There’s not too much humor in this war so you’ve got to take it when you can get it. This AP photo is from FoxNews.com’s Day 10 Photo essay.

I appreciate good photography. I’m drawn to wartime photos these days. Go check out the work of photographer Grant M. Haller who has been “embedded” with the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Read this interesting article at rationalchristianity.net to learn several easy ways to keep nonbelievers from visiting your Christian web site. The author took an informal survey of nonbelievers asking them to rate the annoyance level of some of the following on Christian run web sites.

Christian-themed backgrounds (crosses, fish, etc.)
Commercialism - prominent ads for online store, “buy my book,” “make a donation”
“Vote for this site” buttons
Using “webservant” in place of webmaster
Infighting - “Why Catholics/Protestants/etc. are wrong”
Prominent Bible verses (e.g. a theme verse at the top of the home page)
Written prayer (”Lord, please use this site…” or “I pray that this site will help you…”)

A few comments at the end of the article are also enlightening.

UPDATE: The article points out that these are things you should AVOID if you intend to appeal to a broader audience.

I missed Oliver North’s latest article a few days ago but I’ve finally come to my senses and brought myself up to speed. He shares the following, but you must read the whole thing yourself.

Yes, war is dangerous and unpredictable. But don’t believe the cynics and critics who tell you that our young men and women are unprepared or ill-equipped. They are more than ready and willing to carry out the orders of their commander in chief who told them that “the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you.”

Mr. President, our troops want you to deliver to the Iraqi people the same message you gave to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines when you campaigned for the job of commander in chief — “Help is on the way!”

Here is an interesting slide show of images from the war.

by Maynard H. Belt — Reprinted with permission

“He….encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” Acts 11:23

Sometimes I just don’t think that I have enough faith!

Yes, you heard me right. Sometimes I just don’t think that I have enough faith….especially when I read Hebrews Chapter 11. Do you ever feel like that? Here we are the spiritual leaders. We are supposed to always have enough faith. But when is enough, enough? Well, whenever I read Hebrews chapter 11, I always come away encouraged that I can have more faith, but I must be willing to be a follower of faith. If anything, this chapter always challenges me to the fact that faith is always on the move. It is not evident in the lives of those who stand still. And faith always seems to amaze!


—Read the Rest of the Entry…

Sadly, tonight we have news that a U.S. Marine helicopter crashed in Kuwait killing all 4 American and 8 British soldiers aboard (corrected count). What’s even more sad is these brave individuals died while participating in efforts to liberate the Iraqi people from the grip of a ruthless dictator as protesters staged crude demonstrations in opposition to this action.

Update: The original report has been corrected. It is 12 British and 4 American dead.

Let’s continue to pray for our troops. Pray also for the families of those killed.

Update: We now know the number was 8 British killed. We also know that there have been two more marines killed today (3-21-03).

Some time back I promised a photo of our new home, Higgins Lake, Michigan. We’ve lost most of the snow you see in this photo but the lake is still ice covered and will be for some time. We’re loving it here in the North Country. (click the thumbnail to see it larger)

Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; [NASB]

Facing the unique challenges of ministry in the church, a pastor, leadership and staff must understand and apply the instruction of Ephesians 4:11 and 12 or else the growth of the church will be stunted. Bill Hybels summarizes well, in this article, the importance of increasing the number of volunteers in the ministry of the church.

One of the things Hybles notes is really the beauty of the body of believers we call the church.

“As the volunteers become instruments in the hand of God, they experience a level of fulfillment they hope will never end, so they win, too. And the surrounding community wins as it is served by a unified, multi-gifted force for good.”

Google helps hackers turn up medical records. Not so cool.

I’m getting back into full-time pastor mode. It sure is fun. It’s a privilege. It’s also a great burden — in a good sort of way. Part of this full-time thing is preaching and teaching more than what I’ve been doing over the past few years. Along with the increased teaching comes the need for more study. More study requires good study tools. Knowing what books and reference materials are best to add to your ministry toolbox is a real challenge. Books for Biblical Expositors is a list at the Master’s Seminary that comes to a young pastor’s rescue. Professor James F. Stitzinger has created a valuable list of study tools for expository preaching. He notes;

A solid theological library is essential to the careful exposition of God’s Word. Those seeking to devote themselves to a life of biblical study and exposition must make the commitment to develop a solid library and view it as a highest priority. This important goal will be the product of careful planning so that it meets the individual needs and budget constraints of the expositor. A well balanced library should include books, periodicals, audio and video tapes, and software, all assembled and organized with careful planning and at an affordable pace. This essay proposes a model library of tools for the expositor designed to assist the serious student or pastor and the dedicated layman.