Global Cooling?

Read this article about a 50 pound ice chunk that smashed into an Iowa house. What do you think? Maybe Al Gore needs to investigate. It could be one of the first signs of global cooling.

Rumor has it the house that was struck is owned by a woman that has several fur coats, drives an SUV, listens to Rush Limbaugh, stays at home with her kids, eats chicken pumped full of steroids, doesn't recycle, has two cats that aren't neutered and she voted for George Bush twice. Maybe this is some kind of sign

Creation Museum

Earlier this summer the Creation Museum opened in Petersburg Ky, just across the river from Cincinnati. Baptist Press reports that as of July 21 the museum has had 100,000 visitors! Those must all be home-schoolers and fundamentalist wackos, right? I don't think so. It has been reported that the museum is very well done and worth the trip. It is just about 90 miles north of us here in Louisville. I think a trip is in the future.

Back and Oh So Busy!

This is the first chance I have had to post since returning from vacation. I hope to put up some pictures from our trip next week. It was a very good time away. Now we are so busy.

This week our church is engaged in a missions project of sorts. I will post about it next week as well with a full report and pictures. Thank you for visiting (I have noted the number of hits in the last few weeks...see map on bottom left) and for your prayers.

Back to the grind stone!

Family Vacation

We are headed to Kentucky Lake for several days. Hope to relax and recharge. The girls say they will fish and ride horses, as well as swim in the pool and of course eat out! I'll be surprised if I have any fish stories to share. On our way home next week we are planning a stop in Cave City, KY for a visit to Mammoth Cave. Should be fun.

I am not certain I will have Internet access so, it will be pretty quiet "Under the Steeple." I'll blog when I get back.

At the Movies

The following assessment will not shock anyone reading this blog. There are very few decent movies out today. Earlier in the week we rented "Open Season" after looking at nearly every title in the store.

I'm not against entertainment. I'm not against going to the movies or watching TV. However, I am in favor of bringing glory to God and doing things that are part of the process of sanctification.

So, what do we do? Boycott the big screen? Go to movies anyway and pretend that the f-word and constant use of Jesus name does not offend us? Realize there is a ditch on either side. How do we live in our culture, interact with our culture and yet not be shaped by our culture? What do you suppose ought to shape someone who makes a claim to Christianity? It is Christ, and the Word that reveals him.

Certainly this is an area of "Christian liberty." So, I will not pronounce an absolute standard for you. But let's be honest, movies that are filled with sex, nudity, violence and crude language will not serve for our edification. You must decide where you will draw the boundaries and then, don't cross them. For me that means I will not go to or rent a movie that is rated "R." Actually, most PG-13 movies are beyond my "lines." It is also important to understand why we make the choices we do. I'll let you think on that one and maybe leave a comment.

With that said, here's a web page that might help you out. Phil Boatwright provides detailed movie reviews from a Christian perspective. Recently I rented "I Am David" (pictured above) because the reviewer said it was one of the best movies of 2003. I now agree and will recommend it to you. Boatwright also has an essay on profanity in movies that you may find interesting.

It's summer movie season. There are a few movies out worth watching. Most are not. Maybe rent a family classic and enjoy some popcorn at home. Or better yet, skip the movie and have "family game night." That's Madison's favorite.

Take 2 Asprin and Call Me in the Morning, I'll Pray for You

Brian LeStourgeon has a very good post related to depression and our culture. How do believers engage the culture at this point? Is the church doing what we must do to reduce the "pill popping?" Is there a genuine need for anti-depressants, even among those who are truly converted? Before you answer these questions I urge you to read Brian's post.

[Brian also beat me to the punch on the latest from the Pope, good blogging B.]

The Call

Last weekend there was a major event held in Nashville aimed at America's young Christians. "The Call" was a day of worship and prayer designed to rally the youth of our nation. Organizers say over 50,000 were in attendance. You can read details at BP.

Here's a quote from someone involved in this project:

"America is a sleeping nation. We have casually and nonchalantly let things slide and get worse," said Morgan Blount, a staff member of The Call from Dallas. "We are calling for young people in this country to wake up and take a stand, to pray about our world instead of just complaining about what's wrong with it. We are calling them to take action and believe that the Lord can change things."

I too believe the Lord is the only one that can change things. Let's not limit this to young people. All of us ought to take a stand. What do you think?

Independence Day

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence marking the official break between Great Britain and the American Colonies. There were 56 men, including two future U. S. Presidents, that signed the original document. The American War for Independence, or American Revolution, would not end until September of 1783 with the signing of the Paris Peace Treaty.

While I love this country and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, my liberty is found in Christ. Those who the Son sets free are free indeed!

Quotable

"Before we can produce the fruits we must have the roots."

I read this statement in an old commentary by Paul Barackman. It is one of those simple statements that seems to me to grow deeper the more you ruminate on it.

Fruits are good and they may validate our Christian walk. However, a solid root system is the key to the profitability of our fruit. I must go now, I need to check my roots.