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Amish People - From America's Dutch Country A Lesson For The Whole World
By Rev Michael Bresciani
In early October 2006 Charles Carl Roberts a 32 year old truck driver brutally shot down five young Amish Girls in the town of Nickel Mines Pennsylvania. Following this slaughter of innocent children the news media made fair coverage but the tragedy was quickly overshadowed by the news about e-mails sent to a congressional page by Florida congressman Mark Foley. Now the debate rages about the resignation of House Speaker Dennis Hastert who allegedly had full knowledge of Foley’s behavior.
Commenting on the indiscretions of congressmen Foley one commentator said “the real issue is keeping our children safe.” Some have equated just sending our children to a public school could be the equivalent of criminal negligence. Safe? If police presence, metal detectors and drug sniffing dogs can’t do that, then what will? God forbid we hold Hollywood and the media culpable. A sex and violence drenched media, a cesspool like ocean of internet porn, a money hungry pop culture full of sexually fired music and images, just couldn’t be what makes our schools unsafe. Naw!
Our children bring those sounds and images with them every day to the public halls of learning and there they create a social peer community in layers. Each layer with its own appointed appellation to keep the strata’s uniquely separate like geek, jock etc. etc. Some kids describe it as something like “hell” itself. Home schooling, private schools and other means of escaping the public school experience are now being sought by millions as relief. Until recently, perhaps becoming a member of an Amish community might have been an option by which to save children from the public school horror show.
The Amish don’t recruit or evangelize but they will accept people who are serious about joining and have fully acquainted themselves with all the Amish customs and rules. In Pennsylvania Dutch country the website of The Fulton Steamboat Inn answers the question "Can an outsider join the Amish church/community?"
"A local Amishman recently remarked, "You do not need to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are." Yes, it is possible for outsiders, through conversion and convincement, to join the Amish community, but we must quickly add that it seldom happens. First, the Amish do not evangelize and seek to add outsiders to their church. Second, outsiders would need to live among the Amish and demonstrate a genuine conversion experience and faith that results in a changed lifestyle. Third, it is extremely difficult for anyone who has not been raised without electricity, automobiles, and other modern conveniences to adjust to the austere lifestyle of the Amish. And to truly be a part of the Amish community one would need to learn the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect."
It may not be easy to get in the Amish community and very few from the outside ever do but what comes out of that community is something we should take a long look at…and maybe we can learn something.
With his head turned away from the camera the grandfather of two of the slain girls described a scene that could rip the heart out of anyone. While holding the two in his arms they drew their last breath and expired in his loving arms. On Wednesday October 5 2006 a CNN news women asked him what his feelings were towards the gunmen Charles Roberts. He relied with “we forgive him.” But the story doesn’t end there. The news women then asked “how can you
American Soldier Named by Queensrÿche
<em>Queensrÿche are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on its twelfth studio album, "American Soldier".<br /> <br />The concept effort, due this spring from Rhino/Atco, finds the band once again tackling some heavy subject matter, this time focusing on telling the story of war from a firsthand perspective.<br /> <br />Singer and chief songwriter Geoff Tate has spent the last few years conducting extensive interviews with veterans and has crafted their thoughts into this epic tale. "American Soldier" examines American wars from World War II through Iraq from the viewpoint of those in the trenches and on the frontlines.</em>
Sepultura Schedule Album Release
<em>Brazillian metal legends Sepultura have announced the release dates for their forthcoming new studio album "A-Lex."<br /> <br />The release dates are as follows:<br /> <br />Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Brasil: 23rd January <br />UK, Scandinavia and the rest of Europe: 26th January <br />USA and Canada: 27th January <br /> <br />The album will be another concept record and is based on the infamous novel "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess and equally infamous film by Stanley Kubrick. In essence, a shocking exploration of violence in human society (try Manchester on a Saturday night).<br />The title of the album takes its name from the main character in the story but also translates as "no law" in Russian.</em>
Opeth DVD Finnish Top Banana
<em>Swedish progressive death metallers OPETH's new DVD, The Roundhouse Tapes, is No.1 on the DVD sales chart in Finland.<br /> <br />Says the band, "Thanks to all the Finnish Opeth fans!"<br /> <br />The Roundhouse Tapes DVD was released on Peaceville Records on 27th October (UK - 10th November, 11th USA - November).<br /> <br />The Roundhouse Tapes set contains the critically acclaimed Opeth performance from the Camden Roundhouse, London, UK in 2006 and sees the band in scintillating form playing a selection of classics from their illustrious career.</em>
She Said Destroy Sign For New Release
<em>Tabu Recordings have signed She Said Destroy. <br /></em><em> <br /></em><em>The Norwegian extreme metal band is set to release their sophomore album, "This City Speaks in Tongues," in Norway on 17th November. A European release is expected to follow on 2nd February, 2009. <br /></em><em> <br /></em><em>The band is throwing a release party at Elm Street rock café in Oslo on 14th November just on the off chance you happen to be in the area.<br /></em><em> <br /></em><em>You can check out the She Said Destroy's new title track on the label's MySpace page.<br /></em><em> <br />Touring plans for 2009 are in the works. More info will follow shortly.</em>
Rammstein New Album Being Forged
<em>German industrial metal maestros Rammstein have posted the following message online: <br /></em><em> <br /></em><em>"Now that the band has finished pre-production in Berlin for its new album, Operation "Album 6" is going forward full steam ahead. Christoph Schneider arrived in Los Angeles last week to meet with Jacob Hellner and production team (i.e., currently Ulf Kruckenberg and Florian Ammon) to undertake preparations for recording of all the drum tracks. <br /></em><em> <br />Also to arrive in L.A. this week for the drum sessions, Paul and Richard. Finally, a studio has been rented near San Francisco for the bulk of the main recording work, and the band will go into retreat there for several weeks starting on November 9th, 2008. Clear the decks, the Rammstein tanker is once again under steam!"</em>
Cannibal Corpse New Album Details
<em>Florida’s godfathers of death metal, CANNIBAL CORPSE have named ‘Evisceration Plague’ as the title to the group’s brand new studio album due out end of January beginning of February.<br /></em><br /><em>‘Evisceration Plague’ marks the follow up to the bands extremely successful 2006 release KILL, which has become the fastest selling Cannibal album in the band’s storied career as well as highest selling album since 1996’s Vile. <br /></em><em>To capture the speed, ferocity, and musicianship that CANNIBAL CORPSE has become known for the band decided to head back Mana Recording Studios with producer Erik Rutan at the helm.</em>
Norther - may be back in Northe America in 2008
01.10.2008. N - OUT NOW in North-America! <div>As Century Media US describes:<br /><br /><br />Today marks the release of Finnish natives NORTHER and their new album, "N". The band just finished up a Canadian tour and plan to hit Spain and Russia with a US tour in the works soon after. Jukka, the bands bassist sent us a message that he´d like me to forward along.<br /><br />Hello everyone! Back from the tour in Canada. At first thought it´s the time-lag but that is spinning my head but actually it´s the great tour & audience we just finished up! Some of the best audiences ever! The shows were an absolute blast with great washing machine like pits, haha! Insane m/ ! It was great to see that the scene welcomes Norther as well.<br /><br />At the end of this year we´re still heading to Spain and Russia but are already planning a new possible tour back to North(er) America! So in the mean time you can get our newest album "N" (with two bonus songs) which just came out in North America TODAY!!!! It is our finest & diverse album by far! Stay tuned for more ‘cuz we´re coming back!! Wanted or not!! :)"<br /><br />Furthermore, the bands drummer Heikki Saari has started to do*****ent NOTHER´s extensive touring schedule over at Metalsucks.com. Currently the site is hosting two entries, with plenty more to come! Head over to the site by clicking below and catch up on some literature.</div><br />
Satyricon Finish Video Single
<em>Satyricon have just completed the video shoot for their new single, ‘Black Crow On A Tombstone’. The song, which was released digitally on 20th October, is available for streaming. <br /></em><em> <br />The single is the first track to be released from the band's upcoming album ‘The Age Of Nero’, which hits stores in Europe on 3rd November via Roadrunner Records. The album will be available as a digital download, standard CD and as a special-edition two-CD set.</em>
Trivium Offer Taster
<em>A new TRIVIUM track entitled "Throes Of Perdition" is available for streaming. The song comes off the new album, "Shogun", which is scheduled for release on 30th September via Roadrunner Records. <br /><br />The CD was mixed in London by Colin Richardson (SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, NAPALM DEATH), with Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford assisting on engineering duties. </em><a href="http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Music" target="_blank"><em>http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Music</em></a>
A Few Words From Book of Black Earth
<div class="MsoBodyText"><em>BOOK OF BLACK EARTH have posted a new song, "Funeral of Peace", from the band's forthcoming album on the band's MySpace page. Due out 14th October, "Horoskopus" is BOOK OF BLACK EARTH's second full-length release and debut for new home Prosthetic Records. </em><a href="http://www.myspace.com/bookofblackearth" target="_blank"><em>www.myspace.com/bookofblackearth</em></a></div><br />
do this?” In a short reply he said “With God’s help.”
All those who glibly put down the entire Christian church and its message with “Oh, the church is just full of hypocrites” can see by this single remark that the church is not quite “full” of the fakers. Here is a profession of faith being put to practice that only someone without brain, heart or conscience could fail to see.
We live in an era where Islam is threatening to kill people for anything they consider insulting to it, much less for not joining it. Hatred seems to be the driving force behind what has been almost jokingly referred to as a “peaceful religion.” Add to this worldwide perverted idea of God, western civilization’s penchant for sleaze, violence and sex and the statement made by the grandfather of the two slain Amish girls looks like a welcome light from the shore in a turbulent storm that threatens to drown the world itself.
People who are genuinely searching often pass by the ceremonies, liturgies and general religious hokey pokey and keep searching until they find something that gives real meaning to life and life itself. That search ends for most people when they discover the power of God’s love. He doesn’t crack the whip of judgment until all else has failed. That is why all judgment is reserved until the end.
Through Christ the gift of salvation is offered freely but it is only free to the taker, the giver paid the very highest price to purchase it by his death on the cross. It was there where the greatest example of forgiveness the world will ever see was fully displayed. Writhing in anguish and pain Christ looked upward to God the Father and cried “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
Forgiving us was the costliest thing in the world for Christ and for us to forgive each other also has a high price attached to it. The world view of forgiveness is that it is a show of weakness. This notion is not just off by a few degrees it is diametrically opposite the truth. Forgiveness is the costliest matter on earth and it the most powerful substance known to man. It dwarfs the implications of E=MC2 and cheapens the price of gold.
America and the world community are undergoing a transfer from the forces and wrangling of mere ideologies to the heretofore ignored implications of theologies. A loving Savior or a wrathful and vengeful God as presented by Islam are the only choices. Those who have previously remained aloof to these theologies are finding that they can not escape the turbulence that is now emerging as an outgrowth from them.
Now and then a great reflection of the mercy of God shown to us through forgiveness comes across the waves. One gentlemanly old Amish grandfather has just sent a bright light along with those who share his faith. We can only hope that all churches and the whole world will not let this beam of light be blocked out by the raging storm of societies other urgencies’ and distractions. Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com Rev Bresciani is the author of two books and hundreds of articles both online and in print. Enjoy a visit to www.americanprophet.org
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