Random Stuff for 1/29/11

Just some stuff that has come up over the last couple of days:

1. The Greatest Robot Movie Ever? This was made in India. It's CGI gone wild!
   
   
    
   
   
2. Joel Osteen get pinned by the new CNN replacement for Larry King about homosexuality.  While I'm not a Joel Osteen fan of his prosperity gospel, at least he doesn't back down about homosexuality being a sin.  Good article by Albert Mohler, http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/01/27/the-osteen-moment-your-own-moment-will-come-soon-enough/.
3. Funny video about reading.
   

Unexpected

I was working the sound board this morning, working on getting monitors, and sound levels right before the service.  I looked around, and noticed everyone reading the church bulletin, The Weekly Herald.  There seemed to be a lot of talking going on.  A friend of ours, turned around, pointing at the article on the front page, and asked if I had seen it.  I looked at her, and shook my head, and went on working on the sound.  People sometimes don't understand the stress that goes on, when you're working the sound board.  The previous service gets out about 9:30, and the service I'm working starts up 15 minutes later.  During that time, we get everything plugged in, test levels, get in-ear monitor levels set.  It's a lot of stuff to do, so when people talk to me while I'm doing this, I seem distant, and uninterested in their questions, or uninterested in their conversation.  I don't mean to, but I'm just focused on what's in front of me.

After the music, and at the start of the sermon, I took a walk down to get me a copy of the church bulletin.  As I started to read it, I knew what it was.  David Landers, our church pastor for the last 22 years was going to step down, and turn over the reins of this ministry to another senior pastor.  David Landers is a man I admire.  He has a heart for the Lord, and he has been at the helm of our church since we started going there 18 years ago.  We haven't always agreed with each other, but on the Word of God, we do.  Dan Mullett, our lay leader announced to the crowd that Romans 8:28 was David's verse he was leaning on.  We all knew that he was going to step down eventually, but just not at this time.  (Notice I didn't say retire, because as David has told us, there's no word of retirement in the Bible.)  He's just moving on to another ministry.  David has always been very transparent in his walk.  He knows that he is a sinner saved by grace, and he's been very up front about that.  Thank you David for your ministry, and helping me walk along part of it with you.  May you, and Trish enjoy then next phase of your Walk With God.  I thought this was a good description of you, http://headhearthand.posterous.com/the-shepherd-leader.

Random Stuff for 1/16/2011:

1. Good posting by Trevin Wax, http://trevinwax.com/2011/01/16/christs-anguish-is-our-joy/.
2. Nancy Pearcey on How Critical Thinking Saves Faith, http://www.pearceyreport.com/archives/2010/12/nancy_pearcey_barry_lynn_radio.php.
3. The Dark Side, a spoof on the The Blindside starring Sandra Bullock, and Peyton Manning
   
   
4. Katie Davis runs a ministry in Uganda, an orphanage, where she's the Mom to 14 little girls.
   

Starting the New Year

The last couple of weeks, I've just been trying to get on schedule.  Things are shaking out at work, and there's an air of change going on.  Last time this happened, I lost my job.  I'm going to trust God on this.  Last time, even though it was tense, I was able to land in this job, I'm currently doing, and I love to do.  Unfortunately, there are people who are going to be directly affected by this, and I pray that they trust in the Lord, and land in a place where they can flourish.

Yesterday, an acquaintance at work, came by, and told me he's going to be gone for the next 5 weeks.  He's a Muslim, and from what I could get from him, he's going to Manchester, England to study.  While he was talking, I was praying that God would tell me what to say.  I wanted to debate him, and tell him we weren't talking about the same God.  Instead, we spoke to each other about God, and Jesus.  I reiterated what I believe about Jesus.  After he left, I prayed that God would intervene in his life.  He's recently divorced, and is having problems with his teen-age son.  He's retired Air Force, and he seemed to be upset about the monies he's sending his wife for child support, and probably alimony.  I'm not sure why he's going to Manchester.  A quick look online, I can see why he'd want to go there.  The talk about how England's increasing Muslim population is true.  There seemed to be a lot of Shia mosques, and presence in the city.  I'm not sure why he's going.  We talked about how society is leaving God out, and what the result is.  I shared with him what I see in the prison system.  We both talked about how man needs God, and we are to worship Him, but I knew we were talking about a God called Allah, and the God, Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-rapha, and Jehovah-nissi.  I hope things go well for him while he's there, and I pray that God will remove the cover off of this heretical religion Islam, and show it for what it is.  I also hope that he appreciates the grace that God gives, and that another Christian in England might befriend him, and talk to him about Jesus.  After he left, I prayed for him.

That said, it's been a week since the shooting in Arizona that claimed 6 lives, and wounded many others, including Representative Gabby Giffords.  I've been appalled at the response to this from both on the left, and right politicos.  Meanwhile, a mother, and father grieve the loss of their 9 year old child,  other families, including a federal judge, a social worker, an older man who shielded his wife, a mother, and wife of 50 years whose husband wasn't able to save her, and widow, who spent her winters in Tuscon.  These families are suffering, and they need our prayer, as they deal with this tragedy in a very personal way.  After these 6, there are 14 other families that were directly impacted as their loved ones are in the hospital injured.  Praise God, that Gabby is getting better.  This is Jehovah-rapha, the God who heals in action here.

Random Stuff for 1/15/2011:

1. This was an amazing run by Marshawn Lynch of Seattle.  After he gets by the line, he puts Tracey Porter on his rear-end.  The guy's a beast!!
   
   
   
2. This will upset some people.  I agree with what he's saying, http://goo.gl/RlvJD.
3. Good post on The Thinklings website, http://thinklings.org/posts/jesus-and-the-imago-homo.
4. Imagine surfing a wave for 5 miles.  These guys did it in Alaska.
   
   
5. How to tell if a Catholic is driving too fast.