Retired & Thinking

Interesting site to check out Just a quick note to share with you a site that offers free web templates . This was shared with me by a friend and member and my personal favorite is called " deep ". It seems a bit flash intensive but it's really pretty cool. " Stepping Stone " is another clean and neat template although my 50+ year old eyes need darker text to make it work for me. Have fun, stay close to Christ and say a good word about Jesus today to someone else. Peace

Just returned from the Portland Pastor’s Prayer Summit at Cannon Beach and first of all I will talk in only vague generalities and speak of myself to preserve those who were also there. Here’s my list of observations about the time: It was memorable, not in an earthshaking sort of way, but in the quiet, deeply touching way. It was touching. I had the opportunity to be supported by a brother in Christ in a way that I’ve missed for a long time. Part of that was a sense of being set free enough to do something about the areas in which I sense the Lord speaking to me. I was affirmed in my decision to cultivate relationships with those outside of my denominational box. There is a wealth of experience, love, support, ideas and thoughts out there which are not labeled “Presbyterian”. And much of it is very good. I will go back again. There is little to add to this. I’m working on a piece about the twisted state of the environmental climate here in the Portland area. When I have my evidence in...

Help for the Artisically Challenged I have a bit of artistic sense but not a great deal of talent. I know what colors are and my male volcaulary of colors include "peace", "aqua" and "seafoam". But I am not one who can make the photos I want come out like I saw it. Heck, as a kid, I had trouble with the color by numbers sets. That's why I ran across a site that is better than nice, it's useful. It has free PowerPoint and backgrounds for screen use. Yes, I know PowerPoint may not be cutting edge in a world of flash, CGI and other digital art but you use what you've got. For some congregations PowerPoint is radical. This site, www.heartlight.org offers a lot to consider and look over. I'm not affiliated with them at all but just thought I'd pass on the help where I find it. BTW if you're sick of either alternative Christian music, or the constant appeals for money that seem to be the stapel of "commercial free" Christian r...

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas You've read about the battle at Sears, Wal-Mart and Target. Newspaper editors and AM talk shows have squared off on the question so much it makes you want to eat fruit cake. Well not it's my turn. As an observer of the political culture with a major in Political Science and as a follower of Jesus Christ I believe I'm in a peculiar place from which to share my thoughts. The argument for 'Happy Holidays' is that we are a diverse and multi-cultural nation in which many people (I'd add most) do not recognize Christmas as a religious holiday but a secular one. In addition Kwanza , Chanukah, and the Winter Solstice celebrations have their own followers. The argument for 'Merry Christmas' is that the exclusion or downright banning of it comes dangerously close to censorship and a violation of the civil rights of those who follow Jesus. I would like to suggest that we adopt the saying 'Happy Holidays' provide...