Enjoyable Anagrams

Please pray for my wife. Her ears have been bothering her for a couple of days now. When she was in grade school she actually had surgery on her ears three different times. She has a doctor's appointment at 10:20 AM today. We don't know what is wrong. We just hope that we can assess it and get it fixed or operated on and corrected. So please pray that the doctor's will be able to accurately diagnose her and that it will be something that we can easily correct. Thanks in advance.

Update: She found out that she has a bad ear infection. I was very worried that it might have been related to the surgeries that she had as a child. I am so thankful that this is not the case! This is actually good news because the doctors gave her some medicine and they think that it should cure the problem within a short period of time!

Also, here is some entertaining anagrams that I thought you might like. Kristina dropped this list off in the comments section of one of my recent articles a few days ago and I liked it so much that I thought I would post it. Some of these just crack me up! I would have to say that somebody put a lot of effort into coming up with these. Or maybe some twelve year old genius in Uzbekistan just had way too much time on his hands. Either way, this list is quite entertaining. If you want to check out more stuff from Kristina just swing over to her end of the blogosphere at Kristina's Keepsakes! If any of you know of any other really good anagrams like these, you've got to let me know. These are just too funny!

DORMITORY:
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN:
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER:
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER

DESPERATION:
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH:
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE


THE MORSE CODE:
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES:
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY:
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS:
When you rearrange the letters:
LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS:
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S

A DECIMAL POINT:
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO:
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE


AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:

MOTHER-IN-LAW:
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER

Come on guys. I know many of you can relate to that last one. LOL!

What's So Great About America by Dinesh D'Souza

A statement...Not a question!

What’s So Great About America by Dinesh D’Souza is an amazing, eye-opening book. It is, in my opinion, a must read for any patriotic Christian. Any Christian who wants to truly understand what America stands for and what it actually means to be patriotic should definitely consider looking into this book. I am very thankful that I took the time to read it last week.

The one predominant characteristic that I found as I read this book was that the author was not afraid to discuss difficult issues. In fact, some would consider some of the issues discussed in this book as downright taboo. However, from a conservative and intelligent standpoint this man attacks issues with the truth. D’Souza discusses in detail the truth about racism in America. He repeals the popular myths about Islamic terrorism and brings to light a refreshingly honest look at the men behind this modern war. He discusses several of the anti-American schools of thought until you gain a deep understanding for their hatred for the American society and culture only to logically and systematically tear them apart. He discusses what it truly means to be “American.” He covers many other subjects with an astonishingly easy-to-read method of writing.

I enjoyed this book more than I can say. The author’s amazing ability to nail hard subjects without apology from a conservative perspective was astounding. He isn’t afraid to state the truth regardless of how politically incorrect it might be. He stands his ground. His writing style combined with his own personal experiences make this book incredibly easy and enjoyable to read.

Keep in mind, however, that this is a secular book. It is filled with truth and with sound principles about America, yet there were a few, and only a few, instances in which the author revealed his non-Christian perspective. Don’t shy away from the book. Read with Christian discernment and I am convinced that it will be an eye-opening blessing.

I highly recommend it. Two thumbs up!

A Bad Case of the Mondays

When I arrived at work yesterday morning, it was about 25 degrees outside. I know. I know. It's not as cold as where you are at but let me just tell my story here. I shuffled from my car down into the office at the Arlington National Cemetery Administration building as fast as I could. I didn't want to spend any extra time outside than what I absolutely had to! I hate the cold!

As soon as I got in the office, I picked up the phone and began dialing the uniform phone number. Each day, depending on the weather, the uniform changes. And since there are fifty or more soldiers marching in the cemetery at any given time, someone has to put the word out what the uniform is so that we all look good together.

Monday being as cold as it was, I knew that the uniform would be overcoat and trooper cap. The trooper cap is the winter dress cap that we wear in cold weather. It actually snaps under your chin. I think it looks dorky but I have to say that it is very very warm.

As I was almost finished dialing, I heard a beeping sound coming through the phone. Someone must be trying to call in. I hit the button. "Arlington National Cemetery. This is private Cardot." I said.

"Hey, Cardot, this is Chaplain Horton. I was just calling to let you know what the uniform was for us on this first mission." I have been working with Chaplain Horton on a daily basis since the first day that I was transferred to this job over three weeks ago. He a real joy to work with.

'Great' I thought. 'Overcoat and trooper cap!'

He continued, "We're just gonna wear the blues blouse and the ceremonial cap today. The other Chaplain that I am training today doesn't have an overcoat that fits."

"Uhhhhhhhh......Okay...uhhhh....sir." I said. 'Blues Blouse!? That's our summer outfit. Doesn't this guy know that it's only 25 degrees outside! ' Of course, I didn't say that part out loud.

"I'll just meet you at the grave site," he concluded and hung up. 'Oh well. I'm in the infantry. I've been cold before,' I thought.

The mission went just fine. I was able to control my shivering for the most part and the service didn't even take too long. At last it was over and we all headed back to the car, my Arlington lady, the two chaplains and myself.

When we arrived at the car, we were all extremely cold and ready to get warmed up. I reached into my pocket to pull out the keys and suddenly a shocking revelation came over me...I had locked the keys in the car. 'I'm a dead man!'

"Sir," I said. My face was probably already turning pale. I really thought that I was in big trouble. He stared back at me. He looked as though he were really worried about what I was about to say. "I locked the keys in the car."

A huge smile swept across his face. He actually started laughing out loud. Chaplain Horton just looked at me. Here I was with two high ranking officers, a Major and a Lieutenant Colonel, and I had locked them out of the car in freezing cold weather without any coats on. He just laughed.

"Don't worry about it, son. It's not the first time this has happened." And that was it. About ten minutes later a backup key arrived and we all went on with our day. Live and learn.

When I arrived back at the office, I found out that the other driver had left his minister at the grave site of his funeral and forgot to give him a ride back to the office. The minister had to hitch a ride back to the office from a cemetery employee. I guess that we all had a bad case of the Mondays!

Some Things To Remember

• Faith is the ability to not panic.
• If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.
• As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every day.
• Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
• When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
• Do the math. Count your blessings.
• God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
• Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
• Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
• Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.
• The most important things in your home are the people.
• Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.(Preach it!)
• There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.
• A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
• He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
• We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments.
• Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.
• It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
• Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
• Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it I want to have lived the width of it as well.

~ Author Unknown

Barber Shop Theology

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:

‘I don’t believe that God exists.’

‘Why do you say that?’ asked the customer.

‘Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn’t exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can’t imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.’

The customer thought for a moment, but didn’t respond because he didn’t want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:

‘You know what? Barbers do not exist.’

‘How can you say that?’ asked the surprised barber.

‘I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!’

‘No!’ the customer exclaimed. ‘Barbers don’t exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.’

‘Ah, but barbers DO exist! That’s what happens when people do not come to me.’

‘Exactly!’ affirmed the customer. ‘That’s the point! God, too, DOES exist! That’s what happens when people do not go to Him and don’t look to Him for help. That’s why there’s so much pain and suffering in the world.’

The Baptist Muse Topsites

I am very pleased to announce the addition of another new segment on The Baptist Muse website: The Baptist Muse Topsites. The purpose of the Baptist Muse Topsites is not simply for me to track the number of hits and page views that websites get. The main purpose is to allow Christian web site creators a free means in which to gain some traffic as long as their site meets my Independent Baptist Criteria.

There are so many resources on the internet for Independent Baptists to utilize but it is so difficult to find them all. It doesn't take long to learn that you can create the best web site on the Internet but that it is next to useless if you can't get people to visit it. This is my attempt to bring together some of those resources in an effort to encourage the continued development of Christian websites and to allow Christian internet users to find solid, Biblically sound internet content.

P.S. If you sign up for The Baptist Muse Topsites it enters you into the contest for a $25.00 Give Away on Valentine's Day. In fact, it is worth five tickets for that drawing.

The Watchman Awards

I have only two articles that I would really like to point your eyes toward this week. The first is a great illustration about abortion. The second is a well written article simplifying our nation's current recession from a scriptural point of view. Both articles are well worth your time.

• Would You Consider Abortion?
  by Maranatha at I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes
• Recession in the American Economy and the Greed Cycle
  by Kent Brandenburg at What is Truth?

The Mistrial of the Ages

Mistrial: A trial that becomes invalid, is essentially canceled, because of a mistake in procedure.

During the time leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He was led before the Jewish Sanhedrin to face formal charges as they were brought against him. It was at this trial that they ultimately determined his guilty verdict and decided to implement capital punishment. Yet a careful examination of that trial will reveal that it was in violation of many Jewish laws by which the Sanhedrin were directed to follow. It is my intention in this article to prove to you that even if Christ were guilty of the charges he faced his trial was still completely bogus. The laws of justice by which the Sanhedrin were so famous for following were completely thrown out the window as Yeshua or Jesus Christ was led to his crucifixion.

The Great Sanhedrin was an assembly of Jewish judges who comprised the Jewish court of law. This panel included a leader called a Nasi, a High Priest, a vice-chief justice and sixty-nine general members. These Jewish leaders were considered experts in many fields. They were well versed in Science, medicine, chemistry and foreign languages. The priests were experts in the moral law, the elders in the civil law, and the scribes in the ceremonial law.

The Sanhedrin imposed strict regulations upon itself in order to maintain such a high standard and to protect an innocent man from ever being wrongly accused of guilt. This standard, or law code, was called the Mishna. It was this law code that was completely ignored during the trying of Jesus Christ and it is this law code that invalidates any claim at the Sanhedrin's authority to determine whether Jesus was or was not the Messiah.

1. The Sanhedrin met before the morning sacrifice. This was illegal. The purpose of this self-imposed regulations was to ensure that the counsel had taken the proper time to prepare themselves spiritually for such a decision. This helped to ensure that the men were "right with God" when handing down important verdicts.


2. The Sanhedrin met prior to the Sabbath and prior to a feast day. This was illegal. The Sanhedrin were not allowed to meet on these days regarding any matter related to capital punishment. Since the Sanhedrin were required to reconvene on the day following any capital punishment decision, they imposed this law to ensure that they would not have to meet on a Sabbath or on a feast day.


3. The witnesses did not agree. This was illegal. The Bible is very clear about the consequences of perjury before the court of law. "Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you." (Deut. 19:19). Jesus should not have been crucified that day. Those who witnessed against him should have been nailed to that cross!


4. Christ's defense was never allowed. This was illegal. The accused could testify before the Sanhedrin but it was not required. The accused individual's confession was not enough to condemn them. This ensured that he was not coerced into a confession.


5. The Sanhedrin continually changed their charges against him. This was illegal. The Sanhedrin began by accusing him of sedition (Mark 14:58; John 2:19). When that was not effective they moved to charge him with blasphemy(Mark 14:63-64). Finally, when they could not get a capital punishment charge based on either of those charges, they appealed to the Romans with the accusation of treason (Luke 23:1-2).


6. The Sanhedrin presented a unanimous vote. This was illegal. According to Jewish law, a unanimous verdict of guilt required that the prisoner be released. This was an added precaution to safeguard against the counsel not taking the proper deliberations and giving a fair trial. This was also implemented to ensure that a conspiracy was not taking place.


7. The Sanhedrin never reconvened the next day. This was illegal. The Sanhedrin were required to reconvene twenty-four hours later on all trials that included capital punishment. A member of the panel could change a 'guilty' vote to a 'not guilty' but a person could not change a 'not guilty' to a 'guilty.' This was an effort to protect the accused in that a member would sometimes see things more clearly after a good night's rest and perhaps would be more benevolent.

The above violations are only a few of the many clear infringements on Jewish law and justice that took place during what I have come to call 'The Mistrial of the Ages.' Any assertion to the authority of the Sanhedrin in these matters become null and void. They have forfeit any credence that they may like to claim concerning the Messiah. I have laid out the evidence clearly and truthfully. You decide what to do with it!

Valentine's Contest: Win a $25 Gift Certificate

You could win a $25.00 Gift Certificate

to a Restaurant of your choice!

In an effort to spice things up a little bit and to hopefully attract some new readers, I have decided to give away a $25.00 gift certificate to any restaurant that you want. This contest will take place over the next 21 days and will conclude on Valentine's Day with a lucky winner being able to take his special someone out on a date paid for by me! On February 14, there will be one winner randomly drawn. This winner will get a gift certificate prize of $25.00. The gift certificate will be to any restaurant of the winner's choosing.

What is the point of this contest? Obviously to increase traffic to this blog, as well as my RSS and email subscribers numbers. I feel it is completely worth the money, as subscribers are hard to come by without the right connections. This is my attempt to make those connections. By continuing the with the growth of the readership of this site, I can continue to challenge Christians, to spread Bible doctrine, to elevate Jesus Christ, and to defend our faith in a distinctively Baptist way! Thanks for all of your support. I can't wait to see who wins!

There Are Many Ways To Win!

Contest Rules: There are many ways to participate in the Valentine's Day Contest! You can earn 'tickets' for the 'drawing' in five different ways.

• Leave a comment: 1 Ticket - You may post a maximum of three comments per article between now and Valentine's Day. Of course, you may post more than three comments per post, but only the first three will be counted. Also, any comments that inform me of your participation in any of the contest events that follow this will also be counted as a comment worthy of a ticket. I will most likely be posting an article every day for the next 21 days of this contest, which means that you will have a potential of achieving 63 tickets towards this drawing. So even though the comments are worth only one ticket, if used properly they could easily give any person a decided advantage when drawing day comes! Each comment is worth one ticket.
  

• Link Exchange: 2 Tickets - You may participate in a link exchange at The Baptist Muse. A link exchange is where you place a link to my blog on your own website (usually in the sidebar of another blog or website) and in return I will place a link to your site on mine. If your site is not listed under the "Blog Roll" section or my sidebar, then I do not know that you are linking to me. Leave me a comment and I will update the sidebar and count you in for the drawing! You may link to the Baptist Muse once per domain name and each link will count toward my future drawings for as long as the link remains active. Each link is worth two tickets.
  

• Subscribe to the Email Updates: 3 Tickets - You may sign up for email updates of The Baptist Muse by submitting your email address in the form on the sidebar. You will be given three tickets into the Valentine's Day Contest for having an active email subscription to The Baptist Muse.
  

• Link to an Article: 4 Tickets - If you link to any of the articles posted here at The Baptist Muse, a link back to you will be created at the footer section of the article. This is called a trackback and it allows my readers to find your articles at your website or blog. If for some reason the track back does not appear, leave a comment informing me of the link and I will be glad to count it. There is no limit to the number of links you may create. Each link is worth four tickets.

• Join the Baptist Muse Topsites: 5 Tickets - I am very pleased to announce the launch of another brand new service here at The Baptist Muse...The Baptist Muse Topsites. This is a way for you to promote your own blog or website by getting it listed at The Baptist Muse Topsites. I will be receiving email updates of every website that is added to the list and I will be able to closely monitor it to ensure that only doctrinally sound Baptist sites will be added. Listing your website is completely free and you will receive five tickets toward the drawing per website submitted to The Baptist Muse Topsites!
  

• Link via Button or Banner: 6 Tickets - I have created a number of eye-catching buttons and banners that can be used to link to The Baptist Muse. These graphics can be found here. By placing one of these on your site you will receive credit toward the free book every week that it is on your site. Each type of button or banner placed on your site will be counted only once. Each button or banner posted is worth five tickets.

• Write an Article about this Contest: 7 Tickets - You may earn credits toward this Valentine's contest by writing and posting an article at you own website describing and linking to The Baptist Muse Valentine's Day Contest. Only one article per website will be counted in this category. Each article is worth 6 tickets.
  

The cut-off for all tickets is Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at midnight. Everything posted after that is good towards the next contest. This will allow me to have a clear time-line for when I can post the award for this contest.

Any tickets earned by doing something at your own site need to be submitted via a comment on this post. The comment needs to let me know where I can find the button, banner, article or link. This will allow me to more accurately count all of the entries.

To determine the winner, I use a random number generator using the total number of tickets to set the limits of the generator. I will then begin counting through the tickets. The first ticket earned this week will be number one. The second ticket earned this week will be number two. Etc. Whatever the number generator spits out at me, that is the winner of the gift certificate. I will then announce the winner and contact you to get your mailing address and I will send it right out to you!

This Week's Winner of the Free Book Giveaway: The winner of last week's contest and recipient of the book entitled 'The Martyrs Torch: The Message of the Columbine Massacre' by Bruce Porter. is...

Nicole from the blog Looking to Please God not Man!

Thank you for visiting and supporting the Baptist Muse. I will have your book shipped out to you as soon as I can get your mailing information. You can email your mailing information to me at holas84@gmail.com Congratulations! Leave a comment on here as soon as you send the email. Sometimes the email gets caught in my spam box and the comment will allow me to know what time period to look for the email in my spam box. Thank you for understanding.

Good luck and happy blogging!

Jesus is Still the Messiah!

In our conversation that has been developing over the past few days regarding Judaism and the Messianic prophecies (Read it Here!) being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, I have come to understand the feelings of frustration and heartfelt pain that Paul expressed in the New Testament. It was obvious that Paul was deeply hurt by the fact that his fellow countrymen were so consumed with their traditions and with their scholars that they completely ignored, denied, and rejected their own Messiah!

"For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;"
~ Romans 9:3-4

It is sad that this group of people who God so dearly loves and cares for has rejected his perfect gift to them! They have turned their back on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and done it in the name of the very God they are rejecting. Consider for a few moments a few of the things that I have learned about why they reject the Savior of the world.

1. They steep their faith in the credentials of Jewish ancestors rather than in a clear examination of the facts for themselves. In several examples of our conversation, these Jewish people made it painfully obvious that they care more for their faith in their scholars than they do in the facts and logic of the Word of God itself. Consider the following two excerpts from our conversation.
   
   

   "Nicholas, first my statements in regards to the doctor are not Ad Hominem. In Judaism we accept that the Tzadikim have the power to decide, until such time as the Sanhedrin is restored. So the fact that the doctor is not a Gadol is profoundly relevant." ~ Kahaneloyalist
   
   "Nick: Let me enlighten you to a wonderful Jewish concept. The Torah states that matters of Jewish law are in our hands to decide, not G-d's."

   
   Where does God ever hint at the fact that matters of Jewish law are outside of his own hands? This, however, is the simple logic that was used to deny God himself as the savior of the world when they crucified the God-man Christ Jesus! Even though Jesus was God, they made it very clear that it was up to them to decide his fate...not God!


2. The clear denying of other credentialed Jewish scholars when they do not support their position. For example, they deny the clear teaching of a virgin birth as found in Isaiah 7:14.
   
   The multitude of Jewish scholars who who lived prior to Christ, were amazingly learned in the linguistics of the day, translated the Old Testament in the Greek, and believed that Isaiah 7:14 referred to a Virgin between 300 and 100 BC are not relevant to the Jewish community. Notice that it was Jewish scholars prior to Christ who believed without dispute that the verse was adamantly referring to a virgin and not a young woman. As a side note...what kind of sign is it anyway that a young woman will conceive a child? That happens a bazillion times a day today and didn't most women have lots of children back then. It was a sign because it was going to be something out of the ordinary for everyone to see and know!


3. The naively attack the fact the Jesus Christ even existed! I don't even have time to get into this argument as it would take me all day, but let me throw out a few historians that lived during the first few centuries who reference the reality of Jesus Christ.
   
   
   • Josephus
   • Suetonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian
   • The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) confirms Jesus' crucifixion on the eve of Passover, and the accusations against Christ of practicing sorcery and encouraging Jewish apostasy.


4. They are only willing to hold to a few 'Utopian' prophecies that are either taken way out of context or are referring to the second coming. They have turned their backs on hundreds of prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ for a very small handful of which a clearly indicative of his Glorious return at the second coming of Jesus Christ. They misunderstand the concept or idea that the Messiah first came as a suffering Servant and will come again a second time as the sovereign Savior!
   
   

   "The Jewish idea of the moshiach has nothing to do with a demigod or salvation but rather a human king who will save Israel from the gentiles, ingather the exile, bring world peace, rebuild the Temple, strengthen the Torah and unite the world in service of G-d. JC did NONE of that." ~ Bar Kochba

It is very sad that they refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah and I fear that all too soon they will realize the truth. I pray and I care deeply for all of these people and I hope that they will at least consider the truths found in the Old Testament that point them toward Jesus as the Messiah. Remember the words of Christ himself.

"Search the scriptures...and they are they which testify of me."
~ John 5:39

Ten Reasons To Attend Sunday School

This is a very funny list that I found at my brothers church website, Ask for the Old Paths. He made the list up just to be funny and I thought that it was worth posting. I thought that some of these were very funny even though I know that many people probably do go to Sunday School just to practice some of things in this list! Oh well, I guess. At least they're going. I hope you get a laugh out of them!

• Get a break from the kids.
• We will cram Bible down your children's throats.
• So the pastor can finally teach the lesson he wanted to teach last week.
• The coloring sheets are really cool.
• Nice comfy seats.
• Maybe Pastor will share a story from This Day in Baptist History.
• It is good discipline to get up early enough to be here at 9:30.
• So all the teachers have something to do.
• So Pastor does not have to feel like he is talking right at one person.
• So you can learn to beat your kids properly.

Jesus is the Messiah!

I support Israel and Jewish people with every fiber of my body. As a soldier, I would be honored if my country ever asked me to defend this tiny nation in the heart of the Middle East. And on the flip side of that same coin, I would demand to be dishonorably discharged or court marshaled from the United States Army if I were ever asked to take action against them. I believe that that those of us who stand with and support Israel and Israelis are going to be blessed by God. Those who opposed Israel will be cursed at the hand of God. Consider God's promises to Abraham in the book of Genesis.

Having made known my feelings toward this group of people, let me now move on to the heart of this article. The Jewish people are theologically in error. They have made a drastic and tragic mistake when it comes to the issue of Jesus Christ being the Messiah. They have ignored and crucified the savior of the world.

I say this not out of anger or rage or anything like that. I say this only because I wish that there was something that I could do to convince them of the truth. I wish that I could help them to see that Jesus is the Messiah. It breaks my heart to see them turn their back on what God has so graciously provided for them.

I have recently been carrying on a series of correspondence with some Jewish friends that I recently made in which we have been debating and discussing the validity of Jesus being the fulfiller of the Messianic prophecies and the God of the Jews being the same or different than the God of the Christians. I would like to bring all of you into this discussion assuming you will all be decent enough to be civil.

During our conversation, I asked them to provide for me some prophecies that Christ did not fulfill. In response to this question, Bar Kochba, the author of the blog 'For Zion's Sake' has provided a very thorough answer. Consider, for example, just these four points that he brought to light and help me to share the light of the blessed Gospel with our Jewish friends. Let me hear your response to these claims against Jesus of Nazareth.

• He must be a member of the tribe of Judah - "The staff shall not depart from Judah, nor the sceptre from between his feet..." (Genesis 49:10) To be a member of the tribe of Judah, the person must have a biological father who is a member of the tribe of Judah...

• He must be a direct male descendant of King David and King Solomon, his son - "And when your days (David) are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who shall issue from your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will make firm the throne of his kingdom forever..." (2 Samuel 7:12 - 13) The genealogy of the New Testament is inconsistent. While it gives two accounts of the genealogy of Joseph, it states clearly that he is not the biological father of Jesus. One of the genealogies is through Nathan and not Solomon altogether!

• He must gather the Jewish people from exile and return them to Israel -"And he shall set up a banner for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11:12) Are all Jews living in Israel? Have all Jews EVER lived in Israel since the time of Jesus?

• He will rule at a time of world-wide peace - "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Micah 4:3) Have you seen a newspaper lately? Are we living in a state of complete world peace? Has there ever been peace since the time of Jesus?

I will be posting, either as another article or within the comments section of this article, my refutations to these claims and I invite as many as read this article to join in defending our savior. I want to hear from Christians and Jews. I hope that we can come together with civility and discuss and debate our differences and go away from this place more thoroughly educated because of it. God bless all of you and thank you in advance for your participation and comments.

P.S. You can read some of this correspondence by visiting either of the following two links and reading the comments section of the post: The Baptist Muse: My Rant Against Pluralism and For Zion's Sake: An Apology, A Clarification, and a Summary.

(This post was originally posted on January 20, 2008. I have moved the date up a day or two to maintain its position at the top of this blog due to the large number of hits and comments that it is getting.)

Parents Rights Attacked In SWAT Assault

Colorado parents Tom and Tina Shiflett were shocked to face a SWAT team invasion of their home after their son was involved in a minor accident. The parents had chosen to monitor their son themselves rather than taking him to the hospital after the injury occurred.

Eleven-year-old John Shiflett was injured when he grabbed the door handle on a car as his older sister was starting to drive away slowly. When the child hit his head his father immediately brought him to the house. Tom, who served with paramedics in Vietnam, checked his son for any broken bones or signs of danger such as dilated eyes. Seeing that their son was capable of spelling words and even reciting entire Bible verses, and had no symptoms of serious injury, Tom and Tina decided to keep him at home and let him rest while monitoring him closely.

HARASSED BY AUTHORITIES

A neighbor, however, who was alarmed at observing the accident, called an ambulance to the home. When the Westcare Ambulance and paramedics showed up at the door, both parents consented to the examination of their son. While the paramedics were not able to find any significant issues, they still wanted to take the boy to the hospital for an examination-to which Tom and Tina objected. Feeling certain their son was fine, and not wishing to incur the hospital costs, they elected not to send John to the hospital.

The ambulance crew became irate at the family for refusing to allow them to take the 11-year-old to the hospital. Their attempts at calling police to report the family failed, as the police informed them that it was the parents' decision. The crew then resorted to calling the sheriff's office, which responded to the home and saw that the child was being adequately cared for.

Tom and Tina were shocked, however, when the following day social workers showed up on their doorstep, demanding to interview 11-year-old John privately. Tom and Tina had to get their son out of the bath to bring him to the front porch where the social workers could see him.

SWAT TEAM INVASION

The most appalling segment of the Shiflett family ordeal occurred when an armed SWAT team attacked the home later that afternoon, entering with guns and seizing 11-year-old John at gunpoint. One official pointed a gun straight in the face of Tom's 20-year-old daughter.

The horrifying experience led to John's forced examination by a physician--who pronounced him fine.

While the Shiflett family is currently pursuing legal action after the terrible assault on their family, their story remains a symbol of the disturbing attack on parental rights within our nation. "I don't know where social services ever got started, or where they got their authority," Tom said, "But I want to know why we have something in this country that violates our rights, that takes a parental right away."

SOURCES

The State of America

World Net Daily

The Watchman Awards: Dancing Demons, Nasa, and a lesson in Soul-Winning

Excellent Articles this Week in the Blogosphere

The Watchman Awards is the segment on this site in which I recognize well-written, informative articles that I have found this week throughout the blogosphere. This is also the section in which you can leave feedback as to other articles that you believe are worthy of note.

This week, ladies and gentlemen, we have a great selection of articles that I would like you to take note of. Each of these articles is a great read.

1. "...As The Demons Danced On Our Roof" by Rita Vernoy at The Jungle Hut

This is a compellingly shocking story of a missionary family serving in a region of the world where the locals believe in spirits and demon activity in the literal physical sense. This story recounts an encounter that this family had in this type of an environment as they moved into the area. This account is a must read! I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about missions!

2. "Nasa and the Bible" by Country Momma at Fundamentalist Wives

This article is an interesting look at another proof of the historical and scientific accuracy of the Word of God. By using basic astronomy and studying other contemporary historians from the ancient world, the author is able to prove such scriptural events as the sun not going down for the space of about a day and the earth moving back about five degrees. This article is a very easy read.

3. Quality or Quantity by Jim at Standing In The Gap

This is a very short piece disheveling the idea that it is more important to have quality believers than to have a quantity of conversions. The author provides a fantastic illustration to drive this point home. This is an excellent resource for any soul winner!

Pluralism and the American Way Of Life

I assisted this week in about forty different funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. At each one, I stood about five feet away from the next of kin at the grave site. I watched mothers grieve the loss of their children. I saw brothers grieve the loss of their siblings. I saw children weep knowing that they will never see their parent again.

I particularly remember one such child. His shoulders shook uncontrollably. His face was covered in tears. His sobbing could be heard loudly, distinctly throughout the entire ceremony. He was about thirteen or fourteen years old and he was being forced to attend the funeral of his mother, a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. He was just old enough to understand what was going on. He was obviously very torn emotionally.

It is always a joy, however, to hear the Chaplains step forward and share hope with these families. Most of the chaplains that I work with are protestant. One, in fact, is an Independent Baptist chaplain. With these, it is a joy to hear the comfort that they give as they present scripture pointing the family toward salvation that is only found in Christ.

Some, however, are not so comforting to me. I stand there at perfect ceremonial attention at some of the Catholic funerals being torn apart inside. I am trapped in a prison of ceremonial composure. The priest stands there and quotes his rituals, trying to lend hope to these families. The truth is, though, it is a false hope. Unless those people accepted Jesus Christ alone and apart from the church, the sacraments, their baptism, their good works, and everything else, then they did not taste of the salvation that God offered to them! They have no hope! They are being duped! They are being lied to! Satan has covered their eyes and is leading them down the broad road to destruction!

We live in such a pluralistic society, or a society where every religious view and belief is respected to be just as good and as plausible as every other view. Friends, this wicked, humanistic philosophy is destroying the fabric of the America that once was. In 1892, our national supreme court ruled unanimously in 'Church of the Holy Trinity v. The United States' that this was a Christian nation. They didn't even hint at the possibility of pluralism, atheism, or even a 'religious' nation. Nor were they bothered that they might be violating the now famous doctrine of 'Separation of Church and State.' They stated emphatically that "this is a Christian nation!"

Don't get me wrong. The American ideal has always included religious toleration. In fact, when Jacob Barsimson, the first Jewish American, stepped foot on American soil almost three hundred and fifty years ago, he was respected for his beliefs and given a fair chance in society. This is something that he could not find anywhere else. In fact, Israel was not even a nation at that time. This was the only nation in the world where he could participate in a free society.

America freely allowed for toleration but they did not change or throw out Christian influence in the public arena in order to avoid offending others. It was quite the opposite. Nearly one hundred percent of the Bible has been quoted in the United States Congress. In many states, it was required that a person present a clear salvation testimony in order to hold public office. This was the case in over half the states for a long time after the first amendment granted freedom of religion and nobody felt like it was in violation.

Our nations religious toleration (which has now been transformed into secular pluralism) should never cause us to lose sight of our mission on this earth. Our chief end in life should be that of convincing people of the truth. We must fight to spread the truth of God's Word throughout this land and throughout the world. Our faithful working toward the accomplishment of that mission is the only hope that many people on this earth may have.

Point to Ponder: What examples of pluralism have you seen in your life? What kind of situations have you found yourself in where you were forced to respect (or at least show respect to) a non-Biblical religious view? My example, of course, would be me standing at the position of attention having to listen to the Catholic ritual at the funerals.

Free Book Giveaway: More Ways To Win

A Free Book Giveaway Every Thursday!

This Week's Winner: The winner of last week's book entitled 'Jesus is Coming For You' by R.A. Torrey is...

Randy Scott!

Thank you for visiting and supporting the Baptist Muse. I will have your book shipped out to you as soon as I can get your mailing information. You can email your mailing information to me at holas84@gmail.com Congratulations! Leave a comment on here as soon as you send the email. Sometimes the email gets caught in my spam box and the comment will allow me to know what time period to look for the email in my spam box. Thank you for understanding.

Next Week's Free Book: This week's book is 'The Martyrs Torch: The Message of the Columbine Massacre' by Bruce Porter. The book is brand new and is completely free to the winner of my newest competition.

Product Description: In every age of history, darkness has threatened to extinguish the light. But also in every age of history, heroes and heroines of the faith rose up to hold high the torch of their testimony--witnesses to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. On a fateful spring day at Columbine High, others lifted up their torch and joined the crimson path of the martyrs' way. We cannot forget their sacrifice. A call is sounding forth from Heaven: "Who will take up the martyrs' torch which fell from these faithful hands?" Will you?

Now There Are Even More Ways To Win!

Contest Rules: There are now many ways to participate in the Free Book Giveaway! You can earn 'tickets' for the 'drawing' in five different ways.

• Leave a comment: 1 Ticket - You may post a maximum of three non-continuous comments per post. Non-continuous means that you may not have two comments on the same post in a row. Someone else must comment before you can submit your second comment on that particular post. Each comment is worth one ticket.
  

• Suggest a Joke or Resource: 2 Tickets - You may suggest any joke that you can come up with for me to add to the newly created jokes section of this website. You may also suggest a valid resource that falls under any one of the resource categories that I have listed. You may post a maximum of three jokes or resources per week. Each joke suggested is worth two tickets.
  

• Subscribe to the Email Updates: 3 Tickets - You may sign up for email updates of The Baptist Muse by submitting your email address in the form on the sidebar. You will be given three tickets into the Free Book Giveaway for every week that the email subscription remains active. Subscribing to The Baptist Muse email updates is worth three tickets.
  

• Link to an Article: 4 Tickets - If you link to any of the articles posted here at The Baptist Muse, a link back to you will be created at the footer section of the article. This is called a trackback. If for some reason the track back does not appear, leave a comment informing me of the link. There is no limit to the number of links you may create. Each link is worth four tickets.

• Link via Button or Banner: 5 Tickets - I have created a number of eye-catching buttons and banners that can be used to link to The Baptist Muse. These graphics can be found here. By placing one of these on your site you will receive credit toward the free book every week that it is on your site. Each type of button or banner placed on your site will be counted only once. Each button or banner posted is worth five tickets.
  

The cut-off for all tickets is Wednesday night at midnight. Everything posted after that is good towards the giveaway on the following Thursday. This will allow me to have a clear time-line for when I can post the awards each week.

To determine the winner, I use a random number generator using the total number of tickets to set the limits of the generator. I will then begin counting through the tickets. The first ticket earned this week will be number one. The second ticket earned this week will be number two. Etc. Whatever the number generator spits out at me, that is the winner of the book. I will then announce the winner and contact you to get your mailing address and I will send it right out to you!

Good luck and happy blogging!

The Baptist Muse Buttons and Banners

I have recently been experimenting with different ways to create attractive buttons and small banners bearing the name of The Baptist Muse. Maybe others would like to use some of the buttons or banners that I have created to link to The Baptist Muse. And so, with that in mind I have decided to make them available to all of my friends and fellow bloggers.

Do you enjoy reading The Baptist Muse? Do you think that others might enjoy it? Then why not place a small icon on your blog or website linking to and indicating your appreciation for The Baptist Muse? You have several icons to choose from, including a dynamically created gif image that continuously flashes the titles for recent posts. Thank you for your interest in adding a link to The Baptist Muse on your blog or website.

In order to place any one of the following buttons to your website, just copy and paste the code written below the button of your choice onto your website where you want it to be displayed. If you have any questions beyond that please feel free to contact me via the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Thank you, in advance, to any of you who are kind enough to link to The Baptist Muse via a link button. I appreciate everyone of my loyal readers and everyone of my friends in the blogosphere who link to me. If you do decide to use one of the links below, please leave a comment letting me know so that I can personally check out your blog and thank you. Also, please leave comments for any ideas, suggestions, or opinions that you have for buttons. Thank you and God bless each of you!

<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/KrLm.5.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/KrLm.6.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/KrLm.7.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://www.baptistmuse.com/resources/uploaded_images/flagshout-791542.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://baptistmuse.com/images/US-Flag.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://baptistmuse.com/images/supportblue.gif" /></a>



<a href="http://www.baptistmuse.com"><img style="border: 0pt none ;" alt="The Baptist Muse" src="http://baptistmuse.com/images/supportred.gif" /></a>

Ten Predictions For 2008

I recently read this list and I felt that it was extremely appropriate. God will still be at work this year if we will allow Him access to our lives. I am so thankful for his goodness towards us! Remember that if you are not as close to God as you had once been, it is not him who has moved. It is you!

Here are the ten predictions for this coming year! You can label me a prophet because I guarantee that they will happen!

• The Bible will still have the answers.
• Prayer will still work.
• The Holy Spirit will still move.
• God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
• There will still be God-anointed preaching.
• There will still be singing of praise.
• God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
• There will still be room at the Cross.
• Jesus will still love you.
• Jesus will still save the lost.

The Weekly Muse

Muse: v. to reflect deeply on a subject

I have decided to replace my 'Mike Huckabee Monday' segment with a segment called 'The Weekly Muse.' The truth is, there is so much political overkill on the radios, televisions, newspapers, and internet that nobody probably wants to read about it at a Christian website. I know I get tired of it.

To replace it, I am going to create a segment that relies heavily on reader input. It is always my goal to educate, enlighten and challenge the readers of The Baptist Muse. It is now your turn to return the favor. I am going to post a very serious question. It is up to you to educate me by answering in the most heart-felt way that you can. I thank you in advance for helping me out.

I am currently reading a book entitled, 'What's So Great About America." So far, it is an excellent book. Perhaps, I will give away a copy on the site in a couple of weeks. Anyways, it inspires me to ask this question.

Why do you consider America to be so great?

Our Last Vestige Of Hope

The Bible is very clear in the book of Genesis that all those who support the nation of Israel will be blessed and rewarded for doing so. Any nation that opposes Israel, on the other hand, will be severely punished. I am pleased to find the Gov. Mike Huckabee is a staunch supporter of this tiny nation in the heart of the Middle East.

I sometimes wonder what it is the keeps God from removing his blessing from our nation. There are only two Biblical reasons that cause God to bless a nation. "Righteousness exalteth a nation," and supporting Israel. I do not believe that it is our 'righteousness' that is keeping God's blessing on us. America is now far from righteous...don't get me started! We can still, however, cling to our last vestige of hope. Our strong support of God's chosen nation of Israel! Consider these quotes from presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee:

"I am a steadfast supporter of Israel, our staunch ally in the War on Terror, the only fully-functioning democracy in the Middle East, and our greatest friend in that region.

"The United States must remain true to its long-standing commitment to the Israeli people.

"As President, I will always ensure that Israel has access to the state-of-the-art weapons and technology she needs to defend herself from those who seek her annihilation.

"I've visited the Middle East extensively over the past thirty-five years, including nine trips to Israel. I salute and support Israel as our staunch ally in the War on Terror and our greatest friend in that region. As the only fully-functioning democracy in the Middle East, Israel occupies a unique position both geographically and geopolitically. Israel is an important partner in the spread of freedom and democracy throughout the Middle East and the world.

"The United States must remain true to its long-standing, bipartisan commitment to the Israelis. I will always ensure that Israel has access to the state-of-the-art weapons and technology she needs to defend herself from those who seek her annihilation."

A Message On A Missile

On a cool, quiet January morning, Corporal Rick Garrett was shaving in the shower trailer at Camp Victory, Iraq. Wrapped in a towel and enjoying the energy he felt from a good night's sleep, he began thinking about the months he had left overseas. Many questions filled his mind: Would the war get even bloodier? Would any of his buddies be killed? Would he do his duty well? In fact, would he even survive?

Then another question - it was a prayer, really - formed itself in his mind: "God, are you able to protect me over here?"

The words had just become a conscious thought when Corporal Garrett heard a deafening crash. It was the sound of the trailer door shattering. An RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) had pierced the door and was now flying through the middle of the trailer. In an instant, the projectile flew past Corporal Garrett, lightly creasing his stomach en route, and embedded itself in the trailer wall opposite the door.

For a moment, Garrett was frozen in shock, expecting the RPG to explode. But it did not. Realizing he might have a moment to escape, the corporal ran to the gaping hole where the door had been and hurled himself through it to the ground several feet below. Jumping up as quickly as he could, he sprinted from the trailer while shouting a warning to those in the nearby trailers. Dozens of soldiers braced themselves for an explosion.

Yet nothing happened. The RPG never exploded. It was a dud. Garrett picked himself up from the ground and began laughing with relief. As a crowd gathered and began congratulating him for his luck, he remembered the question he had been asking God: "Can you protect me over here?" It seemed that God had answered.

In case the message hadn't been clear enough, though, there was something more. When the ordinance specialists examined the unexploded RPG, they found a message had been scratched onto it. This was not uncommon. Insurgents often painted or scratched some message on the missiles they fired as an added insult to their American enemy. But the message on this particular missile had a special meaning to Corporal Garrett.

It read simply, "From the God of the American Soldiers."

Apparently, an insurgent had intended the message as a cruel insult. Corporal Garrett knew better. Whatever the insurgents meant to say, he knew that his God was saying in dramatic terms, "Yes, I can protect you over here. For I am indeed, 'the God of the American Soldiers.'"

Taken from 'American Heroes' by Stephen Mansfield.

The Watchman Awards

Be sure to tune in this coming week and in the weeks to follow. I have a lot of material that I hope to cover in the near future. I will be posting an amazing testimony of a soldier in Iraq tomorrow, so don't miss it! I promise that it will bless you.

Also, stay tuned for the winner of this week's 'Free Book Giveaway!' On Thursday, we will be changing the rules and creating even more ways to win! If you like free stuff, you won't want to miss it.

This week's Watchman Awards is a blending of different types of posts. You will find below a comical approach to Christian apologetics, a sweet poem about straying away from God, and a insightful essay on modern Missionary methods from a missionary. I was extremely impressed with each of the blog posts that I list below and I highly recommend checking them out.

Anyways, here are this week’s awards. These three were easy winners. They are excellent articles and stories and I promise that you will be blessed if you take the time to read them. Have fun and God bless you all.

1. Apologetics For Curmudgeons by David Kjos at The Thirsty Theologian

"There once was a scholar from Esser
Whose knowledge grew lesser and lesser
It at once grew so small
He knew nothing a all
And now he’s a college professor!"

2. A Poem by Kristina at Kristina's Keepsakes

"I got the thoughts for this poem after I found out that a very, very close friend of mine that is 17 years old moved out of his parents house. We have known him and his family since he was just 4 or 5. It was really shocking and heart breaking to hear about it. I am hearing a lot about teens that are moving out of their parents home because they want to do their own thing. It is just really sad."

3. The Goal of Missions by Terry McGovern at Missionary Insights

"We need to be Biblically driven instead of numbers driven in our efforts to accomplish the great commission. Please do not think that I do not desire to see multitudes saved. I truly dream and day dream of entire villages coming to the Lord with only one true church in the village. However, we must stay focused on how the Lord has directed us and leave the results to him."

The Week In Review

The Arlington Ladies

This week I have had the distinct privilege of escorting the United States Arlington Ladies and the Chaplains of Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington Ladies is a group of ladies who volunteer to attend each and every funeral that takes place at Arlington National Cemetery. They attend to personally represent the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General Casey, to the loved ones of the deceased. Each Arlington Lady is either married to an Army man or is widowed by an army man. It is an honor to work with these ladies as they bestow their condolences to the families visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

When I first heard that I was being moved to this detail, I was wary of it. I didn't understand what was involved and in my line of work, the new detail probably meant bad news. The exact opposite has been true. I have loved every minute of it. Working with the chaplains and the Arlington Ladies is the biggest joy you could imagine. These ladies are so sweet and kind! I have been assigned to this detail for the next three months. I am thrilled and excited about it.

Site Updates: New Patriotic Theme!

You will also notice that over that past week or so, I have been making many changes to the layout and structure of this website. I wanted to create a theme or environment for the site that expresses who I am and how I feel. I wanted to display patriotism and Christianity side-by-side. The two words that I hope will be used to describe my life and my website are the words a 'patriot' and a 'Christian.' The rippling flag at the top of this site is my pride and joy. I love to watch those stars and stripes wave freely in the air!

I already have many plans for future changes and additions that I would like to make. In fact, I have two or three new sections that I want to add to the site. I am just trying to find the most effective ways to integrate these new features while still maintaining a crisp clean look. I want to fill the pages of this website with loads and loads of useful information and enjoyable entertainment. Here are a few of the sections that I hope to add to the site:

• A Collection of Stories, Illustrations, and Poems
• A Collection of Simple Online Flash Games
• A Collection of Family Friendly Clean Jokes

Please continue to give me feedback on the website. I want to tailor it to satisfy those who use it. Let me know any ideas that you have for it and also let me know which of my ideas are good ideas and which of them are bad. The more feedback I can get, the better I can make it. Besides, comments are the soul of any blog. When you leave me comments it fills me with a fuzzy feeling. Okay. So I'm being a little sarcastic. But I do love comments, so let me have it.

I appreciate everyone who stops by.

Blog on!

Free Book Giveaway!

A Free Book Giveaway Every Thursday!

This Week's Winner: The winner of last week's book entitled "How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer" by John Wesley is...

The Good Reporters!

Thank you for visiting and supporting the Baptist Muse. I will have your book shipped out to you as soon as I can get your mailing information. You can email your mailing information to me at holas84@gmail.com Congratulations!

Next Week's Free Book: In an effort to stimulate activity at my website, I have decided to initiate a weekly free book giveaway contest. This week's book is 'Jesus is Coming For You' by R.A. Torrey. The book is brand new and is completely free to the winner of my newest competition.

Product Description: "The truth about the Lord's return is our safeguard against all heresies, errors, and falsehoods..."

Contest Rules: To be eligible for this contest, all you have to do is comment on any post between now and next Thursday. Each comment posted is another chance to win. You may post a maximum of three non-continuous comments per post. Of course, you can post more than that but only the first three will count. Non-continuous means that you may not have two comments on the same post in a row. Someone else must comment before you can submit your second comment on that particular post.

To determine the winner, I will use a random number generator using the total number of comments to set the limits of the generator. I will then begin counting through the comments. The first comment posted this week will be number one. The second comment posted this week will be number two. Etc. Whatever the number generator spits out at me, that is the winner of the book. I will then announce the winner and contact you to get your mailing address and I will send it right out to you!

The Fashions of Godliness

The issue of modest dress is a constant battle for Christian women today. This is an issue not only for new Christian ladies but also for ladies that have been saved for many years. Is it because pastors no longer feel that modesty is important? Is it because the feminist movement has woven its way into the lives of Christian women today? It is time that we realize that the way we clothe ourselves is important to God for several reasons.

• Women can cause men to stumble.

The way that ladies adorn themselves has a direct impact on their brothers in Christ. When they wear clothes that accent the shape of their bodies in any way it can cause men to stumble in their own life. Ladies can create a temptation for men to lust, to falter in their relationship with their wife, and to fail in their personal walk with the Lord.

“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” ~Romans 14:21

According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language, the word offend means ‘to transgress the moral or divine law.’ When a man lusts after a woman he has transgressed God’s law. When he lusts after a woman as a result of her lack of dress standards…then ladies, you have helped him to transgress God’s law!

A pair of jeans is designed to accent the shape of our body from the waist down. Shorts barely cover the thigh which leaves little left for a man to imagine about a woman. This is offensive to many Christian men.

I have found myself looking at the way other Christian ladies dress while we are at church or church related activities and have found myself hurting for them. They dress in a way that is unattractive and draws attention to them in such a manner that can only be described as ungodly. As a wife, there are several times while out in public that I have had to ask my husband to look away so that he doesn’t stumble.

Consider the following paragraphs from ‘What in the World Should I Wear?’ by Mrs. Cathy Corle.

"A friend of mine told me that her decision to restrict her wardrobe to dresses and skirts came as a result of a ladies’ class. All the arguments and reasons that could be given were unheeded until the lady who was speaking said, ‘Let me just demonstrate something to you.’ She asked the ladies in the audience to close their eyes momentarily. She held up a large picture of a woman in an attractive, modest feminine skirt and blouse. She asked the ladies to open their eyes. Then she inquired, ‘What is the primary focal point to this picture? Where did your eyes first fall naturally?’ The audience agreed that their eyes were first drawn to the face of the woman in the picture.

"She once again asked the ladies to close their eyes. When they opened their eyes they were looking at a large poster of a woman in a sport shirt and blue jeans. She asked, ‘Now, be honest with yourselves, and tell me where your eyes first fell naturally when you looked at this picture?’ Many of the ladies in the crowd were surprised to find that most people’s eyes first focused upon the hips and crotch area that were so vividly emphasized before they ever noticed the woman’s face.

"If this happened in a crowd of ladies, how much more would it be true of men? For my friend, Joetta, this was all the ‘evidence’ that was needed."

Questions for the New Year

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

• What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?


• What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?


• What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?


• In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?


• What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?


• What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?


• For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?


• What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?


• What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?


• What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

My Faith is My Life!

I love the fact that this man can so boldly embrace his faith. I am tired of politicians who try to hide who they are religiously in order to gain a political seat. If a man's faith does not influence his decisions, either his faith means nothing to him or he is a liar. I cannot separate my faith in Christ from the rest of my life and I do not want to elect a man who does.

Hey friends, if you don't like Gov. Huckabee or if you espouse another candidate, make it known. Let this be a forum for civil debate. Keyword..."Civil." I want to hear and learn and grow in my understanding. Help me do that by letting me know of your differing opinions. Thanks in advance!

"The First Amendment requires that expressions of faith be neither prohibited nor preferred. We should not banish religion from the public square, but should guarantee access to all voices and views. We should share and debate our faith, but never seek to impose it. When discussing faith and politics, we should honor the "candid" in candidate - I have much more respect for an honest atheist than a disingenuous believer.

"My faith is my life - it defines me. My faith doesn't influence my decisions, it drives them. For example, when it comes to the environment, I believe in being a good steward of the earth. I don't separate my faith from my personal and professional lives.

"Real faith makes us humble and mindful, not of the faults of others, but of our own. It makes us less judgmental, as we see others with the same frailties we have. Faith gives us strength in the face of injustice and motivates us to do our best for "the least of us."

"Our nation was birthed in a spirit of faith - not a prescriptive one telling us whether to believe, but one acknowledging that a providence pervades our world."

A Barrel With Holes

"Brethren...this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." ~ Phil. 3:13

The second law of thermodynamics states that in an isolated system, all things tend toward entropy, or chaos. In other words, if you are not working to maintain something, it is going to break down. If I leave my car out in the weather for a couple of years, it will end up covered in rust and filled with dirt. The engine will probably not start. The rubber tires and hoses will be falling apart. You get the idea.

The truth is, probably ninety percent of the world's economy is devoted to combating the second law of thermodynamics. People are either producing new products to replace old ones or they are repairing the old items. In the world, there are automobile producers and car repairmen. There are home builders and remodeling carpenters. Nearly every job in the world is devoted to either building new or repairing old.

It is as if we are filling a barrel that is filled with holes. As we pour the water into the barrel, it runs out the holes that are in it's sides. In order to fill the barrel to the brim, we have to pour water in faster than it is going out.

It does not matter how much water you put into the barrel yesterday. In order to maintain success, you must add to it today. Yesterday's water will have already poured out the holes.

We find this true in nearly every area of life, not just with physical possessions. Every part of our life requires continuous effort in order to maintain or improve their status. This is true in our spiritual lives, in our social relationships, in our wisdom and intelligence, and in our physical stature.

• Spiritual Life - We cannot rest on the successes of yesterday. In order to maintain a successful walk with God, we must be actively adding to it. Each day, we must be reading God's Word, praying, and serving Him. Stop filling your life with spiritual things for just a day or two and your spiritual life will drain.

• Social Relationships - Our relationships with those around us is dependent on our constant investment in them. People don't often remember the kind things that you did for them a few days ago if you are not being kind to them today. You must make deposits into the friendships and relationships around you. Don't allow your relationships to deteriorate over time due to a simple lack of communication or a lack of kindness.

• Wisdom and Intelligence - People are constantly forgetting things. We forget dates, facts, and information every day. The only way to maintain and grow our knowledge and information of the world is to continually learn new things. You will forget much of what you learned in school unless you are constantly reading and studying new things.

• Physical Stature - I often hear of people losing weight or getting in shape and then losing their progress immediately after. In the military, we conduct physical training nearly every day. If we don't, we will begin to lose the progress that we have made.

In all of life, we must continually be working to improve or we will begin moving backwards. Progress in all areas of life demands constant work. Throughout the year, stop thinking about the accomplishments of last year. Stop thinking about your victories from yesterday and begin working and striving for victories today!

The Watchman Awards

First and foremost, I am very pleased to announce that I have updated and enhanced the theme of this website, The Baptist Muse. I am very excited to be able to express throughout my website the patriotism that I feel. Please leave me some feedback if you see anything that doesn't seem right. Thanks.

Also, I was very excited to see this week that Gov. Mike Huckabee won the primary elections in Iowa. In my mind, this is a giant step in his campaign for the white house. I hope and pray that he continues to see positive results in his efforts.

This week also marked the first week that we had a winner for our "Free Book Give Away" segment. The winner was Kristina of Kristina's Keepsakes all the way down in Georgia. Her prize was the book "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw. Congratulation, Kristina. If you are not familiar with the contest, click here and be sure to get involved. This week's book is "How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer" by John Wesley. Its easy and free to win so check it out.

This week, I also published a website for Prairie Baptist Church in Scotts, MI. I also added several new resources in the resources section of The Baptist Muse. These include a site dedicated to freeing Kent Hovind, The Fellowship Tract League, Faith Baptist Camp, and the Church Bus News. Find out more about these by clicking the resources link at the top of the page.

Now, without further ado, allow me to present this week's Watchman Awards.

1. Strings Attached by Dave Mallinak at Sharper Irony

"My father died when I was five. A few years later, my mother met a man, and after a brief courtship (which, as I recall, consisted mostly of their painting a picket fence in front of my house), they married. That year for Christmas..."

2. The Way of Approval by Pastor Kent Brandenburg at What Is Truth?

"Where we look for approval will decide what we believe and practice. We see this through Hebrews 11. Faith is how we get a "good report" from God. Faith pleases God (Heb. 11:6). But we have to make that choice: do we want to please God or man"

3. The Cloud of Witnesses by Gordy at A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

"This verse comes on the heals of Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith and Works, where many saints from the Old Testament are listed and we are told about their great faith, the works their faith produced, and the good report they obtained."

Prayer Request Update: Mrs. Fugate

I recently received and posted an email informing me that my former pastor's wife had experienced a tragic accident resulting in her arm being drastically cut and gouged. She is a wonderful lady who has played the piano for Clays Mill Road Baptist Church for many years. The following is a follow-up email that I just received written by Pastor Jeffery Fugate, her husband. Thank you for your continued prayers.

First of all thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. These last few days have been a little more difficult than we expected.

There is not an unbearable pain but somewhat of a constant pain that has required pain medicine since we have been home from the hospital. She cannot use her hand or arm at all which makes things difficult in caring for the baby, etc. She can read emails but cannot type responses. It has been a roller coaster emotionally. Thinking about what happened and the severity of wound is in our minds and though we try to forget it is hard to forget.

We go to the Hand Surgeon at 8:45 AM on this Friday to see what he has to say after looking at the condition of the hand and the result of the surgery. This is a little unnerving.

There is a spiritual battle with the devil working to make you think the worst and then of course the simple trusting in the Lord is not so simple. When you have played the piano in church for 30 years and the doctors tell you it will be difficult to do again the devil uses this to discourage you. Of course, our Lord is faithful and is good to us - we rejoice in His goodness and love Him with all our hearts. Our service is not for self but for Him.

My mom and her mom and dad have been helping us each day with house chores and caring for the baby, etc. They have been such a blessing.

I have spent quite a bit of time at home and have enjoyed time with family.

Folks have brought us plenty of food each day and we are very thankful for that. You folks are just the best for sure!

Will let you know with an update after the doctors visit on this Friday.

Preacher