Shortly after midnight on March 18, 1990, two men, disguised as police, were allowed into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. They stated to security that there was "a problem on the grounds" and to "allow them in." Once in, they duct taped the security guards and stole art works which are today valued at $500 million dollars. That's right. $500 million dollars. One Vermeer, three Rembrandts (including 'Storm on The Sea of Galilee'), and five Degas. The missing art is just that...still missing.
There is a $5 million dollar reward for information leading to the recovery of the art. If you have any clues or ideas, just post them on the "Comments." I'll share some of the reward with you. I promise. :)
Church By-Laws
Some churches have "by-laws" and some don't. A friend asked me about church by-laws regarding what they were, how binding were they, are they scriptural, etc.
He stated that this happened recently in a Baptist church (not ABA). The majority of a church voted to call a man to be pastor. He had been divorced years earlier and had not re-married. When the vote passed, several families who did not vote for the man informed the church that they could not vote to call him because their church by-laws from the 1950's stated that they could not call a man who had been divorced.
This caused much confusion, hard feelings and a fiery discussion about church by-laws. Any opinions? (The divorced preacher issue has been run into the ground and I think argued from every possible angle. I just used that example because it was the one presented)
Does your church have by-laws? If so, are they binding over future votes?
Just curious.
He stated that this happened recently in a Baptist church (not ABA). The majority of a church voted to call a man to be pastor. He had been divorced years earlier and had not re-married. When the vote passed, several families who did not vote for the man informed the church that they could not vote to call him because their church by-laws from the 1950's stated that they could not call a man who had been divorced.
This caused much confusion, hard feelings and a fiery discussion about church by-laws. Any opinions? (The divorced preacher issue has been run into the ground and I think argued from every possible angle. I just used that example because it was the one presented)
Does your church have by-laws? If so, are they binding over future votes?
Just curious.
Economic Meltdown?
President Obama's appointed financial committee (chaired by a Democrat) stated recently that the present and continuing debt of this country has a very predictable outcome. He stated that our country will be broke. Some say it already is broke, but we just keep printing out "hot checks" and "hot cash."
I know that God is in control and that He will be with his people. But God's people have gone through tough times throughout history. I request opinions whether you believe that we are actually heading toward economic meltdown and a drastic change in our current manner of living.
Is it silly to prepare for such a time? Not prepare as if you are in panic mode (such as just prior to Y2K), but become as self-sufficient as possible, with water and food sources readily available, and with "protection" just in case the millions who live off the government no longer receive their checks and start looking elsewhere?
Some may be hesitant to comment on this for fear of being seen as "on the fringe" or not having enough faith in God. I'm not asking you to become Nostradamus. But do you ever consider how you would take care of your family if times get tough?
For some reason, this has been on my heart quite a bit.
I know that God is in control and that He will be with his people. But God's people have gone through tough times throughout history. I request opinions whether you believe that we are actually heading toward economic meltdown and a drastic change in our current manner of living.
Is it silly to prepare for such a time? Not prepare as if you are in panic mode (such as just prior to Y2K), but become as self-sufficient as possible, with water and food sources readily available, and with "protection" just in case the millions who live off the government no longer receive their checks and start looking elsewhere?
Some may be hesitant to comment on this for fear of being seen as "on the fringe" or not having enough faith in God. I'm not asking you to become Nostradamus. But do you ever consider how you would take care of your family if times get tough?
For some reason, this has been on my heart quite a bit.
Summer Vacation
It's always good to get away for awhile. Then, of course, it's good to return home.
En route, we visited the Vicksbug battle site. Very interesting, esp. for a history teacher. Travelled to Birmingham & spent the night.
My family & I travelled to Blue Ridge, Georgia which is near the North Carolina border. We rented a mountain home with some friends of ours, Jerylin & Eric Williams and their two kids. Jerylin is a teacher. Eric is in the Air Force & has been "in the desert," as he calls it, three times and may be deployed again in the fall. So we had interesting company which is always great.
We hiked to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. The next day we drove up into the Smoky Mt. National Park and hit the high point in Tennessee, called Clingman's Dome (another steep hike). The road then took us into Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On the way back to our cabin, we were treated to several great fireworks shows as it was the 4th.
The next day we tubed on the Tecoah River and had some good visiting time.
We then parted ways with the Williams' and my family & I travelled to Savannah, Georgia. We successfully avoided the horrible Atlanta traffic (which begins about 2 P.M.) and drove 3 hrs or so to Savannah, Georgia on the Atlantic coast. Savannah has a historic district about a mile square that everyone should visit. There is too much history there to fully cover.....pirates, James Oglethorpe, Robert Louis Stephenson and his book "Treasure Island", old historic homes, Chippewa Square (you know, where Forrest Gump sat on a bench with his box of chocolates)....yes I did sit there and strike my best Forrest Gump pose...and the biggest live oak trees you can imagine, with Spanish moss hanging everywhere....
The last day in Savannah we drove to Tybee Island on the Atlantic and visited the huge lighthouse there. We also toured the Pulaski Fort and took in all of its Civil War history.
After then reuniting with the Williams and spending the night at their home, we hit the road for the 12 hour slog (via I20). As we blew through Minden, Bossier, etc., I couldn't help but wonder what some of you fellows were doing :)
Of course, my TomTom somehow took us to Bass Pro Shop in Shreveport. Tracy found the pistol she is planning to buy for $40 cheaper than back home. The kid told us if we were from Texas, we couldn't buy a pistol out of state. What's up with Louisiana?
Then, home.......
*If this blog has totally bored you, sorry. It might help jog my failing memory at some point in the future. Have a great day & live with a spiritual perspective.
En route, we visited the Vicksbug battle site. Very interesting, esp. for a history teacher. Travelled to Birmingham & spent the night.
My family & I travelled to Blue Ridge, Georgia which is near the North Carolina border. We rented a mountain home with some friends of ours, Jerylin & Eric Williams and their two kids. Jerylin is a teacher. Eric is in the Air Force & has been "in the desert," as he calls it, three times and may be deployed again in the fall. So we had interesting company which is always great.
We hiked to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. The next day we drove up into the Smoky Mt. National Park and hit the high point in Tennessee, called Clingman's Dome (another steep hike). The road then took us into Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On the way back to our cabin, we were treated to several great fireworks shows as it was the 4th.
The next day we tubed on the Tecoah River and had some good visiting time.
We then parted ways with the Williams' and my family & I travelled to Savannah, Georgia. We successfully avoided the horrible Atlanta traffic (which begins about 2 P.M.) and drove 3 hrs or so to Savannah, Georgia on the Atlantic coast. Savannah has a historic district about a mile square that everyone should visit. There is too much history there to fully cover.....pirates, James Oglethorpe, Robert Louis Stephenson and his book "Treasure Island", old historic homes, Chippewa Square (you know, where Forrest Gump sat on a bench with his box of chocolates)....yes I did sit there and strike my best Forrest Gump pose...and the biggest live oak trees you can imagine, with Spanish moss hanging everywhere....
The last day in Savannah we drove to Tybee Island on the Atlantic and visited the huge lighthouse there. We also toured the Pulaski Fort and took in all of its Civil War history.
After then reuniting with the Williams and spending the night at their home, we hit the road for the 12 hour slog (via I20). As we blew through Minden, Bossier, etc., I couldn't help but wonder what some of you fellows were doing :)
Of course, my TomTom somehow took us to Bass Pro Shop in Shreveport. Tracy found the pistol she is planning to buy for $40 cheaper than back home. The kid told us if we were from Texas, we couldn't buy a pistol out of state. What's up with Louisiana?
Then, home.......
*If this blog has totally bored you, sorry. It might help jog my failing memory at some point in the future. Have a great day & live with a spiritual perspective.
The Christian's Need For Reassurance
"The Christian's Need For Reassurance"
Luke 7:19-30 (John the Baptist in prison, inquiring if Jesus is the one?)
Intro. All Christians, at times, need reassurance.
Ill. Movie "Hoosiers" (Coach, as his team entered a huge basketball arena for the state championship, had his players measure the heighth of the goal...10 feet, and the distance to the free throw line, 15 feet...he reassured them by saying, "I think you will find those same measurements back in our gym at Hickory.")
-In this text, John the Baptist needed reassuring. He was the forerunner of Jesus, he was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, he had grown up knowing Jesus, and a short time before he had pinpointed the Messiah, "Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."
-Yet now, in prison, after a short 6 month ministry, doubt was perhaps creeping in.
Luke 7:19 "And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"
I.Who Needs Reassurance?
-In this case, John the Baptist...
-We often need reassurance in
A.the presence of God
B.the truths of God
C.the blessings of God
D.the promises of God
II.Why Do We Need Reassurance?
A.Because of Perilous Situations (John the Baptist was there...he had preached adultery in the palace and now his life hung in the balances)
-We live in a time of peril (II Tim.3:1-5) and we often need reassurance.
(Song: "Blessed Assurance")
B.Because of Periods of Doubt (great spiritual leaders have had times of doubt and discouragement)
1.Moses (Numbers 11:11,14,15)
2.Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9)
3.Paul (II Cor.1:8)
C.Because God Is Not Acting or Doing As We Expect
-Did John feel rejected? Did he feel that no one cared about him anymore? Did he wonder if anyone would ever intercede for him? Was he perplexed?
-We can reach this point in our Christian lives as well.
III.Who Provided Reassurance?
Jesus, Luke 7:21-28
IV.The Results of Reassurance
Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..."
Luke 7:19-30 (John the Baptist in prison, inquiring if Jesus is the one?)
Intro. All Christians, at times, need reassurance.
Ill. Movie "Hoosiers" (Coach, as his team entered a huge basketball arena for the state championship, had his players measure the heighth of the goal...10 feet, and the distance to the free throw line, 15 feet...he reassured them by saying, "I think you will find those same measurements back in our gym at Hickory.")
-In this text, John the Baptist needed reassuring. He was the forerunner of Jesus, he was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, he had grown up knowing Jesus, and a short time before he had pinpointed the Messiah, "Behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."
-Yet now, in prison, after a short 6 month ministry, doubt was perhaps creeping in.
Luke 7:19 "And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"
I.Who Needs Reassurance?
-In this case, John the Baptist...
-We often need reassurance in
A.the presence of God
B.the truths of God
C.the blessings of God
D.the promises of God
II.Why Do We Need Reassurance?
A.Because of Perilous Situations (John the Baptist was there...he had preached adultery in the palace and now his life hung in the balances)
-We live in a time of peril (II Tim.3:1-5) and we often need reassurance.
(Song: "Blessed Assurance")
B.Because of Periods of Doubt (great spiritual leaders have had times of doubt and discouragement)
1.Moses (Numbers 11:11,14,15)
2.Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:7-9)
3.Paul (II Cor.1:8)
C.Because God Is Not Acting or Doing As We Expect
-Did John feel rejected? Did he feel that no one cared about him anymore? Did he wonder if anyone would ever intercede for him? Was he perplexed?
-We can reach this point in our Christian lives as well.
III.Who Provided Reassurance?
Jesus, Luke 7:21-28
IV.The Results of Reassurance
Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..."
The Sending Church (Mission?)
Can a mission sponsor a missionary?
Let's say that a mission has a member who feels led to go on the foreign mission field. They know him personally. They want to be the "sending church" or entity that sponsors him. Can that mission sponsor the missionary?
(Please be kind in your comments)
Let's say that a mission has a member who feels led to go on the foreign mission field. They know him personally. They want to be the "sending church" or entity that sponsors him. Can that mission sponsor the missionary?
(Please be kind in your comments)
Double Standard To Israel
Several months ago, Prime Minister Netanyahu came to the United States. Our President & his administration didn't agree with Israel building an apartment complex ON THEIR LAND. The Israeli P.M. and his staff were not even offered so much as a PB&J sandwich, were told to go back to the table & discuss issues. The P.M. promptly left. Not long after, the President of Mexico comes and rants against Arizona and its immigration law. Congress claps and the Mexican President is given a state dinner.
Fast forward...Israeli soldiers board "aid ships" which have been attempting to smuggle in rockets which are fired at Israel's citizens. The soldiers are attacked and take action. Europe condemns Israel for trying to protect itself and there are protests around the world against Israel. Israel, it seems, is held to a double standard.
It is easy to see how that one day that countries will unite against Israel. I know that everything that the Israeli government does is open to scrutiny, but is the Biblical principle still in place which says: "I will bless those that bless thee, and curse those that curse thee." ???
Fast forward...Israeli soldiers board "aid ships" which have been attempting to smuggle in rockets which are fired at Israel's citizens. The soldiers are attacked and take action. Europe condemns Israel for trying to protect itself and there are protests around the world against Israel. Israel, it seems, is held to a double standard.
It is easy to see how that one day that countries will unite against Israel. I know that everything that the Israeli government does is open to scrutiny, but is the Biblical principle still in place which says: "I will bless those that bless thee, and curse those that curse thee." ???
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