Last week I wrote a blog about Scott Cohen, the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor for Illinois. (Scroll down the page if you have not seen it) It was funny because the day I blogged about this, it began to hit the news media and became a national story. Finally Cohen has dropped out of the race after his own party really turned the heat up on him to do so.
But my question is still the same….
What in the world is wrong with Illinois voters that they would vote for this man in the first place?!?!?!
None of this was a surprise. His stories have been well documented. But they voted for him anyway.
I’m beginning to think that Illinois is the at the threshold of Hell. … [Link]

I had a vision of a spiritual reality on Sunday, and I feel compelled to post it here. I feel like it’s a warning to some, an encouragement to others, and an illustration of the “break” many are seeing in the Church.

In the vision I saw ONE thing that was continually changing:

First it was a road (which was paved with gold)

Then it became a people-mover like you see at the airport

Then it became a river.

It started from “a ways back” (I couldn’t see its beginnings) and it went to heaven (which I could see off in the distance)

There were people in the road/conveyor/river. Most were laughing, happy, having a good time… some were simply walking or even just standing and …

[Link]

""And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field." ~ Deuteronomy 28:2,3

Yesterday my blessings bubbled over. First, I love my work — and yesterday I did plenty of it. I don't "have" to work — I GET to work!!! After working at the church office til' 6 pm, our pastor friends Keith and Joy met us at the church and took a tour of our facilities to see all that was done for the launch of Celebration. They were so excited for us about all God is doing. Then we went from there to dinner with … [Link]

One highlight of my time in Minneapolis was finally meeting Sam Storms. I really enjoyed filming a series of interview clips which will be shared on the blog over the next three days. This first section of our time is about his set of two new books on the much neglected epistle of 2 Corinthians. This is probably the most important book of the New Testament for understanding how a minister can relate to his people through great difficulties in a christo-centric way. It is also one of the most neglected books in the Bible.

Here’s what I said about these volumes: In this set of two books, Storms in his usual clear, engaging, heartwarming style unlocks perhaps Paul’s most personal and Christ-centered letter. You …

[Link]

[Link]

In the opening pages of his response to John Piper’s critique, N. T. Wright tries to explain his perspective on the tenor of the dialogue between himself and his reformed critics.

Wright describes a scene where we are attempting to explain to a man who “by some accident of education” had never heard that the earth revolved and rotated. You expalin the solar system and planetary motion with props and passion over a glass of wine. The next morning you wake up to the other man’s persistent knock. He takes you to a hilltop over looking the ocean. He returns to the topic of the previous night and then the great evidence arises in the east and he turns and says, “see I told you. There … [Link]

I just ran across some interesting data in the latest Barron's. The Conference Board reports that online job demand jumped dramatically from December to January. Specifically, 382,000 more online advertised job openings; 4,024,000 total online advertised job vacancies; 750,000 increase in online job demand over 3 month period; and 74,100 gain in online advertised vacancies for office and administrative-support jobs, the largest gain in January. Barron's, February 8, 2010, p.16 (citing Conference Board statistics).

Last week conservative news commentators poo-pooed the lower unemployment rate of 9.7%, claiming that the drop from double digits was a statistical anomaly. Those same commentators are claiming that any drop we see over the next few months will be largely due to more federal government hiring to fill census taker positions. … [Link]

On Sat Feb 6th, the Tulsa County GOP held a rally at the Tulsa Technology Center. A straw poll was conducted, the following question was asked concerning the below listed races:
"If the election were held today, who would you vote for…."
U.S. Congress District 1John Sullivan 52.9%Nathan Dahm 26.6Fran Moghaddam 1.5Undecided 13.3Not My District 5.7
GovernorRandy Brodgon 68.4%Mary Fallin 23.6Robert Hubbard 0.8Undecided 7.2
Lt GovernorJohn Wright 35.7%Todd Lamb 22.4Undecided 41.8
Attorney GeneralRyan Leonard 25.9%Clark Jolley 7.6Undecided 66.5
State TreasurerOwen Laughlin 18.3%Ken Miller 15.6Undecided 66.2
Superintendent of Public InstructionJanet Barresi 36.9%Shawn Hime 6.1Undecided 57.0
Commissioner of LaborTad Jones 18.6%Jason Reese 11.4Mark Costello 9.5Mark Mullin 0.4Undecided 60.1
State Senate District 34Tim Coager 16.0%Rick Brinkley 13.3Undecided 17.1Not My District 53.6
State Representative District 68Howard Pidcock 11.4%Glen Mulready … [Link]

With the threat of a winter storm approaching from the very part of the country into which we were heading, Beth and I left the house about nine-thirty Thursday evening, picked up a friend, and drove south into darkness. The other side of Louisville we connected with rain, heavy at times, dense enough here and there to create the possibility of hydroplaning, and it didn’t stop until those last [Link]

I. The highest values in the Kingdom start with every believer being equipped to have a life of Passionate Participation in God. To live in a passionate pursuit of knowing, experiencing and enjoying God and in bringing others along on the adventure.

A. This can be accomplished when our goal is to have the heart of the Father, the mind of Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Ø The heart of the Father: Learning to know Him relationally and then being a source of building up and encouraging others to have the same type of relationship. In equipping, mending, nurturing, challenging, releasing, mentoring, inspiring, motivating and encouraging the people around me.

Ø The mind of Christ: Knowing the Word both written and living so that we … [Link]

Dear Friends:

After a long hiatus, The Daily Word will return on Monday, March 1, 2010.

We’ll be studying Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. There will be a few cool features about the new series that I’ll unveil on March 1.

I’m sending you this email to make sure my RSS feed still works.

Please let me know whether you received this message via email by dropping me a line at george@georgepwood.com.

If you would like to unsubscribe from The Daily Word, just follow the instructions at the bottom of the email.

May God bless you richly today–and everyday!

George Paul Wood

[Link]

Since Primal is all about getting back to the Great Commandment which is all about love and we're coming up on Valentines Day which is all about love I thought it was a match made in heaven. We're going to share the love by doing a little V Day Special on Primal.

If you need a case of books we'll hook you up with a bulk discount. We'll also include In a Pit and Wild Goose Chase in the V Day Special.

Email resources@theaterchurch.com for the 411.

[Link]

Last year I was given the opportunity to publish in book form a study I have conducted over the last several years. I titled it Breaking the Spirit of Absalom. While it may never make the New York Times best Seller list, it has been a blessing for me to study and a blessing for many to read. You can obtain your copy of the book Breaking the Spirit of Absalom by going to the Absalom Book website http://davidcopelandbook.com. All proceeds from the sale of this book will help us in our Kenya outreaches. It is also available from Amazon.com.

I was recently pondering once again the life of Absalom when I came across 2 Samuel 18:18:

18 During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar …

[Link]

One of the joys of being a Christian is that we have brothers and sisters all over the world. One of the delights in being in a family of churches like Newfrontiers which has a strong set of core values and a shared story is that such ties are even stronger. Call it shared DNA, call it living in the shadow of Terry Virgo who’s example permeates the movement, or call it whatever you want, it is certainly very tangible.  From the moment I arrived in town and was met by a regular member who had given up his time to drive me from the airport I knew I was among my family here at Jubilee Church St. Louis.

I have had a great few …

[Link]

Thoughts from the weekend

Well….quite the game last night.

I was pulling for New Orleans. Not really against Indianapolis winning – but I, along with many, many others thought it would be great for the city to experience some success after all of the tragedy that they have gone through.

The Colts weren't giving Drew Brees anything long, so he completed 32 of 39 passes, almost all of them short routes and throws. 228 yards.

Give it to the Saints – they took what the Colts gave them.

And then, the coaching. Sean Payton. What a call to open up the second half. An onside kick. Brilliant (if it succeeds).

What I liked about the game is that each team played hard, without minimal penalties and few errors – although of … [Link]

Thanks to many of you who have said that you're praying for us.  You'll never know how encouraging that is.

In a few weeks I'll be sharing how you can be a part of The Philly Project's ongoing prayer team. In the meantime, here are five ways you can be praying for us right now!

• Pray for Leah and I quickly capture God's heart for the vision and values of this new church (Psalm 127.1).
• Pray for 500 people to join the Philly Project prayer team.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to use their prayers to inspire life transformation for the people of Philadelphia (James 5.16).
• Pray for God to lead us to the Philadelphia neighborhoods He wants us to focus on (1 Corinthians 2.10-11).
• Pray for …

[Link]

If you live in the Union Public School District, you need to vote on whether or not to pass the latest bond issue. This year it is a 22.5 million dollar bond, a bit more than last year…(I see a re-occurring theme)…

Here are the last several bond amounts.
2009: $20,000,000
2008: $19,400,000
2007: $17,000,000
2006: $15,200,000
2005: $13,000,000*
2004: $17,000,000*
2003: $16,000,000*
*Remember that Union school bonds are on a 5 year cycle. The new one coming on with the oldest one dropping off.


Here is the list of things the money is being used for this year.
UCA High School Wing – Phase 1** 12,000,000 Grove Remodel – Phase 2** 4,500,000 Textbooks/Media Books** 810,000 Site Allocations** 730,000 8th Grade Cooling Tower** 150,000 Tuttle … [Link]

We have been practicing NATIONAL DEFICIT SPENDING for as long as I can remember….where have all the "Tea Party" folks been for the last 30 or so years?

Where were all the "Tea Party" people during the last eight years when the Bush-Cheney Administration was spending this nation into oblivion with NO ACCOUNTABILITY?

I don't want to "burst" anyone's artificial bubble, but the Obama Administration is not the FIRST one to ever exercise DEFICIT Spending……and I'm sure this administration won't be the last one either…

I think the whole "Tea Party" syndrome is rather hypocritical…..but then again, that's just MY opinion. [Link]

It is not often that I hear a clear exegetical error in a sermon in my church. But I heard one last night. The preacher at the evening service, not the pastor, claimed that faith was a gift of God, and appealed to Ephesians 2:8 for support:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God …

Ephesians 2:8 (TNIV)

Well, it is not surprising that the preacher interpreted the verse in this way. (I don’t remember which Bible version it was quoted out of, perhaps NIV whose wording here is quite similar to TNIV’s.) In the English it certainly looks as if “this” refers back to “faith”, or else perhaps to …

[Link]

OK, I've got people worked up again. I seem to have the ability to do that, and quite well. Yesterday in my sermon, really as a side note, I talked about the runaway ecological efforts of some that are putting human beings at extreme risk and danger, for the sake of a bug, a minnow and so on. I pointed out that Genesis 1:28 says "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." I think most people understood what I was saying, but some took it to … [Link]

“;” alt=""/>

After hundreds of Newspaper and TV editorials, thousands of blogger posts, and even rival TV spots by Planned Parenthood, this is what it was all about—loving banter between a mother and her son? Of course it did have links to their entire story. Talk about overblown reaction from the Pro-Abort folks.

If you didn’t see the ‘controversial’ ads during the Super Bowl here’s one of the offending productions above. See it for yourself.

Powerline blog points out that the AP description doesn’t even come close to matching the real thing:

And a commercial by conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, perhaps the most anticipated ad of the night, hinted at a serious subject although it took a humorous tone too. Heisman winner …

[Link]

[Link]

I've been blogging now publicly since September 11, 2006, every day, sometimes more than once a day. That's a lot of posts!. There are some posts that are my favorites that will not be ready by most people simply because are they tucked away among this huge body of writing. I will often go back and read a few just to see where God has brought me from. Sometimes I laugh, other times cry, and every now and again I'll wonder, "what was I thinking to publicly write that?!" Like the time I blogged about Larry and I starting a fire (literally) in a hotel room in Miami a few years ago when we were in the middle of…well, you know. Or the time I … [Link]

The Neglected Book Page. I love the concept. There is a great library of neglected books out there, some justly neglected, but some not. The Neglected Book Page is combing the shelves.

***

Trevin Wax has advice for those who want to read more. His personal goal is 100 books per year! I'm not inclined to set numerical goals, but Trevin's advice is nonetheless interesting.

***

I’d put David Fitch's Backyard Missionary on my blogroll, only Blogger can't detect a feed. Anyway his latest, Not a Franchise, is really interesting.

***

Some great stuff at Sermon Jams. Listen.

***

Speaking of books, you can pre-order Michael Spencer's Mere Churchianity: Finding Your Way Back to Jesus-shaped Spirituality, which is due out in September.

***

[Link]

What kind of people are Christians? A common perception is of coldness, judgementalism, arrogance and hypocrisy. That is I think largely a stereotypical caricature that's often refuted by 'christians I know'. What I do know is that I can easily tend towards such unkindness. So maybe it's just me, but I doubt it.

Such coldness looks like Naomi in The Book of Ruth. She and her family go out from the people of God. Her confession in chapter 1 is that God is against her. Bethlehem is celebrating Passover, before the barley harvest – famine is over, salvation is in the air – Naomi is the wet blanket and the grey cloud. To her God is mean, and you need to know that. He is against … [Link]

Things You Don’t Hear In Church, But Should: 1. “Sometimes people get married for all the wrong reasons. When two people realize this unfortunate event, the most loving and courageous thing to do is set each other free. That is love too.” 2. “I have to be honest with all of you. I really have no idea what I’m talking about right now. In fact, it’s probably safe to say that the last 10 minutes of my sermon was complete bullshit. Sorry!” 3. (Scene, right after the offering, the talking head steps up to the microphone) “We are going to count up and evenly divide this morning’s offering and then give it back to all of you so you can take your families out to dinner …

[Link]

George Will has a great article in the Washington Post re: "How to get the country to solvency on entitlements."  Here's a sample, but it's well worth the whole thing:Some calamities — the 1929 stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, Sept. 11 — have come like summer lightning, as bolts from the blue. The looming crisis of America's Ponzi entitlement structure is different. Driven by the demographics of an aging population, its causes, timing and scope are known.Funding entitlements — especially medical care and pensions for the elderly — requires reinvigorating the economy. Ryan's map connects three destinations: economic vitality, diminished public debt, and health and retirement security. [Link]

George Will has a great article in the Washington Post re: "How to get the country to solvency on entitlements."  Here's a sample, but it's well worth the whole thing:Some calamities — the 1929 stock market crash, Pearl Harbor, Sept. 11 — have come like summer lightning, as bolts from the blue. The looming crisis of America's Ponzi entitlement structure is different. Driven by the demographics of an aging population, its causes, timing and scope are known.Funding entitlements — especially medical care and pensions for the elderly — requires reinvigorating the economy. Ryan's map connects three destinations: economic vitality, diminished public debt, and health and retirement security. [Link]

I’ve never been much of a salesperson, so my technique for burying things on my site so that people don’t notice them is a finely honed craft, the likes which have rarely been seen.

A friend recently sent me an email and indicated both surprise (“I just found this on your site!”) and interest in one of the art formats I make available for commission. I have it listed (i.e. buried) on my “hire” page, unspectacularly described in bullet-list format:

Travel Maps: Remember your travels, trips and vacations through a custom-painted map that depicts your route and any other key events or visual elements you’d like included. This is an excellent way to remember your travels and have a great display piece.

… [Link]

This post represents a closing of our deployment to OIF 2008-2009. Before we left for Iraq the Battalion Commander publicly spoke about holding a memorial ceremony and adding a memorial paver stone at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville for those in 2-Panther who would die on the field of honor. That day happened last Saturday at the Hall of Heroes on Ft. Bragg because of inclement weather. Families and Battalion Leadership are shown in the first picture.

We also celebrated the end of the deployment with an All Ranks Ball that took place on Wednesday evening. The first two pictures were downloaded from the 82D, 3BCT FB page.

This morning I was blessed to have Kevin S. over for breakfast. We attended … [Link]

The best rule of friendship is to keep your heart a little softer than your head. ~Author Unknown


photo taken in Abergavenny, Wales [Link]

(Ro 13:1) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
(Ro 13:2) Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
(Ro 13:3) For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
(Ro 13:4) For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, … [Link]

This is article from The Globe and Mail has a good summary of my thoughts on the subject. This is what I have been a "denier" of, if anything – advocacy in the name of science. Science is not about concensus, nor is it agenda-driven. Furthermore, models are just that – models. Policy is a wholly other thing.
None of this is to say that global warming isn't real, or that human activity doesn't play a role, or that the IPCC is entirely wrong, or that measures to curb greenhouse-gas emissions aren't valid. But the strategy pursued by activists (including scientists who have crossed the line into advocacy) has turned out to be fatally flawed.

By exaggerating the certainties, papering over the gaps, demonizing the skeptics and … [Link]

St Louis is home to two churches I was keen to visit.  The Journey is lead by Darrin Patrick and I was so glad to be able to get there yesterday evening.  I’ll talk about Jubilee probably tomorrow.  First up, I think I like the idea of the time.  5 PM on a Saturday is “dead time” for many people.  To be done by 7 PM and have an evening left would be very attractive to many, I am sure.  I suppose that if you have grown up in a religious family it may take some getting used to. But if your preference is for a Sunday morning, that would be fine as they do have Sunday morning services also. The meeting certainly felt like …

[Link]

What I’m looking for is a new ‘red letter’ awakening to spread across our land.

In the 70’s we had the ‘Jesus people’ move out here in California that spread across the whole country particularly among the young people. The emphasis was on salvation and Jesus coming back soon for his church.

In the 90’s in Toronto and at Brownsville in Florida it was the ‘Fathers Love’ which flowed into the churches and touched the lives of millions.

For nearly the entire 20th century beginning with Azusa Street in LA the emphasis was on reviving the work of the Holy Spirit and brings back all of the gifts and offices to the church. That one is still ongoing.

Nearly 500 years ago the Reformation …

[Link]

Huge thanks to everyone who went the extra mile to make our services happen this weekend. It was a heroic effort. From Brandt, Will and Andy who shoveled like antarctic natives to Michael and Shana who walked more than a mile through the snow to teach our kids, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you! Dave Schmidgall, one of campus pastors, drove our minivan complete with snow mohawk, to pick up our Ebenezers band. Chris Jarrell, our Kingstowne Campus Pastor, shoveled for 25 hours in a 24 hour period to dig out and get to church. And the stories go on and on.

What a weekend!

Sometimes a little extra effort leads to a little extra blessing!

[Link]

NT Wright On Justification – Part 1

I am reading N. T. Wright’s book on justification and John Piper’s critique of N. T. Wright as well and John Owen’s original work on “ Justification by Faith” (or here). My goal is actually personal in that I believe my own spiritual growth needs a big dose of grace. As we receive grace, we become more gracious. I have six children and I need a lot of grace to remain gracious. I find good exposition to be sanctifying and inspiring for me.

My blog plan is that while I read I will summarize and make comment.

The first thing one must understand and appreciate is how remarkably conservative N. T. Wright is. Many conservatives …

[Link]

This weekend is pajama Sunday @ NCC. If you are snowed in, keep your pajamas on, pour a cup of coffee, and tune into our webcast @ theaterchurch.com. Thank God for technology! We're gonna redeem it and use it! For what it's worth, last year we had webcast watchers from 160 countries and 6,611 cities.

Because we have so many people that cycle through NCC–working on the hill or doing an internship or serving in the military–that we have come to view as NCCers as immediate family (those who attend one of our locations) and extended family (those who used to attend and stay connected via webcast and podcast). [Link]

Exodus 3:2-4

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

The account of Moses and the burning bush is well known by Christians. It features regularly in my kid’s children’s bibles. But what is curious to me is I wonder how many burning bushes that didn’t make it into the bible?

In other words, I …

[Link]

I had a great time yesterday with Dottie at the Gaither Homecoming. To read the first post about what I'm referring to go here.

First we went to lunch at Crispers in Lakeland and then on to the concert. It was outstanding as usual. The place was packed. I don't think there was one seat empty. Speaking of seats, we had great seats — on the floor, gold circle seating. Can't beat it! We missed some of our favorite artists who were not on the tour this year like EHSS, The Hoppers, Janet, the Easters and some others HOWEVER… GVB absolutely out did themselves. There was nothing lacking once those guys took the stage. By the way if you have never heard David Phelps sing … [Link]

For the second or third time, we have a “blizzard to end all blizzards!!” on the East coast.

I get a little tired hearing about the winter storms on the East coast, in which photos like this make the news. The main story isn’t the storm, really, but the fact that it’s happening in a more heavily populated area than in perpetual-butt-of-the-joke North Dakota. Or, perhaps, because some of it is happening in areas maybe unused to seeing that quantity of snow.

Because otherwise?

This is a photo showing snow accumulation.

Or this photo, which features the men of Hampden, North Dakota, and a backhoe, trying to dig out the buildings at the Prairie Winds and Pioneer Power threshing site in 1997.

… [Link]

Just got word from manager of Georgetown Theater and they will NOT be open in the AM. That means we need to pull the plug on that service. We're down to Kingstowne and Ebenezers. Planning on regular service schedule at those two locations. [Link]

Just wanted to share an update on our weekend service schedule. We had a great 4:30 service @ Ebenezers. Pretty funny when 63 seems like a huge attendance! We actually placed bets as a staff. I guessed 17. One of our proteges, Andy Pisciotti, guessed 55. You can tell who has the most faith on our staff. It's not me! Pretty impressed that we had that many people trudge through the snow.

Can I share a thought? I have zero issues with any one who missed service because they felt like it wasn't safe to walk or drive. Totally respect that. But I also believe that sometimes God honors the extra effort. I really feel like some people got more out of the service tonight simply … [Link]

[Link]

I received this today in an email and I loved it so much I wanted to share it. I don't know who this Josh Harris is, but I'd like to find the rest of this message. Hope you get something out of this too!

***************************************

Do you love the church? On what is your love based?

Is your love for the church based on infatuation or is it based on truth?

Josh Harris asked his readers that question. His answer was dead on.

Take note:

Do you love the church?

Romans 12:10 tells Christians to “Love one another with brotherly affection.”

The affection and love we’re to have for fellow-Christians is to be based on the work of Jesus Christ for us. It’s not about …

[Link]

As I continue my time with the Newfrontiers Midwest churches , I am reminded of the old-time pioneers.  They would load up their family in a wagon and head out to where no-one they knew had gone before.  Eager to put down a stake as a marker and claim the ground, some of the old towns were barely built when the relentless march westwards would continue.  There is something of the same spirit here.

I spent the last twenty-four hours with Tommy Stanley, his family, and church in the Kansas City area.  Some of my UK readers will remember Tommy from his days leading worship at the last few Stoneleigh Bible Weeks that Newfrontiers used to run.  When I met him, despite being told of …

[Link]

It occurs to me that I may never have mentioned The Keyword Academy to my faithful followers here as a terrific site to learn about making money by writing website and blog content. (You’ll find the same link in that last sentence that you’ll find at the top of the right-hand column [sidebar] of each [...]

Post from: Writing Tips at GarySpeer.com Do you collect things? Great deals on collectibles of all sorts found on eBay. We make it easy at “Fun for Collectors"! (This content is copyright protected and if you aren't seeing this post at garyspeer.com, then it has been used without permission.) Have I mentioned ‘The Keyword Academy’ for making money writing online?

[Link]

With Hal Donaldson.

Click here.

Tags: Convoy of Hope, compassion ministry, ministry, disaster, missions, Haiti, earthquake, Haiti earthquake

[Link]

As I mentioned  in passing yesterday, there has been quite a row here in the UK about what the Pope said about British equal rights laws. Meanwhile from quite a different angle I was challenged about the limits of freedom of religion in a comment at Debunking Christianity, from Gandolf who is an atheist or at least an agnostic from New Zealand. He or she wrote (in part):

At which case Peter i ask you do you feel laws of religious “freedom of faith” is so fair? or (HONESTLY completely inline in keeping with the genral golden rule?)

Because right at this very moment somewhere in Africa today EVEN in the year 2010!,somebodys likely even being hunted down to be WRONGFULLY killed!! as a witch.

… [Link]

Here is a great article from Fortune that a friend emailed me. It retells the situation of French President Mitterrand and his economic policies from the 80's. Here's a brief review of some important details:
Mitterrand won the presidential election on the Socialist ticket in mid-1981, pledging an ultra-Keynesian agenda of government expansion, and a program of sweeping nationalizations. His moderate supporters were certain that he would take a far more centrist approach once in office. But to their horror, Mitterrand kept his most radical promises. At the time, France, like the rest of Europe, was mired in recession. Mitterrand's strategy was to revive the economy by boosting consumer demand through vast increases in wages and government spending.

The Mitterrand plan was the ultimate experiment in extreme … [Link]

I wonder if this is what Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had in mind last week when he said that Israel is going to be wiped off the map? For nearly a month Target was selling globes in their 1744 stores that showed ‘Palestine’ prominently listed on the map instead of Israel.

To be fair, The globe has been pulled off the shelf after numerous complaints and is no longer for sale at the Target stores since last Sunday.

But before the company finally responded, Target’s customer relations spokesperson Amy Reilly claimed that the ‘mistake’ happened because there wasn’t enough room for ‘Israel’. Of course there was plenty of space on the map for the larger word ‘Palestine’ instead?

The manufacturer also claimed ignorance and …

[Link]

Here are a few shots from my pathetic phone camera. They don't do it justice! Here's a street view and my office view. You can barely see Union Station through the snow and it's half a block away!

[Link]

Woah.

So worship @ Morningstar last night was… WOAH. And the teaching on healing was excellent. I’m not going to get into testimony-time in this thread (as I decompress I’ll blog about last night and post it. Let’s just say even my socks got anointed… )

Ken and I both perceived, at different points during worship, a strong demonic presence in the room. It felt like it was brooding. Or festering. That might be a better word.

So worship ended and Todd Bentley took the stage and started to take up the evening offering. From the balcony a voice rang out – screeching about adultery and repentance. Security came and got him.

Then, in turn from all around the room other men did the same thing. …

[Link]

Lately I've been keeping a list of books that I think I might want to read someday. Actually, it's about 7 different lists. There's one list for the Christian/Biblical studies/devotional type reading, another for general history, another for fiction, one specifically for WWII in the Pacific (a recently acquired fascination), one for geography, and one for sports. I'll probably add a couple more before I'm done!

So, whether I'm browsing Amazon or my local Borders (or, more likely, the shelves of my local library), reading reviews online, or noting the reading recommendations of bloggers like Trevin Wax or Semicolon (among many others), I've always got an eye for titles to add to my lists. So what follows is a brief selection of titles from what I'll … [Link]

This is my friend Dottie.

We met at a retreat this past year when we were in the same discussion group.

Dottie and I are thirty years apart in age. But we hit it off immediately!

Don’t you love it when God does that?

Today I am going with Dottie to what is one our favorite yearly events. Neither of us have ever missed one of these when it comes to town, but we have never gone together. She and I both LOVE the Gaither Homecoming. We discovered it almost immediately when in our discussion group she mentioned some singing groups she was relatively sure I knew nothing about. To her shock, they were some of my favorites too. We have also discussed going to a Jimmy Buffet … [Link]

In John Stott’s Radical Disciple, in a chapter on Christlikeness, he cites William Temple:

It’s no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear and telling me to write a play like that. Shakespeare could do it; I can’t.
And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live a life like that. Jesus could do it; I can’t.
But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like his.
And if the Spirit of Jesus could come and live in me, then I could live a life like his.

Stott concludes:

God’s purpose is to make us like Christ, and God’s way is to fill us with his Holy …

[Link]

The hospital was little changed from what Dee Anna remembered. The entryway was flanked by a cactus garden. It also boasted a three foot high stone carving of the state of Texas which held an engraved likeness of the long-ago doctor who had established the hospital.

Inside, the smell was the same as hospitals everywhere, that amorphous blend of Betadyne, floor wax, lunch, and illness. The walls were a minty grey color and the floors were beige linoleum with grey flecked squares. When she was a child she had thought the flecks were interesting. Once, when a cousin was having surgery, Dee Anna had waited in the family waiting room with her mother and her Uncle Chuck. She had tried to count the number of flecks … [Link]

In his Genesee Diary, Henri Nouwen records a dream about Thomas Merton that he found significant. I had a dream last night that is perhaps insignificant, about Henri Nouwen.

It seems we (fellow students and I) were at a campground for one of our yearly residencies for our Masters program. Henri was our teacher. The dream opens in the cafeteria where I was having a conversation over lunch with my former youth pastor, Nancy. She has her PhD and has been teaching at the university level. She apparently was teaching for Spring Arbor, as she was at our residency. She was challenging me about the rigor of our program. It seemed that my thoughts in our discussion were unenlightened because I hadn't been around academia at … [Link]

This weekend I have had some work to do, however, the majority of it has been downtime, and how I have needed it after working 16 hour days for the launch. This is my first bit of time off in a while so it's been full of fun this weekend so far and there's more to come! (Wait til you see what I'm doing tomorrow!!!)
Thursday night after work we went to see the movie “To Save a Life." It was amazing. Can't wait to see it again and take a bunch more people with us! I can't recommend it enough. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE go see it!

Tonight (Friday night) we went to the Greek Festival in St. Pete. We went with the Rivera's and … [Link]

I was just forwarded this interesting note from the Tulsa Chamber. If you read it without any subtext it seems harmless enough…
"Hey, Tulsa Chamber here…if you haven't donated to the candidate for your choice for TPS school board, now is the time."

But if you read it the way I read it it's a little more interesting…
"Hey Tulsa Chamber here. We don't like to endorse candidates but…Kathy Taylor is backing Anna America for TPS school board. You should to, in fact why don't you go ahead and donate to her so that we can get Anna on the board so she can do KT's good work….ohh yeah, you can donate to Bobbie Gray too…I guess."



I know some of you have written … [Link]