CARM Newsletter 07-09-06

Welcome to the July 9, 2006 Newsletter

Suggestions for CARM redesign effort

Thank you for these suggestions that you sent in regarding the CARM redesign effort.  I am teaching myself what is called CSS.  It is used to design web sites.  Once implemented, it will enable me to manage the entire CARM web site much more efficiently.  It will also allow the site to be downloaded to PDAs and some phones.  In addition, it will load much faster and I will be in any better position to keep up with increasing technology requirements on the Internet.

It is taking a long time to implement because I need to teach myself, and this old brain doesn't absorb information as wells it used to.

Time to get a job

By God's grace I was able to be full-time in CARM from March through today.  Unfortunately, because of some CPA oversights for the year 2005, I have been paying taxes in large amounts for the past few months.  Last week the IRS said that I owed a few more thousand dollars.  I can't help but wonder what's going on because all the tax problems are coming out of Ogden Utah, home of the Mormons.  I have absolutely no proof, but I can't help but wonder if something is going on.  Anyway, this combined with the slow donation responses during the summer means that I have to find a job starting tomorrow.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working full-time and CARM and I Bank the Lord for the few months in which I was able to devote all my time to CARM.  Lord willing, after we catch up financially, I'll be able to do it again.  Please pray for this Ministry.

Radio

The CARM radio show called "Faith and Reason" is still doing very well.  you can listen to it live over the Internet.  the information on how to do that is found at the bottom of this newsletter.  Also, we began a "Best Of Faith and Reason" on Saturday mornings on the FM station here in Boise.  It will broaden the scope of listeners.  Praise God.

Do you think that I should start teaching a Bible study, one night a week on the radio?  If so, please e-mail me at [email protected] and let me know.  If I decided do this, I would probably develop outlines for the studies to put on the CARM web site.  People would then be able to print them out and follow along in the studies.  I'd probably start with the book of Galatians.  Of course, with working on CARM on a part-time basis now, it would take a few more weeks before I was able to get things ready.  Nevertheless, I definitely want to know what you think.

Sacramento

Originally, I was scheduled to go to Sacramento during the week of August 13th to the 19th for the Mormon Temple opening to pass out literature exposing Mormonism as a non-Christian religion, but because of the financial difficulties that CARM is facing, I have had to cancel that so that I can work.  I apologize to all those who were going to help out.

CARM Prayer Needs

• Wisdom on what the direction to take CARM

• Safety of my family and the few people who volunteer to help CARM

• The expansion of the radio show

CARM Newsletter will go out weekly

Thanks for the responses about sending out the CARM newsletter on a weekly basis.  Enough positives came in for me to sent it out each week.  Thanks.

Online Schools Reminder

CARM as three online school's:  Theology, Apologetics, and Critical Thinking located at http://www.carm.org/online.htm.  They are there to help equip the body of Christ in theology, apologetics, and thinking.  This is a major Ministry offering of CARM and that is used both to support CARM and to equip Christians. Please consider signing up for the schools so that you might offer support as well as learn what you need to know in order to better establish and defend the Christian faith.  By the way, I'm offering all three schools that a substantial discount if you are interested.

Radio Archives

We have some radio shows archived here http://www.live365.com/stations/matt_slick.  You can also listen live to the show at http://www.myfamilyradio.com.  I'm on at 6pm Mountain time on the AM station.

Love and

hate mail

CARM is constantly getting e-mails of thanks and praise and condemnation.  Here are a few...in the raw.

• Love mail:

  • Hi, , I read your article on "Is a Christian who commits suicide still forgiven?".  Recently a very good friend of mine who was a christian took his own life and I was worried and left being unsure of whether or not I'd ever see him again.  Your article really helped me to put the matter to rest and finally let him go, in my mind,  to be with God. Your site has helped me put worries to rest a few times before, but it never hit as close to him as today.  I thank you again for helping me in this way.  Frank

  • Just wanted to thank you so much for your faith in the Lord and the battle that you are fighting.
    I've "used" your material for almost 4 years now, and it's helped us to show a former-LDS to come know the true, historical, biblical and living Christ. Keep up the good work.   Ben

  • Your site continues to be the best! Thank You!   Misty

  • Thank you for your website!  It is a blessing to have this much information available to us. Anthony

• Hate mail:

  • I just came upon your web page. And I am sickened. . . . I think it is very UNchristian to belittle someone for their beliefs, no matter if you believe they are wrong.

  • Your arrogance and stupidity are astounding...You idiot... I've FORGOTTEN more than you'll ever know...These are theological questions, such as what one would expect from some self-righteous moron with a cereal-box "Divinity" diploma, instead of true academic credentials...This is a perfect example of the kind of immaturity and insecurity displayed by those who can only cultivate a sense of self-worth by tearing something/someone else down. It is a juvenilistic, playground mentality that one could only hope that you'd have outgrown by now... No one who has made a serious study of ANY religion would make the grade-school-level errors you have managed. No one. Your writings are not accurate in any way, shape or form...it is idiots like you who put the work of REAL Christianity back decades. It is morons like YOU who destroy what little credibility the Evangelical movement HAS LEFT.

  • Christianity is the one true religion? As you say this sounds narrow-minded and dogmatic - that is because it IS narrow-minded and dogmatic. Why does your faith rely so heavily on being the ONLY way and putting down the beliefs of others? Sounds like some theological insecurities to me? Your sad, confined view of religion does a disservice to the rest of the religious world. Open your mind to uncomfortable questions and avoid the temptation to hold up "scriptures" (as the irrefutable proof of what you believe.

CARM Ministries

• Prayer Ministry - CARM does have a prayer Ministry.  If you are interested in joining us as we pray for others' needs, or if you have needs that you need prayer for, please go to http://www.carm.org/prayer.htm and sign up.

• Discussion Boards - http://www.christiandiscussionforums.org/v/index.php.  We have a very active discussion boards and if you are interested in joining us, check out the link.

• Chat Room - http://www.carm.org/boards/chat.htm.  Want a live discussion?  Sign up.

• Live Radio Show! - Live radio show that began on Monday, Jan. 2, 2006. The show is called "Faith and Reason with Matt Slick."  I am on for one hour, five days a week, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Mountain Time). It's a live call-in show where people can ask all kinds of questions dealing with Christianity, the Bible, cults, etc.  You can call in to the number is 208-377-3790.  You can listen to old programs here:    http://www.live365.com/stations/matt_slick) and live via the Internet connection at www.myfamilyradio.com on the AM station.
  

  Radio Show Times Monday through Friday Phone # is 208-377-3790
  Hawaii	Alaska	Pacific	Mountain	Central	Eastern
  2-3pm	4-5pm	5-6pm	6-7pm	7-8pm	8-9pm

   

• CHANGE:  Weekly Teaching Time on Paltalk - Every Tuesday (changed from Thursday) evening I host a live discussion room on paltalk.com. Paltalk is a free voice chat system that is quite good. Paltalk is full of Christians as well as non-Christians and the battles over truth are frequent. It is however, a good place to learn how to defend your faith. If any of you are interested and would like to check it out, please join us for our weekly discussion by going to paltalk, download the program, and join us on Tuesday evenings.

Paltalk.com | Section = Christianity | Room = CARM Every Tuesday
Hawaii	Alaska	Pacific	Mountain	Central	Eastern
4-6pm	6-8pm	7-9m	8-10pm	9-11pm	10-12pm

$5 Support - CARM depends on your support.  Please consider supporting CARM.

CARM is reaching thousands and thousands of people all over the world for Jesus Christ.  There are very few ways that are more efficient and more effective in presenting the gospel message than is the Internet.  Your support can go a long way to further the kingdom of God.  Please consider supporting CARM with $5 a month or whatever you feel led to contribute.  It's easy to do and it does help a great deal.  If interested, please sign up here.

From the Theological Dictionary
Deacons
Biblically, this designates a servant in the church but not someone who is a slave since the latter refers to a slave/master relationship.  It has become an office of the church where individuals are designated to help in the ministry, sometimes serving communion, sometimes by taking care of such needs as church welfare, feeding the homeless, taking care of the sick in the church, etc.  It comes from the Greek word diakonos and is translated as "servant" in John 6:25; 12:26, "minister" in Rom. 13:4.

Be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium