Christian Living

The Regulative Principle of Worship; an introduction

2012-01-03T20:56:00.000-05:00

After a heated debate broke out in our online “conversation”, I decided to investigate the topic in real life and was truly surprised by the results. My original question was this; since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, how have we come to have Mime and dancing in our worship services? Online and in person, every person except one responded with something equaling “

Posting and commenting troubles

2011-11-25T14:40:00.001-05:00

I'm having troubles getting Blogger to work properly, and will be making some changes hopefully soon. If it seems I'm ignoring your comments or that your comments are getting through, it's because I can't fix the problems. I'll let you know as soon as I deal with it.

The Church of God cannot fail because God cannot fail

2011-11-06T16:11:00.002-05:00

There's a temptation to say that, in some given area, the Church has failed. I admit, I've done so in the past. After really studying the topic of the real job of the Church, I realize to my shame that I never should have said such a thing, because the Church not only hasn't failed, in its true job it cannot fail, because its success rides on the power of Christ to carry it through. My thoughts

What will become of the grandparents tomorrow?

2011-10-29T13:28:00.001-04:00

I was reminded this morning that generations of Americans have been able to rely on grandma and grandpa to pull them out of fiscal emergencies because previous generations were taught thriftiness, the moral benefit of hard-work and self-sufficiency while being faithful to family, and a sense of personal responsibility. The grandchildren of today's 10 year olds might have a remnant of

Extreme Couponing with a twist

2011-10-22T15:46:00.001-04:00

You'd think that coming out of the grocery with 8 turkeys, 62 tubes of toothpaste and a lifetime supply of toenail clippers would be the greatest day ever, but when it's for a family of three, that could be the symptom of a condition which will wreck your life. Luke 20:13-21 reads as follows: The Parable of the Rich Fool Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide

Eating Pittsburgh Barbecue Company

2011-10-17T12:32:00.001-04:00

From October 15 - Pittsburgh Barbecue Company on Banksville road. It's all takeout and we got food from there Saturday night. The place is cool, it's like a cabin in the woods almost. The staff was really easy-going and friendly, very on top of things. The food? Oh the food! It was pleasantly surprised to find that the bbq was excellent. The pulled pork and the brisket were really good

My visit to Dasonii Korean Bistro

2011-10-17T12:29:00.000-04:00

(On Facebook I've been reporting on my restaurant visits recently, and figured I should probably put them here where I can make them a bit neater. Well, after these two anyway, 'cause I'm just cutting and pasting. Yeah I know, but I'll make up for it later. ;-) ) From October 6 - I had lunch today with brother Ho Kim, and we ate at the Dasonii Korean Bistro in Robinson twp. I had my first

Lecrae, Trip Lee, and Eric Mason discuss "Theological Imperialism"

2011-10-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

Well, it looks like the invitation to T.D. Jakes to appear on the "Elephant Room" show is being used by God to bring much needed conversation out of the shadows and to the front of the room. Excerpt: It's an increasingly common experience: a young African American learns to love Reformed theology because he believes the Bible teaches God's sovereignty in all of life, including salvation.

Black and Reformed

2011-10-03T12:57:00.001-04:00

This will be just a quick addition to today's posting... Thabiti Anyabwile has written an address of the brewing boiling "Elephant Room" controversy over at the Gospel Coalition blog. The main issue is very important, but for now I want to share here just a portion of what he wrote, because it resounds with me. When theologically conservative, Evangelical or Reformed African Americans call for

Letting go of the past

2011-10-03T12:07:00.002-04:00

The Bible can be a hard book. That's what I said to the pastor after service this past Lord's Day, and I meant it. The Scriptures are good, but there are times when they hit you like a brick. Pastor is preaching through James, so you can bet it's that much harder, 'cause brother James doesn't let you talk the talk without walking the walk.As the pastor progresses through the letter, we've come

Fried chicken, watermelon, and yes a glass of Red Kool-Aid

2011-09-25T15:31:00.002-04:00

I thought it was bad enough that I have to fight the occasional paranoia surrounding enjoying a slice of watermelon around people of other ethnic groups, but now also people of my own group? Facebook can be the most interesting place. In back to back days I experienced something that seemed quite the reverse of what I’ve become accustomed to in the world. On one day I was simply and clearly

Do Pittsburghers really speak that way?

2011-08-26T15:10:00.001-04:00

Ok, this will sound a bit exaggerated, but c'mon now, everybody in Pittsburgh has gotta know at least ten people who not only sound like this but have probably had conversations like this! LOL!

The Really Real

2011-08-20T15:25:00.013-04:00

The general rule which we have now pretty well established among them is that in all experiences which can make them happier or better only the physical facts are ‘real’ while the spiritual elements are ‘subjective’… in birth the blood and pain are ‘real’, the rejoicing a mere subjective point of view … Your patient, properly handled, will have no difficulty in regarding his emotion at the sight

Build on a lasting foundation

2011-08-16T11:54:00.004-04:00

Port Royal, Jamaica, founded in 1518, was a hub for shipping trade and a playground for pirates. It was possibly the most important city of its time in the Caribbean. A commercial center thriving under the Spanish until taken by the English in 1655, the city grew steadily. Much like many port cities today, and larger cities worldwide, Port Royal bandied about great wealth, compromised morality,

You can understand The Bible

2011-08-02T09:09:00.004-04:00

Remember how funny it was that time your son was blissfully leaping into the puddles of rainwater that had formed in the street in front of your home? What was genius level funny on your part was when that truck came barreling down the street toward him, and you warned him using sign language! Ha ha! That kid had no clue whatsoever what was coming … might’a helped if he knew sign language- or had

the NASCAR pastor and prayer

2011-07-28T16:14:00.004-04:00

He gave the invocation at last Saturday night’s Nascar race, and it’s already being called the “first sponsored prayer”, the “smokin’ hot wife” prayer, and a few other things that wouldn’t be conducive for our time now. Pastor Joe Nelms of Family Baptist Church said he did not want to do what he called “cookie cutter prayers” and so, borrowing from the movie “Talladega Nights” he went to town on

The Jews of Malaysia and Singapore

2011-07-21T12:26:00.003-04:00

This is a fascinating clip from the travels of "A New York Jew in China": the Jews of Malaysia and Singapore. It helps that Biblical Hebrew has enough similarity to today's Hebrew that I'm able to understand some of what he's saying even without the subtitles. Some I said, some. ;)

"Dance Moms" a black eye for Pittsburgh

2011-07-21T10:23:00.003-04:00

I really do try to avoid most of what is categorized as "reality tv" because so much of it is really just a brain draining soul infection waiting to happen (think Big Brother, Real Housewives and the like). I prefer the DIY/instructional type of show like Disaster DIY, Property Ladder, America's Test Kitchen and the like. That isn't to say I don't visit the dialed-up dramas sometimes. I do watch

Living Hallelujah

2011-07-11T14:11:00.001-04:00

Signs that your sermon is not going well

2011-07-08T14:50:00.002-04:00

Pastor, would you like a heads-up as to when your sermon isn't going as well as you might think that it is? Watch for these signs:13. Your associate pastor is warming up in the bullpen. 12. The praise band begins playing you off the stage. 11. When asked to read from the King James Version, you involuntarily blush every time you say the word “ass.” 10. The congregation is filling in the

Forget that Independence stuff; I’m a slave

2011-07-03T21:20:00.002-04:00

As the United States remembers its declaration of independence, even while forces within the country act to destroy the principles which made this country free and great to begin with, it’s important to remember that as individuals, there is no such thing as complete independence. Ok, put the weapon down until you hear me out. Independence and pride are two of the biggest enemies of mankind and

When men are men, and women are glad for it

2011-06-30T15:49:00.003-04:00

A recent shakeup of a UFC event sparked some interesting conversation yesterday. In an admittedly deficient nutshell, fighter Nate Marquardt was undergoing treatment for low testosterone and when being tested before competing at the UFC event, showed blood levels of testosterone far above what the fighting commission would allow, for fear of fighters using steroids and other such unfair

Roles and Equality

2011-06-21T12:27:00.005-04:00

Consider the ant colony.Scarcely will one find a more perfectly functioning unit in all Creation. Each ant is born with characteristics that drive it to perform a given task within the colony. There are hunters, nurses, gatherers, janitors, warriors, carpenters, and of course, a queen. With each individual performing it's given role, the colony operates like one large body.With any given species

Anna Torv is a treat to watch

2011-03-21T16:36:00.003-04:00

You can add me to the growing list of fans following the show which began as the X-Files of the new millennium but quickly carved itself a niche of its own in the television landscape; yes, I’m talking about that Friday night sci-fi delight, Fringe. Where the X-Files garnered its fan base largely by offering tantalizing glimpses into maybe (Was that actually a creature? Was that a UFO

Real faith needs a real object

2011-02-22T23:13:00.005-05:00

We practice faith all day, every day. When we sit down on a chair we believe that chair will support us. When we do something so simple as inhale, we believe that we will do so again in just a moment. However, both of these things have failed many people over the years. Did their faith fail? No, the object of their faith failed.As we hear the recent news of revolutions, earthquakes, cyclones,

Preacher, don't waste their time

2011-01-27T10:59:00.002-05:00

Preacher, these folks have hard lives, families and spouses to care for, widows, orphans, never married... need jobs, have jobs at which they work hard and just came from or will be going to, bills to pay, sickness to battle...they just fought traffic, weather, difficult parking, a long bus ride...they just got yelled at, yelled at someone, engaged, divorced, fired, hired, loved,

Abortion...a society killing it's own children cannot last

2011-01-21T16:45:00.008-05:00

It's killing babies Kermit B. Gosnell was simply stripping awaythe veneerPeople looked at me like I was crazy when I said before the election that while his inexperience bothered me, his choice of mentor and companionship was troubling, and his pattern of behavior was clearly a warning, my biggest issue was with a Black man in America whose highest priority if gaining the office of president

Is this really sex?

2011-01-13T11:01:00.004-05:00

Have you ever asked “How far is too far” when it comes to sexual intimacy? The answer to the question of “how far” is revealed in considering God’s command in Hebrews 13:4 to “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (ESV) and in 1 Timothy 5:2 a reminder to men to treat “older women as mothers, younger

Narcissism causes drowning in the rain

2011-01-07T20:23:00.002-05:00

It seems that the people who say that the average person cannot understand the Bible and must have it explained to them and that the Bible is an outdated book which must be reinterpreted to apply to the contemporary world, and the people who say that the U.S. Constitution cannot be understood by the average person and it must be explained to them and that the Constitution is outdated and must be

If Facebook were around when Immanuel came...

2010-12-21T23:01:00.003-05:00

...this might have happened. Methinks this be a cool video.

Christmas....goosed

2010-12-17T15:38:00.001-05:00

I found the irony of tonight's Christmas on Washington tv special being hosted by an avowed homosexual to be very timely. Some will be offended, angry even, but to me it is an effective reminder of the truth about Christmas. It has not been "usurped" by the world. It was never commanded for the Christian to begin with. Celebrating Christmas is for the Christian optional at best, blasphemous

What has me really excited about this election

2010-11-03T18:30:00.004-04:00

Yeah I know, people who prefer one party over another are thinking now that their party is on top, things will be great. That is, by the way, exactly what the other group thinks but somehow every few years the pendulum swings back and forth.What has really thrilled me in this election is seeing the people of the United States remember what the political structure in this country is intended to

Albertina Walker laid to rest

2010-10-15T13:29:00.002-04:00

I can remember first hearing her voice as a child growing up on Pittsburgh's North Side and really, that voice is one of those which became ingrained in my memory as "this is Christian singing".Albertina Walker was laid to rest today at her home church West Point Baptist in Chicago after succumbing to respiratory failure last Friday at the age of 81.

God, man and life on other planets

2010-10-11T21:41:00.006-04:00

There's always the chance of interesting discussion when you bring up the topic of life on other planets. There's also the likelihood that IQs in the room will suddenly drop and pet theories will suddenly become law.I don't have a lot to say on the topic but I would like to say a couple of things. Some ask if we (humanity on earth) are the highest form of life. You can stop wondering now

National Pierogy Day!

2010-10-08T21:00:00.003-04:00

Friday October 8th is National Pierogy Day, and whether you say PieroGI or PieroHY, lots of places have these European delights but some of the best places to get them are the churches with the Babas who make them by hand.I picked up a pierohy recipe book at last year's International Folk Festival and I'm looking forward to celebrating this weekend by making some of my own. While many consider

Which is better, venison or beef?

2010-09-30T15:17:00.002-04:00

Venison vs. Beef: The controversy ends From the U.S. Venison CouncilControversy has long raged about the relative quality and taste of venison and beef as gourmet foods. Some people say venison is tough, with a strong "wild" taste. Others insist venison's flavor is delicate. An independent food research group was retained by the Venison Council to conduct a taste test to determine the truth

Clown led communion

2010-09-15T15:44:00.004-04:00

In this case "clown led Communion" takes on a more literal meaning from what I'm usually stating. The clowns this time are actually wearing clown costumes. My hope is that exposing enough of the foolish idolatry that masquerades as worshiping the one true living God will help some Christians who are unaware of these things understand why church isn't something with which to fool around.Dancing

Progressive Church?

2010-09-10T00:23:00.000-04:00

A vulgar sin

2010-09-07T15:06:00.000-04:00

We have a tendency to regard all religion as inherently noble and honorable. We tend to think that a non-Christian who is devout in his or her religion is somehow morally superior to the wanton sinner who openly traffics in drugs or pornography or some other notorious sin.But let's be honest: that is not a proper biblical perspective. False religion is gross sin. The person who worships a

10 Reasons why Christian evangelism is the best evangelism

2010-09-01T18:58:00.002-04:00

10. We’ve got more evidence for the magnitude of our belief than any other belief on Earth, and with every challenge to our faith even more evidence is uncovered. 9. God is the one who does the real work (Romans 8:29-30), we just talk about Him. 8. The whole Earth helps us evangelize (Genesis 9:12-17, Luke 19:40). 7. Even a kid can do it (Mark 10:14-15). 6. Sometimes God will even make the

Glenn Beck, narrow minded Christians and the cult of personality

2010-08-30T15:07:00.007-04:00

Glenn Beck makes great sense in his political speakings, seeing through vitriolic clutter in a manner I only wish more Christians would. However, when Mr. Glenn, a confirmed Mormon, starts leading an ecumenical group of religious followers, it's time for the Christian to step away and remember their true and first calling.Over his recent rally in Washington Mr. Beck was criticized by some for

When fighting for Rights makes you Wrong

2010-08-30T13:31:00.008-04:00

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. - 1 Corinthians 6:12Two recent high profile stories have reminded me that sometimes we can become so blinded by common ideology that we lose sight of our humanity. The cases of Dr. Laura and the "Ground-Zero Mosque" show clearly how far off-track even a good

The difficult task of discipline

2010-08-24T12:52:00.003-04:00

...the public discipline of church leaders has been, until recently, almost unheard of in most churches. The practice of covering up church officials' sins and the trick of quietly moving the offending official to another church is not uncommon.Sadly, the predominant reason churches are beginning to discipline sinful pastors is not because they fear and honor God, but because of the proliferation

I'm NOT resigning from Christianity

2010-08-19T13:18:00.005-04:00

I will never "resign" from Christianity. Christian isn't some group I joined, it is what God turned me into when He saved me(1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17). I might as well resign from humanity and become a cat for all either one is possible!There will always be those who bring shame to the Name but I won't let them make me ashamed to hold His banner high (Rom 1:16). People in this

Let your message do the talking

2010-08-17T12:38:00.002-04:00

Pastors, youth leaders, parents, mentors....DON'T try to be "cool" to reach the kids in your life. Their friends are cool, you are to be a source of wisdom and authority. If they wanted cool they've got their friends already. Over and over teens tell me that ll they want is astraight answer from someone who knows and that they don't respect those who try to be like them to reach them. In

Ah the fellowship

2010-08-16T14:11:00.003-04:00

I had a very nice time Saturday at Bethany Baptist Church's community outreach event. My seminary brother and his wife, John and Alicia, invited me and I'm thankful that they did. I got to chat with pastor Glaze and brother Angell for a while and met several other brothers some who were part of the church and others who were visiting.It was great to converse with a group of folks who take God's

It's time to eliminate the "Black Church" in America!!

2010-08-12T19:19:00.013-04:00

Yep, that term (and practice) needs to die out in America along with "White Church", "Asian Church" (usually by country of origin, Korean, Chinese and so on) American Indian church and any other church organization bounded by skin tone. Along with them let's end the churches which divide according to country of origin: German, Filippine, Ukrainian, Polish, Mexican and so on. The only place we

Keeping the main thing the main thing

2010-07-21T20:07:00.002-04:00

As churches struggle with the "Seeker Sensitive" movement, the Emergent Church Movement, the "Purpose-Driven" movement and all sorts of other movements, this excerpt from the commentary of J. Vernon McGee stood out to me brightly:And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And staightway all the people, when they beheld him,

Men and women are different, with different kingdom roles

2010-07-09T23:20:00.002-04:00

You wouldn't think that fact would have to be restated, but it does because a lie is blinding the eyes of the world and convincing people that there is no difference between men and women.That flies in the face of how God created us, and 9Marks is doing something about it. Not to put anyone down but to acknowledge that God-given differences mean both sexes have responsibilities and need to be

Do girls want a vampire man?

2010-07-05T21:39:00.003-04:00

This post at Triablogue caught my attention in noting a side of the current vampire fascination that I hadn't considered. In the words of the author...Women frequently complain that pornography ruins men for real women. And that’s apparently true in a number of cases, although I don’t know the percentages. But I wonder if the same holds true in reverse: is vampire chic pornography for women? Does

Who can lead?

2010-06-30T12:05:00.003-04:00

"We are so enamored of those qualifications which we have added to the apostolic that we deny the qualifications of anyone who possesses only the apostolic [qualifications], whilst we think a man fully qualified who possesses only ours [qualifications].A young student fresh from a theological college lacks many of the qualifications which the apostle deemed necessary for a leader in the house of

Jail time for adultery

2010-06-09T20:51:00.011-04:00

90 days in jail and a $500 fine for committing adultery? Absolutely. Especially since adultery is a crime against the entire society. The story of a New York wife caught my attention today. This woman had adulterous relations in public with a man and they were caught. Their initial punishable offense was to do their act in public view, and upon investigation when the police discovered she was

Back in the house!

2010-06-07T09:25:00.004-04:00

Hey there!I am happy to say that I am back in the house after a nice week long vacation and a trip to one of my favorite places, Chicago Illinois! I was there for my clinic checkup but it was a really interesting time.I met a fellow fisherman who I've communicated with online for years and was deeply blessed to meet a person who is intimately familiar and active with not only his congregation (

Psalm 15

2010-06-06T12:42:00.002-04:00

A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who

Among other things...

2010-05-10T10:53:00.004-04:00

It's Monday! What's in the news?Danny Glover just being Danny Glover, catching it for not placing his hand over his heart during a flag ceremony. The story, the video.Census issues continue to mount as a census worker is carjacked and kidnapped, another rapes a handicapped woman, and a man posing as a census worker leads a home invasion and murder.A shark spotted in a pickup truck! (Was it

The Communist Manifesto as a ministry resource?

2010-04-26T13:24:00.003-04:00

Imagine my surprise at the sadly logical discovery today that the instructional manual "The Communist Manifesto" is listed as a ministry resource at the Urban Ministry website.In putting the felt needs of people before their most vital need, The Gospel, Communism has begun to look good to some Christians despite being in complete irreconcilable antithesis to Christianity! Read this interesting

Jennifer Knapp chooses lesbianism, little Johnny likes to steal, and the world continues evangelizing the church

2010-04-18T15:07:00.008-04:00

Last week when former Christian singer Jennifer Knapp officially announced she'd embraced homosexuality the increasingly common debate centered on how Christians should respond, and I wondered how this mushy nonsense has come to pass for Christianity. Then I realized: the world is effectively evangelizing the church.When little Johnny, who enjoys stealing because it gives him an adrenaline rush

My husband is my pastor - a message for men

2010-04-12T22:30:00.010-04:00

Heavy on my heart is the situation of a friend, a divorced mother of two in a workplace with nearly all males and dealing with serious sexual harassment. Add to that concern conversations of the publicized behavior of Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger and Tiki Barber and you now know why what I am about to write has begun to weigh so heavily on my spirit. My husband is my pastor. Husbands,

Counter-culture? Why?

2010-04-12T13:52:00.003-04:00

Have you considered just how counter-cultural your leaders are? They are aren't they? Hm. Maybe you should apply these tests. Your youth pastor for example, just how youthtastic is he? Score from these sample questions:34. Justifies iPad purchase as “something I need because a lot of my students have one.” = +3 points 35. Has eaten a live goldfish as part of a sermon illustration. = +2 points

Why I'm secure, by a man who really shouldn't be: Salvation Assurance

2010-03-14T16:41:00.006-04:00

This is the story of a man so unsure of tomorrow that even as a child he had habits like tying his dominant hand to his side to improve the skill of his other hand because he never knew when he might get one chopped off. If the title of this piece sounds familiar it was inspired by the excellent book from Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck titled “Why we're not Emergent by two guys who really should be

Yes, black children are an endangered species

2010-03-03T18:57:00.003-05:00

We will cry about how many enemies we have, but will fight to the death to protect the right to murder our own unborn children, even though that "right" to murder was created and fostered by racists more devious than the Ku Klux Klan. So devious in fact, that they don't have to lynch us anymore: they've convinced us to lynch ourselves.For years I have spotlighted to anyone who'd listen (and many

Work is a good thing, dirty jobs make life possible and maybe OSHA was wrong

2010-03-03T11:59:00.005-05:00

I recently spoke with a Christian brother who thought that holding regular everyday jobs kept him from really serving God. I showed him how serving God is something you do wherever you are, because being faithful where you have been placed is key.I also shared with him words of wisdom I recently received. "If you can do anything other than being a pastor, then you should! A pastor is under

How ya like me now?

2010-02-25T14:20:00.000-05:00

This commercial is really growing on me...

How tired am I?

2010-02-22T14:58:00.003-05:00

People wonder how I go to seminary full time and work full time and am still alive. Honestly I think the guys who are husbands and fathers and go to seminary full time and work full time are the amazing examples, but since I am trying to be more open with you and let you into my personal life, I set up a camera near my workstation for a few weeks and around 10:45 PM every single night, this is

Preach the Word as is, contextualize yourself

2010-02-19T13:24:00.007-05:00

Oh the sweet irony. Just yesterday I was thinking how much I'm looking forward to the upcoming Pittsburgh International Folk Festival, and how if we Christians would take the time to get to know those of other cultures and ethnicities we might all the more quickly gain the right to be heard. ...Contextualize yourself, let The Gospel be as God wrote it...Today at Pyro I find an excerpt from the

the Reformed, a Biblical view of slavery, and the white man's religion

2010-02-09T20:55:00.005-05:00

Being Black and Reformed means dealing with lots of stereotypes. In thinking of how to introduce this video to you, two primary stereotypes came immediately to mind.Being Black in the United States I am expected to be a registered Democrat regarding my political standing. Being Reformed means I follow those "stuffy old White men".I am not registered Democrat but there's a great deal of pressure

Blizzard 2010, Pittsburgh version

2010-02-07T15:27:00.030-05:00

What a storm! Much like the last big blizzard we had (March '93- just a month before I was saved!) it started while I was headed to work and shut down the town while I was there. Taking listener reports while I was on the air and hearing from one hapless co-worker reminded me to keep letting you folks know what was going on and that we all needed to be really careful.I took pictures on the way

Preach the Word

2010-02-01T15:20:00.004-05:00

Two weeks ago in class we heard a simple, reverent presentation on how the Word of God ties together perfectly from Genesis to Revelation, and how God eclipses even that as revealed by all the words in between. 20 minutes before the end of class I put my pen down, unable to even take notes anymore. When the bell rang I had tears in my eyes and couldn't even form a complete sentence because the

You might be in Pittsburgh if...

2010-01-25T12:37:00.004-05:00

Saw this today posted at Fish Erie...this is a cut and paste except where you see my initials.---------What Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Sent to me by Kimberly in sunny CaliforniaIf your Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in PittsburghIf someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there,you live in PittsburghIf

among other things

2010-01-22T12:31:00.002-05:00

Rialto street has been closed for the rest of the winter. I like what one lady had to say about it in the news report. In summary: Because one idiot didn't have sense enough to be careful on this hill when it's icy and ended up on his roof, we all have to suffer. Boy, that sums up a whole lot of the laws currently on the books, doesn't it?Several police officers beat this kid badly, and for all

Are your kids in charge of your family?

2010-01-22T10:02:00.004-05:00

A while back I wrote this post outlining my growing concern that the trend in portraying adult superheroes as children is part of the push to make children look less to adults as role models and instead to believe they can make all their life decisions on their own.There are reasons why kids should look to adults for role models. Maturity, strength, wisdom, experience...these are just some of the

Working to celebrate the legacy

2010-01-18T15:11:00.004-05:00

There's been a push for service projects in celebration of MLK jr. day, and I wanna give appreciation to these local kids talked about in this news video for what they're doing today!

Martin Luther King jr. and sacrifice forgotten

2010-01-18T10:19:00.008-05:00

Today, January 18th, the United States takes holiday in order to remember the impact Dr. Martin Luther King jr. had on this nation. Sadly it took less than a generation for that work to fall under attack by some of the very people it helped in the first place.The civil rights movement was not a one man band so to speak, it was the collective effort of a large number of brave Americans black and

"there are piles of bodies in many roads..."

2010-01-15T12:48:00.003-05:00

This report from the Haiti Baptist Mission comes by way of Phil Johnson at PyroManiacs:Our hospital is filled with people 250-300 people lying in the halls, many, many with serious injuries that need immediate attention, more people outside and surrounding areas with a constant flow coming in.Our doctors are exhausted, most all of our staff are assigned to the hospital.Thousands of people

Street preachers outside Joel Osteen's church

2010-01-13T16:01:00.001-05:00

Interesting...

Stereotypes aren't all racist

2010-01-12T16:05:00.008-05:00

Y'know, it's one of those places people don't wanna go because of the reaction they normally get, but hey, I ain't all that smart. Sometimes black people do like fried chicken and watermelon and sometimes white people do walk funny. The thing is, if you attribute that to skin color you aren't using your head.There are cultural differences that give each group of people across the planet

Reverend says abortion a "God-given right"

2010-01-08T21:49:00.003-05:00

Abortion is a god-given right and I can prove it. First a little background. This happened back in December but has been festering at the back of my mind ever since. Here's what was reported on December 3 at Life Site News:Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- During the rally yesterday sponsored by the Planned Parenthood abortion business and other leading pro-abortion

You can kill my baby, just don't call me "Negro"

2010-01-07T14:42:00.004-05:00

Here we go with being offended again...(CBS) The use of the term "negro" on the government's 2010 census form has offended some members of the black community in the New York metropolitan area, CBS News station WCBS-TV in New York reported Thursday.The form - created by the U.S. Census Bureau and approved by Congress more than a year ago - allows people to identify

the Death of Oral Roberts

2009-12-17T17:19:00.001-05:00

This is one of those posts, the first actually, where I feel the need to be clear on the fact that this is my post, not something I've conferred with Mike about beforehand, though he gives me generous freedom. I just know that by it's very nature, this one could be a bit inflammatory. I have prayed much before posting this.On Tuesday famed televangelist Oral Roberts died of complications due to

Christmas evangelization time!

2009-12-15T15:43:00.007-05:00

Compare/Contrast:Lantern Road Elementary Principal Danielle Thompson told IndyStar.com that school officials in Fishers, Ind., attempted to teach inclusiveness through the second-grade program that included portions on Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Las Posadas and Kwanzaa. "It went off last night without a hitch," Thompson told the web site. "Several families thought it was a

What do Susan Boyle and Roy "Big Country" Nelson have in common?

2009-12-05T12:41:00.005-05:00

They're both excellent examples of why judging a book by it's cover could leave you with egg on your face in embarrassment!Susan Boyle, without the body or looks of the stereotypical starlet of today, in fact looking more like your aunt, stunned the world from the moment the first musical tones came from her mouth. Bringing forth tones of pure satiny pleasure with each breath ms. Boyle forced

Stay home dads and go to war moms

2009-12-03T18:54:00.009-05:00

As our world continues to try and erase the God-given differences between the sexes, the differences continue to show themselves insurmountable. When dads stay home and let mom go to work for them, and a country sends it's women to war, you know we've gotten turned inside-out.Ladies first. It only takes an honest, cursory glance to recognize that men were built for physical strength and

A happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T15:32:00.001-05:00

Mike and I would like to wish all of you Bible Burgh listeners and Bible Burgh blog visitors a very blessed and profitable Thanksgiving.Blessed in that you realize the true value of this day, and profited in recognizing the goodness of God. In Pittsburgh, many churches and other organizations are giving free dinners to those who need them, and not to just take home but to sit down together and

Words do Matter

2009-11-14T11:50:00.001-05:00

"In one of his epistles on the Incarnation of the Son of God, [Erasmus] uses a most abominable term, calling it 'the intercourse of God with the Virgin'- here he is to be judged, a horrible blasphemer of God and the Virgin! Nor does it make him at all better, his afterwards expounding 'intercourse' as applying to the form off the Christian doctrine.Why did he not speak in the form of Christian

When a brother falls to sin

2009-11-14T11:31:00.006-05:00

I'm gonna keep this particular post short for fear of appearing to gossip against a brother, but since he himself made it public I do want to touch on something here.It is with tremendous sadness and humble disappointment that Cross Movement Records must inform you regarding the suspension of the promotion and forwarding of the artist, minister, and ministry of Da Truth, aka Emanuel Lambert Jr.,

Women in pants??

2009-11-12T14:07:00.004-05:00

I can appreciate a woman in the right pair of jeans or sweat pants. Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about lusting after her, I just mean the way you properly appreciate well-presented attractiveness in the opposite sex.So when I recently saw a woman who I'd always seen only in skirts and dresses wearing a pant suit, my reaction was...ew.Before you go calling me a Neanderthal, I'm not

Giving Thankdgiving hope with the Light of Life rescue mission

2009-11-11T15:38:00.006-05:00

It's that wonderful time of the year when we get to join with the Light of Life rescue mission on the North Side in bringing a bit of hope into the lives of some of our fellow Pittsburghers at a time of the year when giving thanks for one person can be dramatically different than for another.People who come to Light of Life rescue mission on Pittsburgh's North Side hunger for much more than food.

The herald has come

2009-11-05T23:23:00.006-05:00

When the Silver Surfer or any of Galactus' heralds would arrive on a planet inhabited by sentient beings, those beings would panic! They would make peace with their gods or even leave the planet if they had the capability.Why? Because they knew that when the herald arrived, Galactus would not be far behind and when he arrives, everything changes forever.John 1:6-15There came a man who was sent

Please stand by...

2009-11-02T11:10:00.004-05:00

...regular blogging will resume shortly.

When a friend dies

2009-10-23T21:33:00.005-04:00

Hey y'all.Just when I try to do a lighthearted post everything crashes in.My best friend died Wednesday.He and I have known each other since we were 13, about 1983, and been fast friends since almost day one. He's a Christian who loves God, and was devoted to God long before I was, although I thought I was back then and told people the same.We loved the same music and he is an amazing singer and

Celebrity Crush #2995

2009-10-20T23:49:00.002-04:00

Ok, I'm a normal person in at least one way: from time to time a particular celebrity catches my fancy. Now I'm not a fanboy mind you, and this is not in reference to how these women may be personally, I just want to offer you some reassurance that you are not alone in your appreciation.Yup, it's all for you. By the way, the numbers aren't rankings, it's just tracking the newest "crush"! :)

Kids on their own

2009-10-19T10:21:00.006-04:00

Maybe it's me, but the trend toward turning "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" into Earth's Mightiest teens and pre-teens strikes me as a bit...wrong.I was born in 1970, and I want to know from you if you were born of that generation or before: weren't the majority of our cartoon heroes men and women who we could look up to? I'm not talking about the characters that started as teens and were intended to

Among other things

2009-10-18T12:11:00.004-04:00

What a week this has been! Among other things...Regulators in California seem poised to ban big-screen televisions for the sake of saving energy. I truly cannot understand why, at this point, people are not leaving California in droves. Although I have heard heard that a number of Californians have fled to Colorado.The media has been suckered (or done the suckering) in a couple of big ways this

Hello...hello...hello...

2009-10-15T14:57:00.002-04:00

Hey y'all!I just wanted you to know that I haven't deserted you. If you notice, I keep the front page of the site updated, but I haven't put up a new post here in a minute. I've just been crazy busy with school. I truly don't remember ever in my life being as busy as I have been these days.By the way, I do appreciate you prayers on my behalf. It's been a real wrestling match prioritizing time

Stop and listen to a story about a cross

2009-10-05T14:40:00.000-04:00

It's my anniversary!

2009-09-28T13:32:00.001-04:00

Guess what. Go ahead, guess, I'll wait...September marks my 10th year with Salem of Pennsylvania, on the air at Word FM and Wpit AM, and I want to thank you all for your patience, prayers, encouragement and love you've shared with me.This has been an incredible time of learning for me, and growth in lots of ways. What the next ten years hold is firmly in God's hands, I don't have a clue, but with

the god of the city

2009-09-27T13:59:00.001-04:00

Sunday in Pittsburgh is an amazing day. On this day you realize whose name is above every name for the whole area.You hear the name spoken in Christian churches from the pulpits, Catholic congregations too, even Muslims and Jews on Sunday call out the name, it's nearly universal.On the street the name is lifted up, in businesses, on buses and in cabs, on the street, on radio and television all

19 pound baby!

2009-09-24T21:05:00.000-04:00

Hey ma,you thought my delivery was rough? Check this out!Attention moms! Can we have your attention please? To everyone who likes to brag about giving birth to 8, 9, even 10-lb. babies, we advise you keep quiet around Ani from Indonesia. The woman recently delivered a 19.2-lb. bruiser, the heaviest newborn ever recorded in the country.Wooooowwwww!photo: msnbc

G20 traffic and other such fun

2009-09-23T23:26:00.000-04:00

Hey y'all,here are some important links for you if you're trying to get around da 'burgh during this event.PG infoTons from the Pittsburgh ChannelA list of possible protest targets from the Tribune ReviewProtesters in tents (Who's paying for these people to travel and be professional protesters?)Still, I don't see how this will help our city. It's going to create a huge bill for us to pay, which

Ring of Fire

2009-09-18T14:13:00.000-04:00

I liked quite a few Johnny Cash songs, and Ring of Fire is one of my favorites ever since that commercial with the hot burrito, but I have one major philosophical problem with this song.It would be much more realistic if it went like this: "I fell in to a burning ring of fire, I went AAAAA-AAAAAA, help me! Oh it hurts! AAAAAAA stop staring at me and get water, I'm on fire! AAAAAAA...