TechSun

Cart before the horse

2008-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend Obama has stated that he is refining his position points on Iraq prior to his trip there so he can clarify his position.

Shouldn't he go there and see what is going on before deciding what he wants to say about it?

Make it So

2008-06-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

The London Telegraph is reporting today that former president Bill Clinton was telling friends that if Obama wants his support he would have to "kiss his a__" to get it.

We have proof the support is coming.

It is well

2008-06-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

We sing this hymn quite a bit, but for some reason this one hit me hard this Sunday.

It Is Well With My Soul was written in 1873 by Horation G. Spafford (lyrics).

The third verse is what really got me.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

I do not have a cross to bear because it has been carried for me through the streets of Jeruselem. I don't have the burden because the Son of the only God took so he could be tortured and killed on it.

It is well with my soul...thank God

One Mediator

2008-06-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the
testimony given at the proper time.
1 Tim 2:5-6 (ESV)

How many mediators do we need? I guess the catholic thought would be that you need a priest to go to Mary, who in turn would go to Jesus, who would go to God. Because, of course, a son would never turn down a request from his mother.

I only need the One.

But what does the "proper time mean". Earlier in Galatians Paul tells us:

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of
woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so
that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has
sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So
you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Gal 4:4-7 (ESV)

I have faith that I will be treated as a son, because God told me so. Please excuse me, I need to go talk with my mediator.

Maybe he'd be better off if he were a muslim

2008-06-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Obama's lastest attempt to distance himself from an out of control "minister" is weaker than the first.

He doesn't denounce anything that was said, but just says that he doesn't want his church under scrutiny any more.

Is the Christian attitude one that begs not to be under scrutiny? If you belong to a "church" that doesn't want to be scrutinized, run away and pray they are turned over to Satan and will someday repent.

Churches that don't want scrutiny don't have the scriptures on their side. They put themselves before God and hide in the shadows. God does not live in the shadows.

Obama's Minster(s) Problem

2008-06-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Obama seems to have a lot of problems with selecting his spiritual advisors. Either its not important in his life, or he is a bad judge of character.

How do those churches keep their tax exempt status with those kind of comments?

The scariest problem is not what these apostate ministers preach or say. The scary part is all the people clapping, dancing, and fanning themselves from the excitment. The fact so many people are agreeing should be frightening to the world.

Not sure if they have read 1 Corinthians or not. But nothing seems to be going on decently or in order.

New DVD

2008-05-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

Our church has been participating in a neat project called
www.newtestamentchurchtoday.org

Hopefully more churches will join in this effort to assist churches around the world. DVD's were sent to churches all over the US featurning, Dr. Jack EVans, Dr. Jack P. Lewis, Dr. Everett Ferguson, Dr. Bill Humble, and Robert Oglesby (my personal favorite).

It's a really neat discussion on "Why Acapella".

Bible Study

2008-01-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

I'm one week into a new weekly bible study. It has been over two years since I was involved in one.

I had been a little distracted by the lying and apostacy of the elders of the former Pitman Creek Church of Christ and the Highland Oaks Church of Christ. But it's good to be back on track.

I don't know the guys I'm meeting with that well yet, but I'm looking forward to getting to know them.

I was involved in a good weekly study for about 3 years with a pretty good bunch of guys and I had thought we were pretty close. Of course I realized that wasn't the case after our second child was born and we didn't get a call, card, or even an email from any of them for almost a year later asking why I hadn't been at bible study.

Oh well, we are on to bigger and better things.

Doxology from Jude - Enough Said

2007-05-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen

Are ya sure?

2007-03-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
2 Peter 1:10 (ESV)

4For we know,brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
1 Thess 1:4-5 (ESV)

Sometimes Christians are criticized because we seem so sure we are going to heaven. Well, that is part of being a christian. If you are not sure, you have a weak faith.

The qualities listed in second Peter are over and above your faith. You must also have virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.

All of these require confidence. Confidence in the Gospel. Confidence in your faith. How can someone evangelize if they are not confident.

We are saved and should be proud of it.

17 "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
2 Cor 10:17 (ESV)

Grenade Arguments

2007-03-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

I read quite a few blogs related to the churches of christ, restoration movement, etc.

Some of the common posts say something along the lines of..

"The churches of christ don't recognize the importance of grace".
"The message is all 'hell-fire' and brimstone"
"the CoC require baptism for admission into their churches"
"the CoC think they are the only ones going to heaven"

It is very odd. I have attended the churches of christ all of my life. I attended probably one of the most conservative colleges in this fellowship. I subscribe to restoration minded magazines. I attend university lectureships.

I don't say this to brag or think this makes me a 'super christian'. But only to say that I have never heard any of the four items listed above.

I can think of dozens of sermons, classes, studies about grace in just the last 2 years. (Most of these are followed by only about a 10 second invitation on how to be able to partake of that grace.)

I have yet to hear a 'hellfire and brimestone sermon'. (I have read Jesus's parables however).

I do not know of any admission requirements to attend a church.

I have never heard anyone preach the churches of christ are the only ones going to heaven. The bible is actually very clear on that in Roman's alone.

I guess I consider myself lucky to have never experienced these things. The gossips that spread these rumors are the wolves that Paul warned us about. (Unless you think the bible is cultural for a specific time, in that case just ignore the whole thing)

This probably is a good demonstration why local congregation autonomy is the perect defense against apostacy (way to go biblical pattern!)

Beginning...End...Beginning...

2007-03-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

The bible begins with the creation of heavens and the earth.

The bible ends with the creation of a new heaven and earth.

Now the big Matrix question....how many times has this new heaven and earth happend?

Military Hospital Scandal?

2007-03-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

So the bad conditions at VA hospitals for the last 40 years rests squarely on the shoulders of the current administration? I don't think so.

At least now everyone can see what a universal healthcare system looks like in our country. Once again, no thanks.

Sin of conscience?

2007-03-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

Recently, our church leaders decided to "merge" with another congregation. Merge is an interesting choice of words since there is no merger. We were told input would not be taken, but they

We were given the "traditions are meaningless" sermon by our soon unemployed minister last Sunday. Following soon should be the Rick Warren's example "if you don't like it, leave". Which is sad for those whose faith and resources have built and sustained the church.

One of our church shepherds is known to say "if you don't change, the liberals will leave. If you do change, the conservatives will stay but complain". He tends to go for the butts in pew approach.

So now I come to the question of the day. Is there such a thing as a sin of conscience? By this I mean:
1. Would be a sin to violate my conscience to give up on what I believe to be scriptural traditions?
2. For someone with the opposite view, would it be a sin for them to violate their conscience by not standing by their beliefs on scripture?

I am leading towards yes on both. If either of "us" were to violate our true principals on what we truly believe would not be a good thing.

This new merger brings changes to worship, leadership, and the overall purpose of the church. All of which are admittedly "new ideas" in the eyes of the incoming church.

I'll miss that place, but it's just a place.

Flashback

2007-02-12T13:06:00.000-08:00

Ah the good ole days of 2004. Does anyone remember this?

Jumping to conclusions

2007-02-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

From the AP today we are being bombarded with the picture of 5,000 year old skeletons supposedly trapped in an embrace. They are even being called Romeo and Juliet.

My question is...how do we know they aren't two people who died strangling each other?

Peanut Butter Greatness

2007-02-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

I realized a new guilty pleasure this morning. There is a bit of a thrill to be the first person to stick a knife in a brand new jar of creamy peanut butter.

For a while I flashed back to those Reese's peanut butter cup commercials when a guy is walking down the street eating out of a full jar of peanut butter...who does that? A guy coming the other direction eating a chocolate bar bumps into the first guy. During the crash, the chocolate bar winds up in the jar of peanut butter.

Hey, you've got your chocolate in my peanut butter! is the accusation
You've got your peanut butter on my chocolate! is the reply

Then these two strangers do one of the most unreal things in TV history. They decide to eat the combined new food from a stranger on the street. I'm just glad these two guys weren't chewing gum. It would have been worse than that Snickers commercial during the super bowl.

Last Football Post until summer

2007-02-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

It is official, football season is over. Manning was able to prove he is better than Grossman, what an achievement.

Bob Sturm of Dallas radio fame came up with a formula years ago on calculating the best NFL franchise of all time. The formula is simple:

Points in the Sturm Formula:
1 point for each year of making the playoffs
3 points for losing in the AFC/NFC Championship games
5 points for losing the Super Bowl
11 points for winning the Super Bowl

1. Dallas
2. Pittsburgh
3. San Francisco
4. Oakland
5. Denver
6. Miami
7. Washington
8. New England
9. Green Bay
10. St Louis
11. Minnesota
12. Indianapolis
13. New York Giants
14. Chicago
15. Buffalo
16. Kansas City
17. Philadelphia
18. Tennessee
19. New York Jets
20. Cleveland
21. Tampa Bay
22. San Diego
23. Cincinnati
24. Seattle
25. Baltimore
26. Atlanta
27. Carolina
28. Detroit
29.Jacksonville
30. New Orleans
31. Arizona
32. Houston

I finally figured it out

2007-02-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

I think I have finally found the first instance of someone using the smoke screen claim "It's not a salvation issue".

2007-01-30T11:00:00.000-08:00

This story was so ridiculous I can't help but comment.

A London prison is changing the direction of toilets to accomodate Muslim prisoners.

Islamic code prohibits Muslims from facing or turning their backs on the
direction of prayer when they use the bathroom. Muslim prisoners complained of
having to sit sideways on toilets so as to not break code.

I guess they were getting tired of looking like they were worshipping a toilet in their cells. Not that it would make much of a difference.

Failed Policy

2007-01-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

I heard Ted Kennedy talking yesterday through his chins calling preemptive military action a "failed policy".

Since the idea of preemption is to attack an enemy before we ourselves are attacked. The history of preemption didn't begin with Iraq.

World War I
World War II (excluding the Japanese)
Korean War
Vietnam (thank you Kennedy and LBJ)
Bosnia (thank you Clinton)

The policy of preemption is not the problem in Iraq, its the "Paper Tiger" mentality that Osama said the United States has. He is wrong on religion, wrong on morality, but right on the nose with that.

Interesting news from Gallup

2007-01-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

I'm not a big follower of polls, because I know that being right has nothing to do with a majority/numbers game.

56% are satisfied with the influence of organized religion, but 63% are dissatisfied with the moral and ethical climate. think the two are related?

***update reading the study a little deeper the "unsatisfied want more","unsatisfied want less" and "unsatisfied keep the same" groups all together make up the 39% dissastified on religion.

Hillary is bad news for democrats

2007-01-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Below is a paste from an email I recieved. It is a conspiracy thoery email that has been going around a while, but it just occured to me. Hillary as president could be a way to remove the democrat majority in Congress.

1-James McDougal - Clinton's convicted Whitewater partner died of an
apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key
witness in Ken Starr's investigation.

2 -Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997
at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown. The murder happened just
after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in
the White House.

3- Vince Foster - Former White House councilor, and colleague of
Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose Law firm.
Died of a gunshot wound
to the head, ruled a suicide.

4- Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman.
Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist
close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top
of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his
death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his
willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people
on the plane also died. A few days later the air Traffic controller
commited suicide.

5- C. Victor Raiser II- Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund
raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

6-Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director
found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock, September 1992. Described
by Clinton as a "Dear friend and trusted advisor".

7-Ed Willey - Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in
the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head.
Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey
died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton
groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was
involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

8-Jerry Parks -Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in
Little Rock. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection
outside Little Rock. Park's son said his father was building a
dossier on Clinton. He allegedly threatened to reveal this
information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from
his house.

9-James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he
had a "Black Book" of people which contained names of influential
people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas.

10-James Wilson - Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent
hanging suicide. He wasreported to have ties to Whitewater.

11-Kathy Ferguson- Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was
found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her
head.
It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed
suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a
co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit.
Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

12-Bill Shelton - Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy
Ferguson.
Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in
June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site
of his fiancee.

13-Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by
jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client
was a convicted drug distributor.

14-Florence Martin - Accountant &
sub-contractor for the CIA, was
related to the Barry Seal Mena Airport drug smuggling case. He died
of three gunshot wounds.

15- Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he
was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back
of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16-Paula Grober - Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from
1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car
accident.

17-Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter.
Investigating Mena Airport
and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists,
apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

18- Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport
with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise"
was found dead on a
toilet June 22, 1993 in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a
report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

19-Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust
Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington, Virginia apartment
balcony August15, 1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guaranty
scandal.

20-Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer.
Worked closely with Ron
Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown.
Died November 29, 1996.
Her bruised, nude body was found locked in her office at the
Department of Commerce.

21-Charles Meissner -Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John
Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small
plane crash.

22-Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health
Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a
small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton's
advisory council personally treated Clinton's mother, stepfather and
brother.

23-Barry Seal -Drug running pilot out of Mena Arkansas, death was no
accident.

24-Johnny Lawhorn Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill
Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found
dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

25-Stanley Huggins - Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a
purported suicide and his report was never released.

26- Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March 1,
1994 when his plane exploded.

27-Kevin Ives & Don Henry - Known as "The boys on the track" case.
Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas
airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of
death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports
claim the 2 boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks.
Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come
before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:

28-Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a
truck, 7/88.

29-Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

30-Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

31-Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash
dump in April 1989.

33-James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his
death was due to "natural causes".

34-Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of
his pickup truck in June 1990.

35-Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. He was
killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD:
36 -Major William S. Barkley Jr.
37-Captain Scott J . Reynolds
38-Sgt. Brian Hanley
39-Sgt. Tim Sabel
40-Major General William Robertson
41-Col. William Densberger
42-Col. Robert Kelly
43-Spec. Gary Rhodes
44-Steve Willis
45-Robert Williams
46-Conway LeBleu
47-Todd McKeehan

She's Running

2007-01-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Hillary made it official this weekend. She was forced into finally admitting she is running for president...duh.

The Hollywood primaries seem to be underway as the media can't decide who to back yet. If you can stand reading foul language, a funny read is "I've Always Been a Yankees Fan: Hillary Clinton In Her Own Words" .

If elected, I wonder if she will still use the term "we" a lot when talking about decisions made in the whitehouse.

Evidently one of her important platforms will be universal healthcare. Which means universally bad healthcare. Insurance is a consumer product, not a right...that's why its called a "benefit".

I'm usually very interested in politics, but so far I'm not interested in even participating.

Is it a salvation issue?

2007-01-22T18:52:00.000-08:00

This seems to be the question of the day. But I'm not exactly sure what it means. It often comes up in discussions about worship practices.

It is more of a diversionary tactic than anything. It seems to be a way to minimize the importance of something rather than answering the question at hand.

What is a salvation issue? I think most would agree that sin has a great part in salvation. Without sin there is no salvation to be had.

So then the question becomes 'what is sin'? Sin, in the most basic definition, would be a violation of the law of God. Sin also includes doing what is not authorized by God (just ask Cain, Moses, Nadab and Abihu to name a few).

A friend once told me (I don't know if this is a quote from another source or not)

"sin takes you farther than you intended to go. You stay longer than you
intended to stay, and you pay more than you intended to pay."

So the question should be "are we going to rely upon scriptural authorization for our practices?". Followed by "Are you willing to take the risk of apostacy?"

There are 4 combinations of answers to these respective questions when it comes to changing a worship practice:

Yes and No - Not worth the risk, then its not worth changing the practice
Yes and Yes - Proceed with careful study and prayer
No and Yes - welcome to the world of denominationalism
No and No - attend a study with someone in group #2

Worship is an integral part of our relationship with God. We shouldn't minnimize the importance of any issues around it. Aren't all of God's commands a salvation issue? Or do we get to pick which ones are?

Manning still full of....himself

2007-01-16T09:42:00.000-08:00

Peyton Manning just really annoys me. I appreciate his failure every year. Here is an interesting quote on how he feels about himself and his team's defense. This is from after the loss to the Houston Texans.

"It is what it is and we are what we are," he said. "It's not like basketball
where guys can play both sides of the ball. You can only control when you're out
there."

If only he could play both sides of the ball. You can't throw interceptions when you play defense. When you play defense, you can't spend 8 seconds pointing an gyrating all over the place to change the play you called just 5 seconds before getting behind the center.

Mr. Manning needs to appreciate that his defense is what is winning games for the Colts. Maybe he should watch some tape to see who won the post season games for the Colts. The defense is actually rallying against their quarterback.

Time to stop pointing the finger and start pulling the thumb back at himself. He'll make a great coach some day I'm sure. Especially when he recruits a quarterback that demands to call his own plays.

It still hurts

2007-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Saddam's Conversion

2007-01-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

I was pondering the question the other day, "Should we pray for our enemy's conversion?".

The next morning I heard the news that Saddam Hussein was hanged. I guess in a way he became a Christian on Saturday. He finally understands the sham Islam is, and that Christ is the only way to spend a loving eternity with God.

Everyone becomes a believer in the end.

Starting Point

2007-01-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

222 pounds

10 pounds to go.

Parable of the Wedding Feast

2006-11-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

Matthew 22 begins with a very interesting parable. The parable does a good job of summarizing the old and new covenants and what the kingdom will be like.

22:1 And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.

To me, it's pretty obvious that God is the king in this parable and following that logic, he sent out the prophets to tell people to repent.

4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.

So once again he sends out the prophets to tell people to repent. The prophets were ignored and even killed. This to me sounds like the post Solomon era.

7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

Sounds like the Assyrians and Babylonians.

8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Here is where I see the introduction of the New Covenant. The New Covenant was no longer meant for just one man, one family, or one nation. The Covenant is now available to all who are found worthly throughout the world. The covenant also comes with a command to go out to the world and tell others about the kingdom.

11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

OUCH! What is with this garment? What could it be? In this parable a man hears about the kingdom and thinks he is worthy. He is wrong. He didn't properly prepare himself. Just because someone believes in the kingdom and wants in doesn't mean he gets in. There are additional requirements needed to keep us from being cast out. The scriptures are clear on what these are: Repentence and Baptism. These are

14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Only a few? I thought in today's feel-good churches everyone was saved? I thought in our secular society it didn't matter what you believed or how you worshipped.

We do have something to be saved from. The only way to be part of the kingdom is to hear, respond, and submit.

Paper Tiger

2006-11-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

I think I have finally come to a realization as to why the United States has not won a war since World War II.

It's not a failure of leadership. Its not the political climate in Washington, its not even the strength of our enemies. It's because of the American people.

Don't try to reply using the Gulf War of the 90's as an exaple of a war we won. We are still fighting it. Saddam violated the ceasefire within 30 days and consistently did so for years before we invaded to re-instate it.

Prior to 9/11 we didn't even realize we were at war, but our enemies did. We hear a daily death toll of american soldiers (much less than anticipated), but we never hear the good news of how many people who want to kill our children are in hell.

Osama called America a "paper tiger". he may be right on that one.

Fortunately/Unfortunately

2006-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Fortunately, I am fully represented at the state and national level all by Republican representatives.

Unfortunately, that means the election results were very disappointing to me last night.

Fortunately, I have heard that many of the 'new democrats' are more conservative & evangelical than their teammates. More than a few oppose abortion and support the 2nd Ammendment.

Unfortunately since they are freshment congressmen, they won't have much political pull with their colleagues.

Fortunately,....well I can't really think of anything else

Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi seems sure to be the next Speaker of the House. This alone should have scared the fence straddlers. Some of the newly elected have said (during election time for what it is worth) that they would not commit to voting for her for Speaker. I think even the Dem's will realize the harm this woman brings to our country. And from the looks of her...there is no chance of a sex scandal.

This election cycle has brought two new issues to light in congress that did not exist previously when the democrats were in power (for over 30 years).

1. Homosexual activity now is a bad thing. Both the media and pundits seemed to agree that this kind of behavior is no longer to be tolerated in Washington during the campaigns. I'm glad we all agree on that now.
2. Representatives and Senators involved in scandals should step down. Instead of staying in office to fight the accusations or just waiting them out, the new trend is that they immediately resign as called for by the libs and media (sorry for being redundant there).

I didn't vote for Kinky Friedman, but he did have some good lines this campaign.

"Politics comes from the latin "poly" meaning more than one, and "tics" meaning small blood sucking creatures."

He also said he changed his mind on the fence border along Texas and Mexico because in his words (borrowed from Jesse Ventura)...

"You never know when you might need to get out"

My original plan on this blog was just to ramble on for a year to see what it was all about. Which means there are about 2 weeks left. But Pilosi will keep me busy.

Voting made simple

2006-11-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

Voting is so simple.

I have no idea why there are already people complaining that they didn't understand the system. Everyone has had months to make sure they are registered, and verify where they go to vote. There should not be any questions. Voting is no more complex than operating a McDonald's cash register these days. I'm not sure why we even have poll workers anymore. Maybe to give some sun to the walking dead that seem to man every polling place I've ever been in.

This election cycle has been so short sighted. I haven't heard any discussions to date, that this election is going to determine confirmation of probably at least two supreme court justices in the next 4-6 years.

I only hope the media is using the same polling systems they have been using the last few elections.

The truth about Insurance

2006-10-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

John Stossel is one of the few people at ABC News that doesn't make me puke.

He has a great story here about insruance.

The main problem with insurance is that what used to be an employment incentive/tax break now has become a "right".

People do not spend other people's money as well as they do their own. My favorite segment from this piece is:

Suppose you had grocery insurance. With your employer paying 80 percent of the bill, you would fill the cart with lobster and filet mignon. Everything would cost more because supermarkets would stop running sales. Why should they, when their customers barely care about the price?

Suppose everyone had transportation insurance. The roads would be crowded with Mercedes. Why buy a Chevy if your employer pays?

People have gotten so used to having "other" people pay for most of our health care that we routinely ask for insurance with low or no deductibles. This is another bad idea.

Suppose car insurance worked that way. Every time you got a little dent or the paint faded, or every time you buy gas or change the oil, you'd fill out endless forms and wait for reimbursement from your insurance company. Gas prices would quickly rise because service stations would know that you no longer care about the price. You'd become more wasteful: jackrabbit starts, speeding, wasting gas. Who cares? You are only paying 20 percent or less of the bill.

John Stossel hit the nail on the head with this one.

Jesse Jackson Jr. even wants to make health insurance a constitutional ammendment. He claims health insurance is a human right.

Insurance is a product. Socialization of health care doesn't make for high quality health care...it means mediocre care at best for all.

Well said

2006-10-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

What the Hell?

2006-10-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

I've studied several times on the subject of Hell, and everytime I think I draw new conclusions.

My oldest son is in cub scouts and together we have been working on his Loving Servant Award.

One of the requirements is to memorize and discuss John 3:16. While discussing it, we started talking on what it means to have eternal life vs. what it means to "perish".

Here is what it means to my 8 year old.

"If you believe in God, and that Jesus is His son that came to save us, when you get to heaven, God will open the door. The people that don't know about Jesus will just see a closed door."

The program also requires a prayer journal. Even after just a few weeks I know it is something we will treasure always.

I thought in this program I would be the "teacher" during the studies. Already I have found that it is not the case.

Aggies Explain Yourselves

2006-10-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

I am almost speechless

I am thankful there is no sound with this clip

Cool Site

2006-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

I found a new cool site

http://theimaginaryworld.com/cbarch.html

I love cereal. I always have. Ever since I was a kid I love to eat cereal and read the boxes. This site not only has the nostalgic pictures of the cereals of the past, but also includes the backs of the boxes, so I can re-read some of the same material from 30 years ago (or longer).

Looks like my day just planned itself. The TPS reports can wait another day...I just won't use the new cover sheet.

Thoughts on the Lord's Supper

2006-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

I think the basic answer to "Why do you take the Lord's Supper every week?" is because I believe it is important enough to do so. Paul says that as often as we take of it we proclaim Jesus until he comes.

A friend wrote a great commentary at bigwhitehat.com. He is very quotable, my favorite is "Sunday morning is full of ways that we show love to each other and to God. But communion is different. All the other stuff is us doing things to tell God we love Him. Communion is God telling us that He loves us."

In Acts and Corinthians there are several accounts of the reason the church came together was for the breaking of bread. (the greek references a particular bread and a particular act of breaking it) Many of the churches met daily, but Sunday was set aside for the lord's supper.

The first day was identified by the early church as the day to meet and partake because:
Jesus was raised from the dead on the first day
Every resurrection account is on the first day
Post resurrection appearances were on the first day of the week
Pentecost was on the first day of the week.
The apostles called Sunday "The Lord's Day"

1 Corinthians 10 has the verse I usually read about the service. Paul writes that the breaking of the bread and the cup are participation with Christ. And the participation is what unifies us. If this is where we are unified, should we not be unified at least weekly?

Besides the scriptural references there are several non-scriptural historical accounts. The early church was even accused of cannibalism by the Romans and jews because when they came together they had the Lord's Supper.

So if Jesus says "Do this", and Paul says "Do this", the early church said "Do this", then when we are deciding if we should do it or not, I'll stick with those guys.

My personal feeling is the reason it isn't done usually in an emotionalist church, is that they feel it is a downer to have a memorial that could be a buzzkill.

The good news is that there are a lot of baptist ministers rethinking their stance on the lord's supper and baptism.

Dennis Does it Again

2006-09-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Ever since Dennis Miller's conversion from the dark side, he has been a lot funnier. Last night, he was on Hannity & Combover giving his own free speech segment about illegal immigration.

The quotable quotes I found were:

"I don't have anything against Mexicans, but for God sakes, at least sign the guest book on the way in"

And when commenting about Mexico's economy, he called in "in a permament state of siesta".

This is a bad thing?

2006-09-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

This story was interesting.

I'm sure the media types will turn this into a negative story, but shouldn't this have been our attitude to the world after 9/11.

We are confronting an enemy without borders. An enemy of moon worshipers who have no value on their own lives or the lives of other. An enemy of just plain evil.

Is threatening these countries with "being blown back to the stone age" that much of a threat anyway? They haven't made it much further than that anyway.

Outrage

2006-09-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

The muslim world has been outraged by recent comments by the man calling himeself a pope.

They are offended by his comments that the muslim faith brings unnecessary violence and hatred to the world.

In response to this statement muslims have decided to burn down churches, and throw firebombs. Point proven.

The face of the enemy

2006-09-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

This picture from the AP is a true representation of the face of islam.

They are frustrated they had several thousand years of a headstart on the rest of the world, but now are centruries behind other civilizations.

They are frustrated they live in countries without seven-eleven's and not a large need for taxi's.

They are frustrated they adhere to a religion based on ramblings from a pedophile moon worshiper.

The not so Graceful, Nancy Grace

2006-09-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Nancy evidently had another stunning display

From the AP; Travis Reed

Two weeks after telling police that her son had been snatched from his crib, Melinda Duckett, of Leesburg, Fla., found herself reeling in a television interview with Grace. Before it was over, Grace was pounding her desk and loudly demanding to know: "Where were you? Why aren't you telling us where you were that day?" A day after the taping, Friday Sept. 8, 2006, Duckett, 21, shot herself to death, deepening the mystery of what happened to the boy.

Honesty

2006-09-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Another 9-11 post

I was just thinking about the events after the attacks that we all witnessed and even in the months following...the only word I can think of to explain it is Honesty.

I think we saw what/who we really are. I think the shock of the events kept everyone true to themselves. Individualism was gone because "We Were One" in those moments.

Reporters seemed to want to report, not try to win an Emmy, or get their point of view on air. Networks worked together to facilitate donations and contact families.

Elected officials did their duty, not muscle for political gain. Communities grew closer together. American flags were no where to be found in the stores.

People wanted to help so much, nobody really knew what to do. Lines formed outside bloodbanks. Children sold ribbons. Truckloads of bottled water, snacks, face masks were sent to NY.

I think when we let our guard down (or its knocked off) we show who we are. Unfortunately the masks are back on and more secure than ever. I don't think another attack would have the strength to remove them. God save us all.

Feeling Safer?

2006-09-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Leading up to today's anniversary of the 9-11 tragedies, there has been a lot of commentary on the news about "Are we safer now than 5 years ago".

This question to me appears very absurd. We were not safe before 9-11 so the comparison is flawed. We did not realize we were at war on September 10 2001, but our enemies did.

I remember hearing the news about the first plane hitting the first tower, and tuning in during a break from a meeting to see the live update of the rescue efforts.

The most shocking thing I have ever seen happened at that moment. Watching a live broadcast of the second plane hitting the second tower.

This was the moment everyone realized this event was something different. The world changed from that moment.

It didn't take long after 9-11 to realize that our children will spend their lifetimes in a wartime posture. We had our eyes opened that evil does continue to exist and we forgot about it.

I also remember in the following days the scene in Washington D.C. of members of congress holding a press conference to declare that America is united in a desire to hold those who were responsible, accountable for their actions.

The conference ended, the commentors started to give their signoffs "live from the capital" when something else happened. Someone started singing "God Bless America". Everyone stopped turned and started singing together.

How far we have come.

Reach out and touch someone

2006-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

Can you hear me NOW?

....and there it is

2006-08-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

Many people have searched, but few have actually found it.

If you want to know where it is click HERE

Yes, it is the Flippin Church of Christ

Fair and Balanced

2006-08-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Fox News' Scott Norvell reported a story that truly showed both sides of an issue.

GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defimation)evidently is up in arms about their representation on six networks (there are 6 now?)

GLAAD said it analyzed 95 upcoming shows on six networks and counted only nine gay or lesbian characters on eight programs, or about 1.3 percent of the total number of characters. It said there were no transgender or bisexual scripted characters on the networks. It also said 513, or 75 percent, of the characters were white, 81 (12 percent) were African-American, 18 (3 percent) were Asian-Pacific Islander and 49 (7 percent) were Hispanic.

"When you look at primetime's dismal lack of LGBT characters — combined with the continuing under-representation of people of color, gay and straight alike — it's clear that the broadcast networks have a long way to go before they accurately reflect the diversity of their audience and our society," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano

The other side of this issue is found in U.S. Census data:

According to the U.S. Census, the population of the United States in 2005 was 75 percent white, 12 percent African-American, and 3 percent Asian-Pacific Islander. Some 35 million of the country's 281 million residents, or about 12 percent, identify themselves as being of Hispanic origin. The same census estimated the number of same-sex couples to be 1 percent

In other words, the character representation is right on the mark. Of course their representation is quite excessive if you ever see MTV's show they call the "real world"

AIDS Epidemic

2006-08-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

Last night ABC news aired another hack news story about AIDS in America.

The word 'Epidemic' was used many many times in the piece. 'Pandemic' was even used more than once.

An epidemic is (according to Webster's:
1 affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time.
2 a : excessively prevalent

I looked it up on the CDC website this morning. From before 1982 through 2002 there were 859,000 cases of AIDS reported. If we assume a population of 280 million which is a low estimate, that means the affected population is .3%

The peak was in 1993 with 104,713 cases. By 2002, the number of cases dropped 58% of that.

That doesn't look like an epidemic to me.

Don't get me wrong, I believe HIV and AIDS are terrible diseases that hurt a lot of people and families. Most cases are due to behavioral choices which do need to be addressed.

But the 'epidemic' claim is greatly exaggerated.

I should know better and expect less from ABC.

Outrage...well, not really

2006-08-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I got a little chuckle from all the news reports yesterday from Watertown, NY. The story is about an 81 year old woman that was asked to not teach Bible school anymore at a baptist church. The only public reason given was that the church has decided to not allow women to teach men in Bible school.

The funny part is the media's outrage that a church is taking a "literal view of scripture". I didn't realize we had a choice on whether we take literal writings literally or not. Isn't it pretty clear what are literal vs. poetic or apocolyptic writings?

Maybe they shouldn't let her teach a Bible school because she doesn't seem to grasp the ideas of inspiration and authority of scripture.

Iron Man

2006-08-18T09:44:00.000-07:00


Set aside 4 minutes and 11 seconds for this.

I'm so glad I'm not flying

2006-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm glad I'm not flying today. Not because of the new security rules, but because I know I would wind up either having a stroke, or killing someone in line.

For over 24 hours now there has been around the clock coverage and countless stories about the items you can no longer carry on planes. Never the less, lines are backed up because people are still trying to bring their lotion, lipstick, or coffee through the security checks.

Even without the non-stop news stories about it, DFW Airport has people walking up and down the security lines with sandwich-board signs telling everyone that all liquids and gels must either be checked or thrown out.

I'm usually behind the person who is on their first flight in 10 years anyway, who doesn't understand the process.

Do these people not see the news or any media at all? Do they just ignore the signs and verbal instructions given to them while they are in line?

I'm getting all frustrated by it and I'm not even impacted yet.

I feel the pain in his voice

2006-08-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Style?

2006-08-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

I recently visted the website of a local church that calls itself a church of christ. I did a search on Yahoo and their listing even came up as "Non-Traditional Church of Christ"

I thought that was funny so I visited the site.

From what I can tell, this church is very concerned about their perception and style. They are very proud of their drama, multimedia presentations, and contemporary music. I'm sure somewhere in there they talk about the gospel. I just can't find it under all the style.

It sounds like a good place for some entertainment, but I don't see anything about worship. Maybe my bible omitted entertainment from between Spirit and Truth when it talks about worship.

At least now I know what "Non-Traditional Church of Christ" means....no thank you

I know I shouldn't laugh, but I couldn't help it

2006-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

This headline caught my eye

Indian Chief Dies in Washington State Canoeing Accident

Maybe his feather head-dress weighed him down.

To Coin a Phrase

2006-07-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I heard a quote that stuck with me. It was Bill Oreilly who is often quotable.

"It is not society's responsibility to provide citizens with the American Dream. It is our responsibility to provide the opportunity for it"

Is there still an American Dream? Or rather than to strive to succeed are we just happy with pulling as many people under as possible?

Benjamin Franklin once said:

"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in
their manners. ... Six days shalt thou labor, though one of
the old commandments long treated as out of date, will again be
looked upon as a respectable precept; industry will increase,
and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances
will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring
them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing
all your estates among them."

Genius

2006-07-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

I ran across a news story about a simple item that could reduce terrorist attacks by jihadist and their interpretations of the error riddled koran.

http://www.susbloodlabs.com/biganatomy.html

Its a simple and cheap idea for the war on terror. A useable pen filled with pigs blood. Should there be a nearby explosion or some other terrorist act, the pigs blood would suddenly be airborn. Thus defiling the jihadist and preventing him from his promised after life (well the one he thought he was getting anyway).

There is even a nice little logo that says "No Virgins for Terrorists"

No Pain, No Gain

2006-07-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did something I had been meaning to do for a long time. I finally joined the company health club.

The last few years I have really let my self get out of shape. Mostly because I now have the metabolism of a retarded snail.

I've done diets here and there, and tried to become more active, but of course that didn't work. The most excercize I've been getting lately is attempting the 20 channel flip in 10 seconds with the remote.

Yesterday I got my butt kicked by a trainer. I ache from head to toe. I was told the first session would be measurements and setting the baseline, but it wasn't. We got right into it.

As I tried to gather enough strength to pull my boots back on in the locker room, I was thinking "I'm paying for this?"

This morning I bent down to pick up my 9 month old and realized I am still paying for it. Can a baby really weigh that much?

Hezbolllam!!!!

2006-07-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Isreali's really know how to do military action right.

They are doing exactly what I have been thinking they should be doing in areas of Iraq for a few years now.

They are blanketing cities in southern Lebannon with fliers that say the following...

"For your own safety and out of our wish to avoid harming the civilians who are not involved, you should refrain from being present in areas where Hezbollah exists and operates,"

They will soon make this area even less inhabitable.

I only wish the flier ends with..."oh, one more thing...the koran is a book of lies and Mohammed had bacon breath"

Resolution?

2006-07-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

Now that the year is over 1/2 over, I wonder how many are still up to date on their daily bible readings that usually make the rounds in January as a new year's resolution.

I have to admit I haven't been a daily reader myself; however I have been able to stay caught up at least on a weekly basis to stay on goal for the bible in a year. This is by far the best I have ever done. Of course I'm in the middle of Isaiah which will slow my pace quite a bit.

Recently I heard a minister say the bible is probably the least read best seller of all time. Quite an ironic phrase, not to mention sad.

Church Purpose?

2006-07-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been thinking a lot about church. I've also been reading a lot about churches, and even visiting some local congregations.

I hear a lot of discussions about what can be done at the church to make it more appealing to non-christians. But I wonder, why do we want people not in the church being the basis for what the church should be? I understand reaching out through evangelism, but isn't evangelism a command to every individual christian instead of the church?

Isn't the church for Christians? Having grown up in the church, I don't have the perspective of a non-christian entering a church for the first time. But I don't see the church as the place where evangelism takes place. It takes place "in the field". I don't think someone will walk through the doors of a church and suddenly "get it".

If church exists to worship God, equip christians, and encourage/help each other, how does someone without a spiritual relationship with Christ or Christians do that? Doesn't that spiritual connection need to take place first?

There are a lot of church programs developed to get people to fill the pews. There is a lot of interest in being a church to be driven by this purpose rather than being scripture driven. Christianity is about relationships not programs.

The focus of the church as a body should be on the worship, equiping, and encouraging of each other. It shouldn't be focused on their marketing appeal.

Different Perspective

2006-06-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

I read something this week I have read many many times, but noticed a different angle on it.

Genesis 3:12 says "The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” "

I used to assume Adam was putting the blame on Eve for his fall, but he wasn't.

Adam was blaming God. "The woman whom YOU gave to be with me..."

Now that I think about it. This happens a lot in our world. Our favorite game is the blame game and when we begin to realize the blame belongs to us, we'll try to divert it to Him.

We are basically saying that "I am perfect, but my God is not". What could be more ridiculous?

Garage Sale

2006-05-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend my wife is hosting one of her semi-annual Garage Sales. She puts in a lot of work for about 3 days in preparing for these events.

As I browsed the objects laying out a funny thought came to me. At some point we were glad to own almost all of the objects in the sale. If you ignore the odd christmas gifts, or strange family hand me downs, most of the things we saw in a store some where and thought "I have got to have that"

Now they sit on card tables priced at a quarter a piece. We are begging people to pay bottom dollar to unload this once precious treasure from us. And if we wind up not selling it, we are just going to give it away. Some of the items, I'm sure Goodwill will even toss out.

What happened between the time of purchase and now? Styles and tastes change, but so do attitudes. At one point we had to have it, and now its just taking up space.

This is another human created flaw. God doesn't discard what is His. As a matter of fact, he re-purchased us. Our value to Him never changes.

We can forfeit ourselves and try to hide in the back of the closet, but eventually if we begin to see just a bit of self-value, and put ourselves out on that card table, He will buy us and treat us as new again.

I just hope I'm not a Big Mouth Billy Bass singing fish.

Cowbell anyone?

2006-05-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

The Greatest SNL skit ever

The Numbers Game

2006-05-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's amazing to me that many churches today count their success by their numbers. The Rick Warrenites do this a lot in their Purpose Driven Churches that fail to be Bible Driven. Butts in pews seem to have replaced souls in heaven these days.

The idea that the pulpits need to "always preach a positive message" is ridiculous. The gospel is a positive message, however there are negative things that need to be said. Sin is negative. The need that we have to repent is negative. Discussion of both of these items is necessary, otherwise how do you convince someone to be saved if they don't know what they ave being saved from?

Numbers are not a sign of God's blessing. Just because a church is in a fast growing community does not mean the will of God is not being done in a non-growing community. Noah, Abraham and Jeremiah would both be failures if God wanted to play the numbers game.

You grow a church by teaching and showing the Gospel message in your life. Not by preaching growth. Too many times we think we are growing the kingdom by stealing sheep from other churches and just reshuffling the deck. God wants growth from the unchurched, the de-churched, and the un-repentant.

I don't recall Paul telling any of the churches to get their numbers up to be a blessed church. Some things are a lot more important than the numbers.

depends on what the definition of the word eis, is

2006-05-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Interesting article about Acts 2:38 and the actual Greek texts instead of the English versions used by many denominations to attempt to validate their apostacy.

Read it here

Acts 2:38 is a direct answer to a direct question. "What should we do?" they asked. The answer wasn't "say a prayer in your heart and you will be forgiven", or "whatever you think is right". The answer was clear and direct.

Repentance and baptism are two seperate actions. Neither one has much meaning without the other, nor does one replace the other. Why do you repent and become baptized? "for the remission of sins". And if that is not enough for you, you will recieve the gifts of the Holy Ghost as a kicker.

I don't see the seperation

2006-05-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a question about what the founding fathers thought about seperation of church and state, specifically what the founding fathers had in mind read here.

Sam's The Man

2006-05-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

I love having Sam Johnson as my U.S. Representative. My senators aren't too bad either.

Immigration Reform – You bet! Blanket amnesty – No way! By
Congressman Sam Johnson
Washington, Apr 17 -

Recently, the U.S. Senate almost passed blanket amnesty for the 11 million illegal immigrants already here in America. Thankfully the proposal stalled and the Senate adjourned for a two-week recess – abandoning this hot-button issue for now. The Senators would be wise if they took this break to listen to the outrage from their constituents and consider moving forward with the common-sense immigration reform bill passed by the House of Representatives.

The proposed Senate legislation was a complete disaster and utter failure for America. The Senate bill was unwise, unfair, and unnecessary: unwise because jobs that exist today in an expanding economy will not necessarily be there in the next economic downturn; unfair to the millions of would-be legal immigrants waiting patiently in line (in their countries) to come here; and unnecessary because some come here illegally to work, earn money, and return to their home country—not because they want to become citizens.

Have the Senators forgotten how America “solved” the illegal immigration problem in the 1980s when we allowed three million illegal immigrants to become citizens? It didn’t work back then and it won’t work now. We must learn from our mistakes! Allowing people to skirt the law because they’ve been in America for a while is NOT the answer. Preventing them from crossing our border in the first place – is.

The House-passed version of immigration reform does just that and provides much needed common-sense reforms. The House proposal deals with enforcement first. One, the bill ends the so-called “catch and release” program that discourages law enforcement officials from deporting illegal immigrants when apprehended. Two, the bill creates better ways for employers to verify legal status of future employees. Three, the bill increases penalties for aliens re-entering illegally. Four, the bill ensures coverage of the entire southern border by creating physical barriers and using wide-spread, state-of-the-art technology, including cameras, sensors, radar,
satellite, and unmanned aerial vehicles to better guard the border. Five, the bill ups penalties for alien smuggling and eliminates any chance for aliens who are terrorists or security risks from becoming U.S. citizens.

The House bill’s approach of enforcement first means we shore up our porous
borders and get tough with those who break our laws.

Presently, our lax enforcement of immigration laws is a joke. Blanket amnesty as proposed in the Senate would attract many millions of illegal immigrants from all over the world. That would be unacceptable…plain and simple.

Politically Correct

2006-04-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

I don't have an issue with immigrants.

I just don't care for illegal immigrants. There is a big difference.

It was funny recently when many of the Dallas area latinos decided to leave their free government education to go march for immigrant rights. Some of the students were interviewed on TV and didn't have a clue what they were marching for. An embarrassed teacher from that school decided to have a meeting the next week to discuss the issues that are actually being discussed in Washington. While hundreds of students from his school protest, he had 23 people show up (most were reporters with cameras to document this failure).

Too many people are saying we should drop the 'illegal' from illegal immigrant. Why?

There are legal ways to enter our country. There are illegal ways to enter our country. The so called rights for each should be different. Just as the rights of actual citizens should be different.

The headlines next week again will be about immigrant rights. The people jumping the river are not immigrants. They are illegals, trespassers, intruders, gate crashers, and imposters.

I do not blame them for wanting to come to the U.S. for better opportunity. The opportunity and life in Mexico is limited at best. However, there are processes in place to allow for immigration, and we actually have a very liberal immigration policy in this country. We are a nation of immigrants (a nation of legal immigrants). However we are being taken advantage of by our neighbors to the south.

This is not an issue about jobs. This issue is about submitting to authority. We need to continue to call it what it is...illegal. We need to enforce current laws and strengthen them, not loosen.

May 1, when many supporters of the trespassers will be taking a day off of work, I guess I'll fill my own hot sauce bowl and iced tea glass. I'll sit back and watch these men and women protest and teach their children that authority and respect hold very little value.

Decisions, Decisions

2006-04-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Decisions are often easy for me to make since I see the world mostly in black and white (according to my own prejudices of course). When I come across one that falls in that gray area I take my time, and I have just this morning made my decision.

This decision making process has actually taken a few years. It has not been easy. It is a family decision that we have been able to make together. These types of decisions take a lot of prayer, discussions, and observations.

This particular decision was not one that we wanted to make. But more of a response to a situation we found ourselves in.

We have decided to give up something we care a lot about, our church. The church is on the right track, but our family needs more from a church than it can give right now. We have spent over 30 years at this one congregation, so it is has been very difficult.

I have to still deal with the feelings I have towards the people that put us in this situation. Especially since many of them were once our friends. We were abandoned, but stayed because we believe in the work. I feel this decision was forced upon me by others, but I am confident that it is the right one to make.

There is great relief after making a careful deliberate decision. God has comforted us. We will move on and do more. We luckily live in an area where we have options. I am sure that God will lead us to the right one.

Wow

2006-04-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

I saw God yesterday.

Yesterday I spent a few moments doing one of the things I have liked doing most of my life. sitting under a tree while laying on the ground and looking up at the sky.

This has to be done in the morning or evening to keep the sun out of your eyes. A squint can ruin the effect.

I saw God in the tree that was rising over my head. I saw God in the green leaves of the oak tree. God was beyond the tree and in the infinite sky. God was in the ground beneath my back.

I saw God becaue he is all around me every day. I just took a minute to look.

Reform?

2006-04-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Do we really need immigration reform?

Maybe instead of Reform we just need enforcement.

We live in a blessed country and we are a generous people. Our country is being invaded, and our generocity taken advantage of. Justice and Charity are different things. Christians should be compassionate, but not suckers.

May 1 is a date the hispanic community is wanting to be a 'day without a mexican' by staying at home. Will this include those that are planning their invasions across our boarders on that date? What would a day without caucasians look like?

They claim to want to be part of the melting pot of the United States. The USA hasn't been a melting pot since the culture wars began. People stopped melting a long time ago.

Mexico won't change and become a land of opportunity until people demand opportunity there. The pressure to reform should be on the southern side of the border. Enforcement should be the stance on the northern side.

It can be solved easy enough.
1. Children of illegals born in this country should not be given automatic citizenship
2. Public education and healthcare should require state issued identification
3. Sending money out of the country should require state issued identification
4. State issued identification should require a birth certificate, or a passport and documentation of legal entry.
5. Government provided services to illegals should be left to individual states to decide. (if Ted Kennedy wants to offer services to illegals in his state, let him). These services are not transferrable to another state.

Passover

2006-04-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today is a great day.

Are you feeling Passed Over today? Today the Passover sedar is taking place in homes around the world. The story of the Passover is also the story of Christ.

Just as the final Egyptian pleague spared those that obeyed the will of God, we are also saved. Our sin is deserving of punishment, but we are given an opportunity for redemption. We have been bought for a price, and we owe our loyalties to our owner.

Romans 6:23 tells us "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

It is great to be passed over. It is wonderful to be bought and owned.

Misleading Title

2006-04-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

This week ABC is airing a new version of "The Ten Commandments" movie. It is kind of interesting to see this adaptation compared to the 1956 edition starring Charlton Heston.

However I still do not really understand why either of these movies are called "The Ten Commandments". The actual commandments don't make but a very short appearance in either version.

Why not just "Moses", or "Exodus"? I guess it would be hard to fill 4 hours of programing on just the commandments

In case you need a refresher: The Ten Commandments

Run, Don't Walk

2006-04-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

Below are a list of links I encourae every man to visit and enroll. It's an important step in protecting your marriage. A healthy marriage is the most important gift you can give your children.

These sites encourage not only internet filtering, but also accountability. Have your spouse sent an email of the sites requested from your computer.

C'mon, step up, be a man.

www.internetaccountability.com
www.integrity.com
www.safeeyes.com
www.besafeonline.com

Protect your marriage, protect yourself, protect your children.

Tidbits on Christian Music

2006-04-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

I found these little tidbits about instrumental music in the church.

"I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen" - John Wesley, founder of Methodism

"Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitiable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law." - John Calvin, founder of Presbyterianism

"What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical preettiness of a quartert, the refined niceties of a choir, or the blowing off of wind for inanimate bellows and pipes! We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it." - Charles Spurgeon, esteemed Baptist preacher

Talk about forgetting your roots.

Gospel of Judas? Think again

2006-04-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

Here we go again.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,190826,00.html

The linked story above references a manuscript found that some scholars believe to be a Gospel of Judas. I assume they think this find will shake the foundation that Christianity stands on. At least that is what they hope.

By the time of the Muratorian Fragment, we know the 'canon' of scripture was already pretty much put together by the middle of the second century.

We know from Eusebius that the universally accepted books were the four Gospels, Acts, 14 letters of Paul, 1 John, 1 Peter and Revelation. The remainder of the books (James, Jude, 2 Peter, and 2&3 John were disputed, but "recognized by the majority". Disputed not because of different teaching but because of their limited circulation.

This new manuscript doesn't stand up to the same historical standard found in the existing scriptures, and contains teachings contrary to what we find in the inspired Word. Is this one manuscript supposed to supercede all of the others?

Not every manuscript written 50-500 AD should be taken as scripture. There are books mentioned in the early church that were read in the churches, but they were specifically identified as non-inspired.(ie. Wisdom of Solomon & Apocolypse of Peter)

6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:6 (ESV)

Another non-story. The inspired word is everlasting. Where are the stories of the re-writes of catholocism, mormanism etc.?

Did Ya Know?

2006-04-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Early this Wednesday morning will be 01:02:03 04/05/06. Be sure to set your spouse's alarm.

Update to Previous Post

2006-03-29T10:45:00.000-08:00

I still need to get this reporters information so I can tell her that if you go to yahoo.com and type in church of christ, the very fist page entry is church-of-christ.org which would have given her all the information she needed. Not that difficult for someone trained in journalism.

Not So Great Source

2006-03-28T18:40:00.000-08:00

I ran across this transcript today from CNN (comical non-news network). Someone named Nancy Grace did a typical half hearted attempt at reporting and aired a story related to the recent murder of a minister in Selmer, TN . This aired March 27 at 8 PM. T

he story took an odd turn about this murder. Half way through it became a discussion about the Church of Christ. The expert they brought on air to shed light on the Church was a baptist minister named Tom Rukala. This man really 'showed his butt' with his mis-information (this postI'm not talking about the incorrect interpretation Baptists have of scripture).

Rukala says the following:

Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell (ph). And it`s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics. Well, the Church of Christ is a relatively new church. It was started about 150 years ago by Alexander Campbell (ph). And it`s, unfortunately, a very legalistic sect, and they tend to use methods of intimidation and pressure tactics. They claim that they are the only ones going to heaven, and all other people are condemned to hell.

If this guy knew anything about his topic he would know that the Church of Christ believes that the origin of the church can be found in Acts 2, not 150 years ago. I think what he is referring to is the Restoration Movement that recognized the need to return to the scriptural pattern of the church. Being a member of the Church of Christ I have never seen or felt intimidation or pressure tactics from anyone. Like the early churches each Church of Christ is independent without oversight from a regional, national or other outside organization. Where is the pressure or intimidation coming from. Is it the focus put on the authority and inspiration of the scriptures in the church? If its the scriptures that are intimidating, then who is the intimidator?

I have never heard in a Church of Christ anyone say they are the only ones going to Heaven. Denominationalists try to validate their own existence frequently use this claim. The bible is clear on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles on what is required to be saved. It is not a secret to anyone who has read it.

The idiot continues:

Well, they claim that if you’re not baptized by one of their ministers, that
you’re doomed to hell, even if you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, which, of
course, breaks completely from the traditional Christian view that all those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved because we`re saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. For the Church of Christ folks, that`s not enough. You have to be a member of their narrow sect. It`s a very exclusive group. And if you`re not a member of their sect, you’re condemned.

There is not a biblical basis for anyone to be baptized by a minister, I have never heard this claim before. As for baptism, I recall, on Pentecost with the Jews asked “What should we do?” Peter gave them an answer, and it wasn’t “call upon the name of the Lord” to be saved. I seem to recall a parable addressing this in Matthew 22.

He claims the church of Christ instead of Jesus, Paul, and Peter set this standard. Is it odd that a ‘baptist’ is against baptism?

The 'narrow sect' he describes has over 15,000 autonomous congregations and over 2 million members. The only condemnation I have found in the church is condemnation of sin. Maybe that is why the local minister of the 3000 plus member Baptist church actually claims his success is due to the fact that he doesn’t talk about sin. Without condemnation of sin you don’t have anything to save people from.

It kind of is a borderline cult, unfortunately. I don`t want to make it out to
be some kind of Hare Krishna group, but it has cult-like characteristics

What are the cult-like characteristics? He doesn’t say. The Romans and Jews in the first century called the church a cult as well. Does a denomination that is ruled by boards, conventions, or popes have cult like characteristics worse than a local autonomous congregation?

At least in this case the reporter actually confessed she couldn’t do her job properly when she introduced the Baptist.

I want to go to pastor Tom Rukala, joining us tonight, a special guest, a Baptist minister. I`ve been researching the Church of Christ. I don`t know that much about it.

Finally, honesty in journalism.

Would Ya?

2006-03-20T06:53:00.000-08:00

I read a story from the AP this morning that was interesting.

Abdul Rahman is about to be sentenced to death for becoming a Christian. The Islam religion is based on silliness and lies anyway, but it is astounding that a country like Afghanistan who we have pulled up out of the muck by thier thong-strap still has this kind of attitude.

The judge's quote is the most ridiculous

"We are not against any particular religion in the world. But in Afghanistan,
this sort of thing is against the law," the judge said. "It is an attack on
Islam. ... The prosecutor is asking for the death penalty."

They are not against any religion, but if you convert from Islam to Christianity you are dead.

This man was asked to just recant and he would live, but he refused. Its easy for me as I type on my laptop thousands of miles away to nod my head, and think I would do the same thing, but would I?

Christianity is not just under attack in Afghanistan, Madigascar, and other far away places. It is under attack in pulpits all across our country too.

It is much better to have your physical life under attack than your spiritual life under attack under the guise of 'christianity'. Is denominationalism more dangerous than Islam? Pick your poison.

Say it isn't so...

2006-03-17T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today's news bulletin....

Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke on the television series "The Dukes of Hazzard,"
faces a drunken driving charge in northern New Jersey, authorities said Friday.
Wopat was arrested in Ringwood and charged with driving while intoxicated
and reckless driving, said Bill Maer, a spokesman for the Passaic County
sheriff's department

"reckless driving"? Was he turning 180's on a dirt road while soaring past the Boar's Nest? Perhaps he knocked over a guy on a tall ladder hanging a large banner across the town square, so it fell over the cop's windshield...

He was pulled from a Ford Bronco Wednesday night after hitting orange traffic
cones and nearly striking a Ringwood police car sent to an accident, Maer said.

Ford Bronco is clearly becoming the most notorious vehicle of our society. If you see a Ford Bronco coming, get out of the way.

Conspiracy

2006-03-13T12:30:00.000-08:00

The recent death of Maureen Stapleton has raised a conspiracy theory. Isn't it odd that all the stars of the movie Cocoon are dying? What is going on here? Odd coincidence, or is the government covering up something? Which brings up another question...whatever happened to Steve Guttenberg?

One of those weeks

2006-03-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

This has been quite a week, but thank goodness for this...

John 16:33 - "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

A different perspective

2006-02-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I came across a phrase that has been rolling around in my head. It's from Gary Ezzo who was hosting a discussion on parenting, but I think this message is applicable to many situations.

"Freedom does not speak of one's rights, but one's responsibilities."

In our country we spend a lot of time talking about freedom, but do we really know what it means?

We love freedom, but we hate responsibility. Freedom and responsibility are not things you are given. They are things that you take up. They come together like the two sides of a coin. When you choose to use your freedom, you also are accepting the responsiblity of it.

Of course responsibility then leads to accountability, and that is a whole other issue we as a society fail on.

Small Town Justice

2006-02-17T08:33:00.000-08:00

It's interesting how much a small comment can mean a lot.

There has been a lot of coverage about Dick Cheney's shooting this last week. Most of it is over the top of a very minor incident. But then again I think most people with common sense know where the media is coming from.

ABC News is probably driving this story more than anything else. Their White House representative has been indignant and outraged at the fact that the story was not given to the press corp first instead of to the local news agencies that were on site.

The peak of this outrage was displayed on Wednesday night's ABC's Nightline episode. I have stopped watching Nightline since Ted left. It is virtually unwatchable now in its new format and uncovered bias. Somehow in my flipping channels during commercials I ran across the re-hashing of the incident that has taken the War on Terror off the front page.

It was the end of the story and the 'reporter' was commenting on how the local authorities had completed their investigation and decided that no charges would be brought against the vice president. Then she continued to report that it appears that "small town politics have played their part in all of this." Then she did the ambigous statement to cover herself for the editorial she just gave by saying "but then again, we may never know."

What was that? Is that reporting? What kind of a journalist throws a politically charged accusation like that, then says "but then again, we may never know".

Network news is in general pathetic. Even NBC's attempt at reaching out in the cable news world with MSNBC has proved to be a failure.

Terry Moran had to have slept with someone to have gotten the gig of running Nightline into the ground....but then again, we may never know.

2006-02-14T07:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Hallmark Day. Please refrain from actually calling it a holiday.

Four Walls

2006-02-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

Every time I listen to this song it's amazing how closely it matches up with my family. In honor of Valentine's (hallmark day) Day, I've posted the lyrics to Randy Travis' Four Walls.

My Grandpa farmed for a livin',
Content to live the simpler kind of life.
My Grandma worked in the kitchen,
Awfully proud to be that farmer's wife.
They used to say that they'd got everything that they need,
Each mornin' they wake up:Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

Here I am, ring on my finger:
Grandpa's little grandson, all grown up.
I found my rock and I plan to keep her.
I wish they were here to see the two of us.
They'd proud to know we've got everything that we need,
Each mornin' we wake up:Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

With the highway twice as wide,
And the farmland sub-divided.
It's good to know that some things never change.
I'm still lovin' an I'm still livin',
By those simple words of wisdom:
Life an' love come down to just four things.

My Grandpa, Lord knows, I miss him,
An' the way that he and Grandma looked at life.
And each day, I count my blessings,
To have that kind of love here by my side.
No matter what, we know we've got everything that we need,
Each mornin' we wake up:Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.
Yeah, we've got everything that we need,
Between the two of us:Four walls, three words, two hearts, one love.

Movie Quotes

2006-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

here are a few of my favorite movei lines of all time. These are in no particular order, but just as they come to mind.

"Son, you got a panty on your head" - Raising Arizona

"What in the Wide World of Sports is going on here?" - Blazing Saddles

Bob: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.
Peter: I wouldn't say I've been 'missing' it Bob. - Office Space

"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - Cool Hand Luke

"All right now, I'm comin' out. Any man I see out there, I'm gonna shoot him. Any sumbitch takes a shot at me, I'm not only gonna kill him, but I'm gonna kill his wife. All his friends. Burn his damn house down." - Unforgiven

"It's payday, boys. Come and get it!" - Rooster Cogburn

"We accept the reality of the world with which we are presented" - Truman Show

Bail me Out!

2006-01-31T13:05:00.000-08:00

One of the new catch phrases of the day is 'Tipping Point'. The point of no return.

Recently I was reminded of a tipping point in my life. A time when a decision had to be made that would change me forever.

When I was a teenager I ran away from home. No, not like that. I ran away from home to go to college. OK, to be honest I didn't run away to go to college, I ran away to just get away. I had dug my self into some pretty big holes back home. I needed to get away and have a new start.

Within a few months I was over 500 miles away, on my own, in total control of my destiny, everything I ever wanted....except for sitting in this jail cell.

A 10 minute drive to the police station is plenty of time for a million things to run through a man's mind. Making a bail call is a hard thing to do. I was initially set on just waiting my time for the next day and hope I'd be let go. Sharing a cell with someone I saw on CrimeStoppers the night before changed my mind quickly.

The call had to be made. It wasn't so hard. "Hello? It's me. I need a favor. Can you come bail me out? Now?" The call was made and answered.

The cell I put myself in for the next few days was even worse. I had myself on trial. In this case I knew right away who I needed to talk to to bail me out. The call was made to HIM. HE answered. I was easily convicted...thank God.

I tipped...my new life began. I returned home. I had a plan. I got my life straight. I married the girl with the red hair and the big black hat. We have two wonderful boys. We have a wonderful home. I've decided to put a little money aside just in case I receive a call late one night from a friend in need.

Bouncy Seat

2006-01-30T13:35:00.000-08:00

I have had a pretty stressful last few weeks at work. I have been thinking that I need a consistant way to blow off some steam before interacting with anyone I care about.

As I sit here watching my four month old I realize the perfect thing. An adult size bouncy seat.

Something I could crawl up in, strap myself in and just throw my arms and legs around every which way. I don't need a fancy one with a built in vibrating massager. I don't need things hanging from an overhead bar, like a steak, or remote control. All I need is something to thrash around in and possibly even drop off into a short little nap in from time to time.

It might be too big for household use, so I may have to engineer some and rent them out of a retail store front somewhere. There might be big money in this.

Just like riding a bike...

2006-01-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

This year I have been working with my oldest on riding the infamous two wheeler bike. It only took about 20 minutes for him to be up and pedaling on his own. He has already mastered pedalling around the blacktop at his school, and the nearby bike trail.

He really only has one major hurdle...He can't start on his own. My job, as father, is to steady his bike and hold the seat until he has planted himself with his feet on the pedals. After that, he is off on his own.

Watching him ride off has been a little bittersweet. There is going to be a time when I am going to get ready to let him go into the world as his own man. I'm not going to be with him all the time to make his decisions.

The best I can hope to do is steady him, point him in the right direction, and trust he will remember what he has been taught. However, there will never be a time when I'm not watching and waiting for a moment when I might need to shout out a little encouragement, or be prepared to run and pick him up when he falls.

Every once in a while we all need to be brushed off, asked if we are ok, then steadied once more for another try.

Is this cutting the pork?

2006-01-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

I recently ran across an article on ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1512232). Is this a good way to spend the American tax dollar? Can I get one to put in my office?

What makes a great man?

2006-01-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

I find it interesting what some non-believers say about Jesus. Mostly they will say something to the effect that Jesus was a "great man", or "charismatic philosopher".

What do we know about Jesus from non-Christian historical accounts? The Romans and Jews of the first and second century had many writings about Jesus. However, most of these accounts just verify the basic facts about a historical man named Jesus, who was a Nazarene. These accounts tell of his trial before Pilate, His crucifiction, the "eclipse" that coincided with this event, and the sect that sprang up claiming His resurrection. Many of these accounts also call Jesus a great man. (Josephus even calls Jesus the messiah).

There is nothing in these basic facts that make Jesus a "great man". These historical records are widely accepted in the non-Christian world, eventhough the writers take for granted the existance of a man named Jesus, and the fact that he was a great man.

Christianity is more than a philosophy or teachings. It is about a real man who existed in history. What made this man great? The typical standards for accepting writings as 'valid history' can be applied to the New Testament accounts. This is the only place where you will find what makes a great man.

Where have you been looking?

I Love Lucy

2006-01-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

There have been a lot of times when I have felt just like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football. I've experienced the feeling of having it pulled out from under me, right when i was going to kick it.

However I have also been in Lucy's place. I guess it is one of my guilty pleasures.

Sometimes I'll drive side by side another car, who I know is in a lane that closes or must exit and start laughing at the thought that they are going to either put on the brakes, or miss their turn. I love the sound of the "AAAAAAAAAUUUUURRRGG!" I imagine them making (or worse)

I'm glad Lucy never let Charlie Brown kick that ball. Its a funny sight to see someone laying flat on their back and thinking "I did that"

I didn't say it was right...I said it was funny

Directions

2006-01-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

This little boy was waiting on his mother to come out of a store.
As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?"
The little boy replied, "Sure,... just go straight down the street a couple of blocks and turn to your right."
The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new Preacher in town and I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to Heaven."
The little boy replied with a chuckle, "Aawww, come on, you don't even know the way to the Post Office!"

What it's about

2006-01-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

I saw something yesterday that has really stuck in my mind.

It was a scene I have seen several times, but I never really thought about it.

Yesterday during church I looked across the auditorium. There I saw a friend of mine with his son sitting on his shoulders during the service.

What an unbelievable image. A father lifting his son up while worshiping God. Isnt' that what we are all there for? Lifting each other up (figuratively for the most part), encouraging one another, and raising our children in His presence.

How far will you get

2006-01-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Its January 4, are you up to date on your daily bible reading? Many people choose January 1 to begin to read through the bible in a year. Not a bad resolution.

How far do you usually make it? Leviticus? Numbers? Do you skip over the begats?

Wouldn't it be better to set aside some time to read a single book in its entirety and understand the context and implications that you had read? Or maybe spend a few hours working on a memory verse?

It hasn't been a week yet, how far will you get this year? Do you understand what you have read so far?

How much time passes between Genesis 1:2 & 1:3? How many people were created before Adam and Eve? How many people left the Garden of Eden? Who was Cain afraid would kill him?

This is going to be a LONG year.

Church Sign

2006-01-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Saw a funny church sign driving on vacation this holiday season...

"SIGN BROKEN, MESSAGE INSIDE"