A House Divided

This is rather odd - it almost looks as if a civil war is brewing amongst the Palestinians - and they don't even have a country!

Being Defensive in Excess

"A picture" - it is said - "is worth a thousand words." Such is the case in the uproar over a not-so-recent (September!) publishing of a series of cartoons published in a Danish newspaper [news link]; the cartoons have been republished this past week in various publications across Europe [news link]. One of the cartoons depicted the prophet Mohammed wearing a turban shaped like a bomb with a burning fuse.

And that bomb has gone off. Muslims around the world are furious. Okay, that's understandable. But to recall ambassadors, burn embassies, and essentially issue death threats against various European interests? Once again, Islam is showing its zero tolerance for anything that is not Islam. Get a freaking life! Oh, and by the way - welcome to the free press! I found an article from a rather enlightened Arab in which he states that Muslims have a repeated history of playing the part of the victim.

Jesus reminds us to turn the other cheek. And as Christians in society, we tend to do that. Our religion is blasphemed on a daily basis, by many groups including Muslims (when they want to take a break from persecuting Jews). In response, do you see us beheading Muslims for their faith? Do you see us using our churches as munition dumps? Do you see us crashing jetliners into mosques? No, of course not. I just wonder if Muslims are angry simply because Mohammed was depicted, or was it because of the way in which he was depicted. I tend to think that if idolatry wasn't the issue, perhaps they'd be proud of how Mohammed was depicted.

Islamic law does indeed prohibit any depiction of the prophet Mohammed. But I'm not bound by Islamic law, nor are the newspapers that published these cartoons. Yet out of respect I personally would not have published the cartoons myself, nor did I choose to publish these images on this blog (however I've included a link to one of the cartoons here in case you're curious what the uproar is about). Just because we can say something, doesn't mean we should.

But Islam has done absolutely nothing to demonstrate their faith has been depicted falsely. In fact, their responses only add more credibility to their detractors. Frankly, the folks in Europe are quite pissed off with their Muslim immigrants; these cartoons - controversial as they may be - are merely a reflection of the frustrations that are being experienced there. After all, we're dealing with a mentality that finds people dancing in the streets when America was attacked on September 11, 2001. In Iraq we found images glorifying the destruction of the World Trade Center. Not to mention celebrations over Bali, Madrid, and London - broadcast in living color on al-Jazeera. And you wonder why Islam is shown in such a negative light by the rest of the world! Get a frickin' clue!

I do not post this article out of hatred - I write this in an attitude of righteous anger. For I am thankful that God has given me a free will. I am thankful that I live in a nation that allows me to exercise that free will. And most of all, I am thankful that I walk a faith journey that is based on love and grace, not a religion whose history has shown to be spread through fear and intimidation, conquest or death. And if you find that offensive, that's just too frickin' bad.

A Step Closer in Prophecy - And a Stern Warning From Jesus

I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? [Luke 12:49-52, 56, 57]

The world just became a bit more dangerous overnight as Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections. The headline from CNN is more than just words - it is likely a chilling foretaste of what is to come. For all that Hamas stands for, the Palestinian people might as well have voted in the Nazi party.

Obviously this is quite a controversial topic between those who believe Hamas to be a bunch of freedom fighters and those who believe Hamas to be a bunch of terrorists. I think you can figure out where I stand, and I base my opinion from these generally undisputed facts:

• Hamas is an Islamic fundamentalist group that wants a Palestinian state.
• Its military wing, Izzadine al Qassam, has claimed responsibility for many terrorist operations, including suicide bombing in Israel, as well as attacks on Israeli troops and Jewish settlers in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Hamas has called for the destruction of Israel, but that demand was not central to its platform in the Palestinian elections. However, it continues to refuse to recognize the right of the state of Israel to exist.
• In its election campaign Hamas portrayed itself as an alternative to the corruption-plagued Fatah -- the group founded by Yasser Arafat and now led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that has dominated Palestinian politics for decades.
• Hamas runs humanitarian activities in the West Bank and Gaza -- building schools and hospitals as well as social projects.
• Its fighters have mostly observed a cease-fire for the past year.
• The United States, the European Union and Israel consider the group a terrorist organization.
• Previous leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in 2004.
• In Arabic, the word "hamas" means zeal, but it's also an Arabic acronym for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya" or Islamic Resistance Movement.
  

[Sources: CNN, U.S. State Department. Emphasis placed by myself]


Certainly we can draw our own conclusions to the above statements, but before I'm accused of being a Zionist pig or some other Islamic (or bleeding-heart liberal) term of endearment, I ask you this: Am I missing something?

Yes, Hamas fighters have been pretty quiet lately. Perhaps there really was some authority behind the Palestinian Authority - I must admit I'm pretty impressed with the efforts of President Abbas. But now that Hamas is the authority, it should be interesting to see if the nuts run the nuthouse or if Hamas can really act civilized. I wouldn't bet on the latter.

Meanwhile, prophecy appears to be unfolding - as prophesied. The Bible says Israel will become a flashpoint at a time near the end. Has the match been struck?

Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

And Another Thing to Consider

While prayerfully considering being a head cook on an Emmaus weekend, I've also been asked to serve as chairman of our Membership Care committee. I'm still waiting to receive a job description for that position before I considering it much further.

Here I Am, Lord

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [1 Samuel 3:10]

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been praying over whether or not I should serve as head cook for the men's Walk to Emmaus in October. It never ceases to amaze me how God speaks to me in times like these.

Often he speaks to me through other Christian friends. Everyone with whom I've shared my prayer request has been quite supportive - including some folks who have been downright exhuberant. Perhaps the most meaningful human affirmation came from my wife who asked, "Have you been head cook before?" When I said, "No," she replied, "Yeah, but you know what to do."

God speaks to me through Scripture as well. When M first called me to serve, I later read that evening from Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. (from the God's Word translation).

Sunday was the real kicker. Granted, by this time I was leaning toward saying yes, but sought further convincing. One of my small group members - who is now a pastor - mentioned on Saturday that he was going to preach on 1 Samuel 3:1-10. Not surprising when you consider that it was the lectionary Scripture this week. I heard it from my own pastor on Sunday - twice (I was liturgist). And I heard it again on Sunday night when I attended a Chrysalis candlelight service in Buckeye. I got in my car for the long drive home and basically said, "Okay, Lord, talk to me. I'm listening."

I felt compelled to take a different route home, and so I did. It was a quite a bit further out west than my usual route - but then again, I don't go to Buckeye very often. And as I drove home, a thought popped in my mind seemingly out of nowhere: This is a different path, but you know the way home. Following the path that a head cook would take is certainly different than any I've taken before - but I know the way.

I also received an email from a friend who reads this blog. She is one of those people whose prayer life is a model for everyone. She mentioned how she was drawn by the Lord to read my last posting and that she, too, has been praying for me.

The fact of the matter is that this feels right. I've been leaning toward saying yes anyway. It's time for that leap of faith again. Oftentimes we know the right answer. It's just a matter of obeying that call. So I called M and made his evening - perhaps his week or even his month.

Here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord.

Well, There It Is

Perhaps the toughest job on a Walk to Emmaus weekend is that of the head cook. For years I've said that I would never be head cook. I've even turned the job down once. I've served in every position a lay person can serve on a Walk to Emmaus weekend - except head cook.

But over the years, I think I've softened. S and I have been in charge of dinners and luncheons at various church (and Emmaus) functions so often that I feel I've already done the job of head cook. I've also twice been in charge of logistics whenever the Walk has been held at our church. So I guess that's God's way of telling me I'm qualified to be head cook.

As I've softened my position (though I've kept that to myself until now), I've conceded that if asked to be head cook, I would take it into serious consideration provided someone special asked me - like a group brother. As it turns out, one of my group brothers has been called to serve as lay director in October. And yes, I consider him someone special. And as it turns out, he has asked me today to serve on the October walk as his head cook.

Well, there it is. I certainly will be deep in prayer.

Keep An Eye on Israel

After a very serious stroke, it is doubtful that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will ever lead his nation again, even if he survives. So that leaves a perception of a political vacuum in Israel, one that perhaps will embolden more serious activity in the Middle East. Many questions are raised. Will the so-called Roadmap to Peace continue? Or will Satan's minions seek out their final solution to the Jewish question?

It is no secret that the appeasement of Israel is not a very popular notion there. With a national election just several weeks away, there doesn't seem to be any candidate supporting Sharon's policies who is strong enough to oppose those who are against Sharon's policies.

Meanwhile, Pat Robertson - a modern-day Peter, to be sure - is saying that Sharon's stroke is God's punishment for dividing God's land. Perhaps. But I think it's because Ariel Sharon is 77 years old, fat, and under a lot of stress.

In another not-so-surprising move, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that he hoped Sharon would die. That's a pretty typical demonstration of Ahmadinejad's diplomatic skill. His wish may come true; too bad he's too dim-witted to realize that perhaps Sharon has so far prevented Tehran from becoming a pile of radioactive slag.

These are just more players and circumstances in God's Master Plan, I'm sure. Be vigilant, my brethren. Keep watch.

Sweet Victory

It's pretty exciting to see a football game that's - well, exciting! Last night's Rose Bowl game between #1-ranked USC and #2-ranked Texas was both fun and exciting to watch. With 6:46 left in the 4th quarter, the Longhorns were trailing the Trojans 38-26, only to pull out a 41-38 victory with just 19 seconds left - and snapping the Trojans' 34-game winning streak. A sweet victory for the many who hate USC (myself included) - and of course for the Texas Longhorns!

The Chronicles of Narnia (Part 1): Some Observations

S and I finally finally got some down time in our busy schedule and saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, And the Wardrobe. To sum it up in one word: Wow! Clearly one of the best films I've ever seen, and certainly up there with getting the Christian message out.

I must confess that I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia, nor do I know much about its author, C.S. Lewis (I have read part of his Screwtape Letters, though). But it is certainly worth the effort to get to know them better.

What struck me most was the powerful symbolism in the film. Quite a few biblical messages get out.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God" [Mark 10:14] The character of Lucy exemplifies this notion; it is a shame that her siblings lacked the innocence she had and were unable to believe that she had discovered this magical land called Narnia. And Georgie Henley, the actress that portrayed her, was phenomenal.

Peter, the oldest, was not unlike Peter of the Bible. Somewhat unsure of himself and prone to verbal outbursts, Peter eventually grows into the steady rock that everyone depends on.

Then there's Edmund. Quite a complicated role he had to play in the whole thing. Although he seems incapable or unwilling to follow instructions (like a lot of children I know), he is otherwise innocent. He has no clue who the White Witch is when he first meets her. And that crafty old bitch manages to winnow her way into his mind and heart with all kinds of empty promises that are quite tempting. But even when he figures out who she is, he is still caught in her web of deceit. Once free of her, though, he is willing to do the right thing - even if it is the more difficult and dangerous thing.

Susan, the oldest sister, seems to be the glue that holds everyone together when everyone else is becoming unglued.

The animal characters were wonderful, too. They added a lot to the story, including quite a touch of humor. I especially enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. They sounded just like a couple that's been married for a while.

The witch is certainly an interesting character - very much like old Satan himself. She is attractive in many ways - just like Satan. She is a master of deception - just like Satan. She is quite crafty - just like Satan. She is evil beyond imagination - just like Satan. She is very strong - just like Satan. She is not, however, invincible - just like Satan.

There are many references in the Bible of Jesus being a lamb - and a lion. Aslan - the lion, is clearly the Christ figure in this story. He is one in whom many have hope, and anxiously await his return to Narnia. He is also very strong, and his integrity is unquestionable. Well, actually at one point, the Witch questions whether he will keep his word; Aslan angrily replies with a very loud roar which sends the Witch and her entourage off in a hurry.

There is a strong message of forgiveness: Edmund has been rescued from the Witch's camp but now he stands accused of betraying his brother and sisters. Aslan speaks with Edmund alone, then brings him back to his siblings, telling them that what is done is already done and they are to speak no more of it.

Then Aslan does a strange and wonderful thing. The Witch had doubted that Aslan would keep his word - for the two of them had struck a deal concerning Edmund. You see, Edmund actually faced the death penalty for his actions. But Aslan took his place! Just like Jesus took your place and died for your sins.

I call it the Passion sequence of the film. Aslan willingly goes to the stone table to sacrifice himself. He doesn't say a word (like Jesus), he is chained and beaten (just like Jesus), his stately mane is shaved (Jesus was stripped), and he was shamed (just like Jesus) before the Witch kills him. Lucy and Susan watched the whole thing from a safe place (not unlike Mary and Mary Magdelene at the cross), tended to the body (just like the women at the tomb) and the resurrected Aslan appeared first to Lucy and Susan at sunrise (just as Jesus first appeared to the women at Easter sunrise).

All in all, I have to give this film two thumbs up - because God only gave me two thumbs!

Christmas 2005: It's A Wrap

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. I went to work today to rest and relax.

It feels like I did nothing but keep going from Friday on. We started cleaning house on Friday afternoon. I wrapped presents until after midnight Friday (while watching It's A Wonderful Life). Saturday was more house cleaning and I also cleaned up the yard while S wrapped presents. I took a break from that to sing in two Christmas Eve services, making it another late night. Christmas morning started about 7 AM when I drove to our daughter's apartment for breakfast and opening presents with our grandson. Then it was back home for more house cleaning while S cooked part of Christmas dinner. Meanwhile, it was so nice in the afternoon that we had our front door open and our cat snoozed in the sunbeam in our entry way (must be nice).

Then our guests began to arrive. My parents and my brother came first. Snoopy stuck around since they're nice folks (and mom said Snoopy was a pretty kitty), but he scrammed as soon as my grandson and his mom arrived. Another daughter arrived, then a brother-in-law, then my nephew (and his girlfriend and her very young sister), and finally a niece and her daughter. We had a nice visit and a nice buffet-style dinner with ham, chicken, and meatballs, etc. Of course, Princess, our little chihuahua-mix was quite the social butterfly throughout the entire affair.

I got what I asked for - War of the Worlds on DVD, and Nicole Nordemann's CD, Brave. That's all I asked for, but I got a few bonuses, including cash and gift cards (always welcome).

My wife also got me a really cool book, The D-Day Experience: From the Invasion to the Liberation of Paris by Richard Holmes (I am a World War II buff). This is not just a book, but it includes reproductions of actual maps, and pages from diaries, log books, letters, leaflets, a Stars and Stripes newspaper, etc. Very interesting.

Anyway, I went to bed at about 7 PM last night (on our new bed sheets) and read a little bit of my new book with a very tired little dog curled up next to me. I didn't last long - I was done by 8 PM after reading the same paragraph over and over. You know that great feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night after a very deep sleep thinking you've already slept the whole night and the alarm clock says you've still got a ways to go? That happened to me twice - at 10:58 and 2:02 - way cool!

Anyhow, that was my Christmas. Only 363 days to the next one.

How to Wrap a Cat

This is the link explaining how to wrap a cat (step 2 entails a liberal amount of glue) should you be inclined to do so.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Thank You Very Much

According to a recent poll, 69% of all Americans prefer the phrase, "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays."

And for those people who think they can sidestep the whole religion thing by saying "Happy Holidays" - well guess what? "Holiday" is derived from the phrase "Holy Day." So stick that in your politically-correct hat and smoke it.

And Merry Christmas, thank you very much.

More Developments In Last Weekend's Shooting

More information has been released to the media regarding last weekend's shooting. Turns out the police officer is paralyzed as a result of being shot by Damon (my niece's boyfriend). We actually learned of the police officer's paralysis on Saturday (some of the information that had not been released to the press).

Damon's accomplice did turn himself in, and has been charged in the murder of the home invasion victim.

Meanwhile, my niece will be missing Christmas with us as she will be accompanying Damon's body to California. What a waste.

Donald, You're Fired!

In a surprise move today, Donald Trump completely pulled the plug on a high-rise project he was planning for the Camelback Corridor in Phoenix.

The proposed project would have exceeded height limits already set for the area; the Phoenix City Council waived those restrictions so the project could go through as planned. Well the residents in the area didn't like the idea of Trump's new high-rises blocking their view of the nearby mountains, so they collected 19,000 signatures to force the issue on the ballot. The city council then, today, reversed their decision to allow waive the height limit and let the voters decide. And that's when Donald threw in the towel. [source article]

Honestly, I don't understand commercial developers. They say our area is a hotbed for commercial development. Then why are there so many vacant storefronts? But that's another issue.

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done, For
being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled,
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
DSN: 302-362-6828

Too Close To Home

I knew something was wrong early Saturday morning when I could see a police helicopter nearby. My brother-in-law, who also lives nearby, recalls hearing the sirens. We just didn't realize at the time how close to home it really was.

There was a home invasion within half a mile from our house. When the police arrived to investigate a report of shots being fired, the suspect vehicle was just leaving the scene, and a pursuit began. It didn't last very long. The vehicle blew out a tire and stopped. The suspect got out and began firing at the police officers. They fired back, killing the suspect.

When it was all over, two people were dead and another seriously wounded. Another suspect who ran from the scene is still at large. The man who was wounded was Peoria Police Officer Bill Weigt - he remains in critical but stable condition. One of the dead was a victim of the home invasion, shot dead by the suspect. And the suspect? That's where it hits close to home. He was the boyfriend of our niece (and daughter of the aforementioned brother-in-law).

It was the major news story here in the Phoenix area. Names of the deceased have not yet been released. But we found out about the suspect when my brother-in-law called, along with some other details which have not been made public (and I do not find it prudent to do so, either).

We had met this young man before - he seemed pretty nice. And besides being our niece's boyfriend, he was also father of their 6-month-old baby. He typically stayed home and took care of the baby while our niece went to work. None of us - our niece included - had any idea he was capable of such a thing. Everything seemed normal Friday night when he kissed our niece and the baby good-night and went out.

What was particularly eerie was that he tried to call our niece when it all went down. There is a message on our niece's answering machine. There are the gunshots and a voice saying, "He's not moving."

This is the sort of thing that you think happens to other people. And even though I'm not directly involved, I'm pretty close to it. This one's just too close to home.

Pray for the perpetrators, for the victims, and the innocent lives left behind to pick up the pieces of an unnecessary tragedy.

Today's Stewardship Pitch

Today I spoke at our 11:00 worship service to promote our current stewardship campaign. Here is the text of what I said:

Remember this saying, "A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest. Each of you must make up your own mind about how much to give. But don't feel sorry that you must give and don't feel that you are forced to give. God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others.”

I’d love to take credit for these words, but actually they were written by another man named Paul in his 2nd Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 6-8.

It’s taken quite a leap of faith on my part, but I have learned first-hand that the last verse or so is absolutely true. God does love those who love to give. No matter what, [S] and I have always been blessed with whatever we needed at the moment, especially when we’ve been generous to the church.

Since I first came to [this church] 13-1/2 years ago, I’ve received countless blessings, the greatest of these having received Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.

Brothers and Sisters, I stand before you today because you cared enough to plant a seed that brought my soul to harvest.

Do you have a similar story? Matthew 10:8 says, “Freely you have received. Freely give.”

I understand that a tithe, an offering of 10%, is a stretch for some. With that in mind, remember that God does not want 10% of your paycheck – He wants 100% of your heart. So follow your heart. Take baby steps if you have to. If you’re not giving at all, consider an offering of 1%. If you’re giving 1%, consider raising that to 2% or more. You get the idea. Just follow your heart and work your way up as you feel led.

A few weeks ago, Pastor [D] suggested that each of us read the Bible all the way through. A good discipline to be sure. I’ve been doing that myself, starting with the New Testament first and going on with the Old Testament. It’s ironic that as I was finishing up my second time through the entire Bible this past week, and as I prayed over what I would say to you today, that God gave me these words in the last chapter of the last book.

In Malachi 3:10, God says: “I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.” Coincidence? As my faith grows, I believe otherwise.

Are you up to the challenge God has placed before you? Are you ready to receive His abundant blessings?

Boy, I do enjoy preaching!

A Wonderful Tribute to Our Troops

Press the PLAY button to see this wonderful tribute to our troops:

Fresh Video from BlogTelevision.net (Source)

If Nothing Else...

If nothing else, the execution overnight of Stanley Tookie Williams will help underscore the point he was trying to make: stay out of gangs. Maybe this will influence some gang wanna-be's and maybe a gangbanger or two.

Mercy or Not?

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger could again be labeled The Terminator or he show mercy by granting clemency to convicted murderer Stanley Tookie Williams. [source]

Williams, co-founder of the L.A. street gang known as the Crips, was convicted in the brutal 1979 murder of four people. But since taking residence in the San Quentin prison, Williams has become an avid anti-gang crusader. He has written several children's books with an anti-gang message and donated the proceeds to anti-gang programs. He has worked very hard to dissuade young people from following the path he has taken.

I generally favor the death penalty. But in this case, I would definitely plead for mercy. Although our corrections system seldom rehabilitates criminals, I think Williams has truly repented. Does he deserve punishment? Absolutely! Incarceration for the remainder of his life should be sufficient, and perhaps he can make more of a difference in the fight against gang violence.

Then again, maybe he can set an even stronger example by being put to death.

Meanwhile, Charles Manson will continue to languish in his prison cell.

Rip-Roarin' Christmas Concert

Last night S and I along with her cousin D and wife D went to a rather rip-roarin' Christmas concert. Glendale Arena was the most recent venue for the Christmas concert tour put on by Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe. Wow!

MercyMe had more of the familiar Christmas tunes (played of course in their more raucous style), while Chapman had a few more more familiar Christian tunes overall.

Both artists started the concert jointly by performaning choruses from selected non-Christmas songs they would not be playing (an interesting and enjoyable concept) after which MercyMe opened their own set with their megahit, I Can Only Imagine. The "regulation-time" portion of the concert ended with both artists performing a raucous arrangement of Go Tell It On The Mountain immediately followed by the chorus from Steven Curtis Chapman's megahit Live Out Loud (a clever segue). The encore was White Christmas with fake snowflakes falling over the main floor. Looks like the musicians had a blast.

My ears are still ringing!

Like a Caged Animal

Well it looks as though the trial of Saddam Hussein has finally begun in earnest. As Mr. T would say, "I pity the fool." This trial should have everything we love about courtroom drama, especially with his courtroom antics. I'm especially amused over how he wields the Quran in his hand - as if he really lives his life according to the Quran.

The power that an individual has over people is given by God; if that power is abused, history has shown time and again that God gives that individual enough latitude to self-destruct. Saddam Hussein appears now as a caged animal. His true self is now showing for his nation - and the world - to see. A petty thief and murderer. Surely the Quran does not permit this? I know the Bible does not.

Each person's ways are clearly seen by the LORD, and he surveys all his actions. A wicked person will be trapped by his own wrongs, and he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin. [Proverbs 5:21-22, the Message]

Rather than taking his own life, if Hitler had been captured, would he have behaved as badly in court as these men are?

Remembering the Good Old Days

You know you've arrived in society when the marketing analysts are targeting your age group. Fading into the sunset are those Cadillac commercials belting out Led Zeppelin. Now they're hitting us - US! - with ads featuring songs from Kansas, Electric Light Orchestra, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. Makes me want to switch on TVLand and watch Happy Days or One Day at a Time (yeah - I had a crush on Valerie Bertinelli - and she's still pretty cute even if she is my age). Hey, who knows? Those denture cream commercials featuring the music of Barry Manilow may be just a few years away!

Today I came across this article about the latest - and perhaps last - compilation album released by the phenomenally popular Swedish quartet, ABBA. Former band member Bjorn Ulvaeus told Reuters on Monday that "ABBA had no intention of following in the footsteps of other famous bands that have regrouped in recent years." Bummer.

ABBA was there during my formative years as a gawky, geeky teenager. I guess that would explain a lot. You either loved or you hated them. And I loved them! I still do! I still have 45's with some of their songs and a bunch of cassette tapes (for you kids out there, that's how we used to listen to music - there was no such thing as an iPod or mp3). Heck, I even have a CD of their greatest hits.

It's no surprise that ABBA didn't get back together. I'm sure it was awkward enough when the female members of the band divorced the male members of the band. But their music continues to live on. I've even heard glimmers of the "ABBA sound" in some contemporary Christian music - and those naturally are some of my favorites.

Currently the two male members of ABBA, Bjorn Ulveaus and Benny Andersson, are attempting to get their show Kristina onto Broadway. "It is very difficult to go from something so Swedish to America, but on the other hand it's a subject that everyone knows and especially in America -- about emigrants and immigrants," Ulvaeus said.

But given their continued popularity, I don't think it would be all that difficult to get something Swedish into America. IKEA, anyone?

And We're Off...

We kicked off another stewardship campaign in church today. Even before the kickoff we had already received additional pledges of $11,000.

After I'd given the devotional after choir rehearsal on Thursday night, someone suggested we do lay witnessing in church on Sundays like we used to years ago. My name was immediately offered up as one of the speakers. It was just a matter of getting it into the bulletins for the worship services.

Well, we started the lay witnessing today with the co-chair of the stewardship campaign. The other co-chair will speak next week. I'm scheduled to speak in two weeks.

Church seemed different today. We are committed. We are on fire. Blaze, Spirit! Blaze!

Crunch Time: A New Hope

This has certainly been an interesting week for our church - one that I think will prove to be pivotal in the life of the church. We may be a little broken, but one thing is certain - there's a lot of life left. As for myself, I went into the week feeling somewhat discouraged, but now I am very encouraged.

Word got out on Sunday evening that the finance committee had left our organist's salary out of the budget. However I hadn't gotten word until I checked my e-mail. I had cleared it down to six over the weekend, but when I went to check on Tuesday night there were 35 e-mails in my inbox! So the fight had begun in earnest, and the first battle would be fought the following night at our all-church conference where next year's budget would be put to a vote.

I replied with my own e-mail stating that, in my own heart, I could not vote in favor of the budget. But I also stated that it was time for the church as a whole to roll up its sleeves and fight for its life. There had to be alternatives, but we would have to fight for them, otherwise next year we'd probably discuss cutting the choir director. And in another year or so, we'd be discussing putting the property up for sale.

And fight we did, yet we were all quite courteous in doing so. It all started about halfway through the meeting Wednesday night once the budget was brought up. It seemed pretty obvious to me that there was some fuzzy math going on. All ministries were asked to submit a budget that was 10% lower than last year's. Looking at the report, it was odd to note that Worship and Arts actually went up, at which time our choir director got up and said he did exactly what he had been instructed, so how come the budget went up? There were other things that were brought up that seemed odd as well.

The subject of apportionments also came up. Apportionments are the monies contributed by each church in the conference in order to maintain the connectional ministries of all the churches. The budgeting for apportionments (as we were told) is based on the expenditures of the church two years prior. I checked another conference's website - their apportionments were based on an average of the church's expenses for the three prior years. In my opinion, it's not a terribly fair and equitable way to assess the apportionments. It's great for the (few) churches that are actually growing. It's like the current real estate market where you get a nice low interest rate and now two years later, your property has appreciated considerably in value - a smokin' deal if you sell. But for the churches that are declining in membership and the resulting income, it's like getting a car loan for a vehicle that's two years old based on the value of that vehicle when it was still brand new on the car lot! That's not fuzzy math - it's just plain stupid.

The question was asked, "What if we don't pay all of our apportionments?" Our District Supervisor replied, "Nothing." I can pretty much confirm that just looking at our own conference's apportionment reports. There some churches that aren't paying all of their apportionments, and even a few that haven't been paying at all. This has been valuable research - I will be touch with our church's lay leader and finance committee.

Another question that was brought up was, "How many of us were even aware that we were in such dire financial straights?" Only a few hands came up. It was obvious that the various committees had not been talking to each other, let alone the finance committee and the SPRC (staff/pastor/parish committee). In fact, the SPRC was told by the finance committee to eliminate the organist position. Meanwhile, our choir director was expected to direct the choir and play the organ (which fortunately he can do) - and get paid less for it.

The great thing about this whole discussion is that it has brought us back together as a church again. It got people talking - several good points were made and wonderful ideas proposed. Naturally it was recommended that the finance committee to revise the budget. The most astounding moment was when that original budget went up for a vote - only three voted in favor.

We have a lot of work ahead of us. It's not going to easy, either. The budget obviously needs to be revised. A supplimental stewardship campaign is being launched. And we're trying to find creative ways to deal with the budget (my chiropractor was the SPRC chairperson at her church and she gave me some good ideas).

But the meeting on Wednesday night did something wonderful. It got us all talking to each other, speaking assertively but lovingly. The Holy Spirit has filled many hearts; it has ignited a fire in our church unlike any we've experienced in years. People are speaking boldly in their faith. While difficult - it is now an exciting time in our church.

In my prayers for our church, I pray for guidance, wisdom, discernment, creativity, humility, boldness, and perseverance for as long as it takes. Amen.