Missin' Home

Been Missin' my family up in Ohio lately. My kids told me this past week how much they miss their grandma and grandpa, and aunts & uncles. Will get to see them this coming week. This song surely hit home. :-)

To all of you who your family lives near you, in the same town and neighborhood, your blessed.

FaithPointe's 3rd Annual Kid's Service

Pope Benedict’s Outrageous Announcement

Pope Benedict’s Outrageous Announcement

At a time when Roman Catholics ought to join the 21st century, the pontiff has declared that he is the head of the only true church. Give me a break.

As one who has tried to build bridges between Protestants and Roman Catholics, I cringed last week when Pope Benedict XVI released his shocking statement on “Catholic Identity.” In clear, non-negotiable and jaw-dropping terms, the pontiff stated that (1) only Catholics are true Christians; (2) other Christian denominations are “not true churches”; and (3) all non-Catholics lack the “means of salvation.”

Boom! Just like that, Benedict blew up every ecumenical bridge that has been built since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s.

With all respect to the most revered religious leader in the world, I think someone needs to wake up the pope and remind him—and the rest of the guys hibernating inside the Vatican—that we are living in the year 2007. His Excellency’s announcement sounded more like a press release from the 11th century.

“It is incredibly sad that Vatican leaders are so blind to what God has been doing outside of their isolated little world.”

The communiqué, released on July 10, was written in Italian. Given its medieval tone, you might have expected it to be handwritten on parchment in Latin. (Which, by the way, is the dead language Pope Benedict thinks all Catholics should still use during worship.)

It has been almost 500 years since Martin Luther first nailed his 95 theses on the Wittenburg door and ignited the Protestant Reformation. From that point the Holy Spirit’s river began to flow in so many new directions—gushing over the restrictive walls of the Catholic system and spilling into the nations of the world.

Today hundreds of millions of people have found salvation through the preaching of the gospel through non-Catholic churches: Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Pentecostal—you name it. All churches that proclaim faith in the resurrected Christ are part of the universal church that the Son of God purchased with His blood.

It is incredibly sad that Vatican leaders are so blind to what God has been doing outside their isolated little world for so many years. It is even sadder that Pope Benedict thinks that by issuing an edict from his office in Italy he can transport us into the past.

I know most Protestants probably just rolled their eyes when they heard about the pope’s announcement. Catholics who have been worshiping with Protestant Christians for years were probably also confused by it. Catholic charismatics, who have enjoyed fellowship with Protestants in recent years and experienced renewed faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, have now been told to break ties to those people since they are not true Christians.

I certainly don’t have an audience the size of the pope’s, but I can’t stay silent when he is promoting such a serious heresy. There are three simple truths from the Word of God that we must proclaim in order to set the record straight:

1. The church is composed of all born-again believers in Jesus Christ. The church is not a human institution. Though we may organize ourselves into denominations, we enjoy a mystical unity with all true Christians—regardless of our labels, ethnic backgrounds, pet doctrines or ecclesiastical traditions. The bond of the Holy Spirit makes true worshipers of Jesus into one big family.

2. No denomination can claim exclusive control of God’s truth. One definition of a cult is a sectarian group that claims it is the only way to heaven or salvation. But Catholics are not the only denominational group that has fallen into the heresy of spiritual elitism.

The Church of Christ, an American denomination formed in the 1800s, has often taught its members that they are the only true believers. And there are many so-called Oneness Pentecostals who believe that only those who are baptized according to their “Jesus only” formula are true Christians. These people are actually spreading error that is rooted in the worst form of Pharisaical pride.

3. Jesus is still praying for the unity of the universal church. He asked in John 17 that the Father would make His followers one. He was not praying that we would all join the same denomination, submit to the same pope or agree on every minor point of doctrine. His goal is that one day we will drop our selfish pride, competition and religious agendas so that we can cooperate across denominational lines to build His kingdom.

Unfortunately Pope Benedict has made it clear that he does not share these biblical values. He has sinned against Christ by dishonoring a majority of Christians. And by claiming to be the only true church he has placed Catholicism in the cult category.

Catholics who love Jesus more than they love the pope and their religious tradition should swiftly denounce his error.

J. Lee Grady is editor of Charisma.

Christian is in the Youth Group Now

Starting next week, My son Christian will no longer be in Kidzone at church. He is officially in the Youth Group. I can remember like it was yesterday when I was able to "move up" into the youth group. Wow, I just couldn't wait. I even noticed sunday he sat with all the youth in their section.

Christian is getting ready for the best times of his life. I believe he is going to grow into a fine young man. He is a good "big brother", and we are very proud of him. He is learning to think for himself and do things without being told. He has already started taking responsibility.

We love you Christian and we are very proud of you. Be a leader and live above what people think. You have greatness on the inside of you. Whatever you put your mind to, you can accomplish. And remember, Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. All things are possible!

The Magnificent Seven - A great Western Classic

My sons told me today that they wanted to watch some "cowboy" movies. So I went to my collection and pulled out a classic, The Magnificent Seven. There is something very magical about this film. This is different from every other Western that came before it. I believe it is the nature of the seven gunfighters, their motives for that one chance at gallantry and redemption. That combined with the way the story is visually told makes for its greatness. It teaches us something about nobility, dignity and devotion. The hearse-ride taken up to Boot Hill with Yul Brynner driving and Steve McQueen riding shotgun sets the stage and tone for the entire film. Images such as when Charles Bronson, is bent over with a bullet inside and the three little Mexican boys clutch him crying out his name while in his death throes bring a tear to the eye. In another the viewer reflects along with Yul Brynner as he takes the lifeless James Coburn's knife out of the adobe wall and folds it gently in his hand. These are heart rendering and indelible images.

Director John Sturges captured the ambiguities of the human spirit in this film. Just as he directed "The Great Escape," which is a great film also, Sturges' directorial style is so smooth that his own storytelling glosses right over the depth and complexity of his own work.

For me Yul Brynner was the epitome of `cool' and aplomb. From his dark gray and black outfit down to the tip of his thin cheroot he was the kind of man others look up to but keep their distance. Yul Brynner as Chris, was a man of few words and often communicated by the mere gesture of the hand. Of the seven, he was the cohesive element that drew them together simply by his demeanor. Brynner was the one who followed some unwritten code of honor that is only alluded to in a few passages. McQueen was perfect as the gunfighter who was "just drifting" and signed on with Brynner. The levelheaded McQueen represents the other characters' realizations one by one as they join. James Coburn was perfect, as the stoic knife throwing Britt, who lived only for the thrill of the moment. Charles Bronson as O'Reilly played his stoically rugged but sympathetic role better than any actor could have. Bronson had a unique visual presence whose kind facial expressions counterbalanced his pockmark face and strong physique.

If you enjoy Western's as I do, you must watch The Magnificent Seven.

What Really Matters

People are so funny. Think about. We get so upset and bugged about the most ignorant things. People blow their tops, say things, don't get their ways, for what? Usually something that really doesn't matter or have any eternal value or true importance. It is amazing to me. We are all guilty, but you would think by a certain time, due to age, maturity, experiences, wisdom, etc...we would remember that and learn.

I remember a time when Albert Friend Jr. (My uncle Mick's brother) was going through chemotherapy due to a brain tumor that eventually took his life. While riding in a car he accidently began to spill his coffee, and his Dad(Grandpa Friend) said, "Albert, watch you're spilling coffee", Albert responded and I have never forgot what he said, "Dad does it really matter? Think about it? I have a brain tumor, is coffee being spilled that important?" Powerful. But True.

Majority of sickness and disease comes as a result of stress, worry, and anger.

Let's rethink this through and focus on what really matters in life; Our relationship with God, our family, and friends. Let's live and love life. Have fun, and enjoy it. As Frank Sinatra sings....

I'm gonna live till I die! I'm gonna laugh 'stead of cry,
I'm gonna take the town and turn it upside down,
I'm gonna live, live, live until I die.
They're gonna say "What a guy!" I'm gonna play for the sky.
Ain't gonna miss a thing, I'm gonna have my fling,
I'm gonna live, live, live until I die.
The blues I lay low, I'll make them stay low,
They'll never trail over my head.
Hallelujah, gonna dance, gonna fly, I'll take a chance riding high,
Before my number's up, I'm gonna fill my cup,
I'm gonna live, live, live, until I die!
The blues I lay low (etc.)

Keep Dancin'!

Words to my wife Tricia in a song...I love you!

I Love this Poem

I Think Continually Of Those Who Were Truly Great
Stephen Spender

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are fŠted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire's center.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

Casablanca

I love this movie! What a Classic!

It's hard to believe that when Casablanca was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in 1942 it was "just another" of the 50 or so films that the studio was producing every year, as Lauren Bacall points out in the documentary about the film included in the special features. The movie was an instant success with audiences everywhere, and won three Academy Awards including Best Picture. Called "America's most popular and beloved movie- and rightly so" by The Motion Picture Guide, and "The best Hollywood movie of all time" by Leonard Maltin, Casablanca was voted the #2 film in a list of the top 100 films of this century by the American Film Institute.
Set in refugee strewn French North Africa in 1942, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a night club owner, and his friend Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains), Prefect of Police, enter into a wager as to whether or not Resistance Leader Victor Laslo (Paul Henreid) will be able to escape Casablanca and reach the Free World. When Laslo arrives in Casablanca, Rick is stunned to find him accompanied by his ex-lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Filled with mystery, suspense, intrigue and romance, Casablanca will remain a favorite of classic movie lovers for years to come.
The supporting cast include Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson as Rick's piano playing confidant, Sam. The entire cast are superb, the settings are excellent, and the cinematogrophy is wonderful.
The song "As Time Goes By" was made famous by Casablanca, as it's melody is entwined throughout the film, and it too is now a classic, filled with romance and nostalgia.

This is one film that absolutely MUST be in your DVD library!

My Current Read

I am currently on holiday with my wife's family in Florida. I usually take some sort of self help book or a novel to read and escape into. But this time I grabbed a book I recently purchased. "Brothers(The Hidden History of The Kennedy Years) by David Talbot". I cannot put it down. Here is a brief description of the book. If you are interested in history, politics, and bios, Get this book.

Brothers begins on the shattering afternoon of November 22, 1963, as a grief-stricken Robert Kennedy urgently demands answers about the assassination of his brother. Bobby's suspicions immediately focus on the nest of CIA spies, gangsters, and Cuban exiles that had long been plotting a violent regime change in Cuba. The Kennedys had struggled to control this swamp of anti-Castro intrigue based in southern Florida, but with little success.

Brothers then shifts back in time, revealing the shadowy conflicts that tore apart the Kennedy administration, pitting the young president and his even younger brother against their own national security apparatus. The Kennedy brothers and a small circle of their most trusted advisors -- men like Theodore Sorensen, Robert McNamara, and Kenneth O'Donnell, who were so close the Kennedys regarded them as family -- repeatedly thwarted Washington's warrior caste. These hard-line generals and spymasters were hell-bent on a showdown with the Communist foe -- in Berlin, Laos, Vietnam, and especially Cuba. But the Kennedys continually frustrated their militaristic ambitions, pushing instead for a peaceful resolution to the Cold War. The tensions within the Kennedy administration were heading for an explosive climax, when a burst of gunfire in a sunny Dallas plaza terminated John F. Kennedy's presidency.

Based on interviews with more than one hundred fifty people -- including many of the Kennedys' aging "band of brothers," whose testimony here might be their final word on this epic political story -- as well as newly released government documents, Brothers reveals the compelling, untold story of the Kennedy years, including JFK's heroic efforts to keep the country out of a cataclysmic war and Bobby Kennedy's secret quest to solve his beloved brother's murder. Bobby's subterranean search was a dangerous one and led, in part, to his own quest for power in 1968, in a passion-filled campaign that ended with his own murder. As Talbot reveals here, RFK might have been the victim of the same plotters he suspected of killing his brother. This is historical storytelling at its riveting best -- meticulously researched and movingly told.

Brothers is a sprawling narrative about the clash of powerful men and the darker side of the Cold War -- a tale of tragic grandeur that is certain to change our understanding of the relentlessly fascinating Kennedy saga.