To The Tigress, With All My Love

Heather Williams - Hallelujah
The Observer

ETHIOPIA: Radical Muslims Attack Christians and Churches

Do You Even Care?

Every day we live our lives, ignoring actual events around the globe. We earn our paychecks, eat our daily bread, and hoard our gold and silver. However, Americans give more of their wealth to the poor and destitute than any other country or set of countries combined. As Americans we have great respect for self-reliance and entrepreneurial effort and this is a good thing. It’s what makes America and the American experiment great. Too many of our “leaders”, so-called”, forget this.

But meanwhile let’s not forget that all around the world people are dying on a daily basis. They die, not because of lack of trying, but because of lack of freedom.

Arguably, the most persecuted class in the world today are Christians. In the West we don’t necessarily recognize this. We think our pagan-tainted, warm-fuzzy version of Christianity is the best one; a belief that all others should embrace and promote; while all the time, we should be asking if we’re as “Christian” as these persecuted folks.

What’s Happening Right Now In Ethiopia

A string of attacks on Christians by radical Muslims have left at
least two dead and thousands homeless in western Ethiopia.
Reports say Islamic extremists set fire to 59 church buildings and 28 Christian homes in Asendabo.

"One Orthodox believer, whose daughter is a member of Mekane Yesus Church, has been killed," an Ethiopian church leader told Compass Direct News. "Ministers were injured, and many more believers have been displaced."

The violence spread to outlaying towns and now more than 4,000 Christians have been forced to flee for their lives.

It began when Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating a Quran by ripping out the pages of the Islamic holy book. Security forces were sent to the area, but they were overwhelmed by the enraged mob.

Reports indicate the attacks upon Christians in the African country continue.

[Source: Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) News]

Pray for God's intervention and that Ethiopian believers find refuge and safety from these attacks. Pray for the injured and the families of those who have lost their lives. Pray that the attackers will be delivered from the deception of Islam and seek salvation that only faith in Christ offers.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

The Observer

BTW, you can rip out all the pages in the Bible you want, I won't kill you for it.

Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

"And there will be great earthquakes in various places ... the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear and the expectation of those things that are coming upon the earth ... When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near...Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

Prediction made by Jesus Christ.
Recorded in Luke 21:11,25,26,31,33.

… folks, now may be a good time to get on our knees and ask forgiveness – and give ours lives to Christ if you haven’t already done so … don't forget to mention the folks in Japan ....

"Seek the Lord while He may be found." Isaiah 55:6

The Observer

Do You Dare Take The Quiz?

Have you ever noticed those ads on the Internet? Take this quiz, test your I.Q, do you really know the Constitution?

Some of them are fun, others are silly. They all lead you to an offer to purchase something useless, of course. One of my favorites is the triangle question.

How many triangles do you count?

The choices don't always offer what I actually see! There are 10 triangles here, not 6! I guess that’s an indicator of how my brain works (or doesn’t)! ☺

In Christianity we are questioned with quizzes all the time. We are asked to buy into something while being pressured by the denominational entity presenting the quiz. Here's one for you.

Question: Which Christian symbol is pagan in origin?

the Cross------------------the Fish-----------a Sacred Heart Medal-----a Mitre hat

The answer may not be what you think! The answer, of course, is ALL OF THEM! Yes, that's right! All of them.

I know what your thinking. Does it matter that someone wears a medallion, places a "Christian" fish on their car, wears cross jewelry, or wears a mitered hat in a religious ceremony? As long as the person genuinely realizes the article is not to be worshipped, then for most people the answer is no - it doesn't matter.

But for me it does matter. Here's why.

With even a casual reading of your Bible it becomes overwhelmingly evident that anti-christian forces have, throughout biblical history, introduced; false symbols, misdirected teaching, false ceremony, idolatry, and numerous unmentioned traditions into Christianity in order to turn you away from the true Christ. This deception has been coordinated by the one who wishes to take God's place - you have heard of him, I'm sure.

Let's look at each symbol and investigate it's original meaning. As always, review each hyperlink to get the full impact of the study.

The Cross

What letter does the false god listed in Ezekiel 8:14 begin with? A letter "T" of course. Tammuz has been long associated with the cross symbol, long before Christians began to identify the cross with the crucifixion. (Note: on the "Master's Table" link, click "Pagan Symbols" and "The Cross~Pagan")

Here's another surprise! Most likely, Jesus was not crucified on a cross. He was most likely crucified on a stake! Now, I realize that our modern Bibles use "cross" all throughout the New Testament. However, this wasn't true until the Tyndale Bible. Before Tyndale the Greek word, "Stauros" was used. This word clearly means "stake". Because of his Catholic upbringing and education Tyndale used the Latin, "Crux", meaning cross. Yes, the Romans worshipped Tammuz and other related gods. As an aside, another argument that prevails is whether or not Jesus was nailed in the wrists or the hands. Our "doubting Thomas" was clearly told in the N.T. to look at Jesus' hands and as far as I know, earlier manuscripts don't show anything different.

Obviously, to our Lord Jesus it didn't make any difference! Whether He was crucified on a stake or on a cross it still hurt like hell! (pardon the pun!)

The point here it to be aware of the pagan influence and deception of the cross symbol.

The Fish & The Mitre

While driving in traffic we've all seen the little fish symbols on the backs of cars. The occupants want to tell you they're Christian. Sometimes you see two large fish and two little fish, representing the parents and the kids - the whole family! Then you see the "Darwin" fish with feet! This person wants say that the unscientific (IMO) Theory of Evolution takes precedence over your Christian beliefs. And I'm sure you've seen the large Christian fish symbol eating the Darwin fish.

We really can't discuss the fish symbol without showing the Mitered hat as well. They're related. (click "Pagan Symbols" and "Dagon" in the link) Dagon is an ancient god of fertility. The name is derived from many sources and depending on the culture could mean; fish, grain, or corn. The classic idol of Dagon is a half-human, half-fish arrangement. And yes, not surprisingly, the Romans worshipped Dagon. (So did others - Joshua 19:27, Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:2, 1 Chronicles 10:10) BTW, Dagon was also called, Ichthys - meaning "fish". To show obeisance to a Dagon Priest one had to kneel and kiss his ring. He was referred to as, "His Holiness". Sound familiar? Though claimed to be part of the O.T. dress of Hebrew Priests the mitered hat is really part of the dress of ancient Dagon Priests. In truth, the Roman church started out using dress similar to the old Hebrew tradition but quickly transgressed towards the pagan Dagon, to play with the words. Here's a couple of pics showing the development. On the left is a Hebrew Priest, on the right (below), the Roman church's progression of use for this type of headgear. You've heard of the Catholic habit of eating fish on Fridays, right? This is an ancient practice of Dagon worship.

Please read the provided links. They're quite interesting and are trustworthy, IMO. You see, no matter how you try to relate biblical accounts with church symbols, the feeding of the multitudes with fish, for example, the true origin of these things is quite different and are actually deceptions to turn you away from Christ.

The Scared Heart Medals

And last, but not least are the various medallions worn by believers. Not all of them are "sacred heart" medals but you'll get the idea nonetheless. The pagan meaning behind these should be obvious. The wearer is supposedly somehow protected from some evil by wearing the medal. Supernatural power is somehow transferred to the object and it becomes an amulet of protection and/or guidance. This is blatant, no-compromise idol worship. It has no place in Christianity! The study of the "sacred heart" iconography is a volume unto itself and is not covered here. It is altogether pagan and non-Christian.

Why does all this matter? It matters because the enemies of Christ looking at all this mixing of Christianity with paganism (called Syncretism) come to the conclusion that Christianity is just an updated version of ancient pagan worship and is to be treated as such. Your worship becomes as meaningless as a Hindu idol; to be ignored and ridiculed.

Yes, whether you accept it or not, symbols are extremely important in your worship of the one true God. I pray that you will not be deceived and if you have been, ask genuinely for forgiveness and wisdom on this subject.

If you attend a church that pushes these symbols I would recommend you ask yourself, "am I worshipping God" or "another Jesus"? (2 Cor 11)

The Observer