Month: August 2006

Re: King of the Christocrats

I just spent 15 minutes or so with David Barton. I enjoyed it. I don’t think the Texas Monthly did him justice or presented him in a fair light.
While he believes the founding fathers were strong supporters of Christianity (which I don’t doubt) I got the impression he doesn’t believe in a creating an American theocracy and I assumed he did from the article.
I played devil’s advocate a bit and he said that the founding fathers believed religion and Christianity were interchangeable and when they spoke of other religions they mentioned them by name. He also said he supported prayer in schools – but student led. I can support that. If a student is Islamic, they should be able to say an Islamic prayer. If they’re Jewish they should be allowed to say a Jewish prayer and if they’re Christian they should be able to say a Christian prayer.
He also said that if you shouldn’t have to change the rules to win – i.e. censorship.
The truth should always win out if we’re doing our job.
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” – Muhammad (j/k) Jesus
I want to talk with David more and pick his brain some more. He also owns over 70,000 documents from our founding fathers – I’d love to see those as well.
Anyone interested in a freelance article about him?

One of these mornings…

It’s funny how you can hear something or read something a million times and never comprehend the meaning behind it.
I was listening to a mix Thomas sent me for a show idea for Lighthouse 21. BTW Thomas, love the whole mix.
Anyways, near the end of the show Thomas throws a Moby track into the mix.
I’ve heard the song a million times and never considered the words much, but suddenly it sprang to life this morning and I actually got chills thinking about it.
It’s a simple track with a soulful woman singing in the foreground, “One of these mornings – and it won’t be long – you will look for me and I’ll be gone.”
It just hit me this morning that she’s referring to the great getting up morning when Christ comes back for her bride.

And regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus.
And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words. – I Thes 4:13-18

Whether Christ comes for me and you individually (death) or as a collective result of the rapture – He’s coming. And one of these mornings you will look for me — and I’ll be gone.
Thanks for the reminder and eye opener Thomas.

Beer industry=big money

From our local chamber of commerce:

Beer Industry Provides 128,614 Jobs in Texas
$3.9 Billion Earned in Wages; $11.8 Billion to Texas’ Economy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This Labor Day, as you fire up the grill and enjoy a cold beer in the hot summer sun, it’s a good time to remember that the same people who produce, distribute and sell your brew also provide jobs for 128,614 citizens of Texas, directly or indirectly.
According to an economic impact study conducted by John Dunham & Associates and sponsored by the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and Beer Institute, the beer industry generates $3,982,817,300 annually in wages and benefits and contributes $11,883,705,266 to the state economy.
“The independent family businesses that distribute beer to retailers large and small are doing their part to keep America’s economy strong. These families have been ingrained in their communities for generations and support the local economy, including creating jobs for their neighbors,” said Craig Purser, president of NBWA. “This is an industry that prides itself on providing good paying jobs and quality benefits for its employees.”
“This study demonstrates that the beer industry is more than just those who make and distribute our products,” said Jeff Becker, president of the Beer Institute. “We are an industry of farmers, can manufacturers, truck drivers, retailers, and many others located in virtually every state and local community across the country. These hard-working men and women place tremendous pride in delivering the quality products and services enjoyed by millions of responsible adults every day.”
In addition to strengthening the Texas economy with job creation, the industry plays a significant role in promoting responsible consumption of its products. The Texas beer industry – which includes brewers, 82 independent 105 beer distributors and 36,495 retailers – has invested in communities across the state to develop and implement numerous programs to promote responsibility and help fight alcohol abuse. These efforts, along with those of parents, law enforcement, educators, and other community groups have led to significant declines in illegal underage drinking and drunk driving for the past two decades.
America’s beer distributors also work within a framework of individual state laws to ensure their products are sold only to licensed retailers who in turn are responsible for selling only to adults of legal drinking age.
The complete Beer Industry Economic Impact study, including a state-by-state and congressional district breakdown of economic contributions, is available at the Beer Serves America Web site, www.beerservesamerica.org.

The world is ending – again

A while back, we discussed the possibility of the world coming to an end on 6/6/6.
I’m guessing that didn’t take place.
But now another prophecy expert is predicting nuclear war in the Middle East on Sept. 12, 2006.
Yup. It’s all coming to an end on Sept. 12 says Yisrayl Hawkins.
I like what I heard an area pastor say yesterday. “Every generations predicts the end of the world will come during their time. And they all point to events in the Middle East as their reason. So far non of them have been right. I’m betting it does’t happen during this generation either – but you never know.” (losely quoted)
So, start pulling out all those canned goods and bottled water you stocked away for Y2K, 6/6/6 and any other planned world ending days, and “get ready to live.”