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I am a little hesitant on making my first debut on the blog after my imbroglio and would have decided to leave this place completely but because of so many of you that wrote me and care, I decided to stay and be with you longer. At least for a while longer..I hope.

This topic is almost as controversial as life itself and I have always maintained my own belief without necessarily be sensationalized but given all the celebrated topics on the blog lately, I am so tempted to yet again, explore a very sensitive and almost excruciatingly injurious and laborious to the mind discussion: The belief or no belief of GOD.

The question is why do you believe? Reasons? And if not, why?

Below is my personal reasons and I have maintained these reasons after so many books I have read and after so many discussions I have engaged with.

I believe because, if the collective geniuses of the world including but not limited to Dr. Neil Tyson de Grazzie, a Quantum Physicist and Dr. Richard Dawkins, both well known professors at Oxford University can't explain to me in layman's word the origin of this universe and until today CAN'T TELL ME WHERE THE END OF THIS Vast and expanse of space, then I have to give my belief to whom I call: God, and I am just and insignificant being. Having said that, I also believe that yes, there are other planets out there similar with us otherwise, all this space would be such a waste. If we truly are just but a tiny speck on this planet among millions more of galaxies in the Milky Way. (Coincidentally, NASA just released the latest report the other day that with the latest instrument, they discovered 750 more planets out there.)

So my friends, thank you so much for your participation and opinions.


I respect all other's belief and no way am I imposing mine to them as I expect them not to impose their beliefs on me..

LJ

It seems like the rest of the European countries are feeling the burden of Islamization.

Blame it on Merkel, she was the one who invited them in the first place and now trying so hard to get rid of them.

First the burqa and now this. There are now 8 countries that completely ban the burqa.

I would say it is about time.

Is this it? Did we spend our lives taking in knowledge as a child, growing up and experiencing encounters with different people and situations. Making mistakes and wrong decisions. Some of us having romantic relations to the point of marriage. Creating children. Watching and helping them develope into adults themselves. Then we may look back and think that if only we knew then what we know now. Perhaps, and most likely then, life could have been so different.
It seems so ridiculous that when you reach a point in life when you can reflect on the decisions you made and what you have now learned, that it can end and your life experiences mean nothing, and no longer valuable. You become just dust blowing in the wind.
OR IS THAT NOT THE CASE?

Obstacles block your path. Roads are barricaded. Doorways are padlocked. Do you know the frustration of a blocked door? You feel gridlocked, unable to escape.

In Max Lucado’s book, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope, he talks about the challenge of a blocked door. Lucado writes, “It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better.”

God uses closed doors to advance his cause.

There is a familiar saying, “If you want to hear God laugh, then show him your plans.” It’s not that God doesn’t want you to try or dream big. He gives you the desires of your heart, but His plans are bigger than we can ever imagine.

People look to fortune tellers and psychics to get answers. They want to know their future and what to expect. God wants you to trust Him. You don’t need a crystal ball for that.

Possibly that traffic jam saved you from a horrible accident. Perhaps that job didn’t call you back because it’s really not the right place for you. Maybe if you wait a little longer, a better job opportunity is coming, and it is the right one.

When we struggle in life, our faith is tested. Learning to trust God is a lifelong journey. There will be days your faith will be challenged. When doors will be locked and you have to wait it out.

Psalm 37:3–4 says, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

God knows today, tomorrow, and all things that intertwine. We cannot see everything He sees and we cannot know everything He knows.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”6

It’s not that our plans are bad, but that God’s plans are better. God knows what you need. He knows your heart and He knows what’s best. Just hold on; it will get better.—From FaithDream’s Inspiration blog7

6 Isaiah 55:8–9 NLT.
7 faith-dream-com/2012/03/01/god-knows-your-plans-and-your-needs-he-knows-your-heart.
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GOD IS FOR THEOCRACY! RULE BY GOD AND HIS PEOPLE, A DICTATORSHIP OF THE LORD!

The Lord has never been in favor of majority rule, because the majority are always wrong! As Jesus Himself taught: "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to Salvation, but few there be that enter therein. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth unto destruction, and many there be which go in thereat!" (Mat.7:13,14).

He always wants the righteous to rule, but the righteous, the followers of God are in a very small minority in the world at all times. Only a few find the narrow way, the straight gate, the right way, Salvation, Jesus, God's Love! Many go through the wide gate down that broad way to destruction! Few are right, many are wrong!

The best governments God ever had were Godly kings and Godly prophets who governed the people by the Word of God. His whole governmental structure has always been an absolute totalitarian dictatorship from the family unit on up, and every time the world has gotten away from that they've gotten into trouble!

Help us, Lord, to be amongst the few who follow You along Your straight and narrow pathway!





Anchor TFI [Video enclosed-Synthetic People]

Written by Maria Fontaine 5/12

Jesus said that we are to love God “with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.”1 Notice that He didn’t just refer to our heart and soul, but also to our mind. God gave human beings mental faculties. He created us to be intellectual beings, capable of rational thought, intellectual growth, critical thinking, and reasoning. He also gave us a conscience to guide us in making choices that are morally right.

The apostle Paul said, “One person considers some days to be more sacred than others, while another person considers all days to be the same. Each person must have their own convictions.”2 Paul also said in that same discourse, “If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”3 The point he was making is that it’s important we each explore our beliefs to determine where our faith lies on various issues. Analyzing, discussing, and debating points of doctrine can be healthy for your faith, as those all require you to research, dig deep, and find the scriptural foundation for your beliefs.

Using our mental faculties and critical, rational thinking is not meant to undermine our faith, of course, but it can. Some people do reason themselves out of their faith. But for others, critical, rational thinking serves to strengthen their faith. It depends on how the person goes about the questioning process. Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, C. S. Lewis, and many other great Christian thinkers used reasoning and logic to strengthen their and others’ faith and understanding of doctrine, as well as to help shape the faith and intellectual viewpoints of Christianity.

We can use our intellectual abilities to glorify God and to affirm our faith, just as we can use any of the other skills and talents He has given us. We can use our minds to better love God, as Jesus told us to do. We can also use our intellectual abilities to find the place He has for us in this world, to further our education and understanding of the world, and more. As is the case with all gifts from His hand, He expects us to use the mental abilities He has given us, to invest them wisely, and to allow them to benefit ourselves and others.

1. Matthew 22:37
2. Romans 14:5 CEB
3. Romans 14:23 NLT
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YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE IF YOU HAVE JESUS IN YOUR HEART AND YOUR HAND IN HIS!

If you have Jesus you always have company and love. No matter where you are you are in His hands and He'll take care of you. Jesus is the one possession you'll never have to give up, never have to leave behind, never lose. You can give Him away as much as you like but you'll always have Him. He'll always be near.

He's always there. It's not the Lord that's not always there, it's we who are not always there. We're sometimes running off somewhere else and leaving Him way behind. But He never leaves us behind unless we don't follow, it's just that simple!

"If Jesus goes with me I'll go anywhere,
'Tis Heaven to me wher'er I may be, if He is there!
I count it a privilege here my cross to bear,
If Jesus goes with me I'll go anywhere!"




Activated TFI [Video Posted - The Most Important Thing Is Faith - Akiane, child prodigy]

A compilation JANUARY 6, 2015

A Christian worldview is not just one’s personal faith expression, not just a theory. It is an all-consuming way of life, applicable to all spheres of life.

James Orr, in The Christian View of God and the World, maintains that there is a definite Christian view of things, which has a character, coherence, and unity of its own, and stands in sharp contrast with counter theories and speculations. A Christian worldview has the stamp of reason and reality and can stand the test of history and experience. A Christian view of the world cannot be infringed upon, accepted or rejected piecemeal, but stands or falls on its integrity. Such a holistic approach offers a stability of thought, a unity of comprehensive insight that bears not only on the religious sphere but also on the whole of thought. A Christian worldview is not built on two types of truth (religious and philosophical or scientific) but on a universal principle and all-embracing system that shapes religion, natural and social sciences, law, history, health care, the arts, the humanities, and all disciplines of study with application for all of life.

Followers of Jesus must articulate a Christian worldview for the twenty-first century, with all of its accompanying challenges and changes, and to show how such Christian thinking is applicable across all areas of life.

A Christian worldview becomes a driving force in life, giving us a sense of God’s plan and purpose for this world. Our identity is shaped by this worldview. We no longer see ourselves as alienated sinners. A Christian worldview is not escapism but is an energizing motivation for godly and faithful thinking and living in the here and now. It also gives us confidence and hope for the future. In the midst of life’s challenges and struggles, a Christian worldview helps to stabilize life, anchoring us to God’s faithfulness and steadfastness.—David Dockery

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Everyone will be forgotten, nothing we do will make any difference, and all good endeavors, even the best, will come to naught, unless there is God. If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a true reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever.—Timothy Keller

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Biblical Christianity … provides the two conditions necessary for a meaningful, valuable, and purposeful life: God and immortality. Because of this, we can live consistently and happily within the framework of our worldview. Thus, biblical Christianity succeeds precisely where atheism breaks down… Therefore, it makes a huge difference whether God exists.—William Lane Craig

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Apart from a Christian mind, we will either be taken captive by the myriad of worldviews contending for our attention or we will fail to make the Christian voice heard and considered above the din.—James Emery White



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THE LORD REALLY LEAVES A LOT UP TO US AND OUR CONCERN AND PRAYER

You'd be surprised how much God depends on our prayers, how concerned we are and how interested we are. When we are faced with a needy situation, He wants us to show concern and pray specifically about it. If we really believe, every prayer is heard and answered. But if we don't pray it is not done! God can do anything, but He puts the responsibility of prayer on us!

The very intensity with which we pray and really mean it or desire it is reflected in the answer!

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 KJV




Anchor TFI Online

It's all there! Everything we need to know about communicating with God, in the prayer of Jesus. It is the perfect prayer. That being said, it is also tragic to think that, in some circles, the Lord's prayer has been reduced to vain repetition, while in others it has been all but forgotten. While the prayer of Jesus is not a prayer mantra, it is a prayer manner. As such, it has been eloquently described as the most majestic of all model prayers:


It is a model prayer and, as such, commends itself to the most superficial glance- approves itself at once to the conscience of man. It is beautiful and symmetrical, like the most finished work of art. The words are plain and unadorned, yet majestic; and so transparent and appropriate that, once fixed in the memory, no other expressions ever mix themselves up with them; the thought of substituting other words never enters the mind. Grave and solemn are the petitions, yet the serenity and tranquil confidence, the peace and joy which they breath, prove attractive to the heart. The prayer is short, that it may be quickly learned , easily remembered, and frequently used; but it contains all things pertaining to life and godliness ( Philip Ryken, When You Pray ,9).


Are you ready? Let's begin!


Our Father in Heaven

To the disciples, the opening words of the Prayer of Jesus must have been nothing short of scandalous. Of all the things they had ever learned about prayer, this was certainly not one of them. The name of God was so sacred to the Jewish people that they were not even permitted to say the name of God aloud, let alone refer to Him as "our Father." Yet that is precisely how Jesus taught His disciples to pray.

There was however, a catch. As John explains, only those who received Jesus and believed on His name had the right to refer to God as "our Father (Jn. 1:12). In fact, Jesus made it clear that there are only two kinds of people in the world: those who should refer to Satan as "our father" and those who may refer to God as "our Father" (Jn. 8:44-47). There are no other options.

In one sense, Jesus is the only one who could legitimately address God as Father, for He is the unique Son of God and has been so throughout eternity (Jn. 1:2). However, as Paul explains in Romans 8, those who are lead by the Spirit of God are no longer illegitimate children. Instead, they, too, are sons and daughters by adoption through faith in Jesus. Thus, they can legitimately refer to God as "our Father."

Jesus continues the pattern by teaching his disciples to qualify the phrase "our Father" with the words, in heaven." In doing so He is teaching us that God transcends time and space. We can address Him with intimacy but never with impudence. He is the sovereign Creator, and we are but sinful creatures. Addressing God as "our Father" makes us mindful of our place, in relationship to God. Thus, adding the phrase,"in heaven" reminds us of the reverence due to his name.


Hallowed be your Name


The initial request of the prayer of Jesus is that God's name be made holy. To pray "hallowed be your name" is to put the emphasis on God first, exactly where it belongs. In other words, our daily lives should radiate a far greater commitment to God's nature and holiness than to our needs. To pray "hallowed be your name" is to pray that God be given the unique reverence (respect) that His holiness demands. That God's Word be preached without corruption; that our churches be led by faithful pastors and preserved from false prophets, that we be kept from language that profanes God's name; that our lives remain holy; and that we cease from seeking honor for ourselves and seek instead that God's name be glorified.


Continued....

Written by Peter Amsterdam 01 January 2015

The beginning of a new year is such an interesting time. We often think back over our experiences of the past year as well as look ahead to what the new year will bring. It can be encouraging to see the challenges met, the victories won, the progress made, the commitments carried through, and the blessings we’ve had throughout the previous year. It’s also a time to assess areas where we had hoped we’d make headway but didn’t quite live up to our aspirations. Perhaps there’s something to learn from the hard times and difficulties—or even some outright failures—that we experienced.

As the door to the new year opens, and while you are thinking about the resolutions or commitments you will make, this is also a good time to put some thought and prayer into your relationship with Jesus, your prayer life, your service, your giving. The tasks of supporting ourselves and our families, raising and educating our children, taking care of our daily needs, are all vital responsibilities and part of what builds a better future in this life and world; yet we are reminded of what Jesus told His followers: “Desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”1

Making commitments to our relationship with God, to basing our values on His teachings, can and will make a difference in our daily lives throughout our lifetime and in the hereafter as well. These commitments will make us more Christlike in our interactions with others and a greater blessing to our families, friends, and loved ones—better individuals, more godly human beings. That’s worth committing to.
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The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the “buts” you use today.—Les Brown (b. 1945)

The problem that we are facing in the church today is that we have so many Christians who have made a decision to believe in Jesus but not a commitment to follow Him. We have people who are planning to, meaning to, trying to, wanting to, going to, we just don’t have people who are doing it.—Tyler Edwards

1. Matthew 6:33 CEB
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JESUS HAD TO COME HERE TO LEARN THROUGH THIS LIFE'S EXPERIENCES, AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF US!

"Though Jesus was a Son, yet learned He obedience through the things which He suffered" (Heb.5:8). Why did He have to learn? Wasn't He God? Didn't He know everything? He said, "I only know what the Heavenly Father shows Me" (Jn.5:19,20).

And the main thing God was trying to show Him was how to love mankind, how to love people, how to love them enough to be willing to die for them!--To see their suffering, to have compassion on them, to want to heal their sick and save their souls, that's what Jesus learned while He was here!--Enough to be willing to choose to actually die for them, to save not only their bodies, but their immortal spirits, their souls!

And for what purpose did He have to learn these things? Just to be forgotten and left behind when He left this world? No! To take all that with Him, all that knowledge, all that experience and to thereby have a greater sympathy and love for us and be a greater help to us both now and hereafter!

If Jesus could learn obedience to the Father through the things which He suffered here on Earth in human form, how much more are we here to learn?



Activated TFI "Have a Very Happy New Year! Love You!!"

What have Muslims ever done for America? If your sole source of information were Donald Trump, you’d think that the answer was not much – apart from murdering its citizens and trying to destroy its values.

Muslims were part of the US from its very beginnings. Among those who served under the command of chief of the continental army, General George Washington, in the war against British colonialism were Bampett Muhammad, who fought for the Virginia Line between the years 1775 and 1783, and Yusuf Ben Ali, who was a North African Arab. Washington, later America’s first president, didn’t have a problem with Muslims serving in his army. By giving these Muslims the honour of serving America, Washington made it clear that a person did not have to be of a certain religion or have a particular ethnic background to be an American patriot.

Trump tower, wouldn’t have happened without Fazlur Rahman Khan.
The US wouldn’t look the way it does if it weren’t for a Muslim, Fazlur Rahman Khan. The Dhaka-born Bangladeshi-American was known as the “Einstein of structural engineering”. He pioneered a new structural system of frame tubes that revolutionised the building of skyscrapers.The result was a new generation of skyscrapers that reduced the amount of steel necessary in construction and changed the look of American cityscapes.

Treating the sick
Without Ayub Ommaya lots of people, some of them American, would be dead or suffering appalling pain. In 1963, the Pakistani-born Muslim neurosurgeon invented an intraventricular catheter system that can be used for the aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid or the delivery of drugs. What that means is that a soft, plastic, dome-shaped device is placed under the scalp. This so-called Ommaya Reservoir is then connected to a catheter that is placed into your brain. The reservoir is used to provide chemotherapy directly to the site for brain tumours.

Advancing science
Ahmed Zewail won the Nobel prize for Chemistry in 1999, becoming thereby the first Egyptian-born scientist to do so. He is known as the “father of femtochemistry” and for doing pioneering work in the observation of rapid molecular transformations. Zewail, now 69, has spent most of his life in the US where he is now professor of chemistry and physics at Caltech and director of the physical biology center. Postage stamps have been issued to honour his contributions to science and humanity.

Trump tweeted the following earlier this week: “Obama said in his speech that Muslims are our sports heroes. What sport is he talking about, and who?” One of those sports heroes is, Mr Trump, someone you’ve met before. Here are some clues. He was known as the Louisville Lip. He was three times World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Oh yes, and in 1965 he changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali and later gave interviews explaining his perspective on his new faith. Now you remember. He’s the same guy you met in 2007 when he presented you with a Muhammad Ali award. In May, you posted a photo on Facebook posing with the great Muslim sporting hero and claimed then that he was your friend.
Ali, one of the most famous Muslims in the world, issued a statement saying, "True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion."
He added, "I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is."

Here are some more sports heroes. Basketball icons Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the latter perhaps the greatest NBA star after Michael Jordan. Hakeem Olajuwon, 52, Hall of Fame NBA centre. Oh yes, and Mike Tyson, who set the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles aged 20.


Abridged from article:

About a year ago a friend of mine introduced me to one of his friends. This gentleman approached me first by saying he was a Wiccan. I try not to be a judgemental person and have not heard a lot about Wicca so it really was no big deal. I asked him a little about what exactly that is. He went on to explain that it is scary....to even himself he explains, that he can see spirits and read people.

He then asks me if I would like a reading. Thinking that this should be interesting, I agreed. He grabs my hand and sorta rolls his eyes up. Then he precedes to rattle off about five things about me. He was spot on with his analysis. I ended up being rather surprised and thinking to myself, is there really anything to this stuff?

So recently, I decided to do a brief search on Wicca to find out more about this religion. First I heard was it is the fast growing religion in Europe (if I am recalling correctly). Next I hear it is a religion where people do what feels best for them...as long as it harms nobody. Then I heard that "magick" is involved....and most Wiccans are particular with spelling magick with a k. The lady I was listening to said that the magick was to be used for the good. She also said that there is not one particular Wicca religion and means different things to different people.

It is said that Wiccans are able to cast spells. When I was in college, a literature class of mine has us studying Voo Doo in the Caribbean. Also in Voo Doo, it is said that people can cast spells. That is two different religions that believe that spells can be cast.

Is casting spells real?