Tragedy in WV

A tragedy has struck WV. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of the mining disaster in Raleigh County that has claimed the lives of, last I heard, 25 miners. Literally dozens of lives were changed in an instant when this terrible news was delivered. Folks expecting the routine return of husbands, grandfathers, brothers, and other loved ones learned that their lives had been snuffed out and that nothing would be routine about that day ever again.

Events such as these often bring about many thoughts to those of us that weren’t affected by the event. Most everyone will have a degree of thanks that one of their loved ones wasn’t in that mine. And most all of will feel for the ones who did.

It seems that when life is lost in such a mass, with no warning, that we will often think of our own mortality, too. Somehow these things make it a stark reality how precious and short life is and how quickly we can be taken out of this world into eternity.

Have you told the folks you care about that you do care about them lately? More importantly, have you spoken of the consequences of leaving this life unprepared with them? Take the time and do so the next chance you have; it may be the last one you (and they) have.

John 3:17-18
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

15 Years That Changed the World

“The last 15 years have changed our world for ever,” claims Tony Whittaker, co-ordinator of Internet Evangelism Day. “Digital media are transforming the way we communicate, behave and even think. If Facebook was a country, it would have the fourth largest population in the world.”

Internet Evangelism Day is a strategic resource to help the worldwide church understand these issues and use the Web to share the good news. It is both a year-round online guide and an annual focus day – to be held this year on Sunday 25 April.

Churches are encouraged to use Internet Evangelism Day resources to create a presentation for their members on or near that Sunday (or at any other time they choose). The IE Day site offers free downloads: PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts, music and posters. These enable any church (or homegroup, college, or conference) to build a customized program, lasting from five minutes to fifty.

2010’s focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative’s launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.
The outreach opportunities have multiplied too.

IE Day’s website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects, including how to build a church website that is ‘outsider friendly’, using Twitter in evangelism, and blogging. Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of leaders and groups. “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says John Stott.

For more help, visit the website:
www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

The Shredder

Image by bbum via Flickr

I read about this event that was held last year in New York City.  I don’t recall all the specifics but in general it went something like this:

Folks were encouraged to bring in slips of paper with their “bad memories” from 2008 written on them.  They would then take turns running them through a giant, industrial shredder, eating up those bad memories.  It seems like bank and retirement statements were some of the top items to be “fed to shred”.  But I also recall things like “cancer” and other diseases being included, as well as a few relationship items.

I suppose it is true that we all long to rid ourselves of these “bad memories” and painful events in our lives.  And to a degree I don’t think it is bad to want that or even if we can, when possible, do so.  But maybe there are also some good things to come from these sorts of things from time to time?  Paul had something he wished to “shred”; God to him that His grace was sufficient and in Paul’s  weakness God’s greatness was manifested (2 Cor. 12:7-10).  He didn’t remove Paul’s thorn but gave him the grace to live with it.

Our own problems effect us more and more as we continue to dwell upon them.  They can cause difficulties in our lives in a multitude of ways: with our families, our friends, at work, at social events.  But worse of all, if we continue to dwell on them they will inevitably cause problems in our most important relationship: the one with our Lord and Savior.  How thankful we ought to be that we have a way to “shred” these things: by casting them upon Jesus and trusting in His provision and grace.

1 Peter 5:7 “[Cast] all your care upon [the Lord], for He cares for you.”

Black Friday Savings

A quick reminder to start your Black Friday shopping with Good Shop. Not only can you generate a donation for our church but you may get some big savings via exclusive coupons and discounts. See more info at the blog post:

http://bit.ly/7Q2znu

Deadly Serious | Relijournal

Image via Wikipedia

We as a society are so preoccupied with the temporal things we often neglect the eternal.  I find this to be true with health, physical verses spiritual, too.  In an article published today I expound on the perils of putting the bodily health above the soul’s well-being.  The article can be read here: Deadly Serious | Relijournal

H1N1: A Disease That Affect Us All | HealthMad

H1N1: A Disease That Affect Us All

A new article I wrote about the H1N1 Swine Flu virus posted on the Internet health website Health Mad.  I hope you like it and get something from it.

Swine Flu: Pandemic or Panic-demic?

Image by mkandlez via Flickr

A pretty comprehensive article on the influenza pandemic of the H1N1 virus. The author contends that over hyped accounts are leading to panic, not solutions and offers good advice and solutions, as well as rational insight, on the situation and virus. A must read!

Swine Flu: Pandemic or Panic-demic?

Shared via AddThis

Tragedy at Yale: Grad Student Murdered

Image by wallyg via Flickr

As you no doubt know by now, 24-year old Yale grad student Annie Le was murdered last week in a Yale campus lab building.  Today’s e-devotion was based on this event.  I have expounded on the subject in an article that was published today on the Web.  It contains a concise time line of events and facts.  But more importantly I speak about the lesson we should learn from her death.  You can read the article here: Tragedy at Yale.

A New Book Release

Yesterday a new book was released by a prominent pollster.  He claimed that it was the most comprehensive study ever done, coving more than 6000 interviews, dozens of topics and 15 years of research.  The book contains, he said, proof of what Americans really want.  He went on to cite some of the questions, the statistics and their interpretation.  I don’t recall all of the examples he gave but one did stand out: “The more spiritual or religious a person is, the more in touch with God they are, the happier and more content they are.

That was hardly news to me.  The Bible teaches that the more we submit to God’s will for our lives, the more He will bless us.  And how can a person not be happy, filled with joy, and content knowing what treasure they have awaiting them when this life is done?  No, I don’t need this new book or its author to tell me this.  The Author of my faith has already assured me of it in His Word.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Lord,

I am so thankful for the peace You put into my heart and the promises I have assured me by Your Word and sacrifice.

Michael Jackson: The Saga Sadly Continues

Michael Jackson: The Saga Sadly Continues.

What a terriffic shame this story has evloved into.  The above article reflects on some of the facts and inuendo surrounding it and touches on the Jehovah’s Witness beliefs verses the true Gospel.