Oy haw!

Midlander Eric Siegmund writes, "Last December, a group from my home church and the West Texas Cowboy Church, accompanied by world champion roper Allen Bach, traveled to Israel to conduct a roping clinic. As it turns out, the cowboy is alive and well in Israel, and horsemanship is a popular pastime among Israelis."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Eric's post.

Coming to Midland: A Recommended Film

Midlander Michael Makowsky writes, "FYI ... On March 5th, local theaters will be showing 'A Powerful Noise,' the acclaimed documentary film about the lives of three women and their daily challenges and their significant victories over poverty and oppression. While the film focuses on their personal stories, it illustrates larger issues affecting millions of marginalized women worldwide."

"This is a one-time showing ... March 5th, 6:30pm at the Tall City 14. For more information on the film, including a preview, and to pre-purchase tickets, go to www.apowerfulnoise.org/ "

God Issues Today: "Shooting for Immortality"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

I play golf spelled backwards. Someone once told me that I play "military golf"—left, right, left, right. I haven't played in months, a layoff which no one in the golfing world seems to have noticed. By contrast, Tiger Woods has been missed at every tournament since his major knee surgery eight months ago. But now he's back. It's not often that a first-round golf match makes the New York Times, but Mr. Woods is no mere golfer. He won his match on Wednesday and showed that he is ready to dominate his sport again.

Tiger Woods may be a golfing immortal, but C. S. Lewis reminded us yesterday that none of us have "talked to a mere mortal." Every person you know will live forever, either with God or separated from him.

You already knew that. Here's the part of that assertion which we often overlook: Our eternal life with God has already begun. You will not become immortal when you die—that event has already occurred. Paul spoke for every Christian: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). If you have made Jesus your Lord, the moment you gave your life to him you were "born again" (John 3:3). As a result, Paul could declare: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

What are the practical results of your present eternal life? The first is that you need have no fear whatsoever of death. The worst thing that could happen to you today would lead to the best thing that could happen to you today. When you take your last breath, you step from time into eternity. You pass from the land of the dying to the land of the living.

I admit that it is hard for most of us not to fear this event, as it requires us to move from the world we can see to a world we cannot. Most children fear their first day of school, or their first day of college. Most of us facing surgery fear the anesthesia more than the medical procedure—trusting our lives completely to someone else is never easy. Death is the great unknown, a step beyond all we can see or control.

Our great fear is that death is final and forever, that this world is all there is and our faith is just wishful thinking. But in a very real sense, you and I have already died once. We have passed from the only world we knew to a world we could not possibly imagine. If we survived that experience in the past, we need not fear surviving it again in the future. What death am I describing? Why does it matter so much? Let's continue [Monday].

"Missional Church" Video

A simple visual display of what they are trying to accomplish in the city of Austin, Texas. You can go to www.gogetscatter.com for more details. Video from mdennis1082 at YouTube.

God Issues Today: "To Predict is Difficult ..."

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

"To predict is difficult . . . especially with regard to the future." So goes the old Chinese saying. Last night we heard President Obama vow that America will recover from the current economic crisis. This prediction followed Ben Bernanke's statement that he expects to see an economic recovery by 2010. Wall Street had a very good day as a result, but no one really knows what will happen next. I assume that I'll finish writing this morning’s essay and that you'll finish reading it, but neither of us can be sure. We're both one day closer to eternity than we've ever been.

Such is the solemn reminder of Ash Wednesday. February 22 was Quinquagesima Sunday, marking 50 days before Easter. (I didn't know that five minutes ago, but a quick visit to the online Catholic Encyclopedia has made me more liturgically competent.) Today is the Wednesday after Quinquagesima Sunday, called dies cinerum ("day of ashes") or Ash Wednesday.

Those who worship in the Catholic tradition will go to Mass today, where their priest will dip his thumb into ashes made by burning the remains of palms blessed on last year's Palm Sunday. He will then mark the worshiper's forehead with the sign of the cross while saying, "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." This ceremony dates to at least the eighth century, and may be much older.

I don't really like thinking about my own mortality so early on a Wednesday morning. I'd rather be writing about something unusual or fun in the day's news. That's just why I need to observe Ash Wednesday—if not by attending a Catholic Mass, then by contemplating the message I would hear if I did. It is a simple fact that the hands which are typing these words on my laptop computer will some day type their last letters. My eyes will read their last words. I don't know that this is my last essay to write, but I don't know that it's not.

Yesterday I reread C. S. Lewis's classic sermon, The Weight of Glory. Near its end, Mr. Lewis observes: "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit" (italics his). Every person you see today will outlive everything else you see today.

As will you. So order your life by eternity. The Westminster Catechism is right: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." How will you do both today?

God Issues Today: "Bipartisan Helicopters"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

I must begin today's essay with a disclaimer: I have never ridden in a helicopter. I hope that fact never changes. A fishbowl with a propeller is not my idea of safe travel. If a flock of birds could make an airliner land in the Hudson, just think what they could do to a helicopter. I have no experience with this subject, and plan to keep things that way.

Unfortunately for the president of the United States, he has no choice in this matter. If he's flying anywhere, he starts on Marine One. I did some checking this morning—the empty weight of his helicopter is 15,200 pounds. By the time all his burly Secret Service agents have boarded with him, there's no telling how much the contraption weighs. Now I have yet another reason to be grateful I'm a preacher and not a politician.

At least our political leaders have found common cause in their helicopter angst. Today's New York Times reports that last night, President Obama and Senator John McCain held their first public appearance together since Inauguration Day. They agreed that a project to build new helicopters for the White House has gone terribly awry. Their encounter came at the end of a "fiscal responsibility summit" called by the president. Mr. Obama called on Mr. McCain to offer his thoughts. Mr. McCain suggested that one priority should be dealing with out-of-control military contracts such as the helicopter project.

The original contract was for $6.1 billion; it has now mushroomed to $11.2 billion. That's "billion." The contract calls for 28 new helicopters. That's "28." Last I checked we didn't have 28 people in the entire presidential cabinet. Mr. Obama agreed with Mr. McCain's concern: "The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me." Then the president admitted, "Of course, I've never had a helicopter before. Maybe I've been deprived and I didn't know it."

The president raises an interesting point. While both Mr. Obama and I doubt that he is suffering from helicopter deprivation, we don't know what we don't know. I once asked my 95-year-old grandfather how people got along before air conditioning was invented. "You don't know what you're missing if you've never had it" was his logical reply.

There is one place where my grandfather's reasoning breaks down, however. As Pascal said, there's a God-shaped emptiness in every one of us. Augustine was right: Our hearts are restless until they rest in him. We somehow know that we need to be made right with our Maker and that our souls need to practice the presence of God. As in Eden, our Father has come looking for his children today. How close to him are you?

God Issues Today: "Playing the Joker"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

In my next life I'll be a movie critic. Getting paid for going to motion pictures is my idea of a dream job. For as long as I can remember, I've been amazed by movies. I go to watch the action scenes—Janet goes for the plot and something called "character development." She cringes at the explosions I cheer. If we were Siskel and Ebert, we'd usually be one thumb up and one thumb down.

My affection for movies may explain why I'm the only Baptist preacher I know who stayed up last night to the end of the Academy Awards. While all my colleagues were watching the Sunday night sports shows, I was watching host Hugh Jackman sing (he's better than I expected, which isn't saying much). As predicted, "Slumdog Millionaire" won eight Oscars, including best picture. Kate Winslet and Sean Penn won best actress and best actor—no surprises there. I'm not sure how many critics thought Penelope Cruz would win best supporting actress, though she probably gets the award for best acceptance line: "Has anyone ever fainted here?"

But the award everyone will remember is Heath Ledger's posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. All of us who saw his Joker in "The Dark Knight" agree that he retired the "most creepy" trophy. Mr. Ledger's tragic death on January 22, 2008 from an accidental prescription drug overdose brought a level of mortality and sobriety to last night's event. His parents and sister accepted on his behalf, and will keep his Oscar for his three-year-old daughter until she turns 18.

In witnessing such a poignant moment, the thought occurred to me that we're all Heath Ledger. Each of us who make Jesus our Lord chooses to be supporting actors to his leading role. When we play our part as best we can, we add our unique contribution to the plot and purpose of the movie. The Joker couldn't be Batman, but Batman needed the Joker. The work we do in front of life's camera will live long after we have left the set. It is impossible to measure the eternal significance of present obedience.

John the Baptizer got his part just right, saying of Jesus: "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30). Paul played his role equally well when he resolved, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). If I will study the script prepared by my Screenwriter and listen for the lead of my Director, seeking to play my role to the glory of the One about whom the play was written, this will be a good day. Will you join me?

Back in Uganda ... Back at Work

Natalie Rolfe had spent the last year at Lulwanda Children's Home in Mabale, Uganda, serving "90 of the most precious kids in the WORLD" by teaching them phonics and sharing the love of Jesus with them.

... and now, she has gone back for more.

She has kept a running account of her activities in her "When He Calls Me, I Will Answer" blog. Natalie was on furlough, at home in Texas, earlier this year, and that included a visit to Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, which has helped sponsor her work.

At the time, she reminded us that her mission to Uganda was a 'work in progress,' and she was already preparing for her return. In this latest post on her blog, she reports that she is back in Uganda and back at work.

If you would like to financially support her second year in Uganda, please make checks out to Midland Bible Church, with Natalie Rolfe in the memo.
Midland Bible Church
2800 North A Street
Midland, TX 79705

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this : to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. - James 1:27

God Issues Today: "A Walking Shadow"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

California has a budget after legislators haggled for 106 days in special session, but was forced to cut services drastically. Other states are expected to face similar challenges in months ahead. Barack Obama has made his first foreign trip as president, meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss the war in Afghanistan as the Taliban continues its resurgence. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency says that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb. And that's just the headlines in today's New York Times. Are we sure it's not Friday the 13th again this week?

At least we have the Academy Awards this Sunday night. If I had seen more of the Best Picture nominees, I'd probably care more. How many can you name? Which picture won last year? The answer is "No Country For Old Men" (I had to look it up). "The Departed" won the year before; I didn't know that 20 seconds ago.

Shakespeare said my life is "a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more." That's undoubtedly true from an historical point of view. I have no illusions of permanent fame—if I can't remember the Best Actor in a Leading Role from a year ago (Daniel Day-Lewis—I didn't know that 15 seconds ago)—who will remember me when my "hour upon the stage" is done?

But the Bard was just as wrong about heaven as he was right about earth. Since Jesus is my Savior and Lord, my name is written in the "book of life" (see Philippians 4:3; Revelation 21:27). When I take my last breath with you, I take my first breath with God. Jesus promised his followers: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26). You are immortal. Christians never say goodbye for the last time.

When the world causes you to doubt your significance and worth today, remember that you will be around long after the stars have faded from the skies and the mountains crumble to dust. There will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1), and you'll be there to witness the event. People matter more to God than anything else in all his created universe. He thought your eternal life was worth the tortured death of his Son.

Now your Father invites you to agree with his assessment of your value. The Mona Lisa is just a smirking woman to the artistically ignorant. The one ballet I've attended in my life was as monotonous to me as it was thrilling to its patrons. Find your significance in the fact of God's unconditional, passionate love for you. Why not now?

Midland Group Releases Letter from Imprisoned Christian Human Rights Activist

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Letter from Imprisoned Christian Human Rights Activist

Released by ChinaAid, February, 2009 ...

HUBEI, CHINA – ChinaAid received a letter from imprisoned Christian human rights and democracy activist Peng Ming which he sent to his family on January 22, 2009. He is serving a life sentence in China, even though he is an official UN Refugee with transitional permanent resident refugee status in California, USA.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

God Issues Today: "What's Your Brand?"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

Pontiac was an Ottawa leader, famous for the Native American revolt he led against the British in the Great Lakes region of America from 1763-66. Then he became a city northwest of Detroit, noted for making carriages in the 1880s. Then he became a brand within General Motors.

Now we learn from today's Wall Street Journal that GM plans to reduce itself to Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC Trucks. As a result, Saturn, Saab, Hummer and Pontiac will no longer be vehicle brands, at least with GM. The tribal chief is probably glad to get his name back.

Soon Saturn will just be a planet, or at least not a part of General Motors. Discussions are ongoing about making the brand into a separate car company. Saab and Hummer will apparently be sold, phased out, or file for bankruptcy. In 2008, Toyota supplanted GM as the world's largest auto seller. Now it could become the largest auto seller in the U.S. as well. Such is life in a global economy and a shrinking auto industry.

The publisher of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times filed for bankruptcy protection late last year; we hear regularly about retail stores and chains in trouble. We learned earlier this week that three Atlantic City casinos once run by Donald Trump have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Gambling establishments are apparently too much of a gamble. At least GodIssues Today is solvent, since it neither makes nor spends (nor gambles) anything.

What's your brand this morning? If someone asked, "Who are you?" what would you say? A man once stood at a busy intersection and asked thousands of people that question. Every one replied with what he or she did: "I'm a teacher," "I'm a salesman," "I'm an attorney," "I'm a student," and so on.

If Jesus is your Lord, the next time someone asks who you are, reply: "I'm the child of God." You are not what you do, or how you look, or where you live, or what you drive or wear. Your public brand is temporal and transient. Your eternal brand is secure. Jesus promised that no one can take you from his hand (John 10:28). Paul assured us that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). You have been "born again" (John 3:3) and cannot be "unborn."

Christians belong forever to God. Why is that reminder good news for you today?

"Being Missional" Video

A short video to help understand the meaning of "being missional," from ECGuser at YouTube.

Last Call to See "St. John's Bible"

It's a colorful new application of a centuries-old expression of art and faith ... and it's showing right now in the Tall City.

At the dawn of the 21st century, Saint John's Abbey and University seek to ignite the spiritual imagination of believers throughout the world by commissioning a work of art that illuminates the Word of God for a new millennium ... The Saint John's Bible.

In the Middle Ages, monasteries helped preserve knowledge and culture for the sake of the greater community. By commissioning a handwritten Bible, Saint John's revives a tradition and affirms its commitment to the study of scripture, to the book arts and to educational, artistic and spiritual pursuits.

An exhibit of reproductions from the first hand-crafted Bible commissioned by a Benedictine abbey in more than 500 years, is now on display in the Garden Gallery of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, located at 800 W, Texas Avenue (the corner of Texas and A streets), on the west edge of downtown Midland. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and will run thru February 22.

Also free and open to the public will be related lectures by Dr. Kent Lydecker, formerly of the Metropolitan Musem of Art, on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, February 22, at 9:45 a.m.

Call 684-7821 for more information.

God Issues Today: "Rocket Dockets"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

I hate to wait. Lights that turn red just as I get to them are the bane of my existence. People who gum up tollway entry booths while they search their pockets for coins should be made to walk home. I get frustrated when my MacBook takes 30 seconds to boot up. Microwave dinners cook too slowly. Now I've found a legal system which agrees with my chronological sensibilities.

This morning's Wall Street Journal tells us about the "rocket docket" courts in Florida which conduct foreclosure hearings in as little as 20 seconds. Given the state's requirement that judges approve all foreclosures, and the soaring number of such financial crises, something had to be done. So judges are hearing nearly 1,000 cases a day and bringing in retired judges to help. The faster they can expedite things, the sooner their state's housing markets can stabilize. Or so the theory goes.

Imagine for a moment that God adopted this approach to answering our prayers. More than two billion people on our planet profess to be Christians. If each one were permitted ten seconds to voice a single request to God, I calculate that it would take 634.2 years for God to hear us all. By then you might have a second request, so the process starts over.

The good news is that God has all of eternity to hear your next prayer. We know that he transcends the spatial world he has made; as Paul assured the Athenian philosophers, "the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands" (Acts 17:24). It is harder for us to comprehend the fact that God also transcends the time he created. Jesus was "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), part of God's plan for humans before history began. He created time and will abolish it one day. He lives in eternity and is not bound by our calendars and clocks.

As a result, God has no time limits for responding to the prayers we offer to him. Revelation 5 tells us that the 24 elders in heaven "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (v. 8). Think of it—God keeps and cherishes for eternity every prayer you offer to him. Including your next one.

This is why God can hear every prayer spoken by every Christian in every moment of time in every language on earth. We are told to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to the God who hears us continually. He is ready to suspend time for you. Have you made time yet for him?

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 02/18/09

Australia
• Please be in prayer for children and families affected by the bushfires that have claimed the lives of more than 170 people and destroyed some rural communities in southern Australia.
• Pray for those who have lost relatives and friends, homes, schools, and businesses in the wildfires that have plagued the state of Victoria.
A report from the BBC

Iraq
• Give thanks to God for the relatively violence-free election day late last month that allowed Iraqi citizens to vote for local representatives. Pray that peace and political stability will become the norm in this war torn nation, and not the exception.
• Please continue to pray for the children of Iraq who have witnessed so much violence. Pray for children who are desensitized to death and destruction. Please pray for all children in war torn areas.
• Pray for children who have witnessed the deaths of parents, siblings, family members, friends or neighbors. Pray for those who struggle with psychological disorders as a result of this kind of trauma. Pray they will have access to counseling and therapists to help them cope.
• Pray for orphaned children and for those who have been abandoned by parents unable to provide for them any longer. Pray they will have a safe place in which to grow, compassionate caregivers and hope for a brighter future.
• Pray that the children of Iraq may have access to food, medical care, and education.
A report from the New York Times

Kenya (CURE International)
• Pray for the disabled children receiving treatment at the CURE International Hospital in Kenya and for the medical staff and caregivers there. Please also pray for 16-year-old Dominic and for these girls: 10-year-old Susan, 10-year-old Teresiah, 13-year-old Jackline and 15-year-old Caroline.

North Korea
• Please continue to pray for the children of North Korea who are abused, used and neglected in appalling ways. The government of North Korea has one of the worst human rights records in the world, according to the European Union, the U.S. and other groups.
• Pray for children who are arrested and put into detention centers because their parents or relatives have been imprisoned first. The North Korean regime often practices guilt by association to maintain control. Please keep these children in prayer as they are forced to work, deprived of an education, and deprived of their freedom.
• Pray for children who have no access to education in this destitute state. A Seoul-based human rights organization says the school system is failing in the North and that has led to increased illiteracy and higher dropout rates.
• Please pray for children who are forced to work on farms, at factories, or scavenge for materials to be used by the military or local authorities.
• Pray for children in poorer areas who are deprived of much needed international food aid. Teachers, who are supposed to distribute the food, often sell it to the children or to local merchants. Part of the food aid is also diverted to children of the privileged class.
A report from alertnet.org

Pakistan
• Please keep the staff and volunteers of Christ Children Evangelism (CCE) in prayer as they minister to the children of Pakistan.
• Give thanks to God for their successful children's Christmas rally last December.
• Please pray that God will provide for the children with whom CCE works and also provide the resources this ministry needs to be effective ambassadors of Jesus Christ in a predominately Muslim country.

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

God Issues Today: "Acorns, Pickups and Submarines"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

Chicken Little thought the sky was falling because an acorn fell on her head. Wonder what she would think of the fireball that streaked across the Texas sky last Sunday.

People in this part of the world are still debating the nature of the occurrence. A fallen airplane was the first fear, sending police in a helicopter to look for a crash sight. We were then told that it might be debris from the satellites that collided over Siberia last Tuesday. The FAA even warned pilots to watch out for more of the same over the weekend. But then we were told that the debris belt, 500 miles above the Earth, could not have fallen this soon.

This morning we're hearing that the fireball was most likely a natural occurrence. Today's Dallas Morning News quotes an observatory manager who thinks it was a meteor the size of a pickup truck with the consistency of a chunk of concrete. I knew pickups were everywhere in Texas, but I didn't expect to see one fall from the sky.

If she read today's news, Chicken Little would be as frightened of the seas as the skies. This morning's New York Times tells us that two nuclear submarines collided while submerged on operational patrols in the Atlantic early this month. British and French defense ministries made the disclosure yesterday. Both vessels were damaged but returned safely to their home ports with their 250 crew members uninjured. Since both subs carry nuclear reactors and 16 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, we're glad to hear that there was "no compromise to nuclear safety." Makes you wonder what else is swimming around out there.

Years ago, a friend assured me that "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you." There's your devotional thought for the day. As I write this morning's essay, I'm worried about finishing on time and then getting my other work done for the day. I'm not thinking about truck-sized meteors falling on my head or nuclear subs colliding in the Gulf of Mexico. And that's for the best. We can spend our day worrying about the bad that might happen and miss all the good that does.

Scripture assures us that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). What is your greatest fear today? Name it and give it to your Father right now. Know that you are in his hand (John 10:28), and that nothing can come to you without coming first to him. "Fear knocked—faith answered, and there was no one there." What's knocking at your door this morning?

Reminder: Workshop on "Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss"

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place Wednesday night, February 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adults, and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "No Man Ought to Looke a Geuen Hors in the Mouth"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

So advised John Heywood in 1546. Apparently you can tell how old a horse is by checking its teeth, though I have no expertise on the subject to share. But we get the drift—when someone gives you something, be grateful.

Take [Monday's] holiday, for example. If you're out of school or off work for "President's Day" you may not care why, but here's the story. "Washington's Birthday" was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. For years we actually observed his birthday on his birthday (February 22). But that made too much sense, so Congress enacted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, shifting the day to the third Monday in February. Since it is usually adjacent to February 12, Lincoln's birthday, the two now must cohabit the same holiday and we call it "President's Day."

As a result, if you're ever elected president you get your own holiday (so long as you're willing to share with your presidential colleagues). William Henry Harrison (February 9) and Ronald Reagan (February 6) were born close enough to President's Day to merit consideration. But the four presidents following Mr. Reagan are nowhere in the ballpark, being born on June 12, August 19, July 6, and August 4 respectively. Mr. Obama has been president for less than a month, yet he gets to join the party. I'm sure he's grateful.

So is Matt Kenseth, your Daytona 500 champion for 2009. Today's New York Times tells us that Mr. Kenseth, winless last year, cried as he was awarded NASCAR's most coveted title. He had just taken the lead when a rainstorm forced an end to the race with 48 of the 200 laps still to go. Bad luck for most was good luck for one.

What was the last gift you received but didn't really deserve? Janet and I were honored last night by Park Cities Baptist Church upon the conclusion of our ten years of ministry with this great congregation. Very kind things were said and done, all of which were more gracious than deserved. Today we start our new ministry, beginning the Center for Informed Faith and serving Texas Baptist churches as Theologian in Residence. I will continue writing GodIssues Today, of course, and am excited about new additions to this Internet ministry. But this morning I am also overcome by a sense of gratitude for a church family which has been so kind to our family.

So it is with grace. Someone acronymized (is that a word?) "GRACE" as "God's Riches At Christ's Expense." You are loved this moment by the Lord of the universe. You can do nothing to earn or lose his love for you. Have you thanked him yet for grace?

Reports From Lulwanda: January '09

Every month, Lulwanda Administrator Edward Mukiibi provides an update on Lulwanda Children's Home in Uganda – how the children are growing and learning, how the staff is developing, and any ongoing needs that may arise.

January, 2009
"Our God has been most gracious as He continues to do marvelous things for us. He has protected us provided for our needs and our children continue under His grace to grow. We thank all of you for being part of the transformation that is currently taking place in Uganda. Thank you for standing with us this far and we trust that you will continue to be available for us as your utmost reward awaits in Heaven some day."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of his January 2009 report.
CLICK HERE to visit the December 2008 photo gallery.

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Please join us for this designated time of prayer and then for fellowship and lunch ($5) afterwards.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net. Thank you so much for praying for the children of our community and world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Paraskavedekatriaphobia"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

"The God of the universe loves you, no matter the day and date," Dr. Denison writes in today's post at God Issues.

Partners Blogcast: "The Reality on the Ground in an Active War Zone"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief & Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. This blog is meant to be a more personal stream of conversation than newsletters allow for. The opinions expressed here may not be those of Partners Relief & Development.

The Reality on the Ground in an Active War Zone

By a Partners Relief Team Leader - "The village I will sleep in tonight has been attacked many times by the Burma Army, twice in recent times. In April 2006, regime soldiers came and displaced hundreds of villagers, stole their possessions, and burned down many homes. There are three bullet holes in the bamboo walls of the house next to where I sleep."

"Today I visited a family in a nearby village. When a warning came from the defense army (KNU) that Burma Army forces were approaching, the father, Swe Htoo Ley (not his real name), quickly gathered his two children, his pregnant wife, and his bed ridden mother, and rushed to hide in a bamboo thicket. From this sheltered hide site less than a mile away they watched the smoke from their burning home-along with nine of their neighbors homes-billow into the sky. This was the second time the Burma Army burned down their home and the third time they came and stole all their possessions."

"Swe Htoo Ley's brother-in-law was killed in the attack, leaving behind his toddler, a one-week-old infant, and a destitute widow still recovering from child birth."

"The victims of the war in Burma are largely humble rice farmers who live earthy and wholesome lives while they raise their families and work the land their ancestors worked before their time. You may ask like I did, "Why does this happen to rice farmers living in the mountains of a remote region?" The short answer is simple: they were born in Karen State, where the Burma Army wants total control of all natural resources and to dominate or destroy the ethnic population who are obstacles to this end."

"I left an offering of money behind with the family and prayed for them. They asked me to please visit them again one day and with a bright grin they gave me their finest chicken as a gift."

"While I walked away, I felt sad that such good hearted and peace loving people are living within mortar range of a Burma Army camp, one of the most brutal regimes on earth. I reminded myself that these people matter and are valuable to God, like my own family, and that I bear a moral responsibility towards them as a son of God who subscribes to the greatest commandment. What does it mean to love the displaced people of Burma as I love myself? What does it mean to do for them what I would want them to do for me?"

"These are my reflections as I switch off the flashlight on another day. This is why I am here with the people of Burma today."

"Your prayerful support enables Partners to help tens of thousands of people like Swe Htoo Ley. Please lift my team and I up to God as we visit and minister to displaced populations. Thank you for being here with me. Thank you for doing your part to live the golden rule.”

Your Brother,
A Partners Relief Team Leader

God Issues Today: "Hockey Pucks and Holy Days"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Last night I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out. Some dear friends invited Janet and me to the Dallas Stars game, where we sat on the first row, next to the plexiglass walls which protected us from flying pucks and players. Unfortunately, there were more fights (two) than goals (one, for the bad guys). The good news is that a puck was launched over the wall, where an usher retrieved it and gave it to me. I'm now the only Baptist preacher I know with a used hockey puck for his prized paperweight.

Good things sometimes come in surprising places. Today's Dallas Morning News tells us that a man in Florida robbed a gas station but forgot to fill up before fleeing the scene. When police began looking for him, a newspaper carrier told them that a man in a car matching the one from the robbery had run out of gas nearby. The man was arrested soon thereafter, and charged with robbery with a weapon and loitering/prowling. I wonder if he can be convicted of stupidity as well.

Bad things turn out well more often than we realize. My old laptop became so slow and its battery so decrepit that I had to do something; now I cannot imagine life without the machine on which I'm typing today's essay. I talked yesterday with a Cuban pastor who is one of my best friends on earth; he told me that when the government refused his request to purchase television air time, he began recording outreach CDs for church members to play in their homes. Now they're seeing more people coming to Christ through these home groups than they've ever reached before.

If you're like most of us, you're dealing today with some issues you wish were very different than they are. You're facing economic challenges or health concerns or family stress; you're worried about the future or dealing with guilt from the past. But God is in the business of transformation and redemption. He is fond of speaking to renegade shepherds through burning bushes and frightened sailors on the Sea of Galilee and marauding Pharisees on the road to Damascus. John saw his best friend and Lord in all his heavenly glory only when he was first shipped to Patmos.

It is impossible to predict the future significance of present faithfulness. And it is always too soon to give up on God. King David knew something about the grace of God, and promised us that "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). God transforms all he touches, and makes hard days into holy days.

Why did you need that reminder today?

Michael Frost on Being the Missional Church

Australian missiologist Michael Frost talks about what it means to be the missional church, addressing the Presbyterian Global Fellowship Conference in Houston, Texas.

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 02/11/09

China
• Please continue to pray for the children of China who are born with physical or mental disabilities. Because of China's "One Child" policy, society sees little wrong with discarding handicapped or disabled children.
• Thank God for the underground house churches that rescue throwaways and provide them with secure homes. Pray for the members of these churches as they struggle to care for unwanted children.
• Pray that God will provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of China's throwaway children. May they come to know they are beloved children of God and that God will never discard them.

Malawi / United States
• Give thanks for "God's astounding grace, mercy and provision" regarding the successful five year partnership between First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts and Mbobo Mtonga village in Malawi and for the safe return of all the FCCH mission team members despite snowstorms and airplane problems.
• Praise God for answering so many prayers about the children and people of Mbobo Mtonga. They seem to be doing very well and have become quite self-sufficient.
• Please continue to pray for the many children sponsored by members of the Hopkinton church through World Vision. (This will continue even though the official relationship between the village and the church is over.)
• Thanks be to God for the new grain storage building and the abundance of maize collected there for the winter. One of the Hopkinton team members shared in a recent email that, "Mbobo Mtonga will never be hungry again."
A report from First Congregational Church, Hopkinton

Pakistan (Presbyterian Education Board)
• Give thanks to God for 17-year-old Meshezebel's successful surgery last week. Doctors had planned to spend eight hours in surgery, but it took them just four hours to remove her brain tumor. The PEB director emailed and said Meshezebel's doctors were amazed at how quickly they were able to remove the tumor and that she needed much less blood than expected during the operation. The director praised God for this answer to prayer and also expresses her gratitude to all of the Faces of Children intercessors who lifted Meshezebel in prayer. "Please thank each and every one for their prayers. Your prayer request (the Faces list) came exactly on the same day and time when she was in hospital for her surgery," wrote the director.
• Please continue to pray for Meshezebel's complete recovery from this surgery and that she will know the grace and peace of Jesus Christ each day.

United States
• Pray that God will put healing arms around 8-month-old Amonnie who is being evaluated for a liver transplant. At only 15 pounds, she is struggling to stay healthy this winter. Amonnie also has bronchitis and fluid in her lungs. Please pray for her family as they care for her during this stressful, anxious time. And pray for the medical personnel who are treating Amonnie now.
• Please keep the leaders and volunteers of Pishon Family Ministry in prayer as they prepare five separate mission teams to go to Asia this summer. Pray that God will guide them as they provide training for the leaders of underground ministries, lead a camp for orphans, and provide medical care for these children.

Zimbabwe / South Africa
• Please keep vulnerable Zimbabwean children and women who have crossed into South Africa in prayer. In an effort to escape grinding poverty and a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic in their home country, Zimbabwean children and women are entering South Africa in record numbers.
• Pray for the children and women who have been preyed upon by border thieves, swindlers, and rapists.
• Pray for unaccompanied Zimbabwean children (mostly boys) who are living on the streets of South African border communities. Pray for the girls who are quickly snatched up by "men who turn them into women."
• Please pray for God's healing Spirit to descend on Zimbabwe and mend this hurting nation.
A report from the New York Times

Faces of Children
• Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

God Issues Today: "Dancing In the Rain"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

I'm writing today's essay on Tuesday evening, as I have an early breakfast meeting Wednesday morning. Just as I sat down to work on the devotional, the power went out. Tornado warning sirens began blazing. Janet dug out our weather radio, and we sat in our closet listening to reporters describe hail and severe thunderstorms blasting through the area. Fortunately I work with a MacBook and have another two hours of battery and a wireless card to connect (slowly) to the Internet. Neither rain nor sleet nor snow nor hail will deter us from another essay.

Unfortunately, I have no idea if power will be restored in time for our server to send this to you in the morning, so I'll write in faith. If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes and it will change.

Storms are part of life on this fallen planet. However, God seems more than willing to use squalls and weather to teach significant lessons. The first rainfall in human history was the Flood and its judgment on sin. Jonah made a quick U-turn after an incident involving a storm and a fish. Jesus used a sudden squall to impress his divinity on his skeptical disciples. Paul weathered a hurricane to show Roman sailors the power and grace of his God.

One of my favorite promises in Scripture is given to us for the storms of life: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:2-3).

When we're in a storm, we quickly realize how powerless we are and how much we need the power of God. There are no atheists in foxholes, as the soldier's saying goes. If you're like most of us, there are sirens sounding somewhere in your soul today. You're dealing with the temptations and tests, discouragement and doubt that are part of the human condition. When the squalls hit, it's a good time to turn to your Lord for the help and hope, peace and joy that he alone can give.

Janet recently hung a plaque on our bedroom wall; its words seem appropriate as I finish today's essay: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.it's about learning to dance in the rain." Your Father is ready to lead-are you willing to follow?

Reminder: Workshop on "Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss"

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place over two nights, Wednesdays, February 11 & 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adultsm and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "Skeletons In the Soul"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

History is hard to rewrite. President Obama's prime-time news conference last night warned us that "a failure to act will only deepen this crisis," a quote which summarizes coverage in today's New York Times. He asserted that history would judge us more harshly for doing nothing about the economy than for passing imperfect legislation. When the present becomes the past, it can no longer determine the future.

Hindsight is always 20/20, Billy Wilder claimed, but foresight rarely is. Baseball's Alex Rodriguez will forever be linked to the steroids admission he made yesterday to ESPN. I'm guessing he wishes he had made a different choice when he had a choice to make. Today's Times reports that at least one of the deadly Australia wildfires was set by an arsonist. You can't bring back the dead or unburn a forest.

When I ask you about regrets in your life, what springs to mind? The problem with skeletons in the closet is that they don't want to stay there. We find them rattling through the hallways and bedrooms of our souls, years after we locked them away. A guiltless human is an oxymoron. It's hard to find a significant figure in the Bible who doesn't have a past they'd rather I not preach about this Sunday.

But guilt is not of God. He forgives all that his people confess and then "remembers their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). Jesus was courageous in exposing and condemning the sins which polluted his nation and corrupted their worship. But he was quick to forgive and receive all who came to him in honest repentance. God hates the sin but loves the sinner, the way an oncologist hates her husband's colon cancer but loves her patient.

So what do we do with the guilt which followed you to your computer this morning? First, name it as specifically as possible. Write it down, honestly and bluntly. Complete the sentence, "I'm feeling guilty because . . ." Second, determine what sin led to this guilt, and confess it completely and honestly to God. Claim his promise to forgive your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Third, expect guilt to return. When God refuses to punish us for our failures, we punish ourselves. We torture ourselves long enough to feel that we've earned the right to be forgiven. So don't be surprised when guilt arrives soon after confession is claimed. Last, take guilt to grace. Every time it returns, remember your confession and claim God's love. Do it 100 times today and 90 tomorrow, but eventually grace will win and guilt will leave. You can't change your past, but God can forgive it. Why not start today?

Midland Group: Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Taken by Police; Whereabouts Unknown

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Taken by Police; Whereabouts Unknown

Issued by ChinaAid, February, 2009 ...

SHAANXI, CHINA – In his latest open letter, world-renowned Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Mr. Gao Zhisheng, revealed the shocking details of the severe torture he suffered. In his letter, Mr. Gao recorded that, after sending an open letter to members of the U.S. Congress, he was kidnapped on September 21, 2007 and for more than 50 days. ChinaAid learned that Gao, who was nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize, was forcibly taken from his hometown in Shaanxi province early in the morning on February 4 by a dozen police officers. Currently, his whereabouts are unknown.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Christian Released From Prison; Open Letter Reveals Torture

Issued by ChinaAid, Februuary, 2009 ...

BEIJING, CHINA – Shuang Shuying, 79, was released from prison and went immediately to see her dying husband, Hua Zaichen, 91, in the hospital. She sent an open letter to ChinaAid revealing how she was tortured in prison and thanking those around the world for their prayers and support.
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

West Texas Mission Opportunities:Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

"When we think about prayer, we usually regard it as one of the many things we do to live a full and mature Christian life. If we are fervent in our conviction that prayer is important, we might even be willing to give a whole hour to prayer every day, or a whole day every month, or a whole week every year. Thus prayer becomes a part, a very important part, of our life."

"But when the apostle Paul speaks about prayer, he uses a very different language. He does not speak about prayer as a part of life, but as all of life. He does not mention prayer as something we should not forget, but claims it is our ongoing concern. He does not exhort his readers to pray once in a while, regularly, or often' but without hesitation admonishes them to pray constantly, unceasingly, without interruption. Paul does not ask us to spend some of every day in prayer. No, Paul is much more radical. He asks us to pray day and night, in joy and in sorrow, at work and at play, without intermissions or breaks. For Paul, praying is like breathing. It cannot be interrupted without mortal danger.” Clowning in Rome by Henri J.M. Nouwen

This coming Wednesday, February 11, 2009, we will meet to pray for children at risk at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. I hope you are able to join us for prayer and then stay for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

Thank you for your compassion for the children of our community and our world. Thank you for lifting them before God in prayer. If you would like to share prayer celebrations or concerns about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of the world!

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always,

Chris

God Issues Today: "Feeling Old"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Jesus is going to come back on a Monday morning, because he promised to return in an "hour when ye think not" (Luke 12:40, KJV). For me, this morning qualifies. I sneezed and coughed my way through my sermon yesterday and through last night as well. In between medicine-induced naps, however, I did watch enough of the Grammys to feel better about myself. Robert Plant, former lead singer of Led Zeppelin and now 60 years old, won album of the year for "Raising Sand," his collaboration with Alison Krauss. If Mr. Plant can beat a room full of musicians half his age, I can write this essay.

Age is just a number, they say. ("They" are probably really old.) Some of the most significant figures in biblical history were rather advanced in years when they took the stage. Remember Abraham, a century old when Isaac was born, and Moses, 80 years old when he confronted Pharaoh. Caleb speaks for all who are chronologically challenged when he tells Joshua, "Here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said" (Joshua 14:10-12). And he did.

Frank Lloyd Wright was still working on architectural projects when he died at the age of 91. When asked which was his greatest achievement, he replied, "My next one!" Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. served on the Supreme Court to the age of 90, at which time he took up the study of Greek to improve his mind. Albert Schweitzer served his beloved hospital in Africa to his death at the age of 90.

None of us knows how many days we will live, but we can know the One who does. We can begin this day by submitting it to his care and plans. When we do, we will find that his will never leads where his grace cannot sustain. The Trappist monk Thomas Merton has much helped me with this prayer: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen?

Helping Young People Cope with Transition, Loss

First Presbyterian Church of Midland presents a workshop for parents of children and youth. It's called "Helping Support Our Kids with Transition and Loss," and it's presented by Vicki Jay, Director of Rays of Hope Children's Grief Centre.

The workshop takes place over two nights, Wednesdays, February 11 & 18, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at First Prez. Admission to the workshop is free. You may also consider joining us for dinner beforehand, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in Lynn Fellowship Hall. Dinner is $7 for adultsm and $5 for children up to 12 years-of-age.

For more information contact Mary Beth Anton at mba62@suddenlink.net or call 684-7821.

God Issues Today: "Blame My Walls"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist!) and Mansfield, Texas.

Now I know why I'm no good at math—my walls are the wrong color. Janet handles our checkbook so we don't go to jail. For all these years, I thought my mathematical deficiencies were my brain's fault. Now I read in today's New York Times that painting my walls red would make my mind more accurate and detailed. Blue walls, on the other hand, would make me more creative. My problem is that I'm writing this essay in a room covered with brown paneled walls; if you find this essay neither accurate nor creative, blame my walls.

Athletes in the 2004 Olympics who wore red instead of blue in boxing, tae kwon do, Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling won 60 percent of the time. Red symbolizes dominance, researchers think. Now I know what to wear to my next deacons' meeting. Another study found that women seen in photographs on red backgrounds or wearing red shirts were considered to be more attractive. I'll remember that fact for my next modeling job.

As we continue our news you can use theme, the Times informs us today that Twinkies are back from the bankruptcy grave. They were created in 1930 (I think I've eaten some of the original batch), and have survived the Great Depression and the Atkins Diet. Now in these health-conscious times, they are offering "Twinkie Bites," which have 100 calories a pack. If you think that Twinkies are good for you, you must be reading this essay in a blue-walled room.

Scientists tell us that a cloudless daytime sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light, making the blue spectrum more apparent to our eyes. What a boring explanation. I think that God, who isn't bound by time, was reading today's New York Times when he designed our world. In my theory, the blue skies I can begin to see outside my window are evidence of his creativity. What he was thinking when he permitted us to invent Twinkies is a mystery, however.

Our Maker is a creative God, more inventive than we can possibly imagine. When he made the world with its blue skies and red flowers, he called it "good" (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 25). But when he made us, he called his work "very good" (v. 31). We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), the "apple of his eye" (Psalm 17:8), the favorite of all his creation. We are his twice—he made us and then he bought us back on his Son's cross. No matter what the world thinks of you, remember that the King of Kings is delighted to call you his child. Have you thanked him for his grace yet today?