RAPTURE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL INC. : Site News http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/mod/news/group.php?category_id=1 Feed en-us no@body.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-08T13:02:42-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 The Gay Marriage Paradox http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/the_gay_marriage_paradox-0.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/the_gay_marriage_paradox-0.html The Gay Marriage Paradox
Most Americans oppose gay marriage--polls generally suggest somewhere around 60 percent say they don't agree with extending marriage to homosexual couples. But most Americans-- to roughly the same extent--oppose amending the Constitution to make gay marriage impossible. A January ABCNew/Washington Post poll put it at 58 percent. What gives?

The numbers suggest that the issue touches Americans in significant ways. Marriage involves love, sex, children, intimacy, and care--all things Americans experience personally (unlike, say, tariffs), and about which they develop strong opinions. True, gay couples share these experiences; they can adopt (or, given the wonders of modern science, have) children, just as it is true that heterosexual couples can be childless. But try explaining that to someone who believes (and the majority of Americans seem to) that the mystery of sexuality was created by a God who believed that children should be brought into the world through an act of passion by a man and a woman deeply in love.
 If they do not like the idea of gay marriage, why are so many Americans so resistant to amending the Constitution to prevent it? The Bible, that same believer will insist, was written by God, but no one claims He wrote the Constitution. While it has assumed an Scripture-like reverence, the Constitution is a political document written by real people in human time. It outlines a perfectly usable, if difficult to realize, process for its own amendment, and it has been amended from time to time on matters as morally serious as slavery. Surely, if we can change it to prohibit drinking alcohol, we should be able to change it to prohibit something people consider even more sinful. So why don't we?

One interpretation of the paradox is that opposition to gay marriage, while broadly shared, is not very deep. The president of the United States appears to buys this interpretation. If a politician wants to signal opposition to something while letting his or her inside-the-beltway audience know the opposition shouldn't be taken literally, the politician calls for a constitutional amendment. Out there in the sticks, the theory goes, his followers say he must really care. In more sophisticated circles everyone knows that the process of actually passing a constitutional amendment is so cumbersome that no one will be called upon to do much about it until the controversy fades away.

In his recent State of the Union address, Mr. Bush took an even weaker route, suggesting a constitutional “process”--as if he did not want to be pinned down to something as a specific as an amendment. The decision by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts that rejected civil unions as an alternative to gay marriage increases the pressure from the president's conservative Christian base to support an amendment, and he will almost certainly sharpen his language in response. But the fact that the majority of Americans are unenthusiastic about elevating this issue to constitutional status will likely sway him more.

But that's politics. What about what we believe? Americans are not avid readers of their Constitution. Many would have a hard time identifying the 14th Amendment as the one that ended slavery by guaranteeing no person should be deprived of due process of law. Yet this may be exactly why Americans do not want to see their opposition enshrined as a matter of constitutional permanence. In a way that doesn't require knowledge of constitutional theory, they see that a marriage amendment would add intolerant clauses to a document famous for its tolerance.

The Constitution is not only a text; it is a symbol, and all Americans, religious believers especially, appreciate the power of symbols. No one wants graffiti written on the Lincoln Monument; even the most zealous anti-gay marriage proponent might have second thoughts about changing a written monument so closely identified with Lincoln’s leadership. Like any sacred text, the Constitution is not really of this world. Marriage, children, and sex very much are. To blend the two is to mix the sacred and the profane in uneasy ways.

By coincidence, Americans are finding their feet on this issue at the start of a national election year. Increasingly the Republicans are perceived as the party willing to take risks, whether those involve the financial burdens of future generations, or the possibly higher costs of an Iraqi war. In such an environment, the Democrats have appeared as the more conservative party, calling for balanced budgets and overseas caution.

That same topsy-turvy dynamic can now be applied to cultural issues. The great irony of America’s puzzling attitudes toward gay marriage is that while they give the Republicans the opportunity to paint Democrats as out of sync with mainstream values, they also give Democrats the chance to pain Republicans as radicals willing to tamper with sacred things. If gay marriage becomes an issue in 2004--it is hard to imagine how it could not--it will be interesting to watch the traditionally liberal party speak as if the Constitution were untouchable while the traditionally more conservative one urges it be changed to keep up with the times.

]]> 2004-02-09T00:00:00-05:00 LetÂ’s Go Christmas Shopping http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/lets_go_christmas_shopping.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/lets_go_christmas_shopping.html

Let’s Go Christmas Shopping


Text: 2 Corinthians 9:15-Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift.

The tradition of gift-giving extends back to the Wisemen bringing gifts to the Christ-child in the manger.  We all know how they brought gifts of gold, frankensense, and myrr.                                                                                                          
During a school play near London, three six-year-old boys acted out the role of the wise men. As they presented their gifts at the nativity scene, each boy
stepped forward and stated what they were offering to Christ. The first held out his arms and said, “Gold.” The second boy knelt down and said, “Myrrh.” The
last boy stepped forward and declared, “Frank sent this.”                                             
In 336 A.D., the first recorded celebration of Christmas on December 25 took place in Rome. Gift giving is a tradition that goes back to the Wisemen, it is a good tradition I believe, although the true meaning of Christmas can be overshadowed by giving gifts.                                                                                                 
In 1999 the average American family spent $1,008 on Christmas gifts. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, Americans charge more than $131.1 billion dollars on credit card debt.  Christmas shopping is a great tradition, but it can also be a very trying time. So today, I want to help you out with this years shopping. I want to give you a few pointers, and take you shopping with me.                                                
I don’t know about you, but when we go shopping we go to Wal-mart. Did you know that on Friday Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving, of this year Walmart made $1.43 billion dollars! Now, I want to give you some hints on your shopping so I am going to walk you through the proper process.                                                   
When you walk through the front door of Wal-mart, who is the first person you see? The greeter. Now he is there for a reason, to welcome you with a smile to the store. Now, I have heard of people getting in fights over gifts, etc. So, in order to help you out this shopping year, I want you to go up to that greeter and get...a smiley face.  This is to help you keep a smile on your face and remember that this is supposed to be a happy time.  All right, you’ve got the smiley face now you are
ready to shop. I want to give you five suggestions this year when you go shopping.

I. Personal Gift
When we shop our gift should be a personal gift. We are not shopping for ourselves. When I go to Wal-mart, I go to the outdoor section or electronics to get
some gadget for my computor. But my mate would not apprecitate it if I got her a new set of repelling ropes. That just does not interest her. She may want clothes, but she does not want a new camoflauge suit. You see, you must
buy the person you are shopping for a personal gift. A gift that fits the person you are shopping for.                                                                                                                         
God gave a personal gift by giving his son to die for our sins (John 3:16). He came for everyone. He came for you! He did not just come for the rich. He did not just
come for the poor. He did not just come for white people or black. He did not just come for people from the United States. He came for everyone. Red, yellow, black or white. The gift of God’s son was for you. He came and died for us personally.    

When he came to this earth He became human. He didn’t have to. He was God. When He lived here on earth He was completly human. He felt heartache. He knew loneliness. He was tempted. He longed for companionship. He felt hunger. He knew what it was like to be tempted by women. When He left his earthly father’s carpender shop I am sure that He probably thought, “maybe I should wait, I could do it later-I am sure that He did not want to leave the comfort of home for what He knew was going to come. Maybe He thought that maybe He should come back and die for another generation when crosses where out of style.                                                                                                                                                     We don’t like to think of Jesus in the human. We don’t like to think about God being hungry. God being tempted by a woman. It almost seems sacrilious. But  he was completly human. The nails hurt  His hands just like they would hurt yours. So why did He do it? He did it because He looked across time and He saw you. He saw your heart, He saw how you needed a Savior. So he gave the gift of himself.
His gift is personal, for each and every one of us.                                                                  
II. Practical Gift
When we go Christmas shopping for those we love, it doesn’t have to be the best or the most expensive gift, as the old saying goes ‘it’s the thought that counts’. Our gift’s should be practical, not as the one lady said to her husband, “this year let’s give each other more practical gifts like socks and fur coats.”                           
Two young boys were discussing the upcoming Christmas season and all of the toys they hoped to receive. One kid explained to the other, “Money can’t buy happiness, you know. To be happy, you have to convert the money into toys.”         
You know what it’s like to get a gift that you really don’t want or can’t use. You see them in the stores. All of us have got them. Some peope buy gifts like fruit cake and so many other wastes of money. Besides, what can you use fruit cake for? You can’t eat it, it’s so nasty. I heard one man say fruit cake was so bad he tried to give it to his dog but he wouldn’t eat it, so finally he discovered that it makes a great door stop.                                                                                                         
Jesus has given us the most practical gift of all, eternal life for those who turn to him. It is something that we all need. It is something that we all must have.
Without it we die and go to hell. With it, we live eternally. How much more practical could you get?

III. Pleasing Gift
The gifts that we give should be something that would please the one we are giving the gift to. I wouldn’t want to give my wife or mother a shotgun because I know that is not a gift that would please her. We all know what happens to gifts that we don’t really care for they get put on a shelf somewhere, or in the case of fruit cake it gets given to the dog. God gave us the pleasing gift we could ever ask for in the gift of his son. What more could we ask for? Than God’s only  Son            


Also Matthew 7:7-11 tells us,
7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask
him? Whatever we could ever ask for or need is able to us through God’s son.       
Mark 11:24, Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Jesus Christ is the great example when it comes to giving pleasing gifts. Since I accepted the gift he gave me I have been the happiest man in the world.

IV. Permanent Gift
The gifts that we give should be something that is permanent and of lasting value. Not something cheaply made that will break the first day it is used. A rather aloof woman kept a very tight lid on the amount of money she spent on Christmas gifts. Each year when her family gathered with other relatives she always made sure the purchasing cost remained a big secret. This worked fine until her daughter was old enough to start talking. On this particular Christmas the little girl’s uncle started prying for the price. The young niece told her uncle, “I’m not allowed to tell you how much we paid, but I can tell you we got it at the dollar store.”                
Also it should be something that will at least keep the interest beyond Christmas day alone. We have all seen children who get all kinds of nice expensive gifts for
Chrismas and by the end of the day they are playing with the boxes.                          
Our gifts that we give should be permanent. God gave us the permanent Gift of eternal life (John 10:28-And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”) There is really nothing else that we could ever ask for our desire that is higher than this gift. Jesus laid down his own self so that we could have this permanent gift. He wrapped
himself in human flesh and took on man. He bore our sins and took our shame. The King of all Kings was born in a little stable. What a welcome to our earth. He did all this so that we could have this permanent gift.

V. Purchased Gift
It’s always a good idea to purchase the gift your going to buy and not just walk out of the store with it. SO make sure you pay for your gifts!!                                        
However, Jesus has already purchased the greatest gift for us and that is of salvation.
Romans 5:15, “But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by
grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”                      
James 1:17-Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow
of turning. 

What is the best gift you could give this Christmas? Your heart. The reason Jesus was born in a manger is lost in the tinsel of this holiday’s celebration. From his very lips came these words: "For if you forgive men when they sin against
you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matt. 6:14 NIV). The converse is also true. If you don’t--He won’t! The Christ-child would grow up to set the example.                                                      

As he was being crucified, the cruelest of deaths, he cried, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Christ came into this world to give forgiveness. When you fully realize the depth of his forgiveness toward you, it will be easy to forgive others.                                                                                                         
An evangelist had held a service, at the close of which a little girl presented a bouquet of flowers, the first spring had brought forth. He asked, "Why do you
give me these flowers?" She answered, "Because I love you." "Do you bring the Lord Jesus such gifts of your love at times?" he inquired. "Oh," said the little one,
with an angelic smile, "I give myself to him!" That surely is the highest kind of giving, and without it, all other giving is in vain. To so give takes love, and
without love every sacrifice is profitless according to 1 Cor. 13:3.                               
Just as we give gifts during this Christmas season, Christ Jesus has given the ultimate gift for our sins. His gift is personal, practical, pleasing, permanent, and he has already purchased it for us this Christmas season. And just as we accept gifts for ourselves this Christmas, we should accept the gift of eternal life though Jesus Christ. So this Christmas if you have not already accepted Jesus as your Savior when you go shopping why don’t you ask Jesus to come into your heart, for this is the real reason for the season.                                                                            
I hope that these five little pointers will be a help with your Christmas shopping this year. More importantly,I hope that you will accept the free gift from God sent to you personally. The gift of his Son. If you have already done that, why don’t you do it this Christmas season??
What have you done with God’s Son?

Pastor  Woodard

]]> 2003-12-15T00:00:00-05:00 THE HOLY GHOST PARTY http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/the_holy_ghost_party.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/the_holy_ghost_party.html AINT NO PARTY LIKE THE HOLY GHOST PARTY

           

                 THIS NEW YEARS EVE; DON'T MISS THE MOTHER OF ALL PARTIES

                       THE HOLY GHOST PARTY

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THIS BLACK TIE AFFAIR

So dress your best and let's bring out the old and bring in the New Year

 Special Music by The Voices of Thunder      Our Very Special Guest will be:

Reverend William H. Hall Jr. and The Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church

ADDMISSION IS FREE                                                          DOORS OPEN AT 9:30 PM

 Aint No Party Like A Holy Ghost Party; A Holy Ghost Party Don't  Stop! 

                                       Dr. M. Marshall Woodard III, Pastor

]]> 2003-12-12T00:00:00-05:00 I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/i_approve_this_message.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/i_approve_this_message.html THE PRESIDENTS OFFICE & MESSAGE
White America, most of US and U grew up under or within Military Rule, so how about doing the right thing and Snap To !
 
the following is a message i wholely agree with...
I watched the speech last night, and I have been watching all of the morning talk shows (minus Fox News), and there seems to be universal condemnation of Rep. Wilson's outburst.
 
In a way, I think the Representative from the "freedom state" of South Carolina did President Obama a real favor.  Up to this point, especially during the month of August, there has been free reign by the pundits and naysayers about the President and the healthcare plans.  No matter how loud, rude, downright threatening these town hall events events have been...(I worked three Presidential details in Chicago), there has not been, until last night, the absolute, irrefutable display of disrespect toward the Office of the President of the United States...by an elected official. 
Representative Wilson's outburst demonstrated to the entire civilized world the fact that "the right to be rude", now extends to the halls of Congress. 
 
Now for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and all the other "un-elected", "un-anointed", "un-appointed" mouthpieces who spew venom from the safety of their radio and TV studios...Rep. Wilson has unwittingly served up the fat juicy fastball right over the plate, that the President needed to get the point across to the american public that..."the party of NO" has become "the party of know-nothing". 
 
Imagine how the rest of the world views us as a democracy.  We have lost almost 5,000 young men and women (some of whom I have known personally), fighting to bring "democracy" to countries that, not only don't want it, but wouldn't know what to do with it if they got it.  What the hell did they die for if all we have to show the world is the "bi-partisan" disrespect for the Office of the President of the United States?
 
In the military, there has always been the rule that...even though you don't respect the person, YOU RESPECT THE RANK.  When a General Officer drives by you in a staff car, you don't salute the man...you salute "the star on the car".  What a shameful display last night...  I wanted to take a shower just to wash the Fox News off. 

Dr. M. Marshall Woodard III
I Approve This Message
]]> 2009-09-10T00:00:00-05:00 RETIRED PASTOR BECOMES http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/retired_pastor_becomes.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/retired_pastor_becomes.html
YouTube COWBOY PREACHER ON THE LOOSE.......                                              !

Hello Stranger,

I know this email may come as a surprise, but then you know me, I'm always so out of the box that folks just don't get it. Anyway I was thinking of you and decide to let you know that I  wish only happiness, peace and good fortune to you.

There is so much tragedy and sadness in the world. Here in California we are having a 19 year drought, the rivers, and lakes have dried up, and the tall pine trees on the mountains are ablaze, people are loosing their homes to fires.

Ranchers and farmers can no longer afford to feed the animals or keep their ranches and farms. After foreclosure, they move to smaller homes and leave the animals that they can not afford to feed on the open range, and now we have the ranges on fire. It's so sad. I've been rescuing horses, and helping on the fire lines. I'll keep praying for you, and you pray for me,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIGgpLhlv0w&feature=PlayList&p=CB08B481484664D0&index=0&playnext=1

From Maurice & Muzette Woodard
© 2009 YouTube, LLC
]]> 2009-09-02T00:00:00-05:00 JESUS IS WATCHING http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/jesus_is_watching.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/jesus_is_watching.html CHRISTIAN HUMOR
He Is Watching You...
A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables. He picked up a CD player to place in his sack, when a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark, saying, "Jesus is watching you."

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head and continued. Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, "Jesus is watching you."

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot. "Did you say that?" he hissed at the parrot.

"Yep," the parrot confessed, then squawked, "I'm just trying to warn you."

The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?"

"Moses," replied the bird.

"Moses?" the burglar laughed. "What kind of people would name a bird Moses?"

"The same kind of people that would name a pit bull Jesus."
]]> 2009-09-02T00:00:00-05:00 GOD'S PROMISE TO YOU.... http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/gods_promise_to_you.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/gods_promise_to_you.html PSALMS 103:11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=954ju5Hkg0Q&feature=channel_page

YouTube SUNDAY'S SERMON

One of my favorite verses:  Psalm 103:11

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him”

Wow.  That’s a lot of lovingkindness!  Can you calculate such a great love?  You can  try, but the mind goes tilt.  Here’s an illustration. Let’s assume that the heavens are roughly 12 billion light years “high.”  That’s about the distance to the farthest galaxies observed by telescopes.  12 billion is a huge number already, but 12 billion light years much much more so.

A light year is 186,000 miles light travels in a second times 60 seconds in a minute times 60 minutes in an hour times 24 hours in a day time 364 1/4 days in a year.  That’s 186,000 x 60 x 60 x 24 x 364.25 =  5,853,643,200,000.  But wait.  That’s just ONE light year.  Now we times that by 12,000,000,000.   So, 5,853,643,200,000 x 12,000,000,000 =are you ready?

“roughly” 70,243,718,400,000,000,000,000

That’s in miles from here to the furthest galaxies.  I don’t even know how you say that!
                            
Or, how about this from Psalm 139:
17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

God is thinking PRECIOUS thoughts about YOU!  Judging from the number of grains of sand on one beach, let alone all the beaches, I’d say you are on His mind CONSTANTLY! Next time you are tempted to get down on yourself, or are tempted to think God doesn’t care, remember what God says.  He is WITH YOU!  and He LOVES YOU more than you can imagine.

I'm so glad that I know for myself..the promises of God The Father, thru Jesus Christ our Lord are "Yea and Amen..... These words in this song have blessed my heart in my darkest hours. May you find the same peace and blessed assurance I have. DrWoodard
]]> 2009-09-02T00:00:00-05:00 REFLECTING ON MEMORIAL DAY.... http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/reflecting_on_memorial_day.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/reflecting_on_memorial_day.html
FOCUSING ON THE STRUGGLE
REFLECTING ON MEMORIAL DAY....


"I consider that our present sufferings.
are not worth comparing with the glory
that shall be revealed in us."
~ Romans 8:18

I offer an appreciative and Humble Salute to ALL Americans who gave their Life and Service to support the Combat Efforts of the United States Of America. As an American, I served during the Viet Nam Conflict.
 
As a Father, I thank God that my children and grand children are safe, and I pray for the safe return to their families, of all those who currently serve. To be born on this planet is a ticket to the big show, and to live in America is like having a front row seat, living in these last days on center stage as this earth's final drama unfolds.

God Bless America and bring our Children Home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUgHsq16680&feature=channel_page

DrWoodard]]> 2009-05-25T00:00:00-05:00 SUNDAY'S SERMONS http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/sundays_sermons.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/sundays_sermons.html
Psalm 103:11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=954ju5Hkg0Q&feature=channel_page

YouTube SUNDAY'S SERMON

One of my favorite verses:  Psalm 103:11

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him”

Wow.  That’s a lot of lovingkindness!  Can you calculate such a great love?  You can  try, but the mind goes tilt.  Here’s an illustration. Let’s assume that the heavens are roughly 12 billion light years “high.”  That’s about the distance to the farthest galaxies observed by telescopes.  12 billion is a huge number already, but 12 billion light years much much more so.

A light year is 186,000 miles light travels in a second times 60 seconds in a minute times 60 minutes in an hour times 24 hours in a day time 364 1/4 days in a year.  That’s 186,000 x 60 x 60 x 24 x 364.25 =  5,853,643,200,000.  But wait.  That’s just ONE light year.  Now we times that by 12,000,000,000.   So, 5,853,643,200,000 x 12,000,000,000 =are you ready?

“roughly” 70,243,718,400,000,000,000,000

That’s in miles from here to the furthest galaxies.  I don’t even know how you say that!
                            
Or, how about this from Psalm 139:
17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

God is thinking PRECIOUS thoughts about YOU!  Judging from the number of grains of sand on one beach, let alone all the beaches, I’d say you are on His mind CONSTANTLY! Next time you are tempted to get down on yourself, or are tempted to think God doesn’t care, remember what God says.  He is WITH YOU!  and He LOVES YOU more than you can imagine.

I'm so glad that I know for myself..the promises of God The Father, thru Jesus Christ our Lord are "Yea and Amen..... These words in this song have blessed my heart in my darkest hours. May you find the same peace and blessed assurance I have. DrWoodard
]]> 2009-05-17T00:00:00-05:00 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/happy_mothers_day.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/happy_mothers_day.html
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=954ju5Hkg0Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9-Fqv0Xm1k&feature=email

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HdFNCFiGZc&feature=email

One Of My Personal Favorites...




I'm so glad that I know for myself..the promises of God The Father, thru Jesus Christ our Lord are "Yea and Amen..... These words in this song have blessed my heart in my darkest hours. May you find the same peace and blessed assurance I have

No Matter what you are going through, if He can take you to it; He's the same God that can see you thru it.

Don't forget who's you are, and reach for the stars in 2009...because I'm sure, He'll Bring You Out!
]]> 2009-05-10T00:00:00-05:00 WHEN GOD SENDS YOU TO HELL! http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/when_god_sends_you_to_hell-1.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/when_god_sends_you_to_hell-1.html Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

This is a scripture that may be hard for some to understand. However from my own experiences, through all my faults and failures, the God I serve has been faithful to me through His word, and in this text,  I see the plain truth that we all need to have a test before we can have a testimony. Or as my Grandmother would sing, "No Cross No Crown"   When God Sends You To Hell..

We often talk about how good God is. We talk about God making a way in the middle of no way.  We even talk about God being on the side of the weak and the oppressed. But then we come to a scripture where Jesus, the Son of God, is "led" into the wilderness by the Spirit.;

The wilderness, is a terrible place to be. We are told that this wilderness that Jesus was thrust into is a rough one, that descends quickly into a sea at the bottom of it. It is a rough one with rocks and the like. It is truly a terrible place. The Bible says that it is a place of temptation. Satan is in that place ready to pounce and tempt Jesus. but more than that there are wild beasts in that place. It was a place of spiritual as well as physical anguish.

And God sent him there. We often times get mad at folks. We talk about the church, but here it isn't sister Betty causing Jesus Harm...It ain't the Pharisees or the Sadducees, no it is the Holy Spirit that is driving Jesus into the midst of this desolate place.

As I think about this, I gotta believe that God has provided something to help Jesus through that wilderness, and if God had something in that wilderness for Jesus, God has something for us. What does God provide for us that will help us through that wilderness? We have three points. These are three things that God has for us that we will find in the wilderness.

The first thing that God has given us that will help us through the wilderness is the Word. We are ready for the wilderness experience because God has already given us that word. The powerful word that can take nothing and call forth something. Note how Jesus makes use of this resource by always appealing to it in his battle with Satan. Jesus uses the term "it is written" against all of the attacks. That word is given to us in the Bible. when the rough times of life come, we have a Bible. I remember when grandma used to have problem, she didn't give up, she didn't fret, she simply sat down with the Word to see what God is going to say to her. If we are going to make it through the wilderness that the Spirit may lead us into then we must make use of the resources that God has given us. And one of the biggest resources is the Bible itself.

The second thing that God has provided us to endure the wilderness is a God given identity and purpose. When you know who you are, no one whether a devil in hell or an angel in heaven can sway you from it. Note that Jesus wouldn't bow to Satan in the third temptation because he knew who he was, and he knew who he served. See you only worship the devil if you are a child of Satan, but if you are a child of God then you cannot bow. But more than that. If you are the son of God, then you can't bow to one who should bow to you. When you are led into the wilderness it is time to remember who you are. You see it is in the wilderness when we often do what we wouldn't normally do. It is when the chips are down that we do what we shouldn't do. Remember who you are and what God has in store for you.

The third thing God gives us is help in the wilderness. The text says that the devil was in the wilderness. We know that. The text says that wild animals are in the wilderness. We know that. But the text also says that angels were in the wilderness. We may be so busy looking at the devil and the wild beasts. We may be so busy looking at those who want to do us harm, that we don't see that God has something in the wilderness looking out for you.

The wilderness can't totally overtake you if you remember that God has something there for you and to go look for that something. Note that the centurion told Jesus, you don't have to come by my house, but just speak the word only. the word itself has within it the power to do what it says. At this point you might bring in the power of the word, for example at creation, God stood out on nothing and said, let there be, and then there was something.

Celebration: Wait for angel. What do you do when God sends you to hell? You remember the word, you remember who you are, and you wait for the angel. You wait for your help. For we know that God won't leave us in hell too long. The bible says that even if I make my bed in hell, God is with us. Hell won't last too long the angels is coming. for the bible says that I just need to lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. Wait for the angel.
]]> 2009-04-12T00:00:00-05:00 WHEN GOD SENDS YOU TO HELL! http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/when_god_sends_you_to_hell-0.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/when_god_sends_you_to_hell-0.html Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

This is a scripture that may be hard for some to understand. However from my own experiences, through all my faults and failures, the God I serve has been faithful to me through His word, and in this text,  I see the plain truth that we all need to have a test before we can have a testimony. Or as my Grandmother would sing, "No Cross No Crown"   When God Sends You To Hell..

We often talk about how good God is. We talk about God making a way in the middle of no way.  We even talk about God being on the side of the weak and the oppressed. But then we come to a scripture where Jesus, the Son of God, is "led" into the wilderness by the Spirit.;

The wilderness, is a terrible place to be. We are told that this wilderness that Jesus was thrust into is a rough one, that descends quickly into a sea at the bottom of it. It is a rough one with rocks and the like. It is truly a terrible place. The Bible says that it is a place of temptation. Satan is in that place ready to pounce and tempt Jesus. but more than that there are wild beasts in that place. It was a place of spiritual as well as physical anguish.

And God sent him there. We often times get mad at folks. We talk about the church, but here it isn't sister Betty causing Jesus Harm...It ain't the Pharisees or the Sadducees, no it is the Holy Spirit that is driving Jesus into the midst of this desolate place.

As I think about this, I gotta believe that God has provided something to help Jesus through that wilderness, and if God had something in that wilderness for Jesus, God has something for us. What does God provide for us that will help us through that wilderness? We have three points. These are three things that God has for us that we will find in the wilderness.

The first thing that God has given us that will help us through the wilderness is the Word. We are ready for the wilderness experience because God has already given us that word. The powerful word that can take nothing and call forth something. Note how Jesus makes use of this resource by always appealing to it in his battle with Satan. Jesus uses the term "it is written" against all of the attacks. That word is given to us in the Bible. when the rough times of life come, we have a Bible. I remember when grandma used to have problem, she didn't give up, she didn't fret, she simply sat down with the Word to see what God is going to say to her. If we are going to make it through the wilderness that the Spirit may lead us into then we must make use of the resources that God has given us. And one of the biggest resources is the Bible itself.

The second thing that God has provided us to endure the wilderness is a God given identity and purpose. When you know who you are, no one whether a devil in hell or an angel in heaven can sway you from it. Note that Jesus wouldn't bow to Satan in the third temptation because he knew who he was, and he knew who he served. See you only worship the devil if you are a child of Satan, but if you are a child of God then you cannot bow. But more than that. If you are the son of God, then you can't bow to one who should bow to you. When you are led into the wilderness it is time to remember who you are. You see it is in the wilderness when we often do what we wouldn't normally do. It is when the chips are down that we do what we shouldn't do. Remember who you are and what God has in store for you.

The third thing God gives us is help in the wilderness. The text says that the devil was in the wilderness. We know that. The text says that wild animals are in the wilderness. We know that. But the text also says that angels were in the wilderness. We may be so busy looking at the devil and the wild beasts. We may be so busy looking at those who want to do us harm, that we don't see that God has something in the wilderness looking out for you.

The wilderness can't totally overtake you if you remember that God has something there for you and to go look for that something. Note that the centurion told Jesus, you don't have to come by my house, but just speak the word only. the word itself has within it the power to do what it says. At this point you might bring in the power of the word, for example at creation, God stood out on nothing and said, let there be, and then there was something.

Celebration: Wait for angel. What do you do when God sends you to hell? You remember the word, you remember who you are, and you wait for the angel. You wait for your help. For we know that God won't leave us in hell too long. The bible says that even if I make my bed in hell, God is with us. Hell won't last too long the angels is coming. for the bible says that I just need to lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. Wait for the angel.
]]> 2009-04-12T00:00:00-05:00 He Would Not Come Down From the Cross A Sermon by Dr. M. Marshall Woodard http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/he_would_not_come_down_from_the_cross_a_sermon_by_dr_m_marshall_.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/he_would_not_come_down_from_the_cross_a_sermon_by_dr_m_marshall_.html
Matthew 27:38
He Would Not Come Down From the Cross
A Sermon by Dr. M. Marshall Woodard


    SCRIPTURE:"At that time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who were passing by were whirling abuse at him and waging their heads and saying you who destroyed the temple and rebuild it in three days save yourself, if you are the son of God come down from the cross. In the same way the chief priests along with the scribes and elders were mocking him saying, "He saved others and he cannot save himself. Let him come down from the cross and we'll believe him." Matthew 27:38

Introduction

This particular passage of  scripture focuses on Christ being nailed to the cross. After being nailed to the cross certain groups of people who appeared to ridicule him, challenge him and to poke fun at him. Their purpose was to provoke him to prove for their benefit that he was the God he claimed to be.
   
There were at least three groups of people that appeared to ridicule him was the common people. They said "you said you were so powerful that you could tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days." They questioned that if Jesus was as powerful as he claimed that he should not have any difficulty removing the nails from his hands. They were disturbed because they had misinterpreted his statements about rebuilding the temple to mean that he planned to tear down and rebuild the temple built by Zerrubabel. However, it was not this temple that Jesus referenced. He referred to his body which would be in the grave for three days and nights and would be arisen after the scripture had been fulfilled.
   
The common people misinterpreted his humility for weakness. It was similar to the old song that was popular a few years ago that said, "Don't take my kindness for weakness." Because he refused to come down from the cross, his refusal was taken as a sign that he was unable to do so.
2 Corinthians 13:4 teaches us that Christ was "crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the power of God." That means he allowed himself to become weak that he could be raised by the power of God. That would be the greatest testimony of the power of God.

-II-The common people also told him, "You say you are the son of God." They reasoned that if Christ was truly the son of God that God would not allow his son to hang on a cross, thus Christ should come down to conform to the will of God. Christ met a similar challenge a few years earlier from Satan while he fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days and nights. Here, Satan tried to get Christ to prove himself by turning stones into bread and by bowing down and worshipping him. The idea of proving one's self is often placed upon each of us. Even as young as high school some young men are often heard challenging some young lady to prove her love to him by having sex. This was the same challenge that was given to Christ: prove your love by coming down. However, Christ knew that he would not prove his love by coming down from the cross, but only by staying on the cross until his mission was completed. When the mission was complete and salvation secured, then and only then could Christ prove himself to any doubters.

-III- The second group of people who criticized Christ were the religious leaders. They charged that he could not save himself because he did not possess the power. They misunderstood him. It was not that Jesus could not save himself, it was that he would not save himself. He possessed the power to come down if he so desired, but he chose not to exercise that power. One of the great common beliefs about any modern democratically dominated society is that those who lead the populus must be individuals who have first done something for themselves. The thinking is that those who cannot protect or provide for themselves won't be very effective helping others. Thus, the public judges the level of personal success of those who purport to show others the way to success. Using this line of thinking the religious leaders maintained that Christ should be able to save himself by the same power and authority with which he expected to raise himself. They seemed to say, "You can't show me how to make money if you can't make money yourself." If you can't run your own house then you can't tell me how to run mine." And "If you are not doing well yourself, you can't tell me how to improve." 

They took this same line of reasoning and applied it to Christ saying, "He went around saving other folk, but he cannot save himself."  Moreover, the religious leaders were aware that in many instances Christ accompanied his miraculous works with forgiving of sin. Thus, if he could not come down from the cross it would indicate that he was guilty of a sin..that sin being that he claimed to be God, such a sin justified his death.
   
They also charged that if he was the King of Israel as he claimed, God would not allow him to die on the cross. They contended that if Christ was actually the King of the Jews as he claimed he would have organized the people in a successful revolt against the Roman government; but instead he hung on a cross.

They said, "If you are really this promised king of Israel, why don't you come down from the cross and we will believe it." I'm sure that Christ on the cross, being both God and man, must have considered the challenges that were given to him. He must have been affected by the ridicule. However, after hearing what they had to say about him, he decided to die to save mankind.

-IV-The last group of those who criticized him was represented by the thieves on the cross. One of the thieves challenged Christ to prove his deity by saving himself and the thief as well. He had a selfish motive for his request because he wanted to be freed himself. Even in our prayers, sometimes we have selfish prayers that we ask of God.

Fortunately God does not give us many of our selfish requests because they will not be for our benefit. Thus, the thief on the cross asked a selfish request. The other thief was different. He saw what Christ was doing and teaching and believed it to be right, despite the fact he was a thief. Likewise, there are many in the church who believe what is right but simply do not act on what they believe. The thief maintained that he deserved his punishment but he recognized that Christ had done no wrong. He asked for paradise and received an immediate answer.
   
The thief on the cross understood that Jesus could not come down if the possibly for heaven was to remain real.
   
The thief on the cross understood that Jesus could not come down if salvation was to be purchased.
   
The thief on the cross understood that Jesus could not come down if he intended to be the savior of the world.
   
He had the power to come down if he wanted to, but he still would not come down. He had the power to bat his eye and make the lightning flash, but he still would not come down! He had the power to clap his hands and make the thunder roll but he still would not come down!
   
He had the power to speak to the winds and make them obey his will but he still would not come down! He had the power to touch a blind and make him see again but he still would not come down! He had the power to touch a lame make man and make him walk again but he still would not come down.
   
He would not come down because he knew that one day in some city in the world there would be somebody down on their knees in the midnight hour say, "Father I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know. If thou withdraw thy self from me, whither shall I go."
   
He knew if he came down from the cross he wouldn't be able to answer! He knew that some wife, father or child would ask for a blessing for a family member and he wouldn't be able answer them with the blessing of grace!
   
He knew that one day in the distant future there would be someone who got drunk on Friday and Saturday nights, or who indulged in adultery and ran around on the mates, or someone who would gamble away their paychecks, or even a child that would be disobedient to a parent that would become weary of their deviant lifestyles.
   
He looked to the day when the drunk would say, "I'm tired of being drunk every day of the week" or when the adulterer would say, "I'm tired of running around;" or when the child would say, "I'm tired of being disobedient to my parents."-because he knew someone would desire to be saved and repent, he would not come down from the cross!
   
I can hear the thoughts that must have floated through his mind on the cross. "I can't come down because I want to be there for the church, in their time of need."
   
"I can't come down from the cross because I want to bread when they are hungry!" "I will not come down from the cross because I want to be water when you are thirsty."
   
"I will not come down from the cross because I want to be a bridge over troubling water." "I will not come down from the cross because I want to be a lawyer in your court room and a doctor in your sick room."
   
It's a good thing he didn't come down from the cross because we would have been a lost generation. When he hung out on the cross people came from miles to see him and said, if you are the Christ come down and save yourself.
   
Jesus would not answer them because he knew Satan was tempting him.
   
I'm glad he did not come down, but he died out on Calvary!
   
I'm glad that he died, but I'm also glad that early Sunday morning he arose from the grave with all power in his hands!
   

]]> 2009-04-12T00:00:00-05:00 Dr Woodard Has Shared A Video With You On YouTube! http://www.raptureministriesinc.orghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRXuCruId0&feature=email http://www.raptureministriesinc.orghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRXuCruId0&feature=email I WON'T COMPLAIN
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]]> 2009-03-14T00:00:00-05:00 From A Nation In Mourning To A Nation Of Hope http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/from_a_nation_in_mourning_to_a_nation_of_hope.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/from_a_nation_in_mourning_to_a_nation_of_hope.html Biblical Text: 1 Thess. 4: 13-14 From A Nation In Mourning To A Nation Of Hope
SERMON by Dr. M. Marshal Woodard III

Biblical Text: 1 Thess. 4: 13-14

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him."

At 8:45 AM on September 11, 2001, life as we know it in America was forever changed. The terrorists' attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the small community of Shanksville, were a demonstration of the depravity at loose in our world. While our government scrambles to attach a name to our perpetrators, those of us in the community of faith already know at whose hand these dastardly deeds have been accomplished.

We mourned that day, not just as a nation, but worldwide, at so great a loss. Countless thousands perished in a moment…a mere twinkling of an eye. We watched in horror, as beloved family and cherished co-workers were snuffed out in a matter of seconds. This was a deed that could only be accomplished at the hand of the master of evil himself.

Men and women who, before that day, gave little thought to the need for divine intervention in their lives, now strain their hearts for answers from a Higher Power heretofore unknown, while those who belong to the household of faith also sorrow, though not as those who have no hope.

Tragedy impacts the spirit of mankind in inimitable ways. The emotional trauma is as great as the physical devastation itself. Thousands of children who once waved goodbye to Mommy and Daddy without fear, now cling in helpless trepidation at the thought of losing so fragile a possession as their loved ones. Chains of friendship, matrimony, commitment and promise have been forever broken by death.

The cry from the world is this…..that no one could have hoped to adequately prepare for such a catastrophe. But I hear the voice of the Apostle Paul in the 4th chapter of 1st Thessalonians saying, "there is hope".  Paul, in his great desire to bring the world out of ignorance, reiterates the imperishable truth that, even in the midst of tragedy, we who are of the household of faith sorrow not as those who have no hope.

Now more than ever, the men and women of God who stand on the promise of eternal life, hold the key to offering deliverance for those who sorrow without hope. Now more than ever, we, who are the called out ones, must carry that message of hope to this generation of disillusioned self-reliant survivors. Christ stands at the door with outstretched arms saying, "Come unto Me, all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME."


The time is ripe for crossroads decisions. The very nature of the 911 tragedy reveals that humanity is forever vulnerable to forces beyond our control. We must not begin a single day oblivious to this vital truth. And if our fragile lives can be eradicated at a moments notice, it is not only this life for which we must make provision, but also the life to come…or we could one day find ourselves sorrowing, without hope.

As airports mad preparation for new heightened security measures during the 4th of July Celebration, and our government reexamines its role as our protector, it becomes increasingly clear to all of mankind that we must live guarded lives. But what are we to guard against? Can we assure our citizens that "tomorrow" is promised? No…we cannot. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens…a time to be born and a time to die…"

Where do we turn then for reassurance and consolation? Again, I hear the words of Paul saying, "The law of the Holy Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Thus, no fracture of man's laws can steal the Saint's victory over death. No terrorist can sequester eternal life from those who believe in Jesus Christ.

And we have this assurance….that there is no pain beyond this earthly life. "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 (will be) passed away." (Rev. 21: 4)

Jesus warned us to watch and pray…not as those who live in fear, but rather as those who live in earnest preparation. While others struggle through the bottomless pit of grief, without hope for the souls of loved ones who knew not Christ, we are called to channel our despair into productive anger, and reach out to the lost with the only hope we have against these all too certain disasters.

The governments of countries who perpetrate terrorism are living examples of why all governments must be ordained of God. Those who know the Lord, will cherish and preserve life. Yet, and still, we of the church of Jesus Christ know that we cannot put all our trust in governments, military forces, sicenice or technology. Such a stance would offer a false sense of security.

God alone holds our future. Those who went to work late and avoided the tragedies at the Pentagon and the Twin Towers were not lucky….they have been preserved for a purpose. God alone knows why. Those who found their way out of the buildings and into the daylight were not spared by chance….they have been preserved for a purpose. We may never know why…but God knows why! And  in time, God will reveal His plan in the lives of each of them.

But what we do know is this…that those who died in the Lord, are safe in the arms of Jesus. Yes, their loved ones are caught in the grips of sorrow, but they do not grieve as those who have no hope. Our hope is in the Lord who will enjoin them to Him on that great day of "judgment".
What we do know is this….that the forces of evil may win some victories, but they will never win the war!

The worst of Satan can only bring out the best in Saints. We see it in the multitude of prayer vigils, the relentless efforts at rescue, the compassion of world leaders and the unselfish donations of goods and services from corporate America. What was thought to be Satan's finest hour, will ultimately turn out to belong to God, who works out all things for His good.

What we do know is this….

That God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. We will summon His power upon this nation and the world, and together we will continue to earnestly represent our Savior as Lord of all, until that great day of His return.

And what we do know is this…

That in times of crisis, Christ is our comfort. We hold to His promise, not of a blissful earthly life, but of life everlasting beyond the realm of this world.

What we do know is this…

In times of hopelessness, He is our help. The same power that kept Him on the cross to endure our afflictions, will keep us pressing forward in our hour of pain.

What we do know is this…

In times of perplexity, He is our Peace. Yes, we are perplexed, but not in despair…for we know that the Lord will keep in perfect peace, those who trust in Him.

What we do know is this…

In times of weakness, He is our strength. Millions pray for strength. That's why thousands dig with strength.

What we do know is this…

In times of decision, He is our wisdom. We watch the governments ordained of God demonstrate their calculated restraint as they seek God's guidance in so great a decision as war.

What we do know is this…

In times of darkness, He is our Light.

In times of defeat, He is our Deliverance.
In times of adversity, He is our assurance.

In times of burden, He is our Blessing.

In times of failure, He is our Success.

In times of discouragement, He is our inspiration.

In times of turmoil, He is our trust.

In times of heartache, He is our Hope.

In times of grief, He is our Glory.

And we do know this…

In times of sorrow, He is our Joy…unspeakable joy. The joy of knowing that our Salvation is secure…and our deliverance will surely come.
]]> 2009-03-01T00:00:00-05:00 Dr Woodard Has Shared A Video With You On YouTube! http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/dr_woodard_has_shared_a_video_with_you_on_youtube.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/dr_woodard_has_shared_a_video_with_you_on_youtube.html

Saturday, January 10, 2009 11:22 AM

From:
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Not just our nation, our world faces what the Apostle Paul wrote of as times of peril. Even so, God is still in control. So Please Consider making this a part of your New Years Resolutions....

"DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY!"

DrWoodard
© 2008 YouTube, LLC





Dr. Maurice Marshall Woodard III
C/O Rapture Ministries International
PO Box 655
Yreka, CA 96097-9779

1-530-598-8984 Mobile
http://www.jaxtr.com/woodardphd /computer]]> 2009-01-10T00:00:00-05:00 SEASON'S GREETINGS HAPPY NEW YEAR http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/seasons_greetings_happy_new_year.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/seasons_greetings_happy_new_year.html Humble Advice for the New Year Coming - 2009

Go through your cell phone, caller id, calendar, and email addresses and discard all the people and events that mean you no good or don't benefit your life!

Stop making excuses about your life and make changes!
Keep your opinion to yourself! We all know what others should do, but what about you?

If you are involved w/ a person, job, or circumstance that is doing more harm than good, do yourself a favor - LET IT GO!

Take care of your kids and devote a weekend or two when you spend "quality" time with them. Who cares if you miss out on an event!
You can party anytime!

If you are not saved....get saved!!!!!

Get your debt in order! Eventually you'll want a nice home and car in your name!

Stop spreading senseless rumors and try to get your own life in order!

Listen more! Talk Less!

Give without worrying about it!

Tell him no for once!

Tell people you love them before your hear about some great tragedy in the world or lose a close friend!

Speak clearly and not ignorantly! Anyone can be a fool.

If you are married, stop cheating. If you're guilty of this, ask God to forgive you and don't do it again! Remember the Ten Commandments.

Stop being someone's mistress; especially if you are aware that you are!!!!

If you are between the ages of 22-35 please start listening to more than Hip-Hop!

SAY NO TO DRUGS!!!!!

Stop waiting on Tax Season and Save Now!

Eat what you need and not just because you can!

See how long you can go without checking your cell phone when it's not ringing.

Be more positive and stop being a grouch!

STOP HATIN! If you don't like my style, DO YOU!

Start telling your children that when you're having a "grown folks"
conversation, they need to go play. (Remember back when)

Appreciate everyone. WHY do we put each other down for the most ridiculous things?!?

Men and women! Cry more! It's therapeutic.

Stop tripping about not being where you want to be! What have you been doing to get there?!?

If you aren't in relationship, it's not the end of the world! Self love is waaaaay more valuable!

Keep your opinion to yourself! We all know what others should do, but what about you?

If God delivers you from a messy relationship, friend or situation, why do you keep PULLING THEM BACK? Let it go!

FORGIVE! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! All of us have been forgiven for some low life things! So open your heart! Remember - God forgave you.

Men, stop trying to be so hard when it comes to relationships. Let that guard down before you lose the one that's meant for you!

Speak up for yourself!

Learn a new hobby! Broaden your mind.

If you're single, start going on more dates with different types of people. Don't just stick to the same type of woman or man!

Stop forwarding all the text messages you receive; everyone doesn't have unlimited text messages!!!

Live today like it's your last day, love like God taught us, and laugh like you've never laughed before!

Lastly, if it's only 5 minutes a day have a little talk with Jesus! Let Him know you want to be better today than you were yesterday and watch Him turn things around for you!

"God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."


WISHING EACH & EVERYONE OF YOU A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!

Go into 2009 with more gratitude than attitude......it will keep you healthier!!

No matter what the situation, always SMILE and count your blessings!



Dr. Maurice Marshall Woodard III
C/O Rapture Ministries International
PO Box 655
Yreka, CA 96097-9779

1-530-598-8984 Mobile
http://www.jaxtr.com/woodardphd /computer]]> 2009-01-03T00:00:00-05:00 IF HE CAN TAKE YOU TO IT HE WILL LEAD YOU THRU IT! http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/if_he_can_take_you_to_it_he_will_lead_you_thru_it-0.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/if_he_can_take_you_to_it_he_will_lead_you_thru_it-0.html YouTube - Broadcast Yourself help center | e-mail options | report spam

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If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away and behold, all things become new.

May The Joy and Blessing of the Christ Child be yours in the new year.
No Matter what you are going through, if He can take you to it; He's the same God that can see you thru it.

Don't forget who's you are, and reach for the stars in 2009...because I'm sure, He'll Bring You Out!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
© 2008 YouTube, LLC ]]> 2008-12-28T00:00:00-05:00 IF HE CAN TAKE YOU TO IT HE WILL LEAD YOU THRU IT! http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/if_he_can_take_you_to_it_he_will_lead_you_thru_it.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/if_he_can_take_you_to_it_he_will_lead_you_thru_it.html
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From DrWoodard:

May all the joy of Christmas rest in peace and abide with you now and throughout the coming New Year. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. There was no room in the in, but please let there be room in your heart, and no matter what you are facing I KNOW HE'LL BRING YOU OUT! MMW Dec 21, 2008

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]]> 2008-12-22T00:00:00-05:00 JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/jesus_is_the_reason_for_the_season.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/jesus_is_the_reason_for_the_season.html
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From DrWoodard:

May all the joy of Christmas rest in peace and abide with you now and throughout the coming New Year. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season. There was no room in the in, but please let there be room in your heart, and no matter what you are facing I KNOW HE'LL BRING YOU OUT! MMW Dec 21, 2008

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]]> 2008-12-22T00:00:00-05:00 Pray!! Then Take a Stand Against Fear-mongering and Race-Baiting. http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/pray_then_take_a_stand_against_fear-mongering_and_race-baiting.html http://www.raptureministriesinc.org/n/pray_then_take_a_stand_against_fear-mongering_and_race-baiting.html
Mob Scene or Campaign Rally?

 

McCain/Palin supporter

Call out McCain and Palin for fear-mongering and race-baiting.

Click here

Dear Dr.Woodard,


John McCain and Sarah Palin have stopped talking about the issues, and have instead launched a strategy relying on fear-mongering, racial divisions, and hate. The result is McCain/Palin supporters at rallies saying "kill him!"[1] "terrorist!"[2] "traitor,"[3] and more, with the McCain campaign playing dumb in response.[4] It's outrageous and it must stop.

Together, we can show that Americans of all races won't stand for this.

Sign our open-letter calling out McCain and Palin. We'll publish it this week, and as we've shown in the past, when enough of us stand together, we can force the mainstream media to amplify our message. Click below to watch a video from Brave New Films showing the atmosphere at McCain rallies, sign on to our open letter, and ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://colorofchange.org/united/?id=2020-656841

McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking "who is the real Barack Obama?" (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad).[5] In response, supporters have yelled "terrorist!" and "traitor!" And the venom goes beyond Obama--one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying "sit down, boy."[6]

The outbursts at McCain/Palin events have crossed the line into direct threats and suggestions of violence. Last week, at the mention of Obama's name, a McCain supporter yelled "kill him!"[7]--prompting a secret service investigation.[8] A few days later, someone shouted "off with his head!"[9]

In the face of all of this, McCain and Palin haven't stopped for five seconds to denounce these violent outbursts. In fact they've tried to defend them [10,11]--and their fear-mongering smear tactics continue.

McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting.[12,13] McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver's seat. They've personally made it a point to use "terrorist" and "Obama" in the same sentence; their surrogates have repeatedly referred to Obama by his middle-name;[14,15] and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.

All of it plays on the much more sinister rumors in anonymous smear emails that claim Obama is Muslim, anti-American, and is somehow connected with terrorists.[16] The strategy works and is powerful because it plays into the suspicions some White Americans have about Blacks: about our true allegiances and our trustworthiness. In the end, it makes Obama's race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.

A unified response

As Americans of all stripes, we've seen how Barack Obama's historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It's inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors, and families.

Now we have McCain, at a time of crisis in this country, pandering to one of the worst instincts in America. His campaign is playing to the kind of suspicion, hatred and fear that brings out the worst in us all, which history shows can lead to horrible consequences.

We can fight back

In the final days of this campaign, we can't let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from the McCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison.

Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won't let them move our country backward? We'll publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.

http://colorofchange.org/united/?id=2020-656841

Thanks and Peace,

-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org PAC team
   October 14th, 2008

References

1. "Unleashed, Palin Makes a Pit Bull Look Tame," Washington Post, 10/07/08
http://tinyurl.com/3wmg4c

2. "Obama called a terrorist" (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvXf9AUHTqM

3. "McCain Supporter Yells Out 'Traitor!'" (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiESklGDuH4

4. "McCain camp defends the behavior?," First Read, 10/10/08
http://tinyurl.com/4az7uw

5. "TV Ad: Dangerous", John McCain campaign, 10/06/08
http://tinyurl.com/48j9uj

6. See reference 1.

7. See reference 1.

8. "'Kill Him' Yell At Clearwater Palin Rally Being Probed," Tampa Bay Online, 10/10/08
http://tinyurl.com/442vn5

9. "McCain's 'Fellow Prisoners'," First Read, 10/08/08
http://tinyurl.com/4qc5vn

10. See reference 4.

11. "John Lewis vs. John McCain," First Read, 10/11/08
http://tinyurl.com/3m6qln

12. "The Sidewalk to Nowhere, McCain Supporters in Bethlehem, PA" (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEucdhf4Us

13. "The McCain-Palin Mob" (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjxzmaXAg9E

14. "Florida Sheriff Intros Palin, Says 'Barack Hussein Obama'," (video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woNYeyOQnuI

15. "McCain and Palin in Bethlehem: A live report!" Philly.com, 10/08/08
http://tinyurl.com/3wvq9x

16. "Who is Barack Obama?" Snopes.com, January 2008
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp


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