Maybe this [see above pic] is why an elf went rogue on a mall  Santa.

Southlake Mall was evacuated Wednesday night after a man dressed as an elf allegedly told the mall Santa that he was carrying dynamite. The incident began about 6:45 p.m. when Caldwell, 45,  got in line at Southlake Mall to have his picture made with Santa.When Caldwell, who was wearing an elf suit, reached the front of the line, ” he told Santa Claus that he had dynamite in his bag,” Morrow police Capt. James Callaway said. AJC

Lesson learned. Don’t mess with little people. Watch your back Santa…

Well, Michael Jackson is now dead. And with that, a sigh of relief swept across the children of this country. The world became a bit safer for them today.

I know everyone’s caught up in nostalgia; remembering the gloved one and his music – but here’s my question:

How do you celebrate the life of a pedophile?

I’m actually not kidding (no sarcasm here). It really pits the news in an awkward position: remember the good (the music) and ignoring the bad (the abuse). It all just kind of feels weird, but maybe that weird feeling pretty much sums up his life.

Any thoughts?

What the crap is the big deal about Jon & Kate and their bag of larvae? And why should any of us care?  It’s got  the "stare at the train wreck" syndrome, sure.  But wait, we had one train wreck today…

Any ideas?

Police have arrested three teenagers accused of stealing a paddle boat and taking officials on a wild chase Monday evening.

According to officials, they received a call that night claiming that three juveniles had stolen a paddle boat. Officials responded to the scene on their powerboat, but the teens tried to outrun the police’s engined boat with their paddles.

More here

No matter what you’re going through in life. You may be struggling, but it could be worse. Just keep going. At least you’re not in a paddleboat trying to outrun the police.

I pride myself in being culturally relevant and this is no exception. I had swine flu before it ever became trendy. Yes, Mexico and New York are all followers. 

Last week I had a terrible flu (in bed for 3 days) and I had previously been around people that smell like pigs. 

So with that reasoning, I had the swine flu and survived. So take hope America, we can overcome this pending epidemic.

Tomorrow is our annual fundraising dessert. Keep us in your prayers.

And the event and ministry were featured in the paper.

Go here for the article. 

Obama is the Anti-Christ! Obama Hates Babies!! Obama Eats Abortions for Breakfast!!! 

I’ve been hearing a lot of rhetoric about the Obama abortion agenda and as with most rhetoric, it’s half baked. I’m not claiming any support for Obama or the U.S. abortion funding policy, but I do think we, as Christians, should at least have our stories straight (with is often times a rarity). 

Steven Waldman and David Gibson list a bunch of data from a group called Third Way that attempts to prove that lifting the so-called gag rule, which would allow U.S. dollars to go to clinics in developing countries that perform abortions (among a range of health care services), would actually reduce the number of abortions. The data makes a fascinating and complex argument…

A few points to keep in mind:

One, reversing Mexico City will not mean U.S. taxpayers are funding abortions overseas. That remains against the law under the 1973 Helms Amendment. What can happen now is that U.S. money can go to groups that support health clinics, largely in the underdeveloped world, where abortion could be among their services, or they could provide information about abortion or a referral for an abortion.

Two, some might say that is a distinction without a difference, but the key distinction is that in the poorest regions of the world where health care is scarce, if it exists at all, there are no other options. A clinic will do everything, or it will do nothing at all. Especially as regards women’s health, one of the least-addressed problems in poor nations, clinics provide contraceptive and “birth spacing” advice, maternal care when women are pregnant, and deliver babies when they are due. They also treat infants and young children, many of whom would perish otherwise. And some perform abortions or tell women where they can go to get one, although that can be a life-threatening procedure not only for the fetus.

Three, so the well-documented upshot is that the Mexico City policy, when in effect, has cut off a lifeline to untold numbers of health clinics that are the sole outlet for millions of poor people–and has resulted in terrible sufferings for women and children, increased numbers of preganancies, and a greater number of abortions. A fact sheet from Third Way, which is associated with progressive religious groups like Faith in Public Life, has many of the numbers. 

[David Gibson - BeliefNet.com]

Now, I’m not saying that I support abortion or the Mexico City repeal, but I want to say that this argument/discussion is more complicated that we realize. It’s hard to argue black and white when the waters are muddy. There are so many wrongs on both sides of this argument. 

If we, as Christians, are going to condemn and judge something or someone, let’s at least have the facts straight. Then we can wear the Pharisee hat and pick up the bullhorn in good conscience.  Otherwise, follow Jesus, walk with grace, love others, pray and keep our mouths shut.  

Any thoughts?