CARM Newsletter 02-19-08

Catching
Up

Please pray for me because over the past several weeks I have been sick several times. There is a new virus going around that knocks you on your keester for several days and then goes dormant and comes back. How true that is. So, after the usual fever and coughing that goes on for a couple or three weeks, I finally got through the ordeal -- though I still have a bit of congestion.  Whew!
Now, if that weren't enough, on Thursday, Valentine's Day, I experienced a new aspect of our fallen world: a kidney stone. A kidney stone is about the size of a grain of sand but when it passes through your system it feels like a jagged rock the size of a baseball. All the stories I had heard about kidney stones being extremely painful are quite true. I went to the emergency room where they did a CAT scan and gave me morphine. Even through the morphine the pain level was a steady nine on a scale of one to 10. It was four hours of hell. But it taught me a lesson. I am getting older and my body isn't as "pristine" as it used to be. Therefore, the wake-up call of a kidney stone and several weeks of being sick off and, has gotten my attention, in spite of my rather thick skull.  I am taking a lot better care of myself now. I'm changing my diet and exercising. Enough is enough!

By the way, you know what the problem with pain is?  It hurts too much.

I'll be in L.A. next week accompanying my wife.  I will probably end of going to Mexico to preach in a prison in between doing family stuff down there.
Video Last week Jacob from Missouri came out and spent a week with me.  He is a specialist in video work and he taught me a lot about lighting and filming.  Unfortunately, when we were going to go out and do some impromptu interviews I was visited with a relapse of the flu and the kidney stone that mentioned above.  So, that knocked out for three days.  Still, it was a good time and I was able to learn a lot.
I know that I have been mentioning the video aspect of CARM now for several months.  It is quite an endeavor and we are finally ready to start releasing material.  Tune in to CARM and next few weeks (and read this newsletter) and I'll be directing you to where you can view various videos.
The Garden

So far, the response to my book The Garden has been very positive. I'm going to continue to submit itgarden to publishers as it usually takes several attempts before one picks up on it. In the meantime you can obtain a copy by going to http://www.carm.org/index/garden.htm.

the story is about Mark, an unbeliever who is grieving over the unexplained death of his son.  He is manipulated by a demon and almost commits suicide.  Sotare, an angel, rescues Mark at the last moment and is permitted to appear to him and dialogue with him on the purpose of life, God, the nature of evil, and God’s sovereignty.  Powerful demons are watching and they want Mark dead. Why is Mark important? Under Sotare’s guidance, he is given visions of the demonic realm and ancient spiritual history including the fall of Satan, and visions of hell and heaven.  The battle over Mark and his wife, Kathy, unfolds in both the spiritual and physical worlds where the reader is told exactly what is happening in both realms while the spiritual battle is worked out.
34th
Annual
Atheist Conference		 From March 21 to 23, I  will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 34th annual atheist conference.  A friend of mine will be going with me and we hope to possibly do some on camera interviews while we were there.  I went to the last one in Seattle and actually found it to be enjoyable.  Unfortunately, a lot of the presentations in the Seattle conference were filled with attacks on Christianity that weren't very well done.  I expect a lot more quality substance on their part.  But, there wasn't much at all.  We'll see what happens at this next conference.
Atheist Debates There's a possibility of me going to Pensacola Florida in April to participate in a debate with an atheist.  The topic is Does God exist?  the exact date has not yet been settled.  But I should know by next week.  Also, I've been asked to fly to Portland, Oregon to debate another atheist on ethics.  This date has not been solidified yet.
Biblical Worldview Conference From April 10-12 here in Boise, Idaho, there will be a Biblical Worldview Conference.  I will be speaking on three topics.  They are not yet narrowed down, but they will be, of course, dealing with apologetics, Christianity, etc.  If you are interested in information on the conference, please go to http://www.biblicalview.com.
Emerging Church I hope to release the emerging Church section within the next four weeks.
Online Schools I'd like to remind you that CARM offers three online schools.  A lot of people sign up for them and they are one of the ways we use to support this ministry.  If you are interested in learning your theology, learning about false religious systems, and learning about critical thinking all in a logically arranged, self-paced, systematic manner, then please check out the schools.  It is a great way to get something for your support of this ministry.  http://www.carm.org/online.htm
Computers We are going to be needing a new computer in June when Ryan, the new CARM employee gets here.  If you have a computer that's two years old or less and you would like to donate it to CARM, please let me know:  [email protected]
CARM Needs Staff CARM needs staff.  In June of next year Ryan Turner will be joining me for full-time ministry.  He's twenty-three and will be graduating with a Masters in Apologetics.  He came out here in June of this year and spent 10 days with me.  He's a great guy and he understands how much CARM can do, and how much help is needed.  I praise God for this young man. 

Are you interested in a ministry opportunity?  I am Looking for people who don't mind working hard, who will have cultists praying against them, who don't mind facing spiritual difficulties, who will have to raise their own support, who can do research, write, don't mind learning the ins and outs of CARM, and are willing to move here to Boise, Idaho.  Glamorous, huh?

I wish I had enough money to hire three people right now.  I need a programmer Web person, an administrator, researchers, writers, video editors, audio editors, etc.  The goals are to produce teaching materials in writing, audio, and video formats.  There is so much to do and I'm absolutely buried.

I know that you might be wondering why we can't do this over the Internet.  Some things can be done that way, but not everything.  I need people on site.  I need people to interact with, to brainstorm with, to sit with for long periods of time and train, to have them do video shoots with me, answer emails, maybe help with radio, etc.  In short, I need to disciple people on how to be better apologists, how to write, and how to do everything necessary to continue this ministry and/or produce their own.

You can be male or female.  You have to agree to the CARM statement of faith, and I prefer people who are educated and/or experienced in their field of expertise.  But I must reiterate; this is not an easy ministry.  It is time-consuming, often unrewarding, frustrating, etc.  But, there are rewards.  You get to know that what you produce will affect thousands of people for years to come.  This ministry is a challenge and it is not for the fainthearted.   Interested?  If so, contact me at [email protected]

Love and Hate Mail

  • Hate Mail
    • You are an idiot.  That's all.
    • I know a witness they are not a cult maybe you should do better research they do belive in christ and his ressurection and salvation threw him.YOU MY FRIEND ARE IGNORANT.
    • The church won't prepare you for life. It teaches to you to believe in an imaginary friend who doesn't answer prayers, who isn't there for you, and who won't be there for you in the end. 53% of this country thinks the earth is younger than the domesticated dog thanks to the Christian faith, and I need to grow up? Yeah, you're real awesome. Get offended by my language, because sadly it's just to hard for you to read it without fearing for my sorry Atheist soul right? And as for illogic, YOU have the burden sir. Not I. Do what every Christian does. Turn my problems with your faith around on me. You're pathetic and weak. Have a good life.
    • I am sad to see that you have the spirit of the Pharasees... all letter of the Law (scripture),  but no spirit or understanding.
  • Love Mail
    • I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts in bringing understanding to the Word of God. For years I wanted to learn about God’s Word but I never could find a way to have it broken down to me in a way I can understand and most importantly, apply it to my life and to the lives of my youth.  I’m sure you get plenty of letters like this but I want to say God Bless You and I pray that CARM continues to reach the masses the world over.
    • Dear Matt, my name is Joseph, and I remember listening to your radio show back when it first started. You gave me the word when I was an infant, thank you, your labor did not fail to produce fruit in me. It sparked a pure love for the Lord. Thanks again
    • Wow i love the hate mail lol. keep strong in the faith. share gods words even when met with extremist. I am praying for your ministry.
    • Your ministry is desperately needed in the world today. I am happy to read your newsletters. Loving Christ and being a Christian is so deeply embedded in my soul that it takes me by surprise every time I encounter someone who questions it. Your site really helps me with answers that every cell in my body already knows but I have never had to verbalize. I am helping to teach the ALPHA course in our church. At first I thought it was only for those who are lost but it is for anyone really. It is a wonderful way of having strong individual knowledge of Our dear Christ, God the father himself and the one that moves us the Holy Spirit. It is a great course and I'm sure you know of it. Anyway thank you for these great newsletters. Your effort is not unnoticed, it kind of inspired me to participate in ALPHA.
    • My wife and I enjoy your site. Thanks for all your efforts.
Matt Slick
CARM President

 

 

 

 
 
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