See, there’s always a rational explanation to these things. This report came out a couple of weeks ago. I guess I am naive, but I didn’t think anyone would take it seriously. I guess I naively underestimated the gullibility of others. That’s ok. I beleive in free will. Anyone has the freedom to believe this or anything. (Doesn’t mean they are right, or even smart but truth isn’t partial to the intelligent – it’s given to those that discover it).

Back to subject – this is similar to the “hovering theory” that I made up 3 minutes ago. Maybe Jesus invented minuature hoever-craft sandals that created the illusion of walking on water. Or the “suspension theory” that I made up two mintues ago. That one is fellow conspirator Judas holding Jesus up with fishing wire. Where was Judas? Take your pick, on the second floor of the fishing boat, in the helicoptor, on Superman’s back, there’s gotta be a rational explanation.

Ridicoulous right? How about believing that an entire lake of water became ice in a desert climate. Furthermore, a group of men, several of whom work on the water as fishermen decide to go out into a sea of ice!

Sure walking on water is unrealistic and takes faith to believe. That’s exactly why it’s called a miracle. But when conisdering that the Christian belives that Jesus is the Son of God, I am not sure which of these above options takes more faith to believe.

First, I didn’t think I would be interested in this show but I caught all the epsiodes this weekend and watched the finale last night (Sunday). Three out of the four men decided not to become priests.

Though I find most of the the idea of reality tv exploitative, it was a decent show. This is probably the first reality show where I actually felt a great deal of sympathy for each character. Although at times, they were a little too cliche, that could be the problem with the medium. Personally, I know I am unable to quantify all of my thoughts, nor could I make it interesting enough for television.

My reaction after watching the show is, “This is why I am Protestant”.
I have some theological issues with the Catholic Church, but I also have a great deal of respect for them as well. And as a brother in Christ, I feel for them because they are missing out on great men by not allowing their priests to get married.

Interesting article.
It goes both ways though. Many X’ers and older Millennials grew up in conservative Christian boomer homes and have abandoned their faith in God.

Speaking of protests, this one is almost as ridiculous. I say almost only because no one was killed. Nevertheless, people like Fred Phelps repulse me and I am angered by his continued actions and statements that are an absolute disgrace to the Christian faith.

I pray that those who see this idiot will not assume that this is an accurate depiction of Christianity.
I also pray that God would convict Fred Phelps and his ignorant, un-Biblical congregation of legalists.

Furthermore, any 5 minute investigation will find that the vast majority of Christian evangelicals despise this man’s actions.

“Police fought back against Coptic Christians, who were encircled by a security cordon around the Saints Church in downtown Alexandria after hurling stones and bottles from inside the police line. Fellow demonstrators tossed Molotov cocktails from the balconies of nearby buildings.
Police could be seen repeatedly beating a boy of about 12, who was among the crowd of Coptic young people who fled into the church, slamming the doors behind them, or dashed down narrow streets surrounding the church. Most of the protesters were between the ages of 12 and 25.”

Later in the NY Times article, it says that a Muslim 24 year old Muslim man was killed. If he was killed out of retaliation, that was wrong. If he was killed out of self-defense as he was rioting, that is different.
“We have warned the government that Alexandria is a volcano that could erupt at any time,” Dr. Sewiris said. “The Coptic youths overreacted to this incident, but their response comes after long years of violations of our civil rights. These tensions are the harvest of 30 years of Muslim fundamentalists spreading hate speech from the mosques.” Coptic Christians constitute at least 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 71 million people.

As claimed, a crazy man kills a Christian (although there were three separate incidents happening simultaneously). More likely – only one man was apprehended.
1. Why is only one man considered “crazy”
2. What is with the Middle Eastern’s infatuation with this word?
3. For me to believe this is true would make me … crazy.

My other problem is that why is their rioting form Muslims? (They like that word too. It’s like a past-time). They are the guilty party. If they are trying to label the attacker as “crazy” and separate themselves from this act, then why not offer condolences and denounce this man’s actions? Instead they riot.

“Violence subsided Monday but sectarian feelings remained high,” the news service reported. Bishop Bemwah Ghali told the AP, “There was a sort of a truce, but this is not the end of the crisis. We really need a radical solution that can quell this anger.” As CT has regularly reported in the past, it’s hard to be a Copt in Egypt.”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/116/31.0.html

Egyptian muslim protesters throw rocks past a burning gas canister near the St. Maximus Church in the northern Mediterranean city of Alexandria in Egypt Sunday, April 16, 2006. Police fired live ammunition into the air and lobbed tear gas into rioting crowds of Christians and Muslims Sunday
in a third day of sectarian violence in Egypt’s second-largest city. (AP Photo/Nasser Nouri)

I think Jack White is an interesting guy and I enjoy the White Stripes’ music and look forward to listening to his new project the Raconeteurs. This is his second Coke commercial he’s done. Aside from sharing the colors of red and white – I am still not sure why he is into the jingles. But hey, it’s Jack White.

There is a lot of discussion about the Emerging Church. There’s even a lot of discussion about what it is labeled. Brian McLaren prefers to say “the Church that is emerging”. But you say tomatoes, and I say why would anyone want to eat tomatoes. They are horrible. Here’s an interview with Dam Kimball, a pastor on the West Coast, (Santa Cruz), that has written a couple of books on the subject and is a speaker as well.

80% of adults in the U.S.  call themselves “Christian”
68% call themselves a “committed Christian”
60% describe themselves at “deeply spiritual”
45% call themselves “born again”
29% who attended  a church service, prayed to God or read from the Bible in the past week
16%  who say faith is the highest priority in their lives

Source: Barna Research Group

Came across these statistics – found them relevant.

1 dead, 17 wounded by knife-wielding assailants
Unbelievable. Attacks during Holy Week. If I start, I won’t stop …