1. Christianity is based on fear
2. Christianity preys on the innocent
3. Christianity is based on dishonesty
4. Christianity is extremely egocentric
5. Christianity breeds arrogance, a chosen-people mentality
6. Christianity breeds authoritarianism
7. Christianity is cruel
8. Christianity is anti-intellectual, anti-scientific
9. Christianity has a morbid, unhealthy preoccupation with sex
10. Christianity produces sexual misery
11. Christianity has an exceedingly narrow, legalistic view of morality
12. Christianity encourages acceptance of real evils while focusing on imaginary evils
13. Christianity depreciates the natural world
14. Christianity models hierarchical, authoritarian organization
15. Christianity sanctions slavery
16. Christianity is misogynistic
17. Christianity is homophobic
18. The Bible is not a reliable guide to Christ's teachings
19. The Bible is riddled with contradictions
20. Christianity borrowed its central myths and ceremonies from other ancient religions

The other day I was talking to one of my younger buddies about methods used to discipline children.

We talked about 'time outs', grounding, holding back 'rewards' until the child displayed desired behavior etc. One of the things we discussed was the act of spanking and my friend explained that no, he does not spank any of his children.

He explained that what he does is to take the misbehaving child out for a ride in the car and talk. He said that usually this works and that the child calms down fairly quickly.

By removing the child, in this case his son, from the immediate situation and providing a change of scenery, the child is allowed to focus on something different. Once the child has the opportunity to change perspective, things get better quickly and the child has better understanding of his place within the family and begins to understand the families concept of acceptable behavior.

He kindly shared a picture of the process which I share with you now.




















Stay blessed...john

A home without family worship is like a house without a roof-exposed to every storm that rages.

A pessimist is a person who feels bad when he feels good for fear he'll feel worse when he feels better.

The real test of will-power is to have the same ailment someone else is describing and not mention it.
"Where," said the woman orator," would man be without woman? Where? Where?" Here she paused for effect. "Where, I ask, WHERE would man be without woman?" From the top gallery came a voice, "In the Garden of Eden, eating luscious strawberries."

If it goes in one ear and out the other, it's probably wisdom. If it goes in one ear and out the mouth, it's gossip!

To do God's work we must have God's power. To have His power, we must know His will. To know God's will, we must study God's word.

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week
 that you would like to go out
 to eat.
 (more than once but less than 10)
 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

 3. Add 5

 4. Multiply it by 50

 5. If you have already had your birthday this year
 add 1757...
 If you haven't, add 1756.
 6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were
 born.
 You should have a three digit number.
 The first digit of this was your original number.
 (I.e., How many times you
 want to go out to restaurants in a week.)
 The next two numbers are
 YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is!!!)

I confess that writing this was entirely too much fun.

I confess I dislike church meetings.

I confess my inability to stay organized for a long period of time.

I confess that I do get disappointed with the church more than I'll ever acknowledge (again).

I confess my ignorance of Jewish holidays and festivals; I always forget what was supposed to be done when.

I confess my desire to be a nerd (in disguise).

I confess that I probably have too many Mariah Carey singles on my IPOD.

I confess that I really think that's okay.

I confess I don't spend (20) hours working on a sermon...though maybe someday I will.

I confess sometimes I miss Galveston.

I confess that leaving churches (for a new appointment) is difficult for me.

I confess my disdain for prosperity gospel.

I confess it's been a long time since I confessed anything.

I confess I love, no really, love to teach.

I confess I joke around too much.

I confess my ears get really red when I'm ticked, but trying to maintain composure (see confession #2).

I confess I probably lean towards a more "conservative" faith.

I confess that I find this funny.

I confess I've spent too long on this....

MY NAME IS ALICE SMITH AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY
FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA, WHICH
BORE HIS FULL NAME.

SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAME
NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 40-ODD YEARS AGO. COULD HE
BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN? UPON
SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.

THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.


AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK
HIGH SCHOOL.

'YES. YES, I DID. I'M A MUSTANG,' HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.

'WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?' I ASKED.

HE ANSWERED, 'IN 1959. WHY DO YOU ASK?'

'YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!', I EXCLAIMED.

HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY. THEN, THAT UGLY, OLD, BALD, WRINKLED, FAT BUTT,
GRAY-HAIRED, DECREPIT SON-OF-A-BISCUIT EATER ASKED, 'WHAT DID YOU TEACH?'

From the "Save This For a Sermon" file: Road Rage

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally.....I assumed you had stolen the car."

On November 2, 2004 Theo van Gogh was brutally murdered on the streets of Amsterdam in broad daylight. His death was in response to a film he helped create months before entitled Submission. It would seem in some ways that Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, was written in response to that event—written to those willing to administer death unto others by their own religious convictions because of it, to those who were impacted by it and simply to those who would listen. Ali had written the film and was also a target of the people who killed Theo. It is this occurrence that Ali begins her book, and allots an entire chapter to in the last pages of the book. Since the time of Theo’s death Ali has been accelerated into the spotlight as a strong voice against the treatment of Muslim women; this was the issue of Submission, and the intent of Infidel is to bring continued light to this subject matter.

Ali’s other works surround this same topic. Prevalent in this topic is the total submission of women to men, violence that women are exposed to in their Muslim religion and overall oppression of women within the confines of religious liberty and practice of Muslim men (and often other women). Through this piece, however, we are given an inside look at the personal experiences of the author from her childhood through the present. Appropriately, with regard to those experiences, the work is divided into two parts: Part I: My Childhood and Part II: My Freedom. While the two sections deserve their own attention it is very easy to consider how they both intersect one with the other.

Ali’s younger years were spent enduring beatings, constant moving from one despot country (Somalia, Saudi Arabia and Kenya) to another and the ongoing instruction of her family’s Muslim faith. There is a continuing struggle in her mind that prompts her inquisitiveness about her faith tradition—often to her own harm. Her simplistic ideas of peace, justice, mercy and love as a child many times did not match what she witnessed in her family and/or clan or her faith. As she was able to gain her freedom, serve in Parliament (among many other things) and adjust to a Western mindset later in life she still struggled with the apparent conflicting ideas of her faith and new ideals she had adapted to. Ayaan Ali vividly expresses this intersecting of personal evolvement. While being open, candid, honest and direct it becomes clear to the reader the deep concern for Muslim womens’ safety, equality and protection, and the priority of that concern she articulates through her memories.

Taking a unique position in the realm of societal observance, through no intentional motives other than personal development, Ali provides a fresh take on common focuses in society like politics, religion, and cultural assimilation. There are many references to the similarities of cultures in their interactions with each other, the zeal of religiousness and threats to each group. By being able and willing to critically examine her environments, we are provided an honest evaluation of just how similar, though they may seem far from it, people can be. This book offers a great example to the study of race and ethnic relations while also promoting her real cause. Ayaan has been able to interpret her experiences with several societies into a resource that stimulates deliberate reflection of social customs and mores.

Putting a name or a face to any situation can alter in waves of personal enlightenment. Basic study of Islam has introduced many of the notions raised in the book (i.e. female submission and male dominance). However, to read a personal recount like Ali’s of some of the drastic experiences that are common among some groups (Islamic families in this example) has increased my intention to address some of the same issues she has raised. Personally, at the very least, deep consideration and reflection towards personal spiritual beliefs have remained constant since completing this book. It is through this very process Ali has been able to progress in her efforts to bring equality to women who share many of her experiences. Perhaps it can also provide us all the opportunity to consider our willingness to impact our spheres of influence.

The God-o-Meter (pronounced Gah-DOM-meter) scientifically measures factors such as rate of God-talk, effectiveness—saying God wants a capital gains tax cut doesn't guarantee a high rating—and other top-secret criteria. Click a candidate's head to get his or her latest God-o-Meter reading and blog post. And check back often. With so much happening on the campaign trail, God-o-Meter is constantly recalibrating!

Video game maker Electronic Arts created Altar Egos to test the market for Christian video games. The game, which EA describes as "Grand Theft Auto without the graphic violence and sex, and set in a church building," is not yet available in stores but was sent to hundreds of churches across the U.S. where it has become an instant obsession.

Finally, the Pumpkin Patch reminds us that we may different but we are all beautiful. Unique does not mean unlovable. It takes all kinds of pumpkins to make a patch and it takes all of us to make a church.

It has become so ordinary. Trite even. A receiver catches a touchdown pass, falls to his knees and points to the sky. After the game he tells Suzy Kolber or Bonnie Bernstein or Michelle Tafoya that he wants to thank God.

Admit it. There is a temptation to roll the eyes. It's understandable.

Too many times, that same receiver shows up on TV later, involved in something far from holy. Nobody likes to be duped.

Once upon a time, the great river had a huge flood. A large scorpion was trapped on the upper branches of a dead tree, and the waters were gradually rising over the tree and the scorpion seemed doomed. A monk was passing by the river; he witnessed the scene, and, grabbing on to a shrub at the edge of the path, reached over intending to pick up the scorpion and carry it to safety. The scorpion stung the monk. Still, the monk tried again and again—and each time he was stung. A little later, a passerby saw the monk, weak from venom, hand swollen, but nevertheless trying to rescue the insect. “Give it up old man”, the passerby shouted, “or you’ll both drown.” “Then so it will be”, the monk shouted back, “it is the scorpion’s nature to sting, but it is my nature to save.” Keep this in mind.

When despair tries to take me under... I choose life.
When I wonder what God could possibly be thinking... I choose trust.
When I desperately want relief from unrelenting reality... I choose perseverance. When I feel oppressed by my disappointment and sorrow... I choose gratitude.
When I want to keep my feelings to myself... I choose vulnerability.
When nothing goes according to my plan... I choose relinquishment.
When I want to point the finger... I choose forgiveness.
When I want to give up... I choose purposeful action.

• During a weekend we will make use of 3,000 dozen cookies (do the math, that's a lot of cookies); those can be made by anyone.
  
• Prayer is very important to all the team members; there are people praying throughout the entire weekend. Anyone can sign up to fill in a slot of the weekend.
• You may want to write a letter of encouragement to inmates.
• Place mats are used for meals and inmates really appreciate the special messages on those--especially those from little children.
• We all are responsible for raising enough funds to cover ourselves and one inmate; of course, that is another you can help.
• Closing ceremonies are a way to see some of the work of a weekend. People are invited to attend this ceremony (the inmates don't know about it....shhhhh!)

• Department of Demography and Organization Studies
• Chair Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research
• Dir. Texas State Data Center, Dir. State Demographer of Texas

Deep within every human heart throbs the undying hope that somebody or something will bring both an explanation of what life is all about and a way to retain the wonder. Yet if we would but pause and first ponder what it is that we already see in this world of wonder we might get a brief taste of the wonder that may be poured into us as well.

Wonder is that possession of the mind that enchants that emotions while never surrendering reason.

Wonder has a direct bearing on hopelessness and evil. The loss of wonder sets the stage for evil, until truth itself dies at the altar of a desecrated imagination

When we pretend to be God and play God, we do so without the benefit of God's character and we redefine good and evil.

Religion...It is not about ritual; it is about relationship. It is not about the posture of the body; it is about the need of the soul. It is not about the times of the day; it is about the timelessness of His presence. It is not about appeasing God; it is about resting in His provision. It is not about culture; it is about truth. It is not about earning peace; it is the wonder-working power of God. He safeguards that wonder.

In short, where there is not gratitude, there is no wonder.

In heaven, faith becomes sight.

There are books by the score on the shelves of Christian bookstores. Check them out. What do they point to? Is it to the nobler and higher and richer truths of God, or is it to more of ourselves? Thankfully the nobler and higher truths are there, but for the most part, judging by the titles and content, one would think they Christian faith is all about me and how I feel and what I want. There are books on happiness by the score, how to succeed in a variety of ways. Stop. Ponder. Reason. Is your own reading shallow or deep? The wonder that you will find in the shallow end can only be for a child. Swimming in the deep is for the mature. If a follower of Jesus does not mature in his or her reading, the church could end up running the biggest nursery in the world.

When we have learned what worship is, we have experienced what wonder is. Worship is a personal thing before it goes public. It is an individual thing before it is a part of a community. It is a disciplined thing before it is natural.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Google Moon is an extension of Google Maps and Google Earth that, courtesy of NASA imagery (thanks, guys!), enables you to surf the Moon's surface and check out the exact spots that the Apollo astronauts made their landings.