In a society and culture here in America that speaks of tolerance to all things and cultures "other-than-Christian", stories such as the recent one about the man on trial in Afghanistan for becoming a Christian continue to show the differences between the two faiths. With riots over a cartoon and now this story (hardly an isolated case...but one finally discussed in the media)...can you imagine a Christian organization ever sponsoring behavior such as this and then getting a pass from the international community? As a country, I'm blessed to be in a country that allows people to be Christians, Muslims, Mormons, Atheists or Pagans. Sure I have a very strong opinion on truth and I believe that there is absolute truth and that that truth is Jesus Christ but Christ doesn't teach faith by intimidation or threat of death. It is a good thing to see this type of story...

I cam across this article on SHLOG.com and found the discussion quite intriguing. With the rise of cell or small groups in the churches today…here’s an interesting look at what some cell home groups are doing…namely, becoming churches unto themselves.

On a Sunday at their modest, gray ranch house in the Denver suburb of Englewood, Tim and Jeanine Pynes gather with four other Christians for an evening of fellowship, food and faith. Jeanine’s spicy rigatoni precedes a yogurt-and-wafer confection by Ann Moore, none of the food violating the group’s solemn commitment to Weight Watchers. [ Read Full Article ]

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I think I’ve given just about every blog application a try and I’m now committing to developing this site as a regular and hopefully useful blog…for entertaining, encouraging and informing. I welcome any and all feedback.

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Well, as of tomorrow, it will be a week since I returned from India and for those that are waiting for an overall recap of my adventures, patience. It's coming. Right now I'm fighting against some set-backs...for one, a laptop that's still not back yet and a mountain of work that I'm trying to get caught up on while trying to catch up on life and sleep and everything else that's part of the normal life. I must say that my return has been met with some fierce fighting for my soul and my joy. It's like this dark cloud that's trying to rob me of everything I gained. I could respond in one of two ways. I could succumb to the pressure and throw away everything I've gained over these past short but long weeks...OR I can see it as a confirmation of the genuine nature of all that I...

Five o'clock.  Out the door, heading for home.  It rained today in Portland.  In fact, it POURED all day today in Portland.  I think I even spotted a fish that was flapping around on the sidewalk on my way home. Anyway. Back to the post-work recap.  So, I scurry through the rain trying my best to keep the rain off my glasses, hop in my Jeep and start 'er up.  Something was different.  Oh yes, the stereo was turned off because I had lunch with a friend and conversation was more important than the local talk show. So...here I sit.  The sounds I hear are the swoosh-swoosh of my windshield wipers and the steady drum of raindrops pelting my vehicle.  First thought: "Time for some music."  Second thought:  "What about riding home with the radio off?" Off I went...the radio off and an awkward sound - the sound of nothing but the road,...