Two cool websites

Have any of you ever heard of God Tube?
It is cool! It is a Christian version of You Tube!
To see it go to... http://godtube.com
Addie showed me a Christian version of myspace also. I am not allowed to do myspace, but I think this sounds cool, although I probably would not be allowed to do it.
The address is http://shoutlife.com

Anyway, I just thought those were cool. Check them out sometime.

Neophytes

Hello, all! I am doing a report on California Missions and Neophytes. I can't find anything on Native American neophytes, and there lives. Can anyone help????

Just Because

No one has posted in a few days so I thought I should even though I don't have anything to say. So I thought that I would say something that I heard a couple weeks ago at church. These are 4 "Stress-Relievers"
Step One- Worry about nothing.
"Do not be anxious about anything....." (Philippians vs. 6a)
"Do not fret or have any anxiety..." (Amp)
"Be careful for nothing...." (KJV)
Step Two- Pray about EVERYTHING.
..."but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God." (vs.6b)
"You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are his personal concern." 1 Peter 5:7
God cares about you so you should share everything with Him no matter what it is.
Step Three-Thank God for all things.
"Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:18
Step Four-Think about the right things.
"Finally brothers, whatever is true...noble...right...pure...lovely...adirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
The pastor there gave this and it really helped me because I was really stressed out about some things. I filled in the outline and though I should put it on this.
Addie

Okay...

Hmm, well, so since this is the last time I will get to post for a while, I guess I should post something good! LOL. Um...uh...MORE SONG LYRICS!!! Okay...so, yeah, you can tell I love Michael W. Smith and Rebecca St. James a lot, but have I ever posted a song by Amy Grant? I love her music too. This is a song called "I'm Gonna Fly". It is really encouraging, and shows that you should not worry about what other people think, and just be yourself (or 'fly' as the song implies).

All of my friends are happy to stay

Here in this yard day after day

But something inside me has called me away

I don't understand but I know I can't stay

I'm gonna fly

No one knows where

But I'm gonna fly

I'm lighter than air

Cause I have felt for the first time

I can be myself

No more faces to hide behind

Just a smile and a dream that's mine

Even if I am the only one who wants to fly

I'm gonna fly

No one knows where

But I'm gonna fly

I'll soar thru the air

All of my life seems I've waited

For the time to start

Being the person inside of me

Unafraid of being me

No more faces to hide behind

Just a smile and a dream that's mine

Even if I am the only one who wants to fly

If I had my life to live over again

I'd run barefoot, relax a bit more

And I'd talk to my children

And I'd learn how they laugh

And I'd teach them how I've learned to fly

Cause all my life seems I've waited

For the time to start

Being this person inside of me

Unafraid of being me

Even if I am the only one who wants to fly

I'm gonna fly

Hope it helps you 'soar thru the air'! Have an awesome day!
-Ellie

Um...

I have no idea what I am writing, but I feel like doing it. Um...Oh, I need prayers for my mother. The doctors say she is too big, for only six months pregnant. They are going to check the baby, and see if he's fine.

My Quietness

Okay, I just found a verse the completely justifies my quietness!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read this!

1 Peter 3:3-4 3
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

I love this verse! :)

????

Yah, so, I am totally bored and don't know what to post...oh, I know! More song lyrics! LOL, that seems to be my specialty. "Mirror" by Rebecca St. James... Here goes...

May the words of my mouth please you
dear God
May the thoughts of my heart say to you
All that I desire is to be with you forever
Lord I pray - I pray that You
Take me - Make me
Beautiful to You
Create me so - I mirror You
Take me - Make me
An image of You
Lord I want to mirror You
Let the words of my mouth please You
dear God
May the thoughts of my heart be as Yours
Cause all that I desire is to be here with
You forever
Lord I pray - I pray that you
Take me - Make me
Beautiful to You
Create me so - I mirror You
Take me - Make me
An image of You
Lord I want to mirror You
Break me out of my complacency
Breathe Your breath of life into my soul
Into my soul
May the words of my mouth please You
Take me - Make me
Beautiful to You
Create me so - I mirror You
Take me - Make me
An image of You
Cause Lord I want to mirror You
-Ellie

Winterfest

I went to a youth convention this weekend called Winterfest. Jeff Walling spoke and he was really good. I got a lot out of this weekend. Taylor Mason was there and he was so funny. He is a Christian ventriloquist. I loved Paco. There was also a sheep who I hadn't seen before but it was good. Kutless was also there. Bean and Bailey were there too. But it was a really good experience. I went to another one called Planet Wisdom last year and it was deeper but I like them both. I decided to talk to a friend who isn't a Christian and possibly write her a letter or something. I just need some advice so please pray for me that I can find the words to tell her. But it was a great weekend with a great message.
Addie

Sick

Well, I woke up this morning with the flu/cold (whatever you want to call it). I had a bad headache, stomachache, sore throat, and everything all at once. At the moment I feel better, so I decided to check email and stuff.
Mom also got it and is asleep on the couch, like I have been doing all day until now.
Nivek is getting better (figures) and is playing PS2.
I have been taking tons of vitamins and stuff trying to fight this thing by tomorrow, because I have class and I can't say I want to miss since I am already going to miss next Tuesday anyway (going on a trip). We had to cancel my piano and voice lessons, which I was not happy about (have to miss that next week too).
Anyway, my stomach is starting to hurt again, so I better go :(
Please pray that we all get well soon (by tomorrow).
Bye!

P.S. Sorry about the bad grammar and stuff... my brain is going crazy.

Prayer request

Please pray for Nivek to get over his cold/flu. And please pray for me not to get it any worse than I already do, but to get better. And for my parents not to get it.
We have a skiing trip planned, and my g-parents are coming. If we don't get over it, this could be bad...

"For You" lyrics

This is a really cool song, about friends I guess. It is by Michael W. Smith...

Sittin' in the rain
Water on your brain
Got a hole in your boat
Trying to stay afloat
Has got you down
Ive got a wind in my sail
Rubber boots and a pail
Ill throw you a line
Rest assured that I
Won't ever let you drown

Cause when you're up against the wall
You know I'll be here for you, for you
When you rise and when you fall
I'll always be here for you, for you

When the plans you make
Fall through and take you
For a loop
Or some bird has flown the coop
And left you stranded
Just lean on me
And together you see
Well carry the load
Even if we dont
Quite understand it

Cause when you're up against the wall
You know I'll be here for you, for you
When you rise and when you fall
I'll always be here for you, for you

Cause when you're up against the wall
You know I'll be here for you, for you
When you rise and when you fall
I'll always be here for you, for you

I just wanted to share this to my friends...this is my promise to you. I will always try to be there for you. But always remember that God will ALWAYS be there for you.
-Ellie

I have no idea why...

Okay, like the title says, I have no idea why I am posting this, but I guess God is telling me too.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

I saw this verse sometime in 2006, and have loved it ever since. It is pretty cool when you are feeling anxious about something, and then you ask God to give you a verse, and this one pops into your head.
-Ellie

The Universe!

Hey! I wrote this some time last year for Addie's "email/newspaper" thingy. Just thought I would post it on here.

The Universe
By Zoe

Have you ever thought about just how enormous the Universe is? Think about how huge the Earth seems to us- so huge that it can take days to travel in a car just across our country alone! Even in an airplane it can still take hours!

Now, take a look at the size difference between the earth and Jupiter- one thousand times the size! Wow! What a difference!

And you just thought Jupiter was huge! Look again!

The sun is massive- about 880,000 miles in diameter. It is about 1,000 times larger than Jupiter, and 1 Million times the size of Earth! If that is just the sun, how big do you think the Solar System alone is? Pretty big huh? I’d say! It just so happens to be just a tiny spec in comparison to the whole Milky Way galaxy! Imagine how big the Milky Way must be!
From what Astronomers have observed, there are about 100 Billion galaxies in the Universe; and they are nowhere close to seeing the whole Universe to the very end. According to the Bible they never will; Jeremiah 31:37 says, “This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done," declares the LORD.” Since God will never abandon Israel, astronomers will never see the end of the Universe.


Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Do you see how massive the Universe is? How great God is to have created something to incredible and amazing! How small us humans are in comparison, yet God still cares about every single one of us and hears every prayer. He loves us so much…more than we can possibly imagine. He sent his only son to die to save us! That is how great His love for us is!
God is so amazing and powerful; nothing is too big or too difficult for God to handle. If you need help, ask God and trust him. He has a plan for you, and no matter what, if you trust him, everything will be okay.

Jeremiah 31:35
This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name.

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (NIV)

Band

Today in band my teacher gave us music for the spring concert. We'll be playing The Simpsons, Baby Elephant Walk, Fantasia on an Irish Hymn, Holy Holy Holy, The Incredibles, Narnia, George of the Jungle, Pink Panther, and I don't remember what else. Today we played Baby Elephant Walk, The Simpsons and Pink Panther. These are really hard songs, so wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!

Some of my favorite verses...

Well, as the title says, these are only SOME of my favorite verses.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(I like that one because of the song Michael Card did based on it.)

Esther 4:14
And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
(I am not sure why I like this verse so much--maybe because I love Queen Esther so much.)

Psalms 56:4
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
(The last part of it is so encouraging!)

Psalms 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
(Everyone has to have heard this one.)

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
(A lot of people like this one.)

Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
(Really speaks to you about having trustworthy and Christlike friends.)

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 43:1-2
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine....When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
(This is very cool.)

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
(This I love so much! It speaks volumes.)

Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
(This is God telling us to call to Him, and He will tell you things you wouldn't ever have known!)

Matthew 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I could go on and on and on...but if I did that, no one would read this post because it is so long...So I guess I will go.
-Ellie

Bible verses I found (Inspired to look these up by a debate in class)

Sometimes I wish I talked more. During debates I don't say anything, but I have some arguments... in my head. I just looked these up a few minutes ago though. I couldn't during class because I accidentally forgot my Bible.

Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Favorite Verse

My favorite verses are:

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
Psalm 3:6-7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:1-5

Amazing Student

This is amazing...

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christensen, a
studious man who taught at a small college in the western United
States.
Dr. Christensen taught the required survey course in Christianity at
this
particular Institution. Every student was required to take this course
his
freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christensen tried hard to communicate the essence of the
gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the
course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most
students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christensen had a special student named Steve. Steve was
only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto
seminary
for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an
imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the
school
football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christensen asked Steve to stay after class so he could
talk
with him. 'How many push-ups can you do?' Steve said, 'I do about 200
every night.'

'200? That's pretty good, Steve,' Dr. Christensen said. 'Do you think
you
could do 300?'

Steve replied, 'I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time.'

'Do you think you could?' again asked Dr. Christensen.

'Well, I can try,' said Steve.

'Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I
need
you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you
do
it?

I need you to tell me you can do it,' said the professor.

Steve said, 'Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it.'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me
explain what I have in mind.'

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the
room.

When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No,
these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the BIG, extra
fancy
kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.

Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the year,
and
they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in
Dr.
Christensen's class.

Dr. Christensen went to the first girl in the first row and asked,
'Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?' Cynthia said,
'Yes.'

Dr. Christensen then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve, would you do
ten
push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?

' 'Sure.' Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve
again sat in his desk. Dr. Christensen put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr.
Christensen then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, 'Joe, do you
want a donut?'

Joe said, 'Yes.' Dr. Christensen asked, 'Steve would you do ten
push-ups
so Joe can have a donut?'

Steve did ten push-ups! , Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the
first
aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their
donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christensen came to Scott. Scott was
on
the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very
popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, 'Scott do you want a donut?' Scott's reply
was,
'Well, can I do my own push-ups?' Dr. Christensen said, 'No, Steve has
to
do them.' Then Scott said, 'Well, I don't want one then.'

Dr. Christensen shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, 'Steve,
would
you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?' With
perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, 'HEY! I
said I didn't want one!'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks,
and
these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it.'
And
he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed
on
the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up
and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out
around
his brow.

Dr. Christensen started down the third row. Now the students were
beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christensen asked Jenny, 'Jenny,
do
you want a donut?' Sternly, Jenny said, 'No.' Then Dr. Christensen
asked
Steve, 'Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut
that she doesn't want?'

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students
were
beginning to say 'No' and there were all these uneaten donuts on the
desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these
push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat
on
the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red
because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christensen asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the
class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten
push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work
for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was
so
Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christensen started down the fourth row. During his class, however,
some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the
steps
along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the
professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there
were
34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to
make it.

Dr. Christensen went on to the next person and the next and the next.
Near
the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was
taking a
lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr Christensen, 'Do I
have
to make my nose touch on each one?'

Dr. Christensen thought for a moment, 'Well, they're your push-ups. You
are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want.' And Dr.
Christensen went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room
and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice,
'NO!
Don't come in! Stay out!'

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said,
'No, let him come.'

Professor Christensen said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you
will
have to do ten push-ups for him?' Steve said, 'Yes, let him come in.
Give
him a donut.'

Dr. Christensen said, 'Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the
way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?' Jason, new to the room,
hardly
knew what was going on. 'Yes,' he said, 'give me a donut.'
'Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?' Steve
did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered,
was
handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christensen finished the fourth row, and then started on those
visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each
push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By
this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no
sound
except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both
cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christensen went to Linda, the
second
to last, and asked, 'Linda, do you want a donut?' Linda said, very
sadly,
'No, thank you.' Professor Christensen quietly asked,
'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she
doesn't want?' Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow
push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christensen turned to the last girl, Susan. 'Susan, do you want
a
donut?' Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. 'Dr.
Christensen, why can't I help him?'

Dr. Christensen, with tears of his own, said, 'No, Steve has to do it
alone. I have given him this task, and he is in charge of seeing that
everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.
When
I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade
book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade.
Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered m e inferior
work.

Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he
must
do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party
unless
he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your
sakes.'

'Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?' As Steve
very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he
had
accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups,
his
arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christensen turned to the room and said. 'And so it was, that our
Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, pled to the Father, 'Into Thy hands
I
commend My spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything
that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of
those
in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten.'

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically
exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

'Well done, good and faithful servant,' said the professor, adding 'Not
all sermons are preached in words.'

Turning to his class, the professor said, 'My wish is that you might
understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that
have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior
Jesus
Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us
all,
for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to
accept
His gift to us, the price has been paid.' 'Wouldn't you be foolish and
ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?'

Share this with someone. It's bound to touch their heart and
demonstrate
Salvation in a very special way.

Hmmm...

Okay, I know this is off-subject, but I need opinions. This is from my book, "The Chosen Ones". PLEASE tell me what you think. I can't decide to put symbolism, or have God directly mentioned in it. Any suggestions?

The familiar darkness washed over me. I despaired, as did my thoughts. Throbbing…my arm…ow! Where am I? I was afraid, and my arm hurt terribly. Seconds later my pain and fear evaporated as a blinding light eradicated the darkness. Then, a great Presence seemed to approach. Peace came over my entire body, and I relaxed. Then, the Presence, which to me seemed much like an angel, spoke.
“Elwyn of Naibara, fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, Elwyn, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
And then the vision faded. I came to...

The idea is that she just blacked out in this little cave, and then she has this vision and wakes up in a different world. It is confusing, but I like it. Her name is Elwyn (Ellie).
-Ellie

An Email forward...Kinda funny, and very true

A science professor begins his school year with a lecture to the students, "Let me explain the problem science has with religion." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a Christian, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The Bible says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. "Aha! The Bible!" He considers for a moment.
"Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er...yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From God"

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?"

"Yes."

"So who created evil?" The professor continued, "If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil."

Again, the student has no answer. "Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.
"Who created them?" There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me," he continues onto another student. "Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor, I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?"

"No, sir, I have not."

"Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?"

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. "Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. "You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees."

"Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold.
Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word."

"In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. "So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought."

"It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it."

"Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir."

"So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"


Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. "I guess you'll have to take them on faith."

"Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life," the student continues. "Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?"

Now uncertain, the professor responds, "Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."


To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."

The professor sat down.

1 Peter 4:11

I saw this verse in class the other day and I liked it. "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11. Remember to do all things in God and in that you will be praising His wonderful name.
Addie

"Never Been Unloved"

I love this song. Have any of you heard it?

Never Been Unloved – by Michael W. Smith
I have been unfaithful

I have been unworthy

I have been unrighteous

And I have been unmerciful

I have been unreachable

I have been unteachable

I have been unwilling

And I have been undesirable

And sometimes

I have unwise

I've been undone by what I'm unsure of

But because of You

And all that You went through

I know that I have never been unloved

I have been unbroken

I have been unmended

I have been uneasy

And I've been unapproachable

I've been unemotional

I've been unexceptional

I've been undecided

And I have been unqualified

Unaware I have been unfair

I've been unfit for blessings from above

But even I can see

The sacrifice You made for me

To show that I have never been unloved

It's because of You

And all that You went through

I know that I have never been unloved

Pretty cool huh? It is so encouraging, humbling, and amazing.

-Ellie

Golden Compass

Hey! Any of you planning on seeing "The Golden Compass"?
I recommend you click on this link first and read the article...
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Random idea

Hey, are any of you good at writing words to songs? If so... you want to come up with words and I'll write the music? Hey! That might work... Hmm. Sry... thinking outloud. Can you tell I'm bored?

Random thoughts

I am still reading "Piercing The Darkness". I am on chapter nine, I think, now. It is pretty good so far. Alekiel says it gets much better later on! This Present Darkness was awesome!
The book (The Kusadehh Shield) I have been working on writing for the past... what four, almost five years now? (Wow!) - Is similar to it, so I guess I better change some things. I just had some of the same ideas. My latest version is really cool, btw. And yes, I have been working on it lately!!!!!!!!... I didn't stop like I thought I would. Anyway, I'll ttyl. Bye!

P.S. I am writing another song too! It is called Rain. Now I am trying to write words for it, but did I mention I stink at that? lol!

ZOEgirl - Dead Serious lyrics

Who's that girl with the Bible in her hands
The smile on her face, she doesn't get it, I don’t understand
The way she walks with her head in the clouds
She doesn't care who laughs, walks right through the crowd

That's right, that's me, I don't care what you think
People talk all day, I don't care what they say

You think I'm delirious, a typical reaction
Aren't you curious about my satisfaction
Maybe you're envious, a little curious
You can laugh, but I'm dead serious

Watch her as she goes, there's something different and she knows it
Ask her why, and she'll flash that silly smile
She says she's got a purpose and she's done with all the games
Jesus saved her soul and she'll never be the same

That's right that's me, I don't care what you think
You can talk all day, I don't care what you say

Eternity won't wait for me
I've made my choice, it's where I want to be
All I want to be seen is the light of God shining in me
I may be young, but I am free
You can't change what I believe

That's right, that's me, I don't care what you think
You can talk all day, I'm okay anyway

Serious, I'm serious
You can laugh but I'm dead serious

I love this song. More so the meaning behind it rather than the beat of the song. It is, however a cool, upbeat song. Have any of you heard it before?

Great song

This is a great song that we sing at church. Ellie, do you remember it?

He Is Wonderful

Alto
All praises be to the King of kings,
and the Lord our God,
He is wonderful

Soprano
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah,
He is wonderful

Tenor
Hallelujah salvation and glory,
honor and power,
He is wonderful

Bass
For the Lord our God is mighty
The Lord our God is omnipotent,
our God, He is wonderful

"Stand" lyrics

Hey all! Skylar, congrats on joining! These are the lyrics to perhaps my favorite song on earth, "Stand", but Rebecca St. James.

There is a time for healing
There's a time for all purposes under the sun
There's a time for laughter
There's a time to let go and a time to hold on
So we are here, but why are we waiting
Why are we acting like dead men walking
The time has arrived
For us to arise

Joining our hands united together

This is our time to be strong
This is our time to rise up
To stand and be counted
This is our time to believe
To know in our God we are free
Let the world know to Him we belong

Lord capture our hearts now
Drown out the pleasures and treasures that bind us
Give us your courage
To be strong, to be brave, and to never back down
There's no time to lose
We can't be silentIn a world that is dying to find out the truth
We've got the hope
We've got the answerLet's lay down our all
With reckless abandon

It's way cooler to hear it, but I don't know how to connect a song or whatever, so oh well. Well, Bye!
-Ellie

Hi

Hi, Ellie, Addie and Zoe! I am so happy my mom allowed me to join. Have you seen the movie Timeline? It is a great movie about a professor who gets trapped in 14th century France, and has to be rescued by his son and friends. You should see it!

Hello to all

Hello all! My name is Skylar, Sky for short. I am excited to have joined!

What's Your Spiritual Gift?

Hey! This is a quiz from my Revolve Biblazine that I thought was neat...
Rate yourself from 1 - 10 (1 is Really not me and 10 is definitely me)

1. I'm going to stand up for what I believe even if no one else backs me up or agrees
2. I'm willing to work hard on a project until it is completed and done well
3. I'm usually the leader in a groups
4. I don't spend much money on myself
5. I really love helping people out who have problems, like addictions or diseases
6. I think it is more important to live out what you believe than to know all the technical stuff
7. I love reading the Bible. It is honestly my favorite book.
8. I like telling people about my faith - like talk to them about it.
9. I am pretty good at always remembering to tithe
10. I'm a Trendsetter - I plan for the future and people follow me.
11. It's really important to me that all my friends become strong Christians.
12. I have volunteered to lead some Bible studies at school or church because I love to share what I know about the Bible with others.
13. As long as what I'm doing helps the cause, I really could care less who gets the credit.
14. I get upset when the pastor doesn't address the sins that are obviously going around in our church
15. I'm great at getting people to help out when it comes to charity events or mission trip
16. I try to find ways to save money so I can give more to God
17. I don't mind doing grunt work if it means that God's word will reach more people
18. I want people to become Christians so badly that I will tell them about Jesus even when they don't want to hear about it

Results: (add up your score for each of these-
a) 1 and 14:
b) 2 and 13:
c) 6 and 15:
d) 7 and 12:
e) 9 and 16:
f) 4 and 10:
g) 5 and 17:
h) 8 and 18:
i) 3 and 11:

Whichever groups you got the highest score in is your strongest spiritual gift...

a) Prophecy - Ability to see the influence of evil and warn other Christians
b) Helping - Ability to help without getting any credit
c) Exhortation - Ability to show others practical ways to serve God
d) Teaching - desire to study the Bible and share knowledge with others
e) Giving - desire to give your things for God's work
f) Administration - Ability to manage resources efficiently
g) Showing Mercy - Ability to show comfort and support to someone who needs it
h) Evangelism - Ability to lead unbelievers to Christ
i) Shepherding - ability to lead a group of Christians

Other books.

Though None Go With Me is another good book I read. It is about a girl named Elizabeth who meets one of there new ministers and decides to give her life completely to God and her life turns upside down and she loses almost everyone she loves. Well I am not going to give too much away. But it is a really good book. There is also a movie which oddly enough I think is even better. One of the main themes in from the song "I have decided to follow Jesus" It is the part that says "Though none go with me, I still will follow, no turning back, no turning back." She decides to follow no matter what and doesn't ever turn back and in the end it is all worth it.

Another one is from The Russians Series by Judith Pella and Michael Phillips I think. Well the first one in the series is the best. It is called The Crown and the Crucible. It is about a peasant girl from the Russian countryside and she moves to St. Petersberg to work at the Winter Palace in the kitchen. She ends up being a personal maid. Well I am still not going to give any away but it is a really good book but you have to continue with the second and third and maybe more but those arn't as good. I loved the book.

Do you see the meaning behind Jesus' words?

Hi. As you can tell from the title, I am going to post a verse that has a meaning that is rather hard to see. I had never given the verse much thought, until one day I was flipping through John and my eyes fell on this verse:

John 12:23-24
Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."

Read it carefully. But not too hard. It may take a few minutes, days, or even years for it to click. It took me a long time...but when I read it that one time, everything just clicked. There is a meaning behind Jesus' words...and it is very cool!
-Ellie

Dana's Valley

Hi I am Addie for those who do not know. But I had a comment I wanted to make and it was taking a while on the comments and I thought i ought to post it. I am going to talk about this book I read and I will others later but I have company coming over soon and may not even have time for this. Well anyway.... I read a book in 7th grade called Dana's Valley. I was looking in the library for a book and I couldn't find one I wanted to read. (I am kind of picky) The librarian came up to me and suggested a book. The library at that time went and still goes to my church and had know me for a while. It was in the corner in the back of the library. I got it and fell in love with it. It starts out kind of slow but after it got going I couldn't stop reading it. It was about a girl named Dana who had a sister about a year younger than her (Erin who narrated the story) and older brother Brett I think, and a young brother named Corey. It starts out when Dana is about 11 or 12 I think. She starts feeling bad so her parents take her to the doctor and they find out that she is sick. I am not going to give too much of it away but it was probably the saddest book I have ever read. It spreads out over 3 or 4 years I think. One thing that makes it really sad it that it is narrated by her sister so you see that side of it and the trouble that they all are going though. Erin has trouble with her faith, Brett starts having some problems, and Corey feels neglected. They all have a struggle but the get through it really with the help of Dana keeping her faith and even growing in her faith. It sort of reminds me of a video we watched in Bible Class once. I don't have the time to really explain the who thing but the lesson was that God picks you up when you are in times of trouble and carries you through the storm. He doesn't make it go away immediately but he helps you and carries you and in the end you grow stronger in your faith. All you have to do is trust in him.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths strait."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Addie

Random list of GREAT books

Hey, this is just a random list of awesome books everyone should read. What can I say? I am a bookworm. Oh, and the starred books are part of the trilogy, series, or quartet that I listed above them.

The Chronicles of Narnia - by C. S. Lewis
*The Magician's Nephew
*The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
*The Horse and His Boy
*Prince Caspian
*The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
*The Silver Chair
*The Last Battle
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - by J. R. R. Tolkien
*The Fellowship of the Ring
*The Two Towers
*The Return of the King
The Hobbit - by J. R. R. Tolkien
The Door Within Trilogy - by Wayne Thomas Batson
*The Door Within
*The Rise of the Wyrm Lord
*The Last Battle
The Frank Peretti Books - by Frank E. Peretti (duh)
*This Present Darkness
*Piercing the Darkness
*Prophet (reading it right now)
*The Visitation (haven't read that one yet, but it sounds good!)
Hadassah, One Night with the King - by Tommy Tenney (I've heard there's a sequel!)
The Hidden Treasure of Glaston - by Eleanore M. Jewett (not sure if it's by a Christian author, but it's really good anyway, nothing bad in it)
The Linage of Grace Series - by Francine Rivers (I will list only the 2 I've read, even though there are 5 I think)
*Unashamed (about Rahab)
*Unafraid (about Mary-very touching)
The Screwtape Letters - by C. S. Lewis (I would suggest waiting a while to really comprehend it)
Esther & John in the Bible - by authors inspired by God

All of those books I just listed are really good, not bad at all, and many are encouraging spiritually. And they hold your attention to such a degree that you can't stand to put them down. Hope you like reading them. Oh, and The Hidden Treasure of Glaston is set in a monastery, and they search for the Holy Grail, so I am assuming it is Christian...

-Ellie

Flywheel

Last night we watched "Flywheel". It was a great movie. It is about a man, "Jay Auston", who sells used cars for unfair prices and cheats on his customers. When he gives his heart to the Lord, he realizes all the mistakes he has made in his life and tries to fix them, but not everyone liked these changes. He goes through many struggles, but in the end everything is even better than before because he trusted God.
It has a great lesson in having faith in god and trusting him no matter what, and, like I said yesterday, "When God says do something... DO IT!"

Thanks, Zoe!

Zoe (and anybody else reading this),
That was really encouraging. I hope you don't mind me answering on a post either! But I just have so much to say!
For one, I just wanted to tell anyone reading this, life isn't easy, especially if you are a Christian. I myself have questioned God many times...one of those biggest times being last December, the week before the spelling bee that my mom had entered me in. I was frustrated and didn't want anything to do with anybody or anything. One day, two days before the spelling bee, I picked up my Bible, hoping that I would find somewhere that said that parents should treat their kids nicely. (I was in a really foul mood, as you might have gathered.) Instead, I found a verse that calmed me beyond words. I was crying angry tears in my room, and could barely see the words on the page. Suddenly, a short verse jumped out at me. It was Psalms 18:29--"With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."
You see, I was nervous about the spelling bee. But when I read this verse, an indescribable calm descended on me. God had spoken to me through that little short verse. That one verse just spoke volumes to me. And what really hit me was that God was trying to tell me that I was going to be okay, and that being in a spelling bee isn't the end of the world. And loe and behold, when this year's spelling bee rolled around, I used that verse to calm my fears. (And Zoe, boy am I gonna need it come February!)
Anyway, I hope that someday that a little verse will speak volumes to you, like Psalms 18:29 did for me.
-Ellie

Another Favorite Verse/In the world... not of it

This is another of my favorite verses...

John 15:18-19
18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

God doesn't want us to be like the world. In it, but not of it.
So don't change the way you act, believe, or dress because you are worried about what other people think because in the long run... it won't matter!

My Favorite Bible Verse

That is a good verse, Ellie. I decided to answer on this post (hope you don't mind). I like the verse at the top a lot! (That's why I put it there! lol!)
I also love this one:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

To me, this verse reminds me that when I wonder what what my purpose is here in this life, God knows it. And even if it doesn't make since at the time those plans are to, "prosper me and not to harm me"! Not too long ago I was praying for God to reveal to me his plan for my life, and I found this verse. That is why I like it so much.

What's YOUR favorite Bible verse?

Hi everybody! So, I was wondering what everybody's favorite Bible verses are. Mine...hmm, I don't have a favorite favorite. Actually, I like lots of Christian songs that are based on Bible verses. One of my alltime favorite songs is "By Faith" by Michael Card. It is based on the great Faith chapter, Hebrews 11. It is so cool. And then there is this song called "Stand" by Rebecca St. James that is really awesome. In fact, I might post the lyrics sometime later. They are awesome. I don't really know if it is based on a verse, but it seems like it is very similar to Esther 4:14--"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?". That is probably my favorite verse, other than Hebrews 11:1, 12:1-2, which I put at the bottom of the blog. Be sure and comment and tell us what your favorite Bible verse is.

Storyside:B

Have any of you heard of the artist, "Storyside: B"? I got one of their Cd's the other day from a friend and I love it! The lyrics are great too! And if you don't like really hard music, it isn't really hard. But it's still REALLY cool! One of their songs, "Demons and Angels" reminds me of Frank Peretti's books.

Some good books!

Hi! I'm Ellie, and I'm new at this, so bear with me! So, yeah, I just finished this GREAT set of books, called The Door Within trilogy, by Wayne Thomas Batson. They are totally awesome, and you should so read them! They are not just great fantasy books--they are full of Christian symbolism. I was amazed. You see, one of my friends suggested them to me and then I got them for Christmas...the rest is history. I read all three of them in one week--more like devoured them. Even if you aren't a big reader (I am a BIG reader!) they are great books! And if any of you don't know what symbolism is, the Chronicles of Narnia are great examples. The great thing about The Door Within Trilogy is that it is not only full of spiritual symbolism, but they are fast-paced, can't-put-them-down sort of books. So, needless to say, you should definitely read these books. Post later!

-Ellie

P.S. To check out more great books, try the Frank E. Peretti books. The first 2 are This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness. I just finished the second one.