from my inbox:
11/08/2003
11/07/2003
centennial state fights for its rights
I'm interested to see how Liberals will take to this one...and how those who oppose it will further alienate themselves from their constituency.
email hoaxes and the question of prayer
my co-worker, at my request to get an update on "Baby Delaney," the little girl who was badly burned, did some leg work, and came up with:
Summary: Real girl. real burns. Real progres. Prayers offered in ignorance (clinical use of the term, I promise, as I was one of those offering it).
Question: Were our prayers futile? Or were prayers offered two years after the fact part of the work of God to accomplish her healing? I'm looking forward to reading your opinions.
Summary: Real girl. real burns. Real progres. Prayers offered in ignorance (clinical use of the term, I promise, as I was one of those offering it).
Question: Were our prayers futile? Or were prayers offered two years after the fact part of the work of God to accomplish her healing? I'm looking forward to reading your opinions.
i'm my own grandblogpa
A Brog I bugged and nearly begged to blog until he was bagged to begin to blog has in turn inspired his bride to begin to blog.
She's already been added to the Brogroll, and I'm looking forward (for my wife's sake, really) to when she starts adding comments.
She's already been added to the Brogroll, and I'm looking forward (for my wife's sake, really) to when she starts adding comments.
sung to the tune of vogue
Randy shares a good word on your "image" matching your identity.
Is the "you" that the world sees the "you" that exists when you're all alone?
Why is there a divergence?
Who are you trying to fool? and do you really think you're succeeding?
Is the "you" that the world sees the "you" that exists when you're all alone?
Why is there a divergence?
Who are you trying to fool? and do you really think you're succeeding?
the matrix, returns
Just so you know... Revolutions made $24 million in its first night of release. Its five-day take completes Sunday, and very well may hit that $200 million mark.
That is, of course, unless, a giant elf has anything to say about it.
That is, of course, unless, a giant elf has anything to say about it.
a split decision
As I've said before, not only am I not a legal expert, but I don't even get to play one on TV, now that Kelli has forbade me from re-enacting crucial scenes from Matlock using a white suit and a camcorder. That notwithstanding, I find it understandable, yet unfortunate that the Supreme Court declined to address the Judge Moore/10 commandments issue. I understand that by their refusal to hear the case, they acknowledge a state's right to make these decisions (which is good), but they also are missing the opportunity to correct the wrong that occured when a federal judge ordered the display's removal (this is bad). This oxymoronic decision helps firm up a dangerous precedent that impinges states rights. I am very interested to see the decision on the California case, because it will only further exacerbate the problem of identity crisis in America: are we one nation under God or not? If we are, then why would we deny any one of our states to acknowledge its heritage? If the judiciary determines that it is no longer appropriate to declare allegiance and affiliation with God, then...well...I don't even want to go there, because this rant would really get long.
Pray for our judges, on all levels, that they would have the wisdom of God, the compassion of Christ, and the conviction of the Spirit.
i respectfully disagree
Not only did Pat have a poor choice of words to express a summary sentiment, he also misses the point altogether. While I agree that pornography seems to be finding a larger and larger, increasingly detrimental impact on the family and society as it becomes increasingly "mainlined" to a desensitized populace, I'm convinced that the solution is not for the church to gripe about it. Instead of being entirely reactionary, the church has been empowered and commissioned to be entirely proactionary. The church is supposed to be the very ambassador of God to the world. That means going out, on God's behalf, speaking God's message, to all the people of the world, with the very authority of God Himself. If the church did more of that type of speaking out, we might begin to see a changed culture, whereas if we just sit and whine about how the world keeps dissin' us, it's only going to get worse. It's not about cultural opposition, it's about following God's Spirit in a cultural revolution!
this may surprise you
Even so, it doesn't change the fact that I'm a centrist.
Why?
Because my opinion is that its not the government's job to accomplish that which has been assigned to the individual, the family, or the church.
And remember, this is an ideological score. My practical score would be off to the right.
how do you fare?
And this test says....exactly the same thing.
Economic Left/Right: 0.00
Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.00
For exactly the same reasons.
Why?
Because my opinion is that its not the government's job to accomplish that which has been assigned to the individual, the family, or the church.
And remember, this is an ideological score. My practical score would be off to the right.
how do you fare?
And this test says....exactly the same thing.
Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.00
For exactly the same reasons.
what a kroc!
NPR receives a super-sized value meal bequest from Joan Kroc.
$200 million gift. Betcha never thought your Big Mac extra pickles hold the onion with large fries large Diet Coke (because after all, you're trying to watch your figure) was really merely a vehicle to fund the liberal message. If that doesn't make your stomach rumble with discontent, then you might as well head on over to Sonic for their foot long chili cheese dog because brother, your gut is cast iron.
Consider this your coupon to be excused from giving for the next two years, any time you hear one of their periodic fund drives. The deceased Burger Queen has paid your tab.
$200 million gift. Betcha never thought your Big Mac extra pickles hold the onion with large fries large Diet Coke (because after all, you're trying to watch your figure) was really merely a vehicle to fund the liberal message. If that doesn't make your stomach rumble with discontent, then you might as well head on over to Sonic for their foot long chili cheese dog because brother, your gut is cast iron.
Consider this your coupon to be excused from giving for the next two years, any time you hear one of their periodic fund drives. The deceased Burger Queen has paid your tab.
11/06/2003
how horrible is this?
cincinatti reds player found dead...shot and dragged to death.
the depths of man's depravity is deplorable.
the depths of man's depravity is deplorable.
a practical definition of insanity
That Gary Ridgway, confessed killer of 48 women in the Seattle area, can get life in prison as his punishment for the crimes, while at the same time, Florida Governor Jeb Bush has to intercede to keep Terry Schiavo from being put to death by starvation.
must see no more
Last week, we tuned in for Thursday night's NBC fare. I'm a bit disappointed because it seems like three of their shows are sharing one team of writers. On Will & Grace, Grace is leaving with her husband for Cambodia on a Doctors without Borders stint (this apparently was funny). On Scrubs, Elliot's boyfriend was leaving for three months for a Sea World-type job (hilarious, right?), and then on ER, there's all kinds of angst because Carter and Kovach (i think that's his name) are both involved with Doctors without Borders, with work in Africa.
This week, Ross must decide what to do because Rachel leaves for a 4 month trip abroad for Ambiguously Employed In The Fashion Industry Single Thirtysomething Mothers Without Borders. Wackiness will no doubt ensue.
And for Coupling well see...no, wait....gloriously, this blechfest was mercifully cancelled.
I'm just one guy, but even I'm able to tell that the peacock might have a case of tail rot. Even the NBC president agrees that their programming surprisingly underwhelmed consumers, killing extended distribution.
This week, Ross must decide what to do because Rachel leaves for a 4 month trip abroad for Ambiguously Employed In The Fashion Industry Single Thirtysomething Mothers Without Borders. Wackiness will no doubt ensue.
And for Coupling well see...no, wait....gloriously, this blechfest was mercifully cancelled.
I'm just one guy, but even I'm able to tell that the peacock might have a case of tail rot. Even the NBC president agrees that their programming surprisingly underwhelmed consumers, killing extended distribution.
can you keep a secret
The next time someone asks you not to spread gossip that they themselves have just said to you, simply say, "If you really didn't want anyone to know, you wouldn't have shared it with me. Not only am I going to tell everybody, I'm going to tell them you told me."
Of course, this assumes you hate the gossip of others as much as if they were actually gossiping about you (which they likely are, but usually only if you are either engaged or disengaged in gossiping, too). That's a safe assumption, right?
Of course, this assumes you hate the gossip of others as much as if they were actually gossiping about you (which they likely are, but usually only if you are either engaged or disengaged in gossiping, too). That's a safe assumption, right?
twenty miles in sixty minutes
This morning on the commute, for a good distance, I followed a little silver car with a license plate frame promoting this website.
I thought it was a joke at first.
But now I'm hungry for toast.
Here's some toast "humor." Again, this illustrates that toast is easy, comedy is hard.
I thought it was a joke at first.
But now I'm hungry for toast.
Here's some toast "humor." Again, this illustrates that toast is easy, comedy is hard.
11/05/2003
hmmm....didn't know it.
I had no idea that larry burkett had died...clear back in July.
I only discovered this because someone ended up here looking for his obituary.
I'm thankful for his life and ministry.
I only discovered this because someone ended up here looking for his obituary.
I'm thankful for his life and ministry.
i don't mean to brag, but...
if I don't, then who will?
Kaylyn took second place in her school's "Reflections" contest. She created a work of art that expressed the sentiment, "I feel happy when..." She could have written a story or a poem, or built a sculpture, or anything else along these lines.
She chose to illustrate her sentiment using an 8.5X11 inch piece of copy paper, with Crayola Crayons as her medium of choice. Her work was entitled, "...when I go with my family to church." She illustrated beautifully a cathedral-style church, and us walking toward it.
Why do I brag? It's not like she took 1st. Here's why...because she's living her faith, as young as she is. She's unashamed of the Gospel, and God is using her to communicate His truth to people who might otherwise not know it. I brag because God doesn't look at a child and say, "some day, you'll be useful to me." He looks at her and says, "You were perfectly made for this use at this time."
God is awesome, and I praise Him for sealing my oldest daughter with the love and eternally secure protection of His Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of His Son.
Oh, and her second place ribbon is fancier than any first place ribbon I ever received.
Kaylyn took second place in her school's "Reflections" contest. She created a work of art that expressed the sentiment, "I feel happy when..." She could have written a story or a poem, or built a sculpture, or anything else along these lines.
She chose to illustrate her sentiment using an 8.5X11 inch piece of copy paper, with Crayola Crayons as her medium of choice. Her work was entitled, "...when I go with my family to church." She illustrated beautifully a cathedral-style church, and us walking toward it.
Why do I brag? It's not like she took 1st. Here's why...because she's living her faith, as young as she is. She's unashamed of the Gospel, and God is using her to communicate His truth to people who might otherwise not know it. I brag because God doesn't look at a child and say, "some day, you'll be useful to me." He looks at her and says, "You were perfectly made for this use at this time."
God is awesome, and I praise Him for sealing my oldest daughter with the love and eternally secure protection of His Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of His Son.
Oh, and her second place ribbon is fancier than any first place ribbon I ever received.
color schemes
I was inspired to go with the ode to autumn because of Jen's more elaborate redesign. Yes, Tony, it is a bit bright, but as soon as the day for giving thanks passes (although that very thing should be a perpetual celebration, from what I've read), I'll transition into a more Christmas-y color scheme. Trust me, yule love it.
the dentist's report
The kid's teeth are excellent. Kaylyn is riding shotgun on the expresscar to Bracesville. Her four molars have broken through, so the dentist has recommended sealing them. I need to look into that. I've only one cavity, and it was filled with a plaster sealant. But I'm all for preventative maintenence, if we can afford it.
Their teeth were all pearly white from the cleaning, and Cotter is particularly excited about "learning how to fossil between his teeth."
Their teeth were all pearly white from the cleaning, and Cotter is particularly excited about "learning how to fossil between his teeth."
an awesome day of worship
This is "at home week" for November at NAMB.
This means that all staff, if at all possible, stay "at home" for meetings. Trustees come in during "at home week." Just not this one.
We have chapel during "at home week." In some ways (and what I'm about to say is going to appear very smug, and it's not intended to be), it's almost like an "all star" church worship. The music is incredible, the preaching is always stellar. But I think what makes it so great is that the Lord is there, blessing a group of 400 or so saints who (almost without exception) have come voluntarily to praise and worship the Christ. It is always a highlight of my week to go to chapel.
Today, our chapel speaker was Dr. Ergun Caner. You might recognize him by name, because he's been popular ever since 9/11. A former Muslim, Caner is a professor of Theology at Liberty University. He has written two books about Islam and Christianity, and is much sought after for his wisdom and experience. Caner is personally significant to me because, for three years, he pastored a Baptist church in Aurora, Colorado.
It would be a mistake to think he was with us today because he's "the flavor of the month." This man is was so real, so genuine, so humble, it was a blessing just to be in the room with him. He shared his testiomony about coming to America as the son of an Imam (not the right word, but carries a similar concept), basically as "a missionary" to America. It was the dogged persistence of a boy who grew up in Royal Ambassadors (yes, we in Mission Education did the wave when he said that. You can't buy that type of PR), that led him to go to a revival, and the faithful attention of a pastor who answered all his questions. His father disowned him, but his two brothers, his mother, and his grandmother (at 99 years and 7 months) all came to faith in Jesus as the Christ.
If you have a chance to listen to this man preach, drop everything else and go listen. He has been anointed for such a time as this, and you will leave convicted, encouraged, and commissioned to serve the Lord.
Here is a real audio version of a message that likely has some of the same important messages. I'm only guessing because I don't have real audio here at the office.
This means that all staff, if at all possible, stay "at home" for meetings. Trustees come in during "at home week." Just not this one.
We have chapel during "at home week." In some ways (and what I'm about to say is going to appear very smug, and it's not intended to be), it's almost like an "all star" church worship. The music is incredible, the preaching is always stellar. But I think what makes it so great is that the Lord is there, blessing a group of 400 or so saints who (almost without exception) have come voluntarily to praise and worship the Christ. It is always a highlight of my week to go to chapel.
Today, our chapel speaker was Dr. Ergun Caner. You might recognize him by name, because he's been popular ever since 9/11. A former Muslim, Caner is a professor of Theology at Liberty University. He has written two books about Islam and Christianity, and is much sought after for his wisdom and experience. Caner is personally significant to me because, for three years, he pastored a Baptist church in Aurora, Colorado.
It would be a mistake to think he was with us today because he's "the flavor of the month." This man is was so real, so genuine, so humble, it was a blessing just to be in the room with him. He shared his testiomony about coming to America as the son of an Imam (not the right word, but carries a similar concept), basically as "a missionary" to America. It was the dogged persistence of a boy who grew up in Royal Ambassadors (yes, we in Mission Education did the wave when he said that. You can't buy that type of PR), that led him to go to a revival, and the faithful attention of a pastor who answered all his questions. His father disowned him, but his two brothers, his mother, and his grandmother (at 99 years and 7 months) all came to faith in Jesus as the Christ.
If you have a chance to listen to this man preach, drop everything else and go listen. He has been anointed for such a time as this, and you will leave convicted, encouraged, and commissioned to serve the Lord.
Here is a real audio version of a message that likely has some of the same important messages. I'm only guessing because I don't have real audio here at the office.
yeah...i don't know what i'm doing
For some reason, my blog is all italics in explorer, but normal (correct) in netscape.
What do you see?
And more to the point, why is that?
What do you see?
And more to the point, why is that?
a friend in need
Please take a moment to pray today for Bob Miller, husband to my secretary Gail. Bob is living in an advanced stage of heart disease, and has had a series of setbacks this week, including the momentary stoppage of his heart yesterday. Pray, too, for their children and grandchildren.
Thanks much.
Thanks much.
now...spit
My children are at the dentist's office.
This is the first time my two oldest children have been there. Now, before you run and call Child Protective Services, understand two things:
1. We've never had insurance decent enough until I have been employed by NAMB.
2. My children brush their teeth every day...and they don't even share a brush.
I recently heard a radio advertisement for a handy little service soothingly called "sedation dentistry." Look, it took me two years before I was comfortable falling asleep for a nap in front of my in-laws. There's no way in the world I'm going to be knocked out by a total stranger, just so they can tinker on my ivories. However, if you're going to cut me open and take out or repair body parts, I'm driving past the local stop for anesthesia, and driving all the way to the general store. Wake me up three days later and tell me what happened.
This is the first time my two oldest children have been there. Now, before you run and call Child Protective Services, understand two things:
1. We've never had insurance decent enough until I have been employed by NAMB.
2. My children brush their teeth every day...and they don't even share a brush.
I recently heard a radio advertisement for a handy little service soothingly called "sedation dentistry." Look, it took me two years before I was comfortable falling asleep for a nap in front of my in-laws. There's no way in the world I'm going to be knocked out by a total stranger, just so they can tinker on my ivories. However, if you're going to cut me open and take out or repair body parts, I'm driving past the local stop for anesthesia, and driving all the way to the general store. Wake me up three days later and tell me what happened.
why is that reindeer eating a chef salad?
Because Big Idea was sold to Classic Media LLC.
They own Rocky & Bullwinkle, The Lone Ranger, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and other brands.
They own Rocky & Bullwinkle, The Lone Ranger, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and other brands.
playing with my html
yay me! i'll actually use this. for Scripture quotes and excerpts, most likely.
last night's bedtime discussion
Kaylyn: Daddy, does God know how many times I've kissed you in my life?
Me: He sure does.
She: Wow.
Me: He knows how many times you will kiss me in your whole life, and why you will give me each one of those kisses.
She: Wow!....So...Does that mean He knew...that...I'dgiveyouthiskissrightnow*smack*?
Me: (Wiping cheek) He sure did. You didn't surprise Him with that smooch.
She: What else does God know?
Me: Well...He knows how many hairs are on your head.
She: What about Papa?
Me: Yes, Papa's, too.
She: Well, that won't take very long to count with Papa.
Me: No, probably not.
She: What else?
Me: He knows how many prayers you'll ever say. How many times you'll blink your whole life, and how many times your heart will beat.
She: That's a lot!....Do you think He'll tell me the numbers of all those things?
Me: I suppose so, if it's still important enough for you to ask, once you get there...
She: When I go to heaven, I'm going to have to remember to take a notepad and a pen to write all this down!
Me: He sure does.
She: Wow.
Me: He knows how many times you will kiss me in your whole life, and why you will give me each one of those kisses.
She: Wow!....So...Does that mean He knew...that...I'dgiveyouthiskissrightnow*smack*?
Me: (Wiping cheek) He sure did. You didn't surprise Him with that smooch.
She: What else does God know?
Me: Well...He knows how many hairs are on your head.
She: What about Papa?
Me: Yes, Papa's, too.
She: Well, that won't take very long to count with Papa.
Me: No, probably not.
She: What else?
Me: He knows how many prayers you'll ever say. How many times you'll blink your whole life, and how many times your heart will beat.
She: That's a lot!....Do you think He'll tell me the numbers of all those things?
Me: I suppose so, if it's still important enough for you to ask, once you get there...
She: When I go to heaven, I'm going to have to remember to take a notepad and a pen to write all this down!
a reasonable estimate
I'm assuming a good 15 percent of the people who come here today and read my previous post will either have no idea what I was talking about, or will be concerned that I suffered some sort of typographical Tourrette's episode.
i'm number one
in the yahoo search for " is the song real slim shady by eminem is not ethical in using it as a business strategy to sel"
Twelve otha bruthas tried for the top spot, but they couldn't take me. They like Moby. You don't know me. So step off.
...please stand up...
...please stand up...
Twelve otha bruthas tried for the top spot, but they couldn't take me. They like Moby. You don't know me. So step off.
...please stand up...
...please stand up...
an end-of-the-morning-run epiphany
getting fit (aka "staying in shape," aka "losing weight," aka "fightin' the grim reaper") isn't hard.
but it does take work.
but it does take work.
if an ex-president holds a fundraiser and nobody's there to hear it...
does he really make a sound?
Joe Kelley shares the story of President Clinton's recent speech for a Hebrew Academy that was arranged to bring funds to the school.
Instead, it cost them $2,000.
My solution is simple, that he give back the speaking fee. According to this, he's not having any problems drawing an audience (present audience notwithstanding). The simplicity of this solution of course means that it will never happen. Tough lesson in economics, provided with love by your ex-president.
Shalom.
Seems to me that this is just the latest in an increasing series of setbacks for the President, dating to the 2000 election. The guy just can't even deliver. He couldn't rally Arkansas and Tennessee or Florida to re-Gore-gitate his 8 year agenda. He couldn't rally Cahlifohnya to stay in a hazy shade of Gray. And now he can't even draw a profitable number of Washington state Jewish voters. I wonder how many of the Dem. '04 candidates are saying to their campaign managers, "If Bill calls, tell him I'm too busy to talk now. I'll get back to him after the election."
Joe Kelley shares the story of President Clinton's recent speech for a Hebrew Academy that was arranged to bring funds to the school.
Instead, it cost them $2,000.
My solution is simple, that he give back the speaking fee. According to this, he's not having any problems drawing an audience (present audience notwithstanding). The simplicity of this solution of course means that it will never happen. Tough lesson in economics, provided with love by your ex-president.
Shalom.
Seems to me that this is just the latest in an increasing series of setbacks for the President, dating to the 2000 election. The guy just can't even deliver. He couldn't rally Arkansas and Tennessee or Florida to re-Gore-gitate his 8 year agenda. He couldn't rally Cahlifohnya to stay in a hazy shade of Gray. And now he can't even draw a profitable number of Washington state Jewish voters. I wonder how many of the Dem. '04 candidates are saying to their campaign managers, "If Bill calls, tell him I'm too busy to talk now. I'll get back to him after the election."
11/04/2003
yeah, it was kinda creepy
We watched 8 simple rules tonight.
I don't know why it creeped me out.
I think because it felt like they weren't acting.
And when it did feel like they were acting, it was being done poorly.
You could figure it was going to be spartan on its laughs, but it still attempted overt humor, but without a laugh track, which only illustrated how profoundly unfunny the humor turned out to be. I guess that illustrates that death is easy, comedy is hard.
In giving a little license here, I suppose it's pretty much new territory, writing for the lead when the lead dies unexpectedly like that.
And when I heard Jim Garner was going to be on, I had a Maverick version of Jim Garner in mind. But this was more of a Rockford from the Retirement Home Jim Garner.
I'd hate to be remiss and not mention that I thought they did a wonderful job of introducing spritual themes and abandoning them to die slow, uncomfortable, unanswered, unaddressed lingering deaths. Unfortunately, the show will probably be labeled "bold" for lashing out at God (without explaining His grace amidst tragedy). Oh well, that's Hollywood for you.
Be sure to tune in next week, when the wacky uncle from Latvia joins the family to pick up the reins. The laugh track returns and hijinks ensue!
I don't know why it creeped me out.
I think because it felt like they weren't acting.
And when it did feel like they were acting, it was being done poorly.
You could figure it was going to be spartan on its laughs, but it still attempted overt humor, but without a laugh track, which only illustrated how profoundly unfunny the humor turned out to be. I guess that illustrates that death is easy, comedy is hard.
In giving a little license here, I suppose it's pretty much new territory, writing for the lead when the lead dies unexpectedly like that.
And when I heard Jim Garner was going to be on, I had a Maverick version of Jim Garner in mind. But this was more of a Rockford from the Retirement Home Jim Garner.
I'd hate to be remiss and not mention that I thought they did a wonderful job of introducing spritual themes and abandoning them to die slow, uncomfortable, unanswered, unaddressed lingering deaths. Unfortunately, the show will probably be labeled "bold" for lashing out at God (without explaining His grace amidst tragedy). Oh well, that's Hollywood for you.
Be sure to tune in next week, when the wacky uncle from Latvia joins the family to pick up the reins. The laugh track returns and hijinks ensue!
sung to the tune of don't go breakin' my heart
My warning to Tony not withstanding, the Broncos did the impossible and lost to the Patriots.
And yes, I stayed up until 12:23 to watch them give the game away in the final 36 seconds.
What began as a season of promise has disintegrated into one of mere survival. They, in my opinion, have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. And they still have another game against the Chefs.
Yes, my swagger looks more like a limp these days, but I remain true.
And yes, I stayed up until 12:23 to watch them give the game away in the final 36 seconds.
What began as a season of promise has disintegrated into one of mere survival. They, in my opinion, have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. And they still have another game against the Chefs.
Yes, my swagger looks more like a limp these days, but I remain true.
i'll watch this...eventually
NOVA (which will always be Spanish for "we ain't going anywhere" and often adequately depicts the ultimate aim of scientific pursuits in this spirit of futility) has a series of quick time vids explaining physics...including Eintein's theory, gravity, string theory, dimensional reality, etc.
Reminder: Physics was the class where I focused intently on the proving the theory that if I pretended to pay attention, worked hard in the first weeks of the class, and gradually decreased both my attention and effort, I could succeed in passing with an A in the class and still learn next to nothing.*
so I may have to watch these things more than once.
*in proving this theory true, it has become known affectionately known as Bryan's law of accelerated precollegiate academic inertia. This law that is now embraced by thousands of 12th grade students every year.
Reminder: Physics was the class where I focused intently on the proving the theory that if I pretended to pay attention, worked hard in the first weeks of the class, and gradually decreased both my attention and effort, I could succeed in passing with an A in the class and still learn next to nothing.*
so I may have to watch these things more than once.
*in proving this theory true, it has become known affectionately known as Bryan's law of accelerated precollegiate academic inertia. This law that is now embraced by thousands of 12th grade students every year.
i've tested positive
I've known there was something wrong my whole life, but I was in denial for most of it. A symptom would pop up, and I'd dismiss it. Another would burst out violently, and I'd try to explain it away as normal to all people. For a while, I even tried to convince myself that my disease was to be celebrated, that this which was killing me actually felt good. But I knew. I knew.
I began searching for explanations. And I discovered that most medical doctors won't even touch it. They acknowledge that the end result is terminal, but are powerless to avert its inevitability. So I went to psychologists. They just shrugged their shoulders and called it "the human condition." I went to Hollywood. They called it "the human stain" and threw a party for it. I went to theologians and learned they called the study of it hamartiology. Finally, I had a name for it. But just like the physician calls carcinoma the same thing I call cancer, I needed not only to know, but also to understand that which was killing me.
I went to the theologian's Handbook, and began reading about my disease.
Here's some of what I found:
Oh, and one more thing....
you've got it, too.
You can try to deny it if you want. But there's really no denying it. You've seen a symptom, even if you didn't recognize it at the time. Have you ever hated someone? Lied to someone? Cheated someone? Put yourself first? Manipulated someone? Intentionally hurt someone emotionally, mentally, or physically? There's no need to lie to yourself now...it's just you and your computer monitor. You've done one or more of these things, and its proof that you're sick.
This disease, this sickness, this illness...is horrible. Left untreated, it will eat up your insides and leave as a shell of a person. It will ruin you. You'll be detested, detesting, and detestable. It will destroy your happiness, your health, your relationships, your joy, your peace. It will rob you of your prosperity, of your tranquility, and of your purpose. Finally, when it's done utterly destroying your life, this sickness will kill you.
What's crazy about this sickness is that in time, we begin to think that the symptoms are actually the problem. We think that if we try hard enough, we can stem the tide of the things that make us weak. We think that if we can just beat the symptoms, maybe that will mean that we've conquered the sickness. If I can just quit drinking, you might think. If I can just stay away from the Internet. If I cut up my credit cards. Noble ambitions all (and the multitude of others just like them), but like the Advil that treats only the symptom of the pounding headache and not the high blood pressure causing it, our attempts to handle the outwardly-expressed spiritual symptoms do little to cure of us the internal ailment that defiles and ultimately destroys us.
What's even more sickeningly remarkable about this disease is that you can appear completely asymptomatic on the outside. You can look completely healthy from human standards. You can be fit, smiling, laughing, and prospering, while at the same time be wasting away, rotting from filth waiting to spew out, decaying ever closer to death.
Regardless of the manifestation of the symptoms, when the disease of sin reaches maturity, it is manifested in what has come to be known as depravity. And once that happens, all sorts of outward (but still concealable) symptoms appear. Mutated, unnatural, unhealthy expressions of love, of satisfaction, and of entitlement appear. We call them things like alcoholism, pornography, adultery, addiction, gluttony, and debt because we recognize that they are unnatural and unhealthy. A depraved mind thinks illogical, nonsensical, delusional thoughts. A depraved heart beats erratically for the thrill of pursuing lusts, and a depraved body seeks its fulfillment in the sensory satisfaction of its own self-awareness. In fact, once depraved, you'll likely be so ill that you won't even realize it. The delusional qualities of the disease are really quite powerful.
Inevitably, depravity gives way to despair. Despair associated with the terminal malady of sin has led countless people choose death rather than life. Ironically, a person can come to the same unfortunate end by either fully exploring the decadence of a symptom, or never being able to rise from the floor of their own futility. Sin is a completely indescriminate, highly efficient, and wholly effective murderer.
Those of us with this disease truly have no hope for this life. And if you die mired in this sin, you have no hope for ever escaping your despair. You see, when this life gives way to the next one, if God finds you stained with sin, he has no choice but to forbid you from entering heaven.
If you for a moment determine not to romanticize your sickness, you'll see that it really is a virus much worse than anything being created in super-secret laboratories today. If you for a moment looked at your disease the way God looks at it, you would really have no problem understanding why God absolutely has quarantined those of us (which is all of us) with the disease from ever entering heaven. You possess the virus that, if allowed, would contaminate heaven. God simply cannot allow you entrance in your contaminated condition, for it would destroy the sterility a His holy home.
In our current condition, what hope have any of us to escape this body of death?
Alas, what hope do we have?
To overcome such a foe, we have to understand how it works and how to overcome it. It lives in the flesh. It corrupts the mind. It destroys the heart. It consumes the body.
Clearly, the only hope is a total and complete transplant.
I need a new heart.
I need a new mind.
I need a new body.
Simply stated, I need to be a new creation.
For this to take place, I need a miracle.
Fortunately, today, God offers a miracle.
How? Because God offers His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ.
God's offer of Jesus is nothing less than an offer of a total cure. It is the offer of life. It is the offer of hope. It is the offer of heaven.
How do you accept this offer of grace? By faith. Nothing more, for that would be work. And certainly nothing less, for that would be heresy.
The Handbook says if you call on the name of God, you will be saved. Saved from death. Not only that, God's offer will save you from the very stain of sin itself.
How does God accomplish this?
When you place your faith in Jesus as the Christ, as your provision for forgiveness, for healing and reconciliation. God performs the transplant that is necessary.
He gives you a new heart and a new spirit.
He gives you a new mind.
Simply stated, you'll be reborn. Only this time, instead of a destiny of death, you have a destiny of life.
You'll still live in this terminal body. And it will one day cease to function. And once that day arrives, you'll live in the fullness of your faith. Until then, you will live by faith in the challenge of the paradox.
Make no mistake about it, no matter what your dead flesh says by its temptings and its corruptions, it really is dead. If your faith is in Jesus, then your flesh was nailed on the cross. It was buried in the tomb along with Jesus. And now, by faith, you have been resurrected along with Him. You are a child of God, in whom is found no sin, in whom is found total forgiveness, in whom is found complete healing and restoration, in whom has received the total, complete, unwavering holy love of God.
Today, live in the full health of your healed identity. And spread the Word that there's a cure!
I began searching for explanations. And I discovered that most medical doctors won't even touch it. They acknowledge that the end result is terminal, but are powerless to avert its inevitability. So I went to psychologists. They just shrugged their shoulders and called it "the human condition." I went to Hollywood. They called it "the human stain" and threw a party for it. I went to theologians and learned they called the study of it hamartiology. Finally, I had a name for it. But just like the physician calls carcinoma the same thing I call cancer, I needed not only to know, but also to understand that which was killing me.
I went to the theologian's Handbook, and began reading about my disease.
Here's some of what I found:
- The hamar virus that has infected me is called sin.
- I was born with it.
- It's hereditary...I got it from my parents, who are both afflicted with it, who in turn got it from their parents, who were afflicted with it. In fact, it goes all the way down my family tree.
- And wouldn't you know it...i married someone with the same problem. and we've passed it on to all our children. Although we'd like to hope for the best, we've already seen small symptomatic outbreaks in each of them that, in all likelihood, will only advance as they mature.
- And it's terminal.
Oh, and one more thing....
you've got it, too.
You can try to deny it if you want. But there's really no denying it. You've seen a symptom, even if you didn't recognize it at the time. Have you ever hated someone? Lied to someone? Cheated someone? Put yourself first? Manipulated someone? Intentionally hurt someone emotionally, mentally, or physically? There's no need to lie to yourself now...it's just you and your computer monitor. You've done one or more of these things, and its proof that you're sick.
This disease, this sickness, this illness...is horrible. Left untreated, it will eat up your insides and leave as a shell of a person. It will ruin you. You'll be detested, detesting, and detestable. It will destroy your happiness, your health, your relationships, your joy, your peace. It will rob you of your prosperity, of your tranquility, and of your purpose. Finally, when it's done utterly destroying your life, this sickness will kill you.
What's crazy about this sickness is that in time, we begin to think that the symptoms are actually the problem. We think that if we try hard enough, we can stem the tide of the things that make us weak. We think that if we can just beat the symptoms, maybe that will mean that we've conquered the sickness. If I can just quit drinking, you might think. If I can just stay away from the Internet. If I cut up my credit cards. Noble ambitions all (and the multitude of others just like them), but like the Advil that treats only the symptom of the pounding headache and not the high blood pressure causing it, our attempts to handle the outwardly-expressed spiritual symptoms do little to cure of us the internal ailment that defiles and ultimately destroys us.
What's even more sickeningly remarkable about this disease is that you can appear completely asymptomatic on the outside. You can look completely healthy from human standards. You can be fit, smiling, laughing, and prospering, while at the same time be wasting away, rotting from filth waiting to spew out, decaying ever closer to death.
Regardless of the manifestation of the symptoms, when the disease of sin reaches maturity, it is manifested in what has come to be known as depravity. And once that happens, all sorts of outward (but still concealable) symptoms appear. Mutated, unnatural, unhealthy expressions of love, of satisfaction, and of entitlement appear. We call them things like alcoholism, pornography, adultery, addiction, gluttony, and debt because we recognize that they are unnatural and unhealthy. A depraved mind thinks illogical, nonsensical, delusional thoughts. A depraved heart beats erratically for the thrill of pursuing lusts, and a depraved body seeks its fulfillment in the sensory satisfaction of its own self-awareness. In fact, once depraved, you'll likely be so ill that you won't even realize it. The delusional qualities of the disease are really quite powerful.
Inevitably, depravity gives way to despair. Despair associated with the terminal malady of sin has led countless people choose death rather than life. Ironically, a person can come to the same unfortunate end by either fully exploring the decadence of a symptom, or never being able to rise from the floor of their own futility. Sin is a completely indescriminate, highly efficient, and wholly effective murderer.
Those of us with this disease truly have no hope for this life. And if you die mired in this sin, you have no hope for ever escaping your despair. You see, when this life gives way to the next one, if God finds you stained with sin, he has no choice but to forbid you from entering heaven.
If you for a moment determine not to romanticize your sickness, you'll see that it really is a virus much worse than anything being created in super-secret laboratories today. If you for a moment looked at your disease the way God looks at it, you would really have no problem understanding why God absolutely has quarantined those of us (which is all of us) with the disease from ever entering heaven. You possess the virus that, if allowed, would contaminate heaven. God simply cannot allow you entrance in your contaminated condition, for it would destroy the sterility a His holy home.
In our current condition, what hope have any of us to escape this body of death?
- Fortune won't do it. The homeless man and the billionaire both end up in the ground.
- Fame won't accomplish it. Few are the names that live beyond death, and so little of a person's fulness is captured in a name.
- Work won't overcome it. Sin is the ever-pulsing tide, washing away the tiny shovel-scoops of shore that is the work of your human effort.
- Power won't overwhelm it. Sin has brought or will bring to death every King, Emporer, Potentate, Dictator, President, or Leader ever to assume the position.
Alas, what hope do we have?
To overcome such a foe, we have to understand how it works and how to overcome it. It lives in the flesh. It corrupts the mind. It destroys the heart. It consumes the body.
Clearly, the only hope is a total and complete transplant.
I need a new heart.
I need a new mind.
I need a new body.
Simply stated, I need to be a new creation.
For this to take place, I need a miracle.
Fortunately, today, God offers a miracle.
How? Because God offers His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Christ.
God's offer of Jesus is nothing less than an offer of a total cure. It is the offer of life. It is the offer of hope. It is the offer of heaven.
How do you accept this offer of grace? By faith. Nothing more, for that would be work. And certainly nothing less, for that would be heresy.
The Handbook says if you call on the name of God, you will be saved. Saved from death. Not only that, God's offer will save you from the very stain of sin itself.
How does God accomplish this?
When you place your faith in Jesus as the Christ, as your provision for forgiveness, for healing and reconciliation. God performs the transplant that is necessary.
He gives you a new heart and a new spirit.
He gives you a new mind.
Simply stated, you'll be reborn. Only this time, instead of a destiny of death, you have a destiny of life.
You'll still live in this terminal body. And it will one day cease to function. And once that day arrives, you'll live in the fullness of your faith. Until then, you will live by faith in the challenge of the paradox.
Make no mistake about it, no matter what your dead flesh says by its temptings and its corruptions, it really is dead. If your faith is in Jesus, then your flesh was nailed on the cross. It was buried in the tomb along with Jesus. And now, by faith, you have been resurrected along with Him. You are a child of God, in whom is found no sin, in whom is found total forgiveness, in whom is found complete healing and restoration, in whom has received the total, complete, unwavering holy love of God.
Today, live in the full health of your healed identity. And spread the Word that there's a cure!
11/03/2003
Another Betrayal (of) Christianity
I've on the television the airing of the "news" program hypothesizing that Mary of Magdela was the bride of Jesus.
Highlights so far:
-- A priest saying "demons" are not "demons," but "sicknesses." He also says that she may be the chief apostle of Jesus.
-- A novel writer who actually believes the that his fictional premise is true.
-- An outlandish statement that "everyone" is reading the delusional author's writing. (the book has sold 4 million copies, roughly 2 percent of the US population)
-- The vague reference to "scholars," with no reference (to this point) of an evangelical. Update: there has been one reference to a scholar from Dallas Theological Seminary, who affirms a high estimation of Mary in the early church, which < tongue inserted into cheek > She must have carried Jesus' love child < /tongue inserted in cheek >.
-- The "reasoning" by a Harvard "Scholar" that its possible that He was married, just because it was normal for Jewish men of His age to be married.
-- A reference to John 20 where Jesus says "don't touch me," which has been misconstrued by the "scholars" that Jesus was "in a state between life and death" and that the level of intimacy reflects their married state.
-- That "John" in DaVinci's Last Supper is not "John" but instead "Mary." By their own admission, they could only find one other person who believes this, but rather than discrediting it, they expound on the theory extsnsively.
I could go on but there's no cause.
-- Then, of course, the reference to "the hidden gospels." these things always go to the heretical books to prove their fallacies.
-- A nice prudish nod to the idea that Jesus may have kissed Mary on the mouth. Paul urges us to greet one another with "a holy kiss," which by (il)logical (hyper)extension must mean we're all supposed to be gay.
-- Some hoohah about "the Holy Grail" being Mary herself.
-- Subtle bombs such as "The Christian Bible obviously has several gaps" that have only subversive intentions
-- Selective mixing to provide the previously mentioned "scholars" with Gregorian chants, which is a feeble effort to lend religious credibility to their heresy.
-- A summary (paraphrased): we found no proof. but we learned about Jesus and Mary. And if they were married, it doesn't really matter. But they loved each other.
Three simple points here.
1 -- Does it matter? Yes. and here's why. Despite all the claims that it doesn't weaken the "scholars'" faith (which it may not), it is extremely relevant because if Jesus were inclined and given to marriage, it would mean that Jesus pursued some other agenda other than the Father's business, which is to reconcile lost and fallen man back to the holy, sinless Father. Read John 5 and John 10 and you'll discover that Jesus was intensely focused on accomplishing the Father's business. If Jesus were to be married and father a daughter, then Jesus would have been giving priority to a competing agenda (at worst) or (at best) He was "hedging His bets." If either were true, then He's not Messiah at all, just a dead guy on a cross who left behind a wife and a baby.
Also, nothing ever -- ever -- has been accepted as a credible belief in an offspring of Jesus. If such a thing did exist, such offspring would either be reviled and persecuted, honored and worshipped, or pursued and controlled for political gain throughout history. None of these things ever -- ever -- took place. Logically, we can only assume that no such "heir" exists.
listen, this guy doesn't even think he's an heir. he just thinks he's the real deal.
2 -- Why is this even on the air? Surely, you're not that naive. Look, it thrills the world (literally) to get us talking about the humanity of Jesus because it causes the person of flesh to doubt the deity of Jesus. And better yet, if we're talking about Mary of Magdela, then we're not talking about Jesus. Add the two together, and its a compounded effort to undermine the purpose of the Christ. Human nature finds very appealing the recurring habit demonstrated here to say things like "we find no evidence proving this, but..."
Now really, if for just a moment, you break this down, you find out that nothing's really changed since that Snake tempted Eve in the garden. Is the Adversary's "Did God really say..." that much different than the baloney being vomited out tonight?
3 -- I actually agree (partially) with their summary statement. This is a love story. It was not a phileo love story, nor was it an eros love story. The story of Mary of Magdela and Jesus of Nazareth is pure and simple an agape love story. He loved her perfectly with the holy love of a shepherd after a lost sheep. He found her. He delivered her. He saved her. He accomplished His purpose in her life, and He seeks to do the same in yours. Because He loves you with the same perfect, holy agape love.
Highlights so far:
-- A priest saying "demons" are not "demons," but "sicknesses." He also says that she may be the chief apostle of Jesus.
-- A novel writer who actually believes the that his fictional premise is true.
-- An outlandish statement that "everyone" is reading the delusional author's writing. (the book has sold 4 million copies, roughly 2 percent of the US population)
-- The vague reference to "scholars," with no reference (to this point) of an evangelical. Update: there has been one reference to a scholar from Dallas Theological Seminary, who affirms a high estimation of Mary in the early church, which < tongue inserted into cheek > She must have carried Jesus' love child < /tongue inserted in cheek >.
-- The "reasoning" by a Harvard "Scholar" that its possible that He was married, just because it was normal for Jewish men of His age to be married.
-- A reference to John 20 where Jesus says "don't touch me," which has been misconstrued by the "scholars" that Jesus was "in a state between life and death" and that the level of intimacy reflects their married state.
-- That "John" in DaVinci's Last Supper is not "John" but instead "Mary." By their own admission, they could only find one other person who believes this, but rather than discrediting it, they expound on the theory extsnsively.
I could go on but there's no cause.
-- Then, of course, the reference to "the hidden gospels." these things always go to the heretical books to prove their fallacies.
-- A nice prudish nod to the idea that Jesus may have kissed Mary on the mouth. Paul urges us to greet one another with "a holy kiss," which by (il)logical (hyper)extension must mean we're all supposed to be gay.
-- Some hoohah about "the Holy Grail" being Mary herself.
-- Subtle bombs such as "The Christian Bible obviously has several gaps" that have only subversive intentions
-- Selective mixing to provide the previously mentioned "scholars" with Gregorian chants, which is a feeble effort to lend religious credibility to their heresy.
-- A summary (paraphrased): we found no proof. but we learned about Jesus and Mary. And if they were married, it doesn't really matter. But they loved each other.
Three simple points here.
1 -- Does it matter? Yes. and here's why. Despite all the claims that it doesn't weaken the "scholars'" faith (which it may not), it is extremely relevant because if Jesus were inclined and given to marriage, it would mean that Jesus pursued some other agenda other than the Father's business, which is to reconcile lost and fallen man back to the holy, sinless Father. Read John 5 and John 10 and you'll discover that Jesus was intensely focused on accomplishing the Father's business. If Jesus were to be married and father a daughter, then Jesus would have been giving priority to a competing agenda (at worst) or (at best) He was "hedging His bets." If either were true, then He's not Messiah at all, just a dead guy on a cross who left behind a wife and a baby.
Also, nothing ever -- ever -- has been accepted as a credible belief in an offspring of Jesus. If such a thing did exist, such offspring would either be reviled and persecuted, honored and worshipped, or pursued and controlled for political gain throughout history. None of these things ever -- ever -- took place. Logically, we can only assume that no such "heir" exists.
listen, this guy doesn't even think he's an heir. he just thinks he's the real deal.
2 -- Why is this even on the air? Surely, you're not that naive. Look, it thrills the world (literally) to get us talking about the humanity of Jesus because it causes the person of flesh to doubt the deity of Jesus. And better yet, if we're talking about Mary of Magdela, then we're not talking about Jesus. Add the two together, and its a compounded effort to undermine the purpose of the Christ. Human nature finds very appealing the recurring habit demonstrated here to say things like "we find no evidence proving this, but..."
Now really, if for just a moment, you break this down, you find out that nothing's really changed since that Snake tempted Eve in the garden. Is the Adversary's "Did God really say..." that much different than the baloney being vomited out tonight?
3 -- I actually agree (partially) with their summary statement. This is a love story. It was not a phileo love story, nor was it an eros love story. The story of Mary of Magdela and Jesus of Nazareth is pure and simple an agape love story. He loved her perfectly with the holy love of a shepherd after a lost sheep. He found her. He delivered her. He saved her. He accomplished His purpose in her life, and He seeks to do the same in yours. Because He loves you with the same perfect, holy agape love.
do you know the rules
I came across some rules for the south, and thought I'd post them here for Kyle's appreciation.
though I'm a transplant, I must still be a Rocky Mountain Redneck® because these look pretty good to me.
Here's some more, from a different place.
though I'm a transplant, I must still be a Rocky Mountain Redneck® because these look pretty good to me.
Here's some more, from a different place.
report on North Cross
I've been so busy today I haven't had a chance to get this out earlier.
Let me amend that. I've been too busy since coming to work. But this morning, I was unable to write because of other reasons.
Recently, I began running. Getting up a half hour earlier, running for about 30 minutes. This does not mean I'm a runner. I'm more of what could be described as a runner/walker/oh-goodness-is-he-okay? type of jogger. But I'm sticking with it. And I'm glad I have started because I never regret it, despite the constant battle with my flesh to continue doing it (my bed is a very cozy place and is difficult to leave each morn). Well, today was a running day. So I ran. But the problem was, I ran in a different direction than I ran last week. And it's not that I got lost, because I was pretty much running in a straight line. But when I reached my turning point (which is when my body, amidst the ironically heavy-yet-shallow breathing, cries out, "turn around you fool, lest you die!), I began praying for some others whilst I ran. This tactic is good for the obvious reasons of fellowship with the Father, but also for the funcitional benefit of not dwelling on the progress of the run. However, that benefit is also the shortcoming, because I eventually discovered I didn't recognize where I was. I ended up running a quarter mile past my house -- not because I had some Jim Fix-like kick in me, but simply because I failed to recognize my home as I passed it. So I stopped, looked around to make sure I was the only moron in the middle of Crossroads Road at the moment, and sheepishly returned to my home.
So that's why I didn't write this morning.
Now, back to last night.
It a single word -- incredible. In more than a single word, it was an experience where, as we were in the middle of it, you just knew it was the answer to months of prayer, the fulfillment of promises that had been given by God in faith much earlier. It was a small gathering of six adults (one of our families was away because the husband/dad is a NAMB employee who was in St. Louis at a missionary commissioning, so his family wasn't there). We sang some songs together, I gave a short testimony. We sang some more songs, and then Pastor Jim preached a message from Philippians 1:1-2. You know, and I say this without pride nor prejudice -- it was the best message I have heard since being in a church in Georgia. It wasn't "the best message ever." But it was good. And you know why? Because the Lord took His logos Word and transformed it through His Holy Spirit to have rhema power. When a pastor preaches the anointed Word, it could be a geneaology or a levitical law and it could still be dynamic. And it was.
We felt like we were with our family -- the first time we felt that way since we've been in Georgia. We felt like we were with the people that we'd be serving alongside, growing with, and worshipping with (apologies for poor grammatic structure). It was incredible.
We're meeting every-other week between now and 2004, then we'll begin meeting weekly. We're planning some off-week activities like evangelistic visitation and fellowship, but we're still seeing how to develop those.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers about this. God answered the prayers abundantly and we were blessed beyond blessed last night.
Let me amend that. I've been too busy since coming to work. But this morning, I was unable to write because of other reasons.
Recently, I began running. Getting up a half hour earlier, running for about 30 minutes. This does not mean I'm a runner. I'm more of what could be described as a runner/walker/oh-goodness-is-he-okay? type of jogger. But I'm sticking with it. And I'm glad I have started because I never regret it, despite the constant battle with my flesh to continue doing it (my bed is a very cozy place and is difficult to leave each morn). Well, today was a running day. So I ran. But the problem was, I ran in a different direction than I ran last week. And it's not that I got lost, because I was pretty much running in a straight line. But when I reached my turning point (which is when my body, amidst the ironically heavy-yet-shallow breathing, cries out, "turn around you fool, lest you die!), I began praying for some others whilst I ran. This tactic is good for the obvious reasons of fellowship with the Father, but also for the funcitional benefit of not dwelling on the progress of the run. However, that benefit is also the shortcoming, because I eventually discovered I didn't recognize where I was. I ended up running a quarter mile past my house -- not because I had some Jim Fix-like kick in me, but simply because I failed to recognize my home as I passed it. So I stopped, looked around to make sure I was the only moron in the middle of Crossroads Road at the moment, and sheepishly returned to my home.
So that's why I didn't write this morning.
Now, back to last night.
It a single word -- incredible. In more than a single word, it was an experience where, as we were in the middle of it, you just knew it was the answer to months of prayer, the fulfillment of promises that had been given by God in faith much earlier. It was a small gathering of six adults (one of our families was away because the husband/dad is a NAMB employee who was in St. Louis at a missionary commissioning, so his family wasn't there). We sang some songs together, I gave a short testimony. We sang some more songs, and then Pastor Jim preached a message from Philippians 1:1-2. You know, and I say this without pride nor prejudice -- it was the best message I have heard since being in a church in Georgia. It wasn't "the best message ever." But it was good. And you know why? Because the Lord took His logos Word and transformed it through His Holy Spirit to have rhema power. When a pastor preaches the anointed Word, it could be a geneaology or a levitical law and it could still be dynamic. And it was.
We felt like we were with our family -- the first time we felt that way since we've been in Georgia. We felt like we were with the people that we'd be serving alongside, growing with, and worshipping with (apologies for poor grammatic structure). It was incredible.
We're meeting every-other week between now and 2004, then we'll begin meeting weekly. We're planning some off-week activities like evangelistic visitation and fellowship, but we're still seeing how to develop those.
Thanks to everyone for their prayers about this. God answered the prayers abundantly and we were blessed beyond blessed last night.
he's back, bloggier than ever
Kyle has returned, and has come out firing with a very good post on the state of "Christian radio."
This is the reason I recommended him to begin with, and why I recommend him today.
This is the reason I recommended him to begin with, and why I recommend him today.
moff-at county hey hey hey
I've been out of high school for almost 14 years now (good grief! I had no idea that number would look as big as it does!!!), and I'm not one of those people who pines away for the simpler days of yesteryear. They were good times with many good memories. but i've no desire to return to them.
nonetheless, it still is a tiny dagger in my bulldog-beating heart to see that my guys lost out to the hated rivals, the steamboat sailors.
< grumpy old man > back in my day....it didn't matter if you lost every other game, just as long as you didn't lose to the sailors....AND WE DIDN'T!! < /grumpy old man >
nonetheless, it still is a tiny dagger in my bulldog-beating heart to see that my guys lost out to the hated rivals, the steamboat sailors.
< grumpy old man > back in my day....it didn't matter if you lost every other game, just as long as you didn't lose to the sailors....AND WE DIDN'T!! < /grumpy old man >
a foregone conclusion
the patriots don't stand a chance.
although my dad, who partakes in weekly prognostication on these matters, has set aside his loyalties for the week.
the traitor.
broncos 31
patriots 19
although my dad, who partakes in weekly prognostication on these matters, has set aside his loyalties for the week.
the traitor.
broncos 31
patriots 19
11/02/2003
church developments
Today, we will be visiting First Baptist Church of Dawsonville, Georgia. This congregation is approximately 8 miles from our home.
Anyway, the real news that we've known of for quite some time but have yet to share is that we are a part of a new church start. The church will be up north here somewhere. What's important is that the church is being founded on the principles of evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.
When we learned about the opportunity a while back, we found ourselves asking the question, "Does this area really need another church?" There are lots of churches up here. But do you want to know something interesting? There's a lot of people who haven't connected with a church. When we go to church each week, we drive past several home (virtually every one of them) where the cars are still in the driveway. There are many, many people living in North Georgia who have never placed their faith in the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. So a tremendous opportunity still exists, to start a work that will glorify God, edify the Body, and see the Holy Spirit move.
Tonight is a big night for us because we are meeting for the first time as a Body for corporate worship. We're gathering at our home for a time of prayer, testimony, singing, and learning. We're excited to be a part of a new work with all the hope of potential waiting to be discovered.
We'd appreciate your prayers. Please pray for our pastor, Jim Perdue (Stephanie is the name of his wife). Pray for those who will come to faith through the ministry of the church, and whose lives will be changed.
Anyway, the real news that we've known of for quite some time but have yet to share is that we are a part of a new church start. The church will be up north here somewhere. What's important is that the church is being founded on the principles of evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.
When we learned about the opportunity a while back, we found ourselves asking the question, "Does this area really need another church?" There are lots of churches up here. But do you want to know something interesting? There's a lot of people who haven't connected with a church. When we go to church each week, we drive past several home (virtually every one of them) where the cars are still in the driveway. There are many, many people living in North Georgia who have never placed their faith in the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. So a tremendous opportunity still exists, to start a work that will glorify God, edify the Body, and see the Holy Spirit move.
Tonight is a big night for us because we are meeting for the first time as a Body for corporate worship. We're gathering at our home for a time of prayer, testimony, singing, and learning. We're excited to be a part of a new work with all the hope of potential waiting to be discovered.
We'd appreciate your prayers. Please pray for our pastor, Jim Perdue (Stephanie is the name of his wife). Pray for those who will come to faith through the ministry of the church, and whose lives will be changed.
an announcement that will undoubtedly change the landscape of this blog
I'm going to make a concerted effort to return to the Discipline of Capitalization®. I've determined that if "practice makes perfect," then I've been practicing to become perfectly undisciplined in my writing.*
*I had to backspace and correct my uncapitalized words three times in this entry.
*I had to backspace and correct my uncapitalized words three times in this entry.
kelsi's expanding vocabulary
bobbie = barbie
tee = i believe another molar has arrived.
ed = the domicile for daddy's spectacles and follicles.
nacknack= may i have a midday bite of sustenance?
chooch = ecclesiastical gathering
tee = i believe another molar has arrived.
ed = the domicile for daddy's spectacles and follicles.
nacknack= may i have a midday bite of sustenance?
chooch = ecclesiastical gathering
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
