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RSS This BlogIt looks like Sen. Dean Florez reads the New York Times - at least occasionally. The Shafter Democrat is holding a press conference today to propose offering free gasoline as a prize in the California Lottery. Florez whipped off a letter Tuesday to the lottery director, Joan Borucki, shortly after reading in the Times that five other states are trying something similar. "I think some folks would say, 'Why not me?' " Florez said of prospects for attracting people who usually don't buy lottery tickets. After writing Borucki, Florez trumpeted his plan to the media -- not unusual, perhaps, for someone considering a run for lieutenant governor.
Federal regulators prepare to tighten mortgage rules -- In California, Gov. Schwarzenegger signs a bill requiring an early warning on problem loans. Maura Reynolds in the
Schwarzenegger wants mandatory algebra test for eighth-graders -- An algebra war has broken out in the top levels of government that could cause shock waves in middle schools across the state. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday urged the California State Board of Education to require that all eighth-graders be tested in Algebra 1. If the board agrees during a meeting today, it would mark a huge shift for California middle schools. Deb Kollars in the
Mt. Shasta glaciers expand in spite of global warming -- Global warming is shrinking glaciers all over the world, but the seven tongues of ice creeping down Mount Shasta's flanks are a rare exception: They are the only long-established glaciers in the lower 48 states that are growing.
Judging the bridge's 5 suicide barrier designs -- Changing the design of a landmark such as the Golden Gate Bridge is sure to provoke controversy - even if the goal is to save lives. The idea of installing a suicide barrier has been debated and researched for decades, but a study released Tuesday is the most comprehensive to date, analyzing five designs (shown here) to prevent people from leaping to their deaths. Michael Cabanatuan in the
The eBay listing reads, "You are looking at/bidding on a very contemporary out of the box Pastor. As you can tell by the pictures He preaches and teaches in a very unorthodox manner. He does it without compromising the true written word of God. He and his family has chosen to go this route of putting themselves on the market in hopes to find a church that is untraditional and is ready to reach their community. He and his family will consider relocating in the continental United States. For any questions or more information feel free to email Pastor Chad. Currently, the bidding is at $1.00. Shipping is $3,000. What do you think? Good idea, or bad?
Are we here to make friends? Take a look at this clip from today‘s culture of reality TV shows (on the link provided), and then let's discuss; how does this relate to your church role? Are you here to make friends? Obviously, it's in your best interest to not tick people off intentionally; but is there ever a point where friendships can hinder your ministry?
Lawyers for evangelist John Hagee had a series of videos concerning the pastor removed from YouTube. The clips spanned from the contentious to the mundane; some included footage lifted from sermons Hagee had already made public, others involved documentaries made by filmmakers inside Hagee's conventions. All told more than 120 videos were taken down in the abrupt sweep. The timing was, perhaps, more peculiar than the move itself. Clips that had been online for well over a year were now being subjected to "third-party" copyright infringement claims. And while Hagee had not been in the mainstream press since he and Sen. John McCain ended their official relationship a month prior, Hagee's Christians United for Israel annual summit is just days away, and at least one prominent McCain backer (Sen. Joseph Lieberman) is set to be in attendance. Should a pastor/evangelist ‘ever’ demand that his ‘sermons’, teachings be removed from the Internet? Is this a copy right violation, or nothing more than a ‘save face’ lawsuit?
According to the CourierMail website: "A church group is being paid $1000 a day to look after serial pedophile Dennis Ferguson after he was relocated to an isolated area in Queensland. Police Minister Judy Spence said the 60-year-old was being housed on the church group-owned property after last week being run out of a remote community. "A well-respected, Christian-based group has agreed to provide support to Ferguson and keep him settled. The group was being paid $1000 a day to provide support to Ferguson and keep him settled. Founder of child advocate group Bravehearts Hetty Johnston said she understood people did not want Ferguson in their community. What would you do if your church was asked to look after a local pedophile for $1000 a day? Is this something that California churches should consider? What about your church?
From the Washington Post about churches that are re-thinking missions trips. This is the first I have heard of things like this: a church in Mexico being painted six times in one summer by six different church groups, or a church in Ecuador that was built and never used because the community said it wasn't needed... Does this really happen? And, if so, why? Then there was this quote in the article by one senior pastor: "It became too hard to justify the expense of flying the kids overseas. "If you're going to paint a church, you can do that in Florida as easily as you can in Mexico." (from the blogger) I have nothing against domestic missions trips. But I thought that the purpose of an international trip was the whole experience of a different culture; helping people who are less fortunate, and sharing your faith. Sure, you can do that in Florida, but it seems like you'll miss an important things you'd experience on an international trip. Should we invest in “short term missions” to benefit the one traveling on the trip, versus the people we are trying to minister to and love?
Here is an interesting concept of forgiveness:
Steal from a church their trailer, and you may get a blog response such as this; First let me say, God loves you. Second let me say we forgive you. We really don’t want to forgive you, but God says we should so we do. And it continues... I am curious what kind of low-life you must be? Trust me, I have been around some pretty low ones before but never one that would be so low as to steal from a church. I understand you probably need some crack or something like that but stealing from a church would scare me. It would scare me more once I realized which church I stole it from. We are probably the only church you have ever heard of that will honestly break your legs once you are found.
Is this the type of forgiveness we should offer to the community conversation? I know many people are tired of the ’wimpy Jesus’ model, as they say…but is this the character of Jesus?
