DC Revivals 2004 & "Anne's Journal Updated"

'ALM' Updated...

Houston Revivals 2004 Pics.....

A.  For those interested, 32 pictures from the Houston revivals have been posted.

Sore Thumbs

I guess you could call us the “Three S's”.  Sue, Sandra, and Susan.  My buddies and I went on a road trip to Farmville, VA this past weekend.  We went to visit our Chi Alpha buddies, Gil and Lindsay Banton.  These two amazing people are campus missionaries at Longwood University.  Their endeavor:  Investing in students’ lives to enable them to grow in Christ and minister effectively throughout their years on campus and for a lifetime beyond.  They believe in the awesome ability of students leading their peers to Christ. 

  

 

Farmville itself, was a real life Sweet Home Alabama, where everybody knows everybody, and me and my Korean and El Salvadoran friends stuck out like a sore thumb.  I mean a real sore thumb.  The kind of sore thumb that gets jammed in a car door, and takes a lot of screaming and yelling to get someone to open it.  Let's just say I saw about two colored people, besides the two that were with me:) 

Our adventure took us to various antique stores, one of which was haunted by the wife of a shopkeeper.  (He murdered her for sending him to jail)…or so they say.  The neat thing about little towns are the stories.  It would be nice to actually spend time there, and research the town history.  Much of Farmville history dates back to the desegregation of schools and even much before then.  A large portion of the senior citizens in Farmville are uneducated due to a massive resistance to the idea of desegregation in Virginia during the nineteen fifties.  While there is so much more to be told, there is twice as much to be learned. 

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Being the Martha Stewart fan that I am, actually I’m not, but, Oh, what the heck…

“Imprisoned lifestyle guru MARTHA STEWART has been banned from cooking for fellow prisoners this Thanksgiving.  Stewart, who is serving a prison sentence in West Virginia for obstructing justice, will be served all the traditional favorites, but she won't be allowed to have input.

Spokesperson DAWN ZOBEL asserts, "We have an established menu already in place that goes through an examination by a dietician and we don't let the inmates have input into how we run our menu." –contactmusic.com

The domestic style setter, who started serving a five-month sentence at the Alderson federal prison in West Virginia in October, told her supporters that she's doing well, despite being in prison.

"As you would expect, the loss of freedom and the lack of privacy are extremely difficult," she wrote on her site, Marthatalks.com. "But I am safe, fit and healthy, and I am pleased to report that, contrary to rumors you might have heard, my daily interactions with the staff and fellow inmates here at Alderson are marked by fair treatment and mutual respect." –money.cnn.com~~~

If any of you are unsure about your Thanksgiving menu, Martha offers four different menu types for Thanksgiving Day.  All sound pretty scrumptious; but my favorite has got to be the Southern Fried Turkey Dinner…take a look:

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel172159&catid=cat286

Scripture That Speaks:  Psalms 136

Interesting Word of the Day:  panjandrum  [pan-JAN-druhm]  noun:  An important personage or pretentious official.

Needless  to  say,  when  governors  and  ministers and the panjandrums  of  British  public life asked these appointed advisers and those from whose ranks they were largely drawn for  their views  on democratic development, they gave the answers that might have been expected.

Panjandrum  was  coined by Samuel Foote (1720-1777) in a piece of nonsense writing: “So  she went into the garden to cut a cabbage-leaf to make an apple-pie; and at the same time a great she-bear, coming up  the  street,  pops  its  head  into the shop. "What! No soap?"  So  he died,  and she very imprudently married the barber:  and  there  were  present  the Picninnies, and the Joblillies,  and  the  Garyulies,  and the grand Panjandrum himself,  with the little round button at top, and they all fell  to  playing  the  game of catch-as-catch-can till the gunpowder ran out at the heels of their boots.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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New Interview & ALM...

A.  Justin Mathews of  DesiDestiny.com has been interviewed for The Tonight Show.

C.  "The IPF Catch Phrase Contest":  Much Love to those of you that have submitted catch phrases and voted in our poll.  If you haven't done so, I encourage you to vote, as well as submit a catch phrase.  It is appreciated.

D.  Eagles 28  Redskins 6:  Well, for 3 quarters the Redskins (3-7) hung tough, but in the end, the Eagles (9-1) just had more firepower.  The defense was able to limit the game's best receiver, Terrell Owens (and also the one with the biggest mouth), to one touchdown and 2 catches, but he broke the game open with his score.

Don't Worry About Anything.....

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”  - Philippians 4:6, New Living. 

This verse just leaped off the page at me, earlier this morning.  I was prompted to wonder about how much we end up worrying about things.  Little things, big things, things that aren’t worth the trouble.  I thought about some trials that I went through lately, and though I did pray somewhat during those trials, I felt convicted about the worrying that I had done. 

What a challenge to all of us:  to not worry about ANYTHING!  And rather, to pray about EVERYTHING!  To simply convey our needs to God, thank Him for his beneficence in our lives, and move on!  God’s got our backs. 

That’s freedom. 

Houston Revivals

This past week we had some special meetings in my church from Thursday thru Sunday. Before the meetings began, I was not especially excited about them. Now, don't get me wrong, I love when we have special meetings and the chance to see many people from out of town, but I was not as excited this time. There is just a whole lot going on right now, besides school and all, that I just didn't think I had the energy to go to these meetings which end so late and be so involved in the church activities. I thought that I would be falling asleep during the meetings because I'd be so tired or that I wouldn't be paying much attention to the messages with so much else on my mind, but God had other things in mind.

Every single message seemed to be crafted especially for me. God wonderfully spoke to me through the messages about having faith in Him because He is able to work miracles far beyond what we have in mind. While that is amazing in and of itself, what is even more amazing to me is that He is willing to do this despite our imperfection. Well, at least as far as I am concerned, that amazes me to no end causes me to be extremely grateful because I know that if His care of me was based on how good I was, well, let's just say I wouldn't be getting much help.

The words that resound in my mind from those meetings are, The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut.33: 27a). These are the Words that have been sustaining me since; if you're feeling worn and tired from life, my hope is that they will sustain you too. Always remember that Jesus has these words to those who are weary:

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

Until Next time.

   Posted on Tuesday, November 16, 2004                                                          by Anne  

'When Up is Like Down'

Up is like down when upside down –

when your red balloon pops

or worse

when it escapes from your hand

searching for freedom across oceans with the clouds.

When the sun sets and the moon rises,

it’s a quiet joy or a happy sad.

You may be happy but then a shadow falls on you

and you realize you’re not really happy, but not sad, either.

You’re on the verge of falling into a depression

but you can almost feel a giggle tickle up inside.

Up is like down when you buy

deliciously beautiful white roses

trimmed with innocent white daisies.

A bouquet so elegant

you ache to take in another deep breath and

fill your soul with the sweet smell of their life.

But before you exhale you taste the bitter reminder

that you bought them to lay on your baby sister’s grave.

Up is like down when while you cry over her tombstone

you taste your salty tears melting into the short sweetness

of her sixteen month old laugh.

You smile inside your tears as you remember how

your sister loved to live,

to learn, to play, to sing, to dance,

to call your name.

But as soon as you laugh at those memories,

you remember with a cold sadness that

she also loved her new talent of walking and

she had just ventured out to explore beyond the open back door

when daddy pulled the van out of the garage.

Up is like down when you long to turn back time

and run ahead of her to shut that back door or hold her

for one second longer so she couldn’t walk away.

Or when you long to feel her weight

in your arms again while she sleeps

and you wish you never knew the weight

of touching a tombstone so small.

"Suffer the little children to come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven."
Annette Thomas Varughese
November 16, 1987 - April 8, 1989

Calling One,Calling All: The IPF Catch Phrase Contest

Before I get into anything else, let me say that the most important item on the agenda is the continued prayer for Jason from Yonkers.

A.  IndaPhatFarm.com is pleased to announce our…

Back on January 28, 2001, IPF launched as a website for family and friends.  Because of all of you, IndaPhatFarm.com has become so much more.  Almost four years later, with 3375 Pictures and counting, 95 Media Clips and counting, 23 Interviews and counting, Consistent Updates from Quality Writers, and moreover, readers across the United States, as well as Internationally, IPF shows no signs of slowing down.  We are dedicated to bring you the best.  We always have, and will continue doing so.

This is why we play.  This is what it’s all about.

What’s the reason for the T-Shirts you ask?  Well, there are two reasons:

1.  We would like to continue gaining your support for this website, and at the same time, give you something in return. 

2. IPF needs YOUR help.  We figure that indaphatfarm.com is a site for the people, and by the people.  No better than to ask the people for our new catch phrase, which will be placed on the t-shirt itself.  We’re asking all of our readers to enter our contest by sending us IPF’s new catch phrase. 

What is a catch phrase?

catch phrase  n.

A phrase in wide or popular use, especially one serving as a slogan for a group or movement. 

Examples of famous catch phrases:  “Skittles…Taste the Rainbow”, “Steak, It’s What’s For Dinner”, “Just Do It”

Contest Rules

This contest is open to anyone who can come up with an urban, edgy, and smart catch phrase that captures IPF’s spirit.  Members from the same family are eligible to vote.  Void where prohibited.

With regard to an entry you submit as part of the Contest, you grant IPF a worldwide, perpetual, fully paid-up, non-exclusive license to use the phrase.

If you are selected as a contest winner, you agree that IPF may publicize your name, likeness, and the winning catch phrase.  Apart from the prizes associated with being selected as a winner, IPF shall not be obligated to compensate you in any way for such publicity.

Entries for the T-Shirt Contest will officially start being accepted today, November 15, 2004 and the closing date for entries will be December 15, 2004 @ 11:59PM.

Judging

After the closing date for entries (December 15, 2004 @ 11:59 PM), IPF staff will narrow down the list of entries to three entries.  Entries will be narrowed down by a panel of IPF staff.  The judges will grade entries using the following criteria:

• General utility and importance to the site
• Creativity

The judges shall have the sole authority and discretion to select the final three entries.

Once three entries have been selected, IPF will allow the readers of IPF (that means YOU!) to vote on your preferred catch phrase.

Prizes

Winner will receive a FREE IPF T-Shirt and a $30.00 gift voucher to a place of winner’s choice.  If the winning entry is submitted by more than one individual, the voucher will be divided equally and each individual will receive a T-Shirt.  

Runner ups will both receive a FREE IPF T-Shirt.

Each entrant shall indemnify, defend, and hold IPF harmless from any third party claims arising from or related to that entrant's participation in the contest.  In no event shall IPF be liable to an entrant for acts or omissions arising out of or related to the contest or that entrant's participation in the contest.

Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of entries received.  Winner(s) may be required to verify their entry.

Notification    

The winning entry will be announced on IPF on January 1,2005.  Following the announcement, the winner will be notified by e-mail.  

Questions?         

Contact us at  tshirtcontest@indaphatfarm.com

Saturday, November 13, 2004 - Chris M.       

Last Sunday, while driving to church, I happened to hear a bit of the weekly radio broadcast of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, Let My People Think.  Dr. Zacharias used an illustration that I'd like to share with you:

During the Second World War, the Allies used a clever tactic to confuse their enemies during the offensive against various German-held cities.  Prior to an infantry attack on a certain city, Allied planes flew overhead and let out hundreds of paratroopers.  Except that these were not real paratroopers - they were rubber dummies.  The German forces, however, didn't know that; they saw them as a viable threat and wasted their ammunition attempting to shoot down their 'enemy' in the sky.

Dr. Zacharias went on to say that he was very concerned that today's Church might also be engaged in such futile attempts at withstanding the enemy: we're too busy shooting at rubber dummies while the real offensive is moving toward us in another form, under the radar as it were.

My living north of the 49th allows me, I'd like to think, a more nuanced view of the events of the few weeks past.  And although I have nothing against the man chosen to lead America for the next four years, I am somewhat distressed by the reasoning behind the choice.  I can't help but wonder if the issues held as key to the campaign - though very real in and of themselves - were superficial, while the real issues went unmentioned.

Last week, fuelled by Anne's heartfelt piece on her view of the election, the discussion boards lit up with affirmations and denunciations of the various candidates, and the views they held.  From my reading of all that was said, two issues were proffered as the reasons to vote for the incumbent:  his view on abortion and his view on gay marriage.  Other reasons were mentioned at times, but these two came up without fail whenever the election was the topic of conversation.

Before I continue, let me reiterate: these are both very important issues and need to be addressed.  However, I believe the problem runs much deeper.

Some argued that America needs a government that opposes abortion.  The reasoning behind this view is that if an abortion is hard to come by, fewer will take place.  Granted, I too would rather have a government that discourages such practices, but I do not think that would do much to change the hearts of the people.

The current view of abortion as a way to end an unwanted pregnancy did not begin with Roe vs. Wade.  It began when we decided that children were something we could afford to have according to our convenience; when a baby became something we added to the bottom of our checklist of things to do before thirty; when we decided that there was such a thing as an unwanted child.  No amount of legislation will change that.

Similarly, many insisted that a vote for Bush meant a vote to preserve the sanctity of marriage.  "Something must be done to curb the homosexual menace."  Here too, I will add that I think that current trends regarding human sexuality are going to yield disastrous results in the long run.  But once again, I can't help but wonder how much the 'right man' will be able to do.

The erosion of the sanctity of marriage didn't happen overnight.  And it certainly didn't start when homosexuals expressed a desire to wed.  The current state of affairs is exactly what we should have expected when we decided that marriage too is a matter of convenience; when we decided that the onscreen antics of a couple drunkenly getting married in Vegas and franticly trying to divorce a week later is something to be laughed at; when we decided that sexual union is not something that should be saved till after the vows are said.

Please don't get me wrong:  I'm not saying that voting is a waste of time.  Electing the leader of one's nation is an important decision, and not one that should be made lightly.  However, I do not think that just making that choice - even if it is the right one - is enough.  We cannot afford to just cast our ballot and then sit back, feeling we have done our part.  We need to realise that all of these issues, abortion and the sanctity of marriage not being the least, are a sign of a much greater problem - the absence of God.

God, as far as the Western World is concerned, is not a part of the equation to life.  We took Him out of the picture, and as we did, we also lost our sense of objectivity - we no longer have an ultimate standard.  And if we no longer even know what right and wrong is, how can we then be surprised that we also do not have any problem killing the unborn or making a mockery of marriage?

Amidst all the reasons given to support President Bush, there was one that I most certainly hope is true:  he is a man of God and a man of prayer.  If this is so, if he will indeed govern the United States with prayer, then I wish him Godspeed.

Regardless of how President Bush may choose to lead, it remains the responsibility of all of us to realize that we cannot afford to think that we have addressed the real problems of our society when we have only scratched the surface.  Abortion and the challenges to the sanctity of marriage are real.  But by focusing solely on them, we've lost sight of the greater danger: a missing God.

A few days ago, I was really praying for something I wanted. It was a material prayer request but still, it was important to me. Immediately, God convicted me of my selfishness.  

Often I am so negligent to thank God for his blessings in my life; and then when I do pray, its for something I want. My prayers lacked consideration for others. It lacked intercession. It lacked prayer for those who really need prayer.  

With the new year coming up, this is one resolution  I want to make and start doing now. Praying for others more than myself. With that said, I hope the IPF audience continues to pray for Jason from Yonkers and his complete healing.

Sometimes we pray for God to help us on an exam, or  get into a school, or get a new job, or a new house, and I'm not saying those prayer requests are not important, but they pale in comparison to praying for someone's healing. 

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) NIV

    Posted on Wednesday, November 10, 2004                                             by Llenis M

Do you find yourself making all the choices you want in your life? Do you go around asking everyone around you for advice on your decisions? Today I want to speak to you about first consulting the Lord’s advice before anything.

David was a man after God’s heart and obeyed God’s commands. Here are two occasions in which David could have easily taken a step without consulting with the Lord, but his reliance on God is what ultimately allowed him to succeed

Let's take a look at them:

Case 1:  I Samuel 23:1-4 David wants to protect Keilah
i. Demonstrates how David sought/inquired of God before making a decision he wanted (v.2)
ii. God immediately answers David
iii. David seeks God about the same matter, confirmation and God answers him a second time (v.4)
iv. David obtains complete victory over the Philistines-enemies of God
v. When you consult the Lord’s leading he will lead in a plan that you will be successful and victorious over your enemies.

Case2:  I Samuel 23:9-14 David is being persecuted by Saul
i. Abiathar came with an ephod
ii. Saul his enemy thought he had captured David, but David turned to the Lord in trouble times.
iii. David’s first step here is to listen and to submit to his authority the priest
iv. David once again comes before the presence of the Lord and asks for help, for answers concerning his life (v.11)
v. The Lord answers him (v.12) 

So .... why should we listen to the counsel of God? Here are 7 reasons why!
a. He will make your plans succeed/give you answers and insight for your future (Proverbs 16:3)
b. He will give you blessings (I John 3:22)
c. He will make you his brother, sister (Matthew 12:50)
d. He is compromised to deliver you (Proverbs 3:25)
e. He will show you mercy (Psalm 103:17-18)
f. You will know his heart
g. He will prepare you for the Rapture

Heal Our Land

Good Morning People,

A resplendent day today is.  Fall has got to be the nicest season.  I hope everyone is doing well.  With the election come to an end (I have heard just about enough of this blasted election), and a President decided upon, I understand some of you may still be wearing those black veils,…I sympathize with you.   

Actually, no I don’t:) 

Now I’m not certain who would have made the most optimal President, only time can tell such a thing; but I do know I voted for someone who stands firm in his beliefs…to his moral beliefs.  Funny to think that majority of the U.S. voted for the same rationale.  Christians all across the U.S called together for days of fasting and prayer that God lead the right man into office.  Now I am no clairvoyant or soothsayer of any sort, but I do know God’s promise to those who call on His name, and I do know, that He has placed the right man in office.

2 Chronicles 7:14
”and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.”

As George Washington observed in his first Inaugural Address:  “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.  Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have [been] distinguished by some token of providential agency.”

I concur.

This morning I was sent an email from a cousin of mine.  It contained pictures of our troops.  Photos that would never make primetime news.  Heartwarming and very real.  Take a look.   

“Of all the gifts to give the U.S. Military, prayer is the very best one…” 

God Bless America.

Interesting Word of the Day:  chantey  [chantee or shantee]  (noun): a song chanted by sailors as they work    

Mid-19th century.  Origin uncertain, perhaps an anglicization of French chantez "sing!"  

The chanties of the soldiers could be heard throughout our small town.  

NEW COLUMNIST, BUSH RALLY, BUSH WINS, ETC...

A brand new columnist, Roger, has his debut on IPF today.  A few of us webmasters have known Roger for several years, and are proud that he has joined the team.  Look for his occasional writings on a myriad of topics.  CLICK below.

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Here’s a picture from www.cnn.com, taken at the Bush rally that I attended last Thursday.  It was a great experience all around: Bush gave an impassioned speech, the crowd was lively and engaging in the extreme, and it was my very first time seeing a President in person.  (though I was so far back from the stage, that I couldn’t even manage a decent shot with my own camera).  We had to wait about 45 minutes to get through the metal detectors. 

Standing three people ahead of us in the line was a somewhat strange looking lady wearing a politically loud t-shirt and odd purplish lipstick, carrying some literature and a purse.  Guess what else she was carrying?  Marijuana.  For which she got busted by the security guards.  You woulda thought I was attending a hippie, drug smoking, liberal wacko, Kerry-loving rally.   

And people were hawking products like buttons, keychains, bumper stickers… all at not-so-great prices.  Still, I was almost tempted to buy a Tshirt with emblazoned with a pretty catchy statement:  “Friends don’t let friends vote DEMOCRAT." 

THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS.  The popular vote was 51% to 48%. In this column, I mused once or twice that the President might win by a three point margin. Lucky guess, eh? But I had my doubts: as late as last Thursday, I was wondering if 3% was too generous. Right up until Tuesday, it really seemed like the election could go either way, though Bush did seem to slightly have the upper hand.

And he pulled it off on Tuesday. FOUR MORE YEARS. I've been following politics for awhile now, and I have never felt so strongly about a presidential election. The terrorists in Iraq and around the world, and even Osama last Friday, all did what they could to throw the election. Not to mention CBS and the forged documents story, the NY Times breaking the "missing ammunitions at Al QaQaa" story just last week, etc, etc.

The first president to win a majority of the votes in 16 years.  More popular votes than any candidate in history.  And people question whether or not he has a mandate.  If Kerry had won with this kind of margin, the pundits and lefty politicos would all be screaming MANDATE at the top of their lungs.  Other signs that point toward a mandate:  Senate Minority leader Tom Daschle was defeated for his re-election bid.  There were few people in Congress who had the power and clout to interfere with Bush’s agenda.  And Tom Daschle did all he could to interfere.  Now the people of South Dakota have booted him from power.  A few other Senate seats turned from Dem to Republicans, and now the US Senate is expanded to 55 Republicans instead of 51.  Not bad at all.     

We may have more significant elections in years to come, but it’s hard to imagine.  Decades from now, historians (and the rest of us commoners) will look back on this 2004 election as one of the most critical of our lifetimes.  And there will be no doubt, looking back, that Bush was the right man at the right time.  Here’s another guess for you:  President Bush will go down in history as one of the great presidents of this incredible nation.  Maybe even surpassing Ronald Reagan, may he rest in peace.   

Arrivederci:  I’ll be traveling next week, and will email in an update if possible.  If not, see you in two weeks.

   Posted on Wednesday, November 3, 2004                                  by Chris Strickland

At 20 years old, I can confidently say that I’ve known a little, seen a little, and done a little.  Not really a big accomplishment, but just enough to be dangerous when I write.  I hope that My Father will turn this little offering into a big blessing.  And I have more than hope in Him; I have confidence.  I am a man who is tempted by materialism, torn by lust, and often tricked by my own disingenuous motives.  And yet, somehow, a great God has managed to work a great miracle in this little clump of humanity named Chris.  I’m passionately alive, terrifically free, and most importantly I’ve found out about the Jesus who loves to love me.  Over and over, I’ve been overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and failure, only to see a supernatural hand come shining through.  “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19)

------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

This week I've really been questioning the things I believe about life, God, laws, and morality.  The substance of my questioning has not been so much about "what" I believe, but "why" I believe it.  I'm sure many of you have experienced a similar shakedown, or to use a biblical word, testing.  In the university, I daily face a multiplicity of viewpoints that prima facie would seem to contradict the general ethos of my upbringing in a conservative yet unorthodox Christian family. 

I always choose to entertain these challenges because I fear the deceptive comfort of all that is familiar.  I would rather have my beliefs shaken and hopefully reaffirmed than live in the pastel warmth of flaccid Christianity.  If we step out of our comforts and into the fray, we will be shaken.  We will be challenged, and even hated.  But whenever we face opposition, we become more “salty.”  (Matt 5:13-16)  We become more capable of fielding questions and diffusing fires.  The Spirit of the world, the cosmos, opposes us and wants to destroy us, but God uses it to make us better at defending the faith and refuting false ideas.  This is the essence of apologetics.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 is good synopsis of apologetics.  I want to point out three things about this passage pertinent to our wrestling match with the world.   

1.       “…We don’t wage war with human plans or methods.”  (NLT)  This is one I struggle with.  My philosophical bent often spurs me to jump headfirst into the battle.  I almost always forget to pray for understanding until the issue overwhelms me.  Then I run like a scared kid back to where Jesus has been waiting for me.  I’ve learned that God does not want us to give our unbelieving friends or enemies a magnificently well-put answer if our hearts have no peace.  A peaceful defense of the truth requires utter dependence on Him.  This means prayer and meditation.  If you get anxious when you try to respond to an unbeliever, it’s usually better to tell them, “Let me think about it, and I’ll get back to you with an answer.”  Then go seek the Lord. 

2.       Verse 4 shows us that apologetics is not just defensive.  “For the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds.”  Our “salty” words and lifestyles actually tear down strongholds.  A stronghold is really just a pattern or system of thought.  We can have a stronghold of lust, neediness, or faulty political thought.  God wants us to have one stronghold in our minds: the ways and thoughts of Jesus Christ.  The stronghold of Christ is our only weapon against worldly strongholds. We can’t fight with our “flesh.” 

       Does that mean we don’t use our minds?  Not at all.  It means that we open our minds to God’s Spirit and Word.  If we surrender control of our minds to God, then He can really use us.  One practical way to surrender your mind to God is to focus your entire being on Him at various times during the day.  Frank Laubach and Brother Lawrence have both written helpful things on being “God conscious.”  To be conscious of God is to be ready for action.  When people attack, or simply ask questions, our hearts will be at peace.  (See 1 Peter 3:15) (RSV) 

3.       The last aspect of apologetics in this passage tells us about the nature of the cosmos.  There are “barriers erected against the truth of God…” (Message)  This helps us to identify patterns of thinking in the world that prevent people from knowing God.  Whenever we run into lifestyles or values that tend to separate people from God, there is a good chance we’ve found a stronghold.  The most poignant example from my life is the stronghold of MATERIALISM.

       The power of this barrier to God can be seen everywhere in Western society.  It was a problem in Jesus’ day as well.  Only a few (and there were a few) people of wealth chose to follow Jesus.  One practical way to tear down this stronghold in your life is to pray when you need or want something and then keep on praying as you shop.  Just this past week I went to the mall and spent $144.15 that I really didn’t have.  Later God convicted me of materialism and I returned more than half of what I bought.  If I had sought God from the beginning, I would have avoided the whole problem.

Please don’t take my word for any of this.  Go out and read it, soak it in, and live it for yourself.  Make sure you are “set-apart” from the world.  Many people live in “sanctified” Christian bubbles.  That’s not being set-apart, that’s called boring.  Let’s get our hands dirty and our hearts holy.

- Chris

Election 2004

First of all, in case you have not been reminded enough about going to vote, allow me to do so. Go Vote! Rock the Vote! Let your Voice be Heard!

I've been noticing that the message board has been exploding with arguments and counterarguments about who is the best candidate, arguments with which at this point I'd rather not interfere. NOT because I do not have my own opinions and have not weighed out the pros and cons of both candidates (I'm not even considering Nader right now), but because putting my opinion out there will lead to a sure blasting.

And its not even that I am not willing to defend my view, but goodness, some people out there really need to take a crash course on the the art of argumentation. And when they do, they need to make sure that they emphasize the part of appealing to the audience. I mean, come on, if you go around blasting someone because of the way he or she believes you are not going to convince anyone. The only people who will agree with you are those who already believe the same thing you do. Which is not the purpose of an argument.

Here is a great link from a reputable website that defines argument. To whomever this applies, please take a look at it before you post on this or any fiery issue again. Defining Argumentation.

IPF - Making a difference in the community (Chung Lao).

On a lighter note, and in the spirit of elections, I want to include an excerpt from a book titled A Man of the People  by Chinua Achebe, that I found amusing. Although the excerpt I am including is not directly tied with elections and politics, the book is centered around that and I suggest that you read it as it is quite interesting.

Enjoy.

New IPF Additions, Special Pre- Election Edition of 'Anne's Journal' & "#8, Don't Let the Door Hit You......"

A.  IPF is pleased to announce some new additions to our lineup:

Chris Strickland (New York):  Chris S is the newest addition to our Inspirations lineup.  Look for his first update this Wednesday.

Roger Spence (Ohio):  Roger's brand new column, "The Chronicles of Roger Ramjet" is slated to make its debut this Thursday.  Look for it.

Chris Mudiappahpillai (Toronto, Canada):  Chris M will be joining the weekend edition of IPF.  You can catch his first piece this coming weekend.

Again, our update schedule is posted on the right hand side, so that there is no confusion as to whose updating when.

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One of the mandates of  this site is to showcase new writing talent in a consistent fashion.  These are our latest additions.  Enjoy.

B.  "Anne's Journal Updated':  Anne has posted a special pre-election edition of her column entitled, "My Letter to Fellow Christians."  A Must Read.

Click Here to Read

C.  Game Time:  Well it's come down to this.  Kerry or Bush.  All the campaigning has come to and end.  It's GAME TIME.  If your voting for John Kerry, fine.  If your voting for George Bush, fine.  You know where I stand.  Just let me repeat something that IPF webmaster Binu stated in a previous update, if you don't know anything about the issues, don't vote.  I don't want my vote canceled out by you.

D.  Packers 28 Redskins 14:  So Kerry wins right?  18 straight elections is as good an indicator as any poll at this point, but I digress.  Back to more pressing issues.  You know what time it is?

IT'S TIME TO BENCH MARK BRUNELL

"But Chris, he's making millions of dollars, you can't just bench him."  How about YES.  The passing game of the Washington Redskins is anemic.  So where does the blame lie?  Squarely on the shoulders of #8, Mark Brunell.  Now, do I have complete faith in his backup, Patrick Ramsey, the answer is no.  But at 2-5, the Redskins need a spark from the QB position, and their not getting it now.

In other NFL News, Terrell Owens doing the Ray Lewis?  Wow.  

Ray Ray can't show his face in Philly ever again.

Lastly, let me leave you all with this.  At almost the mid point of the season, I think it's safe to say who got the better of the Portis-Bailey swap.

Shut Down Corner?  I DON'T THINK SO.  Jon?

A.  Submitting Content:  Missing your Birthday in the B-Day section?  Want to submit an article, event or comment?  Well we just made it easy for you.  Just fill out the form below, and click submit.  Its as simple as that.