December 01, 2003 It's December!??!

Brethren, God never meant for us to be kicked around like a football. He wants us to be humble and let Him do the chastening when necessary. But when the devil starts tampering with you, dare to resist him!

Tozer, I Talk Back to the Devil, p. 15

Almost forgot Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Don't have the decorations out yet, but the thought was there...

It's my hope that we can see the Spirit set a fire in our hearts this season as we apprehend the grace of God in the incarnation...

Probably the ugliest news story I read in Sunday's paper was about the Wal- Mart trampling in Florida- well it looks like we might have to reevaluate that onje folks...

Whatever happened to Bing and Blueyes?check this out at relevantmag.com...Mark your calendars for Dec. 11 - "The Osbourne Family Christmas Special" will air on the cable network,..

Baby Jesus Doll

I had a baby doll in my creche the past couple of years but I got rid of the idea since I was leaving baby Jesus out in the cold and that offended some friends...:-) Now you can get one too- no kidding...check this out...

Anyone having trouble with Christmas present ideas can breathe easy, because the Baby Jesus Doll® ($25.00) is a perfect gift for any age. Made by the Heavenly Dolls Company in Littleton, Colo., the 13-inch soft vinyl doll has a glow-in-the-dark halo and a gold cross-embroidered gown. A plush manger is also available for $24.50. A card is enclosed with each doll (which comes in Anglo, African-American, Hispanic and Latin) that says, "I don't talk, I just listen ... I don't cry, but please hold me ... I don't walk, so please carry me ... I love you, please love me ... My name is Jesus." No, we're not kidding, and yes, you can thank us for the tip later ... 12-04-03 - 12:46 pm-

I have been thinking lately about the Internet as a platform in and of itself. We may be in the process of redefining what a platform even is. Issues of ownership security and distribution were issues in the past and in the new milieu I don't see how the issues can be addressed.

*Illinois Fisherman Catches Octopus at Lake Conway... Is this the one the guy in Peoria found a couple of weeks ago?

Hmmm- there is apparently a new study at Barna.org that reports that only 4 percent of Americans actually have a biblical world view- sounds about right to me-So are you radical enough? How radical is radical?

Saw this site on getting rid of Spam so I am passing it along...It's my theory that the name comes from the old Monty Python skit- the Vikings chanting Spam Spam Spam in a nonsensical disconnect...hear the song, read the skit... Trivia: Remember in Cary Grant's "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home"- he was the advertising exec who managed the Wham! acount.

From Crosswalk.com what do you think about this- is an invitation going to sanctify this kind of programming? Do we conform to the world or compel it to conform to Christ? Or does God have a sense of humor, so forget about it? Let's talk about it...

Late-Night TV Inspires Church's Wednesday Service- Charisma News Service

"This is not your grandmother's Wednesday night Bible study class" could be the slogan for a Church of God congregation with an innovative mid-week service. Inspired by God and late-night TV host David Letterman, "Wednesday Night Live (WNL) with Pastor Rodney" is "hosted" by Rodney McKinley, associate pastor at Abundant Life Ministries in Largo, Florida. "I call this sermon with a twist," McKinley said. Instead of three points and a prayer, McKinley opens WNL with a monologue and some lighthearted banter with his co-host, followed by a top 10 list with some religious connection (for example, Reasons Why God Made Eve). They then welcome the guests: costumed characters straight out of the Bible. The program features a backdrop scene of Tampa's downtown skyline, a desk for McKinley, a couch for Parro and the visitors, plus a live band that provides musical interludes. WNL is a big hit, tripling attendance from 50 parishioners to about 150. "It's not just church folks who are coming," McKinley said. "They're bringing their neighbors, friends and co-workers. No matter how much fun we have, Jesus is still the center of the show. We never end it without giving someone the opportunity to receive Christ."