ATM Spirituality

Alcoholism

There is an insidious disease creeping through our nation. It is infiltrating people from every walk of life. I daresay that most people afflicted with this don't even realize they have it. It brings just as much pain and suffering as any other fatal illness that may be brought about by a virus or other pathogen. In fact, this disease is brought about by a bug that could be considered more deadly than any other. A virus of the mind. It acts like any other virus, replicating itself until it takes over. But instead of a physical creature, this replication takes place in the form of diseased electrical impulses. Diseased thoughts. These viral thoughts continue until they overwhelm the brain's natural defense system against such things. You know, the part of the brain that shuts down such obsessions as wiping off every doorknob you see for fear of germ infection (we laugh at such people, think "What about Bob"). Or natural brain function that tells the hand not to thrust itself into hot coals.... No matter how pretty they look. It removes the minds ability to laugh a knowing laugh at a ridiculous idea.

Alcoholism is an obsessive disorder that disarms all logic, all rational thinking.

This "thought germ" is killing my wife right now.

To Disagree, To Dislike, or to Hate, By Rex M. Rogers

The other day I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations and on came the 60 second radio program, "Making a Difference, with Rex M. Rogers". He's the president of Cornerstone University.

Both the audio and transcript can be found at the link below.

Making a Difference, To Disagree, To Dislike, or To Hate.

Subconsciously, I have always shied away from people who didn't share my views exactly. Thanks to Rex, I am liberated from this shallow thinking.

B

Athiests attack Jerry Falwell....Now that He's Dead.

I just wonder why this guy didn't come out and say these things about Falwell while he was alive?

Hitchens: 'I wish there was a hell for Falwell'
Celebrated atheist labels Jerry 'ugly little charlatan'

So much for Atheism being the religion of love and tolerance.....As if it ever was.

The Atheism Debate

Let me say that I did not watch the Nightline debate between the Comfort/Cameron duo and the founders of "The Blasphemer's Challenge". I did, however, see enough video snippets on abcnews.com to find a few thoughts roaming about in my head about the subject....

Athough they meant well, I couldn't shake the feeling that all Ray Comfort did by sending that e-mail to Nightline challenging the atheists to a debate was bring undeserved and unwarranted legitimacy to a ridiculous, almost comedic, attempt to defame God.

I have to admit I was amused and felt love swell up in my heart for the male athiest as I saw him speak. I really think that God prefers honest doubt to false piety. He would rather someone say, "I have no reason to believe in you!" than walk through life faking smiles at church and then going home and kicking on the Mtv and worshipping their 24-pack of Coors Light. I also know that God proves Himself faithful. He is bigger than atheism. He is bigger that 800 people on You Tube professing thier lack of faith. He is just bigger than that Nightline debate. He is bigger than any argument you can put against Him.

I once saw a bumper sticker that put it in perspective: "If you're living like there is no God, then you better be right!" But I digress.....

The writer/preacher George McDonald says it best in his sermon in June of 1882 at Brixton Congregational Church.

.....with one on this side and one on that side crying out, "I have reached, I have seen, and I have found no God." Settle this with yourselves to begin with. Not all the intellect or metaphysics of the world could prove that there is no God, and not all the intellect in the world could prove that there is a God. If you could prove that there is a God, that would imply that you could go all around Him, and buttress up his being with your human argument that He should exist. As soon might a child on his mother's bosom, looking up into his mother's face, write a treatise on what a woman was and what a mother was.But do not think that God is angry with you because you find it hard to believe. It is not so; that is not like God; God is all that you can honestly wish Him to be, and infinitely more; He is not angry with you for that....

It bears repeating, God is all that you can honestly wish Him to be and infinitely more...

I just want to yell at the top of my lungs, "Would you please stop trying to be so ADULT about this whole thing!!"

Jesus said something like this. Unless you accept the kingdom like a child, you will never understand it. I think those who claim to be athiests are just trying to be old. Rejecting the foolishness of a child.

Doesn't anyone remember how fun it was being a kid?

Anti-God Starbucks Cup Has Customer Steaming

An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.
The message that got Michelle Incanno's blood boiling reads:
"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."

Full Story

And now for my commentary. As a professing follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ, I believe this message is good! Why??

Our God is bigger than this. If it creates discussion about salvation in a Starbucks then so be it; its not easy to just walk up to some stranger and say, "Hey dude, what do you think about eternal damnation?" Or "Hey bro, what exactly are your views on the third heaven?"

This cup empowers Christians everywhere to start up a conversation and possibly help them in a way they have never been helped. I am very disappointed with World Net Daily's opinion poll on this story, where Christians are portrayed as very cynical about the subject.

Yes, it does defame God. But we are followers of Jesus Christ! When people defamed God in front of Him, He turned it into an opportunity! The religious leaders of His day defamed God continually before Him. If Jesus had silenced them with hate-rhetoric, the Gospels would be a whole lot shorter. If written at all..

Listen, Christians.... Each and every man, woman and child that lives on this earth is made in the image of God. Yes, we're mixed up. Yes, we make dumb comments. But Jesus' primary message was one of Love. Remember this? (a paraphrase). The whole law is summed up in this, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.....

Who is my neighbor?

Jesus now tells the story of the Good Samaritan. A man gets robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a sadducee walk by and do not help him. Then a Samaritan walks by and bandages his wounds, puts him on his own mule, and carts him to a nearby town. Then, the Samaritan puts the guy up at an inn, paying for everything until the man is better. Who then, acted as a neighbor, the priest, the sadducee, or the samaritan? (aha!)

But here's the kicker.... Jesus was telling this story to a crowd of people who hated Samaritans.

B

National Gas Out on May 15th

It's time to fight higher gas prices....

I recently recieved this e-mail from a friend and I plan to participate.

>> NO GAS...On May 15th 2007. Don't pump gas on MAY 15th. In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight. On May 15th 2007, all Internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices. Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places. There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the Internet network, And the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up. If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take $2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil companies pockets. For just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and Lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one Day. If you agree (which I cant see why you wouldn't) resend this to all your Contact list. With it saying, ''Don't pump gas on May 15th".....

When researching this online, I found many detractors. Many people saying, "it won't work" or "don't bother because one day won't mean a thing". Cynicism will get us nowhere. Even if the facts for this aren't totally accurate, the idea is sound. Maybe a whole week off from gas would do better, but let's see if we can organize one day to begin with! It has been said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

This is that step.

BTJ

Rich

How do we reconcile ourselves with this?

David Crowder's Foreverandever Video

Youtube, youtube, youtube!!! If it weren't for you, I would have never seen the coolest music video since....ummm......Ok, it's the coolest one I've seen since......ummm...... Well, I promise you, it's cool.