Seven lessons from Michael Jackson’s tragedy

It was said, “Our heroes tell alot about us than the heros themselves.” Is that true?
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach in his article said “Michael’s death is not just a personal tragedy, it is an American tragedy. Michael’s story was the stuff” of the American dream.

Ten short-termers who should stay at home – George Verwer

Ten short-termers we don’t want

Short-term mission trips have become very popular and many churches run their own

programs. Some churches want all their members to go on a trip.

Having been involved for 50 years with both short and long-term mission has given me

some very strong convictions about who should go and who should not go. Here are ten

short-termers who really should stay at home.

Mr Selfish – the person who mainly cares about themselves and how much they can

get out of the trip.

Mr Tourist – the person who just wants to see the sights and hear the sounds. Not

interested in hard work, serving or presenting the Gospel.

Mr Lazy – they will have many reasons each day as to why they cannot get out into

the work.

Mr Big-Spender – they bring a lot of money/travellers checks and want to spend

much of their time shopping.

Mr Insensitive – people who push their own country or culture and are insensitive to

other people’s culture. They often leave behind a very bad testimony.

Mr Critical – These people see everything that is wrong in the church and country,

even among their co-workers. It is contrary to the basic message of I Cor. 13.

Mr Unteachable – they are often very prejudiced and stubborn and bring hurt and

confusion.

Mr Prayerless – to me, it is unthinkable to have prayerless people in ministry or

service. We are in spiritual warfare and we must use the weapons that God has

told and given us to use.

Mr Addicted – people, especially with sexual addictions, should not go. They can so

quickly bring huge offense and even scandal. People with alcohol and other drug

addictions need to get that sorted out at home.

Mr Proud – Pride is such a deadly sin and often leads to division and broken

relationships. People with heavy national pride easily insult and hurt the very

people you are trying to serve.

Yes, short-term mission is a serious ministry and must be done in a way that will honor

God and bless the people we serve. There needs to be serious orientation, interviewing

and training before people go. There should at least be some life, action and godly reality

before a lot of money is spent to travel and serve among people in a different country and

culture.

I think this implies to many social initiatives we involve especially as part of corporate social responsability initiatives.

Short-term mission trips have become very popular and many churches run their own programs. Some churches want all their members to go on a trip.

Having been involved for 50 years with both short and long-term mission has given me some very strong convictions about who should go and who should not go. Here are ten short-termers who really should stay at home.

Mr Selfish – the person who mainly cares about themselves and how much they can get out of the trip.

Warren Buffet – Globally Applicable Every Time

We begin this New Year with dampened enthusiasm and dented optimism. Our happiness is diluted and our peace is threatened by the financial illness that has infected our families, organizations and nations.

All in one lifetime, all gone. Gone with the wind

“We look back upon history and what do we see? Empires rising and falling, revolutions and counter-revolutions, wealth accumulating and wealth dispersed, one nation dominant and then another. Shakespeare speaks of ‘the rise and fall of great ones that ebb and flow with the moon.’

Fighting terror

 

We as a country are going through very difficult times. Especially after the Mumbai blasts, there is lots of anger that we see in people. That is a genuine anger. None of us can accept such things to happen in our country. We have lost that sense of security. We are so angry on the politicians, our government, Pakistan, etc. None of us approve such kind of barbaric acts.

Gay gene?

Defenders and promoters of homosexuality try to cover up the scientifically documented serious promiscuity, inability to maintain sexual fidelity, partner abuse and psychological and medical illnesses associated with the lifestyle. Also, they tell persons with same-sex attractions (SSA) that “It’s genetic,” “You were born that way,” or worse “God made you gay.”

India without missionaries?

One day one person asked his son who is sponsoring a child through a Christian organization, Why are you supporting an organization that propagates Christianity?

I just want to ask him. Do you know what our lives would have been in India today without the efforts of Christian Missionaries in the history?

The Modern Man by GK Chesterton

The new rebel is a skeptic, and will not entirely trust anything. He has no loyalty; therefore he can never be really a revolutionist. And the fact that he doubts everything really gets in his way when he wants to denounce anything.

Everything in this world is relative.

Recently I had a conversation with few of my good friend while driving home.
During our general talk I suddenly heard a statement that “Everything in this world is relative, there are no absolutes” That topic continued to the rest of our discussion.

Here my friend says the “Everything, weather good or bad is relative to that person” then I asked him. Is killing a human being is right or wrong? He says there is nothing right or wrong in it. It may be wrong to me but right to others.

This is truly what the world believes today…

Creed
by Steve Turner

We believe in Marx freud and darwin.
We believe everything is OK
as long as you don’t hurt anyone,
to the best of your definition of hurt,
and to the best of your knowledge.