Prayer Mountain Here we Come!

I couldn’t have been happier! It’s what makes pastors happy!

There’s a nice little prayer center only 10 miles away from my home. Not 80, not 40, just 10 miles. For those who grew up visiting prayer mountains or prayer gardens, the one thing that may prevent us from making more frequent trips is usually the distance. So I couldn’t believe it when we found a center just 15 minutes away.

The staff at Kairos had planned for a prayer mountain trip last Sunday. Not knowing where to go, I googled, “Prayer Mountain” on Google Maps. The search lists:

Prayer Mountain

16145 California 67

Ramona, CA 92065-7220

So we decided to give it a try. We met a wonderful staff of ladies who are running the prayer center. They have 4 prayer caves (claustrophobes beware) and 2 small cabins built for two and a small chapel for small groups. It’s a great place for a prayer retreat for anyone.

For those who’ve never been to a place like this, give it a try! Add it to one of your disciplines for spiritual renewal and growth.

A Path to Death!

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

First, let me make it clear, this isn’t to criticize anyone particular posting in fb.

But as I was browsing down my fb page, I thought this was so ironic. I noticed an entry of this picture (below). It depicts what had been done to a group of Christians by Muslims in Nigeria. At first, I couldn’t tell what the image was depicting. And I realize that it was because I had never seen a picture of bodies that had been burned by fire. As I realized what the image was depicting, my heart was filled with sadness of the kind of inhumane torture anyone can inflict on another human being regardless of religion, race, etc.

Then I scroll down to the next entry, and I see the word “torturous”. I thought it was a comment about the picture initially, upon closer look, it was a different entry altogether (see below).

Obviously, I found the word choice to be totally ironic especially as the entry followed a picture depicting what “torturous” can really look like. And I realized that as believers in the States, we may never face torture to the degree in which some of our brothers and sisters are actually facing in other parts of the world. On one hand, we are grateful. On the other hand, we recognize that our hearts can become totally aloof and even calloused to the real perils that exist even today. And simply to pray, to post, to blog is not enough. James 2:14-17 is a reminder that even today we can actually DO something in revealing our faith in this world.

These believers in Nigeria showed their faith and it led them to their death. A meaningful one, I’m sure, in God’s eyes. Should we remain inactive in our faith, we also choose death, a meaningless one.

 

• 

  Wall Photos

  DO NOT LIKE IT. COMMENT. AND PLEASE, SHARE.

  Like

  • Write a comment…

————————————————————————————–

• Why is waiting so torturous!!

  Like

  • Write a comment…

Baseball Night in America…except for Boston

I’m not a huge baseball fan. If anything, I mildly follow the Anaheim Angels. But even for a casual fan, last night was a pretty exciting night in baseball. Coming down to the final game of a long 162 game season, 4 teams were fighting for 2 spots in post-season play.

In the American League, Boston lost in the 9th inning and with Tampa Bay winning in the bottom of the 12th inning, it was as dramatic as baseball can get. Every pitch, every strike, every ball, etc., everything mattered.

And right after Boston lost to Baltimore, for about 3 minutes every single Red Sox fan must have found themselves ironically cheering for their most hated rivals (Yankees). What an odd feeling that must have been for about 3 minutes: to want every cell in your body to pull for a team that every one of those cells have been hating for years if not decades. Every body part must have been confused to find itself in such an oxymoronic predicament.

Well 3 minutes later, the Yankees give up a game winning homerun to the Rays; and I’m assuming all Sox fans resumed their hatred, if more wasn’t added, of the Yankees once again. Perhaps, the Sox fans even assumed that the Yankees purposely threw a game where they were up 7-0 going into the 8th inning. Who knows??? But the Sox are out. Last night must have been such an emotional roller coaster ride for the fans of Boston!

131 Christians Everyone Should Know – Category: Theologians

I discovered a book called 131 Christians Everyone Should Know. It’s a great little book giving some personal history, achievements, and impact of some of the most important believers that influenced church history. How many of these have you heard of? Today’s category is theologians.

1. Athanasius – Five-time exile for fighting “orthodoxy”
2. Augustine of Hippo – Architect of the Middle Ages
3. John of Damascus – Image-conscious Arab
4. Anselm – Reluctant bishop with a remarkable mind
5. Thomas Aquinas – The brilliant “dumb ox”
6. Martin Luther – Passionate reformer
7. John Calvin – Father of the Reformed faith
8. Jacob Arminius – Irenic anti-Calvinist
9. Jonathan Edwards – America’s greatest theologian
10. Karl Barth – Courageous theologian

When Science and Religion Collide!

Here’s an interesting article on the gift of tongues…from a scientific point of view!

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/health/07brain.html

Parenting Our Sinful Child

As parents, do you have a vision for your child? And is that vision related to simply accomplishments or character? Do you celebrate your child’s accolades and achievements but forget to honor his/her character?

Prov 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

Any parent can attest to the theological doctrine of original sin. No matter what you try as a parent, your child will misbehave, challenge authority, lie for the sake of avoiding discipline, etc. And no, the child did not learn that simply from your friends’ children. They walk the path that leads to destruction. Parenting is leading them to the right path so that in life, our children will walk with character and integrity.

So which right path have you directed your child to take this week? this month? this season? A path towards honesty? A path towards generosity? A path towards goodness?

Recommendation: www.rosemond.com

Mode Automotive on Kearny Villa Rd

As long as anyone lives in CA, it’s good to know a good mechanic. I know several up in LA/OC area that are part of the Southland family. You know they aren’t going to make up things about what your car needs. It’s unfortunate that there is a stigma with mechanics that they basically rip off people.

Well, I think I found an honest mechanic in SD who isn’t out there to make up random “recommendations” that your car needs all of a sudden. Things like, “Oh btw, your car only takes special type of oil and so rather than $24.99, it will cost you $44.99.” There should be a website that lists all of the common bogus suggestions that mechanics make to make a quick buck.

Anyway, look up Ryan Mode at Mode Automotive at 9545 Kearny Villa Rd., #107 – 858.361.4645. Coupons available at www.moneymailersd.com