Tim Tebow, the leader in NFL jersey sales gets his first win yesterday.

Christian rookie quarterback Tim Tebow gets his first NFL victory as he rallies Broncos to win over Texans.


DENVER -- Tim Tebow won on several fronts Sunday.

By rallying the Denver Broncos past the Houston Texans 24-23, the Christian rookie from Florida secured not only his first victory as a pro but he won over the fans who have suffered through the franchise's worst slump in almost 40 years and were jeering the conservative play calling as the team trudged off the field at halftime.

Highlights of Tim Tebows first win

Here's a breakdown video of Tebow's final drive which looked more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie under scutiny.

"He definitely stepped up and gave the fans what they wanted," wide receiver Brandon Lloyd said. "And as a player, he gave us what we needed."

Tebow scored on a 6-yard scramble with three minutes left in his first home start, capping a comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit.

"Things weren't going well early, but we kept fighting, kept believing in each other," Tebow said.

Tebow will spend a few minutes with broncosTV later in the week, click here to submit your own questions for him.

Matt Schaub was driving the Texans (5-10) for a go-ahead score when rookie cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson picked off a pass intended for wide-open tight end Owen Daniels, who had already caught eight passes for 73 yards and a score. But it was deflected at the line by Justin Bannan and settled into Thompson's arms at the Broncos 27 with just over a minute remaining.

"It was like a dream," Thompson said. "The ball was floating in the air so long. I had to go pluck it."

Schaub lamented that "if I can get that one in O.D.'s hands, he might score on that play."

The Texans were probably already in field-goal range. Neil Rackers had converted a 54-yarder that tied his career-longest field goal and then nailed a 57-yarder that tied the franchise mark, both in the third quarter.

Tebow turned the jeers from the crowd miffed at conservative play calls in the first half into delirious cheers by driving Denver for scores on each of its four second-half drives.

"I've never seen a winner lose. He's a winner," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "And I expect him to win a lot of games as a pro quarterback. Hopefully, I'm around here to see him do it."

Tebow's future in Denver seems much more secure than Bailey's.

A nine-time Pro Bowl selection still at the top of his game, Bailey might have played his last snap for Denver if he has to sit out the season finale against San Diego next week after re-injuring his right heel. He'll be a free agent after this season.

But this was a night for the Broncos and their fans to celebrate Tebow's first pro win along with interim coach Eric Studesville's first triumph in three games since replacing Josh McDaniels and not to ponder Bailey's uncertain future.

Tebow's heroics helped the Broncos avoid a franchise-record 12th loss. He threw for 308 yards but when it mattered most, he used his legs to give the Broncos their first win since Nov. 14.

On second-and-goal from the 6, Tebow faked the quarterback draw, raised up to throw it but found Eddie Royal covered. So, he tucked the ball and sprinted toward the left pylon, beating defensive tackle Earl Mitchell into the end zone to give Denver its first lead at 24-23 with 3:02 remaining.

Tailback Correll Buckhalter's 23-yard catch and run on a screen pass from Tebow pulled Denver within striking distance at 23-17 with 10:55 left. Buckhalter was subbing for Knowshon Moreno, who injured his ribs in the first half.

Tebow's first home start drew such loud applause that he had to motion for the crowd to quiet down as he trotted onto the field for his first series. His first two throws went for 22 yards each, but his third throw to Lloyd was easily picked off by cornerback Jason Allen in the end zone.

"Terrible decision," Tebow said.

Even with Tebow starting ahead of Kyle Orton, the announced crowd was 67,974 with 5,717 no-shows.

And they booed the team off the field at halftime over its conservative playcalling.

The safe screen passes were replaced in the second half by deep throws that thrilled Tebow and the fans alike.
Tebow, who was 16 for 29, hit Jabar Gaffney for 50 yards on a deep post that set up Buckhalter's 6-yard TD run just four plays into the third quarter. He hit a leaping Lloyd for 41 yards on the next drive.
"I was excited about that -- to be able to take some shots and be aggressive," Tebow said.
Rackers' 57-yarder gave Houston a 23-10 lead after three quarters, but for the sixth time in the last two months the Texans lost after being tied or holding the lead in the fourth quarter.
"It's the same old story," cornerback Glover Quin said.
Although Orton said he's been told Tebow would start the finale, neither Studesville nor Tebow would confirm that.
"We are going to enjoy this one right now," Studesville said.

Christmas is over and 2011 is approaching

As we are wrapping up the celebration of the birth of our Savior and Messiah, please be praying for the people of Israel and the epicenter:

• Please keep praying that the Prince of Peace, will comfort and care for Kay Wilson, the Israeli believer in Jesus who was brutally stabbed last weekend.
• Please pray for her family and friends as they comfort her and seek to help her recover physically, spiritually and emotionally. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…rejoicing in hope, perserving in tribulation, devoted to prayer…rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:10,12,15)
• Please also keep praying for the family and friends of Kristine Luken, the American evangelical Christian who was murdered by the same attackers as she hiked with her friend, Kay.
• Please pray for the Israeli authorities to investigate and prosecute this case aggressively and professionally.
• Please pray the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice, and that they also find Jesus as their Savior and Lord. “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
• Please pray, too, for the believers in Israel, for courage and wisdom and for the name of Jesus to be lifted high in Israel and throughout the epicenter this Christmas season. “Jesus said, ‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32)

The Hebrew Prophet Micah wrote, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity….He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, because at that time He wil be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace.” (Micah 5:2-5)

The Hebrew Prophet Isaiah wrote: “…[in] Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who walk in darkness will see a great light…..For a child will be born to us, a son will be given will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:1,2,6)

CalvaryABQ Sunday service

Joel Rosenberg's blog

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!!

Christians can celebrate Christmas too!

It is said that because the birth of Christ has been commercialized and secularized the real meaning of the season been lost. For the most part this is true. Even the story about the birth of Christ is often distorted, mocked, or misrepresented. The meaning of Christmas is said to be the spirit of giving. However, the giving of the Son of God who became the babe of the cradle that He might become the man of the cross and one day reign on earth with the crown is forgotten, rejected, or ignored.

Answers and Considerations:

If we use this argument as a legitimate reason for discarding the entire celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas, it would follow that we would end up having to throw out everything--even our Bibles and our wives or husbands. Why? Because Satan and man distort and ruins everything in life--the Bible, sex, marriage, the church, food--everything. Name one thing that Satan doesn't ruin. We don't throw things out just because the world misuses or distorts them.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Paul says, "abstain from every form of evil" (NASB). Because of the translation of the KJV, "every appearance of evil," some have taken this to apply to anything that even looks like it might be evil. As the NASB translation make clear, however, Paul's meaning is "to abstain from every genuine form of evil," not what might simply appear to be evil. We are to abstain from what is genuinely evil or wrong according to the index of the Word of God. To abstain from the mere appearance of evil would seem to contradict what the Apostle says in the second passage important to this discussion.

In Titus 1:15 the Apostle also warns against those who see evil in almost anything and condemn it. For these people, a lot of things have the appearance of evil, but purity is first of all a matter of the mind and conscience, not merely the external. "To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled." (NASB).

Just because the world distorts something, that does not make it evil if we avoid the distortions and use it as God intended or in a way that does not go contrary to God's character and holiness. A good illustration is the beauty of sexual love within the bonds of marriage.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Enjoy this great service from last night!  CalvaryABQ Christmas Eve service 2010

 Luke 12:2-3 referring to WikiLeaks? from Joel Rosenberg:

QUESTION: “Joel, do you believe that Luke 12:2-3 could be referring to all the documents released through WikiLeaks?”  This was an intriguing question that a reader of my books asked me last week, while I was doing a Q&A session at First Baptist Church of Naples.

ROSENBERG: At first glance, the question seemed humorous to the audience and to me. After all, the notion that release of some 250,000 sensitive and classified U.S. government cables and related documents — exposing U.S. diplomatic, intelligence and security secrets — might have been foretold by Bible prophecy is not one I had heard raised before. But in fairness to the gentlemen who was asking the question, I opened to the passage in question and read Luke 12:2-3.
“[T]here is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
Hmm. Very interesting, isn’t it?
Now, don’t get me wrong. What the 39-year old Australian-born activist/anarchist leader of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, has done is absolutely unconscionable. It is also quite possibly criminal. Assange was arrested in Britain on suspected rape charges. If those charges are true, he should be extradited to Sweden (where the alleged sexual crimes took place), prosecuted and convicted as soon as possible. Simultaneously, I believe Assange has put U.S. interests and national security at risk and should be aggressively prosecuted for this as well.
The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee this week wrote a column in the Wall Street Journal arguing that Assange has “intentionally harmed the U.S. government.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) further noted, “the release of these documents damages our national interests and puts innocent lives at risk. He should be vigorously prosecuted for espionage. The law Mr. Assange continues to violate is the Espionage Act of 1917. That law makes it a felony for an unauthorized person to possess or transmit “information relating to the national defense which information the possessor has reason to believe could be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of any foreign nation.” If Sen. Feinstein’s argument is accurate, then Assange should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Meanwhile, the U.S. government should do everything in its legal power to prevent the further release of classified information. After all, American officials should be able to communicate in private to one another. The effective development and implentation of our foreign policy and national security policy depends on secure, secret communications available only to those with proper security clearances, and none others.
That said, it is worth noting the prophecy found in Luke chapter 12, that all secrets will eventually become known. This seems to be coming true more today than ever before. In today’s Information Age, there is an insatiable thirst for new information throughout our culture and around the world. Countless media outlets determined to uncover, report new, interesting, and previously secret information. This is certainly true of the mainstream media. It is also true of countless bloggers, YouTubers, Facebook-ers, Twitter-ers, and millions of other “unofficial” reporters of what they see and hear. It is, therefore, increasingly unlikely that a person’s secrets can hold for long. This should sober us to live holy and pure lives, should it not? Because if we are engaged in activities we don’t want others to know about, we are kidding ourselves. Secrets don’t hold for long in the Information Age we now live in.
What’s more, Luke 12 is also true in the sense that everything we have ever said and done is already known by the Lord, who sees and hears and knows all things. And the Bible teaches that if we have not been forgiven every unfair, unkind, untoward, or unrighteous thing we have ever said or done, then all of our secrets will be laid bare on Judgment Day. We will not only be exposed, but we will be held accountable for every willful and careless statement and action. That is bad news, sobering if not frightening.
The good news — especially worth discussing during the Christmas season — is that the Bible also teaches that God loves us with an “everlasting love.” He has a wonderful plan and purpose for our lives. He does not want to judge us. He prefers to save us, forgive us, transform us. He wants to be the God of second chances in our lives, if we will but let Him. The Scriptures tell us that if we personally receive Jesus Christ to come into our lives and be our Messiah, Lord and Savior — if we bow our knee before Him and chose to love Him and follow Him and serve Him forever — then He promises to forgive us and adopt us into His family and give us both eternal life as well as an “abundant” life here on earth, one that is full and meaningful and pleasing to Him. Amazing, but true – Jesus Christ promises to forgive us of all of our sins, past, present and future. Now that is good news.

• John 1:12 — “But as many as received Him [Jesus Christ], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name.”
• 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not some unrighteousness. Not most unrighteousness. The Bible says Jesus Christ will forgive us from “all” unrighteousness — if we receive Him, if we confess our sins, if we place our faith in Him to save us and depend on His death and resurrection as the once-for-all sacrifice and payment for our sins.
• Psalm 103:11-13 – “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”
• Isaiah 43:25 — “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
• Acts 2:37-39 — “Now when they heard this [gospel message], they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent [turn around], and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’”
• Why not give your life fully to Him today?

     

         Here's a link to Rosenberg's latest service at Calvary ABQ

Christians Threatened by Opposition as Sikkim Prepares for Dalai Lama Visit

December 23, 2010

Many Buddhists live in Sikkim, India. Their worldwide leader is visiting the state this week, and Christian missionaries are asking for prayer during this critical juncture.

The pastor of a church in Sikkim, India, is asking for prayer today as Buddhists in his area are hosting a visit by the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader is visiting this Himalayan state to participate in a conference.
Pastor Nandan Reddiar said that, while his congregation is growing, they are facing strong opposition from other religions in the area, and opponents are taking advantage of the Lama's visit to increase the pressure.


"Some in this society are trying to convert our believers to their faith, either by threats of violence or by enticing them with worldly things," pastor Nandan said.
GFA President K.P. Yohannan said it is ironic that "among those opposing the Christians are followers of the Dalai Lama, who preaches a message of non-violence and has been awarded the Nobel Peace prize."
Invited by State
The Sikkim state government invited the Buddhist leader to come and lead a conference on "Cognitive Sciences and Eastern Contemplative Traditions." The seminar, leaders say, is expected to lay the foundation for the state's efforts to introduce morality and ethics into its school and college curricula.
The Dalai Lama will also visit the state's Tibetan community, conduct a "teaching" in a sports stadium and bless a massive statute of Buddha now under construction. He will spend time at several Buddhist monasteries across Sikkim, including one in the city where Pastor Nandan serves. In fact, the government is building a special retreat center for the Dalai Lama at that location.
Prayer Needed
Pastor Nandan is asking Christians around the world to pray for the believers in his city during this time.
"Please pray that this visit will not cause problems for our church," he asked, "and please pray that our people will have strong faith to face and overcome any problems."
Dr. Yohannan also called for prayer for the Sikkim believers.
"Pray for Pastor Nandan and his congregation as they witness to the love of Christ among the people of Sikkim," he said. "They have a strong desire to share the Good News among those who have not heard, so let us pray that the Lord will fulfill that desire of their hearts."

AHMADINEJAD FIRES FOREIGN MINISTER: Replaces with Iran’s nuclear chief

“President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fired Iran’s foreign minister on Monday, a move that caught many here by surprise and appeared to reflect a strengthening of the president’s power, reports the New York Times. “Mr. Ahmadinejad said in a presidential order that he had dismissed the minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, a career diplomat who has for many years been Iran’s face to the West. Mr. Mottaki was on an official trip to Senegal on Monday and did not immediately react to the news, which appeared to catch even the state-run Iranian news media by surprise….[Some experts] said the move signaled the rising prominence of nuclear matters in Iran’s foreign policy. Mr. Ahmadinejad’s choice for acting foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, is the head of Iran’s nuclear program and has also served as ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Mr. Salehi, who is fluent in English, graduated from the American University in Beirut and earned a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With a new round of talks over Iran’s nuclear program scheduled for January and the prospect of new Western sanctions looming, it was not immediately evident how the new appointment would affect Iran’s posture in negotiations over its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at producing nuclear weapons. Tehran says it is for peaceful purposes only. It is possible that Mr. Salehi is only a fill-in. Some Iran observers speculated that Mr. Ahmadinejad might try to replace him with a permanent candidate from his inner circle.”
and into His family.

Gospel for Asia