This passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  resonates deep within my heart.  Gazing out into the the horizon of my life,  I can see that another season in my life  begins to emerge.  A season that fills me with sorrow, anticipation, excitement,  hope and love.

¹ There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…² a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

The beginning of summer brought both the end of one life  and a beginning to another.  My daughter Larissa successfully graduated from high school – what a blessing it was to see her achieve this accomplishment and watch this part of her life come to an end.    Mixed with bittersweet happiness, I watched as the long, lazy days of summer faded into the hurried rush to shop, pack and pack some more so that she could begin her young adult life living in Vermont attending college.

³ a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

It was difficult for me to watch my daughter spread her wings and take flight.  At the culmination of her primary education I finally realized that I was overbearing and overprotective for too many years.  I was concerned how this might affect her success as she begins her own life journey but  God’s whisper in my heart comforted me.  I began to slowly let go of the overbearing mom to a mom that is slowly being molded into what my young adult daughter needs.

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Embarking on a journey knowing that when you reach your destination it is going to bring weeping, laughing, mourning and dancing can wreak havoc in your soul.  Leaving Larissa in Vermont was very difficult but at the same time liberating for both of us.  There is something to be said when you have the privilege to watch a beautiful newborn grow into a beautiful woman.  It is a gift that God gives us that sometimes is often unappreciated. Although one chapters in our lives brings deep mourning, God has designed life so intricately beautiful that He always give us a time to dance.

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

I recall her first day of preschool, wondering why God had blessed me with this beautiful child.  Entering elementary school, then middle and high school, each year I watched her grow, I watcher her make friends, lose friends and love abundantly.  During her 5th grade of school, God prompted me to begin a Christ centered youth group.  Larissa eagerly took the flyers took school distributing them to her classmates.  Learning when to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ was amazing.  Through Larissa and the other children who attended, I was able to grow closer to God leaning on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

Larissa entered her sophomore year with a heavy heart.  Unsuccessful in finding friendship in high school and feeling more awkward among her peers, she hither emotional bottom.  Recognizing a crisis, I prayed and asked God for help to understand what was happening to her.  God answers prayers.  Larissa was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD and an Anxiety Disorder.  Devastated, I was angry with myself for not realizing how much she had been struggling  to fit in and keep up socially with her peers.  It was not until she withdrew into a state of depression that I took action or for that matter noticed.  Learning to forgive myself was hard.  I could have spent my entire life searching for the answer to my guttural why,  eventually giving up .  But I knew I had to keep the good and throw away the bad, it was the only option available.

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Mending my emotions and reconciling the fact, that although I love my daughter, I was unable to provide all her needs.  I thank God that He was there for her when I was not.  As a young girl Larissa prayed and read her bible daily, I can remember how she approached every day hurdles by asking God what do to or to help her get through a situation.  Recalling the dinner conversations or our bedtime prayers will forever be etched upon my heart.

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Larissa has been at college for almost two weeks.  Daily phone calls have faded and reaching her via cell phone, dorm phone, email or facebook is challenging.  I love that she is doing amazingly well at college, I hate the fact that I can’t talk to her every day, I will give her a spaghetti war when she comes home but mostly I am at peace because this is going to be an amazing season that God has planned for me!

details to follow…

Muslims claim that the Qur’an is a scientific masterpiece. Yet with one verse from the Quran one can see how deceived the Muslims are. The Qur’an is filled with statements that are completely false. Let’s consider the formation of sperm.

Sura 85 represented by four different translations:

(5) He is created from a water drip-ping, (6) That issueth from between the loins and the breast-bones. (Daryab)

(5) He is created from a water gushing forth, (6) Proceeding from between the back-bone and the ribs, (Mohsin)

(5) He is created from a gushing fluid (6) That issued from between the loins and ribs. (Pickthal)

(5) He is created from a drop emitted? (6) Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs: (Yusuf)

Famed commentator, Abdullah Yusuf Ali tries to explain this obvious error on the Quran’s part. Here’s Ali’s footnote:

“A man’s seed is the quintessence of his body. It is therefore said metaphorically to proceed from his loins, i.e., from his back between the hipbones and his ribs. His backbone is the source and symbol of his strength and personality. In his spinal cord and in the brain is the directive energy of the central nervous system, and this directs all action, organic and psychic. The spinal cord is continuous with the Medulla Oblongata in the brain.”

As you can see… they have no answer other than to take a direct and literal statement and claim its metaphorical. I know, a lot of people do this with problem areas of their own religions, but we are strictly looking at Islam here. Do not be distracted by the ‘they do it too’ arguments…

The fact of the matter is the Quran is clueless about where semen comes from despite the claims of scientific excellence by zealous Muslims. Be aware my brothers and sisters.

Here’s a free flyer for downloading and printing. Use it with your ministry or to promote your favorite ministries. Just imprint the information at the bottom of the flyer when your print it out! Of course, we have provided a copy of our version of the flyer just in case you need a ministry to recommend… just click for the largest version, save to desktop, import into any word processor, and modify to needs! Then print! It’s cool and easy!

GBU and HJD

FREE Blank Version of the Flyer so you can promote your ministry (PDF FILE)

FREE HJD Version of the Flyer if you’d like to promote this ministry (PDF FILE)

I object to the use of Easter on the basis that there is absolutely no justification to use the word Easter in the Greek.

I object to the position that claims ‘file’ is the correct translation for the word PIM. The fact is that the KJV translators had to guess at the meaning of the word PIM because no one knew what a PIM was until they were discovered in the 1900′s. The fact they guessed incorrectly should tell the KJV Onlyist something about their claim that the KJV is the perfect Word of God in English, but if it doesn’t, there’s nothing more I can say on the matter.

I object to the word Lucifer being found in ANY English Bible. The word ‘Lucifer’ cannot appear in a true translation from Hebrew to English. No matter how they try to squirm out of it, no matter how it is justified in their minds, the KJVO are stuck defending a LATIN word which the Catholic Church translated from Hebrew to Latin as another name for Satan.

Concerning 1 John 5:7-8 – it was not part of the first or second editions of the Received Text. The KJV used the third edition of the Received Text which added the Comma Johanneum, and as a result it appears in the KJV. The evidence is clear that the passage was not known in the 4th century when the Church debated the Arians over the doctrine of Trinity, other wise the Church would have used such a clear Trinity passage in their arguments… it is also clear that the passage first appeared in the LATIN as a margin note – and that it wasn’t added to the manuscripts until much later. The problem I have with this isn’t what it says – but that the KJVO don’t recognize this as an addition to the text that originates from the Catholic Church which they profess to despise as corrupters of the Word in modern translations. Hypocrisy!

I object to the KJVO claim that the Alexandrian manuscripts which the modern translations use as their primary reference to translate the Greek into English is missing words, verses, and even chunks of chapters. Despite their confidence, it is just as likely that the Byzantine Manuscripts that they favor had words, verses, and even chunks of chapters added to them. Without the autographs – that is – the originals – we truly have no way to determine which is closest to the original. Maybe that is why Christ sent the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us?

I agree with the KJV Translators who did not believe their work to be ‘perfect’ – and believed that even the poorest translations of the Word of God into English were the Word of God – not just containing the Word – but also BEING the Word.

Now to the latter we answer; that we do not deny, nay we affirm and avow (declare assuredly, openly, bluntly, and without shame), that the very meanest (of poor shabby inferior quality or status or worthy of little regard.) translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession, (for we have seen none of theirs of the whole Bible as yet) containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God. As the King’s speech, which he uttereth in Parliament, being translated into French, Dutch, Italian, and Latin, is still the King’s speech, though it be not interpreted by every Translator with the like grace, nor peradventure so fitly for phrase, nor so expressly for sense, everywhere.

I’ve heard all the praise the KJVO speaks about the translators of the KJV; their faithfulness, their academic excellence, their Christian values… but they spit on the words of the KJV translators…

I object to the words that no longer mean the same thing today – or are even out of use… The KJV is not in the common English of today.

Now despite all these objections, I have to say once again I read the KJV daily! I read it right along side my NASB. Please understand my objections are truly not against the KJV, which I accept as a translation of the Word of God, but against the theology that professes this translation to be the end all for the Word of God in English.

I got back into this argument because I saw a very condescending, degrading, and insulting video from a guy who goes by the name of Husky in the YT KJVO community. I tried to explain why the KJVO position is wrong, and instead of getting intelligent responses and reasonable answers, I received insults, slander and liable; KJVO’ers attempting character assisination… I have witnessed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and I’ve had to listen to complete lies being spoken about myself and the ministry I was led to by Jesus Christ – which is happy Jesus day.

Without a doubt, there are times when my pride and flesh tried to take hold in these heated debates – and at times – I believe I have spoken too harshly. Granted – I was returning blow for blow with the attacks coming from the KJVO camps – but thats no excuse. I love to preach turn the other cheek but when the KJVO guys made it personal and got stupid, I was right up in the batter’s box ready to swing away. For these reasons I am sorry.

To those of you who have thought it just to do evil against me – Despite it all… your slander and lies spoken against me – your refusal to look objectively at the evidence presented to you concerning your beliefs about the KJV – despite all that – I do believe you believe in Jesus Christ…

Even if you call Satan, Lucifer, I know you aren’t a Satan Worshipper…

So I disagree with your beliefs concerning the perfect Word of God in English… so what? That doesn’t make me any less of a believer and it doesn’t affect my salvation. It also doesn’t make make me Satanic. ChristoferL you say – the L for liar – L for Lucifarian? Could demons scream any louder from your tongues? The ‘L’ is for ‘Levich!’ What kind of twisted individual would say such a thing against a brother in Christ… unless you ain’t my brother… but that’s for the Lord Jesus Christ to decide… I’ll accept your testimony concerning your belief in Christ even if it seems like your fruit is rotten to the core… I have to learn to love even when in the face of such wickedness… thats what the Lord leads me to –

So I do say shame on you King James Onlyist… you’ve made the greatest works of the KJV translators out to be something they themselves knew it wasn’t… you have attacked the Word of God in any other edition in English – in some cases claiming the KJV to be better than the texts in their native languages. This is absurd.

You say God promised to preserve His Word… and I agree! His Word is preserved in many ways… but you are acting like Pharisees when you declare that your translation alone is the Word of God in English. You are like Roman Catholic Church which you claim to despise in that you seek to control the Word of God – forcing people to conform to your opinions… Perhaps the Lord did not want us tethered to a single version of the Word – as the Jews are tethered to the Torah…

It has occurred to me that the KJVOer’s faith may very well rest on the concept of a perfect Bible in English. For this reason alone I have to stop engaging in this topic with ya all. You say I don’t believe God could preserve His Word in English… but I say I do believe He has preserved His Word… but it is not contained solely in the KJV. I mean, ask yourself this question… if someone DID prove a falsehood in the Bible, would it change anything for you? It wouldn’t for me! The Bible may be the single greatest physical gift we have on earth today, but the Holy Spirit – He is so much more. God is Great – God is the Greatest.

The debates and arguments will surely continue… as I pull away from the KJVO arena others will take my place – but I pray that they will consider the fruit of the Spirit as well as the example of Christ and the Apostles and be sure that they haven’t forgotten the Way of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if they are right about everything they believe about the KJV, that doesn’t give them the right to treat brothers and sisters in Christ like dirt. In fact, God might just see their attacks as kicking a weaker brother or sister when they should be helping them…

As for me – I am finally done – I believe God has told me to close the book on the KJV Onlyim debate… I have spoken the truth and it will stand here on Youtube for the foreseeable future.

Just remember – we will be held accountable for every idle word… and we’ve already piled up a mountain of insults and attacks between the lot of us…

May God bless us – and have mercy on us all in the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…

Exhibit Bee was created before Exhibit Aye

Exhibit Aye:
Albert was an accomplished outdoorsman. He could survive for months without any contact with the outside world, maybe years…

Exhibit Bee: Albert, an accomplished outdoorsman, was capable of live in the wilderness for months and perhaps years, if he so desired.

I hate to echo a certain pop queen, but oops I did it again. I got so passionate about a topic that I feel like I crossed the line – so to speak.

I am speaking of Christiantruthhammer and my three part video response to him concerning the KJVO arguments.

I cannot say I appreciated his tone with me in his initial response, but that was no excuse for me to return the favor.

I know many of you thought it was great – and I have to say my arguments stand – I just wish I had made them with less sarcasm. I wish I had been more compassionate and patient with him.

So to Christiantruthhammer – I apologize for being so disrespectful and rude to you. I still believe you are wrong in your KJVO stance, but I don’t want to be a jerk about it. May God bless you and lead you where He may – His will be done – Amen!

Christoferl

I’ve started an experiment which will be running for about a week on Youtube that I encourage you all to participate in. Quite simply, I show an image in a short video and I ask the viewer to tell me what they see in the picture. If you’ve got thirty seconds… I could use your help too! I will explain what this is all about in about a week… thanks!

Amongst historians there is a common understanding that those who do not learn from the past are destined to repeat it. It is a lesson that most choose to ignore, especially those who run the American government. The American Republic is similar to another Republic in a vast number of ways, and if America doesn’t change it will likely fall just as the other Republic did, that Republic was Rome.

One of the many similarities of Roman society and American society are our forms of entertainment. “The most popular, and most concrete, example of the similarities between ancient Rome’s and Philadelphia’s cultures is demonstrated through the placement of a helmet from the Philadelphia Eagles next to a gladiator helmet. The two objects, though made of completely different materials, have strikingly similar features and are clearly used for the same purpose. They also hold sentimental values for both the ancient Romans and Philadelphia Eagles fans. These two simple objects demonstrate the emphasis both cultures place on athletics, physical strength, and the popularity of public sports. “(Dukeman) This section of the article gives a clear example of how American entertainment has been derived from Roman entertainment. In football players (gladiators) meet in a stadium (arena) to compete; both engage in intense training under a coach; both fight for fame; and both are loved by the public. Is football just a civilized derivative of the arenas? We are also entertained by shows, acting, dare-devils; things that the Romans frequently observed. Roman society and American society share a dark connection. Both societies have questionable morals. The Romans openly allowed prostitution, similar to how America is tainted with “gentle-man’s” clubs and “adult” stores from coast to coast.

The economies of these to nations are also similar. The American policy of “laissez-faire” in economics is closely related to Ancient Rome’s free trade economy. In Roman society the Senate did not control the economy, just like the American Senate does not control theirs’. While the American government has tried to place regulations to help balance the economy it is still very similar to Rome’s economy. The Roman government did impose taxes, very similar to the ones imposed by the American government. These economic systems cause very uneven distribution of wealth. In these conditions the rich can often have large influence on politics. They also allow the rich to increase prices as much as they want, even to the point where they are ridiculous, which leads desperate citizens to revolt.

Throughout America’s history many presidents have won their office based on their appearance and the party they associate with. This was no different in Rome. Many politicians focused on their appearance and gaining the favor of political parties. Just like in American politics, the Roman’s also spent outrageous amounts of money on campaigning. They put up advertisements, gave speeches and gave out bribes. Recent American laws have changed the way politics work. Private companies can now invest any amount of money they wish into a candidate going for a political position. In this way the American’s have opened up the Pandora’s Box of private negotiations and secret pacts. These private agreements help place corrupt politicians into the governments most important positions and leave the common people to suffer.

America has been known it’s imperialism by many countries. The all to frequent pattern of moving into an area and seizing control has created a lot of hostility against the nation; but due to the superior military of the United States most countries don’t dare face the giant. The Romans were just like this. They were a world power with one of the most feared militarize in Europe and they made sure everyone knew it. They conquered many nations and abused a multitude of races. Many nations began to grow tired of this and eventually began fighting back, just like they have, and will again if America continues engaging in these policies.

The leaders of America often forget to examine the mistakes of the past. If they could just learn from the mistakes of an ancient Republic they could prevent the nation from going down the road to destruction.