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Chris McFarlane

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Nov 18, 1997, 3:00:00 AM11/18/97

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Radio Rhema offers helpful Christian guidance, see
http://www.rhema.co.nz
Also check out the new LifeFM for upbeat music, and Southern
Star for a mellow sound.
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INTERNET FOR CHRISTIANS An Internet Newsletter for Fishers of the Net

November 17, 1997 Issue 46

Quentin J. Schultze, Ph.D.,
Executive Editor
Author of the book, Internet for Christians

Dale T. Mason
Managing Editor

Chris Van Oosterhout
Assistant Editor

Chris Derosia
IFC Web master

Submit your news, press releases, humorous anecdotes, and WWW
addresses to ifc-s...@gospelcom.net. As always, listings do not
mean endorsement.

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NEW INTERNET FOR CHRISTIANS NEWSLETTER ON WWW WITH PHOTOS!

JUST RELEASED! New Internet version of IFC with photos! View this
newsletter in enhanced, FULL-COLOR format, along with a search engine
and a directory to back issues.
<http://www.gospelcom.net/ifc/newsletter.html>

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TOP STORIES
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HEAR QUENTIN SCHULTZE ON NATIONAL CALL-IN RADIO THIS FRIDAY
Internet expert Dr. Quentin Schultze will be the guest this Friday
night (9:00-10:00 pm eastern, 8:00 Central, 7:00 Pacific) on Moody
Broadcasting Network's OPEN LINE radio program. Listen on your local
MBN affiliate station (http://www.mbn.org/MBN/mbninfo.htm for
listings), or via RealAudio on the web at
http://www.audionet.com/lightsource/radio/wmbi. Host Wayne Shepherd
will speak with Dr. Schultze and callers to get an update on using
the Internet for the purpose of spreading the gospel and other
Internet related topics. In addition to receiving phone calls,
they'll be answering emailed questions as well. (Special Note: Gospel
Films Publications will be running a huge special on Schultze's book,
Internet for Christians, during the MBN interview. Listen and save!)

KILLING INFANTS: Francis Schaeffer was right!

Francis Schaeffer was right, and the nightmare has begun! On Sunday,
November 2, 1997, the New York Times carried an article by Steven
Pinker, a professor of psychology at the august Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT). Pinker argues that killing a newborn
infant should not be penalized as harshly as killing an older child.
"To a biologist, birth is as arbitrary a milestone as any other,"
Pinker says. According to Pinker, babies aren't real people because
they don't have "an ability to reflect upon (themselves) as a
continuous locus of consciousness, to form and savor plans for the
future, to dread death and to express the choice not to die. Our
immature neonates don't possess these traits any more than mice do."
Other "philosophers" have argued that parents should be able to kill
their children "up to the time the (baby) learns how to use certain
expressions."
http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-11/06/066l-110697
-idx.html

-- It's time to take another look at Francis Schaeffer's "Whatever
Happened to the Human Race" video series, Tape 2; "Slaughter of the
Innocents" <http://www.gospelcom.net/gf/mc/we-a.html>, and "How
Should We Then Live,"
<http://www.gospelcom.net/gf/mc/weshouldlive.html> available from
Gospel Films at 1-800-253-0413 or

AUSTRALIAN REBECCA ST.JAMES TO "CHAT" ON GCN

Youth for Christ's DCLA - "Livin' the Life Chat" will host Rebecca
St. James for an on-line chat session at 8:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday
November 18. In 1991, Rebecca recorded her first solo praise and
worship album while still in Australia. After moving to the United
States, she caught the attention of Eddie DeGarmo while singing at
his church and was soon signed to the Forefront label. Since that
time, Rebecca has taken contemporary Christian music by storm. On
Tuesday evening, chat with her on-line! http://www.gospelcom.net/chat

PREPARE NOW FOR A SUPER SUPER BOWL PARTY!

Sports Outreach America (SOA) has again developed a ministry kit for
churches and individuals to host an evangelistic outreach party
during the Super Bowl on January 25, 1998. Over 25,000 people have
already made decisions for Christ in response to this friendly
strategy. The available Super Bowl Outreach Kit makes hosting one of
these special parties simple and effective. The 1998 kit contains
five special items: (1) a 12-minute video featuring Coach Mike
Holmgren, Eugene Robinson, and Don Beebe of the Champion Green Bay
Packers, (2) 10 Super Bowl edition Sports Spectrum magazines, (3) 10
More Than Winning booklets, (4) one Super Bowl Bash poster, (5) one
Training Manual to help you host your own Super Bowl party. To
receive more information or a free brochure, call 1-800-BOWL-PARTY or
check the Web at <http://www.sport.org/sb>. Kit sponsors include:
Sports Spectrum <http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/ss>, Athletes in Action
<http://www.aiasports.org/aia>, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
<http://www.fca.org>, and International Bible Society
<http://www.gospelcom.net/ibs>. Outreach Kit: http://www.sport.org/sb

WHAT'S THE REAL STORY BEHIND THANKSGIVING?

The American holiday, Thanksgiving, is celebrated every year on the
4th Thursday of November. This year the holiday falls on November
27. But what is the real story with regard to this important day in
contemporary society? When did it REALLY originate? What did it
REALLY mean? Visit these sites to bring a deeper and more exciting
enthusiasm to your Thanksgiving celebration this year, and for years
to come. But don't wait too long to peruse these pages, because you
just might want to use some of the ideas and information that you'll
find here. We wish you a happy and God-centered Thanksgiving!
http://www.plimoth.org/thanksgi.htm
http://www.christianAnswers.Net/q-wall/wal-g007.html

-- For a brief devotional to share at your own Thanksgiving Day
celebration, visit the Daily Wisdom web site
http://www.gospelcom.net/gf/dw/dw-11-26-97.html

CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION

This biker-for-Jesus site is amazing. Even if you've never toured on
a Harley, this site is fascinating. I had no idea how well organized,
or how ministry-minded this amazing group is! Whether you are a man,
a woman, young single or a revved up retiree, the Christian
Motorcyclists Association has a place for you. Be sure to click on
the "Ministry Teams" section to get a feel for the many ways in which
the 60,000 members of this organization are touching lives, "where
the rubber meets the road!" http://www.cmausa.com

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SOCIETY TODAY
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ASTROLOGY: Science, Faith or Superstition?

Did God align the stars to serve as a "road map" that would help us
to carry out our daily activities? Do the stars hold the answer as to
what type of career or spouse you should pursue? Discover the history
and folklore of Astrology and learn to discern the scientific from
the superstition. If you were born between January 1 and December 31,
you are on the brink of a new understanding which could change your
life forever! http://www.dci.dk/engelsk/elefant/astrology.html
http://www.hsv.tis.net/~sammie

PRIVATE SCHOOLS - PUBLIC MONEY

Should private schools be funded by public money? Enter the
discussion and let your opinion be known in the newly designed
Christian Schools International "Chalkboard" forum. The Chalkboard
is a gathering place for parents, students, teachers, administrators
and others interested in Christian education. The easy-to-use forum
allows you to exchange ideas, provide opinions and learn more about
the Christian education process. http://www.gospelcom.net/csi/forum

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PERSONAL GROWTH
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PRACTICAL ANSWERS TO REAL-LIFE ISSUES

Ron Hutchcraft provides practical answers to life's important issues.
Find answers to questions about parenting, stress, relationships,
spiritual direction, loneliness, depression, eternity, and more!
This would also be a great time to check out Hutchcraft's "A Word
With You" in Real Audio. http://www.gospelcom.net/rhm

HELP FOR CHRISTIANS STRUGGLING WITH SEXUAL SIN

According to the American Family Association, no problem facing
American families is more epidemic and destructive than pornography.
"Sexual addiction is slow, cunning, and progressive. The average age
of initial exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Sexual addiction
can start with viewing magazines, and progress into videos, computer
pornography, telephone sex and even adultery and sex crimes." This
site, sponsored by the OutReach Division of the American Family
Association, was established to help individuals and their families
find positive ways of stopping sexual addictions.
http://www.afa.net/outreach/index.htm

TRUTH TWISTERS CULT QUIZ

The Back to the Bible organization invites you to take a "pop-quiz."
It won't be graded, and only you will know the results. This new
feature on the Back to the Bible Web web site tests your knowledge
about cults in today's world. The quiz is based on the newly revised
and updated book, "Truth Twisters," which systematically compares
biblical Christianity with the beliefs of Mormons, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the New Age Movement, and other religious groups. While
on the site, browse the book's table of contents and view chapter
summaries. http://www.gospelcom.net/bttb/resources/ttQuiz.html

THE "PASSION PLAY" AT OBERAMMERGAU

Every ten years from May to October, the world beats a path to the
quaint little village of Oberammergau, high in the Bavarian Alps.
Colorful murals adorn the exterior of charming hotels, restaurants
and shops and window boxes overflow with geraniums. The world
renowned Passionsweide, or Passion Play attracts visitors from around
the globe. This is the most famous musical drama in the world -- a
play of epic proportions that has been drawing crowds for centuries.
This web site explains the history and folklore of the play, and
provides information on how to organize a group to attend the next
round of performances in the year 2000.
http://www.kingswaytours.com/from_ceo.htm

ON-LINE BIBLE STUDY - FOR CREDIT

Add accountability and interactivity to your Bible study! Attend
weekly "virtual lectures" and share your thoughts and questions. This
new systematic Bible study program -- an intensive 9 month course
from Genesis to Revelations -- is provided by Village School of the
Bible. The teaching is stimulating, highly motivational, and focused
on the students. It's a tough course, but incredibly effective. When
you've successfully finished, you'll receive a certificate of
completion recognized by the Evangelical Training Association with
credits accepted by numerous Christian colleges.
http://www.gospelcom.net/vsb
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RESOURCES
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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE ENDURING CHRONIC PAIN OR ILLNESS

Do you know someone who suffers from chronic pain or a chronic
illness, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, cancer or Chrone's Disease? A
newsletter for people who live with chronic illness or chronic pain
is designed to remind suffering persons that God loves them, is in
control of their situation, and has a plan for them. An excellent
periodical for those who ask, even silently, 'Where is God?' during
the travail of their situation.
http://www.ixpres.com/jlcopen/pressrelease.html

LISTEN TO UNCLE CHARLIE, KIDS & ADULTS

It's Christmas shopping time. If you're stuck about what to get
cousin Susan or nephew Bobby, let 'Uncle Charlie,' host of the
popular Children's Bible Hour radio program
(http://www.gospelcom.net/cbh), give you some ideas. Visit the new
CBH Resource Center and browse for music, teaching resources, flash
cards, puppets and more. Once you've found what you're looking for,
you'll also find easy ordering instructions so the product will be on
its way in plenty of time for Christmas! Listen to Charlie on
RealAudio, too. http://www.gospelcom.net/cbh/resources

COST EFFECTIVE COPIERS FOR CHURCHES

Churches and other non-profits don't have to settle for poor quality
photocopies any longer! Pitney Bowes runs a program in the USA called
the "Harvard Divinity Affiliated Grant" that leases reconditioned,
top-of-the-line copiers for just .02 - .03 per copy with no up-front
costs. They even supply all the toner and all maintenance; you supply
only the paper. Plus, if your volume is high (say, 15,000 or more
copies per month) you'll pay even LESS and get a truly feature-rich
machine (document feeder, sorter, stapler, etc.) Call 1-617-672-0100.
(We did, to verify this story. It's true.) Ask for Rick Lund and
tell him you want a copier under the Harvard Divinity Affiliated
Grant. He will fax you a simple form and in 2-6 weeks you will have a
copier.

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INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY
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WEB TRAFFIC DOUBLES, NIELSEN REPORTS

If you are interested in web trends, you'll love this site! A new
index of Web activity published by Neilsen I/PRO shows that Internet
traffic has grown 110.2 percent since the beginning of 1997.
(Gospelcom.net, the Internet ministry sponsored by Gospel Films,
reports 21,428,059 "hits" in October alone, with almost identical
statistics as the Nielsen I/PRO audit. This indicates that Christians
are accessing the net as much as the overall society.) The sites that
comprise the Neilsen I/PRO index are both large and small, with a mix
of different content categories. There's a lot happening on the web,
including a LOT of good, solid ministry! http://www.cyberatlas.com

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MINISTRIES IN THE NEWS
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International Bible Society
LIGHT SHINES ON THE WEB

International Bible Society's "Light" magazine now offers an improved
on-line version with easier navigation, more content, an archive of
past contents, and a treasury of articles focusing on the various
ministries of IBS. http://www.light-magazine.org

RBC Ministries
TOUR ISRAEL WITH RBC MINISTRIES

Get an on-line preview of RBC Ministries' upcoming tour to Israel.
Consider traveling to and taking part in the 50th-anniversary
celebration of the modern state of Israel. With "Day of Discovery"
teachers Mart De Haan and Jimmy De Young as your hosts, you'll
experience an unforgettable trip to the land of the Bible. The
on-line preview site includes a photographic overview of the tour as
well as itinerary and other important information. While you're at
it, visit RBC's extremely popular online devotional, Our Daily Bread
<http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/odb>. http://www.rbc.net/israel

Creation Festival
GET ON STAGE WITH DC TALK

For nearly 20-years, Creation Festival (CF) has rocked Pennsylvania
with the message of Christ in words and music. With dozens of
speakers and musicians, CF now includes a west-coast event in state
of Washington. Visit the newly designed CF Web site and see the event
site in virtual reality. Using Quicktime technology, you can place
yourself in the "good seats" just front of the stage and do a
360-degree scan of last band and audience at last year's event. Now,
this is fun! http://www.gospelcom.net/creation

The Cove
TOUR THE BILLY GRAHAM TRAINING CENTER, IN VIRTUAL REALITY

The newly expanded Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove web site
(http://www.gospelcom.net/cove) now provides surfers a virtual tour
of The Cove's beautiful facilities. Located in rural North Carolina
(USA), this 2500-acre conference center offers an ideal setting to
train people in God's word for winning others to Christ. Scan the
mountain view from the 'outlook,' turn around and see all the views
from within the chapel, and check out other facilities.
http://www.gospelcom.net/cove

Associates for Biblical Research
ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES CONFIRM BIBLE'S TRUSTWORTHINESS

Awarded Christian Computing magazine's "Web Site of the Month" for
November 1997, the Associates for Biblical Research site keeps you
informed on the latest archeological discoveries and Biblical
perspective. The modern science of archaeology, which began in the
mid-1800's, has revolutionized our knowledge of the ancient Biblical
world. Many discoveries relate directly to Scripture and confirm the
historicity of the Biblical record. Other discoveries provide
fascinating background material for the Biblical narratives.
http://www.christiananswers.net/abr/abrhome.html

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HUMOR
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HYMNS APPROPRIATE TO THE OCCASION

Dentist's Hymn -- "Crown Him with Many Crowns"
TV Weatherman's Hymn -- "Showers of Blessing"
Contractor's Hymn -- "The Church's One Foundation"
Tailor's Hymn -- "Holy, Holy, Holy"
Golfer's Hymn -- "There Is a Green Hill Far Away"
Politician's Hymn -- "Standing on the Promises"
IRS Hymn -- "All to Thee"
Gossiper's Hymn -- "Pass it On"
Electrician's Hymn -- "Send the Light"
Shopper's Hymn -- "Sweet By and By"

If you MUST speed on the highway, sing these hymns loudly:
at 45 mph.... "God Will Take Care of Me"
at 55 mph.... "Guide me, O Great Jehovah"
at 65 mph.... "Nearer My God to Thee"
at 75 mph.... "Nearer Still Nearer"
at 85 mph.... "This World is Not My Home"
at 95 mph.... "Lord, I'm Coming Home"
at 100 mph... "Precious Memories"

HOW TO BUG PEOPLE

1. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17-inch
paper,
99 copies.
2. Decline to be seated at a restaurant and simply eat their
complimentary mints at the cash register.
3. Practice making fax and modem noises.
4. Specify that your drive-through order is "TO GO."
5. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen
while
talking to others.
6. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all
weather
conditions to "keep them tuned up."
7. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear
that?"
"What?" "Never mind, it's gone now."
8. Finish all your sentences with the words, "in accordance with
prophesy."
9. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and
insist to others that you "like it that way."
10. Staple papers in the middle of the page.
11. Honk and wave to strangers.
12. While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a
parakeet. 13. Sing along at the opera. 14. Go to a poetry recital and
ask why each poem doesn't rhyme. 15. Ask your coworkers mysterious
questions and then scribble their
answers in a notebook. Mutter something about psychological
profiles.

REVEREND FUN

-- to see the full archives of daily Reverend Fun cartoons, visit:
http://www.gospelcom.net/rev-fun

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Do you have a brief story, Web site or helpful tip for Internet for
Christians? Send it! <ifc-s...@gospelcom.net>
___________________________________________________

INTERNET FOR CHRISTIANS NEWSLETTER is published via email and on the
WWW by Quentin J. Schultze and the Gospel Communications Network
<http://www.gospelcom.net>. Dr. Schultze is Professor of
Communication at Calvin College and Special Coordinator for the
Gospel Communications Network. The newsletter may be posted and
distributed without charge for non-profit use. Commercial media may
quote from it with proper attribution to both the newsletter and Dr.
Schultze. (copyright 1997 Quentin J. Schultze and Gospel Films
<http://www.gospelcom.net/gf>).

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___________________________________________________

SOLI DEO GLORIA!
___________________________________________________

Gospel Communications Network (GCN).
Online Christian Resources.
A Ministry of Gospel Films, Inc.

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