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Showing posts from June, 2013

On the Recent Supreme Court and Defense of Marriage Act Ruling

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I flipped on the television last Wednesday, June 26, 2013, and watched the news on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which essentially kept same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and retirement benefits from the government. At that moment I thought, “Wow, whatever might come out of this, however this decision might shape each person in America, the world I lived in would never be the same.” Yet, inasmuch as the decision was monumental, as a Christ follower in covenant relationship to the God of the Universe, there is a bit of personal uneasiness over the whole situation. It would be naive to think the Supreme Court decision about DOMA is simply about the money $$$. (Who would object to a gay couple formulating contractual agreements for inheritance, hospital visitations, or property?) Rather, the decision set a legal precedence about marriage, particularly who can be married, and who can reap the benefits of being in a marit...

Cleansing the Temple

Jesus Christ’s cleansing of the temple has been on my mind of late. Matthew informs us that “ Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘ My house shall be called a house of prayer ’; but you are making it a robbers ’ den ” (Matt. 21:12-13). Mark adds that Christ “would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple” (Mark. 11:16). John informs us that the Jesus “made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple” (John 2:15), and said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business” (John 2:16). The disciples who witnessed this incident “remembered that it was written, ‘ Zeal for Your House will consume me ’ ” (John 2:17). [1] This incident would have occurred in the Temple’s Court of the Gentiles. In that place, there were money changers offering pure...

Banknotes worth $65,240 eaten by termintes - Dooh!

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I just came across this special interest story, Banknotes worth $65,240 eaten by termintes - People's Daily Online . After reading it, I just had to let out a Homer Simpson, "Dooh!" Sad to read of how a Chinese woman lost a huge sum of yuan due to a termite infestation, but fortunately the bankers were able to consider the remains and the dear lady was able to recover what was eaten. This news piece really brings to mind the Christ's words "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:19-21). It is a reminder of the importance of having an eternal perspective, particularly when it comes to being a good steward of what the Lord gives. ~ WGN ...