What is happening to our church?

Christianity has turned into an ugly thing, hasn't it? From slave owners, to the stories we hear of sexual abuse by a catholic priest, intolerant people, commission Christians and the ever so frightening 'God Warriors'. But there is one man, one man most of us have heard of is Fred Phelps, pastor and founder of Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas. If you have not heard of him, he is the poster boy of hate and intolerance. With a FIERCE and almost incomprehensible hate for homosexual men and women him and his followers protest funerals of homosexual men and women who have been taken by AIDS. But not only do they target homosexual peoples, they also go after American Soldiers and civilians displaying quotes such as..

"Well, we wish it were 33,000 killed, but we are thankful for 33." (In reference to the VTech shootings.)

"The Lord God Almighty killed [the people who died on 9/11], looked at them in the face, laughed and mocked at each one of them as he cast each one of them into hell."

"1.07 billion members of that monstrous machine called the Roman Catholic Church. Every last one of them going to hell."

And some of their infamous signs seen read...

Thank God for Dead Soldiers
AIDS is God's Gift
Heath in Hell (Heath Ledger)
God Hates Obama
God Hates America
God Sent the Shooter
Thank God for 9/11
Pray for More Dead Soldiers

On the churches website (www.godhatesfags.com) they have bible verses to "backup" their extreme hate for homosexuals. Upon researching their supporting evidence that God hates homosexuals, I found no evidence. Except verses saying God loves his children, gave his only son for us, God created man in his own image, his enduring love. Do I have the wrong version of the bible? Perhaps I missed the term God Hates Gays.... In fact there is no reference to the fact God hates anyone. He does state that homosexuality is immoral and not what he intended but in no way shape or form does he claim to hate homosexual men and women.

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" - Jesus Matthew 5:44

Yves Saint Laurent: A Timeless Fashion Icon

Yves Saint Laurent once said, “I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity...” If still alive today Levi Strauss, (inventor of today’s copper rivet jeans), would be saying the exact same about Yves Saint Laurent. Said to be one of the greatest fashion icons Yves Saint Laurent has contributed to the fashion world some of the greatest and unforgettable designs. Behind his incredible talent and passion for fashion lays the incredible seldom told story of Yves Saint Laurent.
Born into a wealthy French family in 1936 Yves Saint Laurent grew up in a sheltered childhood remaining unaffected by the crushing war in Europe. Oldest of three children and only boy Yves inherited his mother’s fashion sense. As a child he enjoyed acting out plays for his family in an empty room and reading theatre reviews in the Paris version of Vogue magazine. In these magazines the costumes and descriptions captivated him. At the young age 17 in 1955, Yves submitted fashion sketches in a contest for young designers. Though he did not win first place only winning third he caught the attention of Michel de Brunhoff, editor in chief at Paris Vogue magazine. Since then de Brunhoff kept a close eye on the budding talent of Yves Saint Laurent.
It was quickly after his next contest entry that Yves received his first big break. After winning the second contest he took some sketches to de Brunhoff. Little did he know that Christian Dior, a famous haute couturier had sketched and shown similar sketches to Brunhoff that very morning. Brunhoff immediately contacted Dior and had the sketches promptly sent to him. Christian Dior hired young Yves immediately. The next year Yves found himself the head designer of Dior, following the unexpected death of Christian Dior. It was this young designer’s fresh outlook and designs that saved the house of Dior with his spring line in 1958. He was such a valuable part of Dior that the new owner Marcel Boussac fought the governments draft on Yves for two years. But once Yves 1960 line had failed greatly, he was no longer a valuable asset. Yves was drafted for the French army in 1960 but lasted only twenty days due to mental stress and hazing, he was shortly their after sent to a mental health facility in Val-de-Grace. Matters got worse when he discovered here that he had been let go from Dior. That November he filled a lawsuit against Dior claiming a breach of contract. He won the lawsuit, and shortly after his release from the hospital he and his lover Pierre Berge opened their own fashion house.
Through his great trials and triumph’s Yves Saint Ives pulled through and made fashion history. Next time you see a woman’s pant suit/ tuxedo, tight pants, tall thigh boots you will know more about the great man who thought up, designed and created that original idea, a man whose story still inspires all those who come across it.

Internet Dangers

The Internet… in just 1996 there was a reported 9.5 Million people on the internet; now just imagine how many people this year if 2008 have at home access to the internet daily. That would mean an estimated 55.4 Million people world wide. Now that’s a lot, you have instant access to those people anywhere in the world, and they have access to you. It’s pretty cool when you think about it, what they are doing on the internet wondering “are they on myspace right now?” “Are they looking at the recent stocks?” “Are the getting reacquainted with long lost friends?” “Are they just keeping contact with friends?” or “Are they watching videos on you-tube or playing games with friends?”
What ever it may be the internet is a highly dangerous tool if it is not used with caution. On http://www.fbi.gov it is estimated that 21 million teenagers have access and use the internet daily. Knowledge about the internet and how to be careful to not lead a predator to your house must be enforced to keep them all safe. Wikipedia an free online encyclapedia states that at any givin moment there can be 50,000 sexual predators online. That means of the 55.4 million of the internet users around the world 49,944 of them are sex-offenders.
I am a huge fan of degrassi and datelines to catch a predator. From these two fantastic shows I have gathered a lot of knowladge about internet saftey. So here are my tips to keep you and your family safe….
1. Don’t not post pictures of your self wearing a school t-shirt or anything else that may lead them to your where about.
2. Don’t give out any clues as to where you live (ex. I went down to the falls with my friends= would suggest that you live in Niagara Falls.)
3. Do not post your real name or give it out. Even just go by a nickname ex. Cutiepie32
4. Make all your myspace pages set to private
5. Do not post too personal information about your life on your pages, just because they are set to private doesn’t mean they are.
6. Just because some one you meet over the internet says, has pictures or acts your age doesn’t mean they are.
7. If you choose to go meet someone you met online bring an adult or a friend with you to a public place. If it does not go well and they aren’t who they say they are call the police.
8. Don’t talk about sex with strangers online…you don’t want to lead them on. If they keep bringing it up contact http://www.cybertipline.com.
9. Make your password and question something no one else would think off. Make sure there are no clues in any of you pictures either.
10. If they say something that makes you feel uncomfortable, block them or turn off the computer, tell someone.
11. Be polite to others.
12. Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want your parents to see… If you feel very secretive then it is probably not a good idea to have it posted.
13. Even if you’re a teenager give your parents your passwords.
14. Spend as little time as possible, its healthier to have a life out side of the internet.

Remember this: your kids may be smart, but not smart enough to out smart a predator. This following video is taken from Datelines to catch a predator just imagine the man in this video could have shown up at your house to meet you/ or your child. Millions of kids have actually dealt with this similar scenario except they did not have dateline there to protect them.

The Dead Know Nothing!!!!

The Dead Know Nothing
January, Wednesday 17, 2007

“For the living know when they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their Jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.”
- Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

I came across this really intriguing verse and what I got out of this was very fascinating. This means that using Ouji Boards, Tarot Cards, Psychic’s, and fortune tellers is not only wrong but extremely dangerous. If the dead know nothing and have nothing to do with anything under the sun who are we talking to? Could it possibly be that Demons are trying to pass off as the dead? So the Devil could very well be using trickery through these little games we play with evil. Opening the doors of evil through fortune telling and Ouji Boards lets Satan and his demons have access through that which gives him access to our souls, which in turn goes hand in hand with demon possession.

Now this may be a bit touchy for some but bear with me as these are only thoughts of mine and am not out to offend anyone.

I have a very strong interest and passion for human psychology and like to study the many types of psychological illnesses that many people live with today. Throughout my life I have met very many schizophrenics and all that I know about their past involves witch craft and other tempering in evil. Now they all have hallucinations and multiple personalities that they did not have before the tempering in evil. Their hallucinations involve demons and demonic leaders that they claim are after them. I have also heard stories where hands of Christians were laid on schizophrenics and resulted in the casting out of demons, some times more would emerge and others they were never to be seen again. I don’t know if the history of the schizophrenics past is a coincidence or not but it is another one of those spiritual questions we must wait to be solved by the all knowing.

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think 

Cyber Bullying

The majority of teens today have access to internet whether it be through home, school, peers, or local internet cafe. The internet is both so helpfull, but at the same time it is dangrous, sometimes to the point of being deadly. One very tradgic case was Megan Meier, a thirteen year old, very beautiful young girl who was bullied so badly by a boy online that one afternoon her mother found her hangingin her closet, she died the next day. Further investigation on the boy who bullied her lead to the confesion of a mother of her old friend who lived three houses down that she infact was the boy who was bullying Megan online. Her and her daughter were seeing if Megan was saying anything bad about her daugther. It soon got out of control ending in Megans death. The women responsable has surved no time in jail, she is also free of any charges. Megan had battled low self esteem, ADD, being 20 pounds over weight, and had been seeing a therapist.
Now reading this you may be in disbelif in what you are reading, the fact that bullying has gone as far as this, and that a growin women was behind it when we normally only here about the teen bullies. And since now bullying is not just a school thing but is now cyber life as a teen and even some adults is gettting a lot tougher. I remember home from when i was a lot youngermaybe before internet i was bullied so badly at school but once the bell rang and i went home, i was safe and comfertable and didnt have to worry about getting beat up, made fun off, and put down. But now it home is no longer safe from the school yard bullies. They come home with you and are every where you go with technology, there they are. So here are some tips i use, used, would use, and wish i had used.

For Parents
+ keep computer in the kitchen, lving room, or anywhere else not hiddin by closed doors
+ keep tabs on who your child is talking too
+ have a full access to veiw what your child is posting online for there own saftey (remember though dont get to carried away they have rights)
+ dont allow your child to talk to online strangers
+ eaither get your teens password or get them to give you a regular tour of their page
+ use your resources (teachers, utube, websites, school guidance counciler)

For Teens
+ you have the abillity to turn off your computer at anytime
+ do not bully (name call, threaten, or harrase) anyone else
+ let your parents know when you are being bullied they can and will (well should) take care of it
+ let your parents keep tabs on who you are talking too
+ eaither give your parents your password or give them a regular tour of your page
+ the best way not to start anything is to not talk about people negativelyit always gets back to them, even if you only told one person
+ as for cell phones go you have the right to turn it off when being bullied
+ teachers, parents, pastors, & councilers at school will help you as much as you can if you are being bullied
+ use your recsources and find out more, utube has many great videos, or even http://www.DrPhil.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MxxqcH_Mkc

Commision Christians (a must read no matter what your veiws)

Commission Christians

I know people will have a lot to say about what I am about to write about both good and bad. Which I like because then I get feed back on my thoughts. Anyways this article is for everyone, I don’t care if you are a Christian or not this is going to set things straight and tell the other side of this that the media does not.

I am inspired by the media, books and just human communication. Well today’s inspiration comes from the media and a topic that has always made me so angry. When you go to a car lot, retail store or electronics store on a nice quiet afternoon not intending to buy anything you are bombarded by commission sales persons who are pushy, desperate and determined to sell you something. Yes, these people do bug the day lights out of me but it’s not the product or person I have a problem with it is the way they are trying to force it one me. Now honestly this is a “Grinds My Gears” article about commission’s sales peoples but what I like to call commission Christians.

Commission Christian~ is a Christian (catholic, Buddhist, Muslim any religion) that try’s “selling” their religion or beliefs to a “buyer” in any means in a pushy, desperate way.

The main point I a m trying to get at is that no, unlike the medias idea of Christians all being Commission Christians which in fact we are not. It is bittersweet in all, the bitter point being people will act strange and scurry from our every existence but the sweet point it really relives someone when they meet a non-commission Christian. In all my years if church experience roughly about 5% of the hundreds of Christians I have met are Commission Christians one being my own Grandfather.

It is hard to not become a commission Christian when you are talking to a non believer because it is a strong passion you have and a great love that you want to shout it out from the top of your lungs but when a non believer is not interested in what your beliefs are it is hard. And in defence of these Commission Christians they may in fact be blind to the fact that they are coming across to strong, and to aggressive when they have the best of intentions. These Commission Christians are being driven by strong purpose and passion and they are eager to share that passion. The same can be said for some activists who are fighting for a passion and they are so overcome with passion they seem to be pushy and aggressive just as the Commission Christians come across as.

What the bible says~ The Qualities of a good Teacher
2 Timothy 2:22-25 NLT

22 “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.”

• This means that as a teacher you need to free yourself from the sins of the flesh. Though unless you confess your sins to God then you are not free of sin (even Christian’s sin). But you need to have a pure heart and a righteous life in order t o be a successful teacher, if you are not many people will not want to listen to your teachings due to your hypocrisy. You need to be a Jesus was, loving, faithful, and peaceful.

23, “Again I say don’t get involved in foolish ignorant arguments that only start fights.”

• Commission Christians tend to often end conversations with non-believers in foolish ignorant arguments. This is the total opposite of what God wants being a teacher of his.

24, “A servant of the lord must be kind to everyone and be able to teach and be patient with difficult people.”

• As a teacher of God a Commission Christian MUST be patient and kind to difficult people. Again just as Jesus was when he encountered difficult people. As a disciple you must be patient and kind, if not it will result in the foolish ignorant argument.

25, “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth, perhaps God will change those peoples hearts and they will learn the truth.”

• You as a teacher must understand that God is in charge and has different plans for different people. Some hearts are harder than others and it takes different ways to save and soften hearts of different people it could be a song for one person or a major event in ones life. In all, you can be there and answer questions asked and just act in ways GOD commands, not how you plan to get through to others. If they want to be saved then so be it, if not there is no more you can do than pray and help those who want it.

I have linked one of the video clips from Trading Spouses: meet your new mommy that inspired this article. In this video a mother was at the home of a family who did not belive in God and this woman is a huge example of a Commission Christian. Her impatience and pushy ways and possible insanity lead her here.

Please leave me a comment on your thoughts and opinnons, i’d love to hear what you have to say. I would also appreciate any suggestions on future articles. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3mDLsyn6ns