The following is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq, it was posted on Damion's blog November 13th:
As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened ... And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you.
This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.)
* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35% before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.
Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.
Ray Reynolds, SFC Iowa Army National Guard 234th Signal Battalion
Nov 30, 2004
Nov 27, 2004
Zane's Friends
Our son Zane has several imaginary friends.
There's "W", "Mickey" and "Zane."
The last one he uses creatively. The day after Thanksgiving we were at his grandma's, as we were getting ready to leave grandma offerred him some jerky. He took it and then said, "I'm not Zane he's right here" pointing next to himself. Grandma played along and said, "does Zane want a piece of jerky too?" Of course he says, "yes." Then takes another piece in his other hand.
Some how he gets to eat both. When I asked to share the one for Zane he wouldn't do it. Go figure.
There's "W", "Mickey" and "Zane."
The last one he uses creatively. The day after Thanksgiving we were at his grandma's, as we were getting ready to leave grandma offerred him some jerky. He took it and then said, "I'm not Zane he's right here" pointing next to himself. Grandma played along and said, "does Zane want a piece of jerky too?" Of course he says, "yes." Then takes another piece in his other hand.
Some how he gets to eat both. When I asked to share the one for Zane he wouldn't do it. Go figure.
Nov 24, 2004
Bible Reading Plans
I just re-found a realy cool resource. If you are on your computer everyday and don't mind reading on the computer this is really cool. This web-site has 12 different Bible reading plans and 15 different english Bible translations to choose from (plus other languages if you want). You simply tell them what plan and what version and they e-mail you the passages for you to read everyday.
Below is the descriptions from their website with links (the title above links you to their site, too):
Bible Reading Plans
To Help You Read The Bible
"If you continue in my word . . . you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." -- Jesus (John 8:31-32 RSV)
12 Bible reading plans:
View each plan on the web and/or be reminded by receiving it each day by email. Each plan is available in several languages and translations. There are no charges or strings attached. You will not be sent any advertisements or have your name added to other lists if you subscribe. You can un-subscribe from any plan any time with one click.
Choose and combine plans to meet your needs and time schedule. For example, combining the OT in two years with the NT on weekdays is only 2 chapters each day, yet allows you to read the NT every year, and the OT every two years. When you need wisdom, take a month and read the Proverbs. To get acquainted with Jesus better, take a month and read the Gospels. During a particularly trying time, give yourself a boost by reading the Psalms in a month.
To read the whole Bible in a year, you could also combine the NT on weekdays with the OT in one year. That gives you more variety than the regular plan of reading the whole Bible straight through in a year.
This service is freely offered in the hope it may assist you to draw near to our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.
If it blesses you, tell your friends.
If you have suggestions or problems, please tell us.
If you would like to show your support, you may give an offering here.
Would you like more details about how this service works?
Madonna... Searching for Something?
Madonna... Searching for Something? By Jonathan McKee
I was channel surfing the other day and saw Madonna on the news. CNN's Richard Quest was interviewing her about her children's book and politics ... but the conversation strayed:
QUEST: A final thought. If your daughter decided to prance around the stage in her underwear, singing and hollering, would you approve?
MADONNA: If she was an adult, there's, you know, not a lot I could do about it. She would be free to make that choice.
QUEST: Would you approve? If she behaved like you, if she mirrored your life to some extent, as a mother, who's now essentially found a spiritual way of life, would you approve?Madonna started to respond ... but then pondered the question for a moment. Five seconds of awkward silence passed. Then she finally spoke.
MADONNA: Probably not.
(CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports, Aired November 15, 2004 - 17:00 ET)
I confess ... I was surprised to see her admit that. But this isn't the first time Madonna has revealed her heart in an interview. Madonna is typical of this heartbroken, hurting generation. Even though she seems like she's pushing God away ... she has realized that she's missing something ... she's searching for something.I talk about this in my new book.
Years ago in a Vogue interview she talked about her struggle with feelings of inadequacy:
"I have an iron will and all of my will has always been devoted to conquering some horrible feelings of inadequacy. I'm always struggling with that fear. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being of worth and then I get to another stage and I think I'm mediocre and uninteresting and worthless and I have to find a way to get myself out of that again and again. My drive in life is from this horrible feeling of being inadequate and mediocre and it is always pushing me, and pushing me and pushing me. Because even though I have become somebody, I still have to prove that I am SOMEBODY. My struggle has never ended and it probably never will."
No matter how much "the unchurched" seem to want to push away God, secretly they are searching for something to fill the emptiness in their lives.I know, I know. You're thinking, "What? Madonna interested in God? ‘Like a Virgin' Madonna? ‘Papa Don't Preach' Madonna? ‘Kiss Brittany' Madonna?" You might even conclude, "Empty ... yes! But ‘looking for God?' No way!"But even the most die-hard atheists are secretly looking for an anchor.
Lee Strobel (Author, A Case for Christ, A Case for Faith) attests to this. I asked Lee, an ex-atheist, about this in an interview I had with him:
JONATHAN: In that book (Harry & Mary), one of your points was that "people are morally adrift but secretly want an anchor." An encouraging point to those of us sharing our faith- because of the ramifications- "people want something more than the empty life they're leading- whether they admit it or not!" Yesterday you shared that, as an atheist, you felt like something was missing. But because you didn't want to feel guilty about your behavior, you used to use your atheism as an excuse for your actions ... ?
LEE: Well I think that atheists ... in my experience, have some intellectual, and sometimes considerable intellectual issues involved with Christianity. But often those are used to mask underlying moral or emotional issues that, I think, were both true in my case. I think the questions I had intellectually were legitimate, but at the same time I used them, not as a platform to pursue truth, but a defense mechanism to keep Christianity away. So it didn't infringe upon my morals or cause me to deal with emotional issues that kept me away from God.
JONATHAN: So when you wrote that point about "secretly wanting an anchor," was that strictly from your life or did you observe people having this up front shell, but underneath feeling empty?
LEE: Well, my friends in the newspaper business who lived very raucous, wild lives- as a person- I think really deep down inside, they were coming to the realization that this is not the path to happiness. That it was not leading them where they want to go. And yet they knew nothing else but to continue to pursue it. And I think down inside they were looking for some framework for their lives- some anchor for their lives. And, um ... some have found it and many of them haven't.
The "unchurched" are looking for something. Unchurched kids are searching to fill the hole in their heart. They are trying to fill that void with things that don't belong there like possessions, popularity, drugs and alcohol.
But nothing works.
So they continue to question.
The harvest is ready.
Are we ready to reach out to them?
I was channel surfing the other day and saw Madonna on the news. CNN's Richard Quest was interviewing her about her children's book and politics ... but the conversation strayed:
QUEST: A final thought. If your daughter decided to prance around the stage in her underwear, singing and hollering, would you approve?
MADONNA: If she was an adult, there's, you know, not a lot I could do about it. She would be free to make that choice.
QUEST: Would you approve? If she behaved like you, if she mirrored your life to some extent, as a mother, who's now essentially found a spiritual way of life, would you approve?Madonna started to respond ... but then pondered the question for a moment. Five seconds of awkward silence passed. Then she finally spoke.
MADONNA: Probably not.
(CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports, Aired November 15, 2004 - 17:00 ET)
I confess ... I was surprised to see her admit that. But this isn't the first time Madonna has revealed her heart in an interview. Madonna is typical of this heartbroken, hurting generation. Even though she seems like she's pushing God away ... she has realized that she's missing something ... she's searching for something.I talk about this in my new book.
Years ago in a Vogue interview she talked about her struggle with feelings of inadequacy:
"I have an iron will and all of my will has always been devoted to conquering some horrible feelings of inadequacy. I'm always struggling with that fear. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being of worth and then I get to another stage and I think I'm mediocre and uninteresting and worthless and I have to find a way to get myself out of that again and again. My drive in life is from this horrible feeling of being inadequate and mediocre and it is always pushing me, and pushing me and pushing me. Because even though I have become somebody, I still have to prove that I am SOMEBODY. My struggle has never ended and it probably never will."
No matter how much "the unchurched" seem to want to push away God, secretly they are searching for something to fill the emptiness in their lives.I know, I know. You're thinking, "What? Madonna interested in God? ‘Like a Virgin' Madonna? ‘Papa Don't Preach' Madonna? ‘Kiss Brittany' Madonna?" You might even conclude, "Empty ... yes! But ‘looking for God?' No way!"But even the most die-hard atheists are secretly looking for an anchor.
Lee Strobel (Author, A Case for Christ, A Case for Faith) attests to this. I asked Lee, an ex-atheist, about this in an interview I had with him:
JONATHAN: In that book (Harry & Mary), one of your points was that "people are morally adrift but secretly want an anchor." An encouraging point to those of us sharing our faith- because of the ramifications- "people want something more than the empty life they're leading- whether they admit it or not!" Yesterday you shared that, as an atheist, you felt like something was missing. But because you didn't want to feel guilty about your behavior, you used to use your atheism as an excuse for your actions ... ?
LEE: Well I think that atheists ... in my experience, have some intellectual, and sometimes considerable intellectual issues involved with Christianity. But often those are used to mask underlying moral or emotional issues that, I think, were both true in my case. I think the questions I had intellectually were legitimate, but at the same time I used them, not as a platform to pursue truth, but a defense mechanism to keep Christianity away. So it didn't infringe upon my morals or cause me to deal with emotional issues that kept me away from God.
JONATHAN: So when you wrote that point about "secretly wanting an anchor," was that strictly from your life or did you observe people having this up front shell, but underneath feeling empty?
LEE: Well, my friends in the newspaper business who lived very raucous, wild lives- as a person- I think really deep down inside, they were coming to the realization that this is not the path to happiness. That it was not leading them where they want to go. And yet they knew nothing else but to continue to pursue it. And I think down inside they were looking for some framework for their lives- some anchor for their lives. And, um ... some have found it and many of them haven't.
The "unchurched" are looking for something. Unchurched kids are searching to fill the hole in their heart. They are trying to fill that void with things that don't belong there like possessions, popularity, drugs and alcohol.
But nothing works.
So they continue to question.
The harvest is ready.
Are we ready to reach out to them?
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Nov 22, 2004
Nov 17, 2004
Doernbecher Children's Hospital
Tuesday afternoon I drove my family to Portland. Lori and I dropped Zane off with his grandma and took Luke to Doernbecher Children's Hospital to see a Pulmonary Specialist Doctor (Dr. Wall). Luke has a had a wheeze in his breathing since birth and a couple times he has had more difficult time breathing.
The doctor diagnosed it as Infant Asthma, which could still disappear after Luke's second winter. Infant Asthma in Luke's case is probably brought on by common viruses (colds) being passed around during the school year (not that he is in school - it's simply that when kids are in school - stuff is passed around to us all more readily).
The medication he has prescribed will be a whole lot easier for Lori to administer. No more nebulizer... he gave us an adaptor to use with a regular inhaler. So the treatments will take only a few minutes rather than 20 minutes of holding him down with a mask on his face.
So over all we are satisfyed with the doctor visit. We would rather not have to do the meds as they are expensive, but whatever is best for the boy.
We continue to pray that he will grow out of this and will have normal breathing soon.
Thanks for your prayers.
www.ohsudoernbecher.com
www.aanma.org
http://www.aafa.org/
The doctor diagnosed it as Infant Asthma, which could still disappear after Luke's second winter. Infant Asthma in Luke's case is probably brought on by common viruses (colds) being passed around during the school year (not that he is in school - it's simply that when kids are in school - stuff is passed around to us all more readily).
The medication he has prescribed will be a whole lot easier for Lori to administer. No more nebulizer... he gave us an adaptor to use with a regular inhaler. So the treatments will take only a few minutes rather than 20 minutes of holding him down with a mask on his face.
So over all we are satisfyed with the doctor visit. We would rather not have to do the meds as they are expensive, but whatever is best for the boy.
We continue to pray that he will grow out of this and will have normal breathing soon.
Thanks for your prayers.
www.ohsudoernbecher.com
www.aanma.org
http://www.aafa.org/
Nov 11, 2004
Nov 10, 2004
Halo® 2 launch party?
Halo® 2 launch party?
As many of you know, I am not really into these types of video games. However, are any of you having a launch party? Or do you know of anyone who is? Just wondering...
As many of you know, I am not really into these types of video games. However, are any of you having a launch party? Or do you know of anyone who is? Just wondering...
Concert
Thanks to those of you who came and helped out at the concert.
We had some scheduling difficulties. That was mostly my mistake...so we got started very late. Thanks for your patience! Other than that it was a good evening.
The music was good, the bands were fun. I enjoyed meeting them. They were very appreciative of getting the chance to play, which was cool. They must be thanked for coming on such short notice. We just found out last Thursday that the other bands were not going to be able make it.
If we do it again, we've learned that ... 3 bands is too much on a school night and we must have the schedule nailed down beforehand (meaning when each band does their set up, sound checks, and music set).
Thanks: One-sided, Sword 7, Ranger Rocket, Seth McFarland, Aric Marshall, Joe Parks, and everyone else who helped out in various ways!
We had some scheduling difficulties. That was mostly my mistake...so we got started very late. Thanks for your patience! Other than that it was a good evening.
The music was good, the bands were fun. I enjoyed meeting them. They were very appreciative of getting the chance to play, which was cool. They must be thanked for coming on such short notice. We just found out last Thursday that the other bands were not going to be able make it.
If we do it again, we've learned that ... 3 bands is too much on a school night and we must have the schedule nailed down beforehand (meaning when each band does their set up, sound checks, and music set).
Thanks: One-sided, Sword 7, Ranger Rocket, Seth McFarland, Aric Marshall, Joe Parks, and everyone else who helped out in various ways!
Nov 8, 2004
One-sided, Ranger Rocket, and Sword7
Concert tomorrow night @ 7:00 PM
Three bands -- Only $2
Santa Clara Church
Nov 6, 2004
Tuesday Concert
Concert promotion, ugh!
I have flyers out at NCC and EBC and at a few churches in our area, plus all our youth and some of them handing them out at school.
Now I find out that the two headlining bands are not coming...their van transmission went out and will not be able to get it fixed for a couple weeks.
So I have been in negotiations with two bands from Grant's Pass (One-sided and Ranger Rocket) and two bands from Eugene (Calling Simon and Sword7). The two Grant's Pass bands are planning to be here and Sword7 is still a maybe at this point.
Because of the changes the concert will only be $2. Let your friends know. $2 concert at SC3 Tuesday 7 PM.
I have flyers out at NCC and EBC and at a few churches in our area, plus all our youth and some of them handing them out at school.
Now I find out that the two headlining bands are not coming...their van transmission went out and will not be able to get it fixed for a couple weeks.
So I have been in negotiations with two bands from Grant's Pass (One-sided and Ranger Rocket) and two bands from Eugene (Calling Simon and Sword7). The two Grant's Pass bands are planning to be here and Sword7 is still a maybe at this point.
Because of the changes the concert will only be $2. Let your friends know. $2 concert at SC3 Tuesday 7 PM.
Nov 3, 2004
Campaign Conclusion
Although not officially over, it looks like the President Bush has been re-elected.
I think this is a good thing. From all appearances he is a man who is trying to please God and that is the type of leader our country needs.
However, there are a few things that came up in the campaign that I believe we need to address or even confront. One is the budget, as individuals we must live within our means, spend only what we have, (i.e. balance our budgets) and the government should do the same. I realize during war time this is about impossible, but putting the war aside, we should be cutting all non-essential government programs by the thousands to reduce government waste. We might disagree on what is essential government, but to me it comes down to what the government is for.
Dr. Jack Cottrell writes, "There is one word that sums up [what the Bible says is] the purpose of government: JUSTICE..." Justice comes down to protecting the rights of the law-abiding citizens and to punishing those who do not abide by the law.
In my mind, if it has nothing to do with those two things ... do we need it? What falls under these categories? Military, police, jails, courts, legislature, and prisons, etc. There are other things that the government does like building and maintaining roads and fire protection, but what else is absolutely necessary?
This is not a rhetorical question.
What does the Bible say about government? Read the following verses.
Romans 13.1
Romans 13.3-5
1 Peter 2.13-14
1 Timothy 2.1-4
Matthew 22.21
I think this is a good thing. From all appearances he is a man who is trying to please God and that is the type of leader our country needs.
However, there are a few things that came up in the campaign that I believe we need to address or even confront. One is the budget, as individuals we must live within our means, spend only what we have, (i.e. balance our budgets) and the government should do the same. I realize during war time this is about impossible, but putting the war aside, we should be cutting all non-essential government programs by the thousands to reduce government waste. We might disagree on what is essential government, but to me it comes down to what the government is for.
Dr. Jack Cottrell writes, "There is one word that sums up [what the Bible says is] the purpose of government: JUSTICE..." Justice comes down to protecting the rights of the law-abiding citizens and to punishing those who do not abide by the law.
In my mind, if it has nothing to do with those two things ... do we need it? What falls under these categories? Military, police, jails, courts, legislature, and prisons, etc. There are other things that the government does like building and maintaining roads and fire protection, but what else is absolutely necessary?
This is not a rhetorical question.
What does the Bible say about government? Read the following verses.
Romans 13.1
Romans 13.3-5
1 Peter 2.13-14
1 Timothy 2.1-4
Matthew 22.21
Fighting Jacks & Olympic Year
Tuesday, November 9th --- Fighting Jacks and Olympic Year in concert at Santa Clara Church of Christ, Eugene, OR.
$5
7:00 PM
541.689.2127 for more information.
Nov 1, 2004
emerging :: church
The following article is about changing the way the church lives and reaches out to the post-modern (and post-Christian) world. There are many churches, including our “youth church” which are looking for better ways of being the church and reaching out to the lost. FROM: www.emergingchurch.org
-Cory
emerging :: church
the emerging church of the 21st century may have more in common with the church of the apostolic era, than with the church of the 20th century.
many ancient practices of faith and ways of being communal are being re:booted and morphed for the needs of the future church. as leonard sweet writes, "our faith is ancient. our faith is future. we're old-fashioned. we're new-fangled. we're orthodox. we're innovators. we're postmodern christians."
the emergence of the postmodern era (1960 onward) is only now beginning to impact the world and the church in a profound way. most folk know about luther, calvin and the reformation. some have likened what is taking place in the church today to a "second reformation."
because the church is organic (the living body of christ), it needs evolution or re-formation to stay healthy and vibrant.
the traditions of the church are treasure... we are not starting from scratch... we can build upon the learnings of the first reformation as we surf the wild wave into the second.
today's mission context provides the church with a chance to:
1. shake off any residual "leave it to beaver" orientation and begin swimming (even with a paddleboard) within the postmodern culture.
2. really trust the power of the gospel and learn to communicate it with authenticity, because for postmodern people, authenticity is primary.
the church should not fear postmodernity, as it provides us with a new context, and thus a fresh opportunity to get real, to drink deep from our own wells, and go back to our own future...
the pages [at: www.emergingchurch.org] are only a PRIMER to suggest concepts and ideas relevant for being church in our culture, and a PORTAL into the rich web of ecumenical resources for doing mission in the postmodern age.
FROM: www.emergingchurch.org
-Cory
emerging :: church
the emerging church of the 21st century may have more in common with the church of the apostolic era, than with the church of the 20th century.
many ancient practices of faith and ways of being communal are being re:booted and morphed for the needs of the future church. as leonard sweet writes, "our faith is ancient. our faith is future. we're old-fashioned. we're new-fangled. we're orthodox. we're innovators. we're postmodern christians."
the emergence of the postmodern era (1960 onward) is only now beginning to impact the world and the church in a profound way. most folk know about luther, calvin and the reformation. some have likened what is taking place in the church today to a "second reformation."
because the church is organic (the living body of christ), it needs evolution or re-formation to stay healthy and vibrant.
the traditions of the church are treasure... we are not starting from scratch... we can build upon the learnings of the first reformation as we surf the wild wave into the second.
today's mission context provides the church with a chance to:
1. shake off any residual "leave it to beaver" orientation and begin swimming (even with a paddleboard) within the postmodern culture.
2. really trust the power of the gospel and learn to communicate it with authenticity, because for postmodern people, authenticity is primary.
the church should not fear postmodernity, as it provides us with a new context, and thus a fresh opportunity to get real, to drink deep from our own wells, and go back to our own future...
the pages [at: www.emergingchurch.org] are only a PRIMER to suggest concepts and ideas relevant for being church in our culture, and a PORTAL into the rich web of ecumenical resources for doing mission in the postmodern age.
FROM: www.emergingchurch.org
Vacation
I returned from my elk hunt on Sunday afternoon in time for the Children's Ministry Harvest Jubilee-that was a great time with lots of kids and families enjoying themselves with the games, food, and candy.
The elk hunt was unsuccessful on one level but very successful in many ways. I did not see any elk. However, I saw a whole lot of high mountain forest, around 30 deer, had quality time with family and friends, and read two books. Two days I spent "on a stand", meaning I sat in one place in the forest from an hour before light until late afternoon. All the while trying to stay warm, look out for elk, and read (Bible & Louis L'Amour). The second day three deer bedded down just down the hill from me for 2-3 hours. At other times I hunted making drives down to the bottom of Six Points Creek, through the upper part of Fiddler's Hell, and on the hillsides above Mt. Emily Canyon.
Also in the late afternoons I did a little exploring on a 4X4 ATV. I enjoyed trying to find a way over the top of the ridge above our camp.
It was an great week as I enjoyed the quiet of the forest, being alone with God, and reading purely for fun.
The elk hunt was unsuccessful on one level but very successful in many ways. I did not see any elk. However, I saw a whole lot of high mountain forest, around 30 deer, had quality time with family and friends, and read two books. Two days I spent "on a stand", meaning I sat in one place in the forest from an hour before light until late afternoon. All the while trying to stay warm, look out for elk, and read (Bible & Louis L'Amour). The second day three deer bedded down just down the hill from me for 2-3 hours. At other times I hunted making drives down to the bottom of Six Points Creek, through the upper part of Fiddler's Hell, and on the hillsides above Mt. Emily Canyon.
Also in the late afternoons I did a little exploring on a 4X4 ATV. I enjoyed trying to find a way over the top of the ridge above our camp.
It was an great week as I enjoyed the quiet of the forest, being alone with God, and reading purely for fun.
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