Leaderboard

I was named Deputy Head of School (Learning and Teaching) in my current university, Griffith. I convened one large program for teaching high school teachers last year, and this is the next step up that ladder - I'm now responsible for managing all the learning and teaching in all of the 29 degree programs, both undergraduate and postgraduate, offered in our School to more than 4000 students. It's daunting but exciting, and I'm already enjoying it a lot. I'm off to the University Senior Leadership Conference this coming week. Or, as my beloved puts it, "hobnobbing with the bigwigs". (of course, I'm now the newest and tiniest tadpole in that particular pond!)

Anyone who spends time reading and prayerfully studying the Scriptures, researching history and seeking God for insight will soon come to see a massive, worldwide religious system that has influenced much of what the people of God believe today. When God says the whole world is under the sway of the evil one, He wasn't kidding. Let me point out a few things that have taken God's people by storm. 1. Sunday is not the Lord's day. 2. The Apostles and the early church never gathered on the first day. 3. Jesus didn't die on Good Friday and rise on Easter Sunday. 4. Jesus wasn't born on December 25th. 5. Easter is not a Christian holiday. 6. There is no immortal soul. 7. There is no eternal burning place under the earth called hell. 8. People don't die and go to heaven. 9. People don't die and go to hell. 10. The co-eternal, co-equal trinity God is man made. People have been tortured and even put to death because of these above beliefs. I myself could be in danger of excommunication just for posting them. Let us take the hand of God and allow Him to completely lead us out of Babylon.

Galatians 4:22-26 “For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar-- for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children-- but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” I’m just going to repeat a few words here for emphasis. The Sinai covenant “gives birth to bondage.” The Jerusalem of Paul’s day was “in bondage” - because they were still laboring under the Sinai covenant, and had not accepted the New Covenant - with the Spirit.

The Assassination of Scott Walker By The Coward Liberal Media Matt Vespa We all knew this was coming: liberal attacks on Gov. Scott Walker for not having a college degree. In 1990, Walker decided to drop out of Marquette University during the spring semester of his senior year - a decision that’s mystified the political left. But then there’s former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who–as Dan wrote–basically questioned Walker’s intelligence: "This is a particular problem for Scott Walker which has not been an issue yet, but it will. Scott Walker, were he to become president, would be the first president in many generations who did not have a college degree. So the issue here is not just the issue of dancing around the question of evolution for political reasons, the issue is, how well educated is this guy?" This is emblematic of the politics of condescension and elitism that’s fraught within American liberalism; that one is not qualified for any public office lest he be a college graduate (preferably from an elite school) and has acquired a lexicon that shocks the masses. Dean is a Yale alumnus. So, what do we know about Walker’s years in college? Well, the Washington Post noted that he was active in student government. He won a senate position his freshman year and worked frenetically to combat wasteful spending. He ran for student body president his sophomore year and lost. After the loss, his influence on student politics waned. By the way, as the Media Research Center's Tim Graham wrote, the Post devoted a 2,223-word story about this whole ordeal. Oh, and they never devoted a single piece to Barack Obama’s undergraduate years prior to the 2008 election, but we digress. The Post mentioned that Walker seemed more concerned about his student government work than his studies, often interrupting French class by arriving late. He also didn’t seem interested in his politics classes either. By the time he hit the spring semester of his senior year, he vanished. Mr. Walker had decided to get a job with the American Red Cross; that’s it! That’s the shocking revelation of why Walker left college. Walker left in good standing with Marquette–and is 34 credits short of earning his Bachelor’s Degree: Walker’s disappearance from campus became a mystery that his political rivals seized on. As recently as 2013, the state’s Democrats were still alleging that he might have been kicked out for election-related misdeeds. They dropped that after Marquette officials told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Walker had left “in good standing.” What friends remember is that Walker got a good job, at the American Red Cross office near campus. Some also remember hearing that one of his parents had a health problem or about financial stress on the family. A spokeswoman for Walker’s political committee declined to comment about those suggestions. “I think I need to take this opportunity,” [Mary] Riordan [Walker’s college friend] remembered Walker saying. “I don’t think he ever said to me, ‘I’m not going to finish school.’ I don’t think that was his intention.” At the time, the Journal Sentinel found, Walker was not close to graduating. After four years, he was at least 34 credits short — about one-quarter of the required total away from earning his degree, according to its report. Walker’s political spokeswoman said she would not contest that finding. He still has not found the time to finish. A spokeswoman for Walker’s state office said he is interested in a new University of Wisconsin program — begun during Walker’s tenure — that lets older students get academic credit for things they’ve learned in life. But he’s not taking courses now. Walker has won three elections in four years; one of which carries the historical note of him being the first governor to survive a recall election in American history. The debate about college degrees is ongoing, but certainly it’s not THEprerequisite for public office. We also have to understand that even the highly educated have driven this nation into disastrous situations. Kennedy and Johnson surrounded themselves with the smartest folks in the country when they built their administrations–Johnson mostly kept Kennedy’s people after his assassination–and they got us into Vietnam. A war–regardless of the reasons–that damaged America’s reputation abroad and the military–as an institution–at home. It wasn’t until we won the Gulf War that such issues were resolved. Relating to the rule of law, we had Robert H. Jackson and Stanley Reed serve as Associate Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both men never graduated from law school, and as far as I can tell; the institution still functions today. Yet, I think the National Review’s Charles Cooke has a better explanation of why this whole college dropout business is absurd: This being a democratic republic, it is dangerous in and of itself for our elites to condemn as unsuitable for office those they consider to be “less educated” than themselves. But it is downright repugnant to watch certain members of the journalistic class meditating on the question of whether a man who has been infinitely more successful than themselves should be deemed ineligible for want of their preferred credentials. It is difficult, too, not to divine a touch of caste-system snobbery in the initial inquiry. As higher education becomes increasingly fetishized, those who do not possess the right letters after their names will be increasingly in danger of marginalization — even, it should be said, when they are successful and happy and full of self-assurance. If Scott Walker is the nominee, there is no doubt his detractors will play as subtly but as brutally as they can on his being a “dropout,” nor that the professional class that determines the shape of the debates will mutter in irritation that he is not one of them. If he has any sense about him, he will refuse to entertain the premise. “Sure I didn’t finish college,” he will say. “But look where I am now. This is America, goddamnit.” This narrative–and his recent punt on a question about evolution–will sadly only confirm such biases within elite media and political circles. Walker was on a trade mission in London when he was asked about his belief in the theory of evolution. "I'm going to punt on that one as well," Walker said. "I'm here to talk about trade, not to pontificate about other things," he said. When asked about foreign policy, Gov. Walker rightly stated, “I just don't think you talk about foreign policy while you're on foreign soil…I don't think it's wise to undermine your own president." The latter response is completely understandable. The former elicited the typical liberal “we’re pro-science, my gosh how dumb are Republicans” response that you’d expect. All of this despite the fact that affluent liberals in California are mostly responsible for the measles outbreak because–wait for it–they didn't get their kids vaccinated. In all, any rational person shouldn't really care about one's personal feelings about evolution or creationism. Then again, we're talking about the liberal media; they love this stuff. If you want to watch some serious trolling on Twitter about this, just read how The Federalist’s Sean Davis asked Ben White of Politico and Amanda Terkel of theHuffington Post if they knew about the dynamics of evolution when they mocked the Wisconsin Governor for his remarks.

lol... cockroaches have "personalities" ?? I can just see a whole new field opening up: "Entomological Psychology," with subsections of "Abnormal Behavior of Insects," "Psychological Attributes of Larval Growth," and the up and coming topic of "Do young male cockroaches refuse to inhabit churches when their fathers have been victims of insecticide abuse?"

just crochet a "fix"....

So far this month we have earned $15.87 on 13 items purchased.. Thanks to those who are supporting this way.

Well, The One Project--San Diego has come and gone. I was there and I will report here on it and open this thread up for comments. However, I do not have time right now to do that. So, the thread will remain closed until I can take the time to write my initial report and then I will open it up for comments. As you comment, I will ask you to tell us whether or not you were there, or if you are making comments based upon 2nd hand information. I hope to open this thread up tomorrow, February 13, 2015. I will share one story that is tangentially related to my reason for wanting to know if you attended or if you rely on 2nd hand information. Chris Oberg was one of the speakers. People, to include those who attended the San Diego Gathering had questions about Chris Oberg: 1) How was/is Chris related to the Presbyterian church. 2) How was/is Chris related to the authorship of books such as "Faith and Doubt" The questions were such that Chris Oberg needed to begin the talk by addressing them. I would not be surprised to see questions about Chris Oberg raised in this thread and I will want to know if any person who raises such questions in CA actually attended and personally heard the response that Chris Oberg made. Over 1,000 people attended the two day Gathering of The One Project in San Diego. Once 1,000 people had registered, people were told that the maximum had been reached and that the hotel could not accommodate any more and they could not attend. But, some came anyway and they were allowed to attend. The central theme of the conference was focused on the words of Christ as found in Matthew, chapters 5, 6 & 7. Those who came divided themselves into about 100 groups of 10 people each. The two day Gathering was divided into eight (8) sessions. Each Session began with a short worship which, for the first seven (7) sessions was followed by either two or three speakers. Each speaker was preceded by a reading of a Biblical passage from the chapters listed above. Then the speakers spoke on the meaning and application of that passage to the lives of us today. These sessions then ended with a group discussion of how the members had been stimulated in the understanding and application of the Biblical passages to their lives. The 8th session was a bit different. It was a Communion service with individual prayers that God would bless in the lives of the members of the group. This is a brief statement as to what The One Project, San Diego was all about. I was there. The discussion is now open.

I just recently received yet another "warning" about The One Project. When I read the goals and mission statement of The One Project, I can't say anything but AMEN! Yet it baffles me why the "gathering" in San Diego in Februay features John Ortberg, senior pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, who, unless I've been misinformed, is part of the emergent church, contemplative prayer, spiritual formation, etc. movement. I would appreciate it if anyone has had experience with The One Project, or has any first hand information to share on this topic.

Researchers in Belgium has determined that las cucarachas (cockroaches) have individual personalities: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/09/cockroaches-personalities-study_n_6641150.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-science

Wednesday, February 11, 2014, the 3rd Federal Appellate Court in Philadelphia Issued a major ruling that overturned previous decisions. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/291728401.html For the actual ruling see: http://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/133536p.pdf

I don't believe salvation is based on acknowledging a set of doctrines nor is it found in our ability to understand the eternal nature of God. Salvation is recognizing our need for a Savior and then believing and accepting Jesus as that Savior. John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Thanks for the direct answer, my brother. Hence in effect, Moses was telling us that God the Father said: "I am the LORD thy God." Just wondering why many believe the God in v1 is our our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

Does anyone really understand this situation? I do not mean from the eyes and ears of Fox or CNN etc? Is this correct? That region had a democratically held vote, and the majority was to leave? A militia arose in that area,trying to move this along faster. That was the only protestant part (Orthodox) of the Catholic dominated country? That area was Russian at one time, not that long ago, and they wanted to return? It seems like CNN MSNBC FOX etc have escalated this up to a cold war? Is there anyone else who has Russian friends from that area?

Only the votes at the GC session in 5 months count.

And then there is the amazing fact that Ellen White herself regularly stood in the pulpit and preached. On Sunday. In Sunday keeping churches. For their Sunday worship service.

Don't get to excited....the next Pres will also get their share of the same....just imagine what will happen if it is a women!!

Basketball coaching legend Jerry Tarkanian dies at 84 http://sports.yahoo.com/news/basketball-coaching-legend-jerry-tarkanian-dies-at-84-171240684.html

I read about her accident this morning. Sad to hear that she has died. My heart and prayers go to her family friends and loved ones.

Indeed, the Gospels speak of total darkness covering the land at Christ's crucifixion. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the event as lasting from "the sixth hour until the ninth" hour of the day. In our reckoning of time, that is from 12 noon until 3 in the afternoon. I am aware of no solar eclipse where the totality (the point the sun is completely obscured from view behind the moon) lasts 3 hours. Normal totality in a solar eclipse lasts ~7-10 minutes, max. Even in ancient times, solar eclipses, and how long they last, were well known. If a solar eclipse - it had supernatural help...like the hand of God keeping the moon in place for 3 hours...or keeping the earth from rotating for that same period. Such is not without Biblical precedent...to defeat the Amorites, Joshua prayed the sun not to go down...and it stayed high noon for a whole day (Joshua 10:12-13). Of course, the passages do say "darkness covered the land", and not "darkness covered the sun"...so what God used to shield the sun away from shining is rather immaterial - to me, at least. I do know that however it was accomplished, it got the message across to the crowd that this was no ordinary event...they left the place of crucifixion beating their chests. In the Hebrew culture, this was a known action signalling recognized unworthiness before a greater rank. The publican of Luke 18 stood "afar off", and only prayed "God - be merciful to me, the sinner!"...while beating his chest. Blessings,

In the previous blogs Dave Thomas showed how religious entities shift from movements to institutions. One of the key elements of that shift is the move from persuasive power to coercive power. That shift is not planned, but tends to happen because coercive power is more efficient and gets things done. But when managerial power […] The post How the Organized Church Changes, Part 5 (Conclusion) appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article