1. If every one of 110 million American households bought just one ice-cream-cone bulb, took it home, and screwed it in the place of an ordinary 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power a city of 1.5 million people.
2. Compact fluorescents emit the same light as classic incandescents but use 75% or 80% less electricity.
3. A $3 swirl pays for itself in lower electric bills in about five months.4. Compact fluorescents, even in heavy use, last 5, 7, 10 years. Years. Install one on your 30th birthday; it may be around to help illuminate your 40th.
5. The single greatest source of greenhouse gases in the United States is power plants–half our electricity comes from coal plants. One bulb swapped out: enough electricity saved to turn off two entire power plants–or skip building the next two.
6. In terms of oil not burned, or greenhouse gases not exhausted into the atmosphere, one bulb is equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the roads.
7. Last year, U.S. consumers spent about $1 billion to buy about 2 billion lightbulbs–5.5 million every day. Just 5%, 100 million, were compact fluorescents.
8. In the next 12 months, starting with a major push this month, Wal-Mart wants to sell every one of its regular customers–100 million in all–one swirl bulb.
9. Early CFLs cost $25 per bulb (and still paid for themselves in electricity savings). The light they produced was bluish or pinkish, or varied; the phosphor coating had to be refined. The ballast–built into the bulb rather than in a separate fixture, as with traditional fluorescent tubes–hummed and didn’t cycle the electricity quickly enough; it had to be made electronic and miniaturized. Costs came down, as did size. The same wizardry that gives us Hallmark birthday cards that play “Love and Happiness” makes possible CFLs at $2.60 instead of $25.
10. A 60-watt classic bulb and a 15-watt swirl are identically bright–the swirl just uses 45 fewer watts. Source: FastCompany
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
My response to Fox Sports article on why Football is better than Soccer
Out of the 30 or so ideas, only one of two of them are decent...here are my responses...
Why Futbol is better than Football.
● Champion of the World…not just the United States of America and Canada, while attempting to exploit Mexico and Japan.
● Overtime give both teams an equal chance.
● Having the World Cup every four years makes the championship more prestigious.
● A third place match is just another way to make more money and watch a great game. It’s a surprise that we haven’t thought of this yet.
● It’s great to see Americans get pissed because France can beat them in a sport.
● Futbol pitches don’t have cheerleaders…this allows for more room for seats, so the fans can get much closer to the field.
● Futbol does not have scantily clad women who are paid to cheer…this is true…but what they do have is painted on bikini wearing fans that do it for the love of the game.
● Magic Spray is better than going back to the locker room to get an injection of pain killers so a player can finish the game.
● Football is played for 5 seconds…rest for 40 seconds…play for 5 seconds…rest for another 40. Must be exhausting.
● Players don’t need a helmet to head butt someone.
● Players play offense and defense…very few American football players can do that.
● Quarterbacks slide so not to get hit…futbol players slide to knock someone on their ass.
● Leave it to Football to make fun of the kicker…who quite frankly, is usually underpaid for someone who kicks the ball for the winning points in close games.
● Not allowing unlimited substitutions shows us what an athlete is made of. Futbol players don’t take breaks after every tough play.
● At least in Futbol…when someone is offside, the play is in action. How smart can a player be if they line up offside from the beginning?
● Leave it to America (and maybe Japan’s Sumo wrestling) where overweight players is something to be proud of.
● Futbol has more blood…Ask the American captain.
● In Futbol, the plays are changed on the fly. You don’t set up and try to figure it out before the play starts.
● Instead of trying to get better, America just says that if we lose to Ghana, we should quit. Great attitude.
● No commericial breaks. 45 straight minutes of action per half.
● Futbol fans are better at math. While Football fans have their time counted down, Futbol fans can figure out how much time is left on their own.
● One referee cannot perfectly keep track of 22 players on the field. If the ref didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. In the NFL, you have at least five referees for 22 players and they still can’t get it right. They have to use a replay because they can’t do it on their own.
Why Futbol is better than Football.
● Champion of the World…not just the United States of America and Canada, while attempting to exploit Mexico and Japan.
● Overtime give both teams an equal chance.
● Having the World Cup every four years makes the championship more prestigious.
● A third place match is just another way to make more money and watch a great game. It’s a surprise that we haven’t thought of this yet.
● It’s great to see Americans get pissed because France can beat them in a sport.
● Futbol pitches don’t have cheerleaders…this allows for more room for seats, so the fans can get much closer to the field.
● Futbol does not have scantily clad women who are paid to cheer…this is true…but what they do have is painted on bikini wearing fans that do it for the love of the game.
● Magic Spray is better than going back to the locker room to get an injection of pain killers so a player can finish the game.
● Football is played for 5 seconds…rest for 40 seconds…play for 5 seconds…rest for another 40. Must be exhausting.
● Players don’t need a helmet to head butt someone.
● Players play offense and defense…very few American football players can do that.
● Quarterbacks slide so not to get hit…futbol players slide to knock someone on their ass.
● Leave it to Football to make fun of the kicker…who quite frankly, is usually underpaid for someone who kicks the ball for the winning points in close games.
● Not allowing unlimited substitutions shows us what an athlete is made of. Futbol players don’t take breaks after every tough play.
● At least in Futbol…when someone is offside, the play is in action. How smart can a player be if they line up offside from the beginning?
● Leave it to America (and maybe Japan’s Sumo wrestling) where overweight players is something to be proud of.
● Futbol has more blood…Ask the American captain.
● In Futbol, the plays are changed on the fly. You don’t set up and try to figure it out before the play starts.
● Instead of trying to get better, America just says that if we lose to Ghana, we should quit. Great attitude.
● No commericial breaks. 45 straight minutes of action per half.
● Futbol fans are better at math. While Football fans have their time counted down, Futbol fans can figure out how much time is left on their own.
● One referee cannot perfectly keep track of 22 players on the field. If the ref didn’t see it, it didn’t happen. In the NFL, you have at least five referees for 22 players and they still can’t get it right. They have to use a replay because they can’t do it on their own.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Colbert Report steals my ideas
For those of you who watch the Colbert Report on Comedy Central, more specifically, saw the episode on Monday April 17, 2006, you will notice that a lot of my previous post made it into the show. Perhaps we share a bit of creative genius, or they stole my idea, which ever it is, it was a good show. Of course, I can't prove that some writer viewed my blog, but oh well, I can dream.
Jesus riding on huge chunks of ice...where do people come up with this crap?
Jesus riding on huge chunks of ice...where do people come up with this crap?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Does Jesus use ice to "walk on water"?
There was an article posted on MSN.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12152740/?GT1=7938 this evening that has tried to explain the supossed miracle of Jesus walking on the water, which can be found in John 6:16-21. The story is as follows.
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Now people have been attempting to use science to explain away the miracles of Jesus. Thats fine. People need to write their doctoral dissertations on something, but in my opinion, this concept does not make the story any less miracilous.
Lets say that the article is right. That there were huge pieces of ice that were large and stable enough for a person to stand on. Now, even if that was true, Jesus would have had to ride a chunk of ice for 3 miles in rough water with very high winds. Plus, the man would have been in sandals...floating on a huge chunk of ice...in nearly frozen water. Thats a miracle in and of itself.
Seriously...what kind of idiot thinks that a person rode a slab of ice for 3 miles in crappy weather...that is quite honestly the dumbest thing I've ever heard of in regards to someone trying to explain away a miracle.
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Now people have been attempting to use science to explain away the miracles of Jesus. Thats fine. People need to write their doctoral dissertations on something, but in my opinion, this concept does not make the story any less miracilous.
Lets say that the article is right. That there were huge pieces of ice that were large and stable enough for a person to stand on. Now, even if that was true, Jesus would have had to ride a chunk of ice for 3 miles in rough water with very high winds. Plus, the man would have been in sandals...floating on a huge chunk of ice...in nearly frozen water. Thats a miracle in and of itself.
Seriously...what kind of idiot thinks that a person rode a slab of ice for 3 miles in crappy weather...that is quite honestly the dumbest thing I've ever heard of in regards to someone trying to explain away a miracle.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
MLK...a new view of the holiday
For the longest time, MLK jr day has been just another day off. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, I have always had a day to sleep in on the monday closest to January 15th. Also, because my brother shares the same birthday as King, we were more inclinded to spend it doing something he enjoyed instead of going to a parade in King's honor.
If I had not had an experience concerning Martin Luther King jr two weeks ago, this post would not be written and my blog would remain dormant, but an article in today's Express-Times greatly annoyed me.
The president of the Bethlehem NAACP has been pushing for all of the Bethlehem Area School District employee's to have off. All students and teachers have off, but 23% of employee's had to come into work on the federal holiday.
In my humble opinion, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Can anyone tell me that what the Rev. King wanted was for the country to take a day off from work? If someone can successfully argue to me that it is better to honor the birth of one of America's greatest men by having a day off from school instead of going to school and actually learning something important on that day about King's civil right's movement, then I will shut up forever about the subject.
Instead of giving students the day off so a handfull of them can attend a parade of poor quality, why are they not in school, spending the day being educated about King and what he stood for?
That's what the NAACP should be fighting for, for more education, not for less. That's what Rev. King was about. Education. He let the world know about what atrocities were being committed against people of color.
Everyone complains that the fight is still going on. We all need to work harder to make the civil right's movement, the equality of all humanity, a reality, but fighting for a day off from work and school just will not cut it.
All organizations that believe in what King stood for need to embrace the idea that a day off for students and teachers to honor such a man is wrong. When they realize this, maybe, just maybe, people will begin to see what the holiday is all about.
If I had not had an experience concerning Martin Luther King jr two weeks ago, this post would not be written and my blog would remain dormant, but an article in today's Express-Times greatly annoyed me.
The president of the Bethlehem NAACP has been pushing for all of the Bethlehem Area School District employee's to have off. All students and teachers have off, but 23% of employee's had to come into work on the federal holiday.
In my humble opinion, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Can anyone tell me that what the Rev. King wanted was for the country to take a day off from work? If someone can successfully argue to me that it is better to honor the birth of one of America's greatest men by having a day off from school instead of going to school and actually learning something important on that day about King's civil right's movement, then I will shut up forever about the subject.
Instead of giving students the day off so a handfull of them can attend a parade of poor quality, why are they not in school, spending the day being educated about King and what he stood for?
That's what the NAACP should be fighting for, for more education, not for less. That's what Rev. King was about. Education. He let the world know about what atrocities were being committed against people of color.
Everyone complains that the fight is still going on. We all need to work harder to make the civil right's movement, the equality of all humanity, a reality, but fighting for a day off from work and school just will not cut it.
All organizations that believe in what King stood for need to embrace the idea that a day off for students and teachers to honor such a man is wrong. When they realize this, maybe, just maybe, people will begin to see what the holiday is all about.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Lebenslaufe
Today was the first day of "class" without the real class stuff. We began the morning at 8:30 with worship, and then broke up into small groups of about 10 students each and told our Lebenslaufe. I will copy the info on what a Lebenslaufe is, but it basically means your life story. At first I was a bit anxious to tell it, but after doing it, it felt like eveyone in the room was family, which is a wonderful way to begin the school year, or in my opinion, any small church group.
Guidelines for Lebenslaufe.
Each of us comes to new relationships and new situations with a unique life history. This life history is usually a series of stories which have particular meaning to us. Re-telling those stories in the presence of persons who have not heard them before enables us to discern new meanings of those stories and allows the others to relate to us with more depth and understanding.
The guidelines below are designed to provide some structure for the telling of your story. Using these categories, tell your story in 15-20 minutes and then allow others 5-10 minutes to react and comment to it.
1. Summary Information. Name; age; matiral status; number, age and sex of your children (if any); birthplace and "hometown;" names and ages of parents and siblings with note of any who are deceased; present employment, hobbies and interests.
2. The Meaning of Your Birth. Each of us recieves an oral tradition about how our birth was recieved and handled by parents and significant others; give your understanding of this.
3. Injunctions. Most of us recieve specific moral or religious injunctions from parents and significant others throughout the course of our development. Examples of these include, "You will never be as good as (sibiling);" "You are too... (serious, childish, scatterbrained)... for your own good;" "God expects you to... (behavior, vocation)."
4. Major Losses and Dissapointments. List these and any meaning you have given to them. these would include bereavements, separations, failures.
5. Major Successes and Transforming Events. These would include religious experiences, promotions, achievements, marriage, births of children, etc. which have had some transforming effect on your life. Give particular meaning ascribed to these events.
6. Medical History. Includes suffering or significant changes in your health; may be covered in (4) or (5) above.
7. Socio-cultural History. Cultural heritage, geographical moves, family rituals which have shaped your understanding of the world.
8. Religious History. Baptism, confirmation, converion, changes in denomination, early religious memories, etc. which have shaped your life.
9. Key Relationships. If not mentioned above, note family members, pastors, teachers, mentors, heros, friends, enemies, authors, etc. who have had a significant impact on your life.
The above material can either be given in these catagories or in chronological fashion with these catagories being noted in each era, or chapter, of one's life.
I would suggest you pick a Saturday that most people in your group can attend and take a break between every third story. Try to keeps group limited to 9 people or less.
Guidelines for Lebenslaufe.
Each of us comes to new relationships and new situations with a unique life history. This life history is usually a series of stories which have particular meaning to us. Re-telling those stories in the presence of persons who have not heard them before enables us to discern new meanings of those stories and allows the others to relate to us with more depth and understanding.
The guidelines below are designed to provide some structure for the telling of your story. Using these categories, tell your story in 15-20 minutes and then allow others 5-10 minutes to react and comment to it.
1. Summary Information. Name; age; matiral status; number, age and sex of your children (if any); birthplace and "hometown;" names and ages of parents and siblings with note of any who are deceased; present employment, hobbies and interests.
2. The Meaning of Your Birth. Each of us recieves an oral tradition about how our birth was recieved and handled by parents and significant others; give your understanding of this.
3. Injunctions. Most of us recieve specific moral or religious injunctions from parents and significant others throughout the course of our development. Examples of these include, "You will never be as good as (sibiling);" "You are too... (serious, childish, scatterbrained)... for your own good;" "God expects you to... (behavior, vocation)."
4. Major Losses and Dissapointments. List these and any meaning you have given to them. these would include bereavements, separations, failures.
5. Major Successes and Transforming Events. These would include religious experiences, promotions, achievements, marriage, births of children, etc. which have had some transforming effect on your life. Give particular meaning ascribed to these events.
6. Medical History. Includes suffering or significant changes in your health; may be covered in (4) or (5) above.
7. Socio-cultural History. Cultural heritage, geographical moves, family rituals which have shaped your understanding of the world.
8. Religious History. Baptism, confirmation, converion, changes in denomination, early religious memories, etc. which have shaped your life.
9. Key Relationships. If not mentioned above, note family members, pastors, teachers, mentors, heros, friends, enemies, authors, etc. who have had a significant impact on your life.
The above material can either be given in these catagories or in chronological fashion with these catagories being noted in each era, or chapter, of one's life.
I would suggest you pick a Saturday that most people in your group can attend and take a break between every third story. Try to keeps group limited to 9 people or less.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
A great article from the July/August issue of The Moravian by the retired Rev. Willard R. Harstine.
Worship Wars
"Guess what? They used guitars in church today. It got way too loud!" "The organ prelude sounds like a concert to me; I came to worship, not be entertained." "The service today was almost 75 minutes...that's too long." Why can't we sing some of those good old hymns instead of these new ones that nobody knows." "I can't believe we're having communion again--we just had it a couple of weeks ago." " I can't see any reason to read four scripture lessons during the service when the sermon is based on only one."
Comments like these represent a kind of warfare going on in our congregations today. These comments and many others reveal that Sunday corporate worship has become a battleground in come churches where a mixture of ideas and approaches tends to satisfy no one. In most settings the liturgical battles are fairly mile, many of them unspoken. But in some quarters harsh words are exchanged openly, while members, musicians, and even pastors come and go based upon what is happening during the weekly service of worship.
The worship war zone has intensified in recent years due to the introduction of new books of worship, a profusion of new hymns, the popularity of Christian contemporary music, liturgical innovations by creative leaders, and a widespread misunderstanding of what worship is all about in the first place. When members voice concern about worship, they are striking at the heart of congregational life. Nothing is ore important for God's people than their weekly gathering on the Lord's day to praise God, deepen their faith, commune together, and commit themselves to the ongoing task of Christian living. If there is discontent with worship, there is certain to be unease about the congregation's life in general. The place to re-establish a solid base for congregational life is in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. A church grows or declines through its worship. A church lives or dies on Sunday mornings.
Worship is a large topic, and people have a variety of options about it. After all, worship has been around for a long time. The Church developed its service around two ancient practices: (1) the familiar Jewish synagogue service which included scripture lessons, interpretations, prayer, songs, and blessings; and (2) the Eucharist/Lord's Supper/Holy Communion which Jesus shared with the disciples the night before he was crucified. These major elements of worship have endured though time and we still gather for worship in the 21st century anticipating these liturgical features.
People today become confused and angry because worship means much to them; and not knowing the tradition, each person wants the service to procede as he or she prefers. Every member desires, above all, to "get something" out of the service. So if the music isn't too my taste, if the order of worship is different than expected, if the service is running too long and my stomach begins to growl, or, heaven forbid, if the sermon does not speak to me! -- then there must be something wrong with the worship in our church. And since others feel the same way, but have different opinions about how to "fix" worship, warfare breaks out, either above or underground. What can we do?
Pastors, elders, worship leaders, worship committees and concerned members must begin to take the weekly act of corporate worship more seriously than ever before. The life of the Church depends upon getting it right. What would "getting it right" entail? Three things: honor the purpose of worship, plan effective and complete worship, and encourage lively participation in worship.
First, we must understand that the purpose of worship is to come before God, praise God, hear from God, and respond to God. The focus of worship is God, not us. Worship should point us to God, not ask God to accommodate all of our whims and desires. God-centered worship, though Jesus Christ our Lord, is the basic starting point for worship renewal.
Second, let us plan worship that includes all the important elements, set in a proper order, as it has come down to us in the tradition. Just as we would not think of eating a meal that is deficient in various foods, we should not plan worship that is lacking in basic elements. A service therefore will include praise, confession of sin and absolution, the reading of scriptures, preaching, confession of faith, prayers of intercession, offerings, table fellowship and dismissal, with hymns and special music sprinkled throughout. Each one of these stages of worship will be taken seriously and planned so as to speak for us and to us, furthering our connection to the Lord and deepening our trust in the One who has called us together as a community of faith.
Third, let all worshippers particiapte actively in the service. For example, when there is an "Amen," let the people voice it with enthusiam. When a hymn is sung, let the choir help the congregation to sing heartly. The word "liturgy" means the people's work. Worship is work, not leisure or entertainment. It is the corporate work of the faithful as they gather weekly to express themselves as God's community pointed towards the coming reign of Christ. So all must willingly sing together, confess together, listen together, give together, pray together and eat together in order that God's will may be done on earth. Anything less than aggressive participation is an affront to God and diminishes the Church's witness.
Worship, when rightly conceived, planned and offered brings the people alive as a rejoicing congregation. God is honored, approached, and heard. The world sees evidence of the reign of God in history. Worship wars come to an end. The peace of Christ is with us all. Amen.
Worship Wars
"Guess what? They used guitars in church today. It got way too loud!" "The organ prelude sounds like a concert to me; I came to worship, not be entertained." "The service today was almost 75 minutes...that's too long." Why can't we sing some of those good old hymns instead of these new ones that nobody knows." "I can't believe we're having communion again--we just had it a couple of weeks ago." " I can't see any reason to read four scripture lessons during the service when the sermon is based on only one."
Comments like these represent a kind of warfare going on in our congregations today. These comments and many others reveal that Sunday corporate worship has become a battleground in come churches where a mixture of ideas and approaches tends to satisfy no one. In most settings the liturgical battles are fairly mile, many of them unspoken. But in some quarters harsh words are exchanged openly, while members, musicians, and even pastors come and go based upon what is happening during the weekly service of worship.
The worship war zone has intensified in recent years due to the introduction of new books of worship, a profusion of new hymns, the popularity of Christian contemporary music, liturgical innovations by creative leaders, and a widespread misunderstanding of what worship is all about in the first place. When members voice concern about worship, they are striking at the heart of congregational life. Nothing is ore important for God's people than their weekly gathering on the Lord's day to praise God, deepen their faith, commune together, and commit themselves to the ongoing task of Christian living. If there is discontent with worship, there is certain to be unease about the congregation's life in general. The place to re-establish a solid base for congregational life is in the sanctuary on Sunday morning. A church grows or declines through its worship. A church lives or dies on Sunday mornings.
Worship is a large topic, and people have a variety of options about it. After all, worship has been around for a long time. The Church developed its service around two ancient practices: (1) the familiar Jewish synagogue service which included scripture lessons, interpretations, prayer, songs, and blessings; and (2) the Eucharist/Lord's Supper/Holy Communion which Jesus shared with the disciples the night before he was crucified. These major elements of worship have endured though time and we still gather for worship in the 21st century anticipating these liturgical features.
People today become confused and angry because worship means much to them; and not knowing the tradition, each person wants the service to procede as he or she prefers. Every member desires, above all, to "get something" out of the service. So if the music isn't too my taste, if the order of worship is different than expected, if the service is running too long and my stomach begins to growl, or, heaven forbid, if the sermon does not speak to me! -- then there must be something wrong with the worship in our church. And since others feel the same way, but have different opinions about how to "fix" worship, warfare breaks out, either above or underground. What can we do?
Pastors, elders, worship leaders, worship committees and concerned members must begin to take the weekly act of corporate worship more seriously than ever before. The life of the Church depends upon getting it right. What would "getting it right" entail? Three things: honor the purpose of worship, plan effective and complete worship, and encourage lively participation in worship.
First, we must understand that the purpose of worship is to come before God, praise God, hear from God, and respond to God. The focus of worship is God, not us. Worship should point us to God, not ask God to accommodate all of our whims and desires. God-centered worship, though Jesus Christ our Lord, is the basic starting point for worship renewal.
Second, let us plan worship that includes all the important elements, set in a proper order, as it has come down to us in the tradition. Just as we would not think of eating a meal that is deficient in various foods, we should not plan worship that is lacking in basic elements. A service therefore will include praise, confession of sin and absolution, the reading of scriptures, preaching, confession of faith, prayers of intercession, offerings, table fellowship and dismissal, with hymns and special music sprinkled throughout. Each one of these stages of worship will be taken seriously and planned so as to speak for us and to us, furthering our connection to the Lord and deepening our trust in the One who has called us together as a community of faith.
Third, let all worshippers particiapte actively in the service. For example, when there is an "Amen," let the people voice it with enthusiam. When a hymn is sung, let the choir help the congregation to sing heartly. The word "liturgy" means the people's work. Worship is work, not leisure or entertainment. It is the corporate work of the faithful as they gather weekly to express themselves as God's community pointed towards the coming reign of Christ. So all must willingly sing together, confess together, listen together, give together, pray together and eat together in order that God's will may be done on earth. Anything less than aggressive participation is an affront to God and diminishes the Church's witness.
Worship, when rightly conceived, planned and offered brings the people alive as a rejoicing congregation. God is honored, approached, and heard. The world sees evidence of the reign of God in history. Worship wars come to an end. The peace of Christ is with us all. Amen.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
This was the back of todays bulletin...I thought it had a good message.
Past our own pain.
You are tired. You have just received a message about a close family member dying. But people are calling for your help. You want to rest, but there seems to be no letup. Finally, you relent and do what you can to help. The message today is about just such a story.
The Miraclous feeding of the 5000 is depicted in all four gospels. In Matthew, Jesus has just heard about John the Baptist's beheading. He is greiving and looks for a place to be by Himself. The respite is only temporary, and the crowd again call upon Jesus.
Jesus heals the sick and the suffering around Him. Confronted with the needs of all the people gathered, Jesus does something that can be explained only through divine intervention. He feeds the crowd of over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Henri Nouwen, who wrote volumes about the suffering servant, notes that ministry is done not only when things are going well, you are feeling great and life is good; ministry is demanded when you too are suffering. It demands that each of us "bandage our own wounds" and, transcending our own suffering, bring God's presence to those who need God's help.
Today, past your own physical or spiritual limping, think of ways that you too can help those in need of Jesus' healing and the salvation that He alone brings. Do what you can for those who cry out in physical and mental anguish. As you minister to others, tell them about Jesus. Feed them the spiritual food that they need, not only for this day, but also for all eternity.
Robert M. Peek Sr. Pastor of Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church, Winston Salem, NC.
Past our own pain.
You are tired. You have just received a message about a close family member dying. But people are calling for your help. You want to rest, but there seems to be no letup. Finally, you relent and do what you can to help. The message today is about just such a story.
The Miraclous feeding of the 5000 is depicted in all four gospels. In Matthew, Jesus has just heard about John the Baptist's beheading. He is greiving and looks for a place to be by Himself. The respite is only temporary, and the crowd again call upon Jesus.
Jesus heals the sick and the suffering around Him. Confronted with the needs of all the people gathered, Jesus does something that can be explained only through divine intervention. He feeds the crowd of over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Henri Nouwen, who wrote volumes about the suffering servant, notes that ministry is done not only when things are going well, you are feeling great and life is good; ministry is demanded when you too are suffering. It demands that each of us "bandage our own wounds" and, transcending our own suffering, bring God's presence to those who need God's help.
Today, past your own physical or spiritual limping, think of ways that you too can help those in need of Jesus' healing and the salvation that He alone brings. Do what you can for those who cry out in physical and mental anguish. As you minister to others, tell them about Jesus. Feed them the spiritual food that they need, not only for this day, but also for all eternity.
Robert M. Peek Sr. Pastor of Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church, Winston Salem, NC.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
I choose the name of this blog from my second favourite Christian band, Audio Adrenaline. Its most in response to my dislike of what seems to me, many Christians feeling that we ought not to be prosecuted or put down. We hear how much we out to have our Christian values placed in the government, our judicial buildings, and in the general view of all others around us. It seems that many Christians do not deisre to be persecuted, to be meek, to choose to be hateful instead of loving (not wanting homosexuals in our church).
The song reminds me that as Christians, we are called to be the underdog. To be prosecuted, hated is something we ought to cherish and be thankful for, we should never hope to remove it all from our public lives. Too often we wish to look like better Christians on the outside and weak Christians on the inside than having a strong, personal relationship with Christ and have a meeker, less judging attitude with the secular world.
I don't think its because they don't want to be this way, I just think that many people don't know any better. The problem is that you never hear the point of view of those who have it right, you one's we see and hear, the ones who have the biggest auidence for those who are seeking true Chistanity, they just don't get the fact that we are called to be underdog.
"I've been beat up, been broken down, no where but up when your face down, on the ground. I'm in last place, if I place at all, but there's hope for this underdog. And thats the way we like it."
The song reminds me that as Christians, we are called to be the underdog. To be prosecuted, hated is something we ought to cherish and be thankful for, we should never hope to remove it all from our public lives. Too often we wish to look like better Christians on the outside and weak Christians on the inside than having a strong, personal relationship with Christ and have a meeker, less judging attitude with the secular world.
I don't think its because they don't want to be this way, I just think that many people don't know any better. The problem is that you never hear the point of view of those who have it right, you one's we see and hear, the ones who have the biggest auidence for those who are seeking true Chistanity, they just don't get the fact that we are called to be underdog.
"I've been beat up, been broken down, no where but up when your face down, on the ground. I'm in last place, if I place at all, but there's hope for this underdog. And thats the way we like it."
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