Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Divine Investment
We have the Dow Jones, the S & P 500, the Nasdaq, and now the STOXX. Monday morning saw the creation of the STOXX Europe Christian Index which consists of the stocks from 533 European countries which are said to be "ethical" stocks. The STOXX Index screens out companies that generate revenues from pornography, weapons, tobacco, birth control, and gambling.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Superman’s Mom Urged by Doctors to Abort Baby
He was born to Christian missionaries in Makati City, Philippines despite the urging of doctors to abort him. The mother had suffered a life-threatening infection while pregnant and the drugs used to wake her from a coma created a severe placental abruption that the doctors expected would cause a stillbirth in the child and potentially take the mother’s life as well. This story could be a lot different if the parents had decided to follow their doctor’s advice and have an abortion, but due to their Christian convictions abortion was not an option. The mother survived and the child, well, the child became Superman.
Yes, yes I know that Superman doesn’t really exist, but try telling that to the football players in the South East Conference. You see that child that was supposed to be stillborn, the one that doctors advised the parents to abort for the safety of the mother – he became the first player in NCAA football history to pass for more than 20 touchdowns and run for more than 20 touchdowns in the same year. He became the first sophomore in the history of college football to win the Heisman Trophy as the sport’s top player. He became Tim Tebow and with that he became both reviled and idolized simultaneously.
Tim Tebow’s story is an amazing one, but without his mother Pam deciding to have Tim in the first place, the story would never have been written. You can make the argument that Tebow may very well be one of the most influential athletes in history – already. Oh, and he hasn’t even played professionally yet. Tebow chose to play at the University of Florida and while his accomplishments on the field make him arguably the most accomplished collegiate football player in history, it is his Christianity and his willingness to share his faith that has turned him into both a role model and a whipping boy.
You see, Superman’s legend wasn’t just forged between the hash marks, it was created when he helped lead his coach to Christ. It was enhanced when with each and every touchdown he acted like a gentleman and with each and every interview he used the exposure as a bully pulpit to spread his faith. Not since the late great Reggie White the proclaimed Minister of Defense has football seen such an outspoken Christian. And with all respect to White, not even he reached 90 million people at one time. Indeed, Tebow is credited with reaching that insane amount of people when he wore John 3:16 on his eye-black during the national championship game. The next day over 90 million people searched Google for “John 3:16.” Among those who were affected by Tebow’s eye black was former University of Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton who was born again this year after becoming interested in Jesus due to Tebow.
But with success comes enemies and numerous detractors have emerged to urge people that Tebow must be “too good to be true.” National Football League talent gurus like Mel Kiper project that Tebow’s motion is too long and his accuracy is too questionable. Jealous fans of other schools and those people who are just tired of seeing Tebow on ESPN have dubbed him “Baby Jesus” and a “goody two shoes.” The NCAA has even passed the Tim Tebow Rule banning messages on eye-black.
Despite this, the Denver Broncos traded into the first round to take Tebow with the 25th draft pick in the most recent NFL Draft (a move Mel Kiper gave an “F”). So now Tebow is on the big stage where he will be right where he wants to be – in the spotlight. However, unlike other attention hounds in the NFL - see Terrell Owens and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson - Tebow will look to use the attention to spread a slightly different message - one of hope, peace, and forgiveness. Tebow will once again use the soap box to urge others to experience Christ. And as for the detractors, Superman has had his cape pulled on before and he has overcome much greater odds.
Yes, yes I know that Superman doesn’t really exist, but try telling that to the football players in the South East Conference. You see that child that was supposed to be stillborn, the one that doctors advised the parents to abort for the safety of the mother – he became the first player in NCAA football history to pass for more than 20 touchdowns and run for more than 20 touchdowns in the same year. He became the first sophomore in the history of college football to win the Heisman Trophy as the sport’s top player. He became Tim Tebow and with that he became both reviled and idolized simultaneously.
Tim Tebow’s story is an amazing one, but without his mother Pam deciding to have Tim in the first place, the story would never have been written. You can make the argument that Tebow may very well be one of the most influential athletes in history – already. Oh, and he hasn’t even played professionally yet. Tebow chose to play at the University of Florida and while his accomplishments on the field make him arguably the most accomplished collegiate football player in history, it is his Christianity and his willingness to share his faith that has turned him into both a role model and a whipping boy.
You see, Superman’s legend wasn’t just forged between the hash marks, it was created when he helped lead his coach to Christ. It was enhanced when with each and every touchdown he acted like a gentleman and with each and every interview he used the exposure as a bully pulpit to spread his faith. Not since the late great Reggie White the proclaimed Minister of Defense has football seen such an outspoken Christian. And with all respect to White, not even he reached 90 million people at one time. Indeed, Tebow is credited with reaching that insane amount of people when he wore John 3:16 on his eye-black during the national championship game. The next day over 90 million people searched Google for “John 3:16.” Among those who were affected by Tebow’s eye black was former University of Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton who was born again this year after becoming interested in Jesus due to Tebow.
But with success comes enemies and numerous detractors have emerged to urge people that Tebow must be “too good to be true.” National Football League talent gurus like Mel Kiper project that Tebow’s motion is too long and his accuracy is too questionable. Jealous fans of other schools and those people who are just tired of seeing Tebow on ESPN have dubbed him “Baby Jesus” and a “goody two shoes.” The NCAA has even passed the Tim Tebow Rule banning messages on eye-black.
Despite this, the Denver Broncos traded into the first round to take Tebow with the 25th draft pick in the most recent NFL Draft (a move Mel Kiper gave an “F”). So now Tebow is on the big stage where he will be right where he wants to be – in the spotlight. However, unlike other attention hounds in the NFL - see Terrell Owens and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson - Tebow will look to use the attention to spread a slightly different message - one of hope, peace, and forgiveness. Tebow will once again use the soap box to urge others to experience Christ. And as for the detractors, Superman has had his cape pulled on before and he has overcome much greater odds.
Christianity's Continuance Commemorated by Cluttered Crosses
If a picture is worth a thousand words then what are a thousand crosses worth? How bout 100,000 crosses? The Hill of Crosses boasts in excess of 100,000 crosses to remind on-lookers of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid for the sins of mankind. Located in Lithuania, the Hill was first decorated with crosses during the 1831 uprising known as the Cadet Revolution whereby Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, and the Ukraine rebelled against the Imperial Russian Army. Since that time, the Hill has seen numerous Christian pilgrimages and each one seemingly left a cross as a remnant reminder. Over the years, the Hill has come to represent the endurance of Catholicism and to a larger degree Christianity in general in Lithuania despite a great abundance of political and military upheaval. Today the Hill continues to expand as it remains under no one's jurisdiction, rather people are free to build crosses and leave remnants as they see fit.
University's Expulsion of Honor Student Brings Lawsuit
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has a fight on its hands, and well it should, after expelling a masters student with a 3.91 GPA because she refused to accept a client whose issue concerned a homosexual relationship. Julea Ward a Christian student in the EMU counseling program had previously informed her supervisor that she would not counsel said client in affirmation of his homosexual relationship due to her religious convictions. She told her supervisor that she was willing to counsel the client on any other issues, but that she would not counsel him regarding his sexual lifestyle choice. Upon this decision, Ward was investigated by an academic committee and expelled from school, despite being an honors student just months from graduation. Ward has since filed a lawsuit against the University through the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom. Kudos to Ms. Ward for sticking to her convictions and not backing down in the face of overwhelming pressure. This will be a case to watch in the upcoming weeks. Prayers of support be with Ms. Ward.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
An Abortion Gone Oh So Right.
Her medical record reads "born during a saline abortion." Her body has the "gift" (her words not mine) of cerebral palsy. She was born in an abortion clinic and raised as an orphan in a foster home, yet Gianna Jessen isn't going to complain. You are more likely to find Jessen running a marathon than complaining about her cerebral palsy. She just completed a 26.2 mile marathon in 7 hours. For all of us who sometimes think life can be overwhelming, Jessen is a swift dose of reality. For everyone who believes a woman's right to choose overshadows a child's right to live Jessen is God's answer.
Jessen was born with cerebral palsy as a result of a failed third trimester abortion attempt by her then 17 year old mother. For 18 hours Jessen's body was burned in the womb by the saline, but she survived and was born a 2 pound baby girl. Doctor's doubted whether she would ever hold her head up. When she began to walk she needed the aid of braces. And now, well now she runs marathons. If the story ended there, it would be remarkable and awe inspiring. It doesn't. You see Jessen is a devout Christian that now travels the world sharing her testimony and speaking to young people about the horrors of abortions. She has a pretty good perspective from which to speak.
I can find a myriad of excuses not to talk about the Lord. Ms. Jessen has the perfect excuse and instead uses it to her strength to reach people for Christ. Jessen is an inspiration, but I doubt she would see it that way. I think she would be quick to say that Jesus is the true inspiration. As a Christian Jessen lives life to the fullest in a way pleasing to God without excuses. Oh that the same could be said of each and every one of us.
Gianna Jessen was a guest speaker at the 13th Annual Banquet for the Hope Resource Center at the Christian Academy of Knoxville's Campus Center on Saturday April 24th.
Jessen was born with cerebral palsy as a result of a failed third trimester abortion attempt by her then 17 year old mother. For 18 hours Jessen's body was burned in the womb by the saline, but she survived and was born a 2 pound baby girl. Doctor's doubted whether she would ever hold her head up. When she began to walk she needed the aid of braces. And now, well now she runs marathons. If the story ended there, it would be remarkable and awe inspiring. It doesn't. You see Jessen is a devout Christian that now travels the world sharing her testimony and speaking to young people about the horrors of abortions. She has a pretty good perspective from which to speak.
I can find a myriad of excuses not to talk about the Lord. Ms. Jessen has the perfect excuse and instead uses it to her strength to reach people for Christ. Jessen is an inspiration, but I doubt she would see it that way. I think she would be quick to say that Jesus is the true inspiration. As a Christian Jessen lives life to the fullest in a way pleasing to God without excuses. Oh that the same could be said of each and every one of us.
Gianna Jessen was a guest speaker at the 13th Annual Banquet for the Hope Resource Center at the Christian Academy of Knoxville's Campus Center on Saturday April 24th.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
How Amazing Is Our God?
Sometimes I stand in awe at God's power and might. What an amazing world he has created. Look at these pictures of volcanic eruptions in Iceland and Chile and let me know if you are not in awe of his might. The picture on the left is of a volcano in Chile that created an instant thunderstorm. The picture on the right is the current eruption in Iceland which is existing right along side the aurora borealis. Simply amazing!
What can FAITH do for you?
My favorite song at this moment is WHAT FAITH CAN DO by Kutless. I invite you to listen to the words to this song. The youtube video is one I thought was rather appropriate for the song.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
