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“I’m proud to be an American.”Those words are more than the refrain of a country-western song. This sentiment encompasses both reflection on our past and national aspiration. We look back on our history and see things we can be proud of as a nation, and we look forward to dream of pride in what we might become. National pride might be called the daughter of patriotism. In this election year, candidates are expressing their American pride. Mitt Romney has proclaimed that he has a blueprint for “restoring American pride” A corollary of plans for restoring “American Pride” are calls for...

The apostle Paul called upon mankind to imitate himself (I Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 3:17), others who served God (Hebrews 6:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9), and the Churches of God (I Thessalonians 2:14). However, hear his ultimate call: “Imitate Jesus Christ!” (I Corinthians 11:1). Paul addressed the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 1:6, noting they imitated Jesus Christ. Though persecution came to them, they joyfully embraced the inspired Word of God. Three verses earlier, Paul praised them for three behaviors: their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope. By these, the Thessalonians demonstrated unity with Christ.To students of scripture, the...

It Has a Great Reward Today's Scripture “Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35, NASB) Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you anticipated? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today; your answer is closer than you think! If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are...

Complete and Effective Decision About Sin ". . . our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin" —Romans 6:6 Co-Crucifixion. Have you made the following decision about sin—that it must be completely killed in you? It takes a long time to come to the point of making this complete and effective decision about sin. It is, however, the greatest moment in your life once you decide that sin must die in you-not simply be restrained, suppressed, or counteracted, but crucified—just as...

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Muhammad was an inspired teacher raised up by God to teach His word.

Long before our God began his creations, he dwelt on a mortal world like ours, one of the creations that his Father had created for him and his brethren. He, with many of his brethren, was obedient to the principles of the eternal gospel. One among these, it is presumed, was a savior for them, and through him they obtained a resurrection and an exaltation on an eternal, celestial world. 8 Then they gained the power and godhood of their Father and were made heirs of all that he had, continuing his works and creating worlds of their own for...

April 10, 2012   Tuesday within the Octave of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 2:36-41 On the day of Pentecost, Peter said to the Jewish people,"Let the whole house of Israel know for certainthat God has made him both Lord and Christ,this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,and they asked Peter and the other Apostles,"What are we to do, my brothers?"Peter said to them,"Repent and be baptized, every one of you,in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins;and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.For...

John Harper was born to a pair of solid Christian parents on May 29th, 1872. It was on the last Sunday of March 1886, when he was thirteen years old that he received Jesus as the Lord of his life. He never knew what it was to "sow his wild oats." He began to preach about four years later at the ripe old age of 17 years old by going down to the streets of his village and pouring out his soul in earnest entreaty for men to be reconciled to God. As John Harper's life unfolded, one thing was...

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me”’.” — Exodus 9:1 “Let my people go” is probably the most famous line in the entire exodus story. God, via Moses, commands Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave Egypt. However “let my people go” is only half of the line, and it represents only half of the story. The rest of the verse reads “so that they may worship me.” God wants the Israelites...

He is a Rewarder Today's Scripture “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV) Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Do you see God as a rewarder today? Notice this verse doesn’t say that God rewards those who “deserve” it or have “earned” it. It doesn’t say that God rewards those who act perfectly and never make mistakes. No, God’s blessing isn’t based on our performance, it’s based on our faith — our belief in...

Have You Seen Jesus? "After that, He appeared in another form to two of them . . ." —Mark 16:12 Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did before.You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your God is not...

April 9, 2012   Monday within the Octave of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 2:14, 22-33 On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven,raised his voice, and proclaimed:"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. "You who are children of Israel, hear these words.Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by Godwith mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,you killed, using lawless...

You watch, Romney's campaign is going to throw allegations of religious bigotry at Christian conservatives like you can't believe. Let me tell you something. The Romney people have some of the best political consultants in the country and they don't get there because they're always wonderful people. The RINO/GOPe are tough. They're very tough. We saw how they undermined Governor Palin during the last election, and the scorched earth policy they carried out against Romney's primary opponents who were conservative or Christian. I've worked with some of them on other campaigns, they're the best there is in the business. And...

Today, Christians around the world are taking the time to honor the day in which, Jesus Christ, three days after suffering and dying on the cross on a hill called Calvary, on the very same third day, rises from the dead. Jesus, savior of all, wins the great victory over the enemy, death, and sin.

Love one another. Love everyone as CHRIST loved and loves us. Have patience with one another the way you would want them to have patience for you.

Call me Mary -- not the one who bore Him, but she who was borne up by him, little did I know it at the time. And you? You say you're some sort of scribe. Lord knows there is always something to write about in Judaea.I do not mean to be inhospitable, young man. Blessed be he who comes, as they say. Recline. Rest yourself. Have you had something to eat, a glass of wine for your stomach's sake? You must wash your feet, change your sandals. For I know it is a long, dusty trip up here, and with...

His Resurrection Destiny "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" —Luke 24:26 Our Lord’s Cross is the gateway into His life. His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to me. When I was born again, I received the very life of the risen Lord from Jesus Himself.Christ’s resurrection destiny— His foreordained purpose— was to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We never have exactly the same relationship to...

April 8, 2012 The Resurrection of the LordThe Mass of Easter Sunday  Reading 1 Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Peter proceeded to speak and said:"You know what has happened all over Judea,beginning in Galilee after the baptismthat John preached,how God anointed Jesus of Nazarethwith the Holy Spirit and power.He went about doing goodand healing all those oppressed by the devil,for God was with him.We are witnesses of all that he didboth in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be...

The buzz on the new "Exultet": here come the bees! Mar 15th, 2011 by Deacon Greg Kandra With Easter rapidly approaching, deacons everywhere will be clearing their throats and getting ready to give voice to the great hymn of the Paschal Proclamation — also known as “The Exultet,” a seven-minute a capaella chant that fittingly, as the lyric proclaims, “humbles earthly pride.”    It is the Mother of All Chants, an epic best approached with a strong heart and steeled nerves.(For those interested, there’s an excellent downloadable version here that I’ve used for the last three years.)My pal Elizabeth...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_5hww4HNDQ And so begins the MSM turn on the Republican nominee. And as much as I hate to credit the MSM, and particularly O'Donnell, I cannot find anything in his rant that is inaccurate, other than the number of wives Joseph Smith claimed. O'Donnell says 48, but I believe the most consistent number put forward by historians is 27. On the other hand, Brigham Young claimed 56 wives, so O'Donnell is certainly within range.