I'm nearing completion of the ACTS Network website and have decided to host the web log myself. So, for those who still find this blogger site, I'd like to re-direct you to the new (and hopefully improved) blog at www.actsnetwork.com
The video podcasts are new too. A weekly video of news and testimonies relevant and of interest to Christians. You can download the podcasts through iTunes or from the vlog page on our website at www.actsnetwork.com/vlog
thanks for your patience and interest in this ministry.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Evangelist Rex Humbard Dies at 88
I don't remember hearing him preach, but I do remember my mom talking about "Rex Humbard". The guitar strumming preacher who began preaching at revivals in the 1950s and who become a voice over the airwaves, died this weekend at the age of 88.
read the article in the NY Times
read the article in the NY Times
Buzz's Moon Verse
I never heard this story before tonight. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, penned a note of something he planned to read on the moon, broadcast back to earth.
He wrote his speech on an index card, packed it in his suit and shot off to the moon.
But he never read it. Why? He planned to read a verse from the Bible but Madalyn Murray O'Hair threatened to sue NASA if the astronaut read something from the Bible.
I can barely make out what the handwritten note said but I can tell that he planned to quote John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him will bear much fruit for you can do nothing without me."
Aldren didn't read the verse but he did read part of his speech which asked viewers for a moment of silence and to "contemplate for a moment, the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in their own individual way."
The index card was sold at auction for $179,250.
read the story and see the note in the Houston Chronicle
He wrote his speech on an index card, packed it in his suit and shot off to the moon.
But he never read it. Why? He planned to read a verse from the Bible but Madalyn Murray O'Hair threatened to sue NASA if the astronaut read something from the Bible.
I can barely make out what the handwritten note said but I can tell that he planned to quote John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him will bear much fruit for you can do nothing without me."
Aldren didn't read the verse but he did read part of his speech which asked viewers for a moment of silence and to "contemplate for a moment, the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in their own individual way."
The index card was sold at auction for $179,250.
read the story and see the note in the Houston Chronicle
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Senator Sues God
A Nebraska state senator has filed a lawsuit against God.
Ernie Chambers says in the lawsuit that God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
Chambers, who skips morning prayers during the legislative sessions and often criticizes Christians, also says in his claim that God has caused "fearsome floods, horrendous hurricanes and terrifying tornadoes."
He told the Associated Press that he is angry with a frivolous lawsuit and filed his lawsuit to make the point that anybody can sue anybody.
Chambers is seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty.
Ernie Chambers says in the lawsuit that God has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."
Chambers, who skips morning prayers during the legislative sessions and often criticizes Christians, also says in his claim that God has caused "fearsome floods, horrendous hurricanes and terrifying tornadoes."
He told the Associated Press that he is angry with a frivolous lawsuit and filed his lawsuit to make the point that anybody can sue anybody.
Chambers is seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty.
Lion QB: "God Healed Me"
Jon Kitna got hurt Sunday in an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran quarterback left the game in the second quarter with a concussion.
Two quarters later, he was back.
"I've never felt anything like that, and for it to clear up and go right back to normal as I can be, is nothing short of a miracle. I just definately feel the hand of God. That's all it was. You can't explain it."
Kitna's testimony is getting a lot of airplay on ESPN.
read more
Two quarters later, he was back.
"I've never felt anything like that, and for it to clear up and go right back to normal as I can be, is nothing short of a miracle. I just definately feel the hand of God. That's all it was. You can't explain it."
Kitna's testimony is getting a lot of airplay on ESPN.
read more
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Why Is This Woman a Star?
Kathy Griffin, comic star of the show "My Life on the D-List" won an emmy. But her acceptance speech was so vulgar and offensive, even "E" won't air it.
Maybe you've heard about this but what you probably haven't heard is what she said when she picked up her award at a taped ceremony. She didn't use profanity but I doubt anything could have been more profane.
"a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim "this award is my god now!"
I suppose we should applaud E for the decision not to air her comments. But the thing that strikes me is why a woman who regularly mocks God and Jesus Christ is able to make it as a television celebrity in this country?
Can you imagine any Hollywood movie or tv personality in the 80s making a statement like this and then having any type of career? If Eddie Murphy or Rodney Dangerfield or even Robin Williams had said something this offensive to a majority of people in this country, they would have never found an audience again.
Yet this woman, who routinely mocks God in her stand-act has a weekly reality series on a major cable network (Bravo) ((the network, not a hurrah))
I'm not suggesting Griffin should be censored. She has the right to be offensive. But those who are offended have the right to put a dent in her Hollywood star. If everyone in this country who is offended by this type of speech would stop watching her show, stop supporting the network that airs it, and stops supporting the companies that advertise on that show and that network...Kathy Griffin's tv show would not be on the air.
What's more, she takes her show on the road performing her standup act in cities across the country. No one would book her if they couldn't sell tickets would they?
It's our own darn fault that Kathy Griffin has her platform.
Maybe you've heard about this but what you probably haven't heard is what she said when she picked up her award at a taped ceremony. She didn't use profanity but I doubt anything could have been more profane.
"a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim "this award is my god now!"
I suppose we should applaud E for the decision not to air her comments. But the thing that strikes me is why a woman who regularly mocks God and Jesus Christ is able to make it as a television celebrity in this country?
Can you imagine any Hollywood movie or tv personality in the 80s making a statement like this and then having any type of career? If Eddie Murphy or Rodney Dangerfield or even Robin Williams had said something this offensive to a majority of people in this country, they would have never found an audience again.
Yet this woman, who routinely mocks God in her stand-act has a weekly reality series on a major cable network (Bravo) ((the network, not a hurrah))
I'm not suggesting Griffin should be censored. She has the right to be offensive. But those who are offended have the right to put a dent in her Hollywood star. If everyone in this country who is offended by this type of speech would stop watching her show, stop supporting the network that airs it, and stops supporting the companies that advertise on that show and that network...Kathy Griffin's tv show would not be on the air.
What's more, she takes her show on the road performing her standup act in cities across the country. No one would book her if they couldn't sell tickets would they?
It's our own darn fault that Kathy Griffin has her platform.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
"Enjoy Every Sandwich"
That's one of my favorite quotes. It came from rock and roll star Warren Zevon just days before he died of brain cancer. David Letterman had asked Zevon what advice he would have to people as he saw life winding down."Enjoy every sandwich."
Makes a lot of sense doesn't it? We get so busy with getting to meetings and work and school on time. So busy worrying about things. So busy with our careers and our bank statements. Yet we rarely slow down enough to enjoy life's little joys.
That quote came to mind today right after I listened to track two on Kenny Chesney's new album. "Don't Blink" is the name of the song and the lyrics tell the story of what a 102 year old man told a news crew on his birthday. "Don't blink. You're six years old and you take a nap, next thing you know you're 25. Don't blink, 100 years goes by faster than you think."
Bro. Glenn Weekley didn't make it to 102. He was taken from this earth far too early. Just 59 years old when he died this morning after a brief battle with cancer, pneumonia and a heart attack that eventually would drain the life from his body.
He has been my pastor for only a year or so. I've known him for just a little more than that. When I first came to Nashville to be a religion reporter, several pastors around town suggested I meet him. "You need to talk with Bro. Glenn" they told me. So I called him.
Sometimes you just know. Sometimes people you meet instantly becomes your friend. And while my initial relationship with Bro. Glenn was strictly professional, he became my friend very very quickly.
I interviewed him several times. Called him more than that, and every time he returned my phone calls and e-mails as soon as possible. "Anytime I can help you, you call me" he would say.
I'll be honest, interviewing your pastor and putting them in a story to be broadcast on local television is a bit unnerving and uncomfortable. Sometimes, a 5 or 10 second soundbyte can be taken out of context by a viewer and the person making the comment can be interpreted the wrong way.
But with Bro. Glenn, that concern was never too great with me. He was such a good communicator, there was very little wiggle-room for error or misinterpretation.
I have had some wonderful pastors in my 40 years of being in the church. Bill Dixon, Ed Massey, Robbie White all in Alabama. Richard Emmert at Manley Baptist Church in Morristown, TN. Dr. Adrian Rogers at Bellevue and P.J. Scott in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
And while I am not trying to compare any of these fine preachers and pastors and picking a favorite, I will say that Bro. Glenn Weekley could preach a sermon that spoke to me each and every Sunday. His 'aw shucks' or home-spun style didn't stand on ceremony or pomp or 'high church feel. His message was simple and it resonated with thousands of people through the years.
June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys all called Bro. Glenn "pastor".
We will indeed miss his leadership and his messages, but he has prepared the congregation and staff to carry on without him.
His mission statement was simple too: "Go to heaven and take as many people as possible with me."
He fulfilled that mission and purpose. And sometime around 8:30 am Central time, I am certain that Bro. Glenn Weekley heard those words we all hope to hear. "Well done my good and faithful servant."
Bro. Glenn Weekley
Bro. Glenn Weekley, the pastor of First Baptist Church Hendersonville, passed away this morning.
I hope you all will be in prayer for his family and his church family.
Arrangements are still being made. I will post them here when I learn more.
Thanks
I hope you all will be in prayer for his family and his church family.
Arrangements are still being made. I will post them here when I learn more.
Thanks
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Dr.James Kennedy Dies at 76
Dr. James Kennedy, the longtime pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida died today at the age of 76.
Along with his role as pastor, Dr. Kennedy was a pioneer in the world of religious broadcasting and programming.
Read more at The New York Times
So Will MTV Start Playing Gospel Music Videos?
MTV puts together a survey on teenagers and finds that God is pretty important to a majority of them.
44% of teenagers answering the survey (ages 13-24) say religion and spirituality is at least very important to them. 21% said it was somewhat important and 14% said it isn't important at all.
African Americans are most likely to describe faith as being the most important thing in their lives. Females are slightly more spiritual than males, and (surprise surprise) the South is more religious than any other part of the country.
Here's the article in USA Today
44% of teenagers answering the survey (ages 13-24) say religion and spirituality is at least very important to them. 21% said it was somewhat important and 14% said it isn't important at all.
African Americans are most likely to describe faith as being the most important thing in their lives. Females are slightly more spiritual than males, and (surprise surprise) the South is more religious than any other part of the country.
Here's the article in USA Today
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
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