July

Our Sunday morning class is three weeks through an eight week series where we are taking a look at the book unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters. The book is “groundbreaking research into the perceptions of sixteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds [and] reveals that Christians have taken several giant steps backward in one of their most important assignments” (unChristian.com). So far, this has been a very interesting study. Last Sunday we discussed the number one way “outsiders” perceive Christians: anti-homosexual. But it also became a discussion about loving sinners apart from their sins.

I have known many Christians in my day that wouldn’t associate with someone based upon their sexuality. However, I can also say the same thing about race, religion, etc, etc, etc. Jesus did not avoid those with whom he disagreed with. For some reason, those that we think Jesus would have the hardest time getting along with, were those who were drawn to him. The tax collectors, prostitutes, and thieves all had meals with Jesus, or changed and followed Him. He saw beyond their sins and offered help, hope, and love. These people were not dismissed because of their lifestyle, their nationality, or their past.

Yet, as Christians, we do this everyday. Hypocrisy is another major turnoff to non-Christians, yet there is no small amount of it among the Christian community. Today I came across the video below. Though satirical, it plays off the behaviors of many Christians and churches. (Listen closely because some of the digs are smooth). One church even makes national headlines professing that “God hates fags” and “God hates dead soldiers”. VERY Christian, behavior.

Watch the video, then remember we are all God’s children. It is possible to hate the sin and love the sinner. If we had to be perfect to join a church or fall in love with Jesus, who amongst us would be worthy?

I originally found the video at my friend Keith’s site, BagOfNothing.com

I went out looking for some good shots today. I don’t know if I wasn’t really in the mood, or what, but I just didn’t find much.  I did pull over just in time to catch this passing train.

[View with PicLens]

Wow, I love these things, but I never knew this is how they grow. For some reason, I always imagined a tree was involved. Hopefully, mine will be tasty, if I don’t kill it first! And if you are so inclined, you can learn how to grow one of your own.

Thanks to Tyler at Building Camelot for introducing me to Picnik. Picnik if the first online photo editing site I have found that offers more than just a few basic options. Not only that, it is quite easy to navigate and is reliable. What I really like are some of the options available that you usually only find in expensive programs such as Photoshop.

Below is a photo that was not very good straight out of the camera. I used several different options to arrive at this finished product. My favorite feature is Colors. Picnik makes it extremely easy to add or decrease color saturation while also balancing the light levels. It makes the photos much more vibrant, rich, and colorful.

Supposedly, this is from an article in the St. Petersburg Times. I say supposedly because I couldn’t find the article/letter. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on “How Would You Fix the Economy?” Regardless of whether this is real or not, the author makes some VERY good points. As one who enjoys good economic banter/discussions (with informed people), I thought most of this is right on.

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America’s economy.

Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force.

Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage. Housing Crisis fixed.

It can’t get any easier than that!

If more money is needed, have all members of Congress and their constituents pay their taxes…

I have no idea when this video is from, but it must have been after a heavy rain. Perhaps they were looking for an excuse to finally get out the boat and oars…

Last Saturday we went to Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District after visiting the Farmer’s Market. Here are a few of the pictures.

[View with PicLens]