What's The Zip Code For Steeler, PA??

The folks in Washington, PA are what you'd call hard-core football fans.As evidence of their support for their favored team in Super Bowl XL, the mayor and council voted unanimously to change this city's name, according to a Jan. 28 AP story. Welcome to Steeler, Pennsylvania. According to AP, "The name change for the city of about 15,000 people south of Pittsburgh will last through Feb. 5, the day of the football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks in Detroit. "I know the folks in the state of Washington are rooting for the Seahawks, so we wanted to make sure everyone knows the city of Washington is fully in support of the Steelers," Mayor Kenneth J. Westcott told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. If you're sending a letter to anyone in Steeler, however, you'd better continue addressing them to Washington, since the name change is not recognized by the U.S. Postal Service. They must be Seahawks fans.

A Whale Of A Tale

This is from the San Francisco Chronicle 12/15/2005 A female humpback whale became entangled in a web of crab traps & fishing lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of rope wrapped around her body - her tail, her torso and a line tugging in her mouth, and had to struggle to stay afloat. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralon Islands & radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, a rescue team arrived and determined that the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her - a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could accidentally kill a rescuer. But they worked for hours with knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles, She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around - she thanked them! Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The diver who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. May we all be so blessed - to be untangled from the things that are binding us. Thanks Melba For Sharing This Story!

Quote Worth Remembering

God gave us free choice because there is no significance to love that knows no alternative. – James Dobson

Looking back, I have this to regret, that too often when I loved, I did not say so.~ David Grayson

"The battles you engage in are his battles. The circumstances you face are familiar to him. The burdens you bear may be placed on his shoulders with his permission. The weapons formed against you are, in a real sense, formed against him, and they will not prosper. You are a conqueror. Nothing will ever separate you from his love or care." - H.B. London Jr., www.parsonage.com

Forgiveness: Seventy Times Seven?

"Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" Matt. 18: 21-22. A part of the reason the teaching of Jesus on forgiveness is so hard to understand, comprehend and do, is that we fail to realize that what he commands of us, He does for us. Until we understand the forgiveness we experience in grace from the Father, it will be difficult to extend that type of grace to those who sin against us.

Holy Water

They were the "Army Rangers" or "Navy Seals" of their day. They were the elite of the elite. Their chests would be covered with metals if they were in today’s military. Who were they? They were David’s mighty men. There were thirty of them in all, but three of them stood head and shoulder above the rest when it came to their valor and accomplishments. These three men killed hundreds by themselves, they stood and fought when the rest of the army was in full retreat, and they turned the tide and direction of the battle to victory. Their loyalty toward David was without question. They would have died for him at the drop of a hat. You can read about them in II Sam. 23:8-39. David sat in a cave looking over the valley of Rephaim toward his home town of Bethlehem. The Philistine army was not only in the valley below, they were the occupying forces that now controlled Bethlehem. There was a well by the gate in the city of Bethlehem where David had quenched his thirst often. As his mind wandered back to those days he thinks out loud. "Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem." Verse 15 NLT. It was not a command, it was just a thought, but to the three mighty men at his side, their King had spoken. And his wish became their command. These might men of valor marched into the mouth of the Lion and fought across the valley of Rephaim. Blow by blow, step by step until they reached the well by the gate in Bethlehem. As two continue to fight one puts his sword in its sheath, takes the gourd from his side and fills it with water. He then affixes the now full gourd to his side, pulls his sword and joins the battle with the other two. Back across the valley, up the hill to the cave and their they present the gourd of water to their King. David had watched these events take place. As he looks at the gourd filled with the water he had requested, he turns it over and pours the water out on the ground. "The Lord forbid that I should drink this!" he exclaimed. "This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me". So David did not drink it." Verse 17 NLT. It was just H2O, just water. But because of the price that had been paid it became holy water. No longer ordinary, it was holy, set apart unto the Lord. Each time I read this story I think of the price that was paid for you and me. Paul refers to us as having been bought with a price, I Cor. 6:20. Peter calls that price paid, "precious blood", I Peter 1:19. To live our lives selfishly would be like David drinking that water. Because of the price paid for us we are no longer our own. We no longer seek to do our will, but the will of the one who paid the price for us.

There Are No Degrees of LOST

In his book, "End of the Spear", Steve Saint shares the last letter his father wrote at Christmas time in 1955. Nate Saint and five others would be speared to death in the next few weeks. While his thoughts deal with his concern for the Aucas, they touch my heart as he speaks of the attitude that we all should have toward the lost and what it would take to reach them. "Would that we would comprehend the lot of these Stone Age people who live in mortal fear of ambush on the jungle trail...those to whom the bark of a gun means sudden, mysterious death...those who think all men in all the world are killers like themselves. If God would grant us the vision, the word ‘sacrifice’ would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short; we would dispise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ. May God help us to judge ourselves by the eternities that separate the Aucas from a comprehension of Christmas and Him, Who though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor so that we might, through His poverty, be made rich." (Page 309) In our day an age it seems easier to think of the lost if we can see them running around scantly clad and speaking some unknown language. Yet the lost pass us each and every day. They wear nice clothes, smell good, look good, but are just as lost as that savage tribe. As long as people are lost, there will be an urgency to reach them. One day their life will end, just like ours. It may not be at the end of a spear, but death by any means without Christ leaves a soul just as lost. Father open our eyes to the lost in our world. Give us the courage and since of urgency to speak a good word for Jesus.

Ugly People

A bus carrying only ugly people crashes into an oncoming truck and everyone inside dies. When they get to meet their maker, because of the grief they have experienced, He decides to grant them one wish each before they enter Heaven. They're all lined up, and God asks the first one what his wish is. "I want to be gorgeous." So God snaps His fingers, and it is done. The second one in line hears this and says, "I want to be gorgeous too." Another snap of His fingers and the wish is granted. This goes on for a while with each one asking to be gorgeous but when God is halfway down the line, the last guy in the line starts laughing. When there are only ten people left, this guy is rolling on the floor, laughing his head off. Finally, God reaches this last guy and asks him what his wish will be. The guy eventually calms down and says: "Make 'em all ugly again." So, the next time you are last in line...smile!

Old Paths or Old Ruts

If you are a grand parent I am willing to bet that the front of your refrigerator looks a lot like ours. It is literally covered with drawings and pages out of coloring books, the works of art done by our grand children. As time passes the quality of art and ability to stay within the lines improves. Sadly, one day those works of art will stop as maturity sets in. If at the age of 19 or 20 my grand children were to still bring me this child like art, I would be concerned and you would too. My son works for an institution that was established to take care of these type of children who are now living in adult bodies. When bodies mature and minds don’t there is a problem, a big problem. It is especially sad from a spiritual perspective. "You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word..." Heb. 5:12 NLT. The basics are stepping stones to take us on to maturity, or as this same writer calls it, the meat of the word. When some chant long and loud for the "Old Paths", I fear what they seek are the "Old Ruts." The church is going through a process of maturing these days. Maturity brings about change. Truth is still the aim of the pursuit, but truth applied in the 21st Century, not as in the 20th. or 19th., etc. Truth that is based on the meat of the word and not just the milk. There was a period of time when those of my tribe were controlled by a hand full of leaders. Their interpretations and understandings ruled, even though we preached long and hard that we had no official headquarters or governing body. Those days are long gone and may I say good riddance. What has resulted is not only alive, it is refreshing. It is worship that flows from the heart. It is devotion based upon a relationship, and not knowledge alone. We have not arrived. The process of maturity is life long. And what we pass on to the next generation should not be just the "way we did it", but the ideals and principles that caused us to do it the way we did it.

Unseen Hero Has A Simple Formula For Service

Barb and I went to see "End of the Spear" Friday night. It was even more moving that when I saw it during the special screening some weeks ago. Part of the reason may have been that I had finished reading Steve Saint’s book by the same title as the movie, on Friday afternoon. The book picks up with Steve’s return to Waodani to bury his Aunt Rachel. In her early eighties cancer had taken her life after over many many years of selfless service to the Waodani. As I thought about the powerful message of the movie, and the information provided by Steve Saint in his book, that filled in a lot of information not covered in the film, I became impressed with the fact that an untold hero of this whole story was really Rachel Saint. Rachel along with Elizabeth Elliott were the first to go to the Waodani and share the Gospel with them. Rachel translated the scripture into their language. She ministered to the physical needs of this tribe as well as their spiritual needs. From a young woman to a lady in her eighties she lived with them and gave her life for them in selfless service. Steve shares a wonderful insight to this special lady in his book on page 184, "Just before I said good-bye to Aunt Rachel after our last filming session, she grew uncharacteristically sentimental. "Isn’t it something," she asked, "that the Lord Jesus would have used someone like me to do His work in this special place? I was too old by the time I could apply for missionary service. I couldn’t help the Waodani much medically, I was not a Bible scholar, and I was never really a superior translator." I wondered why she was revealing her lack of qualifications for what she had spent half of her life doing. Well, Aunt Rachel, why do you think God gave you the assignment? What do you think He saw in you that He could use?" Her eyes brightened, and this eighty-two-year-old hero of mine responded with a formula for living: "Well, Stevie Boy, I loved the Lord Jesus with all my heart, and I trusted Him completely." She paused before continuing, "And I guess I just learned to persevere in whatever He gave me to do." What a simple yet powerful formula for service. Love Him with all your heart, trust Him completely, and persevere in whatever He gives you to do. "End of the Spear" is now playing.

Where Has Jimmy Been and The Wittenburg Door Green Weenie for 2005!!!!!!

On a recent business trip to Montgomery, AL I was in my motel room early in the morning and flipping channels and there he was, Jimmy Swaggart, on TV again. I had not heard much from him since his spiritual tail spin back in the late 80's, but there he was selling his Expositors Bible for the entire 3o minute program. But apparently he has been doing more than selling bibles. His recent comments about killing gays landed him in the number 11 spont on, The Wittenburg "Preacher Police Blotter" Here's the transcript: "I get amazed, I can't look at it but about 10 seconds, at these politicians dancing around this, dancing around this, I'm trying to find a correct name for it, this utter absolute, asinine, idiotic stupidity of men marrying men." (shouts from crowd) "I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry." (shouts, applause) "And I'm gonna be blunt and plain, if one ever looks at me like that I'm gonna kill him and tell God he died." (laughter, applause) "In case anybody doesn't know, God calls it an abomnation (sic). It's an abomnation (sic)! It's an abomnation (sic)!" (applause) "These ridiculous, utterly absurd district attorneys and judges and state congress and 'well, we don't know'... They ought to, they ought to, they ought to have to marry a pig and live with them forever." (laughter) "I'm not knocking the poor homosexual, I'm not. They need salvation just like anybody else. I'm knocking our pitiful, pathetic lawmakers. And I thank God that President Bush has stated," (applause) "we need a Constitutional amendment that states that marriage is between a man and a woman." (applause)

Swaggart did apologize, but Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy what were you thinking?

But the coveted "Green Weenie award for 2005 goes to Pat Robertson. Here is the award notice from the Wittenburg Door.

"As you might imagine, it has been a BANNER year for religious foolishness, by people with no aim other than to make a buck in God's name. Our stable of wizened media wizards, political wonks and necromancers have been meeting around the clock, trying to narrow the list.

As of a few minutes ago, our exhausted troops finally came to a fateful decision, as the news arrived: Israel is pulling out of a $50 million deal with Pat to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee. Seems Pat's remarks about Sharon's stroke really teed off the Israelis, the US government and American Jewish groups.

We've got no choice gang, Pat Robertson forcefully seizes the day yet once again to claim his rightful prize: The Wittenburg Door Green Weenie for 2005!!!!!!

Congratulations, Pat! No single human being has done more to damage the cause of the Cross in a single year since the hey-day of the Inquisition!!! "

And to think, this guy wanted to be President!

‘End of the Spear’ marks theatrical beginning for filmmaker who never went to movies

(From: Christian Examiner on the Web) By Mark Ellis — ANS OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The man inspired to make the new film “End of the Spear”—about five missionaries slain in Ecuador in the ’50s—never set foot in a movie theater until a few years ago. “I was raised not to go to movies,” said Mart Green, founder of Every Tribe Entertainment. His parents and grandparents never set foot in a movie theater either, and he maintained that standard with his own children. Yet on Jan. 20, he’s set to release a $20 million film about five American missionaries who dared to make contact with one of the most violent tribes ever documented by anthropologists. In “End of the Spear,” Green explores the story that’s never been told before—from the tribe’s perspective, demonstrating the remarkable way God altered the tribe’s brutal behavior. The action film is based on “Beyond the Gates of Splendor,” a documentary he produced shortly after he founded Every Tribe. The original documentary is now available on DVD. Green grew up in a retailing family. His father founded Hobby Lobby, a $1.5 billion chain of arts and crafts stores scattered throughout 28 states. Following his father’s retailing path, the younger Green launched a chain of Christian bookstores in 1981, which grew to 21 mega-stores today. Eight years ago, Green witnessed something that changed the course of his life. On a trip to Guatemala he watched a man receive a Bible for the first time from Wycliffe Bible Translators. “This guy waited 40 years to get his Bible and he wept and wept,” Green recalled. The man’s tears left an indelible mark. Green woke up that night about 2 a.m. with a sense of conviction. “I wasn’t reading God’s Word on a consistent basis,” he admitted. “I made a vow to read God’s Word consistently for the rest of my life.” Shortly after that, a friend invited Green to get involved in a marketing effort for the Bible patterned after the “Got milk” campaign. As he sought the Lord about the right theme and tone to set for their proposed series of 30-second commercials, Green pulled out a tape he had lying on a shelf. It was about the five missionaries: Jim Eliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint and Roger Youderian who were killed in 1956. In the tape, Mincaye, one of the tribesmen who took part in the killings said: “We acted badly—badly until they brought us God’s carvings. Now we walk his trail.” As he listened to the tape while driving in his car, he decided their story fit the theme that most captured the heart of their project: ‘This book is alive.’ “I started weeping in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot,” Green said. He suddenly phoned his friends and said: “I’m working on this 30-second commercial, but someday there’s going to be a movie to help our cause!” Yet he never envisioned it would become his project. (More)

Salvation: Individual or Communal?

John Alan Turner has a discussion going at his blog on this topic. Todays comments were especially insightful and I wanted to share them with you. ""In the beginning, when God was busy creating everything, there is a clear pattern to the Bible's recording of the events. God spoke things into existence, examined them and declared them: "Good". Then, he would do it again. Over and over this happens in the first pages of the Bible. God speaks, things appear, he examines them and says, "That's good." Everything's good -- until he sees something that isn't. Anyone remember the first thing about which the Bible says, "That's not good"? "It's not good for man to be alone." Think about this for a minute. This is before the Fall. Adam exists in unbroken fellowship with God. There is no sin, no shame, no separation. We would be tempted to have a conversation with Adam that looks like this: US: What's wrong with you, Adam? ADAM: I feel like something's wrong.US: Wrong? What could be wrong?ADAM: I don't know. I just feel alone sometimes. US: Oh, Adam, as long as you have God, you're never alone. The problem with that conversation is that it is God himself who chooses the words in this portion of Scripture. And the words he chooses to describe a sinless Adam at this point in time include "alone" and "not good". In other words (and I think I have borrowed this phrase from either John Ortberg or Gilbert Bilezekian), while there is a God-shaped hole in the human heart that no one else can fill, there is also a human-shaped hole in the human heart that not even God himself will fill. And this relates to what we've been discussing here for the past few days. One man, rightly related to God, with no communal experience, is not good."" Wow! Wow! That is powerful. No Lone Ranger Types. Well, even the Lone Ranger had Tonto!

Redemption at the End of the Spear (a review)

By Madelyn Ritrosky-Winslow At the end of the spear lies redemption and forgiveness. It’s the end of the spear as a murderous weapon against fellow human beings. The end of the spear only comes after too many have crossed beyond the gates of splendor. Word play aside, End of the Spear is an emotional dramatic feature that will be in theaters January 20, 2006. Produced by Every Tribe Entertainment, it just won the Heartland Film Festival’s $50,000 grand prize. Screenwriter and producer Bill Ewing said the money would help them realize a 1200-screen release. The film is based on tragic real-life events in the Amazon some fifty years ago. What’s also unusual is that it’s a dramatic translation of Every Tribe’s own documentary feature Beyond the Gates of Splendor. That film won a Heartland Crystal Heart Award in 2002, and was just released this month on DVD. A big news item in 1956 was the murder of five American missionaries (all men) in the remote jungles of Ecuador. But what happened next is what really places this story in the “fact is stranger than fiction” category. Indeed, Every Tribe’s slogan is “truth beyond imagination.” Ewing said they were impressed by the idea of making documentaries and associated feature films. The idea came from the documentary and feature films about music teacher Roberta Guaspari, Small Wonders (1996) and Music of the Heart (1999), respectively. Ewing told me that Every Tribe’s plans are for documentaries about uplifting stories, with at least some of those to be adapted as dramatic features. The uplifting part of the Ecuador tragedy is the determination with which the women – the white Americans and the native women – pursued an end to the cycle of violence within which the Waodani men and their tribal enemies were ensnared. American and native women bravely walked into “enemy” territory; they could forgive. The men had to do the same and put an end to the seemingly endless revenge spearing. The film constructs the men’s journey – rather than the women’s – as the ultimate one. Perhaps this is because the spears were literally in their hands. Perhaps this is because Waodani leader Mincayani (lead actor Louie Leonardo) would become friends with Steve Saint, the son of the man he killed (Steve as an adult played by Chad Allen). Perhaps this is because Mincayani finally confesses to Steve in a huge test of the power of forgiveness. Nonetheless, decisions by all the women were what changed the course of events and became the examples for the men to follow. Years after all this tragedy, Mincayani’s confession to Steve and Steve learning to forgive in the deepest sense serve as the climax of the film. In a highly charged scene, Mincayani puts the spear in Steve’s hands and places himself at the end of the spear, arms wide and looking to heaven. Steve fights the almost overwhelming drive to spear him, forgiveness and redemption finally coming at the end of that spear. Tears were in my eyes at more than one time during this film (and I was not alone). It’s a heart-wrenching story but one that’s ultimately optimistic about the power of forgiveness to heal even the deepest wounds. The acting was good – all the more incredible when you learn that background and many of the supporting tribal roles were played by non-actors, native people where the film was shot in Panama. But it was Leonardo as Mincayani who, in my opinion, gave an outstanding performance as the proud, strong, troubled Waodani leader. Jack Guzman also has a standout role as Kimo, a fellow Waodani who’s the first man to have the courage to lay down his spear. They are familiar faces from their television and film work. The director, Jim Hanon, also co-wrote the script with Bill Ewing. Hanon was the writer and director of Beyond the Gates. (Ewing served as executive producer on the documentary.) Prior to Beyond the Gates, Hanon’s directing resumé consisted of commercials and short films. With End of the Spear, Hanon has made an admirable leap to feature films. So look for End of the Spear in theaters in January.

Jimmy Sites on "End Of The Spear" Movie

Jimmy Sites was Senior Minister for the Madison church for some time and now has his own TV show, "Spiritual Outdoor Adventures" which has 22 airings weekly and a potential viewing audience of over 64 million. Presently Jimmy is a part of the ministry team at New River Fellowship. Jimmy is very familiar with the movie, End of the Spear, and its back ground. Here is a response to an email I sent to our Church E-mail group from Jimmy. My family and I had the priviledge of living for a few days with the Waudoni tribe in the Amazon Jungle this past Spring while I was producing and filming the one-hour documentary that will air in conjunction with the "End of the Spear" movie. There will also be two SOA specials showcasing our adventure with this Stone Age tribe. Lee is right . . . this is the most amazing story of forgiveness and grace that I have ever known of since the first century. This is a "must see" movie. Four of the five killers of the missionaries are still alive and were in camp with us. Two of them slept in our longhouse with us. They are now incredible Christian men and elders of the Waudoni church in the jungle. Steve Saint led us into the jungle. You will see the real Steve Saint and the real Mincaye (the man that killed Steve's dad and now IS Steve's adopted dad) in the credits. Also, in the scene of Rachel Saint's funeral, two of the original killers (Huey and Chemo) are used as actors. You will not see what really happened as they were preparing to film the scene. Huey came in and saw the actress that looked like Rachel Saint in the casket. He began to cry and pray and priase God and this went on for 30 minutes. The director didn't stop it (it cost the film company about $20,000 to let him do this). Once he finished, they shot the scene. Huey and Chemo are in it. Watch for them. They are about 80 years old now, but look more like 50. I have many more amazing stories and cool stuff I brought back from the jungle including spears, blow guns, etc. Would love to share the stories with you sometime. GO SEE THE MOVIE FIRST! Love, Jimmy Sites So, be sure to check your local movie listings for theaters and showing times beginning this Friday the 20th.!

Funeral For Sam Smith

Our Funeral Singers group sang today at the funeral for Sam Smith. I know, it sounds like one of those Joe Doe kind of names, very common, but not this Sam Smith. He was very uncommon. I never met Sam, but think my life would have been better had I had the opportunity. He was described often as the "gentle giant". Sam was a "large" truck driver, that loved to eat, and more importantly, loved people. The service lasted for an hour, but it sure didn’t seem that long. We sang six or seven songs, all contemporary, up beat and happy songs. A trio sang another four or five songs. In addition to Phil preaching the funeral, a family member spoke and a letter from Sam’s wife was read. The whole service was such a wonderful testimony to the life of one who love his family, but more importantly, one who loved his Lord. From the back of the room I could see that there were few dry eyes. I thought of how death leaves such a void when someone who has made a difference in our lives is called home. What a dilemma if leaves for us. From a selfish stand point we don’t want to let go, and at the same time we know that they are experiencing joy beyond out understanding. God calls this transition of one of His children "Precious". Yes God calls death precious. So don’t hold on to tightly to things and people down here. Phil made a wonderful analogy in his lesson. We are all just "green card" visitors here. We have just stopped off for a visit on our journey to eternity. Don’t let your roots here go to deep. That was the problem that Lot’s wife had. She had traded in her green card for full citizenship and sadly paid the price.

Weekend Wrap Up

Yesterday it was 66 degrees, today we have a inch and a half of snow and low forties. Welcome to Middle Tennessee. The motto around here is if you don't like the weather, just stick around until tomorrow and it will change.

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I am reading the book I referred to in yesterdays post, "End of the Spear" by Steve Saint. This whole event that took place 50 years ago this month is one of the most powerful testimonies of how God can and does work in the tragedies that touch our lives. How powerful to see God bring his love and message of salvation to a savage tribe of people who lived to kill in order to live. The fear of death that was ever present was replaced by the peace and love of a God who loved them. Just as the Son died for them, five men willing to also place their lives on the line and die for them, would be a testimony of God's powerful love.

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And finally, someone sent me the following Zen Sarcasm

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.

3. Its always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like 'The Force,' It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up. And MY personal favorite

22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night

END OF THE SPEAR - THE BOOK

End Of The Spear is not only the title of a soon to be released movie, it is also the title of a book written by Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint one of the five missionaries killed 50 years ago this month. While there is only so much detail you can cover in a movie, Steve’s book fills in a lot of the blanks in the story. In just a few short chapters into the book you begin to feel a part of the story as you experience this life changing series of events that would change this family for ever. Be sure and see the movie! And I would also encourage you to buy the book.

Thoughts From Kids

These have to be original and genuine - no adult is this creative!! JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: "Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for coldmilk?" MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six." STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window." BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vainto take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?" SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."DI (age 4) stepped onto the bath room scale and asked: "How much do Icost?" MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Whyis he whispering in her mouth?" CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?" JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wifelooked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?" TA MMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?" The sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust."He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

My Hut Is On Fire!

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?" he cried. Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" Asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering. Remember that, the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. How quick we are to ask WHY? Like Job, we may feel unjustly treated when trials come. But Job learned of a God much bigger than himself. Job saw this with out the benefit of the Cross as a testimony to God’s love for us. Surely in the shadow of the cross we can say with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." Job. 13:15. Can we TRUST the God who created the world, gave us His Son, and promises that nothing, absolutely nothing, will be able to separate us from His Love? Rom. 8:31-39. I do.

A Parting Christmas Thought

My son gave me a book of the quotes of Ben Franklin. While skimming through I came upon this one. Seemed to be fitting as another Christmas season passes. Ben said, "How many observe Christ's birthday; how few His precepts! O'tis easier to keep a Holiday, than Commandments." There is no threat from the baby in the feed trough. But the words of Jesus during the days of His ministery challenged men's hearts to follow Him regardless of the cost. They were called to leave family, livelyhoods and professions. Why was it so urgent? It was the Cause! It was the reason He came! The Souls of men hung in the balance. Is the cause less urgent today? I think not! He still calls for us to leave all and follow Him.

END OF THE SPEAR - A MUST SEE MOVIE

Opens January 20th.

SCARED TO DEATH?

In a study in Cleveland, Ohio, coroners examined the hearts of 15 assault victims who died after being attacked even though their wounds were not life-threatening. Charles Hirsch, one of the researchers, concluded that 11 of the 15 victims had torn fibers and lesions in their hearts, most likely caused by mortal fear. They died because of what they feared might happen, but didn't. That study proved that "scared to death" is more than a casual expression. If fear can put a stop to life, think what else it can put a stop to. It can cancel out opportunities that God sets before us. God opens a door in front of us and we freeze -- we're afraid to walk through. We are afraid of being alone, afraid we'll have no resources, afraid we'll look foolish when we fail. But even if we do fail, God has promised to cause even our failures to be for our good. When God promises to be with us wherever we go, there should be no fear that keeps us from walking through His open doors. Is there an open door that you're afraid to walk through? Don't be. Trust God -- you have nothing to fear with Him by your side. (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 12-9-05)

Off To Montgomery

Still not able to post from the road. So I will catch you when I return. Be sure and check the links column on the left. There are some great blogs there.