Love Jesus, Hate Church - a worthy read.

During the past 10 years, approximately 50 million Christians left the church.  In fact, the percentage of American adults who attend religious services has dropped from 49% to less than 32%.  And more recent studies have shown that the problem of the decline in church attendance is actually getting much worse.
In addition, a recent USA Today/Gallop poll reported that almost half of all Americans appear to be alienated from any form of organized religion.  If the current trend continues, most Americans will not call themselves religious in just a few years.

Of the roughly 140 million Americans who do make their way to church on any given weekend, an amazing 74% are not engaged in their church at all.
 
Moreover, a study from the Barna Institute concluded that by the end of the next decade, up to 40% of all church-attending Christians will be worshipping God, serving others, studying the Bible, etc., outside of a congregational church setting.
Clearly, the data indicates that church isn’t working.

To quote a summary of the decline:

“We find these developments truly remarkable!  Some factor appears to be actively driving church-goers away from organized religion.  And yet, this is happening at a time when Americans have an unprecedented interest in spirituality.”

Did you ever wonder what factor is actively driving people away from church?
We know.  It’s the Love Jesus, Hate Church syndrome. 
How Can You Love Jesus and Hate Church?

Some of you are probably wondering what a book titled, Love Jesus, Hate Church, is all about.  Ah, I can hear your questions now:  What's the point?  What are you trying to say?  Where are you going with this?  How can you Love Jesus and Hate Church?  Aren't they the same thing?

Hey, your concerns are understandable.
First, I understand some of you are probably already a bit put off by the title of this book— maybe even a little offended.  I’m also keenly aware of the fact that using the words Love and Jesus and Hate and Church all in the same sentence seem contradictory.
It feels sacrilegious.  Unholy.  Somehow just plain wrong.

What Do You Mean When You Say, Church?

No, I’m not talking about the true church, the “called-out ones” Scripture so proudly refers to as “men and women the world was not worthy of.”  But the church of our own creation, the church created in our own image— our own Frankenstein.  I’m talking about the man-made institution we call church.  You know, the social organization whose steepled buildings dot the landscape of our communities.  The club, the structure, the established entity we vainly try to infuse artificial life into each week with our hyped-up praise music, our social programs disguised as ministry, and the self-affirming, feel-good speeches we attempt to pass off as Spirit-empowered sermons.
Or, as those of us who “bear on our bodies the Love Jesus, Hate Church battle scars” like to call it— the Well-Oiled Machine.

What is the Purpose of Love Jesus, Hate Church?

The purpose of Love Jesus, Hate Church is not in any way to slam, malign, tear down or “dis” the church.  Nor is this book designed to simply point out the obvious faults, systemic shortcomings or the inherent hypocrisy that has plagued the institution of the church for the last millennium and a half.
No, the purpose of Love Jesus, Hate Church is actually quite the opposite.
The goal of Love Jesus, Hate Church is to present the church in the breathtaking splendor the Lord intended— as the spotless, chaste, virgin bride of Christ.  It’s to show the church, as Paul so clearly pointed out in Ephesians 3, as the eternal vessel of Christ’s glory on earth.
Consider the praise of the Apostle Paul:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.

 The problem we face, however, is the visible church— that which we see, attend, claim membership in and have known all our lives, is a far cry from the true church revealed in Scripture.  It’s literally light years from the living entity Jesus promised the very “gates of hell will not prevail against.”  What we see masquerading as church today is, at best, a dim reflection of the Lord’s intention.  In fact, the current visible church that seems to dot every other street corner in North America is now so far removed from the example Jesus left us in Scripture, that we might never be able to divorce ourselves from our traditions, and experience the pure bride of Christ in all her fullness.
Or, to put it in the perspective of the Lord’s promise to us, we frankly may never be able to experience the abundant life He promised.  Never!  At least not within our current church structures and religious mindsets.
So what are we to do?
Good question.  But we’ve got a great answer!

Is Love Jesus, Hate Church a Book For Me?

Love Jesus, Hate Church was written with several groups of people in mind.
First, it was written as a word of encouragement to the true, sold-out, stand-alone believer in Christ— to the genuine, real deal Christian. The “called-out ones.”
It is written for those of you who will follow Him as long as you live.  For those of you who will proclaim, like the Reformers of old, “Sola Scriptura” and continually testify of His grace and mercy regardless of how the rising apathy of the church, the Well-Oiled Machine, tries to drown out your voices.
It is written to affirm those of you who have genuinely experienced, first hand, His unfathomable love, His unmerited forgiveness and His peace— the “peace that passes all understanding.”  Yep, this book was written for you.  Why?  For it’s you who must now stand and proclaim the truth about what now is and what must be.  It’s you who must weather the storm from within and without.  It’s you who... well, I don’t want to jump too far ahead at this point.
Needless to say, you know who you are.

Next, Love Jesus, Hate Church was written to those of you who are living large in the land of Laodicea, those of you who have purchased waterfront property by the sea of lukewarmness.  Those who have, as the Scripture states, a “form of godliness, but deny its power.”  Those to whom our Lord said He would vomit out of His mouth.
To you, this book will be an indictment of what church could be, and what church should be— but what is because the personal cost seemed too high.  The price for intimacy with Christ was too expensive.  Too taxing.  Not worth the effort.
It’s like saying to Jesus, “Lord, I see Your lips moving.  But all I hear is blah, blah, blah.”
To you, my prayer is that you will see yourself in these pages and fall on your face in repentance, begging our Lord for another chance to live for Him— and to die to yourself for Him.
Oh, by the way, you also know very well who you are.

And finally, Love Jesus, Hate Church was written for any Believer in Christ that desires to find a congregation that affirms, encourages, builds-up, and “stands together as one man contending for the faith.”  In other words, if you’ve ever been hurt by church or if you sometimes only go because it’s the inane “right thing to do”— boy, do we have some good news for you!
You can be different.
You can model the New Testament prototype of the church to others.
Things don’t have to stay the same!  The past doesn’t have to repeat itself.

For you, be encouraged!  Love Jesus, Hate Church is written to show you how church life can be, and will be, when we put God first and everything else second.
Are you curious?  Interested?  Good.
Then what are you waiting for?
Go ahead, take a deep breath, count to three— and jump right on in.

A Noble Geo...

I bought a few titles. Take a wee look at my official letters patent. Some of my titles are German, one is British.

“Homosexuality”

I must apologize for the dearth blog postings of late. I always set out a plan each month about how often I should want to blog but it never really comes to pass, despite my out-and-out unswerving love of writing. I wish I had the time to write all day, I wish I had the patience to take as much care as I would like over menial things in writing, such as the surprising little words in my vocabulary that I rarely get the occasion to vociferate. 
I’d like to talk about a subject that is close to the heart of the Church. It is so close because it stands, poised, armed and ready to infiltrate truthful biblical teaching; ready to journalize the church as a prosecutor, as so institutionally old-fashioned and stuck in the past that there will be attempts to shun the teaching of God for permissible lawlessness. It may even push the boundaries of free speech, necessary acceptance, and an unhinged ingenuousness and frivolity. It is a subject that has thrown the church into debate after debate, committee after committee, assembly after assembly, board after board. In recent times it has become a prominent feature of sermons, commentaries, and prayer. It is so profound that it threatens to split the Church. It is so uncertain, so unknown, so worryingly damaging. Most of all, it is symptom of a very great problem in our world. It is homosexuality.
So far, you may be inclined to think that I am an out and out anti-gay lobbyist, unforgiving and judgemental in every respect. I want to assure you that i am not. I believe that as a Christian and as a brick in the Church of God, it is my responsibility to talk about it, and talk about it openly with the love, passion, grace and mercy that the Lord, my saviour, would have on the subject himself.
I also must reiterate the difference in Homosexual Intercourse/Sex and being of a Homosexual orientation, as the word “Homosexuality” seems to confuse the two and they become intertwined to mean the same thing. When I mean “Homosexual Sex” I mean the acts. When I say “Homosexual as in [a homosexual]” I mean the orientation.
The issue of homosexual sexual behaviour has had a lot of publicity throughout the world. You talk to many practicing Homosexuals and they will say that we are in a time where the slaves have been freed and women have been liberated and gay rights are long overdue. And a cross examination of society will show that it does seem to be moving in that direction.
Many homosexuals, including young kids are “coming out” and openly declaring their homosexuality. In many parts of the western world, homosexual couples receive the same recognition as heterosexual couples with regard to social security benefits. Some church leaders are giving their blessing to homosexual relationships, homosexual church members and of more recent discussion: homosexually active ministers.
A while ago, I received e-mails from over 40 of my readers, that claimed the following:
· They are made that way.
· Homosexuality is of no harm to the participants or to anyone else.
· If it feels right to those involved, it is nobody else's business.
· Homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships are equally valid. (Some even claim that the Bible condones homosexual relationships.)
It is in response to these things that I’d like to continue my letter. I would like to assure you that I have done research into these writings, so you will probably find some general themes already in existence. I will discuss each point with the Lords word firmly in my head. And I will use his word to open up and deepen our understanding of the deeper church viewpoint. After all, true, bible believing churches (of which there are a great many) testify that the bible is the true, absolute, unedited, authoritative word of God to be used by humanity as a sort of, testimony and guide to how we should live.
Made that way?
Many groups these days who, in our murky past (yes and the past of the church admittedly too) , have been discriminated against (such as women, blacks, jews and the disabled) have been given rightful equal opportunity. And as a product of that, Homosexual people/couples claim that they, too, should be liberated. The difference however is that Gender, race and impairment related to what a person is, whereas homosexual activity relates to what a person does. Again, I would say that it is deplorable to discriminate against the Homosexual Orientation.

In contrast too, homosexuals claim that scientific studies have shown that there is a biological basis for homosexuality and to my knowledge, the three main studies are cited by “gay rights” activists in support of their argument: Hamers X-Chromosome research, LeVays study of the Hypothalamus and Bailey and Pilliards study of Homosexual identical twins.
In all three cases, the researchers had a vested interest in obtaining a favourable outcome due to their own homosexual tendencies. More importantly, their studies did not, and still have not, stood up the scientific scrutiny by other biological researchers. Also, the medial typically do not explain the methodological flaws in any of the studies, and they over simplify the results. There is , to date, no reliable evidence that homosexual activity is due to a genetic issue.
To the extent that biological and social factors may contribute to a person’s homosexual behaviour, this does not excuse it. Some people have a strong drive towards stealing or the abuse of alcohol, but they chose to engage or not to engage in the behaviour because the law, quite rightly, holds it against them.
In regards to the bible, there are foundational teachings on marriage and sexual issues if you look closely at Genesis Ch.1 and Ch.2. When Jesus was questioned about marriage, have a look at Matthew 19:1-12 and Mark 10-1:12. We were created to a plan: male and female complimenting each other.
Genesis also teaches that God instituted and designed marriage between a man and a woman, if you care to look at Genesis 2:18-25 for evidence. And I guess there are a few reasons why he did this:
1. The structure of the male and female anatomy, particularly the sexual anatomy, is designed for like a key and a lock. Clearly, design in human biology supports heterosexuality and contradicts homosexuality.
2. There is a responsibility to produce, go and multiply, same sex relationships cannot continue the human race. You don’t need to be a biologist to see that!
3. Man and women have specific roles, in order to support and nurture the family unit. Where women have weaknesses, men have strengths, and where women have strengths, men also have strengths- I thought I’d just fling that in there as a sort of minor witticism.
When we think about this, all of it, there is a clear viewpoint that in the very basics of design, homosexuality, contrary to the studies mentioned, simply does not fit. There is no point in two locks with no key, and there is no point in two keys with no lock. You don’t go anywhere. Simple as that.
There is no harm in it…
Throughout our history, there has been much debate on the level of harm homosexual activity has, and it is without a doubt, notoriously disease-prone. In addition to diseases associated with heterosexual promiscuity (again outlawed by God) homosexual actions facilitate the transmission of anal herpes, hepatitis B, intestinal parasites, Kaposi’s sarcoma and HIV/Aids. Research on the life expectancy of a group of homosexuals in Canada in 1990 indicated that they could expect 10-18 years less than the average heterosexual man. Startling.
I have a friend who lives with her girlfriend, and they have two children, from previous relationships. They tell me that their children will have the same characteristics such as intelligence, development, moral judgements, self-concepts, social competence and gender identity as those brought up in a heterosexual household. To an extent I agree. However, there is an important ingredient missing:
““Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).”
Realistically, you cannot faithfully teach Gods word to your children whilst living in a lifestyle specifically condemned by Gods word. Remember, all Christians are sinners forgiven by the blood of Christ. Living in a homosexual relationship constitutes habitual, unrepented sin.
You might also hear claims from homosexual activists that it’s really none of our business, and socially, it’s not. But if we are to understand people, and create a society built around the family unit then we must abide by Gods ultimate design. After all, he knows the start, and the end of, Humanity. We don’t. These days, we live very much in and for the moment, and might I add, to our detriment.
Disobedience and falling away from Gods commands indicates rejection of Gods authority. Some people even argue the Old Testament law, was superseded by the coming of Christ (yes, some ministers!) However, we should at least consider those laws which Jesus and his apostles reaffirmed with great certainty in the New Testament.
In the very basic sense, its right in a way, that the law is superseded by Jesus, however he came to fulfil the law and not to abolish it, so reverence and understanding of it is necessary, especially if one is committed to following the Lord.
Equally Valid?
There is a claim, by some, that homosexual behaviour was only condemned in the bible because it was associated with Idolatry, for example in 1 Kings 14:24. However, if you look at Leviticus 18:22 (yes, that old gripe again!) it is described and condemned apart from idolatry as an unnatural and immoral perversion.
“For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another…” (Romans 1:26-27).
I have been making a study of Hebrew recently, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 the phrase “Homosexual Offender” in Hebrew is mishkav zakur which has a literal translation of “Man who sleeps with Man”
There are also some that claim the sin involved in Sodom was rejecting hospitality customs rather than homosexual behaviour. It is clear, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was great and their reported sin was indeed significant to the Lord.
Another part of my recent Hebrew lessons that have allowed me to re-interpret some scripture is the scene from Genesis 19:4-5 about the angels sent to Sodom:

“Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have sex with them”
The Hebrew word used here is Yadha, and it does not mean the literal sexual intercourse, it infact means “to know sexually” Regardless, as you will see, Lot refers to his daughters in order to appease the mob. You do not offer virgins to a mob because of their lack of hospitality but because of their sexual desire.
The Bible not only describes homosexual behaviour as detestable, but it also calls for the punishment of those involved. Their unrepentant attitude caused God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for example. Just as homosexual conduct has been punished in the past, so it will also be punished by God in the future. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul explicitly states that the behaviour will prevent access to Heaven.
And as I draw to a close this article, I want to ensure you understand the great hope. For ALL sin, not just Homosexual sin. Remember, once again, that the Homosexual is loved and adored by God, but his homosexual practices are punishable. God forgives and cleanses a person who repents and turns from their sin, including the sin of homosexual behaviour (1 Corinthians 6:11).
As well as forgiveness, God's grace brings with it the power to live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 6:6-7). If repentance and reform are genuine, prior homosexual actions should not be a bar to church membership or ministry, as all Christians are reformed sinners.
“Liberal” churches espouse tolerance of homosexual behaviour in the name of “love.” They plug for the acceptance of homosexual conduct as normal, “because they can't help it.” They are not only wrong about the latter, but they are actually not being at all loving towards homosexuals, because, contrary to the Bible, they reduce the homosexual person to the level of an animal, driven by instinct. In removing moral responsibility from the person, they dehumanize them, whereas the Bible says we are made in the image of God with the power of moral choice.
Furthermore, the gospel proclaims liberation from the bondage of sin, including homosexual sin, whereas the “liberals” tell the homosexual that they cannot help it, and they can't help them either, so they will accept them as they are! However, many a person has been gloriously rescued from the bondage of homosexual sin (and other sin) by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusively, as with all moral issues, our beliefs about where we come from and where our place in the world is indefinitely determine our attitude. If we have a capacity which believes we arose from slime and a combustion of events somewhere in space, and by a random 50/50 chance of survival I guess it is understandable to say there is no higher authority than ones self and as a result we can make our own rules. But I say this, if there is that loving God who has planned us and “knitted us in our mothers wombs) and gave us his law and his son in order to follow and be like him, then we must do so. I have raised a few issues in this article today, and some might have offended you. I am deeply open to discussing your faith with you, and if, by chance, you are a homosexual man, woman, boy or girl and would like to talk to someone more about this, please email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please do comment on this article, I enjoy reading them. Thank you.

Research completed at Lesmahagow Library, Christiananswers.net, and Encarta 

Irans Ali Khomeni Supreme Leader.

I took a little browse of http://www.leader.ir which is the official website of the Supreme Leader of Iran. There is a part of his website where he gives advice to Muslims, in his role as the countrys spiritual leader. I initially thought of this as a good idea, until i viewed some of the questions in the "Practical Laws of Islam" section. The questions were about dealing with "non-muslims" and i was reminded of how abhorrent this religion is. Without a shadow of a doubt, the religion, or its preachers more-so, are so against everything that the democratic, free world, stands for. Here' s some of the questions i found. Pay attention to the way he addresses the State of Israel:

Q1339: Is it permissible to import Israeli goods and advertise them? If it happens out of choice, is it permissible to sell such goods?
A: It is forbidden to embark on any dealings that may serve the interests of the usurping state of Israel which harbors enmity towards Islam and Muslims. It is not permissible for anyone to import and promote its goods, production and selling of which benefits the Israelis. Nor is it permissible for Muslims to buy such goods, because it entails bad effects and is detrimental to Islam and Muslims.

Q1340: Is it permissible for merchants to import and promote Israeli goods in a country that has lifted the boycott of Israeli goods?
A: They have to refrain from importing and promoting goods whose production and selling would benefit the deplorable state of Israel.

Q1341: Is it permissible for Muslims to buy Israeli goods that are on offer in a Muslim country?
A: It is incumbent on every Muslim to refrain from buying and making use of goods whose production and sale would benefit the Zionists who are at war with Islam and Muslims.

Q1342: Is it permissible to set up travel agencies in Muslim lands with a view to selling tickets for travel to Israel? And is it permissible for Muslims to buy tickets from such agencies?
A: It is not permissible, for it is detrimental to Islam and Muslims. Nor is it permissible for anyone to do anything that may constitute a violation of the Muslim boycott of Israel which is the enemy of Muslims and is at war with them.

Q1343: Is it permissible to buy the products of Jewish, American, or Canadian companies if there is a probability that they are supportive of Israel?
A: If the proceeds from the sale and purchase of these goods would contribute to supporting the occupying, wretched state of Israel or to opposing Islam and Muslims, it is not permissible for anybody to buy or sell such things. Otherwise, there is no objection to it.

Q1344: Should Israeli goods be imported to a Muslim country, is it permissible for retailers to buy some of them and sell them to the public and advertise them?
A: It is not permissible for them to do that because it constitutes corruption.

Q1345: Should Israeli goods be available on the open market in a Muslim country, can Muslims buy them, especially when it is possible to buy other goods imported form other countries?
A: It is incumbent on every Muslim to refrain from buying and making use of goods, production and sale of which would benefit the Zionists who are at war with Islam and Muslims.

Q1346: Some importers of Israeli goods falsify the documents and re-export such goods as though they belong to another country, such as Turkey and Cyprus, which imported them in the first place. They do so to deceive Muslims who, once they know that the goods are of Israeli origin, would not buy them. What should the Muslims do in these circumstances?
A: Muslims should refrain from buying, promoting, and using such goods.

Q1347: What is the ruling in the matter of buying and selling American goods? Is the ruling universal, i.e., does it cover other Western countries, such as France and Britain? Is it to observe this ruling only in Iran or is it universal?
A: Should the buying of goods, which have been imported from non-Muslim countries, and using them contribute to strengthening the infidel and colonizing states which are the enemies of Islam and Muslims or provide them with financial support they may use to attack Muslims or Islamic lands all over the world, it is the duty of Muslims to refrain from buying and using such goods. The nature of the goods or their countries of origin is immaterial so long as such countries harbor enmity towards Islam and Muslims. The ruling is not confined to Iranian Muslims.

Q1348: What is the position of people working in factories and establishments that would generate income for the infidel states and that would in the end render them strong?
A: In itself, there is no objection to dealing in legitimate business, even if it leads to generating profits for non-Islamic states unless the state is at war with the Muslims and exploits their labor to serve its war machine.

Speaks volumns, doesn't it?

Simply Cindy

Thanks George for asking me to be a guest blogger. My name is Cindy Mackenzie and I am 53. I have had the priviledge to visit many countries through my work with our Charity SAM Chernobyl Relief. Through my work I love to visit families listen to people stories as well as preach the gospel.

I am a simple ordinary woman who loves the Lord with all her heart. My mission in life is to encourage and inspire people to be the person that God wants them to be. " years ago I was asked to write a book and at the time I was not sure what subject it would be on. So as I started to pray the Lord led me to write about angels. The following is an introduction to my book.

My fascination with angels began when I was a very young girl. My grandfather died in North Carolina when I was 2 ½, but I can still clearly remember his wonderful ever-smiling face.

He had become very ill with uremic poisoning and I remember Mom asking us children to be very quiet so he could rest. One day he was so sick the doctor called for an ambulance to take him to hospital. The paramedics had already put him on a stretcher and were making their way to the ambulance when he asked them to stop for a moment so he could reach out to me and give me a kiss. That kiss was the last time I saw him alive.

The next time I saw my grandfather he was in a shiny wooden box, and my dad lifted me up so I could give him a kiss, as he had given one to me when he left the house. He was very hard and cold - I will never forget that experience.

Pa-paw, as I called him, had been a minister, but from what I have been told he was a real rascal in his early years until he met Jesus and his life changed forever.

As he lay dying in hospital Pa-paw told both of my aunts sitting at his bedside to be very still and quiet because there was an angel standing at the bottom of the bed. The nurses came in and he told them the same thing. All those in the room said there was a peace that surrounded him despite his suffering.

As my Aunts Wanda and Sonja sat there, Pa-paw told them it was his time to go and the angel was here to take him home. He then said all his goodbyes, and as he shut his eyes my aunts knew that the angel had taken him home to be with the Lord; had taken him out of pain and misery and into the presence of Jesus.

Was it truly an Angel? I believe with my whole heart and without question that my Pa-paw saw an angel and was escorted into Heaven. In this book you will read many first hand accounts from people who have had genuine experiences where they believe they saw or heard angels sent by God.

What is an angel? Simply, a messenger from God.

In the Bible you will find stories of angels from the book of Genesis right through to Revelation. I believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and as you read these pages I pray that you too will feel the presence of Jesus and know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God uses His angels to give messages, and to protect, deliver, guard and guide us.

I became a Christian in 1968 when I was ten years old, and during these 40 years of my life I have had many wonderful experiences, along with some very difficult ones. Through it all though, God has never left me or let me down.

As I look back on my early childhood I am grateful that I was brought up in a Christian home where I learned about Jesus and the importance of strong moral values. My Mom faithfully took us to church and taught us about Jesus and I will always treasure the times my Dad played the organ or my Aunt Wanda got us to sing around the piano. There were many hours of gospel singing which brought such joy along with teaching us wonderful Christian principles.

I believe that the word of God, faithfully passed down by many Pastors, together with many wonderful hymns with their rich teachings and assurance of God’s love helped to mould me into the woman God created me to be.

When my husband Colin became a Pastor it was both a gift and a sacrifice as we sought to serve the Lord together. Both of us have a real heart for people, which saw us become involved in setting up a charity to help people from Eastern Europe.

You will read about some of the people we have met and their remarkable stories of unbelievable courage and of how God sent His angels to guard and protect in wondrous circumstances.

The time writing this book has been one of real blessings and encouragement to me in my walk with God. As I have sat with people, listened to them, prayed with them and written their stories, I am reminded of what an awesome, powerful, loving and caring God we have.

To God be the glory, great things He has done and great things He will do - if only we allow Him to do so.

I would love you to jpoin me each day and hear a very short video devotion. www.cindy-mackenzie.com

Is exile an option?

It is my personal view that you see this, for exactly what it is. This man, who works for The Daily Record, reportedly stands up for peace, makes statements, then deny's them. Shouts incontrollably to fear his opponents into submission. This man is not a politician. Take a look for yourselves...

A Shoulder to cry on...

I had to lend my shoulder tonight. Nothing better to help than a wee cuppa! True British style...

Porn free

I just want to spread some word about a project that i've been made aware of. Alot of my readers are young Christian guys who suffer a real problem of Internet Porn. 

For those guys and many others with an achilles heel for pornography, (a small analysis of some of those CVNT.net meet across the UK suggests this to be 1 in 5 men), the internet has quickly become the "preferred supplier". (Raw TV, videos, magazines and mobile phones are also avenues).

With the internet being 'always on', anonymous availability of over 260 million pornographic webpages there are few hurdles for those struggling with pornography. So what's a struggler to do? Disconnect the internet in his home and office - never to return to it? Install a filter that isn't always watertight and can usually be circumvented?

CVNT.net believe the answer lies in internet accountability - and Covenant Eyes offers precisely that. It is a programme that, once installed on your PC, records every single website visited from your PC without fail and passes this information in a report that scores sites for potential pornographic content  to two accountability partners - perhaps your wife or dad or son, perhaps your vicar/pastor or your best Christian mate.

And perhaps they in turn send their report to you! This system of accountability not only works; it is also the biblical pathway to healing (James 5:16).

Autumn/Winter Menswear

A Plain mint chocolate displayed in
a mirrored baroque trinket box.

I don't know about you, but we all like a little bit of variety. Sometimes, something special can be so captivating when dressed in something fabulous. Check out my evening mint chocolate box for example.

It doesnt matter how plain you are, what you wear on the outside will simply change your whole perspective.

In the first of my - hopefully helpful - blog entries on Fashion for men, i'll be looking at this years trends, from head to toe. I'll cover jackets, suits, shirts, cardigans, belts, accecories, scarfs, briefs and underwear, socks and end finally with shoes. I want to give you all a rounded understanding of what Male fashion is, and where it should be.

The hairstyles for the upcoming season is a natural and almost minimalist look often appearing bereft of idea. According to Vogue and Toni&Guy, 2011 Autum/Winter will see a revival to continue the combination of shorter side and rear sides and longer lengths above. I was reading the other day in Septembers Vogue that shorter styles are being strengthened by the difference between their lengths. The shorter sides and longer hair on top of the head, the sharper and more "edgy" your look. Fact.

Long hair for men for the upcoming season is not really a trend, although some of the shoots in GQ show the more distinguished models with longer hair, such as Iceberg and Ermanno Scervino. Longer hair creates a distinctive look and these models (including Marlon Teixeira Brazilian top model who is just outstanding!) does not remain unnoticed. Long hair is now more choice and an individual characteristic of a certain lifestyle.Careful, you guys out there, who like a quick and easy style. Long hair needs care and attention. Ask your girlfriend/partner/wife...

The trend for the coming season is clear: short (er) hair at the sides, back, and long (er) over lengths. Try it out.

Next week: The Perfect Casual Look.

Mess with Israel, Mess with the USA.

As the United Nations takes up a vote on a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood this week, Americans need to understand what a Pandora’s box this opens – and how it’s a threat to both American and Israeli security. Infact, world security.

First, U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state simply throws away years of peace talks with Israel and sets both peoples on a collision course for violent conflict.

We’ve all seen the results of intifadahs, loosely translated as “uprisings” in the early 2000s. When Palestinian hard liners didn’t get their way through the Oslo peace process – waves of suicide bombers blew up buses, cafes, markets and shops, tearing apart two societies.

Like any sovereign state, Israel has a right to defend itself. It vigorously did so, taking out family homes of suicide bombers and tightening a variety of restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza. In the process Palestinians who truly want peace have had to face the consequences along with those who are bent on destroying Israel.

Second, such a move by the U.N. would only embolden radicals and add internal legitimacy to their attacks on Israel.

U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state would in all probability lead to a third Intifadah, meaning the deaths of thousands and cycle of violence playing itself out on television sets and newspapers every day throughout the world.

Let’s recall that one of Osama Bin Laden’s main issues with America has been their support for Israel – Al Qaeda propagandists have relied upon images of Palestinian casualties as a chief recruiting tool in their war against us. And as we saw on September 11, Islamic radicals don’t just target Israel – they have a bulls-eye painted on America’s back as well.
 

Speaking of September 11, President Obama ought to remember who our friends are. I remember watching news reports of the Twin Towers falling, a smoldering Pentagon, and the remains of United Flight 93 in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania field – and feeling even more outrage witnessing TV coverage of Palestinians dancing in the streets as these attacks occur.

If i was President Obama right now, my top foreign policy priority would be to stand united with Israel. I would not allow the Arab Spring to be the fall of Israel. A nation that shares deep spiritual bonds with the west, our love of democracy, freedom and personal liberty, Israel has been one of America and Britains strongest allies for decades – at least until President Obama took office.

On a visit to Israel, last month, Hermann Cain met with the country's deputy prime minister about the many security challenges threatening the country’s existence – from Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons – to the prospect of U.N. support for a Palestinian state. His somber message was this, “Israel will defend itself.”

The Obama administration’s insistence that Israel return to pre-1967 borders, which are militarily indefensible – shows its enemies that the United States may not stand with Israel in times of crisis. The lack of clarity towards Israel shown by the Obama administration demonstrates weakness and only invites attack, which makes the situation more volatile.

And when Iran’s leaders say that Israel should be wiped off the map, we ought to take them at their word. Hitler said things like that about Poland when he came to power – and guess what -- he wasn’t bluffing. 


Finally let’s remember how the U.N. has singled out Israel for punishment in their new world order, so its support for Palestinian statehood is just the latest blow.

Resolutions condemning Israel have become pro forma, notably with 22 coming in the 61st General Assembly (2006-07), during a time in which none were passed against the genocide in Sudan's Darfur. My message for the U.N., Iran, Palestinians and anyone else is this: “If you mess with Israel, you’re messing with the U.S.A.”

It’s the radical element among Palestinians that is keeping peace out of reach. If extremists lost internal legitimacy and their people took the path of non-violence -- both societies would be able to co-exist. They could start by not electing Hamas -- a terrorist organization, to power in Gaza as they did in 2006. By not sending their sons and daughters out to blow themselves up in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, taking with them as many innocent Israeli civilians as they can.

I believe long term peace is achievable between Israelis and Palestinians – we just need to identify the right leaders to get it done. I am still convinced however, that Palestinians are a falsehood that we've just come to accept. Historically there has never been a Palestinian state to be occupied. What other leaders of Palestine have there been prior to Arafat for example?

And from the American perspective, by turning away from Israel when the going gets tough, President Obama is not only failing to get the job done, he is doing more harm than good.

So much for hope, it’s time for a change in Washington....