Weather Channel Founder: Global Warming is a "Hoax"

Global warming has never been something I have believed in or given much stock too. That does not mean I am for destroying the earth, as we have a responsibility to take care of what God has given to us, but what does bother me is when people cling to trees and in the same breath are all for killing babies… another post for another time.

Anyway, yesterday the founder of the Weather Channel blasted Al Gore for the global warming “hoax”. Gore is known for (according to himself) “inventing the internet,” being Clinton’s VP, and his global warming push. While he has received a noble peace prize for his work and an Oscar, he is accused of using “bad science” for his work.

Here is the article:

The founder of the Weather Channel is ridiculing Al Gore over his calls for action on global climate change, saying in a column that global warming is a "hoax" and "bad science."

John Coleman, now a weatherman at San Diego's KUSI, wrote on his station's Web site Wednesday that Gore refuses to acknowledge the faulty research on which the idea of global warming is based.

Coleman's lengthy scolding came as the former vice president and Nobel Peace Prize winner addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and urged lawmakers to pass a bill that would put caps on heat-trapping gases and take the lead on a global climate treaty.

Coleman wrote that the Environmental Protection Agency is "on the verge" of naming CO2 (carbon dioxide) as a pollutant, and that seemingly all of Washington is on board with such CO2 silliness."

"I am totally convinced there is no scientific basis for any of it," Coleman wrote, describing the decades-old theory that increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere leads to global warming.

"Global Warming. It is the hoax. It is bad science. It is a high jacking of public policy. It is no joke. It is the greatest scam in history," Coleman wrote.

Be Willing to Fail, by Craig Groeschel

The following was taken from Churchrelevance.com:


At Innovation3, Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) spoke via video about how leaders who have “it” are willing to fail.

Often leaders who have “it” succeed. And sometimes they fail, but they learn from the failure. Leaders who don’t have “it” often are afraid to take risk and possibly fail.

Failing is often a big part of success. Think about learning how to ride a bike.

When Peter experienced the grace of Jesus after his failure, he was able to preach in a way that few others could.

Sometimes you have to try and fail and learn and adjust. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat. And before long through your failures, God does something very special.

Failure is not an option. It is absolutely necessary. You must be willing to fail.

Often what works is born out of what did not work.

DO THIS

1. Create a culture that allows for failure.
You could call things “experiments.” You can let people know ahead of time that you will fail but fail aggressively.

2. Do not internalize failures.Failing at something does not mean that you are a failure.

3. Debrief
Learn from your mistakes

4. Don’t give up.The only thing standing between you and the next level of ministry success might be a failure that will teach you something.

Written by Kent Shaffer
Owner of Bombay Creative
and KentShaffer.com

Digital TV Transition (Feb. 17)

February 17, our over the air TV’s will switch from analog to digital. A couple days ago the Senate voted to delay this transition by 4 months stating, “People are not ready for it yet,” a move I thought was ridiculous. Back when I was in college, taking the worst class ever (Telecommunications and Society) the digital transition was in my textbook… That was over 10 years ago. To delay 4 months is ridiculous and I am happy to see the House agrees with me:

Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The House has defeated a bill to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12.

Abortion: America's Silent Holocaust

On January 22, 1973 abortion was legalized in America. Since 1973 that have been 49,551,703 abortions have taken place; that’s more than seven times the number of Jews killed during the Nazi Holocaust. 1,206,200 took place in 2006, which is more than 2 per minute. Abortion is a human tragedy, and it is something we believe breaks our Lord’s heart as He created each of these unborn children in His image.

President Obama is now expected to sign The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would eliminate every restriction on abortion nationwide.

• FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections.
• FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.
• FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.

While campaigning he made a promise to Planned Parenthood last year they expect him to keep. Obama said, “The first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d do.”

Here is what God says, "When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.' - Exodus 21:22-25

I have no desire to stand on the streets and curse the darkness of abortion – something that takes more lives in a single year than did the entire holocaust. My hope is to cast light on the issue that each person is formed in the womb. Each unborn baby was created by God and deserves the audacity of hope to be born. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “You stand for something or you fall for anything.” May we stand for life.

Hope Requires Birth

Here is an interesting video put together by the Catholics.

Pastor Rick Warren's Prayer at Obama's Inauguration

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

This week I read a new blog from a pastor who gained my attention through a shocking title, “Why I hate sanctity of Home Life Sunday.” His title is shocking on purpose, but he made some great points. Shen statements beckons the question, what the heck is wrong with us (America) as a people? Here is a blurb from his article:

I hate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday because I’m reminded that we have to say things to one another that human beings shouldn’t have to say. Mothers shouldn’t kill their children. Fathers shouldn’t abandon their babies. No human life is worthless, regardless of skin color, age, disability, economic status. The very fact that these things must be proclaimed is a reminder of the horrors of this present darkness.

In 2005, America aborted 1.2 million unborn children who are precious to their Creator. Since the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973 legalized abortion, the total number of dead has exceeded 45 million. That’s more than seven times the number of Jews killed during the Nazi Holocaust. Abortion is a human tragedy, and it is something we believe breaks our Lord’s heart as He created each of these unborn children in His image.

A Church Story

I cannot verify whether or not this story is true, but this was supposedly happened in a church testimonial service:

In Church the pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express Praise for answered prayers. A lady stood and walked to the podium.

She said, "I have a Praise. Two months ago, my husband, Tom, had a terrible bicycle wreck and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn't know if they could help him."

You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagined the pain that poor Tom must have experienced.

"Tom was unable to hold me or the children," she went on, "and every move caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Tom's scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place."

Again, the men in the congregation were unnerved and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery performed on Tom.

"Now," she announced in a quavering voice,"thank the Lord, Tom is out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely."

All the men sighed with relief. The pastor rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say.

A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium.

He said, "I'm Tom."

The entire congregation held its breath.

"I just want to tell my wife that the word is sternum."

This was sent to me by a member of my church.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: I Have a Dream

Payday

Yesterday I had lunch with Rex, one of the wisest men I know and a member of my church. We were talking about the difficulty of ministry (his dad is a retired pastor) and the challenge of motivating volunteers. He spoke of how people who fail to serve in the church are typically lacking in their relationship with God, and how those who do serve, serve out a desire to be obedient.

My favorite part of this discussion was when he discussed the importance of paying volunteers. Obviously you don’t pay volunteers cash, but that does not mean you give them nothing. Rex brought up the importance in giving workers compliments, acknowledgement, and appreciation. Something we know to do, but a wonderful reminder.

With this enlightenment I have decided to make giving workers compliments, acknowledgement, and appreciation a part of my regular routine. My plan is to use my payday as a reminder to pay some of those who work with me at First Baptist Jenks. Hopefully, they will be able to see that their serving is noticed and appreciated. If nothing else, they will know they are not forgotten.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Last year my work at First Baptist Jenks was dominated by our capital stewardship program, “Lighting a Legacy.” Today a member emailed me a picture of its culmination at our groundbreaking ceremony on October 26, 2008. It is great to know that they effort put in last year, and even the year before that, will pay eternal dividends. Here is the picture that motivated me today:

New Year’s Resolutions for 2009

Here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2009. They are broken down by category and I have kept my professional goals to myself. Here they are:

• Educational: Finish my doctor of ministry degree
o February 13: Turn in Chapters 1-3
o March 25-May 27: Facilitate Ministry Project
o August 10: Turn in Final Copy

• Family: Be home at a scheduled time
o Monday @ 4:00 (Outreach from 6:00-9:00)
o Tuesday @ 5:00
o Wednesday
o Thursday @ 5:00

• Marital: Monthly Date Night and a Getaway

• Physical: Run 3 miles a week
o The real goal is to work out 3 times a week
o I want to run in the Dallas Turkey Trot this year too

• Spiritual: Be consistently studying the Bible
o ESV Journaling Bible
o I have someone walking through this with me
o This is meant to be in addition to preparing to teach or preach

Family College Pick’em Results

Chloe absolutely dominated the family picks, and she also dominated the general population. She picked her stats based on the mascots, all by herself. Here is how she did:

1. Chloe: 24-10
2. Unlce: 22-12
3. Cole: 20-14
4. Grandad: 19-15
5. Brother: 17-17
5. Christy: 17-17
5. Aunt: 17-17
8. Dad: 13-21

Chloe did awesome! She ranked 362 in the country, or in the top 99.8%. Perhaps I should have her pick for me from now on...

Cole's Final College Football Poll

Here is my final poll for this year’s college football season:

1. Florida
2. USC
3. Utah
4. Texas
5. Oklahoma
6. TCU
7. Penn State
8. Alabama
9. Texas Tech
10. Oregon
11. Georgia
12. Virginia Tech
13. Cincinnati
14. Ole Miss
15. Oklahoma State

• Oklahoma had 5 bad plays that cost them the national championship. They lost in the worst kind of way, which is why the loss is going to linger with Sooner nation for a long time.
• Texas is not who people thought they were. Struggling to beat Ohio State in a final drive removed them from the conversations about deserving the title… but at least they won.
• Utah proved that it is impossible to become a national champion if you are outside of the BCS schools. They beat the Big 10, Pac 10, SEC, TCU, & BYU and did not get to sniff the national championship game.

Why Churches Don’t Grow

Today I read an article by Todd Rhoades on why churches don’t grow. His top 5 list is:

5. Ineffective Attendance Tracking
4. Lack of Guest Follow-up
3. Lack of Hospitality
2. Ineffective Assimilation/Discipleship
1. Worship Services that aren’t Worth Shouting About

Number 5 seems like an odd reason, but if you are not tracking your numbers, it is impossible to tell when you are in decline. In thinking through the rest of the list, my opinion is that if a church is not warm and friendly, showing guests (and member alike) that they are appreciated, then why would anyone come back or stick around. In my church, we strive for genuine warmth and appreciation for all who come in our church. Our goal is to have each person greeted at least 5 times (at the entrance, in the welcome center, in the sanctuary, during the worship service, and upon arrival in their Bible Fellowship class. This does not guarantee warmth, but it sure does help.

Taking Rhoades list, I would simply change the list around:

5. Ineffective Attendance Tracking
4. Ineffective Assimilation/Discipleship
3. Lack of Guest Follow-up
2. Poor Worship Services and Preaching
1. Lack of Hospitality

I think you can be wonderful, but if you don’t attempt to show people you care they will not be back. If your worship services stink and people are not nourished, why come back? If people come, but no one cares enough to contact them, why come back? If you care enough to love on them and contact them, but fail to do anything with them (you have got to love people into the church before you can lose them), why stick around? If you are oblivious to who is where, how do you know what is going on.

This is an interesting thing to think about… Something churches need to track and think about. Let us be great at what we do for God!

Doctor of Ministry Work

Over that past 2 ½ years I have been working on my doctor of ministry degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. There are two main parts of the degree plan, classes and the dissertation. It has been difficult to organize my time in such a way that I can effectively complete this project, so my hope is that in sharing my plan of action to complete the project accountability will be put into place for this to take place. Here is schedule for this work:

• February 13: Turn in Chapters 1-3
• March 25-May 27: Facilitate Ministry Project
• August 10: Turn in Final Copy

For my accountability’s understanding: Before the actual ministry project can take place, the first 3 chapters must be submitted and approved. The three chapters describe a ministry area of concern (1), biblical rationale for why it is a concern (2), and how the student will address fixing the issue (3). Once the project is administered, then the student writes a detailed report of the project (4), finalized with the success of failure of the project (5).

Again it is my hope that in following this schedule, I will be able to complete my doctoral work and graduate in December, 2009. Please pray for this work and feel free to ask me how it is going. Thank you for your support!

Kid Shoots Babysitter

This morning I read a crazy story from Foxnews.com. Apparently a 4 year old got made at his babysitter and shot him. Here is the story:

JACKSON, Ohio — Police say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his baby sitter.

Eighteen-year-old Nathan Beavers was hospitalized Sunday with minor wounds to his arm and side after the shotgun attack. Police say another teen was also injured.

Witnesses told police the child was angry because Beavers accidentally stepped on his foot. Beavers was watching the child at a mobile home in Jackson with several other teenagers and several other children.

Jackson County Sheriff John Shashteen says authorities are investigating. The child has not been charged.

Good grief, this really makes you think about our society. Why would the child think to do this? Where did he learn this? He is only 4 for cry out loud!

New Office Policy

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.
2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci, we will
assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.
3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better,
so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a
raise.
4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and
therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor’s statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.

Bereavement Leave:
This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend the funeral arrangements in your place. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the ‘Chronic Offenders’ category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company’s mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so
that they can look healthy.
* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to
maintain their average figure.
* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that’s all the time
needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

The Management

(This post was taken from an email forward)

Russian scholar predicts fall of United States in 2010

Yesterday when I was playing golf with my brother (we played at Tour 18 - I had a birdie and 4 pars, nothing else golf related is important) he told me of this guy who predicted the fall of the United States. He stated that it would be no big deal, but the same man also predicted the fall of the U.S.S.R back in 1976, 15 years before the fall of Russia. Apparently, he was laughed out of academia, until it happened and now he is an expert (funny how that works). Anyway, I was curious sound I found an article about it. Here it is:

Russian scholar predicts fall of United States in 2010

Russian professor states that a future civil war will lead to separation of the U.S.

Igor Panarin, a political science expert from Russia, has predicted the disintegration of the United States into six pieces that will then join sides with other world powers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Professor Panarin has had his theory for a decade, but has not gotten much academic recognition until now. It’s not because he does not like America, Panarin insists; rather, he bases his prediction on the recent political and economic state in which the U.S. currently finds itself.

“There’s a 55-45% chance right now that disintegration will occur,” he says. He believes that mass immigration, moral decline, tremendous economic downfall would lead to a civil war next fall and collapse of the dollar. The United States will then fall into six groups around June or July 2010:

“The Californian Republic” would be a part of China or Chinese influence; the Northern states would form what he calls “The Central North American Republic” and would fall under Canada; “The Texas Republic” would fall under Mexico or Mexican influence; “Atlantic America,” including Washington, D.C., may align with the European Union; Hawaii would go towards either Japan or China; and Alaska would fall naturally with Russia.

“It would be reasonable for Russia to lay claim to Alaska; it was part of the Russian Empire for a long time,” says Panarin.

Even with the hope of President-elect Barack Obama fixing the economy, Panarin sticks by his theory, saying that “when spring comes, it will be clear that there are no miracles.”

Russia too would be affected negatively if the disintegration of the United States were to happen. It would gain more global power, Panarin beliefs, but its economy would suffer since the country is largely dependent on the dollar and trade with the U.S..

A U.S.-Russia relations expert, Panarin is a former KGB analyst who is now a dean of the academy for future diplomats at the Russian Foreign Ministry. He is also a university professor and a published author.

Since first presentation of the theory, the amount of attention and recognition has changed tremendously, WSJ wrote. In addition to scholarly discussions by local experts, Panarin has also gotten more state coverage, leading him to believe that people are taking his theory more seriously.

However, some experts in Russia believe otherwise. Sergei Rogov, director of the Institute of US and Canadian Studies thinks that Panarin’s theories don’t hold water, saying, “Crazy ideas are not usually discussed by serious people.”

Vladimir Pozner, a prominent Russian TV journalist agrees: the theory “reflects a very pronounced degree of anti-Americanism in Russia today. It’s much stronger than it was in the Soviet Union.”

Asked about the matter in a news conference, White House spokesperson Dana Perino said, “I’ll have to decline to comment.”

Still, Panarin sticks by his beliefs, despite some of the skepticism out there. He cites Emmanuel Todd, a political scientist from France who predicted the fall of the Soviet Union 15 years beforehand. Panarin said, “When he forecast the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1976, people laughed at him.”

My Take: I think the fall of the USA is ludicrous. Although we have more than our fair share of issues to deal with, I cannot envision this happening. If worse came to worse, we should simply use our military/technological dominance to acquire whatever we need to acquire, even though the world would not approve. With that being said, if Texas succeeds from the Union without claiming Oklahoma, I am moving back to Texas!