Warren's Skins Must Be Very Thick

Eric Hogue, Radio Talk Host and Syndicated Columnist

When you build (give) a house to someone, do you have say…

The story notes “Materials and labor were donated for the home, which would have cost about $450,000 to build. Beazer Homes' employees and company partners also raised $250,000 in contributions for the family, including scholarships for the couple's three children and a home maintenance fund.” But the family used the house for a $450,000 business loan and the business failed. Later from the story: Some of the volunteers who helped build the home were less than thrilled about the family's financial decisions. "It's aggravating. It just makes you mad. You do that much work, and they just squander it," Lake City Mayor Willie Oswalt, who helped vault a massive beam into place in the Harper's living room, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. MSN News Should we ever “feel” (believe) we ’own’ someone, and their decisions, because we gave something to them…? This seems a bit toxic to me; should we care that they tried a business model and it failed. Does God expect us to murmur and grumble because they tried something and it failed? After watching the video you are left with a feeling that this is educational at the core - the wife offers some very remedial excuses as to why they took out $450,000 15-months ago and have nothing left today to pay the mortgage payments. What a sad state of affairs here. Here is the video link.

Community ‘breast feeding’ is now the social norm…

Breast-feeding, what many believe to be the most intimate act between a mother and child, is also generally believed to be an act exclusively between a mother and child. According to experts, however, there is a growing trend of cross-nursing, in which a mother will allow another woman to breast-feed her baby. "I think that it's just not been our social norm," said Morgan McFarland, who has been breast-feeding her friend Sarah Griffith's son since he was just 3 months old. "In some cultures, it is, and you would think nothing of, you know, nursing your neighbor's child if something happened, or nursing your sister's baby if she has to go to work." GMA and ABC News

President Bush on Monday approved the first execution by the military since 1961...

Upholding the death penalty of an Army private convicted of a series of rapes and murders more than two decades ago. As commander in chief, the president has the final authority to approve capital punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and he did so on Monday morning in the case of Pvt. Ronald A. Gray, convicted by court-martial for two killings and an attempted murder at Fort Bragg, N.C., the White House said in a statement. NY Times Tough call until you read about this man’s crimes. With “responsibility comes more responsibility, and a harsher judgment of righteousness. This seems to be the correct call by the President.

What would Jesus tithe; and is it a ploy to keep church funded in down times…?

The Rev. Brian Kluth thinks Christians can figure that out for themselves - after 40 days of prayer, meditation and study of his devotional-style booklet. Kluth, a former fundraiser for Bethel University, has been shipping Twin Cities churches sample copies of "40 Day Spiritual Journey to a More Generous Life," which claims to make tithing a little easier on the heart and the wallet. Among his ideas is that in tough times, donations actually help givers get out of debt by forcing careful budgeting. Twins Cities News And another column inside of the Sacramento Bee today states; Manning praised churches for promoting financial education but cautioned that religious groups also are acting out of self-interest. "If these people are in debt, they can't tithe, and that means the church feels it," he said. "These programs teach that you should tithe first." Sacramento Bee

"Fireproof," is the latest release from the makers of "Facing the Giants"…

The new movie will offer churches a unique opportunity this fall to underscore the importance of a biblical view of marriage. It opens in theaters Sept. 26, but churches already are thinking ahead about ways they can use the movie to help their congregation. Officials with Sherwood Pictures - which made the film - are emphasizing the importance of Christians watching the movie on opening weekend and not waiting until the second weekend. Baptist Press News The skeptic asks; is this movie ‘really’ that good, or is this a ploy to manipulate the Christian marketplace to buy tickets to a movie that is average at best? As one told me, “nothing to see here but marketing greed and church manipulation by guilt over a proclaimed ‘must use (see) ministry’ tool.” Thoughts?

Rick Warren continues to be the target…

Christian broadcaster and author Tom McMahon says evangelical pastor Rick Warren's belief that the church must take the lead in solving the world's problems of poverty, disease, and war cannot be reconciled with the scriptures. Pastor Warren will be hosting an interfaith meeting next month with 30 Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders "to discuss cooperation for the common good of all Americans." Warren's P.E.A.C.E. plan mobilizes churches to address global problems. But McMahon, president of The Berean Call ministry, says the popular Christian author is introducing evangelical Christianity to the social gospel that he learned from his mentor, social scientist Peter Drucker. One News Now

Governor delays order cutting workers' pay in state budget battle…

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will wait until Thursday to sign an order slashing state workers' pay to the federal minimum wage and laying off thousands of other employees to save money during the impasse over the state budget, a spokesman for the governor said Monday. San Francisco Chronicle

Backers of same-sex marriage ban to challenge rewording of Proposition 8...

Proponents of a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriages in California plan to appear in court today to challenge state Attorney General Jerry Brown's rewording of the measure's ballot summary. On the petitions circulated last year to qualify the measure for the Nov. 4 ballot, it was described as a "Limit on Marriage." Sacramento Bee

Air tanker drops in wildfires are often just for show…

The bulky aircraft are reassuring sights to those in harm's way, but their use can be a needless and expensive exercise to appease politicians. Fire officials call them 'CNN drops.' Los Angeles Times I’ve been told they cost nearly $25,000 a drop. If this is true, then we need to scream about this “show”.

McCain talks the talk at San Francisco fundraiser…

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain preached offshore oil drilling, nuclear energy, victory in Iraq and school vouchers to a well-heeled crowd of Bay Area donors at a fundraiser Monday night. Oakland Tribune

McCain defends his tech smarts in San Francisco…

GOP presidential candidate John McCain, fundraising in the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the nation's technology capitals, acknowledged Monday that he isn't a "tech freak" or entirely comfortable with the Internet, BlackBerrys or e-mail. But he strongly disputed criticism that he is "out of the loop" as unfair. San Francisco Chronicle Is this a problem? Should our President be “tech savvy” in 2008? Consider that a majority of our economy rests within the highway, tools and software of the computer and the Internet, you might be a bit bugged by this weakness.

Less driving forces gas prices down…

This year's record-shredding spike in gasoline prices has finally ended, with prices throughout the country falling by more than a penny per day. And American drivers can thank themselves for the drop. San Francisco Chronicle Keep driving less, and less, you are helping to make it more, and more, affordable for me and my car.

Inexperienced scooter riders; please be very careful out there…

But as commuters park gas-guzzling vehicles and opt for scooters, seasoned riders and safety experts worry these drivers are not prepared for a lifestyle change and an entirely different approach to driving. Some worry that the ease by which someone can plunk down cash and hit the road might quickly get some riders in over their heads. Fresno Bee Do we need to force scooter drivers to get a training permit?

Is preacher a killer…?

Tiny town takes sides - This hideaway farm town east of Modesto seemed too small to be torn in two. But that was before a truck sped down a dirt road, past cornfields and nut trees, and flopped into an irrigation canal. That was before people started exploring the bond between the men inside the cab. San Francisco Chronicle

McCain: Obama Blew Off the Troops…

The new John McCain TV ad hitting key states throws Barack Obama some kidney punches in that traditional liberal soft spot: Disrespecting the troops. It is a classic example of what makes modern political advertising alive, well and noxious to the apolitical: It is factually true and contextually misleading. Weblog

Christians have the “best sex” in the world…

Yes, folks... they actually research this. Not sure how they qualify their research, but none the less, they do, somehow. Here's the premise: The closer your walk with God, the better your sex life. Although I wonder if it's the other way around: the better your sex life, the closer you feel to God. Regardless, here's part of the article and findings over at WorldNetDaily...Contrary to popular notions of Christians as sexual prudes, 15 years of study have convinced a psychologist and professor that "knowing" your spouse "in the biblical sense" can be scientifically verified as a fulfilling and spiritual experience. I agree; I believe “knowing” is deeper than just having sex with your spouse. It takes the world’s sleaze out of intercourse, and adds the excitement. World Net Daily and Monday Morning Insight 

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