Army Officer Convicted of Murder of Known Enemy In War Zone!?!

Posted by Bob McCarty Dec 26th 2010 at 12:59 pm in Justice/Legal, Soldiers

On July 31, 2008, Army Ranger 1st Lt. Michael Behenna was charged with the premeditated murder of Ali Mansur, a known Al-Qaeda agent operating near Albu Toma, an area north of Baghdad. Seven months later, the leader of the 18-member Delta Company, 5th platoon of the Army 101st Airborne Infantry Division was convicted of unpremeditated murder and sentenced to 25 years confinement at Fort Leavenworth. Though his sentence has been reduced to 15 years, Behenna remains behind bars for a killing that should have been deemed self-defense. Stories about Michael have been featured on this site several times. Today, I share the latest update from Michael’s parents, Scott and Vicki Behenna:



To the thousands of Michael Supporters,

God bless each of you. We have been in this fight together for the past two years and your encouragement and support has been the driving force behind all we have been able to accomplish. Last year, the Clemency Board gave Michael a reduction of 5 years off his 20 year sentence. On December 2nd we again pleaded Michael’s case before the Army Clemency Board. We pointed out to them that Michael’s sentence was 50% larger than the highest sentence given to any soldier convicted of unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. We also addressed Michael’s unblemished record in prison for the past two years, his many accomplishments while incarcerated, and his unblemished civilian record. We stressed that he was not a threat to anyone and offered many letters of reference including those from the Governor of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Attorney General, Law Enforcement Agency Heads, and all of the supporters who took the time to write letters of support for Michael. In addition, the entire Oklahoma Congressional Delegation offered their support for Michael’s clemency. We also had three letters of immediate employment for Michael upon his release. After our arguments to the Clemency Board, the Board had no additional uncompleted factors for Michael, and the Chairman of the Clemency Board stated that Michael had “turned the corner.” Unfortunately, on December 22nd, Michael was notified that all of our efforts fell on deaf ears and he was denied even ONE day of clemency by the Clemency Board and the Secretary of the Army John McHugh. We have no idea why they denied Michael’s clemency request and can only surmise that the Secretary of the Army desires Michael to spend a substantial amount of time in prison.

Michael’s Appeal Hearing before the Army Appeal Court took place on December 9th in Washington, DC and was well attended by Michael’s family and a courtroom full of supporters who drove many hours to attend the hearing. In the Appeal’s Hearing the Army seemed to be taking a new position on the facts of the case. During Michael’s trial in February 2009 the crux of the entire case revolved around whether Ali Mansur was sitting and executed or standing and reaching for Michael’s gun. The Army prosecutor’s theory was that Michael executed Mansur while Mansur sat on a rock in a culvert. Michael’s testimony was that he was questioning Mansur in the culvert when Mansur stood up and lunged for his weapon. The Army prosecutors claimed Michael’s testimony was “impossible” and “self-serving” despite all the forensic evidence supporting Michael’s version (including their own expert witness who they sent home rather than have testify.) During the appeal’s hearing the Army seemed to back away from its original theory stating that even if Mansur was standing and reaching for Michael’s weapon Michael would still be guilty of murder because he lost his right to defend himself by pointing a loaded gun at Mansur. Telling a soldier that they lost their right to defend themselves in a war zone….against a known terrorist… is just plain crazy talk by people who have never been in harm’s way. It reinforces the point made by a newly elected Congressman who said that soldiers have to watch their back against JAG officers even more than an enemy that is trying to kill them. But the most disappointing thing we learned at the hearing was that a decision on Michael’s appeal could take as long as 15 months.

I promise you as we have promised Michael: we will never cease fighting for Michael’s freedom no matter how high or how hard the climb. When we spoke to Michael this week he wanted us to wish each of you a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year; and to let you know his spirit is as strong as ever because of all YOUR support – for that, we Thank You!

We appreciate the many letters to Michael inspiring him to fight through this ordeal. We encourage you to continue to write to him with your kind words of support (his prison address can be found on the website, DefendMichael.com.) Also please continue to write to your Congressmen and Senators to ensure that they are aware of your feelings about our government treating its enemies better than we treat our bravest heroes.

Here are some articles by two writers who attended the Appellate Hearing:

DianaWest.net

NewsOK.com

Peace to you and your families,

Scott & Vicki Behenna

www.DefendMichael.com

Merry Christmas!

Instead of the American Dream, the Church Should be Living God's Dream

"...many of us are realizing that Jesus has different priorities. Instead of congratulating us on our self-fulfillment, he confronts us with our inability to accomplish anything of value apart from God. Instead of wanting us to be recognized by others, he beckons us to die to ourselves and seek above all the glory of God.
In my own faith family, the Church at Brook Hills, we have tried to get out from under the American Dream mindset and start living and serving differently."

Read this article about a church who is truly getting the vision for what the church should REALLY be about.

Listen to Israel Wayne talk about Psalm 1 in regards to educating our children. All Christians parents should hear this and take it to heart. Go this blog and find more Scripture referring to educating our children. God has a plan we really must take it to heart and follow the wisdom that He has given to us in His Word.

Merry Christmas!

Letter From Jesus About Christmas

(Thank you, Patrice Lewis for sharing this letter on your blog.)

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just get along and love one another.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a “holiday” tree instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks was. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember…

I love you.

- Jesus

Thank You, Ralph

So, what do you think of my new blog banner?
I think it looks AWESOME!!!
I have my wonderful husband, Ralph to thank for it.
He is my creative computer guy.

Congress Overturns Military Ban of Gays Serving Openly

Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people."

WASHINGTON -- In a landmark vote, the Senate on Saturday ended the Clinton-era ban on gays serving openly in the military, marking a major triumph for President Obama, liberals and the gay community.

The final vote to end the Pentagon's 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" policy was 65-31, drawing support from eight Republicans.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/17/senate-faces-historic-vote-military-gay-ban/#ixzz18WphiKRl

Make Christmas Ornaments with Shoshanna from Bulk Herb

Government Education versus Home Education

Women in Combat...it is finally here!

"The civil law, as well as nature herself, has always recognized a wide difference in the respective spheres and destinies of man and woman. Man is, or should be, woman’s protector and defender. (Bradwell v. Illinois, U.S. Supreme Court, 1873)
The Air Force Times, in reporting on the story, explained:
The Defense Department should eliminate restrictions on women serving in combat units and end all ‘gender restrictive policies,’ according to a blue-ribbon panel created by Congress. The move would end the military’s long tradition of all-male combat units and open up career fields like infantry and armor to ‘qualified women.’ . . .

What is being proposed by the Military Leadership Diversity Commission is reprehensible to God’s moral order. It is horrendous, and it must be opposed."

To read this entire article by Doug Phillips, go to Vision Forum.

Do You Desire To Adopt a Baby?

"Interested in adopting a baby? Frustrated with the adoption system, Tammi went to the local abortion clinic on LATE abortion day. She introduced herself to all aborting moms; and offered to adopt their babies. The very first time she went, God gave her a baby! She was holding her son Kyle in her arms at home two months later. Why don't you try it? (I received this suggestion from my friends the Seppi's)

"Where's the Line to See Jesus"

Ear Trainers

When do you think you should start training your children to listen? When should they start hearing about God? When should they be a part of family devotions? You might be surprised at what Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies has to say about this. It is a marvelous article. Here is an excerpt from it

"We must train our children to hear and obey us so they can hear and obey the Word of God. We must train our children not just to hear words, but to get into the habit of listening with their heart and inner ears.

Not only do we train them to have obedient and prompt ears, but we train them how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks through the hearing of the Word of God. Timothy came to faith by listening to the Scriptures as a child. 2 Timothy 3:15 says, "From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." We don't wait until our children are older to read them the Word of God. We start from when they are babies. The little babe nursing at the breast can hear the God's words at Family Devotions every evening and morning. The little toddler rocking on his mother's or father's knee at Family Devotions is being prepared for salvation as he listens to living words of God."

To read the article in its entirety go to Above Rubies.

Glorying In Our Shame

"Things that used to be shameful are now glorious. Pick something that would have been shocking during Laura Ingalls Wilder's day and see how tame and commonplace, even lauded, it is now. Out of wedlock births? Abortion? An entitlement mentality? A victimhood status? Foul language? Serial marriage? You name it and we're glorifying it. No longer are these "lifestyle choices" something to be embarrassed about. Instead, they are actively embraced and celebrated. Wheee."
Read this entire awesome article by Patrice Lewis over at WND.

Ten Things to Do on Christmas Morning: When all the Gifts are for Him

by Ann Voskamp on December 3, 2010 in Christmas Change

So for over ten years now, we have nothing under the Christmas tree here, and I tell that crazy story and people have to ask and it’s a good question:
So if you don’t exchange gifts, what do you do then on Christmas morning?

To read this entire article go to ChristmasChange.com

Hallelujah Chorus sung at a Food Court

Seven Things to Do With Your Family This Thanksgiving

1. Stop and Thank God from the Bottom of Your Heart and the Depths of Your Soul O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our  salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful  noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above  all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is  his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. —Psalm 95:1-6 If you were to spend every waking moment of every day for the rest of your life noting God’s goodness, you would never begin to chronicle all the things for  which you should thank the Lord. His blessings are innumerable. But on this day,  take time to chronicle much. Get very specific. Thank the Lord for all things:  Thank him for your provision, and the protection He has given to you all year.  Thank Him for the pains and sorrows that are driving you closer to Him. Thank  Him for the problems you have, and thank Him for all the horrors from which you  have been spared. Thank Him for your parents, your children, and your loved  ones. Thank Him for the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. Thank Him for those  friends who love you and whom you love. Thank Him for the opportunities He  has given to you. Thank Him for the mentors in your life. Thank Him for the  sweet seasons and the beautiful memories He has given to you. Thank Him for  His Church and His Word. But, most of all, thank Him for Jesus Christ. Because  of Christ, you can be forgiven of sins, reconciled to the Father, and have the  promise of eternal life. 2. Share the Greatest Stories of the Pilgrim Fathers and God's Providence Remember the days of old, consider the years of many  generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.—Deuteronomy 32:7 Thanksgiving Day is a time for quizzes and story-telling. A great place to begin  is by dedicating time to recount the rich historical evidence of the providence of  God in the life of this nation through the story of the Mayflower Pilgrims. From  their humble beginnings as a cadre of faithful friends and devoted Christians  meeting in Scrooby, England, to their visionary leadership and perseverance in  the New World at Plymouth Plantation, these faithful Separatists left one of the  greatest legacies in the history of the New Testament Church. Yet most American  Christians know little to nothing of the true story of these indefatigable men and  women of God. This Thanksgiving, remedy the problem by telling their story. If  you don’t have any of the many books on the Pilgrims available from Vision  Forum, do a little online research. Visit the website of Pilgrim Hall Museum, for  example. Share the stories of the friendship of William Bradford and William  Brewster; of the persecution of the Scrooby Congregation; of the hardship and  perseverance of the families on board the Mayflower; of the first Sabbath at  Pulpit Rock;  of the importance of the Church covenant; and of the long first  winter in America. Tell how God used a young Indian boy named Squanto to  save the colonists, and share the story of the peace treaty between the  Pilgrims and Chief Massasoit which lasted fifty years. Make sure to read  the farewell letter of pastor John Robinson to his congregation. Have your  children join in the story-telling. Make sure to emphasize the faithfulness  and providence of the Lord. 3. Read the Fourth Chapter from Of Plymouth Plantation Aloud to Your Family Last and not least, they cherished a great hope and inward zeal of laying good  foundations, or at least making some ways toward it, for the propagation and  advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in the remote parts of the world,  even though they should be but stepping stones to others in the performance  of so great a work.—William Bradford If you only read from one book outside the Bible this Thanksgiving, make it   Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford. And if you only have time  for one chapter, make sure it is the fourth. It is in this chapter that we learn about the true reasons why these home-schooling pilgrims debated over  whether or not they should risk their lives to go to America, the ultimate reasons  for their departure (including concern over bad peer influences with their  children), and their tremendous confidence in God. Most importantly, it is here that you read of Bradford’s multi-generational vision of victory. Note: From the  approximately fifty survivors of the first winter, more than 30 million  descendants have come. 4. Take a Pilgrimage to the Homes of the Pilgrims — From Your Living Room Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.—Proverbs 22:28 We are losing our landmarks to liberty in our nation. As I documented in my  article,“Plymouth Crock”, we are even desecrating the landmarks to our Pilgrim  fathers. This is one reason why I believe it is so important that we physically  bring our children to the great Ebenezers of our freedom while they yet remain.  Finally, after more than a decade leading families to Plymouth, home of the  Pilgrim fathers, I was able to take 100 Americans this year on a journey to  Scrooby, England, and the little manor house where the Pilgrim congregation  was birthed. What a journey! Please let me share it with you by watching the  video which I have posted on my blog. Then learn about the little  eight-hundred-year-old manor house that changed the  world in my article, “A Pilgrimage to Scrooby”. 5. Read George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation at the Dinner Table Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty  God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His  protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint  committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day  of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with  grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by  affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for  their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign  Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these  States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent  author of all the good that was, thatis, or that will be.—George Washington The practice of setting aside days of prayer, days of fasting and humiliation  before the Lord, and days of thanksgiving for the mercies of Jesus Christ was practiced by our Pilgrim and Puritan fathers, promoted by our  legislatures and Congress, and honored by our presidents. On this national day  of Thanksgiving, let’s remember that we do not honor a “turkey day,” but the  God of Heaven who George Washington described in his Thanksgiving  Proclamation of 1789, as “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” I recommend  that you print off the proclamation and read it before your dinner meal. 6. Tell the Story of the Providence of God in the Life of Your Family I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have  heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation  to come the praises of the LORD, and his  strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. —Psalm 78:2-4 The Lord has not only blessed this nation with a rich providential history, but you  too have a story that needs to be told. Your children need to hear it and  understand the mercies of God in the life of your family. So, this Thanksgiving,  chronicle all that God has done in the history of your family. How many  generations has your family been in America? How did they get here? When, if  ever, did your fathers embrace the Gospel? 7. Purpose to Fight Hard and Hold Fast History is not made by majorities, but by dedicated minorities of like-minded  friends who have joined together in common cause. This was the Pilgrim legacy,  and it must be ours as well. To change the world, courageous men and women  must “fight hard and hold fast” to the things they know to be true. Most people  will not fight hard and hold fast (which is why most people are spectators  instead of world-changers). If you are grateful, purpose to be engaged. Purpose  to be part of an important work for the Lord. Purpose to stand with those who  are fighting hard and holding fast. Purpose to be a twenty-first-century pilgrim  for Jesus Christ. Conclusion: Happy Thanksgiving! On behalf of Beall, Joshua, Justice, Liberty, Jubilee, Faith Evangeline, Honor,  Providence, and Virginia, and all the families of Vision Forum, we wish you a  truly happy, truly grateful, truly blessed Thanksgiving Day! May the Lord  bless you and keep you, and may He cause His face to shine upon you. Persevero,

Christmas: Thinking About Whose Birthday It Is

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I AM CROWNED!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

who forgives all your iniquities,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from destruction,

who crowns you with loving kindness

and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:1-4).

What a loving, tender-hearted and compassionate God we have. Every day He crowns me with loving kindnesses. Every day He crowns you with loving kindnesses.

Do I hear you say, "When was the last time God crowned me?" Stop and think about it for a moment. God crowns you with His loving kindnesses through people around you. When your baby or your little child smiles at you, in fact when anyone smiles at you, you are crowned with God's loving kindness. Every time your husband embraces you, you receive another one of God's loving kindnesses. Every time he helps you with the dishes or baths the children, it is God's blessing to you. When someone says an encouraging word to you, it is God's loving kindness to you. He has not forgotten about you. You are graven on the palms of His hands. He has forgiven your sins. He has healed you manytimes.

When you sit down at your table and eat the bountiful food God daily provides for you, it is His loving kindness to you. When you reap the harvest from the garden you have planted, it is His loving kindness. When you look up at the clouds and are reminded of His faithfulness, you are crowned. You look at the mountains, the ocean, the undulating hills and trees and you are blessed that He has given you all these things to freely enjoy. And you don't have to pay a cent. The world is yours to enjoy, no matter how little money you have in your pocket!

Start looking for God's loving kindnesses. They are all around you. They are happening to you throughout the day. Instead of focusing on your problems and disappointments, look out for God's blessings. Learn to be aware of them. Do not forget one of His benefits. Not one! Gratefully thank the Lord for every tiny one. I am starting to do this more and more. In fact, when I read this Scripture about being crowned I was very convicted. I realized that I had been taking God's blessings for granted. Now I seek to thank the Lord for crowning me every time I receive a blessing-a hug, a smile, a word of encouragement, the blessingof children around me and the joy they give with their antics and funny things they say. The blessings of God's creation-the flowers, the birds, the butterflies and the beautiful colors of the fall which I am beholding as I look out of my window now.  It makes such a difference to your life when you become grateful for every little crowning from the Lord.

Because God is crowning me through His people (and maybe even those who are not His people), am I letting Him use me to be his vehicle through which he can crown others? This is a challenge for us, isn't it?

Recently my daughter, Serene faced a difficult trial, a little more difficult because her husband was overseas fulfilling a contract with the military. In the middle of being weighed down by the problem, her car ran out of gas in the middle of a busy lane of traffic. She had all the children in the car and the car wouldn't budge another inch! She put on her blinkers and decided to call the police, but her phone suddenly went dead! She was stuck!

She cried out to the Lord. He nudged her to try the car again. Miraculously it started and she managed, weaving through traffic, to get to the side of the road. She was still stranded, but then God showed her His loving kindness. People stopped their cars to help her. She had more help than she could use. Some were people she would normally be scared to talk to.

One big burly guy with tattoos all over him drove to a service station and bought gas for her and filled up her car. She knew God was sending His angels to her. Not only did she get gas for her car, but the loving kindness of strangers and this big, scary tattooed "angel" caused Serene to feel God's loving kindness pouring all over her. She forgot all her problems and filled the van with praises the rest of her journey.

We can be used by the Lord to crown our husband, our children and many others with the loving kindness of the Lord. Let's be on the offensive to give love-hugs, smiles, affirmation, encouragement and practical help wherever needed. What a blessing to be the instrument of God's loving kindness.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, of Above Rubies

PRAYER:

"Thank you, dear Father, for constantly crowning me with your loving kindnesses. Help me to be aware of them and full of gratefulness to you. And please anoint me to be a messenger of your loving kindnesses to others around me. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
I will not forget a single blessing!

Christian Persecution

There are many people around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in God. Go the to Right Scoop and watch this video about two pastors who were arrested in Uzbekistan and what their families had to endure, and for one family, continue to endure. Please pray for the persecuted church

The Rainbow-A Reminder That God Keeps His Promises

by Dean Curtis News-Leader

A light rain splattered my windshield as I drove to work. As of that moment, the only good thing about the day was that it was Friday. Heavy gray clouds were rolling in from the west. Soon they would eclipse the lighter eastern sky. Yet, before they could, the sun sent one last beam through the clouds and painted a brush stroke of colors on the dreariness.

Luckily, I was downtown. Now what should I put in the photo with the rainbow? I didn't have much time.

Hammons Tower? Probably not.

The Heer's building? Certainly not.

The copper-clad steeple of St. Joseph Catholic Church came to mind. It was just a short distance away and I was fairly confident I could get a mostly unobstructed angle. It was fitting, too. Isn't a rainbow a sign of God's covenant with us that another great flood will not come?

I parked just east of the church and darted across Boonville Avenue to get just the right angle. I only shot for a minute or two before the clouds closed the window of light. The brief rainbow was gone.

I stood in the rain and realized it wasn't such a bad day after all.

Veterans Day

Thank a Veteran today for your freedoms.

I wish to thank my husband, son, father-in-law and father for serving our country selflessly and for helping us to keep the freedoms our founder fathers fought to give us.

Thank you to ALL Veterans and their families for serving your country honorably.

Happy Birthday, Augustus Montague Toplady

 "Today (November 4) is the birthday of Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778), the Anglican clergyman who wrote “Rock of Ages,” one of the greatest English hymns ever."

Evangelism in the UK

Here is an excerpt from a great article by Paul Levy,  to read the article in its in entirety go to Reformation 21.

"If in our evangelism we are saying it's not the simple teaching of the life giving word that does the job, there is a danger that is how our converts will go on in the faith. The bible is plain do not put your trust in princes or minor celebrities, have faith in the gospel word to do it's work.  That is the battle I face as a Christian and a minister do I really believe the word has the power to change my life and peoples lives or do I need something else. It's the battle in the church and it's increasingly the battle in evangelism."

HAPPY

REFORMATION

DAY!

 Thank God today for the boldness of those who came before us to stand for the truth and for those who continue even now to stand for holiness and truth. May God be glorified in the sacrifices made by those who live by God's Word and are not afraid to expose the sin in the Church and desire to see the Church spotless and without wrinkle.

The Five Scariest Things You Can Do This Halloween

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)

By Doug Phillips

Our country is in the grip of a fear crisis. The tension because of this fear is almost palpable. There is fear over elections, fear over the economy, and fear over hundreds of other issues ranging from the environment to terrorism.

The one fear that America is missing is a fear of the Lord. As a people, we no longer fear God. Because we do not fear God, we no longer hate evil (Proverbs 8:13).

Instead of hating evil, Americans toy with it. We toy with holidays like Halloween that were conceived in evil and that promote the “cute-ification” of evil, whether that evil takes the form of witchcraft, sorcery, ghoulishness, or some other form of malevolent imagery paraded before our children. We laugh at the very things that the Lord describes as “abominations,” and we find ourselves obsessively fascinated by, and attracted to, all things dark.

Yet we do not fear the Lord.

Those who “hate evil” are very scary to a secular society that fears man more than God. They are scary because they dare to declare that there are absolute standards by which society must be governed. They are scary because, if they are successful, industries like Hollywood that make billions of dollars by promoting ungodly fear will lose their influence. They are scary because such people will not be swayed by political candidates who use fear as a tool for manipulation.

With this in mind, I offer you the five “scariest” things you can do this Halloween:

1. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not make light of evil. Halloween was conceived in evil and has remained a celebration that uses children to promote a fascination with darkness and superstitious fear. Simultaneously, it makes light of things that the Bible describes as evil. Stand against such things, and the world will find you very scary indeed. The fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil (Proverbs 16:6).
2. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not be fearful. The media wants you to be afraid of everything from overpopulation to global warming. The politicians want you to be afraid of the economy and political instability. God wants you to do what is morally right, trust Him completely, and never be gripped by an ungodly spirit of fear. You can place your trust and hope for this nation in the King of Kings. Jesus said: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). Believe this, and you will be light to the world.
3. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to completely skip Halloween and remember Reformation Day. It was 493 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his world-changing 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. These theses included rebukes to ungodly fear and superstition. 501 years ago, sometime near October 31, a baby named John Calvin was conceived who would dedicate his life to eradicating an ungodly fear of superstitious beliefs and proclaiming the gospel of grace. His emphasis on reformation, revival, and the sufficiency of Scripture had such far-reaching implications for nations like the United States that he has been described by Christian and secular scholars alike as the true founding father of America. The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day. They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men. It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used by God to liberate untold numbers of men and women. But to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
4. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to refuse to watch or allow your children to watch any of the toxic Halloween and horror films emerging from Hollywood. America’s fascination with ungodly fear has made horror the most popular and fastest-growing film genre among youth. When parents allow their children to toy with this genre, they promote ungodly fear, and they contribute to the fear-factories in Hollywood that prey upon the youth of our culture. Say “no” to Hollywood horror and you will be dangerously scary to the media elite. “Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence....?” (Jeremiah 5:22).
5. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to get on your knees as a mother and father and pray that the Lord will send you many, children who will fear God, not man — children who will especially shun the glorification of witchcraft, the bondage of ungodly fear, and the “cute-ification” of evil that is promoted through holidays like Halloween. Cultures that toy with evil end up being cultures of death. The Christian response is to be a people of life. That means babies. It means fearing God by honoring His command to “be fruitful and multiply.” It means remembering that the Scripture describes children as a “blessing” and a “reward.” Raise children that fear God more than man, and that will be answer enough to our Halloween- and darkness-obsessed culture; for if you trust God over your womb and commit your children to a holy education, you will be very scary to the modern world. “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11).