COUNTDOWN, BOSTON, TRIP TO MD

President Bush has a campaign stop in my area today around lunchtime.  A friend was able to pick up a couple tickets, so we’re going! 

Five days to go until Election Day.  This has been the most dragged out presidential race that I can remember.  It just feels like it’s gone on forever.  Here’s hoping for a clean, legally untangled victory on Tuesday.  I didn’t expect this race to stay so close, right down to the wire.  It makes everything more interesting, but also more intense.  I’m still sticking with my prediction of a Bush win.  Though I wonder if he will have much of a margin at all.  1% might be reasonable, 3% could be pushing it.  Hopefully we’ll know by late Tuesday evening.     

The Boston Red Sox did it.  Clean sweep.  The World Series in just four games.  86 years was a long time to wait.  And baseball is till the most boring sport on the planet.  BUT, it was good to see the Red Sox defeat the mighty Yankees, and then take the big prize.  Let’s hope the Boston luck doesn’t extend to their senator in Tuesday’s election.  J 

I was in Maryland this past weekend, visiting relatives and friends.  A definite highlight was the Saturday (and Sunday) visit to Potbelly’s near U of MD.  www.potbelly.com.  Those were some seriously good sandwiches (the WRECK and the ITALIAN were what I got).  Good prices.  And the bubble tea at the Japanese restaurant next door was pretty good too. 

Fighting the good fight and finishing the course:  While in Maryland, we visited two quite elderly friends who are in the twilight of their lives.  It was encouraging, in both cases, to see the fruits of a long life lived in God’s service.  Both were so calm, peaceful, and even radiant.  What a legacy, and what a reminder that life goes by quickly.  “One life to live, it will soon be past; only what was done for Christ will last.”

   Posted on Wednesday, October 27, 2004                                                     by Liza B

When Pastor Don passed away, I realized how incredibly precious he was and how his life had affected so many people. I read and heard about all the wonderful things he had done. I also heard how we’ll never have anyone else match up to him. That is very true, no one can ever even attempt to “be” him, but they can do what he did.

You see, Pastor Don found his identity in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was himself to the fullest of his abilities. He worked with the grace that God had placed in his life, and rejoiced when others did the same. That is why his death was such a blow to the whole church and all over the world, because he is irreplaceable.

Do you understand where I am going with this? Are you someone that is constantly trying to compare yourself with someone else? Do you know what your personal gifts and talents are that God placed in you to edify your church?

We had a presentation in my church by the children and youth last Sunday and I have to say those kids are tremendously     talented. I haven’t always thought so because I was busy trying to get them to do something they did not like and what they did not have a grace for.

However, once they found out what grace God has given them to do, let me tell you, talk about super talent. These kids can sing, play instruments, speak, and work with the computer… I actually want you to see the work of some of the kids that I had a privilege to work with.

One of the persons involved in this slideshow hates to be in the limelight, so he hates to perform in public. Many people may think he has no talent, but he is extremely full of talent on the computer, and he has used that to edify everyone. Thank God he is not to busy comparing himself with others and feeling bad he is not like them. He’s got his own grace.

 If you have a few minutes, take a look at this link which will take you to 1Corinthians 12 where the Bible talks about our different gifts and talents.   1 Corinthians 12   

Have a blessed day, and learn to find your fulfillment in the wonderful  gifts you already have!

Welcome to Victoria....

…where orange groves are aplenty (I wish I had my own little one…maybe someday), where the government is corrupt as corrupt can be, and the people are as poor as they can be.  Here, people overtake you on the roads any chance they get.  And people say I’m a crazy driver;)  While the environment is disastrously unkempt, it is all the while still beautiful.  Mountains encircle the town from all angles. 

We went for missions.  Meet some of our team:  Roger Spence, Wyman Pylant, and last but not least…maybe least…me. 

   

We went to visit our missionary friends, Chacko and Annie.  It always amazes me to hear his testimony about how God called him to the valleys and mountains of Victoria.  A smart and able man, he had made a life for himself and his family in Texas.  Until one fateful night, in a dream, God gave him a vision of suffering Mexicans…losing their lives and most importantly, their souls.  He knew it was his calling.  Mind you, an Indian, specifically a Malayalee, gave up all he had to live his life among Mexicans.  He eats with them, he sleeps in their shacks, he treks hours up and down the mountains to fellowship with them.  Like Abraham, Chacko heard God’s voice and he obeyed.

I went because I had gone before.  I knew the people.  I knew Chacko.  We stayed up late one night talking, joking, and sharing.  He told me about how people, all the time, ask him if he is an ordained pastor or if he has a license to be in Mexico doing ministry work.  He looks at them with his comical face and answers back with full assurance, “Sure I do, and you have a duplicate copy!” 

Matthew 28:18-20   Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Praise God for such a calling we all have.  We are all licensed…we are all ordained by Christ Himself to share the Gospel far and wide.

Join me on a photojournalist’s trip through the rough terrain.  And again, Welcome to Victoria…

~~~

Scripture That Speaks:  Isaiah 58:5-8 

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?  Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?  Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD ?  "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?  Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

~~~

Interesting Word of the Day:  gadzookery  [gad-ZOO-kuh-ree]  noun - use of archaic words or expressions, e.g. wight (brave), prithee (I pray thee), ye (you, the).  

Apparently from gadzooks, once used as a mild oath, which may have been an alteration of God's hooks, a reference to the nails of Christ's crucifixion.  

“She (Georgette Heyer) wanted to write more serious historical novels.  Unfortunately the books she wrote outside her period have a tendency towards the gadzookery of Baroness Orczy.”

P.S.  I’m on my way to Ohio this weekend for a retreat.  See some of you there!

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Benefit Concert Pics & ALM UPDATED......

A.  19 pictures from the Benefit Concert have been posted.  Check them out.

Media clips will be up by mid week.

B.  'Ask Lakshmi Aunty' Updated:  Lakshmi has posted her latest piece.

Check it out

C.  Let's Talk About the President - Cont'd:  I am saving the best for last.  Look for my final push this coming Monday, the eve of the election.

Boston Red Sox & The Candidates: Part II

I don’t usually watch pro baseball.  Too slow paced.  But last night’s unbelievable defeat of the NY Yankees by the Boston Red Sox was a game I should have watched.  What a huge, huge upset.  Boston must be going crazy today.  It’s a good thing, though, to hear that a hugely dominant team like the NY Yankees has been defeated.  Kinda like how it felt good to see the Los Angeles Lakers get beaten.  Chris tells me “… this is the first time in 101 years that any team in MLB postseason history has come back to win a series after being down 0-3.”  The biggest upset ever in sports?..........You decide. 

Bush is kind of a fratboy at times.  Kerry comes off as a perpetually serious worrier.

Kerry is a very good debater.  Bush is just good.  (Clinton was the master). 

Bush openly professes his faith in Christ.  Kerry is much more reserved on the subject.

'Anne's Journal,' The Two Trees

Anne has posted her latest piece entitled 'Cat's Eye'.  Click Here to view.

This past week I was talking to a sister in Christ, and she pointed out something that I had never really noticed. Well, I had noticed it, but it hadn't really caught my eye to the point that I had to dissect it and analyze it. Here is what she said:

Brenda, have you noticed that in the Garden of Eden in the Bible the two trees God specifically speaks about are the trees of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life? Have you noticed that it was NOT a matter of choosing between a tree of knowledge of evil and a tree of knowledge of good, but it was between choosing between the trees of the knowledge of good and evil and the the tree of life? Notice that "good" and "evil" are on the same tree that God did not want them to eat.

That really got me thinking. Because isn't good the opposite of evil? Aren't we supposed to  choose good?

This was clarified once she took me to another verse found in Colossians 3:4 that says, "When Christ our life [...]." When Christ our life. Christ is our life. Christ is the life that God wants us to partake. For the law kills but the "law of the Spirit [...] hath made me free from [...] death (Romans 8:2).

And then I realized that is how legalism and self-righteousness creep into our hearts. We have the wrong focus. Good is on that tree whose fruit  God does not want us to eat. We have to choose Christ. When Christ our life.

Until Next Time.

New Interview, Philip & Sherly & Hindsight is 20/20

A.  Sophy Thomas has been interviewed for The Tonight Show.  Check it out.

C.  Let's Talk About the President:  All right, let me start off by listing what I don't like about W.  As a President, and as a leader, you have to be able to speak and convey your positions well. He is the head of the country, and his inability to speak well has cost us abroad.

The Curse of the Bambino

We as Christians are not superstitious people, but if you've never believed in curses before -- now's a good time to start. Hah I'm kidding, but seriously,  what are the chances for Boston now that Curt Schilling is not going to play?

In a sense I'm disappointed that Curt Schilling wont be playing. It would have been more of a competitive series to watch. I'm not totally dismissing the Red Sox -- they're definitely an explosive team and very capable of coming back and winning it all -- but in all probability, I don't think it's going to happen. 

For all of you that that hate the Yankees let me say that I understand your hatred. We are considered the evil empire because we always win and we spend mass amounts of money to get the best players - but hey - don't hate.

I hated the bulls in the 90's because they always deterred the Knicks from advancing but looking back now I have great respect for that organization because they knew how to win.

I heard a commentator say that the Yankees organization is run like a Fortune 500 company. Everybody from executive management down to the bat boys know that the number one objective is to win the pennant and with that goal in mind, every decision is made.  

Did you know that no one in the Yankees organization is allowed to have facial hair -- including the players.  In fact the only acceptable facial hair is a plain moustache.  Otherwise you must be clean shaven. No goatees are allowed and no pencil-thin beards.  Sound Familiar? ;)

The Candidates

   Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004                                                    by Ben H

Too Busy Not To Pray

This year, I have been dorming in a Christian University here in Pennsylvania.

It has been an amazing time of maturation for me, mainly because I have had to come to grips with what I truly believe. For one, it is not until two ideas are presented that you are forced to choose. Secondly, it's when no one that you feel accountable to is around that you discover the beauty of a life alone with God.

After two weeks, the work was dumped on me all at once and I began the survival push to finals. I started well, keeping up my Bible reading and praying but before long, I found myself rushing through my devotions. My prayer list began to whittle down. I noticed the difference. I found myself more and more frustrated because it seemed I never had enough time I felt tired and loss of interest. Because my spiritual antennae weren’t being cleaned well, I found myself compromising on some issues.

What I’ve come to realize is that God is the one who created my time. He holds it in His hand. He is the one who stretches my time when I really need it. I am actually investing in my time when I just lay everything aside and spend quality time with the Creator of time. The problem is I don’t trust him enough. I don’t surrender my studies to Him. I have that tendency to try to do things on my own...only to find I can't so much as read without Him. I'm just nothing without Him. If I don't spend time with Him, there is no point in doing anything.

Sometimes, we have to reach that conclusion over and over again before we get it. Next time, in your devotions just tell Jesus that you are nothing without Him and that he really is the air you breathe.

Prov.3:5,6-- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

In Disguise

The other day I had a doctors appointment.  It was with a doctor I had never met before.  This guy, probably in his early sixties, was the typical doctor.  Nice office.  I mean really nice office.  White lab coat.  Well kept white hair like Steve Martin.  Squishy hands (have you noticed that all doctors have awfully squishy hands?).  Glasses perched at the end of his nose.  Seated behind his thick cherry desk with arms folded and head tilted to the side.  Everything seemed to fit here except one thing. 

Something really weird. 

I am not sure if it was so much him doing the weird thing, or just an aura about him.   

Here it was: he would ask me a question regarding my health.  And I would answer him.  However after I answered him, he would just sit there and stare at me for about 30 seconds with a half, semi-grin on his waxy creased face before moving on to the next question.  Now this was not just any stare, it was a really weird stare.  Like the kind of stare that knows everything.  It was so funny…funny, but really weird.  During those 30 seconds, which by the way felt like a whole lot longer, I just wanted to bust out laughing.  But all I could do was look anywhere but his face.  He obviously knew I was feeling uncomfortable by his silent stare.  But he did it every time.

It got me thinking.  Maybe he’s God.  I don’t mean this as a joke.  Maybe he is God in the human form of course.  Could God actually come down and act as a normal being?He did it 2000 years ago in the form of Jesus Christ.  But could He do it inconspicuously?  Just take the form of man and be an everyday person?  It seemed a crazy juvenile thought at the time, but sure, why can’t He?  There is a song by Newsboys that comes to mind, “Entertaining Angels”.  So be careful, whether it be God or one of His angels walking opposite of you, or the smelly guy sitting next to you on the metro, or the lady behind the cash register.  Who knows? 

Ok enough of my wild imagination….

Please keep me in you prayers.  This week I will be going to Victoria City, Mexico to integrate a new English curriculum for the youth there.  I hear from my good friend, Chacko, the missionary there, that we will also be meeting tribals from the mountains of Victoria.  There are many who desperately need to hear the Good News. 

Scripture That Speaks:  Matthew 5: 1-8,  You’re Blessed

1When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said: 3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being “careful,' you find yourselves cared for. 8"You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 

Interesting Word of the Day:  aerie or eyrie  [EYE-ree]  noun: 

1.  The bird's nest built on a lofty place, such as a cliff or mountaintop.
2.   A dwelling or stronghold located in a lofty place. 

The sun is beating down on the Braes of Balquhidder, at the fringes of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, as three of us, each trying to ignore a halo of midges, are peering through binoculars,  surveying  a  cleft  in  a  rock face where an untidy rickle of twigs indicates a golden eagle's eyrie. 

Saunière  regaled  them  with  sumptuous banquets and other forms  of largess, maintaining the life-style of a medieval potentate presiding over an impregnable mountain domain. In his  remote  and well-nigh inaccessible aerie he received a number of notable guests.   

We  could  not  afford a nicer house and all those luxuries besides; he did elaborate sums on the backs of envelopes to regretfully  prove  it -- and then would climb back happily to  the  little  eyrie  he'd made for himself in the attic, where  he  would  lie  on  his  bed  listening  to  obscure continental stations on his radio, smoking his pipe.    

Aerie  derives  from  Medieval Latin aeria, "nest of a bird of prey,"  perhaps  from Latin area, "an open space (for birds of prey  like to build their nests on flat and open spaces on the top of high rocks)." 

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'ALA' Updated, "The Vision CD" & A 1- 4 Skins Fan

A.  'Ask Lakshmi Aunty Updated':  Lakshmi has posted her latest piece.

Click here to read.

B.  Update Schedule:  We've added an Update Schedule Box on the right hand side to help keep you in the loop as to who's updating when.  Stay Tuned for more.

C.  "The Vision Benefit Concert":  It's time to revisit "The Vision."  For those that don't remember, here's a little refresher:

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"The CD is titled, "The Vision", and will feature songs/instrumentals by Becci, Paul, and Fred Moses; Minnie Mark; Suana Edwards; Kwaku, Ama, and Akua Pipim, as well as many more.  So if you've ever wanted to have your own CD featuring these talented singers/musicians, this is your time.

The CD is being produced by MasterPiece Productions - Ernesto Mckenzie, Paul Moses, and Fred Moses; as well as "Teddy Bear" Davis, who has worked with Jay-Z, and Dru Hill."

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We want to invite everyone to attend a Live Concert Featuring: The Debut of "The Vision" CD Project produced by Masterpiece Recording Studio.  Guest Performances include : Canann, Y-B, The Glory Cloud Dancers.........and so much More !!!!

Free Admission
When -- October 22, 2004 
Where -- Chevy Chase Baptist Church
5671 Western Ave.
 Washington, DC 20015
Time -- 7:30 pm
 Food and Drinks will be available
 
Come Celebrate and join us in the "Save-our-school" Benefit Concert!!!!!
  Not to be missed.

D.  Ravens 17 Redskins 10:  It's going to be a long season.  I'm not going to lie to you.  I'm very disappointed, but writing about it seems to help.  The Washington Redskins are now (1-4), which in the feisty NFC East, is a monumental hole to climb out of.  Our defense continues to play hard, and keep us in games, but Clinton Portis and the rest of our offense can't seem to get anything done.

Portis is routinely stopped for minimal gains, and somewhere in Colorado, Mike Shannahan is smiling.  On the QB side, Mark Brunell can't seem to spark the offense. 

The Debates

   Posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2004                                                     by Liza B

 There are several things God has taught me about wisdom in the process of planning and scheduling my time. Three stand out.

'Anne's Journal,' Blaming the Victim, Research

Anne has posted her latest piece.  Click Here to view.

Blaming the Victim-I picked up a book yesterday that addressed a subject of great interest to me, and it happened to be a compilation of articles concerning race, gender, and social issues. The article I read is titled "Blaming the Victim" by William Ryan, and it had a small paragraph that really caught my eye and I'd like to share it with you.

"Twenty years ago, Zero Mostel used to do a sketch in which he impersonated a Dixiecrat Senator conducting an investigation of the origins of World War II. At the climax of the sketch, the Senator boomed out, in an excruciating mixture of triumph and suspicion, "What was Pearl Harbor doing in the Pacific?" This is an extreme example of Blaming the Victim."

Overall, this was a pretty good essay and I recommend anyone who has the interest to find the article and read it. I did think, however, that it was ironic that within this article, an article that was published in a compilation addressing gender among other issues, a sentence such as the following was published: (This is in reference to the prototypical "victim blamer") " What intellectual position can he take, what line of action can he follow that will satisfy both of these important needs?"

I suppose there are no women who are "victim blamers."

Research- To those of you who responded to my ask for help as far as a language research project I have, thank you very much. I would like to know if anyone else is interested in helping me with this project.

Basically, we are trying to find out how the trends are changing in the American society as far as calling people by first name rather than last name and title. To do this, we, (my colleagues and I)  have put together a short questionnaire which we will be administering. The participants should be 18 years old and above. If you are interested, please e-mail me and I'll get you the exact information and details as to how the questionnaire will be administered. You can e-mail me at the following: barrosb@msn.com,  barrosb@sbcglobal.net.

Thank you so much in advance for your help! Until Next Time.

IPF NEWS, Who is John Kerry? & BELIEVE.....

A.  Before I get started, I want to take this time to specifically shout out the Inspirations writers of IPF.  Greg, Llenis, Liza, and Ben.  They have  gone out of their way to write for us, even at times when internet access wasn't readily available.  We appreciate it.

B.  THE IPF POLL:  After a long hiatus, the IPF Poll has returned.  So what are the results of the first poll question, "Who will make the world a safer place?"

Bush 75%  Kerry 25%

Which is my lead in for.........

C.  The Debate:  The time has come for me to throw my hat into the ring.  This election is without question the most important of my lifetime, and with under a month left till election day, it's time to make a stand.

First, let me say a few things.  John Kerry was the more poised candidate during the Thursday night debate.  George Bush looked tired and agitated.  In addition, towards the end of the debate, GW was extremely redundant with his phrases, which made it seem like he wasn't prepped properly, which may/may not be true.  Now having said all of that, let me remind you of this, JK is an accomplished politician and debater.  His greatest skill is taking a position and defending it, even if that position isn't his own.

The Pro-Kerry Media Frenzy: 

A lot of people in the Media are shouting from the hilltops that John Kerry destroyed George W. Bush during this past debate.  If you want style over substance, then sure, vote for John Kerry, who is trying to fool the American people into thinking that everything he said before the debate didn't count. 

"What's that you say Chris?"

Well let's examine some points:

That was just the tip of the iceberg.  John Kerry will say anything to anyone to get himself elected.  This is not a man I want in the White House when it's time to make the tough decisions.  There are many people out there that hate Bush so much that they would vote for anyone running against him.  Kerry knows this.  Let's examine some points:

1.  Point:  On Thursday Night, Kerry said that the $200 Billion being spent in Iraq could have been spent on domestic programs.  Hmm.  In April 2003, on Meet the Press, Tim Russert asked JK, how much more money needs to be spent in Iraq, to which JK replied, "as much money as it takes to win."  Busted.  

2.  Point:  On Thursday night, why did JK ask the American people to go to his website?  Couldn't he spell out his 4 point plan for Iraq himself?

3.   Point:  In John Kerry's own words, he would like to conduct:

Hallmark card anyone?

4.  Point:  During the debate, John Kerry actually proposed giving Iran nuclear fuel to make sure that they only create nuclear plants.  Sound Familiar?  The Clinton administration did the same exact thing to North Korea, and guess what happened?  North Korea is now sitting on at least 6-7 nuclear warheads.

And the list goes on and on and on...................

That's my 2 cents.  Next Monday, I will make my case for George W Bush.

D.  Stay the Course Skins Fans:    I am not a fair weather Washington Redskins fan.  Yes, we're 1-3, but this thing is going to turn around.  Right now though, I want to talk about one Bill Parcells.  I have been preaching the greatness of Joe Gibbs for the past 8 months (which I will continue to do), but Bill Parcells seems to have his number.  Parcells is 12-6 against him all time.  Kryptonite?

To all the Redskins faithful out there, let me say this.  Stay the course.  POOR OFFICIATING cost the Skins the Monday Night Game, and Clinton Portis cost the Redskins the game against the Browns.  But that is in the past.  This man has been in much worse.  He started out 0-5 in his first year coaching, and people in the papers were calling for his head.  Joe Gibbs made adjustments, and the team finished 8-8, going 8-3 down the stretch.  The next year, the Redskins won their first Super Bowl.

BELIEVE

Debating The Debate...

Well I didn't catch all of the debate last night. In fact I only caught the last few minutes, but enough to realize that Bush still needs a speech 101 class and Kerry is still the quintessential politician -- articulate, lofty and commanding -- but you have no idea if anything he says is true or not.

Last night's debate focused on foreign policy and the war on terror -- what some people may tag the single most important issue in this election and rightfully so -- it is.  

The next debate which will be one week from today will concentrate  on domestic policy like healthcare, the economy, social security etc... I myself am undecided on where I stand on a number of these issues especially healthcare and the economy. Some believe the tax cuts helped us get out of the recession faster. Others felt it took money away from the poor and bulked the pockets of the rich and pose a great economic burden on future generations-- the argument can go on for days. I don't agree with Bush that tax cuts are a cure-all solution. At the same time I don't agree with liberal ideas that encourage the redistribution of wealth. I believe in Personal Responsibility but at the same time it is the governments duty to provide equality of opportunity. Yes the GDP is rising, but the middle-class is disappearing, which cant be a sign of a healthy economy -- at least not in the long run.

Like Benj said, this is one of the most important elections in our lifetime and if you are going to vote make sure you are an informed voter. Please don't resort to eenie meenie miny mo come November 2, in which case you should probably stay home instead of canceling out someone's earnest vote.

That's all for now. See Y'all next time.

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