JesusWorldview

Christmas Movie List 2011

2011-12-21T07:51:00.002-06:00

The Nativity Story has moved up to number two on my favorite all-time Christmas Movie list, right after Cary Grant in "The Bishop's Wife."This bumps Zefferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" nativity down to number four, followed byChristmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck A Christmas Carol (Albert Finney version only, please)White Christmas with Bing Crosby and How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Ron

Make the Nativity Personal

2011-12-04T07:14:00.008-06:00

After 30 Christmas's, my wife and I finally found a Nativity scene we'd like to have in our outdoor display.Like most home projects, it quickly grew beyond the original scope. The figures had to be placed in a backdrop of course. The backdrop had to be weatherproofed. The figures themselves, sealed with varnish. Some monofiliment fishing line to hold everything in place (we live on a windy hill)

Missing Link? Faith and Biblical Truth

2011-12-03T10:44:00.007-06:00

With my engineering and marketing background, I'm intrigued by cause/effect relationships we see in every day life.Sometimes you'll see an interesting article about the statistics or analysis of how one thing seems directly related to another.For example, people living in sunny geographies tend to suffer less depression than those in consistently cloudy/overcast areas.Other direct cause and

Sin Tents

2011-12-02T23:07:00.004-06:00

I just attended a large trade show at Chicago's McCormick Place.I saw this large, retangular white tent assembled outside the West Hall. Like they have at outdoor wedding receptions.I wondered what special topic would draw people out into the chilly November weather?Then later that day I saw a similar white tent assembled at the opposite end of the convention center.What, in heaven's name...?

The fish are hitting! So I'm Leaving...

2011-11-24T08:55:00.005-06:00

We were out on this remote Canadian lake and the fish were hitting!I had just caught and released a 30 inch pike and my dad had one on his line.We were totally focused on the moment and the exhilaration of success.My daughter, on the other hand, was staring out at the dark clouds rolling in and she eventually convinced us to pull over to shore.It wasn't easy for her to do. We had traveled16 hours

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

2011-11-14T19:29:00.008-06:00

With temps in the 50's, I decided to set up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday.I know! Still a week before Thanksgiving!It was a nice excuse to be outside and really -- the weather can turn on a dime up here.Better now than with frozen hands and arctic winds later!One of our lighting traditions is to spell out the reason with one of those long, continuous tube lights.Its flexible, about half

Cancer Statistics Daunting but Overshadowed

2011-10-01T10:02:00.006-05:00

I take cancer seriously.Family members have passed away, and some currently struggle with the brutal disease and its heartbreaking impact.We frequently have requests for prayer and support.Thank goodness for research, medical advances and all the people who contribute to the cause.It seems there is always a weekend run/walk event or other charity efforts to help. I gladly contribute and have

Tolerance for Christians in Iran?

2011-10-01T09:14:00.007-05:00

In Iran, and other neighboring countries in the region, you cannot choose your spiritual beliefs, they've been chosen for you.There is lots of talk about co-existence with the likes of Christianity and Judaism, but its just talk.When the rubber hits the road and someone publically declares their free will differently, it can be met first with community intimidation, and through their court system

My Bike and the Oncoming Truck

2011-08-13T12:02:00.003-05:00

As my bicycle coasted toward an intersection on a local country road, I looked both ways for oncoming traffic. I was going to turn left onto the state highway from my side road. When you're riding a road bike like mine, the bike shoes are "clipped in" to the pedals for maximum power. Its easy to unclip and put your foot on the pavement, but whenever possible you like to keep your momentum and

Rock the Lakes !

2011-08-02T17:18:00.002-05:00

Rock the Lakes coming to Milwaukee in August.Click here to link to Billy Graham web site, then scroll down page and you'll see a video clip for Rock the Lakes Milwaukee.I pray that a wave of God's love and salvation will surge from the lake shore and cover our entire city, in Jesus' name, Amen.What do you believe?

Who Can I Rely On ?

2011-08-01T18:19:00.006-05:00

I was reading this missionary guy's account of the stressful conditions surrounding his work in Asia, "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will

Cowboys, Aliens, Redemption

2011-07-31T09:31:00.006-05:00

We went to see the new Cowboys & Aliens movie. It's a pretty good shoot-em-up film, with a few creatures from outer space tossed in for good measure.Also in the mix is a "preacher" who isn't caricatured as weak or corrupt.In one scene he is a Good Samaritan to a wounded stranger. Tending wounds with compassion and no questions asked.In another quickly passing segment, one of the characters

Integrity in an Alaskan Top Hat

2011-07-10T16:07:00.002-05:00

There were no credit cards involved. No pre-paid cruise ship vouchers.When we stepped ashore in Skagway, Alaska, we simply looked for the gentleman in a stove pipe top hat.Dyea Dave was waiting at the end of the dock. He soon dispatched us with one of his staff drivers to pick up our rail passes and head toward the White Pass mountain depot in a shuttle bus.We had hoped to actually make the drive

Searching for Jesus ?

2011-06-26T11:22:00.004-05:00

The Billy Graham ministry has hit a home run with their new evangelism site:http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/The videos and simple question/answer format are short and to the point - perfect for people using the internet.I'm going to volunteer to support this!What better way to use the internet than to affirm God's love for all people, to the ends of the earth.What do you believe?

Spiritual Leads

2011-05-21T08:22:00.003-05:00

A friend asked me what volunteer counselors do when all the people come forward at a Billy Graham evangelistic event.After listening to the person's intentions and explaining the gospel, I said, we pray with the person.Before departing they then have the option to complete a follow-up card. Later, other Billy Graham volunteers will match their name and locality to the closest church (even a

News of Jesus Returning

2011-05-21T07:38:00.003-05:00

Is Jesus coming back?There are lots of headlines and predictions about Jesus returning this weekend.I remember a similar news cycle surrounding a little book entitled,"88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return in 1988"That author quickly transitioned to false-prophet status on New Years Day, 1989.Missing from the jokes and bemused perspective of "those wacky Christians" are a few more timeless questions,

Billy Graham Training

2011-05-14T08:31:00.005-05:00

The Billy Graham team is holding training sessions for volunteer counselors in my town.We're all preparing for the "Rock the Lakes" festival in August.This is the second time I've attended the training, having volunteered at the mega-four day Cincinnati event in 2002.Billy and his son Franklin actually broke attendance records for the new football stadium that year!But the Billy Graham approach

My Bible Brothers

2011-04-23T20:14:00.006-05:00

I challenged our family to read through the Bible's New Testament by the end of June this year.(I'm about halfway as of this writing, have to kick it in gear!)There was just enough time to breeze through Philemon while my plane taxied to the airport terminal last week.Part of the Apostle Paul's introduction caught my eye and brought out the yellow highlighter pen:"I always thank my God as I

Now I Have Told You

2011-04-22T17:11:00.007-05:00

Mary and Mary Magdalene went to Jesus' tomb on the third day and an angel appeared to them. He showed them the empty tomb."Go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." Matthew 28: 7This is one of those sections of the bible that I have read more times than I can count. But I don't recall

Billy Graham - Rock the Lakes

2011-04-22T08:54:00.005-05:00

Franklin Graham visited Milwaukee last week to kick off preparation for Rock the Lakes.This is a great opportunity to see and share God's love in a wonderful outdoor setting.Dates are August 20-21 in Veteran's Park.Visit billygraham.org/Milwaukee to learn more. Or call 877 907 9111 for details.I last volunteered for a Billy Graham crusade in Cincinnati in 2001 or so.The entire process of

Then We Will Believe in God

2011-04-22T08:09:00.008-05:00

My wife and I attended Palm Sunday services at a church across town.It was so beautiful. Floor to rafter glass walls and lots of Light!They read a very interesting section of Matthew's Gospel, the crucifixion of Jesus."Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their head and saying, 'you who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!Come down from the

Who Crucified Jesus ?

2011-04-22T07:42:00.004-05:00

You did.Who crucified Jesus?I did.Authorities sent Jesus to the cross for being a rebel. He preached forgiveness and mercy - a liberating mix of redemption and grace that autocratic leaders still find threatening today.He was sent to the cross for being a rebel. But he endured the cross so our sins could be forgiven.There is no need for redemption if there is no sin."For God was pleased to have

Church Relic - Spine of Christ ?

2011-03-13T12:47:00.009-05:00

I spent this past week in Versailles, just outside Paris. We took an evening dinner cruise on the Seine and a friend pointed out historical landmarks including the Louvre, Notre Dame and of course the Eifle tower.In the course of her narrative she mentioned a few lesser known churches. One in particular, she observed, even had a famous relic retrieved by an earlier French King. As she recalled,

Praying for friends in Japan

2011-03-13T12:34:00.005-05:00

Please pray for the people of Japan; for safety, recovery, comfort, reassurance and hope.We have friends there and you may as well. It must seem an impossible situation to overcome.Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”What do you believe?

Let's Pray

2011-03-13T11:28:00.008-05:00

We have a simple way of starting prayer at our house.Someone says, "let's pray." (One of the pastors at our church used to say, "Okie dokie, let's pray," but that's another story.)It doesn't take a whole lot of commotion to get started. You need have nothing fancy to say. Whatever comes from the heart - and Holy Spirit - after "let's pray," is enough for God to work with. We end by saying, "...in

Meet Together with God

2011-02-12T13:34:00.003-06:00

About 3 or 4 Sundays every year, my wife and I head to the lake with our Bibles and drink coffee while we sit by the shore and read.I admit it - we're skipping church. We're the first to agree that this is not what God intended - although not just because of what the 4th Commandment says.In the letter to the Hebrews, the New Testament writer reminds the early church:Hebrews, Chapter 10"Let us

Packers, Superbowl, Rodgers and Jesus

2011-02-12T13:19:00.008-06:00

Nice article about Superbowl Champion and Greenbay Packer, Aaron Rodgers - written by Mark Darnall & Bruce Darnall on Athletes for Action website.An excerpt here:(by Mark Darnall & Bruce Darnall) "Rodgers looks to his father as a model—one who exemplifies humility, integrity and honoring his elders. “I use that model as I relate to my friends and family, my teammates and coaches,” Rodgers says. “

I feel guilty about your guilt

2011-02-12T12:15:00.007-06:00

A friend and I had a healthy debate about how to share the gospel with a young adult we know.I thought it fine to convey a sense of urgency, because we never know what tomorrow brings. My friend thought we should plant seeds but wait longer to talk about a personal commitment. In the end, my friend did proceed to meet the young adult and explain personal salvation, but felt my comments had "

Jesus on the Refrigerator

2010-12-27T12:05:00.006-06:00

I took my dad out for breakfast the day before Thanksgiving. I told Dad that I had called his old Navy buddy, for whom I am named, to wish him a happy Thanksgiving. Dad's old pal had recently visited our home and I sent our group photo to him afterwards. My namesake let me know that the photo was now taped to the refrigerator door and it made him happy to think about our recent fellowship.My dad

Gospel Pass Completions

2010-12-27T11:53:00.005-06:00

I grew up during the Packer Glory years (think Bart Starr, not Brett Favre), so I've a history of watching good, competitive football.My favorite type of pass play is when the quarterback throws to a point downfield where the receiver has not yet arrived. For tense moments, it appears as though there is a missed route. The ball is heading toward empty field and the play will be wasted on an

No Topaz at Cartier

2010-12-27T10:28:00.009-06:00

The four of us were window shopping in downtown Chicago and wandered past Cartier's window.On a lark, I pushed through the door and walked into the brilliantly lit, glittering showroom.Case after glass case of sparkling gems cascaded across the spacious, high ceilinged room."What are you doing?!" my wife whispered hurriedly. "We can't afford anything in here!""Relax," I smiled. "You're window

Inventing a Universal Hybrid Religion

2010-12-27T09:08:00.012-06:00

A stranger at our Christmas party offered me a fascinating spiritual insight.I had been discussing spiritual matters with family members and we were comparing notes on various religious worldviews.It was a very thoughtful and engaging conversation, though we did not agree on certain essentials.For example, I believe we can enter into an eternal relationship with God through His Grace - His

Actually See Jesus at Christmas ?

2010-12-23T20:35:00.010-06:00

I know its Christmas, but I have to work backward from an Easter memory.There was a Holy Thursday tradition at my boyhood church. Parishoners would take turns praying in the sanctuary throughout the entire evening, up until Good Friday services the next day. You would sign up for 30 min. or an hour to pray and "keep watch." It was a reminder of Jesus' admonition to the apostles before he was

Favorite Wedding Memory

2010-11-24T15:26:00.010-06:00

It was a beautiful wedding day. Full of love and joy, with the sparkling thread of God's Grace throughout.It was the day we had prayed for our daughter and son-to-be, having asked God to help us enjoy it fully, in whatever ways the actual details played out.Breakfast the day before at our favorite diner. The owner/waitress asked with a knowing smile, "tomorrow's the big day, isn't it?"My daughter

Dad to Daughter - Don't Go Too Far Away

2010-10-16T13:36:00.012-05:00

I've written several songs about my darling daughter over the years.The one I find myself humming late into the evening these days is, "Don't Run Too Far."Wrote it one lovely day when she was a toddler. We had so much fun at that age, and everything was new.But even then I knew a time would come when she would move on from our home and our family of three.She's ready now. A bright, shining light

Lord, Make Us One

2010-10-16T09:13:00.004-05:00

Almost 30 years ago I wrote a song for my soon-to-be-bride and then sang it as she walked down the aisle. This Fall, the vocalist at our church will sing it before my daughter's wedding.I still call my wife Bride, and she still calls me Groom.The love of Jesus still makes the two of us One.Lord, Make Us One (lyrics)We have waited all our livesFor this person, who would realizeAll of the joy we’

St. Joseph Basilica - San Jose Masterpiece

2010-09-30T16:54:00.009-05:00

I just uncovered a jewel of San Jose, California. One hundred or so of us were in town for a business meeting. We stayed right downtown on the square.For two days we had meetings in a very nice Technology Museum complex, complete with IMAX theater.There was also an Art Museum next to our hotel property, and I think people had a few meetings there this morning as well.When the driver first

New Wheel Alignment

2010-09-30T16:34:00.006-05:00

I took my car into the shop for a much needed wheel alignment. If I took my hands off the steering wheel, it would quickly drift out of my interstate lane. As long as my hands were on the wheel I could hold the car steady, but it was a surprisingly strong tug to the side. It had not started that way. At first, It would drift slowly enough that I had time to respond. I could reach for my coffee

Seeing Wind Beneath Eagle's Wings

2010-09-11T10:54:00.004-05:00

We startled a bald eagle during our hike along Lake Michigan last Sunday.It was a large adult, hard to tell whether male or female. We estimated the wing span at well over six feet across. Females are actually the larger bodied of bald eagles, so a more experienced bird watcher would have known for sure.After only a few graceful sweeps of powerful wings, the eagle settled into a gently banked

30 years ago - Guest Blogger's Ferry Story

2010-09-11T09:33:00.013-05:00

In response to my last post about the car ferry, an older gentleman sent this response. Read on to learn the Spiritual connection of the two posts. I call these types of events, "divine appointments."----------From the Guest Blogger:"It was a fall day and my Mother and I were heading north for a relaxing weekend. We left the city at noon, and soon decided to break away from interstate traffic and

Two Will Reach the Ferry and One Not

2010-09-08T20:22:00.010-05:00

We ate lunch at the little diner across from the ferryboat pier. The big Great Lakes boats were swallowing about twenty cars per trip, plus a few bike riders and hikers. Cars and SUV's were lined up about a quarter of a mile waiting their turn to cross.It was fun to watch all the activity from our table near the big picture window. Some people were trying to catch a quick meal before the next

Ingrid Bergman and Gaslight

2010-08-30T20:57:00.008-05:00

You know from past posts that I enjoy classic movies. Clever dialog, innovative lighting techniques, easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys...I did pause to smile at what I thought was overacting in "Gaslight," the classic Hitchcock mystery I just watched.In it, Ingrid Bergman is slowly being driven mad by her husband. The cad wants poor Ingrid sent off to hospital so he can search the

Lincoln - A Good Politician

2010-08-06T23:06:00.011-05:00

Imagine a casual conversation with a stranger at the bus stop.You're sitting across the street from a statue of Abraham Lincoln and you comment on what a transformational role he played in world history."Well, he was a good man and effective politician, certainly," comments the stranger."And much more than that," you clarify, sensing some reticence on the stranger's part. "Lincoln boldly stood

Through the Glass Darkly

2010-07-31T08:53:00.014-05:00

This past winter (which isn't that long ago where I happen to live) we chose a really, really cold Sunday to go visit this beautiful old church. Stupid-cold, we call it. As in, you have to be stupid to leave your house to go out in the cold. There we were, jogging along the sidewalk and up the steep steps to the huge, creaking doors. As soon as we shivered our way into the sanctuary, I realized

Compassion for Burn Victims

2010-07-20T22:02:00.013-05:00

I had quite a scare with our propane gas grill last weekend.The grill was still hot when I had to swap an empty tank. Somehow there was enough residual propane in the connector hose to blow out, ignite and flash back over my face and arms.My beard and hair were singed and my face and arms immediately turned a bright and painful shade of red.Very fortunately for me, the worst pain and swelling was

Unclog the Worldview Filter

2010-07-18T14:20:00.015-05:00

Back in our previous home, we had to buy a new air conditioning system, or "heat pump" as things are done south of the snow belt.I've always been diligent about home maintenance like air filter replacement. A clean filter keeps the air flowing (you stay cooler), keeps the condensing coils clean (the system works more efficiently), and extends the equipment life (doesn't have to "work" as hard).

Praying for Christopher Hitchens

2010-07-14T20:14:00.021-05:00

My first couple months of Junior High were miserable. There was this clique of roughneck kids who instinctively knew I was easy prey. Like nature's predators, they probably sensed my discomfort and fear. The "smart" kid who just wanted to stay out of trouble and be left alone. So they knocked books out of my hands between classes, taunted me, and made threatening gestures. I got shoved a few

Tornado in our Town

2010-07-03T05:30:00.009-05:00

My daughter and I stood out on the front porch and watched a lightening storm last month.It was an amazing light show, spanning one horizon to the other. At times you could trace the zig zagging bolts from the sky right down to the ground. Thunder boomed continuously and a steady summer rain was silouted against the street light. We just leaned against the porch rail and enjoyed the

Safe with my Dad

2010-07-02T21:53:00.008-05:00

I took my first wilderness canoe trip with my dad when I was 10 years old.We portaged our canoe and camping supplies three different times before settling in on a remote Canadian fishing lake.When we crawled into our sleeping bags and the gas lantern hissed out, I remember falling into an exhausted, but contented sleep.I had no concerns for the next day's weather or food. I didn't fret or wonder

My Cab Driver and Jesus

2010-05-11T21:00:00.014-05:00

True story, this is the conversation I had with my cab driver just last week in Boston. He was driving me to Logan airport and I guessed his accent as Russian. He laughed easily.Driver: Not even close, my friend. Much farther south.Jesusworldview (JWV): Middle East?Driver: Algeria, it is in North Africa.JWV: I know the geography, my father was stationed in Morocco during the war. He loved it

Who gets the lifeboat?

2010-04-24T10:19:00.015-05:00

An atheist, a Darwinist and a Christian survive their unfortunate plane crash in the middle of the freezing, churning ocean.They quickly assess the situation and their unsettling alternatives: Just one of them can practically fit onto the single, precariously floating piece of wreckage. With hypothermia and sharks closing in, only one of them will survive."I would dearly love to live and spread

"That not the way we play it"

2010-04-24T10:15:00.008-05:00

I know this is an imperfect analogy. There's nothing remotely game-like about the seriousness of Spiritual matters. But I think, therefore I write...We had out of state guests visiting last weekend. After two busy days visting local sites, we decided to spend a quiet evening at home.I suggested an easy-to-learn card game that works well with a larger group. Two of our five visitors recognized the

Customer Service Discipleship

2010-04-03T14:23:00.009-05:00

I'm an Apple computer fan. Ipod(s), Mac-mini, Itunes, iPhoto...they're all part of my Apple digital lifestyle.I've been especially complimentary of Apple service. Tech's I've spoken to on the phone have been pleasantly helpful. Even the local Apple store - though impossibly crowded - has provided reasonably trouble-free experience...until last week.Walking past tables full of i-ware and

Servants, Guitars, Church Parking Lots

2010-04-02T07:47:00.011-05:00

I've been playing church music since I was in the 6th grade.Back then we had to haul a bass violin from the school and back again. What a workout!Fortunately for me, electric guitars came into favor and I only had to carry the slim silver case and a small Fender amplifier.Over the years, it became two acoustic guitars (Martin 6 string and 12 string), a keyboard (so my daughter could play) and an

Everest - Name above all Names

2010-04-02T06:58:00.006-05:00

Walk into a cafe in just about any city around the world and ask,"What would you say is 'The' mountain of all mountains?"Most, if not all would answer "Mt. Everest." At 29,000 feet, it is the highest, grandest peak in the world.Serious climbers would enjoy a debate about its challenges compared to other mountains.K2, for example, is considered a tougher technical climb - it requires more

I Remember Jesus

2010-03-12T18:49:00.007-06:00

One night I was very, very sick.I had a fever and lay motionless, miserably studying the yellow light that spilled along the edges of my varnished bedroom door.Comfort broke through my misery along with the light each time my mom came in to check on me. Her hand felt cool on my forehead and she encouraged me as mother's do. I can still sense what her presence was like beside me. If I were an

Free Fitness Equipment

2010-03-07T19:47:00.009-06:00

I was striding across the main floor of our three story atrium at work.It's nice, simple architecture with lots of light, a couple of conversation couches and a tree or two.As I exited to the corridor, a sheet of white paper on the wall caught my eye,Free Exercise EquipmentThis was not an employee bulletin board where you might expect to see personal items for sale or trade. It was the middle of

Me, Worship and Cary Grant

2010-02-27T12:00:00.008-06:00

Every year we watch a few favorite old Christmas movies including "The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant. In this movie, David Niven, the bishop, is obsessed with funding and building a new cathedral.Cary Grant, an angel, arrives to answers the bishop's prayers. But in the end, the major donor decides instead to give the money to the poor. Shocked and crestfallen, the bishop asks the angel,"What

Raised Hands are Waiting

2010-02-20T12:18:00.009-06:00

In my marketing job, I do a lot of work trying to locate and identify customers who are 'ready to buy.' We ask questions, take surveys and even track what types of email our prospects respond to. It's a very laborious process! A much more productive technique is to contact customers who have self-declared that they are ready to buy. This bypasses all my detective work and gets right to the person

Gas Lamp Evangelism

2010-02-20T11:30:00.013-06:00

We took a ferry boat from St. Thomas to get to our campground site on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We packed little (cheap) for this guys 'winter' camping trip. The national park there provided cooking utensils and a few other items for our tent site.One very pleasant surprise was an LP gas tank with a 2-mantle lantern, mounted on a pole beside our picnic table. We learned in a hurry that

Golden Doodle Preaching ?

2010-01-10T19:39:00.014-06:00

We attended church at the beautiful downtown basilica this morning.Much of the basilica worship experience is what you would expect at a cathedral of this import.The organ music is superb. The cantor and choir voices are angelic. The visual backdrop of marble and mosaic majestically transcends the bland, carpeted super-churches of suburban sprawl. All in attendance were worshipful and respectful

Jim Ryun - Got the Gold

2009-12-19T09:02:00.007-06:00

Jim Ryun was one of my boyhood heroes.Running sub-four minute miles while still in high school and later setting the world record at 3:51, some of his high school records for 800, 880 and 1,500 meters were still standing 40 years later! While setting a U.S. mile record in 1965, still in high school, he actually defeated the reigning Gold Medal Olympian of the day, Peter Snell. That's like a high

Get a new Parachute

2009-12-13T07:25:00.010-06:00

I took a parachute jump for one of my milestone birthdays.You shuffled through a one day class, signed some release forms and then jumped out of a perfectly good airplane on purpose. Happy birthday!There were only three or four basic things to remember.Wear the chute correctly, jump clear of the plane, check the chute when it opens, and then land safely.Easy enough when you look at it like

Situational Integrity

2009-12-05T08:05:00.009-06:00

Back in 2005, one of the world's largest companies articulated what they considered to be an ethical stand on embryonic stem cells. They would "only" use embryonic stem cell lines that had been approved by the then-Bush administration, or any other national agencies in which they worked.They were careful to say that they would not be involved in the primary harvest of the stem cells - someone

3 bucks and the Miraculous Staircase

2009-10-29T17:33:00.014-05:00

We visited three churches in historic Santa Fe, New Mexico.The oldest, San Miguel, is an adobe brick structure with rough hewn wooden beams over its head-bumping doorways. It's in relatively poor condition, but that only adds to the charm and authenticity of it's 1610 origins, built with the help of local Tlaxcalan Indians.The most magnificent is St. Francis Basicillica, built in the 1800's with

SantaFe from 20,000 Feet

2009-10-28T19:35:00.017-05:00

We just got back from a quick trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Lovely place.There's lots more to do than wander the art shops and museums that surround the centuries-old plaza. Don't get me wrong, its an intoxicating pastime. We admired everything from priceless religious art and Georgia O'Keefe's to original oils and sculptures by lesser knowns along Canyon Drive. Some of the most exquisite gallery

An Extra Chair - An Extra Guest

2009-10-11T09:22:00.011-05:00

My brother-in-law's funeral came six weeks after my mom's. My sister and her boys bravely greeted arriving family friends at the front of the church. I was in the back with my friend Ed by the pipe organ, tuning my guitar. There was an old folding chair by the wall, and I planned to sit there during the service, knowing Ed would use the organ bench. The church filled up quickly and I was a

Jesus and Genesis

2009-10-02T21:50:00.008-05:00

Our pastor talked about divorce during the sermon a few weeks back. One of the new testament Gospel readings referred to Genesis in the old testatment."Jesus replied, 'But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'' "Mark 10:6An interesting reminder,Jesus believed in, and taught, creation.He didn't equivocate. Coincidentally, there have been a few recent "findings" concerning

"I'd rather wait for a wider path..."

2009-10-02T21:41:00.005-05:00

Just a year ago this fall, my wife and I were walking through a remote section of state park along Lake Michigan. It's an ungroomed backpacking area away from bike paths and asphalt. There was a lot of thick overgrowth and many false forks. Any trail markers or signs were few and far between. Still, we'd hiked even more remote areas (there was that time in Alaska...) and we'd easily be back long

What Makes a Big Church ?

2009-09-27T17:36:00.008-05:00

I grew up attending this little church on a quiet residential street in our town.In it's day--the 60's--it was a bustling place. Thriving Sunday school, pot luck dinners, fund raisers. We were small, make no mistake. Even after our big "expansion" program, the modest new church addition had painted cinder block walls and a concrete floor. But we filled it every Sunday.That is, until the 70's and

Waiting on the Re-organization

2009-09-25T09:00:00.008-05:00

We've had a big project going on at work this year.We're taking several independently run profit centers and combining them into a single, encompassing entity.Most companies call it an "integration" or a "reorganization."It's natural that most of us employees have an ongoing twinge of distraction throughout the course of an effort like this.There are many unanswered questions that hang out there

Nice work, is it new?

2009-09-20T09:51:00.005-05:00

I finished a simple electrical project in our house during the holiday weekend. It had been partially finished for quite some time, but I wanted to do the work when neither air conditioning or heating would be a dire necessity -- just in case I had trouble with the breakers or anything.After my wife and daughter returned from their travels, I accompanied them to the basement to show off my

Twitter and Scripture...Scriptter ?

2009-09-19T08:36:00.003-05:00

I read recently that an historical society is publishing old diary entries from John Quincy Adams. They realized that he wrote in the brief (less than 144 characters), pithy format necessary for tweets.I've also been experimenting with Twitter. Initially, I posted a Spiritual topic or concept and linked it to a scripture--but you had to click on the link to see the scripture verse. Then I posted

Who do you say he is?

2009-09-12T10:09:00.003-05:00

Jesus' core team knew what was being said of Jesus - and he asked them for the feedback.Very complimentary answers...he might be one of the prophets returned to life...Elijah, Jerimiah. Or maybe John the Baptist. Pretty cool."But who do you say that I am?" he asked them. Matthew 16:15We (I) sure do squirm when we have to answer that direct question in public, don't we?Jesus didn't ask, "who do

He Said, "Come, follow me."

2009-09-04T16:37:00.004-05:00

My friend Ed stopped to talk to me the day of my mother's funeral.This was at the end of several stressful days--the sadness of losing mom, and then the myriad of details and decisions involved with her funeral and church service celebration.Ed very gently let me know that he would be hosting a church service with lots of special music about 3 weeks from that day, and might I think about joining

Mom's Passing

2009-08-15T08:50:00.006-05:00

[My mom's struggle with cancer ended this week, about a month after celebrating her 60th wedding anniversary with my Dad. I can't describe how much I will miss her. These are the words I spoke at her funeral yesterday. Please keep my Dad in prayer.] "Well, I gotta tell you. Things in heaven have gotten a whole lot more organized this week…One of

One path, many sets of directions

2009-08-01T19:58:00.003-05:00

Four guys exit the health club after their workout."I heard good things about this new pub," John says, "why don't we all grab a quick sandwich? My treat."They agree and John is about to give them directions, but Jim holds up his hand."Wait, I'm parked a few blocks over on Center street, and my car is facing south so tell me how to get there from that direction.""Well, I think there's

Fundamental-less

2009-08-01T08:58:00.009-05:00

Sooner or later, golfers realize they have to work on the fundamentals.Eye on the ball, keep your head down, turn at the waist, shift your weight, follow-through.You can spot someone who consistently applies the fundamentals. Long tee shots onto the fairway, approach shots that avoid the sand traps, chip shots land near the hole.Consistent golfers - fundamentalists.You can also spot the

Dead tree, Deep roots

2009-07-18T09:06:00.002-05:00

We lost an ash tree in our yard.It had been planted there on the side lawn about a year before we moved in.I didn't treat it any differently than the other trees, but it didn't thrive as well.Two seasons ago I finally realized that the leaves - what few there were - looked wilted even after a good rain. And the branches weren't filling out or growing. This season there were no leaves and we

Porcupines and Rock Circles

2009-07-09T17:46:00.011-05:00

We enjoyed two days of hiking along the Lake Michigan shore in our favorite state park last week. At one point we watched a sleek, fat porcupine haul himself (herself?) up 40 feet of a sweet smelling cedar . His claws sunk into that cedar bark like fork tines through hot cherry cobbler. He paid us no mind and it was beautiful to watch such a unique creature.Almost back to the main trail, we

Saying Grace - Anniversary

2009-06-30T12:51:00.003-05:00

This is the blessing we said before the meal at our folks' 60th anniversary gathering:"Lord God we thank you for this day and for all the blessings you provide. Thank you for the good and faithful friends, and family, who are with us here today, for those who are elsewhere, and for those who have passed into your kingdom before us. Thank you for all the countless

60th Anniversary !

2009-06-30T07:47:00.004-05:00

Here's the toast I gave at our folks' celebration this weekend, on the occasion of their 60th anniversary:"I’d like to use three quotes to help us toast and honor these two very honored guests. They are both deeply spiritual people, so I’ll start with something from the Bible. This is from the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (2:9), he said, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

An Uncommon 20th Anniversary ?

2009-06-24T06:59:00.005-05:00

In a month of anniversary's - my parents 60th, my 30th of joining my company - I heard of a less commonly celebrated milestone yesterday.I mentioned an old testament verse during lunch with a friend of mine. It had stuck with me from that morning's Bible study.He casually noted in return that an uncle had just concluded a bible study with his friends. It was a detailed study of the first five old

"Those Were Troubling Times..."

2009-06-20T06:27:00.005-05:00

I begrudgingly muttered the words last week, "these are troubling times."Hey, I had good reason - I hear many people worry over corrupt, selfish governments with inept, ineffective leaders who use their state-influenced media to manipulate the uniformed "electorate." And that's just in my own country!But then two readings greatly encouraged me.Back 2,400 years ago, the prophet Jeremiah relayed

Phil Keaggy - "For Dolores"

2009-06-13T07:46:00.012-05:00

About 14 Christmas's ago, my Mom had this smile on her face when she said, "I've got one more gift for you."I unwrapped a very beautiful Washburn acoustic guitar - personally autographed across the front by Phil Keaggy.If you ask most in-the-know guitar players to list the best of the best, Phil Keaggy will be at or near the top of their all time list, usually ahead of Jimi Hendrix. He's also

It's Not Just the Bicycle...

2009-06-06T10:42:00.010-05:00

Most summer days I get out and ride anywhere from 12 - 20 miles along rolling, country highways. I love these rides that meander through farmland and past nearby creeks and rivers. It's relaxing and soothing, challenging and strenuous.While it seems second nature to me now, it's been a learning process.When I bought a bike back in 2006, the salesman asked me what I intended to do. Fitness?

Fictions Books - Revisited

2009-06-06T10:16:00.004-05:00

Update: I never did find out whodunnit in that fiction book I stopped reading. The Lord's name was habitually used in vain, and it just didn't seem right to keep reading.And now I've gone and read another that throws in "Jesus" and "Christ" amidst the dialog.However, the characters of this fiction author, Teri Blackstock, are speaking with reverence and thanksgiving. They acknowledge the Savior

6th on the List

2009-06-06T09:26:00.015-05:00

The tenth commandment (Exodus 20:13) is simple and clear:"You shall not murder."But it seems natural for people to equivocate on matters of clarity.Here's a hypothetical example of this:Let's say one man kills another and it is not a situation of self defense.Without any other background information, this sounds like murder, and referring back to the commandment, it is sinful and unacceptable to

Graduation - For Apostles ?

2009-05-30T10:03:00.009-05:00

We attended a friend's college graduation this month. Mixed in with commencement advice and inspiration was caution and concern for the economy, culture and geo-political balance. There was also some humor about "moving out of the house" for which parents chuckled.One of the dad's at my next bible study also picked up this graduation theme. He noted that Jesus 11 apostles were facing this same

Memorial Day - My Namesake Hero

2009-05-26T11:37:00.010-05:00

I listened to a couple of old Navy Vets swap stories over the Memorial Day weekend.These 80-somethings can still describe, in crisp detail, the intricacies of photo-mapping a battlefield while accounting for the cross wind drift of their Navy propellor craft.Their personal paths to the 1940's Pensacola Navy photo school could not have been more different - or more similar.Different, because while

Planets Reflect the Light

2009-05-24T09:19:00.004-05:00

We've talked about buying a telescope for years and years, and finally did so this spring.I'm looking forward to a warm summer's evening and a starry, starry night.Searching the internet for astronomy sites and insights, I tried the keywords "planets," "reflect" and "light" in different combinations.I was surprised to come across a number of sermon topics related to this theme:Think of Jesus as

Too Much Mulch! It's a Gift...

2009-05-23T10:56:00.005-05:00

I over-ordered mulch for our landscaping. Again.We live on a very windy hill, and the winter winds blow our landscaping mulch every which way. If you could put a GPS on mulch, our entire neighborhood would glow on the satellite images with the note, "mulch blown over from that guy on the corner lot."Anyway, I really just needed some topsoil this spring, but I ordered extra mulch out of habit. I

Bulldozing St. Phillips in the Country

2009-05-22T08:59:00.002-05:00

I drove past the old St. Philips church last week -- well, what was left of it.The little red brick building had just been bulldozed and workers were hauling the debris to a dump truck. It's a prime suburban location in a fast growth area, so they're building residences. 30 years ago, St. Philips was established 'out in the country' as an alternative place of worship for people who would not, or

You're Getting my Floors Dirty

2009-04-13T17:42:00.009-05:00

We have this undocumented mystery of physics around our house.If you undertake the primary work of a household project, it temporarily transforms whatever is involved to something that you 'own.'So, the same kitchen floor that you've been trudging over with muddy shoes for the last week and a half is wordlessly deeded to you upon completion of mopping duty."Hey! Don't even think about walking

Easter 2009

2009-04-11T09:34:00.003-05:00

Ancient transcript - a letter written by one of Jesus' immediate followers, known as the Apostle John (son of Zebedee) - this is from the 1st letter of John. I copied it from my Bible,1John chapter 4, vs. 9 -11"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his

Prove it

2009-04-04T11:20:00.007-05:00

One of my old camping buddies does some ministry work with incarcerated teens. That is, young people in jail. They are searching for hope and change in their lives - my friend shows them an authentic, incorruptible source, in the Gospel of Jesus.Not all are easily convinced. He says a common challenge is, "prove to me that Jesus is the Messiah." My friend is a mature, well-read, well-prayed, and

Confession Time

2009-04-02T17:53:00.006-05:00

I have a confession to make.Something kind of snuck up on me, and even when I realized it - I was slow to make things right. Too slow!Here's what happened.I enjoy reading a good mystery novel - particularly murder mysteries. Nothing wrong with that. There are some fantastic Christian authors - Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Randy Alcorn, Terri Blackstock - have all written great stuff, some of it in

Our Pastor's Retirement

2009-03-28T14:23:00.007-05:00

44 years of ministry and now our beloved pastor is retiring.We gathered one Wednesday evening for "Soup and Substance," a lenten program he created some years ago to combine learning with fellowship. This Wednesday night's jam-packed gymnasium was mostly filled with well wishers who knew it would be one of Father's final events before his summer departure. Rows and rows of chattering people

It's Got to be There Somewhere

2009-03-14T19:06:00.015-05:00

I didn't start reading the Bible in earnest until after my daughter was born.As soon as she was walking, we were out on day trip excursions almost every weekend. The zoo, the nature center, the park and...the art museum.We quickly grew to love the Cincinnati art museum (free on Saturdays!) and especially the wonderful collection of religious art.The near-sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham

Herod Liked Listening to John

2009-03-14T08:47:00.005-05:00

The Gospel writer Mark recalled this about King Herod and John the Baptist,"...Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled, yet he liked to listen to him." Mark 6:20Here was a king, denounced by John for his adultery, who still liked to listen to him. The king, who was undoubtedly surrounded by sycophants and