June 2005 Archives

I received this in email today and thought I would share it with you.

A meeting place for Christians in honor and worship of Jesus Christ. Discuss, Chat, and Exchange Messages, Photos, Emails and Ideas with other Christians.

http://www.everlivingword.com/

It looks like the site is fairly new and doesn't have a lot of posts or anything in the forum. Maybe we can change that? I have already joined. Come on and register. It is free and it looks like it will be a really nice Christian community. :)

Crossposted at Christian Bloggers.

Adrian has been blogging about the ESV translation lately. This particular post got me thinking about all the different translations, the need for them, and how they can differ so much from other translations. Which got me thinking that maybe we should all learn Greek and Hebrew so we can read the Bible in it's original languages and then we wouldn't have to rely on translators who never seem to agree with each other anyway.

Doesn't it ever amaze you how so many people can read the Bible and come away with different meanings? Even when reading the original texts?

I was tagged by David. I don't know if I am just to write ten things about myself or if this has some kind of format ... so I am going to try to keep it like his to an extent.

1. I once dated someone in Special Forces.
2. I grew up a coal miner's daughter. Except my Daddy was a underground foreman and he was a company man ... hence he made more money.
3. At one time I was married to a man that served in Desert Storm.
4. I once had a big thang for men in uniform. ;)
5. I have truly been in love twice in my life.
6. I am totally in love with my husband and deeply committed to him.
7. I once took my whole family (my kids, my brother, sister, their families, our mom) to a nice restaurant and picked up the entire bill myself, plus tip.
8. I have lived in Kentucky most of my life and never want to move from here.
9. My first boyfriend was my first cousin's half-brother. I married him when I was sixteen.
10. I don't think I will ever work in the IT field again. Coding gives me migraines these days.

I am going to toss this meme to three people. Answer on your blog, trackback and name three others. My choices:

Serenity, :Shylah:, and Deb.

Spreading the word ...

Did you know that the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August of 1945 was codenamed "Little boy"? That's an awfully benign nickname for such a deadly and devastating weapon, which killed at least 80,000 people outright and countless others in its aftermath.

But this awful history is not yet behind us: the Bush administration has requested $8.5 million in the 2006 budget for research on a "Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator" (RNEP), a new nuclear weapon also known as the nuclear "bunker buster." A single "bunker buster" would be nearly 100 times more powerful than the nuclear bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

We've launched a campaign with our nonprofit partner, the Union of Concerned Scientists, to stop the "bunker buster" before it is built. The vote on this funding could come this week: please tell your Senators to oppose new nuclear weapons today.

The "bunker buster" is being promoted by the Bush administration as a useful tool in attacking deeply buried command centers or underground stores of chemical and biological weapons. But numerous scientific critiques, including one by the National Academy of Science, find that in many cases such a weapon would be ineffective. In addition, the nuclear blast and radioactive fall-out could kill millions of innocent people in surrounding areas.

With global concerns around nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran, the last thing we need is further proliferation here at home. If the United States truly wants to lead the world toward a peaceful future, then we need to take the lead in abolishing nuclear weapons, not in developing new ones!

Please sign this petition today to tell your Senators you oppose any funding for research on "bunker buster" nuclear weapons: http://www.care2.com/go/z/25447

Thank you for acting for peace,

-Rebecca,
Care2 and ThePetitionSite team

Get the facts: Watch this two-minute flash video by UCS to learn more about the potentially devastating effects of "bunker busters."

Crossposted to ISOU.

I have been asked a few times if I am "conservative" or "liberal" - where I stand on war - and things of that nature. In the Christian blogosphere those things seem to be so important for some reason. You wouldn't think they would be. Would you?

I am a Christian. If you had to classify my theology, it would be "moderate" leaning to the right - with my politics leaning left also from a "moderate" stance. I am not of the world, but I must live in it. As such, I strive to live as the Bible says I must while realizing that the world does not follow God and God gave Satan free reign over the world.

Moderation is the key of life. I don't abide extremism in any form. Nor do I care what those of the world think of me. I love my neighbors and hate sin. I don't have to ostracize sinners and it is not love to do so. We all sin. We all fall short of the Glory of God.

I am not for war. You can call me a peacenik. You can call me a traitor. You can call me un-American. I call myself a follower of Christ. As a follower of Christ I must do as Christ teaches us to do. Whether or not I want to or not. Regardless what my human nature calls me to do.

As I said today over at MediaSoul, "If being a Christian makes me un-American, then so be it. Christ is bigger than America." And, I mean that. It is like loving the sinner and hating the sin. I love my country and at times hate what it does. I don't cheer it on when it is doing wrong. Christ is who I follow. Not man.

And, it doesn't matter what man says. It doesn't matter what a preacher says at a pulpit. It doesn't matter what the 700 Club says. It doesn't even matter what Billy Graham says, as much as I love and respect him. If what any man says is in direct opposition to what Christ says, Christ is the one I listen to. Christ comes first. No one else comes first. Not my Daddy, not my children, not my husband, not my grandmother. Not my president. Not my political party. Not a political idealogy. Not my country. Not my mayor. Not my theology professor.

"I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." ~Luke 12:4-5

Christ is the answer. No man knows better than Christ. That is what I am learning on My Walk. And, where Christ goes I will follow. He is the love of my life. He is the food I eat and the water I drink. I may trip and I may stumble, but Jesus will never let me fall. It is thru Him that eternal life is promised. No one else.

Blah blah blah 9/11 blah blah blah

Blah blah blah 9/11 blah blah blah

Blah blah blah Iraq blah blah blah

Blah blah blah 9/11 blah blah blah

Blah blah blah 9/11 blah blah blah

Blah blah blah Please sign up and die for my illegal and unjust war in Iraq that had nothing to do with 9/11 but I hope you're an idiot and won't realize that blah blah blah

Yesterday, I got an email from Dean letting me know that the new DNC site is up and running. He also wanted to pitch "democracy bonds" to me while he was at it. Okay. Whatever. That's all good.

What bothered me was this ...

It's going to take more than you and me to make this happen. That's why, on your new site, you will be able to ask your friends and neighbors to join us. You'll also be able to track your progress as you build your own network of people committed to shaping the future of our party and our country.

If our party is going to both compete in the short term and build for the long term, we're going to have to do things differently.

Okay, Dean ... let me get something straight. I have been a member of the DNC site for some time and have been quite active in raising money for the Democratic Party. I have an account where I used to be able to log in, edit my personal page, lead my team members, and take care of various actions. I could even get banners for linking to my DNC donation page. I could get java applets and scripts that showed what was going on in DNC news and what new posts were on the DNC blog.

Now, maybe I am just dense ... but, I have yet to figure out how to login and do that anymore. So, I am kinda baffled as to how I am to ask my friends and neighbors to join and track my progress as I build my network. Could you fill me in? I mean, I understand we are going to do things a bit differently, but hiding my account is not what I thought you had in mind.

I look forward to hearing from you. :)

I had fun at the baby shower. I won some candles to boot. I won candles at the last babyshower I went to for one of my nieces as well. But, hey, that is okay. I love me some candles!

Anywho ... I have three nieces pregnant right now and not one of them is married. Though, one is wanting to get married and wanted to before she got pregnant. She is only seventeen. Another was going to get married, but then realized her husband to be was never going to get a job and called off the wedding. Then she found out she was pregnant. The other one has no interest in getting married from what I can tell.

My brother is acting a real bear over all of it too from what I understand. I think we are going to have to have a talk. My sister-n-law says that he is wanting to throw the seventeen year old out and make her go live with her father. My sister-n-law has told him that if her pregnant child must leave then his children must leave and go live with their mother. I think my brother forgets that him and his wife lived with mom for a few years when his first son was a baby. And, it isn't like his children are perfect either.

I am advising my sister-n-law to go ahead and let the seventeen year old marry. She is engaged to a really sweet man (24 years old) who loves her immensely. He works and has his own home. He is stable. And, raising a baby alone at her age would be much harder than being married and raising a baby with a man like him. He is a very calming influence on her. I am just hoping that she won't rebel in a few years when she realizes that she married way too young and had babies way too young.

I will be praying for them.

The Bush Administration just doesn't get it.

Last year, TrueMajority members asked Congress to shut down the plan to build a new nuclear weapon, the pleasantly named "bunker buster."[1] So ludicrous was the president's idea that the Republican-led Congress then eliminated all the money for new nukes. [2] Now Bush is back, asking for money to cook up new nuclear weapons - even as polling makes clear that the American people want significant reductions in our 10,000-weapon nuclear arsenal. [3]

This week, the Senate will consider spending taxpayer dollars to design yet another generation of nuclear bombs.

If you'd like to edit the message we'll send to your senator, or if you aren't yet a TrueMajority member, click here: http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/bunkerbuster. And forward this to others so they, too, can help make the world a safer place.

Monitoring Washington for you,

Darcy Scott Martin

P.S. If you haven't checked out Ben's little movie on what America's nuclear weapons arsenal is all about before, click here.

1) For more on the "bunker buster" from our friends at Women's Action for New Directions, click here.

2) "Bush Denied Nuclear Bunker-Buster Funds," ABC News, Nov. 2004. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200411/s1249981.htm

3) We commissioned a poll in March by the Carnegie Foundation-based PIPA, which showed that Americans want to switch federal investments from nuclear weapons to pressing human needs at home and around the world. Click here to see what the public wants: http://pipa.org/OnlineReports/budget/030705/Press03_07_05.pdf

Just received in email:

Supreme Court Bars Ten Commandments At Courthouses
Justices allow Commandments at State Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a narrowly drawn ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Ten Commandments displays in courthouses Monday, holding that two exhibits in Kentucky crossed the line between separation of church and state because they promoted a religious message.

The 5-4 decision, first of two seeking to mediate the conflict over religion's place in public life, took a case-by-case approach to this vexing issue. In the decision, the court declined to prohibit all displays in court buildings or on government property.

The justices left themselves legal wiggle room on this issue, however, saying that some displays -- like their own courtroom frieze -- would be permissible if they're portrayed neutrally in order to honor the nation's legal history.

Via CNN.

From Breakfast With Jesus by Greg Laurie:

"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either" Luke 6:29

I point this out only to emphasize that this is not one of the easier teachings of Jesus. Yet is a biblical constant, as Paul himself taught: "Repay no one evil for evil ... do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If his is thirsty, give him a drink; ... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21).

This kind of action is so unusual in our world that it silences our critics and causes them to sit up and take notice. Though we could justifiably lash out, we instead decide to pray. By exhibiting self-control, we demonstrate our desire to win our opponents to Christ.

This does not come easily. In fact, if we wait for some feeling of love to suddenly overtake us and keep us from lashing out, it will never happen. We must begin to pray for our enemies even before we consciously love them. And we are to love them in an active way, not merely avoid lashing out against them. Of course, this is impossible apart from God's Holy Spirit.

Yet God makes it possible. Jesus prayed for His tormenters even while they drove iron spikes through His hands and feet. The Greek text suggests that our Lord kept praying this phrase, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). So if the cruel torture of crucifixtion could not silence Jesus' prayer for His enemies, then what pain, prejudice, or unfair treatment could justify the silencing of ours?

Some resent the teachings of Jesus. Some ignore them altogether. I pray everyday that I can do as Jesus said for me to do instead of doing what I want to do. In that prayer, I devote myself to His teachings and put Him first in my life.

Today is going to be a busy day, so I don't think I am going to be around much. I might be able to squeeze in some computer time tonight. Maybe.

I have been cleaning house all morning. Breakfast was a quick egg and sausage casserole. Mopping has been completed. Laundry is done. We will have Bible study at 12:30 PM and a baby shower at 2. My niece is expecting a little boy in less than two months.

Later this afternoon, we are going to have a fish fry. :)

I love Sundays.

Thanks to the Downing Street Memos, we now know George Bush's invasion of Iraq in 2003 was based entirely on lies. Iraq had no stockpiles of WMD's or Al Qaeda ties and Bush knew it. And Bush had no plans to rebuild Iraq after his invasion.

Two years later, Iraq is a bloody quagmire:

• U.S. soldier deaths are approaching 2,000, while over 12,000 have been maimed and 17% of combat troops are already suffering from PTSD.
• At least 22,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed, possibly over 100,000.
• U.S. taxpayers have been burdened with $200 billion more in debt.
• Torture approved by the White House has made the world hate us.
• The war has tripled global terrorism, not reduced it.
• Military retention and recruitment are down, making America weaker.

Because of these huge costs, the American people now oppose the war by 59%-39%. But George Bush stubbornly refuses to discuss a timetable for withdrawal.

Help collect 1 million signatures to tell George Bush it's time to get Out Of Iraq.

Crossposted to ISOU & Democratic Blogs.

Passing it along ...

A Bipartisan Plan To End The War by Duane Shank

In October 2002, as the U.S. drive for war in Iraq was building, Sojourners organized a joint statement by church leaders from the U.S. and the U.K. In it, we noted that "To initiate a major war in an area of the world already in great turmoil could destabilize governments and increase political extremism.... It would add fuel to the fires of violence that are already consuming the region. It would exacerbate anti-American hatred and produce new recruits for terror attacks against the United States...."

Yesterday, two and a half years later, The New York Times reported on a new assessment by the CIA that "...Iraq may prove to be an even more effective training ground for Islamic extremists than Afghanistan was in al Qaeda's early days, because it is serving as a real-world laboratory for urban combat." The report went on to note that since the American invasion, Iraq has become "a magnet and a proving ground for Islamic extremists" and is "helping combatants learn how to carry out assassinations, kidnappings, car bombings, and other kinds of attacks...." Our words have rarely seemed more prophetic.

I have recently developed a new spiritual discipline. Each morning when I read the newspaper, I stop at the daily list of new U.S. casualties in Iraq to read each name aloud and say a prayer for that person and his or her family. And the numbers are growing - as of today, 1,722 Americans have died and more than 13,000 wounded. The chaos and insurgent violence resulting from the U.S. occupation is also leading to the deaths of more and more Iraqis, with no end in sight.

Some of our political leaders are finally beginning to wake up. Last week, a bipartisan group of members of Congress, led by Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), introduced the "Withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq Resolution." It calls for the administration to announce a plan by the end of the year for troop withdrawal - and to initiate the plan as soon as possible.

This week, Gallup released a new poll showing 59 percent of Americans oppose the war. In another poll released two weeks ago by the Associated Press, 52% of U.S. citizens said they disapproved of the way the Bush administration has handled the so-called war on terrorism - and 56% disapprove of the administration's handling of the war in Iraq.

As the death toll continues to mount, the administration remains mired in the quicksand of a disastrous war, and has refused to create an exit strategy or commit to a withdrawal date.

It's time to take action. Ask your representatives to support H.J.RES.55, the bipartisan resolution calling for a plan to end the war.

Duane Shank is policy adviser at Sojourners.

Click here to take action. Tell Congress to end the war!

Well, it looks like PBS gets back half of what the Republicans cut. :) I am so happy to hear that too. My kids grew up watching Sesame Street and Clifford the Big Red Dog. And, we cannot forget Anne of Green Gables! These shows are priceless. I truly hate to see them lose any funding at all.

After a week of furious lobbying by PBS supporters - including a Capitol Hill rally Tuesday featuring Clifford and other characters - the House of Representatives voted Thursday to restore $100 million in threatened cuts from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding.

Via USA Today.

National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur
July 15th, 16th, 17th

Bills have been proposed in the Senate (S. Res. 172) and the House (H. Res. 333) calling for the designation of July 15, 16, and 17 as a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for Darfur. Please contact your Senators and Representatives today to urge their support for the National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection by co-sponsoring S. Res. 172 or H. Res. 333.

Update: The Save Darfur Coalition is looking for volunteers to help them reach out to local faith communities and invite them to participate. If you have one to two hours to help, they will send you a short list of faith groups in your area to contact, information about the weekend, and some talking points to help your efforts. For more information, please send your name, telephone number, and zip code to volunteer@savedarfur.org.

Living in Western Kentucky, I have grown up surrounded by the Amish and Mennonite communities here. I also understand the mystery of their lifestyle and how it draws our curiosity. The rigidity of it, while not exactly tempting to most, is appealing on many levels. The strict adherence to biblical principles and "not being of the World" but apart from it is a spiritual call many feel. It is what drew me to Levi's Will and kept me turning the pages. It is also what ran Will Mullet from the farm of his father Levi and on an adventure like no other.

Will ran away from home at the age of nineteen after his "sin" was exposed through the pregnancy of his seventeen-year-old girlfriend. Instead of facing his responsibilities, he rebelled against his father's judgment and expectations. He rebelled against everything he knew. He joined the war, married an English girl, and made a place for himself in the World.

Levi's Will is the story of a son finding his way in the World and amongst the Amish. Anyone who has ever had a strained relationship with a parent, or felt their parent expected more from them than they could give, will definitely relate to the relationship between Levi and Will and Will and Riley. The intricate characters, familial relationships, and storyline will personally involve you in their lives.

This is the first book I have read written by W. Dale Cramer and he does an excellent job of developing the characters and the flow of the story. He moves seamlessly through time and location between chapters. The time jumps could have been a challenge for some authors, but not him. He does it well and in such a way that it is hard to put the book down. You just want to know more about Will, his family, his life, his relationships, Levi, and the Amish. Which is the mark of an excellent book, in my opinion.

- Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer was sent to me as a gift by Mind & Media from Bethany House Publishers. I was not paid for this review.

In just over a minute, you can show your neighbors, family, co-workers, and others why President Bush owes our troops -- and every American -- an explanation. Watch the video, and then send it to as many people as you can.

Americans deserve to know the truth about this war. Every day innocent Iraqi civilians and brave American servicemen and women die. The more people we can reach with this movie, the closer we come to the day when we bring our troops home alive.

I had to take this picture of Jasper today. He just cracks me up with the way he sleeps. He is so human-like. Jasper is my baby. He is a big ball of fur and can drive me batty when he is in "stalking" mode ... but you couldn't pay me a million for him. Well, uh, you could. But, you would have to let me buy him back for a dollar! :)

And, of course, I must include :Lady:. Y'all haven't seen her since she was a little thing, but she is much bigger now even if she is still a puppy. But, she is my girl. I took this picture on Memorial Day when I had her riled up in the yard.

She likes to run around like a maniac and then run directly to me, jumping up on me, and flipping back off. Everyone thinks it is hilarious. In this picture, she had just completed that trick and was taking a little breather. :laugh:

As anyone who reads me knows, I love Billy Graham. He has been a staple in my life since I was a child and first heard him preach. There is just something about him. He is truly a man of God and has been so blessed. And, so many others have been blessed by God through his life work. Including myself.

His son Franklin - now the leader of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association - will stand by in New York as substitute preacher in case of emergency. But the elder Graham fully expects to speak for about 35 minutes at all three rallies, and to do so without sitting down.

"When I stand up and touch that podium the Holy Spirit comes, I believe, in power to help me. If it weren't for that, I would not have attempted to do these three nights," he said. "I'm just totally dependent on the Lord and the prayers of thousands of people."

I literally came to tears when I read that Mr. Graham is most likely on his last crusade and how he struggles with his health these days. But, he is so optimistic, just as a Christian should be. He knows God provides and God has provided so well for him, his servant. He knows that his home is in Heaven and his work here is almost done.

I ask everyone who reads this to please pray for Billy Graham. Please pray for God to strengthen him and carry him as he preaches. Please pray for healing of his infirmities. Pray for those that will hear his voice as he preaches the salvation that only Jesus can provide. Pray they will open their hearts and receive Jesus.

Also pray for Franklin--that God give him the strength and conviction to continue in his father's footsteps and be the servant God is calling him to be. Franklin has some big shoes to walk in, but with with God's help we know he can do it.

This is from the devotional, Day By Day With Billy Graham:

"The wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to
be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3-17  

The world, in the last few years, has reverted to a sort of barbarism. As practical Christianity has declined, rudeness and violence have increased. Neighbors quarrel with neighbors. Fighting is a major problem in our schools and the "gang wars" of the teenagers have come to present a serious menace in our cities. Fathers and mothers wrangle and bicker. Homes are disintegrating. High government officials in Washington engage in name-calling and in heated disputes not at all in keeping with the dignity of their office. Why and how has all this savagery crept into our social life? It is because we have forgotten Jesus' words, "Happy are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." I have seen tough, rough, hardened men open their hearts by faith, receive Christ as Savior, and become gentle, patient, merciful gentlemen.

The link to the scripture included is automatically to the NIV. I use a plugin that automatically links scripture to that translation.

We had an earthquake last night and again this morning. I don't know what the one last night registered at, but the one this morning was a 3.6. I was sitting here at my computer when it happened and thought someone had blasted something or some such thing had happened.

I went outside and looked around, trying to determine what caused the house shuddering like that. I couldn't find anything so I walked over to the maintanance garage and asked the men there if they felt it. No one had and Mike even accused me of hallucinating. I came in the house and the news was saying we had just had another earthquake.

We don't normally get earthquakes around here. But, we are at risk. The New Madrid does run through Western Kentucky. In school they trained us on what to do if we were to have one, but I have never had to use any of that training. I grew up more worried about the aftershocks of mine blasts or a mine collapse than I ever did about an earthquake.

Now, tornadoes have always been a threat. We get a lot of tornadoes. We even have a tornado season. :)

Update: The one last night was a 2.8 but the epicenter wasn't too far away. We didn't feel it. The one this morning was bigger.

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies out there! I hope all you Daddies have a wonderful and happy Father's Day with lots of food, presents, and fun! May God bless you, keep you, and help you with the important task you have undertaken in this life--raising children.

We got LM a "Dad" t-shirt, new swim trunks, and a new saw. We are fixing a meal fit for a king over here! Baked beans, tossed salad, pineapple upside down cake, BBQ ribs and chicken, with grilled bratwurst and steak. It is going to be awesome!

I am a Christian Too has a post that I find interesting. It links to an article that I find even more interesting and am not sure I agree with. Actually, I don't agree with a premise in it.

The author remarks on the differences between the Religious Right and Religious Middle in a way that I don't think is accurate. He pretty much states that moderates hold the opposite view of the Right. Which is not true. He is actually pointing out the viewpoint, in my opinion, of the Religious Left.

I am a moderate and we tend to have some viewpoints of the Right and some viewpoints of the Left. How many viewpoints we share with each side varies amongst us. I might agree with the Right on four issues and the Left on two. Another might agree with the Right on three issues and the Left on three. What political party we support varies as well. It isn't cut and dried.

If someone states they are a moderate but holds the opposite viewpoints of one side, on all issues, they are not moderates. Moderates find themselves in the middle of two opposing viewpoints. They might lean to one side of the other, a little. But, they are not going to be agreeable to all the issues on either side.

I did like the statement:

It is important for those of us who are sometimes called moderates to make the case that we, too, have strongly held Christian convictions, that we speak from the depths of our beliefs, and that our approach to politics is at least as faithful as that of those who are more conservative. Our difference concerns the extent to which government should, or even can, translate religious beliefs into the laws of the state.

This statement is right on the money. We are all Christians and we are all trying to be faithful to what the Bible says. None of us have the lotto holdings on salvation, regardless of what some claim. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

It would be nice if we all acted like it.

Christian Bloggers has been born and it needs some exposure and some members. :) For those interested there is an aggregator, blogroll, Blogdigger group, Bloglines blogroll, and a webring. Which means lots of exposure for your site.

This alliance will not be based on your TTLB ranking. Where you appear in the blogroll has to do with the name of your site. It is all alphabetized. Your political party affiliation is not important. This is about being a Christian and a blogger, nothing more.

The criteria, benefits of joining, and instructions can be found here. Please join and spread the word!

Crossposted at ISOU.

This is a very interesting read. I highly recommend it.

Will the poor always be with us?
by Bryant Myers

There will be poor in Israel, not because God's Promised Land failed to provide, but because human beings were not faithful to God nor to each other. There has to be provision for the poor in the Promised Land, not because God failed or intended it, but because Israel failed.

And so it is today, I suspect. It is a fact that there is enough agricultural production today to feed every human being on the planet. Yet people are dying of hunger, and children are stunted because of chronic malnutrition.

It is not that God's planet cannot provide; it is that we do not follow God's commands. We neither love God nor love our neighbors.

You can read the whole article here.

To all those who end up here and are giving out hugs. I am honored to be the mystery site. It is just too cool! :smile:

Mind & Media is looking for more reviewers. This may just be your thing if you like reading books, watching DVDs, and don't mind writing up reviews. It doesn't get much better than free books and DVDs!

But there is more! You get to keep the free book, DVD, or other product that you agree to review. It is yours to keep. You don't pay postage or anything. If you are interested, click here.

Also, La Shawn Barber has said that if you review Missionary Positions for Mind & Media that she will post your review on her site.

Update: A reader let me know that La Shawn removed the part about Missionary Positions from her site and her offer to host the reviews.

Her autopsy is complete and the results are being released today.

Some of the findings:

Terri's brain weighed half of what it was supposed to. It was severely atrophied. She was severely brain damaged. Her brain suffered damage from loss of blood flow.

There was no evidence of strangulation.

There was no evidence of abuse.

No evidence of morphine in her system. No drugs that were given to Terri aided her death.

Terri was blind.

She was dependent on the feeding tube.

She died of marked dehydration. She had a high amount of sodium in her body. Her organs were dry. She did not die of starvation. Feeding her by mouth would not have kept her alive.

Terri was in a persistent vegetative state. The autopsy report confirms that diagnosis.

More can be found:

Schiavo Autopsy Report Backs Husband

Schiavo Autopsy Finds No Sign Of Trauma

It's all about obedience and the teachings of Jesus:

Evangelicals Embrace New Global Priorities
By Holly Lebowitz Rossi

Warren stressed that his action did not signal a new, political phase of his career, but rather was an urgent call to practice his Christian faith. "I've never been involved in partisan politics--and don't intend to do so now--but global poverty is an issue that rises far above mere politics," he wrote. "It is a moral issue ... a compassion issue ... and because Jesus commanded us to help the poor, it is an obedience issue!"

You can read the whole article here.

I wrote about Michael on November 24, 2003. I said ...

And before I head off to the land of nod, I must comment on Michael Jackson. It is sad, so very sad. Do I think the man is a pedophile? I think it is quite possible and most likely. Is it also possible that this could be just an attempt to get rich by this kids' folks? Sure. It is possible. I cannot wait to see if there will be a civil suit this time around. I know one thing for sure ... I would not sell my child's innocence ... not even for 20 million dollars. Not even for four times that. Money is nice, but not so nice that I would prostitute one of my children for it.

To me, that is what that case 10 years ago equaled. If Michael Jackson did molest that boy ... he paid a handsome fee for the service. What kind of parent(s) would take money for something like that???

Ugh.

Today he was found not guilty of conspiracy, lewd acts upon a minor child, administering an intoxicating agent to assist in the commission of a felony, and providing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21.

I pray that justice has been done. None of us know what evidence the jury saw or testimony they heard that assured them of Michael's innocence. I just hope that Michael does not take this verdict as evidence that he did not behave inappropriately ... because he did. Sharing his bed with children, whether or not sex was involved, is inappropriate. He is a grown man and needs to behave like one.

Let's just hope we do not see yet another civil suit. I really hate to see people prostituting themselves/their children and that is all that is to me.

Via CNN.

Adrian is overhauling the Blogdom of God and will have an announcment to make soon regarding an exciting development for the BoG as well. He is also asking for a little help with links to Christian blogs ... so you may want to check it out. And, don't forget to keep checking back to find out what is going on over there!

Update: It is alive! The exciting development> spoke of previously has been unveiled.

I found this quiz over at I am a Christian Too:

You scored as Anselm. Anselm is the outstanding theologian of the medieval period. He sees man's primary problem as having failed to render unto God what we owe him, so God becomes man in Christ and gives God what he is due. You should read 'Cur Deus Homo?' Anselm 100% John Calvin 73% Karl Barth 60% Martin Luther 60% Charles Finney 60% Jonathan Edwards 53% Friedrich Schleiermacher 53% Jürgen Moltmann 47% Augustine 40% Paul Tillich 27%

Which Theologian Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

I laid out ribs, bratwurst, and chicken quarters to grill today. I am making baked beans, pasta salad, and deviled eggs as well. Unfortunately, I didn't bother to check the weather and I woke up to rain.

That's alright. It won't stop me. I will just grill from the porch. :)

Okay, I need some advice, assistance, help or whatever you want to call it. But, I need it. Big time.

:Lady: is Houdini reincarnated. It doesn't matter what we use, she gets loose. We have tried nylon collars, leather collars, dog pen, cable, chain, and even choker collars. Our last attempt to keep her locked up was the use of a harness. She got out of it too.

I am terrified that she is going to end up hit by a car or worse. If anyone has any idea how to keep this little lab chained up ... please throw me a bone. I am running out of ideas.

With Father's Day coming up I found this article very interesting and inspired:

Our Fathers Who Are On Earth
If Satan thinks they are a key battleground, shouldn't we?
by Roland C. Warren

Second, the epidemic of one out of every three kids in America growing up without a father is not a coincidence. There is a concerted attack on the institution of fatherhood by Satan himself. The Devil's work is to influence dads to be disconnected, distant, or even abusive, so that children start life believing that this is how all fathers are-even a heavenly Father.

And why attack the father? Because the greatest, most powerful truth that any person who does not know Christ needs to hear in order to be saved is this: God is a good Father whose desire and plan is to bring back his lost children to himself. Satan knows that good fathers can pave the way for the gospel and, conversely, bad or absent fathers pave the way to separation from God.

Read the article here.

When Amnesty International's report criticized U.S. human rights abuses Guantanamo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other detention camps around the world, the Bush Administration went on the attack. President Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld all denounced the report.

Help Amnesty International stop torture and abuse and get the truth with an independent investigation and a Special Counsel. Click here: http://www.amnestyusa.org/sojourners.html

Cross-posted to ISOU.

One of the things that we all have trouble with is accepting and recognizing the consequences of our sin. We run to God and ask for forgiveness, hoping to avoid the reprecussions of what we have done. We have to stop doing that and accept the consequences of our actions. We have to learn from our sin.

How do I find the courage to admit mistakes?

Then Nathan said to David . . . "The Lord, the God of Israel, says, 'I have anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you his house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And it that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah and stolen his wife. From this time on, the sword will be a constant threat to your family, because you have despised me by taking Uriah's wife to be your own." . . .

Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."

Nathan replied, "Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin. But you have given the enemies of the Lord great opportunity to despise and blaspheme him, so your child will die." - 2 Samuel 12:7-14 NLT

Truth and Consequences

God forgives sin, when we muster the courage to repent, and helps us move on, but as in David's case, he does not usually cancel the consequences of sin. God allows those consequences to take their course, even for believers, for several reasons: 1) to remind us of our potential for sinning, 2) to encourage us to turn from sin and to more constantly depend on God, and 3) to prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future.

From the newsletter, God's Daily Promises. To subscribe, enter your email address and scroll down until you find the newsletter. Click subscribe and submit. God's Daily Promises is provided by Left Behind.

Totally.

I just went outside to check my mail and there was a box on my porch from Amazon. I thought ... "I haven't ordered anything." So, I took it in the kitchen and opened the box to find the Walk Away The Pounds 3 Mile tape and The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible! It said, "Because I like your blog. Keep writing. :)"

I don't think I know the person who sent me this lovely and generous gift. I don't recognize the name on the receipt. But, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You don't know just how big the smile is on my face, but you have totally made my day.

I ran across this today:

Jesus died of blood clot, Israeli researcher says
Expert: Crucifixion caused pulmonary embolism, not fatal blood loss

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7279844/did/8139434/?GT1=6657

I have been going through a lot lately. When I say a lot, I mean a lot too. But, as they say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger and God doesn't give us more than we can handle. He has blessed me with another year of life today and for that I am grateful. I am grateful for a lot of things.

This came at the right time for me. I have really been struggling here lately and haven't been sure what I should do. I just hope I can be as courageous as God expects me to be.

Where do I get the courage to go on when life seems too hard or obstacles seem too big?

I command you--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9 NLT

You will have courage because you will have hope. You will be protected and will rest in safety. - Job 11:18-19 NLT

The Lord is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid?
The Lord protects me from danger--so why should I tremble? - Psalm 27:1 NLT

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 NLT

About This Week's Promise

Courage is the ability to act on what we know is right and good, to dare to do what we should or must. Fear paralyzes; courage is what helps us move ahead. Courage does not conquer fear, it simply renders fear ineffective. It gives us a confident assurance that we can succeed. The Bible speaks of courage to stand firm against evil, to remain strong in our faith, to resist temptation, to do the right thing. The more we learn to rely on God, the more courageous we will become.

We are quite naturally afraid when we walk alone in frightening places and circumstances. But we have more courage when we walk with a friend who is strong. In walking with the Lord God, who holds the universe in his hands, we should feel free to be courageous!

From the newsletter, God's Daily Promises. To subscribe, enter your email address and scroll down until you find the newsletter. Click subscribe and submit. God's Daily Promises is provided by Left Behind.

Keith Urban
You'll Think Of Me

Woke up early this morning around 4 AM
With the moon shining bright as headlights on the interstate
I pulled the covers over my head and tried to catch some sleep
But thoughts of us kept keeping me awake
Ever since you found yourself in someone else's arms
I've been tryin' my best to get along
But that's Okay
There's nothing left to say, but

Take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need 'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
Take your cap and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me, you'll think of me

I went out driving trying to clear my head
I tried to sweep out all the ruins that my emotions left
I guess I'm feeling just a little tired of this
And all the baggage that seems to still exist
It seems the only blessing I have left to my name
Is not knowing what we could have been
What we should have been
So

Take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need 'em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you'll think of me
Take your cap and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

Someday I'm gonna run across your mind
Don't worry, I'll be fine
I'm gonna be alright
While you're sleeping with your pride
Wishing I could hold you tight
I'll be over you
And on with my life

So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need'em
Take your cap and leave my sweater
'Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

So take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don't need 'em
Take your space and all your reasons
But you'll think of me
And take your cap and leave my sweater
'Cause we got nothing left to weather
In fact I'll feel a whole lot better
But you'll think of me

you'll think of me, yeah

And you're gonna think of me
Oh someday baby, someday

oh ohhhhhh oh yeah

I found The Voice of the Martyrs sometime ago and have been involved in supporting my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ ever since. It is amazing to me that so many of us are not only hindered in our walks with Christ, but that there are so many who are imprisoned and killed for their beliefs as well. It is something we should be aware of and a cause that is worthy of our attention and support.

Also worthy of our attention and support is Stacy of Mind & Media. Stacy will be blogging at the new Persecution Blog for VOTM. It is still somewhat under construction, but she is already posting over there. I hope you will not only visit but help spread the word of this new blog as well. May God bless Stacy in this endeavor.

I had no clue John Edwards has been guest blogging over at TPMCafe! There are some pretty good posts there too.

He is so much better looking than Cheney and with only 1/3 the fat. :tongue:

Faith Forward is a new evangelistic tool from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association--a Gospel message that can easily be forwarded via e-mail to your unsaved family and friends.

Every week a new inspirational message from Billy Graham or Franklin Graham will flow into your e-mail inbox. Prayerfully consider the people you know who might be impacted by the evangelistic message, simply forward it on, and see what God does!

To receive Faith Forward each week, subscribe now.

Okay ... so we all know that the Religious Right has backed Bush and lately he hasn't been paying the Piper. What I am wondering is what will they do about this ...

"The Israelis are reeling from the body blow delivered them by President Bush following his meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. In one pronouncement, Bush totally scuttled all the hard-fought, blood-bought gains Israel has made in the three wars forced upon her.

All peace negotiations and concessions by Israel in the pursuit of peace with the Muslim Nations and Palestinians since 1949 have been rendered null and void.

---

But there is an even graver consequence for the USA. I have believed for decades that God has protected America despite our growing sin. He has done so because the USA has been a base for world evangelism and we have supported Israel's right to exist in the land God promised them. This betrayal, if followed through, will effectively remove God's protective shield. May God help us."

See, I think that Bush knows that he doesn't have to sweat the Christian Coalition anymore so he is going to do whatever he wants at this point. He can show his true colors and he can go back on all the promises he made to the "Christians" ... because what are they going to do? Not vote for him next election?

There won't be one for him.

Now, what is going to be interesting is watching the "Right" backpeddle this one. Either they hold to their beliefs and convictions regarding Israel or they find some way to change everything around and excuse Bush for what he has just done. I wonder what road they will take.

Billy Graham has a free offer this month for Now and Always. You can receive this months offer in CD or cassette.

"This worship compilation contains eight traditional and contemporary songs performed by various artists."

Click here to take advantage of this free offer.

I just got off the phone with a lady from the Friends of John Kerry. It seems that we are still needing a few signatures for the Put Kids First Act. For those that are not familiar ...

On the first day of the 109th Congress, Kerry introduced legislation in the Senate, the "Kids First Act" - S. 114, to provide health care coverage to the 11 million American children who currently go without. Kerry's legislation also helps Governors and states save on health care costs by reducing the burden on state's Medicaid rolls.

More than 500,000 people have signed on as "citizen cosponsors" in support of KidsFirst at johnkerry.com and nearly 20,000 people across the country have called into Kerry's "Give Voices to Our Values" phone hotline to record their powerful, personal stories.

Please be a co-sponsor today. Contributions are also needed and every dollar counts. You can sign on as a co-sponsor here. You can donate here.

I am late getting involved in this or even commenting, I know. But, I like to read about something before I weigh in on it, most of the time. This time I felt it was real important not to just know what it was about but to understand it before I decided where I stood.

Just to give some clarification ...

As many of you are aware, a classified memo was recently disclosed in Great Britain that I believe has serious ramifications for the integrity of the United States Government. Dubbed the "Downing Street Memo," but actually comprising the minutes of a meeting of Prime Minister Tony Blair and other top British government officials, the memo casts serious doubt on many of the contentions of the Bush Administration in the lead up to the Iraq war. With over 1,600 U.S. servicemen and servicewomen killed in Iraq, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and over $200 billion in taxpayer funds going to this war effort, we cannot afford to stand by any longer.

And, I am going to agree with David on this issue and say:

The questions need to be asked... I am not going to get into a pissing contest over what justifications were used and WHEN for entering the war in Iraq. We all remember Collin Powell's now infamous appearance at the UN. We also remember The President's speeches in which he implied that Saddam was a clear and present danger to the U.S.. I dont believe the American Public would have supported a war in Iraq if they had known that no WMD's existed.

If the speculation that the President was planning an invasion of Iraq well before the claims of WMD were made, turn out to be true. Then he should be impeached. I again stress that ALL Americans should be asking for answers, verifiable answers...

I said it over at David's and I will say it here ... Clinton got a blowjob and played hide the cigar with a woman who was not his wife. And, while I hated it that my president would commit adultery ... I also recognized that it wasn't my business. His actions did not affect me or any other citizen. It affected his wife, his family, and the woman involved. It did not risk our country and it did not cost anyone their life. It was a private matter that was witch hunted while other dominant GOP members were doing the same thing ... or have we all forgotten Newt and his mistress?

We have a president now that has lied REPEATEDLY. He took a surplus of money and squandered it. He has totally forgotten that Osama Bin Laden and his crew are still out there. Honestly, he has pretty much showed the world that we couldn't get those that attacked us so he went looking for other fish to fry ... namely the same fish his Daddy left hanging in the wind and could have taken down back in Desert Storm.

I am sick to death of the Right's lies and coverups. They pushed a "Christian" president with all the power of the Religious Right behind them and the man acts no more Christian than my dog acts like my cat. The Religious Right is always calling for "discernment" yet they can't even bother to discern the "fruits" of their own party and I have had it. I am going to call a spade a spade.

It is time that the American people say that we have had enough. Our country is in debt. Our grandkids are going to have to pay off that debt. At the rate Bush is cutting programs, you had better be rich to put your kids through college because the pell grant and student loan programs are on their way out. And, if they have their way there won't even be a welfare program to feed them when they can't find a job, get an education, or feed themselves.

Lives have been lost. LIVES. You know people that had a life. People that had families, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, a dog, a cat, friends, jobs, love, happiness ... LIFE. Gone forever. Never been to be touched or talked to again. And, those lives were taken with the blessing of the so-called Culture of Life.

They say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I say we have seen that in action for the last five years and we still have three more to go. The question is, can those on the "Right" wake up soon enough to realize just what has been done and what is being done before it is too late?

For those that are interested in finding the truth ... you can join Congressman John Conyers in requesting the president answer the questions posed to him by 89 Members of Congress about the Downing Street Memo. You can also write your congressman and urge Congress to investigate Bush's Iraq war lies.

Other sites of interest: After Downing Street and the Big Brass Alliance.