The sins that many humans commit on the earth do not just affect themselves. But in fact affect everyone else around them that witness it. A sin is to do evil not only against God's law but also against every other human that views you. It's one thing for it to be noticed and judged, but another for it to be noticed and influenced on others.

Do we lead each other into sin? Do we hold each others hands towards the grave? Why is it that we cannot lead by example but instead lead each other into sin. Sins that are kept behind the heaviest doors are done in secret and will be displayed upon the rooftops in heaven, but sins that are done out in the open are witnessed and are influencing those that view them.

When you think of things like smoking, drinking at parties, or having sex and others know of your activities they will be influenced to do the same. Whether they be siblings, friends, classmates, or work acquaintances. They are most likely to commit the same sin because you have introduced it to them. Therefore there introduction to that sin and there committing it, is not only there fault, but yours as well. You can't expect to be pardoned or excused for promoting evil, and therefore you need to hold fast to righteousness and the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11

13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Every single night we lay our heads down on our pillows amidst blankets o'plenty and drift away into another world. Probably never appreciating the world we are leaving for a short while and not appreciating the world we wake up to. However in all of our sleep one thing is certain, we're just not there.

Sleep has mystified doctors and scientists for years as to where and what the brain and mind does while asleep. Most people have dreams of which give them some mild form of entertainment while drifting away, almost as if in a movie. While others remember nothing or even worse have nightmares or experiences of which horror is prevalent in there dreams.

There have been many people looking at dreams for centuries now, trying to scientifically explain or spiritually explain and most have reached the same conclusion that there is no explanation and that it mostly depends on what the person was thinking of last prior to falling into REM sleep.

I wish I could explain dreams of flying or falling in love to many of you now, but I am one that has no dreams. I remember nothing every single morning, and therefore my body is like a machine, something that just turns on and off. I've never been one to dream, even as a child, I don't remember any dream and could only tell of maybe three in all of my existence. I always wondered why I don't have dreams like the rest of near everyone that does, but being aware that a portion of people don't made me feel less awkward in this respect.

My message if I could give one to you this week would be to cherish the world no matter how bleak, hopeless, or painful it is before you go to sleep. Treasure the trials, the ordeals, and the complications that are thrown at you, because you never know the day when you will not wake up to be able to face those problems. Everyone is unique and everyone is an individual but there isn't a problem on the earth right now that someone else isn't facing as well at this very moment, so you're not alone.

If you do dream, dream of leading a better life, conquer self-doubt, and give everything you can to helping other people, because at the end of the day when the dust settles and the smoke clears, the only thing that will matter will be what you did for others and not what you did for yourself. Lead a good life, follow God's will, and be empowered by his spirit, even if it comes to you in the middle of the night.

I thought I would leave my 'serious' message for next month, and give a lighter message this time.

How often do you stand in line at the supermarket, getting annoyed by how many people are in front of you? Or anywhere really. And how often are you the one having to serve customers and getting increasingly annoyed with them?

Have you noticed just how anti-social people seem to be turning lately? Not just in a cashier/waiter-customer role, but even just to strangers around you? People are getting increasingly frustrated with everyone, and really, what's the point? If you look at it from a strictly self involved point of view, you'll notice that being frustrated at people around you, makes yourself feel worse too. From a non-self involved view, you'll notice that you're bringing others down around you.

So why do we do this? I think it's just easier sometimes to be mad at someone, even for a very lame reason. It's a cliche, but I'm sure most of you have heard the addage "Smile, and the world smiles with you". Yep, it's cliche, but it generally holds true.

When I was working as a cashier/waitress, I endured many customers who anyone would reasonably want to yell at. These kinds of people, they just seem to live to anger those around them, and they invariably do bring you down. But there are plenty of people who can easily brighten your day. When I was working, I ended up getting to know several people who would come in all the time. I knew their names and had friendly chats with them all the time, and even if I was having a bad day, these people would make my day a whole lot easier. I've actually found since then that the receptionist at the doctor's office nearby was one of my regular customers who I chatted with, and she's told me that she won't go to that restaurant anymore because of my quitting. So it's kind of like 'Wow, it really makes me feel good that not only did the customer brighten my day, but I could brighten theirs'.

And as a customer myself, I'll generally chat to staff anywhere. Sometimes you get weird stares from them, so they seem to be impossible to talk to. Others though, will chat back; and both you and the other person feel happier for it. I even get into little conversations with other customers while I wait, and again some will just stare but others will respond happily.

One of the messages from the Bible is to treat other people how you would like them to treat you. If you would want people to be polite and friendly to you, be polite and friendly to them regardless of whether they reciprocate. If you would want someone to be patient and not lose their cool with you, be patient and don't lose your cool with them.

So really, what's it going to hurt if you make the effort to be friendly? The worst you'll get is someone glaring at you. But you have just as much chance of making someone else's day, and your own, that much better. It can be hard to talk to a stranger, I know. I'm generally a shy and quiet person, but I push myself to talk and be friendly. You can too if you're willing to put in the effort. So smile!

In 2004 the actor Mel Gibson created a movie called The Passion of the Christ. The movie opened with incredible box office results and acclaim, along with some who thought it was too much laden with gore, or completely fictional for those who were unbelievers. At that time I hadn't paid much notice to the movie, falling in love, moving across the country, switching jobs, and generally not focusing on the media of that time frame. After many years I still had never seen the film and was curious to know why it was so inspiring and controversial to so many.

I bought the film last October and I watched it once and thought it was just a really great biblical film. Sure, I had seen The Ten Commandments and The Greatest Story Ever Told, but I didn't know how good a film could be done in a biblical sense in this day and age. I was already a Christian for a decade and so to me there was no drastic change in my lifestyle caused by this film. However by December I noticed that I not only watched the film a few times by then, but I watched it seven times in that month alone. Each time I watched it I cried except for the last few, yet my eyes still watered and drained as if I was crying, while admittedly not holding back my tears. I didn't understand the reasoning for this and just considered it strange but not abnormal.

I actually appreciated characters like Pontius Pilate and thought he was incredibly sensitive to Jesus to the point of not wanting to crucify him when the mob complained. I enjoyed the language they used as it made it all feel so more real. I even started memorizing some of the lines in the movie spoken in that language.

I was amazed at how much of an effect the movie had on me, already being a Christian. To me the cinematography, script, and actors chosen all were so incredible that I was enthralled with the movie as well as the story. The hardest thing for some Christians perhaps was seeing past the pain and looking toward the Glory of God. To endure, to persevere, to love even when all the world is literally against you in the case of Christ himself.

So many things stood out to me in watching this film such as the moments between Jesus and his mother, as well as the sermon's Jesus gave during flashbacks within the movie. How could you not feel a level of intensity and connection with your faith aside from when the camera came close in on Jesus and he said, "I AM" while being questioned by Caiphis if he was the "Son of the Living God?" God saying those same words to Moses in the Old Testament when asked "who should I tell has sent me" for an explanation to the Egyptians.

Near the end when Jesus was carrying his cross and you saw shots from the crowd and Mary seen Satan, and it was as if she knew who he was. The intensity was shown even in the smallest of things that you had to pay attention to notice, such as when Jesus fell off the bridge while being beaten by the guards and was seen by Judas and Jesus' eyes glowed gold.

I think everyone should take a look at this movie, not just because I'm recommending it to you but to those who believe you need to truly see a depiction of what he went through. While not being the Holy Grail, it at least shows a perspective of the purpose of our faith. For those who don't believe it's always worth a moment to say "what if?", what if it was real and he was alive and this all did occur? Without converting anyone as you are free to believe what you so choose, it's an excellent movie that showcases the love of Jesus Christ through an extreme amount of pain and humiliation by the humans he came to save.

My favorite part of the movie is during Chapter 27 when he states "There is no greater love for a man, than to lie down his life for his friends," and then he says "You are my friends". . .

This time my topic is cheating. Whether it is cheating on a test or cheating on a significant other. Both are basically cheating. Most people has come to the consensus that cheating is ''wrong''. But why is it that people do it anyways. Is it because some find it invigorating. Or is it just a quest to do better. Or maybe it is because you are tired of the old and just want the new. According to the random dictionary laying in my house the definition of cheating is: ''to act dishonestly; practice fraud''. Although that definition is loose it is still true. Every single scenario that can think of that is considered ''cheating'' falls under those words. So now that we have figured out what it is and how we do it lets ask the question of why it is ''wrong''. Well the first thing that pops in my mind is because it is ''dishonest''. But what if that person gave you permission to be cheat off of them. Is being dishonest about...say one question that you forgot to study about wrong. And my answer is yes and that goes for the rest of you that are reading this. Most of you would say yes. Now going to the other side of cheating, that is cheating on a significant other. Now that is even more ''wrong'' than on the others that we have discussed. Now going back to the question of why people do it. Why do people cheat on their wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands? In my opinion, if you are unsatisfied with a significant other then just end the relationship and save the drama! It will also save a lot of the emotional scars if someone did cheat. It just seems to me that it is just plain...for lack of better words...stupid. Now I leave all of you that have read this to ponder the questions that have come up in this message. After all it really is time to be honest in today's society. Cheating is not the way to get better in life.

In the past 24 hours, I've returned to depression and the life I thought I left behind so many months ago. My desire to destroy all my beliefs in God and the goodness of humanity has become too strong to remain around people who listen to what I have to say, and I cannot let them suffer.

Today I start a journey of discovery and answers. I intend to stay in Scotland over Christmas, and then hopefully pick up tickets to places such as Israel, Iraq, Burma etc. Holy places for one reason or another, in an attempt to find my place in life, not only though one religion but many. Although Christianity is what we believe is the right way, Judaism and Islam, are also branches of our ancient beliefs. Pray for them because they are lost, and they shall pray for us because to them we are lost. We all seek answers, and we all seek truth, but there's something else I want to witness, violence, war, pain, suffering. All things' God allows us to have through free choice. We see it on the news, but it is still only a box, which controls what we see. I want to see all that God has given us first hand. Then and only then, can I find my answers.

My message is as follows;

Pray for the lost, as they will be shown the way.
Pray for the goodness of humanity, without which suffering will continue.
Pray for the answers you seek, because without them, we are just as lost.
Pray for love, because humanity cannot live without it.
Pray for yourself, you are a creation of God, and will be given your reward in heaven.
Pray for the journey, one you will take as well as I, it is long, but God is at the end.

''Life on Earth is a war for a Christian,'' so fight the good fight.

Good luck.

Abuse is something that happens every day, no matter where in the world you are. No matter how old you are, it can happen to you at anytime. On Friday the 5th, I was rushed to the Hospital, on that day I was abused. My parents had hit me in the past, but never like that. On Saturday - Monday I stayed in the Hospital. I was released Monday night after being treated. Abuse isn't funny, nor a good way of teaching your child right from wrong. I researched Abuse, and I want to show you what can happen, and what will happen.

The effects of Abuse are listed below. This is what can happen while a child is being or has been abused. In a way it’s the side effect.

Emotional Effects: Low Self-Esteem, Depression and Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Relationship Difficulties, Alienation and Withdrawal, Personality Disorders.

Physical Effects: Injury, Death, Lifelong Health Problems, Cognitive Difficulties.

Behavioral Effects: Problems in School and Work, Delinquency, Teen Pregnancy, Suicide Attempts, Criminal or Antisocial Behavior, Substance Abuse, Aggressive Behavior Spousal and Child Abuse.

It may not seem like much can happen, but those are just the three main categories of damage. There is also Spiritual Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Verbal Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Drug Abuse, Spousal Abuse, Elder Abuse, Human Rights Abuse, and Animal Abuse.

Abuse has changed my life, in many ways. As a kid I was emotionally abused by the next door neighbor. Now I'm 13 years old, and my parents have abused me. It’s scary but abuse is the wrong thing to do.

Drinking does not only affect your life, if you take it far enough you can put every ones life in danger. When you drink and drive you are more then ten times more likely to get in a car accident then if you were sober. Thats why so many people die every day because of drunk drivers, on average more then two people die every hour from drunk drivers. I think that is 100% unacceptable, because these are all deaths that can be prevented.

That leads me to my next point, are "accidents" caused by drunk drivers really considered accidents? The driver could have prevented the accident by not driving while under the influence. I mean with a regular car accident you cant prevent it most of the time that's why its called an accident, but when you have been drinking its a whole different story, that's why I think we need to change the name to murder.

When someone falls on a knife that you had in your hand that's an accident, but if you purposely have been drinking then stab someone then that's murder. So when you get into a car knowing your wasted you are just loading your gun getting ready to shoot somebody.

Get a designated driver before you go out, why put yours and everyone else's life in danger?

Homosexuality is a topic that is very hard to discuss with anyone because many people have strong views on the subject. There is a middle ground of course but for the most part people have stern opinions and feelings on the matter.

For those that are homosexual of course it is in their nature to support their side of the argument. Those on the opposite side mostly are pulling toward religious beliefs that state that it is a sin. The extremists of either faction are for it so much that they lobby to try to get the same rights that a heterosexual couple has in marriage, while the opposite extreme whether religious people or not are the gay bashers as they are most commonly known.

Here are the categories of the five opinion stances that nearly everyone typically falls in line with:

Gay Activist - this is your extremist that fights for gay rights even if society views homosexuality as immoral and wrong.

Pro-Gay - this individual while not going to the extremes of activism will still hold a very strong opinion on the subject.

Indifferent - this person doesn't care either way and has little to no opinion on the subject whatsoever.

Anti-Gay - these are your typical religious people or just people who disagree with homosexuality, once again, not as extreme as someone performing hate crimes but very strong in their beliefs.

Gay Basher - this person will do whatever it takes to hurt or offend homosexuals, hate crimes would be filed under this category for assaults on homosexuals as well.

After listing the categories to you a quick analysis of your beliefs will tell you where you fall in place. You'll note that aside from Indifferent the rest are just polar opposites of themselves. The reason for this discussion today is a problem I ran into in the past with a group of homosexuals while online. I voiced my opinion, which I'm Anti-Gay by the way due to religious beliefs of course, yet I did not attack homosexuals or condemn anyone to hell; however, I was attacked back by Pro-Gay people to the point of extreme Anti-Gay Bashing.

When I was younger, I suppose I was like many others where I would say, "as long as you don't try and hit on me," I'm ok with homosexuals or homosexuality. After that it evolved to "whatever they do, is there own business, who am I to judge?". The position I'm in now is that I know better, I know it's wrong, and therefore I don't have a shoulder to cry on for everyone in life that makes bad moral decisions or sins willingly. So many young people grow up with too much political correctness garbage nowadays that they are the one's picked on in school by others or considered outcast if they don't agree that homosexuality is acceptable.

Well I'm fed up with it. It's a total joke, and I'm sick of the way Christians or those that aren't, are treated just because we make an open choice to not tolerate it or say that it's ok. I'm not out there persecuting homosexuals, or participating in gay bashing. But because of the fact that I voice my opinion rightfully and homosexuals have a problem with it, I'm immediately a homophobe or a gay basher? No, the message both Pro-Homosexuals and ridiculous Political Correctness Activists are stating is that if you agree with homosexuality or that it's acceptable, than you're ok, but if you don't your a hate monger.

Unacceptable. Therefore with my voice here today I will tell you that I am openly against homosexuality, I do not condone it in anyway, nor do I judge those that practice it, or condemn people to hell for there own choosing to do it. I personally believe homosexuality in any form is primal and generally sex driven. I do not believe that it is because a couple is in love, as almost all homosexual experiences start out on a sexual level rather than a dating scene or courtship.

I have rights just like everyone else and I have a right to my opinion just like everyone else. My opinion is to not tolerate it, and if I'm attacked for my belief than really there quite possibly are no gay bashers at all but instead the reverse of which or those who attack Christians and Non-Christians who have anti homosexual stances.

In the end you cannot have it both ways, if you have a right to support it, we have a right to choose the opposite.

Leviticus 18:22

"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

October is an important month to me. When I was seventeen, I had a dream about getting married in autumn, running through the falling orange and browns of crisp leaves and into a small church; I was late to my own wedding in this dream! This is the same month in which I met my future husband and we had started dating. October, after a year of dating, is also when my husband and I were married(I was a bit late to my own real wedding as well!). As this October 7th approaches, my husband and I are going to celebrate our first year anniversary. So, I'm going to tell you all a story on how God played a role in helping me become whole.

'My heart stood still while he spoke to me, but when I opened the door, my darling had disappeared. I searched and shouted, but I could not find him-- there was no answer. Then I was found by the guards patrolling the town and guarding the wall. They beat me up and stripped off my robe.

Young women of Jerusalem, if you find the one I love, please say to him, "She is weak with desire." '
- Song of Solomon 5:6-8.

In May, I had met my husband, Michael-- a walking blond haired, blue eyed dream while attending a cousin's birthday party. He happened to be one of my other cousin's best friend and tagged along after giving my cousin a ride there. He was perfect to me, everything I had desired in a partner. He was kind to children and I could tell he was strong; I was attracted to him since the first day I had seen him handing out icee cones to the children in the park. At the time, I was still dating my ex-boyfriend but we seemed more interested in having arguments and giving each other the cold shoulder rather than just being ourselves. I was miserable but dedicated in trying to make it work. What if he was right that I was the one who was causing all the trouble? What if I was the one tearing apart the relationship? I was confused, angry, scared, and filled with tension that he might cut me off like a diseased limb. Was this love? It must be, I thought at the time, because I'm afraid of losing him.

Later in May, when what I feared had happened, I shut down. I had seen the breakup coming-- the exact conversation, the cries of surprise and regret, and yet I was still not prepared to face it. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, I eventually even wore myself down physically to match my haggard insides. I felt old and weary, ugly and unwanted, alone and accepting of my so-called destiny to live a life of a spinster. I couldn't think clearly or string together thoughts that existed outside of hatred for self and extreme loathing for anyone who threatened to poke into my bleary bubble. Many months consisted of phone calls in which I'd visit memory lane with the ex and talk about the mundane things in life that didn't matter to anyone anymore. Or at least, anyone but me.

Addiction and abuse of pain killers coupled with loss of appetite and sleep deprivation, I wandered around my California residence like a ghostly shadow of my former self. One day, I was talking to my sister in my aunt's room about the computer and just toppled over, falling on a dresser and making a three inch gash on my forehead while at it. I could barely walk or eat without feeling faint. I was scared; this was happening more in frequency. I got down on my knees one night and prayed to God that He'd save me from myself, from my hatred of who I let myself become. It was time I finally got my life back on track.

One day, I noticed that Michael came to the house every Saturday. Why? I'm not too sure but usually I'd be on my best wallflower behavior, shrinking into the background or facing the wall and feigning disinterest in everything. There was something about his once a week visits that made me feel real again. As if there was sunshine to be found in every dark corner within my core. There were times I'd try to walk by and act cool and end up almost tripping over two left feet. It was embarrassing to say the least, to rediscover my natural gift of looking awkward at all the wrong moments. I found myself liking more and more of his personality each time I saw him. It was unreal and it was scary. I was still trying to recover from what I thought was love. I knew that I didn't want to end up hurting myself again.

I had called a friend and emptied out my heart's content to her; what would I do? Create a machine that would tell me who likes me so I'd know I wouldn't be turned down? Too good to be true unfortunately. While on the phone with my friend, I saw a shooting star. So rather than invent a cupid machine, I did the next best thing I could think of and said a prayer. 'Please Lord, let him fall in love with me. I will take care of him and be good to him if You allow this to happen. In Your Precious Name, Amen.'

I had told my friend I made a wish. She paused for a moment; knowing me so well, she joked, "He's not going to fall in love with you!" And we laughed, my insecurities crumbling away from me like dried clay that finally broke apart. I was moving again; I was living life and I was starting to love myself again.

' "While in bed at night, I reached for the one I love with heart and soul. I looked for him, but he wasn't there. So I searched through the town for the one I love. I looked on every street, but he wasn't there. I even asked the guards patrolling the town, "Have you seen the one I love so much?"

Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother.

Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power of deer and gazelles, never to awaken love before it is ready.'
- Song of Solomon 3:5.

Later that week, a wallflower burst into bloom. Michael had inquired about me from my cousin. We were dating three days later after the prayer prompted by a falling star. It's so strange how God arranges people's lives. This is one of many miracles and prayers answered by God in my life. The first year of marriage was hard on my husband and I but we've stuck it through like troopers and look forward to our golden years together. It's weird how sometimes I start a sentence and he finishes it or how we'll be exactly on the same wavelength of thought. He compliments myself-- what he lacks, I can do, what I lack, he demonstrates perfectly.

The moral of this story is that keep an open and clean heart, listen to God and trust in Him to do right by You. Do not force love but let it be a force to guide you through your tougher times in life; let it lead you to a stronger and more better you.


In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.