First day back. It figures this is the first place I would show up, eh?

I have to add my own AMEN to the above statements.

I think it's important to understand, especially for the feminists in our society that the instructions in the Bible are not a statement of equality. They are not saying women are less than men in any way. In fact, a wise man will alway listen to his wife's council. Men and Women are both created in the image of God. The instructions merely state what ROLLS they are to play.

God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Spirit are all equal. Yet when He was here on Earth, Christ SUBMITTED himself to the authority of the Father and was ministered to by the Spirit. I believe it is this picture of the relationships within the Trinity that a true marriage is supposed to depict.

Hello everyone,
It's been far too long since I last visited here (since the update in fact. I couldn't access my account for the longest time). I figured since I'm reintroducing myself, I may as well give an update.

I'm eighteen now, working on my final year of highschool. I'm planning early next year to head off and join the US navy where I'll receive specific training in the field of electronics for about five years before I come home. I currently live with my mother and younger sister in Lansing, MI. Anyway, if there's anything else anyone would like to know, feel free to ask.

I myself have seen Narnia four times, and plan to see it at least once more before it is out of the theaters. However, I think this will be awhile yet, as in its fourth week, Narnia has managed to beat out the big ape known as King Kong for top spot in the box office. It's still the number 1 movie in America, and, last I heard, is the number 1 movie in the world!

The scenery was breathtaking. The Special Effects, magical and yet realistic at the same time. The music was unforgettable. The actors (and the children in particular) were indistinguishable from the characters they portrayed. Liam Neeson made a perfect Aslan.

Just a personal note here, is that I found myself in many cases identifying with the oldest of the boys, Peter. He was, in a sense, in the same situation as I, without a father, facing the responsibility of caring for and protecting his younger siblings. I am not an emotional person by nature, but some scenes where he struggled to care for them simply brought tears to my eyes.

Overall? Two thumbs WAY WAY up!

*roll of the eyes* Are evolutionists STILL relying on the same old rhetoric? They think Evolution more scientific than ID/Creationism? I beg to differ. Evolution is as much a religion as anything else. That too should be covered under the first ammendment.

Still, it seems our schools are more interested in indoctrination and promotion of ignorance than education.

Tattoo artists? O.o Now THAT is a sign if I ever saw one. It appears Tim Lahaye may have been right on with this one. Freaky man.

That is the biggest load of CRAP I have read in ages. This guy needs to be put away with the rest of his followers... In a mental facility. Or perhaps he should leave the US and seek out Osama Bin Laden. I'm sure the two would get along REAL well.

*chuckles* You're preaching to the choir here DreamWeaver.

I'll be honest brothers. While I do not appreciate the mocking of Christ anymore than you, it gives me joy to know that it is occuring, because it is a sign of the times. We are plunging headlong toward the end of this age, and it's wonderful to watch prophecy being fulfilled, horrid as some of the events themselves may be.

Did Jesus exist? Italian court to decide
By Phil Stewart

ROME (Reuters) - Forget the U.S. debate over intelligent design versus evolution.

An Italian court is tackling Jesus -- and whether the Roman Catholic Church may be breaking the law by teaching that he existed 2,000 years ago.

The case pits against each other two men in their 70s, who are from the same central Italian town and even went to the same seminary school in their teenage years.

The defendant, Enrico Righi, went on to become a priest writing for the parish newspaper. The plaintiff, Luigi Cascioli, became a vocal atheist who, after years of legal wrangling, is set to get his day in court later this month.

"I started this lawsuit because I wanted to deal the final blow against the Church, the bearer of obscurantism and regression," Cascioli told Reuters.

Cascioli says Righi, and by extension the whole Church, broke two Italian laws. The first is "Abuso di Credulita Popolare" (Abuse of Popular Belief) meant to protect people against being swindled or conned. The second crime, he says, is "Sostituzione di Persona", or impersonation.

"The Church constructed Christ upon the personality of John of Gamala," Cascioli claimed, referring to the 1st century Jew who fought against the Roman army.

A court in Viterbo will hear from Righi, who has yet to be indicted, at a January 27 preliminary hearing meant to determine whether the case has enough merit to go forward.

"In my book, The Fable of Christ, I present proof Jesus did not exist as a historic figure. He must now refute this by showing proof of Christ's existence," Cascioli said.

Speaking to Reuters, Righi, 76, sounded frustrated by the case and baffled as to why Cascioli -- who, like him, came from the town of Bagnoregio -- singled him out in his crusade against the Church.

"We're both from Bagnoregio, both of us. We were in seminary together. Then he took a different path and we didn't see each other anymore," Righi said.

"Since I'm a priest, and I write in the parish newspaper, he is now suing me because I 'trick' the people."

Righi claims there is plenty of evidence to support the existence of Jesus, including historical texts.

He also claims that justice is on his side. The judge presiding over the hearing has tried, repeatedly, to dismiss the case -- prompting appeals from Cascioli.

"Cascioli says he didn't exist. And I said that he did," he said. "The judge will to decide if Christ exists or not."

Even Cascioli admits that the odds are against him, especially in Roman Catholic Italy.

"It would take a miracle to win," he joked.

((Friends, it seems that as the end times draw nearer, the spirit of AntiChrist is working harder than ever to persuade people away from the Lord, even going so far as to challenge the existance of the Savior Himself. This is an issue that will require prayer from all of us.

This might appear to be superficial, but it really could dictate how the world views Christians. If this court rules that Christ did not exist and the world media picks up on this, we will have a hard time getting people to accept Christ. We could be branded as heretics, charlatans, and just outright lying lunatics who are just pushing a dead religion for personal gains. As far as public perception goes, the Son of God has been put on trial here. Having this trial in Italy, the home of the Catholic church, is more than just a publicity stunt--it is a blatant attack on Christ and His church.))

*chuckles* Zakdar, please, calm down. I meant no offense. I did not say DigitGen was right in this case, or that I agreed. My appologies if it seemed that way.

In any case, BEP is right. We cannot go around bashing other denominations. It is this kind of infighting that the world views and it drives more away than I can count. Christ said the mark of a true Christian would be our LOVE.

Unfortunately, here in MI, the show has not been stopped altogether. In fact, I just saw an ad for it this evening. I'll see about signing any petitions that come through though. This show is an absolute INSULT to Christianity.

Whether or not you agree, ZakDar, we should all be open to teaching and correction from our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are often the Spirit's chosen tool in our lives, whether we care for it at the time or not. Read what I said in "Tongues: A Sign."

It is indeed. Even the journey of a lifetime starts with a single step in the right direction. My hope is that God will indeed use Kevin to reveal Himself to Holli. Oh, how much praisng there would be if that were to take place! Even this little answer makes me yearn for Holli's salvation all the more... I know it is completely in His hands, and I eagerly watch and wait.

Sometimes it seems as though we can pray for an eternity without an apparent answer. Such was the case with my friend Holli. I have been praying about her for a very long time, and I have felt as though God placed a special burden upon my heart for her spiritual wellbeing.

A while back, I began praying that God would bring about circumstances and people into her life that would eventually lead her to Christ. Well, it seems this prayer has been answered... To a certain degree.

I've been talking with her, and it seems this past new years, her new boyfriend, Kevin, invited her to go to church with him. Holli is an agnostic, not really believing in God or Christ... But it is my hope and will be my continued prayer that her relationship with Kevin be a tool used to bring her to another relationship, with Jesus Himself.

I know this is not a process that can take place overnight, and I will continue to pray. But even this little answer is a great assurance to me that God is good, and that he indeed listens to the prayers of all His children, even a little, unknown pilgrim like I.

God is good! I cannot say it enough. Thank you, Lord!

SOLI DEO GLORIA! TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!

You know, I could never do something like that. I admire people like that who can. I certainly hope this gets something accomplished.