Fun Photo Idea

Here's an idea I've been playing with. I was tempted to enter it in a contest at PanosFX.com, but couldn't since the contest required use of an out of bounds (oob) action and I did this manually. I think the idea is OK, though the execution could stand some refinement.

Scripture Passage for the Day

But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him.

Hab. 2:20 New International Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

For I am the Eternal, I love justice,
iniquitous harrying I hate;

Is. 61:8a Moffatt Translation

Scripture Passage for the Day

For I the LORD love justice; I hate unjust plundering.

Is. 61:8a Berkeley Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

For I the LORD love justice
and hate robbery and crime;

Is. 61:8a Revised English Bible

Scripture Passage for the Day

For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;

Is 61:8a New Revised Standard Version

A Message for Our Leaders

Please join me in reminding our government leaders to consider this scripture passage as they make decisions.

“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 3:5 New International Version

You can find senators' e-mail addresses at:

Senators of the 112th Congress

Other leaders can also be found at dot gov sites (If in doubt, Google it -- or Bing it.)

Cheap iPads

Here's a great deal I discovered on the Notes from underground blog. Thanks to Steve Hayes for posting this.

Cheap iPads

Give it a look.

Scripture Passage for the Day

For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.

Is 61:8a New International Version

A Bit of Nostalgia -- Old Japanese Music from Hawaii

Scripture Passage for the Day

There is a God able to save us, the God whom we serve, able to save us from the burning furnace and from you power, O king. But even if he does not, understand this, O king, we will not serve your gods, and we will not bow down before the golden image which you have erected."

Dan. 3:17-18 Moffatt Translation

Scripture Passage for the Day

"for the God whom we serve is able to save us from the fire of the furnace and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But, whether He does or not, be it known to you, O king, we will not serve your gods, or worship the image which you have set up."

Dan. 3:17-18 Berkeley Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

"If there is a god who is able to save us from the blazing furnace, it is our God whom we serve; he will deliver us from your majesty's power. But if not, be it known to your majesty that we shall neither serve your gods nor worship the gold image you have set up."

Dan. 3:17-18 Revised English Version

Quote for the Day

Fools act on imagination without knowledge, pedants act on knowledge without imagination.

-- Alfred North Whitehead, English philosopher (1861-1947)

Scripture Passage for the Day

"If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up."

Dan. 3:17-18 New Revised Standard Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Dan. 3:17-18 New International Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

Woe to those who issue harsh decrees,
penning orders that oppress,
robbing the weak of their rights,
and defrauding the poor of their dues,
till widows fall to them as spoil,
and orphans as their prey.

Is. 10:1-2 Moffatt Translation

Mubarak Pulls A Mugabe

Hosni Mubarak has pulled a Robert Mugabe and refused to relinquish power even against the will of the people. Personal pride overrules love of country.

How long, O LORD, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk 1:2-4 New International Version

Is The USA A Christian Nation?

Many today argue that the United States of America is a Christian nation. Is this true?

Early in his ministry Jesus laid out what his job description:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed,

^19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

^20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ^21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18ff New International Version)

The Gospels show that spiritual, physical and psychological healing was a major part of his work.

Justice was also of great importance. He condemned the religious leaders for being preoccupied with ritual practices but neglecting justice. (Luke 11:42)

Jesus instructed his followers to give to all who ask. (Luke 6:30ff) They are not to resist those who act violently against them, and if sued, they are to give even more than the suit demands. When impressed into service, they are to give service above that demanded. The old rule of "a tooth for a tooth" is superceded. (Matthew 5:38ff)

Jesus' followers are not to judge others. (Matthew 7:1-2) Rather they are to be merciful. (Luke 6:36)

They are to bear lasting fruit. (John 15:16) The Apostle Paul delineates what characterizes this fruit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version)

These qualities must be clearly evident in the lives of his followers.

Jesus commanded his followers to love one another. (John 15:12) Not only are they to love one another, they are to love their enemies! (Matthew 5:43-44) This is the criteria by which they will be known to be his true followers. (John 13:35)

Jesus makes it quite clear that he clearly expects his followers to live out the life he has described, and lived himself. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

(Luke 6:46 New International Version)

It is not the shibboleths we shout but the deeds we do that determine whether or not we are a Christian nation.

On the basis of our deeds, we definitely are NOT a Christian nation.

Would that we were.

Scripture Passage for the Day

Alas for those issuing unrighteous decrees and for the scribes who put injurious decisions into writing; who thrust aside the needy from their court rights and rob the poor of My people of justice, so that widows become their prey and orphans their plunder.

Is. 10:1-2 Berkeley Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

Woe betide those who enact unjust laws
and draft oppressive edicts,
depriving the poor of justice,
robbing the weakest of my people of their rights,
plundering the widow and despoiling the fatherless!

Is. 10:1-2 Revised English Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees,
who write oppressive statutes,
to turn aside the needy from justice
and to rob the poor of my people of their right,
that widows may be your spoil,
and that you may make the orphans your prey!

Is 10:1-2 New Revised Standard Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

Woe to those who make unjust laws,
to those who issue oppressive decrees,
to deprive the poor of their rights
and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people,
making widows their prey
and robbing the fatherless.

Is 10:1-2 New International Version

Quote for the Day

Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.

--Horace Greeley (1811-1872)

Scripture Passage for the Day

He may kill me--what else can I expect?--
but I will maintain my innocence to his face.

Job 13:15 Moffatt Translation

Scripture Passage for the Day

Although He slays me, yet I keep hoping. Yes, I will maintain my ways before Him.

Job 13:15 Berkeley Version

Scripture Passage for the Day

If he wishes to slay me, I have nothing to lose;
I shall still defend my conduct to his face.

Job 13:15 Revised English Bible

Quote for the Day

It is the tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn't know -- and the less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything.

-- Joyce Cary, English author (1888-1957)

Scripture Passage for the Day

See, he will kill me; I have no hope;
but I will defend my ways to his face.

Job 13:15 New Revised Standard Version