Saturday, January 29, 2011

Dog excels at sniffing out cancer


Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

CHIBA (Kyodo) A specially trained dog sniffed out biological samples from cancer patients over those of healthy people with at least 90 percent accuracy, according to a team of researchers.

The findings by the team, which includes researchers at St. Sugar Cancer Sniffing Dog Training Center in Minamiboso, Chiba Prefecture, and Hideto Sonoda, an assistant professor at Kyushu University will soon be published in the U.K. medical journal GUT.

In the experiment between November 2008 and June 2009, the researchers got the 9-year-old female Labrador retriever named Marine to sniff samples taken from about 300 people.

In a test using five containers with breath samples, Marine correctly chose a sample taken from a patient with colon cancer 33 out of 36 times, they said. In another test using liquid taken from feces, she chose the correct samples 37 out of 38 times, they said.

Marine's training included getting her to recognize ingested food from the breath of a person in the belief she might be able to sniff out a disease based on odors inside the body, said center chief Yuji Sato.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Marijuana sodas causing controversy


SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CBS 8) – There's a new drink that packs more of a punch than regular soft drinks—it's infused with marijuana.
Medical marijuana laced foods go beyond brownies and include items like cheese crackers, honey and soda.
Medical marijuana dispensaries across the state are selling marijuana sodas, with names like 'leisurely lemonade' and 'compassion fruit punch.'
Critics worry kids might confuse them with regular soda.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

King's Vision of Justice: Rooted in the Bible

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.


By David J. Lull
 
    As we celebrate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we remember how important the Bible was to him, and how deeply his vision of racial justice is rooted in the Judeo-Christian heritage. It was the Bible that led him to choose the more excellent way of love and nonviolent protest over hatred, despair and violence.

    Dr. King often pointed out that it was Jesus' Sermon on the Mount that inspired the "dignified social action" of the civil rights movement. His notion of "creative suffering"
borne by civil rights activists who endured persecution and police brutality came from his Christian faith in the redemptive suffering of Jesus.

    Dr. King dreamed of a day when America lives up to its creed, when all people sit together at one table, and when freedom and justice reign. His famous "I have a dream" speech reaches its highest point with echoes of the prophet Isaiah: "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low ... and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

    In words of the prophet Micah, he hoped that one day all persons elected to public office will "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with [their] God." His hope for an end to war was rooted in Isaiah's vision that people will "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks." Biblical promises of "peace on earth and goodwill toward all" were Dr. King's antidote to despair.

    To critics who accused him of being an extremist, Dr. King said that he stood in a long line of extremists, including the prophet Amos, Jesus, the apostle Paul, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. For Dr. King, the question was what kind of extremists we will be
extremists for hate or for love, for injustice or for justice, for evil or for goodness.

    Dr. King's commitment to the Bible as his primary source book was nourished in his childhood when Bible stories told around the dinner table held the King children in awe. Those stories sustained him until the end of his life.

    In what was to be his last speech, Dr. King drew from the biblical story of Moses: "Like anybody, I would like to live a long life ... But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land."


David J. Lull wrote "King's Vision of Justice: Rooted in the Bible" while serving as director of the NCC Bible Translation and Utilization Program. He now serves as Assistant Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Pew Forum in the News

Jan. 7, 2011 - CNN
Writing for CNN's Belief Blog, Boston University Professor Stephen Prothero discusses some of the findings from a recent Pew Forum report, Faith on the Hill: The Religious Composition of the 112th Congress.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM JOSH ACTON

Dear Friends
It has become clear to many people in Christian leadership that we are moving toward a post denominational world. House churches and informal Christian gatherings have seen exponential growth, while mainline denominations are declining rapidly. Geaorge Barna, for example, wrote a Josh speakingcompelling book on this topic (Revolution). He sees a growing desire for the living God and for authentic community but doesn't see a growing desire for church affiliation.
For some time I have dreamed of a ministry which could come alongside any and all groups who simply want Jesus and him alone. I believe more than ever in God's call on my life to teach, preach and lead. But I no longer believe he is calling me to do this as a representative of the Anglican Church of North America.
I love and am deeply grateful for my spiritual heritage from the Episcopal Church and Anglican Church. Some of the finest people I have ever met are in these churches and both churches have people who are truly disciples of Jesus and walk in the ways of the Holy Spirit.
But in my own sphere of influence, which is primarily through Desert Call Ministries, I think I can most authentically live out my calling by simply being a disciple among other disciples, seeking to use any gifts I may have as a pastor, to bring others closer to Jesus, regardless of their affiliation or non affiliation.
And so I have decided with much prayer to recommit myself as a pastor and teacher, and to the ministry of making and equipping disciples of Jesus without being a representative of a particular denominational body.
I am not leaving the pastorate at all, but entering it in a new way. Not a leaving of the church but a joining of all of it. The Church of Acts, the church in which I have been pastor in Hemet, has embraced for themselves this vision, as well.
As T S Eliot said, " I return to the place from which I started...and know it for the first time." This is not the end of the ministry the Lord has given me.  It is, I believe, truly the beginning.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

CORONADO COFFEE PRESENTS

Thursday, January 27, 2011

6:30-8:30pm
Coronado Middle School
550 F Avenue
Coronado, CA  92118

Lisa Johnson
"Solutions For the Worn Out Woman"

Rev. Lisa Johnson is St. Paul's new Assistant Pastor. Lisa is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. She will  focus on family ministry and young adult Christian outreach, as well as supporting our volunteer Sunday School leaders and assisting Reverend Neal Keller in the pulpit. Lisa and her husband Steve are the parents of two children - a daughter Ellie and a son Luke. 

Lisa grew up in Mission Viejo, graduated from Westmont College, and received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She recently joined the staff at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Coronado where she is developing inter-generational programs that offer more opportunities for young families, youth and children.  She has spoken at youth and women’s retreats including Forest Home, sharing her rare ability of moving right past the surface of things to reach the deep places of the soul.

Lisa Johnson will motivate, inspire and challenge you to revitalize and renew your spirit. 

Tickets $15
Send check to Coronado Coffee at
941 Orange Ave. Box #120, Coronado, CA  92118

Monday, January 3, 2011

Survey Reveals Americans' 2011 New Year's Resolutions


As the calendar shifts from holiday celebrations to January, a new survey from the Barna Group explores what Americans describe as their New Year's resolutions. Do Americans make such commitments and are they successful? The nationwide survey provides a snapshot of people's personal growth priorities. Find out how your own priorities for this year compare with the national averages. 

Resolution Reasoning

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Rest Ministries says Happy New Year!



It is January 1st and many of are already weary of people asking us our resolutions or saying HAPPY new year! You may be suffering beyond comprehension, lonely, or sick on top of being ill. Some of us here at Rest Ministries are coping with cancer or cancer of a loved one.

Perhaps your resolution is to just survive through the year, much less make and reach goals.

I have posted a video in the Sunroom from the Christian film, "Facing the Giants." As it is "football day" in many homes today, it may even be something to share with others.

The direct link to the video is also here: http://tinyurl.com/29oy67u

In the Sunroom, Sherry recently poured her heart out sharing, "What real difference am I making here at the Sunroom specifically --or in this life in general? I do try, whenever my disease permits. I just don't want to be 'collecting dust' on this earth. If I can't count for eternity... I see no sense in my existence."

Sherry, you are making a difference and so are each one of you. At times it seems like we are not doing anything. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 from The Message says, "But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses."

Like in the video, God tells us to fight the good fight in scripture. All He really wants, like the coach, is for us to give Him our "best." For those of us with chronic illness, "our best" changes each day, but we know if we are moving toward God or away from Him, right?

Each of our "fights" may vary or overlap, but it's distinctly between us and God. Some days that means simply being steadfast and showing up at the doctors appointments we'd rather call and cancel. Other times, it means encouraging a stranger in the line at the pharmacy, even though we feel so ineloquent.
A couple weeks ago I told a teacher at my son's school "I wanted you to know I appreciate you. I see you every day in so much pain, yet you still encourage those (special ed) students as you walk them to the bus." She was stunned and said, "I never knew anyone was watching. . ." Sometimes we just have to show up! God is encouraging people around us we are not even aware of.

Fighting is hard. At times it burns, it feels impossible to win, and all the time, we are in the dark, feeling blindfolded, separated from what God wants us to do and where He is. But watch the video and imagine God beside you saying, "Keep going. Just keep going. Give me your best! You can! Don't quit! Don't quit on me! You can do it. I've got your back!"

And in the end, when God takes off the blindfold, you will find yourself in a place in life you never imagined you would be. You may have thought all that time you were hurting, burning in pain, lonely, or feeling your life was wasted, was never wasted a bit. God knew all along that you would win that race and then He could use you in an entirely new astonishing way you never dreamed of.

As someone with a chronic illness, I encourage you NOT to set resolutions like the rest of the world. God doesn't need more promises of our good intentions. Instead, search for Him. Listen for Him. Rest in Him. And pray that when it feels like He is sticking that blindfold on you and saying, "follow me" you will follow Him, regardless of how hard it feels or how off kilter it seems from your original plans.

This is my goal for myself for this year. I invite you to join me and I look forward to hearing your stories of God's faithfulness in a few months.

Blessings, Lisa
Rest Ministries, PO Box 502928, San Diego, California 92150, United States

The Lord’s Prayer


Posted on by Sam
 
Jesus taught his disciples to pray in the following outline:

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.1 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,1 on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread,1 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Mt 6.9-13 – ESV).

We pray to the Father.  Simple enough.

Thy “kingdom come” coupled with “your will be done” are synonymous.  God’s “rule” is his “will” being carried out.  And, where is the rule of God carried out?  “Heaven” and “earth.”  God issues his decree “from the bench” so to speak, in heaven, and it is carried out on the earth.  Now, Jesus is not saying that unless this is prayed, it won’t happen.  God’s rule has always been the norm.  So, what is the difference here?  The answer is to be found in the expression: thy kingdom come.  What kingdom?  God’s.  Hasn’t it “come” before?  Yes, it has always ruled.  God has always ruled in the heavenlies, and he has always ruled the nations.  The OT is replete with this notion.  So, what’s this “coming” all about?

It has to do something with the fact of the kingdom’s manifestation.  The kingdom, which has always been expressed in the OT, would come about in a new way.  If we understand Jesus to be firmly rooted in the OT Scriptures, then we must go back there to see if the Prophets were expecting the arrival of God in a way that He has not arrived before.  In short, to keep this simple, Jesus is praying for the arrival of the salvation and kingdom of God outlined in the Prophets.  He is praying for the arrival of Isaiah 40-66, Ezekiel 40-48, Zechariah 14, and the other myriad of passages that are in parallel with that material.

“He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. 18 According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. 19 So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream,1 which the wind of the LORD drives. 20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD (Is 59.16-20).

Thy kingdom come!  And so it has.  We believe that this coming refers to the events of history surrounding the Jewish War in 66-70 AD.  But, the prophecy does not end there.  Is 60.1-ff shows what happens as a result of this coming.  There is a recreation that takes place, not instantly, but gradually.  The nations are no longer gathered and ruled over in terms of their entering into judgment.  They are ruled over and gathered in terms of their redemption.  God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.  The Purpose of God (his will) is now being displayed, and the results are the salvation of the nations.  Is 60.1-ff (which is rehashed in Rev 21-22, verbatim in some places).  The language of Isaiah 60 and 61 is the language of restoration and recreation.  That Purpose has now come, and is coming.  Wherever the Christian stands, he should pray: thy kingdom come!  In your houses, businesses, neighborhoods: thy kingdom come!

Unlike before, where God’s kingdom ruled on earth, the display of it “worked wrath”.  Now that the sin issue is dealt with in Christ, the kingdom of God “on earth” can take on a new-creation dimension it was not able to do before.  I do not mean it was “not able” in the sense that something prevented God from being God.  The reason it was not able to do what it now does is because of that which God himself had set up.  He judged sin.  He decreed the reign of the Sin and the Death.  He added the Law in order to increase the Sin.  This was his kingdom at work on earth.  But, “there was no one to intercede.”  There was no “salvation” upon the earth.  It is this aspect of the coming kingdom Jesus taught his disciples to pray for.  Where God and Man together can rule and reign together on earth, bringing all things on earth into submission to God’s kingdom.  David had tried this, and Solomon had reached the zenith of trying it, only to fail.  Jesus succeeded.  He crushed the powers and disarmed all authorities.  God’s power was now fully given the Last Adam (the First Adam of the New Creation), to Man himself.  Because the Last Adam, unlike the First Adam, shared as equal in the Divinity of the Godhead, it was now eternally secured to Man.  This time, the kingdom (dominion) of God and the rightful dominion given to Man can now accomplish the original Purpose: subdue all things to the glory of God.

This, then, is the will of God, and it is to be displayed on earth as it is in heaven.  All we need to ask it, how IS it in heaven, currently?  Pretty good, I imagine.  God’s redeemed have been gathered to him.  His son has been married off with the Bride.  His people now dwell with him, enjoying the Feast.  We see glimpses of that reality here on earth, too.  But, we don’t see it all that way, yet.  You now have your marching orders.  One day, the earth will reflect as it is in heaven, where the two shall become as one.  In our hearts, in our carbon-based lives here on earth, it is already reflecting it.  In the Church at large, it is already reflecting it.  Our mission, like Isaiah 61 tells us, is to “rebuild” what Sin and Death have destroyed.   To enter into the Purpose of God in the process of recreating a new heavens and a new earth.  This is the impossible-for-man-but-possible-for-God-mission that he has called the Church to do.  All things have been given to us.  All things are guaranteed to work for the good of God’s Glory and Purpose.  We can’t fail (Rom 8.24-ff). 

Anyway….food for thought.