RICH" OR "BLESSED PROTECTOR ]JACK AARONS [ " GOD HAS PROVIDED - THE SON WHO IS: HIS MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH, OR MOST HIGH PRIEST " ]MAY-BELL AARONS [ " THE RALLYING CALL FOR SUMMER - THE SON WHO IS: HIS MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH, OR MOST HIGH PRIEST " ]MARY AARONS [ " THE BITTER ONE IS THE SON: "HIS MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH", OR "MOST HIGH PRIEST ]BRENDA AARONS [ " THE SWORD AND TORCH - BELONG TO THE SON: "HIS MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH", OR "MOST HIGH PRIEST ]ELLIE AARONS [ " THE: "NOBLE", "EXALTED", AND "SHINING LIGHT "- IS HIS SON: THE MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH, OR MOST HIGH PRIEST " ]JOYCE AARONS [ " THE ONE EXPERIENCED IN BATTLE - IS THE SON: "THE MOUNTAIN OF STRENGTH", OR "MOST HIGH PRIEST ]BILL BURKE [ " THE ONE WITH: "THE WILL", "DESIRE", AND "HELMET OF PROTECTION"; AND ONE FROM: THE HOLLY GARDEN, OR GRAY FORTRESS " ]JUDY BURKE [ THE PRAISEWORTHY WOMAN", OR "LADY FROM JUDEA" - THE WIFE OF: THE HOLLY GARDEN, OR GRAY FORTRESS " ]GRANDMA BURKE [ " THE GRANDMOTHER OF: "T"HE HOLLY GARDEN", OR "GRAY FORTRESS ]JANICE AVERY [ " THE GIFT FROM GOD IS A COUNSELOR TO THE ELVES " ]CARLA [ " THE FREE MAN " ]SCOTT HOAGER [ THE WANDERER" AND "PAINTED WARRIOR" - WHO DWELLS NEAR THE HILL " ] THE CAST FOR BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA [ includes ]:JOSH HUTCHERSON [ " YAHWEH IS SALVATION - TO THE SON WHO IS: "A THINKER", OR "AN INTELLIGENT ONE ]ANNA-SOPHIA ROBB [ " THE BRIGHT AND FAMOUS ONE - OF: "GRACE", "FAVOR", AND "WISDOM ]ZOOEY DESCHANEL [ " THE LIFE GIVING ONE - FROM: THE CHANNELS, OR PATHWAYS " ]ROBERT PATRICK [ " THE BRIGHT AND FAMOUS ONE: "THE PATRICIAN", OR "NOBLE MAN ]BAILEE MADISON [ " THE: "ENTRUSTED ONE", "STEWARD", OR "EXECUTIVE" - THE SON GIFTED FROM GOD " ]KATE BUTLER [ " THE PURE OR CONSECRATED ONE - THE CHIEF MALE SERVANT " ]DEVON WOOD [ " THE DIVINE MEADOW OR BEAUTIFUL FARMLAND - FROM WITHIN THE FOREST " ]EMMA FENTON [ " I AM THE UNIVERSAL ONE - FROM AMIDST YOUR OWN MARSHLAND " ]GRACE BRANNIGAN [ " THE ATONED ONE; AND THE SON WHO IS THE HARBINGER OF DEATH " ]LATHAN GAINES [ " HE WHOM GOD HAS PROVIDED - IS: "THE INGENIUS" AND "RESOURCEFUL ONE ]JUDY MCINTOSH [ " THE PRAISEWORTHY WOMAN OR LADY OF JUDEA - ARE THE SONS OF THE PRINCE " ] PATRICIA ALDERSLEY [ " THAT NOBLE LADY OF: "THE ANCIENT "FOR"EST" AND "IT'S PREVIOUS MEADOW ] LAUREN CLINTON [ " THE MAN WRAPPED IN LAUREL AND A CITY OF STONE " ]ISABELLE ROSE KIRCHER [ " GOD IS THE VOW - THE: "FLOWER OF LOVE" AND "SOLITARY CHURCH ]CAMERON WAKEFIELD [ " A CROOKED NOSE - FROM THE FIELD OF:" DEA"TH" AND "PASSING CELEBRATIONS ] And, BASED UPON THAT COMBINED INFORMATION we can: "Readily Extrapolate" and/or "Spiritually Decipher" - THE FOLLOWING ACCURATE SPIRITUAL MESSAGE:" YAHWEH beholds ' THE SON ' - who is: "His Mountain Of Strength", or "Most High Priest"... and, YAHWEH is salvation for ' THE SON ' - who is: "An Educated Thinker", and "The Intelligent One"! After all, HE is: ' THE FORTIFIED SETTLEMENT FROM THE HOLLY GARDEN ' and ' THE BRIGHT AND FAMOUS ONE WHO HAS FOUND: GRACE, FAVOR, AND WISDOM '....For THE LADY WHO IS A RICH AND BLESSED PROTECTOR - the life giving one from: "The Channel", or "Pathway" - God has provided ' THE SON ' who is His: "Mountain "Of Str"ength" or "Most High" Priest"... and, ' THE BRIGHT AND FAMOUS ONE WHO IS BOTH: "THE PATRICIAN", AND "NOBLEMAN" '.HE is: THE RALLYING CALL FOR SUMMER [ OR, GANDOLF - ' THE WAND HOLDER OF HEAVEN ' ] - His own: "Mountain Of Strength" and "Most High Priest"... THE ENTRUSTED ONE, STEWARD, and EXECUTIVE - ' THE SON GIFTED FROM GOD '! The bitter one is THE SON - a: "Mountain Of Strength" and "Most High Priest" - THE PURE OR CONSECRATED ONE; and THE CHIEF MALE SERVANT....BOTH: "THE SWORD" AND "THE TORCH" - BELONG TO ' THE SON ' - My own: "Mountain Of Strength" and "Most High Priest"! After all, HE is: THE DIVINE MEADOW and MY OWN BEAUTIFUL FARMLAND - from within your own forest. That: "Noble", "Exalted", and "Shining Light" - is ' MY OWN SON '... the: "Mountain Of My Own Strength" and "Most High Priest Of Yahweh"... and, ' I AM THE UNIVERSAL ONE ' - from amidst your own marshland [ OR, THE RIVER OF YOUR DREAMS ]!THE ONE EXPERIENCED IN BATTLE is ' THE SON ' - who is My Own: "Mountain Of Strength" and "Most High Priest". You see, dear children, HE is: THE ATONED ONE and THE SON WHO IS THE HARBINGER OF DEATH - ' THE ONE WITH: "THE WILL", "DESIRE", AND "HELMET OF PROTECTION" ' and ' THE ONE FROM: "THE HOLLY GARDEN", OR "GRAY FORTRESS" '! HE whom God has provided, is [ also ]: "The Ingenious" and "Resourceful One". THE PRAISEWORTHY WOMAN [ OR, THAT LADY FROM JUDEA ] - the wife to: "The Holly Garden" and "Gray Fortress" - are those sons of THE PRINCE [ known collectively as Israel ]! Meanwhile, THE GRANDMOTHER OF THE HOLLY GARDEN - was that noble lady of: "The Ancient Forest" and "It's Previous Meadow"....THE GIFT FROM GOD is: A COUNSELOR TO THE ELVES - the man wrapped in laurel and a city of stone - THE FREE MAN [ for whom, ' GOD IS THE VOW ' ]: "The Flower O"f His Love" and "His Solitary Church"! You see, dear children, HE is: THE WANDERER and PAINTED WARRIOR - who dwells near the hill... ' THE ONE WITH A CROOKED NOSE FROM THE FIELD OF DEATH AND PASSING CELEBRATIONS '. "Ahava and Shalom.May YAHWEH'S Own: "Love" and "Peace" - be, continuously, upon you!
- Wherever religions get into society's driving seat, tyranny results
by Salman Rushdie ::link::
I never thought of myself as a writer about religion until a religion came after me. Religion was a part of my subject, of course - for a novelist from the Indian subcontinent, how could it not have been? But in my opinion I also had many other, larger, tastier fish to fry. Nevertheless, when the attack came, I had to confront what was confronting me, and to decide what I wanted to stand up for in the face of what so vociferously, repressively and violently stood against me.
Now, 16 years later, religion is coming after us all and, even though most of us probably feel, as I once did, that we have other, more important concerns, we are all going to have to confront the challenge. If we fail, this particular fish may end up frying us.
For those of us who grew up in India in the aftermath of the Partition riots of 1946-1947, following the creation of the independent states of India and Pakistan, the shadow of that slaughter has remained as a dreadful warning of what men will do in the name of God. And there have been too many recurrences of such violence in India - in Meerut, in Assam and most recently in Gujarat. European history, too, is littered with proofs of the dangers of politicized religion: the French Wars of Religion, the bitter Irish troubles, the "Catholic nationalism" of the Spanish dictator Franco and the rival armies in the English Civil War going into battle, both singing the same hymns.
People have always turned to religion for the answers to the two great questions of life: Where did we come from? and how shall we live? But on the question of origins, all religions are simply wrong. The universe wasn't created in six days by a superforce that rested on the seventh. Nor was it churned into being by a sky god with a giant churn. And on the social question, the simple truth is that, wherever religions get into society's driving seat, tyranny results. The Inquisition results, or the taliban.
And yet religions continue to insist that they provide special access to ethical truths, and consequently deserve special treatment and protection. And they continue to emerge from the world of private life - where they belong, like so many other things that are acceptable when done in private between consenting adults but unacceptable in the town square - and to bid for power. The emergence of radical Islam needs no redescription here, but the resurgence of faith is a larger subject than that.
In today's United States, it's possible for almost anyone - women, gays, African-Americans, Jews - to run for, and be elected to, high office. But a professed atheist wouldn't stand a popcorn's chance in Hell. Hence the increasingly sanctimonious quality of so much American political discourse: the current president, according to Bob Woodward, sees himself as a "messenger" doing "the Lord's will", and "moral values" has become a code phrase for old-fashioned, anti-gay, anti-abortion bigotry. The defeated Democrats also seem to be scurrying toward this kind of low ground, perhaps despairing of ever winning an election any other way.
According to Jacques Delors, former president of the European Commission, "The clash between those who believe and those who don't believe will be a dominant aspect of relations between the US and Europe in the coming years."
In Europe the bombing of a railway station in Madrid and the murder of the Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh are being seen as warnings that the secular principles that underlie any humanist democracy need to be defended and reinforced. Even before these atrocities occurred, the French decision to ban religious attire such as Islamic headscarves had the support of the entire political spectrum. Islamist demands for segregated classes and prayer breaks were also rejected. Few Europeans today call themselves religious - only 21 per cent, according to a recent European Values Study, as opposed to 59 per cent of Americans, according to the Pew Forum. In Europe the Enlightenment represented an escape from the power of religion to place limiting points on thought, while in America it represented an escape into the religious freedom of the New World - a move toward faith, rather than away from it. Many Europeans now view the American combination of religion and nationalism as frightening.
The exception to European secularism can be found in Britain, or at least in the government of the devoutly Christian, increasingly authoritarian Tony Blair, which is now trying to steamroller Parliament into passing a law against "incitement to religious hatred" in a cynical vote-getting attempt to placate advocates for British Muslims, in whose eyes almost any critique of Islam is offensive. Journalists, lawyers and a long list of public figures have warned that this law will dramatically hinder free speech and fail to meet its objective - that it would increase religious disturbances rather than diminish them. Blair's government seems to view the whole subject of civil liberties with disdain: what do freedoms matter, hard won and long cherished though they may be, when set against the requirements of a government facing re-election?
And yet the Blairite policy of appeasement must be defeated. Perhaps the British House of Lords will do what the Commons failed to do, and send this bad law to the scrap heap. And, though this is more unlikely, maybe America's Democrats will come to understand that in today's 50/50 America they may actually have more to gain by standing up against the Christian Coalition and its fellow travellers, and refusing to let a Mel Gibson view of the world shape American social and political policy. If these things do not happen, if America and Britain allow religious faith to control and dominate public discourse, then the Western alliance will be placed under ever-increasing strain, and those other religionists, the ones against whom we're supposed to be fighting, will have great cause to celebrate.
Victor Hugo wrote, "There is in every village a torch: the schoolmaster - and an extinguisher: the parson." We need more teachers and fewer priests in our lives because, as James Joyce once said, "There is no heresy or no philosophy which is so abhorrent to the church as a human being." But perhaps the great American lawyer Clarence Darrow put the secularist argument best of all. "I don't believe in God," he said, "because I don't believe in Mother Goose."
