If this seems a little under-serviced, it is because I do most of my blogging at
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Skating in the Garden in High Heels under my Alb.: RIP Edward M. Kennedy, February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009)
Skating in the Garden in High Heels under my Alb.: RIP Edward M. Kennedy, February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009)
Wonderful reflection by Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson.
My thoughts:
Wonderful reflection by Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson.
My thoughts:
Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies - the end of an era
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, November 09, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Does Richard Dawkins Really Exist?
There is a chuckle value here along with an interesting thought jolt.
I hope you enjoyed it.
I hope you enjoyed it.
C.C. Lewis' Journey from Atheism to Christianity
Lewis was not converted by argument.
He comes to the conclusion that the story of Jesus is differentiated from other myths in that it is a true myth along his journey toward genuine faith in Jesus Christ based upon the power of eye-witness accounts.
Lewis had to sneak past the watchful dragons of self-consciousness.
It was on a trip to the zoo with his brother that he realized that he believed, like a man who, after a long sleep, becomes aware that he is now awake."
Lewis had to sneak past the watchful dragons of self-consciousness.
It was on a trip to the zoo with his brother that he realized that he believed, like a man who, after a long sleep, becomes aware that he is now awake."
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Check This Out on Saturday
Just a reminder for all who wish to be informed about this great story and opportunity:
If you missed the article, read it here:
Justice for All
For more information on Pre-Paid Legal services, click picture or go to my site.
If you are interested in Identity Theft protection, check out the IdentityTheft Shield site.
If you are interested in referring others or developing your own business as a Pre-Paid Legal Independent Associate, go to theMonday, September 24, 2007
The Deacon's Bench: Jane Wyman: buried in a habit
Deacon Fred Kandra has posted a moving tribute to Jane Wyman with information about her faith and commitment that I did not know.
The Deacon's Bench: Jane Wyman: buried in a habit
It always warms the heart to hear of people with large public profiles who love God and humbly serve Him.
i especially love the comment from her son, Michael RWeagan that she was in the business of building men and not boys.
The Deacon's Bench: Jane Wyman: buried in a habit
It always warms the heart to hear of people with large public profiles who love God and humbly serve Him.
i especially love the comment from her son, Michael RWeagan that she was in the business of building men and not boys.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Tribute to D. James Kennedy
From the Coral Ridge Ministries WebSite
Time Line
Time Line
November 3, 1930 – Dennis James Kennedy is born to George and Ermine Kennedy in
1936 – The Kennedy family moves to
1945 – The family relocates once more to
1952 – Arthur Murray Dance instructor Jim Kennedy meets Anne Lewis and signs her up for six months of dance instructions.
1953 – Sleeping late on a Sunday morning, Jim Kennedy hears the Gospel for the very first time from a radio preacher. Shortly thereafter he professes faith in Christ.
December 3, 1955 – After fighting God’s call to full-time ministry for nearly a year, Jim Kennedy, with great trepidation, quits his job as a dance studio manager.
December 3, 1955 – Jim Kennedy and Anne Lewis become engaged.
December 4, 1955 – Jim is given the chance to preach at a local Presbyterian church and, to his surprise, is employed as the interim minister the same day.
August 25, 1956 – Jim and Anne are married at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, Florida.
Fall 1956 – Jim Kennedy begins seminary training at Columbia Theological Seminary in
May 11, 1959 – Days before his seminary graduation, Jim receives a letter from the Home Missions Committee of the Everglades Presbytery inviting him to consider pastoring a new church to be started in
June 21, 1959 – The first Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church worship service is held at
July 21, 1959 –Rev. D. James Kennedy is ordained.
1960 – Rev. Kennedy tells his fledgling congregation: “You know what? I believe we can change the world!”
July 31, 1960 – Rev. D. James Kennedy is installed as minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.
1962 – Rev. Kennedy begins to train church members to share Christ using the techniques learned from Rev. Kennedy Smartt.
March 16, 1962 – Jennifer is born and adopted into the Kennedy family.
March 18, 1962 – A new church building seating 500 on
February 20, 1967 – The first Evangelism Explosion clinic is held with 36 people in attendance.
Summer 1967 – Tragedy strikes when Anne undergoes cancer surgery. Rev. Kennedy later describes God’s provision during that dark time in his message, “Songs in the Night.”
1970 – Evangelism Explosion, the first of more than 65 books by Dr. Kennedy is published by Tyndale. More than 1.5 million copies have been sold.
1970 – Like A Mighty Army, a dramatic motion picture depicting the story of Evangelism Explosion, is produced by Gospel Films.
August 28, 1970 – Lay Evangelism, Inc., later changed to Evangelism Explosion III International, Inc., is organized.
April 11, 1971 (Easter Sunday) – Groundbreaking for new church on
August 1971 – Classes begin at
February 3, 1974 – The new church building on
October 1, 1974 – Radio station WAFG (90.3 FM) is licensed as a non-commercial educational station.
October 3, 1976 – Church membership reaches 5,000 people.
January 8, 1978 – Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church votes to leave the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) and unites with the Presbyterian Church in America (P.C.A.).
September 17, 1978 – First television broadcast of worship service.
February 1979 – Dr. Kennedy receives his Ph.D. from
November 30, 1980 – Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church celebrates its 20th anniversary.
May 29, 1990 – George Kennedy, Dr. Kennedy’s brother, dies. Dr. Kennedy learns after his death that George, who had long resisted the Gospel, was led to Christ on his death bed by a young hospital chaplain.
1984 – Truths That Transform, Dr. Kennedy’s daily radio program begins.
November 24, 1985 – Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church celebrates its 25th anniversary.
1988 - With Evangelism Explosion in only 66 nations, Dr. Kennedy challenged the organization’s vice presidents to take the lay-evangelism training program to every nation by 1995.
March 14, 1989 – The Session of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church establishes Knox Theological Seminary and appoints Dr. Kennedy Chancellor.
March 30-April 1, 1990 –
September 1990 – Knox Theological Seminary begins classes to train pastors and laymen in a graduate school of theology.
1992 – The Kennedy Commentary, a daily 90-second radio commentary, is launched.
May 21, 1994 – Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church celebrates Dr. Kennedy’s 35th year in Gospel ministry.
September 14, 1995 – Dr. Kennedy dedicates the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship in
February 23, 1996 – Evangelism Explosion International becomes the first Christian organization in history to establish its ministry in all 211 nations of the world.
March 7, 1999 – Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church celebrates its 40th anniversary.
June 10, 2000 – Daughter Jennifer marries Charles D. “Chip” Cassidy in
December 2000 – Along with Dean Jones, Dr. Kennedy co-hosts Who Is This Jesus, a one-hour documentary viewed by some 12 million people nationwide.
February 15, 2005 – Dr. Kennedy is inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
October 2005 – After Hurricane Wilma rips off the church roof and drenches the sanctuary, Dr. Kennedy encourages the congregation, telling them this is “our finest hour.”
December 9, 2005 – Dr. Kennedy is feted at a surprise 75th birthday celebration.
August 25, 2006 – Dr. and Mrs. Kennedy celebrate 50 years of marriage.
2006 – Nearly five million people profess faith in Jesus Christ through Evangelism Explosion.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Living In
The Bonus Round: The Doubting Faith of Mother Teresa
Songwriter, singer, pianist, actor, and protoblogger Steve Schalchlin responds to the recent news about Mother Teresa's prayer correspondence - actually her deepest, most personal prayers to a God she ultimately and effectively trusted with her life - and shared with her spiritual advisers.
Steve makes the assertion at the end of his excellent reflection, Living In The Bonus Round: The Doubting Faith of Mother Teresa:
"Faith is not belief. Faith is what you have when belief is out of reach."
My take on the subject is at Mother Teresa and Faith Struggles in The Dream Factory.
My conclusion there was:
"This glimpse into the personal, deep, spiritual struggle within Mother Teresa makes me love and appreciate her more because she moved beyond the superficial religiosity of one who never asks and struggles with hard questions. She not only wrestled with the doubts and questions, but like Jacob, she wrestled with God himself."
Steve makes the assertion at the end of his excellent reflection, Living In The Bonus Round: The Doubting Faith of Mother Teresa:
"Faith is not belief. Faith is what you have when belief is out of reach."
My take on the subject is at Mother Teresa and Faith Struggles in The Dream Factory.
My conclusion there was:
"This glimpse into the personal, deep, spiritual struggle within Mother Teresa makes me love and appreciate her more because she moved beyond the superficial religiosity of one who never asks and struggles with hard questions. She not only wrestled with the doubts and questions, but like Jacob, she wrestled with God himself."
"For her, it always came back to an embrace of her calling and devotion to God."
"I don't think she lost faith; I think she took it deeper."
You are invited to enjoy the discussion of this at The Religion Forum. The specific URL for that discussion is on my main blog.Saturday, August 11, 2007
Notes on Jonah 1 - Running From God
There are four keys words and three key principles. I will explore: Flee, Storm, Sleep, and Fish.
The three principles are that you can choose, lose, or cruise.
First, God called Jonah and Jonah fled from God. At least he attempted to FLEE. God never leaves us without choices. we can choose fight, flight, or flow with His purposes. Fight becomes less and less of an option the more we know God. Flow requires surrender of our will to His. too often, we choose to FLEE.
The principle here is YOU CAN CHOOSE.
F - FROM God. It is always away from Him.
You can't resist His will and enjoy the same fellowship as ever.
L - LUNACY - It is an absurd idea that we can run from Him.
The psalmist said that even in Sheol, He was there.
E - EFFECT on others.
As Jonah endangered others, so do we when we disobey.
E - EVIDENT - You can't really hide it. It all hangs out.
There is another spelling possible that helps us understand some of what causes us to have a flight impulse and run from God:
F - FEAR - We fear what we don't know and what we do know.
L - LISTENING to the wrong voice within/
E - EGO that has gotten out-of-control.
E - EFFORT - We just don't want to give it.
Fight, flight, or flow, YOU CAN CHOOSE.
Second, when Jonah fled, God sent a STORM. God wasn't being vindictive. He was being insistent and persistent. The principle of YOU CAN CHOOSE must be understood in conjunction with a second principle: YOU COULD LOSE! But you still have choices. God uses storms sometimes to influence our choices. They may come in various ways:
S - SINKING SAILOR SYNDROME - You could go down.
T - TEMPESTS - Sometimes rocking on the waves gets attention.
O - OUTCRY - Sometimes others notice first and cry out to you.
R - REBUKE - Sometimes those same people come to you and speak truth.
M - MAYBE God will help attitudes around you.
Jonah ignored the storm and went below to sleep. He was oblivious. Unlike Jesus' sleep of perfect peace through the storm, Jonah's was the sleep of denial. look at it. How do we resist the voice of God in storms? The text tells us:
S - SLUMBER - It was real, literal retreat into unconsciousness.
L - LYING to self and others.
E - ESCAPE from reality, but it is not possible.
E - EJECTION becomes the only option.
P - PEACE comes only through surrender.
Note that Jonah, with the option to CHOOSE, would rather LOSE than go to Nineveh.
Third, we see a FISH. the fish is a reminder that while we can always CHOOSE and we may LOSE, we can also CRUISE with the flow of God's purpose and will. You can choose to cruise.
Jonah had resisted profoundly and he was in for a grace cruise. Having been ejected from the ship by his own choice and the reluctant consent of the crew who, by the way, became his first unwitting converts, he is flailing in the water. Then god prepares a FISH:
F - FIRST time we have ever seen it happen - and the last.
Besides that, Jonah has just had his first converts - the crewmen.
I - IN the water and going down. Jonah was hopeless.
S - SOVEREIGN God decides to give him another chance.
H - HEAVENLY intervention rescues John for a time of refocus.
What is your FISH? You can cruise in it for a while by grace, but even it will bring you back to the point of choice. will you choose fight, flight, or flow?
The three principles are that you can choose, lose, or cruise.
First, God called Jonah and Jonah fled from God. At least he attempted to FLEE. God never leaves us without choices. we can choose fight, flight, or flow with His purposes. Fight becomes less and less of an option the more we know God. Flow requires surrender of our will to His. too often, we choose to FLEE.
The principle here is YOU CAN CHOOSE.
F - FROM God. It is always away from Him.
You can't resist His will and enjoy the same fellowship as ever.
L - LUNACY - It is an absurd idea that we can run from Him.
The psalmist said that even in Sheol, He was there.
E - EFFECT on others.
As Jonah endangered others, so do we when we disobey.
E - EVIDENT - You can't really hide it. It all hangs out.
There is another spelling possible that helps us understand some of what causes us to have a flight impulse and run from God:
F - FEAR - We fear what we don't know and what we do know.
L - LISTENING to the wrong voice within/
E - EGO that has gotten out-of-control.
E - EFFORT - We just don't want to give it.
Fight, flight, or flow, YOU CAN CHOOSE.
Second, when Jonah fled, God sent a STORM. God wasn't being vindictive. He was being insistent and persistent. The principle of YOU CAN CHOOSE must be understood in conjunction with a second principle: YOU COULD LOSE! But you still have choices. God uses storms sometimes to influence our choices. They may come in various ways:
S - SINKING SAILOR SYNDROME - You could go down.
T - TEMPESTS - Sometimes rocking on the waves gets attention.
O - OUTCRY - Sometimes others notice first and cry out to you.
R - REBUKE - Sometimes those same people come to you and speak truth.
M - MAYBE God will help attitudes around you.
Jonah ignored the storm and went below to sleep. He was oblivious. Unlike Jesus' sleep of perfect peace through the storm, Jonah's was the sleep of denial. look at it. How do we resist the voice of God in storms? The text tells us:
S - SLUMBER - It was real, literal retreat into unconsciousness.
L - LYING to self and others.
E - ESCAPE from reality, but it is not possible.
E - EJECTION becomes the only option.
P - PEACE comes only through surrender.
Note that Jonah, with the option to CHOOSE, would rather LOSE than go to Nineveh.
Third, we see a FISH. the fish is a reminder that while we can always CHOOSE and we may LOSE, we can also CRUISE with the flow of God's purpose and will. You can choose to cruise.
Jonah had resisted profoundly and he was in for a grace cruise. Having been ejected from the ship by his own choice and the reluctant consent of the crew who, by the way, became his first unwitting converts, he is flailing in the water. Then god prepares a FISH:
F - FIRST time we have ever seen it happen - and the last.
Besides that, Jonah has just had his first converts - the crewmen.
I - IN the water and going down. Jonah was hopeless.
S - SOVEREIGN God decides to give him another chance.
H - HEAVENLY intervention rescues John for a time of refocus.
What is your FISH? You can cruise in it for a while by grace, but even it will bring you back to the point of choice. will you choose fight, flight, or flow?
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Henry Neufeld - Author of the Month
Henry Neufeld is our distinguished Author of the Month in both the Religion and Christian Fellowship Forums. Pick up copies of Henry's books and join the discussion.
Author of the Month
 |  |  |
| What's in a Version? by Henry, E Neufeld $10.39 | To the Hebrews: A Participatory Study Guide by Henry, E Neufeld $9.99 | Revelation: A Participatory Study Guide by Henry E. Neufeld $9.99 |
 |  |  |
| Identifying Your Gifts And Service by Henry E. Neufeld $9.99 | I Want to Pray! by Perry M. Dalton $7.99 | Not Ashamed of the Gospel: Confessions of a... by Henry E. Neufeld $10.39 |
 |  |  |
| Identifying Your Gifts and Service: Small G... by Henry, E Neufeld $10.39 | Discipleship: Jesus With Us by V., Riley Richardson $7.99 | When People Speak for God by Henry, E Neufeld $12.23 |
Friday, June 08, 2007
A Concert with Rich Mullins
Drink it in; be lifted, be moved; be inspired; worship!
This is the start of a concert that Rich Mullins did in Lufkin Texas. Some excerpts from this concert made it to the homeless man video also available on You Tube.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
This is the start of a concert that Rich Mullins did in Lufkin Texas. Some excerpts from this concert made it to the homeless man video also available on You Tube.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Make Someone's DAY
A Word of Encouragement from Tom Sims, The Dream Factory ...
Yesterday I suggested that the very desire to make another person's day is an indicator of character and a predictor of success in that endeavor.
Today, I will start to spell out how to do that by examining the word, "D-A-Y." First let us look at a proverb for today, Proverbs 19:1:
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse. "
To apply that to our theme, we might paraphrase it this way: "While wealth and prosperity can open doors, create opportunities, and enable us to do much good for others, it would be better to do without it if it meant that our words wounded rather than healed, deflated people rather than inflating them, and discouraged rather than encouraged."
Words are powerful and how we use words will determine much of our success in making someone else's day.
And the god news is that if you make the day of enough people, it will eventually lead you on the path to success.
We don't have to choose between our success and that of others if we are willing to put our primary focus on helping others succeed.
Now, here is the D-A-Y
D = Decision. You make a decision about the kind of day you will have. You make it early; you make it firm. You decide that whatever comes your way, "The is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it." It is always a decision and if you make it, it will rub off on others. While you make the decision, early in the morning, to have a great day, decide to bring others along as well. Pray for opportunities to encourage, lift, and serve people. They will come!
A = Attitude. It is aways about attitude. Attitude can make or break your day and will affect others. Positive attitudes are contagious, but so are negative attitudes. If you walk around all day with the attitude that is selfish, angry, resentful, and bitter, that will take the wind out of people's sails who are living on the edge. Not everyone has learned the power of a positive decision. They need to see a living example of positivity - YOU! If you carry your decision to have a blessed day with you throughout the day and reflect that in your attitude, those same people will see and catch some of your spirit. Smile at frowns; speak gently to harsh voices; deflect criticism; be kind when you are treated without kindness. Be the master of your moments and your emotions. Elevated your attitude and you will elevate others.
Y = Yes, Yes living. It is a no-no world. All around us, people are looking for reasons to be critical, to disagree, to complain, to gossip, to make other people feel small. You have chosen to live the opposite way. You are looking for areas of agreement. You are searching for the YES. You are endeavoring to find things you can compliment and affirm, people you can encourage, and lives you can touch with God's love. You are actively giving out smiles. Your goal is to build and what you are building are people.
The only two things that will last forever are the Word of God and the souls of people. One builds the other.
Make a decision to have and promote a great day. Put on the attitude of positive thinking and living, the attitude of love and grace. Put it on the same way you put on a cheerful shirt in the morning. Look for yes every where and build upon each yes you find. Decision - Attitude - Yes = DAY.
Have a great one. - Tom Sims
There is always more atThe Dream Factory
The Enrepreneur's Table and at my other blogs.
If I can serve you and encourage you, let me know.
Yesterday I suggested that the very desire to make another person's day is an indicator of character and a predictor of success in that endeavor.
Today, I will start to spell out how to do that by examining the word, "D-A-Y." First let us look at a proverb for today, Proverbs 19:1:
"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse. "
To apply that to our theme, we might paraphrase it this way: "While wealth and prosperity can open doors, create opportunities, and enable us to do much good for others, it would be better to do without it if it meant that our words wounded rather than healed, deflated people rather than inflating them, and discouraged rather than encouraged."
Words are powerful and how we use words will determine much of our success in making someone else's day.
And the god news is that if you make the day of enough people, it will eventually lead you on the path to success.
We don't have to choose between our success and that of others if we are willing to put our primary focus on helping others succeed.
Now, here is the D-A-Y
D = Decision. You make a decision about the kind of day you will have. You make it early; you make it firm. You decide that whatever comes your way, "The is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it." It is always a decision and if you make it, it will rub off on others. While you make the decision, early in the morning, to have a great day, decide to bring others along as well. Pray for opportunities to encourage, lift, and serve people. They will come!
A = Attitude. It is aways about attitude. Attitude can make or break your day and will affect others. Positive attitudes are contagious, but so are negative attitudes. If you walk around all day with the attitude that is selfish, angry, resentful, and bitter, that will take the wind out of people's sails who are living on the edge. Not everyone has learned the power of a positive decision. They need to see a living example of positivity - YOU! If you carry your decision to have a blessed day with you throughout the day and reflect that in your attitude, those same people will see and catch some of your spirit. Smile at frowns; speak gently to harsh voices; deflect criticism; be kind when you are treated without kindness. Be the master of your moments and your emotions. Elevated your attitude and you will elevate others.
Y = Yes, Yes living. It is a no-no world. All around us, people are looking for reasons to be critical, to disagree, to complain, to gossip, to make other people feel small. You have chosen to live the opposite way. You are looking for areas of agreement. You are searching for the YES. You are endeavoring to find things you can compliment and affirm, people you can encourage, and lives you can touch with God's love. You are actively giving out smiles. Your goal is to build and what you are building are people.
The only two things that will last forever are the Word of God and the souls of people. One builds the other.
Make a decision to have and promote a great day. Put on the attitude of positive thinking and living, the attitude of love and grace. Put it on the same way you put on a cheerful shirt in the morning. Look for yes every where and build upon each yes you find. Decision - Attitude - Yes = DAY.
Have a great one. - Tom Sims
There is always more atThe Dream Factory
The Enrepreneur's Table and at my other blogs.
If I can serve you and encourage you, let me know.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Homeless Man Part 3
Parts 1,2,4, and 5 of Homeless Man, a tribute to Rich Mullins are found on the side panel. To view Part 3, click below:
Homeless Man = Part 3
Homeless Man = Part 3
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Recent Stories on Religion - NPR
Religion
Evangelicals Face New Division: Global Warming
All Things Considered, March 25, 2007 · There's a growing divide among America's evangelical Christians over what to do about global warming. Host Debbie Elliot talks to Richard Cizik policy director for the National Association of Evangelicals, who's right in the middle of the debate.
Related NPR Stories
- Jan. 21, 2007Evangelists and Environmentalists Join Forces
- Dec. 19, 2006Green Evangelist Richard Cizik
- Dec. 11, 2006Religious Group's Ties to Pentagon Questioned
- Nov. 7, 2006Evangelical Community Reacts to Haggard Scandal
- July 14, 2006Obama Works to Win Evangelicals Back for Democrats
- June 23, 2006Evangelical: Religious Right Has Distorted the Faith
- April 2, 2006Evangelicals Fret Over Bush's Foreign Policy
Recent Stories on Religion - NPR
Religion
Evangelicals Face New Division: Global Warming
All Things Considered, March 25, 2007 · There's a growing divide among America's evangelical Christians over what to do about global warming. Host Debbie Elliot talks to Richard Cizik policy director for the National Association of Evangelicals, who's right in the middle of the debate.
Related NPR Stories
- Jan. 21, 2007Evangelists and Environmentalists Join Forces
- Dec. 19, 2006Green Evangelist Richard Cizik
- Dec. 11, 2006Religious Group's Ties to Pentagon Questioned
- Nov. 7, 2006Evangelical Community Reacts to Haggard Scandal
- July 14, 2006Obama Works to Win Evangelicals Back for Democrats
- June 23, 2006Evangelical: Religious Right Has Distorted the Faith
- April 2, 2006Evangelicals Fret Over Bush's Foreign Policy
Another from NPR on Sundays
A Look at 3,000 Years of Sundays
Sunday has traditionally been a day of rest and worship but its purpose has been widely debated. A new book examines the 3,000-year evolution of Sunday including how it is celebrated in America, England and France. Web Extra: Read an Excerpt
Leaps of Faith
From "This I Believe" - NPR Series: My Personal Leap of Faith
I enjoyed this essay. Maybe you will too ... or not. Either way, you can discuss it here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
