This photo reminds me of the frequently told story of the conversation between Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter. As the story goes, Begin told Carter that God is easier to reach from Jerusalem: "We have a direct line from Jerusalem."
This ibex was photographed at the park in Tel Aviv. The thing that caught my attention was the rectangular shaped pupil.
This herd of young bulls has reached the moment of truth: They prove they can buck or they make their way to your grocer's freezer.
For once, one of those pesky email pass-alongs was real and worth reading. For some reason, this one caught my eye and I didn’t do the normal speed delete, and saw something that was a little unbelievable. But, having checked it out, I can say that it is real and worth the effort to fill in a couple of lines on your tax form.
While other birds were being stuffed in most American kitchens, Grace and I took a trip to the local duck pond and stuffed birds of another kind. "Every religious Jew knows that when you keep the Shabbat, the Shabbat in turn keeps and protects you."Background: Due to a recent public sector labor strike, workers at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport refused to process passengers and aircraft coming or going. This work stoppage caused a tremendous backup that stranded passengers from all airlines.
Explanation: This "toilet target" is apparently located in the restroom of a very devoted University of Oklahoma fan. (For those not from those parts, the longhorn is the mascot for the University of Texas, the longtime rival of OU.)
For as long as I can remember, I have been intrigued with looking into the skies. I remember as a youngster laying on the porch or in the yard and staring off into the blue skies, following the clouds or planes as they passed overhead. I can stare at a full moon for hours just wondering what it would be like to walk on its surface. 
Not meeting a real live astronaut may have been the only disappointing thing that happened (or didn’t happen) that day.
The kids in our group were most impressed with the shuttle restroom. It was quite compact, smaller than a Johnny-on-the-Spot portable potty. The seat was very small, but adequate for its purpose. On either side of the seat are two L-shape bars, which rotate over the astronaut’s thighs to hold him/her appropriately in place. Don’t forget, the shuttle travels at 17,000 miles per hour and is in a zero gravity environment, which means it might not be easy to stay in place.
As a reward to Grace for graciously spending so many hours locked down in her car seat as we travel the country, I try to find a Chuck E. Cheese’s or something similar along the way, or in our destination city. Grace runs from game to game pressing buttons, watching flashing lights and occasionally she will park long enough to play a game.
The events that occurred here, here, here, here and here are some of the reasons I don't Playstation 1, 2, or 3.
Things are so good in Texas that even on an overcast day, this water tower in Bastrop can't keep from smiling.
You know it’s (deer) “hunting season” in Texas when you see 50 lb. bags of corn stacked like this in front of all the convenience stores.
Though they are harder and harder to come by in America, there are still some real, live cowboys left. (Click here to see a larger version of this foto.)
In an effort to be faithful to Deuteronomy 6:9 ("And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates."*), Jews typically attach a "small" box, containing Bible texts from Deuteronomy**, to most door frames in their homes. (NOTE: Technically, the parchment paper with the Bible texts is the mezuzah, but it has become common practice to refer to the box containing the paper as the mezuzah as well.) Adorn your mansion with a Mezzuzah Fit for a King.Maybe, I’m missing something, but this advertiser seems to suggest that a major reason to purchase their particular mezuzah is to show off. Is that the purpose of the mezuzah?
We know that BIG is BEAUTIFUL.
A BIG lulav. A BIG succah. A BIG shul.
The standard size mezuzah is 12-15 cm. Twenty cm would be a big
mezuzah. Now you can get a HUGE Mezzuzah. Forty centimeters tall,hand-written on hand-crafted parchment.
Honor Hashem [G-d] in a scale that none of your friends or neighbors have yet achieved. Show your love for the Mitzvot by proudly displaying a mezuzah that can't be missed.
does anyone think the reaction from the Jewish world will be similar to the Muslim reaction (February 2006) to cartoon depictions of Muhammad that were initially published in Denmark and subsequently in many newspapers around the world? 
“ELIMINATE AIDS IN AFRICA” by using sexually seductive models/images to sell merchandise? 
The Gap clothing company has begun a new marketing campaign that they suggest can “help eliminate aids in Africa.” This new effort is being marketed as (Product) Red and it offers their customers a unique opportunity to “make a difference in Africa.”
by the millions every year, it is foolish to think that suggesting abstinence, unquestionably the very best HIV/AIDS prevention tool, is a reasonable practice.
I have discovered that restaurants are responding to the CDC’s abstinence message. In fact, it has become a bit of a game for me to ask the server if there is any spinach in the salad that will be served. In the course of our travels, we have eaten out a lot and not once has spinach been available.
Over the course of the last six weeks, we have travled more than 8000 miles by car. During that time, we have seen so many interesting and fun things, and this sign was one of them. 
With the theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies playing in the background, I can say: This isn't a picture of Jed and family making their way to Californy. Instead, it is me on the way to a festival. As you can see it takes a lot of stuff and a good bit of effort to make an impression at the festivals.
This is a picture of a very happy and satisfied victor. I recently challenged my players (Israel U21 national baseball team) to a test of athletic prowess at the local bowling lanes. Unfortunately, some were too afraid to answer the call, fearing exactly what the others got - a smashing defeat!
A group of 15 Japanese sumo wrestlers are planning to come to Israel in June. They are part of an effort to boost Japanese tourism in the Holy Land. 
I'm so lucky. Over the last few weeks, I have been offered the opportunity to help several people from different parts of the world. I know that there are always people around who need help, but these people are different. 
As if this isn’t enough, I received an email today announcing that my “email address has been selected as one of the lucky email addresses in the category ‘B’ of the online lotto conducted by EURO MILLIONS INTERNATIONAL.”
And unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom
To order it and establish it with judgment
and justice
From that time forward, even forever,
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
his identity as Messiah, but it was almost an “in house” discussion. A discussion that, at times, grew to more than a friendly discussion, which threatened to completely split the Chabad movement.
fits into the less subtle category as it says “King Messiah” under the photo of The Rebbe. I’m not certain that this particular poster was at the convention hall on Sunday night, but the sentiment certainly was. Rabbi Zalman Notik of the Torat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem spoke openly of Rabbi Schneerson as the messiah. Furthermore, he supported the missionary zeal for which Chabad has become known when he said, “…the most important mitzvah [commandment] is to publicize the idea that the Rebbe is messiah.” No wonder Chabad is often characterized as the Jewish evangelicals: They believe that Rabbi Schneerson is the messiah and that he is good for everyone, particularly Jews. 
not the desire for others to know about him. "We just want to make sure that something is done for women who make that decision. All we can do is provide that to them, no questions asked. It's their choice. It's between her and God and that unborn baby. And I honor that."
Chapter 20No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (I Corinthians 10:13 NASB).Uncle Screwtape apparently has this verse in mind as he explains to his nephew that their best weapon against Christians is “the belief of ignorant humans, that there is no hope of getting rid of us except by yielding.”
Chapter 12“You no longer need a good book, which he really likes, to keep him from his prayers or his work or his sleep; a column of advertisements in yesterday’s newspaper will do. You can make him waste his time not only in conversations he enjoys with people whom he likes, but in conversations with those he cares nothing about on subjects that bore him…All the healthy and outgoing activities which we want him to avoid can be inhibited and nothing given in return, so that at last he may say, as one of my own patients said on his arrival down here, ‘I now see that I spent most of my life in doing neither what I ought nor what I liked.’”Screwtape’s conclusion is that, “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
Charles Wesley wrote one of my favorite hymns, And Can It Be, in 1738 at the age of 20 years. It is astounding that a 20 year old could pen words with such depth, but obviously, Wesley wasn’t the average 20 year old - of any time period.And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Chapter 9“Never forget that when we [demons] are dealing with any [human] pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form we are, in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground.”Emphasis has been added to draw your attention to the critical wording of this sentence. These three words – healthy, normal, satisfying – dramatically qualify the statement. Without these qualifiers, the sentence takes on a completely different and opposite meaning.
Chapter 8Chapter 7“All extremes except extreme devotion to the Enemy [God] are to be encouraged. Not always, of course, but at this period. Some ages are lukewarm and complacent, and then it is our business to soothe them yet faster asleep.”In this excerpt, Uncle Screwtape is teaching his nephew the art of discerning the times. What he wants Wormwood to understand is that at times it is better to direct the Christian’s attention toward absolute devotion to a cause, even a “good” cause, rather than toward God.
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I ill grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (Revelation 3:14-22 NASB)"
To be continued.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11 KJV).”Phil, I’m a better person for having known you. Thanks.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29 NASB).”
Chapter 5“Reading between the lines in your very unbalanced account of the patient’s sleepless night, I can reconstruct your state of mind fairly accurately. For the first time in your career, you have tasted that wine which is the reward of all our labours – the anguish and bewilderment of a human soul – and it has gone to your head. I can hardly blame you. I don’t expect old heads on young shoulders.”I have no idea if demons age or mature as illustrated here, but I think Lewis accurately points out something that would encourage a demon, if they could be encouraged: “the anguish and bewilderment of a human soul.” The reason I think that this might encourage a demon in his labors against a Christian is that an unsettled soul is the opposite of what we are supposed to have.
“O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield (Psalm 115:9-11 NASB).”Throughout the Scriptures, we are directed to trust in the Lord in all circumstances. The trouble is that the Bible doesn’t offer us wiggle room to trust the Lord when things are good and trust Him less when things appear to be bad, which, unfortunatel, is a common pattern among many professing Christians.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:4-5 NASB).”
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NASB).”
Today, while trying to catch up on any news related to Ariel Sharon’s health, I stopped by Fox News and happened upon one of their weekend business shows, Cashin’ In, which is hosted by Terry Keenan.“We advocate and practice Objectivism, the moral philosophy developed by Ayn Rand.”Ayn Rand summarizes her Objectivism philosophy in this way:
"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."Some might be like me, a little fuzzy on what Objectivism posits, so I’ll add a clarifying statement from the “What is Objectivism” website:
“There is only one right from which all others are derived, and that is the right of self-ownership (protection of life) - the principle that each individual owns himself. This is the very definition of freedom. Laws against abortion, drug use and sexual freedom are predominently (sic) objections to this right.”Okay, who protects those who can’t protect themselves? This goes beyond the infant in the womb. As you can see this philosophy is self-contradictory in that the right to kill the unborn, if carried out, would by default deny the victim any of the rights of “self-ownership.” I’m sure that proponents of Objectivism will step around this contradiction by suggesting that an unborn baby isn’t a human and, therefore, isn’t granted rights. Even if one accepts that argument (I don't!), it still doesn't address the issue of the weak.
