Thinking Out Loud - Ms. Green

Commentaries from a female, conservative Christian worldview. Intermittent observations on human behavior and current events. Occasional bursts of personal tirades,confessions, and discoveries. Frequent discussions about my "Narrow-Minded Faith".

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Thursday, December 28, 2006

Mama and the Stranger

My dear sweet mother died in August of 1997. She has been on my mind a lot lately, and in her memory, I would like to share a true story about her that shows her caring, loving and unselfish character. I hope that it will touch each of you the way that it did me. I have never forgotten it.

I remember my mother having an almost unhealthy fear of strangers. She was overly cautious when around others she didn't know, and would normally never strike up a conversation with a complete stranger!

However, one day, she acted totally out of character...

It had been an extremely hot summer. The temperature had been above 100 degrees for almost two weeks. It was lunchtime, and she and I were in the air-conditioned car traveling down the Highway toward town when we passed a young man, 20ish, with long brown hair and a backpack. He was hitch hiking, but no one was stopping.

We ran several errands around town, then headed back down the highway toward our home to the east of town. We decided to stop at a burger place to get something to eat and drink. The weather was awful. It was just too plain HOT! My mother went in to place an order while I stayed in the air-conditioned car. After several minutes, I noticed the same young man we'd seen earlier walk out of the restaurant looking dejected. I watched as he slowly walked down the side of the road back toward the main highway.


Minutes later my mom came out with our order. She also had an extra sack and a very large drink. Without explanation, she started the car and headed back in the direction we had just come from instead of toward home. As we approached the main highway, we saw that young man again on the side of the road, sitting under a tree with his thumb out. He looked exhausted, and he was sweating profusely. He was a perfect example of the sort of person my mother normally veered away from. To my surprise, she pulled the car to the side of the road, grabbed a sack of food and that large drink and got out of the car. I couldn't hear what she or the young man said, but I saw him smile and his lips clearly said "thank you" to my mom as she gave him the sack of food and the water, along with some money. She said something else, then turned and got back into the car and we headed back toward home.
As we drove, she told me what had happened in the restaurant.



As my mom had placed her order with the young girl behind the register, she noticed this young man standing back away from the counter, quietly waiting until all the other patrons had been waited on. He then meekly approached the girl at the counter and said, "May I please have a glass of water?" The girl then asked what size cup he wanted. He said a large one would be nice. She said, "That will be fifty cents." He said, "I have no money, may I just have a small cup then?" Her reply was, "I'm sorry, but that will be twenty-five cents for a small cup. You have to pay for the cup." The young man, obviously hot, tired and thirsty, did not argue or become rude, but simply turned with his head down and walked out.

My Mother was so upset that she looked at the young girl and asked her, "If Jesus Christ walked in here and asked for a small cup of water, would you turn him down for a quarter?" Mama then bought an extra meal and the largest glass of water they had. You know the rest of the story.


My mother always told me that the Bible said we should treat others as we would want to be treated. Scripture says, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)

Though I miss her terribly, I'm happy to say that my Mom is now in the company of angels on a permanent basis and is with her Lord and maker for all eternity. I look forward to the day that I will see her again.

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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Keith Ellison - Muslims will Teach USA Tolerance and Justice

"You can't back down, you can't chicken out, you can't be afraid, you got to have faith in Allah, and you got to stand up and be a real Muslim,"

Muslims, you're up to bat right now..." he said. "How do you know that you were not brought right here to this place to learn how to make this world better? How do you know that Allah, sallalahu aleyhi wasallam, (meaning peace be upon him) did not bring you here so that you could understand how to teach people what tolerance was, what justice was? How do you know that you're not here to teach this country?"

"Allahu akbar" God is great was the reply of many in the crowd.

Words spoken at a recent rally in Iraq or Iran? Hardly.

This was spoken right here in the United States on Christmas Eve.


The public was warned by many of us across the country. A Muslim in Congress, most especially when we are at war against Islamic terrorism, is absolutely totally unacceptable.

It is now going to be a reality.

He says they will make this world better? Take a look at the Muslim-controlled countries of the world and then ask yourself it we would be better off being governed by Sharia Law.

He says they will teach people what tolerance is, and what justice is? Whose justice? The false God Allah’s justice? The justice that does this? Or how about this?

I predict Keith Ellison’s election to Congress will be the beginning of either the fall of the United States of America or the beginning of a real war for control of the soul of our country between Christians and Muslims. There are more of us than there are of them…but our silence and timidity will assure them of victory.

We already know which side the liberals will be on.



Previous articles on Islam and Terrorism

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Sunday, December 24, 2006

The Reason for the Season

There's a common saying among Christians this time of year. "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."

Our dear friend and pastor suggested a slight variation of that saying this morning during our worship service.

"I am the Reason for the Season."

Jesus came to earth to become man, live a sinless life, and then offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice to God for our sins. He did that out of love. Love for mankind, yes, but on a more personal level, He did that for me. Jesus would have done what He did if I'd been the only person on earth to ever call out to Him for salvation.

So in a very real sense, I am the Reason for the Season. Thank you, Lord for your gift of Christmas - for your gift of the cross.

Christmas is about two births: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the first birth to celebrate, without which there would have been no second birth.
The second birth is the one where we are reborn as new creatures in Him, at the moment of our salvation.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6


Merry Christmas to all my brothers and sisters in Christ out there in cyber space. Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow.


~Ms. Green - a child of the King


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Thursday, December 21, 2006

Keith Ellison - Time to Say We Told You So - Already

For those who called us bigots and racists because of our opposition to Keith Ellison being elected to Congress, I say look up the word dhimmitude and be prepared at some point in the future to the possibility of being subjected to it.

After the Flight 300 fiasco, where 6 Muslim imams were justifiably expelled from the flight due to their suspicious behavior, a conference was held in none other than Representative-elect Keith Ellison’s Minneapolis district. Ellison attended the conference and also met privately with one of the six Muslim leaders.

Ellison and Socialist Nancy Pelosi had already met and determined that they would work to make racial profiling illegal through the End Racial Profiling Act. How fortunate for them that this incident happened so shortly afterwards. CAIR is trying to influence public opinion with statements concerning the incident such as "police and witness reports detailing the imams unusual behavior before their removal last month were ethnically and/or religiously motivated” In the name of political correctness, I predict the public and the half-wits in Congress will succumb.

Doug Hagmann, of the Northeast Intelligence Network wrote this:

Shifting the focus from the Imams' behavior at the airport and aboard the aircraft to the response by authorities is the very tactic of the Ideological Jihad being waged against the U.S. I described less than 12 hours after this incident took place. Now, it seems apparent that Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi, cozy with Representative-elect Keith Ellison, got the event they needed to push through this once-defunct and functionally flawed legislation... Convenient - yes. Coincidental - I doubt it.

Here is the entire article.


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Moved to Pray

I felt moved to imprecatory prayer tonite. I lift up this prayer against Mahmud Ahmadinejad and those who would follow him.


Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
. . .

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

From Psalm 83

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Male or Female? Athlete Fails Gender Test



Shanti Sounderajan won the silver medal in the women’s 800 metres at the Asian Games only to be disqualified for failing the gender test. The WHAT? The gender test. Naïve as it may sound, it hadn’t occurred to me that anyone would even so much as think it necessary to gender test someone. Not being much of a sports fan, I’m ignorant on this particular subject.

The Indian Olympic Association has asked the Athletic Federation of India to return the medal.

I found out that gender tests are done by a medical evaluation panel that generally includes a gynecololgist, an endocrinologist, physchologist and internal medicine specialist.

Soudnerajan appeared to have more “Y” chromosomes than allowed.

Gender testing was evidently first implemented at the 1966 European Track and Field Championships, where they required women athletes to walk nude or almost nude before judges. Over the years, the gender testing evolved to physical examinations and then chromosome tests. But how accurate even are these tests?

Here is an interesting interactive study of Gender Testing of Female Athletes

This also begs the question. Is there really such a thing as a sex-change operation? I’ve always been skeptical. I think the better term would be sex-mutilation or sex-alteration operation. All the cutting and pasting of tissue you want won’t change the bottom line of who you are.

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Tuesday, December 19, 2006

A Penny Melted is a Sentence Earned

On a lighter note:

Picture this scenario. You’re in prison, and jawing with the other residents during chow time.

What’er you in for?

“Murder”

What about you?

“I robbed a bank and critically wounded a bank teller”

“And you?”

I melted my penny stash.


It seems that it is now illegal to melt pennies.


Now I have to admit, it never crossed my mind to stick all my years worth of pennies collection into a furnace, but now that I know it’s illegal, I’m really going to be tempted…

Seems pennies and nickels are worth more melted down than as coins. $.0173 each for pennies and $.0834 cents for nickels.


The new law also forbids unlicensed exportation of these coins.

Breaking these new laws could result imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.

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Monday, December 18, 2006

If the Tsunami didn't Get Them, Sharia Law Might

I'm so mad as I post this that I had trouble putting it together. Where is the outcry from the rest of the world? Where's the UN? Where's our Congressmen - who so enjoy making trips around the world at taxpayers' expense to further their own agendas? This politically-correct-afflicted world just won't wake up to the reality of Islam.

In Indonesia, Sharia law has been implemented, and those of you who sent money to help with the Tsunami victims might like to know how your money is being spent.

In part, it is subsidizing public lashings.

Here are a few disgusting"highlights":

…militant Islamists have since imposed sharia law … and have cornered Indonesian government funds to organise a moral vigilante force that harasses women and stages frequent displays of humiliation and state-sanctioned violence

…there are more “sharia police” than regular police on the local government payroll and that many of them are aggressive young men.


And this… (if you can stomach it):

But if it is a woman guilty of wearing “improper” clothing or being caught in proximity to a man, there is a particular ritual to the punishment.
She is dressed in white robes and veiled. Policemen escort her up on to a stage erected before a jeering crowd, which, witnesses say, is usually almost exclusively male.
Forced to kneel, the woman waits while a masked man ascends the platform. He is carrying a cane with a curved handle designed to give the inflictor of God’s punishment a better grip. From the loudspeakers, a man’s voice sonorously recites the appropriate religious chastisement. Then he begins to count. With each number, the cane descends with a vicious lash.
According to witnesses, male onlookers often roar in delight and hurl pious imprecations at the victims, working themselves up to a pitch of excitement


Don’t stop here. Read the whole article.

Islam – the religion of peace.

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Obama's Speech at Saddleback

Christians beware. The left is involved in a very calculated lean towards appearing as a party of faith. They are learning the language and incorporating it into their speech and even their websites. The goal is to draw true Evangelicals away from the Republican party that has so conspicuously dropped the ball on issues that are important to born again Christians. The left is even enlisting help from men who claim to be Evangelicals, like Rick Warren and Jim Wallis and others who speak “Christianese” as my friend Bruce calls it. Don’t be deceived.

A recent example was (the media’s darling) Barack Obama’s invitation to the AIDS conference held at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. Here are some quotes from Obama’s speech to the 20,0000 member California congregation. Obama's words are in italics. I have interjected comment on the sections in bold.

Their (Rick Warren and wife) decision to devote their time, their money, and their purpose-driven lives to the greatest health crisis in human history is not one that's always reported on the news or splashed across the front pages, but it is quietly becoming one of the most influential forces in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.”

Greatest Health Crisis in Human History? Can someone say “hyperbole”? Please. AIDS is an avoidable disease and is certainly not the greatest health crisis in human history!

For some, the only way to prevent the disease is for men and women to change their sexual behavior - in particular, to abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage.

For some? It’s an almost foolproof system. Abstain from sexual activity outside of marriage and don’t be a drug addict that shares drug needles. That will eliminate your chances of becoming HIV positive by 99%.


Estimated adult and adolescent HIV diagnoses in 2004 by exposure category (Totaled here - you can see the further breakdown here:

Exposure category
Male-to-male sexual contact 18,203
Injection Drug Use 5,962
Male to male sexual contact and
injection drug use 1,372
Heterosexual contact 12,683
Other/risk not identified 335
Total* 38,553

* Because totals are calculated independently of the subpopulations, the values in each column may not sum exactly to the figure in the Total row

"For others, such a prescription is unrealistic; they argue that we need to provide people with the tools they need to protect themselves from the virus, regardless of their sexual practices - in particular, by increasing the use of condoms, as well as by developing new methods, like microbicides, that women can initiate themselves to prevent transmission during sex."

Sounds like we’re rewarding stupid behavior. If laws are being pushed to ban smoking in public because it is a health risk, why aren’t laws forbidding homosexual activity being pushed? Why is it just the opposite – homosexuality is being pushed.

Let me say this - I don't think we can deny that there is a moral and spiritual component to prevention - that in too many places all over the world where AIDS is prevalent - including our own country, by the way - the relationship between men and women, between sexuality and spirituality, has broken down, and needs to be repaired."

The relationship between men and women? Look at the chart above. The overwhelming majority of AIDS cases in this country are the result of men having sex with men.

"It was striking to see this as I traveled through South Africa and Kenya. Again and again, I heard stories of men and women contracting HIV because sex was no longer part of a sacred covenant, but a mechanical physical act; because men had visited prostitutes and brought the disease home to their wives, or young girls had been subjected to rape and abuse."

What is happening in Africa is horrible and must be addressed, but using this as a way to get sympathy, while failing to address the problem's real cause (rampant homosexual promiscuity) here in the US is an insult and a deceitful ploy.

"These are issues of prevention we cannot walk away from. When a husband thinks it's acceptable to hide his infidelity from his wife, it's not only a sin, it's a potential death sentence.And when rape is still seen as a woman's fault and a woman's shame, but promiscuity is a man's prerogative, it is a problem of the heart that no government can solve."

Where’s the statement that reads “When men think it is acceptable to have hundreds of homosexual partners a year, it’s not only sin, it’s a potential death sentence.”

"It is, however, a place where local ministries and churches like Saddleback can, and have, made a real difference - by providing people with a moral framework to make better choices."

What choices are being offered? Condoms? How about turning from your sin?

"Having said that, I also believe that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality - that we are dealing with flesh and blood men and women and not abstractions - and that if condoms and potentially microbicides can prevent millions of deaths, they should be made more widely available."

Exactly, and sin is of the flesh, and through the Gospel, millions can be set free from the flesh.

"I know that there are those who, out of sincere religious conviction, oppose such measures. And with these folks, I must respectfully but unequivocally disagree. I do not accept the notion that those who make mistakes in their lives should be given an effective death sentence."

Not only does this sentence disagree with his earlier sentence about husbands that think it’s acceptable to hide their infidelities from their wives, Obama disagrees with Jesus:

“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14


“…Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11


"Rick Warren has also taken the test. Sam Brownback and I took it today. And I encourage others in public life to do the same. We've got to spread the word to as many people as possible. It's time for us to set an example for others to follow."

How ridiculous and how totally politically correct. If there is no sexually risky behavior, there will be no HIV positive results.

Like no other illness, AIDS tests our ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes - to empathize with the plight of our fellow man. While most would agree that the AIDS orphan or the transfusion victim or the wronged wife contracted the disease through no fault of their own, it has too often been easy for some to point to the unfaithful husband or the promiscuous youth or the gay man and say "This is your fault. You have sinned."

Empathize: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this

Sorry. I don’t nor do I want to empathize with those who commit sexual sin.

"I don't think that's a satisfactory response. My faith reminds me that we all are sinners."

Typical Liberal Christian remark. I can't believe he didn't quote Matthew 7:1 right here!

"My faith also tells me that - as Pastor Rick has said - it is not a sin to be sick. My Bible tells me that when God sent his only Son to Earth, it was to heal the sick and comfort the weary; to feed the hungry and clothe the naked; to befriend the outcast and redeem those who strayed from righteousness.”

It is not a sin to be sick. But sometimes sickness is the result of sin. And no, Obama, that is not why God sent His only Begotten Son. Your Bible must be different from mine.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” I Timothy 1:5


“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16


“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17


“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32


“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40




Other Obama quotes:

There's not a liberal America and a conservative America. There's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America. There's the United States of America ... We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states and have gay friends in the red states.” DNC Convention, 2004

There's not a liberal America and a conservative America? I don't believe for one second that Obama believes this. So what is the point of saying it?

"John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded."

How would John Kerry know anything about hard work?


"For the record, I opposed DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act] in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying."

"Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade."

(Mrs. Obama boldly referred to partial birth abortion as a “legitimate medical procedure” and asked supporters for $150 to attend the fund-raising luncheon for her husband—the candidate who would fight against the “cynical ploy” to ban partial birth abortion.)

I was reminded that it is my obligation not only as an elected official in a pluralistic society, but also as a Christian, to remain open to the possibility that my unwillingness to support gay marriage is misguided” Obama's book, Audacity of Hope

Misguided by what or Whom? God and His Word?



“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” Hebrews 10:26



Beware of Liberals dressed in Christian-speak.

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

Bethlehem Being Purged of Christianity

The title of this article reads “O Muslim Town of Bethlehem

It goes on to explain that the town of our Lord’s birth is fast becoming a Muslim town, and the Christians are leaving in droves due to persecution, terrorism, and intimidation by the Muslims.

Some highlights of the article, for those of you who don’t have the inclination to read it all:

About the Church of the Nativity:

“It is one of the most sacred sites in Christendom, but there are no tourists … to see it”


From Joseph Canawati, a Christian hotel owner:

"There is no hope for the future of the Christian community."

“We don't think things are going to get better. For us, it is finished.”


Of the Christian population in Bethlehem:

The town's Christian population has dwindled from more than 85 per cent in 1948 to 12 per cent of its 60,000 inhabitants in 2006.


Of the growing Muslim presence:

The sense of a creeping Islamic fundamentalism is all around in Bethlehem.


A mosque on one side of Manger Square stands directly opposite the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, while in the evening the muezzin's call to prayer clashes with the peal of church bells.


About Christian tourism:

Bethlehem's hotel owners estimate that tourist numbers have dropped sharply, from 91,276 each month for the millennium celebrations in 2000 to little more than 1,500 a month now.


About Israel’s Security Wall:

Bethlehem found itself behind Israel's security wall, a 400-mile-long concrete barrier which separates Jewish and Palestinian areas and is designed to stop suicide bombers - in 2004, half the Israeli fatalities caused by such attacks were committed by extremists from Bethlehem.


Last year, tourists trying to get to the town were forced to queue for hours as their papers were checked, while Bethlehem inhabitants going the other way must now apply for an infrequently granted permit to visit Jerusalem, barely ten minutes away by car.


“It is like living in a prison,” says Shadt Abu-Ayash, a 29-year-old Roman Catholic shopkeeper.



Continue to pray for Israel. Pray that Christ returns soon.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2

"And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Matthew 2:6

"Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" John 7:42

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Saturday, December 16, 2006

The Majority Text - Can it be trusted?

This earlier post reviewed the 4 main documents on which the Minority Text is based, and upon which most modern versions of the Bible rely. These 4 documents are corrupt, with many alterations, erasures, etc. and they don’t even agree with each other.

First of all, we must remember where the twisting of Scripture originated.

Hath God said…?”(Genesis 3:1) These are the first spoken words ever recorded by our enemy. And Satan has been trying to cast doubt on the credibility of God’s Word ever since.

So what about the Majority Text, upon which the King James Version and several other Bibles have been based? Can we trust that text?

The Early Christians knew which Scriptures were genuine. However, in the first 100 years after the originals were written, two false religions appeared:

Gnosticism – A combination of Christianity, Mysticism, and Pagan philosophy that denied that Jesus was both God and man, denied the virgin birth, resurrection, and ascension. (many liberal churches today are just repackaged Gnosticism). Gnostics believed they were “enlightened” to the truth.

Arianism – Denied the deity of Jesus Christ (Jehovah’s Witnesses come to mind)

These groups began producing false books that they said belonged in the Bible – and even falsely claimed that the books were written by Apostles themselves. They also changed the wording of true Scripture, altered, and removed passages according to their Gnostic/Arian beliefs. It was because of these groups that councils were held to once and for all declare which books of the Bible were truly God’s Word and which ones were false and to be discarded. By 300-400 AD it had been established by true Christians which books did indeed belong in the Bible we have today. It must be noted that at this time, the books were not chosen – they were simply confirmed in order to combat the Gnostic and Arian writings.

The Greek manuscripts which the Christian churches accepted as the true documents have been called the Majority Text, the Traditional Text, the Common Text, the Byzantine Text, the Syrian Text, the Ecclesiastical Text, and the Received Text. This text was used as the basis of translating the Bible into other languages, with one exception: the Roman Catholic Latin Vulgate produced by Jerome was based on the Alexandrian manuscripts of Origin, who is mentioned in the post on the Minority Text. Origin was a Gnostic and the Father of Arianism.

How many manuscripts is the Majority Text based on? Over 5000. Compare that to the mainly 3 or 4 documents on which the Minority Text is based.

Do the documents supporting the Majority Text agree with each other, or are they corrupted too?

Liberals (and interestingly, Muslims) like to say that we can’t be sure we have an accurate Bible today because it has been changed thousands of times over the years.

They are either uninformed or they are liars.

When liberal theologians count the differences in Scripture they deceitfully multiply the actual number of differences by the number of manuscripts that have the variant. For example, if one word varies and there are 3000 manuscripts with that variance, they claim it as 3000 variances instead of one.

Of the actual differences, only 1/8th of them are even worth the scrutiny. For instance, if thousands of the manuscripts all are in agreement, and then 3 manuscripts from one particular geographical region are all in agreement on one variance, then obviously this is either a purposeful alteration or a copying error. In fact, 1/60th of the 1/8th are such unremarkable differences that there is no reason for skepticism. For instance, there may be one word spelled differently, or a difference such as one text saying “Jesus said” and another saying “So Jesus said”. Hardly grounds for liberals’ claims that we can’t trust the authenticity of our Bible.

On the more serious variances, which make up about 1/1000th of the text, not one of the major fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith rest solely on any disputed passage. Though there are passages that are disputed, there are always many other non-disputed passages that support the core doctrines.

Bibles that were based on the Majority text include the The Tyndale version, Matthews Version ( a friend of Tyndale), The Great Bible Version, the Geneva Version, and the King James Version.

The King James Version was based on the Standard Greek Text , the Majority Text, which was the basis for nearly every Bible Translation from the 400s AD until the early 1900s. Assuming that the early Christians were correct that this Majority Text was the true text of Scripture, that means that the King James reflected the entire 1500 years of Christiandom leading up to 1611.

If your primary Bible is not a King James Bible, chances are it is based on the corrupted Minority Text. And if the text it is based on is corrupt, it stands to reason that the version itself is corrupted.

Is that important? You have to make that call. But I suggest you do it prayerfully. God promised He would preserve His Word. So did He?

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

The Minority Text - Can it be Trusted?

Is it important which version of the Bible you read and trust?

Most modern Bible versions today are based on what is called the Minority Text. The main exception to this is the King James Version which is based on the Majority Text, which will be mentioned later in another post.

The newer versions of the Bible boast that they are based on the "oldest and best" manuscripts, and contain many footnotes and commentaries throwing doubt on the words contained within Scripture. Many people accept these versions and their claims as fact, but a study into the manuscripts behind these versions, as well as a look at the people involved in putting them together will in most cases cause one to back off and take a second look.

Take a look at the main manuscripts upon which the NIV, RSV, etc. are based:

Codex Sinaiticus – this manuscript was found in the garbage of a Catholic monastery on the site of Mount Sinai. It contains about ½ of the Old Testament and most of the New Testament. It is part of the Alexandrian Text family. Origen was a Gnostic/Arian in Alexandria Egypt. Origen altered the critical text to support his heresies of Gnosticism and Arianism. His disciples, Pamphilus and Eusebius, further altered the manuscripts.

Codex Vaticanus – property of the Vatican, based on the minority text type of the Alexandrian text type. Vaticanus is the key manuscript used in producing the modern critical text which was used for the modern versions of the Bible today.

Codex Alexandrinus - mentioned above under Sinaiticus

Codex Bezae (or Codex D) – This is an extremely compromised document. In the final 3 chapters of Luke, for instance, 354 words are removed, 250 of which are omitted in no other manuscript in existence. It also adds 173 words, substitutes 146 words, and transposes 243 words. Yet the preparers of the modern versions chose to delete 25 words from Luke’s final chapter based on this one document alone – even though every other manuscript in existence (including the other minority text manuscripts) contains these words.

Of the modern versions of the Bible, 90% of the 6000 or so changes in the Greek text are based primarily on Vaticanus. Sinaiticus was the 2nd most used manuscript.

What’s wrong with Sinaiticus and Vaticanus?

The two manuscripts differ with each other in over 3000 places in the Gospels alone. They differ with each other on almost every page. There are erasures and alterations on Vaticanus of at least 16 different individuals. Every single page has alterations.

Vaticanus has many words and phrases repeated twice
Vaticanus leaves out words and phrases

Vaticanus differs from the Traditional text of the New Testament in over 7000 places
Sinaiticus differs from the Traditional text in over 8900 places
The two’s differences from the Traditional text don’t often even agree with each other.

Erasmus, who prepared the Greek text that the KJV is based on, was aware of and rejected Vaticanus and Sinaiticus.

The claim of being “oldest and best” is partially a lie and partially pure opinion. Although Vaticanus and Sinaiticus are the oldest of the most complete manuscripts, they are not the oldest. There are many Greek manuscripts in existence that are much older, and they almost universally represent the Majority text instead of the Minority text.

If the Bible in your hand is other than a King James Bible, it is most likely based on the Minority Text based on the documents listed above.

More on the Majority Text in another post.

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Sunday, December 10, 2006

When the Holy Spirit Speaks to You

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” I Corinthians 3:16

As a Christian, you are well aware that sometimes God speaks to you so clearly that He leaves no room for doubt that it is Him.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14

Do I mean I hear His voice audibly? No. As my preacher sometimes says, it’s louder than that.

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For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

I’ve not always liked what the Holy Spirit has said to me. Sometimes He tells me to do something I don’t have time to do. (“Witness to this person.”) Sometimes it’s something I have time to do, but I don’t want to do it. (“Forgive her. I forgave you.”)

Quench not the Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:19

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Sometimes He tells me not to do something. (“Don’t go to sleep just yet. You forgot your quiet time today.”)

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

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One thing I have learned in the short 7 years I’ve been saved. You can’t get away from Him. If He is calling you to do something, you are not only quenching the Spirit by not obeying, you are also causing yourself grief. If there is something He wants you to do, He will not leave you alone until you do it.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

I searched for passages dealing with obedience to the Holy Spirit, and found in Philip the perfect example of how to respond to Him when He calls…

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him…” Acts 8:26-30

Notice that when the Spirit said “arise”, Philip arose. And then notice that when Philip was presented with the task that the Spirit wanted him to accomplish, He acted quickly. Look at the highlighted word: And Philip ran

Is that not we are to do? When God, the Almighty Creator of the Universe speaks to us, one of His creations, and honors us with a task to accomplish, should we not arise and run to the task? If we are surrendered daily to His will and His Spirit, we will gladly arise and run – trusting Him to work through us and accomplish His goal.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5


Is God dealing with you about something? Is His Holy Spirit calling you to a task? What are you waiting for?

Arise. Run.

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Saturday, December 9, 2006

America's Christian Heritage

I'm really weary of hearing liberals deny that this country was founded on Christianity, and that the "wall of separation between church and state" should be interpreted to mean that Christianity should be removed from the public arena. So I intend to periodically post quotes from our forefathers - and let them speak for themselves...


Quotes from one of our forefathers:

Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion…. The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence; which acknowledges in every person a brother or sister and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free constitution of government.


In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed...


No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of [our] government depends on the faithful discharge of this Duty; if the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded. If [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine Commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the Laws.



Noah Webster (1758 – 1843)

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Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Dealing with False Christians

As I said in an earlier post, Liberal Christianity is a False Religion. You probably know or have met someone that fits the description of a "false Christian". At first glance, they seem real. They talk the language, and they can quote some Scriptures to you (Matthew 7:1 is usually their favorite one), and they claim to be Christians but the longer you listen to them, the more you realize that something is wrong. They support false doctrines, they defend sin, and talk about only the love of God and not the justice of God. We know that not everyone who professes to be a Christian is a Christian. (Matthew 7:22-23) How should you approach someone who claims to be a Christian, but the probable truth is, they’re lost because they’re trusting in their works, or they have a skewed idea of who Jesus is because they don’t believe the Bible is the Word of God?

First of all, here are some things you should NOT do.

1. Discuss, but do not argue with them. Once you’ve established that they aren’t interested in anything but being right, end the discussion.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.” Titus 3:9


But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” II Timothy 2:23


If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” Proverbs 29:9


2. Don’t make them mad or (especially) don’t let them make you mad.If you aren't careful, you will get frustrated with their lack of understanding of Scripture and their disbelief of the Word. Then your frustration will turn to anger. We are to defend the faith, but not to the point of getting angry.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18


And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” II Timothy 2:24


For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Job 5:2


3. Be careful not to spend too much time discussing doctrine with them when other non-believers are around.

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.” II Timothy 2:14


Now for some things you should do:

1. Try to spend one on one time with them, not in public forums. People tend to be more polite one on one, whereas in groups they tend to become more bold and aggressive, especially if egged on by others.

2. Use Scripture often in your discussions. God says “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

3. Depend on the Holy Spirit to do the convicting and convincing. If they’re lost, as likely they are, you will not convince them of much of anything. You plant the seed, water it, and let God do the rest.

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.” Psalm 35:1


"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

4. Pray for them. You were lost once. It probably took awhile for you to realize the truth too.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16


5. Lastly, and this is extremly important -if you come to a point where they are becoming abusive and rude, it’s time to part ways.


Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.” Proverbs 9:6

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.” Proverbs 14:3

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.” Proverbs 14:7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.” Proverbs 15:7

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 1:9-11

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Saturday, December 2, 2006

How to be Gay

After my previous post concerning the University of Michigan, I was doing a little additional reading and information seeking on the University and found this.

Seems it’s not enough to condone and embrace homosexuality. Now there’s a need for “how to” courses as well. The university offers a course on being gay. That’s funny – I thought one was born that way? Yet, part of the course description says:

Just because you happen to be a gay man doesn’t mean that you don’t have to learn how to become one. Gay men do some of that learning on their own, but often we learn how to be gay from others, either because we look to them for instruction or because they simly tell us what they think we need to know, whether we ask for their advice or not.

I wonder. Should someone offer a course on “How to be Heterosexual”?

What other courses might be offered?

For those who want to read the full course description: English 317 – Literature and Culture, Section 002 — How to be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation.

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Friday, December 1, 2006

Tancredo Protestors Turn Violent

Tom Tancredo, upon an invitation from Michigan State University College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom, visited the Michigan law school to speak on immigration. Tancredo is an outspoken critic of illegal immigration and is leading the opposition to grant legal status for illegal immigrants.

Protestors turned out for the event, and got violent.

Let’s see now…because Tancredo is against illegal aliens, he’s the bad guy; he’s a racist. Wonder if his personal spokesman, Carlos Espinosa thinks so…?

On the other hand, the protesters, who targeted student backers of the event, who spit on, kicked, and punched Tancredo supporters, and who slashed tires and pulled fire alarms, are the good guys?

This happened at a law school. Future attorneys of America?

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