Slowing Down Your Church

Planning another big event at your church will probably make your people more active and bring in more people, but is it really what is best for your church? Consider the following paragraph from W. R. Greg’s Life at High Pressure.

Beyond doubt, the most salient characteristic of life in this latter portion of the 19th century is its SPEED, — what we may call its hurry, the rate at which we move, the high-pressure at which we work;– and the question to be considered is, first, whether this rapid rate is in itself a good; and, next, whether it is worth the price we pay for it–a price rarely reckoned up, and not very easy thoroughly to ascertain. Unquestionably, life seems fuller and longer for this speed–is it truly ricer and more effective? No doubt we can do more in our seventy years for the pace at which we travel; but are the extra things we can do always worth doing? No doubt, we can do more; but is “doing” everything, and “being” nothing.

That was written in the 19th century. How much more might it apply in the 21st century?

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What Ever Floats Your Boat

It is common for those of us who have lost friends and family in fatal boating accidents to be big proponents of Boating Education. I am no exception. Those who have have taken boating education classes are 70% less likely to be involved in an accident. And, now it is easier than ever, in that you can do Boating Education Online.

However, it is not just lack of knowledge that causes boating accidents. Check out the following 30 second video and you will know what I mean.

A huge number of boating accidents are the result of Boating Operating Under the Influence. In fact, 1/3 of all fatal boating accidents nationwide are alcohol related, and the percentage goes all the way up 50% for Arizona Boating fatalities.

Here is a video about boating in Arizona:

Please remember to Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober and take a boating education class in person or online.

The Eschatology of Jonathan Edwards

Here is is another article that I contributed to the Dictionary of Premillennial Theology .  As with the previous articles, I would change some things in this material if contributing to this or a similar compilation.  Nevertheless, I believe the following to be both accurate and helpful.

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Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) is generally recognized as America’s greatest theologian and philosopher. At the time of Edwards’ ministry most of Protestant theology, being heir to the amillennialism of Augustine and Calvin, spiritualized the Scripture’s teaching concerning the millennium. Edwards, on the other hand, was innovative in the development of a postmillennial eschatological vision. Edwards saw the millennium as a literal historical reality which was the telos toward which history had been progressing since the fall of Adam. He thought it probable that this latter-day glory would begin in America. His millennial expectation is often considered to have been a major factor in the social movement resulting in the American Revolution.

Edwards interpreted tribulational passages as predictions of the apostasy of the Roman Catholic Church and the suppression of true religion. He believed that the Reformation marked the shortening of days (Matt. 24:22), which is to be identified with the restricting of the powers of spiritual Rome and the papal Antichrist. Applying the year-day theory of interpretation to the twelfth chapter of Revelation, Edwards proposed that the millennium would arrive approximately 1260 years after 606 A.D., when the Bishop of Rome was recognized as having universal authority. Thus, the millennium was imminent and the revival fires of the Great Awakening could very well be harbingers of the coming age when great progress in technology would free mankind from material concerns to engage more fully in the noble exercises of mind and vital religion. At this time the kingdom of Antichrist will be utterly overthrown and there will be a national conversion of the Jews. Following the millennium will come a period of great apostasy and tribulation, which will be superseded by the personal Second Coming of Jesus Christ in infinite majesty. The saints will be gathered unto their Head, forever to be in his presence, and the wicked will be summoned before the judgement-seat of Christ. (Kevin Stilley )

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, general editors Perry Miller and John E. Smith, 10 volumes (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1957-1993); ______, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, reprint 1992, 2 volumes (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Press, 1834).

Credit Card Research Made Easier

About a year ago my wife and I changed banks for the sake of convenience. Our new bank gave us lots of freebies (including a CD player) and went the extra mile to win our business and make us feel good about the change. While we were sitting with the banker who was getting us established he asked if we would like the bank to send us a credit card also, “It’s easy as can be, just sign right here.” So, we signed.

Fast forward 30 days. We had not used the credit card, hadn’t even activated it, but received our first credit card statement with a bill for $35. Yes, there was a $35 annual fee. We had mistakenly assumed that it would be a no-annual fee credit card.

Today there will be millions of people offered a credit card “easy as can be, just sign right here.” But, like us, they may be signing for more than they think. They would be better off checking out creditcardsclub.com where they can get credit card ratings and reviews for all kinds of cards and can comparison shop to get the best card for their own personal lifestyle. Check them out.

Nationalizing The Oil Industry

My grandfather was a Socialist back in 1920s and 1930s. He believed that the government could do a better job of running important industries than the private sector. In recent years there have been growing numbers of Americans who are calling for not just government intrusion into the private sector but for “taking it over.” Until recently socialized medicine was at the forefront of what appears to be a growing national zeitgeist. However, it is now most visible in the calls for the nationalizing of the oil industry. First, it was Hillary Clinton saying that she would “take the profits” of the oil companies, and now Maxine Waters wants to “take over” the oil companies.

It Only Takes A Spark To Get A Fire Going…

SocialSpark is live!

The last few days I have been reading a series of posts by a variety of blogging gurus, such as Darrell Rowse, who have been discussing the importance of social networking. Social Spark may end up becoming one of the most important blogger social networking sites on the internet for bloggers who want to develop a loyal readership.

I signed up for Social Spark and you can click here to see my profile. The profiles are pretty cool displaying not only the personal interests and data that participants choose to disclose, but such things as their last blog post, the amount of traffic to their website, Alexa rank, Real Rank, and even the demographics of the visitors.

This is not the kind of information one is accustomed to seeing on social networking sites and there is a reason for that. Social Spark is one of the many web initiatives being driven by IZEA. Social Spark not only connects bloggers with other bloggers but bloggers with companies who want to advertise on blogs. So, bloggers have a chance to not only develop more traffic for their website, but to make a little cash on the side.

You don’t think it will work? Sure it will, and this blog post is evidence that it will, because …

… this blog post was paid for by Social Spark.

Are Professors Being Expelled

“Professors aren’t being fired because they support intelligent design, they are being fired for lots of other reasons and then they have to justify their firing to other people and say it was because they advocated ID, rather than admit they were in some other way inadequate.”

That is what I was recently told by a cheeky fellow who was trying to cast an aura of confidence and disdain.

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A Diet For Gout Free Living

For the last few days I have had my foot propped up with ice on it. At first it was because my foot looked like a pumpkin being suckled by five little yellow squash. The swelling went down so that my toes looked more like carrots than squash. And now the swelling is almost gone entirely and the only problem that I have is that my foot feels like it is fully immersed in red hot coals. Yes, I have had a recurrence of Gout. Gout may be known as the king’s disease but the only thing royal about this is that I feel royally pained.

I ordinarily watch my diet pretty carefully, avoiding too many meats. But over the Memorial Day weekend there was lots of grilling and lots of meat; steak, hamburger, chicken, hotdogs… All those things I am supposed to eat in moderation to avoid a very, very painful flare up of gout. So, while I need a diet plan to help me lose weight, I also need one that is very specific to help me avoid those foods which are not good for someone with Gout. So, which diet plan is for me?

Weight Loss Diet Help is a website designed to help people compare the leading diet plans and weight loss programs such as Diet To Go, Nutrisystem, Medifast, South Beach Diet, Weight Watchers, Jillian Michaels and eDiets. Like me, everyone has their own unique requirements for a diet plan and weight loss program and the Weight Loss Diet Help website can help you sort through the offerings to find the one that is best for you. They also have online coupons and discount promotions for these diet programs, so you can save when you join.

Check them out, and while you are there browse their articles featuring weight loss tips, easy fitness program ideas, healthy diet and nutrition suggestions, exercise plans, and other practical advice for losing weight in a healthy manner.

Girls Shouldn’t Just Wanna Have Fun

Girls shouldn’t just wanna have fun, and neither should anyone else. Consider this story told by J.P. Moreland in The Lost Virtue Of Happiness which he co-authored with Klaus Issler;

When my daughter’s eight-grade team was being creamed in a soccer game, the coach said at halftime, “Girls, don’t worry about the score. The reason we play soccer is to have fun; so let’s try to have a blast during the second half and go home happy whatever the final result.” That coach reminds me of Cyndi Lauper’s song “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” He was mindlessly parroting the cultural mantra that pleasurable satisfaction is the goal of life. The reasons my wife and I wanted our daughter to play soccer where to learn how to win and to lose, to cooperate with others, to sacrifice for a long-term goal, which requires delaying instant gratification, and — well, you get the picture. What was really sad was not simply the coach’s speech, but the fact than none of the parents so much as batted an eye at his counsel.

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Customer For Life

How many businesses can you say you have been patronizing for more than a decade? Maybe a barber or hairdresser. Perhaps a grocery store. But I am guessing that you can probably count them on one hand. The note card at left is one that I had printed by a company which I have been using for more than a decade. Parker was our only child at the time I had the cards printed and now we have five kiddos. That tells you a little about how long I have been doing business with VistaPrint.

I have used Vistaprint most often to have business cards printed; as a pastor, for a home business, for eBay advertising, and more. My most recent purchase from them was this business card that I had printed for my son, Parker, who is no longer that little boy in the note card above but who writes for his own blog (which has a very loyal readership). I have also added address stamps to my orders and used them for a variety of things including the marking of books which I loan out.

Having used VistaPrint for a decade myself, I recommend them to you for all your printing needs; business cards, checks, stationary, invitations, rubber stamps, announcements, and marketing materials. I like being able to use their online interface to customize their products to my own liking, and I love receiving from them exactly what I am expecting. Check them out.

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