Introduction

'This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.'
Holy Bible, 1 Jn. 5:14 NIV

There's one request even the vilest sinner can have granted immediately by God

While you meditate on that thrilling truth, here's the menu for this month. You'll enjoy this issue.

Do you think you've got the basics down to a T? Precious few have in these final days, so double check that you are established and certain of your salvation. Waterproof yourself against the errors of the cults on baptism, and listen to these true stories of shocking stupidity.

An E-pistle reader asks about dodgy music, and even shy people can win souls using our Power Evangelism Tip.

And we have official proof of your Leader's criminal duplicty.

The best way to stay in touch is via our fresh and bouncing RSS feed.

How to be Certain You Are Saved

Christian Water Baptism FAQ

Three Stupid Reasons for Rejecting Christ

Shocking stories of outrageous stupidity

Editor's Perspective

Official Proof Bush and Blair Lied

The Sunday Times recently published a Downing Street memo that proves both Bush and Blair lied, and are still lying, about their illegal invasion of Iraq. It is marked 'Secret', and begins with the words:

'This record is extremely sensitive. No further copies should be made. It should be shown only to those with a genuine need to know its contents.'

No wonder; in a just society, it would see them behind bars for life.

Tony Blair was briefed by the Chief of the UK's secret service MI6, following a trip to Washington to discuss Iraq in July 2002. Blair was told that, quote, 'the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.'

In other words, Bush made a policy decision to invade Iraq, and had ordered that the 'facts' and intelligence were to construct a pretext to support the policy. This confirms similar testimony from other Whitehouse insiders. Blair meekly conformed to this directive instead of having the moral courage to stand up against it. That honour was left to the French Government, for which they were fiercely abused.

Your leaders spun a web of lies about WMD, and manufactured non-existent threats as propaganda to support a criminal unprovoked assault on a defenceless sovereign nation. US Judges at the 1946 Nuremberg Trials described this as 'the paramount war crime'.

You can read the document online yourself: search for Downing Street memo.

Iran is next on Mad George's little list, providing he can pull the wool over your eyes.



Colin Melbourne

E-pistles

Subscriber's Question and Answer

Is it wrong to listen to secular music? Not songs filled with cursing and wickedness, I mean secular music that isn't vulgar in any way, but is just not directed towards God?

What an excellent question!

Let's assume you mean 'listen from choice', because as we are about our business we all have to run the gauntlet of demonic music pumped into the world. And when evangelizing, you have to go where the lost are, so can't avoid encountering the squalor they revel in. But where you're in full control of what enters your ears, that's your responsibility before God.

Beware the blight of legalism; remember real Christians are under grace not law. (Ro. 5:14) God's grace is so wonderful, and we are to reflect it, especially to baby Christians. Recall the toe-curling things you did soon after being saved, and how grateful you were to your new family for 'cutting you some slack'.

That said, the Holy Spirit confronts Christians who persist in willful sin, gently at first, then with increasing firmness. Most of you will understand from personal experience. He won't leave off until He has you just like Jesus, Praise God!

Music, singing, praise, and worship are integral to our beings. We were made to worship, love, and walk with God. You get intimate with God in prayer, but the most satisfying times are in real praise and worship. After Adam sinned, our fallen natures lost contact with God, and the innate desire we have for worship was directed to created things instead of the Creator. (Include in created things: Religion - Man-made attempts to approach God.)

You'll notice that the commonest theme of popular songs is what they call 'love', usually of a person, but it is never love, merely that tragic counterfeit: romance. How many people are suckered into the snares of romance through listening to music? Perhaps, like me, you can list memories of your pre-Christian alliances each associated with, and facilitated by, a particular pop song. A sure sign of the huge power of music to influence your behaviour.

So is it wrong to listen to 'innocent' secular music?

Let me answer by giving you examples:

You can probably listen to Kate Bush's 'Hounds of Love', and be left cold. But for me to listen to it would be foolish. There's nothing overtly sinful in its lyrics, but it used to make my neck-hair stand up, and other side effects. So I have the sense to steer clear of it. Get the idea?

You lead a Communist to Christ and she asks you what to do with her favourite recording of 'Keep the Red Flag Flying'. Answer: Smash the thing.

You pull a redneck from the Uncle Sam cult, who involuntarily snaps to attention at the strains of the 'Stars n'Stripes', heart brimming with sinful patriotic pride. What do you do to rehabilitate Pavlov's dog from his brainwashed reflex? Simple: Take the stimulus away. His anthem and flag are idols: deliverance will come when you help him to burn them.

Three Tip Summary: Is listening to secular music wrong?

First, think where it came from: a sinner's heart under the control of Satan.
Second, is the Lord telling you to listen to it: or is He asking you to trash it?
Third: If in doubt, turn it off and switch on the Bach and Handel!

Power Evangelism Tip

Free Take Aways

For those who are shy handing out Gospel tracts here's a way to get over the hurdle. Fashion a letter rack, or make a stand, and hang it in your porch or vestibule. Fill it with a selection of Chick Tracts. Then whoever comes to your home will see the sign: Take One Free, and can help themselves. Be sure to have copies for the cults such as Chick's 'The Visitors' for Mormons, and 'The Crisis' for JWs, together with a selection at knee-height for nippers.

Have some in Spanish and Italian too, and others for those who speak a second language. It'll surprise you to see who the Lord brings to your door.

We use Chick Tracts because they work