The 2nd annual WPC Partners in Christ Prayer Breakfast goes into the books as a success. All told I think that we had 40 plus in attendance. Boyd Bailey challenged us with an outstanding message and we were blessed with a copy of his new book, infusion.
I don't have a list of the official sponsors in front of me, but I want to extend a special thanks to Arlin and Hardin for making this thing happen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
A little light in a Dark City
I arrived in New Orleans yesterday afternoon, just in time to meet some friends for a group dinner. HOT and very humid. By the time we walked the several blocks to our destination, in the French Quarter, we were all sweaty messes. That kind of sets the stage for the week to come.
For many people New Orleans is one of their favorite destinations. I would imagine that most of those people plan their visits for Spring and Fall. Mid July is NOT prime time for the Gulf Coast, especially for those of us that wilt.
When folks mention "Sin City" most people think of Las Vegas. I'm sure that most Christians would not argue with that moniker. But if you stop to think about it, NOLA is a MUCH darker place. In addition to the Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll (not to mention the gambling)there is a long history of occult and voodoo associated with this city makes Las Vegas look like Vatican City!
Now for the LIGHT! As the city is invaded by thousands (~7,000???) of Microsoft Partners, there is a small group of Christians that choose the LIGHT! They know that where two or more gather in HIS name, HE is there. That is exactly what happened this morning at the Residence Inn. As a matter of fact, that will happen every morning this week.
Wednesday morning there will be about 50 believers gathered for a Partners in Christ Prayer Breakfast at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center. If you are in town for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference and would like to join us, please do.
If you regularly read this blog, please pray for the faithful who are here and ask that they be protected and blessed. But more importantly, ask that they may be a blessing to others, a LIGHT in a dark city!
For many people New Orleans is one of their favorite destinations. I would imagine that most of those people plan their visits for Spring and Fall. Mid July is NOT prime time for the Gulf Coast, especially for those of us that wilt.
When folks mention "Sin City" most people think of Las Vegas. I'm sure that most Christians would not argue with that moniker. But if you stop to think about it, NOLA is a MUCH darker place. In addition to the Sex and Drugs and Rock & Roll (not to mention the gambling)there is a long history of occult and voodoo associated with this city makes Las Vegas look like Vatican City!
Now for the LIGHT! As the city is invaded by thousands (~7,000???) of Microsoft Partners, there is a small group of Christians that choose the LIGHT! They know that where two or more gather in HIS name, HE is there. That is exactly what happened this morning at the Residence Inn. As a matter of fact, that will happen every morning this week.
Wednesday morning there will be about 50 believers gathered for a Partners in Christ Prayer Breakfast at the New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center. If you are in town for the Microsoft Worldwide Partner conference and would like to join us, please do.
If you regularly read this blog, please pray for the faithful who are here and ask that they be protected and blessed. But more importantly, ask that they may be a blessing to others, a LIGHT in a dark city!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Crappy Coffee??
Ok, please forgive me for what I am about to do, but how could I resist?
Poo brew: Premium coffee is dung to a turn
Expensive ‘civet coffee’ made from beans separated from critter’s droppings
PeoplePets.com
updated 9:40 a.m. CT, Thurs., July 2, 2009
Okay, let's get this straight. You take some coffee beans, feed them to a wild, weasel-like mammal, and wait for the beans to get digested and, um, drop? Then you take those beans and turn them into the world’s most desired and expensive coffee?
That, indeed, is how something called Kopi Luwak — or civet coffee — is made. First, ripe beans are ingested by a civet, a creature indigenous to Africa and Asia that looks like a cat on steroids. Then, workers go through the civet’s droppings and separate the chalky beans (at least we now know the world’s worst job). The beans are dried, sterilized and processed into civet coffee, which, apparently, has a magically intense aroma and flavor.
In Europe, roughly 2 lbs. of Kopi Luwak sells for as much as $700 — if, that is, you can find it. A typical civet produces only about an ounce of the stuff a day, so it’s unlikely you’ll be ordering a decaf dung espresso at Starbucks anytime soon.
Still, if you’re a coffee drinker and you have an adventurous streak, you might just savor the idea of having a java brew with such a, ahem, close connection to the wild.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31706286/ns/today_pets/
© 2009 MSNBC.com
Poo brew: Premium coffee is dung to a turn
Expensive ‘civet coffee’ made from beans separated from critter’s droppings
PeoplePets.com
updated 9:40 a.m. CT, Thurs., July 2, 2009
Okay, let's get this straight. You take some coffee beans, feed them to a wild, weasel-like mammal, and wait for the beans to get digested and, um, drop? Then you take those beans and turn them into the world’s most desired and expensive coffee?
That, indeed, is how something called Kopi Luwak — or civet coffee — is made. First, ripe beans are ingested by a civet, a creature indigenous to Africa and Asia that looks like a cat on steroids. Then, workers go through the civet’s droppings and separate the chalky beans (at least we now know the world’s worst job). The beans are dried, sterilized and processed into civet coffee, which, apparently, has a magically intense aroma and flavor.
In Europe, roughly 2 lbs. of Kopi Luwak sells for as much as $700 — if, that is, you can find it. A typical civet produces only about an ounce of the stuff a day, so it’s unlikely you’ll be ordering a decaf dung espresso at Starbucks anytime soon.
Still, if you’re a coffee drinker and you have an adventurous streak, you might just savor the idea of having a java brew with such a, ahem, close connection to the wild.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31706286/ns/today_pets/
© 2009 MSNBC.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A rendition of Psalm 23 for the workplace
Bobbi Govanus from Arlin's morning email list shared this rendition of Psalm 23 for the workplace:
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that he is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop, for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through. He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check. His retirement plan beats every 401k there is! When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I bless His name.
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that he is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop, for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through. He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check. His retirement plan beats every 401k there is! When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I bless His name.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A Beautiful Sunday in Chicago
Today is a beautiful day indeed. For the past week we have been suffering from oppressive heat and humidity. Today we had a bit of a reprieve with a temp of only 81 deg and humidity of 35%. Factor in a strong breeze, OK, a wind, and it was an exceptional day.
Today is the day that Willow Creek Community Church Celebrates 28 Years of Lakeside Baptisms. God couldn't have provided a better day for it, even if His people had asked Him to. I was baptized at the same service back in 2005. It was Blistering Hot and nary a breeze. The poor folks who weren't dunked, simply melted.
Just before I began typing this, I checked the North-Mar Church website to see if I could link back to the Father's Day service that I posted on last Monday. Turns out that for some reason, that service is not available for download. Just seconds later I get a message from my mother saying that she picked me up a CD. How is that for God's provision? Since they didn't post it publicly, I probably won't be able to post it here. I'll check the copyright when I get it.
Speaking of messages, today Bill Hybels taught on the passage 2 Kings 5:1-19 . I'll let you read the passage yourself, then contemplate this... I didn't take notes, so let me see if I can get it right.
#1. No matter what you do, do your best. Do it for the glory of God.
#2. Choose to Love. No matter how horrible things are for you, do good for others.
#3. Ask for and Accept help from others.
#4. Be willing to do the "simple" things.
I'm not sure that I have that exactly right, but can you see where those would fit in with that passage? I KNOW that this sermon will be posted. It may be a couple of day, but you will be able to find it here. I probably won't get back to it, so if I am way off the mark, leave a comment and let me know.
Today is the day that Willow Creek Community Church Celebrates 28 Years of Lakeside Baptisms. God couldn't have provided a better day for it, even if His people had asked Him to. I was baptized at the same service back in 2005. It was Blistering Hot and nary a breeze. The poor folks who weren't dunked, simply melted.
Just before I began typing this, I checked the North-Mar Church website to see if I could link back to the Father's Day service that I posted on last Monday. Turns out that for some reason, that service is not available for download. Just seconds later I get a message from my mother saying that she picked me up a CD. How is that for God's provision? Since they didn't post it publicly, I probably won't be able to post it here. I'll check the copyright when I get it.
Speaking of messages, today Bill Hybels taught on the passage 2 Kings 5:1-19 . I'll let you read the passage yourself, then contemplate this... I didn't take notes, so let me see if I can get it right.
#1. No matter what you do, do your best. Do it for the glory of God.
#2. Choose to Love. No matter how horrible things are for you, do good for others.
#3. Ask for and Accept help from others.
#4. Be willing to do the "simple" things.
I'm not sure that I have that exactly right, but can you see where those would fit in with that passage? I KNOW that this sermon will be posted. It may be a couple of day, but you will be able to find it here. I probably won't get back to it, so if I am way off the mark, leave a comment and let me know.
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