In his article on "Doing Church in Babel," Mike Glenn writes, "When I began my ministry more than 20 years ago, there was a basic list of primary assumptions in the communities where I served. People generally agreed there was a God, He created the world, and He had standards by which we should live. Even the town drunk would confess to 'believin' in Jesus.' You could begin any discussion on right and wrong with the phrase made famous by Billy Graham, 'The Bible says.'
"Now, Christians have to be able to build a philosophical case for Christianity before we begin to build a theological case for Jesus. Our culture has no overriding concept of truth, right, wrong, good, evil or any of the other concepts you would think reasonable people would have to agree on for civilized society to be, well, civilized. In the words of Judges, 'Everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes.' People may come to see things from your point of view, but they will not recognize any authority outside of themselves. Truth is negotiable and personal."
Also in the March-April 2012 Issue of Preaching: Enjoy an interview with Tullian Tchividjian; an excerpt from Charles Swindoll's newest book Saying It Well, "Illustrating So People Will Listen"; the "Annual Review of the Year's Best Books for Preachers" and "The Year's Best Books in Preaching"; sermons: "Preaching Through Joshua," "Let Your Yes Be Yes" and "The Day God Sued His People"; plus much more. Click here to subscribe today (or call toll free 1.800.527.5226 to begin your subscription).
John Cassis tells the story related to him by a customs officer at the U.S.-Canada border: "A man came through one day with his 4- or 5-year-old son. The customs officer asked the man if he had anything to declare. The man said no, but he looked suspicious; so the officer pressed on. (Click here to continue reading.)
Link of the Week
In 1988, Congress passed legislation setting the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer, and each year the president signs a proclamation relating to the event. This year, the National Day of Prayer is May 3. If you'd like to learn more about this annual emphasis, or find out about related events in your state, visit NationalDayOfPrayer.org.
Calories that Don't Count
Dieting is a lot easier when you factor in recently determined calorie counting principles. The following are calories that don't count:
CUSTOM MADE FOOD: Anything somebody made "just for you" must be eaten regardless of the calories because to do otherwise would be rude. But don't worry, because the calories don't count.
FOOD EATEN QUICKLY: If you are rushed through a meal, the entire meal doesn't count. Conversely, if you have ordered something fattening and now regret it, you can minimize its calories by gulping it down.
OTHER PEOPLE'S FOOD: A chocolate mousse that you did not order has no calories. Therefore, have your companion order dessert, and you taste half of it.
INGREDIENTS IN COOKING: Chocolate chips are fattening. So are chocolate chip cookies! However, chocolate chips eaten while making chocolate chip cookies have no calories whatsoever. Therefore, make chocolate chip cookies often, but don't eat them.
LEFTOVERS: An extra hamburger, a hotdog bun, half a Twinkie, anything intended for the garbage has no calories regardless of what happens to it in the kitchen.
TV FOOD: Anything eaten in front of a TV has no calories. This may have something to do with the radiation leakage, which negates not only the calories in the food but also all recollection of having eaten it. In fact, entire "no-calories dinners" are now manufactured and frozen for this purpose.
ANYTHING SMALLER THAN ONE INCH: contains no calories to speak of. For example, chocolate kisses, cubes of cheese or maraschino cherries.
CHILDREN'S FOOD: Anything purchased, produced or intended for minors is calorie-free when eaten by adults. This category covers a wide range, beginning with a spoonful of baby tapioca—consumed for demonstration purposes—up to and including cookies baked and sent to college.
CHARITABLE FOODS: Girl Scout cookies, bake-sale cookies, ice cream socials and church strawberry festivals all have a religious dispensation from calories. I heard this last Sunday.
LEFT-HANDED FOOD: If you have a drink in your right hand, anything eaten with the other hand has no calories.
AND LAST, FOOD ON FOOT: All food eaten while standing has no calories. Exactly why is not clear, but the current theory relates to gravity. The calories apparently bypass the stomach flowing directly the legs and through the soles of the feet into the floor. Walking seems to accelerate this process, so that a frozen custard or hotdog eaten at a carnival actually has a calorie deficit. (Pastor Tim's CleanLaugh List)
And Finally...
Mighty mouse is dead.
Well, to be precise, the deceased's name was actually Yoda; and he was a genetically modified dwarf mouse who lived to be the oldest of his kind—four years and 12 days, which is the equivalent of 136 people years. Yoda died Thursday in his cage at the University of Michigan, according to an April 22, 2004, AP story.
The mouse was part of lifespan research going on at the university's medical school. Yoda hadn't appeared sick, and the exact cause of death was unknown, according to spokeswoman Sally Pobojewski.
"I mean, he was old. That was the bottom line," Pobojewski said. "He was really, really old."
