Archive for the 'God' Category
Nebraska State Senator Sues God
Nebraska Democratic State Senator Ernie Chambers is suing God to “fight possible laws restricting the filing of frivolous lawsuits.”
You can’t make this stuff up.
God: Best Selling Author
So I had this thought today: If God is not capable of making his book (or his prophet’s book) a best seller, what does that say about his power? (or its or hers)
Starting with this premise, I sought wisdom with the mighty google. Ok, first off, the phrase “one of the most published books of all time” is one of the most overused statements on the web. Secondly, no one really knows the exact figures for all these books and the most commonly cited reference was ten years old:
When we get asked these questions about bestselling books, we always have to remind our patrons that their question is basically unanswerable. No one really knows which books have sold the most copies in history, because we simply donĂ¢â‚¬â„¢t have records that cover all of history! As such, any answer that we find is essentially just a “best guess” that is based upon estimates made by historians and other experts.
Probably the most often cited estimates come from a book titled The Top 10 of Everything by Russell Ash. The following lists come the The Top 10 of Everything, 1997 - Librarians
Di-Worsity Training At British Air Pays Off
So a week after a company-wide diversity training program was held at British Airways a woman was suspended for wearing a small metal cross necklace. Now in BA’s defense they claim that she wasn’t suspended just sent home on a (manditory) leave without pay - which is really quite different from suspension. She was told that she could not return wearing her cross in a visible manner: wearing it under her clothing was acceptable, but if anyone ever saw her cross again, she would be disciplined.
Now what makes this outlandish is that Islamic women at BA can wear their full head and face coverings since that is a part of their religion - yeah.
So why is it that it seems diversity and tolerance these days seems to mean the acceptance of all things except Christianity? A provative adult bookstore billboard is "ok" but a large cross on a hill is "offensive". Uttering "Jesus" as a curse word is totally acceptable on TV, but mentioning the man is taboo.
How can the followers of Islam kill so many people and yet its Christianity that has the bad rap. Often after this point is made in the debate, the crusades are brought up. The crusades were misguided and a LONG time ago. Get over it. Islamofascists are killing people today. Just turn on the news. Take for instance the Pope that quotes someone else regarding Islam as violent religion. The Islamic world responds to this with, ta da, violence. Where is the outrage directed? The Pope for saying such "offensive" things. It seems insane. There are those that argue this is proof that Christianity is the one true religion. If its all sheepeople following stories made up by man - why is man trying so hard to destroy it? Read more
Reasons Not To Be A Minister
I met a girl on ThanksMas that was looking to move down here from Boston. She liked the area and was pursuing a career with Young Life. Apparently there are more positions available locally than up North. After further conversation she admitted the following:
Don’t know your calling? I recommend 48 Days To The Work You Love. While this is a work focused book, it approaches it in such a way as to discover your gifts and passion and move you towards things that use them in the real world. So while it is task driven, your task may end up be feeding the homeless in Nigeria… or clearing mine fields in the Balkans… or even becoming the music minister at your church. BUT more importantly than the tasks it helps you find, is the clear sense of purpose you can discover while ferreting out said tasks.
Theocracy In America?
An interesting essay from our stand-in editor Jeff…
I?ve been hearing a lot from both sides that America is heading towards a theocracy. More specifically, a government fully devoted to Christian ideals. Those opposed speak of a theocracy as one of the greatest assaults on freedom ever invented: references to the Taliban are common. On the other hand, those in favor claim it is necessary to revive our nation. I?ve been thinking about this a lot recently, and I?ve come to the conclusion that I am leaning towards the former. I don?t want a theocracy, or, more accurately, I don?t think that a theocracy is the answer.
Read more
Russian Religous Freedom?
Apparently in New Russia, you have the freedom to practice any Christian denomination you choose — just as long as you don't really bring it up much or try to meet in public. If you want a meeting space, well, the Orthodox Church will be happy to welcome you back to the fold — after keeping you from starting that "new" church.
He Is Risen!
He is risen, indeed! Happy Easter everyone!
Easter is one of my favorite holidays, but I've always felt that it didn't quite get the credit that it deserved. Throughout history, Christianity has had a constant, recognizable symbol: the cross. (Google will bring up 935,000 cross images) And this is understandable. The cross symbolizes that God was willing to sacrifice his own son to achieve reconciliation with humanity.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 NIV)
This is, of course, of vital importance. Not only as a sign of God's love but against the backdrop of Jewish law and history - it demonstrates the end of sacrifices through the one perfect sacrifice.
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming - not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins… And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:1-4,10 NIV)
So now that I have made quite the case for the cross as a symbol for Christianity - what am I whining about? I never felt that symbolism of the cross should be replaced, but supplemented. Supplemented with the imagery of the empty tomb. Read more
10 Commandments Reviewed By Supreme Court
The supreme court has decided to hear cases about weither the 10 Commandments being posted in government buildings — such as the Supreme Court, itself — violates the "Establishment Clause" of the First Ammendment. Now we won't hear a ruling on this until summer, so here is a little food for thought in the interum: 1) The 10 Commandments are the foundation of the Mosaic Law (as in the law from Moses) which is the oldest law in written history. So one could certainly argue that the first law influenced in some part all laws to follow. Therefore, posting the 10 Commandments in courthouses makes sense from a law history point of view. 2) The posting of the 10 Commandments is a long American Tradition. Much like "under God" in the pledge or "In God We Trust" on our money, these postings are historical pieces of tradition in a country that was founded by people that were largely Judeo-Christian. (For more info on the influence of religion in early American documents: http://www.claytoncramer.com/UnderGod.html ) Now you may think our Country should be as slanted towards Judeo-Christian ideas as when we were founded or you may not. But you have to agree it's a little STRANGE that the Supreme Court will be deciding if it is consitutional to post the 10 Commandments in government buildings, while the said commandments are hanging on the wall behind them. Read more
Merry Christ-mas!
Merry Christmas everyone! While Christmas is a time of family, friends, christmas trees, decorations, eggnog (a personal favorite), Santa, presents, a few classic movies (you’ll shoot your eye out kid!) — it is also a celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Son of Joseph a Carpenter, Jesus was THE most influential person of ALL TIME. Don’t believe me? Check the date.
A.D. stands for Anno Domini: “In the year of the lord” - it indicates a year counted from the traditional date of birth of Jesus; recently the P.C. crowd has tried to introduce the Common Era (C.E.) as a replacement to remove religious implications.
The interesting thing about Jesus is that he never obtained an advanced degree, never held a political office, never wrote a book, never traveled very far from his home, never comanded an army, never amassed possessions beyond the clothes on his back — and yet he changed the world. Argue that the change was good or bad, fine. But you can’t argue that he didn’t make an impact.
Musical Quotes
“This is the ultimate reality: That God lives, and God loves, and God can be found!” — Steven C. Chapman