Game Time!

My predictions for who will play in the NCAA Basketball championship game for Monday...
In the first game, OSU will beat Georgetown. It's rooting time for the Big Ten. Even this Michigan fan will be cheering for the scarlet and gray. In the second game it'll be Florida easily winning over the Bruins of UCLA. So the title game, same as in football, Gators vs. Buckeyes. I hate to say it, same results as the football game...all Gators on Monday night.
These are the days my friend, especially when I'm rooting for OSU.
Jim "Train"

Teach the Bible in Public Schools

Time Magazine this week, has an article about the potential for public high schools to teach the Bible. The reason why according to Time, "Simply put the Bible is the most influential book ever written." But pollster George Gallup has dubbed us "a nation of biblical illiterates." Let' see how you do...
Give the title of one Gospel. (only half of U.S. adults know that)
What's the first book in the Bible (most can't get that one!)
What do you think, would you want the Bible taught in school? Sure it would be from a literary point of view. Is that enough for you? Wouldn't it be good for all of us to have a basic understanding of the Bible? So many great works of literature allude to the Bible. Think of A Tale of Two cities or The Old Man and the Sea. In the meantime, take your Bible and read it. Gather with others at church or Campus Life and become familiar with the Book. After all, God choose to communicate with us through written words. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

World War I

April 6th, 1917 marks the day the USA entered World War I. There are four American WWI vets still alive. Frank Buckles, 106 years old, West Virgina, Lloyd Brown, 105, from Maryland, Harry Landis, 107, of Florida, and Russell Coffey, 108, who lives close by at North Baltimore, Ohio. World War I experts will tell you that the causes and effects of the war reverberate to this day. For instance, in 1917, the British entered Baghdad, proclaiming that they came as liberators, not conquerors. Soon they faced a hostile insurgency. Almost sounds like history is repeating itself with our involvement into Baghdad in 2003. I always appreciate history and learning how it impacts our world today. May you take the time to explore history. History is so much more exciting now than when I had to learn about it in school. Maybe because you had to study to get a grade and now you do it because you want to. These are the days my friend,
Jim "Train"

25 Years of USA Today

USA Today turns 25 on September 15th. I've been with them the entire time. In fact, I'm pretty much an "addict" when it comes to reading the USA Today. No matter where I am, I'll get a copy. The only exception is when I go through "withdrawal" while in France. It was interesting that yesterday's edition had what they think are the top 25 changes in the past 25 years in our country. If your my age, old enough to notice the changes, you'll probably agree. Here's the ones that really struck a chord with me...
*It's a small world after all. Globalization and outsourcing.
*Computers and cellphones.
*Luxury goes mainstream with Starbucks (Four bucks, that's what it'll cost you),
bottled water, and Godiva chocolates.
*Sexualization. Online porno, Hooters, Paris Hilton, and Viagra.
*Makeovers for the masses. Cosmetic surgery is the rage.
What do you think? Changes for the better? These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

The Evil In Me

"What's the worst evil thing you've ever done to someone?" is a question Arnold Joseph asks Susie Song in the move "Smoke Signals. How would you answer such a question? Does anything evil lurk inside your heart? Often we look at the evil "out there." But in reality the evil is right here in me. This is why confession of sin is so important. It's not just that others need to be forgiven, but I need to be forgiven. "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD...'" Then a great promise and gift is given, "...and You forgave the guilt of my sin." -Psalm 32:5 The evil within is cleansed and disinfected. May you have the courage to look in the dark basement of your soul. Find the evil within and bring out to the Son, who forgives and brings life. These are the days my friend,
Jim "Train"

Souji

In Japanese schools, students, teachers, and administrators all drop what they are doing for souji. Souji is a 15 minute a day exercise where you pull out a bucket with a cloth and clean the school. Most schools don't have janitors, but the point is not to cut costs. It's to practice a concept found in Buddhism to associate cleaning with public morality, cooperation with others, and a sense of responsibility. Can you imagine, kids cleaning up after themselves. I can see it now...sparkling, clean hallways at BHS and PGHS. Cafeteria floors so clean you could eat your lunch off of them. Hey, maybe we can even get the Campus Life Room clean this way. Think that will happen here? These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Where's the Toilet Paper

I'm not sure I'm ready for this. In Japan, they have developed a toilet that needs no toilet paper. How then does it work when you have to...you know what? This toilet cleans your bottom with a retractable, self-cleaning wand that shoots a jet of warm water. You control the temperture, pressure, and direction of that water with a keypad. After that, you press another button and a warm blast of air dries your fanny. The toilets even come with preprogrammed sounds to mask any noise you don't want anyone else to hear. I like that idea! But no toilet paper? What would I do without my Charmin? These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Club Penguin

Club Penguin is a internet club designed for elemenatry kids. It launched in October 2005 and has grown from 2.6 million visitors in September to 4 million visitors in January. Club Penguin is a meeting place for kids the ages 8 to 14. It is the tween networking king. It's amazing how little kids can get so easily involved in the virtual world. I happened to read an article about this in the March 19th issue of U.S. News and World Report. What got me is how some parents would limit their childrens playing time at home, but at a daycare facility, the kids would get three uninterrupted hours of playing Club Penguin. In fact, at one daycare center, one parent found 19 little bodies sitting in front of 19 computers, all logged in to Club Penguin. So is this good for little kids to be spending time so much time playing Club Penguin, especially at a daycare center? I wonder, is time spent connecting to each other in a real world setting still happening somewhere? We have an incredible need to belong. Is belonging found in virtual land? High tech and low touch! These are days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Revelation

This school year I'm taking some of our Campus Life student leaders through the final book found in our Bibles, know as Revelation. If nothing else, I hope I have taught that the name is Revelation not Revelations. The plural form, when it's used, drives me crazy. There's only one revelation, the uncovering of the glorified Jesus Christ. I also approach Revelation from a what does it say to us now versus a try to figure out what's going to happen in the future. It does give us a picture of what the future holds, but it also has something to say about life NOW! We look at it as a picture book, not as a puzzle page. Today when we get together, we'll explore chapter 14. This chapter speaks to living life with a spirit of carpe diem. It is a seize the day kind of chapter. Most of all, Revelation drives us to our knees in worshiping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May you be found low before Him. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Walk Through the Valley

Today Bluffton University has a memorial service planned for 7:30 pm. at Founders Hall. This is for the Bluffton University baseball players who were killed as a result of a bus crash in Atlanta on March 2nd. It will be a painful and gut wrenching expeience for many in the BU community. Over three thousand people are expected to attend. It's in times like these that Psalm 23 is often recited. I especially take note of the phrase, "though I walk through the valley..." People walk at different paces. Pat and I walk pretty fast. We've walked with others who are slower and we need to go at their pace. That's how it is when we walk through that valley caused by the death of a loved one. People walk or grieve at different paces. Some will walk through this valley faster that others. Some will go at a snail's pace. But what's important is that we all eventually walk (a verb which requires action)though the valley. It doesn't do us any good to pitch a tent in the valley of death. We can't stay there. Yes, grieve at your own pace, but walk. Eventually baseball lockers will need to be cleared, seats reassigned in classrooms, and other baseball players playing in former teammates positions. It won't be easy, but by Jesus love and comfort, we'll walk through this deep valley. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Sparkling White Teeth

I took the plunge and received a whitening treatment for my teeth. The dentist said it will improve the whiteness of your teeth 4 to 12 steps better. After my two hour treatment, I looked into the mirror and I wasn't sure how many steps brighter my teeth were. I know you don't need sunglasses to look at my smile. But this reminds me of the Bible passage which says,"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Talk about a whitening job! Confess your sin and it turns out brighter than 12 steps. So spend some time today sharing the dark, dingy spots in your life. People might just have to wear shades when they see you. Well, it's time for a bleach treatment for my teeth and my soul. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

$50 Stew

Monday at Club 56 I used an object lesson known as the $50 stew. I took a large glass bowl and placed it in the middle of the table. As soon as I brought out the stew items, the kids crowded around the table. I commented I'd watched the Food Channel and saw this recipe on a show. After placing the $50 bill at the bottom of the bowl, I added black olives, sardines, sauerkraut, ketchup, and raw hamburger. I took my hands and began mixing the stew. Soon it smelled a little funny and looked disgusting. I remarked how I must of not caught all the directions in making this stew. Next I threatened to throw it away. The kids yelled out not to. Why not?" I asked. "There's a fifty dollar bill in the stew," they shouted. "But's it smells and it's disgusting." Then I shared Genesis 1:26 and 27... "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image,in the image of God he created him..." God tells us that everyone bears His image. No matter if the person smells, is disgusting, and is different. That person has value. So don't throw people out just because they are different. Jesus says, "Love others." Every person bears His image and is valuable. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Sex God

I just finished reading Rob Bell's new book, "Sex God." Rob Bell has a great command of the Hebrew langauge and makes Biblical books like Leviticus, come alive. The book has great stories, like lipstick sent to a liberated Jewish concentration camp to letting go of helium balloons, signifying forgiveness in Christ. In a world saturated with sex, it's great to see the issue presented in a Biblical world view. To illustrate sex on the loose, just this weekend I was talking to two college age women. One I saw at Community Market and out of the blue she said. "5." I said, "5 what?" "5 is the number of guys I have had sex with." Another at church none the less, said, "I'm living with my boyfriend." The words flowed from her mouth without batting an eye. Like what's the big deal. If ever we need a book like "Sex God," it's now. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Walking Through the Valley with Bluffton University

Once again we are reminded of the sin scarred and marred world we live in. A charter bus carrying the Bluffton University baseball team crashes in Atlanta, killing six people, four of them students. Death seems so unnatural when it strikes the young. I spent over two hours Friday at the campus, offering what little I could do. At 10 am. Founders Hall was packed as students and staff gathered together to hear an announcemant by President Harder. Soon after the announcement, the campus community read Scriptures, prayed, and sang Amazing Grace. Death, it's not how it should be. All you ahd to do is look into the faces of the students gathered together. It's in this sin scarred and marred world that Jesus enters. Often when tragedy strikes, we want to blame God or run from Him. Instead, God says, "Look to My Son. See His nail print hands and feet." Jesus knows pain, suffering, and death. Run to Him when the pain is unbearable. He knows how you feel. And as you run to His nail pierecd hands, His arms will wrap around you tight and whisper in your ear, "This isn't right. Life eternal is found in Me. Hold tight to Me and together we'll get through this. I did." At times like this, we often turn to Psalm 23,,,
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
You see that phrase, "walk through the valley of the shadow of death." That's right, when we hold on to Jesus, we'll be able to walk, to get through this time of pain and grief. Run to Jesus. He's waiting with nail pierced hands. These are the days my friend.
Jim 'Train"