To All Online Anti-Christians

Earlier today, I stumbled across a page that is devoted to discrediting organized religion of any kind, particularly Christianity. The myspace users name is God is Imaginary. My response was not so much about defending Christianity (How can I defend Jesus when He fights my battles?) but my concern was for the many people that visit this site and don't know any better. All that research and debating they do takes a certain amount of talent. It's a shame they don't use that talent to draw people to Christ. With all the attention they get, they'd make great evangelists!
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Webster defines faith as firm belief in something for which there is no proof. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substantiating of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We know we can't use scientific proof that Jesus rose from the dead. We know we can't scientifically prove the existence of the Holy Ghost (the Holy Ghost is not magical-magic is witchcraft) THAT'S WHY WE CALL IT OUR FAITH!

Society has the wrong "R" word. it's not religion that gets you into Heaven. Going to church every sunday dosen't get you into Heaven. (although going to church is very important- you have to have a spiritual family to help you grow, and you have to be submitted to leadership that teaches SOUND biblical doctrine) RELATIONSHIP will get you into heaven. John 3:16-18 states :For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

A relationship with Christ is what is important. I can't be angry, if anything, I'm saddened. one question: why be threatened by us Christians? I believe that if you thought we were truly powerless, you wouldn't spend so much time and energy convincing everyone that Christianity is ridiculous. I pray that you will let God speak to your heart, and heal you of your hurts. Just because one Christian, or even a few Christians hurt you before dosen't mean we're all bad. Give God a chance- not religion, or even a specific church or denomination. GIVE GOD A CHANCE.

My Testimony Part I: God is a healer (Jehovah - Rapha)

Jeremiah 29:11-12 (New International Version)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Alot has happened since I last posted a blog. God has promised me some things concerning my job and I am seeing it come to pass.

I struggled with Carpal Tunnel and Rhuematoid Arthritis in my hands for two years. My doctor took me out of work August of last year for two months. I had to wear splints at all times (even while sleeping).My condition got so bad, some days I couldn't hold my toothbrush. It was cool for the first two weeks. I started going to prayer every morning since I didn't have to work, but after a while, money ran low, and depression set in. Some days I had to go to my mom's house and eat dinner because I had no food in my apartment, and had to walk to physical therapy because I had no bus fare. I would call the disablility company often to see when the check was coming. No one could give me an answer.

I returned to work in mid October. National Fuel started to call. I explained my situation, and they asked me when they can expect payment. This was on a Wednesday, and something told me to tell them Thursday. I hung up the phone relieved that I would have heat and hot water for at least another week, and wondering how I was going to come up with money by Thursday. The check came two days later. I was so happy I started to cry because I know it could have only been because of God that I got blessed like I did, and the reason why I could keep going with a positive attitude.

I hit the ground running when I returned to work. I took a second job, and worked myself sick through Christmas. My monthly performance on my first job was starting to suffer. I type alot, and work with computers alot. Month after month, I failed to make my call times. My supervisor put me on a final written warning in April. A part of me was relieved. I wanted to be fired. I started to hate my job because of the stress and the physical pain.

Streams Ministries was scheduled to come to my church and teach a class on healing, and hold a healing service afterwards. I requested that whole weekend off. It was denied. I was very upset, and skipped work to go to church anyway, thinking I was going to be fired in a couple weeks. The class was about 8 hours long and intense, but it was awesome. Streams formed a prayer line for the students in the class afterwards. The presence of God was definitely in the house that day! They laid hands on me, I remember falling to the floor, and when I came to, I had absolutely no pain! I was later called to testify at the healing service, and many more people recieved healing that weekend.

A couple weeks later, my supervisor managed to convince my manager to give me another chance. A couple weeks after that, my supervisor noticed I was working without my wrist splints and asked me what happened. I told her about that weekend at church, and she was amazed. My coworkers were also amazed because they've seen my hands swollen almost twice their normal size.

It dosen't matter what you're stuggling with. It could be a physical disability, depression, or even an addiction. GOD STILL HEALS! GOD STILL WANTS TO HEAL!

And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. - John 13:14

Happiness or Joy???

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
-Psalm 16:11



Webster's Dictionary
Happiness- A state of well-being and contentment.
Joy- Bliss or a source or cause of delight.



Have you noticed that you will hear a lot of people say they want to be happy, but when was the last time you heard anyone said they want joy? You might hear things like "I would be happier if I had more money" or "I would be happier if I had a man/woman in my life".


I've noticed a lot of celebrities are in the news for a variety of crazy things. Drug overdoses, Rehab stays, drunken moments for the paparazzi to capitalize on, nervous breakdowns in front of cameras, one bad marriage after another, and the list goes on and on as they find new ways to get noticed. I've noticed that these celebrities have one thing in common. They're so busy chasing happiness, they completely miss out on joy.


I believe the same applies for someone suffering from depression. I can attest to that. I always felt like I was on a emotional rollercoaster. some days i would be okay, some days i would be really happy, some days I would be really depressed. I found that even when things seem to be falling apart, joy is what can keep you from falling apart. In the book of Nehemiah, the Israelites were very discouraged and overwhelmed. To say their home was a mess was an understatement. The gates to Jerusalem was destroyed, and the rest of the city was in ruins. On top of all that, they had haters (Sanballat the Horonite, Tobia the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab) laughing in ridicule at them. Nehemiah and the rest of the Israelites had alot of rebuilding to do. Ezra (the scribe) encouraged the Israelites, saying" Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." (Nehemiah 8:10)

I'm not saying that happiness is bad. Happiness is a great thing, but happiness is circumstantial. You can have both apart, but happiness is so much sweeter when you have joy as your foundation. Think of joy and happiness like this: the both of them together are like a sweet desert, so let's take cheesecake as an example. Joy is the rich and firm cheesecake, and happiness is the strawberries. Or the chocolate drizzle on top. Whatever floats your boat dessertwise, I'm sure you get the idea. Happiness is so much more fulfilling when you have joy. Without joy, life experiences that bring happiness feel empty.

God is the giver of Joy. He's the only true source of joy. Psalms 16:11 says that the Lord will show you the path of Life, and in His presence is fullness of joy.

Leah is an example of happiness chasing in the Bible. She thought that giving her husband many sons would make him love her more. She didn't realize that God already loved her just as she was, and that even though she was not considered beautiful by human standards, God thought she was beautiful. Instead of focusing on the Giver of Joy, she spent a good chunk of her life competing with her sister for her husband's love. (Genesis 29:31-35, 30:1-22)

One of the greatest tragedies in the world is a life wasted chasing happiness, never knowing joy.