Musings on my world. . .
Hurricane Katrina has devastated Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
Pray for those trapped and those with family in the affected regions. . . Send aid if you can to those who are supporting the relief efforts including the American Red Cross and the Texas Baptist Men who respond in crisis like this one.
C
FBC Gulfport Mississippi gutted by Katrina 2005
I’ve been thinking about this lately over the past couple of weeks. What’s my Grace Story?
Aside (The Doctors say Grandma may be able to come home Sat or Sun, please keep prayin’ and thanks!)
What’s a Grace Story? Good Question. . . A Grace Story is a personal story of God’s provision, plan, protection, patience, and or personal work in your life.
It can be as simple as the testimony of your salvation, to the daily paths He leads you on. It can be an interwoven thread of happen stances and aquaintances that working together lead you to the discovery of Truth. Whatever that story is that’s what I’m interested in. I think that’s what God is interested in. The more interested we are in how God is working and changing hearts and lives then the more desire we will have to share and to love those beautiful faces all around us. . .
So What’s your Grace Story?
later,
C
“It’s seeing people come to church and go home alone; not knowing anymore people when they leave than they did when they came in. They leave as lonely as they came. They aren’t connected and they feel like they don’t belong.”
Ronnie Whitehead – Pastor of Fellowship Brazos Pointe Community Church – Lake Jackson, TX
Ronnie’s Encapsulates the realization of Vision
If you read the article, let me know what your Popeye moment was? I have to say that I’m not sure I’ve quite reached into and found it yet, but there are several moments that are clear.
Viewing our small church, in such a growing area of the Hill Country, knowing that more and more people were coming and we hadn’t kept up for more than 25 years at least. . . Knowing that if we kept going like we were going that the Church would go from stagnation to deflation and finally death. . .
I didn’t like the thought of our little Church dying. . . Let’s see what God wants to do with me, with us. . .?
Later,
C
I Cor 4:2
Indian Government officials announced the phasing out of the Rickshaw. . .
This personal transportation device relied on human power to get you from point A to B and with its tall wheels provided comfortable transportation even in the most formidable of water situations . . .
The practice is being banned on the premise that it is de-humanizing to have one person pull another around, but the driver/pullers are wondering where they will make a living without their Rickshaws. . . ?
What do you think?
Workers discover The Pool of Siloam
Well, its happened again. The Bible has been proven based in fact. . . Here on the inside cover of todays newspapers is covered a story from Jerusalem. A modern day sewer repair crew has discoverd the Pool of Siloam really did exist and they found it. Miracuously preserved and a mere 200 yards from a rebuilt pool, the actual biblical fountain where Jesus healed the blind beggar has been found.
“a much grander affair” Archealogists exclaimed about the discovery when they realized the Pool had a larger structure and construction than previously believed.
It’s good to know that Scripture is rooted in fact and history.
C
Whitehouse Transcript of Embryonic Baby Adoptions
I’ve recently seen a spate of editorials criticizing the President’s stand on embryonic stem cell research. This editorial charge and large scale press coverage of Sen Frist’s public endorsement of embryonic stem cell research (in opposition to his previous stand) has led to an outcry spearheaded by many who disagree with the President’s principled decision.
His decision is based on the belief that life begins at conception. . . This is not some fairy tale but scientific fact that when an egg and a sperm unite and form the beginings of life that genetically everything that will determine the physical attirbutes and makeup of the embryo are already cemented. The truth of the matter is their are hundreds if not thousands of embryo’s created in the pursuit of fertility for our nation and the worlds couples who face infertility. . . These embryo’s have no one to defend them or what they can become, they become an easy target of a quick fix and encourage a decision based upon the basis that their life is not as important as another persons life. Because of this the President has encouraged umbilical cord stem cell research, and adult stem cell research*1 which have already proven to be viable alternative to provide cures to current diseases. This fact is often ignored and bypassed. . . But our President didn’t forget.
In the initial link you will see the transcript of an event where 81 children attended. All of these were abandoned embryo’s the off shoots of infertility treatments that would have been slated for destruction or an eternal frozen sleep. . . And yet their families choose to donate and give up for adoption these small fragile lives to couples who could not have children of their own or who desired an embryo adoption. . .
So I pause to wonder, what if Embryo 81 who was adopted and born were slated to medical research instead? The life lost, the cures unfounded and the artistry and creativity missed. . .
The question isn’t what cures can be found by embryonic stem cell research or how many lives can be saved, but what is the moral cost to our society, that allows unborn children to be destroyed before they ever had a chance in the name of scientific progress? Especially when umbilical cord and adult stem cell research is already showing the promise of cures *2
As the President summarized:
” The children here today remind us that there is no such thing as a spare embryo. Every embryo is unique and genetically complete, like every other human being. And each of us started out our life this way. These lives are not raw material to be exploited, but gifts. And I commend each of the families here today for accepting the gift of these children and offering them the gift of your love. (Applause.)”
In His Service,
C
*1 http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/03/21/australia.stemcell/
*2 http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2005/01_19_05.html
I think this is silly. . . 🙂
American Cities That Best Fit You: |
| 60% Austin |
| 55% Miami |
| 50% Atlanta |
| 50% Chicago |
| 50% Las Vegas |
hmm. . . again real first answers. . .
🙂
C
The Keys to Your Heart |
| You are attracted to obedience and warmth. |
| In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you’re told that you’re loved. |
| You’d like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy. |
| You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please. |
| Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything… no secrets. |
| Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. |
| You think of marriage as something precious. You’ll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. |
| In this moment, you think of love as something you don’t need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now. |
Amazingly enough . . . I think I agree with everything but the last statement. . . But I’m already married so it was thrown completely off! 🙂
C
|
You Belong in 1974 |
|
1974
1950 – 1959: You’re fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in! 1960 – 1969: You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule – oh, and drugs too. 1970 – 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you’re partying or protesting, you give it your all! 1980 – 1989: Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You’re colorful at night – and successful during the day. 1990 – 1999: With you anything goes! You’re grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It’s all good! |
Those that know me well will laugh. . . I didn’t trick the answers they were my real first answers.
🙂
C