Americans Killed in China

I predicted something like this could happen. What a tragedy. I can’t believe it happened so fast.

A knife-wielding Chinese man attacked two relatives of a coach for the U.S. Olympic men’s volleyball team at a tourist site in Beijing, killing one and injuring the other on the first day of the Olympics on Saturday, team officials and state media said.

The man then committed suicide by throwing himself from the second story of the site…

In a country that openly defies God, there are bound to be some nasty spirits en masse.

Love Your Enemies Pac-Man T-Shirt

While some take the typical tact and try to Pokey (sorry, I couldn’t resist) fun at Christianity, this shirt is truly awesome and I shall purchase one… just as soon as I can find out where to buy one. Help please!

Tennessee Rejects Homeschoolers Diploma as Legit

Wow, just when you think things couldn’t get more strange. The attack on Christianity continues in our country as Tennessee’s Department of Education deems that high school diplomas issued by homeschooling situations (and some Christian schools) aren’t sufficient for state jobs. Actually, their language is far worse:

“Cindy Benefield, the Tennessee Department of Education Executive Director of Field Services, who oversees the state’s homeschooling office, recently declared that a diploma from a church-related school is “not worth the paper it is written on.”

Astounding. And the fruitless battle against God continues on…

MLK’s Spirit Is What He Would Want Us to Remember

Today I read this from FRC:

Forty years ago, an assassin gunned down a spirited visionary whose days were spent crusading against the very violence and bigotry that ultimately took his life. Taken in the prime of his years and the height of his influence, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King would never live to see his dream of racial harmony realized.

In the four decades since Rev. King’s death, the gulf between black and white remains the most intense divide in America-largely because we have sought unity primarily through networking, public policy, or lobbying techniques. Few seem to understand that the solution is the same as it was 40 years ago. We must recognize what Rev. King did-that racism is not just a social problem in America; it is at root a spiritual problem.

If we are to change the social climate of our nation, a cause to which Rev. King gave his very life, we must unite around a biblical worldview that can include all races and generations. That challenge is made more difficult in this new era, when simply to speak from a pulpit and to call for righteousness in the land strikes some secularists as a threat to our core liberties.

As Reverend King said, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.” It is time for America to see the church as an unbiased representative of Christ. As a nation, we must rally behind clear-thinking, visionary leaders who will work for a nation that is both colorblind and infused with character. Martin Luther King understood the unique place churches have in our society. If we are to honor his memory, we must defend and rebuild the place of faith communities in bridging the racial gap.

If you fully understand what Martin Luther King, Jr. was all about, you’d understand that merely peace in this lifetime isn’t enough.

In the words of a Switchfoot song: “We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?”

Human Hearts Have Memory, Character

If I told you that your heart can remember things, you’d be like, “Uh… Paladin is freaking out.” That’s what I thought too. That’s what most people think.

But it’s healthy for us to remember there is so much we arrogant humans don’t yet know. We make think we understand, only to find out in the future that we were way off.

Science is now learning more about how the brain and heart communicate with one another. Not just the brain to the heart, but the reverse as well. Astounding!

Visit the Institute of HeartMath for more information about these new breakthroughs.

Hearts Remember

As amazing as that might be, wait until you hear this. The human heart also holds memories! Listen to this example from Nexus Magazine.

The donor was a 34-year-old police officer shot attempting to arrest a drug dealer. The recipient was a 56-year-old college professor diagnosed with atherosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease.

The donor’s wife reported:
“When I met Ben [the recipient] and Casey [Ben's wife], I almost collapsed. First, it was a remarkable feeling seeing the man with my husband’s heart in his chest. I think I could almost see Carl [the donor] in Ben’s eyes. When I asked how Ben felt, I think I was really trying to ask Carl how he was. I wouldn’t say that to them, but I wish I could have touched Ben’s chest and talked to my husband’s heart.

“What really bothers me, though, is when Casey said offhandedly that the only real side-effect of Ben’s surgery was flashes of light in his face. That’s exactly how Carl died. The bastard shot him right in the face. The last thing he must have seen is a terrible flash. They never caught the guy, but they think they know who it is. I’ve seen the drawing of his face. The guy has long hair, deep eyes, a beard, and this real calm look. He looks sort of like some of the pictures of Jesus.”

The recipient reported:
“If you promise you won’t tell anyone my name, I’ll tell you what I’ve not told any of my doctors. Only my wife knows. I only knew that my donor was a 34-year-old very healthy guy. A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns. Just before that time, I would get a glimpse of Jesus. I’ve had these dreams and now daydreams ever since: Jesus and then a flash. That’s the only thing I can say is something different, other than feeling really good for the first time in my life.”

The recipient’s wife reported:
“I’m very, very glad you asked him about his transplant. He is more bothered than he’ll tell you about these flashes. He says he sees Jesus and then a blind flash. He told the doctors about the flashes but not Jesus. They said it’s probably a side effect of the medications, but God we wish they would stop.”

Unbelievable? That’s what I used to think about the idea of cell phones.

I first learned about this from Steven Baldwin’s book, The Unusual Subject, which I highly recommend. Before reading the book, I thought Steven a goof-ball, Hollywood elitist. Now I think he’s a goof-ball who’s sold out for Jesus. Needless to say, my respect for him has grown exponentially.

Whatever Is True, Whatever Is Noble…

One of the huge blessings of attending a “mega” church is that we are not only blessed with great pastors, musicians, singers, etc., we also get some of the best talent in the country as guests. Today, Chip Ingram spoke at Southeast on this topic: “Think Great Thoughts.”

The key verse is Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

That’s tough in today’s media saturated society where messages of greed, lust and pride are assailing us from every direction.

I thought it worthwhile to highlight this rare story. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find and promote more stories that bring light to those around them.

Baby gets first emergency living donor liver transplant at Cleveland Clinic

If you find a story like this, please send it in and I’ll share it with our audience.

The Path To The Final Solution

Below is a link to a 10-minute video created to show how the ideals of Hitler are still alive today, in fact, growing even larger. The video is not an easy thing to watch. You have been warned.

To me, the common theme behind this most illogical of hatred (for it really is unreasonable as most of these people have never had direct dealings with a Jewish person) is that God chose Israel to be His people. Anyone who hates Israel, is really railing against God.

“Palestinian children are taught that it is better to die killing Jews than it is to co-exist in peace.”

If that’s not pure evil, I don’t know what is.

The Path To The Final Solution

Jesus Is the Reason We Celebrate

I want to wish each of you the most special Christmas possible and an even better New Year!

Chinese Government Persecutes Christians

Likely this isn’t news to most of you. But in the same way that reporting casualties in Iraq loses the emotional impact of the loss of human lives, hearing about Christians “being persecuted” just doesn’t accurately convey the kind of hell some people are being subjected to in places like today’s China.

Especially at this time of year, where we in America still have the freedom to worship however each of us chooses, we should take a moment to say a prayer for those who don’t have that same freedom.

Religious Persecution: Made in China

As China works to better its image as host of next year’s Olympic Games, their latest political crisis does little to help their cause. This weekend, reports have confirmed that Chinese officials stormed into the town of Shadong and violently arrested 270 Christian pastors for holding an illegal Bible meeting. As of this morning, 150 of the men were still in police custody. An eyewitness at the meeting said the raid was quick and brutal. Allegedly, 50 policemen “stormed the meeting place, blindfolded and handcuffed [the pastors] two-by-two,” then hauled them off to headquarters for “questioning.” While 120 were fined with “an interrogation tax” and released, dozens of others await their fate under a regime with a history of vicious religious persecution and zero tolerance for the underground church movement, now estimated at over 10 million members.

Several local and international groups are monitoring the situation–which could have sweeping repercussions for the massive PR campaign underway to legitimize next year’s Olympic hosts. Obviously, the detention of these pastors illustrates China’s insincerity in moving toward a culture of religious tolerance. While the regime tries to project itself as progressive, the reality is that China has no intention of abiding by international law or abandoning its hostility to Western religious ideals. China’s pastors offer the nation hope not a threat. FRC is calling on the State Department to intervene, issuing a letter today in hopes that Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the U.S. Ambassador can broker the pastors’ quick release. [link]

Miracles Still Happen

What follows is a true story documented by Pastor Rob Reid. At this time of year, with the world the way it is, it’s heartwarming to read stories like this. Please pass it along to someone in need of encouragement.

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Lowes Has No Christmas Trees!

Don’t go to Lowes this year looking for Christmas trees because they don’t have any. They only have “Family Trees”… whatever those are. I wonder what kind of trees Home Depot has?

Update: Well, once the AFA alerted corporate to this “error” they’ve responded promptly.

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H₂O: Episode 1 ‘Thirsty’

I don’t often broadcast my faith on this blog. For regular readers, I’m guessing you know where I stand. These videos are so well-crafted that I felt I needed to share them. And it doesn’t hurt that I know the talented people involved at our church.

So give them a look. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The History of Amazing Grace

This is the most popular Christian clip on YouTube. What do you think?

Islamic Rage Boy Gear Donates to Charity

This just in from R.H. Potfry and Buckley F. Williams:

We have been lucky enough today to have our Cafe Press store linked at Hot Air and LGF, via press around our character Islamic Rage Boy(C).

The only thing we take seriously is the importance of laughter and satire in dismantling the horror of Islamic fundamentalism.

We have decided to donate all profits generated by sales of Islamic Rage Boy gear between today and Sunday at 10PM EST to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.

It’s some crazy satire stuff that might not appeal to everyone but you can be the judge yourself.

Why Not Sell Your Soul on eBay?

“While I don’t believe in God, I firmly believe I would immediately change those views if presented with evidence to the contrary. And at age 22, this is possibly the best chance anyone has of changing me.”

This comes from Hemant Mehta who is obviously searching for answers. (Aren’t we all?)

The Atheist Who Went to Church is a great interview that Mehta gave to Outreach magazine writer Heather Johnson. There are some great questions/answers in this piece.