Absolute Truth?

It seems that many people today seem to think that there is no absolute truth and it is all subjective. I keep hearing people tell me that this is especially the case in regards to religion. They tell me that no one can really tell someone else that what they believe is wrong and I especially cannot tell someone that if they do not change, they will go to Hell.
My first thought is that anyone who tells me what I can or cannot do in regards to MY beliefs is being just as "judgemental" toward me as I am toward any I disagree with. So apparently, it is only okay for me to believe whatever I want to believe as long as I keep it to myself. Is that what a true Christian should do? Should a true Christian only be concerned about himself and his kids and no one else?
I firmly believe that a person CAN know which religion is the TRUE religion and that it is not at all subjective. I have absolutely no doubt at all that the Bible is the ONLY Word of God and Christianity is the only way for a person to go to Heaven. I do not believe this blindly...or due to some warm feeling inside. I have examined the evidence. I have researched how we got the Bible that we have and there is not any ancient written work that has even a fraction of the copies that the Bible has. There are literally THOUSANDS of copies. I have researched historical evidence that shows the accuracy and reliability of the Bible.
I have even looked at the scientific aspecs of the Bible. There is not one thing that is a proven LAW of Science that the Bible contradicts. For instance, there are passages that indicate that the earth is round. No other ancient religious writing indicated this scientific fact. Many religions thought that the earth was flat and rested on the back of a giant elephant or turtle.
I am not one to be led by unreliable feelings. I require logical rational evidence to convince me of anything. I am not a Christian at this point in my life just because I was raised in it. I started out that way, but as I became an adult, I needed to investigate thoroughly what I was raised with and make it my own. My faith is unshakable and I am not afraid of any silly book or movie that tries to prove Christianity is false. I am not at all unwilling to study other world religions and their teachings, but of the ones I have studied thus far, NONE have held a candle to the Bible. This book is far beyond any book ever written.

Thirteen favorite books (other than the Bible)

Thirteen Things about Joe Norman 1…. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey 2 . Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane 3 . The Alienist by Caleb Carr 4 . Four Past Midnight by Stephen King 5 . Pattern Crimes by William Bayer 6 . One For The Money by Janet Evanovich 7 . The complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 8 . Ten Little Indians by Agatha Christie 9 . I Believe Because... by Batsell Barrett Baxter 10 . Is The Holy Spirit For Me? by Harvey Floyd 11 . Wallflower by William Bayer 12 . Self Matters by Dr. Phil 13 . Misery by Stephen King These might seem like a bizarre mix of books, but I am fascinated with the way some minds work much differently than my own. Stephen King books are well written and really seem to expose how a twisted mind works. I am fascinated with mystery books too. I like to read self-help books that I think might provide tools I can use to improve myself. Of coarse I am always wanting to study and learn more in regards to Christianity and God's Word, so I like to read books by men I respect as scholars and learn from them. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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My visit to Wichita Falls, TX

I was visiting my parents last week and had a very good time. One day, I took my mom to the main city park so I could see the falls. I was under the impression that I would be seeing the original and natural water falls that were part of the name for this city. To my surprize, the natural falls no longer exist. I am not sure why. This is a picture of the falls that they now have. One neat thing about them is that these were created by people who took care of Niagra Falls in New York. These falls are pretty, but I was a little disappointed. The great thing about my visit was having my mom with me and enjoying the beauty of the day together.

Thirteen favorite Board/Card/Games

Thirteen Things about Joe Norman 1…. Chess...I am above average, but barely. It teaches life lessons as well. (I know I'm a geek) 2 . Pente...Simple and yet requires strategy. 3 . Stratego...Fun and not too complicated. 4 . Yatzee...I just love it and don't know why. 5 . Life...played many times with my wife and kids when I was married. 6 . Scrable...love word play games. 7 . Trivial Pursuit...not great, but love it anyway. 8 . 42...my parents taught me. 9 . Spades...learned in college. 10 . Hearts...learned in college too. 11 . Risk...played with older brothers. 12 . Clue...played with my wife and kids as well, but my wife always won. 13 . Uno and Skip-Bo were both played often when my family was in tact. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Thirteen Of My Favorite Bible Verses ~ And Why

Thirteen Things about Joe Norman 1…. Proverbs 4:11,12~I have taught you in the way of wisdom;I have led you in right paths.When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. (This is a favorite because it reminds me who guides my steps.) 2 . Isaiah 40:28-31~Have you not known?Have you not heard?The everlasting God, the Lord,The Creator of the ends of the earth,Neither faints nor is weary.His understanding is unsearchable.He gives power to the weak,And to those who have no might He increases strength.Even the youths shall faint and be weary,And the young men shall utterly fall,But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint. (I was a long distance runner when I was young and I could relate to this very well.) 3 . I Corinthians 9:24-27~24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,but one receives the prize?Run in such a way that you may obtain it.And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown,but we for an imperishable crown.Therefore I run thus:not with uncertainty.Thus I fight:not as one who beats the air.But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,lest,when I have preached to others,I myself should become disqualified. (Another running scripture. It is a source for renewing my determination.) 4 . Hebrews 12:1,2~Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (This scripture also reminds me not to give up in this life I live FOR God.) 5 . Philippians 4:13~ 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (This is probably my favorite because it reminds me my strength comes from Christ.) 6 . Psalm 23~The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters.He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.Yea,though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff,they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;my cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. (Isn't this a favorite of nearly everyone? It is beautiful and powerful) 7 . Joshua 24:15~But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (It is most important to me to see my children grow to be faithful Christians) 8 . John 14:21~21“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (A reminder that keeping His commandments shows my Love for Christ) 9 . I Corinthians 13:4-8~Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (Reminds me of what REAL love IS) 10 . Hebrews 4:12~For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (This reminds me of the power of God's Word...The Holy Bible) 11 . I John 2:15-17~Do not love the world or the things in the world.If anyone loves the world,the love of the Father is not in him.For all that is in the world —the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;but he who does the will of God abides forever. (A reminder of what really matters in this life) 12 . III John vs.4~I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (A favorite of any Christian parent and it is my parents' as well) 13 . Eph.4:26,27~Be angry, and do not sin:do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (This one helps remind me not to let anger build inside until it causes me to sin.) Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Update

I do apologize for my not writing so much in this blog. I am preparing for my final exams and so that is where much of my focus is right now. My last exam is late Wednesday. After that, I am not in school until Summer I begins on June 1st. I do have some things on my mind that I want to share with all who read my blog. Some will require more time to post though and will likely need to wait until after my finals.

I have enjoyed my experience for the most part here at Stephen F Austin State University and am happy with my decision to attend coolege here. I believe that the training I will receive here will help me greatly to be an effective Music teacher and capable in any endevor in the future. I will try to write again soon.

Thirteen favorite songs on the radio

Thirteen Things about Joe Norman 1…. What Am I To You? by Nora Jones 2 . Somewhere Only We Know by Keane 3 . You're Beautiful by James Blount 4 . Speed of Sound by Coldplay 5 . Lonely No More by Rob Thomas 6 . Move Along by All-American Rejects 7 . Afterglow by INXS 8 . Some Hearts by Carrie Underwood 9 . Like We Never Loved At All by Faith Hill 10 . Just Feel Better by Stephen Tyler and Santana 11 . You'll Think Of Me by Keith Urban 12 . How Far by Martina McBride 13 . 100 years by Five For Fighting Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants