Halloween. For many, it’s a day of fun – celebrated in schools, promoted by businesses eager to encourage shopping, a ritual that focuses society’s attention on witches and other dark forces. Many say this all is just harmless merriment.

Yet all around us, we see the pervasive impact of a world that thinks witches and witchcraft are acceptable. According to the American Religious Identification Survey, Wicca – the religion of witchcraft – is the fastest growing religion (in terms of percentage) in the U.S., where the number of its adherents doubles about every 30 months. I’ve personnally dealt with people in Wicca and it’s a strong hold.  It has to be one of the strongest forms of human worship there is.  Arogancy and pride are a couple of the fruits of this religion. 

Is this focus on witches really so harmless? No! In fact, true witches are in league with the realm of Satan, part of his plan to defeat God’s children and thwart the worship that belongs to God alone. In the very first commandment, God said, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). He warned His people that no one among them was to practice witchcraft, for this was “detestable to the LORD.”

It trully bothers me when I see little children dressed up in evil costumes.  I pray protection over the children this day. 

In a world populated by seven billion people, does one person really matter much? Many seem to conclude that they cannot make a difference – even Christians. In the U.S. for example, it’s estimated that 41% of Christians did not vote in the 2000 Presidential elections. Many apparently don’t think their vote matters, but history is filled with examples of how one person – or one vote – can change the course of nations.

Concerned by the large number of people who don’t vote, the Supervisor of Elections for Collier County, Florida, recently detailed the ways history had been changed…because of just one vote.

In 1868, one vote in the U.S. Senate saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment. In 1916, if presidential hopeful Charles E. Hughes had received one additional vote in each of California’s precincts, he would have defeated President Woodrow Wilson’s reelection bid. In 1955, the mayor of Huron, Ohio, was elected to office by one vote. In 1959, the mayors of both Rose Creek and Odin, Minnesota were elected to their offices by one vote.

Yes, one vote really does matter. One person can make a difference.

Columbo, still  scratching his head.
  

 
  Well, listen,  anyway, I can’t seem to get some information I need to wrap this up.  These things seem to either be “Not released” or “Not available.” I’m  sure it’s just an oversight or glitch or something, so if you  could you tell me where these things are — I — I have them  written down here somewhere  –  
  Could you please  help me find these things  Sir?
  1. Occidental   College records — Not released
2. Columbia College records — Not  released
3. Columbia Thesis paper — “Not available”
4. Harvard   College records — Not released
5. Selective Service Registration  – Not released
6. Medical records — Not released
7. Illinois   State Senate schedule — Not available
8. Your Illinois State  Senate records — Not available
 9. Law practice  client list — Not released
10. Certified Copy of original Birth  certificate — Not released
11. Embossed, signed paper  Certification of Live Birth — Not released
12. Record of your  baptism — Not available
   
  Oh and one more  thing Senator, I can’t seem to find any articles you published as  editor of the Harvard Law Review, or as a Professor at the University  of Chicago. Can you explain that to me  Sir?
   
  What’s that,  Senator? Who wants to know these things?
   
  We the People of  the United States of America . You know, the ones that  vote.

God never wanted to punish Israel, but He had to get their attention and cause them to consider the consequences of their actions. He told Amos that, just like grain, Israel needed to be shaken out of its complacency. They must be shaken through problems, until they humbled themselves and turned to Him.

But many refused to listen. God warned that judgment was inevitable, particularly for those who smugly continued to sin and boast, “The calamity will not overtake or confront us.”

The Bible often warns of shaking in the context of judgment, as when “the earth will be shaken from its place” (Isaiah 13:13). But during times of shaking, God also provided hope for those who remained faithful, who cast their burdens on Him, and who lived rightly in His sight (Psalm 16:8, Psalm 55:22). The wicked may experience trouble, but the “righteous will never be shaken” (Proverbs 10:30).

In our time, God is shaking the nations. He wants them to think about their lives, consider the consequences of their actions, and realize they’ve sinned and disobeyed His laws. Just as during Amos’ time, God calls His people to be ready to speak His words, to be sensitive to His Spirit, to warn of the consequences of sin, and to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

There may be shaking all around you, but be sure to focus on God. Cast your burdens on Him. Trust in Him as your Rock. Live for Him and obey Him. Then, you never will be shaken.

India launches an unmanned spacecraft to moon, the first lunar mission by the Asian nation.

CREATOR.. Extraordinaire! 
 

Money is a subject guaranteed to stir up controversy. Conflicts over money have broken up many marriages and friendships, and divided many organizations. Disputes about money (or taxes) have led to riots and even revolutions.

In our selfish human nature, we all want to control our money and spend it how we want. We don’t like others “meddling” in these decisions. Money issues cut to the core of our being, for money represents what is important to us – the fruit of our labor…power…and control.

King Rehoboam found out how strongly people felt about money after the northern tribes decided to form their own kingdom. To show his determination to maintain control, he resolved to collect their taxes. The people responded with a strong message, killing his tax collector.

Sadly, some Christians respond to money like these angry Israelites. Sermons about stewardship have split churches and angered congregations. Many pastors have stirred up debate just by preaching on tithing.

But these negative reactions miss the point. The Bible makes it clear that God is interested in everything about our lives: our hearts, minds, relationships, time, talents, and, yes, our money.

Jesus taught that we’re not to worry about things like money. Instead, we’re to seek first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:25-34). Paul taught that giving is an act of our heart, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving also is a key to receiving God’s blessing, for we Reap what we Sow (Galatians 6:7) and receive blessings according to how we give (Luke 6:38).

Make sure you’ve surrendered your life to God and that Jesus is your Lord. And make Him Lord of everything – even your money.

Do you believe in tithing?

Many slaves in America dealt with their problems and worries through music. And, through music, many expressed the Christian faith that gave them hope and encouragement.

Following the American Civil War, this music began to be discovered by a wider public. Many songs were introduced through a group of African-Americans from Fisk University, in Nashville, Tennessee. They were called the “Jubilee Singers,” because these “spirituals” often were called “jubilee songs.” They traveled the world, amazing listeners with their musicianship, but also with the powerful message of these spirituals.

On November 16, 1871, these singers brought their music to Oberlin College in Ohio. As the local newspaper reported, they sang with “remarkable effect.” But the mood deepened as they sang “Steal Away.” This spiritual, of unknown origins, expressed the heart cry of slaves who longed for the coming of the Lord – the day when their problems and worries would be over.

In his book about the Jubilee Singers, Andrew Ward describes how, that day in Ohio, the singers performed this “sublime anthem” with a perfection and beauty that stunned the audience. “Steal away,” they sang. “Steal away to Jesus. Steal away home. I ain’t got long to stay here.” They sang, “My Lord, He calls me. He calls me by the thunder. The trumpet sounds it in my soul.”

These were more than mere words. Here was truth, sung by people who truly longed to see Jesus. The audience sat with rapt attention, tears rolling down many cheeks. They had been touched by God.

Today, many are not ready for the Lord’s return. But the Bible tells us He is coming! As you consider that day, may He give you perspective and peace – and an urgency to bring the Gospel to lost Souls.

Political Quotes

“If we don’t make some changes, the status quo will remain the same.”

“We’re going to have the best-educated American people in the world.”

“If Lincoln were alive today, he’d roll over in his grave.”

“We do not have censorship. What we have is a limitation on what newspapers can report.”

“Candidly, I cannot answer that. The question is too suppository.”

“Let’s jump off that bridge when we come to it.”

“To be demeanered like that is an exercise in fertility.”

“I deny the allegations, and I defy the allegators.”

“If somebody’s gonna stab me in the back, I want to be there.”

“When you’re talking to me, keep your mouth shut.”

“Let’s do this in one foul swoop.”

“I want to thank each and every one of you for having extinguished yourselves in this session.”

“We’ll run it up the flagpole and see who salutes that booger.”

“I would like to take this time to reirritate my remarks.”

“The average age of a 7 year old in this state is 13.”

“I hate to confuse myself with the facts.”

“We have a permanent plan for the time being.”

“Family planning has many misconceptions.”

“The people in my district do not want this highway bypass, no matter if it goes through or around the city.”

“My knowledge is no match for his ignorance.”

“As long as I am in the Senate, there will not be a nuclear suppository in our state.”

“These numbers are not my own; they are from someone who knows what he’s talking about.”

“People planning on getting into serious accidents should have their seat belts on.”

“In 1994, Americans stand on the horns of an enema.”

And my favorite “I have a lot of opinions I just don’t agree with all of them.” by President Bush