I recently happened upon an article in the Los Angeles Times by Melissa Healy entitled "A threat to your love life: Facebook!" I thought many would find this interesting:

" Before you log onto Facebook to check in with your honey, brace yourself for comments, exchanges and pictures that might bring out the green-eyed monster in you, prompt you to spend more time on Facebook and lead to addictive behavior as you pursue evidence of competition for your beloved's affections.

   Indeed, Facebook could be ruining your relationships and driving you toward compulsive jealous behavior. This cycle of events is suggested by a survey of college students describe in the journal CyberPsychology & Behavior. Social psychologists from the University of Guelph in Canada queried student in relationships about their Facebook use.

   The preliminary findings suggest that rather than enhancing communication between romantic partners, Facebook use may be fueling wild flights of jealous investigation, as user in relationships perceive hints of potential disloyalty and then scramble to find evidence of a partner's unfaithful thoughts or behavior. Invariably, it seems, they end up feeling more jealous.

   And where does this lead? For some participants in the study, these investigations led to searching behavior they described as "addictive". And bouts of escalating jealously, say the researchers, cannot be good for a relationship.

   The University of Guelph research team previously found that young adults desire for popularity led them to disclose far more personal information on Facebook then they would reveal in the course of ordinary social contact"

What are your thoughts? Do you think Facebook and other social networks is distancing us everyday from real social contact and affecting the current relationships we are in? Do you spend more time on Facebook "

This
is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane
County High School , Kingston , Tennessee , by school Principal, Jody McLeod "It has always been the custom at
Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National
Anthem, to honor God and Country." 

Due
to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation
of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this
public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate
life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK. 
I can use it to
condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe
sex…." If someone is offended, that's OK. 
I can even use this
public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a
"viable! means of birth control." If someone is offended, no
problem… 
I can designate a
school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to
worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it
"ecology.." 
I can use
literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with
strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and
"ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.." 
However, if anyone
uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety
and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.. 
This appears to be
inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. 
 Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD
and HIS Commandments. 
Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to
abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise
would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical… I suffer from that
affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an
intentional transgression. 
For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's,"
and refrain from praying at this time. 
"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,
in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as
I know, that's not against the law—-yet." 
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one
another and began to pray. 
They prayed in the stands.. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the
concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! 
The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of
America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under
GOD." 
Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are
given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! 
JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed
of you before MY FATHER.."

Everytime natural disasters strike I find teenagers asking me if God is behind it. If it's His judgement on a sinful country. And if it is, why would he allow so much suffering to innocent children and families?

Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones, mudslides, and other natural disasters? The tsunami tragedy in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and now 3 days ago the earthquake in Haiti has many people questioning God’s goodness. It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of no tragic natural  disasters. God created the whole universe and the laws of nature(Genesis 1:1). Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work.

The Word states that Christ holds all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17). Could God prevent natural disasters? Absolutely! Does God sometimes influence the weather? Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James 5:17. Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgment against sin. The book of Revelation describes many events which could definitely be described as natural disasters (Revelation chapters 6, 8, and 16). Is every natural disaster a punishment from God? Absolutely not. And we should never, ever, ever, presume whether or not we know that a natural disaster is God's judgement. (i.e. Pat Robertson)

In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation. (Romans 8:19-21) tells us, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” The fall of humanity into sin had effects on everything, including the world we inhabit. Everything in creation is subject to “frustration” and “decay.” Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters just as it is the cause of death, disease, and suffering.

The BIble helps us understand why natural disasters take place. It does not tell us why God allows them to occur, so we should never assume that we know why He does! Why did God allow the earthquake in Haiti to kill over 100,000 people? I don't know, none of us do. But I do know such events cause us to contemplate eternity and what occurs after death! Reagrdless of disaster God is still good. Tragedy doesn't change His goodness, perhaps if we look close enough it actually illuminates even more. The opportunities we possess as the body of Christ to show His hand in the midst of suffering, in the midst of loss, and in the midst of confusion is at its greatest in the midst of natural disasters. We have that opportunity to show His hand now! People in Haiti are re-evaluating what is valuable to them, they are contemplating the meaning of life. They are questioning who or what can be powerful enough to do this. God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies Romans 8:28.

 Last year I engaged in a conversation with a fellow teacher that believed competition only produces pride, hurt, and vanity, therefore it is pointless and sinful. He brought up some valid points, but being a former athlete and highly competitive I disagreed. Our debate lasted for months, I would quote the Apostle Paul, "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules" -2 Tim 2. And he would assure me I was using it out of context. I would than explain the point is Paul didn't rebuke competition, rather he challenged us to observe what our motives are for competing. Is it for recognition? A crown that won't last? For vanity? Even fame? I guess if we compete for worldy things I can understand why my collegaue felt this way. Even the schools we get into and the grades we get can be highly competitive. So is competition wrong? I think it challenges us, pushes us to be more, to do more, it keeps us on our toes. Can competition be sinful? Sure, but so can going to church. (But I won't go there right now)Extremely curious as to what your thoughts on this are. Leave them below. Be careful not to debate too much, it could turn into a competition.

I know this is usually a "spiritual" blog. But since the co-author of this blog (Brian Wang) was talking smack to me before the Fiesta Bowl last night I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the perfect 14-0 season of my Alma Mater. The view from #2 is quite nice. Bronco Nation!

Apparently out of a hundred of the top seniors at Princeton only ten had set ten year goals.  At the end of ten years, when resurveyed, it was found that those ten had 90% of the wealth of the original number.

It's that time of year again….yep the time where you reflect on your past year, and what you want to change for this coming year (or in this year's case…coming decade!) As I have sat back and reflected over the past decade, I have come across something I believe is profound…at least for myself. The New Year is when you try to get rid of past junk, so you can start afresh on Jan 1! Where is the junk I'm talking about? For me it's in my garage and in my heart.

 I looked up the definition for garage this past week, and came across something startling. The true definition of a garage is:

        " a building or indoor area for parking or storing motor vehicles."                                             (thank you dictionary.com)

Can you believe that? Ok I know everyone realizes that is what garages are for. However, I take a look at my garage, as my car sits in the driveway every night and wonder. Why I don't use the garage for it's true purpose. I obviously have my washer and dryer in there, and some yard equipment. But still no room for my car. The reason, I have so much JUNK that just sits there doing nothing but taking up space. Every morning as I open the garage to encounter the rest of the world. I walk past all this junk that slowly becomes a burden. I walk past it, and remind myself I need to get rid of it. But I don't follow suite. Because it's just easier to leave it in there. It's too hard to clean it up and deal with it. Why is it so hard for me not to use my garage for it's true purpose? 

I don't know if you can relate with me and my garage comparison. But hopefully you can see what I'm trying to get at. While I was still on the marvelous dictionary.com I decided to stop by and look up the definition for a heart. There were numerous listings, but I chose just one:

"the center of the total personality, esp. with reference to intuition, feeling, or emotions." 

That definition pretty much sums it up for me as a typical human being, but I want to extend to that definition as a follower of Christ. The heart is where your soul is stored, and upon asking Jesus Christ into your heart and soul. He becomes the center of your total personality! Though that is easier said than done, to store Jesus Christ in your heart needs to be our one true purposes. However, like my garage at home, it is not always my true purpose. It becomes a storage place of hurt, past sins, doubts, and an unbearable burden. Every morning as I wake up and get prepared to encounter the rest of the world. I walk past all this junk that I thought I though I let go of. I know that Jesus Christ died for all of my past sins and future sins. But why can't I walk past it. Why do I have to remind myself I need to get rid of it. Why do I not follow suite with His purpose. It's because it's just easier to leave it in there. It's too hard to clean it up and deal with it. Why is it so hard for me not to use Jesus Christ for his true purpose? I think it's because I'm human. Just like you.

That is why that I ask you today and tomorrow as you reflect on this past year…this past decade. Get rid of the junk, get rid of the burdens. Let go and Let GOD! He is waiting for you to use the sacrifice of his son, for it's true purpose:

Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;
he will never permit

the righteous to be moved.

- Psalm 55:22 ESV

This next year, if you cast your burdens on the Lord. Not storing or saving them. But dealing with them. Your year will be different. YOU will be different. I'm going to work on my garage and on my heart, and I hope you do as well. (BW)

 In a few days we don't only enter a new year, we enter a new decade! Think about 10 years ago. Man does time fly. 10 years ago we had now iPhones and Blackberry's. No twitter or facebook. No wifi or Garmin's. No tivo or blue ray. No red box or crashing economy.

    The Red Sox finally rid themselves of the curse. While Obama became the first African-American president. Some great Christian leaders fell, while Billy Graham made it another decade this side of heaven. Jobs changed, jobs were lost, and houses plummeted. Fashions faded, social justice ignited, and homosexual marriages became legal.  America was attacked, terrorism increased, and troops were deployed.

    Technology increased, Apple made a comeback, and youtube became a phenomenon. People popularized themselves, legends died, athletes retired only to return, and Olympians set records..

    As I look back on the last 10 years so many things have changed around me and within me. But I find great comfort today in knowing 10 years ago God loved and forgave me, today He still loves and forgives me, and 10 years from now He will still love and forgive me! So as we reflect and welcome in the new year may we find resolve in a love that is unchanging and unconditional!

Some of the gifts we received yesterday have already become boring. I have a 5 year old nephew who isn't even entertained by his new Golden Retriever puppy anymore. A vast majority of us are headed to the chaos today to return gifts that were either too small, too big, or not of our liking. The rest of us will pretend to like our gifts so we won't offend the giver. Then a select few of us are satisifed with our gifts, atleast for a while, but even then our satisfaction with that gift will eventually wear off.

What an amazing gift! Jesus was a day old. Not too small, not too big, and the newnesss would never wear off for Joseph and Mary. "Behold, I make all things new!" (Rev. 21:5) He was a gift that would never leave anyone who truly received Him dissatisfied. He brought peace amongst the chaos. He cares about things both big and small, and most amazingly he never grows tired of us. What a gift! One day old! I assure you that Mary was not rushing to Wal-Mart the next morning to return this gift. She would remain enthralled with this gift for the rest of her life.

 May we be reminded today that as we examine our gifts from yesterday to reflect on the gratitude and appreciation of the Gift we have all received, a Gift which none of us deserve! (Ps 103:10)

 Wang and I just finished up cycling through the Gospels 4 times each this past year. It was so beneficial to just saturate in the words of Christ this past year! But as the new year approaches and the unfulfilled resolutions that usually follow I would ask this question. What is your plan? And who will journey with you and hold you accountable to that plan? I would love to hear some suggested Bible plans below. Not sure where I want to journey next year yet!