In fact, I am not sure I wouldn’t rather talk to someone who believes he needs to burn the Bible (burner), than someone who is so unconcerned about the Bible that he is unsure where to find one (indifferent). At least the burner “feels” there is something about the Bible that threatens or damages his well-being. Surely it is at that point of conviction that one could insert the claims of God’s Word with the intervention of God’s Spirit as the arbiter of Truth.

That is why I am always surprise by news like the following -

On Monday about 200 men gathered near a mosque in Kabul to protest against the planned torching, [Florida Church plans to burn Koran on September 11] shouting “Death to America” and “Long live Islam” for about an hour after their midday prayers, witnesses said. (AFP News, Kabul)

It would seem that those folks (and a multitude of others around the World) would disagree with me. Yet – is Islam not the “religion of peace?” Have they forgotten the words and actions of their founder -

The Prophet taught the people to love Allah and to love human beings. He taught them to love even their oppressors. It is known from the hadith that the Prophet used to pray for the good of his Ummah with tears, every day after each of the five obligatory prayers. Even at the time of his death the Prophet wept for his Ummah. And according to Islam all human beings from his time to the last day of the world are the Ummah of Hadrat Muhammad.<sup>salli Allahu `alayhi wa sallam</sup> The Qur’an declares (2:213): “Mankind is one single nation.” The Holy Prophet’s life was a symbol of love and nonviolence. He was the first among all to protect others’ rights. (Peace is the Basic Spirit in Islam, by Giasuddin Ahmed, February 1996, As-Salamu `Alaykum)

Now I’m confused. . .

People send their damaged money here in hopes of getting it replaced. A purse with hardened stacks of old money was sent in by an individual. “When his grandmother passed away, he was cleaning out her barn and he found it buried in the corner of the barn,” said Eric Walsh. Every day, they roll a new cart full of cases into the Mutilated Currency Division. Most of it arrives via the U.S. Postal Service. In a typical year, they’ll return $25 million to individuals and businesses. (FoxFive, Washington, D. C.)

That is good news for many folks who have various disasters in their life, or have a relative that hides cash in weird places.

What cannot be returned to us, no matter how it is handled, is time. We are allotted time in exact proportion to God’s will for our life, and once that time is gone, it is gone forever.

We might want to take to heart the admonition of Scripture we find in Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Life will end for us here on Earth one day. It is best we should spend ours wisely and in concert with the will of The Father.

In llove Christ sacrifices the required sinless blood.

In response, man, quickened by God,  believes.

In llove God lavishes His grace on the believer, forgiveness of trespass occurs, and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the believer’s account.

The believer is a “new creation” in Christ – old things pass away, all things become new.

The believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit of God.

God’s will is implemented in the life of the believer resulting in “praise to His (God) glory.”

Life begins – full and eternal.

There are no exceptions, no short cuts, no variance, no changes allowed, no alternatives, no kidding.

Any questions?

(These thought are not a formula, nor a complete theological presentation, they are not exhaustive, nor intended to convey the totality of Truth, but rather a starting point in thinking Biblically regarding the meaning of being a Christian.)

Congressperson Johnson – takes funds that are designed to help needy students and converts them to her personal use for her family and her staff’s families. That’s unethical – it ought to be a crime if it isn’t, and she should be barred from public office.

Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll coaches violate UIL rules – hold Summer workouts for student-athletes with coaching and skill enhancement assistance. That’s unethical – it ought to be a crime if it isn’t, and those coaches should be barred from coaching in Public School.

Johnson says she will pay back the money, now that she’s been found out.

School supporters say, “everybody does it” now that there is film of rules violation.

So, how about we let out of prison all those thieves who are willing to pay back what they have stolen?

How about making a law that says – if the perception is ”everyone is doing it,” it cannot be considered a violation or a crime? (Like, say. . .cheating on Income tax)

We seem hell-bent on “everyone (at least the oligarchy) doing what is right in their own eyes.” One might want to check out how that has worked out in history.

And here’s a thought for you – I’ll wager the students at Carroll and Trinity get in more “hot water” than our Congressperson. (Hope I’m wrong!)

“. . .the Obama administration insists the U.S. is not abandoning Iraq and is ramping up a diplomatic corps to help stabilize the country’s government and economy over the coming years.”  So says Mr. Gibbs (the President’s spokesperson) in an article by Julie Pace of Associated Press.

Mr. Gibbs, can we get a little of that for the good old U. S. of A.?