Which Kingdom?

Read in John 18 today where Pilate questions Jesus, asking if He is a King.

The answer? Yes.

But the Kingdom of Jesus Christ isn't here on earth, but rather His Kingdom is in heaven. It is the Kingdom of God.



33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Christ and Truth


Photo from Cathy's Camera

Wanted to share a comment left on one of my blogs followed by my response.

Maybe you have thoughts on this too?

You can't use the words "Christ" & "truth" in the same sentence. He's a character from a thousand year old book that is continually revised & the stories about him were handed down through generations via word-of-mouth before ever being written down.

What you refer to as "truth" I call childhood indoctrination, which is why I opted to not give my children any religious label - when they're old enough to know their own minds, they'll make their own decisions based on RATIONAL THOUGHT.

"The belief that an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving parent watches over & protects us also ensures that we never truly grow up."

12/19/09 6:46 AM


And here is my response:

Thanks for your comment although I do no agree with you.

You said:
You can't use the words "Christ" & "truth" in the same sentence.

However, the Lord Jesus Christ said Himself in John 14, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

Jesus is the Truth. That's what He proclaimed and that's why the Jewish religious leaders killed him - not because He did miracles but because He said He was God.

You said:
What you refer to as "truth" I call childhood indoctrination...

However, for me I didn't know or understand any of this until my late 20's when I got on my knees alone in my living room and put my faith in Him. I never heard that Jesus Christ shed his blood, died for my sins and rose from the dead as a child.

A brief video clip of my story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANm1qNoBFAQ

You said your children will make their own decision based on rational thought. Fine but keep in mind what Hebrews 11 says:

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

You said:
"The belief that an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-loving parent watches over & protects us also ensures that we never truly grow up."

The Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 18 said, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

My continued pray is that the Truth be revealed, the lies be exposed, the deceived wakeup, the sinner repent, the lost get saved and the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified.

As truth seekers, may we both be led to true eternal freedom.

Cheers & blessings to you & yours,
Cathy

12/19/09 10:16 AM

Is it a Wonderful Life?


Tonight (well, it's after midnight, so last night) I watched again the classic 1946 movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" starring James Stewart and Donna Reed.

It's the story of a man who becomes so frustrated with life that he seriously considers suicide, only to be rescuded by Clarence, his guardian angel, who shows him what life would have been like if he had not been born. In the end, he repents and comes to really appreciate life, his family and his friends more than ever.

But the part that hit me hard for the first time was thinking about all the babies that never got a chance to live because they were aborted.

What would their life have been like?

What about the baby I aborted?

This is so painful to think about.

Through my selfishness, I made the wrong choice and will always regret it. Thinking about all the people who never got the chance to live because they were killed in the womb brings me to tears.

Recently, I began to volunteer again with a local crisis pregnancy center and this is causing me to think about the past, so I need to come to terms with my actions. It is only by the grace of God and the forgiveness of sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that I find any hope or peace in all this. I find comfort in the Word of God.

In Matthew 11, Jesus says:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

No matter what we have done, when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a wonderful life!


source

WATCH ALL PARTS

Was the Norway Spiral Apart of Project Blue Beam?



Briefly on Dec 9, 2009, in Norway, an unusual spiral light with a blue beam coming out of the center was sited in the evening sky. (source)

The media which of course is controlled is saying is was a Russian missle that exploded. The truth? To me it looks like another Project Blue Beam experiment.

And I'm sure we will see more strange events in our skies but we must not be deceived. Remember what the Lord Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 24:

"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Jesus is the Light of the World: Come to the Light

If you follow the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall not walk in darkness. What a wonderful promise!



John 8
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.



John 12
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?



39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.



46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Jesus Christ is God Incarnate


source

"...if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." -- JESUS CHRIST, John 8:24

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
John 20:31

And again, when [God] bringeth in the firstbegotten [Jesus] into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Hebrews 1:6

Revelation 1:8
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Is Jesus Christ God?



According to my Bible, YES! Christ is the Creator.

Yesterday was reading in Luke 8:38,39 which says, "Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."

Jesus = God

God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit

One triune God = One God with 3 personalities

Like H2O/water comes in 3 forms:
Liquid
Solid/ice
Gas/steam

While on earth, Jesus was all God AND all man. Jesus is not the Father. He is the Son of God and the Son of man.

I don't really understand it all; I simply believe it.

John 10:30
I and my Father are one.

1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Here are a few more passages that proclaim the diety of Christ:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colosians 1

Taxes



Governments across the globe are taking more and more from the common folk via taxes.

We are told that our 'elected' officials (most elections are rigged imo) are looking out for us. Are they or are they looking out for themselves 99% of the time?

When asked about taxes, Jesus simply paid them. He didn't argue about them or preach against paying them.

So that's what I do.

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Matthew 17



11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philipians 4

Are You Tempted to Worry?


1949 Daddy Gordon holding baby Cathy


1975 Mommy Cathy holding baby Linda


1997 Mommy Linda holding baby Hannah

This morning my daughter, Linda, told me how much she is enjoying her small group ladies Bible study and today, the topic was on temptation. She learned that it is not a sin to be tempted but to act on the temptation is a sin.

We then talked about the temptation to worry as parents. Everyone worries now and again but is this pleasing to the Lord?

Let's see what the Bible says:

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4

May the Lord Jesus Christ help each of us to not worry but pray to Him with thanksgiving!

Neither Shall Any Plague Come Nigh Thy Dwelling


Yesterday's Sunrise from Cathy's Camera

Worried about the Swine Flu? Don't worry. Put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

I Was in a Cult... Again!

Today watched a video series about women in cults and was struck with the thought, 'I was in a cult... again!' when thinking about my 1998-2005 involvement with the Brownsville Assembly of God church and FIRE International Church, both in Pensacola, Florida. (FIRE has since moved to Charlotte, North Carolina).

Raised in Christian Science (cult) and then lured into the Seventh Day Adventist Church (cult) after becoming a born-again Christian, I am still stunned to realized once again, I had been suckered into ANOTHER cult!

As a former Brownsville student, graduate of FIRE ministry school, missionary with FIRE International, I can say without a doubt this was/is a cult, full of kundalini witchcraft and deception.

Scripture tells us 'Let no man deceive you'. I was deceived and have since repented.

May the Truth be revealed, may the lies be exposed, may the deceived wakeup, may the sinner repent, may the lost get saved and may the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified I pray.

See my brief story


source

Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give

Knights Hospitallers of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta - The Ecumenical Order

HSH Nicholas F.S. Papanicolaou (left) discusses the Order on a special program on God TV with Rick Joyner, reaching 400 million people worldwide. source

Are we to use the Gospel to make a profit?

It has always bothered me when a Christian counselor charges the 'client' for listening, give hopefully Biblical advice and then prayer. "That'll be $50 and you'll be happy to know we now take Visa and Mastercard!"

And what about Roman Catholic Jesuit controlled Knight of Malta Rick Joyner and his MorningStar 'ministry' which charges a fee to simply watch his 3-ring circus on the internet - can this be right? Click here to see.


January 2008 photo of Rick Joyner (r) with Jorge Parrot in Knights of Malta regalia: Is Knight of Malta Rick Joyner leading Christians astray?

If the apostate church would simply read the Bible now and again, maybe they would see the error of their way.

Then again, maybe not.

In any case, read what the Lord Jesus Christ says:

"And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Luke 19:45,46

"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."
Matthew 10:7,8

"check it out ma!"



More fun in the sun with Capt Linda!

"ok....are you ready for round 2 of my sailfishing adventures? I headed out this morning in search of another sail. I brought a bag of ballyhoo in case I didn't find my Lys but right off the bat about 30 min into into my paddle I found to big LYs. So I let one go off the back and kept the other on my spinning reel close to my yak . Within minutes a sail comes right up to the close in bait and starts checking it out . I quickly grab the rod and start trying to get line out to let the Ly swim, then the sail turns away and 3 secs later my other rod starts screaming. So I quickly reel the first line in and just let it swim right next to my yak, I don't want this bait to die. So I grab the rod that's going off and I am not lying I think I was pulled at least 1 mile offshore. After about 30 or so min I get him close to the yak he is lit up and WAY bigger then the sail I got a few days ago. He starts tailwalking in front of me and I was so nervouse he was going to jump right on top of me I quickly let some line out to get him away from me. And then.... I look out of the corner of my eye and I watch a mahi inhale the other ly that is literally inches from my yak and that rod starts sreaming. Now I'm several miles offshore and I have a sailfish at my bow and a mahi peeling drag on my stern. The sailfish is done, so I get him yakside and quickly release him and off he goes. I was exhausted from the sail and then the mahi put up a good fight lots of jumps and finally got him gaffed and in the yak. That was the longest paddle back in fighting north winds but it was and epic day and believe I won't top today for a VERY long time!!!Wish I could have gotten better pics of the sail so you could see the size of him"



See more pics & read comments from fishing forum here: http://emeraldcoastpierfishing.myfastforum.org/about2694.html


October 12, 2009 UPDATE

Linda called me today saying that she's been asked by Sunjammers, the local kayak shop if they could sponsor her and would she be on the Hobie Local Fishing Team!

Next week they are giving her a new 2009 Hobie Mirage Revolution Kayak to use for a year for free - pretty cool!!

Do You Know Him?


source

Cap'n Linda Snags a Sailfish from Her Kayak Today!



"Mom! Guess what I just caught?"

A couple of days ago my daughter called saying she hoped to catch a sailfish from her kayak. Then this morning she called excited to tell me - it took about 20-30 minutes to pull him in after he dragged her in a circle a few times. She said, "I prayed to the Lord this morning on the beach" and He answered her prayer! So after on shore and taking a few pics, she put the fellow back in the water. And back out she went as well. She called me from her kayak. Then the mother of two and pregnant with number three said, "Oh! I gotta go - I'm hooked up again - bye!"

P.S. Btw, 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Hemmingway is one of her favorite books!




Also Linda wrote:
same report, 2 different forums, if you want to read the comments =)

http://emeraldcoastpierfishing.myfastforum.org/sutra22762.php#22762

http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fishingforum/Topic438512-44-1.aspx?Update=1

The Captain

Last year, my daughter who lives on the Gulf of Mexico and loves to fish, passed the test to receive her captain's license. Her goal is to one day have a charter fishing boat service.


Red Fish @ Panama City Beach pier/Sept '09

And the Captain of my ship is the Lord Jesus Christ. I trust Him to safely deliever me to the right destination, so I choose to stay on board, following His orders and not jump ship nor join a mutiny when a storm or temptation comes along.


"The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" by Van rijn Rembrandt 1633

My desire is to be in His will, pleasing Him and seeing others come to know Him, finding freedom and forgiveness.


Artist unknown

May you also get on board and enjoy the journey with Him!

And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19

My Pro-Choice Decision by Cathy Palmer

Over the years, I have helped in various ways at crisis pregnancy centers and today, I will be volunteering for the Pregnancy Resouce Center of Napa Valley at a booth they are having at a Christian event in Calistoga.



This brings me to why I desire to help others who may find themselves in an unwanted pregnancy...

MY PRO-CHOICE DECISION

by Cathy Palmer

Please read my story which tells how the Lord Jesus Christ changed my life…

DRUGS, SEX, & ROCK N' ROLL
"Pregnant?" I exclaimed when the doctor gave me this unwanted news. I could not believe my ears because I had used birth control. But it was true, so in fear and shame, I immediately began making plans for an abortion. It was the early 70's and my hippie life style of "drugs, sex, and rock and roll" had caught up with me again. This was the latest of several traumatic occurrences in my life; a couple of years earlier, I was committed to a mental hospital for a few months where I was given a series of 12 shock treatments. My family was told that I was a paranoid schizophrenic needing medication the rest of my life, never to be normal again. However, due to my mother's Christian Science beliefs, she tossed the pills and within a few months, by the grace of God, Who I did not know – but He knew me - I recovered completely

CRISIS
Now, here I was with a crisis pregnancy, too selfish to consider adoption and too ashamed to give birth to my baby unmarried. I found a medical center that agreed to perform the saline abortion they said I needed. Only a few people knew of my dilemma and some attempted to talk me out of it, but I had already made up my mind long before I got pregnant. So alone, I had my abortion, which was a horrible experience. Completely numb, I dressed and walked out the building. My "problem" was fixed as I returned to my "normal" life of free love and contraceptives.

SEARCHING
A few years passed and I was now married. However, my wounded life had reached a point of despair and complete hopelessness. Nothing I tried brought true satisfaction: drugs, marriage, religion, jobs, friendships…every path I searched left me feeling empty. A couple of friends talked to me about Jesus, but I thought I was a Christian. One friend would came over and show me verses in her Bible after our husbands had passed out from doing drugs!

TRANSFORMATION
Another friend told me about a Christian television program, so one day in 1976, I turned it on. However, I turned it off just as quickly because I didn't watch “those kinds” of shows! But, the next day, I turned it on again and was intrigued by the various guests who told amazing stories about how Jesus Christ had changed their lives. I watched the entire program and at the end, I got on my knees and said, “I’ve sinned against You, O God - please have mercy on me!” and asked Jesus into my heart. Something happened and by the end of the week, I KNEW I was different! It felt like I had been in a deep, dark pit and only when I looked straight up, could I see a small blue dot; everything else was black. Then it was as if Jesus lifted me out and put me on top of a mountaintop where I could see clear, blue skies for the first time in my life!

FORGIVENESS
I knew that I was a sinner but Jesus washed all my sins away, including that of my abortion. And He continues to heal my emotions and restore my soul by the power of the Holy Spirit. God has turned my mourning into gladness and my weeping into joy!

NEW LIFE
In late 1999, the Lord told me to quit my job, move to Florida, and go to Bible School. Even though I was $35,000 in debt, He said to "step out in faith and trust Me", which I did. Less than two years later I was debt free and a missionary in Europe. After 3+ years living in Berlin, Germany, I am now back in the USA with a burden to see the church wake up and the lost find true freedom through a personal relationship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

DESTINY
God also has a plan for your life - a plan that gives meaning and direction. Not only does He want you to live with Him forever, but He wants you to fulfill your destiny here on earth. However, we ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect will. The only thing we can do to be saved from His wrath, is to turn away from our evil ways, our sin, and put our trust in Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross for us. He chose to lay down His life for us because He loves us. Jesus took the punishment for our sins and stepped into the courtroom to pay our fine. Not only did He rise from the dead and defeat death after three days, Jesus is alive today and coming back!

FINDING PEACE
Time is short, my friend, so to find peace with God, this is what I did:
First, humble yourself and get on your knees, asking God to forgive you of anything that may have offened Him, praying something like this: "God, please forgive my sins. I turn from them and put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and my Savior. I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe He rose from the dead after 3 days. And I believe He is coming back one day. Thank You, Lord!" Now read the Bible - not the modern/corrupt ones, but the King James Bible which hasn't be changed over the years. Read John 3 about being born again.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Watch Cathy's Story

source


September 4, 2009 UPDATE
It was a wonderful day as we talked to lots of people about the Lord, about abstinence and exposing the lies of abortion.









MORE INFO ON ABORTION ALTERNATIVES

ABORTION RECOVERY

Fake Jew World Order & 9/11 "Truth" Movement

The New World Order is NOT a Jew World Order. Israel is a tool and a patsy, entirely created to usher the War and the REAL New World Order.


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31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. .
John 8

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14

Chosen

Do we have free will?

This is what I have been taught and what I have believed. Yet, the following scriptures say were were chosen. What do you think?




Mt 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Mt 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.

Mr 13:20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Joh 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Joh 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Ephesians 1:4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2Th 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Jas 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to

1Pe 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 17:8
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Re 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

And my personal favorite:

1Co 1:27,28
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Wonder what verses point to free will??

The Battle is Not Yours, but God's!

LOVE THIS CHAPTER!!!

2 Chronicles 20



1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.


18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.

27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

31 And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32 And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.

33 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.

34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

35 And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:

36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.

37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Christian Rapture Church Christ - Parts 1 - 5

Is the "Secret Rapture" Biblical?

"The rapture theory is not Biblical and was founded as an Anti-Reformation tool of the Catholic Church. The purpose of the rapture theory was to destroy the reformation or control protestantism, recapture the Holy Land and establish the New Word Order and the One world government." Source: The Rapture Cult Secrets - Its Power and Secret Connections

An indepth study of this Left Behind book theory. Where did it come from?

Part 1

source

Part 2

source

Part 3

source

Part 4

source

Part 5

source


Secret Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory Questions Answered

A Biblical response to those counting on a secret pre-tribulation rapture to save them from trials and tribulation.

source


Christians Are Persecuted, Martyred, and Killed Worldwide

source


Acts 14:22
"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."

Flu Mist Causing Pandemic?

"Flu Mist a popular over the counter live flu vaccine has been found to contain two H5N1 DNA markers, these markers seem to have been sewn into the flu mist vaccine to ensure that H5N1 or another strain of Avian Flu goes pandemic."


source

"Toxic Skies" Watch the Movie Online Now

Wonder what the REAL agenda is here?

Here is the trailer to a 2008 movie called 'Toxic Skies' starring Anne Heche.

source

As always, the comments are very interesting. This clip was also posted back in Dec 2008 and here are a few of comments from there...

From conax133:
"I'm an Air Force veteran, E-6, 14 years active duty ending in 1986. In 1994 I saw the first chemtrails near a large logistical base. They are concentrated over populated areas, they contain barium, aluminum, and dessicated blood pathogens, as well as nano-tech particle. Possible uses are weather modification, lowering of sunlight levels , communication in the ELF band, and general poisoning of our environment. The High Altitude Auroral Research Project is probably a major benefactor, as this metallic haze turns our atmosphere into a plasma that conducts miocrowaves effectively for weather modification, and SCALAR warfare. Read up on Nikola Tesla and HAARP..."

From seektress
"I have been working on this since 1999, with Clifford Carnicom & many others. The key to good dis-info is to make as much of it as can be factual. It's those little lies & twists that deceive and help install the giggle factor. I know of no serious researcher that thinks illegal aerosol operations are using laced jet fuel. That idea flies out the window pretty fast. The Discovery channel's treatment of the issue used the same device. Google "Patently Obvious" Naaaww...they wouldn't do thaaaaat."

From Techstuf:
"Surely you people see the point to this "movie".....? The powers that be know it is a numbers game. They know that people prefer the power of entertainment, diversion, propaganda. They also know that by putting this movie out there, as they have done with numerous other movies, that whenever some well meaning person tries to inform others about the reality of chemtrails, the ignorant movie lover will laugh and say, "you watch too many movies" God bless em"


Toxic Skies from Johnson Production Group

"Toxic Skies - Dir. by Andrew C. Erin; starring Anne Heche, James Tupper

"For years the government has been involved in a secret operation involving contrails - the visible lines of condensed water vapor that jets leave in the sky. If you asked them, they would suggest that this is done in the name of environmental protection - a safeguard that will alleviate global warming by reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere. The real truth: these contrails are actually a toxic substance, or virus, deliberately sprayed upon an unsuspecting populace in order to "weed out the old and the sick".

"As Spokane's hospitals begin filling up with patients suffering from a deadly sickness, Dr. Tess Martin, a specialist from the Global Health Association, embarks on a mission to find the truth. Before long, the virus spreads like wildfire and becomes a full-on epidemic, with Tess' own 10 year old son now among the infected. With over 70 percent of Spokane dying from the virus, Tess and her son's only chance of survival is to get out of the city and find a cure, but the President has declared a national emergency and quarantined all of Spokane -- nobody is allowed out, and nobody is allowed in.

"When the President passes a bill allowing the use of military force to keep Spokane from spreading the virus, it's up to Tess to find a way to break free of the city in order to find a cure and expose the government's deadly conspiracy. "

Trailer mp4
Trailer wmv


August 23, 2009 UPDATE

WATCH THE MOVIE ONLINE NOW:
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an5kkM5jfIg
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jes84X82zE
Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5TC-n4R0sc
Part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0XPCmy2lzI
Part 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap4bfwHqPlU
Part 6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_kOLSULTZE
Part 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuWstOt_h-E
Part 8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4INnMUMjLk
Part 9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0v2TWnAO38

The movie was aired on Australian TV, March 3, 2009:
http://www.dontchemtrailmebro.com/docs_dctmb/toxicskies_heche.html

U.S. Air Force Study Proposed 2009 Influenza Pandemic in 1996 (from Alex Jones/Infowars - pls with discernment):http://www.infowars.com/us-air-force-study-proposed-2009-influenza-pandemic-in-1996/

Turning the Sorrows of Life into Joy

This morning my pregnant daughter and mother of my two sweet granddaughters, sent me an article about Kourtney Kardashian who agonized over whether to keep her baby (see below).

Many years ago, I made my pro-life choice and had an abortion which at the time seemed right but have lived to regret it.

Then several years later after my daughter and son were young adults, my single daughter found herself pregnant and she made the better choice giving birth to beautiful Hannah who will be 12 years old in October.

Below is a brief video clip of Lee Ezell, author of the book 'The Missing Piece' who once said, "People make love but God makes life - no baby is an accident."

She too was pregnat and alone many years ago...


source

Kourtney Kardashian Agonized Over Whether to Keep Her Baby
By David Caplan
Originally posted Wednesday August 19, 2009 08:00 AM EDT
source

Kourtney Kardashian's unplanned pregnancy forced the shocked reality TV star to make one of the most difficult decisions in her life: Would she have the baby or terminate the pregnancy?

"I definitely thought about it long and hard, about if I wanted to keep the baby or not, and I wasn't thinking about adoption," Kardashian, 30, who was shooting E!'s Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami at the time, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I do think every woman should have the right to do what they want, but I don't think it's talked through enough. I can't even tell you how many people just say, 'Oh, get an abortion.' Like it's not a big deal."

Scott Disick, the baby's 26-year-old father, was supportive either way. The pair had split in November after two years of dating, but reconciled shortly after finding out she was pregnant. "He wanted me to talk about it more, but I just kept to myself," she says. "He said, 'I really want you to keep it, but I will support you whatever you decide to do.'"

Confused and concerned, Kardashian says, "I called my best friend crying, and I was like, 'I don't know what to do.' She said, 'Call your doctor, and at least find out the risks and stuff.' " So Kardashian discussed abortion with her physician, and then headed to the Internet to do further research.

"I looked online, and I was sitting on the bed hysterically crying, reading these stories of people who felt so guilty from having an abortion," she recalls. "I was reading these things of how many people are traumatized by it afterwards."

After scouring the Internet, Kardashian says she started to realize that an abortion wasn't an option for her. "I was just sitting there crying, thinking, 'I can't do that,' " she says. "And I felt in my body, this is meant to be. God does things for a reason, and I just felt like it was the right thing that was happening in my life."

Kardashian says she did some intense soul-searching. "For me, all the reasons why I wouldn't keep the baby were so selfish: It wasn't like I was raped, it's not like I'm 16. I'm 30 years old, I make my own money, I support myself, I can afford to have a baby. And I am with someone who I love, and have been with for a long time."

Although Kardashian sought out the advice of others, she says it was her decision – and hers alone – that was the most important.

"I really wanted to think it through for myself, and not hear what my sisters were saying, or what Scott was saying. Even though I took it all in, I wanted it to be my decision," she says. "My doctor told me there is nothing you will ever regret about having the baby, but he was like, 'You may regret not having the baby.' And I was like: That is so true. And it just hit me. I got so excited, and when I told Scott he was so excited. But I think if I had said I'm not going to keep it, I really think he would have pushed me into keeping it."

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Pregnant? Need help? Click here.

The Great White Hoax by Robert E. Catalano



July 18, 2009 Press Release

ROSLINDALE, MA - In the United States, a trillion dollars a year is spent on a burgeoning medical industry which proudly proclaims, using the most sophisticated media techniques, its medical miracles. Yet, the real truth is conveniently left behind. Hundreds of thousands of drugs now pollute the bloodstream of the nation. Some people live to well over 100 years of age, but the average lifespan for those medically oriented is much less.

In the mid 1950s, Robert Catalano was working as a pharmacist and drugstore manager for Robert’s Drug in Oklahoma City, and began to see some truth in the late Dr. Henry Lindlahr’s findings. After many years of his own private study and observations, Catalano has concluded that the use of drugs and vaccinations should be completely abolished as a giant fraud. The Great White Hoax, (published by iUniverse) is the result of many years of close observation, and amounts to an enlightening assault on the pharmaceutical industry.

Catalano sees that the economy of the nation has been destroyed and part of that destruction is due to high medical costs. In an effort to purchase health and longevity Americans have bought sin, disease, crime, sickness, death and financial ruin. "If the medical industry had not been caught up in the profit frenzy of drugs and medicine, we would have virtually no disease today, and for what little we might have, we would have a cure," Catalano says. "What the medical authorities refer to as the immune system is actually the human body itself, housing one of the greatest forces known to man. This force has been known to cure every disease under the sun. But in spite of the giant strides made in some areas of health care, the medical industry is destroying us with drugs."

About the Author
Bob Catalano, present owner and operator of New England Singles Dances of Eastern Massachusetts, at age 16 was introduced to the research of Dr. Lindlahr, who had performed cancer studies at his own clinic in Chicago in the late 1800s. Lindlahr found that drugs and surgery did more harm than good in the treatment of cancer. His findings were rejected by his colleagues.

The Great White Hoax is available from: http://www.iuniverse.com/, http://www.bn.com/, and http://www.amazon.com/

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TIME TO STOP FORCED VACCINATIONS

We are about to lose the battle against forced vaccinations. The medical industry is spending Millions of dollars on Television Ads and Millions of dollars in Political Contributions to promote their morbid products. Let's not let a few dollars stop us from putting up a good strong fight. The bumper stickers, "SAY 'NO' TO FORCED VACCINATIONS" are free upon request.

The book, "THE GREAT WHITE HOAX" is expensive; but by circulating it, we can win. The book is a violent attack on an Industry that is attempting to become the law of the land. Spread the word. The bumper stickers are available by request to bobcatalano@rcn.com.


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Uncle Sam wants to know if you see anything 'fishy' regarding healthcare

From the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/:

"If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

hmmmm....

William Bratton is a Freemason

January 15, 1996 (source)


William J. Bratton, the former NY police commissioner who is now resigning as LA chief of police to work for a private company is a Freemason and on September 11, 2009, he will be awarded with the honourary title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

Like the date?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/08/05/los.angeles.chief.resigns/

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/04/nyregion/04masons.html?_r=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Bratton


6 PM UPDATE

Bingo!

I was wondering where the man was on 9/11 and just found this:

“AIG awarded Larry Silverstein BILLIONS of dollars for the destruction of the entire World Trade Center complex. Kroll Associates is a subsidiary of AIG. Kroll Associates was in charge of security at the entire World Trade Center complex from 1993 through September 11, 2001. Kroll Associates is currently ‘consulting’ the LAPD over its entire operations. LAPD Chief William Bratton was working for Kroll Associates on September 11, 2001. The Queen of England is awarding Chief William Bratton as a member of the British Empire at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. on September 11, 2009. On September 11th. Chief William Bratton is another treasonous 9-11 criminal.”
Posted June 13, 2009

http://wacla.org/2009/06/13/aig-cheats-police-and-fireman-lapd-chief-william-bratton-works-for-aig/


William Bratton and wife Rikki Klieman riding in the Los Angeles LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender) Pride parade in West Hollywood, California in June 2009. (source)

Fifty Years in the Church of Rome by Charles Chiniquy



The life story of Charles Chiniquy, who was a priest in the Roman Catholic Church for 25 years.

"Charles Chiniquy (1809-1899) a Canadian Presbyterian convert from Roman Catholicism, born at Kamouraska, Quebec, Canada of Roman Catholic parents, and studied at the college of Nicolet, Canada, professor of belles-lettres there after graduation until 1833. In 1833 ordained a Roman Catholic priest and until 1846, was vicar and curate in the province of Quebec where he established the first temperance society, winning the title "Apostle of Temperance of Canada." In 1851 established an extensive Roman Catholic colony at Kankakee, Illinois. In 1858 left the church of Rome and joined the Canadian Presbyterian Church taking his congregation at Kankakee with him. Lectured in England and in Australia (1878-1882). Published a number of books and tracts on temperance and anti-Romanism, some of which became very popular and were translated into several languages." (From "The Wycliffe Biographical Dictionary of the Church," page 90, Elgin S. Moyer, 1982, ©Moody Press, Chicago, IL)

Read this book online here.

The Vatican's Holocaust by Avro Manhattan



"THE VATICAN'S HOLOCAUST is not a misnomer, an accusation, and even less a speculation. It is an historical fact. Rabid nationalism and religious dogmatism were its two main ingredients. During the existence of Croatia as an independent Catholic State, over 700,000 men, women and children perished. Many were executed, tortured, died of starvation, buried alive, or were burned to death. Hundreds were forced to become Catholic. Catholic padres ran concentration camps; Catholic priests were officers of the military corps which committed such atrocities. 700,000 in a total population of a few million, proportionally, would be as if one-third of the USA population had been exterminated by a Catholic militia. What has been gathered in this book will vindicate the veracity of these facts. Dates, names, and places, as well as photos are there to prove them. They should become known to the American public, not to foster vindictiveness, but to warn them of the danger, which racialism and sectarianism, when allied with religious intolerance can bring to any contemporary nation, whether in Europe or in the New World. This work should be assessed without prejudice and as a lesson; but even more vital, as a warning for the future of the Americans, beginning with that of the USA."

Avro Manhattan,

1986
(link)

Avro Manhattan (1914-1990) was the world's foremost authority on Roman Catholicism in politics. A resident of London, during WW II he operated a radio station called "Radio Freedom" broadcasting to occupied Europe. He was the author of over 20 books including the best-seller The Vatican in World Politics, twice Book-of-the-Month and going through 57 editions. He was a Great Briton who risked his life daily to expose some of the darkest secrets of the Papacy. His books were #1 on the Forbidden Index for the past 50 years.

Read the 1986 book online here.


Editor's Note

The real Jesus of the Bible never told anybody to persecute anybody for not agreeing with his teachings. When His disciples wanted to call down fire from Heaven on a city for not receiving Him, He sternly rebuked them:

"And they did not receive him, because his face was set to go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9: 53-56).

Again in the parable of the tares and the wheat Jesus told His disciples to let the true and the false believers grow together until the harvest at the end of the world:

"Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn" (Matt. 13:30).

George Muller

George Muller (1805 - 1898) was a German playboy who found Christ and gave his life to serve Christ unreservedly. His mission was to rescue orphans from the wretched street life that enslaved so many children in England during the time of Charles Dickens and Oliver Twist. Muller did rescue, care for, feed, and educate such children by the thousands. The costs were enormous for such a great work. yet, amazingly, he never asked anyone for money. Instead he prayed, and his children never missed a meal.

Here is the movie, "Robber of the Cruel Streets: The Prayerful Life of George Muller."

Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 1 of 6

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Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 2 of 6

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Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 3 of 6

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Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 4 of 6

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Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 5 of 6

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Robber of the Cruel Streets (George Muller) 6 of 6

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New York's Prodigals

Thought this was an interesting article about the NY mayor who is giving the homeless a one way ticket home, only if they want it - seems like a good idea me although I am suspicious and wondering why this is getting attention in the controlled news media.



Homeless Air: NYC Pays to Ship Homeless Home

Mayor Bloomberg Says Sending Homeless Back Is Cheaper Than Housing Them in Shelters
By DAN HARRIS, LINDA OWENS and IMAEYEN IBANGA
July 30, 2009
source

It's a startling way to solve New York City's very real problem. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is offering one-way tickets to homeless people to send them back to their original home towns.

The program, which has been in operation since 2007, has sent people back to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Puerto Rico and even Paris. Sometimes the travel comes with big price tags like $2,500 to go to South Africa.

Bloomberg has defended the controversial program, saying relocation is much less expensive than spending up to $36,000 per year to keep a homeless family in a shelter. "This saves taxpayers of New York an enormous amount of money," Bloomberg said. "Also keep in mind nobody's forcing these people to go. They want to go."

In the last two years New York City has relocated 564 families by planes, train and bus to 24 states and five continents. The program, which has been under the radar until now, is getting attention on blogs, cable news shows, and was ridiculed by radio personality Rush Limbaugh. "I wonder if they give [them] any cupcakes for the plane flight," the conservative talk show host quipped.

Some advocates for the homeless criticize the program because they believe the mayor is motivated by a political desire to reduce the city's record rates of homelessness.

"All we're really doing is arguably shifting the problem to another municipality," said President and CEO for Partnership for the Homeless Arnold Cohen.

City officials pointed out they've only relocated families once they know what's waiting on the other end.

"We identify outside New York City resources that they have so that they will be going to their own apartment, going to live with a family, or going to a friend, they are going to a home," said Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs.

It's a startling prospect to New York City's very real problem. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration is offering one-way tickets to homeless people to send them back to their original homes. Then, the city employs a travel agency for domestic travel and the Department of Homeless Services handles international travel.

New York City officials said once a family leaves, they do make several calls to ensure that everything is alright. So far, not one family has come back to city shelters yet, according to officials.

City officials said there are no limits on where a family can be sent and families are free to reject the offer. Some homeless are open to idea of relocation. Theresa Small Smith is a homeless New York City resident who is originally from Los Angeles and said she definitely would like to participate in the program.

The Bloomberg administration's plan is not a new initiative. The idea of giving one-way tickets to the homeless has been tried in places like California, Nevada and Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

COMMENTS

I dunno....hate to be cynical but it just seems there are too many opportunities for "free rides" in this program. How does one be sure this program is operating only the way it is intended? How does one know if the taxpayers are paying for flights that are not legitimate? What is the cost of this annually to taxpayers?
Posted by:
SimplyAmazed 8:23 AM

If they're not being force to go, I really do not see why some people are complaining against the program. Makes no sense, unless those critics want to make some money off the homeless. Heck, I do not understand why someone like Rush is against this program at all. (scratches head in confusion)
Posted by:
jupmod 8:26 AM

I wonder why all the compassion all of a sudden. Could it be that the illegal aliens have been complaining that the homeless were after their jobs. Now thats a reason I could believe.
Posted by:
AfraidToSay 8:35 AM

THIS HAS BEEN TRIED IN OTHER PLACES, LIKE PARIS, FRANCE, WHERE HOMELESS PEOPLE WERE REPEATEDLY SENT TO THEIR COUNTRIES . IN THE FIRST PLACE, THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE SHOULD FIND MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR COUNTRIES. OTHERWISE...
Posted by:
bartsimpsonforpresident2012 8:44 AM

Simply amazed- In the article it stated that it costs tax payers approx. $36,000/person per year for shelter, food, etc. If they relocated >550 people since 2007, then I'd estimate those additional homeless would have cost the city more than 20 million dollars over the past 2.5 years. To pay for flights, etc, I believe they said in another article that it cost them less than 500,000 dollars. Those are huge savings for the city and you have to take into account these are documented people living in the shelter who want to leave. Plus the city takes the time to ensure the people have some place to stay (with relatives, etc) at their destination. It seems like a good enough plan from the details released. Although, the media doesn't always have the story right, so who knows.
Posted by:
BabelFish0518 8:47 AM

I have heard of a program that the Southern States, e.g. Florida have and that is they give bus tickets to poor people to get to New York State so they can get Medicaid and other State run free programs. Why is it alright that New York State can take care of the poor American Citizen while other states, e.g. Florida with no income tax, can go ahead pass off taking care of their own people by shipping them to New York. New York has very high taxes because we have to shoulder the burden of other states not giving one ounce of care for their Citizens. "Give Us Your Poor, your tired, your huddled masses..." Was that a New York State quote, or did I hear that somewhere else?
Posted by:
kcarnevale 9:10 AM

--- end ---

Reminds me of the story Jesus tells of the prodigal son from Luke 15:

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.