This week the United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of allowing local governments to sieze private homes and businesses for private economic development [more].
Not that I have a problem with Walmart, per se. But this allows your city to come in and bulldoze your neighborhood and build a Supercenter. And you don't have any say in the matter.
That's just wrong.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Yeah, But Is She Any Wiser?
Our daughter E had her wisdom teeth taken out today. She's laying on our couch and taking it easy. We had planned on having her over today and overnight to make sure she's okay. Right now she is having a little trouble eating, drinking, and putting on chapstick as she still can't feel her face. But otherwise she's doing just fine. Prayers for continued healing.
Winter Rains, Spring Flowers, and Summer Wildfires
Winter rains bring spring flowers. And those bring summer wildfires. Unfortunately that's the price we have to pay around here.
As predicted, we're having a bit of a rough time here in the desert Southwest. Since May, there's usually been a small brush fire or two every day in the Phoenix metro area. Now that we're into summer, the fires are getting more frequent - and bigger.
At the beginning of the week there was one in the high desert that closed down I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff for a bit. Since there were no thunderstorms around and the fire started right along the highway, everyone knows it was some yutz who tossed a cigarette out his/her car window. What - is your ashtray broken? Idiot.
But by midweek, it was nature starting the fires. Our weather pattern has changed a bit this week, allowing for the formation of thunderstorms in the desert. Unfortunately, there's not enough moisture yet to produce much - if any - rain. Just lots of lightning.
There's now a 46000-acre fire complex on the north and east fringes of the Phoenix metro area. Many homes were in danger, but that seems to have passed for now. We've been fortunate to have a little rainfall on some parts of the fire.
On Wednesday the plumes of smoke were quite spectacular. They looked to me like the pictures of pyroclastic clouds from volcanic eruptions. Now and then, despite the distance, you can smell the smoke. Last night was rather odd - I could smell the mixture of humid air and smoke.
It's supposed to clear up, dry out, and cool off (into the low 100's) this weekend, but the winds are supposed to pick up, too. Could be dicey.
Meanwhile, we are about two weeks away from the average start of our monsoon weather pattern. This sometimes causes more fires initially, but eventually our fire danger here should taper off. Pray for rain.
Above photo by Rob Schumacher, Arizona Republic, June 23, 2005
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Best Laid Plans
It's funny that, no matter much planning you do, there are unexpected incidents that come up at the most inappropriate times. Such was the case today in church.
Our bishop came to preach today; she also took part in celebrating and commissioning our confirmation class. It was quite a big hoopla.
The sound system was not working right (either by human or technical error) and the organ was having problems with one of its pipes (purely mechanical problem). God was putting the planners in their place.
By the way, I offered to bring a can of WD-40 to our organist to fix the organ. He was only amused to be polite.
Our bishop came to preach today; she also took part in celebrating and commissioning our confirmation class. It was quite a big hoopla.
The sound system was not working right (either by human or technical error) and the organ was having problems with one of its pipes (purely mechanical problem). God was putting the planners in their place.
By the way, I offered to bring a can of WD-40 to our organist to fix the organ. He was only amused to be polite.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Reflections: Michael Jackson Trial
I don't want to talk too much about the whole Michael Jackson thing - frankly, it bores me. But I guess I should comment on it at least a little.
The verdict did not surprise me. It wasn't so much that the defense had a strong case, but that the prosecution really had a weak one. I thought that was evident when Jackson's ex-wife was called in to testify against him. Instead, she pretty much testified for him.
Jackson's accusers, at least in my mind, did not have a whole lot of credibility. Apparently, the jury shared that opinion as well.
Did he do it? I'm not convinced one way or the other. Is he strange and eccentric? You betcha. But that proves nothing. So now Jacko can go about his business and go back to the freak show he calls his life.
I ran into someone who seemed disappointed by the verdict. I told her that whatever crimes Michael Jackson may have committed, he will have to answer for them in the hereafter. She appreciated my comments.
Those judged by man often do not have all the facts. One can be convicted or exonorated on too little evidence. But God knows all the facts, and we all stand convicted. Only when we plead the Blood of Jesus Christ can we be made clean and whole.
And that's all I have to say about that.
The verdict did not surprise me. It wasn't so much that the defense had a strong case, but that the prosecution really had a weak one. I thought that was evident when Jackson's ex-wife was called in to testify against him. Instead, she pretty much testified for him.
Jackson's accusers, at least in my mind, did not have a whole lot of credibility. Apparently, the jury shared that opinion as well.
Did he do it? I'm not convinced one way or the other. Is he strange and eccentric? You betcha. But that proves nothing. So now Jacko can go about his business and go back to the freak show he calls his life.
I ran into someone who seemed disappointed by the verdict. I told her that whatever crimes Michael Jackson may have committed, he will have to answer for them in the hereafter. She appreciated my comments.
Those judged by man often do not have all the facts. One can be convicted or exonorated on too little evidence. But God knows all the facts, and we all stand convicted. Only when we plead the Blood of Jesus Christ can we be made clean and whole.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Different Preacher on Sunday
I got to hear a different preacher than I normally do yesterday. I have a friend who, last year, decided to answer the call and go into the ministry. He's been doing all kinds of things to get prepared (I just sent of a recommendation letter for him to go to seminary). Once in a while his pastor lets him preach at his church. Yesterday, he was the substitute preacher at another church.
Being in the choir I usually don't get a Sunday off. But I had yesterday off. So I went to hear my friend preach.
His preaching was confident, articulate, and interesting (the sermon was based on the Prodigal Son). I must say I was encouraged and uplifted by this up and coming preacher.
Being in the choir I usually don't get a Sunday off. But I had yesterday off. So I went to hear my friend preach.
His preaching was confident, articulate, and interesting (the sermon was based on the Prodigal Son). I must say I was encouraged and uplifted by this up and coming preacher.
Amazing What A Little RAM Will Do
As I mentioned on Friday, I was having a few issues after installing Windows XP. Like not having any sound. I ran every troubleshooter I could find out there, but there was no reason why I shouldn't have had any sound. I mentioned this to a friend on Saturday. He asked how much RAM I had on my machine. Duh!. With only 128 MB, XP was probably using most of it. 90% in fact. No wonder the machine seemed a little slower. So I installed another 128 MB RAM chip, and voila! I had sound. And other stuff! Amazing what a little RAM will do.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Hotel Rwanda
We watched Hotel Rwanda today - an excellent film. It depicts the story of one man (a Rwandan Hutu who's done pretty well for himself) at the outbreak of the genocidal attacks in Rwanda in 1994. As the country falls into disarray, this man - a hotel manager - shows incredible bravery and decency by housing hundreds of refugees (from both sides of the conflict).
Ethnic conflict has always been an appalling part of human history. That fact is underscored in this film dealing with the Tutsi/Hutu conflict. I doubt that most people could tell the difference between a Tutsi and a Hutu. It was mentioned in the film that the differences were defined by the Belgians based simply on the width of the nose. In reality there really is no distinction between Tutsi and Hutu [more].
The other question that stuck out in my mind was this: What in hell do we have United Nations peacekeeping forces for? The UN was unable - or worst yet, unwilling - to do anything to prevent the murders of a million people. When things got hot in Rwanda, the UN pulled its peacekeepers out. And the rest of the world stayed out of it.
Hotel Rwanda is a film brilliantly acted and directed. I've noticed Don Cheadle in other films lately, and this certainly is a stunning performance (I believe he was nominated best actor if I recall correctly). The violence, always in the background, was never over the top nor gratuitous. This is not a film about violence, but of fear and hope. I give it my highest recommendation.
Ethnic conflict has always been an appalling part of human history. That fact is underscored in this film dealing with the Tutsi/Hutu conflict. I doubt that most people could tell the difference between a Tutsi and a Hutu. It was mentioned in the film that the differences were defined by the Belgians based simply on the width of the nose. In reality there really is no distinction between Tutsi and Hutu [more].
The other question that stuck out in my mind was this: What in hell do we have United Nations peacekeeping forces for? The UN was unable - or worst yet, unwilling - to do anything to prevent the murders of a million people. When things got hot in Rwanda, the UN pulled its peacekeepers out. And the rest of the world stayed out of it.
Hotel Rwanda is a film brilliantly acted and directed. I've noticed Don Cheadle in other films lately, and this certainly is a stunning performance (I believe he was nominated best actor if I recall correctly). The violence, always in the background, was never over the top nor gratuitous. This is not a film about violence, but of fear and hope. I give it my highest recommendation.
Close Call
As I was driving home from work today I had a rather close call. A man was driving his Caddy east on a quiet residential street and was crossing a busy six-lane street. He didn't even bother to check that I was coming south at 45 m.p.h. If I hadn't slammed on my brakes I would have T-boned him and would have found myself face-first in my own airbag. I'm sure my skid marks will be there for a while. Thank God we're all okay.
The Holy Spirit: How It Empowers Us
I have to share an amazing story, but first I have to give you a little background.
Tuesday was National Hunger Awareness Day. A local food bank set up shop in six local area churches here in the Valley, including ours. Usually people come with coupons handed out in the neighborhood beforehand and pick up food boxes from the parking lot. We had never participated in this event, so we did it a little differently. They actually came into our fellowship hall where we offered them breakfast. We had also collected clothing, shoes, books, and a few toys to give away.
I observed one young man going through the clothing and was somehow drawn to him. He was looking for something nice to wear for a job interview he had that day. L was quite thankful as it was just to be there. He changed into a nice clean shirt (after I had directed him to the restroom) and came out looking pretty sharp. He also had come to the book table which I was in charge of looking after. We also had about a dozen or so reading glasses that were donated. He was looking for a pair for a friend - specifically 2.75 magnification. We didn't have any - the strongest we had was 2.25.
Later, one of my fellow choir members came by with a bag she had forgotten to bring in on Sunday. There were quite a few books, some clothing, a few toys - and a pair of reading glasses. As D and I talked, I noticed that across the room that L was about to pick up his food box.
I excused myself because the small still voice in my heart reminded me that I hadn't checked the reading glasses that D had brought in moments before. When I checked them, I confirmed what I somehow knew - they were 2.75's! I practically ran across the room to give them to L. He had been thankful before; but this time his joy really showed as he hugged my neck pretty good there.
It is amazing how God uses us and empowers us through the Holy Spirit. He used it to put this event together. He used it to bring L to our church. He used it to tell D to go ahead and bring her bag to church anyway. He used it to draw me to L. And He used it to bring joy to a man's heart - through a pair of reading glasses - that he himself would give away.
Amazing. Amen.
Tuesday was National Hunger Awareness Day. A local food bank set up shop in six local area churches here in the Valley, including ours. Usually people come with coupons handed out in the neighborhood beforehand and pick up food boxes from the parking lot. We had never participated in this event, so we did it a little differently. They actually came into our fellowship hall where we offered them breakfast. We had also collected clothing, shoes, books, and a few toys to give away.
I observed one young man going through the clothing and was somehow drawn to him. He was looking for something nice to wear for a job interview he had that day. L was quite thankful as it was just to be there. He changed into a nice clean shirt (after I had directed him to the restroom) and came out looking pretty sharp. He also had come to the book table which I was in charge of looking after. We also had about a dozen or so reading glasses that were donated. He was looking for a pair for a friend - specifically 2.75 magnification. We didn't have any - the strongest we had was 2.25.
Later, one of my fellow choir members came by with a bag she had forgotten to bring in on Sunday. There were quite a few books, some clothing, a few toys - and a pair of reading glasses. As D and I talked, I noticed that across the room that L was about to pick up his food box.
I excused myself because the small still voice in my heart reminded me that I hadn't checked the reading glasses that D had brought in moments before. When I checked them, I confirmed what I somehow knew - they were 2.75's! I practically ran across the room to give them to L. He had been thankful before; but this time his joy really showed as he hugged my neck pretty good there.
It is amazing how God uses us and empowers us through the Holy Spirit. He used it to put this event together. He used it to bring L to our church. He used it to tell D to go ahead and bring her bag to church anyway. He used it to draw me to L. And He used it to bring joy to a man's heart - through a pair of reading glasses - that he himself would give away.
Amazing. Amen.
Busy With Technical Stuff
I haven't been posting much this week because I finally got fed up with Windows Millenium and upgraded to XP. I'm still having some minor issues (like no sound) but I'm otherwise pretty happy with XP. Probably the biggest pain was reinstalling Norton Internet Security (which required a few uninstall attempts - of which only one succeeded). But it was totally worth it as I don't have the system issues I was having before.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Popular False Teaching
1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. [2 Peter 2:1-3]
A late friend of mine once commented that he didn't care for Christian fiction. He was concerned that it would somehow alter his perception of the Gospel.
We were speaking then of the Left Behind series. My friend did at last start reading the first in the series and begin "eating them up" as quickly as the rest our small group. The appeal to Christians to fiction like Left Behind is that it is solidly grounded in biblical truth.
Then there is fiction such as Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. While in itself a fascinating murder mystery, impressionable Christians could be suckered into believing a theology which is just as fictional. And Dan Brown is not shy about sharing his theological beliefs.
This link will take you to the home page that discusses seperating fact from fiction in The DaVinci Code. Feel free to explore more on the subject.
Meanwhile, as Christians, we need to be prepared to discuss the subject when it comes up - and it probably will. Next year, the motion picture based on this book starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard will no doubt stir up a lot of interest - and spread a lot of non-truth. Especially when you consider that Hanks and Howard are both squeeky-clean and considered trustworthy.
Keep watch, my brethren. Stay vigilant.
A late friend of mine once commented that he didn't care for Christian fiction. He was concerned that it would somehow alter his perception of the Gospel.
We were speaking then of the Left Behind series. My friend did at last start reading the first in the series and begin "eating them up" as quickly as the rest our small group. The appeal to Christians to fiction like Left Behind is that it is solidly grounded in biblical truth.
Then there is fiction such as Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. While in itself a fascinating murder mystery, impressionable Christians could be suckered into believing a theology which is just as fictional. And Dan Brown is not shy about sharing his theological beliefs.
This link will take you to the home page that discusses seperating fact from fiction in The DaVinci Code. Feel free to explore more on the subject.
Meanwhile, as Christians, we need to be prepared to discuss the subject when it comes up - and it probably will. Next year, the motion picture based on this book starring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard will no doubt stir up a lot of interest - and spread a lot of non-truth. Especially when you consider that Hanks and Howard are both squeeky-clean and considered trustworthy.
Keep watch, my brethren. Stay vigilant.
Independence Day
As I write this, I'm watching - for the umpteenth time - Independence Day. In my opinion, this is a sci-fi classic with some of the best cheesy dialoge in cinematic history (especially between Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum, and some great lines from Dennis Quaid).
The pep talk before the final battle given by Bill Pullman - albiet fictional - is one of the best Presidential speeches ever given, including Lincoln's Gettysburg address and FDR's speech to Congress asking for a declaration of war on Japan.
What can I say? As many times I've seen it, I just can't tear myself away when ID4 is on.
The pep talk before the final battle given by Bill Pullman - albiet fictional - is one of the best Presidential speeches ever given, including Lincoln's Gettysburg address and FDR's speech to Congress asking for a declaration of war on Japan.
What can I say? As many times I've seen it, I just can't tear myself away when ID4 is on.
Runaway Bride Followup
Looks like my prayers for the Runaway Bride have been answered. Besides the restitution she's already agreed to pay, she got probation, community service, and she'll continue to get the help she needs (see full story).
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