Protesters

On the way back from the beach tonight I witnessed a rather large gathering of Palestinian protesters . I feel cultured. I am not sure of my opinion on the bombing of the Gaza Strip but I do know it only took one event (9-11) for the USA to pick a country to blame. One does have to admire Israel for the amount of patience they have demonstrated over the past years. We are living in scary times. Pray.

Street View

For those of you that still read this I would like to encourage you to pick up a Windows Mobile powered device. After you do so go to www.google.com?ggm on your phones browser or to Google Mobil on your computer and download google maps for you phone. If you have done so and have not gotten the recent update that includes street view than I highly recommend you update the program. I just did and am amazed. Google has gotten me out of some tough spots around St. Louis and street view will only be a further aid. The next time I am north of the Arch in St. Louis, I will not only be able to look out at the bombed out buildings through the window of the truck but be able to confirm that I have ventured into the DMZ of St. Louis via my Tilt.

By the way North St. Louis is only second to East St. Louis but you have to cross a bridge to get to the east. North is far to easy to wander into in my opinion.

Arnold church of Christ

We have a new program at the Arnold church of Christ. Over the next couple of weeks and months we will be updating our technology department. With this update we have started a blog that I will be posting on. The blog address is http://arnoldcoc.blogspot.com/ and you can link to it from this page. Josh Robinson, our new preacher is responsible for this so you all should thank him. He will also be posting on the blog and already has. So head over to the Arnold church of Christ blog.

Iraq War

After viewing this video I was literally stunned. I have spoken to several men who have been to Iraq and know a couple personally and have heard the same thing this guy is saying. I do not post this in support of McCain but it is defiantly anti Obama.

I think it would be more meaning full if it didn't have the little "support McCain" slogan attached to the end but it is none the less powerful.

You can view the video here

After you view the video I hope all will realize the truth to this. It is true of our country but also true of our Christian walk with Christ. No victory comes with out sacrifice.

Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 4:11 esv "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hand as we commanded you." Also see Titus 3:1. Remember the persecution the first century Christians had to go through and suffer by the Roman government. I struggle with verses like this in the bible that are telling me to be respectful and obey governments that may or may not be in step with the bible. I know that God's law is higher than man's (Acts 4:19-20) and should obey God first. We are charged with the duty to respect the governments that rule over us (Rom. 13:1-7) but keep to the law of God first.

Having that said, if you are a Christian and slander our governing authorities (this included both Senators from Illinois and Arizona, Democrats and Republicans, past, present and future Presidents). Combining what the bible says about respecting authorities and participating in our constitutional rights of protest, freedom of speech, and voting rights is possible. It is possible if we do it with respect. I feel the above linked video is respectful; but slander, crude jokes and such are not.

As a Christian my first prayer is just what Paul says in I Thess. 4:11 (as quoted above). If we keep our same freedoms of worshiping God the way he tells us and continue to have a whole host of other freedoms than we should count our selves blessed over most countries in the world.

Obama for President

I would not say that I am a McCain fan or even a supporter but I am certainly not an Obama supporter. I received this link in an email this morning and I am appalled. I do not believe every thing in the speech given by Obama is entirely in context (I may change my mind after viewing the complete speech) and certainly do not agree with all the narrator says. However, it is extremely upsetting to me to see one who claims to be a “Christian” and yet deals so crassly with the Word of God.

This is a sign of the times and how far the world has slipped in its morality. However, I would encourage you to study, pray and realize that we still live in a country where we are free to worship God not how we choose but how He (He being God) would have us. We are also to live as God would have us live. As long as we have these freedoms than we are more blessed than many of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and should thank God daily for them.

It is ok to be upset by this and by the fact that the two choices for the presidency are so poor this go around but remember to count your blessings.

Please let me know what you think after watching the video.

http://www.youtub.com/v/4FCNKwHRCQM

You could simply google "call to renewal video" and watch a series of youTube videos or go here to read the complete manuscript.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

A night with the Cards.

American Health Care

Just a thought. I know there are a lot of holes in this argument but here it goes...

Health care should be manditory in the USA. If you don't have any you will still be treated but will be slaped with a fine (just like neglecting to have car insurance). If you fail to pay then your wadges are garnished or thrown in jail. I realize not all can aford insurance but I truly believe health care cost will drop if hospitals did not have to over charge insurance companies to compinsate for those who did not have insurance or did not pay. It is ludicrous that I have to pay hundreads of dollars to compinsate for those who demand service then walk out on the bill. Why is car insurance mandatory but not health care. Keep in mind I did not say; nor do I anticipate ever saying, the government should provide it. Try that one on.