tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629095103208339992024-02-07T17:07:07.653-08:00a theology of coffeea sample of some of my writing i am putting out and like good coffee i hope it's smooth but vibrant enough to bring you back for another taste...cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-5007201115795432812019-02-14T04:00:00.003-08:002019-02-14T04:00:27.152-08:00the SBC on NPRAnother story about sexual abuse in the SBC, many are floating out there, including follow ups to the one I recently posted. Here is one NPR recently posted. <br />
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<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/02/13/694174991/southern-baptists-face-calls-for-criminal-probe-into-sexual-abuse-report" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2019/02/13/694174991/southern-baptists-face-calls-for-criminal-probe-into-sexual-abuse-report</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-68725682927306288762019-02-10T03:09:00.001-08:002019-02-10T03:09:14.737-08:00Houston, or rather SBC, We Have a ProblemI encourage all members of SBC churches to go and read this report. <br />
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<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/investigations/article/Southern-Baptist-sexual-abuse-spreads-as-leaders-13588038.php?fbclid=IwAR0e2-3JIH25dpwev8T6jlJzeimmul6yW1cSE605nHjoe8H7z-Hm9YB7-o8" target="_blank">sex abuse in the sbc</a><br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-87189721820374533582018-12-06T04:29:00.001-08:002018-12-06T04:53:49.161-08:00Politics in the Pulpit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nx-Mq2C90DpAeCy8uHVv1N_JuCBdR0WWO65ESXv5Zc8HBZL2ZamMYiwzW2277tmXo-njvkZvBkKbrqdNH4R3_VVGxccTlnmURzuzGdkSgJu8ZxvYuhBgTWHwSR3k3Btd0T1NEWDDXaFi/s1600/politics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nx-Mq2C90DpAeCy8uHVv1N_JuCBdR0WWO65ESXv5Zc8HBZL2ZamMYiwzW2277tmXo-njvkZvBkKbrqdNH4R3_VVGxccTlnmURzuzGdkSgJu8ZxvYuhBgTWHwSR3k3Btd0T1NEWDDXaFi/s1600/politics.jpg" /></a></div>
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One of the best things about faith is that it evolves. I do not believe in the same way that I did when I was 13 because although I am the same person I am also different. I have grown, evolved, changed. Some for the better, some for the worse.<br />
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Faith is not a one time thing that happens and is over. It is like the ghosts of Christmas in the play, it is past, present and future. In other words, we are saved, we are being saved and we will be saved.<br />
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It is also true of our faith in general terms and not just salvific, we are ever evolving, ever changing, some things stay the same, some things change and some things change and then reset back to the way things were years before.<br />
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So be careful of absolutes, some things never change and are of primary importance, but there are not as many as you might think.<br />
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Read the following article and take it as an example.<br />
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<a href="https://medium.com/@timothyisaiahcho/back-to-the-future-john-macarthur-on-the-moral-authority-of-the-presidency-2e405f8abf76" target="_blank">https://medium.com/@timothyisaiahcho/back-to-the-future-john-macarthur-on-the-moral-authority-of-the-presidency-2e405f8abf76</a><br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-7152860824694111692018-11-24T08:32:00.001-08:002018-11-24T08:46:21.775-08:00A Modern Parable-a Retelling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DeEh9Qg1sMjg3XSgr4722JAE5_Ing2UlEfk4_rizPdvLo16mdIFGxYvXUZqF1hmneOJvnM61xZFNBhyphenhyphenItQXF6FCjoIFXJAzsT-_hmhOGAwmhS5QVfjztliX3VefJYTKr55ac6vMN4T-w/s1600/caravan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DeEh9Qg1sMjg3XSgr4722JAE5_Ing2UlEfk4_rizPdvLo16mdIFGxYvXUZqF1hmneOJvnM61xZFNBhyphenhyphenItQXF6FCjoIFXJAzsT-_hmhOGAwmhS5QVfjztliX3VefJYTKr55ac6vMN4T-w/s1600/caravan.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">An immigrant from a caravan was traveling from Honduras to the United States, when </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">away, leaving him half dead. An officer from the border patrol happened to be </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">patrolling along the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">side. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So too, a political leader, when he saw the immigrant, passed by on the other side. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But a Syrian, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him he took pity on him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He bandaged his wounds, gave him food, water and medicine. Then he put the man in his borrowed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">truck, brought him to his house and took care of him. The next day he took out a small loan and put up his business as collateral. 'It's all I have he said,' but when I return I will bring you more for any extra expenses I might have and my family will help cover any future expenses.' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the immigrant? </span></div>
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cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-68533095185234497652018-10-31T04:56:00.002-07:002018-10-31T04:57:56.442-07:00Halloween is Not for the Devil<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSQ9reyyPhYgp5jWef21EkDF1fRrNEMzszq3dbntBEVZswX9kE_zhjwKPMRv-PhyphenhyphenaBXL5d88cT0RhyqTetGS1qcqtKsBC7DGLxuisGh6Qg0hgbhTFgISTQfCn-hPeodNdkDPtfi1rUTfs/s1600/pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSQ9reyyPhYgp5jWef21EkDF1fRrNEMzszq3dbntBEVZswX9kE_zhjwKPMRv-PhyphenhyphenaBXL5d88cT0RhyqTetGS1qcqtKsBC7DGLxuisGh6Qg0hgbhTFgISTQfCn-hPeodNdkDPtfi1rUTfs/s1600/pump.jpg" /></a></div>
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I was browsing the internets as one does and I came across a local preacher, who shall remain nameless. He was going over the usual talking points about Halloween being a celebration of evil, Satan, etc and so I thought I would leave some reading for this holiday, which I have always viewed as an opportunity to get more candy, but as always read and decide for yourself. Links below.<br />
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Get candy, be informed and brush your teeth regularly.<br />
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<a href="https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/2000/10/surprise-halloweens-not-a-pagan-festivalafter-all.aspx?" target="_blank">https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/catholic/2000/10/surprise-halloweens-not-a-pagan-festivalafter-all.aspx?</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/open-book/no-28-concerning-halloween/" target="_blank">http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/open-book/no-28-concerning-halloween/</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-38377059073134443122018-09-30T07:44:00.001-07:002018-09-30T07:44:06.486-07:00Am I wrong? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZeBE-eRHHPDyxA_UjYCZPNRumyCLNNfXETI_RjKui59GsCyJ29DIWzY1Q2R0izbk8P-SBvfvR3ql8TR-JzfqIfDhchOZ59A9MudaqJYySv7-LZf9oiR7QhVHxJBh2yqHMYhynsE_-RXt/s1600/lewbowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZeBE-eRHHPDyxA_UjYCZPNRumyCLNNfXETI_RjKui59GsCyJ29DIWzY1Q2R0izbk8P-SBvfvR3ql8TR-JzfqIfDhchOZ59A9MudaqJYySv7-LZf9oiR7QhVHxJBh2yqHMYhynsE_-RXt/s320/lewbowski.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Nationalism is a religion and war is its liturgy."<br />
-Stanley Hauerwas<br />
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While riding my bike a few days ago I came across two vastly different images. First I passed by a church, beautiful colors, stained glass, manicured lawn, swept walkways. Next, and maybe a hefty stone throws away was a run down house (a few in fact) with an overgrown yard, a shabby porch, on the porch sat the occupant of the house, smoking a cigarette and maybe 6 feet away lay a dead cat. Flies swarmed around it. <br />
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It got me thinking about a lot of things. It was startling. The contrasting images. <br />
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The news surrounding Judge Brett Kavanaugh has been viewed in two very different ways. There are those who view it as a vile attack on a man due to his views and as politically motivated. There are others who side with Dr. Christine Ford and see this in a completely different light, they want the truth and an investigation. <br />
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Two completely different images. <br />
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However you view this story, chance are, you already made your decision. Chances are no matter what facts are established or not established you have already decided who you believe. <br />
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There's an interesting little phenomenon called Confirmation Bias. For a quick definition that is helpful, check out this article. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-choice/201504/what-is-confirmation-bias" target="_blank">confirmation bias</a><br />
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We tend to believe what we want to believe. We tend to interpret information to bolster our interpretation of facts. This is true of politics, this is true of faith, this is true of how we view people. <br />
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How do we break out of that shell? How do we think differently? How do we quit looking at the stained glass and see the dead cat? <br />
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There are lots of ways but one important step is to consider the title of the book that Snoopy wrote and mull it over in our mind. Have an open mind, have an open heart. Listen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqSM5QndO3jkTdBsMjSGcGV_sDx3G7Eizs4Vr_YcleQ7HzKQJdQi6thkszvnPx9wfFilqCfinB5gbxUnx6r2C_Jv42TGU3FgZnc_x9n6lpNSjv9RHae0HM2iMzl0ImrRZYKmHfmt0qg5G/s1600/snoopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqSM5QndO3jkTdBsMjSGcGV_sDx3G7Eizs4Vr_YcleQ7HzKQJdQi6thkszvnPx9wfFilqCfinB5gbxUnx6r2C_Jv42TGU3FgZnc_x9n6lpNSjv9RHae0HM2iMzl0ImrRZYKmHfmt0qg5G/s320/snoopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-6107434197334103002018-09-17T15:29:00.003-07:002018-09-17T15:29:45.671-07:00Simplicity Goes a Long WayI came across this and I thought I would share, I am always leary of having all the answers and of others who think they do. Sometimes simple is better. Read and be encouraged. <br />
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<a href="http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/82924" target="_blank">http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/82924</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-70858103877260724592018-09-13T04:41:00.002-07:002018-09-13T04:41:19.437-07:00Misusing Persecution and an Update<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3lN1vpHDgG6ncRW22MiDp-dAfiSkkZvdtjCvgY00lvUaSX6_K60mrdEPthr5fa9G8GMBScazeOkwGkbArndjdBYQQmw-qX5mLvougSiWvAio87Z-m-eL0Nqq7qgEBX0kn3V2Z2DlzXGo/s1600/persecute+meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3lN1vpHDgG6ncRW22MiDp-dAfiSkkZvdtjCvgY00lvUaSX6_K60mrdEPthr5fa9G8GMBScazeOkwGkbArndjdBYQQmw-qX5mLvougSiWvAio87Z-m-eL0Nqq7qgEBX0kn3V2Z2DlzXGo/s1600/persecute+meme.jpg" /></a></div>
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For those interested in all things evangelical, leaning toward the fundamentalists side, here's an interesting article to read. Lots more stuff going on in the world but I just found this of interest, read and draw your own conclusions as per usual.<br />
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<a href="http://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-latest-news/masters-university-president-calls-allegations-against-school-untrue-persecution-247370" target="_blank">http://www.hometownstation.com/santa-clarita-latest-news/masters-university-president-calls-allegations-against-school-untrue-persecution-247370</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-56959162970255609552018-08-28T17:13:00.004-07:002018-08-28T17:13:57.837-07:00Summer's GoneDo you ever miss your childhood?<br />
All those summer days and carefree afternoons of riding bikes and chewing bubble gum<br />
Old washed out jeans and worn-in sneakers, walking everywhere and riding your bike<br />
even further?<br />
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What about those purple-pink sunsets that signaled the days end right by the gas station, 3 blocks from your house?<br />
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The trees on your street, the stairs to your house, the next door neighbors dog?<br />
Do you miss them very much?<br />
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Cold lemonade and pockets full of change and the nighttime sounds<br />
of a thousand crickets talking to each other, you can almost hear the sound<br />
No music needed, the symphony is played for free in your local hometown<br />
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That very first kiss, the days you missed at school and stayed home sick<br />
but you really missed your friends<br />
and you still miss them now<br />
Skating rinks, skateboard wheels and playing tag until you fall on the ground<br />
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Late night calls and bouncing off the walls, to find something to do<br />
Bored and lonely, longing to be free<br />
And now we are and we long to go back and be<br />
a child for one more Summer day<br />
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If time would slow down I'd visit that old town and maybe call a friend<br />
so we could walk those streets again<br />
and chase fireflies in the park<br />
watch shooting stars and talk about our kids<br />
maybe we could even bring them around<br />
againcslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-40699866528308210832018-08-26T04:37:00.002-07:002018-08-26T04:38:28.153-07:00Johnny Mac is Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnn87H82vysZyUmRWwdQjXVgfN4gf70Z6wTcIpxVqRNzxKZSrBca1QusIOdLZfsAzsM2CJWuLVIoVGC5SDezLwoeOLaVHYDbTijuzONqVkPEJnhKW1ieMdQdOh0JLK399TcVmCSc4tb94/s1600/macarthur+cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnn87H82vysZyUmRWwdQjXVgfN4gf70Z6wTcIpxVqRNzxKZSrBca1QusIOdLZfsAzsM2CJWuLVIoVGC5SDezLwoeOLaVHYDbTijuzONqVkPEJnhKW1ieMdQdOh0JLK399TcVmCSc4tb94/s1600/macarthur+cartoon.jpg" /></a></div>
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Some more news for those interested in the modern John MacArthur news bites or those interested in the LBGTQI community and the way Christians ought to/or ought not to address it, depending on your viewpoint.<br />
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Just full disclosure, I was first introduced to John MacArthur back in 1999 at a small church I was serving at and would listen to tapes as I would drive back and forth to serve as the youth/children's associate pastor. I ate up the teaching. I read his books, etc. After a while I tired of the teaching and now am not a fan. I needed that teaching for that season in my life and thoroughly benefited from it.<br />
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But I have moved on. Read and make your own decisions as to what you think.<br />
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<a href="https://www.wthrockmorton.com/" target="_blank">John MacArthur on social justice</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-61215903303582014952018-08-17T04:31:00.000-07:002018-08-17T04:31:00.964-07:00Interesting John MacArthur News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIemB6svXkQuuHMBVh20SL8-Eyo9ZQjrnsJN8Nc4BdSzHG32zgHM7J7SJqyASFMcj2jm7Jaj4yw7ZRuBhbldhnoSD69C_NXLZCSVMqEb9aK0n5tu58U_IFO5tLjl8jFq1G62Nvh9AY8bX/s1600/johnny+mac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIemB6svXkQuuHMBVh20SL8-Eyo9ZQjrnsJN8Nc4BdSzHG32zgHM7J7SJqyASFMcj2jm7Jaj4yw7ZRuBhbldhnoSD69C_NXLZCSVMqEb9aK0n5tu58U_IFO5tLjl8jFq1G62Nvh9AY8bX/s1600/johnny+mac.jpg" /></a></div>
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For those of you that read John MacArthur or follow his ministry I thought I'd share the following, I found it interesting, be informed as always. <br />
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<a href="https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2018/08/17/the-masters-university-placed-on-probation-by-regional-accrediting-organization/" target="_blank">https://www.wthrockmorton.com/2018/08/17/the-masters-university-placed-on-probation-by-regional-accrediting-organization/</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-7989530970151904072018-07-28T13:41:00.001-07:002018-07-28T13:53:23.081-07:00Hugs over Handshakes Hugs Over Handshakes...<br />
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We have all sorts of individualized rituals in our communities, states, countries and even amongst peer, social groups and best friends. Secret handshakes, certain phrases with a specialized meaning. Inside jokes, levels of respect that key in on certain people groups differently or single others out.<br />
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In many parts of the world we have the handshake, it's a respectful, if informal, way to greet someone. Your handshake says a lot about you. Case in point, President Trump's says a lot about him. We'll leave that for another day but if you care to read more about that particular issue you can check out this interesting article<br />
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<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-handshakes-2017-3#angela-merkel-chancellor-of-germany-6" target="_blank">A Closer Look at Trump's Handshakes</a><br />
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While the handshake is a very Westernized greeting it is well known worldwide as a common greeting just like the traditional gesture of bowing is not only known in Asian cultures but is highly publicized and practiced in other cultures and traditions worldwide.<br />
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The idea of rituals got me thinking of a ritual that we, at least in the community I am a part of, practice. Maybe you practice it too. When you encounter someone you know, or don't know, or don't know that well; a common practice, to break the awkwardness, to pass pleasantries, is to communicate with some form of the following:<br />
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Person 1: How's it going?<br />
Person 2: Pretty good, how 'bout you?<br />
Person 1: Pretty good, pretty good.<br />
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Sound about right? The million variations that inevitably swim through your head as you read this depend on a few variables. How well do you know the person who is approaching you? What time of day is it? How old are you and the other person? What is the context of the conversation? There are more variables but this is a blog post not a paper so we'll leave it at that for now. So here's another example:<br />
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Person1: Mornin'!<br />
Person2: Mornin'! You doin' all right t'day?!<br />
Person1: I'm doin' I'm doin' ! How 'bout ya'self?<br />
Person2: Can't complain!<br />
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I've got 50 other examples but 2 will suffice. But instead of asking how people are doing all the time. Which no one cares about anyway. I want to offer an alternative. I just thought about this as I was waking up from a nap. What if instead of all the small talk, we just went with a "Hey!" and moved in for a hug? I mean there are different variations of small talk with different variables, how about different levels of hugs? We are such a divisive and distant society. Maybe something as simple as changing a simple greeting with some physical contact would do us some good. Oh it's a silly example I know but sillier things have been suggested. <br />
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Here are some variations for fun.<br />
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For the people you don't know that well: Pat 2 times with a giant brief hug.<br />
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For the people you know well but haven't seen in forever: Grab firmly and hug tightly while patting on the back over and over, number of times may vary.<br />
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For the people you are just being polite to: Brief embrace with one brief pat and a nice smile.<br />
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For the people you see all the time and have to constantly hug and are tired of hugging: Hug briefly like a giant handclap, one time on the back, big embrace. Boom your done.<br />
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More hugs, less drugs. More embracing less complaining. Less small talk and more real talk. More being genuine and less fear from embracing others. We all need each other.<br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-9316377811682575102018-07-01T05:53:00.000-07:002018-07-01T05:54:21.673-07:00Southern Baptist History & Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPqouqgtjbxM_qsENqr24Hx4Eadf4zYCi12_qbcSXTTDVIpUENFAQ08jtBF9xEVuXFhOigW2PfmF9B_eIoIiMggNQL-A4e3BpuFMoOrFBnHtRR9HhTLJF8nHawsWVFhq_1fq2olOoGMl5/s1600/trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPqouqgtjbxM_qsENqr24Hx4Eadf4zYCi12_qbcSXTTDVIpUENFAQ08jtBF9xEVuXFhOigW2PfmF9B_eIoIiMggNQL-A4e3BpuFMoOrFBnHtRR9HhTLJF8nHawsWVFhq_1fq2olOoGMl5/s1600/trump.jpg" /></a></div>
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For those of you who grew up in Southern Baptist Churches the clip I've linked below will be interesting if you are a student of the history of the denomination. Or if you are simply into the politics of the SBC it might serve as a bookmark in the history of the church.<br />
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This is one of the landmark message in the Convention, there is an annual message every year (not sure how far this goes back but it's been going on for awhile) and Dr. Gregory gave it in 1988. He is not affiliated with the SBC that I am aware of anymore but he was then. I could be in error, I am simply making this post before sorting out the details. You can look it up and correct me.<br />
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But listen to the message below, if you don't know the history of the SBC it will not make much sense but if you do it's a great listen. Great preaching and great instruction. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMyEUl8B4No" target="_blank">The Castle and the wall by Joel Gregory</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-83804750091880367942018-06-30T05:04:00.001-07:002018-06-30T05:04:53.266-07:00Church signs<br />
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When I travel around the state and go to different prisons to help out I see all sorts of church signs. Some listing service times, others listing upcoming events. Some simply have a scripture verse with the reference. <br />
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There are digital signs, hand -painted signs, some with the plastic cover and black plastic letters you can change out to spell the words you want. Some even have quotes from famous leaders and authors. Some, on rare occasion have a snide remark, a sneaky reflection, those are the rare ones I like, here is such a sign I came across in an article I read, enjoy, whether you agree with the authors sentiments or not, it's an eye catching sign to be sure.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/kahumikala/status/1008193093760237568/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1008193093760237568&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Frelevantmagazine.com%2Fgod%2Fheres-the-church-sign-of-the-week%2F" target="_blank">i was a stranger</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-4160597973541285932018-06-20T18:05:00.001-07:002018-06-20T18:12:25.485-07:00Mom's Home...<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">“I always wondered why God was supposed to be a father," she whispers. Fathers always want you to measure up to something. Mothers are the ones who love you unconditionally, don't you think?” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7128.Jodi_Picoult" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Jodi Picoult</a></span><br />
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..."Honor one another above yourselves."-Romans 12;10B<br />
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My son will often come dashing out of his room into the living room for no apparent reason. I will look up, his sister will ignore him because that's what she is used to doing, the cat will jump up, and he will look toward the door, which I just shut and say, "oh" in a disappointed tone, "I thought mom was home"<br />
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Everything is better when mom is home.<br />
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By "mom", I mean my wife and mother of my children, but also the person who makes our home feel like a home. It might be different in your house, if so that's completely fine, maybe someone else is "mom", maybe you and your 6 iguana's make up your household and you are the 60 year old single father and you, and only you are the "mom", no shame in that.<br />
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But I have no iguanas.<br />
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But everybody has their centerpiece, we all have that someone who is the lynchpin, the element who makes everything work better. Their personality, their work ethic, they just make you feel...well, they make you and everyone else in your home feel more like yourself.<br />
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The house feels like a home, the family feels more connected, the stress feels a little more manageable and the future a little more bright. Because, mom is home.<br />
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The door opens and the one you love, the one everyone loves, is finally home.<br />
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The house breathes a sigh of relief, everyone settles down because you feel in your heart, in your very bones that everything will be taken care of now. You know questions will be answered, fears will be quelled and love will be returned with the tender compassion of someone who loves you exactly the way you are.<br />
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I don't know about you but I thank my God every day that my son, my daughter and especially myself have a home that is so much better, so very much better when mom is home.cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-10153398692001846312018-05-31T04:05:00.001-07:002018-05-31T04:05:16.538-07:00New developments in the SBC<br />
New developments in the SBC for those interested in that sort of thing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/paige-patterson-fired-southwestern-baptist-seminary-sbc.html" target="_blank">https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/may/paige-patterson-fired-southwestern-baptist-seminary-sbc.html</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-51203043692779838212018-05-23T16:56:00.002-07:002018-05-23T16:56:10.480-07:00SBC LeadershipJust thought this article needed to be shared. Read and share. Be informed. <br />
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/05/22/southern-baptist-leader-encouraged-a-woman-not-to-report-alleged-rape-to-police-and-told-her-to-forgive-assailant-she-says/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4ae762917e95" target="_blank">sbc leadership we have a problem</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-4750657400053039222018-05-09T14:14:00.000-07:002018-05-09T14:19:27.884-07:00Preaching as Art<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb-dm3SYcLeAuVieryFBHnBEBWMRjDmWq1i9BOuIhYcOhngy4Tn3gnmPmXaJFTuXrRxC1LbOyGb2EObUq1Z_0kdu40RMIG39LBq3Z_hDDoe2BqWtT5i3hrw2fRR0-Ksjj_B90TR76y99h/s1600/sermon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb-dm3SYcLeAuVieryFBHnBEBWMRjDmWq1i9BOuIhYcOhngy4Tn3gnmPmXaJFTuXrRxC1LbOyGb2EObUq1Z_0kdu40RMIG39LBq3Z_hDDoe2BqWtT5i3hrw2fRR0-Ksjj_B90TR76y99h/s1600/sermon.jpg" /></a></div>
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Preaching is more an art form than a calling.<br />
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I say that now but I would not have said that nor would I have believed that 10 years ago. I have many reasons to believe that and I won't really go into all of them, it's not prudent but I will say that we have too many churches and not enough good churches and too many preachers and not enough pastors.<br />
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We've all had our share of doctors, lawyers, preachers and other professionals who work somewhere but are not necessarily very good at their chosen profession. And lets be honest, preachers/pastors, ministers or whatever you want to call someone who works at a church, priest, clergy, etc....is a chosen profession, in other words, it's a job. The only way you can really say it's a calling is if it's volunteer and you don't get paid. Otherwise you are doing a job and you get paid, like the rest of us, no better no worse. As the old saying goes, you get paid to be good and the rest of us are good for nothing.<br />
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Baylor University has put out the most effective preachers in the English language again and it's an interesting list. While I certainly don't endorse every speaker on the list, I do enjoy and listen regularly to quite a few. I would particularly encourage a careful listen to Joel Gregory and Thomas Long, 2 very different approaches to preaching but both fantastic craftsman of the gospel message.<br />
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With that in mind perhaps a quick word of preachers I used to listen to when I was in the ministry before I branched out more. John MacArthur. I used to listen to his tapes all the time and actually learned a lot from him. But John MacArthur is not anyone I listen to anymore because if I want to listen to a lecture I listen to someone actually qualified to give it and John is not such a one with the academic credentials nor is he particularly known to be receptive to anyone else's opinion or criticism, he sits in his own ivory tower. He's not on the list but he's well known.<br />
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I don't listen to John Piper anymore either, he was someone I used to listen to on occasion but he's just needlessly confusing and tries to be too dense for his own good. He's passionate but he's often said things that are blatantly stupid and I can't, in good conscience, listen to someone like that. He's on the list and quite well known in reformed circles, his books are quite good but not an easy read.<br />
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All the others I've listened to, some are better than others but I would still encourage you to give them a try and branch out some. Baylor also did a survey many years prior with similar results with a few different names, check out that list as well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.baylor.edu/truett/index.php?id=951217" target="_blank">2018 list of most effective english preachers</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/news.php?action=story&story=1036" target="_blank">1996 list from Baylor of the most effective english preachers</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-8002897063909653972018-04-10T17:23:00.000-07:002018-04-10T17:23:37.932-07:00Bill Hybels Resigns<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0z7t3RVjHfZG27Q6t6eHiKs4tPmBTqyWhlEGOfNr07u2clGGGp3oV7-9iDYLZ5b15QJZRjfERNLk_VnalKP-U3HLWMiH6wKr9h1ASaK4p6zRpoQP4_q51QG6Wk4pnjT90kXPsCfY-305/s1600/hybles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0z7t3RVjHfZG27Q6t6eHiKs4tPmBTqyWhlEGOfNr07u2clGGGp3oV7-9iDYLZ5b15QJZRjfERNLk_VnalKP-U3HLWMiH6wKr9h1ASaK4p6zRpoQP4_q51QG6Wk4pnjT90kXPsCfY-305/s1600/hybles.jpg" /></a></div>
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Another megachurch celebrity has resigned. The Evangelical community, it seems, has become just as bad as the Catholic church with it's sex soaked and scandal plagued community. Bill Hybels, pastor of the megachurch Willow Creek has resigned effective immediately. <br />
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He denies, of course, all accusations. He has multiple accusers, including multiple elders who have been at the church for decades who accuse him of multiple things. <br />
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Check out some blogs with further info here: <br />
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<a href="http://thewartburgwatch.com/" target="_blank">http://thewartburgwatch.com/</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-68973436248748154382018-03-25T07:32:00.002-07:002018-03-25T07:35:02.963-07:00What Kind of Neighbor Are You? <br />
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<b>"Love your neighbor as yourself"</b> -Mark 12:31a<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;">It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;">A beautiful day for a neighbor, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;">Would you be mine? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 19.2px; text-align: center;">Could you be mine? </span><br />
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-Fred Rogers<br />
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What makes a good neighbor? In the Scriptures we have many examples. The good Samaritan, who was an unexpected choice. The loving father of the prodigal who was an embarrassment to his community is another unexpected example. Or maybe the one leper who returned to thank Jesus, those who are thankful often turn into helpful and considerate neighbors, Luke 17.<br />
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Obviously the neighborhood of Mr. Rogers, both real and make believe make a great community. From Mr. McFeely (who as best as I could find is still alive at the age of 79, probably not as speedy with his deliveries anymore but still just as loved by his friends and neighbors) to King Friday to Lady Fairchilde and the groundbreaking Officer Clemmons, the list goes on and on.<br />
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There are over 1,000 episodes of the Mr. Rogers neighborhood, quite a few more if one includes the various specials that were produced. There are numerous television programs, actors and even Youtube shows that got inspiration from this show, the most widely known is probably Daniel Tigers's Neighborhood.<br />
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That sounds like a pretty solid neighborhood to me and one that's growing. Because a neighbor is not just someone who lives in close proximity to you. And your neighborhood is not just what's around your block, it's your community all around you.<br />
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It's the schools, it's the churches, it's the gas stations and street corners, the nice houses and the run down junkers. It's the low paying jobs and the overpaid ones. It's the disabled and the hospitals, the nursing homes and the mechanic changing oil.<br />
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It's my sister-in-law and the neighbors she is introducing to our community through Cornerstone Transition Home. It's the chance for a change and the opportunity to start over. It's a clearing away what everyone else has written in the sand, dusting off our hands and leaving the slate clean for a fresh, exciting story.<br />
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Lots of people are, have been and will be asking, "Won't you be...my neighbor"<br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-20210644906402581962018-03-23T02:56:00.000-07:002018-03-23T02:56:02.866-07:00Remember the Neighborhood? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mr. Rogers was a much beloved character that many of us grew up with or have at least heard of. The tv show he created and starred in, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood lasted for 33 years, quite a run. He was an ordained Presbyterian minister and also quite handy at the piano as he created most of the shows music. <br />
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Sorry to deflate all your hopes but Mr. Rogers, Fred Rogers, was not in the military, not a sniper and had no tattoos. Look it up and check out Snopes if you like. He was very inclusive, liberal by most Southern Evangelical standards but mostly he was just kind. <br />
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He liked Eddie Murphy's SNL take on him, he was groundbreaking in many of the avenue's his show took. His mother made all those sweaters he wore on the show. He was a vegetarian, and unless somebody has something new I haven't read I've never found anyone that has encountered him to have anything bad to say about him. He was genuinely nice all around. Hard to imagine, harder to come across in this day in age. <br />
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He has a stamp commemorating his tv show and him that comes out today, go pick it up at your local post office. Mr. Rogers truly made life beautiful. Make today the same for others. <br />
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<a href="https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/mister-rogers-S_477204" target="_blank">https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/mister-rogers-S_477204</a><br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-22053821240304353352018-03-15T20:59:00.003-07:002018-03-15T21:01:25.420-07:00Donald Trump Has Trouble with the Truth<br />
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"Buy the truth and sell it not..." -Proverbs 23:23a<br />
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All people lie. All politicians lie. All presidents lie. But not on this scale. This seems to be something special. This seems, dangerous? Absurd? I'm not sure. Read and judge for yourselves and draw your own conclusions. Tip your servers on your way out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/?utm_term=.a4e4d289510f" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/?utm_term=.a4e4d289510f</a><br />
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<br />cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-32926400362938107422018-03-14T09:31:00.000-07:002018-03-14T09:31:25.093-07:00Enough<br />
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Just a link today, pictures are more powerful than words....more thoughts later. <br />
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<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielsanchez/photos-from-the-student-walkouts?utm_term=.gokgn68rR#.sr20xVBO4" target="_blank">https://www.buzzfeed.com/gabrielsanchez/photos-from-the-student-walkouts?utm_term=.gokgn68rR#.sr20xVBO4</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-60215741856466646802018-02-23T05:02:00.001-08:002018-02-23T05:29:46.814-08:00School Shootings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVIf3-k1111n34ZNQRy5VtR6ggEyltYyPBqvXsuRIQffE5NQiX0h3RHRBVmQRcOYofc9JBbbFNOy7y-m_g8G5QcLc74nITHizmo1-AKEnYAiusGTjVb7uWuVitVt8rL5iV0DtQp1u7ykh/s1600/school+shootings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVIf3-k1111n34ZNQRy5VtR6ggEyltYyPBqvXsuRIQffE5NQiX0h3RHRBVmQRcOYofc9JBbbFNOy7y-m_g8G5QcLc74nITHizmo1-AKEnYAiusGTjVb7uWuVitVt8rL5iV0DtQp1u7ykh/s1600/school+shootings.jpg" /></a></div>
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An article for you to read about the violence associated with school shootings and a link to a website with some statistics. Granted everyone can find some stats to back up their line of thinking. And Buzzfeed is no pantheon of journalistic integrity but read and make your own conclusions. I think there are some telling issues here.<br />
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<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/corneliagriggs/how-to-fix-a-bullet-shattered-heart?bfsource=bbf_enus&utm_term=.uvr1xm2E4#.swyKvJ2a4" target="_blank">school shootings</a><br />
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<a href="https://everytownresearch.org/school-shootings/5837/#3170" target="_blank">school shootings in america</a>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762909510320833999.post-3439183342145334632018-02-18T07:06:00.001-08:002018-02-18T11:00:34.522-08:00We Don't Need Your Thoughts & Prayers <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6oZ40xPAI9-Clf0F0xTUzr3mZPZw8QIIca0TgZuYXlQAErWZjAkv6wvpAYl_iwAZU3P3YnqLg24SMbIdnTRENcROzqKA6mUamtehO-FsuNP4MqKbw4BPS-u2mVsVvQFwraYhsnFSXGiH/s1600/prayers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="591" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6oZ40xPAI9-Clf0F0xTUzr3mZPZw8QIIca0TgZuYXlQAErWZjAkv6wvpAYl_iwAZU3P3YnqLg24SMbIdnTRENcROzqKA6mUamtehO-FsuNP4MqKbw4BPS-u2mVsVvQFwraYhsnFSXGiH/s320/prayers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another shooting, yes, another one. If we do nothing then we are complicit. We have been, for a long time, a nation who allows it's children to die at school, so we can have our guns. We allow innocent club goers, concert goers, people enjoying a night on the town, all these innocent weekend dwellers to be gleaned from families and communities. We offer our thoughts and prayers. And we go back to placing our order at the drive thru, clicking on our baskets on Amazon, sending our texts.<br />
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Make no mistake about it, we will be held accountable. We are damning ourselves with our laziness, with our excuses and with our justification for keeping things just as they are. Because it will soon happen so frequently that it will happen 100 miles away instead of 1000 and then it will happen to someone we used to know and then it will show up in our Facebook feed and then it will happen to someone we went to school with, then it will happen in the town a few miles down the road.<br />
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And then our own children will be involved. Will it matter then?<br />
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I like what one woman did in the story I've linked to below, click it and read, I may just do this. I need to do more and I plan to, because I've never contacted my senators or any political representative for that matter. I need to and I plan to because it's not all up to them, it's up to us. I"m a parent and I plan to say something. (See James 2:14-17)<br />
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<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/woman-mails-thoughts-and-prayers-check-809846?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=yahoo_news&utm_campaign=rss&utm_content=/rss/yahoous/news" target="_blank">thoughts and prayers</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Ezek-33-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="chapternum" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; bottom: -0.1em; box-sizing: border-box; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;"><b>Ezekiel 33:1-6</b><span style="font-size: 24px;"> "</span></span>The word of the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> came to me:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-33-2" id="en-NIV-21283" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>“Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21283A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21283A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21283B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21283B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-33-3" id="en-NIV-21284" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21284C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21284C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> to warn the people,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-33-4" id="en-NIV-21285" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21285D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21285D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21285E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21285E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-33-5" id="en-NIV-21286" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21286F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21286F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-21286G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-21286G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-33-6" id="en-NIV-21287" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.<b>"</b></span></span>cslewis3147http://www.blogger.com/profile/12289363975357101232noreply@blogger.com0