Splinters of Silver

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Rapture - Spam Mail!
2008-06-06 16:19:00
Posted at a group I often visit, we come across an interesting website entitled: You?ve Been Left BehindI will not question the sincerity of these persons? Christianity, but I do have to question such an idea.For $40 for the first year, claiming ?Re-subscription will be reduced as the number of subscribers increases,? it is suggested that 6 days after the rapture of the church one will be able to send ?150mb of encrypted storage that can be sent to 12 possible email addresses? and ?another 100mb of unencrypted storage that can be sent to up to 50 email addresses.?Honestly, this sounds like one is simply paying for document storage on a server.So, one may ask, ?How exactly will the system know the rapture has occurred??The site states: ?We have set up a system to send documents by the email, to the addresses you provide, 6 days after the "Rapture " of the Church. This occurs when 3 of our 5 team members scattered around the U.S fail to log in over a 3 day period. Another 3 days are gi...
More About: Mail , Spam , Misc , Witness

Human Statue of Liberty
2008-06-06 04:52:00
Photo by Arthur S. Mole & John D. Thomas (1918) / Source of scanned image unknown
More About: Statue , Liberty , Misc , Human , Statue of Liberty

Corrupting the Word of God
2008-06-05 19:39:00
In Genesis 3, we have the fall of mankind. This chapter is full of insightful information as to how man fell, but also as to the temptations we face today are merely the same as those which Adam and Eve faced in the Garden of Eden: Such as, ?the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.?But, for the moment, let us consider the misuse of the Word of God by mankind which led to the fall, for such has continued throughout the ages with men Corrupting the Word of God even unto this day. Really one should take the time to read and mediate on this chapter, for here I will merely try to quickly note the pitfalls we can all find ourselves in when we corrupt the Word of God whether intentionally or not.Note 1: Not all corrupt communication will come in the form of ?God is a liar.?God said: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.Serpent said: Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?We see that ?false prophets, which come to you in...
More About: Christianity , Translations , Bibles

Removed For Having Too Much 'Cents'
2008-05-30 15:45:00
Apparently, a marine has been ?removed from duty? because he was handing out coins with Scripture references on them at an American checkpoint in Iraq.The article claims, ?U.S. military regulations prohibit religious proselytizing? (apparently ref. General Order 1A, Part 2, Section J) and a quick search returned this: U.S. Soldiers Launch Campaign to Convert Iraqis to Christianity.Interestingly, Weistein (in the above article) considers passing out these coins to be a ?national security breach.? Yet, I doubt we can honestly associate passing out coins by this soldier with the other soldier's actions of using the Quran as target practice.This article states: ?A military statement said "appropriate action" will be taken if the reports are substantiated.? What exactly would be ?appropriate action? I wonder.Maybe they will just take all of his extra ?cents? since apparently he had so much he was giving it all away.
More About: Cents , Witness

It's Summertime!
2008-05-29 16:51:00
School is out and summertime is upon us, and with it comes vacation, family visits, and relaxation for many. Let us remember not to put God and our local church in the trunks of our cars as we head out to enjoy time with family and friends. Please continue to pray and support your Sunday school class and church worship services; for there are many a soul who still need to put their faith in Jesus Christ, and they will be watching where our hearts are this summer.
More About: Summer , Summertime

Hypnotic Spiritless Singing
2008-05-28 22:00:00
Scripture declares, we are to speak to ?yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord? and ?one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,? but are we taking this a little too far nowadays?What I mean is it is no secret that music (whether Christian or non) moves our emotions both in positive and negative ways. I would also be willing to say that it is most often the beat, melody, etc. more so than the words that move us rather than the other way around, for sometimes the words can barely be made out or even heard. While other times, some words found in the so-called Christian music (not limited to just contemporary either) can be easily heard, but are so far from Biblical Truth, it is quite amazing that we (well some) still use them.Just because it falls under the label of psalms (not the Psalms), hymns, or spiritual songs doesn?t mean it is Biblically sound. Just curious,...
More About: Music , Salvation , Singing

Gender Conversion
2008-05-27 21:19:00
You can?t drive till you?re 16 or 17, can?t smoke, join the military (without parents? consent), or vote until you?re 18, and can?t buy alcohol till your 21 BUT you can start the procedures to change your gender if you believe yourself to be mature enough at age 7 (or maybe even 3) to realize you are simply in the ?wrong body?. [see for yourself]Yeah, this makes perfect sense ? Give me a break Dr. Spackle ? Are we to really believe you are ?filling the holes? or ?patching the gaps? in humanity?s mental, emotional and physical realm with this idea of Gender Conversion ?I believe I find myself agreeing more with Dr. Nimocks in that, ?Just because modern medicine can accomplish certain things does not mean that these procedures should be done.?
More About: Transgender

Mistaken Honor
2008-05-14 19:36:00
Yesterday I took a moment to review a couple of blogs I sometimes visit, and came across one post entitled, Honor Killings - The Ultimate Oxymoron, which led me to this article concerning, 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love'. Being a father of a little girl myself, this caught my eye.Apparently, as told by the report concerning the interview with Abdel-Qader Ali, this man killed his 17 year old daughter, Rand Abdel-Qader, for apparently having an infatuation (which may not have been mutual) with a British soldier.As a father of a little girl, I can understand the possibility of her one day being infatuated with a boy that I may not think well of or like very much. It could be for countless reasons, but I honestly believe my actions would be more directed at a defense for my daughter?s protection (whether I consider it for physical, emotional, or spiritual implication) than at an offensive attack against my own daughter.Simply put, whereas Abdel-Qader Ali apparently t...

Morale over Morality
2008-05-09 16:59:00
Sometimes I receive an email from Military.com in my inbox and don?t often take the time to read it, but today?s article stood out like a sore thumb.The article: Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale Ever since I served in the U.S. Army in 1993, in Vilseck, Germany, it seems there has been talk about banning the sales of certain magazines from the shelves of military stores. Assumingly, the talks are still around, though now it appears, ?U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the current law that allows the sale of some sexually explicit material on military bases by lowering the threshold required to deem material "sexually explicit."?Get this: ?A Department of Defense committee that reviews materials sold on bases ruled last year that magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse are not pornographic.?What exactly is the definition of pornographic? ?Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sex...
More About: Morality

"Mayday, Mayday!"
2008-05-08 04:54:00
As we find ourselves in May, I can?t help but think of ?mayday, mayday? the ?emergency code word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.?As you know, we just returned from our young people taking part in State Bible Drills in Pineville at Louisiana College. They did a great job, conducting themselves in a mature manner, representing well Fellowship Baptist Church. We appreciate their discipline to study and memorize the Scriptures, along with the faithfulness of the teachers, families, and church members with all of their support and encouragement.Though our young people are being taught the Word of God, and give themselves over to the studying and reading thereof, there are many in our neighborhoods, work places, cities, and state that simply do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior.The word mayday ?derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning 'come to my aid'/?come [to] help me.?? The problem is, most (if not all) sinners are not ...
More About: Witness

State Bible Drills
2008-05-02 18:32:00
We are headed out to State Bible Drills with 11 young persons from our church this weekend. If you or your church have never taken part in such, one may wish to consider it for next year.Here is a look into the cirriculum:Bible Drill Basics The purpose of the drill is to help children: increase in knowledge of the Bible develop skills in locating Bible books and key passages memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order, plus selected Bible verses and key passages learn how to apply the Bible to their lives

Not Reaching or Not Coming
2008-04-29 15:43:00
?The number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the denomination?s lowest level since 1987. Although the SBC added 473 new churches and gave more than $1.3 billion to support mission activities around the world, there?s no escaping the disappointing fact that Southern Baptists are not reaching as many people for Christ as they once did, according to Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, which gathered the information on the denomination?s behalf.?This is the opening paragraph to a LifeWay research article by Rob Phillips. This post is not for or against Rob Phillips, but I would like to consider the thought ?there?s no escaping the disappointing fact that Southern Baptists are not reaching as many people for Christ as they once did.? In fact, we could further narrow down the point of this post to ?not reaching? in the scope of the context of the paragraph. What exactly is meant by ?not reaching? in t...
More About: Missions , Evangelism , Baptism

Science: A Battle of "'cherry-picking' the data?"
2008-04-23 22:15:00
Apparently, there is a small issue in Science as to whether we are still experiencing global warming, or are we about to enter a new ice age.Article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,35224 1,00.html Whom shall I trust?2 Peter 3:10 declares, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. "
More About: Data , Cherry , Battle , Picking

Unregenerate Director Strives To Deface Christ
2008-04-23 21:28:00
Anyone with any sense about them will clearly see through the smoke and mirrors of director Paul Verhoeven?s desire to swindle persons with his desire to claim ?Christ probably was the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee? in his upcoming so-called ?biography of Jesus.? According to Fox News? quote of Donohue, apparently he notes that Verhoeven has ?been working 20 years trying to sell this argument and hasn't come up with anything.? But who says a biography of someone, clearly Verhoeven has never met nor personally knows, has to be nonfiction? Clearly he doesn?t have a problem with writing a fictional biography. (I jest.)Interestingly, it seems that Verhoeven claims to be a Catholic (according to the article), but makes his money causing others to break the very commandments of God, namely fornication, in his choice of movies to direct.Is there really any wonder this man ?states that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of t...
More About: Movies , Director

Friend or Acquaintance
2008-04-16 19:24:00
Scripture declares in Proverbs 17:17, ?A friend loveth at all times.?Now, love properly defined does not mean everything we find our friend doing or saying is acceptable and we totally agree with. Sometimes our friendships need to be seasoned with ?reprove, rebuke, [and] exhort[ing] with all long suffering and doctrine.?Honestly, how shallow are most of our so-called friendships, to be honest, whether they be with Christian or non-Christian persons? Do we honestly love them, or do we simply enjoy the prestige or the things that may come from knowing them? Or do we happen to merely hang around them so that we may feel that we are ?in the click??How often do we use the word ?friend? and how often do we honestly mean it?Are we quick to forget, gossip about, or turn our backs on certain persons that we claim are our friends, as soon as we find another more interesting one? What about if they embarrass us for one reason or another, or hurt us (even by mistake), or others come forth to pu...
More About: Friends , Friend

Exposing parts of My Heart
2008-04-11 22:50:00
PoetryThese are original poems as formerly written, with only minimal changes or corrections having been made, to allow my initial thoughts to persist.Lame Christian ExcusesLetting Go (Part 1)Faith is Risen Anew (Letting Go, Part 2)My PreacherBecause of LoveJust Like You Were One DayOh, the Love You Show MeParable of the SquirrelRegretsStand Up !!!The DayThe Heavens DeclareThe Words of the SnakeThe World...Ye Are of Your FatherFriends?Is This Where Love EndsStaring Back At MeTo Be CompleteWhat Is LoveBecause of My Saviour, I live!A Soldier on His Way HomeA Letter From HellI Am His for EternityDon?t Wait On MeA Call to MissionsI Have a SaviorChrist Bore the CrossI Plead For My BrotherChrist Is Still HereConversionA Little SoulSoulsA Soldier of the KingFaithThank YouOh Son of God, I praise Your NameOh, Rich ManThey Say I Killed My BabyPerspectiveBeloved Friend
More About: Poetry , Book , Heart , Parts

Beloved Friend
2008-04-04 14:44:00
From among the darkness, amidst the stormComes forth a light, with a steady armHeld out toward me, reaching forthBidding me come, to find supportAfraid to trust, but grasp it stillAllowing myself, to acknowledge it?s realAn honest smile, with words of truthA gentle spirit, to encourage and sootheA faithful friend, where charity dwellsAble to believe, my heart made wellTruly amazing, to find such a oneA caring soul, when life seems undoneWords of wisdom, acts of graceDeeds of kindness, freely displayedSharing love, and giving hopeA joy from within, they promoteSelfless thought, my spirit mendsForever dear, my Beloved Friend Timothy Waldrop4/3/2008
More About: Friends , Poetry

EXPELLED...
2008-03-31 20:42:00
http://www.expelledthemovie.com/
More About: Evolution , Creationist , Expelled

Considerable Questions BEFORE Saying I DO
2008-03-27 21:20:00
A person I know is considering the thoughts of marriage with someone they have been dating for a while now. They asked me to present them any questions or thoughts I might think would help them consider things they should be pondering before they say "I do."I figured I would just share what I am sending them, and maybe it could help others who are wishing to get married or are aready married. Please add any insight and other thoughts that you the reader may have that we may all be better persons!The number 1 question to keep in the forefront of your mind is:Have I accepted this person for who they are, or do I believe I can or need to change them to conform to what I really want/need?If the answer is ?I believe I need them to change? then one needs to either just break it off now, or simply put off any ideas of marriage until either you or they change (by God) to where each of you can be accepted by each other as-is (realizing there is always room for improvements on each behalf).If...
More About: Marriage , Questions , Dating

Easter: Open Letter To Friends and Family
2008-03-20 17:50:00
Well folks, I have been away from the blogsphere for a week or so, but not away from work that needs to be done. Hope all has been well. Since Easter is coming up this Sunday, I will just post the open letter I sent my friends and family as a reminder to what is most important this holiday season.At the end of January I told you ?I Love You,? but I don?t have a perfect love. I sometimes forget a name, or fail to mention every soul that has needs in prayer, and there have been times I have allowed my own struggles to cause me to lose sight that we all have them. Too often I find myself refusing to put others before myself. [1 Corinthians 13]Around the close of February I mentioned how we are to be Soldiers for the cause of the gospel, though I do not always shine as an example of God?s mighty army. I sometimes find myself trying to cover His breastplate with mine which is dirty and full of holes. All too often do I find my feet bare, loins lacking support, and sword covered in dust. ...
More About: Family , Friends , Holiday , Open

Is Obama Slandering Christ?
2008-03-04 15:57:00
According to BPNews, it appears that Obama is trying to justify homosexuality (?his belief in same-sex civil unions?) by the use of Jesus Christ ?s Sermon on the Mount.Obama?s thoughts concerning same-sex unions:"I don't think it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial, then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans. That's my view. But we can have a respectful disagreement on that."Wait a second, what exactly do you mean by ?obscure passage in Romans??Obscure:1. (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain2. not clear to the understanding; hard to perceiveLet?s take a look at the obscure writing of Romans concerning homosexuality shall we?Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use i...
More About: Homosexuality

What Seeketh Thou?
2008-02-28 16:56:00
What is the number one thing people seek after in today?s society? What is on the top of your list, my list? How important is it really in the grand scheme of things? What is the motivation factor; self or the well-being of others? How much time and energy do we spend trying to reach that goal, and do we affect others in a positive or negative way while striving to achieve it? How much of it is pure selfishness without regard to others?How much time do we spend deciding on what we will eat, drink, and wear on a daily basis, along with all of our other thoughts surrounding our desires and wants, compared to pondering the things of God and the lost souls around us?Scripture declares [Matthew 6], ?seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.?What things? ?Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your...

Hole Lotta? Shaking Going On!
2008-02-19 17:50:00
A friend of mine sent me a link to a blog post entitled, Holy Hole !Apparently, the Muslim s (or at least some) are blaming the Israel is for the ?5.3-magnitude earthquake,? claiming they are ?digging tunnels in the area that undermine the stability in the area of the Al-Aqsa mosque.? The Islam ic Movement ?urged Islamic states to take action to stop Israeli excavations in the area.?It is interesting at the blog to note ?the hole was a meter deep, two meters long and meter and a half wide? compared to a 1927 shot of Jerusalem.Scripture does call for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple:Revelation 111 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they sha...
More About: End Times

Jim Says: "Check Your Guns at the Door"
2008-02-15 19:32:00
Check out: http://www.ccwonline.org/guns.htmlJim ElliffThose of us who have a ministry of writing are usually pretty tough folks. Many of us have been in the combat zone for quite a while and can take almost anything that is said by readers of our articles. This short plea to blog and forum participants is more about my embarrassment for all of us who are web-interactive Christians than it is for my own hide. In short, I'm appealing for etiquette characteristic of believers in reader's responses to articles and blog entries. When reading through responses on various blogs and faith-based forums, I often wonder if those who are outside the faith are looking on. What do they think about the sometimes mean and vindictive words that are used? Or what do new believers think? When they read that tart, angry or demeaning language, are they really being helped toward Christ? If it doesn't smell good to us, it certainly is rancorous to the alert souls looking over our shoulders. At best t...
More About: Christianity , Guns , Blog , Witness , Check

On the Topic of the Handicap, Mentally Ill, and Salvation
2008-02-15 14:00:00
A good friend of mine, concerned about lost souls, asked the question, "what happens to them after death. I wonder how God judges them? If they ever could actually comprehend the gospel?"I do think it is a difficult question, maybe with few or no easy answers, considering the destination of the mentally handicapped people. But, to me, the discussion of the topic creates a burden within our hearts for souls, and not just the souls of the mental but also of all lost people. If we stop caring about souls, then we are merely a castaway to the Christian faith and cause of Christ. We can all try to live the legalistic life of the Pharisee, but are merely full of dead men?s bones if we have no desire to share the Message with the lost.First, I believe, we must agree with Scripture that every soul ever born will either reject the gospel of Jesus Christ or accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, and therefore spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. Second, we must also acknowledge that God is love, is ...
More About: Mental Health , Salvation , Topic , Mentally ill , Handicap

Christians in Heaven or Sleeping Elsewhere
2008-02-11 17:42:00
A friend of mine just sent me a link to an article where an ?Anglican challenges widespread belief, [and] says believers [are] asleep until God returns.?Article notes: ?A bishop described as "one of the most formidable figures in the world of Christian thought" is now challenging the widely held belief that Christians go to heaven when they die.?Mr. Wright?s rejection of Biblical Truth is as follows (from the article):?"There are several important respects in which it's unsupported by the New Testament. First, the timing. In the Bible we are told that you die, and enter an intermediate state. [The Apostle] Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead already, but that nobody else has yet. Secondly, our physical state. The New Testament says that when Christ does return, the dead will experience a whole new life: not just our soul, but our bodies. And finally, the location. At no point do the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels say, 'Jesus has been rai...
More About: Sleeping , Heaven , Resurrection

Clarence Larkin on "The Book of Revelation"
2008-02-08 19:54:00
The complete web verison of "The Book of Revelation " study by Clarence Larkin, 1919. An insightful and interesting read.The printed version may be purchased here, along with his "companion" study of "The Book of Daniel ".Enjoy!
More About: End Times

Vox Day - The Irrational Atheist
2008-02-06 20:09:00
Vox Day's book "The Irrational Atheist : Dissecting the Unholy Trinity of Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens" is now available from Amazon.com, though he also has the download here.I am thinking this should be an interesting read... He is also the writer of: http://voxday.blogspot.com/

Possible Misunderstanding Concerning "Oh, the Bigotry of Bigotry"
2008-02-06 17:31:00
I appreciate Austin Cline taking the time to read my blog post and posting his opinions concerning it at his blog. I do however believe there may have been a slight misunderstanding as to the thoughts he pulled forth from my posting though.The title of my post was ?Oh, the Bigot ry of Bigotry? whereas Austin Cline entitled his reply/rebuttal of such ?Anti-Atheist Bigot Denying Own Bigotry?. Though my original thoughts were in reference to another blog entry entitled ?Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate?.At the very onset of the topic ?Bigotry Should Disqualify a Presidential Candidate?, the writer begins their thought of bigotry as they see it from ?many Republican campaigns? towards race, to sexual preference (called ?anti-gay?, namely homosexuality), and atheism (called anti-atheist).They make the notion that although bigotry of race is not tolerated whereas bigotry toward homosexuality and atheism is, for they state ?I long for the day when anti-gay and anti-atheist...

When Time Shall Be No More
2008-01-29 21:51:00
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” [Matthew 24:3]According to Discover, brought to my attention by a friend of mine:“The meaning of time has become terribly problematic in contemporary physics,” says Simon Saunders, a philosopher of physics at the University of Oxford. “The situation is so uncomfortable that by far the best thing to do is declare oneself an agnostic.” (emphasis mine)Here is my question to: “The possibility that time may not exist is known among physicists as the “problem of time.””If time does not exist, what does that do with the rest of science’s theories based on time? Would they then become nonexistent as well?Oh, to understand the mind and magnificence of the Almighty, Holy God, though a lifetime would not allow such mortals as us to comprehend.Retirement (Book III, Hymn 45, page ...
More About: Time