Recycling plastic into something useful

Giant microwave turns plastic back to oil

Six string crusader

I'm assuming that everyone has at least heard of Six String Samurai, well now we are one step closer with the Angel Sword Guitar.

The Eucharist

Are the bread and wine really the Body and Blood of Christ?

Jesus is not a Tyrant

From Stand to Reason:

Is God a Megalomaniac?

A common objection has been raised by a number of the "new atheists." In the ABC News debate, Kelly’s remark express it well: Even if there is a God, she “would rather go to hell than go to heaven and worship a megalomaniacal tyrant” It comes up on Hitchens new book.

It's one way of interpreting the God of the Bible who expects worship and obedience. I don't think it's the accurate interpretation, and I don't think it's how we normally respond to appropriate authority in our lives and society. The expectation of respect, obedience is a very familiar one to us.

Do parents expect to be obeyed and respected by their children? Of course, because there is a certain relationship in place. Do we tend to show respect to a boss? Of course. Don't we naturally show respect, and even awe, when we meet someone for whom we have tremendous respect because of their achievements? Yes. We experience relationships all the time where a certain deference is due the person in the higher station. That's the case with God. It's not at all outrageous.

It's not megalomaniacal for someone to expect the kind of deference due his accomplishments and station. The expectation isn't arbitrary; it's appropriate given accomplishments and position.

Now grant for a moment that God is the person who created the universe, created each one of us, sustains us and provides for all of our needs and well-being, if He is perfect, holy and good, then wouldn't it be reasonable that respect, obedience, and even worship are due Him? We don't worship other human beings, but if God is the being the Bible describes, then worship seems like an appropriate expectation, and it's not a strange, outrageous expectation given familiar human relationships.

From Lutheran Guest:

"Jesus is Lord" as the Gospel

I recently had a discussion in which a person working with a basic law/gospel approach argued that affirming "Jesus is Lord" is not properly a receipt of the Gospel (and, hence, of justification), because Lordship is concerned only with authority and, hence, with law.

Aside from passages like Ro 10.9, which seem directly to contradict the claim, I think we should also resist the notion that Jesus' Lordship is "only" about obedience for at least two reasons.

First, if Jesus is Lord, then Satan isn't. "For [the Father] rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" (Col 1.13). Satan's dominion gives us death and condemnation; Jesus' Kingdom gives us forgiveness and life.

Secondly, in Jesus' kingdom, the one who rules is he who serves. "[T]he one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as the one who serves" (Lk 22.26-27). Matthew adds that "the Son of Man did not come to served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mt 20.28).

Jesus is a peculiar Lord, at least by the world's standard. Submitting to his lordship means not that we work, but that we rest. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11.29).

So it seems to me that Jesus being our savior is inextricably tied up with Jesus being our Lord. Jesus establishing his lordship through the work of the cross is the Gospel. Receiving Jesus as Lord is receiving the forgiveness and salvation offered to us in the Gospel.

5 Reasons God Exists

Ron Paul 2-0

According to MSNBC polls (and other polls taken from around the internet)
May 3, 2007 debate winner - Ron Paul
May 15, 2007 debate winner - Ron Paul


If you don't know anything about this wonderful American, check out his webpage at www.RonPaul2008.com. Spread the word!!!

Vote Ron Paul - 2008

If you are American, prefer nationalism over globalism, prefer less taxes and smaller federal government, then VOTE for RON PAUL for 2008 president!!!

Presidential Candidate

I just heard today that Ron Paul is running for the office of President of the United States. Time will tell how successful his campaign will be.

5 Myths about cars and Global warming

The article entitled 5 Myths About Suburbia and Our Car-Happy Culture seemed plausible and informative. I admit I haven't looked into counter-arguments related to the items discussed, but I still found it interesting.

In summary, the U.S.A. is only 5.4% developed (30+ people per square mile); The air is cleaner than it was 30 years ago, even though more cars are on the road; Mass transit won't fix traffic congestion, and will cost a lot to implement; Working on reducing emissions to prevent Global Warming will only have an effect if EVERY country participates, but it will slow economies and growth a notable amount. A better proposed solution would be to hedge the effects such warming would have on health and the environment.