Partners_Links

Bill Gothard’s Institute in Life Principles: Jan 8, 2011

2010-11-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

Bill Gothard’s Institute in Life Principles (formerly known as Basic Youth)
Comes to Hampton Roads!

Bill Gothard’s Institute in Life Principles (formerly known as Basic Youth)
Comes to Hampton Roads!

Dear Pastor, Christian Brothers and Sisters,

A number of years ago, I attended an Institute in Basic Youth Principles taught by Bill Gothard. To my amazement, there were 12,000 in attendance. In retrospect, the teachings of this seminar changed my life and equipped me to help others on their walk with God. The single week of instruction has been more valuable than all my seminary education. --- John Joyner

Over the past 35 years, I have attended the Basic Life Principles seminar in many different cities, always with a large attendance made up of Christians from all denominations. I have seen the wisdom taught in this course becoming more real in my life. The course is Bible based, encouraging and challenging and will make a huge impact on your life and your family. One of the books recommended for character building is The Power of True Success. We have used this in training our children, in summer camps and church classes for years. --- Andy McFie

This same Basic Life Principles seminar is now available as a multi-week DVD course that will run for 19 sessions covering the 25 hours of instruction. This program is scheduled to start on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 5:00 pm. The location will be determined by the response received. A makeup session can be arranged if necessary. A separate class will be available for school-age children. Childcare will be available upon request.

The cost of the seminar is as follows:

Individual $60 (includes one textbook and 1 workbook)
Married Couple $95 (includes one textbook and 2 workbooks)
Alumni members-no materials free
Family members of alumni $35 (includes one workbook only)
Alumni may purchase additional workbooks for $5.00 each

Registration and fees are non-refundable and are due by November 20th.
Fees should be paid to Tidewater Church, 3810 Redmon Ct, Norfolk, VA 23518.

For questions, location and additional information, email Tidewater Church at TidewaterChurch@gmail.com or contact Andy McFie (757-237-1927) mcfie6@gmail.com or John Joyner (757-717-4380) or kree8or@yahoo.com.

The Koran's View of Jesus and the Bible

2010-10-23T04:35:00.001-07:00

The Qur'an is very positive about Jesus and the Bible, and never negative about them.

Jesus in the Qur’an has at least 40 unique names, titles and qualities, including:

born of a virgin (19:20),
Messiah (4:172),
the blessed one (19:31),
sinless (19:19),
aided by the Holy Spirit (2:87),
highly exalted (3:45),
predestined mercy of God (19:21),
life-giver and creator (3:49), ( Jesus does miracles!)
Word of God (4:171)

His death and resurrection are called blessed (19:33), and he is alive (5:117), ascended to God (3:55), a sign of the Hour (43:61), and a witness on the Day of Judgment (4:159).

In the Koran, Jesus is born of a virgin, is sinless and did miracles. According to the Koran, none of these things is true of Muhammed, the Prophet of Islam. This is a key fact to remember when talking to Muslims about Jesus.

The Bible is mentioned in the Qur’an hundreds of times. The Qur’an confirms it (5:46, 4:47, 3:3, etc.), and calls it inspired (16:43, 4:163), revealed by God (3:5, 4:136), given by God (6:154, 17:55, 5:46), authoritative (10:94, 2:213, 5:43, 44, 47), and unchangeable (10:64, 34, 18:27, 6:115, 15:9, 5:48).

It says it has light and guidance (5:46, 6:91), truth, leading and mercy (11:17, 46:12), and gives assurance of salvation (2:4). It is called the Book and Wisdom (3:48), the Clear Book (37:117), the Criterion, Shining, and the Reminder (21:48). Muslims are told they must believe in it (10:94, 16:43, 21:7, 42:5, 2:285, 4:136), and if they don’t, they are going to hell (4:136, 5:44, 45, 47, 40:69-72, 2:81, 3:11, 59:17, 35:36).

(Thanks to Scott Gore for this excellent info!)

Washington Posts Article on How Indigenous Moslems See Us!!

2010-08-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Purity Seminar

2010-08-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

Free 90 Minute Webinar on Writing a Book: Tuesday, August 10th, 9:00PM Eastern.

2010-07-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Been thinkin’ of writing a book?

If you’ve been thinking of writing a book, I’m not surprised. Why?
Because 86% of Americans say they dream of writing a book.

Some want to write a book of their memoires. Others want to write
a book of poetry. Still others want to write a novel. And,
some want to write one of the hottest selling books on the Internet—
a cook book or recipe book.

But it’s not just about what you want to write. A larger question
is, “Why do you want to write a book?” And there are many good
reasons.

My friend, Eddie Smith, who is a best-selling author, conference
speaker and writing coach says he’s heard hundreds of them at
the writing seminars he teaches each year across America.

Eddie says, “Some want to write to fulfill a dream; some to share
their point of view. Some want to write to produce another income
stream for the family; others want to write to express themselves.
Some actually feel that writing a book is a God-calling on their
lives.”

Whatever your reason, Eddie and I invite you to attend our free
private 90-minute webinar he will teach for my subscriber base
on Tuesday, August 10th, 9:00PM Eastern.

There is absolutely no charge, and Eddie is going to give away a
valuable gift at the close of the broadcast. You must be online at
the time to win it.

“What is a webinar?” you ask. It’s an Internet seminar that you
watch on your computer screen and listen to with your computer
speakers or headphones. There's no file or program to download.
Just show up, with pencil and paper in hand.

It’s internet-TV. You’ll see Eddie and his teaching slides and
hear him teach. You’ll likely hear me as well.

Eddie will share solid, fresh, information that you've never heard
and will never hear from anyone else. He’s agreed to conduct
an extensive Q&A session at the end. Have your questions
on hand. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by....

Save the date! Mark your calendar! Set your alarm! Do what you
must, but don’t miss this event!

"How To Write A Book" Webinar
With best-selling author and writing coach, Eddie Smith
Tuesday, August 10th, 9:00PM Eastern

Register for this FREE webinar today. Goto:
http://apps.attainresponse.com/home/eddiesmith@comf5.com/FOX

Please "forward" this email to any of your friends who might
be interested in "How To Write Your Book" training. Remember,
it's FREE.

July 4th, 2010 Declaration of God-Dependence

2010-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

July 4th Declaration of God-Dependence

We hold these truths to be evident in the Bible, that God has chosen us to be His children before He made the world; that we are children of God through our whole-hearted faith in Jesus Christ His Son, our faith itself a gift from God, and that as His children, God has given us certain unalienable rights, that among these are eternal life, liberty from guilt, shame, fear, rejection, abandonment, powerlessness, hopelessness and the pursuit of a godly, fruitful Christian life building the Kingdom throughout the world.

That to secure these rights, the Father sacrificed His Son on our behalf to pay a debt we could not pay even when we were enemies of God through our sins. That whenever any form of government, commerce, culture or public opinion becomes destructive to these God-given rights, it is our duty to throw off such beliefs and to trust in the Lord with all our hearts for our future security, believing that it is the right of all believers to cast their cares and needs upon the unbreakable promises of God Who cannot lie.

We, therefore, the congregation assembled here this Lord’s Day, July 4, 2010, do solemnly publish and declare, that we are, and of right ought to be, spiritually free and God-dependent people. We chose to give up our rights to live in our own strength and chose, instead, to live by His strength and promises. We believe that he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot earn.

And for the support of this declaration and with a firm reliance on the protection of God Our Father, Jesus our Lord and God’s Holy Spirit, we pledge to depend on God and on each other for the rest of our days on earth. ( people sign and hang signed letter in church)

Day of Prayer

2010-06-24T06:20:00.001-07:00

Please find below a portion of that decree.

Whereas, we find ourselves in the midst of the greatest man-made environmental disaster in our history; and

Whereas, it is our heritage that as a people we have been taught not only to publicly acknowledge God for the many blessings bestowed on us but also that we are to turn to Him and seek His aid and assistance in times of distress and calamity; and

President Ronald Reagan affirmed not only that "Prayer is the mainspring of the American spirit, a fundamental tenet of our people since before the Republic was founded" but also that "Prayer is today as powerful a force in our Nation as it has ever been. We as a Nation should never forget this source of strength";

President Reagan reminded us that we "have always turned to prayer at times of crisis. We recall the moving story of George Washington kneeling in the snow at Valley Forge to ask for divine assistance when the fate of our fledgling Nation hung in the balance. And Abraham Lincoln tells us that on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, 'I went into my room and got down on my knees in prayer.' Never before, he added, had he prayed 'with as much earnestness"; and

President James Buchanan reminded citizens: "In this the hour of our calamity and peril, to Whom shall we resort for relief but to the God of our fathers? His omnipotent arm only can save us from the awful effects . . . let our fervent prayers ascend to His Throne."

President John Tyler said that "When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future";

. . . . . The Continental Congress declared that "in the hour of calamity and impending danger . . . we are peculiarly animated, with true penitence of heart, to prostrate ourselves before our great Creator and fervently to supplicate His gracious interposition for our deliverance"

I therefore call a Day of Prayer, urging citizens to pray comfort on the families of those killed in the initial blast; that God would crown with success efforts to stem the flow of escaping oil; that He would interpose to mitigate further damage and strengthen the hands of clean up crews; that He would sustain those whose livelihood is directly impacted by this tragedy; that He would preserve the health of citizens along the coastal regions; that He would comfort the minds of all citizens, reminding us that He is a strong refuge in times of trouble; that He would guide the counsels of our civil leaders and provide them with wisdom and Divinely inspired solutions to the many complex problems associated with this disaster; and that He would prevent future recurrences.

Senior Pastor Position

2010-05-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Restoration Church is seeking the man God has prepared to become its Senior Pastor. The church is located at 508 Fox Hill Road in Hampton, Virginia. Current Sunday morning attendance is just under 200 in a sanctuary that will hold approximately 400 people.

Full-time staff presently consists of a worship pastor and secretary with a youth pastor serving part-time. Restoration is a Southern Baptist Church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia. Worship services feature contemporary music; there is a thriving youth ministry, and AWANA clubs are available for younger children. The church is organized around elder rule, with the Senior Pastor serving as the lead elder. Deacons are nominated by the body to minister as servant leaders.

Doctrinally, Restoration Church stands on the inerrancy of the Bible as the inspired Word of God, the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, and the permanence of marriage between one man and one woman. The church affirms the Biblical operation of spiritual gifts and the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people.

Please contact the church for further information:

Restoration Church
508 Fox Hill Road
Hampton, VA 23669

Phone: 757-851-3625
E-mail: anne@rcpb.net
Website: www.rcpb.net (under construction

The Sneeze

2010-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

THE SNEEZE
>
> They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the
> already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing .. and the
> traditional caps, they looked almost .. as grown up as they felt.
>
> Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.
>
> This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but
> because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.
>
> The principal and several students were careful to stay within the
> guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches,
> but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates
> or their families.
>
> The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech received a standing ovation.
>
> A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for
> just a moment, and then, it happened.
>
> All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!!
> The student on stage.. simply looked at the audience and said,
>
> 'GOD BLESS YOU'. And he walked off stage...
>
> The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way
> to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.
>
> This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland . ( Perhaps -Editor)
>

Iran: Female converts go before judge

2010-04-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Iran: Female converts go before judge

The silence from Iran is nerve-racking. There’s been no word on the result of last week’s court hearing for Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh – Iranian Christians who were arrested by security forces in March 2009.

Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says that’s not unusual, but their legal strategy is. “They made the argument in court that they couldn’t be apostates because they weren’t actually Muslims. They said, ‘We were born into Muslim families, but we ourselves never made the choice to become Muslims. Therefore, we are Christians, but we are not apostates because we weren’t Muslims to begin with.’”

They were arrested March 5, 2009, on charges of anti-state activity and “taking part in illegal gatherings” because of their participation in house church activities. The anti-state charges were later dropped.

They’re still facing propagation of the Christian faith and apostasy charges, so keep praying. It’s been a test of their endurance.
According to Elam Ministries, although they have been receiving medical treatment for the past five months, they remain weak and suffer from various illnesses. The two had spent 259 days incarcerated in Evin Prison where they were reportedly subjected to psychological abuse, and their medical requests were ignored.

Despite the uncertainties, their testimony encourages other believers. Nettleton says, “They are determined to continue to be a witness for Christ, to continue to stand strong in their faith. We can pray that they’ll be encouraged in that, that they will have a sense of peace, a sense of God’s presence, and that God will provide the words for them to say when the time comes.”

Pray that the peace of God will protect Maryam and Marzieh’s hearts and minds and keep them safe. Pray that they will completely recover from their illnesses and be strong – physically, mentally and spiritually. Pray that all charges will be dropped and they will be set free.

Healing Rooms Training

2010-04-06T05:41:00.001-07:00

International Association of Healing Rooms
Healing in His Wings with Cal and Michelle Pierce
Region 11 Healing Conference
April 8-10

Peninsula Healing Rooms of Virginia
New Covenant Church
1079 Big Bethel Road, Hampton, Virginia

Single Registration $30. Couple Registration $50
Register online here: www.healingroomsregion11.com.

Healing in His Wings, with Cal and Michelle Pierce and David and Tracy Ruleman, will release an anointing that advances the kingdom of heaven on earth.
During these three days there will be an increase of faith and an impartation that will empower you to minister with more authority as you follow Jesus.

Conference Schedule (click here for complete brochure.)

Thursday - April 8
7:00 PM – Opening Session, Cal Pierce
Friday - April 9
10:00 AM - David & Tracy Ruleman, Region 11 Directors
12:30 PM - Luncheon - Directors/Associate Directors
2:00 PM - Apostolic Team from Spokane
7:00 PM - Cal Pierce
Saturday - April 10
10:00 AM - Cal Pierce
12:30 PM – Luncheon for people interested in Healing Rooms- $7.00
2:00 PM - Apostolic Team from Spokane
7:00 PM - Impartation service and closing Session, Cal Pierce

Child Care will not be provided.

ALL EVENING MEETINGS ARE FREE

For more information contact:

David & Tracy Ruleman – Region 11 Directors
202-237-7926
david@healingroomsregion11.com
tracy@healingroomsregion11.com

Don & Jo Howard
757-880-5894
donniejo@verizon.net

James Jordan March 2010 Schedule in Virginia Beach, VA

2010-01-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

James Jordan Forum/Conference

Forum attenders fees (March 11 – 13, 2010):
$53 / person - Forum attender. Registration includes welcome reception on Thursday p.m. and lunch on Thursday & Friday. **Please note all other meals and lodging accommodations are not included.

Lodging Location suggestions:

Fairfield Inn: 1560 Crossways Boulevard ,Chesapeake, VA; 888-236-2427 or 757-420-1300; ask for Fatherheart Room Block; $79/night + tax USD if reservation is made before February 11, 2010 includes breakfast.

Value Place Extended Stay: $250/week + tax USD
137 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA - (757) 410-0000

Days Inn: $46.75/night + tax USDincludes breakfast1433 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA - (757) 547-9262

Hampton Inn: $75.66/night + tax USD includes breakfast
701 Woodlake Dr · Chesapeake - (757) 420-1550

Extended Stay of America: $55.60/night + tax USD
809 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake, VA, 23320 (757) 523-7377

Evening Forum meetings (March 11 & 12, 2010):
Free - open to public with free will offering taken to cover expenses.

Meeting Location:
New Life Providence Church
1244 Thompkins Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Registration and payment instructions:
1. Go to: https://nlmin.readyhosting.com/donate/index.php
2. Fill in personal info on 1st page
3. Continue to 2nd page
4. Check Father forum, $53 USD
5. Continue to 3rd page and complete payment info.

Schedule:
Thursday, March 11th – 12Pm – 9PM
12 - 2 PM; lunch
2 PM : Session
6 - 7PM: Welcome reception
7 – 9 PM: Evening session
Friday, March 12th – 9.30 am to 9 pm:
9:30 AM: Session
12 – 2PM lunch
2 PM: Session
7 – 9 pm: Evening Session
Saturday, March 13th – 9.30 am to 1.00 pm:
9:30 AM: Session

"A" School (Experiencing the Father’s Love)

March 14 – 20, 2010:

Students fees
$420/person USD – A School student. Includes: tuition, materials, lunches and dinners. (beginning Sunday evening dinner through Saturday lunch) **Please note all other meals and lodging accommodations are not included.

School Location:
New Life Great Bridge
1116 Hillwell
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Lodging Location suggestions:

Fairfield Inn: 1560 Crossways Boulevard ,Chesapeake, VA; 888-236-2427 or 757-420-1300; ask for Fatherheart Room Block; $79/night + tax USD if reservation is made before February 11, 2010 includes breakfast.
Value Place Extended Stay: $250/week + tax USD
137 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA - (757) 410-0006
Days Inn: $46.75/night + tax USD includes breakfast
1433 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA - (757) 547-9262
Hampton Inn: $75.66/night + tax USD includes breakfast
701 Woodlake Dr · Chesapeake - (757) 420-1550
Extended Stay of America: $55.60/night + tax USD
809 Greenbrier Circle, Chesapeake, VA, 23320 (757) 523-7377

Registration and payment instructions:
1. Fill out A School Application at www.fatherheart.net
2. For payment go to: https://nlmin.readyhosting.com/donate/index.php
3. Fill in personal info on 1st page
4. Continue to 2nd page
5. Check ‘A’ School – payment $420 USD
6. Continue to 3rd page and complete payment info.

Schedule::
Sunday, March 14; 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19th ; 9:45 am – 8:30 pm
Saturday, March 20; 9:45 am – 12:00 pm

Special Discount to the CBN.com Spiritual Gifts Webcast viewers

2010-01-18T07:15:00.001-08:00

Dear Spiritual Gifts Viewer,

Marguerite Evans of Catch the Fire Ministry has extended a special discount to the CBN.com Spiritual Gifts Webcast viewers for the upcoming Virginia Beach CTF Conference and Equipping Schools. For viewers and attendees of the Spiritual Gifts Webcast, the fee for the Equipping Schools is $129, plus the conference registration fee of $49 when you register for the school (normally the fee is $199 plus the $49 fee for the conference with the school registration).

To take advantage of this special discount, call 919-848-3063 and mention that you are a CBN.com Spiritual Gifts Webcast viewer. You must attend one of the Equipping Schools and the Virginia Beach Catch the Fire Conference in order to receive the discount. (Please note: You will not receive this discount if you register online.)

The Virginia Beach Catch the Fire Conference will run from Wednesday, February 17 through Saturday, February 20 at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach. The two pre-conference Equipping Schools will run from February 14th to the 17th. See the attached brochure for details.

This year there are two equipping classes to choose from:

Kingdom Living School: Designed to give you practical tools to live your life in the fullness of all God intended for you.

Speakers include John and Carol Arnott, Gordon Robertson, Duncan and Kate Smith, David Addesa, Marguerite Evans, Frank Meadows, Travis and Ann Thigpen and Robin Tull.

RTF Issue-Focused Equipping School: This is a "hands-on" class that will focus on training you to bring God's healing to specific problems and issues in life.

Speakers will be Chester and Betsy Kylstra of the Restoring The Foundations.

Geert Wilder's speech to Holland's Parliament

2010-01-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

Geert Wilder's speech to Holland's Parliament

Madam Speaker, allow me, first, to express my sincere thanks to you personally for having planned a debate on Islam on the very day of my birthday. I could not have wished for a nicer present! Madam Speaker, approximately 1400 years ago war was declared on us by an ideology of hate and violence which arose at the time and was proclaimed by a
barbarian who called himself the Prophet Mohammed. I am referring to Islam.

Madam Speaker, let me start with the foundation of the Islamic faith, the Koran. The Koran's core theme is about the duty of all Muslims to fight non-Muslims; an Islamic Mein Kampf, in which fight means war, jihad. The Koran is above all a book of war "“ a call to butcher non-Muslims (2:191, 3:141, 4:91, 5:3), to roast them (4:56, 69:30-69:32), and to cause bloodbaths amongst them (47:4). Jews are compared to monkeys and pigs (2:65, 5:60, 7:166), while people who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God must according to the Koran be fought (9:30).

Madam Speaker, the West has no problems with Jews or Christians, but it does have problems with Islam. It is still possible, even today, for Muslims to view the Koran, which they regard as valid for all time, as a license to kill. And that is exactly what happens. The Koran is worded in such a way that its instructions are addressed to Muslims for eternity, which includes today's Muslims. This in contrast to texts in the Bible, which is formulated as a number of historical narratives, placing events in a distant past. Let us remind ourselves that it was Muslims, not Jews or Christians, who committed the catastrophic terrorist attacks in New York, Madrid and London; and that it was no coincidence that Theo van Gogh was brutally murdered by a Muslim, Mohammed Bouyeri.

Madam Speaker, I acknowledge that there are people who call themselves Muslims and who respect our laws. My party, the Freedom Party, has nothing against such people, of course. However, the Koran does have something against them. For it is stated in the Koran in Sura 2, verse 85, that those believers who do not believe in everything the Koran states will be humiliated and receive the severest punishment; which means that they will roast in Hell. In other words, people who call themselves Muslims but who do not believe, for example, in Sura 9, verse 30, which states that Jews and Christians must be fought, or, for example, in Sura 5, verse 38, which states that the hand of a thief must be cut off, such people will be humiliated and roast in Hell. Note that it is not me who is making this up. All this can be found in the Koran. The Koran also states that Muslims who believe in only part of the Koran are in fact apostates, and we know what has to happen to apostates. They have to be killed.

Madam Speaker, the Koran is a book that incites to violence. I remind the House that the distribution of such texts is unlawful according to Article 132 of our Penal Code. In addition, the Koran incites to hatred and calls for murder and mayhem. The distribution of such texts is made punishable by Article 137(e). The Koran is therefore a highly dangerous book; a book which is completely against our legal order and our democratic institutions. In this light, it is an absolute necessity that the Koran be banned for the defence and reinforcement of our civilisation and our constitutional state. I shall propose a second-reading motion to that effect.

Madam Speaker, there is no such thing as "moderate Islam".... As Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan said the other day, and I quote, "There is no moderate or immoderate Islam. Islam is Islam and that's it".... Islam is in pursuit of dominance. It wishes to exact its imperialist agenda by force on a worldwide scale (8:39). This is clear from European history. Fortunately, the first Islamic invasion of Europe was stopped at Poitiers in 732; the second in Vienna in 1683. Madam Speaker, let us ensure that the third Islamic invasion, which is currently in full spate, will be stopped too in spite of its insidious nature and notwithstanding the fact that, in contrast to the 8th and 17th centuries, it has no need for an Islamic army because the scared "dhimmis"� in the West, also those in Dutch politics, have left their doors wide open to Islam and Muslims.

Apart from conquest, Madam Speaker, Islam is also bent on installing a totally different form of law and order, namely Sharia law. This makes Islam, apart from a religion for hundreds of millions of Muslims also, and in particular, a political ideology (with political/constitutional/Islamic basic values, etc). Islam is an ideology without any respect for others; not for Christians, not for Jews, not for non-believers and not for apostates. Islam aims to dominate, subject, kill and wage war.

Madam Speaker, the Islamic incursion must be stopped. Islam is the Trojan Horse in Europe. If we do not stop Islamification now, Eurabia and Netherabia will just be a matter of time. One century ago, there were approximately 50 Muslims in the Netherlands. Today, there are about 1 million Muslims in this country. Where will it end? We are heading for the end of European and Dutch civilization as we know it.

Tips for Dealing with Real and Fake Census Workers

2010-01-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

2010 Census to Begin

WARNING: 2010 Census - Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than
140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social
Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you
saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

OB wants Volunteers to Help rebuild local church ministry

2010-01-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Operation Blessing Strike Team Members,

In November, remnants of Hurricane Ida caused flash flooding which devastated a local food bank at New Life Christian Center in Norfolk, VA. This food bank sits in the middle of a poverty stricken area of Norfolk known as East Oceanview. Operation Blessing has been helping to rebuild two buildings, including The Storehouse (food bank), to help New Life continue to reach hundreds each month. We are looking for volunteers to help us! There is much to be done and everyday that goes by without the project being completed is another day that the church is unable to function as it once did. Help us bring this church back to life and bless them with what they need to serve those in their community.

Could you help us by recruiting a team of 2 or more to volunteer with us over the next several weeks?...the sooner the better! Each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt and lunch will be provided by us. Since this disaster is in our home network, we will not be providing lodging. Each volunteer counts, so even if you can only volunteer one day, your service would be greatly appreciated!

The basic information is as follows:

Volunteers 18 or older meet @
3921 Pleasant Ave Norfolk, VA 23518
(We will make exceptions for those who are 16 - 17 yrs. with an accompanying parent or leader.
Please call Hailey to discuss the release / consent forms that will be required before arriving at the site.)

Monday - Saturday @ 8:00AM until 4:30PM (Lunch will be provided)
December 31st – January 23rd.

Please register at least 24 hours prior to arriving so we may plan for your arrival.

To Register or For More Details:
Call us @ 757.226.3407 or email us at volunteer@ob.org

Type of Work:
Construction and Remodeling

Thank you for your faithfulness in volunteering with us as we respond to disasters at home and around the nation! We could not impact as many lives without YOU!

Hailey Saenz

National Volunteer & Programs Manager
Operation Blessing International
U.S. Disaster Relief
977 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, VA 23463
work phone: 757-226-3407
work cell: 757-284-9163
email: hailey_ob@yahoo.com or hailey.saenz@ob.org

Christmas in Panama: From a wonderful Panamanian lady in our church

2009-11-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

Hi, to everyone:

I have compiled some of the Christmas traditions in Panama

Christmas greeting in Panama is known as “ Feliz Navidad”. Spending Christmas in Panama is a season to be around our family and friends. Most Panamanian festivities occur during Christmas time, such as the arrival of summer. December is by far one of the busiest month in many countries around the world, and in Panama, things are not different

In Panama, the preparations for the busy Christmas season really begins in November. Once the mes patrio (patriotic month) celebrating Panama´s independence days passes, major banks and businesses replace the red, white and blue banners and flags with red and white, competing to have the best Christmas or nativity scene on their premises or rooftops, hoping to usher in the year end festivities. In addition, department stores start setting up their Christmas displays in their store fronts amd playing Christmas carols over their sound systems, hoping to lure in those early Christmas gift shoppers.

The beginning of the Christmas season is marked by the lighting of the Christmas trees, when Panama City's Mayor makes an open invitation to the Parque Urraca on Balboa Ave., and also at many of the Banks headquarters, malls and hotels follow. Newspaper ads inundate all major newspapers inviting families to chime in and indulge in all the festivities, including gifts and candies for the kids.

Many companies start sending gift baskets to clients and smaller gifts to clerks, receptionists and secretaries. Even employees join in the gift giving playing secret santas, accompanied by an annual company dinner or get together, usually at a restaurant or someone´s home. The famous Club payments play a big part of gift giving. This is where banks make available their clients Christmas savings accounts, available only until the end of the year. For those who have difficulties keeping their savings untouched, this is a good deal.

A unique aspect of Christmas in Panama is the celebration of Mother's Day, also in December. Panama may well be the only country in the world celebrating it in December. But it does! December 8th is another holiday for this already busy month. Mothers receive serenatas.

For stores that sell indoor and outdoor paint, this is also a busy time of the year, as many families do their best to ready their homes for the celebrations, family visits and parties. Remember Dec 15th is the beginning of the summer in Panama and most families traditionally like to receive the new year with a newly painted house and painters are more than eager to get that extra cash.

By this time of the year, if you didn´t book a hall for your Christmas celebration, it´s probably too late. Companies book several months in advance to celebrate their Christmas parties, which include fancy dinners, maybe a dance, gift giving, a raffle for the big prize, announcements and employee recognitions.

In case you didn't know, 99% of all Panama's employees get paid on the 30th and the 15th of every month. If you plan to go shopping, to the bank or the grocery stores, make sure you avoid going between the 29th and the 1st, and the between 14th and 16th of every month. It's hectic. Trust me!! Even more because by law, companies pay what in Spanish is called 'décimo tercer mes', a 13th month bonus. They take the monthly salary, divide it by 3 and pay 1/3 in April, 1/3 in August and the last 1/3 in December. You can only imagine how everybody anxiously await this extra cash.

And with money in the pockets, here comes the Teleton. An annual fundraising organized by Club 20-30. Every year, Panamanians share our wealth to benefit needed children. Every year, on the second week of December, the telethon 20-30 takes place in Panama City. This telethon is a fundraising telethon sponsored by Club Activo 20-30 of Panama since 1980. The telethon is broadcasted for 27 consecutive hours. Proceeds from this telethon are used to fund projects to enable impoverished families to become self-sufficient. The goal increases every year and Panamanians always manage to reach it.

On December 24th, most banks, offices and government agencies close at noon. By now, beauty sallons are full swing and kitchens witness the cooking and the baking of the many dishes to be served at night. That's rigth! Panamanians have their Christmas dinner during Christmas eve. What is it served? On this occasion, the Panamanians serve some of their traditional food, such as pavo, which is Turkey; relleno, meaning stuffing; arroz dulce, and tamales which consists of a cornmeal made into a paste with Arturo sauce, prunes, capers, meats, and spices wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled. It will definitely vary from house to house, and even from Province to Province, but you can assure that tamales is by far a traditional dish served throughout the country. Other Panamanian Christmas foods are ham, potato salad with beets and .rosca (soft egg-bread braided and baked in a wreath shape), and Bowls of fruit containing grapes, apples and bananas decorate the Christmas tables. The most popular dessert from the Panamanian cuisine in Christmas is represented by fruicakes.

At 10:00 p.m., in most homes, it's time for Christmas mass for those of the Catholic faith. This tradition takes them to Church at this time to then go home and share a meal and serve the spirits.

At mid night gifts are given to each family member and in some occasions people rather wait until the next day to open them.

Also, around 12:00 midnight, with the sound of firecrackers ringing through the air, the festivities are just beginning... so if you plan to sleep early, you may need to plan ahead..but for Party lovers, you´ve come to the right place. Many will stay out all night, bringing in the new day, where the celebrations continue.

On the morning of Christmas people go to the church to offer prayers. The rest of the day is spent by making fun, eating special foods and visiting far off friends and families.

For us Panamanians, Christmas is something to do more with family. The Panamanian culture tends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. One difference in our Christmas is the abundance of manger scenes. Jesus is actually a part of Christmas in Panama. There is a type of friendly competition among neighborhoods to see who makes the best birth nativity display for Jesus.

High end Panamanian families tend to travel to their beach houses with their entire family and sometimes close friends. Middle income families tend to do the same or in some cases “house hopping” is their option.

Panamanians love to decorate. The way large banks and insurance buildings on “Calle 50” (50th Street) decorate… you’d think you were on 5th Ave. in New York City! The lights Christmas parades are fantastic. Areas in Panama City such as the Banking district (Obarrio, Calle 50 and Marbella) are recommended to see in order to appreciate the beauty of high income entity nativity displays.

December is also time for the Posadas (Christmas Caroling). where community groups and church goers organize small groups and choose children to represent Mary and Joseph, angels and sheperds. They agree in what houses to stop and ask for 'hospice' for Mary and Joseph. These house owners are supposed to say no and the group sings from house to house until they arrive to the 'one' that will take them in and will grant them 'posada'. Songs are sang and prayers are shared before the hosts bring out goodies for the kids. In Panama, Christmas music iis called "villancicos".

The 20th of the month brings in a different kind of spirit, as some groups remember this day as the 'Día de la Invasión' (Invasion Day), when the US troops arrived with the sole purpose of taking Noriega out of Panama, and in this attempt many died and are rememberd every year.

Third week in this last month, kids are out of most public schools and this means one more thing to add to December: Graduations. 6th and 12th graders walk to receive their diplomas, friends and relatives buy graduation gifts and moms go frantic preparing their kids' graduation family party.

By now shoppers are stressed. Stores open until late. Some store open until 1:00 a.m. for the three weekends before Christmas. Every where you look there are people shopping.

Lots of singing, dancing and fun surrounds the Christmas and New Year in Panama. During the Christmas and New Year Eves, local and international bands perform at hotels and night clubs.

We also love presents! Panamanians love beautifully wrapped gifts. We are a generous people who both love to give and receive. In every store, there are section where our gifts are wrapped for free. If you don't have patience to wait to wrap your gifts, you just have to ask for yards of wrapping papers and bows.

The American influence with the building of the Canal Zone changed the holidays into a mixture of Panamanian and American traditions. As a consequence of that, Panamanians love to embellish our outdoor lawns and yards with lights and decorative crafts. During Christmas, our houses are decorative. Floodlighting combined with spotlighting in shrubbery is common, with the traditional stars above sharing attention with the lighted Christmas trees in the yard. Icicles lights are very popular lights that are used to form a backdrop for an angelic choir. Synthetic snowmen, elves and gnomes or a Nativity Christmas scene heightens the outdoor decorations. It is a Christmas tradition to visit neighborhoods like Villa Lucre, Brisas del Golf, Obarrio, Calle Belen, Albrook to appreciate the creativity of our houses.

In Panama, Christmas trees are very important. A Christmas tree is the center of attraction in most houses. It is decorated with the traditional lights, angel treetop, icicles, and other Christmas ornaments. Every Panamanian longs to have a fresh fir or pine tree in his living room, no matter what the cost The price range of Christmas trees is from $15.00 to $75.00. We dismantled our Christmas trees on January 6th.

Here are some interesting facts:
Panama is the third largest “consumer” of cut Christmas trees, behind the United States and Canada.

An estimated 90% of Panamanian homes will have either a fresh cut or an artificial Christmas tree.
75,000 cut fir or pine Christmas trees will be imported this year.
There are at least 500,000 families in Panama (population slightly over 3 million).

In December, the mayor of Panama City organized a Christmas Parade that gathers kids, teenagers, and adults from all around the country. This annual parade is a special occasion for all Panamanian families to gather and enjoy the beauty of this magical event and time of year. In addition, round 12,000 children from different poor areas of the city re the guests of honor to a VIP pre-party in Parque Urracá, which included shows, artist presentations, lots of different foods, and gifts and candies for the kids. A lot of toys are distributed to kids who otherwise might not have received anything for Christmas. Those who can't make it in person can watch the parade live on TV.

This festive parade started in Parque Urracá, as it does every year. It continued over to Avenida Balboa, then to Avenida Aquilino de la Guardia and on to Calle 50, ending at Via Porras with a sparkling show of fireworks. Along the way spectators enjoyed floats (representing corporations, churches, schools, and government entities) and local bands, all celebrating the theme "Christmas Spirit." Every year the floats are decorated in traditional Panamanian styles, and people in the parade dress in "polleras" (the typical women's dress style) and "montunos" (the typical men's style). The drummers (firefighters, policemen and high school students) keep the crowds entertained by swinging the drums around their necks a couple of times and then picking up again where they left off, drumming while marching.

In Panama, there is a Christmas tradition, called the muñecos that are displayed along the roads of West Panama after Christmas' Eve until New Year's Eve. Muñecos are effigies that are burned in New Year's bonfire parties. It's an old tradition of the rural area of Panama that was dying out until some local governments and legislator Arturo Araúz stepped forward to sponsor contests, with cash prizes for the best muñecos. The best muñecos can be appreciated in the districts of Capira, Chame and San Carlos.

Political figure, entertainers, historical characters and ordinary people in typical garb are frequent subjects.

Although Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the other big holiday in Panama is Epiphany - or Dia de los Reyes (Kings Day), when children get presents.
Christmas music is often

I recently came across an article that listed Panamanians as the fourth happiest people in the world. The study was done by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF), a group that puts together a Happy Planet Index every year, and they do so by evaluating a population's satisfaction, life expectation, and environmental footprint. A pretty legit census.

As traditions may vary from country to country, dishes, times of celebrations and traditions may be vary from country to country, but one thing is certain, in Panama, many look inward, with some experiencing feelings of happiness and togetherness and in the end...a time to prepare for what the next year may bring!

I guess you’ve figured out that Christmas is important in Panama and why we are the fourth happiest people in this world. Que viva Panama

Peninsula Consortium on Homelessness, Nov19, 2009

2009-11-11T13:52:00.000-08:00

There is an amazing array of Peninsula resources fighting the homeless epidemic, the problem is, many ministries aren't fully aware of what is available.

This is why we're so passionate to host the first Peninsula Church Consortium on Homelessness on Thursday, November 19th from 9AM - 12PM.

This is a Free Event designed to educate, inform, and inspire us to effectively stamp out homelessness here in Hampton Roads.

Featured speakers include:

Alan Archer
Assistant City Manager, City of Newport News
Mr. Archer will speak on Newport News strategies to end homelessness and offer a unique, city
government perspective.

Lynne Finding
Executive Director, LINK
LINK is a nonprofit volunteer organization which exists to reduce the causes of poverty through
collaborative partnerships, advocacy, and maximization of effective resources. This includes
PORT, the Peninsula emergency winter shelter program.

Sarah Meacham
Executive Director, Avalon
Avalon exists to end domestic violence and sexual assault by offering shelter, advocacy,
education, and support to survivors. Avalon also works tirelessly in fostering awareness and
prevention through community education.

Maria Cory
Executive Director, Denbigh United Christian Outreach (DUCO)
DUCO exists to be a living expression of God's love by providing emergency food assistance and
financial aid. DUCO mentors and supports people into self-sufficiency and assists participating
congregations by providing cooperative benevolent aid.

Chad and Ashley Lambert
Staff, All Nations Church
Through the leadership of the Lamberts, All Nations has established a weekly homeless outreach
ministry consisting of meals, hot showers, medical ministry, a clothing closet, a food pantry, and
bus transportation.

This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts and learn best practices from seasoned ministries. In addition, a copy of the Hampton Roads Benevolence Guide (a comprehensive listing of area benevolence ministries and organizations) will be given to each attendee, as well as updated calendars for emergency winter shelter programs.

After each featured speaker, there will be a question-and-answer period and a time of focused prayer. Various other organizations will also be present, offering free resources and must-have information.

Please RSVP by replying to this email so that we can properly prepare Attendee Packets and refreshments.

God's grace,

Brian Forrester
All Nations Church
853 Cloverleaf Lane Newport News, VA 23601
757.825.8465
allnationschurch.org

Senior Citizen Housing in S. Hampton Roads

2009-09-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

SENIOR HOUSING

CHESAPEAKE:
Alta Reserve, 1005 Elysian Place (23320) 361-0066

*Cambridge Square, 704 Gainsborough Court (23322) 547-7119

Chesapeake Crossing Phase II, 1925 Robert Hall Blvd. (23324) 494-0941

The Commons at Chesapeake, 116 Gainsborough Sq. (23320) 436-2699

The Commons at Churchland, 3504 Executive Center Drive (23321) 484-8697

The Commons at Hunningdon Lakes, II, 1102 Alexandria Lane (23320) 819-7234

The Cottages at Great Bridge, 625 Bette’s Way (23320) 512-3050

Greenbrier Seniors Apartments, 1509 Ring Road (23320) 366-9676

Holly Point Apartments, 2410 Holly Point Blvd (23325) 1-866-902-5327

*Kemet House Apartments, 2139 Broadmoor Ave. (23323) 487-5021

Lighthouse Pointe, 933 Cedar Rd (23322) 382-4911

Sunstone, 4600 Peek Trail (23321) 488-3165

NORFOLK:
*Annetta M. Lane Apartments, 2734 Gate House Road (23504) 622-2386

*Braywood Manor, 7000 Auburn Avenue (23513) 857-4496

*Calvary Towers, 850 E. VA. Beach Blvd. (23504) 446-0850

*COGIC Memorial Home for the Elderly, 2412 E. Va. Beach 622-2513
Blvd. (23504)

Cromwell House, 114 Cromwell Pkwy. (23505) 480-4444

*Grace Place, 2735 Corprew Ave. (23504) 627-8552

*Granby House, 100 Suburban Pkwy. (23505) 583-6330

Harbor’s Edge, 1 Colley Ave (23510) 616-7950

John Knox Towers, 1210 Colonial Avenue (23517) 622-5443

Page 2
SENIOR HOUSING

Norfolk (con’t

*Lakewood Plaza Apts., 5631 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-5445

Shorewood Cove, 293 Corporate Blvd. (23502) 461-4080

Stonebridge Manor, 5432 Tidewater Drive (23509) 857-1351

*Suburban House, 110 Suburban Pkwy (23505) 588-6256

Talbot Park Commons, 6311 Granby St. (23505) 451-5100

*Tucker House, 7700 Armfield Avenue (23505) 489-7770

*Village Pointe, 1220 W. 38th Street (23508) 423-8100

Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) 623-1111
Applications for the following NRHA Senior Mid-rises: 624-8615
*Bobbit Apts., 5920 Poplar Hall Dr. (23502)
*Franklin Arms 2500 E. Princess Anne Rd. (23504)
*Hunter Square, 825 Goff Street (23504)
*Partrea Apts., 701 Easy Street (23505)
*Sykes Apts., 555 E. Liberty Street (23523)

PORTSMOUTH:
The Commons at Greenwood, Airline Blvd. & Greenwood Dr. (23701) 465-9007

*Effingham Plaza, 715 Madison Street (23704) 393-4757

*Malvern Hill, 426 King Street (23704) 393-0905

*Mt. Herman Village, 2400 Cutherell St. (23707) 399-4462

*Phoebus Square Apts- to apply: You can obtain an application from the Authority’s website at www.prha.org, and it must be returned by mail. Applications are available to adults only, one person, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. To request reasonable accommodations please call 391-2080. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-545-1833 ext. 869. These are the following four locations in Portsmouth:
Dale Homes Rental Office - 234 Dale Drive, Lincoln Park Rental office - 4 Lexington Drive
Westbury Homes Office - 900 Thomas Circle, Swanson Homes Rental Office - 1746 South Street

Page 3
SENIOR HOUSING

Portsmouth (con’t

Shea Terrace Senior Apts, 253 Constitution Ave. (23704) 397-9804

Victory Square, 900 County St. (23704) 397-9991

SUFFOLK:
*Betty Davis Village, 100 Dover Court (23434) 539-6005

*Chorey Park, 804 W. Constance Road (23434) 925-1461

The Commons at Centerbrooke, 1056 Centerbrooke Lane (23434) 925-7955

*Hoffler Apartments, 2210 E. Washington St. (23434) 539-8742

*Magnolia Gardens, 219 Prospect Road (23434) 923-4260

The Orchards at Belleville Harbour, 1050 Belle Orchard Lane (23435) 484-7045

*William H. Plummer Plaza Retirement Community 686-0775
5520 Town Point Road, (23435)

VIRGINIA BEACH:
*Beth Sholom Sands, 6405 Auburn Drive (23464) 420-0891

Brenneman Lakes, 4400 Sanibel Cir. (23462) 1-866-485-7682

Colony Pines, 2600 Va. Beach Blvd. (23452) 486-7363

The Commons at Princess Anne, 4924 Princess Anne Road (23462) 490-7001

Haygood Halls, 1101 Ferry Plantation Rd. (23455) 1-888-219-7119

Holland House. 721 Chimney Hill Parkway (23462) 498-9225

Jamestown Commons, 1025 College Park Blvd. (23464) 361-6900

*Luther Manor, 350 Malibu Drive (23452) 463-3510

Lynnhaven Cove, 5020 Lynnhaven Pkwy. (23464) 467-4000

*Russell House, 900 First Colonial Road (23454) 481-0770

Silver Hill, 1537 Mill Dam Rd. (23454) 481-0055
Page 4
SENIOR HOUSING

Silver Hill at Thalia, 4373 Bonney Rd (23452) 431-2290

*Sullivan House, Phase I & II 563-9955
2017-2033 General Booth Blvd. (23454)

Victoria Place, 4629 Shore Drive (23455) 313-2323

Wesleyan Place, 5445 Wesleyan Drive (23455) 473-1490

ISLE OF WIGHT
*Covenant Place, 601 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 994 Smithfield, VA (23430) 357-4469

*Subsidized based on income; all others flat rate rent

Gdata/ltc/sosres/seniorhousing Rev. 8/09

National Conference Call Sept 25th for Nation

2009-09-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

This message is from another ministry:

"It is critical that the church in America understands the times and what needs to be done now. The natural things speak of the invisible. Natural happenings on the earth are revealing something that is going on in the spiritual realm. There is a great spiritual conflict with a rising tide of Islamic boldness being manifested.

Our President has recently proclaimed, honored, and encouraged the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. He was very silent on the National Day of Prayer but very vocal on the support of Ramadan. Interestingly at the same time a major Christian leader of the Emergent Church called for forty days of fasting and prayer in the same Ramadan period with the goal that the church will better understand our Muslim friends. We are all for understanding but we must have spiritual discernment as to the spiritual dark powers that are being invoked into our nation.

At the same time, on the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall.

This is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, "Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house." These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America.

This convergence, I believe, is urgently summoning us in the midst of the rising tide of Islamic influence in America to recognize that our God is above every god and that if we return to Him with all of our hearts and call upon Him with fasting and prayer then God could use what the enemy meant for evil to bring about a great day of salvation for Muslims in America, of which Rifqa is but a major sign.

Therefore we are calling Christians all over America to join Lou Engle, Mrs. Shirley Dobson, Tony Perkins, and many other major leaders in America to a national conference call to pray for America. Please join us on Thursday, September 24th from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Eastern Time for possibly one of the greatest moments in American history."

Conference Call Numbers: 712-338-8100
Alternate Dial in Numbers: 218-486-1400 or 507-726-3200
Participant Passcode: 637# (NDP#)
Live Audio Feed: www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Partners 335: How to Tell Real Census Workers in 2010 Census when they come to your door.

2009-09-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Some very good information below.

Short quick read.

This information is being distributed by the Dallas / Ft. Worth IBMer Organization to warn it's thousands of members of fraud associated with the 2010 Census (some pre-census activity is already underway). However, this warning is for ALL citizens so you may want to pass it on to everyone you know.

2010 Census Cautions
by Susan Johnson - August 3, 2009 12:07 pm

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have:

1. A badge

2. A handheld device

3. A Census Bureau canvas bag

4. A confidentiality notice

Be sure and ask to see:

1. Their identification and

2. Their badge before answering their questions.

NEVER invite anyone you don't know into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org.

Proven Hope Focused Program of Couples Counseling offered Free to couples from Regent University

2009-09-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

Proven Hope Focused Program of Couples Counseling offered Free to couples from Regent University

The Hope Focused program of couples counseling is now open for new couples to participate. www.mmatecenter.com

Who is this for? Couples are welcome to join who are struggling with everyday problems or more difficult problems as well. It is a short term (8-12 weeks) counseling program so those with severe or specific issues requiring more time and attention (infidelity, violence, untreated substance abuse) will be referred for longer term treatment outside of the study.

What is the Hope Project? The Hope project is an outreach and research project supported by Regent University therefore we are able to offer this program at No cost for couples in the community. It is a brief hope-focused approach focusing on increasing the positives in the relationship. It includes personalized assessment and feedback, communication skills, conflict resolution skills, exploring the influence of the past, apologies, forgiveness and other tailored interventions. It is completely private within our clinic.

What has research on the Hope Project shown? The research on the Hope approach has shown for over 10 years that this approach works well with couples. It increases satisfaction, commitment, positive communication skills, closeness and forgiving significantly after treatment and in follow-up data as well. The local Hope project has been going on for 3 years now with strong data support

Is it a religious program? It can be. The project follows ethical guidelines for all therapists where we tailor the approach to the couple. There is a Christian version of the Hope approach that can be used including scripture reference, prayer and discussion of spiritual growth if both members of the couple would prefer that approach. There is also the standard approach which does not include spiritual things but supports the good goal of a healthy relationship.

How should I communicate this to my congregation/friends/colleagues? You can send the information above through an email which is easiest, or we can send you flyers and further information about the approach as needed. You are welcome to sign up yourself to “check it out” and see if it’s something that would be helpful to couples. For any questions about the project please call our project office at 757-352-4896 or call me (Dr. Ripley) directly at 757-352-4296.

Jennifer Ripley, PhD
Professor of Psychology
Regent University
1000 Regent Drive, CRB 161
Virginia Beach VA 23464
757-352-4296
jennrip@regent.edu

Pastor's Breakfast to Defend Chesapeake Prayer at City Council

2009-08-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Pastors For Family Values invites you to a Complimentary Pastor Breakfast
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, 6350 Newtown Road. Norfolk, VA 23502
8:00 – 10:00 AM To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010

Recently a Wisconsin-based anti-Christian group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation in association with the ACLU, demanded that Chesapeake City Council cease it’s time honored tradition of opening council session with an uncensored prayer.

These organizations threatened legal action for “the unlawful act” despite the fact the US Supreme Court has consistently affirmed the right to this type of prayer and that invocations in no way violate the First Amendment of The US Constitution.

The Family Foundation (TFF) immediately offered our support and encouragement to Mayor Krasnoff and the members of council. Additionally, our partner organization, the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has offered to represent the City of Chesapeake pro-bono should a lawsuit arise from the adoption of an “invocations policy” that supports uncensored prayer.

This Thursday morning, August 20th, The Family Foundation in association with our clergy partners, Pastors For Family Values, will be hosting a breakfast meeting for our local pastors and church leaders. I know that the time demands of your ministry are significant and that your schedule is void of too many free moments. But I pray that you will consider attending this very important event. It will be a wonderful time of fellowship, prayer and instruction.

Bishop Earl Jackson from Exodus Faith Ministries will serve as emcee and Dr. Rick Scarborough from Vision America will be our keynote speaker. Senior Pastor of Rock Church Anne Gimenez will be offering the invocation. We will be discussing ways to “confront the culture” that is seeking to stifle religious freedom and addressing specific threats that we face in our very own community. This event is open to all area pastors so please feel free to pass this information on to anyone who would be interested in joining us.

Pastors For Family Values invites you to

Confront the Culture

A Special Presentation for Pastors

August 20th, 2009

Complimentary Pastor Breakfast

Spring Hill Suites by Marriott

6350 Newtown Road

Norfolk, VA 23502

8:00 – 10:00 AM

To RSVP call Vanessa 804-343-0010

Partners: 10 KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CONGRESSPERSON ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE BILL. ASK IN AUGUST WHILE THEY ARE HOME!!

2009-08-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of very sensible and important quesitons about the proposed health care reform that could radically change our nation for better or for worse. Now is the time to discuss it!

Questions to ask your Senators and Representative about ObamaCare Before the October Vote onthis critical Bill. Ask your reps while they are home on August break!

ASK YOUR CHURCH TO HOST A MEETING WITH YOUR REPS TO ANSWER THESE QUESITONS! CHURCHES CAN DISCUSS AND DEBATE PROPOSED LEGISLATION!!

1. ABORTION
Pro-choice groups, like NARAL and Planned Parenthood, are demanding that abortion be covered in any healthcare reform bill. In a recent interview with Politico, Laurie Rubiner, vice president for public policy and advocacy at Planned Parenthood, defends this demand by saying, "the alternative would be slashing benefits for millions of women who currently have [private] coverage for abortions..." In addition, key administration officials refuse to rule out abortion coverage. When asked on Fox News Sunday whether taxpayer money would go to pay for abortions, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag replied, "I am not prepared to say explicitly that right now. It's obviously a controversial issue, and it's one of the questions that is playing out in this debate."

Pro-life senators on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee forced a roll call vote on the issue when Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) attempted to add an amendment to the healthcare bill that would, in her words, "include women's health clinics that provide comprehensive services...deemed medically necessary or appropriate." She admitted that such "health clinics" would include Planned Parenthood. The pro-life amendment to prohibit funding of abortion lost 11-to-12.

Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that uses my tax dollars to pay for abortions?

2. EUTHANASIA
In a recent New York Post column, Betsy McCaughey, a former lieutenant governor of New York and health care expert, wrote:

"One troubling provision of the House bill compels seniors to submit to a counseling session every five years (and more often if they become sick or go into a nursing home) about alternatives for end-of-life care (House bill, p. 425-430). The sessions cover highly sensitive matters such as whether to receive antibiotics and 'the use of artificially administered nutrition and hydration.' This mandate invites abuse, and seniors could easily be pushed to refuse care."

Question for your Congressmen: Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way promotes euthanasia?

3. COST
The United States faces a debt crisis. According to many analysts, including Senator Judd Gregg (who is so respected by President Obama that he offered Gregg the post of Secretary of Commerce), the Obama budget will give us $11 trillion of debt at the end of five years and $17 trillion of debt at the end of ten years. (Source: PolitiFact.com)

Question for your Congressmen: Why is Congress and the president pushing through a healthcare bill that would cost another trillion dollars over the next ten years? Shouldn't we concentrate on getting the debt under control first?

4. RATIONING CARE
According to a July 15th report by The Hill, "The House bill would be paid for by roughly $500 billion in Medicare and Medicaid cuts..." These "cuts" would come as millions of Americans are retiring. Logic suggests that if we are "cutting" hundreds of billions of dollars healthcare would have to be limited or rationed in someway to accommodate more people. And seniors would be most affected by Medicare cuts.
In addition, advisors to President Obama, such as Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, have suggested that healthcare should be rationed to certain individuals. Dr. Emanuel once wrote that "services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens...should not be guaranteed. An obvious example is not guaranteeing health services to patients with dementia."

(Source: http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/Where_Civic_Republicanism_and_Deliberative_Democracy_Meet.pdf)

Question for your Congressmen: How can government promise to do more with less? Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that in any way limits my access to healthcare or medicines recommended by my doctor?

5. MORE BURDENS ON SMALL BUSINESSES
Despite a 9.5% (and rising) unemployment rate, the healthcare bill in the House imposes a new 8% payroll tax on small businesses with payrolls of $400,000 or more that don't provide health insurance for their employees. This is in addition to the current 15% payroll tax. What this means is that any employer with a payroll of $400,000 dollars or higher will have to pay at least 25% above the salary just to hire someone. Common sense tells you that any struggling small business will likely lay off workers to avoid this additional tax. On the other hand, if the tax is cheaper than the cost of health insurance, larger businesses may opt to cancel their health insurance, forcing employees into the government's "public option," and simply pay the 8% fine. (Source: Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2009)

Question for your Congressmen: Why are you imposing additional mandates and taxes on small businesses, which create the overwhelming majority of new jobs, in the middle of a severe recession?

6. QUALITY CARE
American healthcare is better than that in European countries with socialized medicine. The German breast cancer mortality rate is 52% higher than in the United States. Prostate cancer mortality is 604% higher in the United Kingdom and 457% higher in Norway than in the United States. Canadian healthcare lags behind the United States too. Canadian patients wait twice as long to see a specialist for hip surgery or cancer than we do in the United States. Most Americans say they are satisfied with the U.S. health care system, but more than 70% of Germans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britons say that their systems need "fundamental change" or "complete rebuilding." (Source: National Center for Policy Analysis.)

In an editorial on July 26th, the Washington Post criticized President Obama for not "leveling about the consequences of change" when it comes to healthcare costs versus quality. Here's what the Post wrote: "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new technology accounts for about half the increase in health-care costs over the past several decades. This, for the most part, is a good thing. Adjusted for inflation, health-care spending per person is six times what it was 40 years ago. But no one today would settle for 1960s-style medicine."

Question for your Congressmen: Why are you trying to force us in the direction of more government involvement in healthcare when everywhere government-run healthcare has been tried, quality declines and care is rationed?

7. THE PEOPLE ARE BEING IGNORED
According to a recent poll, just 23% of voters believe healthcare reform legislation will lower costs, while 53% believe it will lead to more expensive care. By a margin of 50% to 23%, voters believe that "reform" legislation will make the quality of care decline. And while voters believe they will get worse care at higher costs, 78% also believe that healthcare reform will result in middle class tax hikes. In addition, a recent Fox News poll found that 91% of those surveyed have health insurance, 84% said that the quality of their health insurance was either excellent or good and 83% said the quality of health care they receive from their private insurance is either good or excellent. And only 12% of those surveyed said reforming health care was the most important issue Congress should be working on right now. (Source: Rasmussen Reports, July 28, 2009 and Fox News poll July 23, 2009.)

Question for your Congressmen: Why are you and the White House rushing this bill through Congress and ignoring the concerns of the American people?

8. LOSS OF FREEDOM
The healthcare reform legislation under consideration in the House will eventually force all Americans into a government-approved plan. After a five-year grace period, every new insurance policy will have to comply with government mandates, and any policy changes - "altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug" - invalidates your previous coverage and forces you to choose a government "qualified" plan. In addition, the House plan mandates coverage for every individual. If you are self-employed or choose not buy insurance for whatever reason, the bill imposes a "healthcare tax" of 2.5% of your income. (Source: CNNMoney.com, July 24, 2009 and Bloomberg.com, July 15, 2009)

Question for your Congressmen: Why do you believe bureaucrats can make better decisions than me about what kind of health insurance I should have? And will you guarantee that any healthcare reform bill passed by Congress will always allow me to choose my own doctor?

9. RACIAL PREFERENCES
Do you care about the race of a doctor who is getting ready to operate on you? Of course not. Most Americans want their doctor to be the best professional available regardless of race or ethnic background. But congressional liberals have a different idea. On page 909 of the House bill, grants to medical schools will be awarded "to entities that have a demonstrated record of the following...training individuals who are from underrepresented minority groups or disadvantaged backgrounds." (Source: Investors Business Daily, July 27, 2009)

Question for your Congressmen: Why are you throwing affirmative action/racial set asides into a healthcare reform bill?

10. PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
President Obama has repeatedly said that "no insurance company will be allowed to deny you coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition." That sounds wonderful until you apply common sense, which is in short supply in Washington. What if we made a law that allowed you to buy car insurance after you got into an accident and that required the insurance company to pay for the damage? Wouldn't many people just wait for an accident before buying insurance? Why wouldn't many Americans wait until they were sick to buy health insurance?

Question for your Congressmen: Isn't it clear that this provision would drive up the cost of health insurance for everyone?

Sincerely,

Donald E. Wildmon,
Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

British And Virginian Abuse of Native Americans

2009-07-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

These first Christian settlers in Jamestown got off to a terrible start with the Indians. Contrary to the gentleness that the English showed the Indians in the earlier Roanoke Colony in North Carolina, the Jamestown settlers saw themselves as superior to the Indians and treated them with much deceit and often with violence.

These abusive and deceitful attitudes towards our Native Americans have carried down to modern Virginians—as spiritual DNA often does!

In the August 11, 2003 edition of the Virginian-Pilot on page A10, there was a story outlining the continued legal fight of Virginia’s remaining eight tribes to get federal recognition. It was only in 1983 that the state of Virginia officially recognized them as Native American tribes. Unlike other states with Native American populations, Virginia has tricked and deprived its Native Americans over and over. The article states that Virginia:

…long denied education and employment opportunities to Indians. Later, the Virginia General Assembly tried bureaucratically to eliminate Indians by passing the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. The law mandated that only two races be recorded on state birth records: White and Negro. It was zealously enforced by Walter A. Plecker, Virginia’s first Registrar of the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Plecker, an outspoken proponent of eugenics, systematically changed the race recorded on many birth, death and marriage certificates from “Indian” to “Negro” until his retirement in 1967 when it was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

But by then, it was too late for thousands of Native Americans to recover their real identity and the benefits that went with it. The State of Virginia committed ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by systematic massive identity theft.

The newspaper article goes on to tell of the “devastating impact” this law had on the Indians who could now not prove who they were. They were, consequently, not able to get the federal assistance that all the other tribes in America do for food and shelter and school scholarships.

1. First, we break our treaties with them and steal their land.
2. Then we steal their identity to deprive them of the very benefits we gave them hundreds of years later for taking their land away from them.

"We were victims of statistical genocide,” said William P. Miles, chief of the Pamunkey.
What angers me even more about this story is that many other Virginia politicians knew of it…for over 40 years! Some of those politicians called themselves Christians. Shame on them!

There has been a mean spirit in Virginia government against Indians and real Christians must act differently! Indians are our neighbor whom we are to love as ourselves. Anything else is sin. Sins like these have probably brought God’s curses on Virginia.

Revival Life Church 2009 Vision Statement ( Working Paper)

2009-07-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Vision for Revival Life Church
July 23, 2009

Keep the Main Things the Main Things
The Great Commandments and the Great Commission

1.Love God with all of our heart and with all of our resources
2.Love one another as Jesus loves us
3.Love our neighbor in practical ways that meet their felt-needs
4.Make disciples of lost people locally and globally.

Family, Hospital, School and Army: Four Pictures of Who We Are

Family: Real love, real relationships, loving honesty that builds trust, serving one another
Hospital: Committed and equipped to help others find spiritual, emotional and physical health and growth.
School: Equipping Christians to minister to others. Developing leaders.
Army: Recruiting, training, deploying and monitoring believers to seek lost and hurting people, especially children and youth.

RLC is a Place Where:

1.People come to experience and enjoy God as Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
2.God's word is taught and lived with integrity and balance.
3. All nationalities, all ethnic groups and all sinners feel welcome and safe as they seek to know God and grow as believers. A “come-as-you-are” church.
4.People can get food, clothing, shelter and medical help through us and other ministries.
5.Every gift of the Spirit is honored and can be expressed by members of the church in every gathering.
6.People can be set free from the oppression and bondage of demons.
7.We network with other churches and ministries to build the Kingdom of God.
8.People are trained to coach each other to greater maturity and success.
9.People have a heart for Hampton Roads, for America and for other nations, especially for China and for Muslims.

My wife, Beth, and I are committed to seeing God glorified in this fellowship. We come primarily to build the Kingdom of God in Hampton Roads and beyond, not just to build a local fellowship. We hope to be an Is. 61:1 place where Jesus can heal people's hearts and set the captives free so they can be equipped to help others in similar ways. We want to be a place where Kingdom life is demonstrated more than talked about. We will seek the Presence of God in all our gatherings more than anything. We hope to serve other local churches and encourage collaboration among them to serve the rapidly increasing needs of Hampton Roads for body, soul and spirit. We welcome those who want to see God glorified in similar ways.

Our church now meets in homes, currently at our home at 5208 Canoe Landing, Virginia Beach, VA. 23464. My cell number is 757-802-1423. Sunday services are at 10:30 AM and Wed night Bible Study is at 7 PM. Some childcare is available.

Blessings,

Bob & Beth Fox

Partners 329 Links: Prayer Resources for Muslims

2009-07-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ramadan is from 22 August to 20 September this year. It is a strategic time for the body of Christ to pray for the Muslim people of the world. "30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus" booklets have been prepared to provide guidelines for prayer for specific issues related to Muslims for each of the days of Ramadan. These booklets can be ordered online at http://www.30daysprayer.com/muslim/ (note the special edition for children available at http://www.worldchristian.com/booksearch.asp?BkID=30DMPF4kids09). A daily e-mail version, which is an extract from the prayer guide booklets, will also be available. To receive it, enter your email address in the form at http://www.30-days.net/resources/email/. Also note the list of resources in http://www.30-days.net/shop/download.htm and at http://www.30-days.net/

Prophetic Prayer of Fran Truit, February 5, 2009

2009-02-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

2009

Heavenly Father, as I enter into a new year, my confession is to honor Your word, expect great things and stand strong in my calling! 2009 is a year of:

God's uncommon favor and blessings
a year of prosperity for spirit, body and soul
a year of new opportunities, open doors and divine appointments

I speak forth and believe and believe for healing, restoration and renewal in family relationships, redemption fro the unsaved and growth for the saved.

I will live by the principles of Your Kingdom and not the world's. I will be the Light to the Darkness and Hope to the Hopeless.

This I will do as I abide in you and You abide in me!

Fran Truit
God's Army Teacher at Kempsville Presbyterian Church, Virginia beach, VA.

Be a Student Pro-Life Intern this Summer!

2009-02-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

Learn the "In's and Out's" of the Pro-Life Movement this Summer!

Want to learn what it takes to work in the pro-life movement full-time? Want to find out where you best fit into the pro-life movement? Want to work to save the unborn for an entire summer?

Be a 2009 Missionary for Life!

Apply now to be selected for a competitive 9-week rotating pro-life internship this summer.

Nowhere else will you get this kind of experience which will allow you to meet pro-life and conservative leaders, learn how the pro-life grassroots works, and see Congress in action.

Selected candidates will start their rotating internship in Arlington, VA on June 8th and finish on August 7th.

Candidates will work for 3 weeks in each of the following offices: Students for Life of America, Feminists for Life of America, and pro-life Congressional office on Capitol Hill.

As a Missionary for Life, your housing will be provided. Missionaries will stay with selected host families in the D.C. area.

To apply,

Submit your resume
Send a short paragraph on why you want to be selected as a 2009 Missionary for Life
And tell us if you will be able to bring a car as some host families do not live near public transportation

Apply now at director@studentsforlife.org.

What 2008 Missionaries said about the SFLA Missionary for Life Program

Training website: Click here

"This experience has given me not only knowledge of the workings of the pro-life movement but as well contacts within the movement. Networking is key and I feel that the people I have connected with are people that can aide me in being successful in my future pro-life work." -Emily Espinola, Franciscan University

"Spending this summer as a Missionary for Life intern has equipped me with the knowledge, resources, and the inspiration necessary to make me twice as effective as a student leader. Having gained a more comprehensive understanding of the pro-life movement, I now know all the different angles from which I can approach the issue on my campus and am now streaming with new ideas of how I will help bring about a culture of life on my campus." -Steven McNulty, Clarion University

"Thanks to my experiences this summer with SFLA, I will now spend a lifetime devoting time to the pro-life movement. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the most devoted pro-life activists in the nation, and they have truly inspired me to work tirelessly for the unborn." -Jennifer Kacerosky, University of Florida

Resources to Pray for Muslims During Sept 2008 (Ramadan)

2008-08-05T11:54:00.001-07:00

P.S. Check out this video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6159310594968862880&hl=en

and these excellent resources:

30-Days of Prayer for Christians on the Go one page, daily prayer reminder, to put on your mirror or take with you - for busy Christians [1.1 Mb]

30-Days Press Release one page information sheet about Ramadan and this prayer movement [136 Kb]

"Business Cards" print-out sheet a card format to add your church address

Paper Folding Project (fold a paper plane) - good for Sunday-schools

Kids Covers - print out for the bulleting board [315 kb]

30-Days Poster [247 kb]

Promotion texts for bulletins sample texts for your church bulletin or email

Chinese Girl Needs Housing

2008-07-14T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is Brenda (Yujie Yao in Chinese). Let me introduce myself briefly.

I teach English at SIAS University now. I was a 1999 student of SIAS and began teaching there after graduation in 2003. I love teaching very much and find it very necessary to learn more about English teaching. Suggested by teachers and friends, I decided to study TESOL, because it is a professional program that helps non-English speakers learn English, which is just what I need. Then, Dr. Shawn Chen, the President and Founder of SIAS suggested that I should go to the States, because it is a native English speaking country and has excellent TESOL programs which offer Master抯 degree. Also, suggested by Dr. Chen, I applied to Regent University and have been accepted to the Master Teacher Program with TESOL concentration in the School of Education. I will begin my study this Fall, and required by Regent, I have to move to Virginia Beach no later than August 12th and will stay for one and a half years.

I'm grateful that Regent offers me a tuition scholarship, but I have to pay my own housing. I do have some savings from these years of teaching, and SIAS will also give me some support, but still not enough to afford both housing and food. I am the second child of my family. Both of my parents are ordinary railway workers and have retired. Honestly, they don抰 have much savings, either. Actually, all their savings have been used to support me and my brother. Now, they are just living on their low retirement salary.

Frankly, I've never imagined that I can study abroad in the U.S. Living in America is too expensive compared to in China. But for the encouragement and help from Dr. Chen, my family and friends, as well as professors at Regent, never can I have been able to talk about housing with you now. So, I value this opportunity very much. I am truly grateful that you help me too.

I am a quiet girl and able to keep room clean and tidy. Love to make new friends and share some housework. This is my very first time to study and live abroad, so I am kind of excited and nervous. I know a little information about life in the States from TV, books and internet, but not much. However, I think I am a good learner and always ready to learn. To me, this will be an adventure and full of challenges, but I will try my best.

I do hope this can help you introduce me to the host family. Thank you very much!

Best regards,

Brenda

Urgent Prayer Alert from Dutch Sheets April 2008

2008-04-16T08:05:00.001-07:00

Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 11:52 PM

Subject: Urgent Prayer Alert from Dutch Sheets

I have been waiting several weeks to write this prayer alert, making every effort to hear from the Lord as clearly as possible. I try not to write national prayer alerts frequently, only when I feel they are urgent. This is probably one of the most important assignments I’ve ever had. Although it is unusually long, please read it prayerfully and pass it on.

In our partnering with God to turn America back to its Christian heritage and God-given destiny, indeed, to experience another great awakening that will impact every aspect of our culture and bring millions of people to Christ, we are at a great crossroads. I believe we are at the deciding point in the war. While writing this letter I was handed a newsletter of Cindy Jacobs, a prophet and international leader in the prayer movement; she believes this also, stating: “As I pray for the United States, I see that we are at a crossroads where we will either keep the ground we have taken and advance to see our nation transformed, or we will deteriorate at an alarming rate.”

The Battle of the Bulge

A friend of mine likens where we are to the Battle of the Bulge. This battle was an intense counter offensive launched by Hitler in WW II “after D Day, when it looked like the Allies had won the war, Hitler tried one final, desperate onslaught to turn the tide. This caught the Allies by surprise and, though we eventually defeated Hitler’s armies, was for a season demoralizing and very costly to us. Likewise today, an intense counter offensive has been orchestrated from Hell to pull down President Bush and derail the destiny of America. This whirlwind of darkness over America is bringing great national confusion and is causing paralysis even in the praying church.

I have sensed this strong confusion in both the civil and spiritual realms, from leaders on down. It is strong in Washington D.C. “godly governmental leaders know things are in disarray and that something is desperately wrong, but also say that nothing seems to work when it comes to reversing it. Spiritual leaders also know things are not right, that we have lost momentum and that antichrist forces seem to be prevailing, but no one seems to know what to do about it. My friend Lou Engle, in a recent prayer alert said, ‘Wherever I go, I can feel the attitude of resignation, criticism and despair.’ “ Lou’s entire alert can be found at www.justicehouseofprayer.com

The Spirit of Babylon

Chuck Pierce, another friend and internationally trusted prophet connected our desperate condition to the war in Iraq: “the spirit of Babylon is slapping us around.” Iraq is modern day Babylon. Babylon means “confusion,” which is obviously one of the results of this spiritual war. America’s armies had no problem taking out Saddam’s physical army, but we are now dealing with an ancient principality, the spirit of Babylon, which cannot be defeated with natural weapons and strategies. This spirit is currently, though I believe it not be permanently, prevailing against us. As previously stated, the symptoms of confusion and disarray can be seen in the church, on our president and in the nation in general.

A further result of all this on our president is political disfavor. He has one of the most unfavorable performance ratings of any president in history, ranking down with Nixon during Watergate. The cover of one major magazine reads: “How Low Can He Go?? Usually when the economy thrives, and ours is, a president’s ratings are high, (even if he is sexually involved with an intern and lies about it!). But not this president! He has lost his favor and consequently his voice, neither of which will return until certain things occur.

A Dream About the President

Regarding this loss of voice, a pastor related to me a dream he had recently about President Bush. The president was in a jail cell in a desert region. He was very agitated and his bottom lip was torn in half. I believe this desert region represents Iraq and the tearing of the president’s lip pictures my assertion that his voice has been torn from him.

As the dream continued a man grabbed the president from behind, and said, “Let go. Give in.” Snakes then came out of the man’s cloak, wrapped around the president and one of them bit his torn lip. The president fell to the ground and disappeared. The snake then took the form of a woman, looked at the man having the dream (who had run in to try and help the president) and said, “There is nothing you can do to stop this.”

The man in the dream changing into a serpent confirms to me that we are no longer dealing with flesh and blood in Iraq, but with “principalities and powers” (see Ephesians 6:12). They have entrapped our president, stolen his voice and intend to completely destroy his effectiveness. Their ultimate goal is to steal his destiny, which is warring against terrorism and shifting the courts, especially the Supreme Court of America. Though the president has been disabled and seemingly taken out by this spirit, it is not true that there is nothing we can do to stop it. I will address this momentarily.

The Reality of Where We Are

It is vital for us to grasp the magnitude of this spiritual war against America and our president, and also to realize that the forces of evil are currently prevailing, though it need not remain so. If the November, 2006 elections were held today, it is almost certain that pro-life and morally conservative voices would lose some, if not complete, control of Congress. It is also quite likely that if the third vacancy occurred on the Supreme Court now (and I believe it is coming soon), one of two things would happen. Either Bush would bow to the temptation to appoint a moderate because of his weak position; or if he appointed a true conservative constitutionalist like Roberts or Alito, the liberals would be empowered enough to stop the nomination through filibustering or character assassination.

Worse yet, if the vacancy doesn’t occur until after the November elections and conservatives do lose control of Congress, we can very likely kiss goodbye our current opportunity to shift the Supreme Court of America. This would be the most devastating setback of our day. The consequences are unthinkable. The killing of babies and pro-death culture would continue, God would continue to be unwelcome in schools, government and public life and another generation would spiral further downward into Godless, humanistic relativism. Our God-given destiny in America could be lost indefinitely, perhaps forever. We simply cannot allow this.

Regarding the war on terrorism, if we don’t turn the tide spiritually and do so fairly soon, it will turn into a quagmire that our generation doesn’t have the strength, courage, boldness or selflessness to endure. This is the reality of where we are.

What God Is Saying to the Church?

What must happen in the praying church and with our president at this critical time? There are biblical pictures that can help us identify our current position and point us toward the right strategy. First, where is the church and what must we do?

If the praying church does not re-engage in informed, consistent and fervent intercession for our nation and president NOW, we will lose our Battle of the Bulge. Our past victories and the ground we have gained are all on the line. So is our future. We have grown complacent and overconfident, as did the Israelites at Ai. In their attempt to conquer the Promised Land, Israel had won a great and impressive victory at Jericho (see Joshua 6). However, they grew overconfident and when they confronted the next town, small and insignificant Ai, did not pray for God’s help and strategy. Consequently, God wasn’t with them. The result was a devastating defeat.

We, too, have grown spiritually overconfident and complacent due to our recent victories. Now, like Joshua after the defeat at Ai, we are confused and disoriented (see Joshua 7:6-9). We must re-engage in prayer immediately. Lou Engle, in the above mentioned prayer alert also said, “Maybe President Bush’s legacy and the future of our nation hinge more on our prayers than on the whole political debate that rages now.” Right on, Lou, except I believe we can scratch the word “maybe.” Our future absolutely hinges on our prayers.

What God Is Saying to Our President

What of our president? In biblical context where is he, and what must he do? In Genesis 32, Jacob, Abraham’s grandson and the man who produced the nation of Israel through his twelve sons, came to his own personal crossroads. He, like our president, had come to a great crisis. Years earlier Jacob had connived to attain his brother Esau’s birthright and stolen the blessing reserved for him as the firstborn son. Now, twenty years later, Jacob is returning to face Esau, who has sworn to kill him. On the way, he has a life-changing encounter with God (see Genesis 32:24-32). Several parts of this story parallel where our president currently is and what he must do:

1) Jacob was left alone. Consistent with his conniving nature, which is what his name meant, Jacob’s possessions, servants and family had all been sent ahead to “appease” Esau. Then, in his wrestling with the angel, Jacob’s thigh, a symbol of strength, was dislocated, causing him to walk with a permanent limp. Everything Jacob owned, all of his family and now, all of his strength, was gone. God was allowing him to lose all, at least Jacob thought so, and also removing from him what he had relied on all of his life, his ability to connive (which, again, is the meaning of his name) his way out of trouble and into blessing through his own strength and manipulation.

For our president, I believe this conniving nature of Jacob pictures what occurs so often in the political realm. Not that the political world and those who are a part of it are necessarily evil, but a political spirit is. It is the equivalent of a “Jacob’s nature” which we’re all born with, that believes there is always a way to reverse our fortunes through manipulation and control, conniving and self-effort. Some actually prevail through this spirit, but God will not allow Bush to succeed by operating in it. He has, therefore, allowed our president to lose favor for a season and nothing Bush has done can or will reverse this. Politics cannot help him, Rove can’t, his party can’t, and his troops in Iraq and Afghanistan cannot. God wants our president to know that the only one who can help him now is the One who put him where he is: Himself.

This does not necessarily mean our president has sinned or failed. Of course, he is human and therefore imperfect. And like all of us he has a Jacob nature to contend with. But this doesn’t make him a failure in God’s eyes. There is nothing to indicate that God was angry with Jacob but rather that He wanted to move him further toward his destiny, which was to birth the nation of Israel. His Jacob nature stood in the way and God needed to change it. This is what must occur in our president, which brings me to the second parallel to Jacob and our president.

2) Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. (See Genesis 32:28) Names represented nature, identity and purpose in those days. That Jacob was after one thing, restored favor and blessing, and God was after another, a nature change, is obvious in the story. Jacob finally realized this when he responded to the angel’s question of what his name was: “The Man asked him, ‘What is your name’ And in shock of realization, whispering he said, ‘Jacob’ [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!” (Genesis 32:27, Amplified)

Jacob’s acknowledgment of his condition, equivalent to repentance and confession, allowed God to break off of him the Jacob nature. God then re-named him Israel, moving him into his destiny. Likewise, God has a destiny on our president that cannot be accomplished through politics or human ability. Only the power, wisdom and enablement of the Holy Spirit can equip President Bush to accomplish his destiny concerning terrorism and the courts of America. I want to be very bold and make a statement that may seem unusual regarding a government leader: God has removed favor from our president and is wrestling with him, in order to remove from him all confidence that he can prevail through human strength and methods, including politics. He wants him to walk with a limp. God wants to anoint him for his assignment, giving him a supernatural ability to prevail. To accomplish this, He desires to visit our president in a holy and awesome way, just as He did Jacob. President Bush has an appointment with God!

3) Jacob named the place Peniel, which means “the face of God.” He stated, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved." Jacob’s life was transformed, favor with Esau was given and all possessions were returned. In an interesting irony, the word “appease” (verse 20), what Jacob was attempting with Esau, and the word Peniel come from the same Hebrew root which means “face.” To appease is to put something in another person’s “face” in order to buy or procure favor. God was in essence saying to Jacob, “You can’t appease your enemy, but you can appease Me. Facing your enemy through the Jacob (political) spirit won’t help you anymore, but facing Me will.”

Likewise, God is saying to our president that He alone holds the key to favor and blessing in this hour. President Bush cannot prevail through appeasement, politics or any other human effort alone. But if he will face God and rely solely on Him, God will visit him face to face, favor will return and the president can fulfill his destiny. We must pray this understanding/revelation to our president and we must birth this holy visitation. For him to live and operate in a political world without being caught up in it will indeed require great revelation and humility. This could come either through God speaking to him personally or by getting the right individual to him with this message. Our responsibility is to pray until it happens. If it does not, our president will not recover and America is in big trouble.

[For a complete explanation, you can order the message I recently shared on this subject, entitled “Jacob at Peniel.” Order it by going to www.dutchsheets.org and clicking on the link on the home page.]

Nuts!

In closing, a final story related to the Battle of the Bulge is pertinent. The Allies chose to stop Hitler’s advance at a place called Bostogne. The 101^st Airborne Division, nicknamed “The Screaming Eagles” were assigned, against all odds, to hold Bostogne. The Germans surrounded the 101st at Bostogne and demanded their surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe’s now famous response was “Nuts.” When the Germans asked for an interpretation of this, the American officer delivering the message said, “It means you can go to hell.”

The Allies then needed the weather to clear up in order to use their air superiority. General Patton ordered his chaplain to compose a prayer asking God to clear up the weather. The next day the skies were clear and our aircraft began to control the air war and destroy the enemy. Before the battle, the 101^st’s first commander, Major General William C. Lee, made the following statement to his soldiers: “The 101st Airborne Division, activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Like the early American pioneers whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of this nation, we have broken with the past and its traditions in order to establish our claim to the future. Due to the nature of our armament, and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves, we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far-reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme. Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle. This is a fitting emblem for a division that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies. The history we shall make, the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people, depends wholly and completely on the men of this division. Each individual, each officer and each enlisted man, must therefore regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of the nation. Each, in his own job, must realize that he is not only a means, but an indispensable means for obtaining the goal of victory. It is, therefore, not too much to say that the future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. (Emphasis mine.)

The Screaming Eagles Must Arise

Hitler personally orchestrated the Battle of the Bulge. I believe Satan is personally orchestrating his forces in the battle against Bush and the church of America. God is calling the “Screaming Eagles” of intercession to take our stand and win the air war in the heavenlies, stopping the enemy’ advance. Like the Screaming Eagles of yesterday, we can write a history of commitment, bravery, self-sacrifice and victory. “The future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of, the church. Satan says we can’t win, I say ‘Nuts!” We can win this war against terrorism and for the soul of America, but only in the spirit. If we don’t do so, the greater sin won’t be our president’s but ours, the church of America.

If this word rings true in your heart, pass it on, and PRAY! Pray in church services; hold special prayer meetings; fast and pray; send a prayer team to Washington , D.C. to pray; pause at family gatherings to pray; pray at home groups. Pray, pray, pray.

Let’s do our part and win this war.

Dutch Sheets

May the Lord Bless you and protect you

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Joyce Strong: April 24, 2008 in Norfolk & Army Hero Speaks April 19th

2008-03-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

With our Eyes on the Prize

April 24^th 7:00PM

It’s true! From deep in our hearts rises the cry to make an eternal difference in this world for the glory of God. Join us for an evening with Joyce Strong, a woman whose life continues to make a difference for eternity not only in this country, but in Russia as well.

Joyce’s journey began in Virginia Beach in 1994, and she is returning on April 24^th to celebrate with us the challenges and joys of keeping our eyes on the prize. Come and be inspired in your own pursuit of God’s purposes, and meet others who share your concern for the world. You will leave not only informed, but challenged in your own pursuit of God’s higher call on your life.

With a 30-year history of teaching and leading in ministries in Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, and Ohio, Joyce today speaks at conferences and leadership seminars internationally. Her passion for God is also shared internationally through her seven books, three of which have been published in Russian, Chinese and Portuguese.

Come and bring a friend for this special evening together. For more information call or email: Bayview Baptist Church, 707 E. Bayview Baptist, Norfolk, VA 23503: PH: 587-4625
www.bayviewbaptist.org Visit joycestrongministries.org

ARMY HERO TO SPEAK AT BETHEL BAPTIST: April 19 at 7pm.

U.S. Army Chaplain (Captain) Jeff Struecker will speak at a community-wide event at Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA on April 19 at 7pm.

Struecker, a decorated member of the U.S. Army’s most elite fighting corps, was prominently featured in the national best-seller Black Hawk Down, later made into a major motion picture. A man of courage and conviction, Struecker uses his personal story of survival on the battlefield to teach his listeners how they, too, can be prepared for any circumstances life has to offer.

Jeff is also the author of The Road to Unafraid: How the Army’s Top Ranger Faced Fear and Found Courage through Black Hawk Down and Beyond.

Captain Struecker will also have a book signing on Friday, April 18 at 7pm at Barnes and Noble (Yoder Plaza Shopping Center, 12170 Jefferson Avenue) and will be speaking during the Sunday Morning Worship Services at Bethel Baptist on Sunday morning, April 20 at 9:00am and 10:30am. 0BCaptain Struecker will be available for interviews on Friday, April 18. If interested in an interview, or for more information about these events, please contact Christina Brandal at Bethel Baptist Church, by e-mail (cbrandal@bbcyorktown.org) or phone (757-867-8082).

Prophetic Word from Chuck Pierce

2008-03-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Remember--this is from the same prophet that predicted a large, cleansing wind to come upon New Orleans exactly on year before it happened--to the day!

The Voice of Change is Stirring Us to Come UP from the Wilderness!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Dear Friends and Intercessors:

We are heading into two of the most rearranging, realigning months that we have ever known in the history of this generation. What occurs during these days will set a course for our lives and this nation. The Lord woke me at 1 o'clock on Tuesday morning. As I walked into the bathroom I noticed a calligraphy verse: "Lean not on your own understanding." This verse lit up even though the light was not on in the bathroom. The verse became red and yellow like fire. When I went back in at 5 AM, I noticed that the verse was actually in navy blue!

I heard the Lord begin to say: "Lean not on your own understanding today. I am calling you to watch the way that begins to form! For I am forming and reforming the way for My people! Abrasive circumstances will increase over these next 40 days. Lean not on your own understanding. I will show you things that you do not know during this time. I will cause you to see the pattern that I am forming. Do not fall into an understanding of the past, even the past 40 years, for in the next 40 days I am producing a new time of understanding in My people. For My wisdom is not your wisdom. I am creating a fear and an awe of Me! I will show you how evil is working. I will let you hear the voice of evil - that voice that has been distracting, confronting, and taunting you. My cause will rise up in you. My words will form in your mouth. You will speak it to the atmosphere and the atmosphere around you will change. I am forming a highway in your wilderness. It will not be made of shifting sand. The foundation for your future is being laid.

I will cause you to see the land that will be made sure for you. Lean not on your own understanding. Allow these next 40 days to be that which will change the atmosphere from one of a mesmerizing force to the power of God in your midst. Honor ME with a shout! Bless My Name. For My name is replacing the name of the enemy on the gates of entry into your future. Where the enemy had your gate blocked, I am now rising up to give you authority and entry into your new place!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Me and I will direct your path. Do not just look at your circumstances - do not lean on your own understanding! Keep your mind stayed upon Me. Do not allow your abilities to be your trust. I will create a strong people that will rule in every sphere of authority. Spheres of authority will be rearranged in these next 40 days. The power of My words in your mouth will cause a break through. Don't miss your window of opportunity or fail to recognize the catalyst I am creating for rearranged momentum.

Receive an anointing to leap over the mountain that has been deceiving and intimidating you.

"Don't be afraid of your storm this week for I will reorder your way and will cause your times to be changed. I'll set you ahead of that which would overtake you and cause you to be overwhelmed. So don't fear the storm. Watch the rain and wind work to your benefit! Hear the keys shaking, for I am rattling the gates of hell. Decree the blockade that wouldn't open up and let you move forward, even in your emotions, is being unlocked and that you are now able to move forward.

"Your path will become straight so that I might enter a new way. What is too high will come down and that which is too low will come up. I can bring the prideful into right order and bring the humble into a new place of seeking. I am creating a straight path for us to walk into the future. May you see the path on which I will lead you into the future. Allow Me to come into your midst and prepare a way through this wilderness and into your next place. I control the end from the beginning. There is nothing that happens in the earth realm that is outside of MY dominion. Agree that My will will be done on earth as it is in heaven this day. Look up and see Me as the King who reigns. See Heaven's highway forming in the earth realm around you. I am not asking you to go under, but to come up! Find the high way into the place that I have for you.

"Hear My voice in the wilderness. Though you have been unsure of the way you are to go, today I am beginning to call you new and fresh. This is a time when you must not miss that window of momentum. Do not be content to only sit and be taught every day because teaching alone will not get you to your next place. You must have the anointing to leap over that mountain. My call is being extended from the heavenly realm. War for the next 21 days to see My call come forth. Those that will hear the call that I have for them this hour know how to follow after the call that I am extending. This is not about a person you are following but a call that I am placing to set a course for you out of one place and into another. Hear the call! My voice is entering into your valley and your wilderness and saying, 'Come up with me!'

"Now is the time of restructured vision. Now is the time of finding your place to stand on the land, a place that will not sink when you stand, a land that will not confuse or entrap you. Hear My voice in your wilderness. For in 40 days, I will begin to qualify those that have received and embraced My call!

Do not allow the enemy's voice to confuse you in the next few days. You will be accosted by the enemy three times to keep you from finding and standing firm on the highway that I am forming to bring you through and into your new! Watch carefully and know the different voices this hour. Voices will bring confusion into your atmosphere. In the midst of this time you must know what you are to follow. This is a time when confusing voices over your financial state and the state of the world would create a disheartening emotion that would lead to fear. I am the God of the gold and silver. I am the one who can shake loose new finances. I am the one who can cause things to be let go so you can move in and go through the gates I have for you. Do not let a narrow, high path in front of you seem to be too steep for you to climb. I am making a straight path and causing you to be directed in a new way these next 40 days.

"You have never been this way before. Nations are hanging in the balance! My Kingdom government will now begin to rise up and form to influence the government of the earth. I am a God who creates a Highway that can only be seen by eyes who know My glory. You will know me as King and ruler. I confounded the gods of Egypt. I confounded the Roman Empire.

"Let Me form the words in your mouth to confront those things that would keep you from finding the highway I have prepared in the wilderness. Only My voice can guide you through and to this narrow road! In the midst of these three confrontations, NOW I am forming the words for you to use to stop your enemy from overtaking you. This is a corporate call for My people to rise up. In this corporate call you must be a people who knows how to confront the atmospheric war around you.

"I am raising up an abrasive time that will provoke you and produce My jealousy in you so you rise up with a new war mantle against the forces of hell in your midst. I will raise the abrasion! I will provoke MY people to action. Wake from your slumber and stupor and hear Me now to come forth! Do not lean on your own understanding. Go with My flow and watch Me make a direct path. Watch Me cause a path to come into order.

"Renew the foundation. I am ready to build again. I will begin to build your future. Activate that way that I am calling you. Do not fear going into the brush and the brambles to find the hidden treasure that you will use to build My altar this hour. Today I am activating you. The intensity of the time is now upon you. I am activating you and calling you to hear what is coming into your atmosphere. Be delivered from a deaf and dumb spirit that would keep you from speaking and hearing at the right time.

"Rise up and create a path. Change an atmosphere and you will be able to take a stand in that land. Let Zion call forth. I am calling forth to Zion within you to rise up. Prepare for a quick change. Prepare for a quick change. Write the vision. Make it plain. Prepare for a quick change. I am calling for a new release of power over these 40 days. Do not lean on your own understanding. Go in My direction to create a power shift!"

Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce

Partners 309: Sharia Law in England?

2008-03-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

The Archbishop and Sharia
What Empty Churches Are Made of

February 25, 2008

There are an estimated 1.6 million Muslims in Great Britain. By some estimates, more people attend mosque than go to Anglican churches every week. Judging by recent comments by the Archbishop of Canterbury, it is easy to see why.

As most of you by now know, Archbishop Rowan William said in a recent interview that the "UK has to 'face up to the fact' that some of its citizens do not relate to the British legal system." He left no doubt who those "citizens" are: British Muslims.

So according to Williams, British Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty." Instead, in the tradition of having your cake and eating it too, he proposes finding "a constructive accommodation with some aspects of Muslim law"—in other words, sharia.

British Muslims could choose to have "marital" or "financial" disputes resolved in sharia courts. Sharia courts in Britain? At first I thought the Archbishop misspoke.

But it turns out, no. He calls this "supplementary jurisdiction" unavoidable. He compared it to accommodating Christians in areas like abortion or gay adoption.

With all due respect to the Archbishop, there is no such parallel. The only thing that is unavoidable here is his failure to see sharia as it is practiced in the real world, as opposed to in seminars. As the Asia Times columnist "Spengler" put it, Williams is conceding "a permanent role to extralegal violence in the political life of England."

In real-world Muslim communities throughout Europe, coercion is so commonplace "that duly-constituted governments there" no longer wield justice among its citizens. The imams do. And where would the Archbishop draw the line? At husbands beating their wives for wearing Western clothes or maybe stoning a woman accused of adultery?

Nor will, as Williams hopes, permitting sharia on British soil aid social cohesion. On the contrary, Williams's fellow bishop, Michael Nazir-Ali, recently spoke about what he calls "no-go zones" in Muslim communities where Christians dare not enter. As a result of death threats, bishop Nazir-Ali and his family require police protection.

Nazir-Ali, whose father had to leave Pakistan after converting to Christianity, told the UK Telegraph that sharia is "in tension" with "fundamental aspects" of Anglo-American law. That is because our "legal tradition" is "rooted in the quite different moral and spiritual vision deriving from the Bible." This crucial difference seems to have escaped the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The West's greatest contribution to civilization has been the rule of law, the bulwark of freedom, captured in Anglo-American jurisprudence. Now a ranking religious official proposes compromising that with a theocratic church rule? Please.

Williams's comments are a tragic sign of the Church's weakness. We fawningly respond to Islamic overtures for dialogue, even as we see Christians being persecuted in Muslim nations—and sharia law being imposed on others right in our own backyards.

This weakness is the stuff that empty churches are made of.

A Course in Miracles: A "New Age" False Gospel

2008-03-04T06:16:00.000-08:00

"Oprah and Friends" to teach course on New Age Christ

By Warren Smith

November 2007

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See note below concerning a widely distributed email

Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, “Oprah & Friends” will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles.1 A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles “Workbook.” For example, Lesson #29 asks you to go through your day affirming that “God is in everything I see.”2 Lesson #61 tells each person to repeat the affirmation “I am the light of the world.”3 Lesson #70 teaches the student to say and believe “My salvation comes from me.”4

By the end of the year, “Oprah & Friends” listeners will have completed all of the lessons laid out in the Course in Miracles Workbook. Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset—a New Age worldview that includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil, no devil, and that God is “in” everyone and everything. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life. The Course Workbook bluntly states: “This is a course in mind training”5 and is dedicated to “thought reversal.”6

Teaching A Course in Miracles will be Oprah’s longtime friend and special XM Satellite Radio reporter Marianne Williamson—who also happens to be one of today’s premier New Age leaders. She and Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch co-founded the American Renaissance Alliance in 1997, that later became the Global Renaissance Alliance of New Age leaders, that changed its name again in 2005 to the Peace Alliance. This Peace Alliance seeks to usher in an era of global peace founded on the principles of a New Age/New Spirituality that they are now referring to as a “civil rights movement for the soul.”7 They all agree that the principles of this New Age/New Spirituality are clearly articulated in A Course in Miracles—which is fast becoming the New Age Bible. So what is A Course in Miracles and what does it teach?

A Course in Miracles is allegedly “new revelation” from “Jesus” to help humanity work through these troubled times. This “Jesus”—who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible’s Jesus Christ—began delivering his channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia University Professor of Medical Psychology by the name of Helen Schucman.

One day Schucman heard an “inner voice” stating, “This is a course in miracles. Please take notes.”8 For seven years she diligently took spiritual dictation from this inner voice that described himself as “Jesus.” A Course in Miracles was quietly published in 1975 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. For many years “the Course” was an underground cult classic for New Age seekers who studied “the Course” individually, with friends, or in small study groups.

As a former New Age follower and devoted student of A Course in Miracles, I eventually discovered that the Course in Miracles was—in reality—the truth of the Bible turned upside down. Not having a true understanding of the Bible at the time of my involvement, I was led to believe that A Course in Miracles was “a gift from God” to help everyone understand the “real” meaning of the Bible and to help bring peace to the world. Little did I know that the New Age “Christ” and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles were everything the real Jesus Christ warned us to watch out for. In Matthew 24 Jesus warned about false teachers, false teachings and the false “Christs” who would pretend to be He.

When I left the New Age “Christ” to follow the Bible’s Jesus Christ, I had come to understand that the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles was a false “Christ,” and that his Course in Miracles was dangerously deceptive. Here are some quotes from the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles:

“There is no sin. . . " 9 [See note]
A “slain Christ has no meaning.”10
“The journey to the cross should be the last ‘useless journey.”11
“Do not make the pathetic error of ‘clinging to the old rugged cross.’”12
“The Name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol... It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray.”13
“God is in everything I see.”14
“The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.”15
“The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.”16
“The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.”17

Most Christians recognize that these teachings are the opposite of what the Bible teaches. In the Bible, Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross of Calvary was hardly a “useless journey.” His triumph on the cross provides salvation to all those who confess their sin, accept Him and follow Him as their Lord and Saviour. His victory on the cross rings throughout the New Testament. It has been gloriously sung about in beloved hymns through the ages and is at the heart of our Christian testimony.

I found the Jesus of the Bible to be wholly believable as He taught God’s truth and warned about the spiritual deception that would come in His name. The “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles reveals himself to be an imposter when he blasphemes the true Jesus Christ by saying that a “slain Christ has no meaning” and that we are all “God” and that we are all “Christ.” It was by reading the Bible’s true teachings of Jesus Christ that I came to understand how deceived I had been by A Course in Miracles and my other New Age teachings.

I was introduced to A Course in Miracles by Dr. Gerald Jampolsky’s book Love is Letting Go of Fear. Jampolsky declared in his easy-to-read book how the teachings of A Course in Miracles had changed his life. As an ambassador for A Course in Miracles over the years, Jampolsky has been featured not only in New Age circles but at least twice on Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power. While Schuller introduced Jampolsky and his “fabulous”18 Course in Miracles-based books to his worldwide television audience, it was Marianne Williamson’s appearance on a 1992 Oprah Winfrey Show that really shook the rafters.

On that program, Oprah enthusiastically endorsed Williamson’s book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. Oprah told her television audience that Williamson’s book about A Course in Miracles was one of her favorite books, and that she had already bought a thousand copies and would be handing them out to everyone in her studio audience. Oprah’s endorsement skyrocketed Williamson’s book about A Course in Miracles to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Ironically, all of this was happening after I had left the Course and the New Age. In fact, I was doing the final editing on my book The Light That Was Dark that warned about the dangers of the New Age—and in particular A Course in Miracles.

After being introduced to the world on Oprah, Marianne Williamson has continued to grow in popularity and, as previously mentioned, has become one of today’s foremost New Age leaders. Williamson credits Winfrey for bringing her book about A Course in Miracles before the world: “For that, my deepest thanks to Oprah Winfrey. Her enthusiasm and generosity have given the book, and me, an audience we would never otherwise have had.”19 In her 2004 book, The Gift of Change, Williamson wrote:

“Twenty years ago, I saw the guidance of the Course as key to changing one’s personal life; today, I see its guidance as key to changing the world. More than anything else, I see how deeply the two are connected.”20

Thus the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles are about to be taught by Marianne Williamson to millions of listeners on Oprah’s XM Satellite Radio program. Listeners are encouraged to buy A Course in Miracles for the year-long course. An audio version of A Course in Miracles recited by Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas is also available on compact disc.

Popular author Wayne Dyer told his PBS television audience that the “brilliant writing” of A Course in Miracles would produce more peace in the world.21 Williamson’s New Age colleague, Neale Donald Walsch, said his “God” stated that “the era of the Single Saviour is over”22 and that he (“God”) was responsible for authoring the teachings of A Course in Miracles.23

Meanwhile, Gerald Jampolsky’s Course in Miracles-based book, Forgiveness, continues to be sold in Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral bookstore as Schuller prepares to host a January 17-19, 2008, “Rethink Conference” at his Crystal Cathedral.24

At this critical time in the history of the world, the New Gospel/New Spirituality is coming right at the world and the church with its New Age teachings and its New Age Peace Plan. But this New Age Peace Plan has at its deceptive core the bottom-line teaching from A Course in Miracles that “we are all one” because God is “in” everyone and everything. But the Bible is clear that we are not God (Ezekiel 28:2; Hosea 11:9). And per Galatians 3:26-28, our only oneness is in Jesus Christ—not in ourselves as “God” and “Christ.” What Oprah and Marianne Williamson and the world will learn one day is that humanity’s only real and lasting peace is with the true Jesus Christ who is described and quoted in the Holy Bible (Romans 5:1).

Oprah Winfrey’s misplaced faith in Marianne Williamson and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles is a sure sign of the times. But an even surer sign of the times is that most Christians are not taking heed to what is happening in the world and in the church. We are not contending for the faith as the Bible admonishes us to do (Jude 3).

It is time for all of our Purpose-Driven and Emerging church pastors to address the real issue of the day. Our true Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is being reinvented, redefined, and blasphemed right in front of our eyes and hardly anyone seems to notice or care. If we want the world to know who Jesus Christ is, we need to also warn them about who He is not. There is a false New Age “Christ” making huge inroads into the world and into the church. The Apostle Paul said that “it is a shame” we have to even talk about these things, but talk about them we must (Ephesians 5:12-16).

If people want to follow Oprah Winfrey and the New Age “Christ” of A Course in Miracles they certainly have that right. But let them be warned that the New Age “Christ” they are following is not the same Jesus Christ who is so clearly and authoritatively presented in the pages of the Bible.

Note from Andy and Berit: Many of you are here because of a letter that is circulating on the Internet with a link to this article. We thank you for coming to our website and hope it will encourage you. But we also want you to know that we didn't write the letter.

For more information on this topic, we recommend that you also read:

Deceived by a counterfeit "Jesus" -- The Twisted Truths of The Shack & A Course in Miracles

The Armor of God & The Nature and Tactics of Satan

Warren Smith is a former New Age follower who at one time was deeply involved in the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles. He is the author of these insightful books:

Deceived on Purpose: http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/01743purpose.htm

The Light that was Dark: http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01743light.htm

Reinventing Jesus Christ (2nd edition which is posted online): http://www.reinventingjesuschrist.com

Endnotes:
1. http://marianne.com/book/index/htm. It seeems to be broken, so try http://marianne.com instead.

2. A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume (Glen Ellen, California: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975), (Workbook), p. 45.
3. Ibid., p. 102.
4. Ibid., p. 119.
5. Ibid., (Text), p. 16.
6. Ibid., (Preface), p. ix.
7. Neale Donald Walsch, Tomorrow’s God: Our Greatest Spiritual Challenge (New York: Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, 2004), pp. 262-263.
8. Robert Skutch, Journey Without Distance: The Story behind “A Course in Miracles” (Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts, 1984), p. 54.
9. A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume, (Workbook), p. 183.
10. Ibid., (Text), p. 425.
11. Ibid., p. 52.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid., (Teachers Manual), p. 58.
14. Ibid., (Workbook), p. 45.
15. Ibid., (Text), p. 147.
16. Ibid., p. 125.
17. Ibid., p. 237.
18. http://www.hourofpower.org/interviews/interviews_detail.cfm?ArticleID=3079
19. Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles A Course in Miracles (New York: Harper Perennial, 1996), p. ix.
20. Marianne Williamson, The Gift Of Change: Spiritual Guidance for a Radically New Life (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2004), p. 5.
21. Wayne Dyer, “There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem,” Public Broadcasting System broadcast in 2001.
22. Neale Donald Walsch, The New Revelations: A Conversation with God (New York: Atria Books, 2002), p. 157.
23. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 1 (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996), p. 90.
24. http://www.rethinkconference.com (See also WorldNetDaily.com 10/30/07 “What is Robert Schuller ‘rethinking’?” by Joseph Farah and “Rethinking Robert Schuller” by Warren Smith. See also Herescope: "Rethinking Culture" and "Rethinking and Reinventing" (10/30/07)

March 8: Harvest Connection Seminar

2008-02-19T07:20:00.000-08:00

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PRAYER WITH RUTH FAZAL: Monday, March 10th from 7-9:30 p.m.

2008-02-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

NEW LIFE PROVIDENCE HOSTS A SPECIAL NIGHT OF SOAKING PRAYER WITH RUTH FAZAL

"Awake, arise my beloved and come away with Me."

There is a Sound coming from Heaven! It is the Voice of the Bridegroom calling out to His Bride. Come away on this special night to be with the One who longs to be with you.

RUTH FAZAL
As a worship leader and singer/songwriter, Ruth has travelled extensively across North America ,Europe, and Israel, and her deepest desire is to see the body of Christ enter into a truly intimate relationship with Jesus, that goes far beyond corporate worship. Ruth honours and loves the prophetic, and feels an urgency in this hour, for us to be awakened to the purposes of God. Ruth says: "Listening for His voice is the most important thing for us to be doing. I believe that there is a realm that the Lord is wanting to bring us into, in which we will begin to see with a 'Kingdom of God' perspective. I feel sure that it is on God's heart to bring us there, and in that place, for us to come to a greater understanding of who He is, and of who we are in Him. It is time for the Church to be functioning as real citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is what I am giving my heart to! I want to learn how to live that way"

VIOLINIST AND COMPOSER

Mark Your Calendar!!

When: Monday, March 10th from 7-9:30 p.m.

Where: New Life Providence Church Sanctuary
(Kempsville Campus)

A love offering will be taken to bless the ministry of Ruth Fazal

**Don't forget your blanket, bible, and journal!