ATHEISM IS NOT "THE ABSENCE OF RELIGION," BUT "THE ABSENCE OF GOD."

     NOTE: This subject is timely now because the US Supreme
     Court has recently agreed to hear a case brought by an Atheist,
     seeking to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge Of
     Allegiance, seeking ultimately to remove all references to God
     from public life.

Some Atheists, for their own political reasons, assert that Atheism
is not a religion but instead is the total absence of religion. This
allows them to spread their Atheistic beliefs freely in societies
which insist on "separation of religion and state," such as the USA.


           "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
            of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
            or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or
            the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
            petition the government for a redress of grievances."

                    U. S. Constitution, First Amendment

    http://PracticalDemocracy.org/usconstitution.txt

But Atheism is not "the absence of religion," but "the absence of
God." This is clear from the word "Atheism" itself: It comes from
the Greek ATHEOS, A(no)+THEOS(God), meaning "no god," or "godless."
It doesn't mean "no religion" or "no church."

The opposite of "Atheism" is "Theism," the belief in one or more gods. The
opposite of "Atheistic" is "Theistic."

A person's religion is the sum total of his beliefs about
God and the supernatural. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are the three
most important "monotheistic" religions, with belief in one God, Creator
Of The Universe. Some religions are "polytheistic," with belief in many
gods, each with different functions.

Atheism is the religion whose belief about God is that there is no God.
The basic doctrine of the Atheist religion is clear and simple: "There
is no god."


IF A GOVERNMENT SUPPRESSES ALL FORMS OF THEISM, IT ESTABLISHES ATHEISM BY
DEFAULT AS THE DE FACTO STATE RELIGION!

Not all religions have churches. To be a religion, it is not necessary
to have a church, merely a belief system. Atheists usually have no
church, because there is no reason for them to gather together to
celebrate or worship anything. The newsgroup alt.atheism is
probably the closest thing the Atheists have to a church today.


Blessings to you in the name of the One God, Who created the Universe.

Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://LoveAllPeople.org
      http://PracticalDemocracy.org

          . . . and related websites listed at
      http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/chapellinks.html

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever.

    Rev. Bill McGinnis <><
    bmcgin@...


                             The Birth Of Jesus

                 as described in The King James Bible (KJV)
                 and The Revised Standard Version (RSV)


         LUKE 2:1-20 (KJV)

         1
                And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
                decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be
                taxed.
         2
                (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor
                of Syria.)
         3
                And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
         4
                And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
                Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is
                called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage
                of David:)
         5
                To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
                child.
         6
                And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
                accomplished that she should be delivered.
         7
                And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him
                in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
                there was no room for them in the inn.
         8
                And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
                the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
         9
                And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
                glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were
                sore afraid.
         10
                And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
                bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
                people.
         11
                For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
                Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
         12
                And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
                wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
         13
                And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
                heavenly host praising God, and saying,
         14
                Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
                toward men.
         15
                And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from
                them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let
                us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is
                come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
         16
                And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and
                the babe lying in a manger.
         17
                And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the
                saying which was told them concerning this child.
         18
                And all they that heard it wondered at those things which
                were told them by the shepherds.
         19
                But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her
                heart.
         20
                And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
                for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was
                told unto them.

          _____________________________________________________________


         LUKE 2:1-20 (RSV)


         1
                In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that
                all the world should be enrolled.
         2
                This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was
                governor of Syria.
         3
                And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
         4
                And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of
                Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called
                Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of
                David,
         5
                to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with
                child.
         6
                And while they were there, the time came for her to be
                delivered.
         7
                And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him
                in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because
                there was no place for them in the inn.
         8
                And in that region there were shepherds out in the field,
                keeping watch over their flock by night.
         9
                And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
                of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with
                fear.
         10
                And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I
                bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all
                the people;
         11
                for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
                who is Christ the Lord.
         12
                And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe
                wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
         13
                And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
                heavenly host praising God and saying,
         14
                "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men
                with whom he is pleased!"
         15
                When the angels went away from them into heaven, the
                shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to
                Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the
                Lord has made known to us."
         16
                And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and
                the babe lying in a manger.
         17
                And when they saw it they made known the saying which had
                been told them concerning this child;
         18
                and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told
                them.
         19
                But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her
                heart.
         20
                And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
                for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

          _____________________________________________________________


             May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy Word.

                                     <><



      Rev. Bill McGinnis  <><
      bmcgin@...

       http://LoveAllPeople.org
       http://InternetChurchOfChrist.org
       http://ChristianDisciples.net

Hello to you, and may you have a Happy New Year!

For those of you who are members of Internet Church Of Christ, we now
have a mailing list at http://yahoogroups.com/group/internetchurchofchrist
You are invited to join the group if you would like to receive the
latest news about InternetChurchOfChrist.org .

You can also join this group by sending a blank e-mail message to
internetchurchofchrist-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .

If you are seeking a spiritual home, you are invited to visit and join
http://InternetChurchOfChrist.org

Many blessings to you all!

  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://LoveAllPeople.org

<html>

<pre>


                  ESSENCE OF TRUE RELIGION

Essence Of True Religion - "For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word,
YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Galatians 5:14 RSV)

        http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/rsvbible.html

And who is your neighbor? Everyone is your neighbor!

   http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/pearl-everyoneisyourneighbor.html

And how do we love our neighbor as ourself? By following
the Golden Rule: "Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."

     http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/golden.html


           http://LoveAllPeople.org
           http://CommitteeForTheGoldenRule.org
           http://InternetChurchOfChrist.org


</pre>


<b>
Essence  Of True Religion</b> -
"For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, YOU
SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Galatians 5:14
<A HREF="http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/rsvbible.html"
> RSV)</A>
And who is your neighbor?

<A HREF="pearl-everyoneisyourneighbor.html"
>Everyone is your neighbor!</A>
And how do we love our neighbor as ourself? By following
the Golden Rule:
<A HREF="http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/golden.html"
>"Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated."</A>
<center><P>
<small>

<A HREF="http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/index.html"
>LoveAllPeople.org</A> -
<A HREF="http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/golden.html"
>CommitteeForTheGoldenRule.org</A> -
<A HREF="http://patriot.net/users/bmcgin/internetchurchofchrist.html"
>InternetChurchOfChrist.org</A>
</small></center>
<P>


This message is Public Domain. Please repost.

</html>

THE GOOD CHRISTIAN LIFE IS BASED ON THE DOCTRINE OF
   RADICAL CHRISTIAN LOVE

        Which is . . .

PUT GOD FIRST - ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST - LOVE ALL PEOPLE AS YOURSELF
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE - FORGIVE EVERYONE - DON'T JUDGE ANYONE

   By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director  http://www.LoveAllPeople.org

This is the "Doctrine Of Radical Christian Love" in its clearest, simplest
form. If you accept this doctrine and live by it, (1) You will be pleasing
and acceptable to God; (2) You will have a blessed life here on earth as a
citizen of the Kingdom Of God; and (3) You will go to Heaven when you die.
This is the true "straight and narrow path" spoken of in the Bible. If
anyone is misled by this doctrine, I pray that God will punish me instead
of them for any sins they may commit because of it.


        Rev. Bill McGinnis <><
        Disciple Of Christ


                NOTE: The Doctrine of Radical Christian Love is
                based entirely on the Bible, which you can consult
                online at

                    http://www.hti.umich.edu/r/rsv/


1. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE.

He is your Creator, and the Creator all things. As Creator, He is the
ultimate owner of you and everything else in the universe. As Creator, He
is the highest legitimate authority over you and everything else in the
universe. As your Creator, He is entitled to your highest love, your
highest honor, your highest respect - the best of everything you have to
give.


          _____________________________________________________________

          "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

                                          (Genesis 1:1 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________


2. ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR OWN PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR.


Recognize Him publicly as Son of God, risen from the dead, your own
personal Lord and Savior. Invite Him into your heart to rule, and follow
the promptings of His Holy Spirit, Who will now be dwelling within you.


          _____________________________________________________________

       "because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and
        believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will
        be saved." (Romans 10:9 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________


             To accept Jesus now, please click HERE!

                  http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/gateway.html

The most important single thing you can do in your life is to establish a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ, in which He is your personal Lord
and Saviour, and you are His trusting follower. If you do this one thing,
you will find joy and happiness now and forever. If you do not do this one
thing, you will continue to deprive yourself of the many blessings God has
intended for you to receive. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your
personal Lord and Saviour, you can do so now by clicking HERE!

                  http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/gateway.html

3. LOVE ALL PEOPLE AS YOURSELF, WHICH IS THE FULL MEANING OF "LOVE YOUR
NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (THIS IS SOMETIMES CALLED "THE LAW OF LOVE")


Understand that "your neighbor" includes all people everywhere, as shown
by the Parable Of The Good Samaritan. For most people, this is impossible
to do without the Holy Spirit dwelling inside them. This is radical
Christian love: counting the other person's happiness and well-being the
same as your own. This means that in every situation, you must consider
the needs of others as equal in importance to your own needs. "You have
food, they do not. You are hungry, they are hungry. You must share."
Simple as that.

If we truly love our neighbor as ourself, we have fulfilled all of God's
requirements for us.



        Love For Neighbor Fulfills All Of God's Requirements For Us

        ---------------------------------------------------------------
        Galatians 5:14 (RSV)
        For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your
        neighbor as yourself."

        Romans 13:8 (RSV)
        Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves
        his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

        Romans 13:9 (RSV)
        The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not
        kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other
        commandment, are summed up in this sentence, "You shall love your
        neighbor as yourself."

        Romans 13:10 (RSV)
        Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling
        of the law.

        James 2:8 (RSV)
        If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture,
        "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
        ---------------------------------------------------------------



God counts our love for others as love for Himself. So when we give love
to our neighbor, we are actually giving love to God Himself.


               "And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as
                you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you
                did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40 RSV)



NOTE: IF YOU TRULY LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, you will not lie about him, steal
from him, murder him, have sex with his spouse, or desire to take over his
possessions - all of which are prohibited by the traditional Ten
Commandments.

4. FOLLOW THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH IS, "TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE
TREATED." The Golden Rule puts The Law Of Love into practice.


          _____________________________________________________________

       "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for
        this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________


           For more about the Golden Rule, please click HERE!
           Also recognize that  What You Do Comes Back To You.


5. FORGIVE EVERYONE, ALL THE TIME, FOR ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU.
Only then can God freely forgive you of all your offenses against Him.
Even if they don't repent, forgive them anyway. Even if they intend to do
it again, forgive them anyway.



               "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
                Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men
                their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
                trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15 RSV)


         For more about Forgiveness, please click HERE!





6. DON'T JUDGE ANYONE, EVEN IF THEY ARE CLEARLY WRONG.

Judgment belongs only to God. You are wrong yourself, in many things. Be
sure of it, no matter how righteous you may think you are. Each person is
responsible for his own life, and each person will be judged by God for
his own actions. You may advise others. You may teach others. You may
share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. But you may not judge them in
any way for any thing. They don't belong to you; you are not entitled to
judge them. You may be a guide and an inspiration to them. But you may not
be a judge. God gives people what He wants them to have, even some evil
desires and practices. God has His own reasons for everything He does,
even if we do not always understand them. Our job is to love others, not
to judge them.



           "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you
            pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be
            the measure you get." (Matthew 7:1-2 RSV)

                                         <><



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


This, then, is "The Doctrine Of Radical Christian Love." If you accept it
as your own personal law, and sincerely try to follow it as best you can,
God will judge you by it. In this case, all things are permitted to you
which are not clearly prohibited by the Holy Spirit dwelling within you,
by The Law Of Love, or by The Golden Rule.

Some sincere Christians might oppose this doctrine because they consider
it to be a "license to sin." In their view, I should be teaching the need
for sexual purity, mortification of the flesh, denial of the self, perhaps
tithing, and various other traditional requirements of Christianity.

I love these people, and I respect their understanding of God's Holy Word.
Nevertheless, I disagree with them, and I believe that the strongest
Scriptures clearly support the Doctrine Of Radical Christian Love, as I
have shown above.

But even if this doctrine is wrong, and you do sin because of it, your
sins are covered or forgiven because of your love and forgiveness toward
others.



       "Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love
        covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8 RSV)


               "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
                Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men
                their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
                trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15 RSV)



To those who have ears to hear, let them hear.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord. May the Lord God Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and Earth, richly bless you and all who read these
words. May He guide you, protect you, comfort you, provide for you, and
lead you in all things. This I pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Rev. Bill McGinnis <><



If You Are Searching For A Spiritual Home, You Are Invited To Visit And
Join

    INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST, Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor

           http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT OUR AFFILIATES AND OUR FEATURED PRODUCTS,
WHICH SUPPORT US BY PROVIDING SALES COMMISSIONS ON THE ITEMS YOU
BUY FROM THEM, USING OUR LINKS TO THEM.

     http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/affiliates.html
     http:www.FeaturedProducts.net

YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES:

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/chapellinks.html

Please also see our Yahoo group at

   http://yahoogroups.com/group/goodchristianlife

and its related website at

    http://www.GoodChristianLife.net



  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://LoveAllPeople.org

HTML version with active Links
at http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/pearl-godsbasiclaw.html


                 God's Basic Law For All Mankind:
               LOVE ALL PEOPLE AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF!

      This is Public Domain. Please repost, republish as you wish.

              by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director
                    http://www.LoveAllPeople.org


The Bible states it very clearly, so there can be no possible
misunderstanding:

          _____________________________________________________________

        For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your
        neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________



And who is your neighbor? Everyone is your neighbor. This is shown in the
parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/thegoodsamaritan.txt


But what about love for God? Doesn't that come first? Yes, but God accepts
our love for others as if it were love for Himself. So when we love
others, we are loving Him at the same time. This is shown in the Parable
Of The Sheep And The Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/sheepandgoats.txt

But what about The Ten Commandments? Aren't we supposed to obey them? Yes,
but The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-20) are only an approximation of
what God wants from us. The Pharisees obeyed all of the Ten Commandments,
yet God was very displeased with them because they did not have love. The
exact thing God wants from us is that we should love all people as we love
ourselves. Everything else is subordinate to this.

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/thetencommandments.txt

Most Christians will recognize The Great Commandment as "Love God with all
your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself." If we realize that
everyone is our neighbor and that God accepts our love for others as if it
were love for Himself, then we find that "LOVE ALL PEOPLE AS YOU LOVE
YOURSELF" now has become the simplest and clearest expression of God's
basic law for all Mankind!

"Okay," you might say. "It is fine to feel love toward others, but what
must we actually DO in order to follow God's basic law?"

The answer is, "TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED." This is
known as The Golden Rule, and it puts God's basic law into effect. By
following the Golden Rule, you are following God's basic law, because by
treating others as you would like to be treated, you are loving others as
you love yourself! See! It all fits together!

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/golden.html

But what about holiness? Aren't we supposed to avoid improper sex, etc.
and be pure and chaste? Aren't we supposed to deny our physical selves in
order to strengthen our spiritual selves? Yes, maybe. But our feeble
attempts at being holy do not even come close to God's high standards. To
Him, they are like filthy rags and polluted garments. (Isaiah 64:6).

But if we have love for others, God will overlook a multitude of our sins
(1 Peter 4:8). And if we forgive others of their offenses against us, He
will forgive us of our offenses against Him (Matthew 6:14-15). Love makes
everything holy, since God is love (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16) True holiness
comes from love, not from following rules made up by some humans trying to
control the behavior of other humans. And love comes from God, as we seek
to find Him and fill ourselves with Him.

So all of God's laws boil down to this one command: "YOU SHALL LOVE ALL
PEOPLE AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF." If you truly do this one thing only, it is
enough. It then doesn't matter if you fall short on some of the dozens of
others. But if you do not do this, all of the others together are not
enough. This is the big one, more important than all the others combined.

          _____________________________________________________________

        If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture,
        "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well.
        (James 2:8 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________

(. . . remembering that everyone is your neighbor.)

First Corinthians 13 emphasizes the primacy of love, even over faith
itself.


       1 Corinthians 13:1-13 -
                  The Supreme Importance Of Love


    13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
    not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
    mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I
    could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

    13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I
    give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

    13:4 Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not
    itself, is not puffed up,

    13:5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily
    provoked, thinks no evil;

    13:6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

    13:7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
    endures all things.

    13:8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
    fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
    knowledge, it shall vanish away.

    13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

    13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in
    part shall be done away.

    13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
    I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish
    things.

    13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
    now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

    13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest
    of these is love.

            *                *                *

Source: King James Clarified New Testament - (Public Domain)
     http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/kjcntpage.html

Please see also 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (RSV)

"But how can we love all people as we love ourselves?," you may say. "It
goes against Human Nature, doesn't it? Most of us want to love ourselves
first, and our loved ones second, and everybody else not at all, right?"

Yes, it does go against Human Nature, which is seriously flawed to begin
with. And this is the root of all the problems we encounter in the world.
But God has provided a simple way for us to upgrade our flawed Human
Nature, by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, and filling
ourselves with His Holy Spirit. When we do this, our own desire is
transformed into God's desire, and we naturally want to do all things in
accordance with His basic law.

You can find and accept Jesus Christ right now at
http://www.JesusDirect.net

May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy Word.

Blessings to you, whoever you are. May the One God Who created all things,
and Who gives whatever He wants to whomever He chooses, guide you and
protect you and be with you, now and forever.

Rev. Bill McGinnis <><
   You can contact me at bmcgin@....



If You Are Searching For A Spiritual Home, You Are Invited To Visit And
Join INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST, Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor.

    http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

This page is brought to you by LoveAllPeople.org,
"Teaching And Practicing Love For All People."

Index of LoveAllPeople.org: - ETHICS - POLITICS - CHRISTIAN - AUTOMOTIVE -
LEGAL SERVICES - GENERAL INTEREST - CONSULTING - AFFILIATES - FEATURED
PRODUCTS - SITE MAP - CONTACT LINK -

HTML Version at
  http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/settingpriorities.html


           Setting Priorities In Applying The Golden Rule
                  Some Practical Considerations
                        Public Domain

       By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - http://LoveAllPeople.org


Elsewhere, we have already established that God's basic law for all
mankind is clearly stated as: "LOVE ALL PEOPLE AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF." And
we have also established that the way we can best follow this basic law is
follow the "Golden Rule," which is most clearly stated as "TREAT OTHERS AS
YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED." For complete details, please see

    http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/pearl-godsbasiclaw.html and
    http://www.CommitteeForTheGoldenRule.org


Elsewhere we have also established that the Golden Rule leads directly to
Democracy and to a social policy of "The Greatest Good For The Greatest
Number, With Basic Rights For All." Thus, total good is maximized and none
are denied their basic rights in life. Please see

     http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/foundationofdemocracy.txt.


Now we turn to the practical matter of setting priorities as we apply the
Golden Rule in our lives. We have limited, finite resources at our
command: only so much time, only so much money, only so much energy. But
the need for our help is infinite, far beyond our ability to help everyone
all they need. So we must be able to select our targets and set priorities
in order to maximize the good that we are able to accomplish with our
limited resources.

THE GOLDEN RULE DOES NOT REQUIRE US TO DO EVERYTHING WE ARE ASKED TO DO

The easiest way to apply the Golden Rule to real life is to ask yourself
the question "How would you like to be treated in similar circumstances?"
Then treat the other person that way. But also consider the impact of your
actions on all other people, not only those immediately before you. Thus,
the Golden Rule does NOT mean that you need to do everything anybody wants
you to do, as some people mistakenly believe. If one person asks you to do
something which would hurt other people, you need to weigh the impact of
your actions on all people who would be affected, not just the person
immediately in front of you who is making the request.

Also, you need to apply the "Rational Man" standard, long-established in
Law. The Golden Rule does not require you to grant irrational requests
made by insane persons.


GIVE EACH PERSON WHAT HE IS JUSTLY ENTITLED TO RECEIVE FROM YOU

Your spouse is justly entitled to receive certain things from you.
Likewise, your children, your employer, your co-worker, your parents, your
customers, your service providers, etc. are all entitled to receive
certain things from you. So you should give them what they are justly
entitled to receive.

The Bible presents this concept as "Pay all of them their dues, taxes to
whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom
respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Owe no one anything, except to
love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:7-8 (RSV)


This corresponds completely with the entire body of Western Law, founded
on the laws of the Roman Empire, as collected and codified by the Emperor
Justinian in his "Institutes of Justinian," (540 A.D.) which begins with
this statement:


                   TITLE I
                   OF JUSTICE AND LAW

     Justice is the set and constant purpose which gives to every
     man his due.

Then . . .

3 The precepts of the law are these:  to live honestly, to injure
no one, and to give every man his due.

Source: http://www.gutenberg.net/etext04/ijust10.txt


Some people, myself included, try to allocate at least ten percent of our
income-time-wealth-energy to people who are entitled to receive it only
because they are fellow human beings in need. We give to them in the name
of God, considering the gifts to be a Biblical "tithe."

FINALLY, WORK TO ACHIEVE "THE GREATEST GOOD FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER, WITH
BASIC RIGHTS FOR ALL."

This policy is the natural result of applying the Golden Rule to all
people in the world.

     http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/foundationofdemocracy.txt


Blessings to you, the readers of this page. May you thrive and prosper in
everything you do.

You can contact me, Rev. Bill McGinnis, at bmcgin@....



If You Are Searching For A Spiritual Home, You Are Invited To Visit And
Join INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST, Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor.

    http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org


This page is brought to you by http://www.LoveAllPeople.org,
"Teaching And Practicing Love For All People."

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  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://www.LoveAllPeople.org
      http://www.CommitteeForTheGoldenRule.org

TO PROHIBIT REFERENCES TO GOD IS TO ESTABLISH ATHEISM, EITHER AS A
RELIGION OR AS A PHILOSOPHY

At present, there is a case before the U.S. Supreme Court to
decide whether certain references to God do "establish religion"
and are thus in violation of the Constitution.


          To prohibit references to God is to establish Atheism,
          either as a religion or as a philosophy.


By the very spelling of the two words, "Atheism" and "Theism" are exact
opposite terms, the opposite sides of the same exact coin. Whatever Theism
is, Atheism is its exact opposite. That's the meaning of the prefix "a" in
front of a Greek-based word.

Similarly, "Theist" and "Atheist" are exact opposite terms. Whatever a
Theist is, an Atheist is its exact opposite.

So if Theism is "the religion which believes there is a God," then Atheism
is "the religion which believes there is no God." And if Theism is "the
philosophy which asserts there is a God," then Atheism is "the philosophy
which asserts there is no God."

That's the way the English language works regarding words derived from the
Greek. Whatever Atheism may be, Theism is the same general kind of thing
(Genus), but the opposite specific thing (Species).

Therefore, if Theism is considered to be a religion in the Constitutional
sense (that is, something which must not be "established"), then Atheism
must also be a religion in the Constitutional sense, and it, too must not
be "established."

But if Theism is merely a philosophy, then there is no Constitutional
basis for prohibiting its establishment. The Government establishes many
philosophies, whatever ones it chooses to establish. For instance, the
Government can establish a philosophy of "big government" or a philosophy
of "self-determination," or whatever other philosophy it may choose. An
established government philosophy is nothing more than a policy choice.

Our position is that Theism is merely a philosophy, not a religion in the
Constitutional sense. Therefore, there is no Constitutional barrier to
using Theistic references to God, such as "in God we trust" or "God bless
America" or "may God protect us all" or to any other similar reference to
God.

If, however, Theism is determined to be a religion, then Atheism must also
be a religion, by whatever definition of "religion" is used. And if so,
then Atheism must not be established by such means as teaching the
Atheistic "Theory Of Evolution" as if it were a scientific fact that God
did not create the universe, or by prohibiting references to God in
Government-sponsored speech.

To prohibit references to God is to establish Atheism, either as a
religion or a philosophy.

Blessings to you. May God help us all.






  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://LoveAllPeople.org
      http://EssaysAndCommentaries.com

A Prayer For Seeking God
by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Public Domain



          DEAR LORD GOD, MY CREATOR:

            WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHEREVER YOU ARE,
            I AM TRYING TO FIND YOU.

            I KNOW YOU MUST EXIST, BECAUSE
            HOW ELSE COULD ALL THINGS HAVE COME INTO BEING?
              BY THEMSELVES? IMPOSSIBLE!
              NEITHER MATTER NOR ENERGY CAN CREATE THEMSELVES FROM NOTHING.
              AND RANDOM CHANCE DOES NOT PRODUCE INTELLIGENT DESIGN.
            THEREFORE, I KNOW YOU MUST EXIST.

            I DESIRE TO FIND YOU, MY CREATOR, MY ULTIMATE PARENT.
            I DESIRE TO KNOW YOU AND TO BE WITH YOU.
            I DESIRE TO GIVE MYSELF TO YOU,
            AND STAY WITH YOU FOREVER.
            IF YOU WILL HAVE ME.

            SO I AM SEEKING YOU, AS THE BIBLE SAYS I SHOULD.
            PLEASE LET ME FIND YOU, AS THE BIBLE SAYS YOU WILL.
            AND LET ME GIVE MYSELF TO YOU, AS THE BIBLE SAYS I CAN.


                                   Amen.



http://LoveAllPeople.org
http://BillMcGinnisMinistries.net

Hello Brothers & Sisters,

  The Lord is no longer calling me to produce a new Internet Daily
Chapel each day, because hundreds of different versions of it have
already been created and are available to you at the Google
Archive of INTERNET DAILY CHAPEL, which you will find if you click on
http://www.InternetDailyChapel.org.

   Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director    bmcgin@...

      http://LoveAllPeople.org
      http://JesusDirect.net

April 9, 2004 - Good Friday
anniversary of the day Jesus was killed.

         THE CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

    How He Died On The Cross, Then Rose From The Dead, According
    To The Book Of Matthew, The Most Complete Account Of His Life
    And Death, As Reported In The Bible.

    Source: The Revised Standard Version (RSV) Bible at
            http://www.hti.umich.edu/r/rsv/

     NOTE: The RSV Bible is the most widely-accepted English
     translation in the world today. This is the most authoritative,
     most trusted version of this very important story.


Matt.26
[1]
When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,


[2] "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of
man will be delivered up to be crucified."
[3]
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace
of the high priest, who was called Ca'iaphas,


[4] and took counsel together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill
him.
[5] But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult among the
people."
[6]
Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,


[7] a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive
ointment, and she poured it on his head, as he sat at table.
[8] But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this
waste?
[9] For this ointment might have been sold for a large sum, and given to
the poor."
[10] But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the
woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.
[11] For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have
me.
[12] In pouring this ointment on my body she has done it to prepare me for
burial.
[13] Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole
world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."
[14]
Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief
priests


[15] and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they
paid him thirty pieces of silver.
[16] And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
[17]
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus,
saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?"


[18] He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The
Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house
with my disciples.'"
[19] And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared
the passover.
[20]
When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples;


[21] and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you
will betray me."
[22] And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after
another, "Is it I, Lord?"
[23] He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will
betray me.
[24] The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by
whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if
he had not been born."
[25] Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him,
"You have said so."
[26]
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and
gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."


[27] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them,
saying, "Drink of it, all of you;
[28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
[29] I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until
that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
[30]
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.


[31] Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this
night; for it is written, `I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of
the flock will be scattered.'
[32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."
[33] Peter declared to him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I
will never fall away."
[34] Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the
cock crows, you will deny me three times."
[35] Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny
you." And so said all the disciples.
[36]
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsem'ane, and he said to
his disciples, "Sit here, while I go yonder and pray."


[37] And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zeb'edee, he began to
be sorrowful and troubled.
[38] Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;
remain here, and watch with me."
[39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, "My
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as
I will, but as thou wilt."
[40] And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to
Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour?
[41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
[42] Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if
this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done."
[43] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
[44] So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time,
saying the same words.
[45] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still
sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of
man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
[46] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."
[47]
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a
great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders
of the people.


[48] Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss
is the man; seize him."
[49] And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Hail, Master!" And he
kissed him.
[50] Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came up and
laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
[51] And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand
and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off
his ear.
[52] Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all
who take the sword will perish by the sword.
[53] Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once
send me more than twelve legions of angels?
[54] But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"
[55] At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against
a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the
temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
[56] But all this has taken place, that the scriptures of the prophets
might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
[57]
Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Ca'iaphas the high priest,
where the scribes and the elders had gathered.


[58] But Peter followed him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the
high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end.
[59] Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony
against Jesus that they might put him to death,
[60] but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At
last two came forward
[61] and said, "This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God,
and to build it in three days.'"
[62] And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make?
What is it that these men testify against you?"
[63] But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, "I adjure you
by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
[64] Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, hereafter you
will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on
the clouds of heaven."
[65] Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, "He has uttered
blasphemy. Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his
blasphemy.
[66] What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death."
[67] Then they spat in his face, and struck him; and some slapped him,
[68] saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
[69]
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a maid came up to him,
and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."


[70] But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you
mean."
[71] And when he went out to the porch, another maid saw him, and she said
to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
[72] And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man."
[73] After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter,
"Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you."
[74] Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not
know the man." And immediately the cock crowed.
[75] And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the cock crows, you
will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

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

Matt.27
[1]
When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took
counsel against Jesus to put him to death;


[2] and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the
governor.
[3]
When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and
brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the
elders,


[4] saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood." They said, "What
is that to us? See to it yourself."
[5] And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and
he went and hanged himself.
[6] But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not
lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money."
[7] So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury
strangers in.
[8] Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
[9] Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah,
saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on
whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel,
[10] and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."
[11]
Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you
the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so."


[12] But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no
answer.
[13] Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they
testify against you?"
[14] But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the
governor wondered greatly.
[15]
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any
one prisoner whom they wanted.


[16] And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barab'bas.
[17] So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me
to release for you, Barab'bas or Jesus who is called Christ?"
[18] For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
[19] Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent
word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have
suffered much over him today in a dream."
[20] Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for
Barab'bas and destroy Jesus.
[21] The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to
release for you?" And they said, "Barab'bas."
[22] Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called
Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified."
[23] And he said, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the
more, "Let him be crucified."
[24]
So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was
beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I
am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."


[25] And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our
children!"
[26] Then he released for them Barab'bas, and having scourged Jesus,
delivered him to be crucified.
[27]
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they
gathered the whole battalion before him.


[28] And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him,
[29] and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a
reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying,
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
[30] And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
[31] And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put
his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
[32]
As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyre'ne, Simon by name; this man
they compelled to carry his cross.


[33] And when they came to a place called Gol'gotha (which means the place
of a skull),
[34] they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted
it, he would not drink it.
[35] And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them
by casting lots;
[36] then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
[37] And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This
is Jesus the King of the Jews."
[38] Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on
the left.
[39] And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads
[40] and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three
days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
[41] So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him,
saying,
[42] "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel;
let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.
[43] He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he
said, `I am the Son of God.'"
[44] And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the
same way.
[45]
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the
ninth hour.


[46] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli,
la'ma sabach-tha'ni?" that is, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me?"
[47] And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "This man is calling
Eli'jah."
[48] And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with
vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.
[49] But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Eli'jah will come to
save him."
[50] And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
[51]
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom;
and the earth shook, and the rocks were split;


[52] the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had
fallen asleep were raised,
[53] and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the
holy city and appeared to many.
[54] When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over
Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe,
and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"
[55]
There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed
Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him;


[56] among whom were Mary Mag'dalene, and Mary the mother of James and
Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee.
[57]
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe'a, named Joseph,
who also was a disciple of Jesus.


[58] He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate
ordered it to be given to him.
[59] And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud,
[60] and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and
he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.
[61] Mary Mag'dalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the
sepulchre.
[62]
Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the
Pharisees gathered before Pilate


[63] and said, "Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was
still alive, `After three days I will rise again.'
[64] Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day,
lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, `He has
risen from the dead,' and the last fraud will be worse than the first."
[65] Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as
secure as you can."
[66] So they went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and
setting a guard.

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

Matt.28
[1]
Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary
Mag'dalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.


[2] And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord
descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.
[3] His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
[4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
[5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that
you seek Jesus who was crucified.
[6] He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place
where he lay.
[7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the
dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see
him. Lo, I have told you."
[8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and
ran to tell his disciples.
[9] And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took
hold of his feet and worshiped him.
[10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren
to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
[11]
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and
told the chief priests all that had taken place.


[12] And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they
gave a sum of money to the soldiers
[13] and said, "Tell people, `His disciples came by night and stole him
away while we were asleep.'
[14] And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and
keep you out of trouble."
[15] So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story
has been spread among the Jews to this day.
[16]
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus
had directed them.


[17] And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.
[18] And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me.
[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
[20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am
with you always, to the close of the age."


                    # # #

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

      Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director        bmcgin@...
       http://LoveAllPeople.org
       http://InternetChurchOfChrist.org

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whatever you want from any of our pages.

For a list of our Domain Names, please click HERE!
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If you choose to support LoveAllPeople.org, please buy something you need
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To become a member of LoveAllPeople.org, please take the LoveAllPeople
pledge, which is . . .

         "I will always try to love all people as I Love myself."

. . . then join the LoveAllPeople group at Yahoogroups.com, by visiting
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/loveallpeople or by sending a blank
e-mail message to
loveallpeople-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

As a member of LoveAllPeople.org, you will receive occasional e-mail from
me, as needed to inform you of noteworthy ideas and events in the life of
the LoveAllPeople organization.

You can contact me, Rev. Bill McGinnis, at bmcgin@....

Many blessings to you. May you thrive and prosper in everything you do.


              Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director
              http://LoveAllPeople.org

If You Are Searching For A Spiritual Home, You Are Invited To Visit And
Join INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST, Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor.

    http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org


  Blessings to you. May God help us all.

     Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director     bmcgin@...
       http://www.LoveAllPeople.org
         http://www.EssaysAndCommentaries.com

WAS MUHAMMAD A BLESSING OR A CURSE TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS?

Many Muslims like to say that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a blessing to
all human beings. They say that Islam is a religion of peace and
tolerance, and that Muhammad was a blessing to all.

But to most non-Muslims, he has become a curse, because of the failure of
normal Muslims to control their deviant terrorist extremists! By their
silence, the normal Muslims give consent to terrorism against innocent
civilians, which is always beyond the limits set by Allah.

Where are the mullahs denouncing terrorism in Arabic to their people?
Nowhere to be found! Where are normal Muslims reporting terrorist activity
to the civil authorities, so it can be stopped? Nowhere to be found! Where
are the fatwas calling for Muslims to live at peace with non-Muslims?
Nowhere to be found!

So what kind of a worthless, Satanic religion is this, that causes nothing
but misery and despair? A tree is judged by its fruit. And what is the
fruit of Islam? Murder of innocent civilians! Disgusting!

And so the non-Muslim world, which is the vast majority of humankind,
rightfully now looks on Muhammad with contempt, and wishes he had never
lived to bring Islam to the world!

Allah knows all, and He is absolutely just. The deviant so-called Muslims
and their supporters will all be judged severely at the Last Day by Allah,
and they will surely suffer a grievous punishment! You who claim to be
Muslims: Read your own book, the Qur'an. Stop enabling the terrorist
deviants to continue!

Yes, the state of Israel is a blot on all mankind, led by sinners and
hateful persons. Yes, the United States is led by a deluded Crusader,
in alliance with the criminal Sharon. But do these facts justify murdering
hundreds, thousands of innocent civilians? NO! THEY DO NOT JUSTIFY THESE
SATANIC DEVIANT ACTS AGAINST CIVILIANS!

Murder of civilians is not the way to justice. We must find a better way.

Blessings to you in the name of the One God, Who created all things
according to His will.


         Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director,    bmcgin@...
         http://LoveAllPeople.org

Please also see
    http://EssaysAndCommentaries.com/iftheycallyouantisemite.txt

ANY NEW ATTACK ON THE USA INVITES MASSIVE NUCLEAR RETALIATION AGAINST
BOTH ISLAM AND ISRAEL

This is a strong, clear warning to all Muslims and all Israelis: ANY
NEW ATTACK ON THE USA INVITES MASSIVE NUCLEAR RETALIATION AGAINST BOTH
ISLAM AND ISRAEL.

I drive by the Pentagon on my way to work every day; I have regular
communication with hundreds of Washington, DC area taxicab drivers,
and we discuss world affairs. I was a taxicab driver myself for many
years, and I know that some people will tell taxicab drivers all kinds
of secret things during the course of an innocent taxicab ride, things
they would never tell a newspaper reporter. Also, I am quite familiar
with the mentality of the most reactionary elements in US society. And
this is my warning to all Muslims everywhere, and to all Israelis and
supporters of Israel:

   ANY NEW ATTACK ON THE USA INVITES MASSIVE NUCLEAR RETALIATION
AGAINST BOTH ISLAM AND ISRAEL.

The US military is filled with hard-core "America-first" officers,
many of whom are outraged that a handful of fanatical criminals (the
Islamic terrorists), and the trouble-making Israelis who deliberately
provoke them to hate us, are allowed to jerk us around as they do,
filling us with fear from a "bunch of two-bit nobodies who deserve to
be destroyed." And they greatly resent the apparent take-over of U.S.
foreign policy by Israel and it's supporters.

"TO HELL WITH BOTH OF THEM," is their feeling. "All of the trouble in
the world is caused by the Muslims and the Israelis," they think.
"Let's get rid of them both while we still are able to do it."

And they are able to do it, whether you believe it or not. And any
kind of serious new attack against the US homeland would invite them
to do it, giving them all the justification they need. Neutron bombs,
delivered by missiles, could kill all the people, while leaving the
infrastructure and the oil unharmed. They would be acting morally, in
"national self-defense," just like in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which
successfully ended World War II.

Don't tempt them! Restrain the fanatical Muslim terrorists and the
crazy Israelis who deliberately provoke them.

    Please also see http://www.Anti-Terrorist.net

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

   Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director        bmcgin@...
    http://www.LoveAllPeople.org

The Birth Of Jesus,
as told in the Bible, Luke 2:1-20
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org


2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2:2 (And this registration was first made when Cyrenius was governor of
Syria.)

2:3 And all went to be registered, every one into his own city.

2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because
he was of the house and lineage of David:)

2:5 To be registered with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child.

2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered.

2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room
for them in the inn.

2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.

2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them: and they were intensely afraid.

2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.

2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God, and saying,

2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward
men.

2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has
made known unto us.

2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.

2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which
was told them concerning this child.

2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were
told them by the shepherds.

2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all
the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


Source: King James Clarified New Testament (KJCNT)
Other Bible versions are almost identical.

The KJCNT is in the Public Domain, available for downloading or
viewing at http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/kjcnt11.txt

More information about the KJCNT is availble at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/kjcntpage.html


Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

A Christmas Prayer For You

I pray that you will take the time today
To open up your eyes, and clearly see
And open up your heart, and surely feel
And open up your mind, and understand
Your place within the Universe of God.

For He created you, and not yourself;
And He created others, just like you,
With needs and feelings just the same as yours.

They may seem insignificant to you,
But God may love them more than He loves you!

And if you love them as you love yourself,
Then He will love you greatly in return.

But if you treat them harshly, with contempt,
Then He will treat you harshly in return.

For this is Justice, clear as it can get:
"You will receive exactly as you give."

The Lord is not impressed with who you are.
In fact, He hates the arrogant and proud.

The boastful warrior with a mighty sword
Will surely fall and surely turn to dust.

In Jesus' name I pray for you today.


Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

Public Domain

WORSHIP SERVICE - Week of Dec. 26, 2004
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship122604.html

Music, Scriptures, prayers, Holy Communion

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's One Law: "Love All People As Yourself"

For details and Biblical proof, please click here =>
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/godsonelaw.html

Why Do Bad Things To Happen To Good People?

                        by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
                          INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST
                     http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

                            Public Domain

    "Why does God permit bad things to happen to good people?" This is one
    of the big questions of all time. Here is the answer, only a partial
    answer, as Holy Spirit has given me to understand.

    First, recognize that God does not permit us to understand all things
    at this time. Why not? I don't know. He just doesn't permit it. At the
    present time, we see things only dimly, as through a glass.


       "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now
        I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
        (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)


    Nevertheless, there are certain things He does permit us to know,
    including these:

    1. God is absolute sovereign over everything. He created everything;
    it all belongs to Him. Nothing happens without His knowledge and
    consent.


       "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
        are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
        dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
        by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:16 KJV)


    2. God has ordained the laws of Nature, including the laws of Physics,
    such as The Law Of Gravity. He does not usually interfere with their
    normal, mechanical, cause-and-effect operation. When He does
    interfere, it is considered a miracle. So when the mechanic fails to
    fasten the bolts, and the wing falls off the airplane, and it crashes,
    killing your child, God didn't do it: the mechanic did. Yes, God could
    have kept it from happening, but in order to do so, He would have had
    to interrupt the normal operation of His creation. He doesn't do that
    very often. Many of the bad things that happen to good people are the
    result of the normal cause-and-effect workings of Nature. For
    instance, people are designed to wear out and die. That's just the way
    it is. These things happen to good people and bad people alike.


      "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
       and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
       (Matthew 5:45b KJV)

    3. For some reason, Satan and his demons have certain rights to exist
    and to act. And they hate us. They will harm us as much as they can.
    As Christians, we have some authority over them, but few of us know
    how to use it. Many of the bad things that happen to good people are
    caused directly by Satan and his demons. Acts 10:38 speaks of people
    being "oppressed of the devil."


       "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
        power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
        oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
        (Acts 10:38 KJV)


    4. Sometimes, God will warn us in dreams or by some other means, when
    bad things are heading our way. If we cultivate a close relationship
    with the Holy Spirit, we are more likely to be warned of impending
    trouble so we can avoid it. Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary
    and baby Jesus into Egypt, to escape Herod who was trying to kill
    Jesus (see Matthew 2:13).

    5. No matter what happens, if we love Him, God will make EVERYTHING
    work out for our own good, even if this idea seems preposterous at the
    time.


       "And we know that all things work together for good to them that
        love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
        (Romans 8:28 KJV)


    6. The world is a very rough place. We can expect much pain and many
    difficulties of all kinds. Why? We don't know. That's just the way it
    is.

         "Man that is born of a woman is of few days,
          and full of trouble." (Job 14:1 KJV)

    7. The good news is that Heaven awaits us, and then all our troubles
    will be gone.


               "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
                there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
                neither shall there be any more pain: for the former
                things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4 KJV)



    8. Until then, we have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Who will be
    with us, helping us and loving us at all times.


       "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
        Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
        (John 14:16 KJV)

                                 <><

    If you, yourself, have had bad things happen to you, then this prayer
    is for you.

                      "Comfort In Sorrow"

          I pray the Lord will comfort you in sorrow,
          When sadness fills your heart with dull despair.
          When things you wanted most seem gone forever,
          I pray His golden presence gives you peace.
          When nothing in this world seems safe or certain,
          I pray you have the Lord and He has you.

                        Amen.
                                    <><

    Blessings to you in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

      Rev. Bill McGinnis  <><
      bmcgin@...


HTML version of this page is located at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/pearl-badthingstogoodpeople.html

ASCII text version of this page is located at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/pearl-badthingstogoodpeople.txt

These pages are provided by http://www.LoveAllPeople.org
To support us, please shop online at http://www.FeaturedProducts.net

These pages are in the Public Domain, so everyone can use them
any way they want.

Text file at http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship010205.txt
HTML version at http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship010205.html

       Online Worship Service At Internet Church Of Christ
             http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

Christian Worship Anytime - Updated Weekly
www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/worship.html

This page is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use without
restriction.

For Week Of Sunday, January 2, 2005

Blessings to you, dear Reader, in Jesus Christ our Lord. At this time, we
are reviewing our life in 2004 and preparing for 2005. If you have the
Holy Spirit of Jesus abiding within you, then you are able to endure all
trials, blessed with the peace which surpasses all understanding. If not,
you remain deprived of the many blessings the Lord has waiting for you. If
you have not yet accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you
have the opportunity to do that right now by clicking HERE! =>
http://www.internetChurchOfChrist.org/jesusdirect.html

Welcome

Welcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here
is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are
invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

Opening Hymn
"Deep River"

Click HERE to start the music =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/deeprvra.mid

Deep River - American Spiritual Song

Lyrics and music are both anonymous, Public Domain; MIDI sequence by Bill
McGinnis, Public Domain, arranged from a Public Domain arrangement.


DEEP RIVER - Classic American Spiritual Song - Anonymous, Public Domain


        Deep river,
        My home is over Jordan.
        Deep river, Lord,
        I want to cross over into campground.

           O don't you want to go
           To that gospel feast,
           That promised land
           Where all is peace?
           O don't you want to go
           To that promised land,
           That land where all is peace?

        Deep river,
        My home is over Jordan.
        Deep river, Lord,
        I want to cross over into campground.


    A MIDI music file for this poem can be downloaded and played at
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/deeprvra.mid .




Invocation

                  O Lord, we know that You are everywhere,
                  And nothing happens that You cannot see,
                  But even so, we pray that You will come
                  And join with us directly at this time.
                  We now will offer up our praise to You,
                  And we do much desire to have You here.
                  In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.




Prayer For The Tsunami Disaster Victims And Survivors

   O Lord, we know the whole wide world is Yours;
   That You created it, and all within;
   That all things which exist belong to You;
   And You owe nothing which you must repay.

     "The Lord giveth; and the Lord taketh away."

   So when disasters strike, as this one did,
   We have no right to shake our fists at You.
   Instead, we should be grateful You spared us,
   When maybe we deserved to die instead.

   We pray that You have mercy on the souls
   Of all the ones who perished in the flood.
   We pray You help the ones who did survive,
   And bring them back to normal life somehow.

   Please mobilize the rich to help the poor,
   And let us recognize, around the world,
   That we are not as strong as we may think,
   And if You turn against us, we are doomed.

   In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.


Declaration Of Faith

The Apostles' Creed

    This historic affirmation of faith comes to us from the early
    centuries of the Christian church.


       I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
       Maker of heaven and earth:
       And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
       Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
       Born of the Virgin Mary,
       Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
       Was crucified, dead, and buried;
       He descended into hell;
       The third day he rose again from the dead;
       He ascended into heaven
       And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
       From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
       I believe in the Holy Ghost;
       The holy catholic church;     *
       The communion of saints;
       The forgiveness of sins;
       The resurrection of the body;
       And the life everlasting.

                              Amen.


                 * Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of
                   believers in Christ, not just one particular church.





Reading Of The Scriptures

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Supreme Importance Of Love
Text is from the King James Clarified New Testament (KJCNT), which is in
the Public Domain. You can download your free copy of the KJCNT by
clicking
HERE! => http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/kjcnt11.txt

Compare to other Bible versions by clicking
HERE! =>
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013;&version=31;


             1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJCNT)

    13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
    not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
    mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I
    could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

    13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I
    give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

    13:4 Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not
    itself, is not puffed up,

    13:5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily
    provoked, thinks no evil;

    13:6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 13:7 Bears
    all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

    13:8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
    fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
    knowledge, it shall vanish away.

    13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

    13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in
    part shall be done away.

    13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
    I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish
    things.

    13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
    now I know in part; but then shall I know just as also I am known.

    13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest
    of these is love.

                                     <><


May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy word.

Guest Hymn From Another Website

"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"
http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hiseyeis.htm

Thanks and blessings to Cyberhymnal.org for providing this beautiful music
for us.

Worship Poem

"Praise for Mercies," by Isaac Watts, Public Domain


    Wheneer I take my walks abroad,
    How many poor I see!
    What shall I render to my God
    For all his gifts to me?

    Not more than others I deserve,
    Yet God hath given me more:
    For I have food, while others starve,
    Or beg from door to door.

    How many children in the street
    Half naked I behold!
    While I am clothed from head to feet,
    And coverd from the cold.

    While some poor wretches scarce can tell
    Where they may lay their head,
    I have a home wherein to dwell,
    And rest upon my bed.

    While others early learn to swear,
    And curse, and lie, and steal,
    Lord, I am taught thy name to fear,
    And do thy holy will.

    Are these thy favours, day by day,
    To me above the rest?
    Then let me love thee more than they,
    And try to serve thee best.


    Source: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/watts/divsongs.h4.html



Teachings

"Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?"

                 Why Do Bad Things To Happen To Good People?

                        by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
                          INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST
                     http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

                            Public Domain

    "Why does God permit bad things to happen to good people?" This is one
    of the big questions of all time. Here is the answer, only a partial
    answer, as Holy Spirit has given me to understand.

    First, recognize that God does not permit us to understand all things
    at this time. Why not? I don't know. He just doesn't permit it. At the
    present time, we see things only dimly, as through a glass.


       "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now
        I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
        (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV)


    Nevertheless, there are certain things He does permit us to know,
    including these:

    1. God is absolute sovereign over everything. He created everything;
    it all belongs to Him. Nothing happens without His knowledge and
    consent.


       "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that
        are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
        dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
        by him, and for him:" (Colossians 1:16 KJV)


    2. God has ordained the laws of Nature, including the laws of Physics,
    such as The Law Of Gravity. He does not usually interfere with their
    normal, mechanical, cause-and-effect operation. When He does
    interfere, it is considered a miracle. So when the mechanic fails to
    fasten the bolts, and the wing falls off the airplane, and it crashes,
    killing your child, God didn't do it: the mechanic did. Yes, God could
    have kept it from happening, but in order to do so, He would have had
    to interrupt the normal operation of His creation. He doesn't do that
    very often. Many of the bad things that happen to good people are the
    result of the normal cause-and-effect workings of Nature. For
    instance, people are designed to wear out and die. That's just the way
    it is. These things happen to good people and bad people alike.


      "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
       and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
       (Matthew 5:45b KJV)

    3. For some reason, Satan and his demons have certain rights to exist
    and to act. And they hate us. They will harm us as much as they can.
    As Christians, we have some authority over them, but few of us know
    how to use it. Many of the bad things that happen to good people are
    caused directly by Satan and his demons. Acts 10:38 speaks of people
    being "oppressed of the devil."


       "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
        power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
        oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
        (Acts 10:38 KJV)


    4. Sometimes, God will warn us in dreams or by some other means, when
    bad things are heading our way. If we cultivate a close relationship
    with the Holy Spirit, we are more likely to be warned of impending
    trouble so we can avoid it. Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary
    and baby Jesus into Egypt, to escape Herod who was trying to kill
    Jesus (see Matthew 2:13).

    5. No matter what happens, if we love Him, God will make EVERYTHING
    work out for our own good, even if this idea seems preposterous at the
    time.


       "And we know that all things work together for good to them that
        love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
        (Romans 8:28 KJV)


    6. The world is a very rough place. We can expect much pain and many
    difficulties of all kinds. Why? We don't know. That's just the way it
    is.

         "Man that is born of a woman is of few days,
          and full of trouble." (Job 14:1 KJV)

    7. The good news is that Heaven awaits us, and then all our troubles
    will be gone.


               "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
                there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
                neither shall there be any more pain: for the former
                things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4 KJV)



    8. Until then, we have the Holy Spirit as our Comforter, Who will be
    with us, helping us and loving us at all times.


       "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
        Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
        (John 14:16 KJV)

                                 <><

    If you, yourself, have had bad things happen to you, then this prayer
    is for you.

                      "Comfort In Sorrow"

          I pray the Lord will comfort you in sorrow,
          When sadness fills your heart with dull despair.
          When things you wanted most seem gone forever,
          I pray His golden presence gives you peace.
          When nothing in this world seems safe or certain,
          I pray you have the Lord and He has you.

                        Amen.
                                    <><

    Blessings to you in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

      Rev. Bill McGinnis  <><
      bmcgin@...


Source:
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/pearl-badthingstogoodpeople.txt

Exhortation

"Take This Day And Live It For The Lord"
                     Take this day, and live it for the Lord;
                     In everything you do, give praise to Him.
                     The Lord is mighty, merciful and just.
                     He gives us all the strength we ever need.
                     We have no reason ever to complain,
                     For we are His, and He is in control.



Prayer For You

"I Pray That You Will Take The Time Today"

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine my voice as I
       speak it to you.  In this way, the prayer is reactivated,
       and it is the same as if I were actually praying for you
       at that moment.


        I pray that you will take the time today
        To open up your eyes, and clearly see
        And open up your heart, and surely feel
        And open up your mind, and understand
        Your place within the Universe of God.

        For He created you, and not yourself;
        And He created others, just like you,
        With needs and feelings just the same as yours.

        They may seem insignificant to you,
        But God may love them more than He loves you!

        And if you love them as you love yourself,
        Then He will love you greatly in return.

        But if you treat them harshly, with contempt,
        Then He will treat you harshly in return.

        For this is Justice, clear as it can get:
        "You will receive exactly as you give."

        The Lord is not impressed with who you are.
        In fact, He hates the arrogant and proud.

        The boastful warrior with a mighty sword
        Will surely fall and surely turn to dust.

        In Jesus' name I pray for you today.


           by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Public Domain
           InternetChurchOfChrist.org



Holy Communion

A ceremony for Holy Communion is available to you HERE! -
http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/pearl-holycommunion.html

If you are alone, you will needed to be both "Leader" and "Assembly," as
described in the ceremony.

How To Find A Real, Live Church

An online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better
for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real,
live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church,
so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by
clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html

Closing Hymn

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Click HERE to start the music =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/fortrs8b.mid

Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by
Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis
from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free
for all to use without restriction.


A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD - by Martin Luther (1529), Translated by
                                Frederick H. Hedge (1853).



            A mighty fortress is our God,
            A bulwark never failing;
            Our helper He, amid the flood
            Of mortal ills prevailing.
            For still our ancient foe
            Doth seek to work us woe;
            His craft and pow'r are great,
            And, armed with cruel hate,
            On earth is not his equal.

            Did we in our own strength confide,
            Our striving would be losing,
            Were not the right Man on our side,
            The Man of God's own choosing.
            Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
            Lord Sabaoth His name,
            From age to age the same,
            And He must win the battle.

            And though this world, with devils filled,
            Should threaten to undo us,
            We will not fear, for God hath willed
            His truth to triumph through us.
            The prince of darkness grim -
            We tremble not for him;
            His rage we can endure,
            For lo! his doom is sure;
            One little word shall fell him.

            That word above all earthly pow'rs -
            No thanks to them - abideth;
            The Spirit and the gifts are ours
            Through Him Who with us sideth.
            Let goods and kindred go,
            This mortal life also;
            The body they may kill;
            God's truth abideth still,
            His kingdom is for ever.

                         Amen.





Benediction
     _____________________________________________________________

       "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
        all ways. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord!

This worship service is now completed. Go in peace.

Rev. Bill McGinnis

You can contact me at bmcgin@....

Please visit our home page at InternetChurchOfChrist.org
INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST

This page is brought to you by LoveAllPeople.org,
"Love All People As Yourself."

BLESSINGS TO YOU! May you thrive and prosper in everything you do.



       Rev. Bill McGinnis

       bmcgin@...



THIS PAGE IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN - Free for all to use without
restriction.

TORTURE IS ALWAYS A TERRIBLE SIN, NEVER JUSTIFIED IN ANY CASE

By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
Internet Church Of Christ
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org


HTML version located at http://www.EssaysAndCommentaries.com/torture.html
This page is "free to copy, free to use."

TORTURE IS ALWAYS A TERRIBLE SIN, NEVER JUSTIFIED IN ANY CASE.

Torture grossly violates the universal commandment given by Jesus, that we
should always treat others as we would like to be treated.

*****

    So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this
    is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 RSV)

*****

Even in war, once we have people under our control, we must treat them
humanely, just as we would want to be treated humanely if we were under
their control. If we were their prisoners, the very last thing we would
want is to be tortured. Therefore, we should not ever torture our
prisoners. Torturing people is the absolute complete opposite of what
God wants us to do.

The act of torture perfectly expresses the twisted spirit of Satan, and
totally violates the Holy Spirit of God. The desire to inflict pain on
others is the most repulsive, repugnant, Satanic desire we could possibly
have. It is inconceivable that any person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling
within him should ever be able to embrace torture in any form, or in any
case.

Our enemy Satan, who hates all people, constantly tries to tempt us into
hurting each other. But we must resist Satan, and treat each other
decently, no matter what our differences may be.

*****

     Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
     roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 RSV)

     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
     kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control;
     against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23 RSV)

     Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will
     flee from you. (James 4:7 RSV)

*****

It is never necessary for us to sin. If we keep looking, the Lord will
make a way for us to accomplish anything we need to accomplish, without
sinning.

*****
        No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
        faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength,
        but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that
        you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 RSV)

        But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is
        impossible, but with God all things are possible."
                                                (Matthew 19:26 RSV)

*****


Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He wants us to believe that
torture is somehow necessary and justified to "save American lives" or to
"help win the war on terror." Nonsense! Total lying nonsense! The sin of
torture is never necessary to accomplish any good purpose. For instance,
if we need to obtain information from prisoners to save American lives, we
can use "truth serum" drugs, not torture, to get them to talk.

*****

     You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your
     father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has
     nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.
     When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a
     liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 RSV)

*****

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

       Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
       INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST
       http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org



Source: Bible verses are from the online Revised Standard Version Bible
(RSV) at the University of Michigan - http://www.hti.umich.edu/r/rsv/

This page is brought to you by LoveAllPeople.org,
  Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director
  http://www.LoveAllPeople.org

Contact: bmcgin@...


                         ###

Online Christian Worship Service For Week Of January 9, 2005

HTML  version at
  http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship010905.html

Christian Worship Anytime - Updated Weekly

www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/worship.html

This page is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use without
restriction.

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you
have the opportunity to do that right now by clicking HERE! =>
http://www.internetChurchOfChrist.org/jesusdirect.html

Welcome

Welcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here
is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are
invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

Opening Hymn

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Lyrics by Charles Wesley (1747); music is the hymn tune BEECHER, by John
Zundel (1870); MIDI file by Bill McGinnis, altered from an existing Public
Domain MIDI file. Everything here is Public Domain.


MIDI music file at http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/lovdivb.mid

LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING - by Charles Wesley, 1747 -
                                        Public Domain


              Love divine, all loves excelling,
              Joy of heav'n, to earth come down;
              Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
              All Thy faithful mercies crown;
              Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
              Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
              Visit us with Thy salvation,
              Enter ev'ry trembling heart.

              Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
              Into ev'ry troubled breast;
              Let us all in Thee inherit,
              Let us find Thy promised rest;
              Take away the love of sinning;
              Alpha and Omega be;
              End of faith, as its beginning,
              Set our hearts at liberty.

              Come, Almighty to deliver,
              Let us all Thy life receive;
              Suddenly return, and never,
              Never more Thy temples leave;
              Thee we would be always blessing,
              Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
              Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
              Glory in Thy perfect love.

              Finish then Thy new creation,
              Pure and spotless let us be;
              Let us see Thy great salvation,
              Perfectly restored in Thee;
              Changed from glory into glory,
              Till in heav'n we take our place,
              Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
              Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

                               Amen.



More songs like this at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/christmusic.html

Invocation
                  O Lord, we know that You are everywhere,
                  And nothing happens that You cannot see,
                  But even so, we pray that You will come
                  And join with us directly at this time.
                  We now will offer up our praise to You,
                  And we do much desire to have You here.
                  In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.




Prayer For The Tsunami Disaster Victims And Survivors

   O Lord, we know the whole wide world is Yours;
   That You created it, and all within;
   That all things which exist belong to You;
   And You owe nothing which you must repay.

     "The Lord giveth; and the Lord taketh away."

   So when disasters strike, as this one did,
   We have no right to shake our fists at You.
   Instead, we should be grateful You spared us,
   When maybe we deserved to die instead.

   We pray that You have mercy on the souls
   Of all the ones who perished in the flood.
   We pray You help the ones who did survive,
   And bring them back to normal life somehow.

   Please mobilize the rich to help the poor,
   And let us recognize, around the world,
   That we are not as strong as we may think,
   And if You turn against us, we are doomed.

   In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.


Prayer For You

To Cast Out Demon Envy

NOTE: When you read this prayer, try to imagine hearing my voice as I
speak it to you.  In this way, the prayer is reactivated, and it is the
same as if I were actually praying for you at that moment.

              *                   *                 *

                       "To Cast Out Demon Envy"

                We are taught to love the Lord, our God,
                And then, to love our neighbor as ourself.
                And if we love our neighbor as ourself,
                Then we will glad rejoice when he succeeds,
                And we will wish him all good things in life,
                The same as we desire them for ourself.

                There is no place for envy in your life.
                So if you have it, now I cast it out.

                    *            *            *

               Attention evil spirits dwelling here:
               Know ye that I am working for the Lord!
               His power and His glory fill my heart;
               His love directs me here to you today.

               I know that all of you will shortly leave,
               As more each day the Lord is grown in strength,
               And daily you are more-and-more distressed.
               But now, today, I cast out only one:
               O Demon Envy: Listen to my voice!
               You are the one I speak to here today!
               In Jesus' holy name, I cast you out!
               No longer may you stay within this place,
               No longer may you tamper with this life!
               The Lord is dwelling here, you must be gone!
               And in His holy name, I cast you out!
               So go, and take your evil friends with you!
               And nevermore return unto this place.

                    *             *             *

               O Lord, I pray that you will grow in strength
               Within this heart where you are dwelling now.
               And as you gain in power day-by-day,
               I pray the evil spirits all will leave.
               In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.


                      by Rev. Bill McGinnis, Public Domain



If you haven't done so already, you can become a Christian right now! =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/gateway.html

For more about deliverance from demons, please see our page at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/deliverance.html

Declaration Of Faith

The Apostles' Creed

    This historic affirmation of faith comes to us from the early
    centuries of the Christian church.


       I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
       Maker of heaven and earth:
       And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
       Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
       Born of the Virgin Mary,
       Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
       Was crucified, dead, and buried;
       He descended into hell;
       The third day he rose again from the dead;
       He ascended into heaven
       And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
       From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
       I believe in the Holy Ghost;
       The holy catholic church;     *
       The communion of saints;
       The forgiveness of sins;
       The resurrection of the body;
       And the life everlasting.

                              Amen.


                 * Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of
                   believers in Christ, not just one particular church.





Reading Of The Scriptures

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Supreme Importance Of Love

Text is from the King James Clarified New Testament (KJCNT), which is in
the Public Domain. You can download your free copy of the KJCNT by
clicking
HERE! => http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/kjcnt11.txt

Compare to other Bible versions by clicking
HERE! =>
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013;&version=31;


             1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (KJCNT)

    13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have
    not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
    mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I
    could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

    13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I
    give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

    13:4 Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not
    itself, is not puffed up,

    13:5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily
    provoked, thinks no evil;

    13:6 Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 13:7 Bears
    all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

    13:8 Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
    fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
    knowledge, it shall vanish away.

    13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

    13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in
    part shall be done away.

    13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
    I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish
    things.

    13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
    now I know in part; but then shall I know just as also I am known.

    13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest
    of these is love.

                                     <><


May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy word.

Guest Hymn From Another Website

"What Wondrous Love Is This?"

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/a/whatwond.htm

Thanks and blessings to Cyberhymnal.org for providing this beautiful music
for us.

Worship Poem

"Praise for Mercies," by Isaac Watts, Public Domain


    Wheneer I take my walks abroad,
    How many poor I see!
    What shall I render to my God
    For all his gifts to me?

    Not more than others I deserve,
    Yet God hath given me more:
    For I have food, while others starve,
    Or beg from door to door.

    How many children in the street
    Half naked I behold!
    While I am clothed from head to feet,
    And coverd from the cold.

    While some poor wretches scarce can tell
    Where they may lay their head,
    I have a home wherein to dwell,
    And rest upon my bed.

    While others early learn to swear,
    And curse, and lie, and steal,
    Lord, I am taught thy name to fear,
    And do thy holy will.

    Are these thy favours, day by day,
    To me above the rest?
    Then let me love thee more than they,
    And try to serve thee best.


    Source: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/watts/divsongs.h4.html


Teachings

"Torture Is Always A Terrible Sin, Never Justified In Any Case"


TORTURE IS ALWAYS A TERRIBLE SIN, NEVER JUSTIFIED IN ANY CASE

By Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
Internet Church Of Christ
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org


HTML version located at http://www.EssaysAndCommentaries.com/torture.html
This page is "free to copy, free to use."

TORTURE IS ALWAYS A TERRIBLE SIN, NEVER JUSTIFIED IN ANY CASE.

Torture grossly violates the universal commandment given by Jesus, that we
should always treat others as we would like to be treated.

*****

    So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this
    is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12 RSV)

*****

Even in war, once we have people under our control, we must treat them
humanely, just as we would want to be treated humanely if we were under
their control. If we were their prisoners, the very last thing we would
want is to be tortured. Therefore, we should not ever torture our
prisoners. Torturing people is the absolute complete opposite of what
God wants us to do.

The act of torture perfectly expresses the twisted spirit of Satan, and
totally violates the Holy Spirit of God. The desire to inflict pain on
others is the most repulsive, repugnant, Satanic desire we could possibly
have. It is inconceivable that any person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling
within him should ever be able to embrace torture in any form, or in any
case.

Our enemy Satan, who hates all people, constantly tries to tempt us into
hurting each other. But we must resist Satan, and treat each other
decently, no matter what our differences may be.

*****

     Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
     roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 RSV)

     But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
     kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control;
     against such there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23 RSV)

     Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will
     flee from you. (James 4:7 RSV)

*****

It is never necessary for us to sin. If we keep looking, the Lord will
make a way for us to accomplish anything we need to accomplish, without
sinning.

*****
        No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
        faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength,
        but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that
        you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 RSV)

        But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is
        impossible, but with God all things are possible."
                                                (Matthew 19:26 RSV)

*****


Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He wants us to believe that
torture is somehow necessary and justified to "save American lives" or to
"help win the war on terror." Nonsense! Total lying nonsense! The sin of
torture is never necessary to accomplish any good purpose. For instance,
if we need to obtain information from prisoners to save American lives, we
can use "truth serum" drugs, not torture, to get them to talk.

*****

     You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your
     father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has
     nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.
     When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a
     liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 RSV)

*****

Blessings to you. May God help us all.

       Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor
       INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST
       http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org



Source: Bible verses are from the online Revised Standard Version Bible
(RSV) at the University of Michigan - http://www.hti.umich.edu/r/rsv/



                         ###



Exhortation

"Constantly Seek After The Lord"

    The Lord wants you to seek after Him, to try to know Him. It is one of
    His principles of the universe that desire is very important. He wants
    us to desire Him more than anything else.

    The way I do it is this, and you can modify this however you want to.

    First, I pray constantly. That is, I try to stay in constant
    communication with Him. I love Him, and I tell Him so, all the time. I
    talk sweet to Him, like you would talk to a lover. I am *very*
    personal with Him. He made me, so I am rightfully His. It is only by
    our human rebellion from Him that we are kept separate. I want Him to
    be with me, all the time in everything I do. This means *everything*.
    During sex, in the bathroom, on the job, every moment, every place. I
    don't want any half-way relationship with Him like I used to have. I
    want the whole thing!

    I want Him to talk directly to me. I have promised Him that I will do
    anything He clearly tells me to do. The only condition is that He must
    be clear, and that He not permit Satan or any imposters to deceive me.
    He *does* talk to me, not in audible words, but in thoughts of audible
    words, just like you hear in your mind when you read. Likewise, I can
    talk to Him in thoughts of audible words. I don't need to actually
    speak the words with my lips. And He gives me signs: things that
    happen "by coincidence" which are not mere coincidence but which come
    straight from Him, to tell me He is there.

    I want Him to own my body, too, not just my soul. I want to be totally
    submitted to Him. Not to any person, or leader, or priest: but to Him
    alone, the Lord Jesus Christ. Father-Son-Holy Spirit: they are all the
    same thing. Different expressions of the same One God, who created me
    for His own enjoyment. So let Him enjoy me! I let Him experience His
    creation through me. When I am sad, He experiences sadness through me.
    When I am happy, He experiences happiness through me.

    Whatever He wants to do with my body, I give Him permission to do.
    Whether He wants to kiss it or to burn it up in flames, it's all His
    to do with as He pleases.

    He likes it when we admit our total dependence on Him, when we don't
    even try to do anything without Him being right there with us. He
    really does not like arrogant rebellious people. He turns His back on
    them, thinking, "Okay. You're so smart. Then do it yourself, and see
    what happens! You are on your own." I try to take the attitude, "Okay,
    Lord: If you are not with me, I am not going." In human life, little
    children are completely helpless. Nevertheless, they maintain their
    personalities and let us parents know their desires. They are
    dependent on us parents, and they know it. This is a model of our
    proper relationship to Him: we are to Him as our own little children
    are to us. Except we are not not trying to grow up and be independent
    from Him. We are His little children, forever!


   Yours in Christ, with love,

       Bill McGinnis

   <><


Holy Communion

A ceremony for Holy Communion is available to you HERE! -
http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/pearl-holycommunion.html

If you are alone, you will needed to be both "Leader" and "Assembly," as
described in the ceremony.

How To Find A Real, Live Church

An online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better
for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real,
live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church,
so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by
clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html
Closing Hymn

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Click HERE to start the music =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/fortrs8b.mid

Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by
Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis
from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free
for all to use without restriction.


A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD - by Martin Luther (1529), Translated by
                                Frederick H. Hedge (1853).



            A mighty fortress is our God,
            A bulwark never failing;
            Our helper He, amid the flood
            Of mortal ills prevailing.
            For still our ancient foe
            Doth seek to work us woe;
            His craft and pow'r are great,
            And, armed with cruel hate,
            On earth is not his equal.

            Did we in our own strength confide,
            Our striving would be losing,
            Were not the right Man on our side,
            The Man of God's own choosing.
            Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
            Lord Sabaoth His name,
            From age to age the same,
            And He must win the battle.

            And though this world, with devils filled,
            Should threaten to undo us,
            We will not fear, for God hath willed
            His truth to triumph through us.
            The prince of darkness grim -
            We tremble not for him;
            His rage we can endure,
            For lo! his doom is sure;
            One little word shall fell him.

            That word above all earthly pow'rs -
            No thanks to them - abideth;
            The Spirit and the gifts are ours
            Through Him Who with us sideth.
            Let goods and kindred go,
            This mortal life also;
            The body they may kill;
            God's truth abideth still,
            His kingdom is for ever.

                         Amen.





Benediction
     _____________________________________________________________

       "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
        all ways. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord!

This worship service is now completed. Go in peace.
Rev. Bill McGinnis

You can contact me at bmcgin@....



THIS PAGE IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN - Free for all to use without
restriction.

This page is brought to you by LoveAllPeople.org,

http://www.LoveAllPeople.org

GROUP FORMED TO OPPOSE TORTURE

The group "Anti-Torture Network" has been formed with the purpose of
"Opposing Torture Everywhere."

The main website for this group is
http://www.anti-torture.net .

The headquarters and membership list is located at
http://www.googlegroups.com/group/anti-torture-network .

Everyone who wants to oppose torture is invited to
join this group by sending a blank e-mail message to
anti-torture-network-subscribe@googlegroups.com .

All group members can post messages to the entire group.

The organizer of the group is Rev. Bill McGinnis, who is
Director of http://www.LoveAllPeople.org and Pastor
of http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org .

           ###

GROUP FORMED TO OPPOSE TORTURE

Alexandria, Virginia, USA
January 12, 2005

The group "Anti-Torture Network" has been formed with the purpose of
"Opposing Torture Everywhere."

The main website for this group is
http://www.anti-torture.net .

The headquarters and membership list is located at
http://www.googlegroups.com/group/anti-torture-network .

Everyone who wants to oppose torture is invited to
join this group by sending a blank e-mail message to
anti-torture-network-subscribe@googlegroups.com .

All group members can post messages to the entire group.

The organizer of the group is Rev. Bill McGinnis, who is
Director of http://www.LoveAllPeople.org and Pastor
of http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org .

"The disgusting practice of torture is always a terrible
sin, never justified in any case," said McGinnis. "The
Anti-Torture Network will work to stop it, everywhere in
the world."

        ###

This message is authorized by William E. McGinnis,
of Alexandria, Virginia, USA, also known as
Rev. Bill McGinnis. Contact bmcgin@....
A copy of this message is located at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/groupformedtoopposetorture.txt

MARTIN LUTHER KING BIRTHDAY PRAYER AND TRIBUTE


HTML Version at
http://www.EssaysAndCommentaries.com/martinlutherkingtribute2005.html

January 15, 2005
Happy birthday, dear Martin. Happy birthday to you!

WHAT DID MARTIN LUTHER KING DO TO DESERVE A HOLIDAY IN HIS NAME?

January 15th is Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. One of my
co-workers (from another country) asked me this question: "What did Martin
Luther King actually do to deserve a holiday in his name?"

My reply was this: "Martin Luther King was the unquestioned leader of the
American Civil Rights movement during our period of transition from racial
segregation to integration. As a Christian minister, he taught
non-violence, and his leadership steered us safely through the changes
without the kind of catastrophic violence we might have had otherwise. He
was willing to risk his life for this cause, and his life was taken
because of it. He is a true hero to everyone who loves justice."


                         *      *      *


I didn't appreciate him at the time, during his ministry. I was a
know-it-all young white man from a segregated high school in Florida, and
I thought he was a dangerous trouble-maker and probably a Communist. Only
later did I realize how very important he had been, and how much we all
owed to him for leading us safely through those perilous times, which
could have turned into a disaster, but did not. And only recently have I
come to discern the Holy Spirit shining within him, leading him every step
of his way, even unto death.

So now I offer this prayer for him:

A Prayer For Martin Luther King


    Dear Lord, I pray for Martin Luther King,
    That You will bless his soul forevermore,
    And keep him always close unto Yourself.

    As You did put Your Spirit into Him,
    I pray You put Your Spirit into us,
    That we, like Martin, might be filled with love,
    And we, like Martin, might have strength to act.

    In Jesus' holy name I pray, Amen.


Link to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech:
http://www.mecca.org/~crights/dream.html

Link to Martin Luther King's biography at Nobelprize.org:
http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

Search Google for "Martin Luther King"
http://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Martin+Luther+King%22&btnG=Google+Search



This page is brought to you by http://www.LoveAllPeople.org,
God's One Law: "Love All People As Yourself."



BLESSINGS TO YOU! May you thrive and prosper in everything you do.



       Rev. Bill McGinnis

       bmcgin@...


This page is in the Public Domain, free for everyone to
use without restriction.


If You Are Searching For A Spiritual Home, You Are Invited To Visit And
Join INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST, Rev. Bill McGinnis, Pastor.
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

WORSHIP SERVICE FOR WEEK OF JAN. 16, 2005 NOW ONLINE

INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

Worship Service for week of Jan. 16, 2005
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship011605.html

Latest updated worship service should always be available at
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship.html

The main page for INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST is
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org

These are Public Domain, with lots of material available
for you to use however you want, much of it new.

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord.

       Rev. Bill McGinnis
       bmcgin@...

A service of http://www.LoveAllPeople.org

Site map for LoveAllPeople.org is at
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/chapellinks.html

Worship Service At Internet Church Of Christ
http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/worship.html

For Week Of Sunday, January 30, 2005

HTML page at
  http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship013005.html

Teach your computer to read and speak!
Your computer can read this text aloud to you, in spoken words.
Click http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/introtts.html
to find out how. It's easy, and it's FREE!


If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you
have the opportunity to do that right now by clicking HERE! =>
http://www.internetChurchOfChrist.org/jesusdirect.html

Welcome

Welcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here
is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are
invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

Opening Hymn

I Would Be True

  MIDI music file at http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/true3.mid
Music by Joseph Y. Peek (1843-1911). MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis.
Public Domain.



           I WOULD BE TRUE - by Howard Arnold Walter, 1883-1918
                                  Public Domain

            I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
            I would be pure, for there are those who care;
            I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
            I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
              I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

            I would be friend of all -- the foe, the friendless;
            I would be giving, and forget the gift;
            I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
            I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
              I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

            I would be learning, day by day the lessons
            My heavenly father gives me in His word;
            I would be quick to hear His lightest whisper,
            And prompt and glad to do the things I've heard;
              And prompt and glad to do the things I've heard.

                                 Amen.




Invocation

         O Lord, We pray that You will join with us
         As now we come to worship only You.
         Please be with us, and dwell here in our midst
         And share with us the beauty of Yourself.
         We hunger and we search for only You;
         With full desire, we want You here with us.
         In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.



Declaration Of Faith

The Apostles' Creed

    This historic affirmation of faith comes to us from the early
    centuries of the Christian church.


       I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
       Maker of heaven and earth:
       And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
       Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
       Born of the Virgin Mary,
       Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
       Was crucified, dead, and buried;
       He descended into hell;
       The third day he rose again from the dead;
       He ascended into heaven
       And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
       From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
       I believe in the Holy Ghost;
       The holy catholic church;     *
       The communion of saints;
       The forgiveness of sins;
       The resurrection of the body;
       And the life everlasting.

                              Amen.


                 * Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of
                   believers in Christ, not just one particular church.



The Lord's Prayer

    The Lord, Himself, taught us to pray like this . . .


                      The Lord's Prayer


           Our Father, who art in heaven,
             hallowed be thy Name,
             thy kingdom come,
             thy will be done,
               on earth as it is in heaven.
           Give us this day our daily bread.
           And forgive us our trespasses,
             as we forgive those who trespass against us.
           And lead us not into temptation,
             but deliver us from evil.
           For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
             for ever and ever. Amen.

                       Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on
                               Matthew 6:9-13


                        *             *           *


          "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
           will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their
           trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
           (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV)



Reading Of The Scriptures

The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35

Text is from the King James Clarified New Testament (KJCNT), which is the
same as the King James Version (KJV), except that the most archaic words
have been updated to modern English. Public Domain. You can download your
free copy of the KJCNT by clicking
HERE! => http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/kjcnt11.txt

Compare to other Bible versions by clicking
HERE! =>
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:21-35;&version=31;;


    MATTHEW 18:21-35 (King James Bible, Clarified, New Testament)


                     The Unforgiving Servant


    18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my
    brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

    18:22 Jesus says unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but,
    Until seventy times seven.

    18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king,
    which would take account of his servants.

    18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
    owed him ten thousand talents.

    18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be
    sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to
    be made.

    18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying,
    Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

    18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
    loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

    18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow
    servants, which owed him a hundred denarii: and he laid hands on him,
    and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe.

    18:29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and asked him,
    saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

    18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he
    should pay the debt.

    18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very
    sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

    18:32 Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O you
    wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me
    to:

    18:33 Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant,
    just as I had pity on you?

    18:34 And his lord was very angry, and delivered him to the
    tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

    18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you
    from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.



                     *            *           *

May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy word.
Teach your computer to read and speak! Your computer can read this text
aloud to you, in spoken words.
Click HERE! to find out how. It's easy, and it's FREE!


Guest Hymn From Another Website
"In The Cross Of Christ I Glory"

http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/n/intcross.htm

Thanks and blessings to Cyberhymnal.org for providing this beautiful music
for us.

Teachings

From: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

The Ministry of Reconciliation (Continuation)
---------------------------------------------
[17] Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old
has passed away, behold, the new has come. [18] All this is from God,
who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation; [19] that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world
to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting
to us the message of reconciliation. [20] So we are ambassadors for
Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of
Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin
who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of
God.

***********************************************************************
Commentary:

16-17. "Even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of
view": Paul seems to be referring to knowledge based only on external
appearances and on human criteria. Paul's Judaizing opponents do look
on things from a human point of view, as Paul himself did before his
conversion. Nothing he says here can be taken as implying that St Paul
knew Jesus personally during his life on earth (he goes on to say that
now he does not know him personally); what he is saying is that
previously he judged Christ on the basis of his own Pharisee
prejudices; now, on the other hand, he knows him as God and Savior of
men.

In v. 17 he elaborates on this contrast between before and after his
conversion, as happens to Christians through Baptism. For through the
grace of Baptism a person becomes a member of Christ's body, he lives
by and is "in Christ" (cf., e.g., Gal 6:15; Eph 2:10, 15f; Cor 3:9f);
the Redemption brings about a new creation. Commenting on this passage
St Thomas Aquinas reminds us that creation is the step from non-being
to being, and that in the supernatural order, after original sin, "a
new creation was necessary, whereby (creatures) would be made with the
life of grace; this truly is a creation from nothing, because those
without grace are nothing (cf. 1 Cor 13:2) [...]. St Augustine says,
'for sin is nothingness, and men become nothingness when they sin'"
("Commentary on 2 Cor, ad loc.").

"The new has come": St John Chrysostom points out the radical change
which the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ has brought about, and
the consequent difference between Judaism and Christianity: "Instead of
the earthly Jerusalem, we have received that Jerusalem which is above;
and instead of a material temple we have seen a spiritual temple;
instead of tablets of stone, holding the divine Law, our own bodies
have become the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit; instead of circumcision,
Baptism; instead of manna, the Lord's body; instead of water from a
rock, blood from his side; instead of Moses' or Aaron's rod, the cross
of the Savior; instead of the promised land, the kingdom of heaven"
("Hom on 2 Cor", 11).

18-21. The reconciliation of mankind with God--whose friendship we lost
through original sin--has been brought about by Christ's death on the
cross. Jesus, who is like men in all things "yet without sinning" (Heb
4:14), bore the sins of men (cf. Is 53:4-12) and offered himself on the
cross as an atoning sacrifice for all those sins (cf. 1 Pet 2:22-25),
thereby reconciling men to God; through this sacrifice we became the
righteousness of God, that is, we are justified, made just in God's
sight (cf. Rom 1:17; 3:24-26 and notes). The Church reminds us of this
in the rite of sacramental absolution: "God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his son has reconciled the world
to himself [...]."

Our Lord entrusted the Apostles with this ministry of reconciliation
(v. 18), this "message of reconciliation" (v. 19), to pass it on to all
men: elsewhere in the New Testament it is described as the "message of
salvation" (Acts 13:26), the "word of grace" (Acts 14:3; 20:32), the
"word of life" ( 1 Jn 1: 1). Thus, the Apostles were our Lord's
ambassadors to men, to whom St Paul addresses a pressing call: "be
reconciled to God", that is, apply to yourselves the reconciliation
obtained by Jesus Christ--which is done mainly through the sacraments
of Baptism and Penance. "The Lord Jesus instituted in his Church the
sacrament of Penance, so that those who have committed sins after
Baptism might be reconciled with God, whom they have offended, and with
the Church itself whom they have injured" (John Paul II, "Aperite
Portas, 5).

21. "He made him to be sin": obviously St Paul does not mean that
Christ was guilty of sin; he does not say "to be a sinner" but "to be
sin". "Christ had no sin," St Augustine says; "he bore sins, but he did
not commit them" ("Enarrationes in Psalmos", 68, 1, 10).

According to the rite of atoning sacrifices (cf. Lev 4:24; 5:9; Num
19:9; Mic 6:7; Ps 40:7) the word "sin", corresponding to the Hebrew
"asam", refers to the actual act of sacrifice or to the victim being
offered. Therefore, this phrase means "he made him a victim for sin" or
"a sacrifice for sin". it should be remembered that in the Old
Testament nothing unclean or blemished could be offered to God; the
offering of an unblemished animal obtained God's pardon for the
transgression which one wanted to expiate. Since Jesus was the most
perfect of victims offered for us, he made full atonement for all sins.
In the Letter to the Hebrews, when comparing Christ's sacrifice with
that of the priests of the Old Testament, it is expressly stated that
"every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered
for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand
of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his
feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who
are sanctified" (Heb 10:11-14).

This concentrated sentence also echoes the Isaiah prophecy about the
sacrifice of the Servant of Yahweh; Christ, the head of the human race,
makes men sharers in the grace and glory he achieved through his
sufferings: "upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with
his stripes we are healed" (Is 53:5).

Jesus Christ, burdened with our sins and offering himself on the cross
as a sacrifice for them, brought about the Redemption: the Redemption
is the supreme example both of God's justice--which requires atonement
befitting the offense--and of his mercy, that mercy which makes him
love the world so much that "he gave his only Son" (Jn 3:16). "In the
Passion and Death of Christ--in the fact that the Father did not spare
his own Son, but 'for our sake made him sin'--absolute justice is
expressed, for Christ undergoes the Passion and Cross because of the
sins of humanity. This constitutes even a 'superabundance' of justice,
for the sins of man are 'compensated for' by the sacrifice of the
Man-God. Nevertheless, this justice, which is properly justice 'to
God's measure', springs completely from love, from the love of the
Father and of the Son, and completely bears fruit in love. Precisely
for this reason the divine justice revealed in the Cross of Christ is
'to God's measure', because it springs from love and is accomplished in
love, producing fruits of salvation. The divine dimension of redemption
is put into effect not only by bringing justice to bear upon sin, but
also by restoring to love that creative power in man thanks to which he
once more has access to the fullness of life and holiness that come
from God. In this way, redemption involves the revelation of mercy in
its fullness" (John Paul II, "Dives In Misercordia", 7).

***********************************************************************
Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries".  Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate.  Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain.  Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Reprinted with permission from Four Courts Press and Scepter Publishers,
the U.S. publisher.


Worship Poem

    JOB 28 (CPD)


                    The Wisdom Poem

    1
           There is a mine for silver,
           And a place where gold is refined.
    2
           Iron is taken from ashes,
           And brass is melted out from earthen rocks.
    3
           Man decrees an end to darkness,
           And seeks his ore to the farthest limits,
           From gloomy places in deep darkness.
    4
           He opens a mineshaft in a remote valley,
           Forgotten by travelers.
           There he hangs suspended, swaying to and fro.
    5
           The earth yields food; and underneath,
           It transforms things as if by fire.
    6
           Its rocks give out sapphires,
           And from its dust come nuggets of gold.
    7
           There is a path no bird of prey has known,
           And the vulture's eye has not seen it.
    8
           The proud beasts have not walked there,
           Nor the fierce lion passed over it.
    9
           Man strikes the flinty rock;
           He uncovers the base of the mountains.
    10
           He cuts out channels through the rocks;
           His eye sees every precious thing.
    11
           He dams the streams so that they do not flow,
           And what is hidden, he brings forth to light.
    12
           But wisdom, where shall it be found?
           Where is the place of understanding?
    13
           Man does not know the way;
           and it is not found in the land of the living.
    14
           The depth says, It is not in me;
           And the sea says, It is not with me.
    15
           The finest gold cannot be given for it,
           Nor silver measured for its price.
    16
           It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,
           Or the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
    17
           Gold and crystal cannot be compared to it,
           Nor jewels of fine gold be traded for it.
    18
           No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls,
           For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
    19
           The topaz of Cush cannot equal it,
           Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
    20
           From where, then, does wisdom come?
           And where is the place of understanding?
    21
           For it is hidden from the eyes of all living things,
           Concealed from the birds of the sky.
    22
           Destruction and Death say,

              We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.
    23
           But God alone understands the way to it,
           And only He knows where it is.
    24
           For He looks to the ends of the earth,
           And He sees everything under heaven.
    25
           When He gave the wind its force,
           And measured out the waters;
    26
           When He made a law for the rain,
           And a path for bolts of lightning;
    27
           Then He saw it, and declared it;
           He established it, and searched it out.
    28
           And unto man He said,

               Fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
               And to turn away from evil is understanding.




               *                *                *


CPD: "Composite Public Domain Translation Of Selected Bible Passages,"
       a work in progress, by William McGinnis, 1997.


Prayer For You


                         "Your Friend's New Coat"

                  You see your friend while walking to your car;
                  You notice that he has a nice new coat;
                  And as you stop to talk with him, you think
                  That many things he has are very nice:
                  Far better than the junk that is your own.
                  You feel resentment growing in your heart.
                           *          *         *
                  Resentment is a very harmful thing.
                  It casts a cloud on everything you do.
                  A bright and sunny day seems dull and bleak.
                  And so I pray the Lord to enter in
                  And help you feel more grateful for His love.
                  The things you really need He will provide,
                  (But sometimes you must ask specifically.)
                  And if He blesses others more than you,
                  I pray that you remember He is God,
                  And He bestows His favors as he wants.
                           *          *         *
                  You have no claim at all upon the Lord,
                  The things He gives to you are gifts, not debts,
                  For He is God and you are only Man,
                  Created in His image, to be sure,
                  But only image, not the thing itself.
                  You are not God, so do not be confused.

                        bmcgin Public Domain

Exhortation

If it doesn't please the Lord, DON'T DO IT!


    A GOOD RULE FOR LIFE . . .

          If it doesn't please the Lord, DON'T DO IT!


    We have the Holy Spirit within us, right? Holy Spirit will let us
    know if our thoughts and actions are pleasing to Him. Let Holy
    Spirit guide us to please Him constantly.

    Through the Holy Spirit within us, we have the taken on the mind of
    Christ. If it is fully developed in us, we like the same things He
    likes, we feel the same things He feels. This is "advanced
    Christianity" in its highest form!


                "But we have the mind of Christ."
                 (1 Corinthians 2:16b KJV)


    Therefore, we know what pleases Him and what does not.

    Since we have given ourselves to Him, and since we know what He likes
    and what He does not like, then we should always give Him what He
    likes.

    It is our pleasure and our joy to serve Him in this manner.
    This is what we are living for.

                bmcgin - Public Domain



Holy Communion

A ceremony for Holy Communion is available to you HERE! -
http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/pearl-holycommunion.html

If you are alone, you will needed to be both "Leader" and "Assembly," as
described in the ceremony.

How To Find A Real, Live Church

An online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better
for most Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real,
live people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church,
so you gain the benefits of both. You can find a church for yourself by
clicking HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html

Closing Hymn

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Click HERE to start the music =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/fortrs8b.mid

Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by
Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis
from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free
for all to use without restriction.


A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD - by Martin Luther (1529), Translated by
                                Frederick H. Hedge (1853).



            A mighty fortress is our God,
            A bulwark never failing;
            Our helper He, amid the flood
            Of mortal ills prevailing.
            For still our ancient foe
            Doth seek to work us woe;
            His craft and pow'r are great,
            And, armed with cruel hate,
            On earth is not his equal.

            Did we in our own strength confide,
            Our striving would be losing,
            Were not the right Man on our side,
            The Man of God's own choosing.
            Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
            Lord Sabaoth His name,
            From age to age the same,
            And He must win the battle.

            And though this world, with devils filled,
            Should threaten to undo us,
            We will not fear, for God hath willed
            His truth to triumph through us.
            The prince of darkness grim -
            We tremble not for him;
            His rage we can endure,
            For lo! his doom is sure;
            One little word shall fell him.

            That word above all earthly pow'rs -
            No thanks to them - abideth;
            The Spirit and the gifts are ours
            Through Him Who with us sideth.
            Let goods and kindred go,
            This mortal life also;
            The body they may kill;
            God's truth abideth still,
            His kingdom is for ever.

                         Amen.





Benediction
     _____________________________________________________________

       "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
        all ways. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord!
This worship service is now completed. Go in peace.
Rev. Bill McGinnis

You can contact me at bmcgin@....

Please visit our home page at InternetChurchOfChrist.org
INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST


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Worship Service At Internet Church Of Christ
www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/worship.html
For Week Of Sunday, February 6, 2005

HTML page at http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/worship020605.html

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour, you
have the opportunity to do that right now by clicking HERE! =>
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Welcome

Welcome to the online worship service at Internet Church Of Christ. Here
is a good place to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. You are
invited and are welcome at any time. Blessings to you in Him.

Opening Hymn

I Would Be True

  MIDI music file at http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/true3.mid
Music by Joseph Y. Peek (1843-1911). MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis.
Public Domain.



           I WOULD BE TRUE - by Howard Arnold Walter, 1883-1918
                                  Public Domain

            I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
            I would be pure, for there are those who care;
            I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
            I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
              I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

            I would be friend of all -- the foe, the friendless;
            I would be giving, and forget the gift;
            I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
            I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
              I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

            I would be learning, day by day the lessons
            My heavenly father gives me in His word;
            I would be quick to hear His lightest whisper,
            And prompt and glad to do the things I've heard;
              And prompt and glad to do the things I've heard.

                                 Amen.



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Invocation

         O Lord, We pray that You will join with us
         As now we come to worship only You.
         Please be with us, and dwell here in our midst
         And share with us the beauty of Yourself.
         We hunger and we search for only You;
         With full desire, we want You here with us.
         In Jesus' holy name we pray, Amen.




Your computer can read this invocation to you, out loud in spoken English
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Declaration Of Faith

The Apostles' Creed

    This historic affirmation of faith comes to us from the early
    centuries of the Christian church.


       I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
       Maker of heaven and earth:
       And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
       Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost;
       Born of the Virgin Mary,
       Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
       Was crucified, dead, and buried;
       He descended into hell;
       The third day he rose again from the dead;
       He ascended into heaven
       And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
       From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
       I believe in the Holy Ghost;
       The holy catholic church;     *
       The communion of saints;
       The forgiveness of sins;
       The resurrection of the body;
       And the life everlasting.

                              Amen.


                 * Note: "catholic church" here means the entire body of
                   believers in Christ, not just one particular church.





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The Lord's Prayer

The Lord, Himself, taught us to pray like this . . .


                      The Lord's Prayer


           Our Father, who art in heaven,
             hallowed be thy Name,
             thy kingdom come,
             thy will be done,
               on earth as it is in heaven.
           Give us this day our daily bread.
           And forgive us our trespasses,
             as we forgive those who trespass against us.
           And lead us not into temptation,
             but deliver us from evil.
           For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
             for ever and ever. Amen.

                       Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on
                               Matthew 6:9-13




You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on
internetchurchofchrist.org/lordsprayer.mp3. This MP3 file, and the text on
which it is based, are in the Public Domain, free for all people to use
without restriction. As always, permission is granted to link to any of my
files. bmcgin

This MP3 file was created with the TextAloud 2.0 text-to-speech program,
reading the exact text shown above, without any additional adjustments or
controls. To find out more about TextAloud 2.0, please visit
text-to-speech.org/textaloudtts.html

Reading Of The Scriptures

The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35

Text is from the King James Clarified New Testament (KJCNT), which is the
same as the King James Version (KJV), except that the most archaic words
have been updated to modern English. Public Domain. You can download your
free copy of the KJCNT by clicking
HERE! => http://www.InternetChurchOfChrist.org/kjcnt11.txt

Compare to other Bible versions by clicking
HERE! =>
http://biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2018:21-35;&version=31;;


    MATTHEW 18:21-35 (King James Bible, Clarified, New Testament)


                     The Unforgiving Servant


    18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my
    brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

    18:22 Jesus says unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but,
    Until seventy times seven.

    18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king,
    which would take account of his servants.

    18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
    owed him ten thousand talents.

    18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be
    sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to
    be made.

    18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying,
    Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

    18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and
    loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

    18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow
    servants, which owed him a hundred denarii: and he laid hands on him,
    and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe.

    18:29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and asked him,
    saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.

    18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he
    should pay the debt.

    18:31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very
    sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

    18:32 Then his lord, after he had called him, said unto him, O you
    wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me
    to:

    18:33 Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant,
    just as I had pity on you?

    18:34 And his lord was very angry, and delivered him to the
    tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

    18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if you
    from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.



                     *            *           *

May the Lord bless this presentation of His holy word.

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Guest Hymn From Another Website
"It Is Well With My Soul"

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/i/itiswell.htm
Thanks and blessings to Cyberhymnal.org for providing this beautiful music
for us.

Teachings

The Bible Condemns Human Anger In All Its Forms


        "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;" (Psalms 37:8a KJV)



THE BIBLE OVERWHELMINGLY CONDEMNS HUMAN ANGER IN ALL ITS FORMS.
Those people who teach that we should sometimes be "righteously angry" are
100% wrong. This teaching is perhaps the greatest error in Christian
thought. Anger, like judgment, is reserved for God alone.

Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed to be angry with anybody or
anything. On the contrary, Scripture overwhelmingly teaches against human
anger and wrath in all its forms.



            List Of All Scriptures Which Advise Us About Human
                       Anger And Wrath


                                    "Anger"

        Psalms 37:8
        Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise
        to do evil.
        Proverbs 15:18
        A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger
        appeaseth strife.
        Proverbs 16:32
        He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that
        ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
        Proverbs 27:4
        Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand
        before envy?
        Ecclesiastes 7:9
        Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the
        bosom of fools.
        Ephesians 4:31
        Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
        speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
        Colossians 3:8
        But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
        blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
        Colossians 3:21
        Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
        discouraged.


                                  "Angry"


        Proverbs 14:17
        He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked
        devices is hated.
        Proverbs 22:24
        Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou
        shalt not go:
        Proverbs 29:22
        An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in
        transgression.
        Ecclesiastes 7:9
        Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the
        bosom of fools.
        Matthew 5:22
        But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother
        without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
        shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council:
        but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell
        fire.

              NOTE: All modern translations I can find, from the
              American Standard Version (1901) on, except the
              New King James Version, omit the words "without
              a cause." This means that whoever is angry with his
              brother (for any reason) is in danger of judgment.
              The words "without a cause" seem to be a clerical
              addition somewhere along the way in the Textus
              Receptus, which is the basis for the King James and
              the New King James versions. We certainly have a
              good reason to hate our enemies, yet Jesus tells
              us not to hate them, but to love them (Matthew
              5:44). So whom, then, should we hate, if not our
              enemies? Nobody! And that is the point. Neither
              should we be angry with them, for any reason.


        Ephesians 4:26
        Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
              (SEE EXPLANATION OF THIS VERSE, BELOW)
        Titus 1:7
        For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not
        selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not
        given to filthy lucre;


                         "Wrath"

        Job 5:2
        For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
        Job 19:29
        Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of
        the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
        Job 36:13
        But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he
        bindeth them.
        Psalms 2:12
        Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when
        his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put
        their trust in him.
        Psalms 37:8
        Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise
        to do evil.
        Proverbs 12:16
        A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth
        shame.
        Proverbs 14:29
        He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is
        hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
        Proverbs 19:19
        A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver
        him, yet thou must do it again.
        Proverbs 21:24
        Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
        Proverbs 27:3
        A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is
        heavier than them both.
        Proverbs 27:4
        Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand
        before envy?
        Proverbs 29:8
        Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away
        wrath.
        Proverbs 30:33
        Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the
        wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath
        bringeth forth strife.
        Romans 2:8
        But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but
        obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
        Romans 12:19
        Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
        wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith
        the Lord.
        Romans 13:5
        Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also
        for conscience sake.
        Galatians 5:20
        Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
        seditions, heresies,
        Ephesians 4:26
        Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
            (SEE EXPLANATION OF THIS VERSE, BELOW)
        Ephesians 4:31
        Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
        speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
        Colossians 3:8
        But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,
        blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
        1 Thessalonians 5:9
        For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by
        our Lord Jesus Christ,
        1 Timothy 2:8
        I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
        without wrath and doubting.
        James 1:19
        Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear,
        slow to speak, slow to wrath:
        James 1:20
        For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.




WHAT ABOUT EPHESIANS 4:26 AND PSALMS 4:4?

Some people will cite Ephesians 4:26, and Psalms 4:4 as two Scriptures
which (in some translations) appear to authorize us to be angry under some
conditions. Some translations consider Ephesians 4:26a to be a direct
quotation from Psalms 4:4a. Others make no connection between the two
verses.
Most major Bible translations render Ephesians 4:26 something like this:


         "Be angry, but do not sin. Do not let the sun set
          on your wrath."


This follows the translation of the Latin Vulgate


        Original Greek, Spelled Out In Roman Letters

                ORGIZESTHE KAI ME AMARTANETE


       Jerome's Translation Into Latin

               irascimini et nolite peccare


       Typical New Translation

               Be angry, but do not sin



This translation may appear to say that anger is encouraged, so long as
you do not sin; but this is an incorrect understanding of the meaning of
the words.
The more correct meaning of Ephesians 4:26 is this, as the NIV has it:


                  ------------------------------------------------
                 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go
                  down while you are still angry
                  ------------------------------------------------



Several other translations agree with the NIV. The Amplified Bible has it
right: "When angry, do not sin;" The Williams translation has it right:
"If you do get angry, you must stop sinning in your anger." Also the New
English Bible has it right: "If you are angry, do not let anger lead you
into sin." The New Living Translation improvises, but in the right
direction: "And don't sin by letting anger gain control over you."
All of these agree that Paul is NOT teaching us to be angry. Rather he is
recognizing the fact that we sometimes do get angry. (Anger is one of our
human weaknesses.) And think, Christians, think! Why would Paul suddenly
endorse anger here, when he condemns it consistently elsewhere?

Also, it doesn't make any sense at all to say "Be angry, but don't sin,"
and then to say, "But don't be angry any longer than sunset." If anger is
acceptable to God, then what difference does it make if we are angry
overnight or for a long period of time?

Regarding Psalms 4:4, there are some translations which do say, "Be angry,
but do not sin." But other translations are completely different, having
nothing at all to do with anger.



                           Psalms 4:4


              KJV
                     Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own
                     heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

              RSV
                     Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts
                     on your beds, and be silent. [Selah]
              NASB
                     Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart
                     upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
              NIV
                     In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds,
                     search your hearts and be silent.

          _____________________________________________________________



Once again, just as in Ephesians 4:26, even if it does say, "Be angry, but
do not sin," that is NOT an instruction for us to be angry. Rather it
simply recognizes our human weakness regarding anger. It is a concession,
not an instruction. Furthermore, why would David tell us to "be angry" in
Psalms 4:4, and then contradict himself in Psalms 37:8 which says, "Cease
from anger and forsake wrath?"
It is not clear that Ephesians 4:26 is even quoting Psalms 4:4. The
original Greek has no quotation marks, so it is always speculation when a
modern translation inserts quotation marks where the translator thinks
they should have been placed!

BUT DIDN'T JESUS, HIMSELF, SOMETIMES GET ANGRY?
Yes, Jesus became angry one time (Mark 3:5), maybe twice, if you include
the episode with the moneychangers in the temple. But He's allowed to be
angry. He is God. We are not. Was He angry when He was unjustly beaten and
nailed to a cross to die? No, He was not.

Yes, Moses became angry. And once, his anger led him to murder, which is
exactly what can happen when we are angry. His anger was a flaw, not a
virtue.

On balance, Scripture speaks out even more strongly against anger than it
does against sexual immorality. So if you allow yourself to become angry,
you do so at your own peril! Similarly, if you preach against sexual
immorality, you should preach even more strongly against anger. (All
finger pointers, please take note. You know who you are.)


BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SAYING, "LOVE THE SINNER, HATE THE SIN?"
There is a saying, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." If we are supposed to
"hate the sin," then shouldn't we become angry against it?
First, we need to understand that "Love the sinner, hate the sin" is not
Scriptural. It is a doctrine of man, first formulated by St. Augustine and
later affirmed by Martin Luther. So it got into Catholic teaching and then
was transferred intact into Protestantism. But it never was based on
Scripture, and it never was true. Sorry. Nowhere does the Bible instruct
us to "hate" sin. Search it yourself, in any Bible version you choose.
It's not in there!

We are instructed to "turn away" from sin and be repelled by it. We are
instructed to detest sin and abhor it. We are instructed to flee from sin.
But we are never instructed to hate sin or become angry because of it.

The danger in "hating the sin" is that we usually begin to hate the
sinner, as well. It is very difficult to separate the two in practice. In
fact, hatred itself is specifically condemned as a "work of the flesh," no
matter whom or what the object of the hatred may be. Those who have hatred
in their heart cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.


          GALATIANS 5:19-21 (KJV)

          _____________________________________________________________

         19
                Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
                Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
         20
                Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
                strife, seditions, heresies,
         21
                Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
                of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in
                time past, that they which do such things shall not
                inherit the kingdom of God.
          _____________________________________________________________



Jesus gives us an example of another way for us to respond to sin: sorrow,
not anger or hatred. As He approached Jerusalem for the last time, He knew
the sins of the people and the destruction that would come to them later,
at the hands of the Romans. What was His reaction? He wept for them!


         LUKE 19:41-44 (KJV)

         41
                And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept
                over it,
         42
                Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this
                thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now
                they are hid from thine eyes.
         43
                For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies
                shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round,
                and keep thee in on every side,
         44
                And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children
                within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone
                upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy
                visitation.



So don't let yourself become angry about anything, ever, because THE BIBLE
OVERWHELMINGLY CONDEMNS HUMAN ANGER IN ALL ITS FORMS.
Anger is the exact opposite of love, and to love is what we are commanded
to do.


          _____________________________________________________________

        For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your
        neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________




Worship Poem

    None this week.



Prayer For You

                "For The Lord To Smile On You Today"

              I pray the Lord will smile on you today,
              I pray He smiles on everything you do.
              I pray He enters strong into your mind
              And gives His perfect guidance all the day.
              I pray He grows in strength within your heart
              And leads your feelings down His perfect path.
              I pray that everything you do today
              Will bring Him pleasure in His life with you.


                               bmcgin  - Public Domain



Exhortation
"What God Values Is Devotion"

                      "What God Values Is Devotion"

    By Ian Robson, Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore 560084, India



    It was a command in the old covenant to love God with all one's heart
    (Deut. 6:5). But God's real desire is revealed in the new covenant
    where He seeks for fellowship with us not on the basis of commandments
    but our love and devotion to Him. It is only based on this love that
    He expects us to keep the commandments (Jn. 14:15).

    God does remember those who fear Him (Mal. 3:16). But He remembers
    with fondness those who are devoted to Him (Jer. 2:2). Even when
    people backslide and forget all that the Lord has done for them, He
    remembers their devotion to Him in the beginning when they followed
    Him through the barren land of opposition and reproach. It is this
    devotion that He expects more than keeping the commandments.

    Many find it difficult to keep the new testament command to love one
    another as Jesus has loved us (Jn. 13:34) because they are trying to
    keep it as a commandment without the strength of devotion and
    commitment to Jesus. If we find it a big strain to love the others, or
    we get offended quickly, we must realise that devotion to Jesus is
    what is lacking. This is why Satan keeps trying to lead us astray from
    a simple and pure devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ (2Cor. 11:3).








Holy Communion

A ceremony for Holy Communion is available to you




HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/pearl-holycommunion.html

If you are alone, you will needed to be both "Leader" and "Assembly,"
as described in the ceremony.

How To Find A Real, Live Church
An online church is better than no church at all; but it is even better
for most
Christians to actually belong to a real, live church, with real, live
people. Then, you can have your real church PLUS your online church, so
you gain the benefits of both.
You can find a church for yourself by clicking

HERE! - http://patriot.net/~bmcgin/findachurch.html


Closing Hymn
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Click HERE to start the music =>
http://www.patriot.net/users/bmcgin/fortrs8b.mid


Words are by Martin Luther, translated. Music (EIN' FESTE BURG) is by
Martin Luther, arranged by J. S. Bach, with MIDI sequence by Bill McGinnis
from a published Bach arrangement. Everything here is Public Domain, free
for all to use without restriction.




A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD - by Martin Luther (1529), Translated by
                                Frederick H. Hedge (1853).



            A mighty fortress is our God,
            A bulwark never failing;
            Our helper He, amid the flood
            Of mortal ills prevailing.
            For still our ancient foe
            Doth seek to work us woe;
            His craft and pow'r are great,
            And, armed with cruel hate,
            On earth is not his equal.

            Did we in our own strength confide,
            Our striving would be losing,
            Were not the right Man on our side,
            The Man of God's own choosing.
            Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
            Lord Sabaoth His name,
            From age to age the same,
            And He must win the battle.

            And though this world, with devils filled,
            Should threaten to undo us,
            We will not fear, for God hath willed
            His truth to triumph through us.
            The prince of darkness grim -
            We tremble not for him;
            His rage we can endure,
            For lo! his doom is sure;
            One little word shall fell him.

            That word above all earthly pow'rs -
            No thanks to them - abideth;
            The Spirit and the gifts are ours
            Through Him Who with us sideth.
            Let goods and kindred go,
            This mortal life also;
            The body they may kill;
            God's truth abideth still,
            His kingdom is for ever.

                         Amen.







Benediction


     _____________________________________________________________

       "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in
        all ways. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16 RSV)
          _____________________________________________________________

Blessings to you in Jesus Christ our Lord!

This worship service is now completed. Go in peace.


Rev. Bill McGinnis

You can contact me at
bmcgin@....
Please visit our home page at


InternetChurchOfChrist.org
   INTERNET CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Lord's Prayer

with MP3 audio file

HTML page at http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/lordsprayer.html


The Lord, Himself, taught us to pray like this . . .



                      The Lord's Prayer


           Our Father, who art in heaven,
             hallowed be thy Name,
             thy kingdom come,
             thy will be done,
               on earth as it is in heaven.
           Give us this day our daily bread.
           And forgive us our trespasses,
             as we forgive those who trespass against us.
           And lead us not into temptation,
             but deliver us from evil.
           For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
             for ever and ever. Amen.

                       Source: Book Of Common Prayer, based on
                               Matthew 6:9-13




You can hear the Lord's Prayer on an MP3 file by clicking on
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/lordsprayer.mp3

This MP3 file, and the text on which it is based, are in the Public
Domain, free for all people to use without restriction. As always,
permission is granted to link to any of my files. bmcgin

This MP3 file was created with the TextAloud 2.0 text-to-speech program,
reading the exact text shown above, without any additional adjustments or
controls. To find out more about TextAloud 2.0, please visit
http://www.text-to-speech.org/textaloudtts.html




This page is brought to you by http://www.LoveAllPeople.org,
Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director

God's One Law: "Love All People As Yourself."
       "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
        you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
            - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:12(KJV)

SPEAKING-VOICE DIGITAL AUDIO FILES OF SPOKEN WORDS

ver 1.0 February 7, 2005

HTML file at http://www.text-to-speech.org/speaking-voice.html

Definition: A "speaking-voice" file is a digital audio file which contains
spoken words only, not music or sound effects or any other other
non-verbal content.

A speaking-voice file may be produced either by recording an actual person
speaking into a recorder, or by using text-to-speech (TTS) software to
convert written text into audible speech, or possibly by some other means,
the result of which is to obtain a digital audio file which contains
spoken words only, not music or sound effects or any other non-verbal
content.

I am creating this definition today, in the Public Interest, in order to
distinguish speaking-voice files from other kinds of digital audio files
which contain mainly music. So "speaking-voice" MP3 files can easily be
recognized as different from other kinds of MP3 files, which today contain
mainly music.

If music or sound effects are added to a speaking-voice file, it is no
longer a speaking-voice file, by this definition, but something else.

It is my intention that the term "speaking-voice" be free for all people
to use, according to this definition. It is my intention that the term
"speaking-voice" not be monopolized or restricted in any other way; in
particular, that nobody should try to claim a trademark on it. If anyone
is entitled to claim such a trademark, it would be myself; and I am
specifically not claiming it, because I want it to be free and open for
everyone to use.

You can find a Speaking-Voice MP3 file of this message at
http://www.text-to-speech.org/speaking-voice.mp3

Blessings to you. May you thrive and prosper in everything you do.



      Rev. Bill McGinnis
      Director, LoveAllPeople.org
      Owner, Text-To-Speech.org
      Owner, Speaking-Voice.com, Speaking-Voice.net, and Speaking-Voice.org


This page is brought to you by LoveAllPeople.org,
God's One Law: "Love All People As Yourself."
       "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
        you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
            - Jesus, as quoted in Matthew 7:12(KJV)