Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain... - Exodus 20:7a

One hundred percent of Christians say that this verse commands us to refrain from saying phrases like "Oh, my God!" or "God damn." But they are wrong.

In the King James Version, the word "take" is translated 219 times as up, 115 times as bear, 58 times as take, 34 times as bare, and 30 times as carry. It's even translated 18 times as armourbearer.

Consider this translation: Thou shalt not wear the name of the LORD thy God in vain... Does that change what you thought this commandment meant? Does it really command anything about how we "say" God's name?

So, the next time you hear someone say "Oh, my God," stop judging them and consider how you are wearing His name!

A long time ago, someone I considered a friend said something to indicate that he and his had been a blessing to my family. I didn't disagree with him at the time, but it has always stuck with me. It just didn't feel right.

Check out this nifty little GreaseMonkey script I put together: Navigation Top and Bottom. Feel free to suggest other buttons!

My family has been so broke. I just needed to find a better job. So I've been praying and others have been praying that I would find the right job.

And God is so good! He gave me a new job. I'm starting Sunday morning.

The "discussion" of tattoos seems to come up frequently in Christian circles. And often it seems to leave two very divided and opposing sides. Nothing I say is likely to end this highly polarized debate, but perhaps I can point to some truth...

You must not slash your body for a dead person or incise a tattoo on yourself. - Leviticus 19:28

While to some, that seems to settle it, for the sake of constructive and proper discussion, I will gladly continue.

I couldn't count on all my fingers and toes how many times I've heard the term "independent fundamental baptist" pounded on a podium. And I have to admit, I've never really cared for it. It always had an air of arrogance to it. But that's just my opinion.

Fundamentalism is rigid, uncompromising teaching and practice about the absolute necessity of being in the right place, at the right time, wearing the right clothing, singing the right songs, and saying the right prayers. Fundamentalism is the fanatical pursuit and exaltation of human performance, insisting that everyone else perform the same religious rituals and rules while arbitrarily and irrationally giving blind loyalty to religious authority... From a Christian perspective, it is necessary to understand that fundamentalism within Christendom is not one and the same as the fundamentals of our faith. [source]

I ran across a website that does blogs for keeping track of fitness training. I am using it to keep track of my physical, spiritual, and mental fitness progress.

» Linky «

By Kevin T. Bauder

Once upon a time, a band of vigorous tribesmen occupied a high and arid plain. They were surrounded by snow-covered peaks, and what little water they had trickled down from the glaciers and snowfields above. Water was precious to them, for their lives depended upon it. They took care not to waste a drop.

The church has lost her testimony. She has no longer anything to say to the world. Her once robust shout of assurance has faded away to an apologetic whisper. She who one time went out to declare now goes out to inquire. Her dogmatic declaration has become a respectful suggestion, a word of religious advice, given with the understanding that it is after all only an opinion and not meant to sound bigoted. - A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)

I am above no sin. There are many things I could never see myself doing, but I'm not stupid enough to think I couldn't fall into any temptation. God is faithful and always provides an escape route from temptation and trials (1 Cor. 10:13). I just don't want to speed past my exit.