Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Wow, it's Been Two Years!
I don't know where to even start! Today is the two year anniversary of Don't Ask That In Church, and considering the short life-expectancy of my dozen or so other blogs, that's saying something! To me anyways, it certainly attests to two things:
1) God's Word is inexhaustible. What i mean is that using His Word is not only the best way, but THE WAY to find the truth in the deceptions of our day. Without God's Word (and people using it to uncover lies), I'd still be waiting for Blossom Goodchild to welcome her space buddies. If it doesn't address something specifically, then certainly it outlines a principle that does.
2) That God is doing some sort of a work here. I'm just one guy, with opinions, a blog and hopefully a way to find God and His son Jesus in the midst of the deceptions in our day.
While i had initially started this as a response to Chris White's call for blogs, and as a sort of "Mini-Me" Future Quake to educate ya'll online, i think the one who's learned the most is me. First, God has grown my writing and research skills (hopefully), but more importantly He's brought me closer to Him through Jesus Christ. He's helped me grow more interested in Him rather than continuing to chase the devil's schemes.
When i started this, i was still kind of figuring out all this stuff (not that I've figured it all out completely) and i was still unsure on some things. However, as I've uncovered deception, i've had to lean more heavily on truth which is the Bible, and Jesus Christ dying and raising from the dead according to the Bible. Without that foundation, the lies of the world will trap you.
I guess i have just a few things to say. First, thank you to first to Dr. Heiser who led me to Future Quake, who led me to Russ Dizdar, Guy Malone, Joe Jordan and La Marzulli. Thanks for exposing the alien lies.
Then, specifically thanks to Chris White for putting a call out for blogs. I had recently graduated college for writing and was unsure how i could put that gift to use for the Lord. There was my shot. Awesome! But even that wouldn't have happened without my friend Gaz Parker. We corresponded after his testimony aired on Nowhere to Run and it was he who encouraged me the most to undertake this. Without Gaz i probably wouldn't have done this. Thanks mate.
What is the purpose of this blog then?
As i said, i sort of only started it to do it. To fill a need. Then i sort of enjoyed doing it and just kept doing things as there were topics i still struggled with and things people may benefit from. My purpose i guess developed after a while, and that is:
1) for saved folks, education/edification. To help you have answers for the unsaved, or to keep you from wandering when you learn about weird stuff like i did.
2) for saved and wandering folks. Well, to hopefully restore you, the way i was after being educated. If you've gone of track for this or that reason, then i hope my writing can be used by God to lead you back to Jesus Christ
3) for the unsaved. i don't know if anyone has come to Christ reading this, so if you have let me know. But i hope this blog has helped at least lead some of you in that direction.
So that's where this all started. But i sort of want To think about where this has been, and where it's going. Having looked at alot of weird stuff here, it's kind of tiring seeing the devil's lies, because once you know what the truth is, it's alot easier to see the lies of satan. And the schemes of the devil are actually kind of monotonous, even though when i started this, i still thought there was some interesting aspects to them. Not so. As i've drawn closer to Christ in dealing with these lies, I've just grown more interested in Jesus and prophecy. Perhaps harder areas to write about.
I guess this has made me think about as i continue writing, about my direction. I am seeking the Lord's guidance. Should i keep debunking stuff? Is that helpful to you readers? Or should i do as I've been thinking about, that is going deeper into tough parts of scripture? Which way does the most good for the Lord's Kingdom?
Time will tell i guess.
The last thing I want to bring up. There are no ads in this blog, and no donate button. Oh, believe me, i thought about it. I almost put some in. But i thought and prayed about. Sought God's will. He didn't give me an audible revelation. But He did give me insight in His word.
Imagine that.
1 Corinthians 12 - 18
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
With this in mind, i decided not to make money from this blog. I mean this not to boast. But we are in economic trouble, and i have a job (for now) i couldn't find a good way to justify doing it. So, unless i lose my job, I'm not planning to put in ads, or ask for donations. This blog costs me nothing, and i think it's a better witness if money isn't my goal.
However, if you've always wanted to send me money, or have extra to throw around, i may recommend this ministry.
http://www.freeforlifeintl.org
They assist victims of human trafficking and are actually doing what the Lord said to do in the Bible. So if you feel led to send money anywhere, send it there.
Another great ministry is children's hunger fund which received high marks from ministrywatch. Their link should be on the sidebar.
Still, if you want to support me in some manner, i covet your prayers.
Please do keep me in prayer, that the Lord guides me and gives me wisdom. That i don't stray from His path again. Pray also for the success of another ministry project I'm working on. Pray also that the Lord help me find the "right job" as i have an astonishing failure rate for work, and the trend seems likely to continue.
I guess thats all.
We made it to 30,000+ visits!
I don't know where to even start! Today is the two year anniversary of Don't Ask That In Church, and considering the short life-expectancy of my dozen or so other blogs, that's saying something! To me anyways, it certainly attests to two things:
1) God's Word is inexhaustible. What i mean is that using His Word is not only the best way, but THE WAY to find the truth in the deceptions of our day. Without God's Word (and people using it to uncover lies), I'd still be waiting for Blossom Goodchild to welcome her space buddies. If it doesn't address something specifically, then certainly it outlines a principle that does.
2) That God is doing some sort of a work here. I'm just one guy, with opinions, a blog and hopefully a way to find God and His son Jesus in the midst of the deceptions in our day.
While i had initially started this as a response to Chris White's call for blogs, and as a sort of "Mini-Me" Future Quake to educate ya'll online, i think the one who's learned the most is me. First, God has grown my writing and research skills (hopefully), but more importantly He's brought me closer to Him through Jesus Christ. He's helped me grow more interested in Him rather than continuing to chase the devil's schemes.
When i started this, i was still kind of figuring out all this stuff (not that I've figured it all out completely) and i was still unsure on some things. However, as I've uncovered deception, i've had to lean more heavily on truth which is the Bible, and Jesus Christ dying and raising from the dead according to the Bible. Without that foundation, the lies of the world will trap you.
I guess i have just a few things to say. First, thank you to first to Dr. Heiser who led me to Future Quake, who led me to Russ Dizdar, Guy Malone, Joe Jordan and La Marzulli. Thanks for exposing the alien lies.
Then, specifically thanks to Chris White for putting a call out for blogs. I had recently graduated college for writing and was unsure how i could put that gift to use for the Lord. There was my shot. Awesome! But even that wouldn't have happened without my friend Gaz Parker. We corresponded after his testimony aired on Nowhere to Run and it was he who encouraged me the most to undertake this. Without Gaz i probably wouldn't have done this. Thanks mate.
What is the purpose of this blog then?
As i said, i sort of only started it to do it. To fill a need. Then i sort of enjoyed doing it and just kept doing things as there were topics i still struggled with and things people may benefit from. My purpose i guess developed after a while, and that is:
1) for saved folks, education/edification. To help you have answers for the unsaved, or to keep you from wandering when you learn about weird stuff like i did.
2) for saved and wandering folks. Well, to hopefully restore you, the way i was after being educated. If you've gone of track for this or that reason, then i hope my writing can be used by God to lead you back to Jesus Christ
3) for the unsaved. i don't know if anyone has come to Christ reading this, so if you have let me know. But i hope this blog has helped at least lead some of you in that direction.
So that's where this all started. But i sort of want To think about where this has been, and where it's going. Having looked at alot of weird stuff here, it's kind of tiring seeing the devil's lies, because once you know what the truth is, it's alot easier to see the lies of satan. And the schemes of the devil are actually kind of monotonous, even though when i started this, i still thought there was some interesting aspects to them. Not so. As i've drawn closer to Christ in dealing with these lies, I've just grown more interested in Jesus and prophecy. Perhaps harder areas to write about.
I guess this has made me think about as i continue writing, about my direction. I am seeking the Lord's guidance. Should i keep debunking stuff? Is that helpful to you readers? Or should i do as I've been thinking about, that is going deeper into tough parts of scripture? Which way does the most good for the Lord's Kingdom?
Time will tell i guess.
The last thing I want to bring up. There are no ads in this blog, and no donate button. Oh, believe me, i thought about it. I almost put some in. But i thought and prayed about. Sought God's will. He didn't give me an audible revelation. But He did give me insight in His word.
Imagine that.
1 Corinthians 12 - 18
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
With this in mind, i decided not to make money from this blog. I mean this not to boast. But we are in economic trouble, and i have a job (for now) i couldn't find a good way to justify doing it. So, unless i lose my job, I'm not planning to put in ads, or ask for donations. This blog costs me nothing, and i think it's a better witness if money isn't my goal.
However, if you've always wanted to send me money, or have extra to throw around, i may recommend this ministry.
http://www.freeforlifeintl.org
They assist victims of human trafficking and are actually doing what the Lord said to do in the Bible. So if you feel led to send money anywhere, send it there.
Another great ministry is children's hunger fund which received high marks from ministrywatch. Their link should be on the sidebar.
Still, if you want to support me in some manner, i covet your prayers.
Please do keep me in prayer, that the Lord guides me and gives me wisdom. That i don't stray from His path again. Pray also for the success of another ministry project I'm working on. Pray also that the Lord help me find the "right job" as i have an astonishing failure rate for work, and the trend seems likely to continue.
I guess thats all.
We made it to 30,000+ visits!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Don't Tea me Off: Bob Marley Tea and Getting High
Undeniably, Bob Marley is one of the most popular musicians of all time, and certainly the most famous Reggae musician ever. Whether he's popular because of his music, or like many musicians, popular because of his unashamed embrace of marijuana and drug use is anyone's guess. Personally, i think his music is just OK, even his ska stuff with the Wailers as i like ska more than reggae, so i've given him a fair chance. He just isn't my cup of...tea.
But what do i know, i listen to ska music, and that's not popular right now.
Anyways, in addition to soothing us with his groundbreaking music, Mr. Marley also seeks to soothe us with his own brand of relaxation drinks.
Thats right. Relaxation drinks.
Despite being dead for more than 30 years, Bob Marley has somehow decided to find time to endorse a brand of relaxation drinks, probably available at your local grocery store.
"What's wrong with that?" you might ask.
Well, nothing really. Except that they warn you not to drive after drinking it. The reason being is that this drink makes you sleepy. REAALLY sleepy.
I also have another suspicion, based on first hand experience. I think they can also make you high. Or at least what i think being high might feel like. It felt enough like drunkeness to make me suspect that drinking these teas can make you high. But even if that's not the case, there are things in the tea that should not be consumed regularly without seeing a doctor.
Allow me to share my personal experience. I was having a stressful day at work (as always) and i was at the store on my lunch break looking for snacks when i saw this tea. I saw a flavor i was intrigued by and checked out the label.
The main ingredient, i think was chamomile, something i do drink occasionally as it does help me relax. But in addition to this, the drink contains melatonin and valarian root. More on those in a moment. Seeing nothing obviously harmful or "weird", and seeing that valarian root seemed to be OK, i bought one.
Here's what happened.
Back at work, i took a few sips, it tasted pretty good and i didn't really feel much. I felt kind of relaxed, so i drank a little more, finishing 1 serving from a 2 serving bottle. (You know someone will drink the whole bottle.) It wasn't long before i felt weird.
Now, i've never been high and haven't done drugs before, but i have certainly been drunk before. What i felt was what i imagine getting high must feel like. It was sort of the feeling like i was drunk, but it was slightly different. It's hard to describe. I sort of felt really peaceful and relaxed and in some ways sort of very lazy and not wanting to move.
While this feeling was developing, i read some side effects of valarian root, all of which i began to feel. Thirst, slight headache, dizziness, etc.
As i was sitting in my desk at work, i stopped working and just suddenly did nothing. I couldn't bring myself to do anything except just sit there for an hour or so. Luckily my boss was gone that day. It was really interesting as well, because the music i was listening to started to sound more rich and "newer" like i was noticing new things about it. It's a longstanding favorite of mine, so i know it sounded slightly different. Perhaps clearer.
After i felt like moving again, i went and got some water and coffee, i also talked to a coworker briefly and remember being kind of giggly.
After i finally felt sobered up, i still had some headache, but was incredibly tired. I also began to feel hungry, reminding me of the "munchies" that many pot smokers joke about. I finally went home, and took a nap on the couch. It was only 15 minutes, but it helped. Later that night, i slept really well and easily. I even felt extra rested. But i recall having extremely vivid dreams, yet another side effect of valerian.
All in all, that was my experience.
Here's a quick bit on valerian and melatonin.
Basically, valerian is a sedative, and is used to treat insomnia and anxiety. So there are some medicinal uses for it, and i think those may be OK. I haven't researched it much though.
Still i would urge caution. First, there are adverse side effects (including paralysis) especially if large doses are consumed. Something that is not advertised on the 2 serving bottle that many will drink as 1 serving. That's not to mention that one probably shouldn't take to long-term use of valerian without consulting a doctor.
I haven't looked into this aspect much either, but i would be careful in the event that valerian has some sort of role in facilitating spirit contact. (Pharmakeia, sorcery, etc.). I wasn't able to find occult uses of it, but i didn't look that hard. Still, anything that makes you dream more vividly i would recommend be used with extreme caution, thus preventing spiritual encounters as outlined in the Bible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/surprising-side-effects-5-popular-supplements
Melatonin is also something used to treat sleep disorders, and a number of other things. However, only for short periods of less than 3 months (wiki).
There's a host of things melatonin does, mainly treating conditions caused by working late at night, as well as serving as an antioxidant. Still, it would be better to have your body produce its own, rather than ingesting some from an outside source. Especially without a doctor's recommendation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin
Overall, valerian and melatonin probably shouldn't used for extended periods of time (without a doctor's direction or some medical need), something that someone drinking these drinks may not know. By drinking this one may inadvertantly cause harm by consuming too much. Who knows, some people may drink them regularly.
Add to that, the possibility of addiction, or even the feeling of getting high (my own experience) it would be good to avoid this drink, especially if you are a Christian. Even if there are no spiritual events happening, the possibility exists that you may invite encounters with dark spirits. Spirits that can only be sent packing by calling on Jesus Christ.
But what do i know, i listen to ska music, and that's not popular right now.
Anyways, in addition to soothing us with his groundbreaking music, Mr. Marley also seeks to soothe us with his own brand of relaxation drinks.
Thats right. Relaxation drinks.
Despite being dead for more than 30 years, Bob Marley has somehow decided to find time to endorse a brand of relaxation drinks, probably available at your local grocery store.
"What's wrong with that?" you might ask.
Well, nothing really. Except that they warn you not to drive after drinking it. The reason being is that this drink makes you sleepy. REAALLY sleepy.
I also have another suspicion, based on first hand experience. I think they can also make you high. Or at least what i think being high might feel like. It felt enough like drunkeness to make me suspect that drinking these teas can make you high. But even if that's not the case, there are things in the tea that should not be consumed regularly without seeing a doctor.
Allow me to share my personal experience. I was having a stressful day at work (as always) and i was at the store on my lunch break looking for snacks when i saw this tea. I saw a flavor i was intrigued by and checked out the label.
The main ingredient, i think was chamomile, something i do drink occasionally as it does help me relax. But in addition to this, the drink contains melatonin and valarian root. More on those in a moment. Seeing nothing obviously harmful or "weird", and seeing that valarian root seemed to be OK, i bought one.
Here's what happened.
Back at work, i took a few sips, it tasted pretty good and i didn't really feel much. I felt kind of relaxed, so i drank a little more, finishing 1 serving from a 2 serving bottle. (You know someone will drink the whole bottle.) It wasn't long before i felt weird.
Now, i've never been high and haven't done drugs before, but i have certainly been drunk before. What i felt was what i imagine getting high must feel like. It was sort of the feeling like i was drunk, but it was slightly different. It's hard to describe. I sort of felt really peaceful and relaxed and in some ways sort of very lazy and not wanting to move.
While this feeling was developing, i read some side effects of valarian root, all of which i began to feel. Thirst, slight headache, dizziness, etc.
As i was sitting in my desk at work, i stopped working and just suddenly did nothing. I couldn't bring myself to do anything except just sit there for an hour or so. Luckily my boss was gone that day. It was really interesting as well, because the music i was listening to started to sound more rich and "newer" like i was noticing new things about it. It's a longstanding favorite of mine, so i know it sounded slightly different. Perhaps clearer.
After i felt like moving again, i went and got some water and coffee, i also talked to a coworker briefly and remember being kind of giggly.
After i finally felt sobered up, i still had some headache, but was incredibly tired. I also began to feel hungry, reminding me of the "munchies" that many pot smokers joke about. I finally went home, and took a nap on the couch. It was only 15 minutes, but it helped. Later that night, i slept really well and easily. I even felt extra rested. But i recall having extremely vivid dreams, yet another side effect of valerian.
All in all, that was my experience.
Here's a quick bit on valerian and melatonin.
Basically, valerian is a sedative, and is used to treat insomnia and anxiety. So there are some medicinal uses for it, and i think those may be OK. I haven't researched it much though.
Still i would urge caution. First, there are adverse side effects (including paralysis) especially if large doses are consumed. Something that is not advertised on the 2 serving bottle that many will drink as 1 serving. That's not to mention that one probably shouldn't take to long-term use of valerian without consulting a doctor.
I haven't looked into this aspect much either, but i would be careful in the event that valerian has some sort of role in facilitating spirit contact. (Pharmakeia, sorcery, etc.). I wasn't able to find occult uses of it, but i didn't look that hard. Still, anything that makes you dream more vividly i would recommend be used with extreme caution, thus preventing spiritual encounters as outlined in the Bible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/surprising-side-effects-5-popular-supplements
Melatonin is also something used to treat sleep disorders, and a number of other things. However, only for short periods of less than 3 months (wiki).
There's a host of things melatonin does, mainly treating conditions caused by working late at night, as well as serving as an antioxidant. Still, it would be better to have your body produce its own, rather than ingesting some from an outside source. Especially without a doctor's recommendation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin
Overall, valerian and melatonin probably shouldn't used for extended periods of time (without a doctor's direction or some medical need), something that someone drinking these drinks may not know. By drinking this one may inadvertantly cause harm by consuming too much. Who knows, some people may drink them regularly.
Add to that, the possibility of addiction, or even the feeling of getting high (my own experience) it would be good to avoid this drink, especially if you are a Christian. Even if there are no spiritual events happening, the possibility exists that you may invite encounters with dark spirits. Spirits that can only be sent packing by calling on Jesus Christ.
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