simul iustus et peccator

Fruitful Discussion of Eden et. al.

2011-06-06T16:57:00.003-05:00

You know that Biblical scholarship has finally snuck its way out of the ghetto when you see articles on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR et. al. concerning topics ranging from the Second Coming to articles like this from CNN concerning Biblical (il)literacy in America.From time to time we see blips on the radar, but most often at predictable times: i.e. Easter (always a great time for that 'exciting' new '

Joplin Help

2011-05-23T10:16:00.002-05:00

I have had a few calls about how we could help out in Joplin. Here is a short answer:If you have any specialized training EMT, Fire, 1st Responder you already know what you can do.If you do not (as I do not) the powers that be would rather not have you on the ground just yet. What they need is people who can operate without supervision.You can always give to the Red Cross, or other outfits (MO

Compassion: Matt 9:35-38

2010-09-01T13:44:00.006-05:00

Rumor has it that some time ago a research firm did a "word association survey" for a certain major Protestant denomination asking the simple question: "What is the first word/phrase that comes to mind when you hear the name "Southern Baptist"? The results? #1: "hates gays".Really? Ouch. Is that the only message that we are sending now-a-days? I fear that at times, the answer is yes.As former SBC

One of the Two Sure Things in Life

2010-06-23T15:47:00.002-05:00

Today Edith Shain died. Who? Edith Shain, the nurse in the famous V-Day kiss photo. Alfred Eisenstaedt snapped the photo on V-J Day (Aug 14, 1945, the day victory over Japan was declared) for Life magazine. Photography, indeed film of all kind, has been said to have the psychological effect of projecting immortality. For instance, recently, students were polled on whether or not Marilyn Monroe

Follow Through

2010-05-04T13:32:00.003-05:00

Endure, persevere, stand firm... these words permeate Scripture. Jesus tells the disciples to endure the tribulation to come (in AD 70, and in 2000-something) (Matt 24:13). Paul tells timothy to persevere in life and doctrine (1 Tim 4:16), that perseverance builds character, which leads to hope, which does not disappoint us (Rom 5:5). The author of Hebrews tells us that we must persevere to

Truth, inside.

2010-04-10T10:10:00.000-05:00

I often turn to the Psalms for help. In times of sorrow, or fear, sleepless nights, teeth grinding days. Of all the Psalms, the one that turn to most often is Psalm 51. It is a “penitential” Psalm, that is to say it is written from the perspective of a person who has sinned and is humbly approaching the Lord for forgiveness. The context is scandalous, it follows David's adultery with Bathsheba,

Good Ol Blogger

2009-12-24T00:06:00.000-06:00

Anyone else miss ye goode olde blog? I've tried Facebook, and really miss the old blog.

GaGa over Kanye

2009-09-14T23:41:00.002-05:00

I am having an Andy Rooney moment right now...When I was in 9th grade, the most famous musician of my ear blew his head off with a shotgun, leaving his wife, child, band, and millions of devastated teenagers behind. I was so broken hearted that day that I lit a candle and left it burning as a vigil to my hero, Kurt (or Kurdt, or Curt...) Cobain. That week, the semi senile and snarky 60 Minutes

Those Who Wait Upon the Lord...

2009-09-14T10:56:00.002-05:00

28Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. 30Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. 31But those who wait on the LORD will find

Wicked ol' Wllow Creek

2009-08-25T16:06:00.004-05:00

If you know anything about "trends" in church growth, evangelism, small groups, etc. you have heard the names Willow Creek or Bill Hybels at least a dozen times (if not hundreds). I had heard, and seen glimpses of the WC model, heard about people going to Chicago to spend a weekend or more observing the "Willow Creek model" (this was hugely popular when Vicki and I were church planters). But

Just Grow Up

2009-08-08T21:31:00.004-05:00

You know, I never thought I find myself saying those words. I have two half sisters, but they were 14 and 15 when I was born. I hardly recall them since my dad's (their step-dad) job evaporated when the steel factory he worked for was sucked into the early 80's recession (thanks Jimmy Carter...). We moved to Michigan when my dad joined the Air Force and they stayed behind with friends to finish

Rich Mullins: Hard to Get

2009-06-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

You who live in heavenHear the prayers of those of us who live on earthWho are afraid of being left by those we loveAnd who get hardened by the hurtDo you remember when You lived down here where we all scrapeTo find the faith to ask for daily breadDid You forget about us after You had flown awayWell I memorized every word You saidStill I'm so scared, I'm holding my breathWhile You're up there

Phil Wickam : Beautiful

2009-06-26T22:45:00.001-05:00

A fantastic lyric from one of my new favorites. Bought two of his discs a month or so ago and downloaded a free record from his site and still haven't worn them out.Very moving, powerful, God centered tunes. *************************************I see Your face in every sunriseThe colors of the morning are inside Your eyesThe world awakens in the light of the dayI look up to the sky and sayYou're

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is in honor of my dad on Father's Day. Thanks for all the laughs growing up, and sorry that you still can'tfind some of your Calvin and Hobbes books!

Favorite Calvin & Hobbes Strip Ever

2009-06-20T17:28:00.002-05:00

Saw this on Wade Burleson's blog

2009-06-14T15:53:00.001-05:00

The title of this image is "Legalism".

The June Fourth Incident

2009-06-03T11:00:00.009-05:00

June 4th, 1989 a ten year old boy is sitting in a hospital bed in Biloxi Mississippi reading a Ninja Turtle comic book. Above him, the new was droning on about China, and college students, and democracy. From what I could tell, a bunch of Chinese people were holding banners and flags and a bunch of other people who looked like police were standing nearby. Suddenly, my mother cries out "Oh my God!

Tilling the Soil: Reflections on the Murder of an Abrotionist

2009-06-02T12:27:00.003-05:00

Surely by now you have heard of the murder of Wichita, KS abortion provider George Tiller.Slate.com: http://www.slate.com/id/2219537/The people who kill abortion providers are the ones who don't flinch. They're like the veterans you sometimes see in war documentaries, quietly recounting what they faced and did. You think you're pro-life. You tell yourself that abortion is murder. Maybe you

Free Music Download

2009-06-01T21:13:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite bands, Sleeping at Last, has made their latest record available for a free download at the link below. https://www.noisetrade.com/sleepingatlastIf you are not familiar with NoiseTrade, basically, you get a free album by telling other friends about the album. This increases the band's exposure. This is a great record, I espescially like the song 'Envelopes".What are you waiting

Souls for Sale

2009-05-11T10:40:00.002-05:00

The selling of a soul is more subtle than sudden. The transaction takes place through a series of small compromises, of saying "My will be done" instead of "Thy will be done", until one day we look into the mirror and we don't recognize who we see.

A Graduation Address

2009-05-10T16:45:00.003-05:00

They Say: Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes.Ever wonder what Jesus would have to say about that? Well it just so happens that we know.20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She said* to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your

Healing for Broken Hearts

2009-05-09T21:01:00.004-05:00

Last night a terrible accident took the life of a dear woman in our community and put a friend of mine in the hospital (it is a wonder he survived). These folks are both members of the church I pastor. I got home at 4:30 AM last night, I am so tired, but I know that my weariness pales in comparison to the sorrow those who knew Dianne are feeling right now. All last night, and all day today, this

Learning What This Means:

2009-05-09T16:53:00.001-05:00

9 But he said to me, ?My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.? Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Cor 12:9-10 (ESV)

Grace

2009-05-08T07:57:00.001-05:00

You see, grace is funny like that. She invites people to the party that you never would.

Everything I Needed to Know About Grace...

2009-05-06T21:49:00.004-05:00

I learned from Carrie Prejean (and Micheal Phelps): What do the almost winner of Miss America and the man who snagged the most ever gold medals in the OlympReicst have in common? The same thing we all do... are you ready? A PAST. (*cue eerie music...*) Prejean brought more attention to herself with her (in)famous comments about same sex marriage (a surprise answer if the transition on the

What!? Me Worry?

2009-05-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34 (NASB)Although I know what Jesus said about worry, about anxiety, I continually find myself trimming my nails with my teeth. Every move I make, every step I take, every word that I speak... it is constantly scrutinized, sifted through, raked over. Somehow, the warmth of a hundred

And if We Know Him...

2009-05-03T15:11:00.004-05:00

In The Problem of Pain C.S. Lewis wrote, "And if we know Him, we shall in fact fall on our faces." Indeed. One way that my relationship with God differs from all other relationships is that in most friendships, the more I get to know someone, the more comfortable I am with them. The more approachable they seem. Not so with God. While on one level He indeed becomes more approachable through Christ

Twilight : The Post You've Been Waiting For...

2009-05-02T21:05:00.001-05:00

The Birds

2009-04-27T08:58:00.004-05:00

After 30 years of clunking around this world I finally saw Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". I laughed so hard at one point that I almost cried. I am sure that in 1968 this movie was "the bees' knees" as far as suspense films go. The sodium screen process used was tremendously innovative at the time and creates some believable moments. You can also see the influence of Hitchcock in Shalmylan, King,

More Programs to Make Your Life Easier

2009-04-24T05:41:00.000-05:00

PC Decrappifier: Yes, that is the real name. WONDERFUL for ridding your computer of all the pre-loaded garbage and trial software. WARNING: you can mess this up if you are not careful. Rule of thumb, don't delete anything that is manufacturer specific, for instance, my Toshiba had several programs for the trackpad and the nifty buttons that let you open Media Player automatically. Avast! Anti

WW II Art

2009-04-23T22:36:00.002-05:00

You may have heard the blurb today that some of Adolf Hitler's art sold at an auction today. I have to admit that as an armchair historian, this peaked my interest and whilst trolling the search engine I came across a collection of WW II art that was not done by Hitler. Furthermore, I was unaware of the vast amount of work done in response to the war, i.e. not propaganda. Here you will find a

Carrie Prejean: the Face of Intolerance

2009-04-22T17:41:00.005-05:00

I usually have derogaroty comments for people from Caliofornia (bunch of Birckenstock wearing liberal-commie-tree huggin'-latte' sippin' freaks!... just kidding) but I am impressed by the answer Carrie Prejean, also known as Miss California gave this past week. While not particularly articulate, she gets points for honesty for an answer that is almost certain to sink her chances at being Miss

An Unlikely Friend

2009-04-22T10:38:00.003-05:00

I have recently discovered the joys of Wal-Mart.com. We have a set of storage tubs that we use for recycling our kids clothes that went out of circulation in stores, but Wal-Mart still had some left so we were able to order them on-line and have them shipped to a local Wal-Mart for free. Then, this morning I found a $79 Targus laptop backpack for $39 that shipped to my house for 97 cents! I am

As the Ruin Falls

2009-04-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Some years back, my friend Chris was immersed in C.S. Lewis at OBU and uncovered the little known fact that Lewis was not only a brilliant scholar, theologian, and fiction author, BUT was indeed quite the accomplished poet. One of his more challenging and revealing works is the following work. I know it cuts me to the bone every time I read it.********************As the Ruin Falls All this is

Media Spin & Fearmongering Caused Unnecessary Social Damage: CNN.com

2009-04-18T19:25:00.000-05:00

Posted by: readysteadys // 1 day ago // viewed 200 times San Diego, California // embed media Ten years ago, I was in my senior year of high school. A week before my eighteenth birthday, the Columbine incident happened. I went through a wave of emotions and could not get enough of the news coverage. I was one of the "goth" kids at school and already had gotten enough flack for the way I dressed

Ice Cream

2009-04-14T08:36:00.003-05:00

Easter 2009: Doubting Thomas?

2009-04-12T12:45:00.001-05:00

John 20:19-29 How would you feel if your name was an epithet, an insult? If people walked around saying, “Oh stop being such a J.P.!” or “You’re such a Vicki!” Some people throughout history have that undistinguished distinction. This is easy since people seem to always recall failures more readily than successes. To name a few: Benedict Arnold, Brutus, Jezebel, Judas… Today I want to go a

A Little Cash for Easter :)

2009-04-12T05:30:00.000-05:00

Testing

2009-04-11T11:05:00.000-05:00

1,2,3...

What Would it Be Like

2009-04-11T08:13:00.003-05:00

Many moons ago during a student retreat at Glorietta New Mexico a drama team was performing a skit featuring a trapezist and his apprentice. The apprentice; in character, a young girl was trying to comprehend how she was supposed to let go of one rung and await the arrival of the other rung. "So, it will just come?" "Yes," came the reply, to which she shuddered...What would it be like for the

A (Not-so-)Good Friday Meditation

2009-04-11T00:07:00.001-05:00

It has been aptly stated that “Fear is the thief of dreams”. I would suggest that of all the forces that caused Jesus to be ground up in the gears of history that fear may have been the greatest part of it all. Now, the most astute among us have already caught me, “It was not the forces of the age, not even of nature that brought Jesus to the Cross, it was God’s divine design from the foundation

Unlearning What You Have Learned

2009-03-31T10:37:00.003-05:00

You know, the longer I have followed Christ... the more I have learned, I have found out how little I know. Romans 12:1-2 urges us to be transformed, to be renewed in our minds, to look at the world differently. It seems like every time that I think I have a moment to rest, that I have been formed, transformed enough for awhile, another issue comes to the forefront. Will this ever end? Absolutely

So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt?

2009-03-28T12:09:00.002-05:00

It is amazing, the people of God wanting to go BACK to slavery? We read the complaints of those stinking sheep on the back-side of Israel (thank you Bro. Keith Wigington) and we are in awe. BUT YOU JUST SAW THE RED SEA PARTED! YOU JUST ATE BREAKFAST THAT FELL FROM THE SKY! WHAT IS YOUR DEAL!?!?!?Today is a day that I identify, at least a bit, with those sheep. Paul warns us against being burdened

Leeland: Tears of the Saints

2009-02-09T12:06:00.000-06:00

Freedom of Carnage Act

2009-01-17T23:42:00.000-06:00

Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalms 100:3 (NASB)Every life is a precious creation of God. For many years, I had taken the stance that abortion rights, pro-choice and pro-life were none of my business, because I am male. Since I could not have a baby, it was not my business to say anything about

Why Don't People Go to Church?

2009-01-11T00:08:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow I am preaching from the latter half of Acts 2; "The Ingathering" after Pentecost, and I was thinking: "What reasons do people have for not going to (or being part of a) church?" So, what do you think?Rev.

Adorable Sleping Baby

2008-12-27T18:50:00.001-06:00

You've been warned :)

Our Christmas Child

2008-12-27T14:40:00.002-06:00

Lily Anne-Marie was born Christmas morning. Thank-you Lord for such a wonderful gift.Rev.

Happy Birthday Ramen

2008-08-25T18:55:00.003-05:00

An easily missed milestone occurred today as Ramen Noodles turned 50 years old. The creator of Ramen died this past January. Attendance at his funeral showed his country's appreciation for his accomplishments. I have likely consumed a pallet or more of his noodles in my lifetime (sometimes out of necessity; can I get an amen from the college crowd?). So listen here for a lighthearted look into

Homeschooling Under Fire in DC

2008-05-29T14:22:00.003-05:00

The HSLDA (www.hslda.org) sent us an e-mail yesterday letting us know that the District of Columbia is considering new laws that would radically limit the rights of homeschooling families. Similar legislation in CA was "terminated" (yuk-yuk) by Gov. Schwarzenegger (I will NEVER get used to that). Here was my letter to about a dozen DC legislators. If you care to, you can click the above link to

Rick Warren: The Face of Evil?

2008-05-28T09:09:00.002-05:00

While perusing some home school blogs, Vicki ran across a widely disseminated article featuring the 25 or so evils that Rick Warren's Purpose Driven model has foisted upon the unsuspecting American church. An example can be found here.Here is the response I posted:*************************Wow, I must have read a different book! I can't say that I saw any of this in anything of Warren's. Maybe,

Prince Caspian

2008-05-23T22:16:00.000-05:00

One reviewer said that Walden Media’s adaptation of Caspian is what would happen if Disney took LOTR and put in the cast of Hannah Montana. While I wouldn’t agree entirely, I have to say I was far less impressed by this offering than with The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe.I have to ask the same question that I asked after I saw TLWW: “What screen writer really thinks they are a better writer than

C is for "Clink"

2008-05-22T14:05:00.010-05:00

Whilst ironing my clothes yesterday morning I heard a strange sound emanating from the playroom, it was Cookie Monster singing about vegetables!Apparently the quest to combat childhood obesity has in itself no sense of decency! That they would draft Cookie monster, surely under great compulsion, to sing not about macaroons and chocolate chips, but about carrots and potatoes. There are even

The Word of the Day: Wait (or Farewell to Fillmore for Now)

2008-05-22T09:56:00.003-05:00

It appears as though I posted too soon :)Tuesday we went to Springfield MO to look at a beautiful van (see below) that we were almost certain that we would be buying. Everything seemed to be falling into place. The original price for the van was 19,000, they were running a sale at 16,000 and we were able to talk them down to 14,500. The rule of thumb for car lots is that they try to make 2000 per

For Men Only (and curious wives and mothers)

2008-05-17T14:53:00.003-05:00

If you are male, and you've ever spent any time on the internet then you are certainly well aware of the amount of sewage that is readily available. If you are like most males, then you know the drill that most porn viewing begins with a seemingly benign event like a trip to any just about any male oriented site and you are bombarded with alluring images of bikini clad beer ads, singles ads, and

Gilligan's 'Lost' Island

2008-05-12T12:26:00.002-05:00

ESP

2008-05-11T09:26:00.001-05:00

Funny how I get mad when people can't read my mind.But you should have already known that!Rev.

Reading List Time

2008-05-09T09:33:00.003-05:00

Four Views on the Lord's Supper, Ed. John ArmstrongJesus Among Other Gods, Ravi ZachariasGalatians: Ben Witherington III Longenecker (WBC) J L Martyn (Anchor Bible) JD Dunn (Black's Comm on the NT) Timothy George (NAC)A New Kind of Christian, Brian McLarenFollowing Jesus, Tom (NT) Wright

The Church: A Sinking Ship?

2008-05-07T11:50:00.004-05:00

A dear missionary friend of mine asked me to read Brian Mc Laren's "New Kind of Christian". Mc Laren brilliantly packages his dissertation as a narrative where two men dialogue about the demise of all aspects of modernity (including modern Christianity). Yet, if the first fourth of a book is like the first five minutes of a movie, I have already figured out the ending.Regardless of how he

$3 Worth of God

2008-05-05T14:07:00.000-05:00

The following was gleaned from Ben Witherington's blog: It has been said that too many Americans have been innoculated with a slight case of Christianity that is preventing them from getting the real thing. Perhaps this has something to do with how much of God people really want. Here is a quote from Wilbur Rees to make you think:"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please - not enough

GTA 4

2008-04-29T10:19:00.003-05:00

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 (NASB)

A Picture is Worth A Thoussand Words

2008-04-29T10:04:00.001-05:00

The Love of Christ: JM Campbell

2008-04-24T13:57:00.003-05:00

Thanks to my brother in the ministry from Rockville for this one: 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 2 Cor 5:14-15 (NASB) The love of Christ is too large for any heart

Irreducible Complexity

2008-04-22T09:14:00.002-05:00

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He found* first his own brother Simon and said* to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John ; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter ).John 1:40-42 (NASB)There are times

Homosexuality and Christianity (Again)

2008-04-21T12:40:00.000-05:00

Oprah and Jesus, in Her Own Words

2008-04-17T09:49:00.001-05:00

A Dangerous Prayer: Psalm 26:2

2008-04-09T11:34:00.002-05:00

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. Psalm 26:2God, like a skillful surgeon, can always get to the heart of the problem. But he will only operate with consent. There is truth in the wise old Baptist saying that “the Holy Spirit is a gentleman”, how else could one resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7)? You may have heard before that the trouble with living sacrifices is that they

Heaven on Earth

2008-03-31T10:56:00.001-05:00

Please click the following link for a fantastic explanation of Heaven by scholar NT Wright. Much respect for NT, he is a true "OG". http://youtube.com/watch?v=AA0NLb0pXGIRev.

Christ in the Wilderness

2008-03-26T11:13:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my world... a picture is worth a thousand words. "Christ in the Wilderness" by Ivan Kramskoi

Short Comings?

2008-03-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

Recently I discovered a really, really, REALLY great band (who will remain nameless) and started to listen to their tunes on YouTube almost non-stop this week. Today, I came across some footage of the band at a show that really bummed me out. The lead singer, a self-professed Christian, was being taunted by someone in the audience. The singer started in on the guy with some seriously colorful

Obama: Sermon on Mount Justifies Same-Sex Unions

2008-03-12T09:47:00.001-05:00

Terence P. JeffreyEditor in Chief(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) told a crowd at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sunday that he believes the Sermon on the Mount justifies his support for legal recognition of same-sex unions. He also told the crowd that his position in favor of legalized abortion does not make him "less Christian.""I don't think it [a same-sex union] should be

HOME

2008-03-10T14:04:00.001-05:00

Home safe at 11:15 last night (16 hr drive). Mom is okay, we'll know how okay in two weeks.Rev.

Update:

2008-03-07T10:01:00.000-06:00

My mother had her operation yesterday, and she came through just fine. They removed a stoppage about the length of a drinking straw and apparently they caught it just in time. She caught the flu while in the hospital so she is in ICU. This limits the amount of time we can visit how much contact we have. This is very difficult for mom because she is a highly affectionate person. Hopefully she will

Mom in Hospital in MI

2008-03-05T14:32:00.000-06:00

My mother is in the hospital in MI and the outcome is quite uncertain. She has a 80-90% blockage in one of her corrated (SP?) arteries in her neck. We should know sometime today how her doctors intend to proceed. Please pray for me and my friend Darryl as we drive to Monroe (just South of Detroit MI). I hope to be back sometime early in the week.Thank you to my supportive friends and church

You Know the Economy is in Peril When...

2008-02-29T11:08:00.000-06:00

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Public documents show Michael Jackson has repeatedly failed to make mortgage payments on a Los Angeles home that has been used for years by his family.JacksonAs of January 17, Michael Jackson had $153,910 missed payments on a home used by his family.Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office indicate the reclusive pop star was most recently in

What Hath God Wrought?

2008-02-23T21:07:00.000-06:00

It seems surreal to me that God has placed me where he has. I am a pastor, a real live pastor. Who ever saw that coming? People depend on me, look to me for comfort, encouragement, guidance, inspiration; me of all people. Tonight, those feelings hit me while I was standing in the sanctuary. Tomorrow morning I will have the privilege of standing before a congregation of people, many of who have

Strangle Me Elmo...

2008-02-22T16:28:00.001-06:00

I KNEW IT!

The Chicken Soup for the Soul Gospel

2008-02-19T10:44:00.000-06:00

3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Tim 4:3 (NIV) Remember Chicken Soup for the Soul? They teemed with pith and whit sandwiched between op-ed pieces, urban legends, and heartwarming biographical sketches. They were the

Madmen

2008-02-17T16:55:00.001-06:00

18 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows 19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" Prov 26:18-19 (NIV)

Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T09:09:00.000-06:00

St. Valentine At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under date of 14 February. One is described as a priest at Rome, another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and these two seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century and to have been Warning: This will either be the most boring or useful “how-to” that you ever read. BTW: I’m always looking for good ideas/deals!Step One: Utilize Your Brain Trust E-mail some folks you who are “in the know” concerning your

Good News!

2008-01-24T23:20:00.001-06:00

My politically incorrect musings on today's headlines. .. The government is going to save our dying economy by giving out money! Breads and citrons anyone??? Amy Winehouse is going back to rehab... is Winehouse really a stage name? 85% of people say that we should “leave Britney alone”. Good thing she's not a public figure. NASA found out where

Could I?

2008-01-24T11:41:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I am going to do this November. For some time, I was seriously on board with Mr. Huckabee, but it takes more than whit and down home values to run the country that the world revolves around. It has also become increasingly apparent to me that what our nation needs more than anything right now is less dogmatism and more moderation. The bottom line, we

Straining Gnats...

2008-01-22T10:47:00.001-06:00

A word to the “pro-choice” movement: You call out conservatives for supporting a war while opposing abortion. I call you out for saving whales, dolphins, trees, and puppies yet allowing the lives of unborn children to be stripped away in the name of your “reproductive rights”. Hypocrites... There, I got that off my chest. Rev.

Bruxism and the Bible

2008-01-21T09:56:00.000-06:00

About six years ago, Steve, Darryl, and I hit a show in downtown OKC at a venue called City Church. That night was a double threat, Spoken and Living Sacrifice, and it was awesome (and a few legendary concert moments came from that like my Hammering Process CD surviving a mosh pit). That night I stood right next to a massive speaker and I could not hear from my right ear for about eight hours. I

I Suddenly Understood the Truth...

2008-01-20T09:47:00.000-06:00

13 For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place.When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,16 your eyes saw my unformed body.All the days ordained for mewere written in your

God Hates Nintendo

2008-01-19T17:00:00.001-06:00

Okay, made you look. But I am not entirely kidding. Read on:_______________________________________________Like a dog that returns to its vomitIs a fool who repeats his folly.Prov 26:11 (NASB)I have a confession to make, and since I am not Catholic (although so ironically named after a pope), you; my friends, will have to do. Confession is good for the soul, and I make this confession publicly

Firing Squad or Noose?

2008-01-18T09:25:00.000-06:00

Saw this on CNN.com today... my heart sank.____________________________________Quick Vote Whose ideas would you trust more to stimulate the economy? Congress President Bush or see results

Billy, The Boy Without a Body

2008-01-17T10:04:00.000-06:00

I am a very sick little boy. My mother is typing this for me, because I can't. She is crying. Don't cry, Mommy! Mommy is always sad, but she says it's not my fault. I asked her if it was God's fault, but she didn't answer, and only started crying harder, so I don't ask her that anymore. The reason she is so sad is that I'm so sick. I was born without a body. It doesn't hurt, except when I go to

Mourn With Those Who Mourn 3.0

2008-01-15T17:07:00.001-06:00

I know that I have posted this before, but I have some friends that are in circumstances very similar to those I describe here. This article was published in a longer version in the SBU paper a few years ago. This version was published in the Bolivar paper and I have amended it some since then. May it be of help to someone out there, you all know who you are.______________________________________

Prophets and Progeny

2008-01-10T13:09:00.000-06:00

Perhaps these are unaswerables, but this has been eating at me the last two days. I have read/seen several different new reports where children die: twice at the hands of adult, once after his mother died and he (21 month old) starved to death in the apartment a week later, and one instance where children drowned in an SUV while thier mother tried to save them. If God brings food to prophets in

Johnny Cash Tribute at Folsom Prison Canceled

2008-01-09T11:12:00.001-06:00

FOLSOM, California (AP) -- A concert marking the 40th anniversary of Johnny Cash's famous concert at Folsom State Prison has been scrapped, with the prison and the promoter blaming each other for the cancellation.The tribute concert, scheduled for Sunday, was to have been staged in the same prison cafeteria where Cash performed before inmates on January 13, 1968. That breakthrough performance