If you're an Accordance user, and aren't on the OakTree Software e-mail list, there is a free seminar on getting the most out of the company's flagship product coming up in September: Saturday September 24, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Todd Academic Center -- Room 114
Dallas Theological Seminary
3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX Refreshments will be provided, though you're on your own for lunch. You are encouraged to bring your own laptop to follow along with. E-mail Dr. Helen Brown for further details and to RSVP.

"In times of impending calamity and distress; when the liberties of America are imminently endangered by secret machinations and open assaults...it becomes the indispensable duty of [Patriots], with true penitence of heart, and the most reverent devotion, publicly to acknowledge the over ruling providence of God...that we may...through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness; humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the cruel purposes of our unnatural enemies...that it may please the Lord of Hosts, the God of Armies, to animate our officers and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and protect them in the day of battle... ." --Proclamation by the Continental Congress, 16 March 1776 I'm certain there is an Anti-Christian Liberty Union lawyer determined to prove the above is a pre-Constitution violation of the Constitution...

If you want to track how tolerant the "Religion of Peace" is, I would suggest one way is to subscribe to the free e-mail updates from the Voice of the Martyrs. While VOM is committed to showing the persecution of Christians around the world, increasingly a lot of this persecution is coming at the hands of the supposedly-tolerant followers of Allah. This week's update includes: + In Nigeria, "Andrew Akume, a Christian lecturer and dean of the faculty of law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Kaduna State, has disappeared after receiving a death sentence from a militant Muslim group. ...[W]hile the Nigerian constitution professes a secular status for the nation, the 12 states in Northern Nigeria that have implemented Islamic law promote and propagate Islam using public funds." + In Pakistan, "on Tuesday, June 28th, the homes of Christians in three areas near Peshawar, Pakistan were attacked by a radical Muslim mob. The attacks came after a Christian man was accused earlier that day of burning pages that contained Koranic verses. The man, Yousaf Masih (about 60 years old), has worked as a sweeper for almost two decades for the Pakistani military. While cleaning the home of a military officer, he came across a bag of "rough papers," and the major told Yousaf to burn them. Yousaf is illiterate and had no way of knowing what was written on the papers he was told to burn. Other workers saw the papers and said Yousaf was burning pages from the Koran. The next day police arrested Yousaf. (Insulting Islam, the Prophet Mohammed or the Koran can be punishable by death under Pakistan's harsh anti-blasphemy laws.) Radical Muslims returned to the area that night and burned an estimated 200 houses. Many were looted by members of the mob, who stole televisions, refrigerators and other items. The mob beat Yousaf's three sons and his brother, Yaqoob. Police have reportedly arrested 16 people involved in the attacks. A Hindu temple was also attacked, as apparently the mob at first believed Yousaf was a Hindu." + In Saudi Arabia, Christians are regularly persecuted by the Muslim majority, with the full approval of the ruling family. "Within the past two months, at least three groups of expatriate Christians meeting privately for worship in Riyadh have been raided and their leaders put under arrest for several days or weeks. Under the rule of strict Islamic law, Saudi Arabia prohibits the public practice of any religion other than Islam within its borders." + In Turkey, Christian Yakup Cindilli was beaten so badly by Muslim nationalists, he was in a coma for 40 days. Cindilli's family, conservative Muslims, continue to pressure him to renounce his faith, but he continues his recovery from the October 2003 attack committed to Christ. It was semi-widely reported that in Afghanistan, the Taliban set to destroy numerous Buddhist statues, some of which had been around for more than a thousand years. These are the kinds of things Muslims around the world are responsible for on a daily basis. I'm not saying all Muslims are this intolerant of non-Islamic faiths. I'm just saying that this is happening far too often for this to simply be a "few extremists" we are continually told are responsible for such atrocities. Those "few extremists" sure have a way of getting around.

Thank you, David.

For those who may care, having been inspired by Hugh Hewitt's Blog, I have resumed blogging at Godblog, as of March 1st.

In his Daily Devotional for February 1st (free registration required), Pastor Greg Laurie talks about a homesickness for heaven.

You were created to know God. You were created to go to heaven. God has put this homing instinct in you, and it will only be satisfied when you see Him face to face. Are you ready to do that? Are you ready to go home?

I have experienced this longing before, and I know singer-songwriter Rich Mullins did as well, before he was called Home. Mullins wrote “Elijah” in 1983: Elijah The Jordan is waiting, for me to cross through
My heart is agin', I can tell
So Lord I’m asking for one last favor from You
Here’s my heart, take it where You will
This life has shown me how we’re mended and how we’re torn
How it’s okay to be lonely as long as you’re free
Sometimes my ground was stony
And sometimes covered up with thorns
And only You could make it what it had to be
And now that it’s done
If they dressed me like a pauper
Or if they dined me like a prince
If they lay me with my fathers
Or if my ashes scatter on the wind I don’t care
But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
There’s people been friendly, but they’d never be your friends
Sometimes this has bent me to the ground
Now that this is all ending
I want to hear some music once again
‘Cause it’s the finest thing that I have ever found
But the Jordan is waiting
Though I ain’t never seen the other side
Still they say you can’t take in the things you have here
So on the road to salvation
I stick out my thumb and He gives me a ride
And His music is already falling on my ears
There’s people been talking
They say they’re worried about my soul
Well, I’m here to tell you I’ll keep rocking
‘Til I’m sure it’s my time to roll
And when I do
But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye
‘Cause when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart To say goodbye
Copyright © 1983 Meadowgreen Music, Inc. In his 1988 song “If I Stand”, the last line is “And if I weep let it be as a man who is longing for his home.” The first time I heard this song, and that line, I got choked up. I was driving, and nearly had to pull over, it affected me that deeply. A lot of Rich’s other songs were infused with similar lines on this theme. From listening to his music, and reading the posthumous biography on him, one can see how close Rich’s walk with God was, and how desperately he wanted to be in Heaven with the Lord. Yet while that longing for our true home was there, Rich realized the Lord still had work for him here, and was true to continuing that work. This is the way we Christians should be living: with our eyes on the prize, our heavenly home, yet remaining steadfast in continuing whatever it is God has called us to do.

James Taranto:

In the Beginning
"How did life, in its infinite complexity, come to be?" asks Newsweek in a subheadline. "A controversial new theory called 'intelligent design' asserts a supernatural agent was at work."

Apparently the Old Testament isn't on Lexis-Nexis, or Newsweek's fact-checkers would have realized this isn't actually a new theory.

Today's American Minute over at WND honors an Englishman, whose works, including Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and The Chronicles of Narnia are considered seminal volumes in not only Christian, but all English, literature. Not bad for a former agnostic. One of Lewis's contemporaries was another famous English author, who was also a professor at Oxford, and wrote what is considered the standard for all fantasy fiction: J.R.R. Tolkien.

"Being a lover of freedom, when the (Nazi) revolution came, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but no, the universities were immediately silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers, whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks. "...Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration for it because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual and moral freedom. I am forced to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." --Albert Einstein, from Kampi und Zeugnis der bekennenden Kirche

bq. "Life can be a do-it-yourself project, or life can be built by your Father in Heaven. The choice is yours to make freely. Personally, I rely on the Carpenter of the cosmos to step in when I forget to 'measure twice, cut once.'" --your humble host (Feel free to use, just with proper attribution, i.e., Christopher Turner, or retrophisch, and if applicable, the permalink.)

From the "Religion of Peace" department... The Barnabas Fund is reporting that a Palestinian Muslim who converted to Christianity was butchered and his body returned in four pieces to his family. The Fund channels aid to suffering Christians in more than 40 nations, where they face anything from simple discrimination to wholesale genocide. The latter, consequently, is usually by members of the "Religion of Peace."

"The Christian faith is not about mere intellectual assent to a set of doctrines, but about a daily walk with this person Jesus. It's about living in awareness of Christ risen, resurrected, and living in my life. Even though doctrine is important, wisdom in the Bible has more to do with character and the art of living. Christianity is about living out the will of God, and living abundantly." -- Rich Mullins

Can't Stop Lovin' You Hey! There's a time and place for everything. For everyone We can push with all our might, but nothin's gonna come Oh no, nothin's gonna change An' if I ask you not to try, oh could you let it be? I wanna hold you and say We can't throw this all away Tell me you won't go, you won't go You have to hear me say I can't stop lovin' you And no matter what I say or do You know my heart is true, oh I can't stop lovin' you You can change your friends, your place in life You can change your mind We can change the things we say, and do any time Oh no, but I think you'll find That when you look inside your heart Oh baby, I'll be there. Yeah! Hold on. I'm holdin' on Baby, just come on, come on, come on I just wanna hear you say I can't stop lovin' you And no matter what you say or do You know my heart is true, oh-oh! I can't stop lovin' you Oh, I'm so twisted and tied And all I remember, was how hard we tried Only to surrender And when it's over I know how it's gonna be And true love will never die Or, not fade away And I can't stop lovin' you And no matter what I say or do You know my heart is true, oh I can't stop lovin' you And I know what I got to do Hey Ray, what you said is true, oh I can't stop lovin' you, oh no Oh, can't stop lovin' you © Copyright 1995-2000 Van Halen From VH's site:

This was the first single from "Balance" and the song became the band's 16th Top 40 single! The Ray Sammy refers to in the song is Ray Charles, who had a hit with the Don Gibson original, "I Can't Stop Loving You" in 1962.

By far one of my favorite VH songs, right behind "Dreams." I love you, sweetheart.

THROUGH THE NIGHT Hey, I'm the guy who found a treasure in your eyes, And that's no surprise. There's something 'bout you, clearly. I can't recall all the ones I met before. They move on by, and leave me nothing to believe in. Though the night may grow, the winds may blow. The rain may fall from out into nowhere... Through the night you learn what it is to yearn When you cannot find the girl. Through the night you feel how it is to kneel, Asking God for all the world. Drove all the way to drop a circus in your face. If that's what it takes, I'll do it every day now. Still, for your smile, I would run another mile Barefoot and bruised, and laughing all the while. Well, the rising sun says the night is done. Yeah, the day will come after the darkness. Through the night you learn what it is to yearn When you cannot find the girl. Through the night you feel how it is to kneel, Asking God for all the world. Asking God for all the world. Asking God for all the world. -- Owen Thomas, © 2002 Birdwing Publishing I love you.

Beloved children's programming legend Fred Rogers died early this morning at age 74, from stomach cancer. Song composer, puppeteer, Presbyterian minister--Mr. Rogers' love for kids took us all, from 1968 to 2001, into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Good-bye, Mr. Rogers, and thank you for being a part of my childhood. You were a blast.

It's pretty cool when your pastor uses a Monty Python reference in his sermon. In this case, it was the "Department of Redundancy Department." Tim was talking about how the term "born-again Christian" is redundant, since by definition someone who is a Christian is born again through his new faith in Jesus Christ. He threw in the above Python gag as a further example of said redundancy.

"The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." —Proverbs 15:4/NIV, verseoftheday.com

"Americans are a people who have realized a dream of freedom, who have taken it from an abstract hope and turned it into a living reality. What made this possible was a founding generation that understood the essential principles of liberty, and acknowledged from the very beginning that the basis for human justice, human dignity and human rights is no more--nor less--than the will and authority of our Creator, God. "The importance of this principle is definitive, because it allows us to understand that since we claim our rights by virtue of the authority of God, we must exercise our rights with respect for the authority of God. "This truth becomes a sound foundation for discipline in our use of our freedoms. It becomes a bulwark against the abuse of our powers. It becomes also the ground for our confidence that, when we claim those rights, and when we exercise them, we do not have to fear the consequences, because we are a people who exercise our rights in the fear of God. "This means that as American citizens, we can have confidence in our capacity, ability and character to take care of our own families. We can trust ourselves to raise our own children, to direct our own schools, to run our own communities and states, to do honest business together, and to generally take care of the things that need to be done for our nation and its people." --Alan Keyes

Last night, I picked up my pre-ordered copy of "Furthermore" by Jars of Clay, their 2-disc studio/stage compilation. Faithfully ripped via iTunes, I'm now listening to the studio disc, mostly re-recordings (as opposed to remixes), with 3 new tunes. One of my favorite tunes from their last album, "The Eleventh Hour," is the title track, and the re-recording of that song is fabulous, all acoustic. A decidedly different take of "Liquid" is intensely introspective and worshipful, causing one to take pause even in the middle of work. A solid addition to anyone's JoC library. [alternate purchase link]

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, who died for the sins of the world.

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” —Luke 2:1-14

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its Mighty Founder was a child Himself." —Charles Dickens

"May the Father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths, and make us in all our several vocations useful here, and in His own due time and way everlastingly happy." —George Washington

"Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this [Independence] day? Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior?" —John Quincy Adams

"A young man whose father is a carpenter grows up working in his father's shop. He has no formal education. He owns no property of any kind. One day he puts down his tools and walks out of his father's shop. He starts preaching on street corners and in the nearby countryside. Walking from place to place, preaching all the while even though he is in no way an ordained minister, he never gets farther than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most. He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted. There is no court of appeal so he is executed at age 33 along with two common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who gets his clothing—the only possessions he has. His family cannot afford a burial place so he is interred in a borrowed tomb. End of story?

No, this uneducated, propertyless young man who preached on street corners for only three years who left no written word has for 2000 years had a greater effect on the entire world than all the rulers, kings and emperors, all the conquerors, the generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who ever lived—all put together. How do we explain that? …Unless he really was what he said he was.” —Ronald Reagan

Merry Christmas, one and all!

The world's shaking with the love of God Great and glorious, let the whole earth sing And all you ever do is change the old for new People we believe that God is bigger than the air I breathe The world we'll leave God will save the day and all will say My glorious! Clouds are breaking, heaven's come to earth Hearts awakening let the church bells ring And all you ever do is change the old for new People we believe that God is bigger than the air I breathe The world we'll leave God will save the day and all will say My glorious! —Smith/Garrard © 2000 / Delirious?

Well, that's what Grant has to say about his mom. Keep sending the prayers out.

Grant Hutchinson's mom suffered a grade V intracerebral aneurysm on Monday. She appears to be improving slowly. Please pray for her and the rest of Grant's family.

…A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible….

Time: Whenever you’re ready. (Please don’t be late, though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart…. He’ll meet you there. (You’ll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are… grubbies are okay. He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone… (He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford it anyway…it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls “Living Water,” followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All “G” rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” Party being given by His Kids (that’s us!!)! Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will see at the party, share this with someone today!

I love this:

“The LORD reigns; let the earth be glad; let the distance shores rejoice! Clouds and thick darkness surround Him: righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him, and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world: the earth sees, and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD; before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all peoples will see His glory!” —Psalms 97:1-6