USA Today Top 25 Lives of Indelible Impact

To celebrate 25 years, USA Today shares its Top 25 "Lives of Indelible Impact" from the past 25 years. How many do you remember???
*9/11 Heroes who risked and gave all to save lives.
*Nelson Mandela who helped stop racial segregation in South Africa.
*Princess Diana who died in a car crash in Paris. I've seen the place.
*Lance Armstrong who won 7 straight Tour de France bike races.
*Man at Tiananmen Square. I was riveted to the TV when I saw this young man
stand in front of a Chinese tank during a pro democracy demonstration.
Incredible courage!
*Oprah Winfey. The TV highness.
*Bono of U2. An activist for Africa and sings pretty good too!
*Pat Tillman. A pro football player who joined the Army after 9/11.
He was killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan.
*Steve Irwin killed by the barb of a stingray.
*Matthew Shepherd, a gay 21 year old murdered simply because he was gay.
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

I Don't Think I Could Do It

Novelist Barbara Kingsolver (author of The Poisonwood Bible)with her husband and two daughters decided that they would spend a year trying to eat local - only food they raised or could buy from nearby growers. Each person in the family was given one exception. Husband Stephen opted for coffee. (That would be my choice too!) The family was able to do it and as a result, Barbara wrote a book, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life." I don't think I would be able to do it. It would mean no eating out (unless all the food was raised locally - what are the chances?) No shopping at the grocery store. Extra work raising animals and tending a garden. I'm all for eating meals together as family, but not into "farming" to put the food on the table. What about you? Could you handle it?
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

American Idol is a Teen

Jordin Sparks, who's only 17 years old, won this year's American Idol. I wonder what life has in store for Jordin as a teenager. I pray that good people surround her to aid in avoiding the snares of celebrity. It's a good start when we see and hear Jordin say to her parents, "Mom, Dad, I love you," after receiving the crown of American Idol. I would love to see Jordin be a positive role model for teenagers, displaying the power teens have to create good in our world. This is my prayer. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Bacteria

Bacteria, those tiny, unseen organisms, provide almost half of the oxygen we breathe. There are 1.8 million known named species of bacteria. How much bacterias on earth you might ask? How about 10 followed by 30 zeroes. Bacteria is also used to create lifesaving drugs. Bacteria for the most part is a good thing for us humans. And just in case the Martians attack us, remember the ending of H. G. Wells book (and movies!) "War of the Worlds." In the end, the Martians are defeated not by science or the military, but by bacteria germs-or, to quote H.G. Wells, "the humblest things that God in his wisdom has put upon the earth."
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

USA Today Top 25 Inventions

To celebrate it's 25th birthday, the USA Today is publishing a "Top 25" each week. This week the newspaper came out with its top 25 inventions since 1982. Imagine what life would be like without the following list of inventions. For those who are young, you don't know any differently. You grew up with these inventions. Here's my selection from the list...
*cellphones (who doesn't have one - I remember when they were huge in size)
*laptop computers (just ordered my first one last week)
*DVD's (take up less space and easier to find scenes for ministry)
*pay at the pump (saves time although gas station managers want you to make the walk inside where they can sell you pop, beer, and cigarettes. Lottery tickets too!)
*ipods (I'm not there yet, but a lot of people are)
*lettuce in a bag (cut it open and instant salad with no cut fingers)
*Doppler radar (see into the heart of storms and Adam Wireman's favorite)
*microwaveable popcorn (so easy and eliminates Jiffy Pop)
Wow, life is different because of these inventions. Agree?
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Rated R for Smoking

The newest twist to what gives an R restrictive rating for a movie - smoking! Sex, violence, and profane words get the stamp of R, now we can add smoking to the list. Movies in the 40's and 50's definitely glamorized smoking. Who can't forget Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine smoking cigarettes in the movie "Casablanca." Rick looked so cool as he puffed away. This happened before we discovered all the unhealthy effects of smoking. Now we know better and if movie producers aren't careful they'll get an R rating if smoking looks cool in their movies. Studies have shown that 75% of all films showing smoking are already rated R. Personally, I find smoking cigarettes disgusting in real life and on the screen. There is no way you can glamorize it in my book. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

It Sounds Like Rice Krispies Poping In My Ear

Jesse Courtney, a nine year old boy from Albany, Oregon told his mom of a faint popping in his ear — "like Rice Krispies." What was thought to be an earache was instead a pair of spiders that made a home in Jesse's ear. "They were walking on my eardrums," Jesse Courtney said. One of the spiders was still alive after the doctor flushed the fourth-grader's left ear canal. His mother, Diane Courtney, said her son insisted he kept hearing a faint popping in his ear — "like Rice Krispies."
Dr. David Irvine said it looked like the boy had something in his ear when he examined him. When he irrigated the ear, the first spider came out, dead. The other spider took a second dousing before it emerged, still alive. Both were about the size of a pencil eraser. What I want to know is how did the spiders get into his ear? Did the spiders crawl into Jesse's ear when he was sleeping? Check your bed before you say your night time prayers. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Jesus and the Pope

Pope Benedict XVI has written a book about the Savior called, "Jesus of Nazareth." It has already sold a million copies overseas. It arrived in USA bookstores on Monday. Yesterday at Borders, I saw a couple of older men ask a salesclerk where they could find it. A huge stack of the books were placed in several convenient locations throughout the store. Eventually I'll read the Pope's take on Jesus. I like it when he said, "Jesus of the Gospels is the real historical Jesus. We are to meet Jesus as He presents Himself, and not whittled down to meet our own expectations." I find this the case, when I met the Jesus presented in Scripture, He is a radical Man. Place yourself in the story and He comes alive. Then to think that He passes on His message to each passing generation through us. What a God! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

USA Today Top 25 TV Moments

USA Today is celebrating it's 25th anniversary with a commemorative Top 25 list each week. This week's list is about the top 25 memorable TV moments. How many of these moments do you remember?
*9/11 Coverage in 2001. Wall to wall coverage that took the entire country into the terrorist attack.
*Birth of Fox Network in 1986
*The Oprah Winfrey Show 1986
*The O. J. Trail in 1994
*The Simpsons debuted in 1989
*American Idol began in 2002
*Jon Stewart on The Daily Show in 1998
The M*A*S*H finale in 1983
Also 25 years ago today, the top shows were 60 Minutes, Dallas, and M*A*S*H. Cable news was in its infancy and MTV still played music videos. How television has changed. Reality tv and hundreds of channels.
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

For Pat, the Mother of our Daughters

This is for you Pat. The words found in Proverbs 31 expresses my love and thoughts for you in celebration of Mother's Day. You embody these verses everyday...
"She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
-Proverbs 31:25-39
These are the days my friend. You truly are my best friend. Love on Mother's Day.
Jim "Train"

Funeral Changes

In high school and college I worked at The Basinger Funeral Home on College Ave. in Bluffton. Most of the time was spent washing the cars and making sure the funeral home was spotless. But every now and then, we did what a funeral home does...take care of dead bodies with care and respect. Some of you probably think you could never do that. For me, I looked at the body as a body. The real person, we can call it the "soul" or "spirit" wasn't there anymore. The real person left their "earth suit" behind to be physically resurrected later. It's also interesting to know the history behind funerals and how they are changing today. The science of embalming the body was discovered during the Civil War. The undertaker would embalm the body at home and the funeral would take place there, too. In the 1920's, the modern funeral home came into existence. When i worked at the Basinger Funeral Home, most funerals involved organ music, a eulogy, and some remarks by the pastor. Today you'll notice that many funerals now invite people to participate (participation is a huge cultural trend, this trend is also seen in reality television shows) and say a few words. Some funerals will even have themes. If the deceased was a Steelers fan, Pittsburgh gear and symbols will be displayed. Rolling Stones fan? Play their music and have funeral guests wear Stone's tongue logo. For me the issue needs to focus on who gets glorified. It's Jesus who gives breath and life eternal. So where should the emphasis be placed? For those who don't know Jesus, I guess it doesn't matter. For those who do follow Him, sure, celebrate the life now gone. But make sure the glory and honor is directed to the "I am the resurrection and the life." These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Hail To the Victors

This year 27,000 students applied, the most ever,for admission into the University of Michigan. Only 5,300 are admitted into the freshmen class. This is one of the reasons Michigan is the leader and the best. Go Blue! These are the days my friend to be Blue!
Jim "Train"

The Naked Square

18,000 nude Mexicans posed for USA photographer artist Spencer Tunick. Men and women threw off their clothing in Mexico City's Zocalo Square. Tunick was able to finish his picture taking and get everyone dressed before an 8:30 am. Mass at the Metropolitan Church, which overlooks the plaza. Some women complained that some men in the unclothed group, took pictures of them with cellphones. Where would you put a cellphone if you're naked? Things that make you say, "Hmmmm." These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Spider-Man 3

Last night, Pat and I saw Spider-Man 3 with some of out family and friends. After the movie, there were mixed reviews. For one, I'm not a huge superhero movie fan. However, I like the newest installment of the Spider. Although the final results won't be in until later, Spider-Man 3 has shattered an opening day record with $55.8 million. The weekend take was $135 million dollars. Compare that with the second place movie, Disturbia with $5.7 million. Wow! Huge numbers. I also saw a couple of threads in the movie you might want to follow. First of all Spider Man is not your typically super hero. He can't pay the rent on time, his apartment is a dump, and he's basically a nerd. In this episode Peter Parker struggles with pride and vengeance. He struggles with the war inside like all of us. Check out Romans 7 sometime. Spider Man is able to overcome the "evil twins" inside, while Venom chooses the dark side. Also check out the relationship between Peter Parker/Spider Man and Harry Osborn/New Goblin. It's very similar to the Biblical story of David and Jonathan. (Thanks Jeremy for this insight) You also see in the movie what motivates some people, like the Sandman, in making wrong choices. It can even lead to compassion and a need for forgiveness. View the film if you haven't already. Be more than entertained. Look for themes that can launch you into some good conversations with friends, maybe over some good, strong coffee. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Haunted By Ghosts From the Past

How many of us are haunted by the ghosts of the past? Broken relationships, failed tests, lost games, rejection, and pain from the past can bring ghostly screams into our hearts and minds. The wails and screams can so haunt us that we get stuck in a moment that we can't get out of it. At Campus Life Mars Hill today, we're going to look at what can haunt us from past that paralyzes us in the present. Two songs from U2 will be featured. First, "Stuck In a Moment You can't Get Out of It." This represents the Ghosts from the past. Then we'll look at the song, "Beautiful Day."
The "beautiful day" for followers of Jesus is the resurrection. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we too can live lives of resurrection. Our ghostly pasts do not have to follow us. In Christ, the "ghosts" are put to death that we might live. In Christ we become new creations - 2 Corinthians 5:17. So don't be stuck. Jesus allows us to live resurrection lives. Who wants the now to be dictated by the past? After all, these are the days my friend. Live resurrection!!!
Jim "Train"

Religion is Hot

From the New York Times, "Peter J. Gomes has been at Harvard University for 37 years, and says he remembers when religious people on campus felt under siege. To be seen as religious often meant being dismissed as not very bright, he said.
No longer. At Harvard these days, said Professor Gomes, the university preacher, “There is probably more active religious life now than there has been in 100 years.”
Across the country, on secular campuses as varied as Colgate University, the University of Wisconsin and the University of California, Berkeley, chaplains, professors and administrators say students are drawn to religion and spirituality with more fervor than at any time they can remember.
More students are enrolling in religion courses, even majoring in religion; more are living in dormitories or houses where matters of faith and spirituality are a part of daily conversation; and discussion groups are being created for students to grapple with questions like what happens after death, dozens of university officials said in interviews."
This is another indication that spirituality, though not necessarily Christian, is at an all time high. What's interesting to ask is, "Why?" Some say it's 9/11 or the Iraqi War. Maybe it's because we have our basic needs met so we have more time to ponder the religious questions of life. No matter the reasons, the good news is we can share the "Good News." People will listen to what you have to say. There needs to be no fear in sharing Jesus. But remember this, your life needs to be good news (not perfect!) to share the "Good News." What happens in your life for Jesus sake speaks volumes. It's not just what we're against, but what we are for. So speak up with confidence, for these are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

02:03:04on05/06/07

Just a heads up that on Sunday, at 02:03:04 a.m. on 05/06/07, time will align itself in a perfect pattern, 2-3-4-5-6-7. It's your last chance to see something like this until the year 2107. So will you wake up to see this monumental numerical pattern? I think my head will stay on the pillow as I lay fast asleep. These are the days (and nights) my friend.
Jim "Train"

Ancient Future

Theologian, scholar, and worship scholar Robert Webber died Saturday, April 27. He was 73. He was the father of "ancient-future worship." His book by that title was followed by Ancient-Future Faith, Ancient-Future Time, Ancient-Future Evangelism. I have read them all and have been influenced by his writings. "Ancient Future" is the idea that are USA culture is more like the culture the early Christians found themselves in. Thus, "Ancient." Our culture has less and less memory of what Biblical faith looks like. So how did the Apostles and early Church make an impact? Maybe we can and should learn something from them. Thus it's taking what they did and applying it to our current situation. Thus, "Future." I'll miss Robert Webber's insights. They help us to influence our world today because these are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"