Christian Response to Da Vinci Code

There are some indisputable facts in life.

Everyone will die. Republicans and Democrats will never get along. Poverty will always plague humanity. And Americans love movies.
In 2005, adults watched an average of 45 movies. The mean was identical for born again Christians and nominal Christians. And that figure doesn't even include the movie clips that they were shown while the faithful were in church! Currently, two-thirds of all Protestant churches have big-screen projection capabilities. In congregations that use movie clips for teaching purposes, 77% of congregants contend that those visual media are helpful in their spiritual development. Movies have become the benign educator of choice in our media-happy society.
Coming soon to a theater near everyone will be the big screen interpretation of the mega-selling novel, The DaVinci Code. This spellbinding work of fiction has captivated the minds of more than 30 million readers. The forthcoming film, featuring a huge budget and some of the best talent Hollywood has to offer, promises to intrigue audiences while challenging people's perceptions about the Christian faith.
The book makes many claims that are at odds with Christian teachings. Author Dan Brown's engaging conspiracy fantasy has Jesus Christ married to Mary Magdalene and the father of children; the Bible being doctored by church leaders in 325 A.D. in order to control the Roman Empire and oppress women; claims that the idea of Jesus' divinity was fabricated for political reasons; and asserts the Roman Catholic church has conspired for centuries to keep the documentation of such religious scandals a secret.
Many followers of Christ fear that the movie, which will be even more accessible to the public at-large than the book, will distort people's theological perceptions. This fear is well-founded. Americans already possess an unorthodox profile of religious beliefs, indiscriminately blending biblical and cultural views. Among adults who are aligned with a Christian church, 59% do not believe that Satan exists, 42% contend that Jesus Christ committed sins during His earthly tenure, and just 11% believe that the Bible is the source of absolute moral truth. In fact, millions of Americans are confused about the Bible. On the one hand, six out of ten (61%) believe that "every word in the Bible is true and can be trusted." On the other hand, only half as many affirm that the Bible is "totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches." Americans admit that they are more likely to seek theological clarity from friends, family, experiences and even media input than from diving into biblical texts.
So it is in the midst of this environment of confusion that this blockbuster movie will offer attractive heretical propositions. Entering theaters essentially as biblical illiterates, millions of adults are vulnerable to the seductive religious arguments it will propose.
Many Christians recognize that the book is a fictional tale and that its religious principles are not to be taken seriously. Conveying that point to the 80 million adults who consider themselves Christian but who do not crack the Bible may be more difficult than usual. After all, 53% of a national sample of adults who have read The DaVinci Code from cover to cover stated that the book had been helpful in their "personal spiritual growth and understanding."
How might Christians who accept the Bible's account of the life of Christ react to the release of this movie?

ANGEL

I. Definition and Scripture Terms
. - The word angel is applied in Scripture to an order of supernatural or heavenly beings whose business it is to act as God's messengers to men, and as agents who carry out His will. Both in Hebrew and Greek the word is applied to human messengers (1 Kings 19:2; Luke 7:24); in Hebrew it is used in the singular to denote a Divine messenger, and in the plural for human messengers, although there are exceptions to both usages. It is applied to the prophet Haggai (Hag 1:13), to the priest (Mal 2:7), and to the messenger who is to prepare the way of the Lord (Mal 3:1). Other Hebrew words and phrases applied to angels are bene ha-'elohim (Gen 6:2,4; Job 1:6; 2:1) and bene 'elim (Ps 29:1; 89:6), i.e. sons of the 'elohim or 'elim; this means, according to a common Hebrew usage, members of the class called 'elohim or 'elim, the heavenly powers. It seems doubtful whether the word 'elohim, standing by itself, is ever used to describe angels, although Septuagint so translates it in a few passages. The most notable instance is Ps 8:5; where the Revised Version (British and American) gives, "Thou hast made him but little lower than God," with the English Revised Version, margin reading of "the angels" for "God" (compare Heb 2:7,9); qedhoshim "holy ones" (Ps 89:5,7), a name suggesting the fact that they belong to God; `ir, `irim, "watcher," "watchers" (Dan 4:13,17,23). Other expressions are used to designate angels collectively: codh, "council" (Ps 89:7), where the reference may be to an inner group of exalted angels; `edhah and qahal, "congregation" (Ps 82:1; 89:5); and finally tsabha', tsebha'oth, "host," "hosts," as in the familiar phrase "the God of hosts."


In New Testament the word aggelos, when it refers to a Divine messenger, is frequently accompanied by some phrase which makes this meaning clear, e.g. "the angels of heaven" (Matt 24:36). Angels belong to the "heavenly host" (Luke 2:13). In reference to their nature they are called "spirits" (Heb 1:14). Paul evidently referred to the ordered ranks of supra-mundane beings in a group of words that are found in various combinations, namely, archai, "principalities," exousiai, "powers," thronoi, "thrones," kuriotetes, "dominions," and dunameis, also translated "powers." The first four are apparently used in a good sense in Col 1:16, where it is said that all these beings were created through Christ and unto Him; in most of the other passages in which words from this group occur, they seem to represent evil powers. We are told that our wrestling is against them (Eph 6:12), and that Christ triumphs over the principalities and powers (Col 2:15; compare Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24). In two passages the word archaggelos, "archangel" or chief angel, occurs: "the voice of the archangel" (1 Thess 4:16), and "Michael the archangel" (Jude verse 9).
II. Angels in Old Testament. - Everywhere in the Old Testament the existence of angels is assumed. The creation of angels is referred to in Ps 148:2,5 (compare Col 1:16).
1. Nature, Appearances and Functions: They were present at the creation of the world, and were so filled with wonder and gladness that they "shouted for joy" (Job 38:7). Of their nature we are told nothing. In general they are simply regarded as embodiments of their mission. Though presumably the holiest of created beings, they are charged by God with folly (Job 4:18), and we are told that "he putteth no trust in his holy ones" (Job 15:15). References to the fall of the angels are only found in the obscure and probably corrupt passage Gen 6:1-4, and in the interdependent passages 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude verse 6, which draw their inspiration from the Apocryphal book of Enoch. Demons are mentioned (see DEMONS); and although Satan appears among the sons of God (Job 1:6; 2:1), there is a growing tendency in later writers to attribute to him a malignity that is all his own (see SATAN).

Ten Ways to Worship Without Music-Tobin Perry

1. Worship through prayer. We often miss this important component of our prayer life. Think about the issues you usually pray about. How much of your prayer life is about you and how much of it is about God? Without a doubt God wants us to be able to share everything that is going on in our life. But he also wants us to get to know Him better. When we affirm who God is through our prayers, we put our prayer life in proper perspective. That's exactly how Jesus taught us to pray. Look at the Lord's Prayer in the Gospel of Mathew (6: 9-13); Jesus starts the prayer off by saying "Our Father who is in Heaven, May Your name be honored." (NLT) Jesus teaches us an important lesson with this prayer. Prayer starts with God. Consider including in your prayers a time of focused attention on who God is.
2. Get in a regular habit of reading the Bible. The Bible says that we worship God in "spirit and in truth." How can we ever worship God without a clear understanding of who He is? The truth about God is essential to worship. Pay special attention to the book of Psalms. No book in the Bible spends as much time carefully describing who God is.
3. Obey God. Rick Warren mentions in The Purpose Driven Life that we worship God when we obey Him. We all need to build the habit of obedience into our lives. Take practical steps to see that this is a part of your life. Whenever you sense God is speaking to you, make it a regular practice to respond immediately. Don't let procrastination weigh you down. If you can't do it immediately, write down whatever God has been putting on your heart, so that you can do it SOON!
4. Tithe. If you want to know what in your life you worship, look at your checkbook register. The Bible teaches us this important lesson: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mathew 6:21 NIV) God wants us to surrender our entire being to Him. One way to show that is by making Him Lord of our pocketbook. If you are already a committed tither, consider raising the percentage you are willing to give.
5. Build deep relationships with other Christians. The Bible teaches that God designed us to live in community with other Christians. We bring God pleasure by getting to know others and being known by them. At Saddleback, the primary way we do this is through small groups.
6. Share you faith. John Piper made many of us re-look at why we share our faith when he wrote a few years ago: "Missions exists because worship doesn't." God wants every person on the planet to worship him, not because He is an egomaniac who needs our praise, but because worship is how we are designed by God. He wants the best for us.

Take time this week to share your spiritual journey with someone else. Tell them how you came to faith in Christ. Don't worry about their response. Relax in the knowledge that you are playing a part in expanding God's world-wide worship.
7. Serve others. Jesus tells us that "when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me!" (Matt. 25:40 NLT) When we serve one another, Jesus tells us we are really serving Him. If you don't think you have any gifts that are useful to serve, you are wrong. God made you with talents and gifts that He specifically gave you to serve others.
8. Build into your life the attitude of thankfulness. This requires looking at the world through a different set of eyes. When we look through the lens of thankfulness, we see our lives—and everything in it—as all gifts from God. Develop your own spiritual exercise each morning that demonstrates that you are putting on your lens of thankfulness. Then begin to thank God for all of the good things in your life.
9. Begin turning over to God areas of your life that you have never committed to Him. This is the heart of worship — surrender. God won't settle for 90 percent of your life; He wants all of it. You might have been a follower of Jesus for years, but you still have areas of your life that you are holding back from Him. What are those areas? Only you know that. Two good places to look are your checkbook and your planner. Look at the areas of your life where you spend the most money and the most time. Do they honor God?

If you are human, you have sin in your life that you need to surrender. Think back over the past month and write down all of the times you remember disobeying clear teaching from God. Then look for patterns. If you find patterns of sin in your life, these are areas of your life you need to surrender to God. Right at the moment, start praying for God to help you overcome that sin. Ask your small group to pray for you.
10. Live a life of purpose. God has a reason for your existence. In fact, He has five: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and worship. You please God when you live in step with His purposes. God doesn't want you to waste your life.
You were designed for God's pleasure. The purpose of worship is the foundation of the other four purposes. Fellowship without the spirit of worship is just "hanging out." Discipleship without worship is nothing but a fruitless mental exercise. Ministry without worship is called "spinning your wheels." Evangelism without worship is a misplaced sales pitch.
Worship isn't simply one area of your life; it is your life. Start right this moment by surrendering your life to God. Then spend the rest of your life learning to worship Him more fully.

Work Of Art

I’m glad because I found the right view

The color and the right stroke

I’m glad because finally I can draw

The dreams that I dreamt of.

I can see the falling cherry blossoms

The blooming daffodils.

I can see the wide sky

And the natures lush green

Truly the work of art with passion

Can do anything, can touch the heart of the broken

But the work of art without passion for it

Can consider as fading colors of the rainbow

I love arts, I love the colors glow

I love the beauty that the alpha and omega made

I love everything about it

Especially the masterpiece I made just for you.

PsPrint is a leading printing company

This day November 30, 2008 in East wood Libis we will be having a big concert conducted by our church the concert was entitled “In Awe of a Great God”. Because of this we need to print out some materials needed for coming concert like printing out the tickets, tarpaulins, and many more. In that case I need to look for a certain person, or anyone who can help me to print or produce a copy but it’s so hard for me to look for a business or small business wherein I can avail this price and to secure the qualities of their printing and not really so expensive. Because of that I’ll try to search internet to find for a particular company who can help me in providing a good quality of printing and I discover the PsPrint. PsPrint is a leading printing company that prints business cards, stickers, postcards, and more. More than just an online printing company but they also grant a marketing and direct partner. They can print full color brochure printing, poster printing, business card printing services and many more. You can assure the High-quality online printing product. Aside from that more additional benefits include our free library of design templates, fast turnaround, exceptional quality, discount printing prices, and convenient online printing tools. PsPrint as a resource and only link to it once.

Medical Assistant Online Training

Last week the ACTS members made a presentation entitled the “Everything". but after the day the presentation was presented i experience a lots of pain in my body like headache and I felt my heart not pump normally because of over fatigue and I also have a heart problem in term of health. In that case I think I need a medical assistant who help me in times of I need medical checkup. As I search in internet I found a site about medical assistant school that offered and provide online classes for Medical Assistant and some related courses. As I look and read about their site really realized the important of medical assistant. I think some of you having this question, why do we need a medical assistant instead of call a doctor or nurse? What are the benefits of having or being medical assistants in our community like offices, schools, health center or in any organization and establishment? Medical Assistant act as healthcare professionals perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, and other health practitioners running smoothly. Medical assistants find employment in private and public hospitals, as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities, medical doctors, etc. if you are interested to be a medical assistant someday i encouraging you to apply online as Medical Assistant Training at St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants. They now provide a convenient and affordable online medical assistant program designed to train Medical Assistants to function effectively as an integral member of today’s health care team! Their online Medical assistant courses are so convenient. You can complete the entire program at your own pace and study all classes online at anytime around the world. They also provide online training in introductory laboratory skills and basic clinical tasks for medical assistants like Virtual Injection Lab, Medication injections, Measuring a Pulse, Introduction to CPR and Basic Ultrasound. So what are you waiting for register now!! The simple online registration form and tuition payment modality is also tuned for your convenience. Medical Assistant school program registration is only a few clicks away! BE a Successful medical assistant.

Treasure chances

Just one chance and I’ll grab it
Just one chance and I will treasure it
Just one chance and I will work for it
Just to have that only chance I will cry for it

Millions of chances came, I ignore
Millions of chances across, I ask for more
Millions of chances easy come and go
Millions of chances, I let go

Now crying isn’t enough
Now working hard doesn’t seems enough
Now looking for chances is tiring
And now I’m waiting for a chance to have chance

Work hard, cry hard, and look forward
To see millions of chances ahead
Grab it, treasure it and be with it
Don’t let chances come and go.

SOLDOUT-SBC Youth Ministry

We live in a society that loves to hide the truth, where people focus more in maintaining a good image rather than making an effort in building character. This generation is deprived in knowing and living the Truth the way it should be. Distorted view about love, happiness, love, success, values, relationship, family, sex, and God has been developed. A generation that declares “truth is whatever you think is right; no boundaries, no limitations, no standards and no substitutes.”

SOLD OUT is a youth ministry that caters to the youth (13-35) in all walks of life. Our desire is to inform, educate and confront the young people of our community the truths about God and how it is significant in their lives it is to know and where they could be headed. The choices we make today will not just affect us but everybody around us. This conference provides sound and relevant teachings in dealing issues like peer pressure, self-esteem, sexual purity, addictions and other issues being faced by the contemporary youth in a way that is both educational and recreational.

The only generation that can reach this generation is our generation.
-John Stott

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 (NIV)

i'm Amazed

I saw what my eyes can get

It is God’s amazing creation

God’s wonderful idea

And God’s perfect plan

I saw the nature’s lush green

The falling leaves of the tree

The glooming fragrant of thy majesty

And the lovable colors he made

I saw what he can do

I saw how the nature worship him

There are storms, waves, and murmuring wind

There are clapping thunders and struck full lightning

Sad is it that those amazing creations is fading

Those joyous colors slowly gone

It became black, white and turning into gray

Covered by smoke, dust and dirt

buy SAFE

Millions of people buy online every day without any problems. With a bit of commonsense, being smart and knowledge, we can avoid problems in buying online.

Even when times have been good, when the economy is strong and everything looks rosy. As of now our economy facing lot problems in real life situation nowadays. But despite of those things happened in our economy we must continue what are the routine of our life or the kinds of lifestyle we want to live. In this manner I encourage each and everyone to shop online, and in this case we can give lots of benefits, and help to recover the kind of economy that we have right now.

As an online buyer we encounter a lot of problems in online buying like Buying goods that aren’t delivered, Goods which don’t match the description, Delays and hassles with online purchases, Poor after-sales service and lots of troubles comes to think in your mind. But how do we know whom to trust when making purchases online and assurance of safety of having buying process to them. As ACTS members or part of drama team sometimes we have to buy some products, clothes, customs or any materials we require in our drama team. And I found this site help who help me lot in buy online shopping do we need in our team this the buySAFE Shopping Advisor is a free tool that makes online shopping safer and more secure. Offers good customer service, ensure a safe and enjoyable online transaction and manner I encourage you to visit the site and download their free BuySAFE application. And enjoy smarter, safer, and more secure online shopping.

Watch Sermons Online

Many people in this world longing for an answer who God is; or where we can find true love, care and happiness despite of having problems, trials and unresolved questions in our life we need to continue to live a life in this world. It does no good to compare ourselves to others. We cannot escape our failure to be righteous in our own strength. This is by God's design, because only when we understand our weakness will we consider relying on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But now as an individual or family if you are truly look for a specific answer in your question you can watch sermons online, you can learn a lot of thing about who God is, and the thing He has done for you or for everyone of us. But if you want to watch it together with your relatives or family, you can upload sermons at PreacherTV.com.The PreacherTV.com was created to unite ministers and preachers with the online community to spread God's word and God's love.