Funny Things I Read

WORLD MAGAZINE, November 18, 2006:
Baby Framed
"Indian authorities discovered they had a wee problem when their robbery suspect turned out to be a 3-month-old baby. According to the charging papers, the police had issued a warrant for the baby on robbery, extortion, and banditry charges after an assailant stole fares from a bus driver. Police say the bus driver named the baby in his report to authorities because of a personal grudge he bore against the baby's father."

WORLD MAGAZINE, November 25, 2006:
Pretty in Pink
"Several inmates who staged a breakout attempt and set fire to the Dallas county (Mo.) Detention Center in October returned to their cells only to find Sheriff Mike Rackley had done some redecorating. 'Basically, if they are going to act like children and commit a childish act, then we'll make a childish atmosphere,' Rackley said after having the cells painted pink with blue teddy bears. 'And it's a calming thing--teddy bears are soothing. So we made it like a daycare and that's kind of like what it is, a daycare for adults who can't control their behavior in public...How do you feel though in a pink atmosphere?'"

Lessons I Learned at Starbucks

Just a week or so ago I met my friend at Starbucks and we decided to enjoy our carmel apple ciders outside. We were sitting at a table that came right up to the sidewalk. At one point a man that appeared to be homeless came right up to our table. I was disappointed by my fleshly reaction which was to grab a hold of my purse--my purse was just kind of sitting on the table. Then, I assumed the man was going to ask for money. But he didn't. He saw the Bible sitting on the table and said,"...o...John MacArthur study Bible? I like Jack Hayford and James Dobson myself." I about fell out of my seat and it was all I could do to keep from spitting that hot cider onto the man's already filthy, tattered shirt. Then the man continued, citing encouraging verses and explaining how he can be thankful for his salvation. Thank God for that man. I don't even know his name...but God used that man at Starbuck's to teach me a lesson. I am called to love people...not just people that are easy to love, not just people that are like me, not just other Christians, but EVERYONE. And when I give preference to my well-groomed, employed friend sitting next to me, than I do to the dirty man on the broken bike, I am not exemplifying Christ the way I should. The way I treat "the least of these" is the way I treat Christ.

Things That Make You Go Hummmmmm

Now, obviously I don't believe in karma...but I'm about to tell you a story that will make you go hummmmm...As you know, I was devastated by the loss of my favorite radio station 93.9 KZLA (the country station) and I mentioned that I had found 1260 AM...a great station that plays standards music. Well, since the demise of 93.9, 1260 has been my new best friend. For the past several months, each morning on the way to work and each afternoon on the way back home I am soothed by the classic voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, etc. etc. etc. 1260 even has old radio shows on in the evening. Once I even sat in my driveway for 30 minutes to finish listening to one. Well, you guessed it--1260 AM is no longer. Gone, as quickly as I found it. A sad day for me. BUT I must say...I am put in a tough position because 1260 AM has been taken over by COUNTRY music! Karma?

We Have Sinned...

I read this yesterday:
Daniel 9:16
"O, Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because of our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem, and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

And I've been thinking:
What is the place for corporate confession? Here Daniel is quite obviously confessing sin...but not just his own personal sin...he is confessing the sins of the entire nation of Israel. Up until this point in my Christian experience, that kind of "universal confession" has been non-existent. Is there a place in my prayers for me to confess the sins of MY country--the immorality, the abortion, the sick obsession with possessions, the self-worship, the greed, the lust, the corruption, the drunkenness, the homosexuality, the pride, the rejection of authority...
It grieves me and I pray my country will repent for these sins that we've committed against God and God alone! Lord, have mercy on us!