Fight at the Pump

Over the last week, our bank accounts have all been hit one place that we can't get away from - the gas pump. In my hometown, prices jumped almost $1 in some locations. So what does the goverment do? Blame it all on Katrina. Is Katrina to blame? Well, I could see that if it was a slight increase. But $1? How much of it has to do with Labor Day travels? Who knows. This might cause people everywhere to unite to complain to the feds. Here's the article on MSNBC. Let's don't just accept the high prices and move on.

Other interesting facts about gas prices according to AAA...

• In May 2005, you could have expected to pay $6.21 in Amsterdam, $5.43 in Paris and $4.61 in Tokyo for your gallon of gas.
• The earlier figure in August for the US was $2.62. I've seen in the news that's around the current average, but since it's well over $3 everywhere around me I don't believe it. It's rare when gas prices in NC are so far above the national average.
• Over in Kuwait City gas was $0.68 last month, and the lucky drivers in Caracas (the capital city of Venezuela for all of you who are rusty on your geography) paid a meager $0.12.

The Devastation Continues

Please pray for the people experiencing the devastation from Hurricane Katrina. It's amazing to witness the power of a hurricane and other natural disasters. Just when we think we can control nature, we are soberly reminded that things are beyond our control. The devastation is unreal, but God is still in control.

Church Signs

I've seen forwards go around many times with these, and I thought I would point out some of the best ones that I've seen.

• Is prayer your steering wheel or your emergency brake?
• Sign broken. Message inside this Sunday.
• How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Non-smoking?
• Come work for the Lord. Retirement benefits are out of this world.
• Don't wait for a hearse to take you to church.
• If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
• If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again.
• This is a ch--ch. What's missing? U R!
• Forbidden fruit creates many jams
• Heat getting to you? Our church is prayer-conditioned.
• In the dark? Follow the Son.
• Don't bother counting sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.
• Running low on faith? Stop in for a fill-up.
• A family altar can alter a family.
• Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord!
• A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing
• Give Satan an inch and he'll be a ruler
• God doesn't want shares of your life; He wants controlling interest!
• If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
• Read the Bible. It will scare the Hell out of you
• Wal-Mart isn't the only saving place!
• God answers "knee mail"
• Trade God your pieces for His peace
• It's hard to stumble when you're on your knees

It's Only a Visit

So many parents of our brave soldiers who have lost their lives in the war simply get ignored. California mother Cindy Sheehan found the national press. All she wants is a meeting. If Bush still backs the war and his decisions 100% as he says, then why is he so afraid to meet with a group of people requesting an hour of his time who just want to feel heard? Ms. Sheehan did not say that she would camp outside his ranch until he pulls our troops out of Iraq. She merely said she would be there during his vacation unless he met with her.

Neighbors are getting violent - taking shots, running over crosses. Now they are raising their voices to lawmakers, trying to force out the protestors. Citizens of Crawford, if you truly fear for the safety of the neighborhood children, why don't you ask your neighbor why he was shooting at the "doves" over a large mass of people? Why didn't you complain about someone who would run over crosses bearing the names of our nation's fallen heroes? Sadly, these slaps in the face of democracy are ignored because the traffic makes it hard for you to get around the town.

And Mr. President. A good percentage of Americans work hard and only receive 2 weeks of vacation a year. Some even less. Some, like yourself, are fortunate enough to have more. You have 5 weeks. Surely you can spare an hour. It's only a visit.

meetwithcindy.org

Site Spotlight: Google Maps

Have you ever seen the satellite picture of your hometown?

Check out Google Maps. You can search for locations and get directions just like other sites. But unlike other sites, the maps are draggable! Plus, you can see the satellite pictures!

For more information of all the neat features, take the tour.

Psalm 2 - The Breaking of Enemies

People have lost the fear of God. That's a scary thought.

According to Psalm 2:11, we are to "serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Instead, we ignore God. Then, when we are in trouble or face catastrophe, we go running back to Him. We spend time with Him when it is convenient for us.

Look at what has happened throughout history to the nations that have turned their back to God. The Bible tells us that the enemies of God will all be destroyed. Psalm 2 gives the details in verse 9:
"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. "

Turning our nation into a nation that is an enemy of God is a grave mistake. However, as Christians, we have the power to change that. Consider Psalm 2:12b:
"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. "

Psalm 1 - Portrait of a Christian

Have you ever observed someone who acts in an inappropriate way toward others? I came across one of these instances today. I was behind someone in a drive-thru who was yelling at the worker inside the restaurant. After quite a verbal battle, the lady inside handed the man his money back and he angrily drove away. With a fish sticker on the back of his car.

As a Christian, it is my duty to be a representation of the Christian faith in my daily life. This is the hardest task that a Christian must take. By the sticker on the car, this man (or at least the owner of the car) was also claiming to be a Christian.

Now, I have experienced poor customer service. Many times, in fact. Out of these experiences, there have been many times that I would love to just yell at someone to get my way. Observing this man made me take a look at myself. How many time do I react in anger? How many times do I drive agressively when I am trying to get somewhere on time? And how many times to those around me during these types of situations see the fish on my own car?

It is a long and difficult process to build a credible witness to others. However, it only takes a small word, expression or deed done without thinking to destroy that credibility. And yes, if people know that you are a Christian, you can rest assured that your actions are being watched.

Psalm 1:1-3 accutely describes the character of a Christian. We are to separate ourselves from sin, delight in the LORD and stand firm in our faith. So if we strive for this, what is the reward? See Psalm 1:6.

Stress Management

Is stress running your life? Consider the following:

• Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
• Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
• Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
• Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
• If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
• It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
• Never buy a car you can't push.
  Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
• Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
• Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
• The second mouse gets the cheese.
• When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
• Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
• You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
• We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
• A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
• Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.

Internet Pet Peeves

A little something I noticed:

When you go to CNN to search for a news article, type in your search criteria and click search. Oops. You aren't searching CNN, you are searching the entire web. Note to CNN. If I want to search for something on the web, I'm just as capable of typing www.google.com as I am www.cnn.com. In fact, going to Google is still much easier with my handy Google toolbar.

Upon further investigation, I found that MSNBC does this too!
Yes, they both allow you to search their site specifically. You have to select the radio button to do so.

Here's a newsflash for you. Save your users a click. Make your own site the default.

Gas Prices Skyrocket, but Thank Goodness We Get More Daylight

If you blinked, you may have missed this in the news. Our super-hard working government officials have rallied behind a new cause. That's right folks. We get two more months of extra daylight.

Why? Well, according to Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass, "It just makes everyone feel sunnier". Oh, and "Kids across the nation will soon rejoice because they'll have another hour of daylight trick-or-treating" according to Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan. (Quotes from CNN article )

Personally, I would feel a lot "sunnier" if our politicians focused their concerns on the sky-rocketing fuel prices I'm paying at the gas pump instead of extra daylight. Furthermore, I seriously doubt young trick-or-treaters know the difference about when it's daylight savings time and when it isn't.

MSNBC focuses on a more detailed picture of the story. A change in time equates to complication of flight schedules, reorganization of school calendars, and even prayertime for religious organizations.

Let's not miss another important detail. Changing the time effects technology. All your gadgets? Calendar software? Automatic billing? PROBLEMS. All these things were programmed with certain expectations regarding time.

Maybe when the lawmakers have to manually set their DVD recorders when the machines automatically adjust for the existing DST, they will realize an important lesson. Spend your time working to solve our country's problems. Don't add to them frivolously.