Friends of the Light

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards: The Moral Awakening of Mainstream Christianity

2011-05-12T13:37:00.000-04:00

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards: The Moral Awakening of Mainstream Christianity

I truly hope she is right!!!

We Are a Million Strong | Believe Out Loud

2011-05-09T16:12:00.000-04:00

We Are a Million Strong | Believe Out Loud

Check out the you tube video!!!

NYC charter school's $125,000 experiment - 60 Minutes - CBS News

2011-05-04T12:29:00.000-04:00

NYC charter school's $125,000 experiment - 60 Minutes - CBS News

The 60 minutes Video is well worth reviewing.

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries - NYTimes.com

2011-05-04T12:05:00.000-04:00

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries - NYTimes.com

Very interesting that no one ever compares the high test result countries with the methods/teachers that they have.

Pay our teachers more!!!!!

Steve Lopez: After a decade, a columnist finally catches up with Father Gregory Boyle - latimes.com

2011-05-03T15:13:00.000-04:00

Steve Lopez: After a decade, a columnist finally catches up with Father Gregory Boyle - latimes.com

Another article about an amazing person doing Kingdom work

The lessons of Nathaniel Jones, Chris Paul's grandfather - ESPN

2011-05-02T15:18:00.000-04:00

The lessons of Nathaniel Jones, Chris Paul's grandfather - ESPN

Unbelievable story about grace and the power of forgiveness!!

Steve Lopez: Save our teachers - latimes.com

2011-05-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

Steve Lopez: Save our teachers - latimes.com

I would be honored to have this person teach my children

Andrew Marin Interview by Red Letter Christians

2011-04-27T11:42:00.001-04:00

Please watch this interview with Andrew Marin. I have psoted before about him, but if you haven't taken the opportunity to here about him take it now

http://www.loveisanorientation.com/2011/red-letter-christianity-tv-interview/

Glenn Beck Departure

2011-04-08T14:57:00.000-04:00

Check out this. The man is crazy.

Then watch Jon Stewart spoof him. Very Very Funny

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/08/jon-stewart-glenn-beck_n_846540.html?igoogle=1

Rob Bell

2011-04-08T12:14:00.003-04:00

You have to listen to this!!

Grace and Peace

Love will always win!

Full Discussion here http://marshill.org/teaching/2011/03/27/letters-to-the-seven-churches-%E2%80%93-rev-2-the-agony-of-explanation/

Rob Bell: The Good News Is Better Than That: Reflections On Hell, Salvation and the Power of Love

2011-03-25T11:09:00.000-04:00

Rob Bell: The Good News Is Better Than That: Reflections On Hell, Salvation and the Power of Love

I still have no idea how people can actually disagree with this!

God is Love!!

Love Wins!!!

Teacher layoffs: As teachers get layoff notices, some Los Angeles students are fighting for quality education - latimes.com

2011-03-17T11:37:00.000-04:00

Teacher layoffs: As teachers get layoff notices, some Los Angeles students are fighting for quality education - latimes.com

I wonder why we are 27 in education in the World?

http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/action/

Samples of the articles points:

"Teachers here are amazing," said senior Naomi Hecht, who transferred from a highfalutin private school and thinks Hamilton's faculty is more attuned to student needs. She and Amofa were scrambling to educate classmates on the potential cuts, and they organized a Monday rally attended by several hundred students.

The music magnet stages several theatrical and concert events each year, not just for the school but for the community. Dozens of trophies and plaques won by the bands and choral groups taught by world-class musicians Jim Foschia and John Hamilton adorn the school, and the two of them have helped make Hamilton a treasure.

Foschia, who's been at Hamilton for five years after nine years teaching in Pasadena, also said his first concern is the kids.

"This is my heart and soul. I get more joy out of watching kids accomplish things than I do out of my own music," said Foschia.

BUCKS BEAT: Maggette steps up big in crisis

2011-03-15T13:11:00.000-04:00

BUCKS BEAT: Maggette steps up big in crisis

WOW!!!

I REALLY LIKE Elton Brand now!!!!

What Does Rob Bell Really Say? (A Review of the Actual Book Itself) - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

2011-03-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

What Does Rob Bell Really Say? (A Review of the Actual Book Itself) - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

No surprise that Rob pulls us into a better place, Makes us think, and gives us something to live for

A Right to Bear Glocks? - NYTimes.com

2011-01-10T15:04:00.000-05:00

A Right to Bear Glocks? - NYTimes.com

We had just had this conversation with my son who is 14 and a vocal proponent of gun control.

I tried to argue the other side in order to give him something to work against. I myself have always felt there are way too many guns out there, but I wanted to make sure he had an equal hearing of the oppositions point of view.

Today that is much harder to stomach

I can believe how right he was about gun control!!

9/11 First Responders Health Care Bill Passed By House & Senate

2010-12-23T08:14:00.000-05:00

9/11 First Responders Health Care Bill Passed By House & Senate:

FINALLY!! THANK YOU JON STEWART AND RACHEL MADOW

I hate ask but what kind deal did they make " After a filibuster and threats of obstruction by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), the Senate unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday that would provide health care for first responders to the 9/11 terrorist attack. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer reached a deal with Republican senators to support the bill earlier in the afternoon. "

That they wouldn't bring up the fact that, "Coburn also claimed the bill had been fast-tracked and skipped committee. But in fact the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on the bill in June -- Coburn, a committee member, missed it."

December 16, 2010 - Mike Huckabee - The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - Full Episode Video | Comedy Central

2010-12-17T10:16:00.000-05:00

December 16, 2010 - Mike Huckabee - The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - Full Episode Video | Comedy Central

I can not imagine anyone watching this, and not wanting to fire every single Senator who will not vote on this bill!!!

This is pathetic. Take my tax break and give it to these guys!!

Belmont under fire for firing gay soccer coach - ESPN

2010-12-09T12:05:00.000-05:00

Belmont under fire for firing gay soccer coach - ESPN

This sounds like a huge mistake made by Belmont.

Tea Party Caucus Takes $1 Billion In Earmarks - Hotline On Call

2010-12-02T11:30:00.000-05:00

Tea Party Caucus Takes $1 Billion In Earmarks - Hotline On Call

Hypocritical of the Tea Party Shocking!!!

Kneeling again next to RFK - latimes.com

2010-11-22T09:18:00.000-05:00

Kneeling again next to RFK - latimes.com

Wow!!

Harry Potter and Social Justice - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

2010-11-17T15:39:00.000-05:00

Harry Potter and Social Justice - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

Just one more reason to Love Harry Potter. Someone gets it

Health insurers pour money into GOP campaigns, hoping to limit new regulations - latimes.com

2010-10-06T14:55:00.000-04:00

That is really all you need to read is the headline, and realize why the flood of negative thoughts on health reform. So if you are thinking about which side to be on remember that insurance companies are on the side of the republicans, and they are not on your side.

Health insurers pour money into GOP campaigns, hoping to limit new regulations - latimes.com

Why Bill Clinton is Brilliant

2010-09-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

Check out the interview with Jon Stewart. This is why Bill Clinton is one of the most brilliant policy minds in history

Part 1

Part 2

They Burn One, We Give Two! | Massachusetts Bible Society

2010-09-10T12:06:00.000-04:00

They Burn One, We Give Two! | Massachusetts Bible Society

Can we make sure the news organizations around the world get this?

10 Prerequisites for Being an Effective Christian in the World

2010-08-24T08:19:00.001-04:00

This is a great list to start with:

by John Fischer

An ongoing theme of the Catch of the Day has been a Christian's place and testimony in the world. Much has been done in the last 20 years to damage a credible and trustworthy image of Christians in society. The attempt of Christians to gain an influence in culture using tools and weapons that are not of the Spirit of God has been costly to the gospel in that those who so desperately need the hope the gospel provides have been driven away by the fear and anger of those who should be carriers of that hope.

We know that Jesus did not come to condemn the world (John 3:17), but most of those who are not Christians today are convinced his followers did. We have exchanged the good news of the gospel for the bad news of a culture war, and the battle continues to rage in many sectors and in many minds. In light of this, The Catch is seeking to help advance a different worldview and redefine a Christian's role in society.

Today I share with you a work in progress-a new manifesto for global change. Reflect on it. Comment on it. Pray over it. We will be looking more deeply into all 10 of these as the days go by, but this will get us started.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) What you think ultimately effects who you are.

10 Prerequisites for Being an Effective Christian in the World

1. A personal understanding of my own sinfulness

2. An overwhelming sense of God's grace for me, and for everyone else

3. A heart that forgives and forgets

4. An absence of agenda

5. An expectation that God is already in the world (I am joining Him there, not taking Him there.)

6. A sense of the church as the Body of Christ Universal

7. An insatiable curiosity for all that is not yet known to me

8. A belief in the intrinsic value of every human life

9. An assumption that I have something to learn from everybody

10. A deep and abiding desire for everyone to know what God has done for them through Christ

John Fischer
The Catch Online

Lisa Sharon Harper: Why Christians Should Support the 'Ground Zero Mosque'

2010-08-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

Lisa Sharon Harper: Why Christians Should Support the 'Ground Zero Mosque'

Not sure this requires any further commentary, but well said well said

Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph. D.: Prop 8, Judge Walker and the Biblical View of Marriage Equality

2010-08-18T14:32:00.000-04:00

Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph. D.: Prop 8, Judge Walker and the Biblical View of Marriage Equality

Nathaniel Ayers: Musician Ayers performs at White House - latimes.com

2010-07-28T16:20:00.000-04:00

Nathaniel Ayers: Musician Ayers performs at White House - latimes.com

I still cry every time I think of the movie the Soloist. Mr Ayers is an amazing person!!!

Funny Story about Hell if True

2010-07-23T09:27:00.001-04:00

I normally do not post a forwarded email, but this was
really funny if true

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington
chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so "profound" that
the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course,
why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when
it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know
the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving.
I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave.
Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look
at the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state
that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more
than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion,
we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can
expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states
that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of
Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then
the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the
temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year
that, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you," and take into account the fact
that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that
Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over.

The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not
accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct......leaving only Heaven, thereby
proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept
shouting "Oh my God."

THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE ONLY A

July 19: My One Sentence Bible

2010-07-19T13:29:00.000-04:00

July 19: My One Sentence Bible

A couple of great thoughts matched to the actual verses

It’s our job to establish Kingdom in our everyday life no matter where we go, who we meet or who is for us or against us. Matthew 13:36-43

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

³⁷He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, ³⁹and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

⁴⁰"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴²They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Pastors and teachers take note: Jesus made time for Q&A after he spoke. So why do you speak then run to the back room? Matthew 14:22

²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

Controversy in Wisconsin - Jim Wallis - God's Politics Blog

2010-07-15T15:15:00.000-04:00

Controversy in Wisconsin - Jim Wallis - God's Politics Blog

Wow, This is a great read. The last paragraph says a lot,

When I got to the TSA agent at airport security, she looked at my ID, smiled, and said, “So, you’re Jim Wallis! I hope you felt very welcome here; many of us are very glad you came.” I did feel very welcome and am very glad that I came.

A golden apple and a pink slip - latimes.com

2010-06-23T08:04:00.000-04:00

A golden apple and a pink slip - latimes.com

Another story that shouldn't happen. Teacher of the year is fired because the school district doesn't have the money. I wonder how many Administrators it took to make this call. My guess is 5.

JOHN WOODEN'S SEVEN-POINT CREED

2010-06-04T13:09:00.000-04:00

WOODEN'S SEVEN-POINT CREED

(given to him by his father Joshua upon his graduation from grammar school)
• Be true to yourself
• Make each day your masterpiece
• Help others
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
• Make friendship a fine art
• Build a shelter against a rainy day
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day

If we each practiced the above, the world would indeed be a much better place

Why we love The Shack, the self-published novel by William P. Young. - By Nathan Heller - Slate Magazine

2010-06-03T14:32:00.000-04:00

Why we love The Shack, the self-published novel by William P. Young. - By Nathan Heller - Slate Magazine

A great summary of a great book. I forgot how much I liked this book until this reminded me

E.J. Dionne Jr. - Mark Souder's downfall shows virtue knows no ideology

2010-05-24T16:18:00.000-04:00

E.J. Dionne Jr. - Mark Souder's downfall shows virtue knows no ideology

Of particular relevance,

How much sense does it make to preach fidelity and commitment and then deny marriage to those whose sexual orientation is different from our own? Rights for gays and lesbians don't wreck heterosexual families. Heterosexuals are doing a fine job of this on their own.

this is america. learn it or leave. « eugene cho

2010-05-20T11:40:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe this is American, land of the free home of the brave. Vote me in and I will make sure no one lives in Alabama who looks or talks differently than you.

RIDICULOUS

this is america. learn it or leave. « eugene cho

Google to Launch Digital Books by Early Summer - WSJ.com

2010-05-04T13:37:00.000-04:00

Google to Launch Digital Books by Early Summer - WSJ.com

Finally. This should be great

Arizona’s ID-check law boils down to harassment - chicagotribune.com

2010-04-29T13:54:00.000-04:00

Arizona’s ID-check law boils down to harassment - chicagotribune.com

This point really struck home:

I had a taste of what that was like in the 1970s as a black American reporter during South Africa's apartheid regime. The white-minority government's "influx control" policy required all black South Africans to carry a photo-ID "passbook" in urban areas to prevent a deluge of black Africans from flooding in to areas where the jobs were. Sound familiar?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Arizona Immigration Law

2010-04-27T16:23:00.004-04:00

This is really funny and sadly true

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Law & Border

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Eugene Robinson - Arizona's new immigration law is an act of vengeance

2010-04-27T14:56:00.002-04:00

This is my favorite part of the opinion

But where was the Tea Party crowd? Isn't the whole premise of the Tea Party movement that overreaching government poses a grave threat to individual freedom? It seems to me that a law allowing individuals to be detained and interrogated on a whim -- and requiring legal residents to carry identification documents, as in a police state -- would send the Tea Partyers into apoplexy. Or is there some kind of exception if the people whose freedoms are being taken away happen to have brown skin and might speak Spanish?

WHAT SAY YOUR MR. BECK, MR. LIMBAUGH?

Eugene Robinson - Arizona's new immigration law is an act of vengeance

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ESPN Rodney Peete learns from autistic son

2010-04-27T13:58:00.002-04:00

Sounds like a great book to read

ESPN Rodney Peete learns from autistic son

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Peace grows in a Culver City garden - Los Angeles Times

2010-03-24T08:14:00.001-04:00

Peace grows in a Culver City garden - Los Angeles Times

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D.C. begins licensing same-sex marriages - washingtonpost.com

2010-03-05T09:06:00.002-05:00

The remarkable part of this article if you read carefully is the number of years that the couples have been together. None were under 12 years. Not a bad record of achievement for any two people spending their lives together.

We should be congratulating them and holding them up as shining examples of marriage.

D.C. begins licensing same-sex marriages - washingtonpost.com

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Beauty and Ugliness in a Shooting’s Aftermath - Shane Claiborne - God's Politics Blog

2010-03-01T08:03:00.002-05:00

This is a wonderful piece by Shane Claiborne- The use of Love to hamper enemies is especially poignant.

Beauty and Ugliness in a Shooting’s Aftermath - Shane Claiborne - God's Politics Blog

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Jackson High School team manager with Down's Syndrome gets opportunity to suit up for game against Northwest - MLive.com

2010-02-24T11:35:00.001-05:00

Jackson High School team manager with Down's Syndrome gets opportunity to suit up for game against Northwest - MLive.com

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Video: Recent furloughs spark protests - The Times Herald News: Norristown, PA and Montgomery County (timesherald.com)

2010-02-23T11:49:00.002-05:00

Here is Laurie & Will Front and Center

Video: Recent furloughs spark protests - The Times Herald News: Norristown, PA and Montgomery County (timesherald.com)

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Commentary: Poor are powerless and we remain silent about Bauer's remarks | McClatchy

2010-02-03T14:23:00.002-05:00

This should embarrass every Christian

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, running for governor on the GOP ticket. Speaking of those who receive public assistance, he recently told an audience, "My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that. And so what you've got to do is you've got to curtail that type of behavior. They don't know any better."

Commentary: Poor are powerless and we remain silent about Bauer's remarks | McClatchy

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Mr. Ayers -- recording artist - latimes.com

2010-02-03T08:22:00.002-05:00

Hopefully all will remember "The Soloist" and give him support

You can see video from the recording session Thursday night in my report on KCET's SoCal Connected. For a preview, go to http://kcet.org/socal/2010/02/the-soloist-in-a-duet.html. The CD "Putting on Ayers" will be available in several weeks at the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation, www.naayers.org, with proceeds benefiting arts programs at mental health agencies.

Mr. Ayers -- recording artist - latimes.com

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Google shows off Chrome OS tablet ideas | Deep Tech - CNET News

2010-02-02T13:02:00.001-05:00

Google shows off Chrome OS tablet ideas | Deep Tech - CNET News

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E.J. Dionne Jr. - Justice Alito's candid response to Obama's rebuke - washingtonpost.com

2010-02-01T14:38:00.002-05:00

A well reasoned response to conservative's

E.J. Dionne Jr. - Justice Alito's candid response to Obama's rebuke - washingtonpost.com

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City homeless donate $14.64 for quake victims - baltimoresun.com

2010-02-01T14:12:00.002-05:00

Good article to share with your kids

City homeless donate $14.64 for quake victims - baltimoresun.com

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Catch of the Day

2009-12-23T09:27:00.000-05:00

Catch of the Day

Good King Wenceslas
by John Fischer

Neil is an executive for a national financial institution located in Pennsylvania. He is a reader and regular supporter of the Catch of the Day. Just yesterday he told me a story of his own giving experience that resulted in a deeper understanding of what it means to give and receive.

It seems that he and a buddy got wind of a single woman in their church who was having trouble keeping her house warm for her and her children. With the help of his friend, Neil determined to help this woman by driving a load of firewood to her house. Hearing him talk about the snowstorm that complicated their delivery made me immediately think about images from the English carol "Good King Wenceslas," about a king who braves a winter storm to bring wood to a poor peasant (see below).

In the process, she asked which one of the services this week they were going to attend. (They are all part of a large church that puts on eight Christmas programs over the holidays mainly as an outreach to the community.) When they told her and asked her the same question, she said she was going to all of them. "I have 17 of my friends coming and 13 of them don't know Jesus."

Suddenly Neil realized he was in the presence of a fellow believer who was herself in the process of giving, just like he was. This often happens in our giving. We think we are bettering someone's life only to discover that we are the ones who have the most to learn. That's why we must keep an open mind at all times. Look out: You never know what you're going to receive when you give. And like the good king Wenceslas, you always get blessed when you bless.

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing .

Forward this catch

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Copyright © 2009 by John Fischer

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Tim Tebow REALLY is that Nice

2009-12-11T09:09:00.002-05:00

Check this video story out!!!

I hope my kids can learn from him!!

Inside Lacrosse Magazine: The Right Direction | IL Blog Central

2009-11-25T08:26:00.002-05:00

Inside Lacrosse Magazine: The Right Direction | IL Blog Central

Very inspiring story. I can't wait for the movie!!

Growing multitudes need a helping hand -- latimes.com

2009-11-25T08:07:00.002-05:00

Growing multitudes need a helping hand -- latimes.com

A great story about feeding the homeless and the types of people who need help.

Best section was the end.

"Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy," they said, quoting St. Francis. "For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

2009-11-23T14:47:00.002-05:00

What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

Cool article by Shane Claiborne on how to be a real Christian

Springsteen at the Spectrum: No retreat, no surrender | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/21/2009

2009-10-21T16:02:00.002-04:00

Springsteen at the Spectrum: No retreat, no surrender | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/21/2009

Rob Bell on faith, suffering, and Christians - Articles of Faith - Boston.com

2009-10-06T10:17:00.001-04:00

Rob Bell on faith, suffering, and Christians - Articles of Faith - Boston.com

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ArkansasVarsity.com - Ark. player ends game with noble gesture

2009-09-30T08:25:00.000-04:00

Not a bad story

ArkansasVarsity.com - Ark. player ends game with noble gesture

The man who hated hunger - The Boston Globe

2009-09-17T15:07:00.000-04:00

The man who hated hunger - The Boston Globe

Norman Borlaug

I never heard of this person until this article.

He sounds amazingly smart and committed to humanity and his faith.

The sight of Americans suffering from hunger “left an indelible imprint on me,’’ he later said, and instilled in him a smoldering “hatred against hunger and misery and human poverty.’’

But Borlaug had seen too much of hunger ever to be cowed by such censure. The complaints of his well-fed Western detractors would vanish, he said, were they to spend just one month among the world’s poorest and hungriest people. Man may not live by bread alone, but he must surely die without it. Because Norman Borlaug lived, hundreds of millions of human beings were spared that terrible fate.

Love Your Political Enemies: A Response to Jimmy Carter’s Comments on Racism - Valerie Elverton Dixon - God’s Politics Blog

2009-09-17T11:30:00.000-04:00

Love Your Political Enemies: A Response to Jimmy Carter’s Comments on Racism - Valerie Elverton Dixon - God’s Politics Blog

My favorite part is this

Christianity is a hard religion to live. We do not tell people this when we open the doors to the church and invite them into salvation. It is easy to talk the talk of being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. But it is difficult to walk the walk, to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to give up coat and cloak, to pray God’s blessing upon people whose actions are hateful. It is difficult to pray that God will walk with them and demonstrate God’s love and presence in their lives. I cannot do this in my own power. I can only do this through the power of God’s own Holy Spirit.

Grace and Peace!!

How Many Uninsured?

2009-09-17T11:09:00.001-04:00

The exact number of Americans who lack health insurance has been in dispute. But debates about this miss the bigger point that, even for many who have insurance, the system doesn’t work. Steve Doocy of Fox & Friends makes this mistake:

Currently, 90 percent of all Americans have got some sort of health-care coverage, which means they are effectively blowing up the system for 5 percent. [1]

Never mind Doocy's fuzzy math. (100 - 90 = 5?) Even if it were true that 90 percent of Americans had "some sort of health-care coverage," that wouldn't mean that their insurance was adequate, affordable, or good enough quality to keep them in good health.

Tell Steve Doocy to check his math and check the facts—Americans don't have the health coverage they need.

Here's Amy's story, which shows why having "some sort of coverage" leaves many people feeling trapped and needing to fight for the coverage they've paid so much money for:

As a person with an "uninsurable" chronic illness (multiple sclerosis), I am very invested in how the health-care system impacts on my life. I live in fear that someday I will lose my very good—and very expensive—coverage and become unable to pay for my very good—and very, very expensive—medication. I currently pay a $4000 deductible to receive medication which costs $4000 a month.

I feel fortunate to be able to pay what I have to in order to be able to get this treatment. It means that I can continue to work full time and continue to pay taxes rather than being on disability and being a burden to other taxpayers.

Right now I am poised to have a successful private practice. I hope to provide quality mental health services to children (an underserved population). However, I am unable to leave my current job because I cannot buy insurance and I cannot go without health-care coverage.

I become very frustrated when I hear some of the arguments against health-care reform, such as, "I don't want government in my business." In the meantime, your insurance company is very much in your business, and not always with your best interest in mind.

My insurance company refused to pay for my prescribed medication because I had not filled out a survey which basically asked if I had any other insurance (I do not). This particular refusal to pay went on for several months, was rectified, and then started again in the new fiscal year.

As a mental health provider, I have also done battle on the other side, working many extra hours to get insurance to pay me for services the client is entitled to under their policy.

I know that, for me, the current system is fraught with fear and headaches. Why does this expensive, elitist, and discriminatory system garner such loyalty? Please look into facts, versus rumors, and overcome fear of change. Take it from the uninsurable. Reform needs to happen.

A 9/11 Prayer: Leonard Cohen’s ‘Democracy’ - Ryan Rodrick Beiler - God’s Politics Blog

2009-09-11T10:58:00.000-04:00

A 9/11 Prayer: Leonard Cohen’s ‘Democracy’ - Ryan Rodrick Beiler - God’s Politics Blog

A very inspirational Song. Listen carefully to the words or better yet read them.

Doctor has common-sense fixes to healthcare crisis -- latimes.com

2009-09-09T15:17:00.002-04:00

Doctor has common-sense fixes to healthcare crisis -- latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

Watch the video first then read the article.

This final statement got me, "I've even had breast cancer survivors in here today," Collins said, telling me that despite the risk of recurrence, the women hadn't been able to manage regular checkups."

We should all be ashamed.

Looking for common ground in Glenn Beck country -- latimes.com

2009-09-09T14:28:00.002-04:00

Looking for common ground in Glenn Beck country -- latimes.com

Posted using ShareThis

This article is very funny from the person who brought us the Soloist

President Obama's Words of Wisdom at ASU

2009-05-18T11:26:00.002-04:00

President Obama's quote as reported from ASU Commencement Address

"Building a body of work is all about . . . the daily labor, the many individual acts, the choices large and small that add up over time, over a lifetime, to a lasting legacy. That's what you want on your tombstone. It's about not being satisfied with the latest achievement, the latest gold star -- because the one thing I know about a body of work is that it's never finished."

Prepared Text of Speech:

In all seriousness, I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life. I come to embrace it; to heartily concur; to affirm that one's title, even a title like President, says very little about how well one's life has been led - and that no matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve.

But here's the thing, graduates: it works the other way around too. Acts of sacrifice and decency without regard to what's in it for you - those also create ripple effects - ones that lift up families and communities; that spread opportunity and boost our economy; that reach folks in the forgotten corners of the world who, in committed young people like you, see the true face of America: our strength, our goodness, the enduring power of our ideals.

What a great way to look at life?

I can't wait to share with my children this important point.

Rick Reilly Does it Again

2009-04-13T14:23:00.002-04:00

Check this article out:

Life of Reilly
No ticket, no problem. Some lucky D-backs fans got a free pass.
by Rick Reilly

Kaylea Hunt
The Diamondbacks honored Eric Robles (second from left) with season tickets.

The following column appears in the April 20 issue of ESPN The Magazine.

Here's a scoop for you. The Diamondbacks are flagrantly violating MLB rules. They're a pro team, and yet they're giving out full-ride scholarships. Been doing it for two years now!

Not to their players. To their fans.

It's an idea D-backs CEO Derrick Hall came up with at one game when a season-ticket holder who'd lost everything, even her car, introduced herself. She told him a fan in her section had bought her two season tickets for the rest of the year, even picked her up every game and took her home. And Hall thought, "Why don't we do this for our fans?" So he asked fans to send in applications for scholarships. Soon, his e-mail in-box was swamped.

My 13-year-old nephew is a huge fan. He is a really good kid but gets bullied for his need of dental work and lack of "designer" clothes. Baseball is his outlet. No one can see him underneath that catcher mask. His family has always struggled, and recently his father got laid off. He'd love to go to a game. -- Michelle

Michelle's nephew, who preferred not to be named, didn't get a ticket to just a single game. He's going to all 81, along with his parents, brother and sister.

Arizona put 18 families on scholarship.

"He went crazy," says his dad, an unemployed electrician. "He kept yelling, 'Are you kidding me!?!' And he put the letter from the D-backs up on his wall. He's such a good kid."

Next question: Anybody know a bighearted orthodontist?

I'm a single mom of two amazing little boys. For the past two years [we've] been struggling to pick up the pieces after my [husband and I split abruptly]. We lost our house, our car and had to sell mostly everything we owned. I do not make enough to make ends meet, and my ex-husband is behind in child support by $20,000. [Editor's note: Daniel Lombardi's wages are now being used to pay down that debt.] I would really love to take my boys to the games and give them some enjoyment. -- Tami Lombardi

Derrick Hall called to tell Ms. Lombardi that she was getting not only three season tickets but free parking, $400 in food vouchers and spots for her boys in a Diamondbacks players' clinic. Will that do?

"It was so awesome," she gushes. "We never miss a game on TV. Now we get to go!"

Even better: Her ex is a huge D-backs fan. Choke on it, dude.

All told, the D-backs put 18 families on scholarship -- 41 season tickets worth nearly $100,000 -- and every one of their stories would make your knees give. There was the daughter whose softball-playing mom broke her leg sliding into second, couldn't work and is now losing her house. There was Beth Godfrey, who was fighting leukemia. She won tickets but died soon afterward. Now those tickets are being donated in her name to charity.

One mom nominated her firefighter son, Breezy Morago, who broke his leg playing football, then rebroke it when a Jeep hit him while he was riding his bike, then burned it fighting a fire. Oh, and he lost everything when his own house burned. He gets a pair of tickets. Maybe he'll be safe at the ballpark.

My favorite, though, might be this one:

I couldn't raise my three children without my young brother. He drives my son to all of his baseball games, picks up my sick kids, takes them to movies, helps with homework, always lends a hand. What 20-year-old single guy does this and is still a full-time student and holds down two jobs? My brother Eric! Ever since he was little, he has had season tickets on his Christmas list. Year after year it goes unanswered. This year I ask you to consider my sweet brother Eric, the Greatest Uncle. -- Carol Stuart

Like nearly every winner, the Greatest Uncle, Eric Robles, didn't know what his sister had done. When he found out he won, "It was five minutes before it hit me: I have season tickets!" Robles says.

And in a what-should-I-Twitter-about-myself-now? world, why would a young guy be so selfless? "Well, I know what it's like when your parents divorce. It can be hard. Moving. Splitting up from their dad. I wanted to make sure nothing happened to the kids."

He spends most days three feet off the ground now. In fact, on the season schedule, he has circled in red the games he's going to.

A co-worker was looking at it and finally said, "Eric, every game is circled."

Exactly.

Hey, pro, don't want to be a role model? It's not your choice.

2009-02-26T12:07:00.002-05:00

I took this from the web, but it should be required reading for every professional athlete prior to their first game!!!

by Rick Reilly

Courtesy Christopher Hamlet

Jake meets John Elway.

This is a story I want to tell ALL athletes who think that what they do, how they act, the little kindnesses they give or withhold from fans don't matter.

It'll take only a minute.

My wife, Cynthia, was adopted. At 36, she found half her biological family on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. Turns out she had four half brothers, one named Lil Bob, who was as big as a tree.

Lil Bob, a bar owner, could pick a man up with one hand and throw him out the front door. He was gregarious and funny and always seemed to have his son, Jake, hanging onto one of his huge legs. Unfortunately, he was also a full-blown alcoholic. Many were the days that started and ended with a quart of Jack Daniel's, although you could never tell.

In size and in heart, Lil Bob was one of Montana's biggest Broncos fans. His hero was John Elway. He joked that he wanted to be buried in an Elway jersey, with pallbearers in Elway jerseys, and an Elway football in his huge hand. His one regret was dropping out of school in eighth grade, ending his football career. His one dream was to take Jake to a Broncos game. Sometimes on the reservation, the dreams come small.

Last March, Lil Bob's liver failed. One awful hospital day, Jake, now 13, walked up to the bed, took his dad's head in his hands, put his mouth to his forehead and told him he couldn't go yet. Told him he needed him to stay and take him to a Broncos game. Stay and watch him grow up and play for the Broncos.

Lil Bob's death, a few days later, seemed to send Jake into that shapeless, black sinkhole where boys go when their best friend is gone for reasons they can't understand. "I tried to talk to him, but he was closed to it," says Jake's mom, Lona Burns. "He started doing bad in school. Kids picked on him. Every day I fought him just to go. His grades dropped. He didn't even care about going to football practice, didn't want to play."

Thirteen-year-olds don't meet gods.

Worse yet, since the day Lil Bob died, Jake hadn't cried.

And then, this past October, one of Lil Bob's best friends — a restaurant owner named Christopher Hamlet — decided to make good on an unfulfilled dream: He bought two plane tickets, packed up Jake and flew to Denver. Jake was finally going to a Broncos game.

As locals, Cynthia and I took them to lunch at one of Elway's restaurants so Jake could see all the jerseys and photos. The kid was so excited he hardly ate. And that was before a certain Hall of Fame QB walked in, all keg-chested and pigeon-toed. Immediately, Jake turned into an ice sculpture.

We introduced them, and it took a few seconds before Jake could even stick out his hand. Apparently, 13-year-olds are not used to meeting gods.

Elway took the time to sign Jake's football and pose for a picture. He even made us all go outside, where the light was better. Then, as we said goodbye — Jake's feet floating a foot off the ground — Elway turned and said, out of nowhere, "Hey, why don't you guys come by the box today?"

And the next thing Jake knew, he was in John Elway's luxury box at the game, asking him any question he wanted, all with a grin that threatened to split his happy head in half.

Then Elway said, "Comin' to dinner?"

And suddenly Jake was having his lettuce wedge cut for him by the legend, who tousled the kid's cowlick. Like a dad might.

Halfway through the night, a guy came out of the bathroom and said, "Are you guys with that kid? Because he's in there talking to his mom on the phone, crying. Is he OK?"

Yes, Jake would be OK.

"Jake came back a changed boy," his mom says. He started climbing out of that hole. He started making A's again. Started loving football again. He told his mom, "When I make it to the NFL, I'm going to buy you a big house in Denver so you can come to my games."

And I ask myself: Why did Elway do all that? Maybe because his late father, Jack, was his best friend, too? Maybe because his own son, Jack, went away to college last fall? Or maybe because that's how he is. In my 26 years of knowing Elway, I've never seen him turn down an autograph request, a picture request, a "Can I just tell you something?" request.

A lot of athletes don't want the burden that comes with being a role model. But what I want to tell them is: You don't get to choose. You don't get to tell 13-year-old boys with holes in their hearts who can help them heal.

I know it's a hassle, but it matters. Because you never know when you might just lead a kid out to where the light is better.

Love the column, hate the column, got a better idea? Go here.
Want more Life of Reilly? Then check out the archive.
Be sure to check out Rick's latest project "Go Fish."

A Football Game Gives Hope-

2009-02-19T15:18:00.000-05:00

The best five minutes you can spend.

Are You a Good Leader?

2009-02-03T13:10:00.004-05:00

A must read Businessweek article on what being a leader means:

The five fundamental principles of ethics:
Do No Harm,
Make Things Better,
Respect Others,
Be Fair , and
Be Loving."

I would probably reorder, but the principles are sound.

The Outline is this:

By Bruce Weinstein, PhD

1. WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GANDER IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE.

2. KNOW YOUR PRODUCT.

3. WINNING (AT ALL COSTS) IS FOR LOSERS.

4. TELL THE TRUTH.

5. PREVENT HARM.

6. DON'T EXPLOIT.

7. DON'T MAKE PROMISES YOU CAN'T KEEP.…..

8. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR MISTAKES.

9. PEOPLE, NOT PROFITS.

10. BE KIND, NOT KING.

Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D. is the corporate consultant and public speaker known as The Ethics Guy. He has appeared on "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," "Anderson Cooper 360," "American Morning," and many other national television shows. His column, "The Ethics Guy," appears every other week on businessweek.com/managing/.

Rob Bell- Grace and Peace

2008-12-19T12:58:00.003-05:00

Two great sermons to end his series on Philippians:

The first goes into great detail about the Divine Accountant understanding of God and how it really is the trinitarian relationship we need to have in all our relationships. VERY VERY POWERFUL

The second sermon goes through the entire series as only Rob can. Beautiful, poetic.
GRACE AND PEACE

Two Churches Battle it out..See the Signs! (Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?)

2008-11-14T12:05:00.000-05:00

Two Churches Battle it out..See the Signs! (Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?) funny blog link

A Butler Well Served by This Election

2008-11-07T14:05:00.002-05:00

Please read through this entire article. Real Life Real People to whom the election of Barack Obama means so much!!

My prayers are with Gene Allen today.

Articulate Reason to Believe in Obama

2008-09-12T14:44:00.001-04:00

Brain McLaren has written a brilliant analysis of why he is voting for Barack Obama. I believe in the same narrative interpretation of why Obama is a better solution or America

Randy Pausch, Known for his "Last Lecture," Dies

2008-07-29T11:41:00.002-04:00

Randy Pausch, Known for his "Last Lecture," Dies

I saw this on Friday, and I felt very sad. I am in the middle of finishing his book, and I can only say what a very insightful man he was. The world was better off for Professor Pausch being here!!!

The Final Injustice

2008-07-29T11:35:00.002-04:00

Bush to leave a record budget deficit of $482 billion

Why I Support Barack Obama

2008-07-21T10:29:00.003-04:00

I have been asked by a lot of people recently why I support Barack Obama, and I honestly struggled for a reason. The same way I struggled to explain why I believed in Bill Clinton. I read both their books and there were a lot of ideas in both. To many ideas to explain in two or three sentences.

I cam across this web site today that I will point people to going forward. This is why I believe and Support Barack Obama

Court Overturns Gay-Marriage Ban

2008-05-16T10:35:00.002-04:00

I have to admit I am a big proponent of pictures telling a thousand words, so take a look at the sign and the couple. I can't imagine their overwhelming joy

Grace & Peace!

Microsoft Joins One Laptop per Child

2008-05-16T10:18:00.001-04:00

Finally a reason to like Microsoft

Rob Bell Answers Critics

2008-05-16T09:55:00.002-04:00

Please see above above for anyone wondering what Mars Hill is about. The whole sermon was 50 minutes long, but it is no longer available on line

Catch of the Day Bill Buckner Edition

2008-04-16T08:47:00.002-04:00

Catch of the Day

Confessing is easier than forgiving
by John Fischer

Someone turned me on to some old news today, at least old to some. Apparently the Boston Red Sox began their home opener a few weeks ago by having Bill Buckner through out the first ball. Yes, that would be the same Bill Buckner who became the goat of the 1986 World Series that the Red Sox lost to the Mets. It usually takes a whole team to blow a lead, but because Buckner made the last error -- the one that allowed the winning run to come home for the Mets in the ninth inning of game 6 -- he got the brunt of it for the last 22 years.

I know enough about Bill Buckner to know that his life didn't grind to a halt after that. He settled in somewhere in Idaho with his family where he is a successful businessman who coaches his son's little league team and teaches Sunday school class in the local Baptist Church. When you've had a career as he has, you learn to take the low points along with the high ones. Life is like that. Every infielder that has ever played the game has had numerous balls roll under his glove and die in the outfield. It happens to the best of them, and Bill Buckner was one of the best. His career stats rival a number of Hall of Fame players, but Buckner will never see the Hall of Fame. And he's okay with that.

I know this because I have heard from someone who is a fellow Christian and goes to Buckner's church -- the same friend who passed on my article about him, "Thank You, Bill Buckner!" (http://www.fischtank.com/ft/articlesdetail.cfm?articleid=5) and collected an autographed baseball for me in return. He says that Buckner has made peace with his 22-season baseball career, and only hopes that the grilling he took from the media and the city of Boston hasn't discouraged some kid from trying for fear he might screw up. I understand that. Was that error the low point in his life? Not even close. That would be when his dad died when Billy was only 14.

So what was that 4-minute standing ovation the Boston fans gave him a few weeks ago all about? I really don't think it was for him. It was for them. With over 20 years and now two world championships between them to ease the pain of that lost Series, the city was ready to acknowledge how silly the whole thing had been. So what's the bottom line on all this? Confessing is easier than forgiving. Bill Buckner has been just fine for the last 22 years. Poor Boston is only now beginning to heal.

Forward this catch

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Copyright © 2008 by John Fischer

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Olivebranch Interfaith Peace Witness 03/07/08

2008-03-03T13:02:00.000-05:00

Olivebranch Interfaith Peace Witness 03/07/08

Please watch

Giving the Poor a Means to Work

2008-02-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

Giving the Poor a Means to Work

A great article and idea!

2008-01-15T10:15:00.000-05:00

A Very Good Reminder for me

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story :

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning , Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

How ever, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second bas e, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, " the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world".

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the "natural order of things." So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

Barack Obama Iowa Caucus Victory Speech

2008-01-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

Barack Obama Iowa Caucus Victory Speech

GREAT SPEECH

HOPE is Alive!!

Additional video that tells the story of his life. Very Inspirational

2007-12-18T16:16:00.000-05:00

A New Perspective on Leadership:How About Leading With Love?

A great summary article on an interesting concept that a business leader who is loving can be very successful. sounds good to me as I subscribe to the theory that love always wins.

2007-10-16T14:33:00.000-04:00

Randy Pausch's

I haven't even watched the lecture yet, and i already have tears running down my eyes. This man sounds like the kind of person I hope to become.

I first heard about this when was reading a technology article that talked about his wonderful speech.

Little did I know what kind of impact Dr. Randy Pausch was having worldwide

Read the article here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119084081673940375.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Watch the video here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=362421849901825950&hl=en

ABC News Story on it: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TenWays/story?id=3680950&page=1

2007-09-12T15:13:00.000-04:00

Love Conquers All

I came across this while surfing today. It is from a book by Jim Palmer titled "Wide Open Spaces"

My favorite is: Christian living is an overflow of God's love in me. What a great way to go through life think that way.

Jim Palmer says it this way, "...how love altered my understanding of God and my relationship with him and others."

Before: God is synonymous with religion.
Now: God is synonymous with love.

Before: Christianity is a belief system.
Now: Christianity is a school of love carried out in apprenticeship to Christ.

Before: God hates sin because it disgusts him.

Now: God’s motive for hating sin is love. Sin causes hurt and suffering for me and others.

Before: I primarily experience God through religious rituals and acts of obedience.
Now: When I am experiencing love, I am experiencing God.

Before: Christian living is trying harder to be more and do more.
Now: Christian living is an overflow of God’s love in me.

Before: My source of love is outside myself and I’m dependent on others to supply it.
Now: My source of love is within me and while I enjoy the love of others, I’m not dependent on it and can freely love others without the expectation of receiving love in return.

Before: I am created in God’s image, which means I have the capacity to make rational choices and exercise my free will.
Now: I am created in the image of perfect love, which means love is the core of my identity and I can choose love.

Before: The main thing is getting people to adopt my beliefs about God.
Now: Loving people creates desire within them to know God.

Before: Somewhere out there is God’s purpose for my life and I must find it.
Now: At every moment, God’s purpose for me is to be love.

Before: Being “in love” is some temporary euphoric guy-meets-girl experience.
Now: Being “in love” is walking in the conscious awareness of and dependent on God’s love in me and as me.

Before: Tough love is withholding love from others as a means of disapproval or attempt to bring change.
Now: Tough love is loving others without condition, regardless of the result.

Before: The most powerful force on earth is hate.
Now: The most powerful force on earth is love.

2007-07-25T12:24:00.000-04:00

$100 Laptop Goes into Mass Production

The One Laptop per Child group says the first XO laptops for use in schools will be manufactured by Quanta in October

This sounds like a great cause. The laptop will be able to run on, "Laptop batteries can be recharged using a rip cord, a crank, a pedal, a car battery, or solar panels - in fact, anything that can produce between 10 and 20 volts of electricity, Jensen said."

Hopefully this will enable children in developing nations a chance

From their vision statement, "Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves."

To give you an idea of the potential: OLPC said it has received orders for three million machines but refused to say which countries are involved.

May God bless their efforts!!!

2007-07-19T11:13:00.000-04:00

Water find 'may end Darfur war'

I pray that the article above is true, and that it can end the conflict. Water will be in the future the source of many conflicts similar if not worse than oil.

2007-06-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

Wonderful Christian sentiment

Below is well stated plan for all Christians to follow if we are to be the light of the world!!

Catch of the Day

Help we all could use
by John Fischer

Yesterday's Catch about how depression, despair and struggles with sin are just as likely to happen after we become Christians as before struck a nerve. One reader mentioned how a minister suggested that her mother was dying because she didn't have enough faith to defeat the power of Satan. Another was told their son was born mentally challenged due to their sin. A number mentioned condemnation they had received from other Christians over struggles with depression. A single mom was being so hard on herself because her life wasn't measuring up to the standard of the Christians around her that she was considering taking her life when she read yesterday's Catch and it brought her hope. Over and over again, the issue of guilt came up. It's enough to make you cry.

Life is hard enough as it is, to not add the pressure of being good Christians to the burdens on so many backs. And what makes this even more tragic is that the added pressure is coming from the only true source of hope anyone has -- those who are ambassadors of the grace of God. When those who represent the unconditional love of God start laying down conditions for acceptance, love and understanding, where are the rest of us going to go? We need to come alongside each other and help -- no questions asked -- not run our spiritual Geiger counters up and down everybody's faith.

Imagine you are a single mom with three kids to drop off at school before going to your first day at a new job. On a slippery, rain-soaked street, you go into a slide and skid into an accident that all but totals your car. Compounding the problem is the fact that it isn't your car -- you borrowed it from a friend because yours needed to be fixed and you didn't have the money yet to fix it. So in fear and trembling you call the owner of the car to let him know what happened, and all he wants to know are the answers to three questions: 1) Are you okay? 2) Are the kids okay? 3) Do you have enough money for a cab? Yes, yes, and yes, you say. Good, he says, then get on your way, lady. You have an important day ahead of you and you can't let this stop you. Leave the car, I'll send for a tow truck. Now be off, and God be with you.

What happened there? 1) No judgment. 2) Help. A lessening of the load, not another burden. 3) Encouragement with dignity. Now that's the kind of help we could all use!

And Karen offers this final word: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

Forward this catch

Welcome to a number of old friends who just heard about the Fischtank! Though the Catch comes free each day, we do rely on the financial support of those of you who can take part. Find out how you can keep the Tank full and help this online community grow by clicking here.

2007-05-30T09:12:00.000-04:00

You don't know what you've got

Wednesday, May, 30, 2007

by John Fischer

How fast the mind works, especially when it imagines the worst. Any parent knows this. My wife still counts heads every time a siren goes off. And it doesn't seem to matter how old your kids are. It still happens.

Our 28-year-old son is currently living in a room we built into the garage. Even though it is separate from the main part of the house, we see him a lot because our office and an extra bathroom are also there. Plus, he loves us and checks in often.

One morning last week when I went over to use the shower, I noticed the lights on and his bed made. That wasn't too unusual in that he sometimes sleeps over with friends, but then he usually gives us a courtesy call. What really got me going, however, was the fact that his wallet, keys and cell phone were all in his room, and his car was parked outside where it usually is. The only thing I could figure was that he was out jogging. And then it hit me. Why was everything so neat and in order in his room? Why didn't he come over and say good night last night like he usually does? Why did his room look like he never slept there? What if he hadn't? That would open up the plausibility that he could have gone jogging the night before and never come back.

As soon as that thought entered my brain, I was a goner. A rush of what-ifs and their accompanying emotions flooded my head. The amazing thing was how powerless I was to stop this. It was like trying to shut off a faucet stuck in the "on" position with a broken valve. I could pray, but I couldn't stop the emotions.

I immediately had him in the hospital or the morgue with no ID. Fifteen seconds later I was planning the funeral and wondering how to get my daughter back from Colorado. She'd be too distraught to drive. And it's amazing when this happens to you, how real it is. It seems like its really happening and the feelings seem like real emotions. All I know is that when I heard his voice talking on his cell phone later, while I was in the shower, a wave of relief came over me, and the hug I greeted him with later took him a little by surprise. I had been right to suspect a jog, and thank goodness it was a morning one.

Joni Mitchell sang, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone." To which I would add, you don't know what you've got until you think it's gone. You've heard this before, I'm sure, but we can never hear it too often. Hug the people you love today extra hard, and tell them you are glad they are alive. Every moment we have with someone is precious. Lord, wake us up to the value of our moments together.

Copyright  2007 by John Fischer

I posted this in it entirety, because it says so much about our Love for those close to us. If we can extend that lover further and further each day what a wonderful world this could be.

2007-05-29T11:36:00.000-04:00

Brian McLaren on Love and the Kingdom

Please check out this short talk from Brian McLaren on the power of Love and Jesus' message regarding love:

2007-05-18T13:27:00.000-04:00

Powerful message on Poverty

2007-05-16T12:57:00.000-04:00

NBA Playoffs are now a Farce

As a devote Suns fan I watch in amazement as they came to life just in time to beat the Spurs on their home court in a game they had to have. What happened to Steve Nash was inexcusable and should have resulted in a playoff suspension for the player and a 1 or 2 game one for the coach.

Instead the league all but ends the Suns chances of winning a championship. Based on a rule that gives them the leeway to make adjustments if necessary. Is it fair that the Suns worked all year for home court advantage and it is taken away by a cheap shot and a bad rule.

The final straw was this statement by the NBA, "It's not a matter of fairness," said Stu Jackson, the league's enforcement czar. "It's a matter of correctness." What he meant to say was the dirty play of the Spurs will continue until such time as Tim Duncan retires or we find another team more compelling.

If there is any justice, Tim Duncan will foul out in the first quarter!!!

2007-05-15T21:13:00.000-04:00

Rob Bell's Mother Day Message

Rob Bell was at it again. His ending is pure genius. He spoke of a great theologian who wrote something about Mary that he played for those assembled at Mars Hill. For those who were not there I post here the poem from the great theologian Bruce Springsteen.

Devils & Dust
2005

Jesus was an only son
As he walked up Calvary Hill
His mother Mary walking beside him
In the path where his blood spilled
Jesus was an only son
In the hills of Nazareth
As he lay reading the Psalms of David
At his mother's feet

A mother prays, "Sleep tight, my child, sleep well
For I'll be at your side
That no shadow, no darkness, no tolling bell,
Shall pierce your dreams this night."

In the garden at Gethsemane
He prayed for the life he'd never live,
He beseeched his Heavenly Father to remove
The cup of death from his lips

Now there's a loss that can never be replaced,
A destination that can never be reached,
A light you'll never find in another's face,
A sea whose distance cannot be breached

Well Jesus kissed his mother's hands
Whispered, "Mother, still your tears,
For remember the soul of the universe
Willed a world and it appeared."

2007-04-30T13:23:00.000-04:00

I have listened to this sermon and I actually got chills down my spine when Rob talked about the failures in Rwanda in the late 80's. I had always assumed and blamed the people and the government.

I am amazed and somewhat frightened by his contention that the problem was that the entire Gospel was not taught to the 80 % Christian population.

When you hear Rob talk about it you definitely see his point. We took the easy way out. We told people that they could just be Christians by believing in Jesus and they would go to Heaven. We forgot to do the hard work by showing them what it meant to be Christian. To Love one another and the sanctity of human life.

We need to remember this Case Study, and press to teach the whole Gospel not just the Evacuation theology that all will go to Heaven, and that is what you should work towards.

The Power of Parishioners

2007-04-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

A great example of how the Church reaches out to help those in need. Rick Warren's final thoughts can be summed up as lets just get it done!!!

The Power of Parishioners

Virginia Tech Comments

2007-04-19T15:29:00.000-04:00

I thought these were very good discussion about the tragedy.

Sorrow that makes us better not bitter
Virginia Tech-What can we do?
When Violence Kills itself
The Silence of a murderers motherr

My prayers go out to the families of the victims and the family of the perpetrator.

Rob Bell Again

2007-04-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

I found this tidbit in an article on Rob Bell Titled : Congregations tap power of their people

In January, Bell closed his conference with a dramatic display of a crowd's power to make a difference. He revealed that he had designed the no-frills conference to spend very little of the nearly $200,000 raised in registration fees.

After paying expenses for the meeting, Bell said, Mars Hill was donating the remaining $155,000 to programs to help poor people in Grand Rapids, bring clean water to schools in Rwanda and to expand a project providing small loans so poor people can start businesses in Burundi.

Bell told the conference: "Because you came here and paid a fee that you didn't think twice about paying, thousands of families will move out of poverty in Burundi next year."

The potential for this kind of religious reorganization is vast, he said.

"Let's aim this movement of people somewhere," he urged. "Let's focus the power of this thing like a laser beam and make a real difference in the world."

On Easter Sunday Mars Hill raised $250,000 for those same causes.

This is the type of Christianity I can feel proud of!!

Friends of the Light

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards: The Moral Awakening of Mainstream Christianity

We Are a Million Strong | Believe Out Loud

NYC charter school's $125,000 experiment - 60 Minutes - CBS News

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries - NYTimes.com

Steve Lopez: After a decade, a columnist finally catches up with Father Gregory Boyle - latimes.com

The lessons of Nathaniel Jones, Chris Paul's grandfather - ESPN

Steve Lopez: Save our teachers - latimes.com

Andrew Marin Interview by Red Letter Christians

Glenn Beck Departure

Rob Bell

Rob Bell: The Good News Is Better Than That: Reflections On Hell, Salvation and the Power of Love

Teacher layoffs: As teachers get layoff notices, some Los Angeles students are fighting for quality education - latimes.com

BUCKS BEAT: Maggette steps up big in crisis

What Does Rob Bell Really Say? (A Review of the Actual Book Itself) - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

A Right to Bear Glocks? - NYTimes.com

9/11 First Responders Health Care Bill Passed By House & Senate

December 16, 2010 - Mike Huckabee - The Daily Show With Jon Stewart - Full Episode Video | Comedy Central

Belmont under fire for firing gay soccer coach - ESPN

Tea Party Caucus Takes $1 Billion In Earmarks - Hotline On Call

Kneeling again next to RFK - latimes.com

Harry Potter and Social Justice - Julie Clawson - God's Politics Blog

Health insurers pour money into GOP campaigns, hoping to limit new regulations - latimes.com

Why Bill Clinton is Brilliant

They Burn One, We Give Two! | Massachusetts Bible Society

10 Prerequisites for Being an Effective Christian in the World

This is a great list to start with:

Lisa Sharon Harper: Why Christians Should Support the 'Ground Zero Mosque'

Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph. D.: Prop 8, Judge Walker and the Biblical View of Marriage Equality

Nathaniel Ayers: Musician Ayers performs at White House - latimes.com

Funny Story about Hell if True

July 19: My One Sentence Bible

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

Controversy in Wisconsin - Jim Wallis - God's Politics Blog

A golden apple and a pink slip - latimes.com

JOHN WOODEN'S SEVEN-POINT CREED

Why we love The Shack, the self-published novel by William P. Young. - By Nathan Heller - Slate Magazine

E.J. Dionne Jr. - Mark Souder's downfall shows virtue knows no ideology

this is america. learn it or leave. « eugene cho

Google to Launch Digital Books by Early Summer - WSJ.com

Arizona’s ID-check law boils down to harassment - chicagotribune.com

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Arizona Immigration Law

Eugene Robinson - Arizona's new immigration law is an act of vengeance

ESPN Rodney Peete learns from autistic son

Peace grows in a Culver City garden - Los Angeles Times

D.C. begins licensing same-sex marriages - washingtonpost.com

Beauty and Ugliness in a Shooting’s Aftermath - Shane Claiborne - God's Politics Blog

Jackson High School team manager with Down's Syndrome gets opportunity to suit up for game against Northwest - MLive.com

Video: Recent furloughs spark protests - The Times Herald News: Norristown, PA and Montgomery County (timesherald.com)

Commentary: Poor are powerless and we remain silent about Bauer's remarks | McClatchy

Mr. Ayers -- recording artist - latimes.com

Google shows off Chrome OS tablet ideas | Deep Tech - CNET News

E.J. Dionne Jr. - Justice Alito's candid response to Obama's rebuke - washingtonpost.com

City homeless donate $14.64 for quake victims - baltimoresun.com

Catch of the Day

Tim Tebow REALLY is that Nice

Inside Lacrosse Magazine: The Right Direction | IL Blog Central

Growing multitudes need a helping hand -- latimes.com

What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

Springsteen at the Spectrum: No retreat, no surrender | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/21/2009

Rob Bell on faith, suffering, and Christians - Articles of Faith - Boston.com

ArkansasVarsity.com - Ark. player ends game with noble gesture

The man who hated hunger - The Boston Globe

Love Your Political Enemies: A Response to Jimmy Carter’s Comments on Racism - Valerie Elverton Dixon - God’s Politics Blog

How Many Uninsured?

A 9/11 Prayer: Leonard Cohen’s ‘Democracy’ - Ryan Rodrick Beiler - God’s Politics Blog

Doctor has common-sense fixes to healthcare crisis -- latimes.com

Looking for common ground in Glenn Beck country -- latimes.com

President Obama's Words of Wisdom at ASU

Rick Reilly Does it Again

Hey, pro, don't want to be a role model? It's not your choice.

I took this from the web, but it should be required reading for every professional athlete prior to their first game!!!

A Football Game Gives Hope-

Are You a Good Leader?

Rob Bell- Grace and Peace

Two Churches Battle it out..See the Signs! (Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?)

A Butler Well Served by This Election

Articulate Reason to Believe in Obama

Randy Pausch, Known for his "Last Lecture," Dies

Randy Pausch, Known for his "Last Lecture," Dies

²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.