Six More Canadian soldiers killed today in Afghanistan
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Posted:Apr 8, 2007 8:37 pm
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2007 5:23 am 2811 Views
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I was saddened to learn this evening that another 6 soldiers were killed today in Afghanistan. For months we have had no soldiers injured or killed in Afghanistan. We have heard the story so many times that our army has routed out the Taliban and curbed their activities.
I just wonder when all of this naive thinking will disappear. Killing people who kill people to end killing is such an infantile logic if you follow its course. There can be no real peace if we are unprepared to dialogue with our enemy. We just do not seem to learn any lessons from the past. Afghanistan is becoming much like Iraq. There is nothing to be won here.
Sadly, we have glorified war to the point where people who speak out against it are ridiculed and looked upon as naive and idiotic. Well just when are we going to turn our swords into ploughshares and study war no more? Is the biblical mandate to love one another so romantic an ideal we must discard it? Are we to turn the other cheek only metaphorically? Was Jesus speaking in metaphor when he told Peter to put back his sword into his scabbard? That those who live by the sword shall die by the sword. Strange isn't it that Jesus was always unarmed? Strange that he did not order his disciples to pick up their swords when he was crucified?
Easter Sunday-- the day of the Lord's Resurrection.
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Are pastors saying nothing about Global Warming? I'm appauled!!
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Posted:Apr 5, 2007 6:26 am
Last Updated:Apr 10, 2007 9:44 am 2985 Views
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One of the most ancient cities on earth-- a city of great biblical magnitude was televised last evening on CBC- Alexandria in Egypt. Amazingly, the city is undergoing incredible change due to the climate's change in that area. Erosion from the sea water's waves is devastating ancient buildings-- many of them now under the sea water. Another factor is the salt. The heat is drying up the waters and leaving parched land full of salt that takes forever to grow crops on. In other areas of Africa there is much drought and lack of rain for the crops.
Just last week we saw another devastating piece of work by mother nature in the Solomon Islands. Well over 50 people have been found dead already by this tsunami.
People are still recovering in the hurricane belt of the United States from the terrible disasters of the past few years-- especially the Katrina Hurricane.
There is compelling evidence that this global warming issue is directly related to carbon emissions coming from industry,autos, airplanes and the rest. Our world must begin to realize that something must be done about this. It will not go away on its own.
So my question-- what are pastors saying about this? So far I have heard nothing. Not one single word. I'm appauled that there is no outcry about this catastrophe. Truly, this is indeed a church issue. God's creation is partly in our hands too. In this country politicians are beginning to wake up-- even if it is a little late. I notice that in California the governor has taken some bold initiatives there too. But I do not hear the same sentiments coming from the pulpit. Why so?
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What is idolatry? Does this include sports?
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Posted:Apr 2, 2007 1:03 pm
Last Updated:Apr 3, 2007 12:51 pm 2997 Views
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I used to read the stories in the Old Testament to my Muslim, Hindu and Christian students years ago while serving as a missionary. They loved those ancient stories written beyond time and memory. Such wonderful stories of wisdom and the compassionate kindness of God.
One day we read about Moses-- his seeing what had been done to the tablets of stone he had brought down from the Mountain of the Lord. How angry he was that his own people had made an image of some other gods when they had been specifically told not to worship any other God but Yahweh.
Recently I have been very focused on a specific hockey team I have been fond of since a . This team is trying very hard to make the playoffs and it seems they are just on the edge. I've found myself preoccupied and far too focused on this event that it is bothering me. Now it could be a football team or a basketball team or anything in the sports category. ANd the fact that our culture is willing to spend such millions of dollars to allow our sports heroes as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars an hour for their work-- says it all! It seems we can so easily fall into the pit of sinfull activity in areas where we culturally least expect it to occur.
It does not have to be sports. It could be a house, a car, a new "toy". It could even be a or a cat--- yes we adore our and grandchildren but hopefully they do not come before God. I'm sure you get my drift.
Ohh Lord, please forgive me for worshipping an image that will not replace you; an image that our world would want us to focus on and pour our time and money into. Forgive me for being distracted by the real stuff of life-- the real reason why I am here on earth and the real reason why I'm here to serve your needs and the needs of your Jesus.
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Does God own a web cam?
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Posted:Mar 24, 2007 7:19 pm
Last Updated:Apr 2, 2007 7:00 am 2886 Views
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Yes I think He does. Actually in my view we must read scripture in the light of time not only it was written in, but also from a point of view of the culture of today-- it is interpreted in. SO yes, I do think we can see the face of God if you know what I mean.
So what does HE look like? Perhaps an appearance that is beyond \bsexo?\b and culture, we have no real way of measuring. But we who are Christians can know something about God from his Jesus. He asked us to have compassion on the poor, the widow, those in prison, those who are hungry and homeless, the naked and the downtrodden. He said that we must see the face of God in these people; we must not judge them lest we ourselves be judged.
I heard a comment the other day on radio that said the people of the United States deserve what they get for their actions in Iraq. I wept when I heard that. I have seen the hand of God demonstrated clearly through the wonderful actions of the people of the United States. I have seen first hand their enormous contributions in the developing world not only through their government but even more so from church groups and very benevolent non believers. That compassion and love will never go unlooked by the God I see in the video cam. God for me is alive through his people. God's face is a face of love and compassion, an infinite being full of glory and mercy-- yes so rich in mercy that even the most wicked of men (and women) can go their in trust and know that He reaches out to them. God is truly alive and full of beauty and goodness through the many wonderful actions of all his people.
You ask God to come a little closer to the camera. And there you see this wonderful God up close. You marvel at his rich miracles. You see how he saved you from your great fall-- whether it be alcohol, tobacco, \bsexo?\b, gambling, drugs or whatever. But there in the light of Christ His , you see the face of God. You bow down in awe and you say "Glory to you O Lord". He turns again and you see another side of his countenance. A majestic glimpse of heavenly glory as you notice the works of so many men and women here on earth pouring out their love on those who are downtrodden. You remember the many many men and women who fought against all odds against racism around the world for years and years. They were beaten. Their names were despised among men. But Oh Lord their work brought so much freedom and mercy to so many who slaved their bodies and minds to powers that showed them not love or mercy.
Then there are those who have suffered so much persecution-- who were unjustly judged and imprisoned like Jesus. There are those that can only relate to the suffering of Jesus because of the many blows they have taken time and again.
Yes, it is clear that God does have a video cam and we can see Him every day working away on so many wonderful projects. I remember a story many years ago that tells of a priest/minister up on the top of his church on Sunday yelling and screaming "GOD? WHERE ARE YOU? Come down here where we can see you." And then this feint voice calls out from a crowd down below "I'm right here in the midst of my people."
God bless to all and keep connected!
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Send me a prayer!
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Posted:Mar 20, 2007 10:07 am
Last Updated:Mar 29, 2007 8:19 pm 2793 Views
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Well work this winter has been brutal for me inspite of all the talk about the demand for work in this area. I've been trotting around various neighbourhoods handing out my handyman business cards these last few weeks-- but so far I have put in lots of time giving free quotes but so far no work.
So those of us who believe in the power of prayer-- send me a few prayers as I truly believe that they help. The old saying-- pray to God but row for shore-- still holds true to me. It's no use praying if you're unwilling to do anything yourself-- and that I am. So if you have a spare moment- love to have your prayers ascend to Heaven on my behalf!
God bless to all!
Chris
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What is it about all the different music in Church?
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Posted:Mar 13, 2007 6:44 am
Last Updated:Mar 26, 2007 8:09 pm 3092 Views
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Recently I've been doing some thinking about the many different varieties of music that exists in the various Christian churches.
I grew up in the Catholic church and attended the seminary for ten years wherein we sang a lot of Gregorian chant at Mass. The music was very uplifting and very sacred. There was profound silence in the church at all times and music was a very rich part of that tradition. It has since changed of course. It is all in English now, and even has some contemporary gospel in its repertoire.
In the last 15 years or so I have attended a large number of other Christian churches. When I first started attending I was in a state of shock for a long time as I would stand for an unbearable amount of time singing praise songs galore. Not that I did not mind it-- but the beat and the magnitude of the music was incredibly DIFFERENT! Then in some churches I noticed they did a lot of dancing. Yes and that was in a pentecostal church. There was a huge amount of praise music and an incredible amount of singing and dancing. It was most uplifting. I enjoyed the sermons there immensely--- but I found I was going deaf from the intensity of the music. It was far too loud for me!!
Is music a generational thing? I tend to think so. Many of the older churches and by that I mean the churches with the grey haired people in the pews for the most part-- I find sing the traditional hymns and the music is very low key. I find that in the ALliance church the music is very youth oriented-- lots of instruments on the sanctuary, especially drums and guitars. NOw in the other churches it seems that organs and possibly a piano are the only instruments allowed.
And yes I know that in the OLD testament we hear in the psalms of David that they praised the Lord with all kinds of instruments, and they sang and they danced ad nausea. There were trumpets and cymbals and lyres and everything that made noise! And I say, why not? I truly enjoyed to steel band music in Trinidad which while I was there was approved by the Catholic Church for its use at Mass.
To me... you can praise God with a rubber band in your mouth if your heart is into the praising. It really matters not what the music is about-- but what's in the heart at the time of worship!
God bless to all!
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Unearthing of Jesus'bones
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Posted:Mar 7, 2007 6:32 am
Last Updated:Mar 14, 2007 6:09 pm 2899 Views
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Recently I was reading about a film director who has unearthed a tomb allegedly belonging to Jesus of Nazareth, of Joseph, of Mary and friend of Mary Magdelan.
Well, it may well be true that this person did unearth such a tomb, and that it is not a hoax. But the fact is that many were named Jesus and had relative's names similar to the Jesus we Christians know. However, what needs to be taken into account here is over two thousand years of Christian belief in the Resurrection of Jesus' body, soul and divinity. Jesus was a human, he was/is divine and had a soul. His body was ascended into Heaven. Miracle upon miracle has taken place on this earth ... all in the name of Jesus, but none as great as the Resurrection of Jesus.
I recall years ago listening to a great tenor sing "I know that my redeemer liveth". Yes, it is all about one's belief-- and I can never stop believing that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and is now body, soul and divinity in Heaven. The Resurrection of Jesus is no laughing matter; it is not for some enterprising movie director to make a killing on.
Yes, I know that my Redeemer liveth! There is a lovely short hymn that is sung in the Madonna House tradition that came from Russia where missionaries journeyed to bring them the Good News thousands of years ago, and sung every Easter Sunday and at funerals: " Christ is risen from the dead, trampling on death by death and on those in their tombs, lavishing life".
Jesus has conquered death through his own death and resurrection.
God bless to all!
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War is not the answer
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Posted:Mar 5, 2007 12:27 pm
Last Updated:Mar 7, 2007 8:08 pm 2877 Views
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Today I received information from the Sojourner's magazine about their latest bumper stickers claiming "War is not the answer" and "God is not a Republican (or a Democrat)"
I realize that nothing in this world is black and white and there is certainly room for disagreement on issues about basic Christian beliefs. I do think that war is not the answer though, especially in this day and age when they hardly give diplomacy a chance. That may be because high tech countries are more willing to give their latest technologies on the war theatre more of a chance than their diplomacy skills. Or it may be because they feel superior to their enemy and cannot stand any kind of humiliation. None the less-- I'm in full support of this sticker-- "War is not the answer
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Billy Graham Divorced?
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Posted:Mar 5, 2007 7:21 am
Last Updated:Mar 11, 2007 8:39 pm 3150 Views
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I have fun repeating this story I heard in Church some months ago about a reporter who was doing some research on Christian evangelists and divorce.
Apparently the reporter asked Mrs Graham if there was ever a time in her married life with Bill that she considered divorcing him. "Heavens NO!" she replied, "But kill him?" Yes just about every day!
Ha ha! I think that was kind of funny! We sure need humour married or unmarried!
God bless to all!
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How many kinds of Christians are there?
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Posted:Mar 4, 2007 6:24 pm
Last Updated:Mar 5, 2007 11:53 am 2922 Views
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Today a plumber friend of mine and his dad came over to give me a hand with some plumbing problems.
I met them through the Alliance evangelical church a few years ago. Since that time we have enjoyed a remarkable friendship. Today I noticed how incredibly radical our theologies are. For example-- I do not believe in capital punishment and lean towards pacificism and away from war in all forms. We both agree that abortion is wrong. Now my friend George-- Jeff's dad, is in his late 70's and claims he is still alive because he has never seen a doctor since he was a . He has a hernia which he claims is from the devil so he is working on casting out that demon. I told him he's crazy; he should see a doctor right away, and that he should re-think some of his theology.
We are still friends and I suppose that is all that matters. We both worship God and firmly believe in the saving power of Jesus. I find is so incredible that George thinks that criminals who commit serious crimes should be put to death instantly. I am so amazed about all this. But I also know that he is not alone.
There are so many Christians out there it is a wonder at all we are not seriously trying to wipe each other off the face of the earth. Why if the bible is meant to bring us together is there so much discord? Why can we not all interpret scripture in the same way. Why are there so many different bibles and so many different translations? And why are there so many divergent theologies if there is only ONE GOD?
May that same God bless each and every one of you!
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