Tis The Season

  So i've ranted about Starbucks in my last post. But tonight up the hilly, bumpy dirt road to my house, I got convicted.  I call myself a Christian, bust in the 6 almost 7 years I've been here in Romania, what have I really done to show His love to my "neighbors"?  Sure I've helped my immediate next door neighbor after her house burned down, but apart from that, what I have I really done to show these people that I'm not the "American Slut" that I know they call me?

  The holidays are fast approaching, and I know that there are a lot of old people and orphans going without this holiday season.  So what I want to know is this:  if you are willing to donate some money towards food to feed those in desperate need in the old Eastern Bloc, please let me know.  I would like to have something to back me up when I go to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, etc. with my plan.

  I've said in my last post and on Facebook posts that Christ could care less whether or not a  coffee shot celebrates his "birthday"; that we should be focusing on what Jesus commanded us believers to do..... and if what is going on in Syria with Russia is any indication, then we should be prepared, we shouldn't be focusing on trivial matters like Red Cups for coffee containment, but rather the container that holds a persons soul.

  So who's with me?  I kind of need to know what kind of support I have before starting a "go fund me page".  I know that if this is something He has placed within me, that the money will come.  But of course I'm gonna be mu human self....God knows me, He knows I'm gonna be obstinate!


  C;mon people let's show the world HIS love!

Is God There?

  So I went to a pentecostal church here in Tulcea this morning with my sister in law.  My Romanian is still very, VERY, limited so I understood pretty much nothing.  The services here are much different than what we experience back home, there is a lot of standing, sitting kneeling & praying, then singing.  The several different men got up and spoke, reading scripture [i think], then more down on the knees and praying. 

  I didn't know if people were "speaking in tongues" or just praying out loud in Romanian.  I didn't feel God's presence, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was because I didn't understand anything being said, or if it's something else.  Kinda made me wonder. 

  I know that most of what goes on in the mainstream churches in the U.S. is heretical and un-biblical, so it made me wonder if some of the 'charismatic' move has moved on over here too.  I believe in God, His son Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection, etc.  However, I don't necessarily believe in the whole slain in the spirit & speaking in tongues, 'holy laughter', etc. that runs rampant these days.  Most of that seems demonic, not righteous and holy.  BUT, I do believe that a fraction, a very small fraction of it is real. 

  I think mainly I've just seen the Word so twisted and convoluted in "churches" - that it has left a really bad, bitter taste in my mouth.  I try to not judge and not be bitter, not be so cynical about it, but I guess the whole fool me once: shame on you, fool me twice: shame on me, kinda fits the bill here.  I've been fooled one too many times by charlatans and false teachers, and propho-liars!  I can count on 1, ONE, hand how many TRUE men/women of God that I know, who are teachers/preachers.

  Anyway, so do you think it comes down to understanding what is being said in order to feel God's presence, or is it like most everything else in churches these days - a big show that induces psychosomatic sensations, i.e. the power of suggestion?

Diety vs. non-Diety

  So I was reading my friend J-Lo's blog, and no she's not the one from the block.  She has, like me seens so much false doctrines, and false  teachers, etc.  That has made us both question our beliefs, why do we believe that the bible says this?  So we started digging through the bible, Greek and Hebrew dictionaries.  We both started to discover that most evertyhing that was crammed down our "charismatic" throats as kids was not really what the Bible says.

  I have to wonder why  when we all, and yes, I believe that everyone in this world at some point or other questions the existence of God, or their beliefs in Him; why is it that some of us come to the unshakable belief that God is real, that He exists, that the Bible is His inerrant Word, and that Jesus Christ of the Word made flesh, and then some of us completely deny it.

  Is it maybe that we go into our research determined to prove what we want to believe?  I mean I read Lee Strobel's "A Case for Christ".  He was 100% athiest, his wife got 'saved', which drove him nuts, and  he basically set out researching to prove to his wife that whe believed a fairy tale, but in the process came to know God.  Why is it that two atheiests can read the same things, and come to two different conclusions?  I believe that in Mr. Strobel's case it was due to a praying wife, with many believing  friends  standing in agreement with her that he would come to the Lord.

  I have many issues with  the "church", but not an issue with God. I think sometimes when I say things about the "church", people take it as I'm bitter, and my love for God was waxed cold, but it's really the opposite.  I'm not gonna lie, I don't read my bible the way I should.  I don't do as Paul said and pray without ceasing.  And I am  guilty of REALLY praying when my back is up against the wall, so to speak.  Something that I need to rectify.  But....here would be the perfect time for my dad to pipe in with "Excuses are like rear-ends, everybody's got one!"

 

God Hates The World???

So a friend posted a link to a very disturbing site called "God Hates The World". I'm not going to post a link, cause I don't want to contribute to that kind of heresy. I have however posted a gadget to sign a petition to have this "church's" websites shut down. They are completely full of hate and anti-biblical, even though they attempt to use the bible to back up their hate filled rants!

I would ask anyone who reads this blog, to please sign the petition, and get your friends to sign it. If you believe in Christ, God, and the bible, then you know that God doesn't hate people, he hates sin. He doesn't want that anyone should perish, but they do have free will to follow him or not.

I have sent the owners of the site and email asking how they can justify what they are spewing, which completely contradicts Christ message of love! I doubt I will receive an answer, but oh well, please join me in shutting these lies down.

It might fly in the face of the freedom of speech, but this isn't speech, this is hate! It's a fine line, but people like this give all of us who truly love the Lord a bad name, they are the ones who make us all look like a bunch of wing-nut fringe zealot, lunatics!!!

Unsound Doctrines

In case you haven't noticed my last two blogs have been about false doctrines and questionable practices within the church (this includes all denominations). My reason for these: I'm fed up! I can't stand by quietly, saying nothing. I have to stand up for TRUTH, because that is what I'm commanded to do; to be a shining light on a hill, the salt of the earth.

I am not, repeat NOT trying to pick on or call out a certain denomination, etc. I have issues with ALL denominations, particularly within the one I was raised, which was more of the pentecostal/charismatic, or full gospel as they called it, church.

I see too many people who are going to stand before God and hear "depart from me ye workers of iniquity", and it grieves me. Or have their works burn up because it wasn't precious, it is just wood, stubble and hay. It scares me that I might be one for perpetrating false doctrines, because I was too lazy or scared to question and test what I was being taught.
That is where I am. I am standing at the crossroads of biblical doctrine. I have been unable to attend a church service for a year, not because of inability of body, or will, but because I'm a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by non-English speaking people. I think God put us here for several reasons, one of which is where I am now - so He can show me through reading His word on my own, without it being prompted by the latest "make me feel good, tickle my ear" sermon, His Truth. He has been showing me where the doctrines we are taught and hold onto aren't really the way we are told they are. They don't line up with scripture.

Make no mistake I've always read my bible, etc. but usually going over what I learned in a church service the day before, etc. Sometimes I would see the error, but figured, what do I know, I'm just a silly woman with a High School education, and three kids. These men and women, some of them have degrees in theology/divinity, etc, and have been walking with the Lord for EONS. They must know better than me!!

But God has been showing me, that's what holds a lot of people back from being able to see the Truth He is revealing to them. To walk in the gifts he has called them to. See, He has shown me that most of the disciples and apostles were low on the socioeconomic and educational food chain, yet look at them! They carried out the Great Commission with unwavering Faith! They wrote most of the new testament, a book by which we live our lives. God used little shepherd boy, David to bring down the terrifying Giant, and govern an entire nation!

So bear with me over the next few posts as I talk about the errors I've found or questions I have. Paul told us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, which is where I am, seeking God, His Word, His truth, instead of listening to ravenous wolves disguised as "good shepherds"

Slain in which Spirit???

I attached a link to another article from Let Us Reason.org here. I think they summed it up very well, with a lot of references to scripture and other books.

The whole being slain in the spirit thing is I believe demonic as it is not mentioned as being used by any of the apostles, disciples of even by Christ himself. The references in the bible about people encountering God's presnece doesn't reflect anything like what is seen in most revival meetings, like Benny Hinn, of whom I have no use.

I have also heard of the story of Annias in Acts ch.5 being used as reference for being slain in the spirit, but that was taken out of context. They were literally SLAIN by the Holy Spirit. The lied to God and were killed because of it.

I do believe that God's presence can manifest so heavily in a person that they cannot stand. They might fall to the ground, sit down, I don't know. I don't think anyone can really do anything in the manifest presence of the Lord.

What I don't believe in is what is done at church services now days. Herding and lining people up like sheep to the slaughter, literally. If it is really God, why do they have to be lined up, why do you have to touch, push, shake or blow on them. Why do you have to say anything?? If they need prayer, wouldn't it be enough to stand in agreement with them in prayer, and if God manifests His presence on them great. If they fall backwards, let them fall, God loves His children and if it is really Him, I don't believe He will allow a person to be physically hurt while in His presence.

Most of the references in the bible, particularly the OT, of people encountering God's presence, fell face forward, in an attitude of submission, worship, etc. Most of the time when this happened, it was God's judgment, or revelation going on. Obviously God can still judge and reveal to whom He pleases. My issue, is why is this "the norm" for Charismatic churches????

McLinkly Blog Hop - 2010 Best Wishes

  So the theme of this week's blog hop is to list our best wishes to our readers for 2010.  So far as I can tell there are only seven of you.  LOL!!  My wishes for everyone the world over are short, sweet and to the point.

1.  The most important wish I can offer anyone is a life of grace and mercy found through a relationship with Jesus Christ, savior of the world.

2.  Secondly, not just a year, but a life full of love, joy, peace, and humility.

3.  Financial Gain, but not in the traditional sense.  I don't mean building up a massive 401 or savings account or anything, but making enough money to keep your bills paid, buy food, necessary clothing, etc., but to have extra to be able to bless others that are in need.  The  most important of all "financial gain" is building up treasures in heaven.

4.  A happy, loving family, restored relationships. 

These to me are the most important wishes/blessings I could ask for anyone.  I pray that God takes cares and looks after all who read this.  Please know that no matter where you are, or what you are going through, there is a God who is in Control and He loves you!  He will never bring you to a problem and leave you there, He will bring you through it, if you have Faith!

What Christmas Has Become

After reading my friend Danielle's blog about Christmas, I had to do one on the same subject, cause A.  it's an awesome topic, and I wanted to expound a little more on her thoughts, and too cause B.  I couldn't comment for some silly reason!

  Danielle pointed out that Christmas has become about self-ish desires, lust, greediness, etc., etc. And that it opened her eyes in a big way about what Christmas is really supposed to be about.  She's completely right.  She goes on to say that she knows families that keep it small at Christmas.  I know people who don't celebrate it at all because to them it isn't biblical, these are mainly Jehovah's Witnesses, of which is course for another subject re: false religions and the occult.  But anyway, Danielle is right.  Christmas is NOT about how much $$ you can spend on everyone.  Even if I had all the money in the world, my kids would still get the 1 crappy dollar store toy from me and their father. 

My thing with Christmas is that is should be a daily celebration for Christian believers, cause without Christ being born, we would still be condemned to eternal separation from God.  I know people who won't put up a Christmas tree because of a scripture in Jeremiah (?) about adorning trees with silver and gold being idolatry.  I had to really pray about that one.  For me a Christmas tree is a pretty decoration that reminds me every time I look at it that Christ came to this earth so free me from sin that I could never sacrifice my way out of!

There are those like the J.W.'s that Christ wasn't born Dec. 25th, that Constantin instituted that to get the pagans into the Catholic Church, and they are right.  Constantin did do that, and No, Christ WAS NOT born Dec. 25th.  More than likely he was born sometime in September or October.  If I am wrong for for "Celebrating" his birth on Dec. 25th, or for celebrating it at all, God will judge me when I stand before Him.

Christmas is supposed to be about showing Christ's Love.  Instead of giving gifts to each other, why not do something really christlike?  Buy various, gender-friendly gifts, and instead of giving to friends, family, co-workers etc., take a gift to your neighbor, keep some in the car, when you feel impressed to give one to a random person, Give it to them!  Invite a family that is down and out into your home for Christmas Dinner, or if you would rather not have stranger's in your home, take them out to dinner!  When they ask you "WHY?
 you can tell them, this is CHRISTmas, I'm doing what Christ did - he gave us the gift of eternal life, this gift or this gesture is  a symbol of what he did for us.

Another thing, I don't care if store's don't say "Merry Christmas", I don't care if they take the word "christ" out of christmas.  in the Greek one for the letters for Christ is the letter "X", so technically, even when they write x-mas - Christ is still there!

See Christ is either In you, or He's not! 

Disgusted...

  I recently blogged about a pastor I know being investigated fro Fraud by the feds.  That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me where "organized churches" are concerned.  I have been in Romania for nearly a year now, and have been to 1 church service since we've been here, I don't understand the language yet.  And if I can't understand what they are saying I don't know if scripture is being misused or not.  Yes, my husband knows the language, it's his native language, but it's not the same.  I NEED to hear and understand for myself.  I can now understand what he went through when he first got to the U.S. and barely knew any English.

  I said all that to say this.  I am completely and totally fed up with the churches.  It is the church that we were warned of - the church who only wants their ears tickled, the church who wants to name it and claim it by taking Romans 4:17 COMPLETELY out of context.  It is the church that believes in the Holy Laughter Movement, the whole slain in the spirit thing, and the belief/doctrine (mainly in the pentecostal and charismatic churches) that speaking in tongues is the ONLY evidence of being baptised by the Holy Spirit.  They should really re-read Corintians 12 again.  Speaking in tongues is a GIFT of the holy spirit, not evidence of it.  If that is the case, than why not prophesing being used as evidence of being baptised by the Holy Spirit???  STOP TWISTING SCRIPTURE to fit your pre-conceived notions, or beliefs that make you feel better about it all!!! 

  Stop people like Joel Osteen who won't stand up for God's word and call sin what it is.  Stop the prejudiced preachers like Billy Graham, stop the snake-oil salesmen like Benny Hinn, stop the new-age mixed with "christianity" of Rick Warren, etc., etc.  Do I really need to keep listing them.

  For anyone who wants to say that I shouldn't be judging, yes I should, we are commanded to call out those that would twist and pervert scripture, and spread false doctrines, etc.  As a Christian it is our duty, nay our "ministry" to expose the lies, and those who spread the lies.

  I'm tired of all it all.  I'm tired of self proclaimed bishops and pastors who lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, hold bitterness, backbite and backstab when away from the pul-pit.  Who bully people, who confuse baby christians with half truths, and convoluted doctrines, etc. 

  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  That's it. I don't need anything other than God's word and love for me and my family.  We can have our own fellowship.  Without the hypocrisy.

Meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas

  So I recieved an email explaining the meaning behind that strange Christmas Carol “The 12 Days of Christmas”  I found it very interesting, and behind Silent Night and O Holy Night, I believe is now a favorite Carol of mine.  I look forward to teaching my kids to sing it and the meaning behind it.  So here it is, the information I recieved on it:

 

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. 

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,

Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

When the Shepherd is a theif & liar....

  Okay, so I'm really ticked.  I recently found out that a pastor I know is under federal investigation for Fraud.  yeah, I know, we had the Baker's back in the 80's - but this is personal.  I know this man.  It's different when it's close to home, when it's personal.

  I am SOOOOOOO very tired of hearing about pastors who have abused their positions, and their congregation's trust, but more than that, they trample on the Word of God, on His blood!  I know I can't pass judgment, only God can do that.  But I mean c'mon.....SERIOUSLY?!?  WHY?  If you have faith in God to meet all your needs, why steal, lie, cheat, etc.  It's no wonder the world looks at Christians the way they do.  Christianity is the only religion that is FULL of scandal!  As much as I don't agree with Islam, you never hear about their scandals - they don't have any, cause if someone breaks the holy law - they die!  Not saying that is what Christians should do, but honestly, how much longer are these men & women "of God" going to do this kind of stuff??

  Stop trampling on the Word.  Stop making a mockery of the blood that was shed. STOP LEADING PEOPLE TO HELL with your scripture twisting!

Answering a Question: My Testimony

  I was raised in church, accepted Christ young, was baptized, been told I had a huge calling on my life early on -that when I prayed you felt His presence.  This is what my dad, and Aunt have told me.  The pastor of our church (Bethany World Prayer Center) had me pray over the Heartbeat Abortion rally @ the LA State capital when I was five....I don't remember that part, I remember the silent march for the  unborn though.

  Somewhere along the way I lost my way.  I believe it was after my grandma died.  My real mom disappeared when I was 4.  I ran like crazy from God for a Long LOOONG time!!!  One night @ my stomping ground - went to the ladies room for another bump, and I heard God speak to me, ask my why I was doing what I was doing, when I knew the Truth, and that He had so much more for me.  I told Him (how stupid of me) to leave me alone, that I made my bed, and I'd sleep in it if I had to!  So he did - for 2 yrs. he left me alone (I thought).  Looking back - I can see where His hand prevented my death several times.  Then in February of 2002, on my b-day bash, I couldn't get a buzz for anything, no matter what I took or drank.  I felt awful.  I went into a room at my friends place to lay down.  I wept, and wept and cried out to God to save me, forgive me, and pull me away from my "friends" cause I couldn't do it on my own.  2 days later I got the BEST reason to stay away from what I was doing - my daughter.  I found out I was pregnant.  Yes, she was a product of my sin, but Romans 8:28 says that He works ALL things together for the good of those that love Him and ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE! 
  When my daughter was 8 months old the Lord put my husband in our path.  Out of the mouths of babes - my daughter immediately called him "daddy" - no coaching, I promise you!  He used my daughter to confirm what He was speaking to my heart.  Fast-forward 5 1/2 yrs.  I am living with my hubby in his home country of Romania, we have 2 more children together, another girl, and a son, and I have a husband who love Him more than he loves me.  I trust my husband.  He is a great husband, father, provider, teacher, etc., etc.  It's because of Jesus, that we can boldly go into the throne room.  It's because of Jesus that I am still here today, that my family is whole.  It's because of Him that I live!

God has taught me to hold my tongue...

  Ask anyone who knows me, I am very outspoken.  I try to temper everything that I say with love, but of course sometimes my humanity gets the better of me, and it doesn't come out the right way.  My husband has taught me a lot about holding my tongue, about knowing when to speak and when to listen.  Knowing which battles are worth it and which aren't.  These have been hard lessons for me to learn, mainly because I'm so hard-headed, and am very passionate.

  However, God has found a way to help me keep my mouth shut to those I feel then need to put in their place, so to speak.  He did that by moving me over 2,000 miles from my south Louisiana home to the middle of nowhere Romania, where I don't speak the language, and where the cultural differences are HUGE. 

  For instance, my mother-in-law, whom I love, can drive me nuts.  It's like she has this insatiable need to always have some sort of melo-drama playing out.  And it is usually instigated by my brother-in-law's wife.  Now my MIL I can deal with, she's being egged on by a woman with no heart or soul, who is very selfish and self-centered, so much so, she can't even be bothered to raise her own two sons, instead her mother's raises the oldest one - from her 1st marriage, and our MIL raises her son with my brother in law.  Did you get confused there, yeah, I know; sorry.  She has taught my middle child to curse in Romanian.  We were there when she was putting filth in my child's mouth, and my husband stopped her, she said something to the effect of "she'll learn it at school and from other kids".  My hubby didn't tell me what was going on, till several days later.  I of course hit the roof and was ready to get in the car, drive to her house, and yell at her in English - she would've understood me.  My hubby said, why, why do something that isn't going to do any good?  Why get down on her level?  Just ignore her and pray for her.

  Well I pray for her, but I literally cringe when I see her.  I keep waiting for the day when she asks my why I haven't learned Romanian yet, I'll have a few choice words that my husband can translate or not.  I think God has slowed my learning curve down on this new language, just because of people like my sister in law.  I've said it before in another post, that they people here are rude.  It stems from 40+ years under communist rule, where you had to stand in line for hours for food, and then it was rationed.  You had no electricity till after the sun went down.  There is no such thing as customer service here.  Waiters, cashiers, government workers, etc. they are all rude, and impatient.  

  Two examples.  One of the grocery stores here - there are two check out lanes.  You put your items on the counter, there is someone in front of you.  Being from America, I have a concept of personal space, so I leave some room between my buggy and the person in front of me.  The people behind me have never heard of personal space, and will push you with their buggy.  If they don't have a buggy they will literally stand right on top of you.  I want to turn around and ask them if they want to crawl up my butt, cause that's what it feels like.  Then when all your items are rung up, they have to look to see how much you just spent.
  Second example the Post Office.  The only time I go to the PO is when I get a notice that my family or friends have mailed me a package from back home - it usually involves Hazelnut creamer, something I can't get here.  Well you can only pick up  or send International packages on Monday's and Thursday's between the hours of 1 & 3.  The reason, a customs agent has to be there to inspect the contents of the package.  I tried to send a package back home to some friends of ours.  I didn't tape up the package, cause I knew it needed to be inspected.  It was inspected, she told me I needed to tape it up, I said I didn't have tape, and asked if they did, NU!  What kind of PO doesn't have packaging tape?????  I was livid!  I had just stood in line for 45 minutes!!!!  I grabbed my package, and mumbled "Friggin' Communists" as I walked out!  I KNOW, I know, not the best witness.  I repented, I feel guilty about it, but still, I mean, c'mon.  They didn't have any tape?? I would've paid for it! 

  These are the kinds of things, the differences here that drive me insane!  God is smart - he knows what he's doing, he knows, that stupidity like that will set me off, so he slowed my usually fast learning curve on this language thing.  Which is good, but it's bad too, because I don't understand a word being said when I want to understand - like church for example.  I don't understand anything, and the services here are v.different than what I am used to.  I am used to more of the "charismatic" churches.  There is one baptist church in our city, and there is a lot of standing and sitting - reminds me of a Catholic church.  But I think till I learn to let things go and see people and things through Christ's eyes, God will have a hold on my tongue!

Christmas

  So here it is my "reason for the season" blog.  Most of us know why we have Christmas, the birth of Jesus CHRIST, our Lord and Savior.  Now as the Jehovah's Witnesses will tell you, Christ was not born December 25th.  If you do your homework, you know that on this point they are correct, even if they miss the mark on just about everything else.    If we read in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 verse 8, we see this (KJV):  "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." 
   Shepherds don't take their flocks out into the country side during the winter, they stay closer to their homes, because of the cold, and the winter.  Christ was more than likely born sometime between September and November.

  The birth of Christ fulfilled so many prophecies, many of which were by Isaiah.  Born of a virgin, born in a stable, and laid in a manger, surrounded by animals. Born in Judea to fulfill the prophecy "And though Bethlehem in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda:  for out of thee shall come a Govenor, that shall rule my people Isreal."
His parents fled to Egypt to save him from being killed, so as to fulfill the prophecy:  "Out of Egypt have I called my son".  When the children of Isreal were being killed, yet another prophecy was fulfilled:  "In Ra'-ma was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Ra'-chel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."  All these scriptures were taken from the 1st Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

  We exchange gifts as a reminder of the Gift of Love, Redemption and Salvation that God the Father gave us over 2,000 years ago in the form of a baby.  A babe who grew into a man, who carried the sin and burdens of this world on His shoulders, when he made the ultimate atoning sacrifice on the cross.  The sinless man became sin to redeem us back to the Father.  We exchange gifts as a way of saying "Yes, Lord, we remember your love. We thank you for your goodness and kindness".

  If you go back and re-read the book of Genesis, you can see that Adam and Eve were created to remain immortal, to stay with God in the Garden for eternity.  God created this earth for our enjoyment, and we spat in his face.  Look at how much God loves us:  Genesis chapter 22, where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son, his beloved son Isaac.  God provided a Ram, a symbol of Christ.  See since Man's fall in the Garden, God planned on redeeming His beloved back to Himself.  That is the essence of Christmas.  The giving of one life for all.

Okay to trash Christ, but not Allah....

  So I opened my I.E. which goes to my homepage: Yahoo.  I see a headline "Landmark spared in disaster flick".  I click the link and see this:  "The Christ the Redeemer statue and Vatican are destroyed in "2012," but not the Kaaba".  So I open the link to read the whole story.  *click on the blog title to go to the Yahoo site and read said story*

  Director Roland Emmerich said he wanted to destory the Kaaba in the move but didn't, because his "...co-writer said 'I won't have a faqua on my head for a movie', and he was right".  CRAZY DIRECTOR MAN SAY WHAT?!?!?  So instead of making entertainment for the masses, Muslims included, you won't bend to your creative will because some Mullah might put a price on your head???   

  But wait, it gets worse!!  The director also said this:  "We have to all, in the western world, think about this. You can actually let Christian symbols fall apart, but if you would do this with [an] Arab symbol, you would have ... a fatwa, and that sounds a little bit like what the state of this world is. So it's just something which I kind of didn't [think] was [an] important element, anyway, in the film, so I kind of left it out."

  So basically in Mr. Emmerich's opinion it totally okay to jest at Christianity, and tear it down, and call it's believer's idiots, but don't do that with Islam, no.....we must do that, because then we will piss off a lot of  "peaceful muslims"!  That's what they say right, Islam is a religion of peace, but don't "destroy" their mecca in a movie, which is make-believe, because then they will be out for your blood!  Isn't this a double standard?

  Yes, there are people out there that claim to be Christians, and do horrendous things, but a Christian leader would never put a price on anyone's head for destroying Christian icons or monuments, whether in reality or make-believe.  Christianity is peaceful, it is about love, and redemption.  However when director's of a movie refuse to do what they want creatively because it  might put a price on their head, then that religion which has been called peaceful, really isn't so peaceful, now is it?!?

  I am tired of the double standard in the world where Christianity is concerned.  It irritates me, and although I know that Christ said we would be persecuted and mocked for His namesake, it still bothers me.  That's my  humanity, I guess.  Make fun of the Christians, burn their churches, jail their pastors and priests for their words - which come from the bible, all in the name of Hate Crimes! But leave the Budda-ists, Hare-Krishna's, Hindu's, Muslim's, Atheists, Agnostic's, basically every other religious belief alone - just go after those Christians! 
 
  Do NOT misunderstand me, no one should be jailed, mocked, hated or persecuted for their religious or non-religious beliefs, but don't talk to me about equal rights and treatment, when the whole world is hell bent on persecuting me for belief Christ Jesus!