26 June 2011
2nd Day of July. Celebrating a decision
Jul/01/11
John Adams wrote to his wife, Abagail,. “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other.”
He was partly right. Celebrations will be loud, beautiful, tasty, and memorable. But we no longer commemorate this day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
Pause in your party and thank God. His strength is why we are still free.
Podcast
He was partly right. Celebrations will be loud, beautiful, tasty, and memorable. But we no longer commemorate this day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
Pause in your party and thank God. His strength is why we are still free.
Podcast
The Cost Of One Man
Jun/30/11
Osama bin Laden though dead will be in the news for months maybe years. The evil he inflicted is beyond measure in human pain and suffering. Not surprisingly, in our money oriented society, some are counting the monetary cost of this one man to our country. Conservative estimates are at least $3 trillion over the last 15 years. Our disrupted economy after 9/11, heightened security, and direct efforts to hunt him down impacted every segment of our country.
Many of us investigated a belief system we had not noticed before. I went to my local book store, bought the Koran, and began reading it to find out what motivated this man and millions of others like him. A man of influence, certainly. But of little influence compared to the impact of Jesus Christ, God’s son.
Podcast
Many of us investigated a belief system we had not noticed before. I went to my local book store, bought the Koran, and began reading it to find out what motivated this man and millions of others like him. A man of influence, certainly. But of little influence compared to the impact of Jesus Christ, God’s son.
Podcast
Prayer
Jun/29/11
Frank Wright, President of National Religious Broadcasters wrote these words.
“Our nation was birthed in prayer. Think back to the winter of 1778 when Isaac Potts, owner of the home General George Washington was using as his Valley Forge headquarters, came upon the General’s horse tethered in the woods. Curious, Potts followed the sound of a voice and, to his surprise, came upon General Washington alone and praying fervently in a secluded stand of trees. Or the account of crusty, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin who acknowledged – during difficult proceedings that had almost derailed the 1787 Constitutional Convention – “that ‘God governs the affairs of man’…and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” Even Franklin, not a pious man, valued prayer.”
Podcast
“Our nation was birthed in prayer. Think back to the winter of 1778 when Isaac Potts, owner of the home General George Washington was using as his Valley Forge headquarters, came upon the General’s horse tethered in the woods. Curious, Potts followed the sound of a voice and, to his surprise, came upon General Washington alone and praying fervently in a secluded stand of trees. Or the account of crusty, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin who acknowledged – during difficult proceedings that had almost derailed the 1787 Constitutional Convention – “that ‘God governs the affairs of man’…and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” Even Franklin, not a pious man, valued prayer.”
Podcast
Wrong Solution
Jun/28/11
I puzzled to see a woman in the next lap lane in the pool wearing huge sunglasses. Not goggles, sunglasses. We paused at the same time. I asked her about her glasses. She said they prevented glare. “But they’re not helping today,” she said. “They’re just fogging over.” And she continued her swim in her sun glasses. I tried to understand. Yes, one wall is a huge window with delightful sunshine on some days. Her solution did not match her problem. I’m reminded of people following false religions today. They realize a deeper need for a firm foundation. They embrace a belief system that requires sacrifice, marginalizing one gender, and loyalty to a dead human.
They could follow a man, Jesus, God in human form, who conquered death, values all people, and brings real light.
Podcast
They could follow a man, Jesus, God in human form, who conquered death, values all people, and brings real light.
Podcast
Greener Pastures
Jun/27/11
In an earlier era we spoke of moving to greener pastures. That meant leaving a dead end job or a tattered relationship for what we thought would be better. With the unrest in African countries, many are fleeing for ‘greener pastures.’ In my travels in Africa, I can understand the motivation. But the outcome is sometimes unexpected. Migrants from poor villages, usually men, arrive in the city, usually landing in the outskirt slums first. They are drawn by the possibilities of work, cell phones, and motorcycles.
What greets them is often urban violence, poorly built and unsafe housing and AIDS. The wife and children they leave behind become widows and orphans, by biblical definition of ‘widow:’ ‘woman abandoned.’ What can we do? Begin by praying for the churches in Africa. Their responsibilities are large and resources small.
Podcast
What greets them is often urban violence, poorly built and unsafe housing and AIDS. The wife and children they leave behind become widows and orphans, by biblical definition of ‘widow:’ ‘woman abandoned.’ What can we do? Begin by praying for the churches in Africa. Their responsibilities are large and resources small.
Podcast