According to Forrester analyst James L. McQuivey, Ph.D., you’ll encounter “a dozen video platforms per day,” - what he calls an OmniVideo world. You’ll not only watch more video, but more of the video you watch will be viewed on-demand.
Read more of this story on Podcasting News.
More than 1,000 school children from across the country sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," standing at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial near the U.S. Capitol building and joined by the United States Marine Band, celebrating the national anthem and the importance of music education.
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LONDON - Trying to sell mayonnaise has turned messy for Heinz, the U.S. food giant that has found itself in a public relations pickle as pro-family and homosexual organizations both are threatening boycotts. The controversy is over a British television advert that appeared to use mayonnaise as spread for the homosexual agenda.
Read more of this story on OneNewsNow.
The word amateur has been redefined over the years and has lost the luster of its original meaning. The English word comes from the Latin word amore, which means “to love.” An amateur is someone who does something simply for the love of it.
In today’s way of thinking, receiving payment moves you into a “higher” category—that of a professional. The reasoning is that if someone is willing to pay for your service, you must be really good. An amateur, therefore, is considered to have less skill or talent.
As I read my Bible, however, I see a different hierarchy of values. During the time of Jesus, the religious professionals were using their position to gain power and prestige for themselves, not to serve the people. Jesus didn’t choose those who were wise, mighty, or noble by human standards (1 Cor. 1:26). He sought those willing to follow Him and be trained for loving service.
In today’s world, the scene is much the same. God is still looking for “amateurs,” those who will serve the Lord for the sheer love of it. Compelled by our love for Jesus, may we, like the disciples and apostles before us, proclaim the love of God for the world by following Christ’s example of loving and serving others.
— Julie Ackerman Link
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. —Featherstone
One proof of our love for God is our love for our neighbor.
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Over the next few days leading up to the 4th of July, I'll be posting some videos of our National Anthem, Star Spangled Banner.
This is a group that has been described as a YouTube phenomenon, The Cactus Cuties. The harmony in this song is absolutely outstanding. I'll be posting another version by this group next week.
The United States is one of the most religious countries in the world, but American views often defy categorization and contradict the teachings of their faith, according to a huge survey released Monday.
The survey of 36,000 people by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life - unprecedented in the combination of the number of people interviewed and the breadth of questions asked - reveals that Americans view their own and others' religious identity through a much broader lens than previously understood.
Read more of this story on San Francisco Chronicle.
I will be preaching revival services at Barney First Baptist Church Sunday, September 14 - Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 7pm nightly. I preached there in 2005 and we had a great time! The church is located at 127 2nd Ave. in Barney, Georgia. For more information call Pastor Keith Wise at (229) 292-1265.
The revival services at Little Creek Baptist Church came to an end last night. We really had a good series of meetings and the attendance was very good. Each service also featured special music and was enjoyable.
If you live in the Jesup, Georgia area or are traveling through on a Sunday, Pastor Wayne Manning and the folks at Little Creek Baptist would welcome you with open arms. The church is located at 5027 Little Creek Road in Little Creek, Georgia. It's only a few miles from Jesup.
When my son Steve walks into a room, he often gets immediate respect. People want to shake his hand. They smile. They congratulate him. They thank him.
It happens at church. It happens in restaurants. It happens wherever he goes—as long as he is wearing his uniform of the United States Navy.
While in uniform, Steve gets instant respect because everyone knows that he is serving. He has given up many personal freedoms and desires so that he can serve his country.
People respect service. We honor police officers who serve. We pay homage to military personnel who serve. But do we give the same honor and respect to those who are in an even greater service—service to God? Do we show respect to our pastors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers?
Scripture tells us to give honor to whom honor is due (Rom. 13:7). Specifically, it tells us that double honor goes to those who direct the affairs of the church through teaching and preaching (1 Tim. 5:17).
Instead of criticizing your pastor, teacher, or spiritual leader, let others hear your words of gratitude and praise for their service. Hold them up in prayer. God’s servants deserve our respect and honor.
— Dave Branon
Putting It Into Practice
• Send a card or note of appreciation to your pastor.
• Thank your teacher for a lesson that helped you.
• Ask your leaders how you can pray for them.
We honor God when we honor our leaders.
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This is Jack Marti playing a ukulele and singing the old Beatles song "Here Comes The Sun", but with a Gospel twist. Give it a listen. I think you'll enjoy it. I love it!
NOTE: I have added a related video and a link to the poem referenced in this devotion at the bottom of this post.
Ray Bethell is a world champion kite flyer. He can make multiple kites twist and turn in such precision that they behave as if they are one. As I watched an amazing video of Ray and his three synchronized kites, I recalled a poem I had read many years ago.
In the library of Pastor Howard Sugden, I came across a well-worn book containing the works of John Newton. Inside was a poem titled “The Kite; or Pride Must Have a Fall.” The kite in Newton’s poem dreamed of being cut free from its string: “Were I but free, I’d take a flight, / And pierce the clouds beyond their sight, / But, ah! Like a poor pris’ner bound, / My string confines me near the ground.” The kite does finally manage to tug itself free, but instead of soaring higher in the sky, it crashes into the sea.
The analogy calls me to reconsider some “strings” that make me feel constrained. Vows. Promises. Commitments. Responsibilities. Although such things make me feel tied down, God uses them to hold me up. As James teaches, it is our willingness to be humbled (or held down) that God uses to lift us up (James 4:10).
Before cutting any string, make sure it’s not one that’s holding you up.
— Julie Ackerman Link
Though I am His sheep, I’m still prone to stray,
So Jesus in love sends afflictions my way;
The lessons that come in this school of deep pain
Will teach me to follow my Lord once again! —Bosch
A Christian rises against the winds of adversity.
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Amid the celebration, there was tragedy. It was the opening ceremonies of the 1992 summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. One by one the teams entered the stadium and paraded around the track to the cheers of 65,000 people. But in one section of Olympic Stadium, shock and sadness fell as Peter Karnaugh, father of United States swimmer Ron Karnaugh, was stricken with a fatal heart attack.
Five days later, Ron showed up for his race wearing his dad's hat, which he carefully set aside before his competition began. Why the hat? It was the swimmer's tribute to his dad, whom he described as "my best friend." The hat was one his dad had worn when they went fishing and did other things together. Wearing the hat was Ron's way of honoring his dad for standing beside him, encouraging him, and guiding him. When Ron dove into the water, he did so without his dad's presence but inspired by his memory.
On this Father's Day, there are many ways to honor our fathers, as Scripture tells us to do (Ephesians 6:2). One way, even if they're no longer with us, is to show respect for the values they taught us.
What can you do for your dad today to show him the kind of honor the Bible talks about? — Dave Branon
We're thankful for our fathers, Lord,
They're special gifts from You;
Help us to show we honor them
By what we say and do. —Sper
The best fathers not only give us life—they teach us how to live.
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Churches nationwide that joined a Bible listening campaign will give dads audio Bibles this Sunday in honor of Father’s Day.
More than 37,000 audio Bibles will be handed out in nearly 250 churches in 41 states that are participating in the campaign called “You’ve Got The Time.” The campaign – organized by Faith Comes by Hearing, the world’s foremost audio bible ministry – encourages fathers to listen to the Word of God 28 minutes a day for 40 days, during which they will complete the New Testament.
Read more of this story on The Christian Post.
When Sha’Ri Eggum was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, doctors told her that only a bone marrow transplant from a blood relative could save her life. Complicating matters, Eggum, 32, was adopted and didn’t know anything about her biological family. But a private investigator tracked down her brother, Mike Ford, who was a perfect match. Today, Eggum’s leukemia is in remission. Ford was the right person for the right moment.
The book of Esther tells another story of love, sacrifice, and God’s timing. Mordecai, a Jew in exile, refused to bow to Haman, second in command to King Ahasuerus. Haman became furious and plotted to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews. So Haman deceived the king and persuaded him to issue an edict condemning the Jews to death. When Mordecai told his cousin Queen Esther about the edict, he urged her to intervene. “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” he said (v.14). Approaching the king uninvited was punishable by death. But Esther seized the moment to save her people!
When we are able to rescue others, we should do so at all costs. Ask God for His direction and act! He may have placed you here “for such a time as this.”
— Marvin Williams
O for a faith that will not shrink
Though pressed by many a foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe. —Bathurst
Courage is not the absence of fear—it is the mastery of it.
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