From HotSpots:
Thailand's Criminal Court ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges. Authorities allege that Thaksin provided funding, weapons and Cambodian fighters to fuel the protests against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government. Bangkok will now seek Thaksin's extradition. Thaksin has denied the charges.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Trouble in Morocco
From HOTSPOTS:
Morocco (Country threat level - 3): Moroccan government sources reported on 21 May 2010 that authorities have notified another group of foreigners in Morocco of their impending removal from the country for alleged Christian evangelizing activity; an offense punishable under Moroccan law. The 23 notified foreign nationals are predominantly Westerners, including at least one U.S. national. U.S. Embassy officials indicated that they are concerned about the second wave of deportations and are questioning the basis of the removal. The recent notifications follow a similar expulsion of Westerners in early March 2010. Local missionary and Christian groups in the country stated that many Christians are now worried about a perceived low-level government crackdown on Christians in the country.
ASI Comment: Although Morocco maintains good relations with most Western nations, and especially the U.S., diplomatic tensions have increased recently following Morocco’s recent refusal to abide by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. International watchdog groups have noted that the recent moves are not only in response to increasing international criticism, but also the government's efforts to deter Muslim conversions to Christianity in the country. Although the situation is not expected to result in violent targeting of Westerners or Christians in the country, rising tensions could include other politically motivated, official acts as well as further deportations of foreigners from the country.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Renee's Wedding
We had the privilege of attending the wedding of Renee Getsee and Richard Adams in the chapel at Ouachita Baptist University, in Arkadelphia, AR. We got to know Renee in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We also had the privilege of hosting her during her spring break in 2009.
It was our first time to meet Richard. It was a simple but beautiful ceremony.
It was really good to see her parents and sisters again, too.
Ken walking his eldest down the aisle.
The vows
It was really good to see her parents and sisters again, too.
It looks worse than it was.
The Boyne family with the happy couple.
The bouquet launch
Ready or Not
"Ready or not, here I come!"
We've all heard those words, if not said them ourselves.
In the Ricky-Boy Okie Version of the Bible, that's what Jesus says to us when He says, "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 NASB)
I sincerely hope that when Jesus DOES return, He will find you ready. If you aren't sure about it, please click on this link.
We've all heard those words, if not said them ourselves.
In the Ricky-Boy Okie Version of the Bible, that's what Jesus says to us when He says, "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 NASB)
I sincerely hope that when Jesus DOES return, He will find you ready. If you aren't sure about it, please click on this link.
Rocky Point Fish Fry
Every year, (maybe twice a year) older folks from Wagoner haul their camper trailers out to Rocky Point for a week of fun on Lake Ft. Gibson. Most all of them are good Christian folk, so there is no rough talk and no one gets drunk.
I've been invited out for the past three years to attend their big fish fry. Several members of my church, some from Crossroads, and the majority from First Baptist. Everyone brings something to contribute and they eat the catfish that the men have caught the previous couple days.
It is a delightful time of fun and fellowship; something that I would look forward to in my own retirement.
While I didn't get a good count, there must have been 50 people there. (and the fish was delicious!)
I've been invited out for the past three years to attend their big fish fry. Several members of my church, some from Crossroads, and the majority from First Baptist. Everyone brings something to contribute and they eat the catfish that the men have caught the previous couple days.
It is a delightful time of fun and fellowship; something that I would look forward to in my own retirement.
While I didn't get a good count, there must have been 50 people there. (and the fish was delicious!)
Funny Sign
Something Funny
Last week or so, Audrey had a special assignment for one of her classes. It was a "how to" assignment. She chose "how to make tuna casserole".
She stayed up late the night before it was due, preparing the dish, so she could get up early the next morning and put it in the oven.
The presentation was supposed to be at about 1 pm or so. Audrey went into the teacher's break room only to find it not in the refrigerator. She looked around for it and finally found it on the table, but when she opened the cover, the casserole wasn't there and the dish had been washed!
She gasped in distress and one of the teacher volunteers asked her what was wrong. She said that her class project was gone. The volunteer got a worried look on her face and said, "that was class project? It was delicious. We thought you brought it for Teacher Appreciation Week." She then showed her a small cereal bowl sized dish that had some left-overs in it.
She took her empty casserole dish and leftovers back to the class and explained it to her teacher. The teacher said it was ok and to go ahead and give the presentation. Audrey brought some plastic forks and everyone had a very small bite of her casserole, explaining to the class "The teachers ate my casserole."
The teacher told me that it was absolutely delicious and she'd get an "A+".
I guess "all's well that ends well."
She stayed up late the night before it was due, preparing the dish, so she could get up early the next morning and put it in the oven.
The presentation was supposed to be at about 1 pm or so. Audrey went into the teacher's break room only to find it not in the refrigerator. She looked around for it and finally found it on the table, but when she opened the cover, the casserole wasn't there and the dish had been washed!
She gasped in distress and one of the teacher volunteers asked her what was wrong. She said that her class project was gone. The volunteer got a worried look on her face and said, "that was class project? It was delicious. We thought you brought it for Teacher Appreciation Week." She then showed her a small cereal bowl sized dish that had some left-overs in it.
She took her empty casserole dish and leftovers back to the class and explained it to her teacher. The teacher said it was ok and to go ahead and give the presentation. Audrey brought some plastic forks and everyone had a very small bite of her casserole, explaining to the class "The teachers ate my casserole."
The teacher told me that it was absolutely delicious and she'd get an "A+".
I guess "all's well that ends well."
Audrey's Big Day
Thursday was Audrey's 8th Grade Graduation and Awards Assembly. She and Emily attend Ben Franklin Science Academy in Muskogee, a science magnet school. Since it is a Kindergarten through 8th grade, they have a ceremony to advance the kids on to high school. I am really happy they get to be a part of something like this. The school I grew up in was like that; Lone Star in Sapulpa, OK.
They had an entry ceremony complete with "Pomp and Circumstance".
Audrey received the "Top Social Studies Student" from Diane Walker, Oklahoma Supreme Court's 2010 Teacher of the Year.
The "core teachers" lined up to congratulate the 8th graders. This school truly has a small town flavor to it that makes everyone family.
Among her many awards, Audrey was Top Social Studies Student, Top Math Student, Superintendent's Honor Roll and class co-valedictorian.
Mom and Dad are very proud of their older daughter, not just for the awards she's won, but because of her commitment to follow God.
They had an entry ceremony complete with "Pomp and Circumstance".
The "core teachers" lined up to congratulate the 8th graders. This school truly has a small town flavor to it that makes everyone family.
Among her many awards, Audrey was Top Social Studies Student, Top Math Student, Superintendent's Honor Roll and class co-valedictorian.
Mom and Dad are very proud of their older daughter, not just for the awards she's won, but because of her commitment to follow God.
Stormy Weather
Wednesday evening, a huge front moved through Oklahoma spawning 17 tornadoes. Thankfully, many of them were F1 with winds not exceeding 105 mph.
The Emergency Alert System was activated on our cable TV interrupting programming on all channels. I took a picture of the alert with my cell phone camera. The quality is very poor.
This is the radar image on CBS Tulsa Affiliate KOTV Channel 6. We didn't get to watch CSI, but at one point there were 7 counties in the viewing area with current tornado warnings! Even for Oklahoma, that is a big deal. I took another picture of the TV image with my cell phone.
Here in Wagoner, we had a gust front with winds of 40-50 mph but, once again, the storms went around us.
The Emergency Alert System was activated on our cable TV interrupting programming on all channels. I took a picture of the alert with my cell phone camera. The quality is very poor.
Here in Wagoner, we had a gust front with winds of 40-50 mph but, once again, the storms went around us.
Emily's Big Day
Emily's Award Ceremony was Tuesday.
Audrey joined her mother and I for the event. (She talked her way out of class!)
Emily received the Reading, Math, & Superintendent Honor Roll awards!
While she has just completed 5th grade, she is a whole year younger than most of her classmates, as she actually started kindergarten a year early!
She finished as salutatorian for her class. Not bad for being a year ahead!
Obviously, we are very proud of her. Not just for her academic prowess, but for her heart to follow God!
Emily received the Reading, Math, & Superintendent Honor Roll awards!
Obviously, we are very proud of her. Not just for her academic prowess, but for her heart to follow God!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
How Rich Are You Really?
Do you think you are rich or poor?
Most of us think we could be better off, but that is because we constantly compare ourselves to people who are richer than us.
Let's take a look at the big picture for moment.
According to the World Bank Research Group, the average annual wage around the world is about $6000. That's PER YEAR!
If you want to see how well off you really are, go to this site: http://globalrichlist.com/ and plug in your annual salary.
If you consider your earthly wealth to define who you are, then you have your confidence in something that is insecure and could/will not last forever.
Put your confidence in Jesus Christ; an investment in Him will not disappoint!
[HT: Dave Scott]
Most of us think we could be better off, but that is because we constantly compare ourselves to people who are richer than us.
Let's take a look at the big picture for moment.
According to the World Bank Research Group, the average annual wage around the world is about $6000. That's PER YEAR!
If you want to see how well off you really are, go to this site: http://globalrichlist.com/ and plug in your annual salary.
If you consider your earthly wealth to define who you are, then you have your confidence in something that is insecure and could/will not last forever.
Put your confidence in Jesus Christ; an investment in Him will not disappoint!
[HT: Dave Scott]
Monday, May 10, 2010
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Thursday Thoughts
I was thinking this morning that people don't want to seek after God because they are comfortable in their sin and if they actually meet God, they don't want to have to change from their ways.
When we meet Holiness face to face, we are then faced with our own corruption and that is convicting.
People do all they can to avoid "eye contact" with God because they know that God will require change.
It is an interesting thing indeed to see people squirm in their sin. When that happens, they lash out at everyone who speaks truth and accuse them of being "fundamentalist" "intolerant" "narrow-minded" "archaic" and "irrelevant".
The truth of the matter is people like living in their sin. They will continue to do that until they truly encounter the One Who is without sin.
When we meet Holiness face to face, we are then faced with our own corruption and that is convicting.
People do all they can to avoid "eye contact" with God because they know that God will require change.
It is an interesting thing indeed to see people squirm in their sin. When that happens, they lash out at everyone who speaks truth and accuse them of being "fundamentalist" "intolerant" "narrow-minded" "archaic" and "irrelevant".
The truth of the matter is people like living in their sin. They will continue to do that until they truly encounter the One Who is without sin.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Honey Bees
We had a colony of honey bees make their hive in the eave of the church. We called in a beekeeper to take care of them.
I got stung.
He didn't.
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