Thursday, February 28, 2008
Marina City, after hours
Got up at 4 AM this morning to snap a photo of what Marina City looks like in the middle of the night. Amazing really, when ya stop to think about it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Buried in Religion - or resurrected with Christ?
We don't worship a God whom we created in OUR IMAGE. We don't serve a God who says MAYBE or IF YOU'D RATHER. And we can't live hoping a DEAD IDOL will fix what's broken inside us.
We worship the God who says, I AM.
We serve the God who says, I DO NOT CHANGE.
We live because CHRIST IS ALIVE within us.
We worship the God who says, I AM.
We serve the God who says, I DO NOT CHANGE.
We live because CHRIST IS ALIVE within us.
Finally, a connection
-Whichever way the wind blows, there goes my wireless connection.
Haven't been able to log-on till now; I thought it must be the Flu, or something to do with BassMasters. Either way, the iPhone is already Absolete (my word coinage, meaning "absolutely obsolete"). Check out the HAMBURGER PHONE instead ... and make mine medium-rare:
Haven't been able to log-on till now; I thought it must be the Flu, or something to do with BassMasters. Either way, the iPhone is already Absolete (my word coinage, meaning "absolutely obsolete"). Check out the HAMBURGER PHONE instead ... and make mine medium-rare:
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
It's been going around
Scientists didn't get the vaccine right this year, and lots of folks been succumbing to "A mild case of Flu."
So why isn't "a mild case of Flu" called "Having the Mu"?
So why isn't "a mild case of Flu" called "Having the Mu"?
Whatever happened to that crotchety old guy?
When I was a kid I used to cringe every time I heard the name Paul. Seems like he spent most of the New Testament sailing around the Med & writing scolding letters to churches. He called believers "Brothers," but Paul didn't sound like the kind of relative you hoped would make a surprise appearance at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
At least, that was my old impression.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." -Roman 12:9-10
"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." - Romans 13:12
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." -Romans 13:10
"What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" - 1 Corinthians 4:21
"I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." -1 Corinthians 2:3-5
At least, that was my old impression.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." -Roman 12:9-10
"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." - Romans 13:12
"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." -Romans 13:10
"What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?" - 1 Corinthians 4:21
"I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." -1 Corinthians 2:3-5
Monday, February 25, 2008
Outta the Water, outta the Oscars too
I feel so left outta Hollywood. Like I found out this morning the Academy Awards were last night, and didn't even know it. To make matters worse, reading through the nominees, I realized I haven't seen a single one.
Blame it on sheer exhaustion following 3 days of nail-biting tension during The 2008 BassMaster Classic. Yeah, that sounds as good as anything else.
ps. My guy didn't win the Classic, either.
Blame it on sheer exhaustion following 3 days of nail-biting tension during The 2008 BassMaster Classic. Yeah, that sounds as good as anything else.
ps. My guy didn't win the Classic, either.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Notes from the BassMaster Parking Lot
Two things I notice while watching Marina City host 25,000 enthusiastic bass-fishing fans for the Classic this weekend:
1) Drivers unfamiliar with the marina tend to pull in and abruptly Slam On The Brakes ... as if trying to fathom how a massive lake magically appeared in their windshield. An urgent case of STOP is likely to happen anywhere that suits them, but especially when there's 10 vehicles stacked up waiting to get around.
Hint: parking spaces are for stopping. Lanes are for moving. Please.
2) Folks piloting huge SUV's and trucks with 60" tires, quad-shocks on each wheel, 16" lift kits, with off-roading decals and header pipes will pull into Marina City with all the thunder of Thor commandeering Valhalla ... but then slam on the brakes to creep over speed bumps at a snails' pace ... more slowly than I can crawl through calculus equations in my head (and I never took calculus).
I mean if you wanna see the sights, then pull outta the way of folks who know where they're going.
And don't be scared of hitting speed bumps if you're qualified to drive a Big Rig.
1) Drivers unfamiliar with the marina tend to pull in and abruptly Slam On The Brakes ... as if trying to fathom how a massive lake magically appeared in their windshield. An urgent case of STOP is likely to happen anywhere that suits them, but especially when there's 10 vehicles stacked up waiting to get around.
Hint: parking spaces are for stopping. Lanes are for moving. Please.
2) Folks piloting huge SUV's and trucks with 60" tires, quad-shocks on each wheel, 16" lift kits, with off-roading decals and header pipes will pull into Marina City with all the thunder of Thor commandeering Valhalla ... but then slam on the brakes to creep over speed bumps at a snails' pace ... more slowly than I can crawl through calculus equations in my head (and I never took calculus).
I mean if you wanna see the sights, then pull outta the way of folks who know where they're going.
And don't be scared of hitting speed bumps if you're qualified to drive a Big Rig.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Who ya gonna campaign for in November?
-from "Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee"
"The two fastest-growing church bodies in the United States and Canada, according to a newly published report, are ones whose beliefs are known to conflict with traditional Christian teaching.
"The two fastest-growing church bodies in the United States and Canada, according to a newly published report, are ones whose beliefs are known to conflict with traditional Christian teaching.
"Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, regarded by many Christians as cults, reported the largest membership increases in a year, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches." - read more here
Acts of Worship, Patterns of the World, Reaching the World
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:1-2
---
"These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
---
"These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." -Mark 16:13-15
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The MegaMellow Message?
Yesterday on the FM I heard a radio preacher, I can't remember his name, suggest something like, "It makes you wonder how the message is being mellowed in megachurches to attract such big numbers."
Diggity diggity then, radio dog: did ya forget that no church ever started out being a megachurch?
Why is it so tempting, and so easy, for "traditional" churches to assume that "megachurches" must be "mellowing down the message" ... assuming a priori that otherwise, megachurches wouldn't reach so many people for Christ? Why do critics keep trying to limit God and squeeze him down to fit their convenient little church-in-a-box?
A church that's not adding seats is a church that's stopped reaching people for Christ. Period.
This question could be posed instead: "It makes you wonder why traditional Me-First churches are alienating people from God by keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ all to themselves."
So what's the biggest difference between a scripturally-based "megachurch" and the scripturally-based church down the street?
A megachurch has more seats.
Diggity diggity then, radio dog: did ya forget that no church ever started out being a megachurch?
Why is it so tempting, and so easy, for "traditional" churches to assume that "megachurches" must be "mellowing down the message" ... assuming a priori that otherwise, megachurches wouldn't reach so many people for Christ? Why do critics keep trying to limit God and squeeze him down to fit their convenient little church-in-a-box?
A church that's not adding seats is a church that's stopped reaching people for Christ. Period.
This question could be posed instead: "It makes you wonder why traditional Me-First churches are alienating people from God by keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ all to themselves."
So what's the biggest difference between a scripturally-based "megachurch" and the scripturally-based church down the street?
A megachurch has more seats.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
ChurchMaster Classic
-humor
This weekend Marina City is hosting the acclaimed BassMasters Classic fishing tournament; you can catch live coverage on ESPN.
Having spent a considerable amount of my life knowing what fish look like (and which side of a boat floats), I consider myself something of an expert when it comes to offering suggestions, advice and opinions about fishing.
So this morning I trotted down to the marina office and jumped right in with some helpful suggestions and criticism about how to run a fishing tournament ... just like we did at my old marina.
-We need a dress code. Something about anglers wearing outfits color-coordinated with their bass boats scares me
-Engines are too loud. Turn 'em down and be respectful of those of us trying to sleep!
-Too many contestants. I like a more personal tournament, where all the contestants know my name
-I don't want people from Georgia riding around on my lake. (They're my relatives, after all)
You can imagination the enthusiastic suggestions I received in turn ...
(Please send cash in lieu of flowers to facilitate my speedy and complete bodily recovery.)
Roll bass, roll tide.
:-)
This weekend Marina City is hosting the acclaimed BassMasters Classic fishing tournament; you can catch live coverage on ESPN.
Having spent a considerable amount of my life knowing what fish look like (and which side of a boat floats), I consider myself something of an expert when it comes to offering suggestions, advice and opinions about fishing.
So this morning I trotted down to the marina office and jumped right in with some helpful suggestions and criticism about how to run a fishing tournament ... just like we did at my old marina.
-We need a dress code. Something about anglers wearing outfits color-coordinated with their bass boats scares me
-Engines are too loud. Turn 'em down and be respectful of those of us trying to sleep!
-Too many contestants. I like a more personal tournament, where all the contestants know my name
-I don't want people from Georgia riding around on my lake. (They're my relatives, after all)
You can imagination the enthusiastic suggestions I received in turn ...
(Please send cash in lieu of flowers to facilitate my speedy and complete bodily recovery.)
Roll bass, roll tide.
:-)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Vantage Point
People been asking me, "So where's the best place to 'catch' all the action at this weekend's Bassmaster Classic?"
I'd have to say a firm answer is still up in the air.
I'd have to say a firm answer is still up in the air.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
President Bush in Tanzania
"DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (CNN) -- President George W. Bush signed a multi-million dollar aid deal with the government of Tanzania Sunday morning on the second stop of his five-nation tour of Africa.The compact, agreed with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, will provide a $698 million Millennium Challenge grant to the nation. Bush's six-day tour of the continent is intended to stress U.S. initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and poverty in the region.
Billboards and dancers wearing President Bush's likeness Saturday welcomed the U.S. leader and first lady Laura Bush to Tanzania Saturday.
Enthusiastic crowds lined the road from Dar es Salaam's airport to the hotel where the Bushes are staying. Billboards along the road expressed thanks to the president for anti-AIDS efforts and other U.S. help." - read full story
Saturday, February 16, 2008
No, I'm fine thank you
Overheard during breakfast ...
A server wearing rubber gloves, carrying a bucket filled with cleaning supplies, approached the folks sitting at the booth beside me and said, "I gotta go clean the restroom. Can I get ya'll anything else?"
A server wearing rubber gloves, carrying a bucket filled with cleaning supplies, approached the folks sitting at the booth beside me and said, "I gotta go clean the restroom. Can I get ya'll anything else?"
churchsportsbook.com?
-from today's Anderson Independent Mail:
A state Senate subcommittee has approved legislation that would exempt the two groups from South Carolina’s 200-year-old law that prohibits dice and card games."
Some faiths teach that tithing is an "old covenant" remnant and no longer applies to believers, which has lead some cash-crunched congregations to consider "alternative income streams" ... like gambling.
Wonder what we'd see first?
Bingo baptism services? Blackjack for Baptists? Dice for Christ? Slot machines in the vestibule? Fundamentalist Football parlay cards?
Ugh, seems like we don't mind parting with money ... so long as we're having double-down FUN! doing it.
"Anderson faith leaders don't see gambling as a possibility for their churches
ANDERSON COUNTY — Some Anderson faith leaders say they are wary of the chance that churches and nonprofits soon could be able to host card and casino nights to raise money.A state Senate subcommittee has approved legislation that would exempt the two groups from South Carolina’s 200-year-old law that prohibits dice and card games."
Some faiths teach that tithing is an "old covenant" remnant and no longer applies to believers, which has lead some cash-crunched congregations to consider "alternative income streams" ... like gambling.
Wonder what we'd see first?
Bingo baptism services? Blackjack for Baptists? Dice for Christ? Slot machines in the vestibule? Fundamentalist Football parlay cards?
Ugh, seems like we don't mind parting with money ... so long as we're having double-down FUN! doing it.
Friday, February 15, 2008
sea change at Daytona?
Toyota Steals American Thunder During Daytona Qualifying ...
"DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- On a milestone day for Toyota, NASCAR's newest manufacturer, veteran drivers stole the show Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.
With a push from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin won the second Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying race for Sunday's Daytona 500 in a green-white-checkered-flag finish that took the event four laps beyond its posted distance. The victory for Toyota was the second for a foreign manufacturer in NASCAR's top series. Jaguar driver Al Keller won a road-course race in Linden, N.J., in 1954."
Race Lineup
| 1. | Jimmie Johnson | Chevrolet |
| 2. | Michael Waltrip | Toyota |
| 3. | Dale Earnhardt Jr. | Chevrolet |
| 4. | Denny Hamlin | Toyota |
| 5. | Reed Sorenson | Dodge |
| 6. | Tony Stewart | Toyota |
| 7. | Ryan Newman | Dodge |
| 8. | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
| 9. | Casey Mears | Chevrolet |
| 10. | Kasey Kahne | Dodge |
-source
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