YEARLY INTERNET MAINTENANCE ANNOUNCEMENT

IT IS URGENT THAT YOU DO NOT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET FROM MARCH 31st 23:59 GMT (11:59 PM) UNTIL 00:01 GMT (12:01 AM) APRIL 2nd.

It's that time again. As many of you know, each year the Internet must be closed down for a 24 hour period of time in order to receive maintenance, or a "Tune Up" if you will.

Many dead links on the World Wide Web will be removed, as well as ftp links that are no longer used. Lost email will also be removed from the system at this time. The White House is very interested in this part of the project.

In addition to the normal maintenance to be completed this year, we will also be using new high pressure information jets to clear out the bottlenecks that have plagued the internet so greatly this past year.

Although the down time for maintenance will be an inconvenience for many people, you will find this will allow for a much more efficient and faster responding internet.

This year, the "Tune Up" will occur from 23:59 GMT (11:59 PM) on March 31st until 00:01 GMT (12:01 AM) on April 2nd. During that 24 hour period, dozens of powerful Internet bots at key locations around the globe will simultaneously scan the Internet and complete the desired maintenance jobs wherever they may be required.

To help protect any valuable data you may have on the Internet from possible corruption, we highly recommend you take the following steps before this 24 hour maintenance period begins:

1. Disconnect all terminals and LANs from the Internet.

2. Disconnect all Internet servers from the Internet.

3. Refrain from connecting any computer, or any other Internet connection device, to the Internet in any way.

Note: The term "other Internet connection device" includes such devices as WebTV.

Again, we understand the inconvenience this will cause many people. And for that, we apologize. However, the great increase in Internet performance you will experience after this short period of maintenance will far outweigh any problems it will cause.

This message comes to you from the Internet via your Internet Service Provider.

Sixteen Top Cop Quotes

These 16 Police Comments were taken off actual police
car videos around the country:

16 'You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the
one you just went through.'

15 'Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new.
They'll stretch after you wear them a while.'

14 'If you take your hands off the car, I'll make your
birth certificate a worthless document.'

13 'If you run, you'll only go to jail tired.'

12 'Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second?
Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you.'

11 'You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that
means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?'

10 'Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but
I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift
supervisor?'

9 'Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you
not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket.'

8 'The answer to this last question will determine
whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?'

7 'Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place
where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step
in monkey poop.'

6 'Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife
gets a toaster oven.'

5 'In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.'

4 'How big were those 'two beers' you say you had?'

3 'No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but
now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can.'

2 'I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a
personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.'

AND THE WINNER IS....

1. 'You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're
right, we don't...Sign here

"New Kind of Church"

I noticed that a new church is starting in Prince George, one that says "we are a new kind" of church.


The churches is full of willing people:
20% willing to work, and 80% willing to let them.




Views on the Contemporary Church...

The church... has become one of many institutions offering a view of the world and purpose for living. It has found itself in a supermarket situation in which many people feel no need to buy its products at all. (Believe it or Not - a study of Australian churches)

In many Australian churches today we witness excessive emotionalism, fanaticism, entertainment, rock music and other human works programs passed off as a replacement for the reality of Jesus Christ. (Alan, Mt Gambier, SA)

There is a growing trend towards a "Post-denominational church". People are tending to choose a church not so much on issues of doctrine, but on the facilities and programs one offer, and whether felt needs are being met. There is "a decline in serious theological thought on the part of the average Christian." (Ross Prout, New Life,)

Here in North America, we have the “Church-Lite” crowd.

Has the heaviness of your old fashioned church got you weighted down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitments than other churches. We guarantee to trim off guilt, because we are Low-Cal... low Calvin, that is. We are the home of the 7.5% tithe. We promise 35 minute worship services, with 7 minute sermons. Next Sunday's exciting text is the story of the Feeding of the 500.

We have only 6 Commandments-- Your choice!! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament *Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings*. We take the offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. We are looking forward with great anticipation to our 800 year Millennium.

Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church... and less!!

Friday Funnies - ATM

"MALE VS. FEMALE"... AT THE CASH MACHINE!

MALE PROCEDURE:

1. Drive up to the cash machine.

2. Put down your car window.

3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.

4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.

5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.

6. Put window up.

7. Drive off.

FEMALE PROCEDURE:

(Unfortunately, most of this part is the Truth!!!!)

1. Drive up to cash machine.

2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.

3. Set parking brake, put the window down.

4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.

5. Tell person on mobile phone you will call them back and hang up.

6. Attempt to insert card into machine.

7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to
its excessive distance from the car.

8. Insert card.

9. Re-insert card the right way.

10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.

11. Enter PIN.

12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.

13. Enter amount of cash required.

14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.

15. Retrieve cash and receipt.

16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.

17. Write debit amount in cheque register and place receipt in back of chequebook.

18. Re-check makeup.

19. Drive forward 2 feet.

20. Reverse back to cash machine.

21. Retrieve card.

22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!

23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.

24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.

25. Redial person on mobile phone.

26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.

27. Release Parking Brake.

from D. Coe

CEO Sunday of 2008

Today is the first CEO Sunday of 2008. The next CEO Sunday will be at years' end. What, I hear you saying, is CEO Sunday? CEO Sunday is the first of two days that many folks will be in church, showing up twice a year to hear the same sermons. That is why today is the first CEO Sunday for this year:

C _hristmas & E _aster O _nly

Are you one of the CEO crowd? If so all I have for you is three words: SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

You want blessings every day, but only show up for church twice a year.

You want the church to do things for you, and yet you do nothing for the Lord's church.

You want folks to pray for you, and yet, you do not pray for yourself.

Our country and the churches are no better than the people that make up their population!

Failing to assemble ourselves each week to be fed heavenly manna from the Father of all grace and mercy, we dine daily at the world's table and while eating humanism and applying man made solutions to spiritual problems! There are too many CEO folks in America. A person that will not stand for something, will fall for anything.

Having done all, stand this Sunday and every Sunday!

Grady Henley

BUILDING THE CHURCH

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

“The Building of the Kingdom”

A misnomer for the church;

You can’t find it in the gospel

However long you search;

Jesus said to Peter

At Caererea-Philippi,

“Upon this rock I will build my church”

And that firm Rock was He.

We wish folk might separate

The church and kingdom truth;

We crave it for the older ones,

Especially for youth;

The church the bride of Jesus,

And the kingdom for Israel;

When Christ will establish His kingdom,

No one today can tell.

The days are swiftly passing,

And the church-age soon will end;

O let us haste to the rescue,

Pray that our Lord will send

Labourers for His vineyard,

To gather is the harvest white,

Those poor souls now in dense darkness,

May come behold the light.

We’re not “Building the Kingdom,”

That is left for future age;

We are building now the body,

And arranging the stage,

For Christ’s earthly glory

That is soon on earth to appear;

We must not confuse the teaching,

The King will soon be here.

By Benj. F. Dotson, D.D., Litt. D.

Pastor-Poet-Bible Teacher-Evangelist

1949

Was Saint Patrick A Baptist?

The year of St. Patrick 's birth is variously assigned to the years 377 and 387, the latter being the more probable date. His original name is said to have been Succat Patricus, being the Roman appellative by which he was known. The exact place of his birth is uncertain. It was somewhere in Britain.

In the sixteenth year of his age, while on his father's farm, with a number of others, he was seized and carried by a band of pirates into Ireland, and there sold to a petty chief. In his service he remained six years. At the expiration of this time he succeeded in escaping. He was "brought up in a Christian family in Britain, and the truth which saved him when a youthful slave in pagan Ireland was taught him in the godly home of Deacon Calpurnius, his father, and in the church of which he was a member and officer."

On his escape from Ireland he was twenty-one years of age. Being a stronger Christian the Lord soon called him back to Ireland as the missionary for that blinded country. About this time, or before it, a missionary named Coleman, established a church in Ireland. Some think that "in the south of Ireland, from some very remote period," "Christian congregations had existed." Usher puts Patrick's death at A.D. 493 - making his life a long and useful life, and his age, at the time of his death, over one hundred years. The Bellandists make his death earlier - A.D. 460. According to accounts of his Irish biographers, he, with his own hands, baptized 12,000 persons and founded 365 churches.

Within the last few years scholars have succeeded in stripping his history of much of the Romish fables. The more this has been done, the more he stands out as a Baptist.

1. At the time of St. Patrick the Romish church was only én embryo.

2. In St. Patrick's time the authority of the bishop of Rome was not generally recognized.

3. There is no history to sustain the Romish claim that Patrick was sent to Ireland by "Pope Celistine". Throughout his life Patrick acted wholly independent of Rome.

4. Patrick was a Baptist. -

(1) He baptized only professed believers.

(2) He baptized by only immersion. Dr. Catchcart says: "There is absolutely no evidence that any baptism but that of immersion of adult believers existed among the ancient Britons, in the first half of the fifth century, nor for a long time afterwards." In St. Patrick's "letter to Crocius" he describes some of the persons whom he immersed as "baptizedc captives," "baptized handmaidens of Christ," "baptized women distributed as rewards" and then as "baptized believers."

(3) In church government St. Patrick was a baptist. Though this appears in the note to this page, I will add proof to it. "Patrick founded 365 church-es and consecrated the same number of bishops, and ordained 3000 presbyters." "If we take the testimony of Nennius, St. Patrick placed a bishop in every church which he founded; and several presbyters after the example of the New Testament churches. Nor was the great number of bishops peculiar to St. Patrick's time; in the twelfth century St. Bernard tells us that in Ireland bishops are multiplied and changed...

(4) In independence of creeds, councils, popes and bishops Patrick was a Baptist. "Patrick recognized no authority in creeds, however venerable, nor in councils, though composed of several hundred of the highest ecclesiastics, and many of the most saintly men alive. He never quotes any canons and he never took part in making any, notwithstanding the pretended canons of forgers".

(5) In doctrine Patrick was a Baptist. He says Christ who "gave his life for thee is He who speaks to thee".

(6) In the later or Romish meaning of the term, there is no indication of Monastacism in Patrick 's writing or in the history of the first Irish church. "Monastacism, in the proper sense of the word, cannot be traced beyond the fourth century". Catchcart: "It is difficult to fix the date when the first monastery was established in Ireland. It is certain that Patrick was long in his grave before it took place."

Thus, first, Irish Monasteries were originated after Patrick's death; Thus, in only believer 's baptism; in only immersion; in church government; in salvation by only the blood; in justification by faith only; in rejecting penance; in knowing nothing of transubstantiation; in giving both the bread and the wine to the laity; in being independent of Rome, St. Patrick was a Baptist and the first Irish churches knew nothing of priestly confession and priestly forgiveness; of extreme unction; of worship of images; of worship of Mary; of the intercession of Mary or of any departed saint; of purgatory; of persecution of opposers of the church - nothing of any of the Romish distinguishing peculiarities.

Were Patrick not turned to dust, and were the body able to hear and turn, he would turn over in his coffin at the disgrace on his memory from the Romish church claiming him as a Roman Catholic.

~ By W.A. Jarrel

Thank You, LORD Jesus. Take me home.

The Edge of Eternity

It was the darkest day in human history. A long stream of travelers flowed steadily into Jerusalem; some were carrying lambs. Many worshippers were absorbed in a vigorous discussion. Even the religious leaders seemed distracted from the Passover. The restless atmosphere was like the very edge of a storm!

A lonely man slumped low in his hopelessness and depression. All consciousness of time was lost as he stared emptily at the wall before him. Fighting despair, he wondered at the milling crowds. Was he so easily forgotten? Not one soul seemed to care whether he lived or died. His breath caught and his chest quivered as a gnawing fear continued to grow within him. He worked his sweaty palms together, wondering if he could bear such tension. Then startled by footsteps approaching, his heart skipped a beat! Fighting to gain composure, he vainly searched for an escape. “Is there anyone who can help me?” he wondered. Then the guard led him to an old rugged beam and motioning harshly he growled, “Pick it up!” His knees felt like water. Stooping low, his shaking hands reluctantly lifted the heavy timber. The death march had begun. Let’s listen as this fearful man unveils his account:

“People line the streets as far as the eye can see. I gaze at a sea of faces from every walk of life. It seems like this procession is marching towards the very edge of eternity! We labor hard toward Calvary’s mountain to begin our final assent.

Just when I’m really gasping for breath, I note that I’m walking upon a blood-sprinkled trail. At last we pause. Looking down, I stare at a fresh stain where a deeply wounded body must have fallen. Weary and dizzy, I raise my head to focus on the prisoner ahead. His appearance just chills me way to the bone! How can He even stand? For a moment my own misery is nearly forgotten as I marvel! Long thorns are forced into the scalp of the beaten frame. His features are not very clear. The face looks somehow familiar, but it is swollen and bruised beyond recognition. ‘So this is Barabbas the revolutionary and murderer,’ I reason. But no! A priest gloats, ‘This is Jesus, the lowly carpenter from Nazareth! Does He look like a King to you people? Well, He is going to die for His sin!’ Then some rough brutes grab a man from Cyrene and force him to bear the cross of the Nazarene. Heavily, we march on…climbing Golgotha! My face is drawn and tight. My stomach churns in terror! How unnerving! The place of execution is just above us!

Women are weeping. The Nazarene stops and I strain hard to listen. ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me,’ He says, ‘but weep for yourselves, and for your children . . .’ Then I hear an explosion of cursing from a third prisoner! Someone else boasts loudly how Barabbas is free. My breast burns as my anger boils into rage! Barabbas walking the streets? Why would these fools set him free? Why loose that murdering scoundrel instead of me? Well then, it seems to add up that this Jesus must bear even greater sin!

We’ve reached the summit of the place of ‘The Skull!’ A blinding frenzy consumes me! Recklessly, I strike out with all my strength and battle for my life! The soldiers knock me heavily to the ground. Their hard knees crush me mercilessly into the dirt. My blood nearly freezes in my veins as I turn and see the hammer! Terrified, I shriek out for mercy! Oh! Tears blind my eyes! I nearly faint as my limbs are being anchored to the wood! One at a time, spikes impale me and hold me fast! I groan and sigh in failure, nauseous as the pain shoots from my extremities. The agony is unbearable as I’m lifted from the earth! I might understand the death penalty, but not this dreaded crucifixion! Why this? My bones are slipping out of joint! Oh that the earth would swallow me alive!

The rejection is intolerable and the humiliation so appalling! I see menacing looks in the eyes of the crowd. Then looking toward the Nazarene, I pause as my heart is strangely stirred. I’ve never seen such eyes! How do they appear so kind? His sorrow seems to be for the others across the face of the hill rather than for Himself!

A group is gathering at the center cross. The religious leaders exclaim, ‘He saved others; himself he cannot save! If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in him.’ I join in while mocking and cursing Him vehemently! We challenge this Jesus to perform a miracle and to set us free. Why He must be a liar; yet the sign above Him does read, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ Well then Jesus must be a lunatic; yet He is silent! He is not intimidated by the threats. Will He cry out for vengeance? He is naked and suspended high as they gamble for his clothes at His feet. Will He call upon angels? I’m shocked as He looks towards Heaven as I have never heard such compassion! A lump forms in my throat as I hear His cry! It sounds like a sob drawn from the depths of His soul, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ How admirable! What incredible honor! It seems somehow that the just is interceding for the unjust! Surely, I’m a guilty sinner; but could it be that this Jesus is truely the Lord?

Jesus speaks again. Tenderly He bids farewell to His weeping mother! Then He entrusts her to a caring friend. Absorbed in my self-pity, I’ve been numb for a long time toward the needs of others. What compassion as Jesus is touched by their grief!

We criminals have different views of the One hanging between us. We both see His torn body -- the dried blood, the brightly flowing rivers and the swelling pools beneath the God-Man’s cross! We see His flesh as the skin was viciously whipped to shreds, much as a victim mauled by lions! Suddenly a new pain sears and burns within my breast! It comes straight from Heaven bringing a keen awareness! Jesus is the Messiah! I recognize Him now; Jesus is Christ the Lord!

The man on the far cross mocks, challenging the Lord to save Himself and then us! His only concern is for his own hide! I force myself higher upon the nails impaling my limbs. Breathing deeply, I rebuke him with all my might! I cry, ‘We must fear God! Our guilt deserves condemnation but Jesus has done nothing wrong!’

I have nothing to offer God now to satisfy Him; no good works, no baptism, no lamb, and no reputation! How is it that God saves sinners? What was it the priests were saying to Jesus? -- ‘. . . then we will believe!’ Ah! That’s it! My body trembles with a new excitement as a ray of hope rushes into my soul! I feel so deeply I can hardly speak. I choke haltingly, ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest to thy kingdom!’ The King will have a kingdom! He will live again! Oh, for God’s mercy! Tears flow freely down my face and I cry as I have never cried, hearing Jesus respond, ‘Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise!’ Amazing grace! How can it be? Hallelujah! I've been forgiven! What a Saviour!

My skin tingles as the peace of God overpowers my fear! Even here I know a joy in living and feel the grace to die! Imagine! Jesus came to die so I can live! He is categorized with the depraved and hardened criminals! He is classified with cursed sinners and numbered with the wicked! As my substitute He is bearing my sin to set me free! Known criminals, revolutionaries, and murderers are executed upon this mountain. Yet the One who walked earth’s shores, who never did a dastardly deed and never committed a sin, identified with me! ‘Thank You, Lord Jesus! Who am I that You are mindful of me? Thank You God, thank You! Lord Jesus, I will praise You forever!’ As I turn to further express my gratitude, I hear Him speak, ‘I thirst!’ Could it be that the One who made the rivers and seas agonizes without a drop to cool His tongue? It’s as if the vengeance of Almighty God is upon His Son!

Suddenly the earth is veiled in darkness! The suffering Son of God is hidden from the malicious eyes of His tormentors. Chaos breaks out across the hill as people call to each other from the darkness. Then I hear the lonely orphaned cry of the only-begotten Son of God! ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ A horrible thought grips my heart; Jesus’ fellowship with the Father is broken as never before! His sacrifice for my sin is the reason that He is suffering alone!

A new horror steals into my soul! I’m so scared! I feel as if the battle of the ages is taking place all around me, right here! It seems that all of the forces of hell have gathered to converge upon Mount Calvary! My heart breaks as the beloved Jesus courageously battles alone. The holy One is bearing all of my iniquity! I plead and pray, ‘Let Jesus prevail!’ No gladiator ever fought so bravely. The destiny of the world hangs in the balance! Then as Satan takes his final blow I hear the cry of the Champion, ‘It is finished! Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!’ As the darkness lifts, my heart is so utterly broken! What a wretched sight! It defies my words to express it! What have we done? Beside me hangs the limp and tortured form of the greatest Man who ever lived! And for the first time in my life I have discovered unconditional love!

All of a sudden an eruption of movement rocks the ground! The earth quakes, heaves and rolls! Great stones are dashed to pieces! People are scrambling for safety! Who will escape the wrath of God by fleeing to Jesus Christ for mercy! Surely God is satisfied with the work of His Son!

I hardly noticed him approaching! An awe-stricken soldier is looking up from the foot of the middle cross. I’m encouraged as he speaks thoughtfully, ‘Certainly this was a righteous man!’ I hang in awful pain, but I’m grateful while overlooking the panorama of Jerusalem. This has been a most pivotal day! I wonder, will the masses ever identify Who is the real Passover Lamb? Who will tell them how the Lamb of God bore our sin on this Golgotha altar?

I agonize as a fever builds in my brow. I think I see that one who hammered the nails. Then I hear the other thief pleading, ‘Please! Not my legs!’ followed by a sickening thud, the howl of pain and breaking bone. A soldier spears Jesus in the heart, but He was already gone! I’m so amazed and humbled as blood and water flow from the broken heart of the Lamb of God!

‘Oh, Lord! It has been such a long day for me! Now I know that You are available for every trusting soul! Thank You for meeting this poor old sinner in my hour of despair! Death was approaching but You showed me that it was not too late! Rejection was breaking my heart but You made me acceptable before God! I was overwhelmed with loneliness but You embraced me as a friend! I hated You but You loved me to Yourself! Sin brings death but You gave me eternal life!’” There is a loud crunch and his breath catches. He gasps, “‘You have set me free, Lord Jesus, You have suffered alone so I will never have to suffer again! How I need You so much! My whole destiny is in Your precious and battered hands! It's hard to . . . breath. It won't be long . . . and all of the trauma will be over . . . ! I’m coming . . . to Paradise . . . ! Home! – to You, Lord Jesus! Ah! Take me home!”’

And as is true for each of us who dies in the Lord, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints!” Ps. 116:15.

– C B 9/97

Mormon Teaching about the Atonement

What is the Mormon Teaching about the Atonement?

THE GREATEST SUFFERING OF THE SAVIOR:

IN THE GARDEN OR ON THE CROSS?

One year my wife visited a Mormon ward on an Easter Sunday. Strangely, for three hours they had nothing to say about Jesus Christ dying on the cross or His resurrection from the dead. Christians tend to get confused about the Mormon view of the cross? Why? Do they believe in it or not? The LDS respond, “Yes, we do,” and then offer some statements and pictures to prove it. Clarification: Mormons affirm that Jesus Christ died on a cross but they reject God’s purposes in the crucifixion and what Jesus Christ accomplished there. For anyone to miss the gospel message of the cross and the resurrection, where does that leave one’s faith? Lost from God! Meaningless and empty as “your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17b).

Then what does Mormonism believe? To abandon the gospel, what has become the alternative? The LDS faith launched into a lot of high-sounding nonsense as what they convince millions of people to believe is enough to “blow your mind.” They have emptied the cross of its meaning into just a secondary role.

While we cannot and would not diminish our Lord’s struggle within the Garden of Gethsemane, that account in no way is described by God’s Word as being the atonement. So here is the question: How can anyone think themselves credible while elevating the garden to be above the cross?

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, WHERE DID THE ATONEMENT TAKE PLACE? As clarified by one of their prophets, “What happened in that garden, said President Ezra Taft Benson, ‘was the greatest single act of love in recorded history . . . It was in Gethsemane that Jesus took on Himself the sins of the world, in Gethsemane that His pain was equivalent to the cumulative burden of all men, in Gethsemane that He descended below all things so that all could repent and come to Him . . . That holy, unselfish act of voluntarily taking on Himself the sins of all other men is called the Atonement’” (Church News, 1 June 1991, p.14). If that was it, why would Jesus die on the cross? LDS Benson emphasized Gethsemane three times in one sentence when “Gethsemane” is only found twice in the whole Bible, and never described as the atonement for sin (Matt. 26:36 and Mark 14:32).

According to God’s Word, did Jesus bare our sin in the garden where He prayed or upon the cross where He died? “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. . . . reconciled to God by the death of his Son . . . by whom we have now received the atonement.” (Romans 5:8-11).

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, WHERE DID CHRIST SUFFER FOR SIN? “In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ suffered for the sins of all mankind, thus opening the way for all of us to repent and free ourselves from the bondage of sin" (Ensign Magazine, April, 1981, p.19).

According to God’s Word, sin is connected to His death, so did Jesus die in the garden or on a cross? “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18).

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, DO CHRISTIANS OVEREMPHASIZE THE CROSS? "Jesus then went into the Garden of Gethsemane. There he suffered most. He suffered greatly on the cross, of course, but other men had died by crucifixion; in fact, a man hung on either side of him as he died on the cross. But no man, nor set of men, nor all men put together, ever suffered what the Redeemer suffered in the garden. He went there to pray and suffer'" (Conference Report, Marion Romney of the LDS First Presidency, Oct. 1953, p.35).

According to God’s Word, where should the emphasis be? "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . ." (Gal. 6:14). Mormonism is impressed with the garden but the theme of scripture is, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

ACCORDING TO THE MORMONISM, HOW ARE WE FORGIVEN? "Forgiveness is available because Christ the Lord sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane as he bore the incalculable weight of the sins of all who ever had or ever would repent . . . In a garden called Gethsemane, outside Jerusalem's walls, in agony beyond compare, he took upon himself the sins of all men on condition of repentance" (The Promised Messiah, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, p. 337 & 552).

According to God’s Word, was forgiveness provided in the garden or through the cross? “And you, being dead in your sins . . . having forgiven you . . . nailing it to his cross” (Col. 2:13-14). Total forgiveness is available right now through the blood of the cross. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins . . .” (Eph. 1:7).

ACCORDING TO THE MORMONISM, IS THIS FORGIVENESS THROUGH THE SWEATING OR SHEDDING OF BLOOD? "Forgiveness is available because Christ the Lord sweat great drops of blood in Gethsemane . . .” (The Promised Messiah, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, p. 337).

According to God’s Word, did Jesus perspire or die for sin? “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree . . .” (1 Peter 2:24). You must not trust in the sweating when “. . . without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). Of the four accounts of the Garden of Gethsemane, only one mentions this blood in Gethsemane and never in the redemptive sense. Mormon leaders miss a very significant point; sin is not cleansed because Jesus perspired as it were great drops of blood; it is based upon the fact that our substitute died.

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, HOW DOES CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION COMPARE TO ANYONE ELSE’S? "And as he came out of the Garden, delivering himself voluntarily into the hands of wicked men, the victory had been won. There remained yet the shame and the pain of his attest, his trials, and his cross. But all these were overshadowed by the agonies and sufferings in Gethsemane. It was on the cross that he 'suffered death in the flesh,' even as many have suffered agonizing deaths, but it was in Gethsemane that ‘he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him’" (The Mortal Messiah, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, pp. 127-128).

According to God’s Word, what is unique about the cross? As one man with a match can start a huge forest fire, picture another single-handedly putting out the fire over millions of acres to save millions of lives. The Lord’s redemption is great enough to save every trusting soul, which depends entirely upon the blood of the infinite God-Man, “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Mormonism totally misses the impact of the gospel and the sufficiency of the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. Jesus as every sacrificial lamb was born to die. How did God purchase the church of God? - “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). How absurd to turn people’s faith to what happened in the garden!

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, LDS TEMPLES ACCOMPLISH WHAT THE CROSS CANNOT. Temple rituals are thought necessary to reach exaltation or to be with God in their highest level of heaven. Whereas Christians might display the cross, the LDS reverence temple pictures in their homes.

According to God’s Word, the temple veil was torn (Mat. 27:51) to confirm that the way to God is through the blood of the cross, not temples. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). Christians are the temples of God now, not any manmade buildings (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16). The temple in Heaven makes all the LDS temples comparatively disgusting (Rev. 11:19; 14:17). Israel as God’s people had one temple at a time, not over a hundred. The living God does not dwell in temples made by hands (Acts 7:48; 17:24).

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, WHY IS IT WRONG FOR CHRISTIANS TO DISPLAY THE CROSS? The cross is “inharmonious with the quiet spirit of worship and reverence" (Mormon Doctrine, LDS Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, p.172). What a pitiful and ignorant remark! However, to remind the LDS of their temple covenants, they do have Masonic symbols on their underwear. Is that superior?

According to God’s Word, who opposes the cross and what is their destiny? The Apostle Paul was grieved to say, “and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction” (Phil. 3:18-19). Under attack by the cults and at the very heart of the gospel is God’s message of the cross! The cross proves the immensity of the love of God. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). The cross reminds Christians of the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. As the symbol for the Christian faith, the cross is superior to a crucifix because the Savior was not perpetually nailed to the cross. Now since He arose, we have the empty cross and an empty tomb. Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death and hell for every one who will trust completely in Him.

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, ARE PENTAGRAMS WORTHY SYMBOLS? Mormonism makes little of the cross as it is never on LDS buildings. For being against symbols, how peculiar that Satanic pentagrams are on the Nauvoo and Salt Lake City temples! In “Mormonism, Magic and Masonry, p. 68,” pentagrams are the symbol for the occult. "The Pentagram, the sign of the Microcosm, was held to be the most powerful means of conjuration in any rite. . . . with two points in the ascendant [upside-down star] it was the sign of Satan" (The Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, Vol. 2, p. 552). Furthermore, Joseph Smith was not wearing a cross at his death, he wore "a silver Jupiter medallion constructed according to the instructions for making ‘Magic Seals, or Talismans,' in Barrett's 1801 The Magus" (Mormonism and the Magic World View, Mormon author D. Michael Quinn, p. 66).

According to the God’s Word, these occult activities are an extreme abomination (Deut. 18:9-14). Who is behind this apostasy away from the basic essentials of the faith? “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1). This religion is of the devil.

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE CROSS? The cross is inadequate. Christ’s sacrifice atoned only for Adam’s sin. For personal sin, “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 25:23). “To receive this great gift, we must do more than repent of our sins and be baptized and confirmed by appropriate priesthood authority. Men must receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, and all Church members must make and keep sacred covenants in the temple, including eternal marriage.” (TRUE TO THE FAITH, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 153). It’s all about Mormon religious works to get there. Generally, a Mormon claiming to be “saved” only means that he will be resurrected from the dead. In other words, no big deal as “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15). That means everyone! So that would make all of the Bible references to qualify only those who are saved totally pointless. And for the unjust, how could the LDS identify a resurrection to the Great White Throne judgment as the same as being saved? (Rev. 20:11-15)

According to the God’s Word, “. . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

ACCORDING TO MORMONISM, WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? “The central doctrine of the gospel is the atonement of Jesus Christ. The Prophet Joseph Smith said, ‘The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost’ (Articles of Faith 1:4). In it’s fullness, the gospel includes all the doctrines, principles, laws, ordinances, and covenants necessary for us to be exalted in the celestial kingdom.” (TRUE TO THE FAITH, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, p. 76).

According to the God’s Word, how is the gospel defined? There are many manmade gospels, so which gospel saves? “I declare unto you the gospel . . . By which also ye are saved . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:1-4). What is the opposite of saved? - To be lost! “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:3-4). The Mormon people are lost! Are we instructed to preach the garden or the cross? “But we preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23). Do LDS temples, commandments and works bring the power of God? “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). See what is missing from those who diminish the cross? God’s message is to “preach the gospel . . . For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:17-18). Did Christ redeem us in the garden? "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13).

HOW CAN WE COME TO GOD? God sent His Son to the cross to pay for your sins. To say in effect that Your Son is not good enough is to offend God. The result is to hear God say, then you are not good enough into enter My heaven. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ . . . by the cross” (Eph. 2:13-16). Salvation is through the blood of the cross!

IS PEACE WITH GOD OFFERED THROUGH GETHSEMANE, LDS TEMPLES AND OBEDIENCE TO MORMON COMMANDMENTS? There is only one way to have peace with God as Christ “made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself” (Col. 1:20).

BUT DON’T YOU BELIEVE THAT MORMONS ARE GOOD PEOPLE? For those who defend the merits of Mormonism, what are you saying? What virtues are so important that you would support what God abhors? Do the LDS differ from the seeming nice Jehovah’s Witness at doors to spread Watchtower poison? How can you defend cults that purposefully usurp God’s way to install their own? Do you bid God speed to say that you are so impressed by their dedication? “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Pro. 14:12). The obituary columns are filled with LDS faces destined to eternal outer darkness because they believed the Mormon church over God. Walter Martin once said that the Mormon church is the devil’s best lie!

DECEIVERS OR DECEIVED? But on the other hand, what sympathy is there for lost souls? Please separate in your thinking the deceivers from the deceived, “even weeping” with compassion for those who are being betrayed (Phil. 3:18-19). If you have no concern for that long line of millions of LDS marching towards a Christless eternity, you need to check you heart because how can you honestly be right with God?

DEAR READER, WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE VALUE OF THE CROSS TO BRING YOU INTO GOD’S FOREVER FAMILY? The love of Jesus Christ for you is real! "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Jesus suffered in your place that you can have eternal life through Him. Won’t you accept Him as your Savior or will you bear your own sin in hell?

THE EXCLUSIVE OFFER. Dear one, I hope you will take God at His Word. Eternal life is exclusively offered through Jesus Christ, that being His work on the cross and resurrection from the dead. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

WHY NOT TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST FOR THE WONDERFUL BLESSINGS OF KNOWING GOD’S LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE FOREVER? You might express your heart in this way: "God, I do not want to perish. I receive your Son to save me from my destruction in hell. Jesus, You bore my sin on the cross and I believe You died for me and then rose again. I accept and believe in Your substitutionary death in my behalf. Thank you for eternal life.”

Charlie Carle

New Mormon Church Prophet

The new prophet of the Mormon church is Thomas S. Monson. He's the real picture of arrogance. He has more credibility than prophets Spencer W. Kimball or Gordon B. Hinckley. The Mormon owned Deseret News, May 3, 1980, showed them with other men and Mark Hofmann while affirming his documents as Joseph Smith’s signature with characters from the alleged golden plates. There was no special revelation in these men since it was forged. I’d like to challenge this Monson to debate our men inside the LDS conference center. They're all cowards at heart but if they have truth, why wouldn't a prophet be able to defend it.

The Mormon leadership has been revealing more and more about less and less until now they've come to know everything about nothing. As Resurrection Sunday approaches, I’d like to have an article ready on the Mormon view of the Atonement.


Did Jesus carry our sin on the cross or in the garden (LDS view)?


Are we saved through the cross or does something further have to happen in their temples?

Article by Charlie Carle

Classic on How Long does America have

Where is the greater emphasis of my focus to be, who is going the White House or who is going to the Father’s House? Yet it matters since who is king relates to who is the KING OF KINGS. Addressing our sin matters as long as holiness matters to God. Someone penned this classic below on the life and death of nations. Since democratic nations with godly foundations generally last about 200 years, how long would an Islamic Iraq last - maybe two years? Why are we pouring an ethical standard into them that is failing at home?

America as a nation is like a mighty stallion that has ruled the range. Then as disease takes a toll, the once great horse grows confused and shaky on his feet. You see his greatness in the frame but look at his coat, shaggy and dull as the bones are showing through. Meanwhile, the wolves keep edging closer for the kill. America is failing! We’re aghast at the abandon of ethics, honesty and responsibility. I’m programmed to think of us in terms of the Old America, my old neighborhoods and the old sense of values. A Navy fighter can fly over many boats but unless one is an aircraft carrier, it has no place to land. My old sense of logic keeps looking for a place to land. But how am I to understand excessive evil called "good": meth, sodomites, admiring Islam or Mormonism, or the disgusting TV trash nearly enough to give you the hives? Not a person who was admired in my childhood endorsed anything like the wicked extremes in politics, weird churches, britches below the hips, outlandish music and piercings, or the black-arts being worn as a badge. The god of this world is much more powerful than we think - deceiving the tramp in an alley and the multi-millions and billions who are tramping to hell. A thousand nuclear bombs are no more threat to our physical safety than a thousand devils could be to a nation of souls!

Charlie Carle

AMERICA – THIS ARTICLE NAILS IT!

How Long Do We Have?


About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787,

Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edingurgh, had

this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:


'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a
permanent form of government.'


'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover
they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'


'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who
promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that
every Democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is

always followed by a dictatorship.'


'The average duration of the world's greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years'.


'During those 200 years, the nations always progressed through the following
sequence:


1. From bondage to spiritual faith;


2. From spiritual faith to great courage;


3. From courage to liberty;


4. From liberty to abundance;


5. From abundance to complacency;


6. From complacency to apathy;


7. From apathy to dependence;


8. From dependence back into bondage'


Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN,

points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential Election:


Number of States won by:
Gore: 19
Bush: 29


Square miles of land won by:
Gore: 580,000
Bush: 2,427,000


Population of counties won by:
Gore: 127 million
Bush: 143 million


Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore: 13.2
Bush: 2.1


Professor Olson adds: 'In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was
mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.
Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government
welfare...'


Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency
and apathy' phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some
forty percent of the nation's' population already having reached the
'governmental dependency ' phase.


If Congress grant s amnesty and citizenship to twenty million illegal immigrants

and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.

Birthday Gift

For my birthday, Bro. Don Rice gave me this book - Behind The Scenes by A Pastor.


Preface To The 1994 Edition.

by Medford Caudill.


I remember the elderly gentleman who came into my bookstore one day and struck up a conversation about spiritual things. I soon found out that he was a believer in the doctrines of grace and we had some good fellowship talking about predestination and election. Then the talk turned to baptism. He was a member of a reform group. I stated what I thought the Bible taught concerning immersion and believers baptism. He said, "I studied those things out years ago and come to the conclusion that the Bible does teach immersion and does not teach the baptism of infants. My church believes the other way though, so what can I do?" Of course the answer to his dilemma was quite simple. Certainly, it was not easy but it was simple. He should have done exactly what the author of, Behind the Scenes, did. He should have left his church and joined the Baptists.

Baptism either saves or it does not save. If it does not save then there is no reason to impose it upon infants who have no knowledge of spiritual things. Or for that matter, on adults who have no knowledge of spiritual things.

The twin heresies of baptismal regeneration and infant baptism have always presented problems for, and eventually resulted in the persecution of the Lord's true churches.

We could do no better than to quote J.R. Graves who said, "Therefore, the institution of infant baptism is a tradition of man, a sin, and an abomination in the sight of God, and a curse to the Church and the world; a curse to the church, because it teaches men to believe and trust in the traditions of men rather then the commands and ordinances of God."

We command this book to our Baptist brethren in the hope that it will affirm that which they already know. We commend this book to our Christian brethren, who are not Baptists, with the hope that they will see the error and leave it for true baptism and true church membership.

Bro. Don has a good deal on this and other books.

Don Rice
http://faithbaptist.webng.com/


--
Bro. Jeff Hallmark
www.sprucelandbaptist.com
http://baptist-potluck.blogspot.com/

How to Recognize a Cult in 2008

Have you or your church ever been accused of being a “cult”??

Most Independent Fundamental Baptist Church I know at one time or another has been accused of being a “cult”. While many things we believe and practice as IFB Churches have been long in our history, and in the history of many churches. Yet because of compromise, modernism, and the neo evangelical movement, many who have Bible standards are consider in 2008 as a ‘cult”.

Here are some thoughts from my good friend, Bro. Don Rice - -

How to Recognize a Cult in 2008

If you preach against anything, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you use and believe in an old “outdated” “thee” and “thou” Bible, in 2008, you are cult.

If ladies wear dresses to Church, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you Church practices any type of pastoral leadership, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you believe in and mention hell, in 2008, you are a cult.

If the words godliness and or holiness are recognized as Bible terms, in 2008, you are a cult.

If Church members love their pastor, and care about fellow members, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you believe in personal responsibility to Bible instructions and commands, in 2008, you are a cult.

If Church members are encouraged and expected to attend faithfully, in 2008, you are a cult.

If tithing is mentioned, and encouraged and or expected of members, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you used to be called, considered, or spoken of as a legalist, and you have not changed, you are now a cult.

Article by Bro. Don Rice

Faith Baptist Church

http://faithbaptist.webng.com/

Some I would like to add –

If you put folks in a van and go door to door on a Saturday, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you have a Sunday Evening Service, in 2008, you are a cult.

If you preach it is ashamed for men to have long hair in 2008, you are a cult.

If you teach folks to dress their in Sunday’s Best when going to church, in 2008, you are a cult.

Please use our comments to add to the list of - … in 2008, you are a cult.