Does Sex in Movies Encourage Young People to Engage in Sex

On the O'Reilly Factor tonight they were debating a study about whether young people who viewed sex in movies were more prone to engage in sex. To me this is a no-brainer, of course watching sex encourages sex. People do not view pornography because it has no affect on them, they watch it because it produces the pleasurable feeling of sexual arousal. Sex scenes in R-rated movies are little more than soft-porn.

Speaking from experience, an experience I am not proud of, watching or reading about sex produces sexual arousal, sexual arousal results in wanting to engage in the sex act. Young people who view sex in movies, magazines or read about it are more than likely going to be aroused by it and face a greater temptation to give-in to their sexual desires. It is a dangerous time we are living in, for their own well-being people should refrain from sex until they are united to a member of the opposite sex in Holy Matrimony; however, the bombardment of sexual images from our sex saturated society is making it harder and harder for people to keep themselves sexually pure.

I have good news though to all people, young and old alike, although sexually purity seems like a lofty goal that is unreachable, there is a man who lived 2000 years ago who was not only sexually pure but absolutely sinless. He died for the sins of the world and God raised Him from the dead. If people will embrace Him as Lord and Saviour, their sins will be forgiven and they will be given His pure life as their own. With His life comes the power to life a life of sexual purity and so much more. His name is Jesus, do you know Him.  I did not mean to start preaching, but if you got some good news, you should share it. Feel free to e-mail me at pauldy43@gmail.com for how to begin a relationship with Jesus.

Possible Timber Rattler Near Blue Ridge Lake

If you have any plans around Blue Ridge Lake located in Fannin County, Georgia, be on the lookout for venomous snakes. This evening as I was driving around Dry Branch road that runs along a portion of the lake shore I believe I saw a small Timber Rattler. The snake had the marking of rattler or a copperhead based on images I have seen and in agitation was rattling the tip of its tail. I stayed in my vehicle but the snake appeared to have a small rattle on its tail. This snake was very aggressive and was coiling and striking at my SUV. I have seen rattlesnakes in the mountains before but never this close to civilization. I may be wrong about this being a rattlesnake, but all the same be careful around the lake. If this snake was a copperhead, they are not quite as venomous as a rattlesnake but their bite can make you sick.

Philippians 2: 12-13

Philippians 2: 12-13 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. In these verses Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi to continue on in their devotion to Christ. Not an emotional commitment nor just an intellectual assent to following Christ but an actual determined effort to let the life of Christ placed within them at salvation have preeminence in their life. I believe Paul uses the terms fear and trembling to emphasise the seriousness of the matter and also the importance of applying all diligence to letting the salvation work done by Christ on the inside be evident in the bodily life of the believer. Paul clarifies why it is so important to strive to work out our salvation and also why we have the blessed hope of it becoming a reality. It is important because it is God Himself who is working inside of us, it would be very unwise for a believer not to cooperate with their Saviour, Creator of all things and the only hope for mankind. Additionally, we can have confidence that we have the power to work out our salvation because it is God who is at work. Our part is to make every effort to be in absolute surrender to God, His part is to work is almighty power within us, Ephesians 3: 20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

A Healthy Cracker Barrel Salad

Country cooking: Make a healthy Cracker Barrel salad

Who says you can't eat healthy at Cracker Barrel? Cracker Barrel nutritionsist reveals recipe for one of Cracker Barrel's new offerings, the Grilled Chicken and Vegetable salad. Cracker Barrel has always offered awesome salads with an option for low-carb or fat-free dressings for the health conscious diner. This new salad adds some pizazz to the traditional Grilled Chicken salad, which was a tasty entree in its own rights.

The problem with eating healthy at Cracker Barrel is not the lack of healthy options but all the unhealthy temptations that leap off the menu to lead your palette astray. Some of these options include the buttermilk biscuits, country fried steak, sawmill gravy, blackberry cobbler, deep fried shrimp and a whole host of sumptuous treats that go to waist(pun intended).

If you want some Cracker Barrel, you can still eat healthy if you can abstain from the tasty fat, calorie laden delights. But if you are like me and you hate to pass up an opportunity to enjoy some of the best country cooking you will find in a restaurant; practice moderation.

July Fourth Independence Day - Are We Free/

It is July 4, 2012, Independence Day, a day that commemorates our country's independence from England. As Americans, July 4 represents the birth of our great nation and the dawn of a new day of freedom. But speaking of freedom, are we truly free?

Are we free from the burdens and cares of this life? Are we free from the terrible guilt of sin? Are we free from fear? Are we free from degrading passions that lead us into shameful indulgences? Free from the love of money and always wanting things? Free from anger, malice, envy, bitterness and negative emotions that keep us in a state of emotional turmoil? Free from the power and penalty of sin? Free from the lies of Satan?

I have good news today on this Fourth of July, if you are not living a life of freedom there is someone who came to set the captives free. His name is Jesus, through faith in Him you can be set free. He died and rose again so that we could be set free and walk in freedom.

Make this July Fourth you Independence Day, surrender your life to Jesus and make Him your all in all. The Bible says, "He whom the Son(the son of God) sets free is free indeed."

Blue Ridge Lake Pictures

Brief post tonight. Went to church this morning, bible study tonight, then went to cool off at Morganton Point on Blue Ridge Lake. The lake is low and if you go any distance at all into the lake you encounter mud, not good if you are wearing flip flops. I got some awesome pictues of the evening sun hitting water. The water with orange sulight hitting the waves looked like a long snake undulating across the lake.

In addition to the going to the lake I watched another old Dracula Movie, the Frank Langella version. This movie was alright but deviated from the book waaaaay  too much.

I also played my guitar and piano and have been thinking about starting another book project, a book about the importance of Christians getting together with other Christians i.e. going to church. Time to hit the proverbial sack, may God give us rest and a blessed day tomorrow.