I appreciate his take and agree with Justin on this. I’m not saying it means anything, but I also can’t dismiss it as pure coincidence. Was God trying to get our attention? If so, what was he trying to say? What should we be hearing? Take a look at this story, it’s only a few short paragraphs, and comment on the discussion going on at Justin’s site, or comment here. Either way, join in the discussion and share your thoughts. And above all, seek God and His Truth in all things.

At approximately 2 pm yesterday, a tornado touched down in downtown Minneapolis. It was the first tornado to hit this area in nearly 90 years. Even more profound is that the agenda for the churchwide assembly stated that discussion surrounding the proposed human sexuality statement would begin at, you guessed it, 2 pm.

via Tornado Hits Near ELCA Assembly Hall During Vote | BeDeviant.com.

It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak. – Jones, The Noticer

The situation in which you find yourself is fraught with difficulty, yes. It is also piled high with benefits. – Jones, The Noticer

Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases. – Jones, The Noticer

What is it about me that other people would change if they could? – Jones, The Noticer

These are a few lines from the latest book by Andy Andrews titled The Noticer. And this is just in the first chapter. I knew I was in for some good stuff.

If you don’t know Andy Andrews, you should. He is quickly becoming one of America’s most influential and in-demand speakers. Speaking for four different US presidents certainly gives him credibility as someone with something important to say. Having read his previous best-seller, The Traveler’s Gift, I could appreciate his easy style and masterful storytelling. He draws you in and takes you on a journey; teaching, guiding and providing wisdom like a kind and loving father that is tough at the same time. I started reading The Noticer with the belief that this was but another great story with a great message. And it is. But it’s so much more. It’s real. This is Andy’s story. And it will blow you away.

Check it out. You can purchase it at Amazon.com by clicking on the book cover to the left. you can also purchase The Traveler’s Gift by clicking on it in the Amazon Books ad in the sidebar on the right.

Church’s radical act: Sell building, use money for outreach

“I’m afraid if we become a church of bricks and mortar, we’ll cease to be a church of flesh and blood.” – Pastor Frank Mercer

via Church’s radical act: Sell building, use money for outreach | ajc.com.

Daniel’s court-appointed attorney, Philip Elbert, called the decision unfotunate.

“I feel it’s a blow to families,” he said. “It marginalizes the decisions that parents face every day in regard to their children’s medical care. It really affirms the role that big government is better at making our decisions for us.”

via Judge Rules Family Can’t Refuse Chemo for Boy – ABC News.

If you haven’t heard about this case, you need to sit up and take notice. If it doesn’t concern you, you need to wake up. If this case stands it will set precedent that can and will most likely lead to more and more intrusion of the government into our lives. A government that thinks it knows what’s best for us. A government that isn’t interested in what’s best for you as an individual or you as a family. A government that thinks they should order you as a family to accept medical treatment that may not be best for you.

If you aren’t familiar with the story, follow the link above to read it. If you are, please engage in the conversation. If you are not familiar with what chemotherapy is and does to the body. Do some research. It kills good cells along with the bad. There are plenty of reports and studies that show different people respond differently to different types of chemotherapy. It doesn’t work for everyone and it doesn’t work the same in everyone.

The fact that several other young men, who went through similar situations as Daniel Hauser, took herbal and natural supplements and treatments instead of chemotherapy and are both, today, cancer-free encouraged and inspired the Hauser family to pursue alternative forms of treatment for their son. What right does the court have ruling that the family is being “medically negligent” and ordering them to take their son and allow him to receive the chemotherapy. Isn’t this a case in which the court is drastically over-stepping its bounds, or am I crazy?

The Christian Post fielded an article recently about a church whose membership dwindled to the point where they had to give-up their building and meet in homes.

Heres what they found interesting about meeting in homes:

via Orange County Church Dumps Building for Houses | Catalyst.

Interesting. And kind of poetic and right. Take a read and let me know what you think.

Happy Birthday Eli!