Ray Pritchard’s Blog – February 2004

Saturday, February 28, 2004

3:26 PM Here's the latest update from Pastor Caleb Lucien in Pignon, Haiti. Here's an excerpt: God is still moving in amazing ways in Haiti. He is protecting HIS people, and allowing HIS work to be done. This past week saw our brother Henoc stopped by pro-gov't supporters, searched and not allowed to go to church on Sunday....

Friday, February 27, 2004

11:06 AM Is it wrong to pray directly to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit? Darin Weil, director of our Power Connection Junior High ministry, has been teaching on the Trinity recently. As part of that study, he offers Ten Reasons for Praying to Each Member of the Trinity. 10:34 AM Click here to listen to my interview with Kevin ...

Thursday, February 26, 2004

9:50 PM Okay, I've got my answer to the question Seth raised below. This just in from Pastor Bob Boerman in Costa Rica:Hey Ray, The guys and I are having a terrific time in Costa Rica. A great Band of Brothers time. Much laughter. Much prayer. Much growing with Christ and each other. It´s Thursday night and the work is don...

Wednesday, February 25, 2004

10:41 AM You can view the latest photos from the Costa Rica men's ministry trip here and here. 6:21 AM I can hardly keep my eyes open. Last night after the "Ask Pastor Ray" Q&A with the 20/20 group, I was thinking on the way home how tired I was. When I got home Marlene said that Mark had called. Several days ago I aske...

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

3:46 PM Just received a note from Amy Baker in preparation for my "Ask the Pastor" time with the 20/20 group tonight. They usually have around 70 people for their meetings. They sit in a huge circle, I'll sit in one of the chairs and field questions on any topic from the group. Lots of questions on the Bible, doctrinal ...

Monday, February 23, 2004

10:15 PM Monday night shout-out to Frank and Laurie Livingston in San Antonio … Hi to Dave and Lynette Hoy on vacation near Destin, Florida … Good luck to my niece Megan and the Bradshaw Bruins as they take on Ramsay in the Alabama Girls 5A Regional Semifinals on Wednesday morning … Hat tip to Caroline ...

Sunday, February 22, 2004

9:59 PM Mark called this afternoon to talk about the situation in Haiti. Cap-Haitien has fallen to the rebels who are fighting to oust President Aristide. Cap-Haitien, Haiti's second-largest city, is on the northern coast. I preached there last May at the church founded by Henoc Lucien. (Click here and scroll down to the re...

Saturday, February 21, 2004

9:12 PM Who crucified Jesus? The Passion movie has brought this ancient question back into the spotlight. Here's one answer: I crucified Jesus Christ, My Savior. 5:30 PM Terry Eastland offers an illiminating discussion of President Bush's faith. 5:26 PM Click here for the first batch of photos from the Men's Ministry Costa ...

Friday, February 20, 2004

8:55 PM Renovation Update: The workers laid tile in the new portico today. Work in that area is nearing completion… . We had a water leak in the roof over the gym—caused in part by all activity on the roof during the air conditioning installation … You can read the latest financial update on the Legacy C...

Thursday, February 19, 2004

3:56 PM In case you don't understand, here's why "gay marriage" is a really bad idea. 3:39 PM Here's some good news. 3:15 PM A friend asks for a website with information on giving a biblical response to Jehovah's Witnesses. This is the best one I've found. 11:34 AM Several months we donated a case of An Anchor for the S...

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

9:30 AM Craig Hammond shares lots of good news from the Allied Force High School Winter Retreat last weekend. 7:46 AM I just discovered that the Biblical Studies Foundation has put together a page of Bible study resources related to "The Passion of the Christ." Note the review by Reg Grant of Dallas Seminary. The site c...

Monday, February 16, 2004

2:44 PM Diane Sawyer interviews Mel Gibson about "The Passion of the Christ" on ABC Primetime at 9 PM tonight. 8:08 AM Overnight I received a report from Caleb Lucien on the uprising in Haiti and the situation in Pignon. Here is part of what he wrote: From one moment to the next it is unpredictable. Towns surrounding ou...

Saturday, February 14, 2004

11:14 PM Diane Sawyer interviewed Mel Gibson for ABC Primetime. The interview airs Monday at 9 PM. When asked about the criticism the Passion movie has received, Gibson made this reply: Critics who have a problem with me don't really have a problem with me in this film. They have a problem with the four Gospels. That's wher...

Friday, February 13, 2004

9:48 PM A number of new sermon series have recently been added to the website: (Hat tip to Kathy Duggins.)Samson, A Man for Our Times (Judges 13-16) World Missions New Testament Postcards Light My Path: Knowing God's Will Adventures with Abraham (Genesis 12-25) Who Owns Your Life? Up With Worship The Ten Commandments for To...

Thursday, February 12, 2004

9:21 PM Chuck Colson answers the question, Who Killed Jesus? Was it the Romans or the Jews?It was both and neither. The Jews didn’t cause the death of Jesus, nor did the Romans. They were merely instruments carrying out what God had decreed. He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that the sins of mankind ...

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

10:10 AM Passion Movie Update: Save this date—Saturday, February 28. Thanks to SC2, our 30+ singles ministry, it looks like we'll be renting out a 450-seat theater at the Cinemark Theater, 1001 W. North Avenue in Melrose Park, for a late-afternoon showing of "The Passion of Jesus Christ." We plan to sell tickets (...

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

4:35 PM An unexpected e-mail from a man who read An Anchor for the Soul and wrote to say that he was giving a copy to his parents who, though religious, do not know Jesus: As I have done in the past and will continue as long as the Lord gives me breath, I will witness to them. They have a greater knowledge of the scriptures...

Monday, February 9, 2004

10:45 PM On Tuesday, February 24, I am doing an "Ask Pastor Ray" night for 20/20, our ministry to singles and young couples. I was pleased to receive the following e-mail from Pastor Howard Duncan: We are going to do two things on the 24th: Starting at 7:00 we will have a dessert potluck made by everyone in 20/20, then ...

Saturday, February 7, 2004

11:07 AM Christianity Today says that weblogs are leading a theological revolution. I certainly hope so. 11:04 AM Ever feel like you are being watched? If so, take heart from this picture (scroll down a bit to see it). Someone said it illustrates Psalm 23:4, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will...

Friday, February 6, 2004

10:08 PM It was the most exciting girls basketball game I've ever attended. Deshler is small but talented, quick, and they play a physical, up-tempo game. Bradshaw took an early lead, held it for the whole game, but could never quite put Deshler away. With two minutes left, Deshler closed to within four points. But no close...

Thursday, February 5, 2004

6:30 PM The big storm we've been waiting for all day finally hit a few minutes ago. We've decided to leave for Alabama tonight. We'll drive to Indianapolis, spend the night, and travel the rest of the way tomorrow. Here's a story about my niece Megan and the rest of the Bradshaw Bruins. They are ranked #6 in the 5A classifi...

Wednesday, February 4, 2004

9:04 PM Robert Moran discusses the culture war and the coming elecion. 8:56 PM A Dallas couple purchased 6000 tickets to Mel Gibson's The Passion of Jesus Christ, which opens February 25. They have rented all 20 screens at a local theater complex and will be showing the film 22 times on February 25. They are giving 3000 tic...

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

6:43 AM Michael Medved defends Mel Gibson and The Passion of Jesus Christ. 6:39 AM Here's a good overview of the controversy over the word "evolution" in Georgia. For those interested in the scientific evidence for creation, here's the entire online version of a book called Refuting Evolution. 6:34 AM "There is nothin...

Monday, February 2, 2004

11:11 PM In case you didn't know, we have an active discussion board that includes a lively section called "Ask Pastor Ray." The board has been running for about six years, and tonight I actually answered a few questions—which will shock the people who read "Ask Pastor Ray" regularly because it's been a while ...