Surprised By Perfection

Finding this over at The Curt Jester, I played along.

Now I don't read the Bible on a regular basis, other than the reading for the Mass of the day. I remembered most of it, some answers were deductive logic, and there were a couple of guesses.

Boy, am I surprised at my score.

You know the Bible 100%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
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How about you?

Jumping The Shark

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I have finally made the switch to the new Blogger format.

Seems more streamlined to me.

Maybe getting use to the new features will inspire more posting.

Meet the new "boss", same as the old one.

Parallel Parable

"Truth is stranger than fiction." Another forwarded e-mail stories from an acquaintence, slightly edited from the original and too good not to post today.

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After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and before he gave his sermon for the evening briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the congregation.

In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.

"A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high even the father, an experienced sailor, could not keep the boat upright. The three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story.

The aged minister continued with his story. "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian; he also knew his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.

"As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!', he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth.

"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus. He could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend."

"How great is the love of God He should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept his offer to rescue you and take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."

With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side.

"That was a nice story," politely stated one of them, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face. He once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me.

"You see, I was that father and your pastor is my son's friend."

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No greater love....

Black Monday XXXIV

Today's match-up should be over by the time this is posted. The renewal of this annual rivalry is anticipated the day after completion of the last one. The combatants are very familiar with each other and their tactics. The pageantry of the event, now established after all these years, still is a sight to behold. Yet, despite what seems to be how routine and commonplace this has become, it is still hotly contested. However, the overall outcome still remains in doubt.

It has been in sudden-death overtime for four decades.

Yes, it is time for the two sides in the abortion issue to take over the nation's capital with their marches, demonstrations, and speeches. The only thing they agree upon is when and where to have this skirmish. It just so happens the calendar this year coincides with history.

It is Monday, January 22, 1973 redux.

Momentum seems to be on the side of the poor-(pro-) choice crowd. Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in South Dakota, they have reversed the gains the pro-life movement made in the previous twelve months. The offensive stand they made in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and points in between has given them new death. While they were on their heels for a time, they have staggered back.

The pro-life side had confidence before the reversal of fortune last November. The appointment of two new Supreme Court Justices and the law passed and enacted by the powers that be in South Dakota gave hope that the next series of plays would produce a game-winning score. This disappointment has its consolation in the fact this game plan was working and only minor adjustments are needed.

But both sides know this is always a battle of shifting tides and swinging emotions. Gains and losses are never permanent. Attacks and counter-attacks are expected. It's not over until it's over.

And it is far from over, although the rallies have ended for today. Abortion is the biggest battle in the Culture War. Rallying the troops to continue to play hard because the victor has not been determined is the focus. The game goes on today and continues.

Same time, next year.

A Minute Of Your Time

That lovely Southern Belle, Anastasia Crosswell, forwarded an e-mail to me too good not to share (with very slight editing).

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ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT

In WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.

If you would like to participate: Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central/6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States , our troops, our citizens, and for a Godly nation.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along.

Someone said if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank You, and God Bless America.

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There is another quote similar to that. When I find it, I will post it.

Keyboard Capers

An acquaintence forwarded the joke, presented with a little editing. The lesson to be learned is to double check your spelling. Here's what happens when one types the wrong e-mail address:

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A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years before. Because of their hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minneapolis and flew to Florida on Friday. His wife was flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. Unlike years ago, there was a computer in his room. He decided to send an e-mail to his wife; however, he accidentally left out one letter in her e-mail address. Without noticing his error, he sent the email to the wrong address.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory after suffering a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and then fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and then glanced up and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Date: Friday, October 13, 2005
Subject: I have arrived!

Dearest Love:

I know you are surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now, and you are allowed to send e-mail to your loved ones. I have just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow, and look forward to seeing you then.

Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

PS: It sure is hot down here!

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Remember, "user friendly" is an oxymoron.

Chalking It Up

I wonder how often this is done anymore.

It is an endearing reminder of Whom we seek and serve.

(I will substitute a piece of paper and a magic marker over my doorframe.)

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."