Give Me Jesus sung by Fernando Ortega

Thank goodness for global warming, otherwise we’d all freeze to death.”

Michigan resident after 2007-08 winter

I have finally found a Triathlon that is held on a day other than Sunday!

The Flag City USA Multisport Celebration in Findlay, Ohio is not only on a Saturday, June 14th, but it is also a faith based event!  Here is the complete info:  http://www.hfpracing.com/eventinfo.php?eventid=52

To all those who took the challenge to do a Sprint Triathlon in 2008 it’s time to step up!  This looks like a fast and easy course, an excellent facility and the perfect time of the year (not too hot or cool).

Let me know if you want to go with me. 

Games on!

Hotel Preston has come up with an innovative and cutting edge, ecumenical idea.  They are offering patrons a “spiritual menu” to order what their inner soul appetite is craving.  “I’d like a dish of the Quran, with a side order of Christian Science please.”

Read this for the complete story:  http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/NEWS06/803250338/1001/RSS01

For a business that serves a variety of different cultures and religions, this is probably not a bad idea.  I see nothing wrong with such a service accommodating the needs of its guests. 

This article intriqued me, though, as I applied this concept to the world view of so many in our current generation.  In their quest for “open-minds” they lack any sense of conviction or commitment.  The lines of right and wrong become blurred.  We have come full circle to the feel good philosophy of “I’m o.k. your o.k.” thinking. 

The truth is this, though, some things are not o.k.  Some ideas, as well as some people, are not o.k.; they are not right, they are in fact wrong.   Doesn’t that last statement sound dogmatic?  Doesn’t it sound harsh in today’s world?  Yet, it is true.  Such people who speak this way are labeled extremeist.

Values are being compromised.  Truth is becoming relavant.  Convictions are few.  This time worn statement could never be truer than today; “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

I’m convinced and convicted that God is the only one who can speak truth.  I believe He communicated that truth through His Son, Jesus.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  For life, liberty and complete fulfillment of life, we must submit to His Word, to His Will, as found in the Bible.  We should, without hesitation, value those things that God values.

What do you really value?

Our small group has birthed a new small group!  We celebrated last Sunday the birth of a new small group out of our original group with ice cream at Family Frosty.  The idea is to multiply ministry using the small group strategy.  When a group exceeds 12 members regularly in attendance, it’s time to multiply.

The sadness we feel now in not seeing our friends each week is overcome by the excitiement of the new relationships we will all make in our new groups.  We see our new groups as mission points.  We now have room in both groups to bring in people who are not connected in community.

The math of multiplication is mind blowing!  2 becomes 4 - 4 becomes 8 - 8 becomes 16 - 16 becomes 32 - 32 becomes 64 and 64 becomse 128.

If you have an average of 10 people in each small group.  Theoretically, in 6 years, we could have 1,280 people connected in Christian community!  That is my idea of a Kingdom mission!  What does it take to make that happen?  Simply having the mind of Jesus.  Consider the needs of others, before your own needs.  To have the mind of Christ.   Everyone desires to belong.  There are thousands in our community that are so alone, just waiting to be included in community. 

Everybody in the body needs to be connected to somebody.

Oh, yeah, Carly did awesome last night!  So did David Cook.  I love Carly’s song selection.  Jesus Christ Superstar; that was one of my favorite songs in the ’70’s.  She did a great job with the song.  I look for her to do well tonight. 

I just can’t decide who is better, Carly or David.  Man did David do an awesome job with the Phantom?  Who is leaving tonight?  I say Jason.  It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff. 

I’m doing a little time management study.  I have found that I’m spending way to much time blogging!  So, I’m changing my philosophy on the wonderful world of blogs.  I’ve taken off all the blog links that tempt me to visit other blogs and spend way too much time reading and commenting.  So, no offense if your link has been removed.  It just means I visit your blog way too often.

So, I’m going on a blog diet!

Also, I’m setting my blog to not receive comments.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy hearing others comments.  I do…but too much!  Then I feel compelled to comment back, etc. 

I want to spend more time using this blog to communicate news that I come across that affects us spiritually, morally and as a community.  I want to use this format to teach and inspire, if possible.   I want to use what little time I have to focus simply on this blog.

David was awesome last night.  He was the best act of the night!  I was sorry to see Christy go, but it was the right thing to do.

President George W. Bush spoke these words in his welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to America:

Here in America you’ll find a nation of compassion. Americans believe that the measure of a free society is how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable among us. So each day citizens across America answer the universal call to feed the hungry and comfort the sick and care for the infirm.

Each day, across the world, the United States is working to eradicate disease, alleviate poverty, promote peace and bring the light of hope to places still mired in the darkness of tyranny and despair.

Here in America, you’ll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square. When our founders declared our nation’s independence, they rested their case on an appeal to the laws of nature and of nature’s god.

We believe in religious liberty. We also believe that a love for freedom and a common moral law are written into every human heart, and that these constitute the firm foundation on which any successful free society must be built.

Here in America, you’ll find a nation that is fully modern, yet guided by ancient and eternal truths.

The United States is the most innovative, creative and dynamic country on Earth. It is also among the most religious.

In our nation, faith and reason coexist in harmony. This is one of our country’s greatest strengths and one of the reasons that our land remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for millions across the world.

Most of all, Holy Father, you will find in America people whose hearts are open to your message of hope. And America and the world need this message.

In a world where some invoke the name of God to justify acts of terror and murder and hate, we need your message that God is love. And embracing this love is the surest way to save men from falling prey to the teaching of fanaticism and terrorism.

In a world where some treat life as something to be debased and discarded, we need your message that all human life is sacred and that each of us is willed, each of us is loved.

And your message that each of us is willed, each of us is loved, and each of us is necessary.

In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this dictatorship of relativism and embrace a culture of justice and truth.

In a world where some see freedom as simply the right to do as they wish, we need your message that true liberty requires us to live our freedom not just for ourselves, but in a spirit of mutual support.

Holy Father, thank you for making this journey to America. Our nation welcomes you. We appreciate the example you set for the world. And we ask that you always keep us in your prayers.

I’m sure you are all aware of the pope’s arrival to the US today.  Did you hear the Battle Hymn of the Republic sung by the Marine Chorus?  It was inspirational.  Let me know if anyone hears this on the mainline news, and or find it recorded on anyones blog.

I also listened to comments made by our President.  One of his best speeches ever!  I will post more as I gather the info.