Friends,
I am not wanting this blog to be a regular obituary column, but I thought it important to mention this. I have been pondering this message for the past couple of days...and strange as it may seem, count me among the hundreds of thousands of mourners for former prime-minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. I generally do not make forays into the political arena, but this one struck me. (As if discussing religion isn't controversial enough? :-) I have been an admirer of this lady since I was much younger. She was not a perfect human being, but she brought a sense of wisdom, courage, dignity, stability and reason to a people who were in need of it at the times that she served as a leader for her country. She was truly "out of place" and "out of time," in a sense, as a female politician in a place where it was a challenge to be so. She was trying to do and be the same timely leader, once again, that her people needed her to be over the past several months until she was assassinated two days ago. It is an unfortunate matter, but one that is all to familiar in the world in which we live. Please pray for the people of this nation that somehow order will come from chaos and that her legacy will be one where her people will dignify her life by standing up for the ideals that she believed in and pursued.
Don
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Amazing Chip
Friends,
No, this is not about my brother-in-law, although he is a great guy.
:-) Scientists in Israel have inscribed the entire Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible (equivalent to our OT) onto a tiny nanochip about the size of a grain of sugar, measuring about .o1 square inch. This text was chosen to show how a large amount of information could be stored in such a tiny amount of space. It took about an hour to etch the 300,000 words onto the tiny silicon surface. The technology can be used to store vast amounts of data and is being considered for medical, as well as other scientific, practical advances. The previous smallest known copy of the Bible measured roughly 1x1x.5 inches, weighed .4 ounces and contained over 1500 pages.
Don
No, this is not about my brother-in-law, although he is a great guy.
:-) Scientists in Israel have inscribed the entire Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible (equivalent to our OT) onto a tiny nanochip about the size of a grain of sugar, measuring about .o1 square inch. This text was chosen to show how a large amount of information could be stored in such a tiny amount of space. It took about an hour to etch the 300,000 words onto the tiny silicon surface. The technology can be used to store vast amounts of data and is being considered for medical, as well as other scientific, practical advances. The previous smallest known copy of the Bible measured roughly 1x1x.5 inches, weighed .4 ounces and contained over 1500 pages.
Don
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Death Star Galaxy
Friends,Today, NASA put up this cool image of a couple of galaxies competing for space. Like something out of Star Wars, the larger galaxy with a great "black hole" in its midst is blasting the smaller galaxy with large amounts of radiation particles and other matter, thus the name "Death Star Galaxy." Ultimately, the smaller will "be assimilated" into the larger galaxy, so "resistance is futile." Tens of millions of stars and untold planets are in the path of this jet of destructive radiation. When one astrophysicist was asked what would happen if Earth was in the smaller galaxy, he indicated that it would be sterilized -- bummer. The astrophysicists advice? Avoid black holes when you can. Ha ha. Fortunately, there is no threat of this happening to our own Milky Way galaxy. Still, just the fact that we can see these images with the large array of powerful telescopes on the Earth, is amazing.
Don
Monday, December 17, 2007
Farewell
Friends,
The son of the Leader of the Band has been silenced. I was saddened today to learn that one of my favorite vocalists from my youth, Dan Fogelberg, succumbed to prostate cancer at age 56. He did so many great songs and beautiful ballads that are forever etched in the minds of his fans...songs like Leader of the Band, Auld Lang Syne, the Power of Gold, Run for the Roses and so many others were the inspiration of a gifted man. Thank you, Dan.
Don
The son of the Leader of the Band has been silenced. I was saddened today to learn that one of my favorite vocalists from my youth, Dan Fogelberg, succumbed to prostate cancer at age 56. He did so many great songs and beautiful ballads that are forever etched in the minds of his fans...songs like Leader of the Band, Auld Lang Syne, the Power of Gold, Run for the Roses and so many others were the inspiration of a gifted man. Thank you, Dan.
Don
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Mitchell Report
Friends,
The long awaited report on preformance enhancing drugs and baseball came out today. There were 70+ names on the "used steroids or HGH" list. Some of the usual suspects were on the list, but for the first time a couple of big name pitchers were revealed. Now, I would really like to believe their denials because I have always admired Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, but it certainly does not look good. And part of the reason for this...is that they DO look so good so late in their careers, just like Barry. If there were not performance enhancing drug issues over the past couple of decades, then why did so many of the baseball greats of yesteryear not play at such a high level into their late 30s and 40s, (a few folks like Nolan Ryan, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige notwithstanding). Unfortunately, there is much suspicion in many sports in relationship to this subject. Another example, sprinter Marion Jones forfeited her Olympic medals yesterday... a sad ending to what had the appearance of being a great track career and potential for so much more that was done in by performance enhancing drugs. So, indeed, it is a sad time for sports. Perhaps, one day the drug testing will catch up with and stay ahead of the cheaters (wishful thinking?) from this era and it will one day all be behind us. Well...we can hope.
Don
The long awaited report on preformance enhancing drugs and baseball came out today. There were 70+ names on the "used steroids or HGH" list. Some of the usual suspects were on the list, but for the first time a couple of big name pitchers were revealed. Now, I would really like to believe their denials because I have always admired Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, but it certainly does not look good. And part of the reason for this...is that they DO look so good so late in their careers, just like Barry. If there were not performance enhancing drug issues over the past couple of decades, then why did so many of the baseball greats of yesteryear not play at such a high level into their late 30s and 40s, (a few folks like Nolan Ryan, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige notwithstanding). Unfortunately, there is much suspicion in many sports in relationship to this subject. Another example, sprinter Marion Jones forfeited her Olympic medals yesterday... a sad ending to what had the appearance of being a great track career and potential for so much more that was done in by performance enhancing drugs. So, indeed, it is a sad time for sports. Perhaps, one day the drug testing will catch up with and stay ahead of the cheaters (wishful thinking?) from this era and it will one day all be behind us. Well...we can hope.
Don
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
A Good Teacher
Freinds, (Oops, a frIEnd of mine pointed out that I misspelled fiends, :-) uh, friends),
Someone offered a platitude one time that I was too young in the faith to understand, but as I have grown older and have experienced some hardship, I have to have a better appreciation and understanding of it. It is "pain is a good teacher." Unfortunately, this could be -- and frequently is -- in reference to physical pain, but is more often related to mental and emotional pain. I could honestly say that if I knew then what I know now concerning the past year and a half, in many respects, I would say -- "God, I want a do over," as I never would have made the decision to come to where we are today. Yet, we have learned and grown immensely from our difficult experiences...and for this we have come to understand and respect the spiritual battlefield for souls and have a greater respect for such wondrous virtues as faith, providence, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Someone else said one time, "some of the nicest people and some of the meanest people that you will ever come to know are in the church." This is a grand and a tragic statement all at the same time. I have come to appreciate the former in a much greater way; I am so very thankful for our friends that the Lord has brought our way. Some of the best Christian people we have ever known in our lives and ministry experience are right here in this town at Outreach church of Christ. We are so grateful for many of the wonderful experiences that we have shared with them. Even tonight, we just returned from the Brummett Christmas party...and what a tremendous experience it was for everyone -- what a blessing. Those homes could not be in better hands than with Robert & Tammy, Tom & Jackie, Ken & Dee...and all of their children are beautiful. Lord continue to bless them as they work together for You and to further the kingdom of God.
Don
Someone offered a platitude one time that I was too young in the faith to understand, but as I have grown older and have experienced some hardship, I have to have a better appreciation and understanding of it. It is "pain is a good teacher." Unfortunately, this could be -- and frequently is -- in reference to physical pain, but is more often related to mental and emotional pain. I could honestly say that if I knew then what I know now concerning the past year and a half, in many respects, I would say -- "God, I want a do over," as I never would have made the decision to come to where we are today. Yet, we have learned and grown immensely from our difficult experiences...and for this we have come to understand and respect the spiritual battlefield for souls and have a greater respect for such wondrous virtues as faith, providence, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Someone else said one time, "some of the nicest people and some of the meanest people that you will ever come to know are in the church." This is a grand and a tragic statement all at the same time. I have come to appreciate the former in a much greater way; I am so very thankful for our friends that the Lord has brought our way. Some of the best Christian people we have ever known in our lives and ministry experience are right here in this town at Outreach church of Christ. We are so grateful for many of the wonderful experiences that we have shared with them. Even tonight, we just returned from the Brummett Christmas party...and what a tremendous experience it was for everyone -- what a blessing. Those homes could not be in better hands than with Robert & Tammy, Tom & Jackie, Ken & Dee...and all of their children are beautiful. Lord continue to bless them as they work together for You and to further the kingdom of God.
Don
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Genuine Heisman Winner
Friends,
Okay...I obviously had the wrong guy picked for the Heisman trophy a couple of weeks ago. If I knew then what I know now, I would have picked Tim Tebow from the University of Florida, if not for any other reason than sentimentality. Come to find out, that Mr. Tebow was a homeschooler, raised in a Christian family in Alabama. At the time of his blossoming into a fine young quarterback in the state of Alabama, no homeschoolers were allowed to play high school athletics. The Tebow family played a significant role in getting the changes made that would allow Tim to be able to play quarterback for his high school football team in Alabama. Individuals like Tim Tebow exemplify that homeshoolers should have opportunity to be a part of the athletics (and music) system in the local community. Many homeschoolers grow and mature to become very capable human beings...and they are often Christians. For our family, we are very grateful that we have had the honor of homeschooling and for the Lord's blessings in this endeavor. Speaking of blessings...when Tim gave his Heisman acceptance speech, He said thanks first to His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he unashamedly said was His first priority in life. He followed this by prioritizing His values -- family, academics and then (4th) football. There was not a commentator in the room -- Lee, Kirk, or Chris who did not praise him highly for being a better human being even than a football player. In fact, Lee Corso said, there has NEVER been a better representative for the Heisman trophy. Congratulations Tim Tebow -- a very deserving and blessed winner!
Don
Okay...I obviously had the wrong guy picked for the Heisman trophy a couple of weeks ago. If I knew then what I know now, I would have picked Tim Tebow from the University of Florida, if not for any other reason than sentimentality. Come to find out, that Mr. Tebow was a homeschooler, raised in a Christian family in Alabama. At the time of his blossoming into a fine young quarterback in the state of Alabama, no homeschoolers were allowed to play high school athletics. The Tebow family played a significant role in getting the changes made that would allow Tim to be able to play quarterback for his high school football team in Alabama. Individuals like Tim Tebow exemplify that homeshoolers should have opportunity to be a part of the athletics (and music) system in the local community. Many homeschoolers grow and mature to become very capable human beings...and they are often Christians. For our family, we are very grateful that we have had the honor of homeschooling and for the Lord's blessings in this endeavor. Speaking of blessings...when Tim gave his Heisman acceptance speech, He said thanks first to His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he unashamedly said was His first priority in life. He followed this by prioritizing His values -- family, academics and then (4th) football. There was not a commentator in the room -- Lee, Kirk, or Chris who did not praise him highly for being a better human being even than a football player. In fact, Lee Corso said, there has NEVER been a better representative for the Heisman trophy. Congratulations Tim Tebow -- a very deserving and blessed winner!
Don
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Shepherds
Friends,
Some timely thoughts concerning the new situation at Outreach church of Christ. When we consider the subject of "shepherding," I believe that Christians and Christian leaders have a difficult time with this concept. Why? How many examples of "shepherds" do we have in our society? Zero – none. This is a problem. Yet, we humans are compared to sheep – it is how God, through many of his biblical writers, describes us. (See Isaiah 53 and John 10, for example). And God describes His leaders as...shepherds. What can we understand concerning shepherds? When we consider the information from Acts 20:17ff, the "titles" or functions (elder/presbyter, v.17, bishop/overseer, v.28, pastor/shepherd, v.28) concerning God's church leaders, all support the same goal concerning this concept of "shepherd." This man is one who would oversee (bishop) God's flock in serving as a shepherd (pastor) and makes decisions (elder) in relationship to the goal -- caring for the sheep. We really only have examples from the Scriptures to help us to understand their role. So, we must study; we must learn to emulate how a shepherd operates. All of the examples of shepherds that I have seen in the Bible are individuals who are "men of the earth". They are gentle, yet wise. They are simple, yet profound. Consider those to whom the birth of Jesus was announced (Luke 2:8-20). When it comes to shepherds, I like to think about David. I admire him so much. He truly models, as a type of Jesus, what a shepherd is to be. He is a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). He is one who would go after the one sheep who has gone astray in order to bring it back into the fold (Luke 15:1-7). He is not intentionally self-willed, but humble (see Psalm 40:1-17). He has a sensetive heart and confesses his sin (see Psalm 51:1-13). He is one who would humbly lead the sheep and not dominate them (1 Peter 5:1-4); he communicates with them as Jesus says, "the sheep follow His voice because He knows them and they know Him" (John 10). Shepherds are servant leaders. Jesus is the ultimate example of who a shepherd is supposed to be -- He is the Chief Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He loves all of the sheep with unconditional love. He sets the example of how all of His people should live in relationship to one another -- sacrificially! Thank God for the unconditional act of love and grace by His Son; He who willingly laid down His life for all of us. It is this by which we have been saved -- the shepherd who is the Lamb of God! I am excited for the Outreach church of Christ and the shepherds who lead them. God bless them as they grow in spirit and love with the flock of God.
Don
Some timely thoughts concerning the new situation at Outreach church of Christ. When we consider the subject of "shepherding," I believe that Christians and Christian leaders have a difficult time with this concept. Why? How many examples of "shepherds" do we have in our society? Zero – none. This is a problem. Yet, we humans are compared to sheep – it is how God, through many of his biblical writers, describes us. (See Isaiah 53 and John 10, for example). And God describes His leaders as...shepherds. What can we understand concerning shepherds? When we consider the information from Acts 20:17ff, the "titles" or functions (elder/presbyter, v.17, bishop/overseer, v.28, pastor/shepherd, v.28) concerning God's church leaders, all support the same goal concerning this concept of "shepherd." This man is one who would oversee (bishop) God's flock in serving as a shepherd (pastor) and makes decisions (elder) in relationship to the goal -- caring for the sheep. We really only have examples from the Scriptures to help us to understand their role. So, we must study; we must learn to emulate how a shepherd operates. All of the examples of shepherds that I have seen in the Bible are individuals who are "men of the earth". They are gentle, yet wise. They are simple, yet profound. Consider those to whom the birth of Jesus was announced (Luke 2:8-20). When it comes to shepherds, I like to think about David. I admire him so much. He truly models, as a type of Jesus, what a shepherd is to be. He is a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22). He is one who would go after the one sheep who has gone astray in order to bring it back into the fold (Luke 15:1-7). He is not intentionally self-willed, but humble (see Psalm 40:1-17). He has a sensetive heart and confesses his sin (see Psalm 51:1-13). He is one who would humbly lead the sheep and not dominate them (1 Peter 5:1-4); he communicates with them as Jesus says, "the sheep follow His voice because He knows them and they know Him" (John 10). Shepherds are servant leaders. Jesus is the ultimate example of who a shepherd is supposed to be -- He is the Chief Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He loves all of the sheep with unconditional love. He sets the example of how all of His people should live in relationship to one another -- sacrificially! Thank God for the unconditional act of love and grace by His Son; He who willingly laid down His life for all of us. It is this by which we have been saved -- the shepherd who is the Lamb of God! I am excited for the Outreach church of Christ and the shepherds who lead them. God bless them as they grow in spirit and love with the flock of God.
Don
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