Click above for more info on the best selling book of all time.
Fact or fable? click above
Who was he? click above
Lyrics: Kemper Crabb
Music: Kemper Crabb & Frank Hart
The judges sat outside the Law
And in their pride no evil saw
In setting teeth to Satan's jaw
And feeding him our children.
When viewed in terms of cost and ease
An unborn child is a disease
A holocaust seen fit to please
Our own convience.
A curse A curse the Law it cries.
A curse a curse on mankind's pride.
A curse on him who would deny
God's image in mankind.
Torn from out their mother's womb
Denied the sky - denied a tomb
Conceived in lust to their own ruin
A sacrifice to pleasure.
The doctors with their blood red hands
Who love their money more than man,
With greed their god they lay their plans
The butchers of mankind.
A curse a curse the blood cries out
A curse a curse the heavens shout
A curse a curse on he who flouts
God's image in mankind.
O rid us of this evil, Lord
And turn our hearts by cross or Sword.
Our nation cannot long afford
To live beneath your judgements.
A curse a curse upon their heads
O save them Lord or slay them dead
And fill our country with your Dread
And turn away Your anger.
Malediction
UNITED STATES
Number of abortions per year: 1.37 Million (1996)
Number of abortions per day: Approximately 3,700
Who's having abortions (age)?
52% of women obtaining abortions in the U.S. are younger than 25: Women aged 20-24 obtain 32% of all abortions; Teenagers obtain 20% and girls under 15 account for 1.2%.
Who's having abortions (race)?
While white women obtain 60% of all abortions, their abortion rate is well below that of minority women. Black women are more than 3 times as likely as white women to have an abortion, and Hispanic women are roughly 2 times as likely.
Who's having abortions (marital status)?
64.4% of all abortions are performed on never-married women; Married women account for 18.4% of all abortions and divorced women obtain 9.4%.
Who's having abtions (religion)?
Women identifying themselves as Protestants obtain 37.4% of all abortions in the U.S.; Catholic women account for 31.3%, Jewish women account for 1.3%, and women with no religious affiliation obtain 23.7% of all abortions. 18% of all abortions are performed on women who identify themselves as "Born-again/Evangelical".
Who's having abortions (income)?
Women with family incomes less than $15,000 obtain 28.7% of all abortions; Women with family incomes between $15,000 and $29,999 obtain 19.5%; Women with family incomes between $30,000 and $59,999 obtain 38.0%; Women with family incomes over $60,000 obtain 13.8%.
Why women have abortions
1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest; 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child, and 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient).
At what gestational ages are abortions performed:
52% of all abortions occur before the 9th week of pregnancy, 25% happen between the 9th & 10th week, 12% happen between the 11th and 12th week, 6% happen between the 13th & 15th week, 4% happen between the 16th & 20th week, and 1% of all abortions (16,450/yr.) happen after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Likelihood of abortion:
An estimated 43% of all women will have at least 1 abortion by the time they are 45 years old. 47% of all abortions are performed on women who have had at least one previous abortion.
Abortion coverage:
48% of all abortion facilities provide services after the 12th week of pregnancy. 9 in 10 managed care plans routinely cover abortion or provide limited coverage. About 14% of all abortions in the United States are paid for with public funds, virtually all of which are state funds. 16 states (CA, CT, HI, ED, IL, MA , MD, MD, MN, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA and WV) pay for abortions for some poor women.
FDA considering new standards for birth control drugs
"Evidence Doesn't Matter" in APA Abortion Advocacy
The Pill – Progesterone only, low dose combination pills
The Physician’s Desk Reference lists the above hormonal contraceptives as having three mechanisms of action: 1) Prevent ovulation, 2) Thicken the cervical mucous to prevent sperm from entering the uterus and fallopian tube, and 3) Alter the lining of the uterus so implantation cannot take place. The third action, if and when it occurs, is abortifacient (meaning a human life has begun but cannot continue to develop without the nourishment provided through the mother’s uterine wall). Although pro-life physicians continue to debate if and how often hormonal contraceptives interfere with the implantation of an embryo, it is important to educate ourselves and our clients about this potential action of the Pill. Those who seek to protect the sanctity of human life from the point of fertilization should be cautious about taking any drug which could end the developing child’s life.
For further research, download or purchase the helpful booklet Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
Norplant
This implant is placed under the skin of the arm for up to a 5 year period. The progesterone hormone’s effect is to suppress ovulation, but after 2 years, there is a greater chance of break-through ovulation and fertilization. The hormone may prevent implantation of the embryo.
Depo-Provera
This Progesterone (hormone) derivative is injected every 3 months to prevent a woman from ovulating, but it also alters the uterine lining. Break-through ovulation and fertilization may occur, though less frequently than with Norplant. The hormone may prevent implantation of the embryo.
Morning after pill
Large doses of existing birth control pills (or another drug levonorgestrel, known as Plan B) are given up to 72 hours after intercourse to attempt to prevent the implantation of the embryo. A second dose is given 12 hours after the first one. The action of these large doses of hormones birth control pills work to prevent ovulation and/or fertilization.
RU-486
When a woman is given RU-486 (also called Mifepristone), it kills her baby by interfering with progesterone, the hormone which keeps the baby implanted in the wall of the mother’s uterus. Two days later, the woman returns to the clinic to receive a prostaglandin drug which induces labor and expels the dead embryo (RU-486 is used until 7 weeks after the first day of her last menstrual period). If the baby hasn’t been expelled by the time the woman makes her third visit to the doctor, she will require a surgical abortion procedure (5-8% likelihood). Raymond, Klein & Dumble, the pro-abortion authors of RU486 Misconceptions, Myths and Morals, (IWT Pub, 1991) stress that RU-486 is not safe for women and list the following contraindications (reasons a person should not take RU-486): under age 18 or over 35; menstrual irregularities; history of fibroids, abnormal menstrual bleeding or endometriosis cervical incompetence, previous abortion, or abnormal pregnancies; pelvic inflammatory disease; recent use of IUD or the pill 3 months.
Methotrexate & Misoprostol
Two drugs that were developed for cancer (methotrexate) and ulcer (misoprostol) treatment are now being used in combination to kill babies. Methotrexate is used to poison the baby and then Misoprostol empties the uterus of the baby. Keep in mind that Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug with the potential for serious toxicity, which can result in the death of the mother as well as the baby. (Methotrexate & Misoprostol to Terminate Early Pregnancy, R. Hausknecht, New England Journal of Medicine, Vol.333, No. 9, 8/31/95, Pg. 537 and “Methotrexate & Misoprostol,” M. Creinin et al., JAMA, Oct. 19, 1994 and Physicians Desk Reference)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
# We believe that Jesus Christ is 'True God from True God,' Fully God and Fully Man, God Incarnate, and the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is not just a good example, a nice person, or a prophet, rather He is God the Son.
# We believe that there is salvation under no other name except that of Jesus Christ.
# We believe in the inerrancy (historical and otherwise) of the sixty-six divinely inspired books of the Bible (when properly understood).
# We believe in the sanctity of life. As such, we reject abortion without exception and any birth control method that may act as an abortifacient and cause an abortion.
# We believe that Christianity and abortion are absolutely incompatible. As such, any pro-choice person who claims to be Christian must not have an adequate understanding of the issues.
Click above for someone who considered having an abortion
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When does the unborn baby's heart begin to beat?
The heartbeat begins on the 21st day after conception.
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When does the brain begin to function?
Electrical brain waves have been recorded as early as forty days.
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How early can a baby survive outside the mother's womb?
Currently, twenty weeks is considered the accepted minimum. However, this time will be reduced as medical technology continues to improve.
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What about cases of rape and incest?
Pregnancy from rape is extremely rare. As reasons for legalizing abortion rape and incest are nothing more than emotional screens used by those profiting from abortion. But we must approach the victim of rape or incest with great compassion. The woman has been subjected to an ugly trauma, and she needs love, support and help. But she has been the victim of one violent act. Should we now ask her to be a party to a second violent act -that of abortion? Unquestionably, many would return the violence of killing an innocent baby for the violence of rape. But, before making this decision, remember that most of the trauma has already occurred. She has been raped. That trauma will live with her all her life. Furthermore, this girl did not report for help, but kept this to herself. For several weeks or months, she has thought of little else. Now, she has finally asked for help, has shared her upset, and should be in a supportive situation. more information
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But what about the child with disease who will die a slow death or live his life as a burden to his family?
Do you believe the new "ethic" should be that we kill the suffering or burdensome? Some of these cases are tragic, some are also inspirational. We cannot assume the responsibility for killing an unborn child simply because the child has not yet been seen in public. The child's place of residence does not change what abortion does - kill a human being.
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What about the population boom? We can hardly feed the people of the world now!
True, the population of the world is growing, but population is not much of a problem in the United States. With a birth every 8 seconds and a death every 11 seconds, the U.S. population is growing at less than one percent per year. (www.census.gov)
Population growth or decline compares replacement of the current number of reproductive age individuals with the number of babies being born. By this measure, the United States is now in a sharp population decline.
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How can a girl give up her own baby for adoption and go through life never knowing what is happening to her child?
Which is better to remember, "I gave my baby life. And because I loved him, I gave him into the arms of a loving couple" - or to remember, "I selfishly ended my baby's life?"
We opened our clinic and the first month we did 45 abortions. The last month I was there, with two clinics functioning in the Dallas area, we did over 500 abortions a month in that clinic. I was compensated at the rate of $25.00 per case plus one-third of the clinics, so you can imagine what my motivation was. I sold abortions.
I had made $150,000; was on target in 1983 to make $260,000; and when we opened our five clinics, I would have been taking home about a million dollars a year. I expected to make more than that after we were functioning.
At the time we were planning to open the five clinics there were some problems between the partners. We decided to call in a business counselor and worked with him for thirty days. It turns out this man was a preacher. He told me that God had sent him because there was someone in there that the Lord wanted out. I left in 27 days.
Selling Abortion to Confused Young Women
I'm sure you've seen those numbers advertised that say "Problem Pregnancy," "Abortion Information," or "Pregnant?". When a young girl finds out she is pregnant, she may not want an abortion, she may just want information.
But when she calls that number that's paid for by abortion money, what kind of information do you think she is going to get? Remember, they sell abortions. They don't sell keeping the baby. They don't sell giving the baby up. They don't sell delivering the baby in any form. They only sell abortions.
The counselor that the girl speaks to on the telephone is paid to be her friend. She is supposed to seduce her into a friendship of sorts to sell her the abortion.
I cannot tell you one thing that happens in an abortion clinic that is not a lie.
There are usually two questions the girls ask. The first is: Does it hurt? "Oh, no. Your uterus is a muscle. It's a cramp to open it: a cramp to close it; it's a slight cramping sensation. Everybody's had cramps - every woman in the world."
Then they ask: Is it a baby? "No, it's product of conception; it's a blood clot; it's a piece of tissue."
When the girl goes in for the abortion she pays up front then goes into a room for counseling. They give her a 6 to 12 page form. This form is written by an abortion attorney to confuse the girl to death. It works and she doesn't ask any questions. She goes back to the two questions: Does it hurt? Is it a baby?
I cannot tell you one thing that happens in an abortion clinic that is not a lie.
Carol Everett
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Hand Of God -
A Journey from Death to Life
by the Abortion Doctor
Who Changed His Mind
The Autobiography of
Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson, M.D.
Seeds of Grace is a project of love for Judy Kranz. She felt the Lord's leading as the pastor of her church told her of the shelter that was once run by her church, Plainwell Assembly of God. The corporation has been formed, and is in process of filing its 501c3 status as a non profit organization. Once completed, Seeds of Grace intends to provide housing, education, job skills training, counseling, and the teachings of Christ in a safe setting for homeless women, children, families, and men of Allegan County, Michigan. We anticipate, if the Lord is willing, being up and running by Spring of 2008. If you would like to get involved by donating time, talent, or treasure you can contact us at alleganseedsofgrace@yahoo.com or the contact number below at our temporary office. You can also click the link below to make a donation through Paypal or using your credit card.
Here are the alarming facts...
bullet 1 out of 5 kids have been solicited sexually online.
bullet 1 out of 17 kids have been harassed, threatened, or bullied.
bullet One third of kids have been contacted by a stranger and half of these were considered inappropriate.
bullet Most kids will not report inappropriate Internet contact to their parents because they are afraid of losing Internet privileges.
bullet 9 out of 10 parents will never know that any inappropriate contact has occurred.
bullet Sex, drugs and alcohol are some of the most common discussion topics.
CYBERsitter - CYBERsitter Version 10 now available for Windows XP and Vista. CYBERsitter is the original Internet filter. It is the best choice for pre-teens and public/educational/institutional use. It was designed to be easy to use and easy to install. It is a full-featured content management product that keeps kids safe by restricting access to millions of objectionable Internet websites, providing detailed logs of all Internet access, and much more. New categories include social networking sites such as MySpace, FaceBook and others. CYBERsitter is the only Internet filter to receive the prestigious PC Magazine editors choice award 5 times. ...
The clip begins with an ultrasound of the fetus (girl) who is about to be aborted. The girl is moving in the womb; displays a heartbeat of 140 per minute; and is at times sucking her thumb. As the abortionist’s suction tip begins to invade the womb, the child rears and moves violently in an attempt to avoid the instrument. Her mouth is visibly open in a "silent scream."
The child’s heart rate speeds up dramatically (to 200 beats per minute) as she senses aggression. She moves violently away in a pathetic attempt to escape the instrument. The abortionist’s suction tip begins to rip the baby’s limbs from its body, ultimately leaving only her head in the uterus (too large to be pulled from the uterus in one piece). The abortionist attempts to crush her head with his forceps, allowing it to be removed
In an effort to "dehumanize" the procedure, the abortionist and anesthesiologist refer to the baby’s head as "number 1." The abortionist crushes "number 1" with the forceps and removes it from the uterus.
The Silent Scream reveals (through ultrasound) the actual responses of a 12-week-old fetus being aborted. As the unborn child attempts to escape the abortionist's curette (abortionist's tool), her motions can be seen to become desperately agitated and her heart rate doubles in fear
Click above for video
Click above for video
Click above for video
In an all-new radio special, Max Lucado brings in-depth encouragement from the believer's platform of hope - John 3:16.
Accented by a New York pastor's experience on 9/11, Max speaks in New York to those radically affected by 9/11...and encourages us all with the reminder that we can hold on to God's love as outlined in John 3:16 - a solid truth in the midst of any storm.
" This is the promise that bears hope for the hopeless. When we finally realize " I can't do this on my own" this is the Father responding, " I kinow, so I've done it for you"
- Jeff Foxworthy, Comedian
For God
So Loved
The World
That He
Gave His
One And Only Son
That
Whoever
Believes
In Him
Shall Not
Perish
But Have
Eternal
Life
John 3:16
He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.
Abortion Doctor
Bernard Nathanson, M.D. wanted to help dying women live in New York in the 1960's. More than 75,000 abortions are attributed to this one man. In the 70's, his conscience was bothering him with questions. In 1984 he asked an abortionist colleague to tape an ultrasound movie of an abortion. What they saw so shocked the colleague that the colleague ceased abortions thereafter. Dr. Nathanson began to show the tape to groups. Don Smith asked to use the tape to create the anti-abortion video, SILENT SCREAM. Though somewhat of a student of "religion" for many years, Nathanson knew nothing of "faith". But, in about 1997, he accepted Jesus as his savior and, in late 1997, published his story in the book: THE HAND OF GOD: A Journey from Death to Life by the Abortion Doctor Who Changed His Mind. His conclusion, having become a believer: abortion doesn't lead to cheapening of attitudes toward life; it IS one of many evils spawned by the perversion of "autonomy". "Autonomy", in this sense, refers to that sense of personal choice...an attitude which has become essentially a deified attitude in the USA. Freedom...liberty...personal choice above all!
Testimony group #1, KILLERS CONVERTED:
Norma McCorvey wanted an abortion and wanted it "legal". Though she never had it (gave baby for adoption), in the process, she told her attorneys that she was pregnant because she had been raped. She gave the baby up for adoption. In 1972-73, in the case known as Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court of the USA concluded that abortion should be legalized; and this tragically erroneous interpretation lead to 41,000,000 legal abortions (sheddings of innocent blood) in the USA from 1973-2002.
After a confrontational friendship with Operation Rescue leader "Flip" Benham and a loving relationship with little Emily Mackey, Jesus entered the picture of McCorvey's life through the alter call of pastor Morris Sheets of Hillcrest Church, Dallas in 1995. Norma later confessed the rape lie and renounced the evil of abortion. Her story is in book form: Won By Love. And she is now a leading spokesperson against abortion through her Dallas, Texas ministry organization, Roe No More Ministries. Read her testimony at this web site.
Update: In June 2003, Norma and her attorney, Allen Parker...after working on the suit for about 3 years...filed a motion to the U. S. Supreme Court that it reverse the decision because we know so much more now: 3-D sonograms show an actual little baby for all the world to see; molecular biology, fertility programs and frozen embryos, and cloning data all convincingly confirm that a new life begins at conception; 44 states now have "baby Moses" laws which protect a mother who abandons a child to the state; and crisis pregnancy centers now outnumber abortion centers 3-4:1.
How bad could a cute little thing be?
Taught by her mother to "roll it right" and stoned from age 8 to her imprisonment in 1983 at age 23, she mainlined heroin at age 10. This cute Houston girl, who considered herself ugly by comparison to her sisters, and Daniel Garrett visited Jerry Lynn Dean with the intent to steal Jerry's motorcycle. Daniel hit Jerry in the head with a hammer, and Karla Faye grabbed a 3-foot pickax and rained blow after blow on Jerry. She later claimed to police that she had an each time over 20 blows slammed into Jerry. She also killed his friend Deborah Thornton, leaving the ax embedded in her chest. She bragged that the killings proved she, "...could run with the big boys." In 1984, while in prison, along came a former "druggie", Karen Gill, from the Family Center southwest of Houston. After hearing Karen's story of transformation by accepting Jesus, Karla Faye came forward, accepted Jesus as her lord and savior and proved to become a born-again believer. She worked among prisoners; and, in late 1997 on death row, set to become only the second female subject of the death penalty in Texas since 1863, she said, "I want more time to spread the Gospel." She noted that the huge international media interest in her situation presented, "...a bigger window of opportunity to show the life that Jesus Christ has given to me, a life I want to give back to others." It is said that about 10% of seriously imprisoned persons eventually become "jail house converts". The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review her case, and she was executed 3 Feb. 1998. Fortunately, because of her conversion, Karla Faye Tucker had already received the only pardon that really counts!
"Son of Sam" becomes "son of HOPE": Born in 1953, raised in a loving Jewish family in the Bronx, and becoming involved in "the " in his 20s, his random point-blank shootings cast a 13 month reign of terror over New York City in 1976-77. Six were killed and 7 others seriously injured. He was sentenced to 365 years in prison...essentially no hope of parole. After about 10 years in prison, he laughed loudly in the face of a fellow prisoner who boldly came to him with the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, his rejection of this good news was short-lived. David Berkowitz became a Jesus believer, and a Christian Church in San Diego hosts his personal web site and testimony because they remain continually convinced that his conversion in 1987 was authentic. check it out Also, see the Wikipedia write up about him.
#2, FAMOUS BELIEVERS
Nashville, TN - In November of 1996, Andy Griffith told Guideposts in an interview about his painful experience with Guillain-Barré syndrome, "I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before." His life has born testimony to this faith since his youth.
When he was a child in Sunday School in Mt. Airy, North Carolina where he was born and raised (and one of the inspirations for Mayberry), Andy claims, "I would sing 'Jesus Loves Me' so loud that everybody would notice." Today Griffith is still belting out hymns, and in his own words tells how he got from point A, well, back to point A again.
"In February 1952, I went to New York and auditioned for the 'Fred Waring Chorus' as a trained classical singer. I didn't get the job. Then I auditioned for a theater named 'The Papermill Playhouse' in New Jersey -- again as a trained classical singer. Not only did I not get the job, but while I was singing the first chorus of "Dancing in the Dark" the man in charge of the audition stopped me and called me aside and said, 'Your voice is over-brilliant, almost unpleasantly so. Forget it -- you'll never find a place in theater -- especially not as a singer.'
I've now been in show business 44 years -- twice on Broadway. That man was right, though, I didn't make it as a singer. '
I never really sang again until this past year at 69. I was invited by Steve Tyrell of Tyrell Music Group and Billy Ray Hearn of EMI Christian Music Group/Sparrow Records to sing this collection of fine old gospel hymns. Not so much as a classical singer, just as someone who knows and loves these old sacred songs. I do believe my voice sounds better than when I was young -- maybe it's like old wood and wine -- improved with age.
The evolution of my career as an actor, showman and now singer, was not quite that simple.
"I was born and raised by two fine people -- Carl and Geneva Griffith -- in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. I went through grammar school and high school there and was not a very good student. I really didn't have a lot of motivation or direction until I turned 14.
I loved the big bands and swing music that I heard on the radio and in movies. One day I saw a movie, 'Birth of the Blues.' It starred Bing Crosby and of course, it had Dixie Land Band. At some point Jack Teagarten, one of the great trombone players, took the slide off his trombone and played with a water glass on the end of his slide. I thought that was the neatest thing.
I had been looking at pictures of horns (clarinets, saxophones, trumpets and trombones) in Spiegel Catalog for months -- not knowing how -- but hoping to get one. It was seeing Jack Teagarten with his trombone that made my decision. My father was dead set against my ordering it. He couldn't afford the $36.00 instrument.
A job opened up through the National Youth Administration for a 15-year-old boy to sweep out the high school for $6.00 a month. Nobody applied so I said I was 15 and got the job. That bought the trombone and two instruction books. Then one day I heard (through my father's foreman at the furniture factory) of a Moravian minister on the north end of town who taught music.
The long and short of it is -- he taught me to play the trombone and every other horn he had in his church. When I was 16, he started teaching me singing. His name was Reverend Edward Timothy Mickey and he was the direct cause of my going to college.
I entered the university of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a pre-ministerial student with a major in sociology (which I hated). Having finished Latin, Greek and on my way to Hebrew -- I went to see the Bishop of the Moravian Church in Winston-Salem to ask him if I could major in music and still be a minister. He said no. And that I could not serve God by singing Light Opera. (I don't know where he got Light Opera.) But anyway, I changed my major to music and of course did not become a preacher. I did owe the church $80.00 which I eventually paid back.
After graduation I took a job teaching high school choral music in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I was director of the choir at the First Baptist Church there and for a while I conducted the community chorus.
I taught for three years and was not good at it -- better than I would have been at preaching -- but still not good.
Then I went to New York for that fateful audition.
The man who told me my voice was awful didn't know what a great favor he was doing me. Although I had trained all those years to be a singer, I believed him. I didn't know what I would do, but something or Someone was guiding me. I often say, "Mr. Jesus will lead me to it." I guess that's it.
I have had 44 good years so far as an actor and entertainer in show business -- on the stage, in night clubs, on film and television. And now I get the opportunity to record I Love To Tell The Story - 25 Favorite Hymns -- as a singer for heaven's sake.
At the ripe age of 69, 'Mr. Jesus' let me become a singer again. So that's full circle and I hope those who listen to this record, I Love to Tell the Story, will enjoy it and be blessed by it as much as we who played and sang on it were. Thank you."
He began by revealing his feelings of deep loneliness, even during his successful stint on "Growing Pains." Kirk said that much like the character Buck Williams whom he plays in the movie, he discovered how much he needs Christ in his life. Through a friend Kirk came to know God. "He said, 'Kirk, what you're feeling and the things you are talking to me about are the result of the fact that you don't know God. You don't know that you were made by God to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.' He explained to me about how sin separates you from God and how there is this stubborn, selfish streak that ran deep in the heart of every person, that we're all the same and that we need to turn our hearts to God and ask Him to forgive us, that God, more than anything, wants us to do that and He has provided a way for that to happen through His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the price of my sin. So we can just come to Him and say 'God, please forgive me. I'll live my life for You.'
And I thought that, although I wanted it to be true, and I wrestled with so many thoughts in my mind and I had so many questions and doubts. And finally there was a day where I remember very vividly saying to myself, 'You know, Kirk, you can play around with the ideas of God and being a good person and all this stuff, but you know what? If you died tonight, you wouldn't be going to heaven, because if the Bible's true then being a good person is not what it's all about. The only way to heaven is by turning away from your sin and turning to God through faith in Jesus Christ.'
I didn't know any kind of theology or any kind of ways to pray. I just closed my eyes one day and said, 'God, if you're real, I really need to know. If You're there and You love me, You would show me in a way that I can really understand.'
It wasn't like a lightening bolt came through the door or anything, but it was like this little flame in my heart just sparked and it's stayed lit ever since then; my growing relationship with the best friend I've ever had. And He began to change who I am and what I live for. So I can tell you today, of all the things that I had the opportunity to experience and all the privileges I have had in my career, absolutely nothing compares to knowing Jesus Christ. He just came crashing through the walls of my life and said, 'I'm who you're looking for. I'm your hero. I'm the one that you need.'
Carter is widely regarded as the first openly Born Again president, and perhaps the most Evangelical president in U.S. history. He is an active Sunday School teacher and has written inspirational Christian books.
Carter attended First Baptist Church in Washington D.C. while he was President.
Carter is considered by most historians to be the first formally Evangelical/self-declared Born Again president. Carter was long associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and was a Southern Baptist while in office. Although he remained a devout Baptist, he renounced his association with the Southern Baptist Convention in October 2000.
Carter was formerly a Southern Baptist, although during his presidential campaign said his favorite Christian theologians were not Baptist. Carter has had some disagreements with the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention, including statements he made in 1997 in response to SBC attacks on Mormons. In a teleconference interview with religion writers from throughout the United States, Carter said Mormons are already Christian and he criticized the SBC for trying to proselyte Mormons. He stated: "Too many leaders now, I think, in the Southern Baptist Convention and in other conventions, are trying to act as the Pharisees did, who were condemned by Christ, in trying to define who can and who cannot be considered an acceptable person in the eyes of God. In other words, they're making judgments on behalf of God. I think that's wrong." Carter said that "the people in my own local church have no interest in trying to condemn Mormons or trying to convert Mormons to be good old Baptists like me." [Source: David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, 16 November 1997, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277; Carrie Moore, "Are Mormons Christians," Deseret News, Nov. 15, 1997].
In October 2000, Carter again made headlines with his widely-publicized decision to leave the Southern Baptist Convention. Carter sent out over 75,000 letters to Southern Baptist churches nationwide explaining his decision. He felt that his Christian commitment had not changed, but that the cumulative changes in the SBC had made the organization a group that his Christian conscience could not let him support. [More about Carter and the SBC.]
From: Richard N. Ostling (Associated Press), "Old custom: U.S. presidents tangle with their religious denominations", published 9 February 2003, in The Post & Courier (Charleston, South Carolina) (http://charleston.net/stories/020903/rel_09prez.shtml; 6 July 2003 version of page viewed via archive.org on 29 November 2005):
..."It's relatively easy for presidents to get on the outs with their denominations," says Wake Forest University Divinity School Dean Bill J. Leonard. It's hard to find a 20th-century president who didn't butt heads with some in his faith:
...Harry Truman, the first Southern Baptist in the White House, annoyed some in that denomination by spouting "hells" and "damns" in conversation. Jimmy Carter angered Baptist pastors by favoring abortion rights.
...Ultimately, Southern Methodist University ethicist Robin Lovin says, politicians' moral judgments are influenced far less by today's church pronouncements than by their religious upbringing. The sermons, discussions and Sunday school classes in their home congregations many years ago may be their guide.
As a musician, I have drummed for Black Sabbath, Steppen Wolf, the Costers and many others. I drank and used drugs to the point of near death. One night, a former drug dealer and old friend said to me, "JESUS LOVES YOU, GEORGE." My life was a wreck. I had lost everything--even my family. I ran into him the next day and again he said it to me, "JESUS LOVES YOU, GEORGE." He was a changed man and that's what I wanted. Right there, on the spot, I said, "DEAR JESUS, COME INTO MY LIFE AND DO WHAT YOU DID TO MY OLD FRIEND." I now have a new life, a new family, A NEW EVERYTHING, plus a burning desire to preach His Word. Incidentally, three former members of Black Sabbath are now Christians. "...Christ has set us free..." Galatians 5:1. George
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Guy Doud
1986 National Teacher of the Year and Motivational Speaker
Guy Doud grew up in Staples, Minnesota, where he graduated from high school. He then graduated summa cum laude from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1975. Guy then moved to Brainerd, Minnesota where he was employed by the Brainerd School District as a language arts teacher.
As a high school language arts teacher in Brainerd, Guy received the highest award that the education profession offers: he was chosen from more than two and one-half million teachers as the 1986 National Teacher of the Year for the United States of America, and was honored at a ceremony at the White House by then President Ronald Reagan. This position thrust Guy into the national spotlight.
Guy has addressed hundreds of groups since being chosen America’s TOY. In 1989 he was a main platform speaker for the Million Dollar Roundtable and was rated as one of the top speakers of all time. He has addressed the national conventions of the Rural Electric Association, the National School Board Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, to name but a few.
Guy’s message deals with those things that are basic are about life: love, family, relationships, success and dreaming dreams. His message has universal appeal to all audiences because he speaks about things of the heart.
Guy has published five award-winning books, including the best seller, "Molder of Dreams", along with the videos "Teacher of the Year" and "Classroom of the Heart."
Guy received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Judson College in 1992. He lives in Baxter, Minnesota.
"Guy's message touches the hearts and minds of all in the education profession. His message is delivered in a manner that is not only entertaining but thought-provoking and serves as a solemn reminder of why we have chosen this profession as our life's work."
Focus on giants—you stumble.
Focus on God—your giants tumble.
You know your Goliath. You recognize his walk, the thunder of his voice.
He taunts you with bills you can’t pay, people you can’t please, habits you can’t break, failures you can’t forget, and a future you can’t face. But just like David, you can face your giant, even if you aren’t the strongest, the smartest, the best equipped, or the holiest.
David. You could read his story and wonder what God saw in him. His life has little to offer the unstained, straight-A saint. He fell as often as he stood, stumbled as often as he conquered. But for those who know the sound of a Goliath, David gives this reminder:
Focus on giants—you stumble.
Focus on God—your giants tumble.
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If you're ready to face your giants, let his story inspire you. The same God who helped him will help you.
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You can help by dropping off or mailing donations to:
Marv Foster
c/o No First Light
1136 Plainfield
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
You can donate at any Fifth Third Bank. Marv has an account there under "No First Light," his non-profit organization.
Marv, a 69 year old recovering alcoholic, wants to help those in need. He is renting a building on Plainfield, just south of Leonard in Grand Rapids, to give the homeless shelter from the cold.
marv's crisis center
Marv says there is around 500 homeless people just in the city of Grand Rapids alone.He drives around town in the middle of the night to help people get out of the cold.
The Oasis Church was formed as a community for people who say church is too boring, too political, or just not relevant to their stressed-out, fast-paced lives. Some have asked, "Why bother? There are plenty of churches around in Grand Rapids." Our answer is that, "People matter to God; even if they don’t know it yet."
So we’re going to meet them in their comfort zone, with Biblical teaching and messages that deal with their everyday challenges, hopes and heartbreaks. And we’re going to communicate using ways they can relate - movies, books, music, media and drama. We believe God is the ultimate creator, so we will use creativity in presenting His message to us.
Whatever your situation is, single, married, single again, with or without children, and no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you matter to God and you will feel the difference here!
What can you expect on Sunday morning? A casual atmosphere with today’s music, quality media, messages you can take home with you, an amazing children’s center, and a full cafe. And that’s what The Oasis Church is all about!
