you’ve GOT to be kidding.
By judys | September 1, 2010
On September 11th, 2010, from 6pm – 9pm, we will burn the Koran on the property of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam. Islam is of the devil!
There’s more.
* The church’s website lists Ten Reasons to Burn a Koran.
* The city of Gainesville, FL has denied the church a burn permit, “BUT WE WILL STILL BURN KORANS” declares Jones.
* An armed Christian organization, Right Wing Extreme, will send members of its militia to protect the church during the burn.
* A defiant Jones was interviewed by Hardball’s Chris Matthews and CNN’s Rick Sanchez and agreed, “It is indeed… a very clear, radical message to Muslims” that Islamic law “is not welcome in America.”
What will be the outcome of this ideological expression of hatred?
Jones actually thinks people will be drawn to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, Jihadists are vowing to conduct suicide bombings in Florida to avenge the burnings. Muslim flood victims in Pakistan will hear that American Christians are putting their energy and resources into burning the Koran, not helping them in their hour of dire need. Evangelistic efforts in Muslim contexts will almost certainly be damaged and diminished.
Friends, I do not find one shred of biblical support for such an act of hatred and offense. How does this square with Jesus’ sermon on the mount alone? Blessed are the gentle, the peacemakers… Let your light shine in such a way that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven… Do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also… Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two… Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
The teaching and tone of Jesus do not approve of Koran-burning. Period.
What shall we do?
Dove World Outreach Center claims to be a Bible-believing, New Testament Church. I am praying that the pastor and people of DWOC will take another careful look at the Word of God, humble themselves in obedience to the Spirit, and change their plan.
If they will not heed the Lord’s rebuke, I am asking God to thwart their counsel and plans and to bring His discipline on them as, and when, and to the extent He sees fit.
I am pleading that this event will be given minimal visibility by the media, and that the enemy will not gain a foothold against the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am asking for protection and safety for the Christ-followers in Muslim lands who will likely be targeted for harm as a result of Jones’ actions.
Concerning the global effort for Christ’s Kingdom, I am claiming with renewed determination the promise that the nations and the ends of the earth are Christ’s inheritance, not the enemy’s.
Pray with me!
Blessings,
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the win matters
By judys | August 31, 2010
Have you ever wandered into a store that’s dedicated to a sport you’re not familiar with? You walk dumbfounded from one aisle to the next. The array of merchandise available overwhelms you. Can there really be this much to this sport?
Take a bike shop, for instance. Everything a rider wears (helmet, clothing, gloves, socks, shoes) is designed to minimize weight and reduce wind drag. The bikes themselves are built out of space-age materials for strength and weight-savings. You can lift an entire bike with two fingers. And in the quest to slip through the air, nothing is overlooked–even the spokes are aerodynamically tuned!
Of course, the prices they charge for this stuff leave you speechless. And about then you’re thinking, “This is absurd! Why do people spend this much effort and money just to save a few ounces?”
It’s all about getting an edge on the competition, isn’t it. The win matters.
The Apostle Paul himself had a must-win mentality: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things… I run in such a way, as not without aim… I box in such a way, as not beating the air… I discipline my body and make it my slave…
How different things would be if we all had this “take no prisoners” attitude when it came to following Jesus and advancing His Kingdom. What if we scrutinized everything? What if we got rid of every little thing that slowed us down? What if we shed every unnecessary weight? What if we spent absurd amounts of money to gain the slightest edge…?
Well, we’d be headed to the winner’s podium for an imperishable wreath, that’s what! And what a difference we’d make in this world!
Let’s go for the win!
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no instructions
By judys | August 18, 2010
You know about these, right? A parasail is a modified parachute. You strap yourself into the parasail’s harness and a ski boat tows you and the parasail aloft with a 300 foot cable. Some say there’s nothing like it. Others say it’s to die for.
Well, any kind of flying interests me, so I kept reading.
The seller listed numerous featues such as the dimensions, colors, and shape; the included body harness and tow cable; as well as the condition and price.
It was all sounding pretty good till I got to this one line at the bottom: “Instructions not included.”
And I got to thinking, Who buys a parasail without instructions? More to the point, Who straps himself into one without instructions?
Two types, I guess. One says, “Aw, c’mon! What’s the big deal? I’ve seen ‘em do it on TV. How hard could it be?”
The other has had considerable experience at parasailing and knows parasails. He knows enough to know that everything’s included and in good condition, and he’s absolutely confident he can fly the thing.
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gourmet pretzels
By judys | August 12, 2010
A few weeks ago our family traveled to Minnesota for a family reunion. We found Air Tran offered the best price for a no-frills, just-get-me-there flight.
Considering what we’d paid, as I boarded the plane I was checking to see if the plane had both wings! And once we were in flight, I was even more surprised to see the flight attendants coming down the aisle with drinks and a snack… for free!
The snack came in a little blue foil bag marked, How to eat Gourmet Pretzels on a low-fare airline. I was intrigued. I’d never had gourmet pretzels before. (Interestingly enough, they tasted just like the non-gourmet ones I’m used to from WalMart.)
On the back of the blue foil bag there were these Eating Instructions:
1. Think about our wonderful low fares at airtran.com as you open packet.
2. Place a pretzel in mouth. With each crunch, be reminded of our low fares.
3. As you swallow, remember again just how low the fares are.
4. Repeat until pretzel packet is empty.
5. Keep empty packet to remind yourself to book at airtran.com, where you’ll always find our lowest fares.
Their marketing genius made me smile. And I thought, Now that’s evangelism if I ever saw it! They’re so completely unashamed of their low-fare flights they just can’t stop telling you about it.
It reminded me of the man Jesus healed in Mark 5:1-20. He was a total basket-case of a guy whose life was in absolute shambles. After the Lord healed him and gave him his life back, he was desperate to come with Jesus. But the Lord’s reply was, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.”
And without any more evangelism instruction than that “he went away and began to proclaim in the Ten-Cities Region everything that Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.” Later we learn that because he had told his story to so many people, a great number of them turned to Jesus.
Our theme for 2010 is about being stretcher-bearers — bringing people to Jesus for the ultimate healing. Little blue foil bags… shameless exuberance about what the Lord has done for us… it’s all about getting the message to people so they can get to Jesus, isn’t it!
Who will you tell this week?
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Airbags, Balaam
By judys | August 4, 2010
Airbags, Balaam
After a vehicle has been in a collision, some of the most expensive things to repair are the air bags, if they have deployed. Figure about $1500 per bag. Today’s cars often have multiple air bags.
As a result, some repair facilities elect NOT to replace the air bag(s). They unplug the warning light on the dash, replace the steering wheel and dashboard covers… and pocket the savings.
It’s a cold-hearted act that brings together deception, malice, and greed. In their own right, each is a deadly poison. But mixed together they make a brew worthy of Balaam. Remember him? He concocted a malicious plan to bring a curse on God’s people. On his hook of deception were Enticement and Seduction. And his motive throughout? Pure and simple Greed.
Nothing is really new under the sun, is it? Our “civilized” citizens are shrewd as serpents in devising evil. There’s even a show called American Greed. Greed rarely acts alone. Its best friends are deception and malice. Who cares if we’re playing Russian Rhoulette with someone else’s life? It’s the money we want!
Friends, Jesus’ words were never more fitting: “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Pray accordingly for me, and I’ll pray for you.
Blessings,
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