10/17/2010
10/16/2010
VOM–USA Prayer Update for week of Oct 15, 2010
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD! Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek my life; let them be turned back and confused who desire my hurt. Let them be turned back because of their shame, who say, “Aha, aha!” Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70
LAOS — Christians Arrested — VOM New Zealand
Psalm 91:1–6
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
On Sept. 18, police arrested 35 Christians in Meung Feung in northern Laos, according to VOM New Zealand. The believers, who were detained while in the area for a tree-planting project, are very active in sharing the gospel and have helped lead many people to the Lord. Thirty of the Christians were released, including the mother of a four-month-old child, but at last report five were still being held. Believers in the area are deeply concerned for the welfare of the five still in detention. Pray for the release of the five believers, and pray that God will strengthen their faith as they face this persecution. In addition, pray that God will grant boldness and wisdom to Laotian Christians as they share the love of Christ amid ongoing harassment and threats of imprisonment.
CHINA — Police Raid House Church — China Aid Association
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
On Sept. 26, police and security officers raided a house church meeting in Youqing, Sichuan province, China, detaining and beating church members, according to China Aid Association. Authorities, who claimed the Christian gathering was illegal, took 20 believers to the police station for interrogation. Five were released after their families posted bail, but the others remained in detention for several hours before being released. While in detention, two of the believers were reportedly beaten by the police station’s director. When some of the Christians returned to the station the next day to retrieve their property, five were sentenced to 15 days in detention for “disrupting the public order under the guise of religion.” During the raid, authorities smashed a desk and about 30 benches, and they also confiscated Christian books and 500 Yuan (US$29). Praise God for the faithfulness of Chinese Christians who continue to meet for worship despite the risk. Pray that those who were beaten will be strengthened and fully restored to health.
ALGERIA — Christians Acquitted —Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission
Matthew 10:19–20
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
On Oct. 5, a court in the Kabylie region of Algeria acquitted Christian converts Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak of the charge of “non-compliance with a precept of Islam.” The men had been arrested for eating lunch during Ramadan. Also in Algeria, four Protestant leaders were to have appeared in court on Oct. 10 on the charge of “practicing non-Muslim worship without authorization.” Pastor Yahou Mahmoud and elders Raid Abdenour, Mokrani Nacer and Haouedj Idir lead a fellowship affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria, a large nationally accredited denomination. The outcome of their hearing is unknown. Thank the Lord for the acquittal of Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak and for the support they received from many Christians across Algeria. Pray that the Lord will use the case of the Protestant leaders to strengthen his church and further the spread of the gospel in Algeria.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
www.persecution.com
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O LORD! Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek my life; let them be turned back and confused who desire my hurt. Let them be turned back because of their shame, who say, “Aha, aha!” Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70
LAOS — Christians Arrested — VOM New Zealand
Psalm 91:1–6
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
On Sept. 18, police arrested 35 Christians in Meung Feung in northern Laos, according to VOM New Zealand. The believers, who were detained while in the area for a tree-planting project, are very active in sharing the gospel and have helped lead many people to the Lord. Thirty of the Christians were released, including the mother of a four-month-old child, but at last report five were still being held. Believers in the area are deeply concerned for the welfare of the five still in detention. Pray for the release of the five believers, and pray that God will strengthen their faith as they face this persecution. In addition, pray that God will grant boldness and wisdom to Laotian Christians as they share the love of Christ amid ongoing harassment and threats of imprisonment.
CHINA — Police Raid House Church — China Aid Association
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
On Sept. 26, police and security officers raided a house church meeting in Youqing, Sichuan province, China, detaining and beating church members, according to China Aid Association. Authorities, who claimed the Christian gathering was illegal, took 20 believers to the police station for interrogation. Five were released after their families posted bail, but the others remained in detention for several hours before being released. While in detention, two of the believers were reportedly beaten by the police station’s director. When some of the Christians returned to the station the next day to retrieve their property, five were sentenced to 15 days in detention for “disrupting the public order under the guise of religion.” During the raid, authorities smashed a desk and about 30 benches, and they also confiscated Christian books and 500 Yuan (US$29). Praise God for the faithfulness of Chinese Christians who continue to meet for worship despite the risk. Pray that those who were beaten will be strengthened and fully restored to health.
ALGERIA — Christians Acquitted —Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission
Matthew 10:19–20
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
On Oct. 5, a court in the Kabylie region of Algeria acquitted Christian converts Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak of the charge of “non-compliance with a precept of Islam.” The men had been arrested for eating lunch during Ramadan. Also in Algeria, four Protestant leaders were to have appeared in court on Oct. 10 on the charge of “practicing non-Muslim worship without authorization.” Pastor Yahou Mahmoud and elders Raid Abdenour, Mokrani Nacer and Haouedj Idir lead a fellowship affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria, a large nationally accredited denomination. The outcome of their hearing is unknown. Thank the Lord for the acquittal of Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak and for the support they received from many Christians across Algeria. Pray that the Lord will use the case of the Protestant leaders to strengthen his church and further the spread of the gospel in Algeria.
Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
www.persecution.com
Hollywood Prayer Network October Newsletter
Dear HPN Pray-ers,
It’s October already and LA is totally decorated in orange for Halloween – the 2nd biggest retail holiday in America, after Christmas. So, let’s pray for God to give people wisdom in responding to the holiday festivities. It’s actually the only day of the year where we can go over to any of our neighbors houses, ring their doorbells and introduce ourselves to them, without needing a reason to do so.
UPDATES:
• Please continue to pray for marriages in Hollywood. They are always under attack because the business often becomes our priority, sucks up our time, and leaves the family coming in second (or third, after God, who is usually second to the industry). It's very destructive. For non-believers it's even worse for they often have no other priority than "getting ahead".
• Continue to pray for Lindsay Lohan. She is back in the news for failing a required drug test. Regardless of what the media is saying Lindsay needs our continued prayers. She is obviously crying out. Here is an excerpt from her recent Tweet: "Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result...Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn't go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it and am taking positive steps...forward every day. I am testing every single day and doing what I must do to prevent any mishaps in the future...This was certainly a setback for me but I am taking responsibility for my actions and I'm prepared to face the consequences...I am so thankful for the support of my fans, loved ones and immediate family, who understand that I am trying hard...but also that I am a work in progress, just as anyone else. I am keeping my faith, and I am hopeful.” May Lindsay find complete healing from Jesus.
PRAISES:
• We praise God that almost 20,000 HPN media packets have been sent out across the US and to over 47 countries. We are so thankful that more and more people around the world are seeing Hollywood as the world’s most influential mission field and wanting to be a part of our network to pray for the people creating the world’s entertainment. If you haven’t received an HPN media packet then just email Caren@hpnemail.org and we’ll send you one right away. It includes our DVD “The Hollywood Tribe” a brochure listing the 18 Christian ministries in Hollywood and tips on how to be praying more specifically for Hollywood.
REQUESTS:
• Let’s pray for Michael Eisner, ex-CEO of the Walt Disney Company, the other featured speakers, and the decisions that will come out of The Entertainment and Technology Summit held in Santa Monica next week. As keynote speaker, Michael will lead the Summit as they discuss what the consumers’ tastes are and how technology can meet those needs through entertainment. May the Lord intervene and allow them to consider the tastes of Christian consumers and may He soften their hearts as they analyze the American audience and the technology used in our entertainment. For more info. on the Summit, click here.
• Pray for the family and friends of Stephen J. Cannell, the prolific television writer and producer who co-created "The Rockford Files" and "The A-Team" later becoming a bestselling novelist. He died early this month and is an icon in the TV world and yet there is nothing revealed about his spiritual life. May the Lord touch the hearts of those who loved him, and admired him and lead them to Jesus as they mourn the loss of this creative man. For more info on his life, click here.
• Let’s pray for the outspoken atheist author and columnist for Vanity Fair, Christopher Hitchens, who is struggling to survive with cancer. Christians are now praying for writer of the 2007 book “God is Not Great” all over the world. They want to see him find God before his death. Let’s join others in praying for this man whom God loves SO MUCH. For how to pray for Mr. Hitchens, click on this article.
• Please be praying for Glen Keane, a wonderful member of our community and creator of TANGLED, the Disney animated film based on the Rapunzel fairy tale. Glen says, “From the start of this film I wanted this to be a story about a girl with a supernatural gift that could not be held back...it had to be shared. Her gift is a transforming one, a healing gift.” May God give Glen confirmation, on November 24th, when the film opens across the country, that his work at Disney is making an eternal difference.
• Pray for PEACE to replace FEAR in the hearts of both Christian and Non-Christian entertainment professionals. Most decisions here are made out of fear. We need to find peace and joy in what God wants for us and we want those who don't know about God have to find Him in order to replace their fear with love.
• Pray for supernatural love and unity among the believers here. The enemy wants to keep us divided so that we are ineffective. We have to have wisdom to resist the devil and love even the "unlovable" in order to build community and be a powerful presence in Hollywood. The pre-Christians will know that we are Christians by our love for one another and it will draw them to Jesus. We must be full of grace, forgiveness and love!
• Pray for more Christian leaders to rise up in Hollywood, who are totally sold out to the Lord. We want Christian men, in particular, who will take the lead to challenge others in the faith, in their daily walk with the Lord, in their
service to others and to their trust in the Lord to guide them in their careers.
REQUESTS FROM HPN MEMBERS:
• Let’s pray for Jennifer, who just graduated from college last May and is trying to pay her rent as she pursues a career in Hollywood. After finally finding a part-time job, her hours have been cut and she not able to meet her bills. She says: “Last week I got a call from my parents saying that they can no longer help me pay for things, so if I cannot pay December's rent I will have to move back home.” Jennifer needs wisdom to know what God’s plan is for her and what her part is in meeting her financial and physical needs, while trying to stand strong in pursuing what she believes is exactly what He wants her to do. Jennifer represents thousands of creative people who find that pursuing a career here does not allow them to make an income. Would you ask the Lord to guide these precious people in the next step and to move Christians outside of Hollywood to pray for and to support blossoming artists who sometimes need financial support to keep going, just like missionaries on a foreign mission field receive support!
• Pray for Tim who is also struggling to survive right now. He asked us to pray for him. He emailed: “Please forgive me for being a bother. Work has run-out for me again. Please pass my name on if you hear of any work that I might do. Thanks for your help. God Bless.” Tim
• Please pray with Ohio HPN Local Chapter Director Megan Stauffer. She asked us to pray for her boyfriend Sam. “He is working on an indie feature in Pittsburgh. It's a 22 day shoot and it is his first feature. Pray for physical strength and for him to stay strong in his walk with God and that he could be a light to those around him. Thanks!” Megan (http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/local-chapter/canfield)
• HPN West Virginia Local Chapter Director Robin Knotts asks us to take action as we pray for Lindsay Lohan. She emailed us: “This is great....check this out. Mr. Positive says: ‘It dawned on me the other day that people are so quick to watch the decline and struggle of someone famous and there’s so few that speak up and offer encouragement.’ I'm glad he wants and feels the need to do something. I am sending Lindsey a card and praying for her!!’” Check out this link to learn how to write an encouraging note to Lindsay as she is in rehab.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Every Wednesday at noon there is an industry prayer time in Wiley Chapel at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Please pray with the group or even come and pray at "God Can Do It Again." For more info, email Burt Swardstrom at burts99@gmail.com.
• Every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 7:00 – 8:00pm there is an industry prayer time in Wiley Chapel at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Again, either pray with us from wherever you are or join us those evenings. For more info, email Caren Bream at Caren@hpnemail.org.
• Thursday, November 18th is our next Worship evening. Come worship the Lord with us in the Wylie Chapel at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church (1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood, CA 90028) from 7:30 to 9:30 pm!
• There are more and more prayer groups, Bible studies, fellowship groups, screenings, Festivals and weekly events for Christians in Hollywood. If you want to find out all that is going on you can click on: http://hollywoodconnect.com/events.
Thanks so much for praying with us and for us. May you have a blessed month and a confidence that you are making an eternal impact by praying for the world’s most influential mission field!
Love,
Karen and Caren
TIP OF THE MONTH:
Rejection is not fatal. Read a good reminder that rejection is only temporary at http://www.philcooke.com/rejection
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"Almost every definition I find of being a Christian is also a definition of being an artist." Madeleine L'Engle
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.” Exodus 25:30-33
http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/new/welcome
It’s October already and LA is totally decorated in orange for Halloween – the 2nd biggest retail holiday in America, after Christmas. So, let’s pray for God to give people wisdom in responding to the holiday festivities. It’s actually the only day of the year where we can go over to any of our neighbors houses, ring their doorbells and introduce ourselves to them, without needing a reason to do so.
UPDATES:
• Please continue to pray for marriages in Hollywood. They are always under attack because the business often becomes our priority, sucks up our time, and leaves the family coming in second (or third, after God, who is usually second to the industry). It's very destructive. For non-believers it's even worse for they often have no other priority than "getting ahead".
• Continue to pray for Lindsay Lohan. She is back in the news for failing a required drug test. Regardless of what the media is saying Lindsay needs our continued prayers. She is obviously crying out. Here is an excerpt from her recent Tweet: "Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result...Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn't go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it and am taking positive steps...forward every day. I am testing every single day and doing what I must do to prevent any mishaps in the future...This was certainly a setback for me but I am taking responsibility for my actions and I'm prepared to face the consequences...I am so thankful for the support of my fans, loved ones and immediate family, who understand that I am trying hard...but also that I am a work in progress, just as anyone else. I am keeping my faith, and I am hopeful.” May Lindsay find complete healing from Jesus.
PRAISES:
• We praise God that almost 20,000 HPN media packets have been sent out across the US and to over 47 countries. We are so thankful that more and more people around the world are seeing Hollywood as the world’s most influential mission field and wanting to be a part of our network to pray for the people creating the world’s entertainment. If you haven’t received an HPN media packet then just email Caren@hpnemail.org and we’ll send you one right away. It includes our DVD “The Hollywood Tribe” a brochure listing the 18 Christian ministries in Hollywood and tips on how to be praying more specifically for Hollywood.
REQUESTS:
• Let’s pray for Michael Eisner, ex-CEO of the Walt Disney Company, the other featured speakers, and the decisions that will come out of The Entertainment and Technology Summit held in Santa Monica next week. As keynote speaker, Michael will lead the Summit as they discuss what the consumers’ tastes are and how technology can meet those needs through entertainment. May the Lord intervene and allow them to consider the tastes of Christian consumers and may He soften their hearts as they analyze the American audience and the technology used in our entertainment. For more info. on the Summit, click here.
• Pray for the family and friends of Stephen J. Cannell, the prolific television writer and producer who co-created "The Rockford Files" and "The A-Team" later becoming a bestselling novelist. He died early this month and is an icon in the TV world and yet there is nothing revealed about his spiritual life. May the Lord touch the hearts of those who loved him, and admired him and lead them to Jesus as they mourn the loss of this creative man. For more info on his life, click here.
• Let’s pray for the outspoken atheist author and columnist for Vanity Fair, Christopher Hitchens, who is struggling to survive with cancer. Christians are now praying for writer of the 2007 book “God is Not Great” all over the world. They want to see him find God before his death. Let’s join others in praying for this man whom God loves SO MUCH. For how to pray for Mr. Hitchens, click on this article.
• Please be praying for Glen Keane, a wonderful member of our community and creator of TANGLED, the Disney animated film based on the Rapunzel fairy tale. Glen says, “From the start of this film I wanted this to be a story about a girl with a supernatural gift that could not be held back...it had to be shared. Her gift is a transforming one, a healing gift.” May God give Glen confirmation, on November 24th, when the film opens across the country, that his work at Disney is making an eternal difference.
• Pray for PEACE to replace FEAR in the hearts of both Christian and Non-Christian entertainment professionals. Most decisions here are made out of fear. We need to find peace and joy in what God wants for us and we want those who don't know about God have to find Him in order to replace their fear with love.
• Pray for supernatural love and unity among the believers here. The enemy wants to keep us divided so that we are ineffective. We have to have wisdom to resist the devil and love even the "unlovable" in order to build community and be a powerful presence in Hollywood. The pre-Christians will know that we are Christians by our love for one another and it will draw them to Jesus. We must be full of grace, forgiveness and love!
• Pray for more Christian leaders to rise up in Hollywood, who are totally sold out to the Lord. We want Christian men, in particular, who will take the lead to challenge others in the faith, in their daily walk with the Lord, in their
service to others and to their trust in the Lord to guide them in their careers.
REQUESTS FROM HPN MEMBERS:
• Let’s pray for Jennifer, who just graduated from college last May and is trying to pay her rent as she pursues a career in Hollywood. After finally finding a part-time job, her hours have been cut and she not able to meet her bills. She says: “Last week I got a call from my parents saying that they can no longer help me pay for things, so if I cannot pay December's rent I will have to move back home.” Jennifer needs wisdom to know what God’s plan is for her and what her part is in meeting her financial and physical needs, while trying to stand strong in pursuing what she believes is exactly what He wants her to do. Jennifer represents thousands of creative people who find that pursuing a career here does not allow them to make an income. Would you ask the Lord to guide these precious people in the next step and to move Christians outside of Hollywood to pray for and to support blossoming artists who sometimes need financial support to keep going, just like missionaries on a foreign mission field receive support!
• Pray for Tim who is also struggling to survive right now. He asked us to pray for him. He emailed: “Please forgive me for being a bother. Work has run-out for me again. Please pass my name on if you hear of any work that I might do. Thanks for your help. God Bless.” Tim
• Please pray with Ohio HPN Local Chapter Director Megan Stauffer. She asked us to pray for her boyfriend Sam. “He is working on an indie feature in Pittsburgh. It's a 22 day shoot and it is his first feature. Pray for physical strength and for him to stay strong in his walk with God and that he could be a light to those around him. Thanks!” Megan (http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/local-chapter/canfield)
• HPN West Virginia Local Chapter Director Robin Knotts asks us to take action as we pray for Lindsay Lohan. She emailed us: “This is great....check this out. Mr. Positive says: ‘It dawned on me the other day that people are so quick to watch the decline and struggle of someone famous and there’s so few that speak up and offer encouragement.’ I'm glad he wants and feels the need to do something. I am sending Lindsey a card and praying for her!!’” Check out this link to learn how to write an encouraging note to Lindsay as she is in rehab.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
• Every Wednesday at noon there is an industry prayer time in Wiley Chapel at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Please pray with the group or even come and pray at "God Can Do It Again." For more info, email Burt Swardstrom at burts99@gmail.com.
• Every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 7:00 – 8:00pm there is an industry prayer time in Wiley Chapel at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Again, either pray with us from wherever you are or join us those evenings. For more info, email Caren Bream at Caren@hpnemail.org.
• Thursday, November 18th is our next Worship evening. Come worship the Lord with us in the Wylie Chapel at the Hollywood Presbyterian Church (1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood, CA 90028) from 7:30 to 9:30 pm!
• There are more and more prayer groups, Bible studies, fellowship groups, screenings, Festivals and weekly events for Christians in Hollywood. If you want to find out all that is going on you can click on: http://hollywoodconnect.com/events.
Thanks so much for praying with us and for us. May you have a blessed month and a confidence that you are making an eternal impact by praying for the world’s most influential mission field!
Love,
Karen and Caren
TIP OF THE MONTH:
Rejection is not fatal. Read a good reminder that rejection is only temporary at http://www.philcooke.com/rejection
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"Almost every definition I find of being a Christian is also a definition of being an artist." Madeleine L'Engle
VERSE OF THE MONTH:
“Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.” Exodus 25:30-33
http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/new/welcome
10/15/2010
10/14/2010
Requiem For A Dream scene in typography/motion
The "You're on uppers" scene in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM portrayed using nothing but kinetic typography.
10/13/2010
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
The music video shows children/teenagers that have resorted to running away from home for whatever their personal reasons are. Some of them are kidnapped. The video shows pictures of real children that had gone missing. Also, at the tail end of the video there is a scene with a woman who's baby was taken away from her in public as she happened to not be looking at the time. The kidnappers take off with the mother running after the vehicle only to never catch up to the kidnappers. Her baby was stolen and lost. That scene is based on a true story.
The Inside Counts
1 Peter 3:4 states: Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. God doesn't look at how you appear to others to the outside; He pays attention to the inside! This shirt represents this verse by utilizing an unzipped zipper representing the inside of the wearer being exposed. A heart and peaceful colors are exposed by the zipper, representing that God looks at a person's heart and loves to see a gentle and quiet spirit.
Find "The Inside Counts" here: http://www.c28.com/shopping/productdetails.asp?recordid=14032
Hope, when life hurts most
Life isn't easy. We experience problems and setbacks every day. But during the hardest parts of life, when the bottom seems to fall out, where do we turn for peace? Although God doesn't offer any easy solutions, He does offer Himself and His cross as an anchor of hope no matter what we face in life. And more than simply enduring suffering, the hope we find in Him allows us to leverage our darkest moments for His fame. When life hurts most, the world listens most intently to our message, allowing us to broadcast through our pain the goodness of the One who loves us the most. Hope : When Life Hurts Most by Louie Giglio
Josh Hamilton, "Ginger Ale" Celebration...
Josh Hamilton included in celebration
By Richard Durrett
ESPNDallas.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Josh Hamilton's teammates weren't going to celebrate without him this time.
As soon as the Texas Rangers hugged on the field and headed for the tunnel following a 5-1 ALDS Game 5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, the clubhouse attendants told Hamilton to get his goggles on.
"I was getting a little worried," Hamilton said. "I didn't know what was going on."
Hamilton, who has battled drug and alcohol addiction, said it's best for him not to be around champagne. So he walked into the clubhouse to find his teammates waiting on him and holding bottles of Canada Dry ginger ale.
"Everybody yelled 'Ginger ale!' and I just jumped in the middle of the pile and they doused me with it," Hamilton said. "It was the coolest thing for my teammates to understand why I can't be a part of the celebration, and for them to adapt it for me to be a part of it says a lot about my teammates."
When the club clinched the AL West title in Oakland in September, many of players grabbed water bottles and tried to find Hamilton to douse him. But he had already changed clothes and was ready to speak to some church groups in the stadium as part of Faith Day in Oakland. This time, he looked as wet as everyone else.
By Richard Durrett
ESPNDallas.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Josh Hamilton's teammates weren't going to celebrate without him this time.
As soon as the Texas Rangers hugged on the field and headed for the tunnel following a 5-1 ALDS Game 5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, the clubhouse attendants told Hamilton to get his goggles on.
"I was getting a little worried," Hamilton said. "I didn't know what was going on."
Hamilton, who has battled drug and alcohol addiction, said it's best for him not to be around champagne. So he walked into the clubhouse to find his teammates waiting on him and holding bottles of Canada Dry ginger ale.
"Everybody yelled 'Ginger ale!' and I just jumped in the middle of the pile and they doused me with it," Hamilton said. "It was the coolest thing for my teammates to understand why I can't be a part of the celebration, and for them to adapt it for me to be a part of it says a lot about my teammates."
When the club clinched the AL West title in Oakland in September, many of players grabbed water bottles and tried to find Hamilton to douse him. But he had already changed clothes and was ready to speak to some church groups in the stadium as part of Faith Day in Oakland. This time, he looked as wet as everyone else.
10/11/2010
My Life Through Music
Songs that, for whatever reason, have had the most imprint on me in my life, so far...
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
John Lennon - Jealous Guy
The Cranberries - Dreams
Smashing Pumpkins - Today
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Haddaway - What Is Love
Lemonheads - Into Your Arms
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun
Casting Crowns - East To West
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
John Lennon - Jealous Guy
The Cranberries - Dreams
Smashing Pumpkins - Today
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Haddaway - What Is Love
Lemonheads - Into Your Arms
Foo Fighters - Everlong
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun
Casting Crowns - East To West
10/10/2010
What Is The Meaning Of Life?
www.GotQuestions.org
Question of the Week
Question: "What is the meaning of life?"
Answer: What is the meaning of life? How can purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life be found? How can something of lasting significance be achieved? So many people have never stopped to consider these important questions. They look back years later and wonder why their relationships have fallen apart and why they feel so empty, even though they may have achieved what they set out to accomplish. An athlete who had reached the pinnacle of his sport was once asked what he wished someone would have told him when he first started playing his sport. He replied, “I wish that someone would have told me that when you reach the top, there's nothing there.” Many goals reveal their emptiness only after years have been wasted in their pursuit.
In our humanistic culture, people pursue many things, thinking that in them they will find meaning. Some of these pursuits include business success, wealth, good relationships, sex, entertainment, and doing good to others. People have testified that while they achieved their goals of wealth, relationships, and pleasure, there was still a deep void inside, a feeling of emptiness that nothing seemed to fill.
The author of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes describes this feeling when he says, “Meaningless! Meaningless! ...Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, had wealth beyond measure, wisdom beyond any man of his time or ours, hundreds of women, palaces and gardens that were the envy of kingdoms, the best food and wine, and every form of entertainment available. He said at one point that anything his heart wanted, he pursued. And yet he summed up “life under the sun”—life lived as though all there is to life is what we can see with our eyes and experience with our senses—is meaningless. Why is there such a void? Because God created us for something beyond what we can experience in the here-and-now. Solomon said of God, “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In our hearts we are aware that the “here-and-now” is not all that there is.
In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we find that God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26). This means that we are more like God than we are like anything else (any other life form). We also find that before mankind fell into sin and the curse of sin came upon the earth, the following things were true: 1) God made man a social creature (Genesis 2:18-25); 2) God gave man work (Genesis 2:15); 3) God had fellowship with man (Genesis 3:8); and 4) God gave man dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). What is the significance of these things? God intended for each of these to add to our fulfillment in life, but all of these (especially man's fellowship with God) were adversely affected by man's fall into sin and the resulting curse upon the earth (Genesis 3).
In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, God reveals that He will destroy this present earth and heavens and usher in the eternal state by creating a new heaven and a new earth. At that time, He will restore full fellowship with redeemed mankind, while the unredeemed will have been judged unworthy and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The curse of sin will be done away with; there will be no more sin, sorrow, sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4). God will dwell with them, and they shall be His sons (Revelation 21:7). Thus, we come full circle: God created us to have fellowship with Him, man sinned, breaking that fellowship, God restores that fellowship fully in the eternal state. To go through life achieving everything only to die separated from God for eternity would be worse than futile! But God has made a way to not only make eternal bliss possible (Luke 23:43) but also life on earth satisfying and meaningful. How is this eternal bliss and “heaven on earth” obtained?
Meaning of life restored through Jesus Christ
Real meaning in life, both now and in eternity, is found in the restoration of the relationship with God that was lost with Adam and Eve's fall into sin. That relationship with God is only possible through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 1:12; 14:6). Eternal life is gained when we repent of our sin (no longer want to continue in it) and Christ changes us, making of us new creations, and we rely on Jesus Christ as Savior.
Real meaning in life is not found only in accepting Jesus as Savior, as wonderful as that is. Rather, real meaning in life is when one begins to follow Christ as His disciple, learning of Him, spending time with Him in His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and in walking with Him in obedience to His commands. If you are not a Christian (or perhaps a new believer), you might be saying to yourself, “That does not sound very exciting or fulfilling to me!” But Jesus made the following statements:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
What all of these verses are saying is that we have a choice. We can continue to seek to guide our own lives, which results in emptiness, or we can choose to pursue God and His will for our lives with a whole heart, which will result in living life to the full, having the desires of our hearts met, and finding contentment and satisfaction. This is so because our Creator loves us and desires the best for us (not necessarily the easiest life, but the most fulfilling).
The Christian life can be compared to the choice of whether to purchase the expensive seats at a sporting event that are close to the action, or pay less and watch the game from a distance. Watching God work “from the front row” is what we should choose but, sadly, is not what most people choose. Watching God work firsthand is for whole-hearted disciples of Christ who have truly stopped pursuing their own desires to pursue instead God's purposes. They have paid the price (complete surrender to Christ and His will); they are experiencing life to its fullest; and they can face themselves, their fellow man, and their Maker with no regrets. Have you paid the price? Are you willing to? If so, you will not hunger after meaning or purpose again.
© Copyright 2002-2010 Got Questions Ministries.
GotQuestions.org - Question of the Week
Question of the Week
Question: "What is the meaning of life?"
Answer: What is the meaning of life? How can purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life be found? How can something of lasting significance be achieved? So many people have never stopped to consider these important questions. They look back years later and wonder why their relationships have fallen apart and why they feel so empty, even though they may have achieved what they set out to accomplish. An athlete who had reached the pinnacle of his sport was once asked what he wished someone would have told him when he first started playing his sport. He replied, “I wish that someone would have told me that when you reach the top, there's nothing there.” Many goals reveal their emptiness only after years have been wasted in their pursuit.
In our humanistic culture, people pursue many things, thinking that in them they will find meaning. Some of these pursuits include business success, wealth, good relationships, sex, entertainment, and doing good to others. People have testified that while they achieved their goals of wealth, relationships, and pleasure, there was still a deep void inside, a feeling of emptiness that nothing seemed to fill.
The author of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes describes this feeling when he says, “Meaningless! Meaningless! ...Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, had wealth beyond measure, wisdom beyond any man of his time or ours, hundreds of women, palaces and gardens that were the envy of kingdoms, the best food and wine, and every form of entertainment available. He said at one point that anything his heart wanted, he pursued. And yet he summed up “life under the sun”—life lived as though all there is to life is what we can see with our eyes and experience with our senses—is meaningless. Why is there such a void? Because God created us for something beyond what we can experience in the here-and-now. Solomon said of God, “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In our hearts we are aware that the “here-and-now” is not all that there is.
In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we find that God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26). This means that we are more like God than we are like anything else (any other life form). We also find that before mankind fell into sin and the curse of sin came upon the earth, the following things were true: 1) God made man a social creature (Genesis 2:18-25); 2) God gave man work (Genesis 2:15); 3) God had fellowship with man (Genesis 3:8); and 4) God gave man dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). What is the significance of these things? God intended for each of these to add to our fulfillment in life, but all of these (especially man's fellowship with God) were adversely affected by man's fall into sin and the resulting curse upon the earth (Genesis 3).
In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, God reveals that He will destroy this present earth and heavens and usher in the eternal state by creating a new heaven and a new earth. At that time, He will restore full fellowship with redeemed mankind, while the unredeemed will have been judged unworthy and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The curse of sin will be done away with; there will be no more sin, sorrow, sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4). God will dwell with them, and they shall be His sons (Revelation 21:7). Thus, we come full circle: God created us to have fellowship with Him, man sinned, breaking that fellowship, God restores that fellowship fully in the eternal state. To go through life achieving everything only to die separated from God for eternity would be worse than futile! But God has made a way to not only make eternal bliss possible (Luke 23:43) but also life on earth satisfying and meaningful. How is this eternal bliss and “heaven on earth” obtained?
Meaning of life restored through Jesus Christ
Real meaning in life, both now and in eternity, is found in the restoration of the relationship with God that was lost with Adam and Eve's fall into sin. That relationship with God is only possible through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 1:12; 14:6). Eternal life is gained when we repent of our sin (no longer want to continue in it) and Christ changes us, making of us new creations, and we rely on Jesus Christ as Savior.
Real meaning in life is not found only in accepting Jesus as Savior, as wonderful as that is. Rather, real meaning in life is when one begins to follow Christ as His disciple, learning of Him, spending time with Him in His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and in walking with Him in obedience to His commands. If you are not a Christian (or perhaps a new believer), you might be saying to yourself, “That does not sound very exciting or fulfilling to me!” But Jesus made the following statements:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).
What all of these verses are saying is that we have a choice. We can continue to seek to guide our own lives, which results in emptiness, or we can choose to pursue God and His will for our lives with a whole heart, which will result in living life to the full, having the desires of our hearts met, and finding contentment and satisfaction. This is so because our Creator loves us and desires the best for us (not necessarily the easiest life, but the most fulfilling).
The Christian life can be compared to the choice of whether to purchase the expensive seats at a sporting event that are close to the action, or pay less and watch the game from a distance. Watching God work “from the front row” is what we should choose but, sadly, is not what most people choose. Watching God work firsthand is for whole-hearted disciples of Christ who have truly stopped pursuing their own desires to pursue instead God's purposes. They have paid the price (complete surrender to Christ and His will); they are experiencing life to its fullest; and they can face themselves, their fellow man, and their Maker with no regrets. Have you paid the price? Are you willing to? If so, you will not hunger after meaning or purpose again.
© Copyright 2002-2010 Got Questions Ministries.
GotQuestions.org - Question of the Week
Good Soil (Trailer)
Starring Shin Koyamada (The Last Samurai)
Written and Directed by Craig Shimahara
Ships from Europe brought Christianity to the shores of Japan in 1549. For nearly 100 years the seeds of faith grew under the watchful gaze of the shogun. But the fear of foreign influence eventually gave rise to persecution. By 1624 Japanese Christians had only a few more years of peace.
Masuda Jinbei, a Japanese Christian of the samurai class, draws his strength from his faith, family, and fencing. Life is good, until the shogun decrees a brutal policy of religious cleansing. Now Jinbei must choose between his family and his faith.
This short film combines a retelling the the parable of the sower with a glimpse of the plight of the Japanese converts to Christianity under the shogunate.
Otaiya: Japan's Hidden Christians
Purchase: http://der.org/films/otaiya.html In the sixteenth century Portuguese Catholic missionaries introduced Christianity to Japan, only to find the flourishing religion banned by 1614 by the Tokugawa government. About 150,000 believers, known as the "Hidden Christians", went underground. Through the occasion of this ceremony, the film tells the story of Japan's Hidden Christians. Made with the cooperation of contemporary Hidden Christians on the remote island of Narushima, the film features the only two remaining priests in the Goto Islands. The ceremonial and religious lives of these two men stand in stark contrast to the materialism of the younger generation.
10/09/2010
Testimony
What proof do we have that the Apostle's testimonies are true? Besides whatever outside sources there might be, the simple fact is: Why in the world would they go through everything they went through unless it was true? No one would go through all that is written of them in the Bible unless they were telling the truth. Either that or they were completely insane.
John 21:24 (Apostle John) This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them down. We know that his testimony is true.
2 Peter 1:16-21 (Apostle Peter) For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Galatians 1:11-21 (Apostle Paul) 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.
John 21:24 (Apostle John) This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them down. We know that his testimony is true.
2 Peter 1:16-21 (Apostle Peter) For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
Galatians 1:11-21 (Apostle Paul) 11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.
21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. 23 All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” 24 And they praised God because of me.
10/08/2010
Christian Goth
Just found what looks like a really cool site: Christian Goth, which states that it's "serving the Christian Gothic community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." How cool is that?! Might want to check it out...
http://www.christiangoth.com/
http://www.christiangoth.com/
Evanescence - Good Enough
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
10/06/2010
10/05/2010
Jamie Walters - Wonderland (live)
didn't find the lyrics on the internet so i tried to translate the lyrics from what i could hear in the song, but i didn't get it exactly...
and it's the place to
i need you i'm calling out to you
i need and i'm calling out to you
i need you
the way you smile...
...................
didn't want to say so much more
i was floating off the floor
now i'm back in wonderland
and it's the place to...
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you
lies again, my head lies again
somewhere inside but then there'll be some truth now
love again
i think i'm in love again
somewhere inside
but then there'll be...
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you and i'm calling out to you
i need you
9/30/2010
Very superstitious...no thanks
Don't give in to superstitions. Trust in God's Word for what it is. Don't be spooked by things like "bad luck" and horoscopes. Just because you feel something doesn't mean it will happen. Most of what we worry about never comes to take place. There is such as thing as the "placebo effect." You believe something will happen and by chance it might and you attribute it to luck and that "feeling" you got. Well, that might not have been the case at all. If we start trailing off into superstitions and get caught up in any which thing then it starts to take over our feelings, our lives even. I don't know about you, but I don't want to live my life in fear of superstitious feelings. I would rather trust in what God's Word says and stand on that. If I don't know something about something, then I need to go to what I do know - His written Word (The Bible) and what He has taught me.
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