Al Qaeda Issued A Statement to President-Elect Obama

The second-in-command of Al Qaeda, Dr. Ayman al Zawahiri, issued a statement about the election of Obama on November 19, 2008. It's always interested to look at events from one point of view. Of course as an African-American man, I looked on Obama becoming President as one of most important events that I have or could ever witness. People have lived and died, wishing and hoping to experience what we have witnessed. I think maybe the only events, affecting all of humanity, more important are Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The Presidential Election of 2008 is a distant second, but it is second in my opinion. Take a look a what Zawahiri said. I have to be honest that it shows what we are really up against. I see no way to reason with people like him. He and his group really don't like us. The truth is our government policies towards the Middle East and the third world is what has caused this. If we had treated them the way the Bible says to treat them, then we wouldn't have this problem now. It also make it really hard to show them the love of Christ when they have already made up their minds that it was Christians who screwed them over. This doesn't excuse the acts of Terrorism that they have perpetrated against us nor does it mean that we should not work to stop those who will not listen. What this does mean is that unless the love our Lord and savior changes their hearts and minds and ours to make us all more like Him we will never be free of this back and forth with Al Qaeda.



I'm just glad he didn't announce a "fatwa" against Obama.

Heroes Destiny Part 2

The second part of the "Destiny" miniseries is out! Check it out!

Mainstreaming Homosexuality

I've got to admit that the world is changing. "Change" in and of itself is not necessarily bad. The thing is that we must realize that what society is being changed to is not necessarily right. Society does need to grow. But we do not need to "grow" away form God. I am grateful that as an African-American to now have the same rights as white Americans have on paper. My father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and his father did not have the same opportunities. Accepting and honoring racial differences honors God who made all as he saw fit. Accepting homosexuality as a normal expression of humanity is not glorifying God because He said that he has better than that for us. What happened was that this country moved towards following the Bible more than it has before concerning civil rights. No one can use the Bible accurately and honesty to substantiate chattel slavery, Jim Crow, racism, or sexism. The Bible is clear, He hates all of this. He hates homophobia. It all comes down to the fact that God hates sin. As Christians we are called to hate sin, but like God love sinners. A saint is only a forgiven sinner. No sin, including homosexuality, is worse or better than any other sin. God hates all of it; lying is every bit as bad as homosexuality. Galatians 5:19-21

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What is disturbing to me is that sins are being mainstreamed and touted as progress to bettering society. Every generation seems to loose a little bit more fear and respect of our creator. When I was a child, I used to watch "Bewitched" on television and she said that when she was a child witchcraft was rejected by society but now its okay to be a witch. Society recognizes it as a legitimate and protected religion: Wicca. But that is not what the Bible says. It says that He hates witchcraft not that he hates witches. Deuteronomy 18:10 says:

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft

We are seeing the same thing with homosexuality. Have you noticed how accepted it is now? How easy and open people are as they spit in the eye of God? Make no mistake whenever we sin and know that we are sinning we are showing God nothing but hate and contempt. Notice how many sitcoms have a gay character? I'm hearing the cable network Showtime has green lit a series about a gay superhero. I'm not bashing homosexuals themselves they need love and compassion. They need to know that there is a better way - God's way.

I know the arguments that many people use: How can you condemn people who do what they do because they are born that way? God has a standard that under which no one can reach perfectly. So what if you have homosexual tendencies that you can't control? Everyone lies. Without the power of God to help you, given the right circumstances anyone is liable to lie. God can't stand lying. Proverbs 6:16-18 says:

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,

Now you know that cuts every time you read that. In your heart of hearts you know that's an indictment against all of us. Who among us is not guilty whether you are a homosexual or not? Don't forget that this passage describes all of us from birth!

As you can see: The above is the bad news. The good news is that God loves us all so much that he has designed a way for use to have fellowship with him. 2 Peter 3:9 says

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

How God has fixed our sin problem is clearly spelled out in scripture because He loves us all. One of my favorite passages is found in Romans 10:9-13 which says:

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

You Really Can Find Anything on the Internet

Okay, I'm probably outting myself as one of the biggest geeks ever, but I just found the Star Wars Holiday Special in Google videos, I've heard of its existence but I have never ever seen it. It apparently was broadcasted on television in the late seventies but by all accounts it so awful that most Star Wars Fans would rather forget it ever happened. Even George Lucas will not talk about it. No matter your opinion you have admit that it has historical value. Bobba Fett appears in it before Empire Strikes Back and the Ewoks before Return of the Jedi. Well, judge for yourself as to whether its art or crap.

Wanda Sykes?

I've always liked Wanda Sykes. I think she is funny and intelligent. I am amazed about how little you can no about a person just by watching them on television or in a movie. You can't tell what is really inside a person until they show you. I had no idea that she is gay or holds the views she does. When I heard her talk I heard, "I will live the way I want and I don't care about what God has purposed for me." I have the question: if you truly love someone, wouldn't you want the best for them no matter what you think was best for them? Can't we agree if there is a God that made all of us and everything that God would know what our purpose is? If that God is the God of the Bible we know that our purpose is not homosexuality. The only way to say to challenge this truth is to prove that the Bible is wrong about what God wants for us. And that is impossible. Take a look at what she said.

The First African-American Attorney General!

I just heard that Barack Obama has made a decision for whom he wants to be the Attorney General of the United States. His name is Eric Himpton Holder, Jr. From what I have read about him I think he's an excellent choice. He is well educated and experience in private practice and federal law. According to Wikipedia, he has been both Deputy Attorney General and has acted as Acting Attorney General.

First Cartoon with Sound

Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie is the first cartoon film ever released that included sound in 1928! It's got two major reasons why we should care about it after all this time. One, the historical merit is amazing. It's the first of it's kind. Without this film there would be no cartoons today...no Transformers. No Boondocks. No GI Joe. No Madagascar films. No Anime. No Bugs Bunny. No Sponge Bob. No Backyardigans. No Donald. No Goofy. I can't overstate how different the last 80 years would have been without this masterpiece of art. And two, its Mickey Mouse!

The Aurora Borealis

What do you get when you take still pictures of the Aurora Borealis moving in the atmosphere from orbit, animate the pictures by running them one after another, and then combining it with nice background music? I know now. I found this video on YouTube and here is the description.

Astronaut Don Pettit created an astounding video using a sequence of still images he shot of the aurora borealis from the International Space Station.

For more on Dr. Pettit and the Earth from space, visit http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com

Canonicity: Part 4 - Jewish Myths

As Christians we honor Judaism and the people who follow Moses. Christians do not replace Jews as God's chosen people; we are only added in. Paul wrote in Romans 11:17-21 says:

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

This reminds me that it is antichrist to be antisemitic. On the other extreme because Jews were given with "the oracles of God" and it's through them that we have all that we have, even Jesus, some of us seem to think that if a manuscript is both ancient and written by a Jew then it must be scripture. This is most definitely not true. If you, again, apply 2 Timothy 3:16,17 and 2 Peter 1:16-21 it it clear to see what scripture and what is not. I want to be clear that I am not saying anything against Jews. They have been a continuous culture for thousands of years while many other cultures have died out. Why? Because God preserved the Jews as He promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and all the rest. Without question the 39 books of the Old Testament was inspired by the Holy Spirit as described by Peter in 2 Peter 1:16-21. What about the story of Lilith? The Book of the Jubilees? The Talmud? The Zohar? Kabbalah? Why are they not scripture? Judaism has by-and-large managed to stay pure. Most of the sects came from bringing in outside teachings and traditions from their neighbors when they were scattered throughout the world. I think one argument for the authenticity of the Old Testament is how those extraneous ideas were kept out of the Old Testament. God pulled a miracle. Let's take them one at a time.

The legend of Lilith seems to have entered Judaism from the time they were in exile among the Babylonians. Some Jews took their legends and used them to answer questions that didn't need the infusion of a first wife for Adam other than Eve. Many people fall into the same trap looking at Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 as two separate stories for creation. Some people even think they contradict one another. They don't. Traditional Jews and Christians interpret Genesis 2 as a detailed account of what happened in Genesis 1, focusing on the sixth day of creation. Genesis 1 is merely a summary of all that happened. However, being influenced by Babylonian/Sumerian creation myths about a female demon named Lilith who seduces men, sucks their blood, and kills babies if they are not ritually clean as prescribed in the Old Testament laws, some rabbis began (and some still do) that in Genesis 1, Adam had a first wife created at the same time and in the same way he was. They said this woman was Lilith and said that she was cursed by God to be a demon because she refused to submit herself to Adam. They cite that she would let Adam lay on top when they had sex because she said that she was equal to Adam why couldn't she be on top (I think this part was added in medieval times) . This lead to the first divorce and that was why Eve was created and taken from Adam's side to show that women came out of men so they are subordinate to men. (Remember, this is the legend - not scripture). See the difference? Scripture tells us God never makes mistakes. If you accept this you think that God gave Adam the wrong woman and then He had to fix it with Eve. There is nothing in Genesis 1 and 2 that can lead you to thinking that the two women are not the same person. If you disagree then why assume that the man is the same person in both chapters. Some scholars also think that this story may be a base for vampire legends. However, I think that it was made up to legitimate the second-class status of women which is also non-scriptural. Does it make sense to call it scripture? No! See the picture on the right and above for a picture of what inspired the myth.

What about the Book of Jubilees? As I understand it is a summary and commentary on some parts of the book of Genesis. Sometimes it's called Little Genesis. If we have the whole book, why include a re-telling a part of it? I'm not advocating not reading it, just giving a reason why it's not canonical. As for the Talmud, it has rabbinical sayings, teachings, and commentary on the scriptures. I've actually read a book summarizing much of this information and i think it's worth reading but rabbinical commentary is not something that you can totally base your faith on. For example, due to King David's standing, some rabbis try to mitigate, if not outright deny, his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then covering it up by murdering her husband. The scriptures say David was wrong. David said he was wrong. Yet these men attempt to justify David's actions.

Another example is a quote another first century Jewish rabbi who said (paraphrasing) "Do nothing to others that you do not want done to yourself. All Else is commentary. Now go learn the commentary. The guy who said this was not Jesus. I can't remember his name. But if you think about what he said it is no where near as binding as what Jesus said. The other statement of the golden rule is passive. As long as you hurt no one, you don't have to go out of your way to help others. What Jesus said was different in Matthew 7:12:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

If you do what Jesus said, you cannot be passive. You not only do no harm to others but you help them, feed them, clothe them, teach them, love them. It's a subtle difference but sets scripture apart. The people of Jesus' day were of course amazed if they were hearing teaching like what the other guy was preaching.

As for the Zohar and Kabbalah, I think that they are reactions against Christians telling Jews that we have something they didn't. They are referred by many as part of Jewish mysticism and in no way contemporaneous with any Old Testament writer. They date to the middle ages in written form but are said to date back much further in an oral tradition. The other thing to remember is that Jewish mysticism has a lot in common with Christian mysticism. The thought that we can, by some way other than believing scripture, we can gain secret knowledge and access to God. Many of the ideas are based on the idea that God spoke the universe into existence using Hebrew, and if we knew what God said we can do the things he does. The legend of the Golem (picture opn the left) is a good example. The thought that if we knew what words God used to take Adam's lifeless body made of dust and put life into it, we could being a body made of mud together to protect us. Or that God has put a secret code hidden in the text of the first five books of the Bible. If we can break the code we can tell the future (today's Christians fall for this one too, I know I did.)

We have the antidote for any heresy or false teaching that rears its ugly head. All we have to do is ask, "Does this fit with what God has already revealed?" If it does, go with it. If not ignore it whenever possible, and stand against it if you have to.

Heavy Is the Head....

I just read today that because of the Presidential Records Act, Obama will not be able to have personal e-mail or even use a Black Berry PDA. I was shocked. It turns out that all a President's correspondence must be in the public domain (thank you, Richard Nixon). When I look at what you have to give up to be President, not to mention the stress and the lack of privacy, I wonder why would anyone want the job. Well, better him than me.

Voice Search on IPhone

I just found out that Google has new software for the iPhone. You can literally speak into the iPhone and do Google internet searches! I'm amazed. Almost makes me willing to get one. The truth is the Google phone will probably offer the same features soon.

You Can't Make this Stuff Up!!!!

I just saw a news reports on how a Turkish prisoner escaped a German prison recently by hiding in a freight box!!!! The guy is still at-large. The article I read this in, alludes to the fact that the first recorded instance of this idea being used is in the Metal Gear video game series. I myself have played this game and it's base on stealth. The main character sometimes hides in a freight box, and moves along slowly, to avoid detection! Cool concept. It's even fun to do in the game. I just never thought that such a thing could ever work in real life!!! Who knew?

Obama on 60 Minutes 11-16-08

Barack Obama was interviewed on 60 minutes this Sunday night. I have pasted it below.

Star Trek Theater Trailer

I found the Star Trek theatrical trailer being released before the new James Bond movie. The trailer is great.

William Ayers Speaks

Well, I guess the "gag" order has finally been lifted from Dr. William Ayers. I realize that he needed to be silent until after the election because so much rhetoric was being spewed out by the McCain/Palin campaign that I doubt anyone would have listened to Ayers defend himself. But now, finally, he can. Interesting enough, it quite offended me every time Sarah Palin called this man a "terrorist". And under her definition all the young people who demonstrated for Civil Rights and against the Vietnam War were terrorists. Ayers was never personally convicted of bombing anything. He is now a professor at a major, well-respected university. Further, it was laughable to lump Obama to any of Ayer's past alleged terrorist acts, even if they were evil! I mean Obama was seven of eight years-old? Makes no sense at all.

Do You Call This Tolerant?

Gay Marriage supporters accuse those who supported Proposition 8 as being intolerant of anyone who disgrees with their own position. They say that we are being insensitive and unkind. These accusations seem baseless in light of the following video!

Script for the "Dark Knight"

Warner Brothers has released the script for Dark Knight. I downloaded it and then put it on my Issu.com account.

Get your own - Open publication

Update: Suit of "Batman" Copyright

G4TV has reported on even more information in its article. I'm shocked.

1. The mayor of a town in Turkey called "Batman" wants to sue Warner Brothers for "stealing" the name "Batman".
2. Apparently the town took the name in 1955. (Batman began to be published in 1939)
3. Batman's mayor, Huseyin Kalkan (picture on the left), is bring the suit for copyright infringement.
4. This isn't the first time Kalkan has pulled this. In 2007, DC comics settled a case with them for an "undisclosed" amount.
5. In February 2008, Kalkan was sentenced to 10 months in jail for "promoting terrorism". Prosecutor speculate that Kalkan used the settlement money for terrorism support.
6. I don't get why DC caved....Batman had been around a long time before that town in Turkey
7. Why let Kalkan go to the well twice? Obviously, he is expecting some kind of windfall because The Dark Knight is going to gross way more than $1 million once all the DVD sales are added in.
8. If the Kalkan is supporting Terrorist, no way should we let Warner Brothers or DC settle.
9. Kalkan has no case..if anything Batman, Turkey should be paying Warner Brothers.

New "Watchmen" Trailer

I'm really looking forward to the Watchmen movie next May. It is based on the work of a genius, Alan Moore. He wrote a graphic novel of the same name quite a while ago, about the early 1980's. It turned the ideas of what a "superhero" is. I never read the book because at the time it was published I was child and it's most definitely not for children. I think I may read it now that I'm grown. I'm looking forward to the movie because the director is the same director as 300, Zack Snyder. He promised to be faithful to source material. He was spot on in how he translated Frank Miller's work from comic book to screen in 300 so I think he will be able to do the same with Watchmen. Here is the latest trailer.

New Star Trek Trailer

Ok, I realize that it may make me a geek, but I love Star Trek. The whole franchise. Each and every series....all the movies...well except for Star Trek V - it sucked. I'm part of that generation that knew the original series only through re-runs. All my peers had someone in their early lives who made them watch Star Trek whether they wanted to or not - leading to them either detesting the show or becoming life long fans such as I. In my case it was my eldest brother. He's 16 years older than I and he plopped me in front of the TV to watch Star Trek with him as soon as I was able to sit up by myself. By the time I was 5 years old I had seen every single episode and could even quote lines from many episodes. I'd like to one day post a blog article about Star Trek, how it has affected my World View, society, and it's theology, but for now I just wanted to post the trailer for the new movie coming out next year. It's based on the original with an all-new cast.