Pro Choice?

So I got this email that got me to think and encouraged me to blog about it.

Jaime Lynn Spears…sound familiar? Not to me, until I had to do some digging. Below is the excerpt from MTV.com


"Jamie Lynn Spears, Britney's sister, is pregnant, the 16-year-old told OK! magazine. The father is her longtime boyfriend, Casey Aldridge, she said. "It was a shock for both of us, so unexpected," Jamie Lynn Spears, who is 12 weeks along in her pregnancy, told the magazine for its new issue, which hits stands this week.

"I was in complete and total shock, and so was he," she said. "As soon as I found out for sure from the doctor, I took two weeks to myself where I didn't tell anybody. Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone's opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me."

According to the interview, Jamie Lynn confirmed the pregnancy through a home test. She later paid a visit to the doctor, who corroborated the news. She said she revealed the news to her parents shortly before Thanksgiving.

Jamie Lynn said that her mother, Lynne Spears, "was very upset because it wasn't what she expected at all. A week after, she had time to cope with it and became very supportive." Lynne Spears also commented on the news, saying, "I didn't believe it because Jamie Lynn's always been so conscientious. She's never late for her curfew. I was in shock. I mean, this is my 16-year-old baby."

Jamie Lynn, a high school junior, reportedly plans to raise the baby in Louisiana, her home state, "so it can have a normal family life." In regards to the third season of her Nickelodeon show, "Zoey 101," which wraps January 4, Jamie Lynn said: "I haven't spoken to [Nickelodeon] personally, but they have always been so great to me over the past years and have given me so many opportunities." The show is slated to start back up again in February, and fourth-season filming is already done.

Nickelodeon issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying, "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

When the magazine reportedly asked her about the message her pregnancy might send to young people, she replied, "I definitely don't think it's something you should do; it's better to wait. But I can't be judgmental because it's a position I put myself in."
Lynne Spears told OK! that her daughter had been dating Casey Aldridge for years. But in an Associated Press interview conducted shortly before Thanksgiving, Jamie Lynn said she did not have a steady boyfriend. "I kind of just keep my options open," she told AP. "I have a bunch of friends that I always hang out with, a bunch of guy friends." In the OK! interview, Jamie Lynn said she had met Aldridge at church.

Aldridge's mother, Joyce, spoke with TMZ about the pregnancy, saying, "We are aware of the recent interview regarding her and being pregnant, and we are in agreement with everything that was said by Jamie Lynn about the situation ... everything is fine. ... Casey will address all of this when it is time."

Also yet to be addressed is whether Jamie Lynn and Casey plan to marry. His uncle, Odus Jackson — who is a Baptist pastor — said in an interview with People outside his nephew's house in Mississippi, "They may or may not [get married]. You just never know." He added, "I hope they will stick it out and get married for the child's sake and their sake. But if they're not in love and it was just a fantasy, they don't need to make the same mistake twice."
According to a video posted on TMZ.com, Britney appeared not to be aware of the Jamie Lynn news before it broke wide, telling reporters during a shopping spree Tuesday night, "My sister's not pregnant!" But on Wednesday, the site ran a report in which a source said the singer was just being sarcastic."

[This story was originally published on 12.18.07 at 9:18 p.m. ET]

So here is the question that was posed to me….

“Wonder where the evangelicals are in speaking out on their pro-choice /pro-life position. This teenager made a grave mistake and seems to be taking the heat on her own... having made the choice to keep this baby alive. So far no one wants to touch this one - like she has the plague.Most parents/teens would arrange to get rid of the problem and the world would never know.”

What are your thoughts on this?

Please remember that there is a delay to your post being published and with the season as busy as it is, please be patient with me in getting around to publishing them.

Profound Question.

Every once in a while, someone says something that grabs you from out of nowhere. Here is one of those quotes for me.

"If God made the universe and if God made us and if God made the world, it just makes sense to invite God into our lives and ask Him, 'You made me--what should I be doing?'"

Moby as quoted in Relevant (May/June 2005)

What should you be doing?

Special Edition Post

They are back! They may be so 1991 but I had a number of different sets. You too can now be a proud owner of the COOLEST sweats EVER!

Zubaz! Yes, I said Zubaz! Check it out...cheaper then when they first came out! Ummmm

Anyway, a Christmas gift everyone NEEDS!

http://zubaz.com/

Christmas Prayer?

It is that time of the year, where western culture spends needlessly buying things that we don’t want, and asking for things that we do not need, using electricity needlessly (Give the Globe a Hug!) and the list can go on. I am not going into a rant about how Christmas has become so commercial…how it is has morphed away from the concept of a simple stable…I am not. I am not going to place you, the reader, on a guilt trip after viewing the photo above. I am not!

What I am going to do is post a prayer that has originally had nothing to do with Christmas. It is a prayer by Sir Francis Drake, some who felt he was a hero and others who called him a pirate. Whatever the skeletons of his life were…I have found this prayer profound and it especially speaks during this time of year.

Disturb us, O Lord

When we are too well-pleased with ourselves;when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little; when we have arrived in safety because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, O Lord

When with the abundance of things possessed, we lose our thirst for the water of life; when, having fallen in love with time, we have ceased to dream of Eternity; and our efforts to build a new earth have allowed Your vision for the New Heaven to grow dim.

Stir us, O Lord

To dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas, where storms shall show Thy Mastery, where, losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

In the name of Him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes and invited the brave to follow Him. Amen.

~~ Sir Francis Drake

Thoughts?

Just thinking....

So, I am deliberating on what to post today, feeding the need to be selective, not wanting to defend thoughts or methodologies. I could talk about…........instead:

I like my coffee dark and rich with a little cream or milk. Every once in a while I will order a Quad shot Caramel Macchiato, Pumpkin Spice Latte, or Egg Nog Latte. So, the other week I went to Starbucks with one of my kids and I had this moment of “I want something different.” Then I saw it…a little sampler…with pink sprinkles on it. First thought…was “NO”…I want something else…but the sprinkles got me.

So I ordered one…and the barista said… “I love those…”

I was in conflict…I was good with a coffee, even a latte, but now … what if I don’t like this drink with the pink sprinkles? Have you ever placed an order at someplace and then want to change your mind, but you know it is too late? That was what I was going through. Then it came up…my drink was ready….hey, this is feeling like 24!!!!

I took a straw, as is my custom, and placed it through a lid and then placed the lid on my coffee cup. I gently formed my lips around the straw, and inhaled (SLOWLY) and…..and…..and…...it was really, really, really good.

Two things contributed to me wanting this product…first was the sample that was sitting on the counter. It looked good, attractive, tasty…it made me want to try it, after all it was a sample and it was FREE! (I am so Manitoban) The second thing was the fact that the employee, the one who works at the establishment and even makes the drink…said that she loved them.
In Matthew 5 Jesus is talking and says “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

So, as followers of Christ are we are called to be walking advertisements for Him? Should people see our lives and at least be interested in what is going on inside of us? This doesn’t mean that we are perfect, but we are called to live in such as way that attracts people to Jesus. The next thing was the ‘testimony’ of the barista. She influenced my decision and she didn’t even know I was contemplating a decision like that. If she was that influential in regards to a drink just imagine how influential you and I could be in just sharing with friends about Christ?

There are people that we come across daily……………

A Growing Church

James Meeks is the senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and it started in 1985 with 200 people (wow). They now have over 22,000 members (double wow).
Meeks has stated "We can all have growing churches."

Meeks has preach that the kingdom of GOD is compared in the parable to planting and growing. Everything that is planted is supposed to grow. If a church is in the Kingdom of God, then a church is supposed to grow. Now, this thought gets me thinking. There are huge ramifications to this thought.

But since we are walking through Ephesians as a church, and we recognize the reality of spiritual warfare, and our battle is not flesh and blood….Here are some enemies of a growing church according to James Meeks.

1. Lack of faith -- We must believe growth can happen. We have to expect it. "I would be ready to quit if there were no conversions."

2. Lack of knowledge -- We don't know that church growth is possible. We haven't been exposed to the principles of church growth. People perish because of a lack of knowledge. What you don't know can kill you. What you don't know can stifle your church's growth.

3. Failure to realize that God is no respecter of persons -- God doesn't love just a select group of people. God told Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you." You will be anointed also.

4. Failure to realize growth is always the goal of a new testament church -- It doesn't matter how small your town is--your church is supposed to grow. "The city doesn't need to be big if the church has big ideas." People have cars. They will drive to your church. See John 15:5. If it's not growing, it's not healthy. People are afraid to count because they don't want to know how bad things are.

5. An unsure pastor -- You have to demonstrate that you're in control. People are looking to you as the person with answers. You have to be sure about your leadership. We lead with too much ambiguity. We have too many politically correct pastors. We don't say what the Bible says. We're afraid to offend people.

6. Failure to build upon small victories -- Small victories lead to bigger victories. David killed a lion and a bear before he killed Goliath. When a church gets used to victories, it will have no doubt that there isn't anything too big for God.

7. Failure to preach the announcements -- Whatever you want the masses to know, it can't be announced--it must be preached. It has to be a sermon. After the message, you give an invitation to involvement.

8. Lack of corporate fasting and prayer -- Some things will only come about through fasting and prayer.

9. Failure to get started -- "Go with the going crowd." If you can't influence anyone, you're in the wrong profession.

10. Poor motive -- Why do you want a big church? You should want it. You have to want it for the right reason. God knows your heart. Church growth should be about bringing glory and honor to God. If God is not pleased and satisfied, it doesn't make a difference.

Thoughts?

Rules of Fighting

A friend (http://www.leadinginfluence.com) of mine sent the following out...

"A pastor in Kamloops wrote this. He's also a medal winner in 'ultimate fighting'. I present it unedited.

I have always been a fighter. My grandfather and step-dad taught it to me. Stand up for things you believe in. Stand up for family and friends. Stand up for yourself. Fight for what you think is right and true.I was taught to box and wrestle. They taught me rules of fair play. No dirty fighting. No hitting someone from behind the back. A fair fight should be one on one. Only cowards need a pack of friends to join them in a fight against one person. When the fight is over, its over. Shake hands and be friends.

I wish someone would have taught church people this. I have seen Christians get offended and hurt. I have seen them get mad and bitter. I have seen them fight. They rarely fight one on one. They normally fight behind your pack and need to spread their offense to get people on their side. They need a pack to feel brave and right. They do not work out their issues one on one. No not at all. That is why offense and bitterness spreads like cancers through churches. Most offenses are second-hand offenses picked up from someone else.

They also rarely fight fair. They take cheap shots, below the belt. They get personal and mean. It normally starts as some small issue and blows into something huge. I have seen huge ugly personal fights break out over views on drinking, or music, or church attendance, or doctrine, or any myriad of things. It's not that these issues do not matter. It is fine to get mad and disagree over some of these things. I have gotten mad and even told someone to kiss mine, so far be it from me say there is no room for fiery conflict. However, it is wierd how something small becomes not a small fight but a huge offense. Small things like a root of bitterness spread like the dandelions on my lawn. People are hurt and mad like you had just beat up their mom, not merely disagreed over doctrine.

They want to start a war like America after 911. The only thing is it is not 911, nobody died, feelings merely got hurt. Not quite worthy of a war. Call each other a bad name if it makes you feel better and get over it.The last rule I was taught is that when a fight is over, it's over. So many seem to carry on fighting for years. Let it go. You had a fight. Its over. It takes two to fight. You played you part. Let it go. Fighting hurts. Heal. Forgive. Go forward. If your a real big kid, even shake hands and be friends. Maybe have a beer, or a pop, or something, but let it go."

WOW....thoughts?

Too Good Not to Share Bono Intimate

If you are a U2 fan you need to go to http://www.kinnon.tv/ and watch U2- Wave of Sorrow.

Comments?

Reflection of 24 and of Self

Reflection of 24:

Man my life was boring. But that was what happened in one day. Sharon and I were able to attend the National Outreach Convention in San Diego and I must say that if there ever was a conference that we needed, this one was just for us (Soul Sanctuary and me…and Sharon) at the right time.

I am not sure where to start, but I want to avoid saturating you with unnecessary details but here is ONE thing that I am working through.

Reflection of Self:
What I came back from the conference is; that there are many Christians that I cannot stand. No, seriously…my prayer is like the bumper sticker “Jesus, Save Me from your followers!” There are times where I would rather hang out with “foul mouth heathens” than self righteous, hyper critical, narrow minded so called Christians.

Here is a list as to why I don’t like a lot of “Christians”
They can be so judgmental and condescending and they tend to fight about the stupidest things.
-“You using the wrong version of the bible”
-“Your churches worship style is sinful”
-“You don’t teach enough from the Book of Revelation”
-“Your church is not evangelistic enough”
-“Your church eats meat sacrificed to idols”

-“You are focused too much on outreach”
-“All R- rated movies are off limits” (can you say The Passion?)
-“If you listen to ‘secular’ music, you are of the devil”
-“Don’t get a tattoo”
-“Don’t watch Harry Potter”
-and for some of my denominational friends….”Don’t go to Disneyland or Las Vegas!”

Hey people...it is not "MY CHURCH" it is Jesus'. Also, if you really think about it...YOU ARE THE CHURCH! I can go on, but I won’t. The fact is that Christians can be just plain strange. If you are offended, please don’t be…watch Christian Television…that is an affront!!!!

Another reason is that Christians can by so hypocritical. Yes, the big “H” word. You know what I am talking about. Now, there are a few reasons I dislike a lot of “Christians” and to be fair there are a lot of them who don’t like me. I am too radical, my theology is of question, I break the unpardonable sin (I pastor a growing church), I am an egomaniac, I only care about myself, I am unapproachable, I am stuck on myself, I am a Lion (eh James!!!)…and the list goes on….

There, now that is all out in the open…but there is still one Christian out there that bothers me the most. Keeps me awake at night, makes me want to puke…and that person is…………………

Me.

No seriously, there are so many things that I detest about myself. How about you? I hate it when I am less that Jesus would want me to be. I hate it when I put my selfish desires over the needs of others, especially my own family. I hate it when I say something that is inconsistent with scripture, and I hate it when, as a leader, I make decisions that hurt people, I hate myself when my sinful actions hurt other believers or turn away nonbelievers…there are many things that I hate about myself…

I don’t like a lot of Christians and my name often tops that list. While others can drive me nuts, it is easier to point at them. But if we are to take a honest look at the contradiction inside of me, it shows me exactly what I need to do about it. Instead of following my instinctive course of self defense and preservation from outward criticism, I commit to opening my heart bare to GOD and ask Him to change me, cleanse me and work in me.

How about you?

NEW SHOW

If you have been following the latest craze entitled 24...you will notice that the time is up. So, I must change the series name....it will now be called 48! As is it written, so shall it be.

See you later!

5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

The following happened from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Nothing really changed here people........what did you expect?

4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

The following happened from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

REPEATS!!!!!!

I heard this before, I finally turned off my TV.....

3:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

The following took place between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

Now, really....you are watching me sleep?

2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The following takes place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.

You must be really bored in that you are watching me sleep!

1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

The following happens between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00.

Nothing has really changed....

12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

The following happens between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.

11:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

The following happens between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

Ok, my eyes are sore...so I turn on the tv..... it is like a sleeping pill. You watch it and then you fall asleep....I begin to drift off to CNN and what is happening in Pakistan...not cool....

10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The following happens between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

I was reading.....

"GOD is where you least expect Him"

"GOd wants to be known, but not in a way that overwhelms us, that takes away the possibility of love freely chosen."

"Meister Eckhart said 'GOD is like a person who clears His throat while hiding and so gives himself away."

"This can be the greatest moment of your life because this moment is the place where you can meet GOD."

Thoughts?

9:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.

The following happens between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

After a wonderful supper with myself, talking and eating with myself. Myself and I decided to go for a walk. We needed to walk of all the calories that somehow found themselves around my mid section. Myself and I headed back to my hotel room. Sure enough, I am here to realx, not to really think....but I pull out my book and I read...

8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The following happens between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

So, I am watching CNN and then I got bored, because I am supposed to be relaxing. So, I thought a work out was in order and I began to surf the stations. Sure enough...I saw commercials that were calling to me, like the Hungry Man TV dinners. Hey, I am a hungry man! I need to eat....after all my thumb is having a workout on the remote control. So, I got up and I went for supper and the only place close by is a place named Kelly's. So, there I am, by myself in the place and I order a steak! Ummm, steak. I take my time because I know that when I am done here...I go back to my room and relax.....sounds fun......actually, being by yourself is really boring.