What's on TV?

Legalize Marijuana

I've heard a lot recently about legalizing marijuana. Most of the talk seems to come from smokers. Here is something I saw posted on a social site.

"MONEY DOES GROW ON TREES!! It's called Marijuana.

Legalize it, Tax it, Make Billions of dollars, everyone happy.

oh! (AND high)"

It seems to me that the drugs may already have affected their brains.

I responded, "I've never known a dealer to file income taxes. What makes you think they will submit sales taxes?"

Let You Live Pro Life Music Video Take No Glory Anti Abortion Song

What’s Wrong with See You at the Pole?

What’s Wrong with See You at the Pole?

Posted: September 24, 2010 by Darren Sutton in General Youth Ministry, Teenagers
Tags: youth, student, ministry, prayer, see, you, pole, syatp

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This past week teenagers from around the globe gathered at their school flagpoles for prayer.  It’s a movement that began twenty years ago in Burleson, TX, and has swept the nation and world over the past two decades.  See You at the Pole.

So how could anything possibly be wrong with teenagers praying at their school flagpoles??

At its inception, See You at the Pole was a student initiated, student-led work of the Holy Spirit.  A small group of students, inspired at a Disciple Now event at their church (kind of like a mini-retreat) heard a call of the Holy Spirit to intercede on behalf of their friends, teachers, and administrators.  They gathered under cover-of-night to call out to God.  It was  a very organic, Spirit-led, heart-felt call to prayer delivered to TEENAGERS.

As the story spread and teenagers grabbed hold of the simple, yet powerful, call to intercession – high schools all over the country began to see groups gathering at their flagpoles for prayer.

Then youth pastors got involved.  (Here’s where everyone might get ticked off!)

Part of the beauty of SYATP is that it was student-initiated and student-led.  There were no gimmicks.  There were no bribes.  There were no cattle calls.  It was a just a simple ‘get on your knees before the Lord’ moment inspired in the hearts of teenagers around the world. 

In the past ten years, in some cases, that spirit of SYATP has been lost.  Youth pastors are showing up to speak, lead, worship, feed doughnuts – all the things that youth pastors do best.  And, in my opinion, some of the ‘hallowed holiness of the Spirit’ has been lost.  Student leadership has been pushed aside for more ‘polished’ delivery.  The organic prayer effort has become more ‘event’ and less prayer time.  Leaving with a doughnut and a cup of hot chocolate has replaced leaving with an urgency to cry out to God.  SYATP has become ‘just another youth event.’

My role in SYATP as a youth pastor is to resource and encourage my students to lead out a holistic prayer event that is impassioned and empowered by the Holy Spirit – not my creative genius.  My job is to give them the tools and know-how to approach school administration in a mature, thoughtful way.  My call is to instill a righteous confidence that they can do it – without my help or expertise – all on their own.

Instead, youth pastors – and in some cases, school personnel – are leading the charge.  And true to form, kids are showing up for the food and the show.  They’re punching their prayer ticket and going to class.  They ‘did’ See You at the Pole this year.  Wonder if they’ll have better doughnuts next year….

Now don’t get me wrong, I know there are authentic, genuine movements of God at SYATP world-wide.  I just heard about a middle school in Louisiana where attendance outnumbered all area high schools three to one – and where classes were nearly 100% devoted to sharing of the Gospel based on what was seen that morning at the flagpole.

But there are also events like the one at a junior high in Texas – where nearly 150 students showed up for doughnuts, had to be cajoled, screamed at, and finally called together with a stern blow of the dreaded coach-whistle just to get them over to the pole.  And as they circled to pray, students were overheard saying ‘this is so gay’ – just ‘doing’ See You at the Pole because someone brought the doughnuts….

It’s just become another event – commercialized and stolen from the Holy Spirit and hijacked by youth pastors much like the WWJD movement of old.

I love SYATP.  I think it can open doors  for hope and healing like few other events on local campuses today.  I hope we’ll equip our students to rely on and invite the Holy Spirit to open those doors in an honest, authentic way – without the motivator being the ‘next best creative event’ mindset.  I truly hope that youth pastors will allow this event to fall back into the hearts of students and the hands of the Holy Spirit.

Drive by and take a few pictures, youth pastor.  Don’t get out of your car – don’t offer to speak, contact school administration, or provide breakfast.  Just resource your kids with the information and tools THEY need to lead – and then allow the Holy Spirit to do His thing.

Superfriends Office Space

Superfriends meets Friends

Superfriends meets Friends - episode 2

Superfriends meets Friends

Reagan’s Words Still Speak Volumes Today | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.

In October 1964, then spokesman Ronald Reagan stepped into the national political spotlight for the first time with his now-famous “A Time for Choosing Speech,” delivered in support of presidential candidate Barry Goldwater.

His words stand in stark contrast to those of many of America’s elected officials today, as this video by the Republican Study Committee shows.

In his speech, Reagan described the choice confronting Americans and laid out his own political philosophy:

This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capitol can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves.

As Congress and President Barack Obama continue to expand government’s reach into American life, it’s worth looking back on Reagan’s speech and recalling his warning about a government that grows beyond its constitutional limits:

A government can’t control the economy without controlling people. And they know when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose.

You can watch the entirety of Reagan’s speech here.

Video: Reagan’s Words Still Speak Volumes Today | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.

Seawolves baseball :-)

Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.


Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines..

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich; I don't pity the poor.

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid and say 'NO!' when necessary.

I think tattoos and piercings are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born inAfrica , so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe.

I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD,
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY,
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

(So Andy Rooney didn't write this. That's OK with me. I have issues with him anyway.)

IT'S NOT JUST RACING. IT'S RACING ENTERTAINMENT.

Drew Carey has a blog.

Can I Live?

Pledge of Allegiance

The Gulf Coast States

Historically in America, whenever there has been a crisis, our civic leaders have called our cities, states, and even our nation to prayer, asking for God's help and guidance. They understood that help would come only through calling out for God's intervention. Today, the Gulf Coast States face a crisis with the oil spill that has threatened health, homes, and jobs, in addition to a number of other problems - and there doesn't seem to be a successful solution close at hand. So the elected leaders of the Gulf Coast States - Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida - are calling for a day of prayer in their states this coming Sunday, June 27.

Even if you are not in one of the states along the Gulf, we're urging everyone across the nation to join with these states, asking for God's hand to be on all the decision-makers and lawmakers, that He would give them discernment and guidance, and that a solution would be forthcoming. I John 5:14-15 says, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." Please join with these states in petitioning God for a quick work in the Gulf Coast Region!

VERIZON IS STEALING

Verizon advertises 3.0Mbps service, but is unwilling to provide this speed. Check your bill and run a speed test. http://infospeed.verizon.net YOU ARE BEING ROBBED! Please call and complain. Demand that they upgrade the lines.

High Speed Internet Support 1-800-567-6789

Today, I had a service technician at the home repairing a connection issue. While he was here I asked about the delivery of 3.0 Mbps that I am paying for. He informed me that my service ticket has me listed at 1.5 Mbps. I called to request a "change of service." They informed me that my lines are not "eligible" for more than 3.0.

What's my point? They are not telling anyone when we order our service that we cannot receive the high speed that we are paying for. They bill us and do not deliver the service.

VERIZON is immoral and cheap! They have no plans for upgrading their lines to deliver what they advertise.

War and Peace in 2010 -Word from the Lord through Ray Horton

War and peace, a time of war and a time of peace, increasing war and increasing peace – We are entering into a time when the battle against the enemy is intensifying, but God’s people are growing stronger in the Lord, trusting Him and experiencing a great peace, yes peace in the midst of the storm. The Lord says, will you trust me and join the battle now?

There is a renewed confidence within the Kingdom, as the people of God are pressing in, drawing near to Him, growing hungry and being filled. The voices of prayer, the sounds of worship are everywhere, and the people of God will no longer be restrained by fear and apathy, strife and division, selfishness and complacency. The Lord says, will you trust me and live in my presence now?

They are rising up as a mighty army of love-struck prayer warriors who know their God, and live and serve in renewed hope. With strong faith and boldness, they are exposing and tearing down the fortresses of the enemy. The Lord says, will you love Me and serve Me now?

War and Peace together! The people of God are increasingly rising up and taking charge in this darkening world, a great light pushing back the darkness from engulfing the world. They are receiving and believing God’s Word, reinforced in their lives by prayer and worship, relying on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to boldly obey the holy direction of our Father, peering into heaven to see what He is doing and saying. They are excited, but they are at peace. The Lord says, Will you be that light in the world?

And the devil doesn’t like it! Satan and all the powers of the air are getting desperate. They were defeated on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ, who rose again to indwell all who would receive Him through the Holy Spirit, yes even the great mystery of the ages, Christ within us, the hope of glory.

The devil was defeated, but then he saw people who did not believe and receive the love of the Lord, people selfish and not living by the law of love, people divided and in strife, doing their own thing, people speaking the Name of the Lord but living by the flesh rather than the Spirit. And the enemy was emboldened, and by deception and confusion, he divided nations, he divided families, he divided churches, he divided hearts, he even divided people’s affection away from the God of love.

He has been not only the accuser of the brethren, but the accuser of God, saying “God is in control, and He will punish you,” saying “tragedies and disasters are acts of God,” undermining peoples trust and love of God, stealing the Word of Truth sowed in their hearts. In the last days, men’s hearts will grow cold. But why do they grow cold? Because they don’t know me and believe the lie. The Lord says, will you honor My Name and My character before the world?

God’s people are rising up and saying, “No more!” As we’ve learned to draw near and enter into His presence, we say, “No more!” As we’ve learned to seek Him first, gaining a renewed confidence in He who works within us, we say “No more!” In the Word and the Spirit, together, we boldly say, “No more!”

This is a new day, a new hour in eternity. As millions of believers have one by one stepped over the threshold of Kingdom life in these last few years of preparation, the choice has become clear, and they have chosen Life in the Spirit, which brings life, over life in the flesh, which brings death. And the scales have been tipped.

The Kingdom marches forward against seeming insurmountable odds. We believe for breakthrough! The time is here! “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” The Spirit of God is within us. We are being renewed and restored. Our new life, our light, will no longer be bottled up, but spread to those around us and to the four corners of the world.

The Lord is marching forth! Be awake and alert. The Lord is marching forth! Do not be left behind in this move of God. Chose life now, and you will not be disappointed. Press in; come before the presence of the Lord. A renewed faith will reign in your heart, and you will have a great peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of war.

Do not fear the battle, but look around you at the great company you keep, multitudes of saints and hosts of angels, and “look unto Jesus,” the author and finisher of your faith.” The Lord says, “In the natural, one would look at Me, and die. But you are in the supernatural realm. You may look at Me and live, yes, live even the God life in this world.”

The Lord, the Overcomer, is in our midst. Forget the past and join in, for this is the day of success. “Consecrate yourself daily to my service. You are anointed today for victory. Do not let this day go by.” It is a time of war, but also a time of peace. So be encouraged! We win!

Elect Just Men

"Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office. . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws." -- Noah Webster (1832)