CTA Newsletter #8
Hi all! I’m here again sending you the next issue of the CTA Newsletter. I hope that you all have had a good past two weeks and I pray that you will enjoy this issue. Also I would like to remind you that this issue is centered on wheter or not Magic: TG is a game that we as Christians should or should not (There is no try:) play. I would also like to announce that CTA now has 138 members in it and I would like to remind you to keep trying to get people to join CTA. Thanks again!
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Letters From Our Readers
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YES! I got some letters!!! Over the past two weeks I have receaved over 10 very encourging letters from you, the readers, about how well I’m doing and what you think of the Newsletter and about me and the other Rangers. I also receaved alot of letters asking about putting a revival in the newsletter but I’m kind of in the dark on how to do this so I would appreacite any in put you can give me about how I should do this.
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Reviews
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Ok this week I’m nearly flat out of things to review and I really need your help. Everyone of you that has read a good book recently, been to a cool web page, or hear a good song and you think that I might encourage others in their walk with God. I look forward to receaveing them.
Captain’s Corageous: A movie
Ok as you can see this is the first movie I have reviewed so far. This is a heart warming tale about a very good natuered boy and a very cokey (to say the least) boy and how they two lives become inter-twined. The movie does become kind of sad near the end and you may even shed a few tears while watching it, but still all in all it is a very good story. I would recomend this book to people of all ages and all religions, but I believe that it is most touching if you are a Christian. You should have no trouble in finding this movie in stores or on TV as it is reasonably new.
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Scripture of the Week
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13Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Thought of the week:
‘You can trust a crystal ball about as much as you can throw it.’ Faith Popcorn, Quoted from the book, A Rainbow Of Hope.
Bible Reading Plan:
6/14 Gen 41:8
6/15 Ex 7:22
6/16 Dan 2:2
6/17 Deut 18:10
6/18 Acts 13:8
6/19 Ex 7:11
6/20 Acts 8:9
6/21 Gal 5:20
6/22 Dan 2:10
6/23 Is 47:13
6/24 Dan 1:20
6/25 John 18:30
6/26 2Ti 2:9
6/27 Ps 37:1
6/28 Prov 24:19
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Articles/Interviews
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Ok this week we have alot of articles and for that I am thankful. You will also find alot of letters and their feelings on the game Magic. Please try to read them all as I am sure it will benefit you if you do and if you find any cool articles like this please send them to me.
Job Applicant
Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned before entering the inner office.
The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants already in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally, the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.
Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."
The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in; we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"
The employer said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."
We live in a world that is full of busyness and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, or in the life and work of Jesus Christ.
Are you tuned in to God's voice? Do you hear Him when He speaks to you? Are you listening? "This is my Son, whom I love . . . listen to Him!"
"My name has recently been put on a rugby team news list. I have been getting letters from some time and they have been quit good I should say. But recently someone saw my e-mail address on the list and sent me a letter claiming that I have been nominated as an official member of the "I Love Beer" club. I was ordered to sign the letter and pass it on to 5 more people. At first I was extremely ANGERED by the ignorant attempt to be cool. Then it struck me as a challenge and a reminder. The evil of this world is by no means ashamed of what they are doing. There was 144 names on the list I received and I am positive there are many more like it out there. So I have presented you with a challenge. I am declaring you an official member of the "I LOVE THE LORD" fan club. So if Satan is sending out 5 per time, then we must work twice as hard and send as least 10 and has many as your heart desires to. Don't be ashamed of our God. Lift his name on high. Be a true Warrior for Christ. A lot of Christians today think we are destined to failure. Well, I don't know what Bible they have been reading. My Lord has always, is now, and forever shall rule this Earth. It's time we tell the world what side we are on. As it says in (Daniel 7:14) He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. I say it is time for a Revival, not just of Churches, Cities, and States. A true revival is entire nations. It is time to declare victory and let the nations realize who has true Dominion over them. Please pass this letter on the as many as possible and it's time to take what was given to us from the beginning. >
> 1. Seth Hill Hudson
> 2. Carla Hall
> 3. Anna Wallets
> 4. Joel Ulrich
> 5. Shane :-)
> 6. Kim
> 7. Tammy Halcomb (GODSvssel)
> 8. Cyenthia Christoe...Cyendy1 >>
> 9. Les Porter (Sea Gunk)
>10. Carolyn Myers (SandyRmom)
>11. Angie Hammonds (AngieHam)
>12. Susan May (ALANSGIRL1)-----------------
>13. Adam Hunley (Adamhunl)
>14. Jessica L. Moore (just2crazy
>15. Jason Mathews (JAMin4Him)
>16. Summer Cooley (Mindgame3)
>17. JOe Bussey
>18. Emily Dalton
>19. UPCGIRL (KDF)
>20. moreynolds (Heather)
>21. Joy(Jyest112) @---8----->>
>22. Allison (AMR 00)
>23. Victoria (RyalOpnion@aol.com)
>24. Lauren (MizChatty)
>25. Laura (Laufinwag@aol.com)
~26. Melody Winters (gfwinters@juno.com)
~27. Cara
#28. Abbey \ ( ^_^ ) /
Jimmy received a parrot for Christmas. The parrot was fully grown, > >>> with a very bad attitude and a worse vocabulary. Every other word was > >>> an expletive; those that weren't expletives, to say the least, were > >>> rude. > >>> > >>> Jimmy tried to change the bird's attitude by constantly saying polite > >>> words, playing soft music . . . anything he could think of. Nothing > >>> worked. He yelled at the bird, and the bird got worse. He shook the > >>> bird, and the bird got more angry and more rude. > >>> > >>> Finally, in a moment of desperation, Jimmy put the parrot in the > >>> freezer. For a few minutes, he heard the bird swearing, squawking, > >>> kicking and screaming and then, suddenly, there was absolute silence. > >>> Jimmy was frightened that he might have actually injured the bird, and > >>> quickly opened the freezer door. > >>> > >>> The parrot calmly stepped out into Jimmy's extended arm and said, "I'm > >>> sorry that I offended you with my language and my actions, and I ask > >>> your forgiveness. I will endeavor to correct my behavior." > >>> > >>> Jimmy was astounded at the changes in the bird's attitude and was > >>> about to ask what had changed him, when the parrot continued, "May I > >>> ask what the chicken did?- > >>>
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> >>This is cute! > >>
> >>> Children's Letters to God > >>> --------------------------
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I read the Bible. What does begat mean? Nobody will tell me. > >>> Love, Alison > >>> > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an > >>> accident? -Norma > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why > >>> don't You just keep the ones You have now? -Jane > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Who draws the lines around the countries? -Nan > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that > >>> okay? -Neil > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> What does it mean You are a Jealous God? I thought You had > >>> everything. -Jane > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? > >>> Because if you did, then I'm going to fix my brother. -Darla > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy. > >>> -Joyce > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> It rained for our whole vacation and is my father > >>> mad! He said some things about You that people are not > >>> supposed to say, but I hope You will not hurt him anyway. > >>> Your friend (But I am not going to tell you who I am) > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Why is Sunday school on Sunday? I thought it was supposed > >>> to be our day of rest. -Tom L. > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything > >>> before, You can look it up. -Bruce > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> If we come back as something - please don't let me be > >>> Jennifer Horton because I hate her. -Denise > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> If You give me a genie lamp like Aladin, I will > >>> give you anything you want, except my money or my chess set. > >>> -Raphael > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so > >>> much if they had their own rooms. It works with my > >>> brother. -Larry > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big but > >>> not with so much hair all over. -Sam > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> You don't have to worry about me. I always look both ways. > >>> -Dean > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions. > >>> -Ruth M. > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I think about You sometimes even when I'm not praying. > >>> -Elliott > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in > >>> the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and > >>> I can never do it. -Nan > >>>
> Dear GOD, Of all the people who work for You I like Noah and David the best. -Rob
Dear GOD, My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. They're just kidding, aren't they? -Marsha
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> If You watch me in church Sunday, I'll show You my new shoes. > >>> -Mickey D. > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I would like to live 900 years like the guy in the > >>> Bible. Love, Chris > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> We read Thomas Edison made light. But in school they said You > >>> did it. So I bet he stoled your idea. Sincerely, Donna > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> The bad people laughed at Noah - "You made an ark > >>> on dry land you fool." But he was smart, he stuck with You. > >>> That's what I would do. -Eddie > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I do not think anybody could be a better GOD. Well, I just > >>> want You to know but I am not just saying that because You > >>> are GOD already. -Charles > >>>
> >>> Dear GOD, > >>> I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset > >>> you made on Tuesday. That was cool! -Eugene > >>>
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> >>POPE AND THE JEW
About a century or two ago, the Pope decided that all the Jews had > >>to leave the Vatican. Naturally there was big uproar from the Jewish community. So the Pope made a deal. He would have a religious debate with a > >> >>> member of the Jewish community. If the Jew won, the Jews could > >>stay. > >> >>> If the Pope won, the Jews would leave. The Jews realized that > >>they > >> >>> had no choice. So they picked a middle aged man named Moishe to > >> >>> represent them. > >> >>> Moishe asked for one addition to the debate. To make it more > >> >>> interesting, neither side would be allowed to talk. The Pope > >>agreed. > >> >>> The day of the great debate came. > >> >>> Moishe and the Pope sat opposite each other for a full minute > >>before > >> >>> the Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. > >> >>> Moishe looked back at him and raised on finger. > >> >>> The Pope waved his fingers in a circle around his head. > >> >>> Moishe pointed to the ground where he sat. > >> >>> The Pope pulled out a wafer and a glass of wine. > >> >>> Moishe pulled out an apple. > >> >>> The Pope stood up and said, "I give up. This man is too good. > >>The > >> >>> Jews can stay." > >> >>> An hour later, the cardinals were all around the Pope asking him > >>what > >> >>> happened. The Pope said: "First I held up three fingers to > >>represent > >> >>> the Trinity. He responded by holding up one finger to remind me > >>that > >> >>> there was still one God common to both our religions. Then I waved > >>my > >> >>> finger around me to show him that God was all around us. He > >>responded > >> >>> by pointing to the ground and showing that God was also right here > >> >>> with us. I pulled out the wine and the wafer to show that God > >> >>> absolves us from our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of > >> >>> original sin. He had an answer for everything. What could I do?" > >> >>> Meanwhile, the Jewish community had crowded around Moishe. "What > >> >>> happened?" they asked. > >> >>> "Well," said Moishe, "first he said to me that the Jews had three > >>days > >> >>> to get out of here. I told him that not one of us was leaving. > >>Then > >> >>> he told me that this whole city would be cleared of Jews. I let > >>him > >> >>> know that we were staying right here." > >> >>> "And then?" asked a woman. > >> >>> "I don't know," said Moishe. "He took out his lunch and I took out > >> >>> mine." > >> >>
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> >The European Commission have just announced an agreement whereby > >English will be the official language of the EU, rather than German, > >which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her > >Majesty's government conceded that English spelling had some room for > >improvement and has accepted a five year phase in plan that would > >be known as "EuroEnglish". In the first year, "s" will replace the > >soft "c". > > > >Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump for joy. The hard > >"c" will be dropped in favour of the "k". This should klear up > >konfusion and keyboards kan have 1 less letter. There will be growing > >publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will > >be replaced with the "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20% > >shorter. > > > >In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be > >expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are > >possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, > >which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil > >agre that the horible mes of the silent "e"s in the language is > >disgraseful, and they should go away. By the 4th year, peopl wil be > >reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v". > > > >During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords > >kontaining "ou" and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer > >kombinations of leters. After zis fifz year, ve vil hav a realy > >sensibl riten styl. zer vil be no mor trubls or difikultis and > >evrivun vil find it ezi to understand each ozer > >ZE DREAM VIL FINALI KUM TRU!
> ***********************************************
Some people tend to cover up the truth when they show up in public > >>> > > with > >>> > > a black eye, broken arm or using crutches, and then try to explain > >>> > > what happened. Elaborate stories are concocted, but nearly every > >>> > time > >>> > > the truth comes out, sometimes quite soon, sometimes years later. > >>> > > > >>> > > TRUE STORY #1: One young man now confesses that several years ago > >>> > he > >>> > > went to a family reunion with extremely red ears and had a heck of > >>> > a > >>> > > time trying to explain how it occurred. (He never did admit they > >>> > were > >>> > > burned!) "Burned how?" was the natural question. > >>> > > > >>> > > His ears had gotten burned during one of those long, lazy weekends > >>> > of > >>> > > nothing but football watching and drinking beer. "I was deeply > >>> > > engrossed in the game, and my wife was ironing near by. She left the > >>> > > >>> > > room, leaving the iron near the telephone. The phone rang...Keeping > >>> > my > >>> > > > >>> > > eyes glued to the TV set, I grabbed the hot iron and put it to my > >>> > > ear, thinking it was the telephone." So how did both ears get > >>> > > burned, > >>> > > we may ask. "I hadn't anymore than hung up, when the man called > >>> > > back!!" > >>> > > > >>> > > TRUE STORY #2: There was this young couple who had a terrific > >>> > > argument > >>> > > one morning before leaving for work. The wife couldn't get her > >>> > dress > >>> > > zipped up in back, so she backed up to her husband and motioned for > >>> > > him to zip up her zipper. "I'll show you zipping", he thought, and > >>> > > briskly whipped it up and down the slide till it broke. He had to > >>> > cut > >>> > > > >>> > > her out of her favorite dress, which didn't make her happier with > >>> > him. > >>> > > > >>> > > They went They're separate ways to work, both boiling mad at each > >>> > > other. > >>> > > > >>> > > The wife did a slow burn all day. When she got home that evening, > >>> > she > >>> > > walked through the garage and saw her husband under the car fixing > >>> > > something, with only his legs sticking out. She decided her moment > >>> > of > >>> > > REVENGE had come. She leaned over, grabbed his pants zipper, and > >>> > > whipped it up and down. > >>> > > > >>> > > Quite contented, she walked into the kitchen, where she found her > >>> > > husband standing by the sink. Sheepishly, she asked him, "Who is in > >>> > > the garage, under the car?" She was told it was a neighbor who had > >>> > > come > >>> > > over to help work on the car. > >>> > > The acutely embarrassed wife asked her husband to help explain the > >>> > > situation to the neighbor, and they both returned to the garage. > >>> > They > >>> > > asked him to come out from under the car, but he didn't respond. > >>> > > When they finally dragged him out, he was unconscious and bleeding, > >>> > > from slamming his head into the underside of the car each time he > >>> > got > >>> > > zipped by surprise!! > >>> > > > >>> > > TRUE STORY #3: Our story is not complete without telling of a man > >>> > who > >>> > > could not give a convincing explanation about his broken arm. He > >>> > kept > >>> > > muttering something about trying to stick his arm through his car > >>> > > window that he thought was down..... > >>> > > > >>> > > That was the public version, in private, he confessed that it > >>> > > happened > >>> > > when his wife brought some potted plants indoors after they had > >>> > been > >>> > > out on the patio all day. A friendly garter snake had hidden in one > >>> > of > >>> > > > >>> > > the pots, and later slithered out across the floor, and the wife > >>> > > spotted it. "I was in the bathtub when I heard her scream," he > >>> > > related. > >>> > > "I thought she was being murdered, so I jumped out of the tub, and > >>> > > ran > >>> > > to help her. I didn't even grab a towel." "When I ran into the > >>> > living > >>> > > room, she yelled that a snake was under the couch. I got down on > >>> > all > >>> > > fours to look for it, and just then my dog came up from behind and > >>> > > 'cold-nosed' me. I guess I thought it was the snake, and I fainted > >>> > > dead away. > >>> > > > >>> > > "My wife thought I'd had a heart-attack and called for an > >>> > ambulance. > >>> > > I > >>> > > was still groggy when the medics arrived, and lifted me onto a > >>> > > stretcher. Just as they were carrying me out, the snake came out > >>> > from > >>> > > under the couch, and obviously frightened one of the medics. He > >>> > > dropped his end of the stretcher.....and that is when I broke my > >>> > arm."
*************************************************** So you think you're having a bad day? The following is taken from > >>> > a > >>> > > Florida Newspaper: > >>> > > > >>> > > A man was working on his motorcycle on his patio and his wife > >>> > was > >>> > > in the house in the kitchen. The man was racing the engine on the > >>> > > motorcycle and somehow, the motorcycle slipped into gear. The man, > >>> > > still holding the handlebars, was dragged through a glass patio door > >>> > > >>> > > and the motorcycle dumped onto the floor inside the house. > >>> > > > >>> > > The wife, hearing the crash, ran into the dining room, and found > >>> > > her husband laying on the floor, cut and bleeding, the motorcycle > >>> > > laying next to him and the patio door shattered. The wife ran to > >>> > the > >>> > > phone and summoned an ambulance. Because they lived on a fairly > >>> > large > >>> > > > >>> > > hill, the wife went down the several flights of long steps to the > >>> > > street to direct the paramedics to her husband. > >>> > > > >>> > > After the ambulance arrived and transported the husband to the > >>> > > hospital, the wife uprighted the motorcycle and pushed it outside. > >>> > > > >>> > > Seeing that gas had spilled on the floor, the wife obtained some > >>> > > papers towels, blotted up the gasoline, and threw the towels in the > >>> > > toilet. The husband was treated at the hospital and was released to > >>> > > come home. > >>> > > > >>> > > After arriving home, he looked at the shattered patio door and > >>> > > the > >>> > > damage done to his motorcycle. He became despondent, went into the > >>> > > bathroom, sat on the toilet and smoked a cigarette. After > >>> > finishing > >>> > > the cigarette, he flipped it between his legs into the toilet bowl > >>> > > while still seated. > >>> > > > >>> > > The wife, who was in the kitchen, heard a loud explosion and her > >>> > > husband screaming. She ran into the bathroom and found her husband > >>> > > laying on the floor. His trousers had been blown away and he was > >>> > > suffering burns on the buttocks, the back of his legs and his > >>> > groin. > >>> > > > >>> > > The wife again ran to the phone and called for an ambulance. The > >>> > > same ambulance crew was dispatched and the wife met them at the > >>> > > street. > >>> > > > >>> > > The paramedics loaded the husband on the stretcher and began > >>> > > carrying him to the street. While they were going down the stairs > >>> > to > >>> > > the street accompanied by the wife, one of the paramedics asked > >>> > the wife how the husband had burned himself. She told them and the paramedics started laughing so hard, one of them tipped the stretcher and dumped the husband out. He fell down the remaining steps and broke his arm. Now can you tell me that you aren't laughing?
I don't necessarily think that the game itself is bad. However, it does lean heavily on the fantastic side. Now I don't mean the "it's so great" fantastic, but rather the wierd. I think it really depends on the person who plays it, not the game itself. I know many people from my school who enjoy this game and they are very strong Christians. However, if people are offended by someone playing it, they should definatly stop for the time being since the Lord commands us not to be a stumbling block. I guess the real problem with the game (like many other games) is that of being addicted to it. It's good to play in moderation but when it reaches an extreme, a person should really be careful. Well, that's my two cents. Arthur Pang----Merlin
On the subject of whether or not we CCGers, as Christians, should play this game or not, I would have to declare myself neutral. This, though, gives me a unique perspective on both sides of the argument. And both sides have some good arguments to them. First of all, we have to look at the classification of M:TG. InQuest classifies the game as epic fantasy. Fantasy, historically, is usually used as a force of Good. The classic epic fantasy of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien is an example of this in that both authors wrote their creations with Christian influence and with underlying Christian elements evident in the storylines. Magic is more modern though and the question must be asked, "Why was Magic chosen by Richard Garfield as a means to portray his ideas for the CCG? Was his intent for Good or for Evil?" I really don't know, but that is the key. What was the intent? But until that answer is found, other arguments must surge forth. M:TG, as the first CCG, must be partially revered because it was the pioneer of the CCG. From it was born all the other CCGs, and several of those (like the SW and/or ST:TNG that we all play) are undoubtedly Good. If we remember the admonition of Paul from the New Testament, he reminded us that if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we should seek after these things. Is M:TG any of these things? It can probably be safely said that it is not virtuous or lovely. It is quite graphic and often vulgur. It can also be said though, that it is praiseworthy. It's gameplay was a triumph and revolutionized the gaming industry. Both sides of the argument can also look to the game itself. On the first page of the instruction booklet, it says the plot of the game is that of wizards battling each other using various forms of magic to achieve their ends. Thus, each player is a wizard, which can be said is the male form of a witch, which is a servant of the Devil. It can also be said that it depends on what color you're playing. As Christians, we definately should never play black, for that represents the Devil's magic. But what about the other colors? What do they represent? And what about the color White? It can be said that White was created so that Christians could play in good conscience because White represents God and is therefore Good (and indeed, there are several cards that are taken directly from the Bible for this color). But it can also be said that White does not represent God because God does not use Magic. He uses His own power, and that's not simply magic, but something more. This concept would suggest that since God is not magical (He is Greater than that) that all magic is of Satan's power. And what about the cards themselves? On some cards there are demons, on others angles. It's all very confusing and could each side could argue in their favor. The fact that the power sources of the cards are called "manna" could suggest that the magic is of God's power. But again, God does not use magic. I once spoke to someone who said that the very symbols on the cards were evil themselves and of Satanic origin. This person's parents were Satanists themselves so this person (who is a Christian) was uniquely qualified to offer up this evidence. In conclusion it comes back to the intent. What is the player's intent when playing and what was the creator's intent? Was there some other medium other than magic that could've been used for the game? There were many choices, so why did Garfield choose magic to express his game? Also, does intent not even matter? With all of the evidence that suggests the game could be evil, does even playing it create a unconscious or unwitting or unwilling sin? I don't know, but what I do know is that of all the people I've ever known who played the game, none of them were a Christian. I'm sure there's some out there, but I think the percentages would show that there are far more agnostics and Satanists that play the game than Christians. After explaining all of this, I'd have to change my mind and decide Christians should not be playing Magic. There's too much evidence against it. Everyone, ask yourselves one final question, "Could you imagine Jesus playing M:TG?" BJ Qapla14@aol.com
First I want to make me views plain, it isn't a game that "starts" Demonic, it very well could draw you from the light and then make you appreciate horrid things (therefore no longer in the starting phase). It should be avoided because although it has many bible verse on the cards as a text for what these things really are they incomplete and therefore do not convey a message at all. The reasons you have not to play it are many and I will list them from my personal and impersonal experience 1. It can draw you from the light and evolve into a true Demon problem if you let and welcome such things. 2. It costs lots and lots of money and your not even promised a rare, as SW and ST do. 3. It isn't a truly enjoyable game, when I play other games and someone does something wrong, let them take it back and fix it nothing really bad. When I played Magic It was "OOHHHH!!! You forgot to untap your lands take 6 points of Mana Burn, HAAAAA." "Hey man we do it all different at school." "I don't care rules don't say you can do that." And other things very immature. 4. If I have the better cards I will always win, that is the way of things, I had about 6 different decks and I would always win with 2 of them, no one could beat me no matter what they tried. Then I went to my other deck and still won then I lost with a deck that I made just to lose with and I reliesed that this was increadably stupid so I quit the game and sold all my cards to a local dealer and in all the proses of buying - selling - entertainments I think I lost about $50. It wasn't really fun it isn't a well made game and most importantly it can draw you from the light, I think it should be avoided but not as a bane, and if you play it then just don't really get into Black or Red to where you call your Cat Lim-Dul (the head necromancer or something) and your Dog Balduvian (the barbarians that are really powerful). General Genoside Commander of Mobile Attack Squadron at the Executor, Falcon of Warriors Guild, Commander of the CTA Controler of all remaining Imperial Forces in the Galaxy. "Victory is life!"
Here is my $.02 about Christians playing M:TG. For some, it may not be a temptation but for others, it may. Taking control of cards named things like "Zombie Master", along with countless cards involving demons, could pose you at risk to accepting evil things like this as OK. I play SW:RPG, and my friend's father will not let us play Jedi, because he says that if you roleplay a character long enough, you will have traits similar to that character's. Summoning demons is not a trait I want to be assotiated with. What is ok for some, may make others fall. "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." -I Corinthians, 8:13 signed: the Fett Psalm 117
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Prayer Requests
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All the prayer requests in this section will need prayer so try to add at least one of them to your prayer before you go to bed or at any time during the day. If you have something that needs prayer then write up a short summary of what you need prayer for and send it to me. You can also just ask for a silent prayer request in which you just say that you need prayer but not what it is for, which you can just say that you have an unspoken. You can also request that I don’t publish it and that just me, Daniel,Joshua, and all the other Rangers pray for it. Please read all of these and try to pray for them. Also if your prayer has been answered please send me a letter telling me what happened.
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Auctions and Have/Want list ads
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Here I will list auctions that people are having or have/want lists that people can look at. For space reasons I will have to ask that you just write up a short summary of what your auction or have/want list has to offer. It should be no longer than 50 or so words and make sure that you include your e-mail address somewhere in it and if you are selling cards than also send me a copy of the cards you have and the prices you will be charging.
"I have a couple thousand commons from buying boxes. They are from the Premier set. I am looking to sell them. If you are interested in these, then send me with and e-mail at jawhite@sisna.com with the price. (The highest bidder will win if within a reasonable price!) Have fun and please... I WANT TO GET RID OF THESE CARDS! If you have any questions please e-mail me.
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Contests/Triva
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This is a section that will be devoted towards the card games we play and enjoy. Every week I will earther have a contest or triva about a movie or a card game. This will most likely always be about SWCCG as from my poll 99% of you ether play just it or play it and another card game. Please send me all your answers at blue@gemlink.com .
Ok here are the winners for guessing the stats for the following cards.
Flying Artoo (Special Edition)
Affiliation: Droid
Destiny: 0 or 7
Lore: Its a bird, its a plane, its an automech droid! Artoo really went flying when he was spit out of that Dragon Snake!
Power: 1
Deploy: 0
Forfit: 7
Text: May fly; landspeed equals 3. All creatures at same site may not attack. If with another charter you may use one force to allow both Artoo and that Charter to move away at landspeed of three. All other droids at same site are forfit plus 3.
Jake Sisco (DS9)
affiliation: Federation
lore: Son of Captain Ben Sisko. Friend of Nog. Doesn't follow in his father's footsteps. Is a writer. Recently published his first collection of short stories dealing with life on the station. icons: none. neither command nor staff. classification: Civilian
Skills: Youth, Greed, *if present with Nog or Ben Sisko, their stats are each +5. ^may download Jake's Unfinished Novel effect.
Stats: Intergrity - 7, Cunning - 7, Strength - 6
Qapla14@aol.com
Death Star III (???)
Afflilation: Imperial Starship
Destiny: 1 Lore: Was used by the new Emporer in a final attempt to destroy the Rebillion. Has ten times the power of the orignal Death Star.
Power: 28
Armor: 26
Hyperspeed: 3
Icons: Automech, 3 Dark Side Force Icons, 4 piliot icons.
Deploy: 20
Forfit: 45
Text: May add unlimited piliots, passengers, vehciles, and starships. Perment piliots provide ability of 6. May target planet it is orbiting for free. Draw destiny, if destiny +3 is greater than parsec number on planet that is being targeted it is immeadeatly blown away. Immune to attirition. If destroyed, Rebels win immeadeatly.
Young Anikin Skywalker (From the new movies)
Affiliation: Rebel
Destiny: 1
Lore: Brother of Owen Lars. Leader of Republic forces against the Clone army. Is rumored to be the best starfighter in the galaxy. Student of Obi- Wan.
Power: 4
Ability: 4 Force-Sensitive
Icons: Warrior and Pilot
Deploy: 3
Forfeit: 7
Game text: Adds 3 to any starship he pilots. On Forcestrike, adds 4 to power and 3 to maneuver. Can only Jedi Test if Obi-Wan mentor. During battle, before battle-destiny draw, may use two force to use any destiny number from hand as the battle destiny. Immune to attrition < 4.
Qapla14@aol.com
Ok here is next weeks cards:
Anikin Skywalker (Death Star)
Dark Lord of the Sith (???)
Captain Janeway (Voyager)
Death Star X (???)
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Closing -----
Well that wraps it up again. I hope you enjoed this issue of the CTA Newsletter and I look forward to talking with all of you in two weeks!
A brother, warrior, and Rebel in Christ,
Joshua Bradley
Ranger Grand Moff Wampa, Official Editor of the CTA Newsletter
blue@gemlink.com
