Wednesday, February 4, 2004

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

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

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 …

The Howard Dean Syndrome

February 1, 2004

Howard Dean is an angry man. You can tell by the way he talks to people. You can also tell because lots of people are talking about how angry he is. I’m writing these words the day after the New Hampshire primary where he lost for the second time in a week to John Kerry. Maybe he’s …

Sermon Series: Ponder This - 2004

Saturday, January 31, 2004

January 31, 2004

2:10 PM We ran into Dick and Ann Baer at Cliff’s party. They are in town because of the birth of a new grandson. They have 19 grandchildren—17 boys, 2 girls. Dick said they are heading back to Florida tomorrow. 2:04 PM Marlene and I went to Cliff Raad’s big 80th birthday party at the church this afternoon. It’s a come…

Friday, January 30, 2004

January 30, 2004

10:28 PM Many Chicago-area churches are promoting Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Jesus Christ 9:44 PM Craig Hammond reports that almost 120 high schoolers came to Allied Force last night. The youth room on the third floor was filled to overflowing. God is doing great things among our young people. They are hungry to know the L…

Thursday, January 29, 2004

January 29, 2004

4:29 PM Just received an e-mail from a woman who read He’s God and We’re Not. Her oldest son serves with the Fourth Infantry Division in Iraq. Here’s the story in her own words: My oldest son has been in Iraq since last April. He left April 1 of 03, to say that when he left was difficult is not a strong enough word. Then se…

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

January 28, 2004

10:33 AM Anyone out there feeling a little bit “imperfect” today? Thank you, I see that hand being raised. Mine too. Here are some encouraging words for “imperfect” people from Charles Spurgeon: Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickl…

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

January 27, 2004

11:13 AM Here’s the latest news: Today is Cliff Raad’s 80th birthday! I knew he was having a big celebration later this week, but when I got to church, I discovered that this very day is his birthday. We had a party for him at the staff meeting. He sat in his customary chair at the top of the circle. Cliff is our “Grand O…

Monday, January 26, 2004

January 26, 2004

8:27 PM What is prayer all about? Ponder this answer from Imago Veritatis:Prayer is not primarily a means of getting things done. It should never be a pragmatic exercise. Prayer is our means of meeting God – of entering into deep intimacy with Him. The life of prayer is born out of an overwhelming hunger for God – a desire …